Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

<Brian> The gates are cranked open, to give everyone enough time to troop out and assume formations before the enemy crosses the field.
<Brian> You can't see across the earthworks to sight the Dreadmarch, as Devin made it about three meters high.  But you can hear the Dreadmarch approaching, and see the arrows zipping overhead.
Bjorn glances up and down the lines, to see if the shield-wall is up.
Dracos stands ready with his shield, sticking near Rez and Bjorn.
<Brian> It takes everyone about a minute to get into formation before the earthworks, which are right at the only gap in the moats.
<Brian> But they do get into formation.
Rez gets ready with his shield - assumes Alec is probably also around somewhere?
<Brian> Alec is the footman right behind you, actually.
Bjorn does not have a shield of his own, as he is too small to stand effectively by the storm-riders. Instead, he stands behind Phil and Nathan, both of Breke's blades out and at the ready.
Rez nods.
Rez drops all three of his +1s into DCV.
<Brian> Judging by the general flight-path of arrows overhead (and about 20,000 are being fired every dozen seconds), the Dreadmarch is funneled into the earthworks.  It's at this point that the Trebuchets begin firing, hurling rocks, and small packages which cause flashes of fire to burst up over the earthworks.
Dracos does the same!
Bjorn has all 6 points in DCV for the moment.
<Bjorn> Quickly, Bjorn glances at the men around him, trying to judge their condition and spirits.
<Brian> They're grim, but confident.
<Brian> Ginrai: You see that the trebuchets are flinging boulders and canisters of pitch across the enemy, trying to slow their advance.  The Jotun take to the field just as the rest of the Dreadmarch reaches the earthworks.
<Brian> Twenty of them are charging together.
<Brian> Ginrai: Serril begins chanting in his circle, flinging meter-wide orbs of fire across the gap between himself and the earthworks, flooding some of the passages with fire before turning his attention to the Jotun.
<Brian> And here is where we encounter a problem -- you've got an opportunity to clear the earthworks with a well-placed blast of chain-lightning.  But all twenty Jotun (and only three of them are being trapped in ice) are rearing back to throw massive boulders towards the keep.
Ginrai aims the Chain Lightning attack towards the Jotun
<Brian> The most you're going to get is five at once.  But make your attack roll!
<Ginrai> roll 3d6 to see if this'll have any effect
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 to see if this'll have any effect --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> You hit!
<Brian> Now, roll your damage.
<Ginrai> roll 3d6 to see how much pain I can inflict on the Jotun
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 to see how much pain I can inflict on the Jotun --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Er.  Okay.  The electricity seems to stagger, but not stop the five Jotun, though the orcs around them drop to the ground.
<Brian> All twenty Jotun fling their rocks.
<Brian> roll 10#3d6
<Brian> roll 10#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 10#3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=7 ]{7}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=5 ]{5}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 10#3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}, [ 3d6=7 ]{7}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=11 ]{11}, [ 3d6=13 ]{13}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}, [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> The three freezing Jotun only drop their rocks.  About one half of the rocks slam into the walls of the keep, which resonate like a struck bell, causing the archers to loose their rhythm.
<Brian> One of the rocks slams into Devin's tower, which lurches unsteadily, but rights itself.
<Brian> Another three plow into the battlements, sending dozens of Storm-rider and keep archers flying -- their screams are heard from the battlefield below.  Another crashes into one of the waiting troupes of footmen before the keep gates.
<Brian> On the ground.
Ginrai curses in disgust
<Brian> A boulder heaves out of nowhere from the other side of the earthworks, slamming into the force that Lord Rogers was commanding.  A good dozen men go down.
<Rez> Wait, that one came from closer?
<Bjorn> "Stand your ground!"  Bjorn barks at the top of his lungs.  "Get the injured back, and fill the gaps!"
<Brian> Oh yes.  From the keep walls, there's a bright pulse of light, and you can hear the Dreadmarch forces shrieking -- while that happens, the earthworks melt, taking all the orcs in them beneath the ground, and clearing a path for the next general -- this one looks like one of those lizard-creatures, again wearing what appears to be dwarven armor and a long dwarven sword.
<Brian> It's phase 6, though everyone has a held action (except for the medics, which are tending the injured, and Ginrai).  The Dreadmarch lurches unsteadily into the gap, the General rushing forward much more quickly than the rest -- he wasn't as blinded, apparently.
<Bjorn> "FORWARD!" Bjorn roars.  "Drop shields and charge!"  Suiting action to words, he slides through the shield-wall, running straight at the general, roaring out a challenge.
<Bjorn> (Battlecry!)
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> So you did, but make your presence attack anyway; you get a +3 die situation bonus.
Dracos drops his shield, drawing his sword and charging ahead towards the general. "CRUSH HIM!"
<Bjorn> roll 5d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 5d6 --> [ 5d6=17 ]{17}
Rez pulls his sword out, drops his shield forward and flat, and charges forward over it after Bjorn and Dracos.
<Brian> The blinded orcs fall into defensive postures, standing their ground -- the general now beelines straight for Bjorn.
<Brian> The three of you (and Alec) are now rushing towards the General.
<Brian> roll 3#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=9 ]{9}, [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 3#1d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d6+1d3 --> [ 1d6=6 1d3=2 ]{8}, [ 1d6=5 1d3=1 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 1d3=3 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3#1d5 stun multiplier
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d5 stun multiplier --> [ 1d5=3 ]{3}, [ 1d5=3 ]{3}, [ 1d5=4 ]{4}
<Brian> Ginrai, you take eight body, and 24 stun from the arrow that appears from nowhere and sinks into your upper thigh.
<Brian> Serril and Astryd are also hit -- all of them (and yourself) drop.
<Ginrai> "Shit!"
<Ginrai> "Any of you know where that's coming from?"
Ginrai calls his force wall
<Brian> Silver-shafted arrows.  Serril is currently seizing, and Astryd looks stunned.  You think you're going into shock yourself, and can't focus enough to summon the force wall.
<Ginrai> "Fuck...."
Ginrai pulls out the arrow if he can
<Brian> roll 1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d3 --> [ 1d3=3 ]{3}
<Brian> That hurt.  That hurt almost as bad as being shot in the first place.
<Ginrai> "Ah, damn, this isn't my lucky day."
<Brian> Phase 12, everyone acts.  Bjorn, Dracos, Rez, all of you are in melee range of the general.
<Rez> "I fought one of these before!" Rez yells as the group charges forward, "They regenerate! Coordinate our attacks and hit him as one!"
Ginrai looks at the other two... is there anyone else with him on the tower?
<Brian> No one else.
<Ginrai> Where were they hit?
Bjorn grunts at Nathan's words. "I'll take him head on," he says, grimly, "and try to hold his attention. You two circle and try to hit him from behind!"
<Brian> The general stops about five meters away from you, and glares around menacingly.  In an oddly gentle voice, he says, "Embrace your deaths."
<Brian> Alec stops stock-still, and shudders in place, a wild look about his eyes.
<Bjorn> "I've died already," Bjorn whispers in a calm, almost gleeful voice, as he moves in to the attack.
<Dracos> "You gotcha.  And gladly, Lizard-breath!"  Dracos circles around him, moving as fast as his feet will carry him while not stopping facing towards the lizard.  As soon as he gets somewhere towards it's side, he slashes forward at the lizard.
<Brian> He's got a held action, so the lizard goes first.
<Brian> He slashes at you with the sword of stabbination.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
Dracos aborts to block, putting his bonus points to OCV, bringing his blade around to try and knock the lizard's astray.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 to block and luck be with me!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 to block and luck be with me! --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> He's not strong ... but he sure is fast.  You barely manage to deflect his blade.
<Brian> Now we proceed in Dex order.
<Brian> Dex 18s: Rez, you'll be acting at the same time as Alec.
Rez skids to a half, and lets Alec move first.
<Brian> Alec lashes out with his axe.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> The lizard-thing steps casually out of the way.
<Brian> Rez, it's your action.
Rez drops his points into OCV and steps around Alec behind the lizard, waiting for Bjorn to move in so they strike at about the same time.
<Brian> Dex 14s: Dracos, you recover your action.
<Brian> Okay.  Dex 12 -- Bjorn, Rez, both roll to coordinate.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Int Roll Of Doom
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Int Roll Of Doom --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> Now both of you roll to attack.
<Bjorn> All bonuses to OCV.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Strike! Strike! Strike!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Strike! Strike! Strike! --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Bjorn> (So, total OCV 16)
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Rez> My total OCV is 13.
<Brian> Both of you hit.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your damages.
<Rez> roll 2d6+1
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{11}
<Bjorn> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Rez, your sword bites into the armor, and comes out with some troll ichor on it.
<Brian> Roll your transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 for Transference
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 for Transference --> [ 4d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> Rez's sword begins to glow and hum, and the general's armor collapses in pieces around him.  His reptilian eyes blink, and he turns to look at Nathan in befuddlement.
<Rez> "Your vaunted allies can't save you from ME."
<Brian> Then, while he's bemused, Bjorn's strike slashes across his back.  So much for coordination, but at least it did some damage.
<Bjorn> Once again, Bjorn roars his defiance at the lizard-thing, trying to draw its attention to him.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your roll for a presence attack.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6 for battle-cry activation
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 for battle-cry activation --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Bjorn> roll 6d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 6d6 --> [ 6d6=24 ]{24}
<Brian> The lizard-thing's head whips around from Rez (the armor destroyer) to he who profaned its beliefs.
<Brian> Segment 2, speed 6s act.
<Brian> The lizard thing attempts to strike at Bjorn.
<Bjorn> Abort to block.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your block roll.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> roll 3d6 to attack
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 to attack --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Bjorn> OCV of 18.
<Brian> You block easily.
<Brian> Your swords are now humming in your hands (you've picked up 9 DCs).
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Bjorn, you note that the sword is coated with a very fine sheen of slimy green stuff.
<Brian> Segment 3, speed 4s can act.
Bjorn slides in through the gap created by the lizard-thing's miss, putting all his skill into the blade, concentrating on trying to cut through the scaly hide as if it were not there.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your attack roll.
<Bjorn> Still got everything in OCV, so still have 18 OCV.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> This is a hit, with OCV 18.
<Bjorn> ER, sorry.  OCV 16, this is Martial Strike.
<Brian> That's still a hit.
<Brian> The general does not try to dodge or block.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Bjorn> roll 1d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 1d6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
<Bjorn> Er.
<Bjorn> roll 1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 1d3 --> [ 1d3=1 ]{1}
<Brian> There we go.
<Brian> Segment 4, speed 6s act.
<Brian> Your sword blazes into solid, piercing light, and slashes through the thing's hide like it's not even there.  The scent of something foul scorching fills the air.
<Brian> If it was pissed at you before, it's REALLY angry, now!
<Brian> It's certainly hurt.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for stun multiplier
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for stun multiplier --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> He's reeling very angrily.
<Brian> Phase 4, speeds 3 and 6.
<Brian> The lizard recovers from being dazed.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Still phase 3, so Rez gets to act.
<Brian> What's your action?
Rez takes one step to the side, while the general is firmly distracted, and attempts to push his strength and deliver a haymaker.
<Brian> He shakes his head and recovers from being dazed.
<Brian> Phase 5, speed 5s and Rez get to act.
<Brian> Since there are no speed 5s on the field, Rez goes.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Egoboost
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Egoboost --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Your strength is +5 for an extra +5 END this phase.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Strike for great vengeance!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Strike for great vengeance! --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Rez> OCV 13.
<Brian> You miss.
<Brian> Barely.
<Brian> Now....
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Segment 6, speeds 6, 4, and 2 act.
<Brian> Dex order, Lizard-thing first.
<Brian> He's going to attempt a sweep against Bjorn and Rez.
<Bjorn> Aborting to block!
Rez aborts to block!
<Brian> Okay.
<Brian> roll 2#3d6+2
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#3d6+2 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{13}, [ 3d6=9 ]{11}
<Brian> Make your rolls.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Block-fu!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Block-fu! --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Bjorn> OCV 18.
<Rez> OCV 13.
<Brian> Both of your blocks are good.
<Brian> Rez, roll your Transfer.
<Rez> roll 4d6 transference
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 4d6 transference --> [ 4d6=17 ]{17}
Rez notes: Armour Piercing.
<Brian> A thin splash of slime falls from where the sword was -- the fragments rain down like glass.
<Brian> Next in Dex order.
<Brian> Alec.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> He misses.
<Brian> Dracos, your turn.
<Brian> Your opponent has a -2 DCV penalty for you being the second successive attacker.
<Dracos> "Not your day, Slimey Lizard!" Dracos takes advantage of the fact that since they moved to circle the lizard, he must have a shot at the lizards back or side since the lizard is facing the other two, bringing his blade around in a hard slash.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your attack roll.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for attack!
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for attack! --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> This is a hit.
<Brian> Too late to push your strength, but roll your damage.
<Dracos> roll 2d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 2d6+1d3 --> [ 2d6=10 1d3=2 ]{12}
<Brian> A solid hit!  You draw some blood from the unarmed, naked lizard-thing.
<Brian> Segment 7, speed 1s act.
<Brian> Segment 8, speeds 3 and 6 act.
<Brian> Dex order, lizard thing first.
<Brian> He turns to Rez, and attempts to take the sword.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for grab
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for grab --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> He can't get a grip on it, and even recovering from blocking, Rez can shrug him off.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> Rez, you recover your action.
<Brian> Segment 9, speed 4s.
<Brian> Bjorn, you have an action.
Bjorn remembers the searing energy, and focusing his thoughts on that, steps in to slash across at the lizard thing.
<Bjorn> Martial strike, Holy NND, all to OCV, total OCV 16.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Hit.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6+1d3 --> [ 3d6=11 1d3=1 ]{12}
<Brian> roll 1d6 stun multiplier
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6 stun multiplier --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> The lizard thing blinks a bit, and falls to the ground.
<Brian> Not dead.  Badly burned.  Ugly.  But not dead.
<Brian> Segment 10, speed 6s act.
<Brian> The lizard twitches a bit.  Some of the wounds seem SLIGHTLY less severe ... but he's still down.
<Brian> Segment 12, everyone gets to act.
<Brian> Dex order.
<Brian> Lizard goes first!
<Brian> And twitches again.
<Brian> Next in Dex order is ... 18.
Rez steps forward and attempts to remove the thing's head at the neck. Since it's barely moving, and all.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your roll.
<Rez> roll 3d6 for Decapitation, please.
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 for Decapitation, please. --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> Roll your damage.
<Rez> roll 2d6+1
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6+1 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{10}
<Brian> You hack into his spinal column, which prompts more twitching, but his head's on pretty solidly.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> Alec just sinks his axe into its back.
<Brian> Next in Dex order: Dracos.
Dracos lifts his blade high, putting all his strength behind it as he brings it down in a mighty haymaker on the fallen general.
<Brian> Okay.  You'll roll post-segment 12.
<Brian> Bjorn, your action.
Bjorn simply moves in and cuts at the throat.
<Bjorn> Martial Strike, MA pool to DC.  Total OCV 10.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Bjorn> roll 4d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 4d6+1d3 --> [ 4d6=18 1d3=3 ]{21}
<Bjorn> roll 3d6+1d3
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6+1d3 --> [ 3d6=10 1d3=1 ]{11}
<Brian> Well, that seems to have done it.
<Brian> The body melts in a flash of energy.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> You all take 12 stun from the time compression of the moon shifting, but the Dreadmarch evaporates....
<Brian> Ginrai, you're recovered enough to try and sit up, but you need medical attention, and pretty fast, too.
<Ginrai> And the other two?
Bjorn staggers briefly, but only barely, and looks around to evaluate the status of the defenders about him.
<Brian> Ginrai: Serril's not seizing, but he's not moving, either.  Astryd looks better off than when she was fireballed.
Dracos pulls back to prevent stabbing his blade deep into the ground where the general just was, stumbling a step and blinking in the moonlight.
<Brian> Bjorn: The battlefield has a number of fallen ... not as great as you'd feared, but greater than you'd like.  You probably lost over a hundred men, including the archers on the battlements.
Rez also looks around to see what the state of the defenders is. And make sure Alec is shaking off the rage.
<Brian> Alec looks okay, if very dizzied.
Bjorn shakes his head sadly, and then sheathes the sword, walking over to the nearest wounded and directing the nearby troops to assist in getting them off the field.
Rez does not sheath his sword, knowing what happened last time, and grins at Drac and Alec.
Dracos heads in to help with the wounded, organizing those around to help get them back into the keep.
Dracos smirks at Rez. "Come on, let's get the wounded in."
<Rez> "VICTORY!"
<Brian> Ginrai: What are you doing right now?
Ginrai first calls to see if he can get either of the other two's attention.
<Brian> Serril's not moving, and Astryd just turns to look at you without sitting up.
<Ginrai> Am I in a good enough condition to go get help?
<Brian> You sure hope so.
<Brian> Astryd shakes her head as though to clear it.  "What....  Happened?"
<Ginrai> "Astryd, please look after Serril."  Getting up, Ginrai heads off to find medical help.
<Brian> Okay.  When you stand up, you remember which direction the arrows came from.
<Ginrai> Where?
<Brian> From the west.
<Brian> You also need your staff to stay upright ... this is worse than when you were shot.
<Ginrai> "Oh, shit...."
<Ginrai> Closing in on Astryd, Ginrai whispers, "Can you get up?"
<Brian> "No," she whimpers.
<Brian> When you look to the west, you see a bunch of things happen at once.  First off, Durant is clinging to Dorian's back, and has just viciously drawn his blade across the archer's throat, and Dorian's just shoved Lindsey off of the tower-top.
<Ginrai> "Paul!  He isn't worth it!  If you can't knock him out, take his life now!"
<Ginrai> "Fuck....  I'll try to bring help here as fast as I can.  Dorian shot us."
<Brian> As you watch, Liandral leaps into the air, and throws out a wrist, seeming to shoot up the side of the tower on a wire, and catch Lindsey as she falls -- his entire right hand vanishes in a spray of blood just before he (and she) lands atop a pile of archers.

