Paradigm Concepts

[Penguino]

"Well, well, well ... Serah finally shows a more civilized side... never thought I'd see the day. Never let it be said that a dwarf couldn't hold his temper in a discussion, so let's talk plainly. My 'powers', as you call them, are the tools that I use to rid this world of the plague called the PoM and its agents. I care not where they come from, so long as they are effective. As to what you call my masters... I have NO masters, Elorii - man, god, or creature. Any similar -thinking people I associate with are just that, associates."
"I've never heard of Voiceless Ones, so whatever information you have, I would have to be suspect of. And if your 'source' is the rantings of that lunatic Grutan, then I question your judgment as well. His paranoia and ideas of conspiracies and secret organizations all serving some shadowy alien threat bent on world annihilation are laughable. So if you want to believe those wild ideas, be my guest, just don't drag me into your theories."

OOC Wait, there's a flat side to my greatsword? I never knew that, I may have to become more active in my beatdowns now that it won't have to end in death!

[Brent Jacobs]

"Wait a second...you're saying Grutan was a Mourner? He mentioned some people were after him, and that's why he always disguised himself as best he could. But the silly sword of his always gave him away. I promised I'd never mention when I saw him to keep his whereabouts kinda secret, and never broke that. So...he's one too hey? Seems like your kind grows on trees nowadays..."

"Nah, it wasn't Grutan's ramblings. This person was much quieter, more reserved, more intelligent, and planning on getting out of the adventuring business all together. Rather dangerous for those who leave terroristic secret societies that are bent on world destruction. It was a good, long, detailed conversation. They, however, went a few places that YOU haven't yet. Particularly into some blessed lands and, well, the Lavendar Way area. He didn't like the Lavendar Way experience at all, so I would highly recommend it to you. After all, you are your own master."

"And you're saying you consider those powers your own? That you don't have to serve a certain power, train with them, or whatever? Fine, if you say so, then it must be true."

**OOC - Yeah, the flat side lets you keep the fun going longer. But I don't think your venemous Greatsword has the stun setting quite right. Con damage is never 'subdual'. **

[Legrac]

OOC:

No, I really couldn't. I'll put it this way. In a recent module, I was asked what was my character's number one goal. My answer was to kill all current members of the Mourners in Silence, and not in a nice way. (And, although I couldn't guarantee which way the combat would go, it would probably take a while if nothing else. A 50+ AC is often helpful in that area.

But keep going, the conversation is entertaining.

(And if you hadn't figured it out yet, Ja'erin is also a former Mourner, although he was just willing to leave and let bygones be bygones. But when they tried to have him assassinated, well... that ended that.)

[Brent Jacobs]

**OOC - very cool, it would be interesting to have Serah and Ja'erin sit down IC and discuss all of the Mourner-ey things he knows. Y'konw, just in case I come across another squiggle-head lover or something. As is, I know IC about two, and OOC about two other that are better at hiding it than, well, Penguino.**

[Penguino]

"Now, now Serah, I never called Grutan a, what was it, 'Mourner'? Never heard of them myself, I just said that I've heard his rantings before. As to this other person you spoke to, I'd have to talk to him myself to get answers, but he sounds too shady to be trusted to me. You should know better than to listen to 'quiet, reserved, and intelligent' people, they're usually out to shank your back as soon as it's turned."

"And again, I serve no powers or persons. The only allegiances I have are to my enclave, and to comrades-in-arms. *BURP* Damn, that's fine ale...
While I admit my goals as far as the Church and those damned Val are concerned may put me at odds with many in this world, I am most certainly not out to destroy all of creation. So if you meet others out there who claim this and that about matters seemingly related to my beliefs, kindly refrain from grouping me in with these madmen."

OOC: Finally, a fresh voice in this forum! Please continue to throw comments in whenever possible, IC or OOC.
-Brent- yes, I know Con damage is never subdual, but the look on their faces is so priceless

[Brent Jacobs]

"Don't start playing coy with me Penguino. It doesn't suit you. You've never had a problem with the term Mourner before, and have talked openly about it. You know what it is, even if you won't admit to being a member."

"As far as the quiet, reserved, and intelligent person being trusted, well, no...I don't. Not completely at least. He was just explaining everything in so clear manner and so contrite about his actions, I couldn't help but NOT destruction him. He would've probably welcomed it. As far as shanking me in the back, well, he actually took some hits for me. Unlike most of the regular party."

"And if you really are honest about not being out to destroy the world (*as OOC your Bluff sucks beyond belief and my Sense Motive is rather positive*) then you will recant your servitude when you learn the truth. So in that regard, I'll drink to your continuing health, knowing that either I'm wrong and owe you a squiggle headed idol back, or I'm right and you'll play for the non-oblivion side in the end. Just hope you don't do something too stupid until then. Based on your track record, I expect it'll only be a matter of hours..."

"So, after you get the answers you're looking for from these 'men', what are your next plans? Again, I'll recommend a trip to the Lavendar Way that rumors have it were opened recently. Though there appear to be delays in opening it up to public exploration. Would you mind if I waited around here until it became open, then we can hunt down the crew and have them explore the unknown depths of Onara?"

