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Adam has connected.
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Brian:
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give me a moment to wash my hands and
make sure I know what I'm doing
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Adam:
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am I flying solo today?
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Brian:
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for the time being
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Brian:
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Ok, do you remember where we left off?
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Adam:
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I had just sent a letter to arty
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Brian:
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And you were heading east to meet up
with him by next full moon, I assume
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Adam:
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did aaron not come along?
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Brian:
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That is where we begin...
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Brian:
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It's been only a short time since you
began to head east. Aaron has left on his turn to forage, as
usual, but night has fallen and he has not returned.
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Adam:
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Another fine night for camping?
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Brian:
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The sky is overcast, but hey, it's not
raining.
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Brian:
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but you are down a friend...
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Adam:
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Nothing that a little fire can't fix
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Brian:
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So you just hang around and wait for
him to come back?
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Adam:
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Well, I'll tend to the fire and stuff.
Did Aaron take his horse?
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Brian:
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She's been...quiet. Calmer since you
first abducted her. You've seen her cry some nights, but she
almost seems comfortable with her new life as a prisoner now.
She's never tried anything like that one night. Gods, what were
you doing that one night? You've barely had the nerve to look at
her after that.
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Brian:
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Tonight, see seems to be asleep
already, resting happly on your saddle.
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Brian:
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Roll a wisdom+discipline check
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* Adam rolls: 1d20+2 => 17 + 2 = 19
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Brian:
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You hear footsteps, only a single
person, out beyond the perimiter of your camp
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Adam:
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I draw my blade and turn to face the
intruder.
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Brian:
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the steps contine to come closer.
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Adam:
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Which direction do the come from?
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Adam:
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I'll grab my shield and hold it up
against any sneaky arrows that might come from that direction, but
I'll not venture into the darkness.
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Brian:
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You begin to see the shadowy figure in
the twilight near the edge of your fire. The figure is holding a
large object of some kind, but that's all you can make out
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Cerim Potter:
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Who goes there?
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Hooded man:
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A messanger.
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Cerim Potter:
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What do you want?
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Hooded man:
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I come to speak to this strange bandit
I have heard of. Who holds the companion of the chosen one.
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Hooded man:
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I wish to be his friend.
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Cerim Potter:
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Is that so? I'm afraid I'm not in the
habit of befriending hooded figures. Come into the light, stranger.
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Brian:
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The man steps closer, revealing he's
carrying some sort of walking stick, with a totem on the end of it.
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Hooded man:
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I am unarmed. This is not a night for
battle.
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Cerim Potter:
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I should hope not, but if you've seen
what I've seen, then you'd know that being unarmed does not equate
to being harmless.
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Hooded man:
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That it does not. May I sit?
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Cerim Potter:
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By all means.
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Cerim Potter: (( I guesture to one of the logs
placed around the campfire ))
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Brian:
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he boldly approaches and takes a seat.
As he is now much closer to the tent with your sleeping prisoner,
he takes a far lower voice.
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Hooded man:
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They say you seek gold for the
hostage. Is that so?
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Cerim Potter:
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It is not.
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Cerim Potter:
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An audience with this "chosen" one is
more valuable.
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Hooded man:
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Yes, the elf who slays all who oppose
the elf god.
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Hooded man:
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Legonds of this man have spread far, I
can assure you.
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Cerim Potter:
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Few of them positive, I assume.
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Hooded man:
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Indeed. Some of us don't like the
world that elven rule has created. It is a shame that the powers
of Damriel have found a sudden way to grow even more powerful/
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Cerim Potter:
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Agreed.
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Cerim Potter:
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You said you have a message. Is this
it?
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Hooded man:
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My message is from my god. He is a god
the elves would not like to be known, but one that may grant you
the freedom you desire.
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Brian:
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He lifts back his hood, revealing he
is an orc.
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Hooded man:
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I am a priest of Torg.
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Cerim Potter:
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Torg? I've never heard of such a god.
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Hooded man:
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He is a forbidden god. He rose against
those who used their power to oppress others in the far east of
Gorwood, tearing down the tapestries of the false kings who ruled
the land. He was defeated, but after he ascended he taught us that
all men deserve what they carve for themselves, and no man is
obliged to his role from birth.
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Hooded man:
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We have lived on the fringes, where
kings and gods would not squash us, seeking those who also wish to
break free.
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Hooded man:
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This is why I come to you.
