Bryon had heard it through the grape vine that the Wizard Scolo was forming a group for some undertaking or other. She floated in, unannounced and not exactly invited but still hopefully not unwanted. She recognized Kyriel but none of the others in the room. She smiled and slid in beside Kyriel. "Hi, remember me? I heard Mr. Scolo was putting together a group for an adventure. I love adventures. Can I come with you? I hope he has another pair of foot bunnies. I love those foot bunnies. Maybe if I help he will find a pair for me. What do you think? Can you introduce me to these other fun people?"

She waves, "Hi, I'm Bryon. I'd like to help if you want some help. I want an adventure. Your all planning one, right?"

Kyriel waits nervously for Scolo to appear. While helping the people of his village has always been important to her, she finds the wizard creepy and unpredictable. She's also worried that he'll figure out that she climbed his tower and poisoned a load of quick iron; there's no telling what he'll do if he figures it out.

She decides that Byron is a strange one. "Yeah, I remember. Scolo is supposed to tell us things about his village that can help us get the townspeople out. I don't know if he's planning on coming with us."

Uhm hello - says Scolo

OOC: waiting on a few questions in PM will post soon.

Bryon and Tirig did not last. They actually had little in common other then the physical, which was enough for the winter but not enough for beyond. Despite this they parted under good terms and she held in in high regard for his skill and honesty. She also made sure to teach him how to properly please a woman so that when he did find that special girl she would be satisfied in every way.

Bryon is not one to dwell on the past and so her coming to this meeting alone does not imply loneliness. She is "on the prowl" again so to speak, and has eyed Scolo because he is fun and entertaining. She knows he too would make a poor long term mate, but fun was fun. She stands near Kyriel, unaware that the other girl thought her strange and figuring they were friends. The rest she did not know and waited for introductions from them all.

Scolo smiles at Bryon
Adventure ho uh ... yes I suppose it will be, perhaps ... I'm - you see I uh...

He gathers his thoughts - he's a little nervous about Syanthus and the little elf girl - he does not look at them directly.

I'm afraid I'm not accustomed to having spies about - you must excuse me.

He clears his throat and looks at Melissa who helps calm him.. a gentle voice whispers from his beard to his ears but it cannot be heard by all. Scolo pats something in his robe.

You see - I am ... uh ... responsible for a village of wonder of us people yes, wonderful people and there is much to my village. I was beset by assassins - dirty scum sucking backstabbing filth!

Had I done anything to them? All I wanted was the proper recognition - first they sent thieves then assasins to kill me! I would have destroyed them you know ... He glares at Syanthus then turns away feeling nervous, like an angry child he continues to throw barbs in his talk.

For those who don't know, Scolo welcomed the group from the Academy - he thought they were going to give him a distiguished alumni gift for his work. One could say a lot of bad things about wizards and every bit of it is true particularly academy wizards - no loyalty, no professional courtessy it's all just backstabbing politics! interupts a voice from the air.

But haply Theoderic gave a chance - The emperor also sent some silly assassins. That's two assassin troops and a king all on one day!!! So we allied with the backstabbers to eliminate the Emperor's goblins - oh yes and a priest too don't forget him, nice fellow once you get to know him. Anyway if you know the Emperor like I do - or like anyone nowadays you know it would be safest if I went on holiday.

But I was concerned for the town - They went with one of the filthy backstabbers, a fellow named Aramil - he's not a wizard so maybe his word is worth more than the academy scum, I hope.... Scolo looks regretful - there should have been another option but he is not a strong personality and it was all moving so fast.

Anyway he was supposed to lead them to Brittany but we've tried to follow up and there is no news from Brittany.

I mean to go back to Mestanon and find out where they are ... Theoderic promised me he would protect Mestanon even if it must be moved.

A model of the town is formed in front of Scolo, it is a cartoonish looking illusion without all the detail, but very solid. It is dominated by a great bent tower and then shops, a well, some common buildings and small houses. all around is forrest and a little river.

