Immersive Ink

Josiane, owl on shoulder and staff in hand, sits quietly, seemingly deep in thought, a distracted, almost troubled look on her face.

She starts abruptly, her thoughts apparently snapping back to the concerns of the present.

"One of the most powerful goblin captains in Ket is named Grumolg," she says; "His hand was at least partially behind the walking dead Dorgan and I first encountered in the pits beneath the town."

"And a darker power by far lurks behind him," she adds quietly; "I have seen its face. And it, Saint preserve me, has seen mine."

She fixes Gallaine with her grey-eyed gaze.

"I believe I have looked upon a Vampire, my Lady."

"A VAMpire?" Desmond repeats, apparently coming out of a revere. His eyes open wide and his eyebrows raise, "Is that why we went into that bloody crypt where Olaf got his life sucked away? To look for a vampire?" He shakes his head, "Wish you'd said sommit about that before we went down!"

He glances over at Highbough... er, Taurnorn... a little confused by the sudden change in his old friend's name and attitude and... appearance? He looks up at Gallaine and pokes a thumb in his chest, "We were doin' fine in Ket before those snorks started muckin' things up. I just want 'em gone." He doesn't know what Highbough's plan is, and, to be honest, he's quite self-conscious about Mondes in Gallaine's presence, so he doesn't say anything more than that.

waysoftheearth wrote:sulldawga wrote:

"But we discovered a secret. A secret that put us in danger. It puts you all in danger, too. The dead rose from their graves 'gainst us, one of 'em near killed me." Here Dorgan strains his neck to show the Men his wounds. "And the leader's huntin' us now. 'Tis a vampire."

waysoftheearth wrote:doctorx wrote:
"My comrade Dorgan speaks true - the people of this town stand in the gravest danger. Their dead are being stolen and raised into lifeless torment with the collaboration of at least one goblin captain - named Grumolg, if I understand aright. And I fear behind him stands a power far darker and more terrible." She shudders; "I have looked upon it, the Saint protect me."

She looks into the eyes of each member of the newly-arrived company, (including the two hobbit folk huddling together so oddly); "I am charged by the Holy vows I have sworn to confront this evil; so I shall. But I have no illusions as to the power of the enemy I face and the likely outcome if I do so alone. I come here seeking allies. You are clearly men of strength and courage. Will you aid Ket and I?"

"It is my recollection that we did friend Desmond," Josiane replies patiently; "Believe me, no-one regrets Lord Olaf's cursed wounds more than I. But the power to heal them fully lies in Ket, and Ket is currently denied to us."

She looks at Gallaine once more; "Hence we journeyed here in search of the aid of The Good Folk of the Wood."

doctorx wrote:
"It is my recollection that we did friend Desmond," Josiane replies patiently; "Believe me, no-one regrets Lord Olaf's cursed wounds more than I. But the power to heal them fully lies in Ket, and Ket is currently denied to us."

She looks at Gallaine once more; "Hence we journeyed here in search of the aid of The Good Folk of the Wood."

Desmond shrugs. "I've grown a new head since then, so you'll pardon my memory of past conversations..."

ehiker133 wrote: Desmond shrugs. "I've grown a new head since then, so you'll pardon my memory of past conversations..."

"Mmm..."

Josiane contemplates the hobbit(s) for a moment, her grey gaze flicking from Desmond to Mondes, then back again. There is nothing in any way hostile or condemnatory about her look. It is merely thoughtful, and perhaps a little sad...

Ulric rises and addresses the assembled elven nobles, bowing slightly before he begins.

"I am Ulric. Only recently did I come to this land in search of hidden secrets. Ket is indeed an interesting place. I appeared to be well under the control of the goblins as it was, before an army was camped outside it's gates. Although these former masters kept the city in their clutches through the use of silver and intrigue. But it does seem that more sinister forces were at work as Josiane has explained. If these dark forces are related to the occupying army I cannot say."

"I have been trying to make contact with others inside Ket to learn what has become of the Sisters of Mercy. It was on their behalf that we traveled to the fallen abbey. If we can learn what is happening in the city we may have a chance to help them."

"But as you said, there is a army of hundreds backed by giants. That is more than we alone can hope to defeat."

"Alliances are the key to winning the freedom of Ket and restoring the balance here. If the elves of the Wildwood were to assist us and we could make contact with the men of Maine we would be able to destroy this army."

Torben

Torben keeps to himself and will not speak, short of introducing himself to the council, unless he is called upon to do so. Surely, they would trust their own scout's eyes over his own.

The Elves listen to and consider your council...

As opportunity presents, Gallaine of Wildwood replies thusly:


"Taurnorn, you bespeak of freeing the Men of Ket of the Goblin yolk--yet these same Men have willingly shared Ket with these same Goblins for many seasons, have they not? This Goblin army is a new development, certainly, but I cannot say whether it be wise to rush to war. The Elves of Wildwood have no particular interest in Ket--save that it pose no threat to the Wold--and these Men you have gathered unto you are in fact warriors of great deeds; more tried in contest, perhaps, than any of Haurelee.

Your honesty is appreciated, Master Dorgan--curious that a Dwarf should reveal to Elves what an Elf will not! Alas, I have no lore of the Guore--the deep dwarfs are a matter unto the Dwarf people--and how they may fit into the present machinations eludes us.

Mistress Josiane, we say to you that the curse of unlife is not unknown to us. The elves were here long before Men came, and we watched while the Knightly Orders of Men came hither and won the wilderness. And they brought with them the black blood--born secretly in the veins of the Gotfried line--and this was nearly their undoing. The Elves of old fought this menace alongside bold Knights, and the horror was thought destroyed long ago. But now, on your evidence, we must consider the possibility that there is black blood in Ket yet. And that this Goblin Chief Grumolg may have somehow stirred it to wakefulness... these are ill-tidings indeed.

Master Ulric, you are wise to harbour concerns for the Sisters Of Mercy; their peril may be great indeed. Any further intelligence you can gain of Ket would be greatly useful to all concerned. Of the Goblin army, we meanwhile have further tidings to share. The Elves have keener eyes than Men, it seems, for my scouts report that these Giants are not Giants at all, but rather great iron-clad automatons that have no need of rest or sustenance. The nature o these creatures was unknown to us, but this gholem laboratory that Master Dorgan reports may be to blame...

Concerning your desire to acquire the greater arms of more ancient times to do battle, I cannot assist--although there may be someone in wildwood who might share such lore..."

"... Giant automatons? Very dangerous! I believe we have encountered such a one ourselves in our recent peregrinations. I myself plucked a priceless treasure from beneath the great whirring juggernaut's single, flaring eye. So, they make an appearance at Ket as well — surely it is no mere coincidence."

Armando rubs his chin for a moment, pondering the ramifications. "And this black blood of which you speak — what manner of curse was this upon the House of Gotfried? I might hazard a guess ... "

Beringar, not having heard much of the Company's earlier exploits, is amazed to say the least. He thought he had them figured out, but he was gravely mistaken. Clearly, the members are no common sell-swords, but heroes worthy of song!