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Cerim Potter:
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My task is not done for the glory of
any god, yet you tell me that I should worship an unknown deity.
For what benefit?
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Hooded man:
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To change the world, as you would see
fit. To be free of the laws you had no say in.
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Hooded man:
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As a human amoung the elves, I'm sure
you were told you never had much chance at power, but you have
more power than you realize.
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Cerim Potter:
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You speak truth, loathe as I am to
admit it.
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Hooded man:
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You sit in the wilderness, with your
only companion a woman you hardly know, while fat elves sit in
mighty piles of stone with servants and wives a-plenty, and gold
and armies to enforce the elf god's law. Do you feel that that is
justice?
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Cerim Potter:
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You need not remind me of the
injustices of the elves. They would use my people as fodder in a
war against yours. All glory to the elves.
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Hooded man:
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Is that why you are here? Did you
steal this woman to defy your masters?
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Cerim Potter: (( I turn back to check that Emita
is still sleeping. ))
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Brian:
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she is, for now at least.
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Cerim Potter:
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Ulitmately? Yes. The elves use their
chosen one to start war. He cannot be bested in open combat. A
strike at the heart is the best way to eliminate him as a threat.
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Hooded man:
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You wish to dishearten him?
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Cerim Potter:
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To lure him away from his armies and
bodyguards. To have a quiet conversation with him. To show him the
error of his ways.
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Cerim Potter:
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Should that fail, a toast to his
health should suffice.
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Hooded man:
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Why not simply kill him?
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Cerim Potter:
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The drink I have in mind, most
certainly would.
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Hooded man:
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A crafty one. Good. Crafty ones are
strong.
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Hooded man:
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I wanted to suggest another drink for
you.
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Cerim Potter:
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Do tell.
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Hooded man:
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There is a lake far east of Gorwood.
In it are two magical fonts. In old times, when Torg walked the
Earth, Torg and the traitor Thad approached the fonts.
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Hooded man:
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One read "Passion", and represented
freedom, joy, and all that fuels the fire in our hearts. The
other, "Service", stood for slavery, lies, and a live of a slave.
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Hooded man:
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Torg partook of passion, and was
enlightened. Thad drank of service, and became a slave of the
false kings.
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Hooded man:
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Those fonts are the
paths to and away from Torg's wisdom and Nerul's tyranny. It is a
holy place for any of us, but I think it's very important for us.
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Hooded man:
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Before Torg ascended, he had one final
battle with Nerul, which tore some of Nerul's soul down to the
earth, scattering it over the land. The greatest part landed by
the sacred lake, and has been guarded by Torgists for some time.
Others, however, fell far and wide.
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Hooded man:
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I feel in my heart that this chosen
one is actually powered by one of these pieces, which is why the
dead rose in Damriel, and not in Gorwood.
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Cerim Potter:
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This is quite the tale you tell me. I
have been to this lake you speak of. I have seen the fountain.
It's not much to look at, and I admit I never inspected it much,
but it gives your story some weight. It just so happens that
island is where I plan to meet with Artyom. If he values his
sister's life, he will be there on the night of the next full moon.
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Cerim Potter:
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As for your explanation of the power
granted to the elf in question, it seems outlandish. The elves
claim that his power is a gift from their god. Does that not seem
more plausible than a battle between gods?
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Hooded man:
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The gods have always been at war. That
is why the dead rose in the first place.
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Cerim Potter:
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It has nothing to do with the black
swords, then?
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Cerim Potter: (( I pull out my own black sword. ))
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Cerim Potter:
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These.
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Hooded man:
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I can take you to where that was
forged.
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Cerim Potter:
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And where is that?
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Hooded man:
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In the secret woods of Gorwood.
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Cerim Potter:
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Is it far?
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Hooded man:
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It's along the same path as the lake.
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Cerim Potter:
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Perfect. It seems I am finally getting
some answers. Your presence has been a blessing.
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Hooded man:
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We must keep our secrets from those
who do not understand. Let me guide you into Gorwood so that the
scouts don't find you. The church of Nerul will do anything to cow
to the elves if it will avoid conflict.
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Cerim Potter:
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There is another who rides with me. We
will have to wait for his return.
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Hooded man:
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Is he wise like you?
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Cerim Potter:
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Not from what I've seen. He seems the
kind of fellow who only worships coin. He harbors secrets of his
own, and for that I do not trust him.
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Hooded man:
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And yet you have not killed him.
