Enrei seems quite startled by the show in the sky, but once Titus starts shouting as part of it, he's mostly just confused as to how it's all happening.  When Brennan applauds he joins in, though a but unsure as he does.  During Brennan's explanation Enrei stares dumbly. When he's addressed directly, regarding the monstrousness of the witches, he nods his understanding.  Whether he merely takes in the words or their full meaning is anyone's guess.  He doesn't contribute anything of his own, matters at hand sailing miles over his head.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 484):

Titus bows deeply, and beams a grin.

That should keep them talking for the foreseeable future.

Lets head down
into the town

Oh God, I'm going to be talking in rhyming couplets for a while, thats going to be a tough habit to break.

Titus puts the tiara in his backpack and starts heading down the mountain.

Let's head back to the town a winner
I'm starving and in need of dinner

Titus groans at his own terrible verse.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:58, Mon 08 Aug 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 485):

OOC: assuming you're all headed to the town rather than sending someone to Bryce/Deev?

The descent from the mountains is largely uneventful.  The sun shines warmly overhead and before you know it, you are in the valley and walking across the level ground to the small town.

Long before you have reached the low wall that surrounds the town, you can see a buzz of activity and hear the toll of the great bell tower that dominates the square.

The townsfolk have been whipped up into a frenzy that warms Titus' heart.  You are met nearly half a mile out by people clamoring to hear about what happened.  There is much disagreement as to what the lights and fireworks meant, but seeing you alive settles most of the scores.

Nobody seems to be working, livestock run rampant as their normal tenders ignore their crooks to beg for stories of the mountain.

Off to one side, old M'kon stands leaning on a staff and watching you closely.

In reply to GM (msg # 486):

Titus takes a moment to appreciate the town writhing like a kicked anthill.  He arranges his clothing to make sure that his bloodless bandages are prominently displayed. He heaves a contented sigh and has a near orgasmic smile on his face.

Brennan are there any parts of the story you do not want told... or anything you do want told for that matter?  I'm not the only one with a legacy to build.

He grins and winks broadly at Brennan.

Like it or not you are one of Fastbender's now.  We need to imbue you with some power.  That is unless you like to slink under the radar.

I would say the first order of business when we get into the town is to send a runner back to Bryce and Deev.  Then lets all get stitched up.  Then lets start asking for things.  Enrei asking for money defintely seemed to work last time.  Do you think I could tag along to hear about the stone?

He pats the big man on the shoulder

But this time it is not tip.  This time it is mercenary work yes?

Enrei nods distantly at Titus's suggestion if mercenary work before jogging to meet the approaching crowd.  He is somewhat surprisingly eager to respond to the clamoring for stories, actually beating Titus to the punch.  His account of how he slayed a sea serpent is as brief as most of his accounts of events, but much more animated than usual and when pressed for details he is far more forthcoming, happy to demonstrate his felling swing or explain how he bounded to Titus's rescue.  Any questions about the witches themselves, and how they were defeated, however, see him shy away and defer to his companions, almost seeming a bit embarassed about the matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 488):

Titus smiles watching Enrei greet the townsfolk and their bemused responses of his slaying the sea serpent.  When pressed for questions he answers them in a manner that is immediately satisfying but after a minute or so only leads to five more questions.

He immerses himself in the milieu of people and allows himself to bob like a cork on the ocean.  He tells the story of Enrei's sea serpent along with him being every bit as animated as the large islander, adding flourishes when necessary... When Enrei talks about bounding over to save Titus he grabs a stick from a young man and acts the part out with him being the witch and the young boy as Titus, allowing Enrei to disarm him easily.  All in all he takes over Enrei's show, turning it to farcical comedy.

Let his sea serpent be the appetizer.  I'll give them a main course later.

He makes sure to call attention to the fact that he took a sword deep in his shoulder before Enrei pulled it out and disarmed the witch and will even show some part of the gash to the astonished onlookers.  He simply shrugs when they ask about his clean bandages and says

Power doesn't bleed.

