LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

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LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:30 pm

As you walk through the door you find yourself in a familiar angelic place. The afterworld offices of Bureau 17 in a white room with a large conference table, several wooden chairs and Nicholas and another angel sitting in chairs at the far end of the room.

"Welcome back." Nicholas says as he opens what appears to be a large journal and prepares a quill. "This is my associate Salic. We are requested to bring you before a council of demigods for final judgement on the path you are on. But before we go, I wanted to answer any questions you may have and advise you of what to expect."
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:20 pm

BTW because of all the combat this last chapter and the time please update your characters to level 8. Please pay particular attention to the attribute change.

Either email or provide a link to your character sheet and I'll upload to the dropbox account.
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Mon Sep 22, 2014 4:59 pm

"Hello Nicholas, good to see you. And a pleasure to meet you Saic." Trinal looks serious for a moment. "My only question is,I suppose- what feedback do you have on our most recent venture? I'm curious to know if things fell out as you wished."
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Maizan » Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:37 pm

Hey Nicholas. How is it going eh? With a manly nod Salic. Spintik will takes a seat at the conference table. Another fun filled day of Whack-a-mole
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Whiteness » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:28 pm

"Did our actions mean anything back there? Did we change history or did we just walk another's path to learn a lesson?" Syric says as he drops into one of the available chairs.
Spoiler:
Within 5 squares of Syric: +1 to Healing surges, +3 Diplomacy, +2 Intimidate, +2 Speed on surprise and 1st regular rounds
Between 6-10 squares of Syric: +1 Diplomacy

HP 63 / AC 23 / FORT 20 / REF 18 / WILL 21

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:31 pm

"I think this time it was us. What I wonder is- if that's true- whether we were responsible for Vlad and Viggo's eventual downfall or if we forestalled it."
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:07 pm

"We will not be able to discuss other soul's progress during these panels I'm afraid." Salic says in a annoyingly bureaucratic tone of voice. "The path of Vlad and Viggo are outside the scope of the final judgement."

Nicholas steps in, "Let's focus on the task at hand. Bureau 17 has put forth the argument to the review board that you collectively possess the talents needed to preserve the Raven Queen's, praise be upon here, place as the goddess of the death. The panel is of demigods sworn to loyalty to the gods who support the bureau's work, and want to keep the status quo. They will be asking lots of questions about your times not only in Faycrest with Mumford, but back in the olden times with regards to that Minotaur. One of the primary themes is what lessons of virtue did you acquire in these trials?"
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:28 pm

"One virtue I believe in strongly is not being obsequious, so I hope they don't expect us to bow and scrape. I don't mean to be impolitic, but I'm also not going to be very sanguine about trying to express lofty philosophical considerations while having to gloss over the fact that we were sent on a mission to essentially kill- what?" He looks at the rest. "Fifty? Eighty? people? Let's be clear, the reasons were justifiable but ideas like 'virtue' get a little murky when you have to wipe the blood out of your eyes first."
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:36 pm

"Let's focus in specifically then. On the brother's and a mantle, what personal revelations did you have about the nature of pride and duty?" Nicholas responds.
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:41 pm

"Heh. Well, I very much screwed up at the start by alienating Viggo and being an arrogant twit. Hopefully I made up for it a bit. And really, I think we're about even with the lightning bolt and all. But still, I shouldn't have been such an ass in the first place. I'm used to people liking me and I sometimes forget that I shouldn't take it for granted."
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:44 pm

"Oh, the brothers and the mantle. I'm sorry, I thought we were talking about Viggo. Let's see- the biggest problem was knowing who was right and wrong. In the end I think we did the right thing but who's to say that the one who took the mantle wouldn't have been a better ruler? The one who had it stolen was arguably somewhat weak. Should we have let the evil act stand, knowing that the land would be better for a strong and able leader? Or should we expand his actions from theft to being a despot?"

"As I said, it was unclear, but with the facts on the ground we did what we needed to. And of course, the presence of the minotaur and the influence of Bha'al made it a simpler choice. But even so, nothing's ever really black and white, is it?"

"Also, please keep in mind that my comments are referring to what we knew BEFORE we found the minotaur and the pact. Once that was known, our course was clear."
Last edited by Jimer Lins on Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Whiteness » Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:50 pm

After a moment of contemplative thought Syric replies simply, "Duty and Pride can both blind you from the truth."
Spoiler:
Within 5 squares of Syric: +1 to Healing surges, +3 Diplomacy, +2 Intimidate, +2 Speed on surprise and 1st regular rounds
Between 6-10 squares of Syric: +1 Diplomacy

HP 63 / AC 23 / FORT 20 / REF 18 / WILL 21

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Staris » Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:17 pm

Stavis will take his mask off putting it in his bag. "Personally, the most enlightening thing was the fact that there seems more then one way for Bha’alists to try to use to return their god. Should we reacquire a piece to keep them collecting all won't completely work if they have alternate avenues."