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Cerim Potter:
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It takes an extra pair of hands to
keep a prisoner.
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Hooded man:
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You take great risks, but we all must
in such times.
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Hooded man:
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I suppose I will sit then.
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Cerim Potter:
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Very well.
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Cerim Potter:
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This forge you speak of, is it still
in operation?
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Hooded man:
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It is.
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Cerim Potter:
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And it makes more swords like these?
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Hooded man:
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It does. Out of the shard Torg left
behind.
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Cerim Potter:
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And it's run by those who worship Torg?
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Hooded man:
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It is.
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Cerim Potter:
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For what purpose?
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Hooded man:
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To spead Nerul's power far and wide,
so that he may not oppress us like he could before the battle. And
to sow chaos in the land of the elves.
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Cerim Potter:
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I don't understand. You would spread
the power of your enemy?
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Hooded man:
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the power of a god is far less
dangerous in a sword weilded by a fool than in the hands of a
priest who knows it's purpose, or worse returned to the god itself.
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Hooded man:
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Nerul is weakened by his battle with
Torg, and hates us for it. He wishes his power returned.
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Cerim Potter:
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You should know this power is being
reassembled.
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Cerim Potter:
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The man I walk with collects these
weapons. He has many.
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Hooded man:
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Is that his quest?
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Cerim Potter:
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I am not sure. His true quest remains
hidden from me.
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Hooded man:
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Then perhaps he is dangerous. But if
you need him to control your prisoner, it may be worth the rewards.
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Cerim Potter:
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He is certainly dangerous. If there
are those among your bretheren who would take his place in aiding
me, then his services would no longer be required.
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Hooded man:
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I'm right here.
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Cerim Potter:
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That's what I like to hear.
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Cerim Potter:
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Do you fight?
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Hooded man:
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All orcs fight.
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Cerim Potter:
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Do you need arms?
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Hooded man:
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I have a blade...
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Brian:
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He draws a black sword, slowly as to
not wake Emita.
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Cerim Potter:
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I smile.
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Cerim Potter: (( I smile. ))
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Cerim Potter:
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I thought as much.
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Hooded man:
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I can summon more followers of Torg,
but it may make us easier to track.
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Hooded man:
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Particularly since you wear so much
metal
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Cerim Potter: (( btw I'm only wearing 4pts of
plate ))
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Brian:
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You know full well how little metal
Gorwood has
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Cerim Potter: (( Just making sure you know ))
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Brian:
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thanks. There's a lot for me to forget
at this point
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Cerim Potter:
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The question now is whether it would
be worth keeping Aaron alive for questioning or to kill him
outright.
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Cerim Potter:
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Frankly, I wouldn't mind getting rid
of him.
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Hooded man:
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I imagine he would try to escape or
get revenge as a prisoner.
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Cerim Potter:
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More trouble than he's worth, no doubt.
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Hooded man:
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Does he sleep in the camp now, or is
he away?
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Cerim Potter:
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He is foraging. He should return soon.
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Hooded man:
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I can wait in a tent in ambush.
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Cerim Potter:
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That would do nicely.
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Cerim Potter: (( Did Aaron leave anything behind
or did he go foraging in full gear? ))
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Brian:
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He took everything this time.
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Brian:
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He doesn't normally do that, although
his tent is still here.
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Cerim Potter:
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Curious. He took all of his equipment.
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Cerim Potter:
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I was going to remove the scroll of
teleportation from his pack. We don't need him escaping.
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Cerim Potter:
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We will just have to be quick.
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Hooded man:
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A costly item. Is he a noble?
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Cerim Potter:
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I wouldn't be surprised.
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Hooded man:
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Do you fear angering the king then?
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Cerim Potter:
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If I did, I wouldn't be here
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Hooded man:
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Good.
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Hooded man:
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Where should I wait?
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Cerim Potter:
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His tent is the southern one.
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Brian:
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You wait throught the night...and
nothing happens.
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Brian:
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Dawn begins to rise, and there's still
no sign of Aaron.
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Brian:
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Emita does awake though, and comes
towards the camp fire you've been tending to all the night.
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Emita:
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Do I get to eat this morning?
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Cerim Potter: (( has there been a net gain or
loss in my rations since we left Eastmark? ))
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Brian:
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net loss, but not quite enough to
panic about yet. Aaron has been good at finding more food, if
nothing else.
