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Aquae Grannis.

Posted by BenFor group 0
Ben
GM, 12308 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Mon 2 Dec 2013
at 02:03
  • msg #56

Re: Aquae Grannis

Many members of the group have experience with Elven civilization.  Many actually are  Elves.  But there are those for whom this is a strange new experience- especially the people they brought along from Aquae Grannis.

They stick to a nervous cluster.  The current alliance between Humans and Elves does not have a long history, in fact, Theeoderic and Aelasuria more or less created it.  As far as the people of Aquae Grannis knew, the Elves were a mysterious, magical people of the forest, and their lands were very dangerous, and the Elves weren't inviting to strangers.  So the people from Aquae Grannis stay in a tight, worried mass.

And in the middle of course, a closely watched Orreg.  The people of Aquae Grannis have known him for years, and now, the boy who has lived among them, one of their own, can no longer be trusted.  The situation only adds to the general worry.

Cirrus realizes their predicament.  She knows what she can do to help them.

She has one gift to share and that is music, so she finds her place with them, and sings them songs.  They gather around, enthralled.  They've heard her before, in Aquae Grannis, when she and Karel sang for them, but they are along way from tired of the sound.

“You're really amazing,” Orreg says.  Gia scowls at him.
Ben
GM, 12328 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Wed 4 Dec 2013
at 02:54
  • msg #57

Re: Aquae Grannis

Children all know each other.  Like they all belong to one big club.  Now, as teens, Orreg and Haldred realize they have very little in common other than the location of their home, but in their last years as children, they played together and so know each other well.

Haldred was the local boy.  Born into Aquae Grannis, actually, to an aristocratic family, and adopted by other survivors when his family was wiped out.  Survivors of a war are like that:  families are so important to the soul that people will form them ad hoc, out of whoever is available, when they are short of blood relatives.

He’s grown up under the heel of Orc masters, and then Silok.

Orreg, on the other hand, is a runaway.  A boy who escaped the Huns elsewhere- he doesn’t know himself- six years ago and found his way to Aquae Grannis.  And here he decided, no further.  He was still with Huns, but at least here there was food and shelter he could have.

Haldred is not surprised to see Scolo, but is very curious about the strange “bird”.  With teenage bluster he shows that he is not afraid.

”I’ve seen magic,” he says.  “Lots of it.  Orc magic, mostly.  Demon magic.  I saw a little of Elf magic.  You’re not an evil wizard, or they wouldn’t have you here.  But there’s evil magic where we’re going.  I’ve seen it.  What kind of magic is your bird?”
Scolo
NPC, 401 posts
Parsnips and turnips,
that was good!
Wed 4 Dec 2013
at 03:47
  • msg #58

Re: Aquae Grannis

Edgar enjoys the recognition, Hello young man, hello -  he says and alights stretching and reshaping his body from time to time, he watches Cirrus, Lovely to see you again. Edgar is always more polite than Scolo.

But in his nose blowing grinning and weeping even Scolo seems a little better for a moment, hard to say if it will last, for with Sanity, often comes regrets and pits of despair, ... but not now, no no... His bunny slippers are looking silky and soft today with a pastel comfy bedroom feel. His clothes are green.

Evil wizard? hmmm perhaps not, evil is hat, its flumby to think only me me me. But most of us can't keep it up all the time Hmmmm? Carrots! I'm not a good wizard either - no not good... he pauses his face darkens for a moment with memories. but then he sneezes and a butterfly is born from his left nostril - it wriggles a bit spreads its wings and begins flying around his head and he laughs.

Magic? you've seen magic have you? and what about your friend hmmm? Have you both seen magic?

OOC: Is Orreg bound?

I've done magic, all kinds, I don't always see it though .... and I often forget..
good magic, orc magic, evil magic - Ive even done Demon magic. But it's no fun, no fun never again!

Edgar, he is the best magic there ever was, A friend. He's not really magic at all you know, he's just from a different place, the first place, the place we all come from one way or another ... but he came directly...


The butterfly turns black and green, it is spiky and menacing fluttering over Scolo.

Finally Scolo pulls back from his meandering and fixes the boys with an important look.

Sometimes, when you see a magic, when you see the things they do to make it, the hurt they use. You can know its power.

If you know it's power you can know its weakness, hmmm? like taking the air from it's wings


as he says that the butterfly flaps and flaps but looses pressur and it's wicked wings get stuck together, it balls up into a booger that Scolo eats right out of the air ... hmmmm cherry, would you like one?

He smiles,

Tell me all about the magic you've seen hmmm? let's see if we can figure out their secrets and steal their hurt...

