02-21-2020, 09:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-21-2020, 09:10 PM by Iyoforeayo.)
The Purelaker-Warden Tryst
14th day of Lakeshine, 444 ACE
Following their ultimatum to the leaders of the Purelaker Republic, the Wardens of Wraithwood agree to a secret meeting with Father Donovan outside Telaria, to discuss the terms...
Two Arkayo Cultists approach Rodrick’s Cave:
CULTIST 1
I don’t know why you insist on coming back here day after day… Rodrick’s dead!
CULTIST 2
Stop saying that! If anything, he’s gone to bring us back more sacrifices from one of the border towns.
CULTIST 1
Aye, or someone finally did him in. In which case, it ain’t smart for us to keep coming back to this--
CULTIST 2
Shh! What was that?
CULTIST 1
I TOLD you this was a bad idea! Now we’ve got to kill ALL these people, who probably heard your loud mouth blabbering all the way from Telaria--
CULTIST 2
Will you shut up and help me KILL them please?
The Cultists attack the players, and a fight ensues. Once slain, they turn to see Father Donovan and a pair of Purelaker Guards standing at the mouth of the cave.
PURELAKER GUARD
All clear, sir.
FATHER DONOVAN
A fine job you all did with those cultists.
Raiyoku approaches Father Donovan.
RAIYOKU
You’re late.
FATHER DONOVAN
Seeing what just happened, I’d argue my timing was impeccable. But my time is also short - so let’s cut to the chase.
RAIYOKU
Very well. You’re fighting a war on three fronts, all within a day’s march of your capital. A tactical disaster if I’ve ever seen one.
FATHER DONOVAN
I sincerely hope you haven’t asked me all the way out here just to tell me what I already know…
RAIYOKU
I’ve asked for a more personal reason. Word has reached Wraithhall that your two daughters have gone missing--
FATHER DONOVAN
Choose your next words very carefully, Warden…
RAIYOKU
I know what it feels like to lose people you love. I want to help you. You know of my studies in magic, I am sure - I can help you find your daughters. But only if you accept my terms and end this war.
FATHER DONOVAN
Do you think I wouldn’t welcome an end to this war tomorrow? To see the assault on our lands finally stop? Believe it or not, you and I want the same thing…
FATHER DONOVAN
But the choice is not mine alone to make. The Purelaker Republic is a democracy, and the entire Council are elected officials - and right now, it is the PEOPLE who want this war.
RAIYOKU
Then convince them otherwise!
FATHER DONOVAN
You think I haven’t tried? Sweet Kairos, I’ve tried… But our ancestral lands are being stolen! Families have been ripped apart, loved ones murdered in their homes by our enemies! Vicious acts of war perpetrated against us! Can you blame my people for wanting vengeance?
RAIYOKU
The Shen simply want to reclaim their ancestral lands--
FATHER DONOVAN
And they’ve already DONE so! What they want now is to claim lands that have belonged to our people since the First Era. They want to see our people wiped from existence.
RAIYOKU
Archmage Zhengyi is the one concerned with annexing your territory, but she does not have the full support of Qi’Shen or Jessie Clark. The true Archmage is reasonable, and Jessie is a businessman - I'm sure I could get both to agree to peace.
FATHER DONOVAN
Then perhaps you will have more luck than I’ve had in making the Alliance see reason. If you can convince them to end their brutal attacks on Purelaker lands, then I will do everything in my power to put an end to our involvement in this war.
RAIYOKU
A fair agreement. I’ll request an audience with--
CIRILIAN ASSASSIN
The Purelaker leader is in sight! Don’t let him escape!
PURELAKER GUARD
Sir, enemy hostiles are approaching! Stand back!
FATHER DONOVAN
Was this your plan all along, Warden? Draw me out into the open and sell me out to the Cirilians?
RAIYOKU
I don’t know anything about this!
FATHER DONOVAN
Then prove it. Slay these cowards!
COMMANDER DALTRY
They’ll not remember us as cowards when we cut the head off the Purelaker snake… KILL THE PRIEST! FOR CIRILIA!
A group of Cirilian Assassins, led by Commander Daltry, descend on the players! A vicious battle ensues, but ultimately the Cirilians are slain.
PURELAKER GUARD
The area’s clear! We need to get you back to Telaria, sir.
FATHER DONOVAN
I pray you’re true to your word, Warden. If you can convince the Alliance to agree to peace, you’ll be doing us both a favor.
RAIYOKU
I’ll do what I can.