Road to Revolution 3

### Later, inside the Bandit's Blade

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 east, the counter and drink
shelf lie.  To the south and east, the numerous tables continue, while to
the west is a back room.  

[Exits: east south west]
Elciryar the thief leader and betrayer of the ethrons sits here.
Shasarik has arrived.

Shasarik looks at a rotund old barkeep.
Shasarik says 'What is our business here?'

Vaeshir says softly 'Talk. Talk of various things.'
Vaeshir braces himself against the shelves and lowers himself to the floor.

Shasarik sighs in small, controlled bursts.

Vaeshir gazes up at Shasarik through the cloth bound about his face.
Vaeshir says softly 'You are tense. Why?'

Shasarik says 'The girl... the girl... I admire the fighter's style but...'

Put to work by the leaders of the Bandit's Blade, this young girl is at
the beck and call of the criminals in the tavern.  She appears harrowed by
the experience of working under the conditions imposed by men of such
unscrupulous natures.  
A young servant girl is in excellent condition.

Shasarik says 'I cannot glean her intentions...'
Shasarik says 'No, the other one'
Shasarik says 'Isyle.'
Shasarik says 'True neutrals... they disturb me.'

Vaeshir furrows his brow.
Vaeshir says softly 'Neutral in which matters?'
Vaeshir says softly 'Which girl do you speak of?'

Shasarik says 'They cloak themselves in a shroud of indifference... armor of stasis...  Isyle... the fighter.'

You haggle with a rotund old barkeep.
You buy a mug of sailor's ale for 675 gold.

Shasarik says 'From our last clash with the Lords of Conquest I found that the technique of fighters is... potent.'

Vaeshir says softly 'An interesting name for a woman.'

Shasarik says 'I thought as much...'

Vaeshir takes a small sip of his ale.

You drink dark ale from a mug of sailor's ale.

Shasarik says 'I wish a fighter servant... but Isyle will not be bound, I suppose.'

Vaeshir says softly 'Few can be bound with words alone.'
Vaeshir raises his gaze to meet your own.

Shasarik nods at this.
Shasarik says 'There is something else...'
Shasarik says 'It is the Darklord...'
Shasarik says 'He is of my Vanguard and still I do not trust him fully.'

Vaeshir traces the rim of his glass with a finger, a slight hint of interest in his face.

Shasarik says 'This plagues me, for only those who I am assured of... only those who...'

Shasarik sighs.

Vaeshir says into the mug 'Why?'
Vaeshir says softly 'Why do you not trust him?'

Shasarik says 'He was inducted without my presence at the ceremony.  And he is of the Elder.'

You think 'Excellent.'

Vaeshir raises the glass to his lips again.
You drink dark ale from a mug of sailor's ale.

Shasarik says 'I... I found my eyes locked upon the Saurian Elder once... he attempted to bind me...'
Shasarik says 'I was young... and foolish... I ran... ran on the legs of a mortal from a god.'

Vaeshir gives Shasarik an offhand glance.

Shasarik removes his helm slowly to reveal the trigon of the Vanguard in its entirety.

Vaeshir says softly 'Perhaps that was answer enough.'

Shasarik says 'There is no rune of the Elder in this.'
Shasarik says 'And there is a reason for that.'

### The symbol on Shasarik's forehead:

The Symbol of the Black Vanguard consists of a midnight-black Raven
surrounded by three smaller markings.  Such is the nature of the Symbol that
no one component dominates its perfect equilibrium.  Around the Raven, the
peripheral markings are positioned at the vertexes of a thinly-detailed
equilateral triangle drawn in red.  The Raven itself is drawn as a perfectly
symmetrical image of beautiful, refined power, the eyes of which are
narrowed to sharp, ever-viligant slits.  Even for a lifeless symbol, the
Raven appears particularly immobile, its wings of pitch creased back evenly,
allowing its presence alone to manifest its capabilities.  Within the
lower-left corner of the triangle is the symbol of the Great Dragon of the
Void, pulsing softly with the unenergies of the nothingness itself.  Within
the lower-right corner of the triangle is the symbol of the Father of the
Mask, Lord of the Fallen, fading in and out of the grasp of your sight. 
Within the apex is the mark of the Silver Pentagram, flowing with the
ever-present energies of the Collective.  Between the eyes of the Raven,
occupying the very center of the trigon, is a small rune of Will,
identifying Shasarik as the Lieutenant of the Black Vanguard.  

Shasarik says 'The goals of the Sept are not our own.'
Shasarik says 'Their practices are not our own.'
Shasarik says 'And there will be a time when their ways conflict with ours.'

Vaeshir tilts the mug back deeply, emptying it as you speak.

You drop a mug of sailor's ale.
The gods give you 60 gold coins for your sacrifice.

Vaeshir looks at Shasarik intently.
Vaeshir says softly 'What is your opinion of the High Priest?'

