In the Night

[Brian]

You rap on the door, and a handsome, if absentminded looking Lorekeeper answers it, blinking sleep out of his eyes.  "Yes?" he asks rather tiredly.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai repeats what he had told Terrence.  "Hi. Sorry to disturb you but Loremaster Radagast wanted us to inform every lorekeeper that he has set up a plan for the next night's battle in which each lorekeeper has a specific role to play. For this to work, though, he needs to talk with each lorekeeper one at a time."

[Brian]

"Okay," he says, following behind you dociley.

[Brian]

<Brian> Here is the scene:
<Brian> You are walking down the last of the winding stairs, and then across the short hall leading to Radagast's study.  This room is kind of like a parlor, with a few stuffed chairs, a fireplace, and a single (guarded) exit into the keep proper.
<Brian> Currently, the doorway is sealed with a thin, glowing skein of energy.
<Brian> The guards are outside of the doorway, and pointedly not looking inside.
Ginrai stops...
<Brian> You're at the front of the party, the new lorekeeper (who you never learned the name of) is directly behind you.  Serril is to his right (where the stone wall is), Astryd is to his left (towards the entrance), and Devin is directly behind.
<Ginrai> "Okay... this... is definitely weird."
<Brian> When you stop, the new guy almost bumps into you, but instead stops and looks mildly annoyed.
<Brian> "It's not unexpected," Astryd chastises you.  "Wardmaster Mattias said they would seal the tower."
<Ginrai> "True."
Ginrai shrugs and walks in
<Brian> You enter Radagast's room and see Mattias in a corner, scribbling away at a large sheet of paper, and Radagast and Eske sitting at the table where Terrance was interviewed earlier.
Ginrai leads the lorekeeper to the table with Radagast and Eske
<Brian> He saunters over to the table, but does not sit down.  "Have a seat," Radagast says, rising, and gesturing to the chair.
<Brian> "No thanks," the lorekeeper says, yawning.  "I'm so tired that if I sat down, I'd fall asleep."
Ginrai stands a few feet from the lorekeeper, ready in case anything should happen
<Brian> Eske raises his eyebrows briefly, then shakes his head.  "Neil," he says, in a welcoming voice.  "We wanted to ask you a few questions."
<Brian> "Yes?" the lorekeeper asks, frowning.
<Brian> "We wanted to ask you a few questions to determine who you will be most compatible with when we link our energies," Radagast clarifies.
<Brian> At this point, the door that was sealing Ashton away glows briefly, turns into ash, and collapses to the floor in an untidy pile.
<Ginrai> "Ah, damn!"
<Brian> Radagast jumps back, Eske leaps to his feet, and Mattias vanishes from sight.  Serril raises his hands, and a glowing blue wall appears which separates you, Devin, Astryd, and Serril from everyone else.
<Brian> Neil puts up both his hands, and says, "Peace, Loremaster Radagast.  I do what I do only at Solariat's behest."
Ginrai looks at the others within the shield
<Brian> Astryd is holding a knife in one hand, and looks nervous.  Devin looks about as calm as you've ever seen him.  Serril is mumbling to himself, concentrating on maintaining his shield.
<Brian> Radagast puts one hand into a pocket -- probably preparing some sort of charm, and narrows his eyes.  Ashton staggers into the open doorway, and crosses his arms over his chest, looking more bored than anything else.
Ginrai heads to Serril and whispers, "Once I change, feel you can lower it for a moment so I can attack?"
<Brian> Serril nods slowly.  Astryd hisses at you, "We cannot go against the will of Solariat!"
<Ginrai> "Not unless he's already a traitor."
<Brian> "How can the will of the council be a traitor?" Neil says, turning to you.  "You've neatly revealed yourselves as the true traitors already, 'Banor'."
<Brian> Eske looks unsettled, and just leans on his staff, looking between you and Neil.
Ginrai stares coldly at Neil. "It was one of your men that tried to kill me before, wasn't it?"
<Brian> "I don't know what you're talking about," he says, grimacing.  "Solariat has kinder ways to discipline."