In the courtyard, the medics are running around, normal off-duty soldiers following their orders without complaint.  The priestesses are out in full-force, attending the wounded.  Just as Parthipan and two other (very badly wounded) lorekeepers limp into sight, assisted down the ramps with the aid of medics, Durant and Lindsey are hauled to the center of the courtyard, both of them restrained by a number of guards.

"He was a traitor!" Durant yells.  "He was trying to kill the lorekeepers!"

"He's telling the truth!" Lindsey seconds, a bruise covering most of her face.

Behind them, Liandral is being carried by a quartet of medics, his right hand swathed in bandages.  Dorian Shivershaft is being carried by four grim-faced guards.  His eyes are wide with surprise, and a slash across his throat indicates why.

Kevin is standing nearby, with Lammermore.  Kevin looks aghast, and Lammermore is livid, a pair of medics holding him on the ground from where he looks like he wants to get up and start throwing punches.

Bjorn's face almost twitches into a snarl before he regains composure.  Quickly but carefully handing off the wounded solider he was helping to assist down to the courtyard, he strides over to where Durant and Lindsey are being held.  

"What's going on here?" he demands, primarily of the guards.

Ginrai grimaces.  "Can someone please bring Priestess Mirallia here?"

Dracos finishing getting those he was helping over, turns and follows Bjorn, staying silent for the moment.

Dracos

Rez grimaces, and follows Drac and Bjorn.

"A priestess?" Lammermore asks, quaking with barely restrained rage.  "A priestess?  I think there will be NO healing for someone who values glory and conquest over the lives of his fellow warriors!" he barks, spittle flying from his lips with the intensity of his emotion.

Kevn glances at Lammermore sharply, who is subdued (barely) by the medics holding him down.  "Sir, you musn't agrivate your wounds," one of them soothes.

