Ep. 92 Which Side Are You On?

## Watch

Which Side Are You On? | Khyber Shards #92 | D&D 5e Actual Play

—Pog

The group interrupts an argument between Thora and Daine. It's one they've been having since Blackwheel: to take the fight to the houses or not. Thora believes it's unwise to start a war with the houses, and Daine thinks if they don't take the initative, the houses will come for them, anyway. They've learned how to replicate Thora's mark, and it's only a matter of time before Cannith can track aberrant marked individuals.

Ari, Pog, and Shade get involved and start their own debates about what to do. Ari thinks they can rely on the goodwill of the people and powerful friends such as the Storm Lords, while Pog and Shade believe that will just end in what Daine predicted; the fight coming to their home instead. Pog gets frustrated and leaves. Ari and Shade don't come to an understanding, but promise to stick together. Meanwhile, Esri is preparing his possessions in case something happens to him.

## Synopsis

The group returns to the manner. Forge is taking care of the grounds, and the kids are running around playing. Inside, they hear an obvious argument happening near the library. Everyone eavesdrops. Thora is telling Daine he's going to start an open war with the houses, and Daine is convinced it's only a matter of time before they come after them, anyway. Pog knocks on the door, and Ari knocks and then just goes in.

When Blackwheel had Thora prisoner, they spent time studying her mark, and have learned how to replicate it. That was the Blackbriar program; to create creatures that can use it. Cannith is trying to do it mechanically. Daine wants to steal it and turn it against Blackwheel. The people involved with Blackwheel are some of the most influential memebers of the houses, and Thora thinks going after them will make the school a target. Daine says they can join or not, but he's doing it, and he leaves for the Sword and Sheathe.

Meanwhile, Esri has gotten Jalaer and brought him into the library, sets him down on an end table. He brings the books he's been reading Jalaer down.

Thora points out that they're only safe as is from the protection of Kirris Sel Shadra. Ari wonders if they can gain the favor of other Storm Lords. Ari, Pog, and Shade talk amongst themselves about what the best plan is. Ari thinks they need to make themselves look like a hopeful entity, otherwise they risk starting a war with the houses. Pog is frustrated at their inaction. He argues against waiting, saying something's coming for them no matter what, and it's dangerous and pointless to wait until it becomes a bigger threat before taking care of it. They don't come to an agreement, and Pog storms out.

Shade is very distraut at the outcome of the conversation. She sides with Pog, that waiting is only hurting them. Meanwhile, Esri is showing Kara how to take care of Jalaer.

Shade thinks that they won't gain favor by doing more when they've already done *a lot* for the city. She thinks what Ari is describing is just another version of the Blackwheel program. Esri is making sure all of his possessions are bestowed on someone in case he doesn't come back.

Ari and Shade can't come to an agreement, but Ari promises to not leave if they go Daine's route.

## Locations

* Greymalkin Academy
* Sword and Sheathe

## Quotes

"Don't try to talk us into trusting you now, Philip."
*—Colin*

"They might as well hear it."
"We could."
*—Daine and Shade*

"Not to throw shade in any direction, but—"
"Don't throw her."
*—Ari and Pog*

"Sometimes when I get mad things just die."
*—Pog*

"I don't know that I care if people hate us."
"That's a really good point. I'm pretty used to it, to be honest."
*—Shade and Pog*

"Not attacking sounds like waiting."
*—Shade*

"The future that I want to have is pretty simple. When Donnabella goes to visit her mom, I don't want her to have to walk past a bunch of idiots screaming about the school existing, down on the streets. I wanna be accepted, understood, be able to just live a happy life without people having the perception that we're dangerous and a threat to them, cause we're not. We don't have to be. But if we follow Daine, they'll continue to believe that. If we follow Thora, maybe not."
"That's really lovely. That is a very pretty picture. I want Donnabella to survive to that point. I want her to not get killed by the monsters, while we were trying to be nice and defend our right to live."
*—Ari and Shade*