The illusion distorts back and forth to the village and a larger map showing it's place not far from Parisorium and the path from Lucimburic.

I was hoping others might ... but I suppose she is a queen now - hmmmm

Scolo trails off... then perks up

So who wants to come? I need to ask the King how he will help...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Sat 04 May 2013.

Kyriel glances at Byron and gives her a small smile when Scolo addresses her. "Looks like you might get your wish."

After a second, she arches an eyebrow when Scolo makes his comment about spies. "Uncomfortable around spies? Really?  Do you know who is standing next to you? That's Melissa. I've heard that she changed sides. Before she changed sides she was a spy and worse--a blackguard. Since Aelasuria and Theoderic trust her I won't gainsay her motivations, I only say that it's ironic for you to claim discomfort with spies."

She scowls angrily when he comments about thieves and assassins. She paces back and forth before ripping off the hair extensions so that her ears show and heatedly exclaims. "Do you know what the hun do to elves? I spent 10 years in Lutetia Parisiorum under their heel! For all that time, I thought that I was the only free elf in the world. I had no idea where any others were. You wanted recognition, but at what cost? How many had to suffer because of YOUR desire for fame?

You were the one that was selling the hun quick iron. How much did they get? Did we deal with all of the iron soldiers or do we have more of them waiting in the wings?

I won't deny that I climbed into your tower and added a potion to the quick iron, but I didn't take anything. I wasn't part of the group the wizards sent against you, but I understand why they did it. They were afraid that you were giving too much magical help to the huns. Strange spell and magic items that nobody else would know how to counter! Isn't that reason to act against you?"

She walks up to Scolo too angry to be afraid of him and pokes him in the chest with her finger. "If you cared so much about your village, you'd find some way to help the brain sick there! Poor Cadmus and that catatonic woman! How has your magic helped them?"

Visibly she takes control of herself and takes a deep breath. "I will go on this adventure to find your villagers. Not because you ask it, but because I want to help them. The worst thing I can think of is having my mind broken like theirs."

OOC no offense intended - I as a player have no negativity toward you.
:)
 

OOC: Wow straight for the jugular. If I were playing blind Scolo would fight at these words. Ill have to pretend better.
 


That's the problem - academic excellence is not about choosing political favorites. Today the academy send thieves and assassins to fight the Huns but power is hard to let go of. When one ruler favors the interests of the academy how easy it is to continue with the same tools. This is not an academic exercise and your master doesn't care a whit for Cadmus - nor do you! His story is more than you could make up in all your nasty self serving assumptions.


OOC: Gee I would have answered if You started here - too much anger and drama now.
 




You broke into my house?!
You nearly killed Douglas! He had pneumonia and was frightened out of his gourd!

Forget it! You and the academy agents are NOT welcome! You don't care about my people you only care about finding what you can get your greedy little hands on- go away both of you - do not bother me again!

OOC:Sorry this is so caustic and so hateful - Scolo is already incredibly insecure. I dont see how to work together. You tried to kill him for selling stuff for crying out loud imagine if Yale had sent a team of assassins to take out an alum for inventing Hitlers jet engine. It's terribly disconcerting. What do they really want? Hmmm

Bryon is stuck in the middle of this, and normally she would find such chaos entertaining. Right now she just finds it annoying. She makes a gesture with her hand, holding it out and then straight up, pointed at the ceiling. A kind of black lightening courses through her, flaring at her eyes and then traveling the length of her outstretch arm to her hand, only to stop there. Held action - Eldritch Blast

"ENOUGH!" She shouts, nearly forgetting to hold back and that would have been bad, lots of glass shattered.

"Mr. Scolo is a nice and entertaining man. Ms. Kyriel is a young elf it seems who like to be sneaky." She seems to forget for a moment what is happening and asks in a small voice, "Did you really sneak into his tower. That must have been loads of fun!"