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.'
Shasarik peers at the rafters with this topic change.
Shasarik buys a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow.

Vaeshir says softly 'I have said those words to you myself in the past, but we may continue speaking of them later.'

Shasarik sets the glass on a table and peers at you.

Vaeshir taps a claw against the broken wooden floorboards idly.

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.'

Vaeshir smiles, facing southward 'A direct answer.'

Shasarik says 'Perhaps I make this observation because the Vanguard relies more on the whole than on any one blade...'
Shasarik says 'But a mage can do wonders alone.'

Vaeshir's smile deepens into a grin.

Shasarik says 'No living soul will deny that the High Priest is of power.'

Vaeshir says softly 'He did use his power to bring the Warlord among us.'

Shasarik says 'Indeed.'

Vaeshir says softly 'That disturbs you.'
Vaeshir says softly 'Offends you?'

Shasarik says 'Disturbs... slightly.'

Vaeshir says softly 'Threatens you?'
Vaeshir nods at nothing in particular.

Shasarik says 'Threteans... not me alone.'
Shasarik says 'I simply wish he would have spoken to me at greater length.'
Shasarik says 'At times I fear that his position grants him more power than...'
Shasarik halts for a moment as he chooses words.
Shasarik says 'Balance is of importance.'

Vaeshir interjects 'I don't believe he has ever shared his true intentions with me.'

Shasarik nods gravely.

Vaeshir raises his gaze to lock with your own once more.

Shasarik says 'I fear that he knows more than I could ever... ever imagine.'

Vaeshir says softly 'You, of course, are one of the Circle. Perhaps he has spoken with you of them.'
Vaeshir tilts his head inquisitively.

Shasarik shakes his head slightly.
Shasarik says 'Not a breath.'

The edges of Vaeshir's mouth turn downward slightly.

Shasarik says 'You... you will be the Keeper... I know this as you know this as the archmage of the nexus knows this.'
Shasarik says 'It is my hope that when we stand within the circle together we shall restore a measure of... balance.'
Shasarik sips calmly from a glass.
Shasarik drinks rum from a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow.
Shasarik frowns and discards the glass.
Shasarik drops a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow.

Shasarik splits 90 gold coins. Your share is 45 gold.
Shasarik sacrifices a huge glass of Brintor Mountain Snow to the gods.

Shasarik mutters 'Too sweet.'

Vaeshir laces his fingers together, bringing his legs up to his chest.

Shasarik begins again 'He keeps the scrolls... he holds all the keys...'

You think 'How fully I know this one.'

Shasarik says 'I know he is bound as we all are... but slowly he rises above...'
Shasarik tenses briefly.
Shasarik whispers 'I know not of what I speak.'
Shasarik turns his head to the ground.

Vaeshir stares idly into space.
Vaeshir murmurs 'You know of the Scorpion, I presume.'

Shasarik blinks and closes his mouth.
Shasarik says 'The scorpion is without a name and form to me.'

Vaeshir turns his head upward to study Shasarik's face.

Shasarik looks about for a serving man.
Shasarik slowly sets his gave to you.

[OOC] Shasarik: er, gaze

OOC to Shasarik: np

     a sea-blue opal

Shasarik says 'Do don't suppose they serve nonliquids in this place?'

Vaeshir ponders quietly 'Perhaps I assume too much.'
Vaeshir says softly 'It is a bar. That aside, I would not trust a meal served in this den of thieves.'

Shasarik surveys the room without moving his head.
Shasarik says 'The Scorpion.'
Shasarik is about a continue but doubles over slightly.
Shasarik says 'Might you... have a spare loaf?'

Vaeshir says softly 'Certainly.'

You get a cake of Nendorian waybread from a large hide bag.
You give a cake of Nendorian waybread to Shasarik.

Shasarik sets his jaw and nods in thanks.
Shasarik eats a cake of Nendorian waybread.
Shasarik says 'The Scorpion has revealed him or herself to you?'

Vaeshir crosses his legs, dusting off his clothing vainly.
Vaeshir shakes his head.
Vaeshir holds up a clawed hand before his face.

Shasarik admires the slight pulse of his axe passively.

Vaeshir says softly 'Just as anyone else, I have my suspcicions.'

Shasarik says 'Would you perhaps wish to share them?'

Vaeshir says softly 'It was an idle question. I am sorry to have brought it up.'
Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly. 

Shasarik says 'No no... I must admit I do contemplate the nature of the Scorpion's role and...'

Shasarik says 'And its true identity.'

Vaeshir says softly 'Speculation does nothing.'
Vaeshir says softly 'The nature of the role is intriguing, I will agree.'

Shasarik says 'Speculation is a facet of science...'
Shasarik says 'Without conjecture there is little progress in some respects.'

