The Shrim'Dula Revolution

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 2:19 pm

Grath dismisses Kaldan with a brief wave of his hand.

"Fools always assume the ease with which they talk about the act of accomplishing a task will carry over into the act itself. Such fools fill many a graveyard.

He turns his attention to Warchief Smith.

"I sure as hell hope you have more than just us to accomplish this task, or I dare say we'll be like lambs to the slaughter."

The Bellmaker · Post by **The Bellmaker** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:15 pm

Kaldan growls at the mage, and mutters, quietly, "Damn smart-aleck mages. Always think you know everything. I've known an elven mage less pompous than you..." but still subsides, continuing to mutter to himself.

LordofArcana · Post by **LordofArcana** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:21 pm

Eric pointedly ignores Kaldan's comment, and waits for Warchief Smith to answer his questions.

Thanatos5150 · Post by **Thanatos5150** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:39 am

"Of course." Cheif Smith says simply, listening to the bickering. "You're all partially right - divinations, training, the fact that Shrim'Dula is geared to resit a large-scale invasion and that a small force will have an easier time. The priciple facet of any military force and organization is information. A balanced group should have little to know trouble gathering intelligence. A small group is also mobile, and like water, can flow between the cracks."
He moves out from the center of the table and raps the black section of the color-coded map.
"The poor districts of a city usually harbor some residual resentment towards their ruler. And its a universal truth that the strength of the prolitariat is, collectively, stronger than the bourgeoisie. Natural and magical sickness work through small modifications to the body's natural state of homeostasis, by making small changes to it. A city is a body, but even what controls a body can become corrupted. When the other systems in the body detect this, they can defend it, change. When you become sick, you seek a remedy, and if you know the remedy, administer it. This is your body telling your mind to fix itself. We can be assured that Lord Shrim'Dula knows we exist. He actually uses us as an excuse to hold public executions of half-breeds and unregistered spellcasters, as our friend here -"
He gestures towards Eric
" - knows all to well."
He meets all members present in the eye, excepting Cruelean.
"Is the path to victory clear, now, or need it be spelled out more?"

Whmice · Post by **Whmice** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:02 am

Thanatos5150 wrote:... bugausie...

((i suppose you mean bourgeoisie? (history of psychology test, i had hardly had any idea what that word meant a year ago, now i know too much)))

so you want us to sniff around dark reeking alleys?

LordofArcana · Post by **LordofArcana** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:01 am

((You know, I don't think that I ever said that Eric was a mage IC. I think that he made it look like he was. Just something to think about.))

Eric seems almost resigned to his fate:
"I guess that I shall support you, though we will probably get killed in the end for it."

The Bellmaker · Post by **The Bellmaker** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:47 am

"You know that you have my aid..."

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:24 pm

"There had better be some damned good incentive, and don't give me that 'doing good' malarky! I want something substantial, and something upfront wouldn't hurt either!"

The Bellmaker · Post by **The Bellmaker** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:45 pm

"Well, I agree with you, in that altruism is a joke. However, I'm sure they were planning to give us due compensation, but...such a statement is unjust! This is not Shrim'Dula we are Speaking to!"

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:22 pm

Grath shoots dagger eyes at Kaldan, then stands suddenly, knocking his chair back with a crash, and throws an arm in the direction of Warchief Smith.

"And I don't know who the hell he is. All that I know, and I'm sure all that some of us know, are stories. And I'm sure as hell not going to lay down my life on the word of some stranger who I don't know from Adam, and who I have no reason to trust. So don't you dare tell me what's unjust when it's MY life on the line! If you continue to be so liberal with your tongue, you may find it no longer in your mouth."

An air of barely restrained rage permiates every word that escapes his lips, and the fire in his eyes does not dim for a moment as he slowly takes his seat again, still throwing dagger eyes at Kaldan.

Whmice · Post by **Whmice** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:23 pm

dont you think our worlds well being is worth more than gps'?
how can you think of money at this dark hour?!

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:42 pm

Grath bellows out a condecending laugh.

"I love how you swallow this guy's story of Shrim'Dula taking over the world. He's a two-bit warlord who would probably get his ass whooped the minute he tried to take his conquest outside this little part of the country. And regardless, I'll be putting my life on the line, and I want something for it. If you want to throw your life away for something as transparent as "what's right", be my guest, but keep your altruism to yourself. If I come out of this suicide mission in one piece, I want a heaping load of GP for my troubles."