She shakes herself and quickly returns to the moment. She closes her fist and the lightening ceases coursing through her, no longer making her look all scary. Drop held

"Now, Mr. Scolo everyone here has volunteered to help you. I will personally vouch for your safety. Ask around, I'm not from the Academy, I'm from Helvecthia. If we are going to pull this off we need them, so they have to get through me to get at you, agreed?"

19:13, Today: Bryon rolled 25 using 1d20+11. Diplomacy.

Ooooh that's pretty!

Scolo genuinely admires Bryon's work - I really cant wait to learn how it works.
He looks at the elf and wizard with a scowl.

But something nasty is in power at the academy now, using the power of the academy to come after me personally not once but several times, never consulting only attacking. And now they care so much to volunteer uninvited? They send some fanatic who has suffered so much from the huns shell do anything - everyone else's suffering is irrelevant to her.
He glances at Melissa
I won't let them get whatever they want. I won't I won't. I made my deal with the King, he can honor it with me. The Academy was never in my deal. They already failed by not leading the people out when they took the responsibility to do it. It is their failure that leads us back.

Scolo pouts.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:37, Mon 06 May 2013.

Bryon smiled, knowing she had the entertaining wizard's attention. "Now Mr. Scolo," she begins in a soft reassuring voice, "Kyriel was merely trying to point out why she thinks dealing with the Hun is a bad idea. We've all made, mistakes, right?" She looks around, making sure everyone knows she is talking to all. "I once tried to toss a badger at a bee hive. It did not work out well for either, and the honey was all spoiled. I made the tree Nymph mad...it was just a bad thing all the way round." She pauses as she stares off into space remembering the incident well.

"Sometimes though we have to look past people's former mistakes." She lays her hand gently on Scolo's arm. "You should be willing to accept help now. You cannot do this on your own. Even with the help I can give you. You need others. They volunteered, they said 'I will help.' Now you should accept their help. I will see to it you are unharmed. The rest will work itself out."

She pauses again and turns back to the others. "I only know Kyriel, and only from a brief meeting earlier. She seems like a decent person, willing to put herself in danger for others. I assume the rest of you are the same? So Mr. Scolo, Ms. Kyriel, everyone else, lets let bygones be bygones, ok? We can work together and get this done and then you can go your seperate ways, ok?"

Melissa intervenes, as she often does when she senses something is getting Scolo down.  She interposes herself next to Scolo, and pats him on the shoulder.

She speaks quietly to Byron, first.  "He's my friend.  My friend.  I have to look after him.  Whatever you want... be careful with him.  He's a wizard, but he's different."

Then she talks to Scolo.  "Theoderic is running out of people to watch me.  He doesn't have to, really. There is no harm I can do now.  There is more harm that you can do, accidentally, and so I have to watch over you.  No one else knows how."

Then she gets introspective...

"Maybe Eadoin can be my guardian.  It's a funny thing.  He made me this way.  Now I don't need a minder, but it would be wrong not to have one."

Scolo sighs ... he cant stay this coherant all the time and he knows she is right.

The centaur is very nice, do you think he would come with us, you won't leave will you? Not just yet.
I don't want the Academy, mercenaries for the Academy? A fellow, a wizard, even a student i could have worked with but not some hired knife - they can't understand - the whole idea is wrong to its core. They want something - they never cared about Mestenon not even when He was the wizard there ... Not when I first went there -  Why now? It smells rotten - they may be allies but their not My allies, I don't want them. 

He makes a noise like a blowing or spitting something distasteful.

Rita walks into the meeting late, as usual overwhelmed with trying to do several things at once including spend time with the children, brew potions, enjoy time with Riordeg, etc.

An argument is clearly in progress, and no one notices her come in. She sees Bryon cast a spell but then dismiss it and hears anger expressed at Scolo and at the Academy in Aurelianorum. And she notices Melissa is there.

