“Well, Brenir may have left to find help, and in some way you could say he did.” Saeth meant to be consoling to the grieving maiden, but her one-eyed gaze and hardened tone took most of the comfort from it.
From there, she focused straight on the task at hand. “From the size of the village, I’d say you lost perhaps twenty to the clutches of this man? They remain imprisoned on the mount?” After a moments thought, her planning began, “And where were you to deliver yourself up to them, should you give in to this demand?”
“The Siswa are all inside the temple,” she replied. “I was to go to the temple surrender myself to the Rahib before nightfall. He said he would be waiting for me in the main chapel.”
The dwarf scowled deeper at hearing the villagers themselves were the culprits. That would make getting to the Rahib a bit more difficult. Feldard had no qualms about battling through orcs and hired mercanaries, ensorceled villagers however would require a bit more care and accuracy so as not to kill or maim them. It was so much easier when you didn’t need to worry about leaving your opponents alive.
As much as he distrusted magic he could see where the Mages’ spells might come in useful yet again. “Miklos, I hope you have that sleeping enchantment ready.”
He glanced towards Saeth at her questioning. She obviously had a plan. He waited arms still crossed for the elven warrior to state it plain.
Miklos laughed openly at Feldards comment. “Sorry my friend, but the chances of forcing elves into magical slumber are no better than one in ten. They renown for their resistance to these things.” Miklo’s face dropped when he added, “Which makes the Rahib’s ability to charm them with ease very worrying indeed. Fortunately I have two paralyzation charges left in the wand so we may be able to fell many without bloodshed.”
He turned back to the elfmaid, “Rahasia, I assume the Rahib was human?”
“Yes,” she nodded.
“Were the charmed elves extensively armed with bows? I don’t like the idea of approaching any encampment under fire.”
“Nay, the Siswa are primarily armed with their ceremonial scimitars,” said Rahasia.
The priest said in worried tones. “I see. Well, Brenir was slain in melee so perhaps they aren’t, assuming the attackers were sent by the Rahib. This might also explain the lack of theft from the body. Charmed elves would only follow instruction, not think independently.”
3 Comments
May 25, 2007 at 9:47 pm
“We do have one advantage. The Rahib, as far as we can tell does not know we pursue him. Or if he does then he does not care.” Maruc tried to think around the problem aloud. “We can the assume he is arrogant or at the least incautious. He is turned by a comely maid, he has access to a powerful means of enchanting elves or at the least a persuasive form of blackmail. He was trusted by the Sons of Night but that might be because he asks no questions and/or has no scruples.”
Maruc tried a different angle. “Put yourself in the Rahibs shoes. What could he gain from his actions? And what does he know? He was an information gatherer to a secretive organisation. He is evil and driven by self agrandisment. Evil people seek power. He was employed and directed by Dentiata so it would be safe to assume that the Rahib is deep in the secrets of the Sons of Night. Perhaps he seeks to futher the aims of the Sons of Night in order to increase his power. But as Miklos has intimated you would have to be extremely self deluding to think that the Dread Night could actually be attained.”
Maruc grinned his trademark grin at last, “The Rahib must be insane. This makes he unpredictable and dangerous, the longer we leave this man the harder it will be to undo his evil. I am with Feldard. We must strike now. This man has great powers of persuasion I will seek the aid of mighty Halav before we depart for a way to combat this.
After alot of consideration and praying Maruc will replace his Speak with Animals spell to Silence 15′R
May 25, 2007 at 9:57 pm
“Rahasia, from where I am standing I would hazard a guess that of the remaining Elves of the village at least half are capable of some form of incantations? Am I wrong?”
“In order to aid you to the fullest extent are there any amongst you who can counter magic? Or perhaps confuse or incapacitate your breatherin in a harmless fashion? I have a fear that the Rahib might compell his elves to hinder and assail us in all ways possible to them. This could include their own magic.”
May 26, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Saeth:
Maruc: 10xp +10xp +10xp
Miklos: 10xp +10xp
Nicolai:
Feldard:
TOTAL:
Saeth: 6695/8000
Maruc: 6820/12000
Miklos: 6825/10000
Nicolai: 6325/9600
Feldard: 6740/8800