Haveron stops in his tracks, and turns to face Gareth.  The man took every opportunity to needle him, and this moment was no different.  However, He still does not react impulsively.  Instead, in a measured voice, he addresses the mage evenly, with the faintest edge of frustration.  Or perhaps it's malice.  Different people will probably hear it differently.

"I lead this group Gareth.  You have made it amply clear that you do not agree with some of my decisions.  I respect that.  We are all different people here, with different backgrounds.  Not everyone will agree with my opinions, nor will they agree with your opinions.

When we come together for a mutual goal like this, we all agree to work together.  As the leader, I have to make decisions that everyone can be comfortable with.  Some here do not care if you use your  death magic.  However, some do, to the point that they would consider leaving us.  That puts your life at risk, as well as everyone else's.

You suggest Var is some sort of demon.  I do not want him here if that is the truth.  However, I also have to look at the bigger goal out in front of us and make a judgement call.  If he behaves himself, then he can be with us and we might be better off for it.  If he does not I will ask him to leave.  It's as simple as that.

Now, Gareth, that brings us back to you.  I have no problem is you disagree with me.  However, spiteful comments behind my back or under your breath do nothing but destroy our group.  Thus, I will ask the same question I have asked of Var.  Are you going to work with the group, and behave yourself?  Or, do I need to ask you to leave?"

OOC Yes, I know, playing your character.  And I'm absolutely sure you get a kick out of twisting the knife in Haveron's back.  It just happens that his disads point him at building a group, so he will be patient with Gareth.  But, I hope it's clear he is pushing the line here.  That's of course what you were trying to do, and he fell over himself taking the bait, but...  It's how I think this goes down.

I'm going to suggest to the GM that Haveron deserves a medal for this.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Mon 16 Mar 2020.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 699):

"I have worked with the group and even restricted myself to their hypocritical lines of morality, despite not agreeing with them, so far, and if I am going to change that I will make it known.

But since we are here on a hunch of demonic activity at the tower, you have to appreciate my concern of having a character here that uses a portal smelling of sulphur every so often, for his other 'job'. You are so concerned about the safety of the group, so you say, but when the group is threatened by a three headed tiger and I deal with it, you criticize me. When a member arrived from hell through a portal and I and nervous, since we are here to deal with a possible demon, you criticize me and suggest I leave. Is it really the safety of the group you are concerned with? Whatever I have said, I have been consistent and done things to look after the group. You do what you think is best...you will anyway. But hypocrites are one of my pet peeves, so don't be one!"

Haveron breaks into a wide smile at Gareth's response.  He even chuckles a little bit.  In something of an amused response he asks "Well, I'm not the person on a first name basis with Var.  You have obviously worked together before, because you know him rather well.  You accuse me of being a hypocrite, but I don't think you're any different than me in this situation.  Instead of calling me names, and pointing out my inconsistencies, perhaps you should take a look at yourself first."

Haveron then becomes serious, and it's rather sudden considering his amused demeanor a moment before. His face drains of emotion, and he looks at Gareth coldly, in a pointed fashion.  "Now, I have entertained your behavior about enough.  I asked you politely to curb your behavior, and stop tearing the group apart.  In response to that, you called me a hypocrite.  I have had enough.  Everyone else is standing around doing nothing while I endlessly handle your childish behavior.  While you ask good questions, we would probably all agree that you lack a lot of maturity.  You can keep your opinions to yourself for the rest of the trip, or you can leave.  I won't ask the rest of the group to wait up on you every time you want to whine like a little baby.  The choice is yours.  What's it going to be Gareth?"

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 701):

"Again, it is you tearing the group apart. I have said my piece, and raised my concerns. If that is too much for you, then you use your pretense of maturity to kick out any who voice concerns. The choice is not mine, but yours. I have had 400 years in a friggin bottle to think about my values and what I do, and I have them as consistent as I can.

Berry has kept her friend to herself, and I have had no reason to question what he is until now. I would have thought that raised concerns that it would be good to hear answers to, but if you are happy to have a potential infernal amoung you, fine. I can live with that, albeit uncomfortably.

But I am not the one judging others, other than in self-defence. I have constantly been looking at defending the group and looking out for the groups interest, but you seem to consider that divisive, despite the fact that unless i am looking at raising the dead, you are the only one voicing objections. So my intentions have been clear. If your insecurities require asking me to leave so you feel comfortable, you do that. Otherwise, cut the bluster and lets get on with the mission."

In reply to Gareth (msg # 702):

Whispers to Berry:
""I shoulda brought popcorn. My other gig is in retail, an they had some inna shop."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:42, Wed 18 Mar 2020.

Haveron shakes his head.  For several seconds.  The man was completely oblivious to his own failings.  He was so busy attacking everyone else that he could not see his own errors in judgement.  And to have Gareth along would mean baby sitting him the rest of the way.  Gareth considers the possibilities as he thinks, and then responds in a softer voice.

"Many people objected to your death magic.  I made the decision when I judged it would split the group.  Do not blame me for the discomfort of many.

You say that you are only acting in self defense.  Just a moment ago, you judged me a hypocrite.  And I took your bait by responding out of frustration more than I should have.  I lead this group, and need to show more maturity than that.  However, it does not change your bad behavior.

Take a walk, Gareth.  I can see you are frustrated, and responding in a heated fashion.  You need to cool off, as do I.  While you are gone, the rest of us will decide your fate.  I do not believe you can be present for this, because I don't see that you can stop yourself from responding out of anger and frustration."

