Shadow War campaign In-Game: Chapter 76- Shadows in the Sun

[Gaumer]

Bedlor looks out at the crowd, taking in the entire scene, before addressing the masses.

"LIES! Sharper than swords an' deadlier than 'ammers. That is the weapon o' choice o' those that would see ye all done under by their 'eels.

What do yer eyes show ye now as ye look upon meself? Ye see a dwarf wit' a bit too much chin 'air? A priestess turned pontiff wit' words that be twisted in yer ear's memory?

Yer senses do not fool ye, that is what ye see. But be makin' no mistake 'bout it, we not be those two usurpers. Those two...intruders ye be knowin' as Moira an' Bedlor be this worlds true enemies, e'en as their tongues speak o' freedom yet their 'ands move e'er closer to war. But, if'n we not be those o' who I speak, who we be?

The World Spirit surrounds us all, if'n ye be believin' such or not. Aye, the Spirit o' this World guides us all. It shows us the way if'n only we be 'avin' the courage to remove the blinders we set upon ourselves. But where does this guidance show itself in those ye now call Pontiff an' Commander? Those who would call themselves the rulers o' this world; those ye yerselves 'ave charged to see ye through these times o' great uncertainty; what 'ave they done to repel the war that each an' e'ery one o' ye know in yer 'earts to be layin' on the 'orizon?

Look! Look upon the sight yer own eyes be showin' ye this day! Do ye see orc an' dwarf at arms, or 'ound an' elf sharin' mettle? No. Ye see the peace that this world cries out for standin' right in front o' ye. This is the peace we see for this world. A peace o' shared respect an' a want for success for those who would be our enemies to ensure they remain our allies. It be this that the World Spirit be wantin' for this world: peace an', dare I be sayin' it, love.

It be this desire for our World Spirit to see its world live away from hatred that be leadin' us to ye. Balance. Always a balance there be, an' always does the World Spirit seek to find this balance. Call it what ye will, my friends, but there be two o' the ones ye know as Moira an' Bedlor in this land: the ones ye know as the usurpers who would see this world die an' be reborn as their own, an' the two ye see 'fore ye that stand wit' all the races o' this world in peace an' unity. We be sent 'ere, by the very World Spirit 'erself, to bring back the balance to this world, set right what 'as been done wrong by the greed o' a few, an' find a peace for the all o' this land.

E'ery city, e'ery town, e'ery village, e'ery tribe, o' e'ery race in this world that seeks a peace an' a unity for all o' the world is welcome to stand under our banner. But let it be known! If'n ye stand wit' those who would see this world undone by war an' sewn anew to reach their own greedy ends ye stand 'gainst the will o' the World Spirit, an' 'gainst us.

The road I ask ye to travel be a 'igh road. Sure'n the power o' greed will set those who desire it 'bove anything else to stop us no matter the cost. They will try to bring down our spirits; our 'earts; our lives. But for each o' us that stands 'gainst those who would see this would taken by the jaws o' greed there be one more standin' for peace an' the Spirit o' the World.

So I ask for yer courage; I ask for yer swords an' yer bows; I ask for yer strength an' faith. But 'bove all, my friends, I ask ye to stand. Stand wit' us! Stand 'gainst evil an' 'atred! Stand now an' let the all o' the world stand united for freedom!

Who be wit' us?!?!"

[Strifeter]

Tren moves out of the crowd listening to the reactions of everyone. He looks for an alley way to change once again into the demon of the Guild of the Ark Moon.

[Navarre]

Tren and T'Ning, you hear a multitude of comments and queries as the confused people of West Wellington try to comprehend the focal point their city has become.

"Is that the real Pontiff Rashai?"

"The Lord Commander says it's not. Not him neither."

"I seen Her Radiance in Hallow Hold once. She ain't wearin' those Pontiff's robes."

"Must be a trick. Followers of Ximon or something."

"You shut your mouth. Ximon's a friend to the people."

"Did they kill Tandranara? Must have. Or did that demon do it? Maybe they serve him."

"Nah. He didn't look like he'd want no one gettin' any followers but him."

One woman steps forward. She is dressed in the robes of an Elder Sister of the Light. Bedlor and Liv, you recognize Elder Sister Daphne Artis from the world you knew.

"Sir, you speak for a hope in peace and unity I am sure we all share. No one seeks war but only the safety it may provide."

"But we are not safe. There are many who wait only to undo the Order and all we have built."

"Perhaps you did not see the carnage that occurred in our skies only yesterday. But the great Seraph of Illumian himself was felled by a demon surely from another world. As you claim this 'World Spirit' has sent you, so too must the powers of darkness conjured the thing that threatened us."

"It demanded we cease fighting. You demand we cease fighting."

"But if we do not fight against those who would oppress us, who will in our name? A few allies of other races stand with you but they are not known to us. Who would represent our enemies in the continuing war; your friends or the thousands like them outside our lands?"

"Who will protect us when we lay down arms?"

[Strifeter]

Tren looks for a rooftop with a clear view of whats happening but tries to stay out of site in his demon disguise.

