Dicing with Death: Episode 215

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==Synopsis==
Divan has returned to Nekkraut after being 2 years away (but only 2 days for him). The status of Nekkraut has been lowered while he was away, with Shelter Bay growing in importance. Divan finds that his wife has a rich suitor named Hysic who has moved into a villa at the edge of town. Divan confronts the suitor to stay away from his wife. Divan also finds that town decisions are made by 3 judges, including the builder Akitos who now lives on top of the hill above the qanat. Divan attempts to assert dominance over the town again, but opinions have shifted in the past 2 years. Divan uses Magic Jar to trap a water elemental, with Cassandra as the middle of the spell. 
==Recap==
===Strange Homecoming===
Divan pushes down all emotions related to his city, Nekkraut, dipping in stature. Wife informs him about the happenings. Shelter Bay has grown much larger, and people move there and some stay it is becoming quite a trading hub. Platos has grown much larger, because he has been seen as the great power of the area in Divans absence.
Wife has had many suitors come to ask for her hand, to take power, and she says it with care, for she does not know how Divan will react. (Divan is enraged on the inside, but does not show it at all). Divan asks if any suitors are around and his wife answers not in the house. Divan asks where these suitors are, Helen his wife answers Hysic he is from Hearthome, and has brought many men to carry copper and silver back to Hearthome which he has paid fairly and honorably. He has come to sample the area and has bought much wine, and delivered much gold.
Hysic has given many gifts and bribes, and flattering words, with quite clear intentions, he wishes to wed with Helen, and take power, with his connections in Hearthome he wishes to take more trading power. Divan states that she obviously said no to this because she is married, and has child. Helen states that he was dead, Divan states that she ought to had faith in him. she stays quiet. Divan asks about laws that may have been set up, there is no rule book, and there are 3 "Judges" who give opinion to decide issues. Divan realizes that they will need a legal code in the near future.
Divan learns more about the thieves on roads and the guards that are needed, Divan states that all people should have no problem coming across wealth and people should not have to steal to live. Helen Divans wife seems tense, and bitter. She states that of all the problems they are facing the thieves are the least of their worries, and that Divan ought to worry about the Judges (Akitos, Rain, and Ulra) because they are living very lavish lifestyles, above there pay grade (Insinuating corruption). Helen calls him lord husband, and Divan states she needs not say that, she states that he needs to be reminded of his power and influence, for it is him who should lead, and show power. Divan states that she has taken no position of political standing, she sighs, and Divan states that he will root out the corruption that is spreading. Divan states that all that he has learned is making him feel rash.
Divan travels to Akitos' home and find that he has sold it. The people who owns it bow deeply, and seem genuinely happy to see Divan back. He is told that Akitos now lives up the hill (Above the tower), and Divan notices a very large estate with many awnings, and other homes along above the hill. (The home is not taller, but its bottom floor is above his bottom floor.) Divan states that the Justice has grown ambitious, and that Akitos has forgotten his roots and the mud from which he grew. Divan leaves by saying "Good day to you, may divine blessings be upon you" and she answers back the same way.
Divan at the top of the tower glowers at the estate and notices 8 people leaving one with very lavish clothes (Blue cloak trimmed in silver, red scabbard with minerals encrusted, and a very fancy belt). There are 4 warriors, 1 scribe, and 2 unknown positions. Divan feels out of his element because he has been gone only a week, and 2 years have past, and much has changed. Divan thinks on how he could tear spires of metal and move the hills and destroy the estate, but feels he should speak first before taking action.
Mof is to write all they have learned about the Feywild. She too feels out of her element, but finds solstice in her work especially because Divan has said she is to do so, and knows it must be right if he is saying to do so. Esoi has left to Hearthome to learn about the area and bring back knowledge. Cassandra is thanked and she states that many doubted he would come back, but she did not doubt it for a second. She also states how people have come trying to steal, but the Yugoloth had stopped them, she also states that it is not nice to people coming peacefully. Divan asks about scribes and says they ought to get some, and that many foreigners have come to learn and have bought information, and that she has not been able to buy much from them. It has not grown as much as was expected. 
Divan asks about Esoi's training (Elemental Fists), and Cassandra states that Esoi has tapped into uncontrolled magic (Raw magic). Cassandra tells him how they have written about all the leaders of all the towns the industries and estimates at populations, as well as all monsters and creatures (All that Cassandra is able to learn has been notated).
