In reply to GM (msg # 55):

"James..." Conrad begins, exasperated.  "You don't see a difference between serving Puck, serving your father, and serving someone like Uthor?  They aren't even remotely the same.  You serve the embodiment of your ideals because more can be done as a whole than as an individual.  I thought fey were supposed to be smart..."

He turns to Ragnar.

"Now that's interesting.  You've been very helpful, Ragnar, and have earned an upgrade to prisoner first-class -- and the privacy that comes with it."

Conrad nods toward Alveris, James, and Uthor.

"Grab the goblin and bind him for transport," he says, pointing toward Francis.  The goblin flashes a murderous look in their general direction, and Conrad continues.  "If he won't let you do so without a fuss, kill him."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Wed 20 Nov 2013.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 56):

James moves to bind Francis looking at him with murderous intent... he calmly retorts Conrad

For the most part it would not make a difference, because I don't serve any of them directly... The only difference between Francis being the head of the fey court and my father is that Francis will try to kill me with his own hands; father will hire someone.

James goes to tie Francis who bites at his hand, James quickly snatches his hand back and like lightning has the needle full of tainted wine at Francis' throat.

Go ahead, test me you dumb fuck.

He whispers dangerously to Francis.

The individual can do more than the state because he is not hampered by the opinion of others.  If his ideas are good and he can get people to follow him they will, not based upon the illusion of power given to an inanimate location/title but due to their belief in him and his natural authority.  That my friend is true power.

And each fey lives and embodies that idea.  We do not band together blindly but with intellect behind it.  We must be moved to action instead of ordered to it and because of that action is as unpredictable as an earthquake, as sure as the sunrise, and as inexorable as the ocean.

By this point Francis is bound and prepared for transport.  James waves cheerily to Ragnar

Good session today rags!  See you tomorrow for some more menacing and questions?!


/ooc Holy fuck I feel like Macchiavelli arguing with John Locke, we keep this up and I'm going to have to go re-read 'The Prince'. /ooc

In reply to James (msg # 57):

Jamie, too much explanation.

Connie, we Fey, having a longer lifespan and history than you do, perceive events and social obligations/normalcy in a different way than you do.

We don't have the same modus operandi, nor do we operate under the same set of required parameters. In many ways, Fey are a law unto themselves, and the law is their own, and I'll be the first tell you, it's surprisingly whimsical and inflexible, at the same time.

No, we don't lie, but we tactically omit the truth like it's our job. There's all sorts of stuff I'm sure James and I know that may be of benefit to this mission, the fate of the empire, or even why Ragnar here should sleep with one eye open his cell tonight, but you haven't asked, and me failing to volunteer to tell you is far different than lying.

I could tell you right now that I have no plans to kill Ragnar, and then kill him later.

At this very moment in time, I have no plans to kill Ragnar, and you have not asked if I ever intend to change my stance on the matter, therefore, I haven't lied.

It's about context Connie, and unequivocal vocal ambiguities. I know you're much more comfortable exploding things, and I'm significantly more comfortable either getting to actually torture Ragnar, or moving on from this would be philosophical discussion to do some actual adventuring. Because seriously, all this pseudo intellectualism is giving me a KILLER headache.

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 58):

Ragnar shakes his head.

"It's even simpler than that.  It comes down to this, 'what is most important?  The self or the whole?'  You Fey act only in self-interest.  Sometimes that means working together, but you never err from your moral compass of self-service.  The minute your own survival is on the line, your alliances fall.   That's not the long view, it's the narrow.

We Gnomes see the true big picture, which is that none of us is here forever and none of us is so important as to sacrifice everyone else.  Rather, any one of us should be allowed to die that the whole may move on."

Ragnar sighs heavily and slides down the bulkhead to sit against a crate.

"True, Sir, I have betrayed your trust, but that is my sacrifice for the whole of Gnomekind.  My honor pales in comparison with that.  I do not wish to die, but I would lay down my life to strengthen our people and protect us from our enemies both inside and out."

In reply to GM (msg # 59):

Conrad nods thoughtfully, then opens the hatch and motions for the others to leave before him.

"Your candor is refreshing; you know how prisoners can be.  We'll talk more later, after I've consulted with the Captain."

Checking to make sure there's nothing that Ragnar could easily use to kill himself, and doublechecking the locks that contain him, he follows the others out into the hallway.

