20020504 AnEveningToRemember

<H1> An Evening to Remember </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 15th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/10th/1st Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue/Templar </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 16th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Estus </TD>
 <TD> 14th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/12th Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 16th/1st Human Fighter/Hospitaler </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/14th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Auric </TD>
 <TD> 11th/5th (18th CL) Wemic Druid/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
Donner and Kill'Dar discuss matrimonial and political solutions to the situation with Lady Mianna.
Donner talks to Seledan about his beliefs:
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B>
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B> With the reduced troop strength, sparse population, and new trade options, we really have no need to expand. I don't know that we could support an expansion.
<B>Donner:</B> What reason does she have to distrust you?
<B>Seledan:</B> One service that I have always provided to your family is as a public foil. Sometimes, when there is an unpopular decision, such a result is ascribed to myself or Moda. I don't mind
<B>Donner:</B> Mianna wouldn't be fooled by that.
<B>Seledan:</B> Perhaps, but there are any number of reasons
<B>Donner:</B> I've been thinking about establishing the elves as a individual political entity.
<B>Seledan:</B> Aquitaine could easily be convinced. The other kingdoms should not be difficult either. However, convincing the elves to establish such a "government" would be difficult to say the least.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, I think that they would believe it more than any policy.
<B>Seledan:</B> There are policies that are as strong as any treaty. It's not the case we have been silent on the subject or that we intend to annex them. But there are those who will not believe us.
<B>Donner:</B> What would you do to restart the Kingdom of the West?
<B>Seledan:</B> First, you'd have to prove lineage. Not for any superstitious reasons, mind you. Second, you would have to get all the kings of the western realms to recognize that government.
<B>Donner:</B> We have proof of the first.
<B>Seledan:</B> That would be a start. Of course, they would have to be examined for authenticity.
<B>Donner:</B> Kieran studied them and believed them to be authentic.
<B>Seledan:</B> That would be interesting. There would be much demand for proof.
<B>Donner:</B> You've seen this signet ring.
<B>Seledan:</B> Yes.
<B>Donner:</B> Try it on.
<B>Seledan:</B> It's a bit large.
<B>Donner:</B> (Looks--It appears to be the sign of a minor noble) That's not what it looks like to me.
<B>Seledan:</B> Here's some wax. Seal it.
<B>Donner:</B> (Uses the wax--the emblem appears to be of the King of the west)
<B>Seledan:</B> Well, that's interesting. (Examines closely, casts a spell) May I have the ring?
<B>Donner:</B> Certainly.
<B>Seledan:</B> Well... (Tries the ring on wax, gets a minor noble crest) Well, this is certainly one of the proofs. There is only one more and we'll be done. I think it's within your capability.
<B>Donner:</B> What else is there?
<B>Seledan:</B> The dragons need to recognize the King of the West.
<B>Donner:</B> The dragons..?
<B>Seledan:</B> Long ago, an agreement was reached between humans and dragons. The kingdoms would not hunt the dragons, and the dragons would not act to harm the King of the West.
<B>Donner:</B> Oh yes, one other thing...
<B>Seledan:</B> How long have you been sitting on this?
<B>Donner:</B> Do not interrupt your future king. Just kidding.
<B>Seledan:</B> (Doesn't appear amused) What is it you were saying?
<B>Donner:</B> At the moment, I see no way to combat the advance of the Imperium without the existence of the Kingdom of the West.
<B>Seledan:</B> Asute, I've been telling your father the same thing. Unfortunately, he seems unwilling to progress forward on this.
<B>Donner:</B> So, I believe the elves believe that you would be promoted or have your mission/responsibilities towards making this happen.
<B>Seledan:</B> I'm not sure I understand.
<B>Donner:</B> You start making preparations for making this happen. There are military, political, and economic preparations that need to me made before we might wish to reveal this information.
<B>Seledan:</B> Certainly.
<B>Donner:</B> And I would say that you would have to find someone to replace yourself in your daily duties.