===Learning about the New powers at play in Nekkraut===
Divan leaves the tower, and heads up the hill, and goes a little out of his way to visit the vineyard, and stops to chat with his Uncle Vinnny. Divan sips the wine and it is very good (The investment long ago was a good one). Vinny states that Akitos moves because of the many people crowding at his door. Vinny says that "Great Judge Akitos" has been given many gifts and honors as well as suitors. Divan states if he is so great why are there so much lawlessness. Vinny states that Judges don't stop brigands, they just decide debates between peoples.
Divan leaves to go up the hill. He sees many people lined up, and a guard with glistening bronze armor, with a spear and a helmet with horse hair bristles (Looks as you would expect a spartan). Guard salutes him, and Divan recognizes him as a Romulan. People do not complain as Divan cuts the line.
Divan enters, Akitos is about to shout about the interruption, but sees Divan and stops himself, and runs forward is about to hug Divan, but decides to drop to one knee. Divan tells him to rise, and asks what the dispute is about he is told it is a property dispute, Divan states that they should not have only marking stones to draw lines they should use paper to map out the land. One of the people acts like Divan is a no one and that Akitos should be the only one to act on these decisions. The random also states that Akitos would never be swayed by coin or flattery. Divan states why he is acting this way, and Divan looks around and notices all the wealth that Akitos has amassed to have servants paintings, etc... 
Divan asks who gave the land to Akitos; master of coin (Wife's Grandmother), he states that he chose this piece of land because of a road, and he needed to move and, now how he has chosen it because it is behind the tower and that all people sit in the shadow of the tower and might of Divan. 
Divan says if there is nothing of importance on this property line? Then he states that they should just give them more land, and Akitos says they should not just give away land, because you cant take it back, and that there should be a fee.
Akitos dismisses all the other people waiting in line. Divan gestures for the Romulan to step inside, and states if they are to extend Nekkraut they should not have lawlessness throughout the lands. Divan wants all people to grow wealthy, and looks at Akitos and says that Judges should not grow rich for setting laws, if they are not followed in the hills. Divan states that if trade is not flourishing that we should not flourish. Akitos is stunned. There have been few arrests. Divan asks why a soldier is needed, and Akitos says showing a scar on his ribs that not all people like his rulings. Akitos says that there has been much debate about who should run military operations. The fighters are mercenaries rather than state guards. The scribe that left was a servant of ? (A Power Broker), and he points out across the town a two-story home being built. Divan states that Nekkraut is wealth and that there is only one source of power, and leaves.
* Divan decides that other people should be drawing up lines for property on paper so it is solid and unmoving. Mof is the one to do so.
Divan notices many half hazard solutions which are now more permanent, with his 16 in the can see the solutions, but it would take a lot of time. Many vices have popped up during Divans absence (Casino, Liquor shop)
===Wizard Time===
All Gems are there in a box Green felt inside (Aquamarine, Fire Opal, and Hematite/Magnetite), many of each, but 3 really nice ones to hold the Elementals, Divan puts his Smoky Quartz in the box.
Divan asks what elements speak to them, Cassandra says Water, because of the gem and how close she is with it. They head to the Summoning Circle stopping in Grekos and it is 30% larger he stops and speaks to some Dwarves, and carries on after a day, and doing what Cassandra needs to finish off with.
Divan Uses Magic Jar and goes into Cassandras body, Conjures a Water Elemental, takes its body and learns about how it works, leaves it knocking Cassandra back into her body and then goes back into his own leaving the Water elemental trapped in the Aquamarine.
They write a lot about what they have learned in study of the elementals, with tests. Divan asks if they want to learn with the Sorona. Cassandra takes advantage of this and tries to learn about Atropos, and realizes that she is not a human, and is terrified about what she has found, and the never ending hunger that consumes her. Mof is too afraid to put on the Sorona. Divan uses Fabricate to move earth from outside the circle inside. 
Divan Magic jars the same way with Mof's body as he did Cassandra, but the Earth elemental can leave the circle and after realizing so, it resurfaces, and chases after Divan in Mof's body, Cassandra Magic missiles it, it chases her, Divan Magic jars it into the crystal and while in its body, after knocking Mof back to her body he carries his own for a while. While in the body of the Earth Elemental Divan learns about its movement and strength. Divan leaves the form back to his body at the edge of the boardwalk a little ways down from the Circle and leaves a clay statue, with the Elemental trapped in the Hematite/Magnetite, he heads back to town.