The Bellmaker · Post by **The Bellmaker** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:51 pm

Kaldan also stands, slamming back chair, and has one of his blades in his hand already. His voice is deadly calm "Just try it." Flames burn in his eyes, every muscle tense. Suddenly, he laughs, and shakes his head.
"Ahh, Grath, you could not be any more like Ragkoht unless you were 9 feet tall and as wide as a wagon! At least those like him live on..." He sobers up and retrieves his chair. "Remember, you would not die alone, should we fail, and I, myself, would prefer that to returning to those dungeons. But should it be necessary, I'd pay you for this myself. every step we take towards Shrim'Dula's death is a step towards a better day, a brighter time. You think he has little power in the outside world? Maybe for now, but men like him can acquire the loyalties of the mad, the heretical, the depraved. The most dangerous kinds of men: those with no fear of death or the beyond. He WILL gain power. And we WILL suffer for it."

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:21 pm

Grath's eyes begin to dim, and he bellows out a laugh that seems to fill the whole tavern.

"Your naive idealism amuses me! I will hold you to your words, rogue, and as long as I am promised money for the risks I am to take, and am given a little coin beforehand to show your sincerity to honor your words, I shall join in this fools quest to 'Save the World.'"

The last part of his speech causes Grath to guffaw more and shake his head in amusement as he leans back in his chair.

The Bellmaker · Post by **The Bellmaker** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:29 pm

Kaldan shrugs. "Hey. Government may be corrupt, and the gods couldn't care less. But get some good people together, and they may change anything."
He reaches into his vest and flips a pouch onto the table in front of himself.
"Well, then, I suppose the retainer for this man falls to me? Ah, well then, here you go, Grath, a small retainer."

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:13 pm

Grath takes the pouch and dumps the contents on the table.

(How much is in there?)

Thanatos5150 · Post by **Thanatos5150** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:38 am

whmice wrote:((i suppose you mean bourgeoisie? (history of psychology test, i had hardly had any idea what that word meant a year ago, now i know too much)))

<Hai, that, I did. Thank you for correcting my spelling.>

The Warchief's eye catch flame (not literally) at the line 'and don't give me that 'doing good' malarky!'. He stiffens and glares at the offending one called 'Grath'.
"Doing good is not 'Malarky', young one!" He roars. "It is the one thing I have dedicated my life to!"
He grips his warhammer tighter and a visible effort contorts his features.
"Pallex" - The head of his warhammer catches aflame at this word - "Would have put you to swordpoint at those words, themselves, but killing you would hardly be condusive to anything. The Good of the common people is the one thing worth fighting for, that the majority of human and demi-human kind hold deep within their hearts! Besides being free to keep whatever you acquire yourselves here in the sity, there are our allies spread throughout every corner of the city, and your assistance will very well net the gratefulness of this City-State and the Ice Prisim Monastarey, and allies are worth more than Gold, any day!
As for your constant probing for an introduction, may the Righteous One strike me down if I stray from the Truth, here.
I am the WarChief Winston Smith. I am the bearer of the Warhammer Veritas, and We are the Hammer of Justice and Honor throughout the world! The Warrior-Leaders throught the realm have come to my aid, and I to theirs. I am the former retainer for the GreyGuard Pallex -"
The Warhammer's flame quietly extinguishes itself "Pureblade - may his soul find peace in the Beastlands."

The Chief's rant seems to have calmed him down, and the name "Pallex Pureblade" Rings a crisp bell in your collective memories, although you're not sure from where.

LordofArcana · Post by **LordofArcana** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:42 am

"I cannot quite recall who Pallax Pureblade is, but I remember overhearing stories of the horror that greyguards can create in their path from my parents."

Eric seems quite perplexed and, for once, timid.

((I don't think that it would be surprising that I know some, extremely vague and mostly inaccurate, stories about greyguards considering my background. If you, Thanatos, disagree I will change this message appropriately. I don't think that it is that important however.))

The Bellmaker · Post by **The Bellmaker** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:41 am

((50 gp in that one.))

"Pallex...Pallex...Hmmm...That seems a bit familiar..."
Kaldan leans back in his chair, and puts his feet up on the table.

CooperNRG · Post by **CooperNRG** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:20 pm

Grath appears unafraid at Warchief Smith's outburst as he replaces the money into the sack and pockets it.

"You seem pretty hypocritical insinuating threats to do me in for not holding to your beliefs."

He laughs at his own remark.

"Be that as it may, you stick to your naive idealism and I'll stick to my desire for GP. You pay me handsomely for the risks I'll have to take, and you've got my sword for your cause. But don't presume to think that I'll share in your idiotic ideals. And don't think that I will, for even a minute, care about your cause beyond its potential to generate money for me."

Grath leans back, content that he's made his point, and put Warchief Smith in his place."