<Brian> Ashton shudders at that, and looks at the floor.
<Ginrai> "So what did he offer you to work for the Dreadmarch?"
Ginrai slowly concentrates on his wolf form while talking, preparing to change himself to his strongest form at a moment's notice
<Brian> "We don't work for the Dreadmarch," Neil growls, shaking his head.  "Do not brand me with your own titles, traitors.  Madame Astryd, Master Serril ... you would be wise not to associate with such ... riff-raff."
<Brian> "If you truly speak for Solariat, you should bear his signet," Eske finally says.
<Brian> Neil nods, and removes a six-point star-shaped pendant, wrought from silver, and adorned with multiple tiny stones.  "This is Solariat's seal," he says.  "Solariat bade me reveal the traitors within your tower, Radagast."
<Brian> Radagast says nothing, his face growing tight, and his eyes narrowed -- lips compressing into a thin line.
<Brian> "Radagast harbors no traitors!" Eske barks, glaring at Neil.
Ginrai looks at Devin, waiting for him to say something
<Brian> "Think again, old man," Neil warns, holding the seal aloft.  "The one opposed to Solariat's goals here is none other than Radagast."
<Brian> Devin shakes his head.  "Ginrai, you and I will need to act quickly; I can handle Ashton easily.  If you can handle Neil, then we will have only Eske and Mattias left to fight," he whispers.
<Ginrai> "What?!"
Ginrai is confused... unsure of what exactly to do now
<Brian> "We can't fight Eske and Mattias!" Astryd squeals, dropping her knife.
<Ginrai> "Devin, explain now!"
<Brian> Eske and Radagast whirl to look at the sound--
<Brian> We'll call this phase 0.
<Brian> Everyone with a held action can act, in Dex order.
Ginrai tries to push Astryd as far away from everyone else as possible
<Ginrai> "Devin, which side are you truly on?"
<Brian> Dex 16 -- Ashton will be going first.
<Brian> He takes a few steps towards Neil, and throws a bolt of fire at Radagast.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> Radagast is hit, and staggers backwards, his left shoulder smoking and burnt.
<Brian> Dex 14 -- Devin and Astryd act.
<Brian> Astryd is going to curl up on the ground and whimper, so she'll go before Devin.
<Brian> Devin casts a spell.
<Brian> roll 8d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 8d6 --> [ 8d6=21 ]{21}
<Brian> A section of the floor between Radagast, and Ashton and Neil buckles upwards, forming a thick stone wall.
<Brian> Dex 13, Radagast acts.
<Brian> He staggers a few steps back from the wall, and grits his teeth in pain, yelling, "Stop!  Stop!  There is no need to fight here!"
<Brian> Dex 12, Neil and Ginrai act.
<Brian> Your action?
Ginrai turns into a mid-sized wolf
<Brian> Make your skill check to transform.
<Ginrai> roll 3d6 to make sense of this mess
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 to make sense of this mess --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> You try and transform, but the image of the wolf just isn't coming through from the other world.
<Ginrai> "Everyone please stop!" Ginrai screams, hoping that would do something.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll ... 4d6.
<Ginrai> roll 4d6 for something to happen
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 4d6 for something to happen --> [ 4d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> Neil looks at you, still holding up the star in one hand, and says, "Very nice.  Now, why don't we do as Banor suggests, and all relax?"
<Brian> Ashton looks unhappy about this, but everyone stands down a little, except for Radagast, who's rubbing his wounded shoulder and staying behind the cover of Devin's wall.
<Brian> Devin growls.  "Don't you see?" he snaps at you.  "You're not supposed to let them use you!  You're supposed to be stronger!"
<Ginrai> "What the hell is going on?"
<Brian> "Calm down," Neil advises.  "Everyone calm down.  There is a rational explanation for everything."
<Brian> "I'd like to hear it," Eske says, glaring at Radagast, and then at Neil.
<Brian> Neil nods.  "It's quite simple ... even if your loyalties have been misplaced," he offers.
<Brian> Devin cracks his neck, and crosses his arms over his chest.  His eyes close, and he sighs, tilting his head up towards the ceiling.
