Sapphire:Sessions:20190223
Shawna includes in her items to accomplish:
- Declare martial law
- Announce the emancipation of all slaves
- Confiscate slave merchants' "inventory" and wealth
- Hunt down Marcus Mays (next in line to the Malprin throne)
- Locate Lamont Kolton (exiled royal, said to be opposed to slavery)
Bennet Molina tells Shawna that his scout has reported Malprin troops massing to the west. He wants to send another scout because "the situation may have changed in the past 20-30 minutes." Shawna orders him to lead his troops there.
Among various citizens "milling about" Chalker notes a richly-dressed man accompanied by three toadies. Alastor thinks the man is Portis, a counsellor to the royal family.
Chalker rides up, dismounts. Six soldiers trot toward him; he barely spares them a glance. Alastor spots an herbalist/alchemist with whom he's dealt, talking to a quartermaster who is saying "I need all the healing draughts you have!"
"I'm Rice Kellogg," Chalker says. "I recognize you, Mr Kellogg," comes the reply; "I am Portis, one of Kolton's personal counsellors. This is Atlex," indicating a man dressed in heavy leather armor and wearing a sword and a knife on his belt. Atlex says, "Portis speaks for the kingdom, at the moment." As soldiers form a circle around the group, Chalker says to Portis, "I have something to tell you." Portis: "Then I will tell you what I know." Chalker: "The king is dead; the heir is dead; Elvin is dead; the Protectors who were with the king and Elvin are dead. We have landed 1200 troups led by the elven warrior-mage, with 1200 more arriving soon." Portis: "I had not known of Elvin's death. I have sent scouts to the docks but I have learned few details. I know the dragon has been freed."
Chalker: "You sound smart. What do you want to do?" Portis: "I want the invaders out of my city." Chalker: "Do you want to live? (pause) I'm asking you for ideas and you don't have any." Atlex: "I will consolidate my men. I suggest we open parley with the invaders." Chalker: "I can arrange a parley." Atlex: "General Satterwaite is securing the palace." Chalker: "The elven warrior is very anti-slavery. Portis, what do you think? Careful - give the wrong answer and you will die." Portis: "I am open to negotiation."
Chalker apologizes to Portis for any 'rudeness.' Portis: "I agree that we cannot hold the city against 1200." Atlex: "I will notify Satterwaite." Chalker: "I will see if the clash in the east can be averted." Intrinsius notices some scouts slipping away.
Chalker writes to Shawna, Portis and Atlex want parley. After reading her response he tells Portis, "The parley will take place in front of the palace. You may bring two guards under a white flag. Satterwaite may bring two guards or one Protector. I'm trying to ensure that little blood is spilled." Intrinsius murmurs to Chalker, "I think the general knows what he's doing."
Chalker writes to Ahn-Lee: We're going to the palace. People will follow us. They need to be stopped, permanently or temporarily, your choice. Regor, gripping his magic coin, declares, "I will kill the mage." As Regor departs, Intrinsius shouts at his back, "Deserter!"
Chalker waits for Portis and Atlex, then steps between them. Intrinsius falls in behind and Alastor is in the very back. Alastor thinks to himself that the general makes him uncomfortable and the counsellor is a typical bureaucrat.
Shawna goes to city guard headquarters but Guard Captain Breslin refuses to acknowledge her authority. She Magelocks the outside doors and leaves.
Regor hunts down the mage, gets within bow range of the three-person squad, aims, fires, and the mage drops. One man runs away, the other pulls the mage out of sight. Regor pursues and fires at the second man, who drops the mage and runs. The mage lies stunned. "You never stood a chance," Regor growls, and finishes him off.
A cough sounds from behind, and Regor spins around. What appears to be a ten-year-old boy wearing expensive clothing stands there, clapping his hands. Regor shrugs at him. Boy: "You want to keep that coin?" Regor: "Yeah, 'to the victor go the spoils'." Boy: "Do you want more things like that? Then take a few messages for me." Regor: "Yeah, no prob." The boy smiles. "I'll tell your companions you're otherwise employed." Regor: "When do I get more coins?" Boy: "Open the pouch." Regor does so, pulling out a coin embossed with a bloody dagger. Boy: "Deliver the first message to its former owner."
