In reply to Keef (msg # 343):

Lukas blinks, as surprised by what occured as anyone, but recovers himself when he finds a paladin very much within his personal space.

"Why would I do that?" he responds evenly.  "Would the next stop be a trial in Haedriel, or would you carry out the inevitable sentence here and save us all some time?'

"The way I seen it, there are four of us and five of you. But the boy is still staggerred by magic, and the Easterner enslaved into next week. That puts the odds at five to three, us, wouldn't you say?"

Shaw looks confused, but no less ready to defend himself. Quinn and Charles adopt abguarded expression.

"And if I were to do this," Lukas continues, brushing past Zuriel to scoop up the Everstaff (hit him if you want), "That improves the odds even more."

The staff flickers with red light that pulses through Lukas's own, and he smiles.

"Here's the bargain: help us break into the vault. You may claim Giles's share of the treasure and depart freely. I will keep this staff and your warrior until the transaction is complete...releasing both to you when we go our separate ways."

Shaw grins slightly, perhaps at the prospect of a peaceful plan.

Lukas gives Zuriel a meaningful look.

"So much prattle about loss of life. How much do you really mean it?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Sat 07 Dec 2013.

Zuriel's eyes flash as Lukas makes to grab the Everstaff.

[Readied Attack: 28 Crit Confirmed]

[Damage: 16]

"ENOUGH" bellows the paladin. "EVIL DOES NOT GET TO WIN TODAY!!!"

[Attack of Opportunity: 29 Crit Unconfirmed]

[Damage: 11]

Zuriel's sword flashes in the dark, twice, both attacks cutting deeply into the power-crazed mage.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:25, Sun 08 Dec 2013.

Maeve lies continues to lie immobilized on the floor of the cavern.  As she does so, the part of her still in command of her mental faculties contemplates that bondage does not seem nearly as much fun as some people make it out to be.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 346):

Lukas winces as Zuriel's sword strikes through his defensive enchantments, but remains upright despite the blood pouring down his tunic.

"Giles was wrong about you," he spits. "You're just like any other paladin.  Your way or death. So be it."

OOC will post combat in a bit sorry
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:10, Sun 08 Dec 2013.

In reply to DM (msg # 347):

Maeve watches a cockroach crawl across the ceiling.

Zuriel scoffs at Lukas' protestations. "I offered you the opportunity to surrender. My brothers-in-arms wouldn't even have extended that courtesy. If you think for one second that I would *EVER* agree to allow you to continue to enslave my friend's mind while you wield an artifact of pure evil to extract even more magical items to feed a crazed selfish bid for power, after you blatantly ignored my explicit demand to stand down...YOU...ARE...MISTAKEN."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:31, Sun 08 Dec 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 349):

The cockroach continues its march across the ceiling.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 350):

"Surrender to the Flame is the same as suicide. You are a blind, idealistic fool if you believe otherwise. As for the items, we seek to study them. You can have the staff back, like I said, once our safety is guarenteed. I just watched the warrior slay three werewolves in one swing and the staff EAT Giles.  They are collateral nothing more..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Sun 08 Dec 2013.

Boreas descends from the wall, approaching Lukas slowly.

Your point is taken, Lukas, and you are not wrong.  But your crimes aren't against the flame, but rather the forest.  Don't surrender to the Flame; surrender to the judgment of the Wild Elves.  I cannot speak for them, but their judgment may be less... fatal.

Release Maeve immediately and surrender the staff.  We will seal it here, to be addressed later.  As for your friends... if you turn yourself over, they are free to go.  You have shown that you cannot be trusted, but they still hold promise.  Refuse, and we will be forced to kill any who attack us.

As he speaks, he reaches a hand into his pouch and takes out a small object, ready to use it if things go badly.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 352):

Chubbs hops into the chamber, regards Maeve for a moment, then continues on his way.

Zuriel raises his eyebrows as he considers Boreas' words.

Interesting proposition, Boreas...and one with much merit.

"Well, Lukas? If you're willing to end this without bloodshed, without the staff, and without dominating Maeve, then I'm willing to allow you to submit to a less harsh form of judgement. Boreas has a valid point - the masters of the forest have more right to decide your fate than I."

Zuriel pauses, and speaks back to Shaw. "Shaw, you saw what Giles was at his worst, and at his best. If you agree to lead his children in the name of who he truly was, and not what lycanthropy twisted him to be, then you have my blessing."

Maeve rolls her eyes in exasperation as the debate continues apace.

In fact, Shaw, if your intentions truly are to study the artifacts within the vault, I see no reason you couldn't.  If Lukas surrenders, we can open the vault together.  You'll be surprised to hear what our true mission is.  I doubt it's so different from yours.

But your leader has betrayed us too many times, turned on us for no clear reason beyond spite.  He cannot be trusted, though I think you knew that.

Lukas, if you truly care for your people, surrender.

[Diplomacy: Aid Zuriel Success]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Sun 08 Dec 2013.

Maeve realizes that she could stand to have a pee.  Not right this instant, you understand, but within the next couple of hours or so.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 356):

"How do we know we can trust you?" Shaw asks, his voice quiet.  "You're here for the vault, same as us.  Why should we trust the Flame and its allies to do what is best for anyone but itself?  Can you guarantee it?"