"You don't need Eadoin," she says, possibly startling the others, who didn't realize she had come in. "King Theoderic has assigned me to come along on this mission since apparently, you currently don't have a healer with you. I do not believe you will do any harm or even are capable of it, but I have been assigned to watch over you. If you truly want to be free of the requirement to have someone guard you, I would recommend petitioning King Theoderic with that request," she says kindly, her tone not at all patronizing.

A lot of the accusations she has heard back and forth are hard to decipher, as she is unfamiliar with many of the incidents being discussed.

"I do not know much about the Academy other than the fact that King Theoderic recommends we enlist their help in saving the people of Mestenon. Scolo, what is it you think the Academy wants, and why do you believe something nasty is in power there? If there is a chance the leadership there is untrustworthy, we should bring that concern to the king before we leave, as it could require a change in plans."

She does remember that Kyriel snuck into Scolo's place to mess with the quickiron.

"I am not familiar with much of the history here. But as a priestess, I do know that people can change. Redemption is not beyond anyone. Whatever was done in the past, we must leave it there. Every one of us has noble intentions in this mission, or the king would not be sending us.

I have come to learn that there are times when sneaking and spying are necessary tools to subvert the enemy. Kyriel uses the skills to our advantage. Scolo, the fact that she snuck into your tower was not an act against you. It was a strategy to disable the iron warriors. Who know how many more there might have been, how many more we might have fought, if she had not done this?

We also need to give Scolo the benefit of the doubt in not immediately becoming upset if he says something we don't like. I don't always understand what he is saying, and I'm not sure he always understand it either. I mean this as no offense," she says, looking at Scolo.

"Bryon is right. We need to let bygones be bygones and concentrate on saving innocent people now."

Kyriel isn't surprised that she doesn't get a response to her question of how much quick iron the huns had gotten. It was an attempt to get Scolo to think about the repercussions of his actions, but obviously it bounced off his self-absorbed insanity. His accusation that she didn't care about Cadmus hits her hard. She's about to respond when Byron intervenes, which is probably a good thing since it gives her some time to think.

Scolo prattles on a bit more and she hears enough. She's still angry; this guy doesn't understand her at all. Fortunately, Rita comes in and interrupts things. Otherwise she probably would have said something that would have pissed the wacky wizard off more. She sits down in a chair crosses her arms and glowers at Scolo. "You don't understand me at all."

The King said I must be "helped" by the Academy? That was not our deal. I made a deal that he would allow safe haven for the people of Mestanon, He would try to liberate the land, if not feasible he would permit them ... us to settle in a similar place in His territory. That's the deal. I will seek Mestanon The King would serve his oath to send his supporters.

That is all ... no ... Academy ... stooges, especially after all that Stupid nasty ... Jumping ... To ... Conclusions!

He jumps several times to make the effect then mumbles. Spend 5 minutes in a town and you don't even have to ask anyone you just know it all...

He looks at Rita

Yes there is something wrong at the Academy. Murdering alumni was never a policy there before, neither was hiring mercinaries. Sure wizards might set out on quests, teachers might recomend things, we even had a few duels in my day, but this is different - this is someone gathering power.

Accademics should be free to explore knowledge but some people fear knowledge that doesn't support thier view. Those people would use the war to make a need for their own Academy hit squad, they would use the hit squad to steal or destroy forbiden knowledge.

If the Academy really wants to help poor people there are thousands in all directions, they don't need to be with me.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Tue 07 May 2013.

Bryon rolls her eyes and throws up her hands as if to say, "I tried." Scolo seemed intractable, and infuriating all at once. She had enough. "Fine. If you don't want help, Mr. Scolo, then do it on your own. I am not this King's subject. I merely volunteered to help but if you are going to be like this, then you can do it on your own."

Bryon just notices Rita as she spoke, but was too ticked off to be nice to anyone. She nods her hello on her way out the door.