=== Back In Nekkraut ===
When coming back to his own home he notices 2 spear men standing outside of his home. His home is now 3 rooms (One bed room, a parlor, and a kitchen. No longer a studio style home). Divan approaches the guards, they give him the up and down to see if he is aggressive. Divan states "Can I help you gentlemen?"
They state that they are there so that no one interrupts the great Hysic. Divan gracefully does not kill them for being in his way, and steps into his home, he notices Hysic sitting with Helen (Divans Wife). 
Helen states "Here he is, speak of the devil, we were just talking about you darling Divan."
One of Hysic's guards are on the inside of the house, who turns to face him unthreateningly. Hysic throws a glace over his shoulder (he has a strong face with a groomed beard and oiled mustache). He states that he guesses that is his que to leave, and states that the glamor of Hearthome awaits her day and night (Hysic gives a scoffing look at Divan). Divan stands in his way him leaving.
Divan states to his wife "What is he referring too? And why are there armed Soldiers in my home?"
Hysic: "My body guards follow me everywhere I go, A man of my stature needs protection from the vagrants of this world. Surprised you don't have any body guards."
Divan states that he guards his own body, and those of my family. "Why were you here and what were you speaking of?" speaking pass Hysic to his wife.
Helen: "The Gentleman was making me a offer like he has made before, I gave him the same answer as I have the first, second, third, and forth times."
Hysic: "A lady such as this should not be left alone for long periods of time. I have offered her a place of comfort, a place of leisure. As a husband should."
Divan then remarks "If I hear of you coming near my wife or house again, these body guards will do you no good."
Hysic then further remarks, "Then then perhaps you shouldn't leave her alone for many long years with no sign of your whereabout, BUT I am a guest in your home, I shall leave, I know when I am unwanted."
Divan: "Yes you are a imposter, with beard steel (Meaning Bronze)." He looks to the guard
Hysic: "Well I shall leave, good day Lady." "Gooday...What are you? What is your position in this town anyway." ... "Good day man who digs into the earth"
Divan's hands have been shaking trying to hold himself back from Arcane spraying Hysic. Hysic looks expectantly to Divan to move from the door.
Divan: "I am Divan, but as I have said I don't expect you to call me anything, you can call me as you wish."
Hysic: "Gooooooooooood Then I wont."
Divan: "You are being very casual about this, but heed my warning, If I hear of you or your soldiers coming near my wife or home again, Whelp I guess you wont really be able to regret it."
Hysic: "ARE you threatening me?"
Divan "No more then you are" Looking at the soldier, and moving out of the way
Hysic is not used to being threatened, he is used to being feared, and having Divan who he holds in low regard threaten him in this way is unsettling, and frustrating, but there is nothing worse for image then looking like someone who you seem as small as flustering you. He attempts to brush it off, and slowly strolls from the home, and wipes his feat at the door mat as he leaves.
Divan speaks as if he has already left and asks his wife Helen: "Who is that man? Has he any Political standing in Hearthome?" 
Helen: "He has no positions or office, but he is building a house on a distant/ the hills across the way, on the other side of the river/creek. He does much trading, but besides money, no standing, I wouldn't consider him with anymore of your time dear."
Divan: "I would like to leave it that way, but he does not seem the type to leave us well enough alone." (All within earshot of him.) "I was worried he was some foreign prince, but it seems like I can deal with him on my own without treating with the leaders of Hearthome."
Helen: "I don't think he is worth dealing with dear, he may come to town to get something from time to time, but what he really wants he can not afford."
He is gone, the apprentices stand awkwardly, and his kid wanders up to Divan and looks up at him, Divan casts Light and has many tiny lights float around the kid touches and plays with them. 
Divan absentmindedly looks out his door at Hysic and his guards walking away, and thinks how he could leave him and his body guards in a ditch somewhere if he so wished. Divan also thinks on how he could take Hysics body with Magic jar and embarrass him severely.
Divan puts all the Gems back into the box, and places the box in the Library with the Yugoloth.
==Level-Up==
Expected to level up next episode
Category:Dicing with Death Episodes
Category:Divan Episodes