Chalker's journey book buzzes. Mensep: I've appropriated your new companion as my messenger. Chalker: I wish him all the luck he deserves. Mensep: I expected you to come across it. Delsa is strong with you.
Ahn-Lee comes across a group tailing Chalker and company. He asks Chun, "Preference?" Chun: "I don't like the one on the left." Ahn-Lee sneaks up on his target, pickpockets the man's knife, slits his throat, then tosses the knife aside. Chun kills another man, and the bowman shoots another through the neck.
Chalker checks Atlex's aura; some spells are on him that try to block Chalker's perception, but he gets that Atlex is very organized, tainted, conflicted, strong and recent presence of demons, courageous, worships Gauder. Chalker: "General, do we need protection from demons? You've talked to them recently. Did treachery come up? Is the demon still around?" Atlex: "I wish there was one, but Gauder doesn't approve."
Satterwaite emerges from the palace with Protector Turezole beside him. Alastor senses that Satterwaite doesn't like Atlex. Chalker checks Satterwaite's aura: lightly warded, callous, enjoys killing, demon-touched (though not linked), chaotic, evil. In elevated positions nearby Ahn-Lee and Intrinsius see bowmen, though they are not yet aiming.
Shawna awaits on horseback, imposing in appearance, the glow of silvery moonlight about her.
The parley breaks down almost immediately. Satterwaite claims to "protect the kingdom" and refuses to negotiate with the invaders. Shawna senses an energy spike and a spirit portal, connected with the dark ships, opening. Chalker pulls Satterwaite's knife and stabs him in the ear.
All Malprin soldiers present draw their swords; the bowmen fast-draw and nock arrows. Chalker makes an acrobatic move to get behind Atlex but can't get hold of him. Alastor fast-draws two knives and strikes with both blades, one poisoned, the other a stab to the vitals. Satterwaite grabs the knife in his ear and tries to rip it downward (but Chalker stops him). Portis suddenly collapses to the ground. Turezole draws two weapons and speaks a single word. Facing Chalker, Atlex steps back, draws a sword, and utters a prayer to Gauder. Intrinsius hits Turezole with a Fireball. Attacking a bowman, Ahn-Lee throws one knife and stabs with another. Chun engages two bowmen. Branamin hurls a Sunbolt but misses. Shawna calls down Lightning on Atlex, who collapses.
Ahn-Lee springs over the bowman (pulling out his knife), lands, stabs the man in the vitals, and grabs his other knife. Intrinsius attacks Turezole who turns and parries. One of Alastor's targets falls, the other turns and swings and Alastor parries. One of Ahn-Lee's victims tries to get up but drops his weapons; a dark aura appears around the other. Alastor crits with his Delsa knife and delivers another vitals shot. Chalker does more damage to Satterwaite's ear. Shawna hears Portis's plaintive voice repeating, "Please protect me, please protect me." Intrinsius parries an attack. Ahn-Lee calls "Shawna!" She turns, sees the dark aura, and teleports over 100' in an instant. Chalker fast-draws Dink-Dink, presses the blade against Turezole's neck just hard enough to draw blood, and says, "Please yield, Protector."
"Oh, hey," says Ahn-Lee as Shawna appears. Shawna casts Banish, the demon wails in agony (she learns not only its name but those of its entire 'clutch'), and she replies, "Hey." Ahn-Lee adds "Thanks!" and starts toward a bowman who has somehow grown to 9' tall. Alastor's poisoned victim falls and the other swings at him and misses. Intrinsius' opponent fumbles his sword; Intrinsius' honor won't let him attack an unarmed man, so he reverse-roundhouse kicks another in the face, stunning him. Branamin is wounded and Chun defends him. Turezole goes still and asks Chalker, "To whom?" Chalker steps closer and responds, "To me and the commander." Satterwaite pulls the knife out of his ear; Intrinsius sees it "glowing darkly" and dripping with black ichor. Something tugs on Chalker's TK; Chalker lets go (but almost could not). Alastor finishes off an opponent with his Delsa knife, then steps toward Portis who continues to mumble "Please protect me." Chun and Branamin each kill an opponent.