Scolo is very confused now - why is Bryon upset? He only insulted the Academy, this woman came at him on their first meeting with a vitriolic diatribe of abuse and accusations. She obviously hates him and has ulterior motives and is serving someone else. Why does everyone expect him to work with her? Why do they blindly trust distant manipulators from the Academy?

The wizard walks away waving his arms as magical energy cascades around him.

Cast contact self:

He stays alone and a word salad seems to be coming from his mouth as he talks to ... Someone in rapid speed.

A purple multitentacled balloon emerges from his robe and floats out of reach.

Maybe I'm insane but I wouldn't work with someone who introduced herself to me that way.
Why is it okay to be cruel and hurt the crazy guy? Now the crazy guy has to change to tolerate his enemies?
Maybe it's because she's female.

Comes a voice from Edgar.

Scolo has good reason to distrust the Academy Syanthus knows. And none of you know anything about Cadmus or the others, it is ridiculous that you assume you know how they were hurt, and very sad that you blame before you even say hello. Why does the academy want to be involved, really? After all you've done to him, why not leave him? Isn't it enough that he gave up his life to support the king?

Who are you to blame him for selling to the Huns? Did he not try to get your support first? But some did not believe his discoveries, or they feared them. He had no other buyer -

Remember ... his town loves him. There must be a reason for that.

(Melissa is Scolo's "minder".  She keeps him stable.  Melissa is an ex-Blackguarded, "converted" with the aid of Eadoin's staff.  Before that, she was a thief and a prostitute.  She's in her mid 20's, dark eyed and dark haired, thin and of average height but with a very athletic build.) 

“Scolo,” Melissa says, “look at me.  Listen to me.  Trust Theoderic.  I know him.  Probably as well as… well, almost as well as Aelasuria does. Maybe more, in some ways.  Back when I was a Blackguard I gathered information about Theoderic.  That was a large part of my life for a year.  If anyone could be considered an expert on him, it would be me. He said he was going to get your villagers back.  And he’ll make good on it.  He’s got to let the Academy help because they know magic and he doesn’t… that’s his weak spot, that and Aelasuria.  You don’t even know half of what you conjured up back there.  So he’s sending Byron and the Academy is sending Kyriel, and what’s more, he’s sending Rita.  Now, Rita… if there was anyone you should trust the lives of innocent villagers too, it’s Rita.  She’s running an orphanage. A home for children without parents.  It doesn’t matter what the Academy does, Rita will make sure no one innocent is harmed, and promises are kept. Everything will be okay.

"Now, meanwhile, let’s think about you.  We’re heading north, to help Theoderic with something on the north side of Belgica, and in the process, we’ll be looking for a place for you.  A new home.  But where?  You need a new home, don't you?  Hmmm... do you like the ocean?"


Syanthus, meanwhile, has heard all he needs to hear from Scolo.  He gives Scolo a slightly sympathetic look, an "alas, a great mind has fallen" shrug, and rises.  "We must do what we must do," he says in the way wizards do when they need to say something that sounds very wise.

"The Academy through Kyriel offered to help in this mission, and King Theoderic is in favor of accepting their offer," Rita clarifies, not wanting to misrepresent Theoderic's role.

She is genuinely humbled by Melissa's statement urging everyone to trust her and actually has to hide the tears in her eyes.

"I will do my best to make sure no innocents are harmed, but I cannot do that alone. I am neither a fighter nor a wizard, and success in this mission needs both.

Melissa is right about King Theoderic. He is true to his word. He promised to rescue these people, and it is his mission upon which we are embarking.

I truly don't know anything about Cadmus, but at this point, how he was hurt is less important than how he and others like him might be healed."

She isn't sure what Syanthus' position within the Academy is, but his comment attracts her attention.

"I know almost nothing about the Academy and its history. Lord Syanthus, could you shed any light on Scolo's accusations? Why would he accuse the Academy of attempting to murder alumni? Has there been a leadership change there? Perhaps a situation like in Lucimburic, where an evil usurper was in control for a time before being removed from that position? Please forgive my asking such things. I am simply trying to determine how and why this hostility came about."