<Ginrai> "Please explain."  Turning to Devin, he asks, "And just why did we have to attack the others?"
<Brian> "Solariat knew that there were traitors among us," Neil says, ignoring you.
<Brian> Devin just shakes his head, and Serril lowers his force wall.
<Brian> "Traitors, aye," Eske allows.  "But Radagast is loyal -- fighting him is madness!"
<Brian> "Oh?" Ashton asks, smirking.  "How loyal can someone not even of this world be?"
<Brian> The only person who seems surprised at this revelation is Eske.
<Brian> Radagast sighs, still remaining behind his barrier.  "I was created here, just as you were born," he counters.  "This is the only world I've ever known."
<Ginrai> "Does it matter where we're from?  Isn't all of our goals to fight the Dreadmarch?"
<Brian> "Another admission!" Neil exclaims, pointing towards you.  "As ... Huron pretends to be Devin, and Banor pretends to be Ginrai ... why would any loyal Lorekeeper need to go to such lengths for deciet?"
<Brian> "What?" Eske asks, blinking in confusion.
<Brian> "What would a lorekeeper need to hide so badly they'd be willing to lie so much for?" Neil clarifies.  "Pretending their own deaths?  Hiding the fact that Radagast is not of this world?"
<Brian> "I don't know what you're up to, but stop it, Devin," Ashton suddenly says.  "If I have to, I will kill you.  By Solariat's will."
<Brian> Devin drops his arms to his sides, and glares at Ashton.  "Banor," he growls.  "We will die here, today."
<Ginrai> "Pretend our deaths?  I was murdered!  If it wasn't for Cyric's noble sacrifice, I wouldn't be alive now!"
<Ginrai> "And what the hell are you talking about, Devin?!"
<Brian> Astryd scurries away, and Serril glances back at you, but keeps his attention focused mostly on Ashton and Neil.
<Brian> "I'm sure you'd like us to believe that, Banor," Neil says.  "But the entire story is simply too convenient to be believable."
<Ginrai> "Weren't you telling me before that there were traitors within our midst?"
<Brian> Devin shakes his head, and says aloud, "Eske.  Do not let your judgement be clouded.  Have either Lorekeeper Ginrai or I done anything other than our utmost to defend this place?"
<Ginrai> "Neil, do you even question why you were given those orders?"
<Brian> "Orders are not to be questioned, or they are not orders, and hence, there is no order," Neil replies, as if by rote.
<Ginrai> "Astryd, listen to me.  We made an oath of blood.  My only purpose here is to protect everyone from the Dreadmarch.  You know this to be true."
<Brian> Eske looks warily between Radagast and Neil.
<Brian> Astryd looks up from the corner she's hiding it.  "But he lied!  He said he was Devin, and he is not; he is Huron!  That oath means nothing!"
Ginrai groans. "I do not know of how to do such a thing."
<Brian> Astryd just shakes her head at you.  "I want to stop the Dreadmarch," she says.  "I want to be a good lorekeeper.  I don't want to deal with traitors and madness!"
<Brian> "None of us do," Neil soothes, glancing at you, Serril, and Devin again.
<Ginrai> "At least that much we can agree on."
<Ginrai> "What exactly did Solariat tell you?"
<Brian> "Good.  Huron, Banor, and Radagast.  I hereby command that you give yourselves over to be taken into the custody of Solariat, until we can either purge you of your taint and corruption, or strip you of your powers," Neil commands.  "We are in a war, and mercy is a luxury we can ill afford for you at this point."
Ginrai shakes his head. "That I cannot do. My friends are counting on me to help out and I will not fail them."
<Brian> Neil actually smiles at this.  "If you resist, I have permission to kill you, and I will use it."
<Ginrai> "You have not explained why he wants us taken in custody.  Just that we're supposedly traitors."
<Brian> "For deciet," Neil clarifies.  "And for the murder of your apprentice, Banor."
<Brian> "Eske," Radagast says, finally done patching up his shoulder.  "Think on this; if there is corruption in the council, where is it?  Who chose to raise Mattias to the council, and why were we not informed?"
<Ginrai> "Cyric?  I did not kill him."