"That, or I hear there's an expedition leaving for a travel through the Blessed Lands. Care for that opton?"

[Penguino]

"Don't go saying what I have or haven't said Serah, your memory seems a bit fuzzy lately. AGAIN, whatever my beliefs may be, I serve noone other than Solanos Mor and myself. As far as my future plans, the Blessed Lands seem like the most likely place for me to continue my searches, after my current quest. If you feel like tagging along, be my guest. There are probably a few rude bastards in that part of the world who plan on sending violence my way. Just like everywhere else ... "

Upon seeing the Taverns most recent arrival, Penguino falls momentarily silent. Throwing the cowl of his cloak over his head, he leans closer to the Elorii with him and whispers "Damn, one of those poor deluded penitents of Illiir ... what blasted luck that one of my people, and one of those especially would wind up here. Keep your voice lower around him, the Tyrant God's clerics are always looking to cause trouble for me."

[Brent Jacobs]

Looking over as the white clad dwarf enters, Serah watches him closely. Sniffing the air a bit, she relaxes noticeably as the dwarf approaches the other table near the fire with its occupants.

"At least he's not one of those Calcestus loving freaks that immolates themselves...though it's a good start in my opinion. A few pints of oil should be included with each of their robes...just in case they get the urge. Or someone else does."

Glancing over at the white-clad dwarf as he introduces himselves, she continues "But, each has a free will, as you well know, to do good or ill. Even in his name, they can use the power he grants them for the betterment of all. Even if our experience has been by far to the contrary." Lowering her voice, she says "You're not still carrying around any Inquisitor heads or anything, right? They'd be rather ripe, and you just can't get a good return on their armor anywhere on this world. Too well known...and for some reason everyone fears them."

"And I'm not about to let their kind ruin a perfectly good meal, unless he tries. We mind our business, they tend to do the same if they're wise."

[Eric Sweeney]

A few minutes later, yet another unusual figure enters the tavern. Looming in the doorway is tall figure in a hooded set of gray cancerese robes. With cowl raised and wearing gloves, none of his flesh is revealed to the outside world. But despite this fact, he seems to carry an unnatural aura about himself. Perhaps it's his cancerese dress, or maybe it's the fact that he openly wearing an obsidian holy symbol of Cadic. Though in all honesty, it's probably becomes this man is "tainted."

Glancing around the room, he spies the table bearing the unusual trio. Without asking permission, the dark-kin sits down at their table. As he sits down, there is a quiet sigh of relief that escapes from under his hood.

"Ah, thank Cadic I managed to find you. Penguino and Serah, it's good to see you both. And while I haven't gotten over the time that you 'accidentally' Magic Jar'ed me Dom, I think I'm even glad to see you as well. You see, I've managed to run into a bit of trouble.

Serah, I'm sure you remember our joking with each other when you crafted me these gray robes of the archmagi. Between the robes and my bardic bakground before I entered the clergy, we were sure that at some point Yamandragore would attempt to harvest me. Somehow that case of mistaken arcane identity always seemed funny at the time. But now the jokes on me...

Since I hadn't heard from all of you in a while, I decided it was time to check up on some of my fellow cold blooded killers. And just as I was about a mile away, a mage hunting hit squad jumped me. Now that it's over, it was kind of funny. Somehow they expected to take down a flimsy wizard, not a resourceful Cadican cleric. They hit me with some sort of magic designed to stun my body, not realizing just how durable I am. While they stared at me in momentary confussion, I slipped through the shadows and came here.

So assuming they're dumb enough to follow me, are you game for some fun? And while we're at it, just how many other tavern patrons do you expect to die in the coming crossfire? Not that I have anything against them personably. It's just the good old cancerese philosophy of 'survival of the fittest'."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Parath
Cancerese Dark-kin Cleric of Cadic
Bard 1 / Ranger 1 / Monk 2 / Cleric 12

[Brent Jacobs]

Upon seeing the grey-robed figure enter the bar, Serah cracks a huge grin and waves.

As he sits and begins talking, she puts down her wine glass and begins listening attentively.

"Hello to you too, He Who Walks in Darkness. Though you joke, I DID craft those robes for a reason, Parath. Just as our brilliant companion Growl bears several spellbooks and walks around saying 'Harvest Me', I have my purpose for that robe you wear as well. And you are starting to fulfil it. Of all our companions, you most closely match the figure of a demure helpless wizzard, from my point of view, when you're fully clothed. Penguino's too loud and...well...not bright enough. They can see through my glamered armor easily. Victor...um...rattles when he walks. Don't think they can use Undead, but not sure there. Our druid friend is usually eating something alive, and Dradig is way too pretty to be a wizzard. And he usually doesn't 'cast' that anyone can notice, but still. And of us all, you alone radiate arcane magic. Kinda messed up, hey?"

Standing up, she quickly runs upstairs and comes back with with Dom, with him looking rather happy at the coming prospects of combat.