Intrinsius runs up to Satterwaite and swings at his arm; Satterwaite parries. The Protector's neck tenses and Chalker eases the pressure a bit; Turezole turns his head, sees the black ichor, tenses, and swears, "By Gauder!" Satterwaite steps back from Intrinsius, takes the knife in both hands and the knife becomes a sword; Satterwaite's body broadens and his skin turns scaly. Chalker urges, "Please decide, Protector." Ahn-Lee hurls two knives at his opponent who is now 12' tall; one knife is batted out of the air but the other sinks in. Alastor uses a knife hilt to punch Portis; Portis is stunned and stops praying, and Alastor's pendant grows warm. Alastor punches with his other hand and Portis goes limp. Shawna transforms into a falcon.
Shawna flies at the giant's face and it dodges. Ahn-Lee closes with the giant, throws two knives (one misses, the other is dodged), and jumps toward the wall, saying "You're pretty big!" Intrinsius swings his katana and chops partway through Satterwaite's neck; Satterwaite's pupils dilate and he coughs ichor onto Intrinsius' blade. Turezole yells "Unclean!" and swings wildly at Satterwaite, who parries. More ichor spurts onto Intrinsius. Chalker follows the Protector, swings Dink-Dink at Satterwaite in passing (he misses), and ends up behind the general. Alastor fast-draws a spider-poisoned knife, throws it, and his target falls. Satterwaite launches a whirlwind attack, slashing deeply into the Protector's torso, cutting Intrinsius (who had failed to parry), and being parried by Chalker. The giant tries to backhand Ahn-Lee and misses.
Ahn-Lee kicks off from the wall, bounces behind the giant, lands on the giant's shoulders, fast-draws a knife and a sleep needle, and tries to jab the needle into the giant's neck. Shawna, in the air above the giant's head, transforms back and fast-draws her sword. Alastor picks up his two knives and steps toward Satterwaite. Ahn-Lee's squad is running toward him; he shouts "Get his knees!" Satterwaite does another whirlwind attack; this time Turezole parries, Intrinsius is injured, and Chalker dodges. Intrinsius strikes Satterwaite, drawing more glowing dark ichor. Chalker thrusts Dink-Dink into Satterwaite's vitals, getting ichor on his blade. The Protector attacks but is dodged.
Intrinsius swings at Satterwaite's neck and is parried. Shawna, assisted by gravity, cleaves straight through the giant's collarbone, nearly bisecting its torso. Ahn-Lee jams his knife into the giant's vitals and applies the sleep needle to the wound. Alastor starts searching Portis. Chalker chops at Satterwaite's neck but Dink-Dink slides off.
Shawna continues cutting through the giant until she reaches the ground. Ahn-Lee fast-draws two needles with bear poison. Intrinsius strikes and Satterwaite's head flops back. Ahn-Lee's squad (Branamin, Chun, and the bowman) arrives. Suddenly the Protector staggers back, reverses his sword, and stabs himself fatally; Chalker and Intrinsius resist the urge to do the same (an effect of the black ichor). Chalker chops off Satterwaite's head, and both he and Intrinsius step back. The giant pushes backward, trying to crush Ahn-Lee, but Ahn-Lee acrobatically dodges and the giant slams into the wall. The giant kicks at Chun and misses.
Shawna strikes the giant's weight-bearing knee and it starts to fall. Ahn-Lee kicks out from the wall, grabs the giant's belt and swings down, both his feet striking the back of the giant's knee. Ichor gushes 3' in the air from Satterwaite's neck as he falls to the ground. Intrinsius: "Feel free to loot that corpse." The bowman puts an arrow through the giant's eye.
The giant swipes his hand over his torso wound and his blood turns black; he grabs at Ahn-Lee who dodges away. Ahn-Lee fast-draws and throws two knives, striking with both. Shawna chops the giant's neck. Chun hits the giant with two throwing disks. Branamin hits with a Sunbolt. Finally the giant falls and starts to shrink.
