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

[Gaumer]

"Oi, ye o' the cloth o' Illumian be o' such little faith. None o' what our enemies would see done could be possible wit'out the people condonin' the doin's. They seek that power in ye: the power o' yer permission. But that same power can be used in defiance for what ye be seein' as wrong.

We come 'ere knowin' fully that our doubles be on their way 'ere. Unlike 'em, we seek a table o' diplomacy to turn the tide 'fore war is set loose. Word that the World Spirit be sendin' us 'ere fallin' on the Pontiif an' Commander's ears may sway their 'earts as well. But I not be collectin' 'oney 'opin' bees won't be stingin', which is why I come to the all o' ye first. The strength o' the West city be be'ind us can be stoppin' us from bein' attacked as soon as we be seen.

I not be ready to give up on this world or any in it. But if'n those who would see us all bow to 'em as saviors from a danger o' their own doin' refuse to end their wicked plans it be the power o' the common people that be the true savin' grace o' us all."

[Navarre]

Elder Sister Artis ponders.

"Any who would see war at its end would wish to speak toward that. You have met us with a request while others make only demands."

"Even with the two half-orcs among you, I hear not Damrogann's words nor even Illumian's repeated to appease and expect of us, but instead a plea for a unity I have never heard."

"I represent the Law here, sir. But I am also to represent the people."

"Very well, when Her Radiance arrives perhaps we can all sit together and the voices of all may be heard. That is a motion of the Law that has existed only in theory for far too long."

"You may wait then, as the ambassadors from Hallow Hold should arrive shortly."

The citizens seem to be behind this proposal. Though they are steeped deeply in their religion and fearful of the Order, you see the desire for a true prosperity burning within them.

[Strifeter]

Tren looks around quickly and studdies his opponents.

"If I strike here is there a danger anyone will notice?"

[Gaumer]

"I thank ye, Sister. We all thank ye.

We thank all o' ye who will stand for peace an' question those who would so quickly push us toward war."

[Navarre]

Tren, you are standing with your back to the town hall. The man who spoke to you is directly in front of you.

The street is full of people. The danger of that is that there are countless eyes that might fall on you at any given moment. The benefit is that Bedlor has the crowd's general attention and the street is so packed one may not notice any given thing.

Whether you could strike unnoticed with a dagger is a judgement call on your part.

[Strifeter]

Tren turns and moves to walk back down the alley way.

"Come with me one of you. There is one thing left to do."

Tren attempts to bluff his way to have one of the two follow him.

[Navarre]

The apparent Monk of the Lone Pine looks to his comrades but then follows you down the alley. Once in the shadows, he speaks to you again.

"All should be in place. What is it?"

[Strifeter]

Tren looks around the alley.

"There is a rumor. This Guild of the ark moon seems to be active within this area. It could potentially threaten our plan. Do you have any suggestions to how we could fix this?"

[Navarre]

The man shakes his head.

"This so-called 'demon' is not known to us. We have only heard the rumors of him since arriving day before yesterday."

"Lord Maldomkin has told us there is another force at work. Something has tunneled through the Grey Realm. Perhaps it is this demon, crawling from Laukordia."

"It seems to have left though after its warning. Our informant, Mourningsong, has scoured the area with no sign of it."

He scrutinizes you carefully.

"Why are you not in our disguise as a temple priest?"

[Navarre]

From beyond the walls, brass horns herald an arrival. The crowd breaks to either side of the street, now lining the main thoroughfare like a wall of humanity. All eyes turn toward the western gate as it opens.

Passing through the gate is a contingent of warriors. Clad in gold trimmed in white, their white cloaks and white-plumed helms make for an impressive sight upon the backs of their white warhorses.

They glow slightly, even in the bright sunlight of the summer sun. The light seems to come from their armor, illuminating the hilts of the golden broadswords that hang from their backs.

As the Luminators widen their path to secure both sides of the street, an even brighter light can be seen from within their ranks.

A woman who looks to every degree like Moira Rashai rides side-saddle on a roan steed that, coincidentally, looks to be Moira's former horse, Vesper. The mount is decked out in white regalia, small lanterns of magical brightness hanging from a swath of white cloth about his neck and forelegs wrapped in white trappings held together with the same golden eye that shines from the white saddle blanket.

But it is the woman on the steed who holds the attention of the assembly. Her red hair flows in long free locks held together in bundles by white ribbon hanging below her white miter. Her robes are snow white, embroidered in true gold trim that is so fine and intricate even the elves would be envious.