Vaeshir says softly 'Blind speculation most certainly is not.'

Shasarik says 'Agreed.'
Shasarik says 'Perhaps it is not our place to enquire...'

Vaeshir says quietly, a hissing sound barely entering his voice 'I am inclined to agree.'

Vaeshir says softly 'It is most certainly not my place.'

Shasarik nods, wiping crumbs of waybread from his armor.

Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly. 

Shasarik says 'What are your feelings as to the nature of neutrality?'

Vaeshir quotes 'The Eyes, Ears and Sting of the Coven.'

Shasarik says 'Political and otherwise...'
Shasarik says flatly 'I am well-versed in the doctrine.'

Vaeshir presses his lips together in thought.

Shasarik says 'Although it does leave much to be desired, yes...'
Shasarik says 'Desires, those that do not impede the strength or will of the Collective, should not be ignored.'

Vaeshir says softly 'The direction of his or her gaze is not specified. An intriguing anomaly that is.'
Vaeshir purses his lips 'I would not aspire to sit in that seat. It would not suit me.'

Shasarik says 'Nor I.'
Shasarik says 'I feel my position is rather fitting.'

Vaeshir chuckles 'Of course you do.'

Shasarik allows a dry chuckle to come.

Vaeshir places a hand on the table, pulling himself to his feet.

Shasarik says 'They're all dead, you know.'

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.'
Vaeshir turns his head to one side questioningly.

Shasarik says 'My men stand at arms.  With every breath their vigilance does increase.  The Guardians wish they had such sentries about the towns.'
Shasarik says 'And there is no one to fight.'
Shasarik says 'Perhaps that is why Isyle bothers me.'
Shasarik says 'I am used to meeting threats cleanly and moving on... but I don't know what Isyle is.'

Vaeshir offers 'Not all threats are so easily defined and done away with.'

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.'
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'
Shasarik says 'er, verse-speak...'
Shasarik says 'Balance...'

Vaeshir says softly 'A heavy burden has been set upon your shoulders. It is only natural that you struggle under it's weight.'

Shasarik says 'Perhaps the quiet shall give me a moment's time to withdraw back to my true intentions and speak with myself...'

Shasarik says 'I... still have a price to pay, you know.'
Shasarik becomes very quiet.

Vaeshir says softly 'Perhaps you already have.'

Shasarik nods gravely.
Shasarik stands with the fluidity of a trained swordsmaster.

Vaeshir says softly 'What of the Siren, then?'

Shasarik says 'Perhaps she has been detained.'

Vaeshir looks at you, his brow arching only slightly.
Vaeshir says softly 'Not of her location.'
Vaeshir says softly 'What do you think of her person?'

Shasarik drinks water from a sturdy leather water skin.
Shasarik says 'My thoughts of her person are irrelivant if such a thing lies beneath the western sea.'
Shasarik says 'Last I saw her she made preparations for a westward journey.'
Shasarik says 'I have little knowledge of the Otherrealms...'
Shasarik says 'But assuming she will return to us one day...'

Vaeshir says softly 'Your thoughts for or against the other members of the collective are always of importance.'

Shasarik nods.
Shasarik says 'I believe that she sees her charge of you as a burden rather than an act of good fortune.'

Vaeshir says softly 'She has returned, although I have not spoken with her in person yet.'

Shasarik says 'Ah.'
Shasarik says 'I believe...'

Vaeshir whistles, surprise in his voice 'Really?'

Shasarik looks at you intently.
Shasarik utters 'Trust... let it be about us in this...'

Vaeshir states blandly 'She intends to release me, but will not do so yet.'
Vaeshir says softly 'I cannot begin to guess her reasons for hesitation.'
Vaeshir chuckles to himself 'Well..'

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.'

Vaeshir continues to stare silently towards the entrance to the Tavern.

Shasarik says 'You will sit in the throne of the Pentagram... and I know this will be well for us.'

You think 'Appeal to his sense of duty, perhaps.'

Shasarik says 'And I cannot explain in words why I believe this...'
Shasarik closes his eyes for a moment.

Vaeshir changes the subject once more 'She was given a charge and failed to complete the task.'

Shasarik opens his eyes forcefully.

Vaeshir says softly 'Unless she considers throwing a meaningless command my way from time to time to be a suitable test of loyalty.'

Shasarik queries ''Failed...''

You think 'That seems to have hit home.'

Shasarik says 'The archmage of the nexus knows of your loyalty... as do I and the High Priest.'
Shasarik says 'She failed, yes... but where she failed the Coven itself succeeded.'
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.'

[OOC] Shasarik: enterence?  enterance?  dammit

Vaeshir says softly 'It is interesting that one who so blatantly ignores her duties as a member of the Circle remains within it.'

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.

12[3]45

Return to: The Apocrypha See also: Vaeshir, Shasarik, Padraic