He begins to head toward the bridge, then stops short.  Turning, he seals the brig's hatch, then locks it down with the Master Key.

"I need to talk to the Captain," he says to the others.  "James, Alveris, you wanna take the goblin down to the diving room?  We'll need to dump his uncooperative body once you're done with him.  Uthor, go with them -- they'll need you to operate the airlock mechanism.  I'll meet you there shortly."

With that, Conrad leaves in search of Olek.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Thu 21 Nov 2013.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 60):

Ever since the burial service and the completion of major repairs to the Red Spring, Captain Olek Longthrow has spent a large amount of time in his quarters.  Those who have spent any time with him prior will note that he has become quiet and more reserved than normal.

That being said, as Conrad finds him standing on the bridge with arms crossed, he retains his authoritative stare and commanding voice.

Lt. Commander, what have you learned?

With the searchlight off, there is nothing but blackness through the glass.  Olek stares into it deeply regardless.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 60):

James says in gnome

To be fair hes been... relatively cooperative for a goblin.  You are right he is of little use and... as Rags said acting in self interest.  Its me or this little green monstrosity. 

Back to common

Lets go.

He starts walking to the airlock.  Francis has decided to go the dead weight method of resistance has crumpled to the floor and is being dragged behind.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 61):

Conrad salutes, then relates to Olek the various details of Ragnar's complicity in the plot -- including his affiliation with the traitorous "Commander".

"He's been cooperative, sir.  I wonder if we can find some way to use him to draw out his allies.  It would be a savage blow to one of the Empire's greatest enemies."

He pauses for a moment, then continues.

"The goblin has been captured and remains untrustworthy, if begrudgingly cooperative.  How do you feel about jettisoning him from the airlock?  I see no further need to share our food and oxygen supplies with such a creature."

Conrad furrows his brow slightly.

"In that vein, sir, I'm not so certain we can trust our feyic allies to do what's best for anyone but themselves.  What is their actual purpose aboard this vessel?  Every call I've been privy to has seemed to indicate interpersonal vendettas among the fey, and no bearing whatsoever on our mission here.  Or respect for Imperial resources..."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Thu 21 Nov 2013.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 63):

Olek smiles.  Come now lad, you're smarter than that: the whole bloody Fey Court is nothing more than interpersonal vendettas stitched together by childish fueds.  Nothing out of place here, but you're right to be concerned.  They may value this alliance to a degree, but once it stops serving their purposes...

Olek sighs and adopts a more leisurely stance.

Lad, that's the worst part of it, not even knowing our own purpose.  I appreciate a state secret as well as any Gnome, but a Captain not even knowing what we're searching for...  It's... well it's frightening.  Even more so that the Fey are interested as well.  True our guests seem more interested in their own squabbles than this mission, but don't mistake their lack of focus on priorities for a lack of true stake.  I'm sure that they know more than they let on, and I'm sure that once we DO figure out what it is we're looking for, they'll be as interested as we.

As for Ragnar, you're absolutely right.  He's a valuable asset.  If you can get any information out of him, do it but don't jeopardize his health or good behavior.  He'll be dealt with by the Imperial courts, they're trained for this sort of thing.  'Commander' Schtock is a dangerous Gnome and we don't want to compromise a potential asset.

Olek leans over a terminal and watches as sonar pings in the distance.  He looks over at the navigation station and frowns at the maps.

Trying to make up time... but we're behind.  Sven may be able to squeeze some extra speed out of those propellers, but I won't have him push it too far and wreck us all over again.  Oh and for the goblin, he adds almost as an afterthought, I've never seen a good reason to keep it alive.  If the Fey is so attached to it, put it outside and tell him it can swim after us if he likes.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 64):

Conrad comes down and brusquely relays the captains orders.  Seeing the dangerous glint in James' eyes he omits the part about the goblin swimming.

Francis begins to spit and curse trembling in fear as the reality of his situation hits him like a ton of bricks. James pulls a small needle from his pouch (not the one tainted with wine) and immediately injects it into Francis' jugular.

The goblin immediately goes limp.

He closes the goblins eyes and says in fey

Good night idiot prince.

He unceremoniously kicks the goblin into the airlock and operates the controls with some help from Conrad opens the gates.  He watches the goblin float limply out to sea dying in his sleep.

James silently stalks off in search of alcohol.