"At any rate," Kevin says, glowering at Durant and Lindsey.  "'Master' Durant and 'Mistress' Lindsey have conspired to slay Sir Dorian Shivershaft.  With Breke gone, the last of our heroes is slain.  Does pride fill you, knowing this?" Kevin growls at Durant.

Composing himself (as much as someone being held back by four guards can be composed), Durant says, "Dorien was a traitor.  He was firing arrows at the lorekeepers.  Don't you see their wounds?"  He jerks his head towards Parthipan, Serril, and Astryd.

"And where are the arrows?" Kevin asks, curiously.

"Calmly, Sir Lammermore," Bjorn murmurs, resting his hand on the Warden's shoulder.  "Even if he is a fool, he is a weapon, and we need him.  We can discuss failings after this other mattle is settled.

"As for the arrows, my Lord," he continues, in a more normal tone, "the arrows that fell on the second night of battle also vanished without trace. Their absence, unfortunately, proves nothing either way.  And if the claim of these two is correct, Dorian was never a hero to begin with."

Rather than addressing any of the principals directly, Bjorn turns to the medics tending to the three lorekeepers.  "What sort of wounds do these three have?" he asks briskly.

"Puncture wounds," one of them (an average height, average looking woman) says, adjusting her headband to keep her medium-length black hair out of her eyes.  "And the fools took them out, too.  Worsened the bleeding.  Didn't have time to look for 'em about," she says apologetically.

Ginrai looks as if he's about to say something but instead bows his head in shame when recalling his foolish act.  Sighing, he waits to hear what else is said of his actions and the consequences it brought.

Bjorn turns his attention to the lorekeepers next.  "What can you tell us about your wounds?" he asks, in the same brisk, straightforward tone.

"I was ... shot," Serril gasps out, still clutching the bloodstained portion of his robes -- on his upper torso, just below what one would expect to be the lower edge of his rib-cage.

Astryd nods in agreement.  "The arrows were silver," she manages.

"As Astryd said, silver-shafted arrows, which came from our west which was where Dorian was situated.  I was shot in the upper thigh area."

Bjorn glances at Dorian's corpse for a second, and then turns back to Serril and Astryd.  About to ask another question, he pauses, and then turns back to Kevin.

"My Lord," he says gravely, "it seems clear to me that there is enough evidence that this matter must be examined more closely.  This, however," he waves a hand, making sure to include the badly injured Lorekeepers, "is not the best time or place to pursue the matter.  We should allow these three to be treated."  He gives all the parties involved an even, expressionless glance -- to Durant, Parthipan, and Lindsey, however, he adds just a little edge, as if to say, Don't complain.  "For their own saftey, of course, they, and Master Durant and Mistress Lindsey, should be taken care of in their own quarters, under careful watch -- until this matter is resolved."

Lammermore grumbles, and shakes his head, but seems calmer.

Kevin looks unconvinced.  "Lindsey and Durant can wait in the cells below the keep," he decides.  "Instead of being executed immediately."  Rounding on Parthipan, he says, "And you had better watch yourself," as Radagast comes jogging up to the group, surprise evident on his face when he hears that statement.

Though surprised at what he heard, Ginrai gives a slight nod, knowing all too well that he'll have a lot of explaining to do up to the next battle.

"As you say, my Lord."  Bjorn bows to Kevin.   "I will see these two escorted to the cells."  He hesitates.  "It might be crude, my Lord, but I strongly recommend that Sir Dorian's body not be given to the Intererers yet.  It should be placed under guard, for one reason or the other, traitors might search for it."

Dracos shakes his head glancing over at Nathan and returning to seeing what he can help with with getting the wounded back into the keep.

Dracos

Kevin grunts, and Lammermore nods at this last remark. "Very well," Kevin says more quietly.  "Dorian's remains will be sealed and kept under watch."  He snaps his fingers, and guards haul off Durant and Lindsey, as well as Dorian's body.  Liandral is lowered to the ground, groaning, and a priestess runs over to inspect his wounds.

After she removes the bandages, what's left is not pretty to look at -- all of his fingers and most of his hand are gone, as though it was cut through with a lazer.  The cut is perfect and smooth.  She gasps in surprise, and shakes her head, clasping both of her hands on the wound.

Liandral grunts, still not entirely consious, and struggles weakly.  The glow of light from the priestess's hands brightens, and seems to soothe him ... when she's done, his hand is still gone, but the wounds are healed.  "How did this happen?" she asks, looking around.

Rez watches this, looking faintly sick.

Bjorn studies Liandral's wound impassively.  "An excellent question," he says, finally.  Looking around, he asks of the crowd, "Did anyone see him take this injury?"

"He took it catching the priestess as she fell from the tower," one of the archers finally says.  "It ... he flew up, as though by the power of his hand ... and then his hand just vanished when he caught her."

Dracos heads into the keep, following the instructions of the medics and looking after the wounded as best he can while this whole mess is going on.

Dracos

Phil and Nathan pull away from the confrontation, moving to help the wounded.

The priestess waits a half-moment longer, then heaves an exasperated sigh and jogs off after them.

Phil and Nathan now move to Upon These Stones (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38227#38227).

Bjorn, who had been digesting the import of the archer's comments, cannot help but blink in surprise when the priestess runs off.  Quickly, he looks around quizzically at the rest of the crowd, Lammermore and Kevin in particular, to see if they are still interested in pursuing this line of inquiry.

Lammermore and Kevin still look curious about this.  They're probably not going to just dismiss it, given that they're contemplating executing Durant and Lindsey, though.

Bjorn walks over to Liandral, and touches his face, tilting his head back and forth to check his condition -- and picking up a Liandral-smudge for his mindboard.

Liandral looks pretty out of it.  You'd guess he just got hit with the mystical equivelant of morphine, or is in shock.  Possibly a combination of those factors.

Either way, investigating the smudge reveals that there's nothing to see in his mind right at this moment.

"We're not going to get any answers out of him at the moment," Bjorn says, rising to his feet again.  "We should probably isolate him for the time being, though given how much he needs to heal, I don't know that the cells would be a good idea."

Ginrai looks around to see if he can spot Gatemaster Eske.  He's also wondering when they're going to get healed.

Eske comes into sight, exiting the keep as Parthipan looks for him.  He spots Radagast and heads over towards the group.

"This is something that requires meditation and council," Radagast declares, as Eske enters earshot.  "I suggest we all adjourn and rest ... some of my lorekeepers are injured," he adds, looking at Lammermore sharply.  "We can meet after we've had a chance to calm ourselves from the battle and discuss things more rationally then."

Kevin looks skeptical, but nods.  "As you say," he allows, glancing at Lammermore.

Lammermore grudgingly nods.  "The moon is yet low in the sky," he grumbles, looking away.

Bjorn nods at Radagast.  "As you say," he agrees.  Turning to the guards around Durant and Lindsey, he commands, "Take them to the cells.  Handle them gently."

With a final nod at Kevin and Lammermore -- unless they interrupt him -- Bjorn falls in behind the prisoners and their escort.  As he does so, he reaches to the mindboard, and through it to both Durant and Lindsey.  All right, he writes in a sharp, crisp script, start talking.

The guards escort both of the prsioners towards the keep.  Kevin watches you (and them) head off.

Oh, hey! Durant sends, the words literally dripping with sarcasm.  Guess who's Fletcher?

Dorian stabbed Durant and left him for dead in that alcove, Lindsey clarifies.  I was able to heal him, and then we chased after Dorian as the siege began.

When we saw him shooting at the lorekeepers, we jumped him, Durant adds sullenly, but more calmly.

Why didn't you contact me through the mindboard? Bjorn snaps at Durant.  I sent you to check on the coin, not... Whatever.  Done is done.  No witnesses, I suppose, or evidence?

I did try the mindboard, Durant snaps back.  I'm going to guess you either forgot, or were busy, because when I said, "Holy shit!  I've been stabbed!  I'm bleeding to death!" I got nothing but real comforting silence.

We're the only witnesses, Lindsey adds.  And with me healing him, there's not even a scar to show that it happened.

You pass beneath the archway of the keep's main doors, and the guards start leading you into the depths of the keep again.

Ginrai now moves to Blue Rain (http://www.pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38318#38318).

The mindboard was up, Bjorn 'writes' in grim, precise characters.  Which leaves the possibility that Dorian -- or somebody else -- can not only detect it, but block it.

Quickly, then.  You're sure he was Fletcher?

Yes, Durant sends somewhat sullenly.  I said, "Are you Fletcher?" and he said, "Of course.  Did you hit your head?" and then there was some discussion about me failing to complete a duty or something, and the client reporting that I didn't do the job right, and then he stabbed me and I was bleeding.

Details, Bjorn scrawls in a fast, angry hand.  Describe everything, as best as you can remember.  Give me something to work with.

Fuck you, professor Adrian Christianson -- this isn't a game -- I'm being hauled into prison for doing what you said, and these people are going to royaly fuck me over for it.  They want to kill me.  I already almost died.  I don't want your fucking sanctimonious attitude anymore.  And then with control you didn't think he had, Durant closes the mindboard connection.  "Asshole," he mutters aloud, prompting one of the guards to crack him over the head with a fist.

The guards open the door to the execution chamber again, Durant not struggling, but certainly not happy about his situation, and Lindsey much more resolved to deal with it.

They're both marched across the room and into cells.

Once the doors are slammed shut and bolted in place, Lindsey sends, Durant went to the alcove.  He looked into the hollow, and then Dorian came down the hall -- I was invisible, and he didn't see me.  He walked straight to the alcove.  Durant didn't see it, but Dorian's hand was on a knife the entire time.

Did he give any details about the job that Durant failed?

Nothing, except that I gathered it had something to do with the time he spent in the wastes, Lindsey sends.  Dorian said, "You've had plenty of time to accomplish your task to the north, but you failed."

All right, Bjorn writes.  Hold tight.  I'll do what I can.  Don't suppose you have any abilities to make this easier?

As he sends this, he's surveying the area, studying the precautions and cell layout.

I could escape, I'm sure, but I don't think that would help, she replies, somewhat dourly.

