Moore: Still Going (Moore)

[Nephrite]

"If I might ask, do you have a specific example you'd care to give us wherein this threat is substantiated?" Moore asks, trying to sound as dignified and polite as he can muster -- which is actually pretty good!

[Anastasia]

"Baleruk to begin with," Rekka says, "He is a slaad in all but body, conspiring and working with them. He has ties to Renbuu, a slaad lord."

"That he does," Morniel says, "He has also proven to be a steadfast ally even with his quirks. We have no quarrel with Baleruk nor Renbuu, as well as no reason to suspect them of wrongdoing. Can you provide any?"

[Nephrite]

"I will admit that the slaad as a unified... force, if you will, are unpredictable." Moore says. "However, I think it would be folly to lay the blame for any specific acts at the feet of all in such a manner. Even if saying so, you certainly did not invite us here in such a manner to just tell us that we're doing something you frown on, correct?" He asks, as he folds his hands politely.

[Anastasia]

"Your crusade is good, I called you here to warn you. I hear a strange chaos-creature is the pet of one of your generals," Rekka continues. "Doubtlessly influencing you and twistingyou to its own amusement and ends. Can you trust such a creature?"

[Nephrite]

"He calls himself 27." Moore says. "As far as I'm aware, he's done nothing except be helpful in his time in Aurora. Although he can be annoying..." Moore shakes his head and then shrugs with a smile. "I think I can speak for our generals to say that we have that situation under control. However, if that isn't satisfactory, I'm certain that you or one of your brigade would be welcome to stay in Aurora to keep an eye on them -- As you say, our crusade is good, so you would be, ah... what's the saying, killing two birds with one stone?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, if you have a problem with them, come meet them directly," Morniel offers, "Would that allay your concerns?"

Adrian nods after a moment, "I have no problem with that. Our Crusade's made up of many disparate groups."

Make a Diplo check here since this was your idea, Moore. Morniel will as well.

[Nephrite]

Those fools! Take 10 for 70. (+2 is from share talents)

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+80
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+80 --> [ 1d20=4 ]{84}

Morniel smiles. "As one of the throne and tome, I give you my word that we will give you a chance to allay your suspicions, as well as be treated as any other member of the crusade." The throne archon rises, a golden glow around him as he reaches out and offers his hand to Rekka. "Please, accept our offer."

Adrian stays back during all of this, a quirky smile dancing on his lips.

Rekka's eyes widen, her next words dying in her throat. "I...that is..." she manages, voice suddenly little more than a few sputters of letters. The valkyries around her are just stunned, Moore and Morniel's sheer presence enough to silence them.

Clap, clap, clap. The sound of metal on metal. The figure that strides in over six feet tall and wears heavy metal armor. It is inset with red gold, giving it a luster like blood. Her hair is the dark red of blood first oozing from a wound, a mere longsword at her side and nothing else. She claps at the door and then strides in, "Rekka, attend me," she commands, the valkyrie slowly snapping out of it and hurrying to the valkyrie's side.

This new entrant walks over and takes Rekka's chair. "I am Malonia the Bloody, the sole survivor of a battle against Chourst." Her eyes are the color of cold steel, reflecting no light at all. "I am the Supreme Talon of the Seven Talons. Adrian, Moore, Morniel," she lists off, "You choose well for a battleground of words, General Adrian."

Adrian meets her gaze without the slightest give in him, "A warrior is only as good as his weapons. I can defeat any enemy in this battlefield with these two. Since you saw fit to interfere, what is the purpose of all of this? What do you want?"

[Nephrite]

"Most likely to save her allies from our 'silver tongues'." Moore says with a bit of a smile. "Lady Melonia, it is a pleasure to meet you." Moore flies up a moment to properly bow before he returns to his seat.

"Our offer remains the same, we have no reason to hide from the gaze of the battle-maidens." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

Morniel merely nods slightly to her. "A commander can't leave overmatched troops to be routed." The faintest hint of a smile shows on his face, "Though I suspect there were an intentional gambit, meant to lose and assess."

Malonia leans forward in her chair, a bit closer to you. You can smell a faintly bloody, coppery scent from her, filling your mind's eye with your past battles. Your body aches as dozens of wounds are relived in an instant. "You are as deadly with words as I thought," Malonia retorts, "Rekka and her Talon, dismissed."

The seven valkyries rise as one and leave promptly, leaving you alone with her. Once they're gone, Malonia removes her helmet. On the right side of her head, just above her ear, is an ugly round scar. "From Chourst, using the same power that obliterated the other founders of the Talon Seven. But it was not his power that did such a thing. Tell me, what do you know of Ygorl, slaad lord of entropy?"

[Nephrite]

Take 10 on K:P, I'd assume, for 61.

[Anastasia]

Ygorl is the slaad lord of entropy. He is said to be the second most powerful slaad, trailing only behind Ssendam. A powerful and enigmatic figure, he is nonetheless free of the taint of evil that so defines Shar and her entropy. It is said that he can take the form of death itself, the reaper of souls and ender of lives. Some stories claim Ygorl is afraid of Renbuu for reasons that are unclear (yet others claim it is Ssendam instead or that it is both of them).

"We know of him," Morniel says, "It is not a name unknown to us, though I would prefer not to say more for now." He leans back, "Understand that such names and powers are not bandied about lightly, nor is knowledge about them. Many mortal races consider Ygorl to be forbidden knowledge equal to any arch fiend, and there is wisdom to that approach."

"This. I know not how Chourst had it nor to what ends, but Chourst had entropic power from Ygorl when he invaded Ysgard." Malonia's voice is cold and calm as she points to her scar. "Know that I have pursued knowledge of Ygorl for long ages, so that I will be prepared for the day I challenge him. Know that his entropy brings an end to things, even your Crusade, and that his presence is in it."

"Really?" Morniel says mildly, "I must ask you how you came to that conclusion."

[Nephrite]

This feels like that mark that Jaela and Afina have that causes dragons to just lose their control and try and kill them... is it the same type of focus?

"By all means -- you obviously called on us in good faith to impart such knowledge to us." Moore says with a nod to Morniel's words. "Knowing full well we have the support of several divine realms behind us. Did something in your research point to a link?"

[Anastasia]

"I have learned to see the work of entropy," Malonia continues without any more prompting. "A sense as real to me as sight or smell is to you. Ages of study have made it as evident to me as this table is to your eyes," She knocks one metal-clad fist against the table.

A pause, a moment of silence before Malonia continues.

"I saw one of your officers in Brightwater recently. The feel of entropy is on him, of Ygorl's handiwork. Not from him, but one known to him. Know that the power of chaos you use is channeling a power that slowly unravels you and will doom you as surely as the devils themselves." Malonia says, "You court a power that will undo you, and it has begun to grow stronger. The touch of it is on all of you, and it is more potent than it was before."

[Nephrite]

"I have no reason to doubt your words, or at least your belief in those words." Moore says with a nod to Morniel and Adrian. "What would you propose that we do about it, exactly? This doesn't sound like something we could simply wave our hand and use magic on. Well... actually, maybe it is, depending on how strong the magic needs to be, but... ahem, excuse me, I digress." Moore clears his throat.

"But please, share with us your thoughts on what you would do to combat this." Moore says.