**** Time passes ****

James gets back to normal after a day or so.  He will occasionally visit Ragnar to try to figure out gnomish culture but to no avail, he is competely beyond the idea of community.

He regularly changes the bandages on everyones wounds and begins showing them some rehabilitation exercises to assist in nature's healing (take your natural heal roll +2 for my ministrations).

He is constantly looking over his shoulder and is extremely jumpy, he can react violently when surprised.  He has taken to arming himself with anything he can find around the ship (I'm assuming he can find a knife and an axe relatively easily any other weapons he can pick up?)

In reply to James (msg # 65):

Conrad spends his days tinkering with his weapons, completing his duties as First Mate, and having short, controlled chats with Ragnar.  Whenever possible, he also tries to talk to the crew about what happened in their section of the sub while all the troubles were going on.

One day, Uthor approaches him with a plan involving the mirror and the special ops forces.

"Tell me more," he replies, nodding in Uthor's direction.  "How do we do it, and what do we hope to learn?"

Well I've been thinkin'.  How did they get off this ship, and what did they want the helmet for.  All I know's it's more dangerous than a howler in a library.

I figure we've got the armor already, just need to hide our face, give 'em Ragnar's codes, and act like we're him.  Might get a little info on what they're up to.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Tue 26 Nov 2013.

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 67):

"We've got the code book.  Why don't we have Ragnar do it for us?  They already know him, and we'll know if he signals something."

Did you just stone cold execute Francis?

Jamie! I didn't think you had it in you!

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 69):

James shrugs and says absently

He betrayed me.  I told him one of us had to die, and it wasn't going to be me.

James walks towards the mess

Come on I need a post execution drink

James is down and quiet and allows Alveris to do most of the talking which he gladly does.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Thu 28 Nov 2013.

That could work.  Are you sure we'd know if he starts slippin' signals under his words?

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 71):

"No," Conrad says with a frown.  "But we could make him take an oath, and have him sign something that forfeits his right to due process should he betray that oath."

In reply to James (msg # 70):

Taking a life is a tricky thing Jamie. The ease with which one can snuff out a breath, skin a dick and cover it in salt and then choke someone to death with the rag you're using to drown out the screams.

Alveris takes a long, deliberate sip of wine.

It changes a man once he realizes how easily death can be visited upon another. Like taking a toy from a small child really. The exhilaration. The joy. The hunger.

Just be careful Jamie. There are only so many steps you can take down the road you just started walking on before the road rises up to not just meet you, but consume you, and drive you. The days will go by, and one day, you'll realize you never stopped walking on that road, and worst of all, you never will.

I'm proud of you for doing what you had to do, but don't let it change you. There's still some good left in you, and it's not too late to get off the road.

Leave the walking for the rest of us with nothing left to lose.

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 73):

Conrad enters the brig for another chat with Ragnar.

"If you could send a message to your superiors," he begins, scratching his chin absently.  "What would you tell them?  Would they care that you were imprisoned here, or that we retained possession of the artifacts?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 74):

Good.

 He snorts derisively, his hand rubbing first the scar on his neck then his side, finally coming to rest on his scarred legs.

What has good gotten me except nearly killed on three occasions. Good has made me an outcast of my own family, my father trying to kill me.

He shrugs and turns back to look darkly into his drink. I'm not going to say I liked it. I didn't. But the feeling of one less threat.... That's very nice. The thought that those around me will take me a bit more serious... That's nice.

Though having a pet goblin was a pretty sweet deal.

He toasts alveris

So what do you think the boiled down nova fruit extract will do if injected?

In reply to James (msg # 75):

Make for a very, very, uneventful lay.

In reply to Alveris Alderis (msg # 76):

"What would I say?" Ragnar blinks.  "Are we dealing in true hypothetical or is this a test?  If I could get word to my superiors, I would tell them I have failed, am captured and would like very much not to die."

In reply to GM (msg # 77):

Conrad nods evenly.

"Would that entreaty imply you fear assassination, or merely the meting out of justice?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 78):

Ragnar glares at Conrad.  "It means I don't want to be in this damned brig anymore.  Should I fear for my life in here?"

In reply to GM (msg # 79):

"You have nothing to fear except the legal repercussions of your actions," Conrad replies.  "But we might be able to work out a deal.  How did those operatives leave the ship? Or did they?"