<B>Seledan:</B> The duties you're describing are exactly those of the councilor to the King.
<B>Donner:</B> Do you think this would require immediate help?
<B>Seledan:</B> Not immediately, for I have a capable staff.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, I certainly would like this kept as quiet as possible.
<B>Seledan:</B> One nice thing is that Lady Mianna's objections would become moot if we established the Kingdom of the West.
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B> I'll give you the same advice that I give your father. Ignore Lady Mianna, win the war, and leave.
<B>Donner:</B> What if I told her this information?
<B>Seledan:</B> That's a razor's edge. She may not believe you or she may view it as another attempt to take over the elven lands.
<B>Donner:</B> In any case, I think we should get working on this.
<B>Seledan:</B> Of course. Even more important, we need to establish further lineage.
<B>Donner:</B> What sort of documentation..?
<B>Seledan:</B> I meant wives and children. I could find you someone today.
<B>Donner:</B> Today? Uh...
<B>Seledan:</B>
<B>Donner:</B> What do you think of Marta? From the Rourke family.
<B>Seledan:</B> Uh, well I don't have a great deal of information personally. (Thinks for a bit) Yes, she is perfectly acceptable. I don't know of any arranged wedding for her yet. I expect that it wouldn't work too well for her anyway.
<B>Donner:</B> I've been thinking of paying her a visit. I've seen her a lot recently. I think what attracts me to her is that she seems capable.
<B>Seledan:</B> Really? It seems as though her apprenticeship has been long.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, I think it's George's thoroughness.
<B>Seledan:</B> George? (Scoffs) Well, that explains it then...
<B>Donner:</B> Don't talk to me about long apprenticeships.
<B>Seledan:</B> He does years and years, which is much longer than necessary.
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B>
<B>Donner:</B>
<B>Seledan:</B>
<B>Donner:</B> Well, my companions and I should be joining the front lines soon.
<B>Seledan:</B> This excellent news. I will, of course, have to tell your father.
<B>Donner:</B> Certainly.
<B>Seledan:</B> Win the war as quickly as possible and all our troubles go away.
<B>Donner:</B> Is there anything we can do for Southport?
<B>Seledan:</B> Well, perhaps we can send some form of aid.
<B>Donner:</B> I believe it's my fault that it occurred.
<B>Colin:</B> We didn't physically take Grax. We took out their leadership.
<B>Seledan:</B> And what he did with them was sack Southport. Well, that's not your responsibility.
<B>Donner:</B> But I didn't foresee this happening.
<B>Seledan:</B> Yes, but his was the choice to sack Southport. This is important, you are not responsible. You can feel bad, you can help them, but you should not say that you are responsible.
<B>Donner:</B> You should have heard what my father said last time.
<B>Seledan:</B> Playing in if's is dangerous as king. The people of Southport are already looking for someone to blame. Instead we can come as helpful people and be perceived as charitable people.
<B>Donner:</B> Do you think my father would think the same thing?
<B>Seledan:</B> I think he would be more circumspect.
<B>Donner:</B> (Considers) Well, there's nothing I can do about it right now.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Donner requests to load up the mansion with clothes and other luxuries.
Grackle talks to the High Priestess of Hades Mother Nightfall. The High Templar Sonia unfortunately is in the field.
Colin consults with George about releasing Fulchar. After talking to him, Donner feels as though the group has been using the sword as if it were an item rather than a sentient being.
Estus uses the Deck of Fate. Inverted Devil--freedom. Seven of Cups--gratitude. Kill'Dar casts his Limited Wish and George casts his Greater Dispelling. A huge gout of flame comes out of the sword and forms into a large elemental being.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
"Ah, better. I return now, but you have my thanks. If you ever need the Northern Prince, you may call for me. If you call for me, know that I will call for you, unless you are calling me to slay Tenseval Taine--that is free."
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Colin now has the "at will" power to summer an Elder Elemental. But the cost of that power is that in exchange, he must serve the elemental for an hour. This power extends beyond death.