In all this he doesn't forget his task.  He requests and finds a capable runner and sends him over the hill to tell Deev and Bryce that they are still alive and that they will be back as soon as possible.  He also asks for medical attention

My companions are nearly as badly wounded as I am.  They need tending to first.

A brief shadow flicks over his face.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHGGGHGHGHGHGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  My shoulder HURTS SO BAD I THINK I MAY DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

He bundles them away to the healer to stitch them up and spends the rest of the time basking in the glow.

Big damn heroes.

While basking he subtly lays the groundwork that the large islander is very expensive and that we will be looking for contributions from the townsfolk in due course.  Nothing oppressive but they can best show their appreciation monetarily.  He even to the terror and chagrin of the people outside the hut produce the tiara from the witches and puts it on his head.

Behold the crown of a witch.  Be careful it has strange powers.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 489):

When Titus asks about what to keep secret, Brennan has much to say.

"Perhaps it is time to merge our identities, so we aren't juggling mercenary payrolls and the tale of Lord Fastbender. I serve our good lord as a Magister, Alchemist, Bookkeeper, and Ranger, and am known for possessing ancient secrets and wisdom beyond my years. I know the name of the wind, after all, and I'm hoping to learn greater names on the road ahead.."

He smiles slightly at the half-truth.

"Not all scholars are helpless, of course. Lord Fastbender, in his practicality, saw the value of employing one with a knack for hunting, tracking, and outdoorsmanship. The world, I often say to him, is a classroom of its own. Any other accouterments I leave to you, but don't say anything that will get us hanged for witchcraft."

Content with the completion of his fictional backstory in Titus's Fastbender series, Brennan agrees that a runner should be sent to inform Bryce and Deev of the goings-on as soon as possible. Since the horses can't be brought down, additional runners should be sent to tend the steeds and campsite until our return. Bryce and Deev would then be able to join the festivities in town, which they would likely appreciate.

Brennan does little to embellish the tale, leaving that to Titus and Enrei. His own arrows did little good, he reasons, and the Inquisitor's syringe is not something he's eager to explain to strangers.

He seeks out M'kon at the first opportunity, and though he will not prevent Titus from accompanying him, he won't sit around waiting for the bard to complete his rabble rousing before continuing with his mission either.

Not even his severe leg wounds seem capable of slowing him down from this single-minded focus, though they look painful indeed.

***

"The deed is done. You're free. And I've got the stone," Brennan says to M'kon, his voice low and excited. "It has script from both tongues upon it, and I'm confident with it and your help, we can unravel the journal's secrets. When would you be available to help me, if you are indeed still willing to do so?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 490):

It will be so. I will play bard, minstrel, all around badass who may or may not be Lord Fastbender himself.  You never know when he will need to make an appearance. 

Titus pushes Enrei into the healer's hut but fails to mother hen Brennan and wades through the throng after him.

Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that I will answer almost all of your questions at tonight's show.  Until then I have important business to attend to.  Though know that today is truly a happy day, giving you reason to celebrate!

With this Titus strikes a dramatic pose in the door with his left fist held high over head looking into the sky smiling.  The crowd erupts in a wild cheer.  His sleeve falls back revealing the telltale ruby bracelet of Fastbender it catches the light and sparkles more than is strictly natural.  Soaking up enough of the applause he turns his back to the crowd showing them the shield with Fastbender's insignia pauses for a second as he dramatically sweeps in the door and walks in on the tail end of Brennan's conversation with M'Kon.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 491):

Inquisitive Throng

The people hang on Titus' every word and track his every gesture with wide eyes.

As expected, further questions pour in, un-abated by the bard's promise of further stories later.

Most people want to know more about the witches: "how many were there?"  "Did they really drink the blood of infants?"  "How did you slay them?"  "Are you sure they're gone?"

Here and there a villager, particularly those with more grey in their hair, seem very cautious.  They remind their fellows that they have lived under the blight of the witches for many years... how can they be so sure they are really gone?