Maeve ponders the meaning of it all.

We have raised no blade to anyone that did not act to harm us.  The lycan who polluted your paradise of equality have been slain.  We would have an ally in Mi'driel, not an enemy.  Will you be that ally?

"We Flame are many things, but we are certainly not liars.  If we can resolve this without violence, if Lukas agrees to submit to the justice of the Forest, then we can work towards a brighter future. There may be artifacts within the vault that can aid Mi'driel in becoming that haven of peace, prosperity, and equality that it was intended to be. I would be willing to allow you to study and retain such items that would support such a goal."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Sun 08 Dec 2013.

Maeve begins to quietly hum an old Gaelian folk song regarding a certain number of bottles of beer on the wall.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 360):

"Pfft.  The wild elves have little better sense of justice than the Flame," Lukas says, raising the Everstaff.  "How can you help me, staff?  What do you do?"

Red light flickers around his eyes for a moment, and he frowns.

"The boy? He's nothing compared to me!  Serve me, and together we can-"

"Enough, Chief."

Lukas looks back toward Shaw, narrowing his eyes in the process.

"Shaw, don't let them sway you from our purpose.  You can't trust them!"

Shaw smirks and points a finger toward Lukas.

"Funny how that works, isn't it?  Long live the king. Szlert!"

[Casting: Lukas's Ridiculously Compelling Suggestion]

Dark blue energy swirls around Lukas, dazing him.  Shaw smiles and gives him an order.

"Shackle that staff to the wall of the menagerie, dismiss your domination spell, sit on your hands, and meditate on the mysteries of the arcane until you finally find enlightenment."

Quinn and Charles, seeing which way the wind is blowing, lower their hands and back away from the P.A.R.T.Y.

"Whatever you say, Chief," Quinn says, bowing slightly in Shaw's direction.  Charles nods his agreement.

Lukas does as he is told, dismissing his hold over Maeve, locking up the staff, and then sitting to contemplate the meaning of life without further comment.

"Shall we?" Shaw asks, motioning down toward the vault.

Maeve's eyes return to their normal golden hue and she shakes her head briskly as if awakening from a deep sleep.  She surveys her situation and somehow manages to hoist herself up into a sitting position.

A little help here?

Boreas sweeps a thin, green beam of light over Maeve for a moment.  Seeing no magic besides the bands, he snaps his fingers, and they retract, clanging to the ground in the shape of a rusty iron orb.  Boreas approaches the warrior, bends down, grabs the sphere, and offers a hand.

Sorry about that.  You... weren't quite yourself.

He turns to Shaw.

Will he stay there on his own?  Or should we go ahead and bind him?

In any case, to the vault!

Goddess be praised! Cooler heads have prevailed.

Zuriel's thoughts turn to Trish, and what must have been her horrifying final moments. He shudders. This day has already seen far too much blood. Giles, I don't know if I can ever forgive the monster you were, but in the end you proved that good can still triumph, no matter what.

"I can vouch for the effectiveness of that particular spell," he answers Boreas, ruefully. "It should hold for a while, but it might not be a bad idea to use the orb too, just to be sure. Will that break the spell if we tie him up too, Shaw?"

Zuriel wipes Lukas' blood from his longsword, and returns it to its sheath, relieved. The paladin catche's Maeve's eye, and then looks at Keef. She nods. He then moves to Lyriel, examining her wounds to ensure the infection was truly gone.

"How do you feel, Lyriel? Is it gone?"

[Lay on Hands: 6]

As Tassada's divine white light closes the wounds the cleric suffered at Giles' rending claws, the paladin looks at her with concern. Her normally green eyes were still dilated, giving her an otherworldly beauty that was at the same time rather unsettling.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Mon 09 Dec 2013.

Maeve gathers up her guisarme and moves slowly toward Keef, who is still staring, bereft, at the place where Giles vanished.  She gracefully sinks to her knees in front of him so that the tall young woman and the small-ish lad are of an eye level.

You stood your ground in front of the lord of all werewolves.  Many a veteran soldier would have not have done as much.  I can't tell you how proud I am of you Maeve says, hoping to reassure Keef with a smile.  In spite of her words, Keef continues to stare numbly into space.

Maybe it's not your reassurance he needs

Keef, there was nothing that you could have done to save Sir Giles.  This was how he chose to redeem himself, and nobody could have convinced him to do otherwise.  But I do know that he loved you very much and, at the end, he was so proud of you.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 366):

Shaw wipes his hands on his pants and shrugs, noting the boy's catatonic state only briefly before apparently deciding he'd best stay out of it.

"Lukas will be fine there unless somebody else comes along to harm him.  Or he finds enlightenment, I guess."

He grins eagerly, then motions for Quinn and Charles to join him.

"We'll show you the vault, but I'l warn you: we haven't cracked it yet.  Without Lukas, it could take quite some time.  As ambitious as he was, he's also a very skilled magician. Perhaps your efforts will prevail where ours have not."

He turns and leads the way toward the vault, the P.A.R.T.Y. following behind him.

Ding!  Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, and Zuriel have reached Level 5!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ END CHAPTER 04 ~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:45, Mon 09 Dec 2013.