Ben
GM, 12336 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Wed 4 Dec 2013
at 23:52
  • msg #59

Re: Aquae Grannis

Cirrus is one of those people who simply cannot avoid being “creeped out” by Edgar’s unnatural appearance.  The flapping thing that accompanies Scolo is just… wrong.  Not evil, not monstrous, just, something that does not belong here, and it makes Cirrus shiver.

Despite Edgar’s politeness, she hurries off without a word.

Scolo passes by the “Aquae Grannis Camp”.  Orreg is not bound.  Just watched.  Keeping him tied up, the others thought, would be too much of a burden on everyone.  They can handle one teenager, even if he is a strong boy, closer to manhood than Haldred.  He sits there, watching Cirrus hurry away, appreciating.  And ignoring Scolo, who talks to.. Haldred.  Of course.  Haldred and Orreg are “on the outs” and Orreg views everything through that lens.  Scolo is on Haldred’s side.

Haldred keeps away from where Orreg can see him closely, definitely out of hearing distance.

Haldred recapitulates the brief, failed escape attempt at Juliacum.  The Elf who made fire appear.  The Elf who changed into a giant eagle… and then, how the Huns undid it.  The Human who drove the wagon that carried the slaves, Korvig, undid the Elf’s magic and turned the eagle back into an Elf.  And the big red horned troll thing made the earth itself attack, hurling dirt and stones at the Elves, and rippling under their feet, knocking them off balance.

But that wasn’t the end of the magic he saw.  From his cell in the dungeon beneath the fort, he saw the Huns- Orcs, mostly, along with their Human friends, and that big toad-like Demon, take Elves and things like Elves but fishy (he describes the water sprites) and then return them later.  But later, even if it was just an hour, they looked pale and starved and shaking.

”One of the Elves said to me, they take our magic, and our souls,” Haldred says.  “That must be real magic, to take magic from another.  Do you think it's how they get their power?  Steal it?”
Heolstor
player, 733 posts
Lord of Lingones
Thu 5 Dec 2013
at 03:12
  • msg #60

Re: Aquae Grannis

Heolstor stopped to speak with Gia, and those others gathered around her, as he made his way through the camp. He hung at the edge of their conversation, saying nothing, til he felt a sufficient silence make itself available. "What do you intend for the boy." The Saxon inquired, his voice flat and dispassionate. That he gave no name provided no great mystery: they would all know which boy he spoke of. Orreg. The turncoat.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Thu 05 Dec 2013.
Ben
GM, 12343 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Thu 5 Dec 2013
at 19:58
  • msg #61

Re: Aquae Grannis

Gia looks at her friends and peers with concern.  “I don’t know,” she says.
Then one of the others speaks up- a weathered looking farmer, scarred and missing several teeth.   He has the look of someone who has aged prematurely, a result of years of hard labor in the fields.

“We have so few, it is not good to waste people.  I’d whip his hide for what he did, but he’s young, he says he was scared.  And if the Elves claim a weregild, how would he pay?  We have never had to judge someone.”

“We have no judge,” Gia says.  “It was the Huns.”

(Note for Heolstor:  This is in the other thread:
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:05, Thu 05 Dec 2013.
Scolo
NPC, 402 posts
Parsnips and turnips,
that was good!
Thu 5 Dec 2013
at 20:51
  • msg #62

Re: Aquae Grannis

Yes... yes - you have something, they steal...

hmmmmm what else? there is betrayal here no? perhaps more than usual...




Scolo thinks about what the boy is telling him, with what he knows about demons. usually there is a sin a particular kind of suffering for a demon he tries to identify what demon they may be dealing with.
Heolstor
player, 735 posts
Lord of Lingones
Fri 6 Dec 2013
at 02:28
  • msg #63

Re: Aquae Grannis

"You are right. The boy cannot pay weregild." Heolstor agreed with the old farmer. "He was young, and a fool, but he did what he did. You know as well as I that he can find no peace here. They'll forgive him, maybe, but they'll never trust him. He will always be Orreg the traitor to the people of Aquae Grannis." The Saxon warrior suggested, voice absent of sympathy.

"But not so in Lingones." Heolstor's hand rose to his chin, pointer finger and thumb rubbing at his ebon-haired beard. He looked to Orreg, considerate, not bothering to hide his glare. The boy was in sight, but out of hearing.

"Decide," Heolstor directed "Do you want this boy among you? If you do not, I will take him. A right of conquest. If the elves seek weregild, or his death, for his trespasses they must first pass through me."


"And I will not let it be so." Heolstor finished. "I will expect an answer, before we assault Juliacum."
Brennus
player, 60 posts
Fri 6 Dec 2013
at 22:43
  • msg #64

Re: Aquae Grannis

Brennus had fallen ill with fever soon after leaving the city and though it had not threatened his life he had been too sick to participate in decisions.  Thus it was that only now was he becoming aware of what had transpired.  Shortly after Heolstor's arrival he had himself made his way to join Gia's group, a figure still tired and wan.