The room is the same as before -- large, square shaped, with doors lining three of the walls.  There's a table in the corner to the left of the door with four guards around it, as well as the executioner.

The door to this room is watched by another pair of guards.  Durant and Lindsey have adjacent cells in the wall opposite the main entrance, furthest to the left.

No, it wouldn't, Bjorn replies.  All right.  Let's go find out how indiscreet Dorian was.

With a nod at the guards, Bjorn stalks off back to the Keep proper, pausing along the way only to ask where Dorian's quarters were.

Before you can ask a servant, a Storm-rider (you recognize Alec; he's still carrying that Dreadmarch dwarven axe on his back) approaches and says, "Sir Nathan and Lord Bloom are looking for you."

Bjorn blinks at Alec.  "Thank you... Alec?  Do you know where they are at the moment?"

As he speaks, though, Bjorn is pushing out through the Nathan and Philip smudges, linking them all together.  What? he snaps irritably.

"Lord Bloom's tent is behind the keep," Alec says.  "I can lead you there, if you want."

~Ah.  We're staying out of the picture while you're handling that so not to draw more distrust over there, but discovered some new things about how this 'dream' works and what can be done in it.  Might help if you have to sneak Huitz out.  Additionally, I'd like your help in arranging to question Mattias more directly.~

Dracos

Fine, Bjorn replies.

Out loud, but letting his words be echoed over the mindboard, Bjorn says to Alec, "Thank you, but could you instead ask Lord Bloom and Sir Shuker to meet me at the cells?  I would appreciate their aid in questioning Mattias, given their knowledge of him."

"Um ... okay," Alec says, just before he takes off at a sprint and vanishes from sight.

Come to think of it... Bjorn thinks to himself, and turns to return to the cells, keeping an eye out for a free guard as he does so.

The first he sees, he stops.  "Find Loremaster Radagast and Gatemaster Eske," he instructs briskly, "and ask them to come to the cells as soon as is convenient for them.  Understood?"

"Understood!" he barks, trotting off to do your bidding.

Bjorn watches the man run off, and then makes his way back to the cells silently.

As you reach the cells, Phil and Nathan round the corner, turning up just behind you.

Bjorn nods at them.  "If you'll follow me?"

Without waiting for a response, Bjorn enters into the cell area.  Looking coolly at the guards there, he says, "Gentlemen.  How have things gone with Mattias?"

"Certainly, Bjorn."  Dracos answered, sending a different greeting mentally.

~I'd like to mentally scan Mattias...and thinking of it, though I don't really want to, I think I should try Eske as well.~

Dracos

The guards (and executioner) look up as you enter -- the door guards just glance at you as you walk past them.

"Oh," one says, setting down a handful of cards.  "Gatemaster Eske said not very well.  Loremaster Radagast planned on questioning him again later.  Unless you were planning on trying?"

The executioner just looks at all of the newcomers (and Alec especially) curiously.

"Yes," Bjorn says grimly, "I plan to.  We'll do it in his cell, if you'll open it."

Eske? A moment of silence, and then, Yes.  That would be a good idea.  I send a guard to fetch him down here to help in this interrogation.  You can do it then.

~Anything you want me to hunt for, just pass along down the mind board.~

Dracos

All of the guards stand up uncomfortably, two of them drawing their weapons as they approach a door on the wall to the right of the entrance.  The other two play rock-paper-scissors (or some varient of that) that leaves the loser to take a key from his belt and unlock the door.  Speaking of which, that's one huge and simple key.

The lock complains loudly, but when the door is unlatched and hauled open, you see Mattias.  He's restrained, unable to do much more than wiggle his shoulders and glare (which he does).

He's currently tied to a chair with thick lengths of rope.  His wrists are still bound by the link of stone that Devin put there.  Someone saw fit to knock a hole in his chair and stick a chamber pot under it, but the end result is still pretty sorry, even for an enemy.  On the other hand, Radagast says that as long as he can make a marking or draw, he can use his abilities, and that's trouble you don't need.

"Cut off his clothes," Bjorn coldly instructs the nearest guard.  "Don't undo his bonds."

The guards squirm uncomfortably, but do as you say.

Beneath his clothes, Mattias has no scars, and no tattoos.  His skin is completely unblemished, except for the healing injury on his thigh (which looks like a bullet wound).

Dracos remains a silent towering presence right behind Bjorn, having no compunction towards any sympathies towards the tied up mage.

Dracos

"No wards on your body, Mattias?" Bjorn asks quietly, addressing the runic for the first time as he examines him closely.

Dracos takes a moment, examining Mattias passively with his detect/analyze magic vision, being very slow and cautious as he looks around Mattias and the area of the room around him.

Dracos

"No," he says, sullenly.

To Phil's eyes, his body is wreathed in colors and bands that strike you as defensive in nature.  You think, when you look more closely, that it looks like there's a glowing skeleton inside him, all marked with runes.

Dracos sends to Bjorn, ~He's lying, at least partially.  He somehow has his skeleton warded like crazy.~

Dracos

"I see," Bjorn says quietly, rising to his feet, looking down at Mattias.  "They're inside you.  Clever."

He twitches -- as much as someone who's tied down can twitch, and glares at you, saying nothing.

"Now, then," Bjorn says, stepping backwards.  "Tell me about Dorian, Mattias."

He looks puzzled.  "What would I know about Dorian?" he asks.

Bjorn says nothing, simply staring at Mattias.

He returns your stare dubiously, silent once more.

"So what do you know, Mattias?" Bjorn breaks the silence.  "What do you care to tell us?"

"Nothing," he says.  "I've lost.  If I tell you anything, you'll kill me.  If I tell you nothing, you'll kill me."  He shrugs (kind of -- he's pretty well tied down).  "If I were released, I'd be killed for my failure anyway.

"Listen, little holy man.  You can't make me say anything.  You'd have to care to talk.  And I don't.  Not anymore."

"You might live, if you talk," Bjorn says in a quiet voice.  "I can't make  you promises, because this is no small matter, and it goes past myself. But mercy isn't beyond us."

His face hardens, then, and he stares down at Mattias.  "Not talking, however, is not an option we can permit to you.  As long as you stay silent, Mattias, you will live, no matter how much you beg to die."

Face softening again, he shrugs.  "But you say you don't care," he points out.  "And if you don't care, why stay silent and make things harder?  What does it cost you to talk?"

He looks doubtful.  "I cannot feel pain," he says.  "You should know why, if you know where my wards are.  Torture won't work."

"I know where your wards are," Bjorn says, agreeably, with a faint smile.  "Now, do you care to find out if I can remove them?"

He smirks.  "I'd love to see you try," he says.

"Well," Bjorn says conversationally, "let's start testing my hypotheses, shall we?  Could you hand me your spear, please?"  The last is directed at a nearest guard.

To Philip, he writes, The wards are on his bones?  As he says that, he studies Mattias carefully, watching for a reaction to the use of the mindboard.

He seems more interested in the spear that the guard hands you than the mindboard.

~Yes, but shouldn't we wait for a healer to be on hand?   Damage the wards healing him immediately after until they are all removed?  Or see if the mages can remove them.~

Dracos

He can't be healed.  First we'll try the linear approach.  Watch his left shin carefully.

Bjorn studies the spear for a second, hefting it in both hands to get a feel for its weight.  "Your wards," Bjorn says thoughtfully, "seem to be linked to your bones.  Which, logically, raises the question: if your bones break, what happens to the wards?"  

Reversing the spear in his hands and taking it in a baseball-bat grip, Bjorn steps to the side.  "Stand back," he advises the rest of the group, and then looks at Mattias.  "I'd tell you to brace yourself," he says calmly, "but then, this won't hurt anyways, will it?"

Stands back, keeping a sharp eye on Mattias' bone, the wards on it and near it, and the effect of them.

Dracos

Mattias settles back, largely indifferent.

Bjorn steps in and swings the haft of the spear at Mattias' left shin, using every bit of his control and skill to try to break the bone.

It's a jarring blow, and you've wreaked some severe skin and muscle damage, but the shattered spear is suggesting you slammed it into stone, not a man's shin.

Behind you, a portal opens, and Radagast, Eske, and Parthipan spill through it.

"Ah, well," Bjorn says, tossing the spear to one side.  "That's one hypothesis down."  

Turning to the others, he says, "Ah, thank you for coming.  We were just discussing how to remove Mattias' protective wards."

Eske blinks at this.  "Well, he had them carved into his bones," he says somewhat doubtfully.  "I have a hard time imagining a way to get them off, myself...."

Radagast frowns, and looks over the situation.  "I'm not entirely certain it could be done and leave him living," he offers.

"He had to get them in there somehow and survive it once.  How precise are your gates, loremaster Eske?" Dracos questions.  "Could we fill in the carvings that make up the wards?"

Dracos

Eske looks at you oddly.  "It.... I could make a gate small enough, if I could create a gate inside him.  But his wards prevent that," he answers.

"Hmmm..."

Dracos turned, thinking and examining the wards very carefully with his eyes, trying to discern each wards purpose and form.

Dracos

Philip quickly discerns that one of the wards is designed to obfuscate the purpose of the other wards.

If you were going to scan Eske, Bjorn sends to Philip, this would be an excellent time to do so.  I'll keep everyone distracted.

"Do you have any suggestions, then?" Bjorn says out loud, turning to Eske and Radagast.  "As he's so rightly pointed out himself, Mattias, barring a sudden surge of cooperativeness on his part, is sentenced to be executed.  As he doesn't seem inclined to speak at the moment anyways, if he dies in an attempt to remove the wards, then we've lost very little."

Dracos writes on the mindboard, ~Mattias has a ward obscuring me from getting good information on his wards on his damned skull.  Pretty hard to see.  Otherwise I'd just point out where the ward preventing eske from doing such things is.~

Dracos turns back to the mages, pondering as he reached out with his telepathy lightly scanning Eske to see if he noticed.

Dracos

From Eske you sense frustration and annoyance.  He doesn't react to your probe, at least.

Dracos gently probes further listening for the thoughts and memories at the source of the frustration.

Dracos

Nathan, whenever anyone cares to look, is not there.