There are eight princes, but only four crown princes, while the other four vie for power. The eight are named for the points of the compass. The name of the Northern Prince is Kavoradius Jor. He is known to be a true elemental (i.e. not an efreet). He is not noted for particular creulty, but definitely noted for excessive destruction.
In the meantime, Donner decides to pay a visit to Marta. He goes up to her study.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> (Clears throat)
<B>Marta:</B> (Looks up). Oh, George is downstairs and he's busy.
<B>Donner:</B> I'm actually here to see you.
<B>Marta:</B> About what?
<B>Donner:</B> I was wondering if you might be interested in dinner.
<B>Marta:</B> I planned to eat sometime today.
<B>Donner:</B> I mean tonight.
<B>Marta:</B> You're staying here?
<B>Donner:</B> (Thinks about Fingle's magical home) Well, it's hard to explain...
<B>Donner:</B> You seem busy.
<B>Marta:</B> Well, we usually eat an hour after sundown.
<B>Donner:</B> I was thinking you could join me.
<B>Marta:</B> Where?
<B>Donner:</B> Well, there's this extra dimensional space. We've been staying in there.
<B>Marta:</B> Where should I go to find this place?
<B>Donner:</B> Uh, it sort of hard to explain...
<B>Marta:</B> Did you create this construct?
<B>Donner:</B> Actually, no. Fingle did.
<B>Marta:</B> Oh Fingle, yeah sure!
<B>Donner:</B> I'm not certain he'll be there...
<B>Marta:</B> How do I get there?
<B>Donner:</B> I'll come and pick you up..?
<B>Marta:</B> I'll be here.
<B>Donner:</B> Excellent.
<B>Marta:</B> Can you explain something to me?
<B>Donner:</B> Oh, uh by the way, did you get any letters from your family?
<B>Marta:</B> No.
<B>Donner:</B> Oh, I see. I asked your family if I could get to know you.
<B>Marta:</B> Okay. Is that all?
<B>Donner:</B> Well, yes.
<B>Marta:</B> So, when you're harnessing the energies of a Lightning Bolt...
<B>Donner:</B> Uh, yeah, you see...
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Over the course of the next hour, Marta gleans information from Donner about writing a scroll of Lightning Bolt. While conversing with Marta, it appears that she is a 6th/3rd Sorceress/Wizard.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Grackle:</B> Hypothetically, suppose you're under attack. Who do I protect?
<B>Donner:</B> How is that even a question?
<B>Grackle:</B> Well, you noble people have funny ideas, so I thought I'd check to see what you're thinking.
<B>Donner:</B> The answer is obvious: whoever is in the most danger.
<B>Grackle:</B> Like I said, funny ideas. You're the crown prince of Aquitaine. You're trying to take over the world.
<B>Donner:</B> Thanks for announcing that.
<B>Grackle:</B> What I mean is that you deserve special protection.
<B>Donner:</B> I'm just a man like any other. It's not worth protecting me over any other person.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
That evening, Donner has dinner with Marta. The rest of the party is there as well.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> I see that you're quite powerful.
<B>Marta:</B> I think George is from another time and place. He doesn't understand the way things work today.
<B>Donner:</B> You don't think using power selfishly...
<B>Marta:</B> What he calls understanding wastes time. People should just make a decision and get things done.
<B>Donner:</B> I would agree that he is thorough.
<B>Marta:</B> His reliance on book, notes, and papers are a waste of time.
<B>Donner:</B> Not all are gift with his abilities. But I speak of his ethics.
<B>Marta:</B> How do you mean?
<B>Donner:</B> How would you use your abilities should you be released?
<B>Marta:</B> To the task at hand.
<B>Donner:</B> Do you have any ideas?
<B>Marta:</B> I have some ideas, but I haven't really been outside.
<B>Donner:</B> What do you think needs to be done?
<B>Marta:</B> Well, I could help Home against the demon. There are always other dangers out on the Plateau. I might even like to travel to the Imperium.