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Cerim Potter: (( my character sheet has me at 4
days. What should I change it to? ))
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Brian:
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I thought you guys were much less
close to the edge. Interesting...
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Cerim Potter: (( The only time we pay attention
to food is when you say there isn't enough, so naturally it'll just go
down ))
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Brian:
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Wait, didn't you buy more supplies in
Eastmark?
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Cerim Potter: (( oh yeah. that would've happened
))
Cerim Potter: (( lemme just.... ))
Cerim Potter: (( there we go ))
Cerim Potter: (( I retrieve a half day's rations
and give it to Emita. ))
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Emita:
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Thank you.
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Cerim Potter: (( I eat the other half day's
myself. ))
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Emita:
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Normally your friend's tending to the
fire now, and I thought we were moving anyway...
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Brian:
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She glances into the tent that the orc
is in, and starts to lean over to get a peek...
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Cerim Potter: (( I put my hand on her shoulder
and pull her back to her spot by the fire. ))
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Emita:
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What?
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Emita:
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Is he naked?
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Cerim Potter:
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He's absent.
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Emita:
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...say that again?
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Cerim Potter: (( I do not. ))
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Emita:
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I always thought...
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Emita:
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Is that why you're hiding your face?
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Cerim Potter: (( I undo the bandana from around
my face that I was somehow eating through ))
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Cerim Potter:
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Surprise.
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Emita:
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It was you. I thought you seemed like
him, but...
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Emita:
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Ok, um, why?
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Cerim Potter:
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It's complicated
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Emita:
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Really? Are you serious?
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Emita:
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You...you attacked a knight. You tried
to kill Ephnyr! You kidnapped a girl! How do you just shrug that
off?
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Cerim Potter:
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If I had tried to kill Ephnyr, he'd be
dead.
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Emita:
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Fuck you.
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Cerim Potter:
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I'm doing what I must do for the good
of the many. I know you can't understand that.
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Emita:
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I did everything I could to help you.
You could have been a knight.
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Cerim Potter:
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This isn't about me becoming a knight.
This is about people's lives. People are dying, Emita, and many
more will die unless something is done.
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Emita:
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That's why you made me write that
letter? You are going to help people by killing my brother?
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Cerim Potter:
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I can either let him continue killing
scores of humans or I can put a stop to it. I've already promised
to attempt to reason with him when we meet. What happens next will
be up to him.
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Emita:
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You grew up with him. You really think
he would do that?
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Cerim Potter:
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I've seen him do it.
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Emita:
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Ok, so now what?
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Emita:
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What happens to me?
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Cerim Potter:
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We keep moving. After the next full
moon, you'll be free to do whatever you choose.
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Emita:
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I guess you've made up your mind.
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Cerim Potter:
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There's no benefit to being fickle
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Emita:
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Sure. Thanks for stopping when your
goon showed up, I guess.
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Emita:
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And feeding me. I guess you don't
really need me alive, do you?
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Cerim Potter:
|
That was your idea, for the record.
What's a man supposed to do when the woman he loves throws herself
at him? I'm only human, Emita
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Emita:
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You love me?
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Cerim Potter:
|
I...
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Emita:
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Nevermind, I don't care.
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Emita:
|
Tell me when you're going to drag me
around next.
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Cerim Potter:
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Fine.
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Brian:
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She rises, and returns to the tent.
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Brian:
|
Do you just keep waiting for Aaron?
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Cerim Potter: (( I'll give him one more day. If
he's not back my sunrise, then I'm leaving him. ))
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Brian:
|
as fate would have it, he is not.
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Brian:
|
The orc proves quite patient, and
manages to stay in the tent for the full 36 hours. How he relieves
himself during this time, you would rather not know.
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Cerim Potter:
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Hey. I don't think he's coming back.
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Hooded man:
|
Then it looks like you've been
betrayed first.
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Cerim Potter:
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It appears you're right.
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Cerim Potter:
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Damn.
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Hooded man:
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We should pack up and move as soon as
we can.
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Cerim Potter:
|
There's no telling who may be after
us. We need to hurry.
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Hooded man:
|
Of course.
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Hooded man:
|
You should have told me you
loved the girl. Explains a lot about why you're out here.
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Cerim Potter:
|
I hardly see how that relates.
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Hooded man:
|
You could have killed her and just
pretended to have her if you were just on a quest. But I see now
you have other hopes for her. You want to see the girl safe.
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Cerim Potter:
|
Is that so wrong?