He quietly stepped back outside while everyone was distracted, and is nowhere to be seen.

Alec has likewise vanished from sight.

Nathan now returns to Upon These Stones (http://www.pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38362#38362).

Phil carefully tries to feel out Eske's mind and find out what's frustrating him.  All that comes to mind is an image of Mattias not speaking.

Dracos keeps an eye on Eske, stopping if it seems he notices or is wary, and 'asks' if he's intends to betray those at the keep.

Dracos

Phil: Eske's drives and motives are a bit unclear, initially.  He has no plans on betraying the keep, but you sense that he's not entirely certain he really trusts Radagast.  But it's definate that he doesn't trust Mattias (now).  Either way, you know he puts defending Stormwall at a higher priority than picking a fight with Radagast.

On the mindboard, Dracos writes ~Eske is clean.  He doesn't trust Radagast, but he has no plans of betraying the keep that I can see.  Defending Stormwall seems to be his high priority at the moment.  Unless you got a question I should look into, I'm going to pull out.~

Dracos

Find out what he knows about Solariat, Bjorn suggests.  

Out loud, he prompts the others.  "Loremasters?  Do you have any ideas?"

~Okay.~

Dracos remains neutrally pondering as he reads Eske again, looking for 'what does Eske know about Solariat?'

Dracos

You get the idea that he doesn't really know a lot about Solariat ... though you get the image of an ancient old man in lorekeeper's robes.  You think that Eske respects Solariat, but that's all you really get.

Dracos stops his probing, turning and glancing at Mattias, pondering something while waiting for the Lorekeepers answers.

~He doesn't know anything, just respects the guy as some ancient sage.~

Dracos

"Nothing," Radagast finally says.  "Except that it might be most merciful to kill him.  If we even can."

~Bleh...I still think I should mindread him but it's dangerous right now.  He knows too much to lose.~

Dracos

What have we got to lose?

"Very well, then, Mattias," Bjorn says, turning back to the bound figure.  "I'll admit that my straightforward idea failed, and the Loremasters can't come up with any ideas.  You still don't want to talk?  After all, you've already spoken to Eske about some things, as I understand.  Nothing could inspire you to say more?"

~Once now, once later while he's asleep?  He shouldn't be able to harness as much resistance then and I'd likely just be up against his wards.~

Dracos queried, looking over Mattias again with his magical sight.

Dracos

To Phil's eyes, Mattias has a lot of protection.  Against what, is hard to determine.  But he doesn't appear to have any protection against people reading his mind.  At least, not at a glance.

"If you could remove the wards from my bones, I'd be happy," he finally says.  "But I know that's not possible."

Whatever defenses he has are almost certainly entirely wards.  If you can't get through now, sleeping won't likely make a difference.  Do it.

"And why isn't it possible?"  Bjorn inquires, crossing his arms over his chest.

Dracos asks curiously.  "Didn't you put them on there yourself?"

Dracos

"How would I?" he asks.  "One hand to hold the hammer, the other the chisel.  Of course not -- I never asked for this, I'm a pawn in this game, just like you.  Solariat carved my bones with these wards and made me his personal messenger of vengeance.  I am dead, yet I walk.  If the wards that bind me together can be destroyed, then I am free to rest, as I wish."  He smirks.  "But this is undoubtedly beyond you."

"And why is it beyond us?" Bjorn asks, quietly.   "Why do you think we can't remove the wards from your bones?"

Dracos begins trying to read Mattias mind, first looking for why Solariat needed a tool of vengeance, since it should be on the tip of Mattias' tongue.

Dracos

"My bones won't break," he says, shrugging.  "The wards are immutable.  Solariat is the oldest and wisest of his craft.  It would take a greater lorekeeper than him to undo what he's done."

Ginrai decides to break his silence.  "If your wish was to rest in peace, why did you initially follow Solariat?"

"I don't remember," he admits.  "I remember nothing before walking up after my bones were carved."

Phil's probe of Mattias's mind draws nothing but a glare from the man.  "Who's doing that?" he snaps, looking around.

"Doing what?" Radagast asks, glancing across the room at everyone who's gathered.

"Nevermind," Mattias says, shaking his head (a little).

Dracos stops ~He's definitely aware.  Let's wait until the wizards are gone before I try.  No reason to reveal more than we need to.~

Dracos

"And when was that?  Also, what commands did he give you?"

He contemplates a moment, and then says, "He said what I told you he said.  To bring the traitors to justice and restore peace to the lorekeepers."  He frowns, and eyes Radagast, muttering underneath his breath.

Phil and Bjorn make out a handful of words from his muttering -- one bit is certainly, "other world" and "defies nature".

~You hear that, Bjorn?  Something about 'Other world' and 'defying nature' but couldn't make it out more.~

Dracos

Bjorn opens up to the Parthipan-smudge, making sure to pass Philip's last words along as well.  Yes, I did.

"Lorekeepers," he says aloud, his eyes fixed on Mattias, "Lord Bloom, would you please step out of the cell for a moment?  I would like a word in private with Mattias."

To the mindboard again, Play along with me here.  I'll keep the mindboard open and pass everything along.

~Sure thing, good luck.~

Dracos turns, ushering the others out of the room.  "We will wait outside."

Dracos

Ginrai nods.  "As you wish, Bjorn."

~Hmm... I remember that during the fight Neil mentioned that Solariat told them that Radagast wasn't from this world.  As for how he found out... there are a number of possible reasons for that.~

The guards all step out, leaving you alone with Mattias, though Eske and Radagast look uncertain about this.

"All right, Mattias," Bjorn says, crisply.  "Tell me more about this 'other world'."

"What?  No, that's where Radagast is from," he says, shaking his head.  "Don't you know?"

"No," Bjorn lies bald-faced.  "What are you talking about?"

"Radagast is from another world," Mattias clarifies.  "Solariat says that Radagast was put here to destabalize the lorekeepers, and bring ruin to the Collegiate."  Taking on a somewhat lecturing tone, he continues, "Things from another world tend to degrade the reality that maintains our own.  Living things, even moreso.  The archonae font of power, which maintains all life in this world, will be destroyed if exposed to a power from outside this world.

"As it happens, Solariat wants Radagast destroyed, instead of to see this world destroyed.  Surely you see the reason there?" he asks.  "If even the power that the Archonae use on their great seals were to come undone...."

"How did Solariat know this?" Bjorn asks, brow furrowed.  "And why not simply proclaim it?  And, for that matter, how much relevance does this truly have, now that the Archonae have turned their backs on man?"

"The Archonae shun us only because Mirallia profaned their way," Mattias says dismissively.  "If balance were to be restored, the Archonae would return their favor to us.  But the presence of Radagast corrupted their wards, and the imbalance is progressing.  It was not known until recently.

"But now that it is, Radagast's presence has created the flaw in the oracle that predicts the destruction of the Archonae.  The Archonae will be destroyed by that flaw.  They are blinded to the cause of the flaw, but Solariat knows Radagast better than any Archon, so he does know."

As an aside, he adds, "And I was here on official business from the collegiate.  My partners were executed, though.  I think you remember that.  Radagast has arranged an insurection."

"I remember quite well that they were executed," Bjorn says coldly, "because I ordered it.  Solariat, whatever his reasons, sponsored intrigue and treachery in this Keep during a time of war.

"And you haven't answered my question.  How does Solariat know that Radagast comes from another world?  I've spent more than a little time with him, as have many others, and no one else has guessed.  Radagast is old -- why only now is this coming to light?"

"How should I know how Solariat is able to ken such?" Mattias asks, somewhat peevishly.  "But he did.  And then carved my bones to bring Radagast to justice."

Bjorn is quiet, thinking, for some time.  "All right, Mattias," he says finally.  "Shall we make a bargain?  I need to know about Solariat's plans -- if there are other Lorekeepers in his service in the Keep, if he made bargains with the Dreadman.  And in return, I will pledge two things.  One is that I will watch Radagast carefully, for any signs of the threat you say he poses.  And the second is that I will swear to do my best to find a way to free you.

"Solariat might be the strongest Lorekeeper," he continues, meeting Mattias' gaze with even eyes, "but the Lore is not the end of things.  I carry swords forged by Gods; Sir Shuker has a blade forged by Archonae; and Lord Ekim is a master of a race of master smiths."

"No power in this world will surpass these wards," he says, shaking his head.

"But from what you've said," Bjorn says, with a small, grim smile, "we aren't limited to this world, are we?"

He looks at you skeptically.

Bjorn sighs.  "Your options," he points out, "are rather simple.  You can cooperate with me, and hope that I can somehow find you the freedom you crave -- or you can stay in this cell for the remainder of your existence, to be released only if the Dreadmarch triumphs, or if Solariat comes to punish you for you failures, I imagine.  However faint it is, I'm offering you hope."

He grunts.  "Show me proof that it can be done, and I'll help you," he finally says.  "I have doubts."

"Very well," Bjorn says coolly.  "When we have a lead, I'll be back.  In the meantime, if you'll excuse me, there's a war going on, and you've occupied quite enough of my time already."

Turning his back, he makes his way to the cell door, pulling it open and stepping out.

Bjorn returns to the execution chamber, everyone now looking at him expectantly.

"He has agreed to talk," Bjorn reports calmly, "when we can break the wards carved on his bones.  Until such time, he will remain in this cell, bound as he is."

"Hmm...troublesome.  What's the plan to do so?"

~Then if that's the case, I'll stick out of his mind.~

Dracos

If you can break his mind, Bjorn writes, then do it.  I'm not holding my breath about being able to meet his demands.

"I have no plan," Bjorn replies, tersely.  "I am no Loremaster, and I don't know how to undo wards that protect themselves.  Unless you have access to some power from another world, I'm at a bit of a loss."

~I can try, but he'd know, and any chance of him being helpful along this plan will disappear.  Your plan though.  He doesn't have any mental wards, just his own natural skills in that area.  If he's drugged, it'd make it easier.~

"Hmm...Perhaps we should consult Ekim?  He might find it an interesting task to create a weapon that could cut through the wards."