[Navarre]

The town hall, to the north of Bedlor and his party, provides a clear view of all involved. You can see the entire western side of town from its roof.

[Strifeter]

Tren looks carefully around the city looking for any sign of something strange.

Spot check

[Navarre]

Tren, from your vantage point you examine the town. You see the strangers Aerik mentioned earlier. Their shaved heads and forest green trappings mark them as Monks of the Lone Pine.

They are scattered throughout the crowd. While a few commoners glance at any given one of them that stands nearby, the assembly of monks is scattered out to the point that they are inconspicuous as a whole.

T'Ning's brethren, a dozen in number, are quietly watching the crowd around them. Like you, they appear to be watching for something.

[Strifeter]

Are there any close by that I could potentially sneak up on?

[Navarre]

You spy two directly below you, near the front of the town hall.

[Strifeter]

Tren replaces his mask with one from dark tomorrow and attempts to sneak up behind one of them. He seems warily suspicious knowing that dark tomorrow was recently attacking the temple of the lone pine.

[Navarre]

You move stealthily behind the two monks. They do not seem to have seen you as the crowd waits for Bedlor's reply to the question posed by their Elder Sister of Illumian.

[Strifeter]

Tren places his cloak over his head in an attempt to hide the mask he wears.

Brothers are all things in place Tren whispers.

[Gaumer]

"I not be askin' ye all to lay down yer arms, I be askin' ye to pick 'em up 'gainst those that seek to use war to reach their own greedy ends.

Yer right, none want war, just what the war will bring. But ye look for war to bring ye safety at its end, but I tell ye that those who desire to see this world at war desire such to meet their own greedy ends. I do not desire war either, but I'll not lie to any o' ye: the Pontiff an' Commander ye follow set the course o' this world to war, wit' their ends being a total domination o' each an' e'ery person that be livin' in it.

If'n yer eyes would open only a bit more to what they 'ave already seen. These rulers 'ave set race 'gainst race through vicious politics; bendin' yer ear wit' lies an' 'opin' yer 'earts follow the whispers into the darkness. They steer this world toward a war wit' small moves, moves ye see in a different light when the all o' the motion is seen. Look an' see where this world stands, my friends: at the cliff, waitin' for the push o' some doer while the pull o' us all can be 'nough to change this course. Are the races not set 'gainst the others? Are the followers o' the gods not waitin' to catch the followers o' the others falter in any way? The shouts from this crowd wit' words o' the loyalty o' some o' the gods 'emselves should be show 'nough for ye to see that there are forces workin' to set this world spinnin' out o' control, wit' the spoils o' the battles goin' to those puttin' the pieces into motion.

Where is the call for peace from yer leaders? Why are the swords o' war not put 'way in favor o' the tables o' diplomacy for the very sakes o' those who would not survive the comin' bloodshed? Do ye 'ear talk o' peace? No, only o' the preparin' for war. An' the fault be on who? To yer ear it be fact that it be 'nother o' the races or followers o' 'nother god. Sure'n the same facts be findin' the ears o' the same races an' followers ye be knowin' be to blame. This be by design, my friends. A plan to set this world 'gainst itself.

Sure'n my words fall on ye like snow in the spring: 'ard to understand; 'ard to be believed. But sure'n we 'ave all seen a snowfall later in a season an' know it to 'appen. An' sure'n, in yer 'earts, ye be knowin' somethin' to be wrong wit' it all. I not be askin' ye to take my word an' my word 'lone for yer knowin's. Look into what yer eyes 'ave shown ye but yer minds scoffed off for whate'er reason. Sure'n it be easier to believe the lie, but belief in this lie will see the all o' this world livin' under 'eel, wit' only a veil o' freedom dressin' a body o' tyranny.

So look. Look upon us that stand 'fore ye an' ask if the Moira an' Bedlor ye know would stand wit' such people an' call 'em friends. An' 'ear what 'as been spoken to ye. Sure'n if'n ye follow what yer 'eart cries out ye'll be makin' the choice ye know to be right."

[Navarre]

The crowd rumbles with rising agreement. You see many nod, hearing a desire for an end to the conflict.

Elder Sister Artis regards you, and the crowd, carefully before she replies.

"Your words are compelling, sir. I hear a sentiment in them that is the same I hear from those under my charge each day."

"But whether we lay down arms or take them up, we are but mortals in the wake of gods. Angels do battle in our skies while farmers clean the detritus from their fields."

"If what you say is true, then you should know that Pontiff Rashai and Lord Commander Enghart are en route to West Wellington even as we speak. They should arrive very soon."

"Are we to stand against them, with contempt for their ways, and make demands of those who would leave us in ash should it please them? What you consider through your power, we can only tremble against in our inadequacy."

[Navarre]

The Monk of the Lone Pine glances back at you, Tren. His eyes dart furtively over your face then he quickly turns away. His answer comes as a whisper.

"We are ready."

"We have been warned of these newcomers. But Rashai will be here soon and then we strike."