"To be more to the point Pride or more possibly Envy led the Son who may well have been appointed by his father and his impatience could well have given Bha'al a foot hold with the sacrifice of his brother. That seemingly good and strong can still be tempted when a goal or desire is close at hand but still out of reach."

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:37 pm

Victae looks at Stavis "There may be different means to bring him back, but I would assume if we kill him outright, however that is done for someone like him, then I would assume he would be dead."
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Staris » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:30 pm

Stavis will glance to Victae nodding in agreement. "Very true." Looking back to Nicholas and Salic "If presented with the opportunity will the Bureau assist either directly or provide means of permanently dealing with Bha’al. I do recognize that removal of all evil is impossible and doomed to fail in the long run, but Bha’al does seem to be enough of a problem that you are actively considering giving us a second chance at life to help deal with him and his followers in our realm."

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Whiteness » Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:38 pm

Syric continues to think about the answer he just gave and how it compared to his own path so far. There was a time when he did nothing but chase any trace of his father, his self-imposed duty to find his human family had built an unreal image in his head. He was proud of the image he conjured of his father in his head and tried to chase it. Now he was on his own path, trying to find his way and seriously consider himself a swordsman.
Spoiler:
Within 5 squares of Syric: +1 to Healing surges, +3 Diplomacy, +2 Intimidate, +2 Speed on surprise and 1st regular rounds
Between 6-10 squares of Syric: +1 Diplomacy

HP 63 / AC 23 / FORT 20 / REF 18 / WILL 21

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Furiel » Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:43 am

"Tony Plush feels that the brothers had less to do about pride and duty and more to do with envy. The one brother clearly envied his brother and quite possibly lusted for power as well. We do not know if his brother was evil, if he felt he would do a better job or what his motivations truly were. What we do know is that because of this envy of his brothers postion he took actions that could be construed as evil based on those actions.

If we assume the best of intentions by his brother, that he meant no ill and only thought he would do a better job than his brother even then it shows that even good people can make bad decisions when they desire something overmuch."
They say when you go on a quest for vengence to dig two graves. They underestimate me.

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Maizan » Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:06 am

Blackferne wrote: Nicholas steps in, "Let's focus on the task at hand. Bureau 17 has put forth the argument to the review board that you collectively possess the talents needed to preserve the Raven Queen's, praise be upon here, place as the goddess of the death. The panel is of demigods sworn to loyalty to the gods who support the bureau's work, and want to keep the status quo. They will be asking lots of questions about your times not only in Faycrest with Mumford, but back in the olden times with regards to that Minotaur. One of the primary themes is what lessons of virtue did you acquire in these trials?"
So I guess right or wrong is only really a perspective of which side of the fence you are on. Bha'al wants into senior management and our bosses are preventing that from happening. And quite frankly I am very much OK with that.

What virtue have I learned from this? I like my current side of the fence and it is good!
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:32 pm

Salic smiles at Spintik " I like that enthusiasm. I think the demigods would like to see that. Now you've collectively brought up envy which is a mortal sin. When you look at yourselves what is your biggest risk for sin? And how do you temper that risk? That question is often asked of people, and I thought I'd give you a run through in our preparation here." He smiles.
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:41 pm

"For me it's pride, no question. I try to temper it by working to be worthy of that image I have of myself. If I can make myself equal to the idea of myself, I'm not being prideful." He looks thoughtful and slightly amused. "Of course, it's rather a strange approach. But i find that I prefer to be positive and decide that if I'm going to be proud of myself, I should make it possible for the world to agree by being a better person."
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Whiteness » Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:51 pm

"Heh, where to start? Well I used to fall prey to sloth, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual one. I knew the rituals and prayers my mother taught me but I never reached out on my own and try to forge my own connections. I was very much seperated from the gods and their machinations, but since joining up with the others here I've been working to see them with my own eyes and develop a real relationship. First it was Melora and now I also show Kord reverance and try to prove my worth to them both."

I've been accused of acting with a heart full of wrath as well, though I don't believe I fully embody it. The powers I possess sometimes erupt suddenly from a dark and angry place but I have been able to remember Kord's commands and not use my strength for wanton destruction. My impatience however, can be more difficult to keep in check.