Dracos

"You can speak with Lord Ekim, of course," Bjorn says shortly, "as I plan to do so, eventually.  But Mattias is not the beginning or end of the problems we face, and frankly, we can likely accomplish more on our own in the time it would take to get him speaking, since no one knowledgeable seems optimistic about breaking these wards."

Mattias is not helpful, and any way to make him so runs a good chance of killing him before he can help us.  He already has dangerous secrets about Radagast, and probably Parthipan at least.  If people start listening to his accusations, we're all up shit creek.  

With the wards he's got on him, I doubt that drugging him would get you anywhere.  From what he's said, he's dead.  If you think you can read his mind, just go ahead and do it.

~Understood.  I'll give it my best try.  Keep people out of there while I do it please.~

"Hum...May I have a try at convincing him to talk, Bjorn?  Privately?"

Dracos

"Feel free, Lord Bloom," Bjorn says, "though I ask that you not use force."  He nods at the Lorekeepers.  "I'm sorry to have wasted your time," he apologizes.  "I'm sure you have other matters of import to attend to."

Radagast shakes his head.  "I'm certain Mattias knows something," he says after a moment.  "But getting him to speak it....  That's another matter entirely."

Dracos nods, heading into the room and looking over Mattias, kneeling down and looking into his eyes, focusing his will and demanding of Mattias' mind what he knew about Dorian for starters.

Dracos

"Indeed," Bjorn replies.  "Getting him to talk is entirely the problem."  He drums his fingers across his forearms.  "Solariat seems focussed on you as the primary threat, Master Radagast," he says, quietly.  "Do you care to guess why?"

Radagast raises his eyebrows.  "It's no great secret," he says, not lowering his voice.  "I was created in this world, and not born here.  This makes me unnatural.  Apparently, Solariat has chosen now to take offense at this fact."  Eske flinches at that remark.

Phil: Delving into the depths of Mattias's mind is tricky.  You need to send threads of thought wending between planes and wards ... they're pretty poorly designed, actually.  A casual thought or probe would be deflected right away, but by going slowly and carefully, you can actually percieve the way that the wards are all set up.

And then you can get through: Mattias's mind is not built very well, and from here, you can see that's exactly what it is.  Built.  This mind did not grow, nor is it capable of growth.  It was formed and left to work without the ability to change.

Dorian is not something Mattias is aware of (more than peripherally) or cares about, however.

While probing between these thoughts, you stumble across something unexpected.  For all that Mattias is numb, and hates Solariat (and everything else, even more), he's not really afraid of much.  But you have found what he does fear.

A glimpse, though brief, of someone in golden armor wielding a halberd who flies across a gap between two floating islands of stone in a vaccuum of nothing.  As you watch the thought, the rest of Mattias's mind finds it, and destroys it.

At a guess, you just saw a flash of whoever Mattias was before he was reforged into who he is now.

Dracos quickly scribbles on the board. ~I'm through....this man is not human.  We're missing something really important here.  His mind isn't natural.  Is was built.  Constructed.  Maybe even as a prison, but I'm not sure.  Anyhow, he hates pretty much everything, but he only feared a brief memory of a man in golden armor wielding an halberd that who flew between two floating islands of stone in a vacuum of nothing.  It feels like it might have been him before Solariat reforged him.  Only thing is his 'mind' destroyed the memory shortly after I grabbed it.~

Dracos

Out loud, to Radagast, Bjorn says, with a note of surprise, "Not a secret?  It's widely known who and what you are?"

On the mindboard, It's not that surprising that he's a construct.  He said as much before.  The personality being a created one makes sense.  If you want to find out more about the vision, I'd suggest describing what you see to him, see what that elicits.  But don't forget to find out what he knows about the other Lorekeepers working for Solariat in the Keep, and what connections Solariat has to the Dreadmarch.  He knew a fair bit about Elric, from what Eske said.

~Hmm... it's quite possible that Mattias was then once Starmaster Journe.  Devin had mentioned to me before that Journe was able to step in between the stars and access different worlds, something which he told Devin and my other self.  Journe had also told him about vengeful knights armored in gold who hunted him wherever he went between the stars.  The more I think of it the more that I'm sure that this is Starmaster Journe!~

A conflict, there.  If Mattias used to be a knight armoured in gold, and Journe was hunted by knights armoured in gold, how can Mattias be Journe?  Regardless.  If you want to know more, ask questions, Philip.

~Eh?!  Where did you get the idea that Mattias was the knight armored in gold?!  Phil mentioned that he was afraid of them.~

~Sure thing.~

"Hmm, interesting.  What do you know, Mattias about Starmaster Journe?"

Dracos spoke in a conversational tone as he kept eye contact, probing slowly and cautiously for what Mattias knew about Elric and how Solariat was using Elric.

Dracos

Radagast shrugs.  "What do I have to hide?" he asks.  "I don't see it as anything to fear or hate."

Phil:  Wending your way through Mattias's neatly arrayed thoughts, you pick out what he knows of Elric, and the relationship between Solariat and Elric.

Theres's no tie between the two.  At least, not in Mattias's mind.  But you do find out that Mattias was telling the truth about Elric.  Something in the keep is responsible for anchoring Elric's power in place, but Mattias doesn't know what it is (or was).

"Who?" asks Mattias in genuine confusion.

~Gin, quickly, everything you know about Starmaster Journe, his position, who he is, how he looks like, whatever.  Tell me.~

Dracos

Ginrai:  You remember very little.  He was the Starmaster, which meant he looked for spaces between realities.  He was an old man, thin, white hair.  He didn't look like Mattias at all, but if he did, Devin probably would have reacted.

~Journe's abilities involved looking for spaces in between realities.  He was an old man, thin, white hair; nothing at all like Mattias.

Most people thought he had vanished decades ago when finding a way to step between the stars.  Devin believes that Solariat murdered him, probably out of jealousy since this is an ability that he and the Archonae wish they had.~

"Journe?  One of the old loremasters who could travel among the stars.  Surely someone as educated as you should know him."

Dracos scans for any knowledge of other lorekeepers working for Solariat within the keep.

Dracos

Phil: "He must have been dead before I came to be," he says, shrugging.

Mattias is not aware of anyone else in the keep who is working for Solariat directly, though he knows that most lorekeepers are loyal to him.

"Possibly, do you remember any men in gold armor, flying among the stars between islands of stone?"

Dracos probed for memories of Solariat speaking to Mattias, giving him orders, sharing his plans or ideas.

Dracos

Mattias only looks at Phil oddly at that question.

"Humor me.  What do you have to lose?"

Dracos

"No," he says.  "I think I would remember something like that."

Probing his mind for information on Solariat doesn't reveal anything he hasn't already said.

"You can't.  Because Solariat arranged for you not to be able to.  Think hard, do you recall a sky of nothing, between two rocks?"

Dracos

He shakes his head, frowning.  "What are you getting at?" he asks.

Mentally, you percieve confusion, and not much else.

Dracos writes on the mindboard, ~I'm running out of ideas.  His mind is easy enough to read, but there's not much there.   He's not aware of any other allies, nor does he recognize either the image I just got from him or the name of Starmaster Journe.~

Dracos

What about Elric and the Dreadmarch?  What does he know about them, or this rumoured other elder-god-spawn?

~Something inside the keep is responsible for anchoring Elric's power here.  One second...~

Dracos concentrated focusing on any other knowledge of other elder god spawn in Mattias.

"You have no memory before Solariat warded you because the wards themselves erase the memories or seal them away.  You were once much more than you are.  That is what I am getting at."

Dracos

Mattias appears to be aware that Elric has a sibling.  But not who that person is.  He suspects it's a brother, but Mattias doesn't actually have any proof -- just a belief that Solariat is sexist.  Solariat's exact words to Mattias were, "If it comes to that, Elric was not an only child.  He can be controlled."

"Fabulous," Mattias says skeptically.  "What you say may be true, but I've no memories of it.  That doesn't help me very much."

"I can try and help you recover them."

Dracos tries to go deep into Mattias mind, as far into it as possible, with a simple question 'who were you before solariat did this', seeing if on some deep level Mattias still had some memories or images of it that hadn't gotten erased yet.

Dracos

You get nothing.  That glimpse of whoever he was looking at someone in gold armor is the extent of what he remembers of himself.  Whoever he was before.

"Okay," he says.  "How?"

"A...talent of mine.  This is yours."  Dracos tries something, taking the exact memory he'd taken and telepathically giving it back to Mattias on the direct level, showing him it and seeing how the wards react and how he does.

Mindboard:~ He doesn't know.  He was told specifically by Solariat that if Elric goes out of bounds that there were ways to control him.~

Dracos

He blinks at you, and shakes his head.  "Stop that!" he growls.  "I don't know who that is."

You get the impression that he forgot the memory the second you reintroduced it to him.

Then, Bjorn replies, we've likely gotten everything we can out of him.  It's pretty clear that he's a tool, in the most literal sense.  We need Solariat.

Outwardly, Bjorn continues to say nothing, as he hasn't since Radagast's last proclamation.  His fist clenches slightly, the only outward sign of his impatience.

"Neither do I.  But you did once."

Dracos examines the wards for a bit with thought probes to see if there is a part of his mind uncontrolled, or if the wards can be loosened or restructured, pondering.

~He is a tool, I think we should let Ekim have a look at the situation though.  He's entirely a construct I think except for his skeleton.~

Dracos

You can if you want, Bjorn writes in a sloppy, indifferent script, but frankly, I don't see much point.  What can Ekim tell us?  We don't need to know who Mattias was, or what he is -- we need to know who the traitors are, and how to stop the Dreadmarch.  Getting side-tracked by Mattias doesn't help.

Aloud, he speaks for the first time in a while.  "Mattias said earlier that some of Elric's power came from within the Keep," he muses aloud, "and I can't see why he would lie.  The question is, how can we track those threads?"

Dracos shrugged, standing up.  "I'll see what I can do."

Dracos turned around, heading out of the room, presuming mattias doesn't stop him.  "I'm finished."