<B>Donner:</B> (Explains the current situation with Aquitaine and the elves) What would you have done about the elves and orcs?
<B>Marta:</B> Destroy the orcs, blast them into ash.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, it's more complicated than that. Kill'Dar, can you describe the situation with Lady Mianna?
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> (Explains)
<B>Marta:</B> She sounds crazy.
<B>Donner:</B> What would you do about it?
<B>Marta:</B> I wouldn't put up with it.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, as don't necessarily have that choice.
<B>Marta:</B> I'd destroy the orcs, then tell her to shut up.
<B>Donner:</B> I see.
<B>Marta:</B> All you can do with crazy people is tell them to shut up and tell them who's boss.
<B>Donner:</B> I think many things can be done with reason.
<B>Marta:</B> Such as?
<B>Donner:</B> Let me give you another story. We had a sword with a powerful elemental prince.
<B>Marta:</B> Yes, George told me what you did today. I think it was a good use of power and advice to get out of a bad situation.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, maybe you just need to get out a bit more.
<B>Marta:</B> That's what I've been trying to tell George.
<B>Donner:</B> I think I was going to say about your prowess, we might call upon you for various tasks. I could probably talk to George to come with us on our raid.
<B>Marta:</B> Can you do me a favor? Lean on George to release me from my apprenticeship. It's three years overdue.
<B>Donner:</B> I don't think I can really do that.
<B>Marta:</B> You and Fingle have a lot of influence over him.
<B>Donner:</B> Well, maybe...
<B>Marta:</B> He asks me questions, I answer them honestly and he doesn't release me. What can I do?
<B>Donner:</B> Look, I'll talk to him, but I can't promise anything.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Kill'Dar casts Sending to contact Arik Niviar. He sends "We believe that Donner is King of the West. To prove this, we need the help of a dragon. Need assistance for the diplomatic situation." The response is "If he has the proof, there is nothing to fear. We can meet at the Great Bridge. Meet in 20 days time. Be armed."
George agrees to allow Marda out with the party. Donner expresses concern for Marta's safety, but George says our ability to plan would be good for her. George releases her into our custody, nominally relaxing the apprenticeship agreement in order for her to get more field experience. Donner has Marda get a divination from Father Cullaim about how dangerous travelling with us is.
The next day, the group sees Marta's equipment. She is carrying two crossbow quivers, but they have wands (12 wands in total). She wears magic earrings, an amulet, and a cloak. She carries a magical large knife (short sword) and leather armor.
The party teleports to the front lines. Grackle finds the Templar of Hades, Sonia.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Sonia:</B> I'm glad to hear of this. I was hoping you'd see that the I have here a list of enemies which need to be killed. Make sure that they don't come back. There is a proving test that we have to put our templars through.
<B>Grackle:</B> I understand.
<B>Sonia:</B> In your case, I ask that you slay or participate in the slaying of one of our major foes here. If you have a particular target in mind, let me know and I will consider it. If you slay the target, I will let you know.
<B>Grackle:</B> I'm thinking of Krodol.
<B>Sonia:</B> He is certainly a worthy target. Very well. Slay him and let me know when you do.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Auric casts Commune with Nature and detects the group of elves nearby (8 miles SE) and another unnatural force (10 miles S). The group makes preparation and heads towards the force detected in the south.
Upon spying on the group. Everyone spying sees that there are six armed and armored war trolls running through the forest, being dragged by three clawed, shelled creatures (presumably bullettes) ahead of them. Behind the vanguard are several more war trolls and orogs. At the end are another half-dozen war trolls with another larger one in the group (presumably Krodol). The total appears to be 11 trolls and 40 or so orogs. Auric spots some other figures moving more stealthily between the trees (3-6 figures). The figures are as big as war trolls but move with real stealth.
Estus casts an Augury for doing ranged attacks on the group. Estus gets the Chariot. In this case, the result is "Weal and Woe" The group shrugs and prepares for the assault.
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
Marriage