And if I am going to be completely honest, I have recently felt the tug of lust. I have found I lust for power. Power to let me stand on my own. Power to win glory in battle. Power to try and make things right. I really hadn't thought about how to temper that, but I think staying with these people can help."
Spoiler:
Within 5 squares of Syric: +1 to Healing surges, +3 Diplomacy, +2 Intimidate, +2 Speed on surprise and 1st regular rounds
Between 6-10 squares of Syric: +1 Diplomacy

HP 63 / AC 23 / FORT 20 / REF 18 / WILL 21

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Tue Sep 23, 2014 6:54 pm

"Gluttony. Speaking of which, do you have any wine?" Ham'mon asks in a gruff tone sulking in his seat.
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:16 pm

You collectively go through a series of likely questions and discussions with your two advocates. Nicholas and Salic seem genuinely interested in your performance going well and Salic even mentions he has high hopes for your continued action when you get back to the mortal realm.

After a while you are allowed to rest. Though you don't need sleep, or food, or any physical want. Instead you sit in a comfortable reflection room where serenity and peace seem to fill the air.

After time Salic comes in and asks you to follow him, but instructs you to leave your possessions and wear the simple white linen tunic and pants with sandals you found yourself in when first you died. You are lead through a maze of hallways which seem to get larger and larger as you progress eventually going from the bureaucratic minutia you were in, to the architectural styles usually reserved for churches and palaces. Fine columns and marble floors abound.

You are led to a chamber that has a three separate raised balconies made of marble decorated with columns, and all sorts of art work. On top of which each has a throne like chair made of gold and silver and fine fabrics. The occupant of each chair is a figure each with a slight glow about them wearing magnificent robes and armor looking down upon you as you enter. The chamber is round and the half you walk into has semi circle benches descending down to a speaking area. (Think Roman senate).

Salic and Nicholas lead you to the first row and directs you to sit.

A blue angel walks out into the center of the room.

"All rise. We are here to ajudicate the fates of the nominees. Ham'mon Aueghs, Arlen Dorian, Victae Meneldur, Trinal Katorm, Spintik, Syric and Stavis. Gobo Fraggle has elected to stay in the fates of the Kingdom of Antika and has had his fate strand woven back into the fabric of the mortal realm accordingly. To preside over the final judgement we have a panel of three Demigods duly appointed by their masters. Standing for Pelor, we have Atonic the Persistent. His valor on the fields of battle in the demonic realms have provided him insight into the minds of warriors and zealots alike."
On the first balcony stands Atonic dressed in shimering golden armor emblazened with Pelors symbol. He is an older man with peppered hair kept at shoulder length. and a short cropped beard.

"Standing for Melora, we have Wynosis. Her cultivation of the famed forests of Briose have provided her insights into the hearts and souls of the living." In the center balcony is an high elf looking woman with silver hair. She has fine purple robes with a silvery symbol of Melora on them.

"Standing for Tiamat we have Yzzoc the Merciless. Her campaigns of conquest of the horde of Jacynt provide her insights to the greed and envy which plague mortals of all races." The dragonkin has silver scales, and is adorn in golden silk and she has a golden septer bearing the symbol of Tiamut on hits end.

The three demigods signal for you to sit as they take their seats.

Nicholas stands up and takes the center of the room.
"I wish to approach the tribunal today with the manner of the Raven Queen's request. There exist not one, but two known threats to the established order of the pantheon. She has asked Bureau 17 to interfere on her behalf to prevent another útreikningur (you don't understand that word). The process of choosing appropriate heroes was assigned to me, and after reviewing the fate case files of millions of potential souls, it would seem these souls before you today would be well suited to the task. They were already starting the journey on their original strand before events cut them down before their time. They have been tested and vetted, and we believe if given the chance they will prevent another útreikningur (same word, still don't know what it means). We are not asking for this special treatment because of the fates of these souls, but the souls of billions of souls. We also ask so that the threats to the pantheon do not take out other deities in their wake. Thank you."

(writing pause to give you guys a bit to read before going to the next part)
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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Jimer Lins » Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:09 pm

Quick aside- I'd like to make a private Legend Lore check to see if I can recognize that word:

d20+9: 7+9=16

Trinal stands politely and looks around at the assembled beings with interest.
A man may fight for many things. His country, his friends, his principles, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn. - Edmund Blackadder

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Re: LPDnD: All's Quiet on the Ethereal Front

Post by Blackferne » Wed Sep 24, 2014 5:15 pm

You think maybe it is a word native to the angelic language that has no common (or mortal) translation.
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