She nods back to Bryon as the woman leaves, but her eyes plead with her new friend to stay.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Tue 07 May 2013.

Kyriel gets out of the chair when Master Syanthus rises. "I'm not the one that jumped to conclusions. I really wanted to help the people in your village, but your narrow minded insanity is impossible to deal with. I guess that's what Zerova meant when she said that you were a failed experiment. Have fun with the hoppers and glass monsters."

She leaves the room.

Scolo remains in his state. Edgar responds:

A tragedy happened 10 years ago - Scolo had a student who was killed while she was attempting one of his experiments. He was already getting forgetful and that threw him. He was a professor - some at the Academy wanted to ban his work anyway - they used the events to be rid of him. So he made his way to the old twisted tower in Mestanon, it had been used before - by another Unsane wizard.

He dealt with the Huns to keep his village free and - there was no one else. But the villagers loved him and he was happy.

With this war someone at the Academy has chosen to be aggressive, hiring non-wizard agents for secret missions - one was to kill Scolo for dealing with the Huns.

He believes it is fundamentally wrong for the Academy to do this - they may start with Huns but someday there will be other targets, War should be left to the Kings.

He also believes they intend to steal and destroy whatever he left behind.

In reply to Kyriel (msg # 21):

Oh but you did ma'am. You leapt to the conclusion that he harmed his people and you blamed him visciously.
He's already wounded why must you rub it in with such cruel abandon?
Your probably right. But did you actually do anything to learn it?

This thread started as a way for the crew going on the "mission to Mestenon" to get some additional background, but it's not working out.  So we're just going to move everyone along.

Byron and Kyriel are already in the thread "The Academy Shows Interest".  Rita and Riordeg await the lift that was offered them from Raude Parisi.

The High Priestess of Venus shows up in due time, and makes sure her two charges are packed and ready for a long journey.

"It's not like teleportation," she says.  "Not that I've... well, back in 503... oh, did we teleport... but this is like becoming one with winds and clouds and just blowing along."

She makes certain that only Rita and Riordeg are listening when she goes on:

"I am not yet certain of how the wizards view this.  We have to be a little careful.  I've been at Arras to long to think that there are only two sides to anything.  You know why I am behind Theoderic in what he does.  The wizards may have their own reasons."

The wizard comes out of his spell ready to say something he looks around and everyone is gone.
Edgar looks at him and coos. I tried to explain but nobody cared.

Realizing what had happened and that he has no support he walks dejected away from this place. He has no interest in these people anymore. The King stabbed him in the back without so much as an "Excuse me".

All his work for nothing, the Academy will no doubt destroy or steal whatever they find in his lands. They will take control and resettle his people. And he will be known forever by his failures. The nasty words of that woman will be all that is left of him, no one really cares about the structure of the multiverse.

All his discoveries are nothing. They only care about their gods and demons they won't believe in the other realms or knowledge except as a tool.

Edgar floats along and the wizard finds a quiet place to lay down and turn invisible in a field. The sky is bluer when your invisible.

Edgar investigates a beehive.

"Are you going to stay with us in Aurelianorum?" Rita asks Raude, hoping she will say yes. "There is so much here with which I am completely unfamiliar. I cannot imagine King Theoderic would trust the Academy if those who run it are truly as unscrupulous and downright evil as Scolo claims. Syanthus certainly does not seem anything like that. Is he one of the Academy's leaders?"

Before they leave, Rita makes sure to say goodbye to all the children and to everyone else in the palace whom she is close with, including Duke Barstow Lady Babette, Cirrus, and especially Aelasuria and Theoderic. She hugs Aelasuria, not wanting to leave.

"We will meet again, my Queen--my friend," she says, holding back tears.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Thu 09 May 2013.