<Brian> "That remains to be proven," Neil says.  "Until such time as you can provide evidence that this is the case, you are to enter our custody."
<Brian> "Shut up, old man!" Ashton yells.  "None of your lies, now!"
<Ginrai> "Mattias?  Speaking of which, where is he?"
<Brian> "Eske!" Radagast yells, as Eske looks between Radagast and Neil in confusion.  "How did Mattias get inside the seal you could not cross through, when I stand astride the only entry to the wastes!"
<Brian> And we'll declare this another phase 0.
<Brian> He who has a held action acts first.
<Brian> Rather, he who's breaking the impasse.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Ginrai> "Eske, you know what truely happened to Cyric, don't you?"
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> There's a flash of green light which flickers across Radagast, and Mattias returns to view.  "Your power is sealed, Radagast," he says.
<Brian> Devin whispers, "Eske may be trusted after all -- are you READY?"
<Ginrai> "Now I am. I just hope I can transform quickly enough."
<Brian> Radagast looks defeated, and hopeless.  "I wished only to protect this place," he says weakly.
Ginrai concentrates hard on bringing his knife over
<Brian> It comes to your hands more easily this time, perhaps through the surge of adrenaline.
<Brian> Ashton sees the knife, and raises his hands, which are wreathed in flame.  "Stand down!" he yells.
Ginrai ducks
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 1d5
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d5 --> [ 1d5=5 ]{5}
<Brian> You're missed, as Astryd -- apparently figuring out what's going on -- throws herself in front of you.  She slams into the floor, smoking, and bleeding an awful lot.  "S...sorry ... I didn't trust you," she manages before passing out.
<Ginrai> "Astryd!  Someone please move her away and tend to her!"
<Brian> Serril goes, and claps his hands together -- you, Eske, Astryd, Radagast, and Devin are all surrounded by a field of reddish-yellow energy (your vision is tinged by the effect).
<Brian> "No more mercy!" Neil yells, "Eske!  The traitors must be stopped!"
<Brian> Dex order now, all that's left is ... Radagast and Eske.
<Brian> "Eske, old friend," Radagast says, backing away from Mattias, who is holding out a rune-marked stone sphere.  "You must see reason here!"
<Brian> "Don't help them, Eske," Mattias warns.  "I was sent to stop the traitors, and you belong on our side."
<Brian> Eske shakes his head slowly, and says, "Solariat ... would never stand for this, and if he did, then he is no just leader!"
<Brian> Neil uses his held action.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> A sphere of ice appears in Neil's hands, and slams into Eske, knocking him to the floor.
<Brian> Radagast uses his held action.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=4 1d3=3 ]{7}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> There's a hugely loud 'BANG!', as though someone had just fired a gun.
<Brian> "You can't seal my powers, Mattias," Radagast says, holding -- of all things -- a hand-made revolver made of flawless black dwarven steel.
<Brian> Mattias looks at the bleeding hole in his thigh, and passes out.
<Brian> "You're outnumbered," Serril warns.  "Give up while you still can."
<Brian> Ashton and Neil exchange a glance, and retreat to the doorway Ashton withdrew from.  "You outpower us," Neil admits.  "And outnumber us."
<Brian> Ashton just growls, looking like he wants to throw another fireball, but knows better, now.
<Brian> "As you say," Devin says, smiling cruelly.  "Death to traitors."
<Brian> roll 8d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 8d6 --> [ 8d6=24 ]{24}
<Brian> The stone archway of the door they're standing of collapses, burying Ashton and Neil in rubble, and filling the room with dust.
<Brian> roll 10#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 10#1d6 --> [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
<Brian> Ashton and Neil aren't killed, but they're bruised up, and pinned down.  Devin looks disappointed, but ignores them, turning to tend to Astryd.
Ginrai allows his knife to disappear and looks at the mess all around.