At first it is difficult to find a volunteer to cross the mountains as messenger to Bryce.  Finally, however, the apprentice blacksmith steps up and takes the stage beside Titus.

"I will go!" he proclaims in a loud but shaky voice.  Soon after he finds a companion.  They make preparations and set off before Titus has finished with the crowd.

When it is mentioned, the people are quick to offer to tend to your wounds, clothes, hunger and thirst.

OOC:  Let me know if you want to send any message to Bryce/Deev beside "wait, we're still alive".

While Titus and Enrei talk, Brennan slips away and begins to chat with the old man, M'kon.

Away from the Crowd


Titus manages to slip the crowd, leaving them to ask Enrei an array of questions he cannot possibly understand.  Fortunately most have the word "witch", "Serpent" or "fight" in them, so he responds accurately enough.

When Titus comes upon M'kon and Brennan, the former is holding one of the stones you liberated from the witches and is beginning to look pale.

Eventually so overcome by the crowd in Titus's absence Enrei raises his hands over his head, "Quiet!" he shouts in a bellow well honed to be heard over a restless sea.  With the crowd muted by equal parts surprise and fear he looks around until he finds a suitable place to sit, then points at one of the villagers and waves her over.  Having heard an offer to tend to the party's wounds he holds his roughly bandaged hand up to her and without waiting for her to begin her ministrations he begins speaking, "We go up to the mountain to get the witches.  I do not want to kill them, because killing is bad."  His tone is calm and earnest, as usual, but just quiet enough that it risks being drowned out by even the sounds of nearby livestock, forcing the crowd to be deadly silent if they have any hope of hearing him.

Even when the occasional question is shouted he continues on without answer, "I think we can bring them to town to be punish.  We go into this cave and they tell Titus and Brennan that they break rules.  Then sea serpent comes out of the dark and little old ladies stand up, but they are not little ladies, they are monsters.  I make armor from first man, and I try to slay the serpent, because I did not slay it the first time I fight it.  Titus try to fight the witches with his sword and Brennan shoot them.  I punch the serpent in his face when he try to crush me like boat, and when I hit him, he fall to ground.  I slay this monster," at this point Enrei holds up his uninjured fist and purses his lips to emphasise the triumph.

"But then I hear Titus and one witch has a sword too, and he is hurt because she tries to kill him with the sword.  So I jump over the serpent and I run to the witch and I grab her sword and I try to throw the sword away so she cannot kill us, but she is monster, and she is even stronger than many men I can take sword from.  So I kick the other witch and she fall down.  But then she is even worse monster, she has many legs and she moves in the dark," Enrei shakes his head, clearly fuzzy on these details, "But I am fighting with witch over her sword so I pull with all my strong and I take it from her and throw it away, but it cuts my hand," he gestures to his injured hand.

"But this is not end of fight.  I see witch wears crown with bone of first man in it.  I know this is lucky, but Titus tells me is more lucky when bone is broken, so I tell monster I will take her luck and I try to take this crown, but it does not let me touch it," he reaches his hand twoard his own head, stopping just short of grabbing his own forehead to demonstrate, "So I think I can break it instead of take it, but when I try to punch it like I punch sea serpent it stop me again.  Then the monster she hit me in my head, and even thoughI have armor from first man, I fall down and I am not awake any more."

At this point he shakes his head and sighs but as the crown starts to grow restless and clamor for answers he raises his uninjured hand again and a hopeful silence grips them, "When I wake up the witches are not monsters any more.  They are little old ladies, but they have drawing all on them, and they have their eyes and mouths...stitched up," he borrows the phrase from Titus with impressive accuracy, "And serpent is gone.  So we burn the witches, and we take from them their crowns, and their sword, and their stones.  I break the bone on one crown, and I see first man, and Titus keep the crown like you see, and the sword, and Brennan keep their stones.  This is what happen.  This is all," Enrei then says something in his native tongue with a cadence similar to the last two lines before sitting up a bit straighter than he had been and looking over the crowd, his face almost expectant.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 493):

Attentive Crowd

Thought they don't understand each word... or sentence, the crowd laps up Enrei's story.