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Hooded man:
|
Not at all. It is right that we should
take what we want.
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Cerim Potter:
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Let's pack.
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Brian:
|
Alright, so you guys pack up and head
east (Aaron took his horse when he ditched, and this guy didn't
bring one, so you can't really ride anymore)
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Cerim Potter: (( joy. ))
|
Brian:
|
I assume you still want to stop and
see the forge along the way?
|
Cerim Potter: (( yeah, let's go nuts. ))
|
Brian:
|
It's a small hut, pretty ramshackle,
not far from where you explored to in your first trek to Gorwood.
The structure is built around a large, solid black stone, with
visible chunks chipped away.
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Hooded man:
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This has served as our base in the
east until we get an opportunity to overthrow our oppressors.
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Hooded man:
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It also is a proof that I
come bearing the truth.
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Cerim Potter:
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I assume you've built the forge around
the stone.
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Hooded man:
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Yes. The stone itself is far too much
for any but Torg himself to lift.
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Cerim Potter:
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Are there other such stones as these?
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Hooded man:
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none as vast as this, as far as we
know. We think this is where the battle itself was.
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Hooded man:
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But the energy of the battle could be
felt even by the priest of Nerul everywhere.
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Cerim Potter:
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And this stone is the power of Nerul
itself?
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Hooded man:
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It is. And he craves for it back.
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Hooded man:
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As he craves for this chosen one.
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Cerim Potter:
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He craves for the chosen one? What do
you mean?
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Hooded man:
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He too carries Nerul's power. With his
death, that power may be returned to him.
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Cerim Potter:
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Yet by dispersing his power among the
world more death than ever is upon us. Should not Nerul be pleased?
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Hooded man:
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Perhaps he should be.
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Hooded man:
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But does not only seek death. Nerul is
also a god of order, and rules. All gods, save for Torg, wish to
see all the world think as they do. Obey them. By bringing part of
him down to the realm of mortals, Torg has shown that there can be
defiance.
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Emita:
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And Eldati's troops are killing
Nerulians in Damriel like my mother...
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Emita:
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...if it's okay for me to speak, that
is.
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Cerim Potter:
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Go ahead.
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Emita:
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I already did.
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Cerim Potter:
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Gods.
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Cerim Potter:
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Is there no better way to harness the
power of this stone?
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Cerim Potter:
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It seems that scattering it throughout
the world is a waste of potential.
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Hooded man:
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We are men of action, not wisdom.
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Hooded man:
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Do you know some sacred ritual we
don't?
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Cerim Potter:
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I do not. I would recommend seeking
wise men to guide your actions lest your efforts be in vain.
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Cerim Potter:
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Or learn for yourselves.
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Hooded man:
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Well the next moon is in three days.
We will likely stop the chosen one, or all be slain by him soon
enough.
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Cerim Potter:
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You have a point. It should be
something to look into after the chosen one is dealt with.
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Hooded man:
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I want to set up in a camp about half
a day west of here. It's possible he shows up in Gorwood city
immediately and starts a fight with the forces of Nerul there. If
so, it may be more handy to be there. If instead he sneaks
straight to the lake, our scouts can let us know and we can still
make it there in time.
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Cerim Potter:
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So be it.
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Brian:
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Jaden is schedualed to start playing
at 3, and he hasn't left Damriel yet in his timeline, so will you
be around to hop on at about 4?
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Adam:
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I suppose. Just keep me posted.
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Adam:
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This seems like a good place to take a
break though
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Brian:
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it's about a two hour break for you,
one hour for me. If you have other stuff to do today, let me know,
but logistics-wise we have a chance to get two sessions done today.
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Brian:
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I'd like to wrap up before everyone
parts ways for holiday reasons.
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Adam:
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You think we're near the end?
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Brian:
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Of the arcs currently underway, I
would say so. A lot of loose ends have been left behind that may
take many more sessions to resolve if we play it all out, but for
the scope of the campaign so far I feel like everyone will be at a
good resolution pretty soon if nobody goes way off the rails again.
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Brian:
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Why, do you feel like the plot's just
beginning just like with Iggy?
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Adam:
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No, it feels like we're near the end.
I just wanted to get a second opinion
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Brian:
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Yeah, it's been a winding road with
this one, and I'm very curious what it ends up looking like all
compiled together. I'll ping ya when I need ya.
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Adam is disconnected.
You have disconnected.