Dracos

"We'd need to see Elric to even begin to look," Radagast sighs, rubbing at his temples.  "Or have as much skill with runes and wards as Mattias does."

"What's being discussed?" Dracos asks curiously.

Dracos

"Elric's source of power within the Keep," Bjorn explains, "and how to find it."

"Hmm..."  ~I might be able to help look for it, but hell if I know what I'd be looking for and I'd have a damned hard time moving around the whole keep unnoticed.~

"Any ideas so far?"

Dracos

"No," Bjorn replies curtly.

~Hmm... think we can get access to Dorian's, Ashton's and Neil's rooms?  We might be able to find some clues there.~

You're the one investigating the Lorekeepers, Bjorn replies, you should be able to search Ashton and Neil's rooms without problem.  I was on my way to search Dorian's room when I got sidetracked into this, and I should go do it now.  I suspect they're unrelated conspiracies, though.  Certainly, Mattias didn't know about any connections.

And this is too much talking on the mindboard.  Remember, this can be tracked.

Out loud, Bjorn simply sighs.  "Then we will have to hope we see Elric again," he says grimly, "and under circumstances not too horrible."

"Why don't we just invite him in for tea?" Eske asks somewhat bitterly, as the guards close the door to Mattias's cell.  "I'm sure he'd be cordial enough."

Bjorn tilts his head at that.  "Tempting," he muses.  "Elric might very well accept that offer.  What would he try to do, though?  If he expected surrender, and it was denied...."  His voice trails off in thought.

Dracos blinks.  "A bad sense of humor, you seem to have at the moment, Bjorn.  Anyhow, why do we need to 'see' elric?  I missed that part of the conversation, but can't Parthipan espy him?"

Dracos

"He can also notice me rather easily.  The last time he forced me back into my body."

"The point of seeing Elric is to track these threads that run from him to the Keep," Bjorn adds.  "Unless I'm mistake, Master Parthipan does not have that ability, so even if he did scry him, it would be of little benefit."

"So the question is who could do it if they saw him?"

Dracos

"I'd need time," Radagast says slowly.  "But with enough, I could do it.  I'd need to be able to watch him for several minutes, though.  I'd rather it be done before the final day, when we face him."

Bjorn shakes his head.  "I will think about ways to arrange that," he says, "but for now, I think, I have other duties to attend to.  My Lord, Loremasters, unless there's something else...."

~I have an idea, I'll talk to Radagast afterwards.~

"No, sorry to keep you so long from your duties, Bjorn."

Dracos turns to Radagast.  "Radagast, I'd like to talk to you privately for a bit when you have the chance."

Dracos

With a parting nod, unless someone interrupts him, Bjorn leaves, intent on finding his way to Dorian's quarters.

Waving to the others Ginrai turns to go to check out Ashton's and Neil's rooms.

Ginrai now leaves this thread and returns to Blue Rain (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38643#38643).  Dracos leaves this thread and goes to Sense Fog (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38642#38642).

Bjorn: After leaving the execution chambers, you return your search for Dorian's quarters.  It takes little time, once you track down a servant, to locate them.

There's a quartet of guards before it, just like (presumably) are before Breke's chamber still.  They salute as you approach.  "Sir!" they hail you in unison, one of them pausing, and then continuing, "How may we assist you, Sir?"

Before you can say anything to the guards, Nathan strides down the hallway, apparently looking for you.

"One second," Bjorn murmurs to the guards, and then turns to face Nathan.  "Sir Shuker," he hails, "what can I help you with?"

"Friend Bjorn," Rez nods, "I was starting to look into the whole Dorian incident, so I thought I might track you down and see how your investigation was going."

Bjorn grunts sourly.  "I've yet to start.  The interrogation of Mattias... side-tracked me.  I was just about to search his room."  He looks Nathan over speculatively.  "You have good eyes, if I recall, Sir Shuker.  If you have the time to give me a hand, I'd be appreciative."

"Certainly."

Rez deliberately moves his gaze from Bjorn to the guards, then back to Bjorn.

With a nod at Nathan, Bjorn turns to the guards.  "I will inspect Sir Dorian's quarters," he says crisply.  "If you'll open the door?"

The guards look slightly resentful, but open the door for you.

Bjorn blinks.  "The door isn't barred?" he asks, his tone surprised.  "Has anyone else been in here?"

"No, of course not," one of the guards answers.  "How would we bar it from the outside?  But none have been allowed in since the battle."

Nathan nods to the guards and steps inside.

"I meant..." Bjorn stops, and shakes his head, trying to dislodge his exhaustion.  "Thank you.  As you were."  With that, he steps into the room after Nathan.

The room is appointed in an identical manner to Mirallia's.  Or Liandral's, or Phil's old room.  It looks much more lived in, though.

Dorian's got a thick stack of papers on top of his writing desk, the table is strewn with a careful arrangement of bow-strings, fletchings, arrow-heads, and bars of what look like beeswax.  There's a small flask of some dark substance (probably ink, or oil -- it's almost entirely black, but a little purple, too).

There's also a footlocker in the bedchamber, which looks like it's being used as a closet -- all of Dorian's clothes are laid out on it.

Bjorn makes his way over to the writing desk, and carefully begins leafing through the stack of documents.

Apparently Elves have their own language, because it's not the pictograms you've become used to being able to read.  It's some other character set that uses actual letters, of some kind.  They're swirly and swooshy, and look kind of neat.

Unfortunately, they don't mean a whole lot to you.

Bjorn snarls to himself in irritation, but puts down the paper.  Pausing briefly to open the flask and sniff at it, attempting to determine its contents, he then strides over to open the footlocker, and search through its contents.

It's oil, alright.

And the footlocker is (unsurprisingly) locked.

Rez picks up one of the arrowheads and examines it.

"Bjorn, did anyone end up retrieving the arrows that were pulled out of the lorekeepers?"

"No," Bjorn says, distractedly, "not as far as I know.  Odds are they vanished, though."

As he speaks, he bends down to examine the hinges and lock mount of the footlockers, trying to see if it would be possible to remove the lid without worrying about the lock.

Rez puts the arrowhead back down on the desk.  "Alec, sorry to ask this, but could I ask you to wait outside? I need to speak to Bjorn privately for a minute."

The arrowhead on the desk was merely iron, and none of the fletchings look like silver -- the ones Dorian had fired were supposedly silver, though.  Phil and Ginrai each got stuck with them, though, and might remember better.

Alec nods, and waits outside with the guards.

Bjorn examines the chest for weaknesses.  It's not particularly well made, though the lock seems to be a part of the front.  Likely the wood containing that lock could be smashed apart easily, and if not, the hinges are leather.  Cutting through them would be the work of minutes, at most.

"Do you have a knife?" Bjorn asks, somewhat absently.

Nathan pulls the knife out of his belt and passes it over.

"So how much sleep have you had in the last few days, anyway?"

"As much as I can," Bjorn replies, working the knife behind the hinges and starting to saw at them.  "Not enough, probably, but what can you do?"

"Get more.  When's Lammermore expected to be fit?"

"He's up and about already," Bjorn says, leaning back on his heels for a second.  "Probably means I'm not the acting Warden anymore.  Should check on that."

Getting back to work, he adds, "I can't imagine that you've been getting much more sleep than me."

"I've been getting enough. at least since we got back to the keep."

Rez hums, comparing Dorian's arrowheads to his own.

"I spoke to Kevin and hopefully smoothed over Phil's mess in the last planning session, by the way.  So what ended up happening with Mattias?"

Bjorn stills, the knife coming to a pause.  "Mattias isn't human," he replies, quietly.  "He was, once, but whoever he used to be, Solariat carved wards on every inch of his bones.  He doesn't feel pain, and his bones can't be broken, which means we can't remove the wards."

He sighs.  "Philip could read his mind, though.  He didn't know all that much, really, beyond what we already knew.  Solariat wants to kill Radagast.  Mattias didn't know who else was working for Solariat in the Keep.  And he knew nothing about Dorian, or about Elric and the Dreadmarch, beyond what he'd already told us."

Rez nods, rifling through the stack of papers to check if there's anything non-Elvish in there.

"So," he questions, "Did you actually try to torture him?"

There's no movement on Bjorn's part at all, now, and he simply stares at the chest.  "No," he says, quietly.  "It was... obvious fairly early on that there was no way to remove the wards."  His fist clenches spasmodically about the dagger, before relaxing.  "No," he repeats, bitterness entering his voice, "I didn't torture him.  I just tried to break his fucking legs, and then left him strapped to a chair, where he'll stay until we can figure out how to break his wards and kill him, at which point he says he'll talk."

"At least it seems to be bugging you," Rez comments, "Trite as that sounds - while it probably doesn't help at all to hear me say it, from your lack of reaction I was starting to wonder.  At least I'm this stuff is bugging someone else.  Drac it's hard to tell, and I'm sort of afraid to ask, and Ginrai . . . is, well, Ginrai."

"I mean, I understand that it has to be done, and out on the battlefield I've been running around making a bloody example of every champion I can find - even if they're running .  It's sort of getting that way, but . . ."

"It bothers me," Bjorn agrees. "I think, sometimes, that it bothers me more that I'm not bothered more... if that makes sense.  But," he shrugs, angrily, "I don't know what else to do.  If Mattias wouldn't talk, how many people would die, here and at home?"

He stares fiercely at the lock, as if it was the only thing standing between him and some sort of enlightenment.  "Killing people is... hard, but I was trained to do that, in a way.  A big part of what I was taught was the correct mindset.  But torture, and sentencing people to be executed...."  He trails off.  "I think I'm going to remember Neil and Ashton for a very long time," he says, expresssionlessly.  "I did what I had to do."

"I supported that, if you remember, although that was less me wanting them killed and more trying to intimidate them - and forgetting that we're important people, and we can't just say 'Oops, sorry, I didn't mean it' . . . but yeah, I understand."

Nathan trails off awkwardly.

"I don't really think of it as trying to save half the world, I guess.  When it comes down to it, I'm here for a few reasons, but 'two or three billion people might die' is . . . well, it's so . . . distant.  Aside from the fact that I think our way is better, though, a lot of it's because I don't think the Seventh Cabal or Pax Arcana are fit to decide the future of our world - and I think this is a damn good example of why."