The children shudder and cringe in delight with each blow he recounts and the older villagers nod and mutter when Enrei speaks of how monstrous the witches were.

When he is finished, they continue to ask questions: "How BIG was the serpent?" a child wonders, "You're lucky to be alive, the Juggernaut's blood must run through even Chal'i!"  "The witches, did they consort with demons?"  "And you say she had many legs?  That must have been terrifying!"

In reply to GM (msg # 494):

Enrei answers what questions he can in turn, "Sea serpent is big enough to eat whole men and crush boat.  Is longer than man can see at one.  No, I have no blood for Juggernaut First Man says to pay him no heeds either.  I did not see any demons, only serpent.  And two grey men, I think.  They were gone too.  I do not know how to fy tear, but many legs were very strange," strangely with each one he seems to grow more comfortable until he is jovially shouting answers as fast as new questions arise, to varrying degrees of satisfaction from the inquirers.

In reply to Enrei Omal'i (msg # 495):


Brennan is conversing quietly with M'kon.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Tue 09 Aug 2016.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 496):

Titus sits close to the pair as they talk.

So what IS this thing?  What does it do besides having writing on it?  The witches held it quite dear.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:21, Wed 10 Aug 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 497):

"I told you, it's a script stone," Brennan says, attempting unsuccessfully to mask his irritation at the interruption. "It has the word 'denizen' on it in two languages. I'm hoping to use it to decipher the parts of the journal I can't already read, and either way it will prove helpful to deciphering the stone at Losthelm later."

He looks at M'kon carefully.

"It also appears to be able to detect Fell and Angelic energy sources, or those who have been in contact with them. I did not know it would have that ability when I procured it."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 498):

I knew that.

Titus says sarcastically.

But If I'm the witches I'm not clutching something like that during a fight unless it does a whole hell of a lot more than have writing on it.  Though I wouldn't have thought detection.  If you bring them together doesn't something terrible happen?  Like they cancel each other out and take the earth with them or somesuch?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:32, Wed 10 Aug 2016.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 499):

So tell me... Am I an angel?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 500):

Off to one side of the Crowd

M'kon frowns, but appears to accept Brennan's explanation.  He hands the stone back.

In reply to GM (msg # 501):

"No. You're... nothing, according to thr stone. Maybe the glow was an illusion."

He shrugs and pockets the stone.

"The other stone allowed them to control their demonic friends. That's what you needed to relieve them of it."

To M'kron, he smiles enthusiastically.

"Let's get to work deciphering! First thing tomorrow?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 502):

Wait... this is interesting.  So the demonic stone let them control their friends, but the angel stone only detects... and these witches were demonic servants.  It stands to reason, does it not, that if we become agents of heaven that we could use it to control angelic friends.  Right?

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 503):

"Titus," Brennan begins, exasperated. "There are two stones. The first says 'denizen' on it in both Fell and Angelic. One word per side of the stone. The words glow under certain conditions."

"The second stone bound the two Voiceless into the witches' service, at great cost. I do not know if it could be used to bind angels into service, but I suspect not. Besides... angels would in theory be willing to offer assistance for a noble task for free."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 504):

Titus nods sagely.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 505):

Happy Crowd

Over time, some people return to their days work, but many will remain as long as Enrei does.

A Quiet Corner

M'kon nods and chews on his beard.

"I am at your disposal, Brennan.  We owe you a great debt."

In reply to GM (msg # 506):

Well that was anticlimactic... Brennan, lets get your leg dealt with and get back out to the idiot.  We have left him alone long enough I have a bad feeling of him out there.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 507):

Brennan thanks M'kron and goes off to get his leg looked at by someone skilled in the art of healing. He will pass the evening largely off to one side, as much as is possible, beginning the work of translating Fell into Angelic and vice-versa based on the journal and the stone.

In the morning he will seek out M'kron to get his help and advice on the matter. He will also inquire about the fate of the runners if Bryce and Deev do not show up by the next afternoon.