Chalker searches Atlex (finding some fine weapons), then first-aids him. Alastor studies a slimy-looking ring that Portis is wearing, then removes a leather pouch full of papers from Portis's pack and ties him up. Shawna heals Branamin and Chun. Chalker and Intrinsius carefully clean the black ichor off of their weapons and themselves, as well as from the dead Protector's sword.
Chalker wakens Atlex and tells him, "You're alive because I wanted to keep you alive... Am I going to regret leaving you alive?" Atlex: "There is another general in the city going after your beachhead. I have given instructions to my second-in-command." Chalker: "Tell your troops to stand down." Atlex: "Too late." Atlex admits he knew about the demon but did not approve. Chalker says again, "Will you tell your soldiers to stand down?" Atlex: "I can't give them that order." Chalker: "Why not?" Atlex explains that "in a world where mages can take control" that their armies had taken precautions against having orders suddenly rescinded. He calls Counsellor Portis an asshole. Chalker: "But would you follow his directions?" Atlex: "Yes, with exceptions." He claims that Satterwaite had met in private with two counsellors and "a representative from a faraway land." Alastor suggests, "I have a couple of interrogation potions."
Ahn-Lee and his squad are busy freeing slaves and collecting loot. Ahn-Lee finds documents saying that Lamont Kolton had been exiled four months ago and is currently in the city of Merridel on the Isle of Myretrius. However, a hit squad had been sent by King Kolton four weeks ago.
Alastor gets Chalker and Shawna to look at the slimy ring. Chalker senses that it is "unclean" and grabbing feebly at him. Engraved on the inside is a phrase that translates as "With all one."
Chalker tells Atlex to observe as Alastor wakes up Portis. Chalker addresses Portis: "Coco, take that knife. I think you've been dishonest with us, Portis." Portis: "Some call them 'demons', I call them 'otherworlders'. They don't have the stench of demons." Chalker: "Our commander shines bright." Portis swears. Chalker: "You have a few minutes before you meet Dar." Portis: "I know where Mays is and what his 'last gasp' ploy is. If I tell you, what does it get me? If it's just to spare my life, go ahead and send me to Dar."
Chalker pushes his blade halfway into Portis's flesh, and both Intrinsius and Alastor feel a shiver. Chalker looks at Portis's aura: He has had 'very strong psi powers' overlaid on his aura, 'warped somehow'; it doesn't make sense that he didn't put up a fight; there is greed, megalomania, and callousness. Chalker realizes that Portis has a dual aura.
Chalker withdraws the knife, saying "Stand down, Coco." Alastor has found writing regarding "black ship ambassadors." Chalker queries Portis who tells him, "There have been setbacks over the past five years; they were seeking another trade outlet when they made contact. They are of the world, or adjacent to it, and presented as a possible ally that could break the blockades. They want slaves but haven't bought any. They wanted information about the Troubled Lands, Calventine Empire, and others." Chalker: "You were going to sell people to demons." Portis: "They weren't demons... There are periods I can't remember."
Shawna casts an Aura spell, getting the disconcerting double aura, 'unclean' sensation, and the knowledge that it was not forced on him. She also gets hints of the First Chosen. She has grown impatient with Portis's doublespeak, but Chalker persuades her not to slay him outright.
Shawna prays to Santash, "Judge this man!" Intrinsius feels the fire flare up. Alastor's talisman heats up and he feels the urge to "act, somehow." In Chalker's mind, Mensep's message gains clarity. Alastor draws his Delsa knife. Chalker "feels he can help" and offers his own prayers to Santash.
Ahn-Lee hears the voice of Jax: "Your group needs your action! They are reaching a tipping point." Ahn-Lee tosses an artifact over his shoulder and it smacks into Jax's hand. Jax: "I apologize for badgering you. Roo was insistent. Will you lend your prayer?" Ahn-lee rolls his eyes and thinks of Relinda.
Shawna senses her four companions' spiritual assistance as well as that of Branamin. Removing her gauntlet, she lays her bare palm on Portis's forehead, cleansing him.
Immediately Portis cries out, "Oh my gosh, I have a lot to tell you! You can still stop it!"