The last strip of leather hinge gives way, and Bjorn's leverage pops the lock out of its clasp, opening the footlocker.

There's a number of cloth-wrapped bundles inside, most of which are shaped like small stacks of arrow shafts.

"If Cabal or Pax get their way," Bjorn points out, "then two or three or more billion people die.  Thinking they don't have the right or ability to make decisions is about the same thing."

He frowns, a little sadly.  "You supported it, maybe.  But I gave the orders.  And I did it meaning for them to die, and I'd do it again.  They were traitors to the Keep, and I have responsibilities.   That doesn't mean I have to like what I do.

"Now," he says, his voice becoming brisk and business-like as the trunk pops open, "what have we got here?"  Using the tip of the dagger, he teases open one of the cloth-wrapped bundles.

"And," Rez asks very quietly, "What if our given task had been to make sure the dreadmarch won?"

The packages appear to contain silver-colored shafts for arrows ... at least, some of them do.  Some of the others contain arrowheads (bladed and barbed), fletchings (solver-colored), small strips of paper marked heavily with various runes, and so forth.  One of the bundles contains a wheel of bone identical to the periapts on Ashton and Neil.

Rez catches a glimpse of the periapt, and says a very foul word.

"Well," Bjorn says calmly, "that, at least, settles that.  Don't touch anything, I think."

He stands up, brushing off his knees.  Then, striding over to the door, he pulls it open, and addresses the guards.  "One of you," he orders, "go find Lord Kevin and Sir Lammermore.  Ask for their attendance here as soon as they can manage.  Someone else convey the same request to Master Radagast.  Quickly, please."

Turning back to the room, without closing the door, he frowns at Nathan.  "Sir Shuker," he says, "did you by any chance check up on Sir Liandral?"

"Yes, I did. Serril's with him," Rez pauses, "And you owe me an answer, later.  Much like you owe me cookies."

Bjorn ignores Nathan's last comments for the moment -- while Nathan might not have been overheard by the guards, Bjorn certainly would be.  "What sort of condition was he in?" he asks instead.

"Well, he seemed alright, but he didn't say anything.  His hand looked . . ."

Rez trails off.

Bjorn grunts.  "Was he coherent?  Could he walk?"

The guards blink, nod quickly, and a pair of them take off at a trot down the hallway.

"I'm not sure, but probably.  He didn't speak, but he -seemed- like he'd have been coherent had he bothered."

Bjorn looks over at the writing table.  "We need someone who can read an Elvish script," he mutters.  "Perhaps Master Radagast can, or knows of someone else who might.  Otherwise, we'll have to bother Liandral."

"Well, we'll wait for Radagast."

Nathan goes back to rifling through the papers, seeing if there's anything not written in Elvish, or even obviously different from the rest.

None of the papers are in a script either of you can recognize.  When someone does come, it's Kevin, without Lammermore.  Though, he has enough guards to arrest a good dozen people, even if they put up a nasty fight with him.

"What's going on?" he asks, stepping into the room and looking between Bjorn and Rez curiously.

"I've searched Dorian's belongings, my Lord," Bjorn says in a quiet, solemn voice, waving a hand at the footlocker.  "And found arrows of the same make as the ones that killed Sir Breke and injured Sir Lammermore and Lord Bloom, as well as one of the periapts of Solariat."

"Oh?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.  His expression shifts to a scowl when he looks into the footlocker.  "I see," he says darkly.  "This ... is ill news.  But at the same, better than what we had suspected."

Bjorn nods in unhappy agreement.  "As you say, my Lord.  He also left behind many documents, but they were written in an Elfish script."  He stares at the contents of the footlocker.  "We'll need the Lorekeepers to examine these things, but I suspect we'll find that this periapt gives the lore of Gates to whoever holds it."

Sighing, he shakes his head, and then turns to look back to Kevin.  "Should we give the orders to free Mistress Lindsey and Master Durant, my Lord?"

"A second," Kevin says, scanning through the stack of papers.  "I can read Elfish script."  He frowns as he reads through one of the pages, his expression becoming bleaker and bleaker the further he reads.

"Bjorn," he says tersely, looking up from one page, his face quite pale.  "Is there a knife in one of those bundles?" he asks, pointing at the footlocker.

"I didn't see one, my Lord," Bjorn replies, moving over to the locker, "but I didn't search thoroughly either."

Kneeling by the locker, he carefully searches through the locker, removing each bundle and spreading it out on the floor, and taking a detailed inventory.

You find two knives, actually.  One of them is nearly a short-sword, a leaf-shaped blade with a shining golden hilt, worked through with elvish script.  

The other is of what looks like dwarven steel, a proper dagger.  The blade is completely black, and non-reflective.  The handle is wrapped with some leather-like substance by look.  By feel, it's probably shark-skin.

Kevin stares at that blade with a combination of obvious fear, disgust, and anger.

"What is this knife?" Bjorn asks in a quiet voice, studying it carefully.

"The blade of Verrik the Unseen," Kevin says slowly.  "The legendary assasin king of Soth."

Bjorn simply blinks at Kevin, in confusion and in surprise.

"According to these notes," Kevin says grimly, "Dorian managed to force Verrik into his service by stealing this knife.  Verrik then assumed the name of 'Paul Durant' to accomplish his tasks more easily."  He looks up from the papers, frowning.  "I think it will be some time before he is released."

Rez looks somewhat blank.

"While it sounds somewhat familiar . . . I, er, have a very bad record with remembering these things. Could you refresh my memory on Verrik and Soth?"

"Soth is somewhat further south than the upper kingdoms," Kevin explains, shaking his head.  "It neighbors the Archonae lands, but is further north than Kith.  Verrik is the foremost assasin in the world -- his fame is unrivaled in his task.  His efficiency is only rivaled by his viciousness."

Kevin looks at the knife pensively.  "It's said that he almost becomes a new person every time he accepts a task," he adds.  "It's entirely possible that Master Durant may not have realized he was Verrik until the opportunity to slay Dorian came to--" he breaks off, seeing the periapt.  "Of course," he says somewhat slowly, "there are other questions, as well.

"If all of this is true, Dorian was an ally of Solariat.  But his open attacks on Breke, Lammermore, and the lorekeepers place him firmly in the Dreadmarch camp."  He eyes both Nathan and Bjorn meaningfully.

"Mattias didn't know of any connections between Solariat and the Dreadmarch," Bjorn says, straightening to his feet.  "Which means that Solariat is playing his own game.  Not suprisingly."  He frowns pensively.  "I am tempted to suggest striking directly at Solariat, but that may be problematic.  He likely has at least one more agent in the Keep, though, and now we know there is no guarantee that agent is a Lorekeeper."

His brow furrowed, he glances over at the sheaf of papers that Kevin is holding.  "What else did Dorian write of?"

"This doesn't entirely seem to fit," Rez opines, "if Dorian forced Verrik to serve him, and Durant is Verrik, who was he supposed to kill? Obviously not Dorian . . ."

Kevin purses his lips thoughtfully, and scans through more of the scrolls.  "A priestess of Hammar," he says finally.  "And he did everything at the behest of Solariat."  Kevin tosses the sheaf of papers carelessly atop the writing desk.

"Well," he says, sighing.  "Verrik isn't our foe.  But he is the assasin king.  I'll not release him any time soon.  Dorian thought he could control Durant ... Verrik, I suppose.  He was wrong, and we already know the consequences of that."

"What else is in the scrolls, my Lord?" Bjorn repeats his question.

"His personal thoughts on the inferiority of humans," Kevin sighs, rubbing at his temples.  Shaking his head, he adds, "We'll need this blade sealed away -- try not to touch it, if possible.  I'm certain a blade that Verrik sold his loyalty to Dorian to try and obtain has some power, and I'd rather it not be tampered with until Matt--"  He stops himself.  "Damnation!" he hisses.  "Mattias said the axe your storm-rider friend carries is safe!"

"Alec should be waiting just outside this room," Bjorn reports, moving over to the door to look for him.

Rez blinks, and swears. "He was the only one to examine it?"

"To the best of my knowledge.  What reason did Radagast have to mistrust Mattias, then?" Kevin asks, glancing towards the door, as Alec and all of the guardsmen are still outside.  "He may even have been speaking the truth.  But that is a risk I think we ought not take."

Bjorn is able to see Alec, who is telling a story to the guards.  He seems to have most of their attention, and doesn't notice Bjorn looking towards him.

"Alec," Bjorn says gravely, "could you please put your axe down immediately?"

Rez mutters dourly, stepping towards the door himself.

"Sorry, Alec, but since Mattias was the one to clear it . . . we'd better have Radagast or someone check it again."

Alec drops the axe like it was on fire, and steps backwards from it quickly.  It slams into the ground with a solid weight, and a metallic clang.

"Oh," he says quietly, looking at it suspiciously.

Rez eyes it suspiciously himself, stepping past Bjorn.

"Where's Radagast?" he inquires of the area in general.

"Sir Bjorn!" someone yells, rounding the corner and coming into sight, skidding to a halt when he sees the veritable army of guards.  It's one of the keep servants.  "Sir Bjorn, Lord Kevin -- there's a monster south of the keep, just outside of bowshot.  It's right on the supply caravan's road."

Lord Kevin blinks at this, and scowls.  "Secure this area," he says, looking at the guards.  "I want this room watched, and no one and nothing allowed back in unless myself, Bjorn, or Sir Lammermore himself come here and order otherwise.  No one is to touch this axe, or anything inside that room.  This goes for all of you -- except for you," he says, pointing at Alec.  "You, Bjorn, and Nathan -- come with me," he says, striding swiftly down the hall, glancing over his shoulder to make sure he's being followed.

Bjorn falls into step behind Kevin.  Wait.  Sir Bjorn?  Shit.

You swiftly flee the keep towards the south, where the monster is supposed to be.

Bjorn and Nathan now join The Beast (http://pishoque.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=38840#38840).