She smiles, a cold self-assured smile that belies the nimbus of light surrounding her and the golden halo that shimmers about her head. She turns her one good eye, the other concealed by a white patch fixed with Illumian's Eye, over the crowd.

Next to her, a war pony wearing more armor than it should be able to carry, trots with some disdain of the larger horses. Astride it is a vision of Bedlor Enghart if he had abandoned all ways of the World Spirit and instead worshiped only war.

His plate mail is spiked, with a helm bearing curved ram horns that spiral viciously forward on either side of his head. On his back is a war axe of Dwarven design, perfectly crafted and shining from many hours of attention following each battle.

This Enghart is covered in scars. Despite the shining armor, which you now notice bears fittings in white and gold to proclaim the Dwarve's union with Illumian's Order, this Dwarf shows himself to be a mighty warlord through his many scars of battle and the way he surveys every inch of his surroundings to assess his threats.

It is only his chin and cheeks, perfectly smooth, that looks much more pale than the rest of his body. It is clear he has recently taken to shaving, leaving a swath of lighter skin on the lower half of his face.

He travels with a dozen of his own men, loyal Dwarven retainers that look to have seen much battle as well. As they and the Luminators take defending positions around their masters, Pontiff Moira Rashai looks down on you, Bedlor, as well as her double and those with you where you stand in front of the temple of Light.

"So. It is true as I was told. There are impostors among us, daring to stand before my own temple."

"You seem to have held this crowd in thrall, sir Dwarf. Come, let me hear the lies you would have us all believe."

[Gaumer]

"Well. If'n I not be puttin' eyes on such meself I not be believin' it.

Greetin's to ye, Pontiff. Ye be all o' what I been told an' more. Though, I stand in front o' a temple o' the people, by my seein'. Hmm."

Bedlor looks to the High Commander, and rubs his chin.

"The rumors I be 'earin' be true. I ne'er be taken to the razor meself, but a fine an' 'andsome chin we share indeed. An' yer wearin's an' lookin's be makin' a fine showin' as well."

Bedlor places a hand on his belt near a hung Warsong

"Sure'n such showin's are better made wit' a bit less...


Oi, be ne'erminded the all o' that. Sure'n ye be comin' lookin' for answers but I be doubtin' any words ye 'ear from us that be truth would be findin' the same once it 'it yer ears. Ye be right, it be lies that bring us 'ere, but not lies o' our own.

Let me ask ye, the ones who would be rulers o' this world: is war yer only goal? Where be the unity in yer alliance for others who not be man or dwarf?"

[Strifeter]

Tren looks around again before answering.

"Because brother. There are those who are always watching."

Tren moves to strike the monk by surprise.

{I attack. Do I have the surprise round?}

[Navarre]

{Tren, you do have surprise on your target. Make your attack.}

[Navarre]

Pontiff Moira Rashai regards you with her single eye. Its azure depth is the very same as that which you have seen in tandem so many times. Most recent, those eyes have looked into yours with unbridled love, devotion, and even passion.

But the only passion you see in the Pontiff's expression is one for her position. That position surely holds you beneath her, though in the metaphorical way alone.

"And what what other races might you be referring, sir? Do you speak of the orcs, such as your two obvious colleagues there, who raid the merchant caravans the very people of this city send forth? How many good farmers have died at their hands while trying to support the holy city of Hallow Hold and support their children?"

"Or might it be the Elves that you mean? Might you refer to them who have ignored us for centuries while they hid in their forests yet, only yesterday, did we discover a contingent of my own priests murdered just to the west of here by Elven arrows?"

"Would it be the Vaadjori or the Goblins or the Half-Folke, all who warn everyone away from their borders yet have no borders of which to speak? Where are their ambassadors?"

"Yet your own Dwarven race, which you were quick to discount in your accusations? Why, I tell you true that they have sworn great oaths to end all conflict, as evidenced by the true Lord Commander of those fine people at my side."

"If it is an alliance and peace for which you strive then we find ourselves on common ground, whoever you are beneath your disguise. I only ask that those who would represent the other races and gods come forth as you have with such conviction."

[Strifeter]

Tren moves in to strike quickly in an attempt to drop his foe immidiately and incospiciously.

{First attack. 1d20+16=33 pretty sure it's a hit
dmg 1d4+2=4, 9d6=34

2nd attack 1d20+11=25 hit?
dmg 1d4+2=5, 9d6=31.}