"I still find it hard to credit that Olegg is such a traitor Lord Lingones... I have known him a short time but there must me more to this.  What of this Haldred individual?  How are we to know if his motives are so pure?"
Heolstor
player, 736 posts
Lord of Lingones
Sat 7 Dec 2013
at 00:00
  • msg #65

Re: Aquae Grannis

"We do not. The boy has, however, confessed. He offers excuses, but he does not argue his own guilt." Heolstor explained.
Ben
GM, 12351 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Sat 7 Dec 2013
at 00:05
  • msg #66

Re: Aquae Grannis

But meanwhile, the odd wizard Scolo has his own questions for Haldred.

Scolo isn’t known to be a great scholar in matters Infernal.  That horrible realm is just too focused for him.  All of that effort and might, wasted on pursuing things like Pain, Betrayal, Fear…  And all of it so dreary and predictable.  Scary rituals, sacrifices.. no fun at all.

But he has picked up a thing or two…  And some of what Haldred says, clicks.
Brennus
player, 61 posts
Sat 7 Dec 2013
at 12:20
  • msg #67

Re: Aquae Grannis

Brennus took Heolstor aside a moment. "Lord Lingones these are simple people who have been under the heel of the Hun for far too long; I am not so sure they know how to respond to authority other than say the thing they know which to hear. May I have a word with them and with accuser and accused? Perhaps I can discover the truth behind all this... or at least determine a judgement."
Ben
GM, 12363 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 00:00
  • msg #68

Re: Aquae Grannis



When Brennus talks to the people here, he finds them of mixed opinion concerning Orreg and Haldred.

On the one hand... by his own admission he did something bad.  Inexcusable.  Betrayed the Elves' escape plot to the Huns.  And for what reward?

On the other... surely he must have been terrified?  A boy, being taken away by the Huns, maybe to be sacrificed.  And Orreg is a runaway.  No blood relatives left.  Maybe be just cracked under the pressure.

On the third hand.  There are laws.

On the fourth hand.  For so long, those laws meant nothing.  The Huns were the only law.  Nothing else mattered.

On the fifth hand.  "Just let Heolstor take him away, he won't be our problem."

On the sixth hand.  "He's almost a man, and we are so short of numbers every man is needed.  Take him away, and he's as good as dead to us."

And back to the fifth opinion for a moment:  "How do we know he wouldn't give in to temptation again?  What if he betrays US next time?"

The majority consensus of those Brennus speaks to, and of those that butt in anyway, seems to be:  "We don't have it in us to kill him, but we can't keep him."
Scolo
NPC, 403 posts
Parsnips and turnips,
that was good!
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 00:33
  • msg #69

Re: Aquae Grannis

Hmmmmmm you saw so much! how do you do that? I was never so good at seeing things at your age...
Hmmmm that toad thing you know ahhhh,they call it uh let's see yes yes Farastus yes.

Mostly goo - they resist most weapons they must be pierced in their organs... tell that to your warrior if you choose to be a squire - might help. An assassin or thief might do well, precise striking and all demons are so silly.

All of them, every one - they are not powerful on their own ... they need us you know?

They need our thoughts our feelings to survive, it is their breath....

this one needs ... apathy and it creates it too - good for running a prison.

so how did you break out of that feeling? very strange, should have been overwhelming did someone help?

The other one I don't know ... but he made the earth move eh?

Perhaps the other boy knows something to?



Brennus
player, 62 posts
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 13:28
  • msg #70

Re: Aquae Grannis

"You are not so strong in numbers you can afford to send anyone away except for the very gravest of causes." Brennus spoke to the people of Aquae Grannis sternly. His expression softened into something more somber.  "However I understand that he will not and cannot be trusted by the group; therefore I shall take him as my own servant.  I shall be able to keep watch over him and make sure of his true nature and he can work off his debt by honest toil looking after my horses and weapons."

The noble looked around.  "As for this Haldred I feel he too should be watched; I am not sure I trust someone so long a prisoner whose first action is to denounce one of our own.  Even if his claims have a grain of truth to them I would question his motive in making them. Keep an eye on him and should he act suspect bring word to me."
Heolstor
player, 737 posts
Lord of Lingones
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 13:41
  • msg #71

Re: Aquae Grannis

"There are few graver causes than betrayal. If you intend to stay among them and rule Aquae Grannis, think carefully on whether this is a permanent solution or not." Heolstor cautioned Brennus. He also felt there was something deeply disrespectful about how the boy had tried to intercede, seizing the boy as if he was some prize to be won. However, he had given the lordling his support... And in truth, so long as Brennus could handle the situation, all would be well.