Sitting down and taking another drink, she continues "Harvester hit squad you say? Did you even manage to choke the crap outta one of 'em, or just ditch at your first chance? I would've paid to see the look on their faces when you grab one and slowly maul him to death as he screams silently for help. Worth the price of crafting that alone" she says as she glances at the grey runed robes.

"Well, there's no help for it anyway. If they want to find you, they will. It's just a matter of how painful we make the counterattack...eh? Harvesters are rather too focused on offense, and tend to be all too squishy on defense. Sometimes I even leave something other than dust left, if I'm in a good mood. We'll have to see."

Glancing over at the other table's occupants, Serah focuses on them momentarily. Returning her attention her companions, she chuckles "I doubt many of them would survive a full onslaught, but you never know. I've seen the crazy val over there fight, though it was rather brief. I believe he fought one of your kind, Penguino. By that, I mean a slayer-type of course. So you can understand what an uneven match it was."

She puts her wine glass carefully on the table, then stretches as she stands slowly.

"Shall we prepare for a dance?" With that, Serah begins rapid-fire casting. A burst of pur positive energy radiates out (Spellcraft DC 20 - Radiance), encompassing all within 30' of her. Checking quickly to see if it had a negative impact on any at the other table, she nods noting no undead present (um,hopefully). Continuing her casting (DC 19 - Greater Magic Weapon), she touches Penguino's Greatsword (whichever one on his back), armor (DC 18 - Magic Vestments), and tapping Parath lightly on his arm (DC 19 - Greater Magic Weapon). Satisfied with that, she casts a final time, touching her arm (DC 19 - Death Ward). Then she again sits and begins chugging her wine, looking rather comical as she still attempts to keep an eye out for trouble while getting the maximum amount of alcohol in her system before trouble breaks out.

Dom waves a few times mystically (False Life, Mage Armor) and then sits down, right next to Serah.
...............................................

[Penguino]

"Figures, you show up out of nowhere bringing trouble with you. Just like your kind ...fortunately, I LOVE trouble! Harvesters, eh? Well, I suppose I can spare the 30 seconds they usually take, but you're buying the next round."
As the dwarf closes his eyes in seeming intense concentration, anyone nearby with any type of psionic detection devices notices them going off. After a half minute Penguino opens his eyes with a sigh, "Alright, I'm ready for just about anything. Pareth, try to do something useful in combat, and Serah, well, just do what you do. Dom, you're hopeless (tee hee), and let's try to contain our damage, there's innocent bystanders here, although feel free to include that Val in any AOEs."

[Brent Jacobs]

Watching the dwarf intently as her earring hums repeatedly, Serah smiles a wolfish grin.
"Ah, so discreet. Just the promise of combat is all it takes for you to blatantly flout your so-secret powers?"

"You plan on inviting the Harvesters for a cordial chat Penguino? Since when does it take us 30 seconds to kill ANYTHING? Three Voiceless Ones...6 seconds. Two Balors...though I don't remember you being there for that one...12 seconds. Malfelans and their peons...just shy of 30 seconds. Even the greater drakes didn't take more than 30 seconds as I recall. Though they kinda hurt us back that time."

"I know very well what to do in these types of fights thank you. Mages who specialize in neutering arcane casters pose little threat to me. Though I hear they'd be interested in your type of powers nowadays. Almost forgot about that. NOT!"

"I dare say Parath is just as lethal under the right circumstances, so don't go telling him to stay outta trouble." Turning to Parath, she continues "You feel free to choke whatever you want and drag 'em around the room." Returning to Penguino, she chides "Just because he doesn't hit things with a stupid stick as hard as you do, doesn't mean he's useless."

"As far as Dom, well, he's too good to catch anyone in an area of affect spell, though we both know you have special protections against even his. He wouldn't take the chance of damaging this lovely inn to begin with, though. Figures you wouldn't even think about minimizing damage though."

"Oh, one more thing Pengie...no cleaving onto ANY of the val. They're not bothering you, after all, and are innocents in your little vendetta against them. Besides, the insane one over there with the veil on wants to kill Menesis val'Tensen. Except the little fact that he doesn't know about Menesis's little condition right now, well, I'd be more entertained to watch that fight than to watch you butchering him. Deal?"

[Penguino]

Time passes as the ready group of adventurers awaits what must be an imminent attack. Five minutes ... fifteen ... Finally, after standing weapons at-the-ready for almost half an hour, the dwarven warrior turns to the newest arrival with a gruff "WELL?"

[Eric Sweeney]

"Umm... So I guess that they've decided not to follow me? I don't know. Maybe they cased the place and decided that it wasn't worth the trouble. Or maybe they're gathering reinforcements.

How should I know? It's not like I exactly know how the mind of a harvester work.

Well since the danger has passed, I might as well enjoy myself. Does anyone mind if Monkey and his new ape minion join us for some beers?"

[Penguino]

"That does it! It's bad enough I have to suffer the presence of Illiirites, humans, and even damnable Vals while I drink, but now you expect me to drink with DAMN, DIRTY APES?"

"What's this world coming to?"