[Brian]

As tense of a combat as that was, the worst off are Astryd (who will probably live, if she gets healing soon) and Radagast, who's well enough to take the spent shell from his gun and reload it from a pocket.

Devin grabs a handful of raw stone and shapes it like clay to make manacles for Ashton and Neil before they recover, and then another pair for Mattias, who is also still bleeding.  Eske recovers on his own, battered, but otherwise okay.

Serril allows the glow that's on his allies to vanish, and Devin starts reshaping the stone in the room back to it's original form (less the mass of the manacles, apparently).

[Ginrai]

"Sorry I didn't act on your advice sooner, Devin," Ginrai says in a soft, regretful tone.  "I just... damn."

Turning to Radagast, he asks, "How long have you had suspicion on Mattias?  Is he just a pawn like Neil and Ashton or is there more to it with him?  And do you have anything to help heal Astryd?"

[Brian]

"First things first," Radagast says, shaking his head.  "We need a healer, and soon -- Serril, you know where one of the priestesses is, yes?"

Serril nods.  "I'll go get her," he says, quickly running out the door.

Radagast nods, and rubs at his hurt shoulder, wincing.  "That was an ugly, ugly thing," he sighs.

"Agreed," Devin says, glancing at the wreckage, which is minimal due to his stone-shaping skills.  "I think our distrust of Solariat is justified ... but things could have gone worse, had Banor done as I suggested."  He rubs at his forehead, and then neels, tearing up the sleeves of Astryd's robes to make bandages to staunch the bleeding.

"I don't know about Mattias," Radagast finally says.  "I should have known better, I think ... but he may not truly know or understand what he has done."  He sighs, and helps Eske sit up straight.  "There are dark things that the Loremasters do not reveal ... for their nature is not helpful to the cause we forward.  Mattias may be one such."

[Ginrai]

Ginrai sighs, feeling a bit better after hearing Devin's comments.

"He definitely had me fooled for I didn't suspect him of such at all.  Radagast, if I recall correctly did you once mention that you have never heard of Mattias' field before?  Also, Devin, will those manacles be enough to hold Mattias when he recovers?"

[Brian]

"Probably," he says.  "If not, then we will be in trouble.  I've never heard of a Wardmaster before, so I couldn't say."

"If he's got nothing to draw or mark with, he can do no harm," Radagast says.  "His hands are behind his back, but when we imprison him, I suggest we ensure that he can't reach anything to mark.  Until we figure out what we shall do with him, at any rate."

Eske groans, and clutches his stomach.  "I'm old," he wheezes.  "Things like that ... no good for an old man."

"Just relax," Radagast soothes him.  "A healer will be here soon."

Eske nods, and winces.  "Nothing broken," he says after a moment.  "But I used to weather the pain better."

Radagast shakes his head, and surveys the room again.  "We should summon some guards," he finally says.  "And have Ashton and Neil locked away.  But I'm not certain we can lock them away as effectively as we need to."

[Ginrai]

"Should we bring them before Lord Kevin to find out what he wants their fate to be?"

[Brian]

"In time, of course," Radagast agrees.  "But for the moment, we should worry about a healer.

Mattias groans, and shifts around a little, but seems to still be asleep.  Ashton comes to his senses before Neil does, and says nothing, just glaring at Parthipan intently.

Bjorn, Nathan, one of the other vassals of Hammar, another stormrider, and Mirallia enter the room at this point.

Mirallia blinks, and immediately goes to Astryd's side, pushing Devin out of the way and inspecting her wounds.

[Bjorn]

"All right," Bjorn says crisply, "what's been going on?"

[Ginrai]

Ginrai groans.  "It's a *long* story.  Basically the head of all lorekeepers seems to be corrupt and Mattias seems to be working for him... actually, there's a lot more to it than that.  If someone else is willing to explain...?"

[Brian]

"That sums it up fairly well, actually," Radagast opines, as Astryd mumbles in her sleep, and Mirallia's hands begin to glow.  "Ashton, Neil, and Mattias tried to take down Windmaster Parthipan, Earthmaster Devin, and myself."

Eske looks like he's about to object to something, but instead only nods in agreement, swallowing back his complaints.

Radagast smiles slightly, wincing when he moves his shoulder.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn sees the tiny motion, and turns to face Eske.  "Gatemaster Eske?" he asks, quietly, but clearly demanding an elaboration of his thoughts.

OOC: Conversation Roll if needed