Haveron will gesture for Gareth to leave, politely.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 704):

"Fine. Have a nice chat."

He heads on in a direction that irks his fancy.

[OOC: Sorry for splitting the group GM, but I have been given marching orders. What directions does Gareth have as options?]

Haveron watches Gareth go for his walk.  It saddens him that they had wasted so much time arguing.  He felt like the rest of the group had suffered while he paid exclusive attention to Gareth.  It didn't seem right, nor did he feel like the group's morale was good at the moment.  Haveron hated asking Gareth to step away, but they needed the time out.  Both of them did.

The situation was tricky, and Haveron did not know how best to handle it.  Turning to the rest of the group, Haveron looks at them, and sighs.  His face looks sad, or even wistful, and he addresses them softly.  "I apologize for arguing with Gareth.  He is very talented, but also very difficult to manage.  I let that frustration get to me.  In the interest of everyone, I also plan to take a short walk to clear my head.  You all would probably agree it is for the best.

While Gareth and I are gone, please discuss a couple things.

First, I would like for you to make a decision on Gareth.  We all welcome his ability, but his view on magic and death in particular makes some people uncomfortable.  I know the Adept in particular seemed uncomfortable with raising the dead.  And, he argues a lot, which is terrible for morale.  We would all agree that having him along gives us a better chance of success.  But, if we ask him to stay, then we also have to manage his opinions and behaviors.  Please decide if you want him to stay, and then how best to deal with him going forward.  For example, he seems to get along well with Berry.  Maybe she should take the lead with him so we can avoid arguments.  I welcome your opinions and suggestions on how best to handle the situation.

Secondly, I would like your guidance on how I have led, and how I can do better.  The past few minutes have not been a very good example of leadership.  Arguing with Gareth resulted in people standing around uncomfortably instead of us working together.  Please help me to navigate these difficult moments with more grace.  I care about us being successful, not about my pride.  The trip has had some difficult moments thus far, and I want to avoid them going forward."

With a slight nod of his head, Haveron wrings his hands for just a second, in a sort of anxious or apprehensive fashion, and then walks away from the group in the opposite direction from Gareth.

OOC  As a reminder Haveron is attractive and has some charisma when he speaks.  Mostly that is for PCs, but I mention it here in case it matters for player responses.

Also, I don't necessarily plan to divide the group here.  Mostly just giving Gareth and Haveron a time out while the rest discuss among themselves.  In real life walking away from these heated moments is just good sense.  I think the same would apply in this setting.

[Private to GM: I am trying to capture Haveron's charitable disad here, along with his sense of duty to his friends.  It's a tough situation, and I think he would take a walk to be thoughtful.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Wed 18 Mar 2020.

Gareth soon finds himself absently walking in a circle, as the ru estones repell him.

In the meantime, who is taking a clorser look at the dead man's gear?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 707):

Gareth will try to work out the spell ensnaring him after about the first few laps...

[Private to GM: Rolled 4 under IQ to realize that was happening...]

OOC I imagine Haveron and Gareth are in orbit around the main group in the middle considering the ring of trees and tablets.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 707):

The Adept will look at it and the remains to see how he may have died ... he has some medical ability....

"I think Gareth is fine. Var will behave himself. Var behave. I'll try to magic up some popcorn"

Berry will gather up some dirt and pebbles and then cast essential food on it.
 (Got an 11 on essential food, 10/14FP)

He Ssstay, but not make dead come back.

In reply to Adept Yisslitheniss (msg # 712):

The artificer died of starvation.

Haveron is correct, without a deliberate act of will, it is hard to walk a straight line here

A sssslow death, not a kind one.

OOC When Gareth returns to camp, Haveron will do the same.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 715):

Gareth is waiting to be called back, since he was sent out.

OOC:
My state announced today a mandatory work shut down for non essential workers along with a stay at home order.  I am considered in the essential group and am being offered copious amounts of OT.  I apologize but it will severely limit my ability to post.  Thanks for your patience.

Burke and Shroud feel the same.  They only wouldn't want Gareth around if he does something super creepy like animates people we know and tries to have them act as regular servants (or animals in Burke's case).  But Gareth has agreed not to do this so they're cool with him.  As for speaking with dead, both are ok with it.  To these two speaking with the dead isn't a far stretch from séances which isnt super creepy. 

In reply to Bechazruhk Burke (msg # 717):

Good luck!


Anyone reviewing to bottles or scrolls?

Amelia will examine the bottles and scrolls.  She doesn't have any magical ability, so if she doesn't know what they are she will refer them to Berry, Burke, or maybe the Adept.

OOC Haveron will circle until Gareth returns.

In reply to Haveron Stormwal (msg # 719):

"Not sure about these bials, although one lookd like it might be Bladeblack.  These scrolls... are diagrams or plans for building something. There is some kind of armor clockwork that looks lije someone is inside, and something that looks like a mechanical spider. There are some other devices that look like some kind of trap."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:16, Thu 26 Mar 2020.

Perhapssss for thisssss placssse we go?

In reply to Adept Yisslitheniss (msg # 721):


Anyone with traps skill, or IQ-5 can benefit from this, and anyone who can make an engineering roll or IQ-6 can learn weaknesses of some of these things.

An armory (body armor) might also help evaluate several of these items.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 722):

Gareth can look at them if called upon to do so, otherwise he is circling as directed...

[Private to GM: Rolled exactly IQ-5 if needed...]