So Lord Strang departed, for another thread, to plan out the battle ahead. Petra and his warriors came with him.
Ben
GM, 12368 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 18:38
  • msg #72

Re: Aquae Grannis

Orreg is more than happy to enter into his new arrangement with Brennus.  Brennus has that look of nobility around him, and the servants of nobles, anyone knows, have a better life than most free people.

In fact, a servant of a high ranking person carries some of his master's clout and authority.

“What do you want me to do?” he asks.

Haldred, meanwhile, wants to be as far s possible from Orreg.  He talks to Scolo about his escape.  At first, he says he doesn't know what kept him from becoming apathetic.  He doesn't know he was supposed to become apathetic, and he wasn't told about any special power the Demon had.  But in thinking of it, he decides that it was the suffering of the others that kept him going.  It was hard to take.

And he still cannot allow it.  He volunteers to go with whomever is going first into Juliacum.

“I remember places,” he says.  “I could help.”

And he heads into another thread as well.
Brennus
player, 63 posts
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 19:07
  • msg #73

Re: Aquae Grannis

"For the moment attend to my sword and chainmail shirt." Brennus instructed Orreg. "My other servants take care of my horses, clothes and food but I need a man to keep my arms and armour in good condition."

He paused and gave the youth a stern but fair smile. "Do a good job lad and you'll find me no harsh master. Remember you are here on my good grace... but I believe you will live up to it."

His orders given Brennus departed for another thread himself.
Scolo
NPC, 404 posts
Parsnips and turnips,
that was good!
Mon 9 Dec 2013
at 22:36
  • msg #74

Re: Aquae Grannis

Hmmmm odd choice I thought the other fellow well suited as a squire.
Scolo interrupts the lordly favors.
Tidletinks. Tut tut? Lord Brenus? I would know some things of your squire while he's still a prisoner hmm?

Scolo will question the traitor in his rambling way about the ways people are made to suffer as he consideres the demonology of the day.
Brennus
player, 64 posts
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 01:49
  • msg #75

Re: Aquae Grannis

Clearly irritated, Brennus reluctantly nodded his agreement and stayed to watch proceedings.
Ben
GM, 12375 posts
The Guy in Charge Here
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 18:06
  • msg #76

Re: Aquae Grannis

Scolo has the two boys just a bit confused.

That's fine, Scolo tends to be that way with a lot of things.

Orreg:  Betrayed the Elven plan.  Doesn't know much about what happened in the prison, because he was never sent there.  All he knows is that a handful of prisoners are not in the prison.  He saw a few Human slaves and even a couple of Elves in the Blackguard court.  With the Humans, it was hard to make a sharp line between slave, servants, and poor workers.  With the Elves, it was clear they were slaves.

Haldred:  Despises Orreg. Held prisoner because he opted to help the Elves.  Escaped.  Has more knowledge of inside the prison.
Scolo
NPC, 406 posts
Parsnips and turnips,
that was good!
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 18:18
  • msg #77

Re: Aquae Grannis

Yes yes , what do you think I'm just talking stigglespieg?

Scolo is asking the traitor boy (Orreg) about what the blackguards where using people for besides the prison... Do they gather groups for torture, do they separate families without reason, or do they set people up to betray one another as a little game frequently even thought they don't need to.
What sort of suffering (besides the prison) do they go out of their way to produce.?

There may be more than one demon to feed so he wants to try and get an idea about the other one.
Since Orreg was a traitor he might have seen what the blackguards like to do.
Orreg
Wed 11 Dec 2013
at 00:24
  • msg #78

Re: Aquae Grannis

The boy explains it to Scolo, in the style of a teenage boy:  some details forgotten, but a certain excitement for just how intense and awesome it all was, even if it was, well, evil.

The only prisoners that were with the "delivery" Orreg and Haldred were with were those being moved from Aquae Grannis.  All of these were Elves - they were being moved because Aquae Grannis was too close to the Elven settlements.  There was a worry about a strong Elven rescue attempt.

The Elves that used magic in the escape attempt were given special attention, but then brought to the same place- Orreg didn't see.  Of the rest, one girl was singled out and given to a Blackguard, and he didn't see what happened to the others.
Scolo
NPC, 407 posts
Parsnips and turnips,
that was good!
Wed 11 Dec 2013
at 00:30
  • msg #79

Re: Aquae Grannis

Scolo's eyebrows flutter and he moves to another thread muttering.
Brennus
player, 65 posts
Wed 11 Dec 2013
at 00:47
  • msg #80

Re: Aquae Grannis

Brennus followed Scolo, but paused to address Orreg: "To your work lad."
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