Aman, The Maker

[Deleted]

Mak sits in the chair and shrugs. "This is your game, Wizard. You want your troll friend saved and their ritual interrupted? I'm inclined towards the same as I do not wish the last of a people to perish and I desire to stop the ritual so I may take the head of Wyan in the process. It's your move though. We represent a new piece on your board. How will you use us?"

[Attilius]

The half giant is so lost that his facial expressions are comical now "Troll? Head? Richual?" he whispers to himself

[DM Bob]

Aman shrugs.

"You may keep the trinkets you found while snooping through my home. I'll bring your goliath back from the Grey. But after that? I do not wish to directly play my hand... or call Manu or Gallard to my door. Understood? Meanwhile? Enjoy the repast. If you have any further questions, I might find amusement in answering."

He points a crooked finger at the banner of Bodach that is now being held by a speechless Abez.

"I'm sure you know less of the ones that sent you on this." He gestures about. "Their brand of law always struck me as intrinsically lax; selective even. I agreed more with their directive than I did with those pilgrims you fought above."

[Deleted]

Mak nods, listening to Aman. "Well then, I'd love to hear more about them. Their ways remind me slightly of the ways of my own culture."

[ascieszl]

"Wait, Aman."

"While you're bending reality to bring our companion back to life, how would you like to strike a deeply personal- but secret - blow to Gallard/Nibenay?"

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

Pallia listens skeptically; it's clear that this is all a lot for her to absorb, and she isn't sure how much to believe.

[DM Bob]

"I do not wish to poke the Warbringer's brood. They protect in their own way... as terrible as it seems." He answers directly to Kelys. "Having more of like-minded power about? And so close to home?" He gestures about. "That I can do without. Thus removing this necromancer and the two Betrayers? That I can get behind."

"Tell me what you wish to know of the Bodachians. Their history is long and storied - most of it revolving on false faith in order - a cult of belief that in the end provided blindness to the actions they needed to take to save their city. What promises and obligations did they exact from you, if I may ask? The old ways were steeped in honor, but honor always has a cost."

He walks slowly over to his book and begins to page through the azure-bound tome.

"The ritual for me to punch through the Gray will take me the better part of the day. Best to attempt the final parts towards sundown, when the shadow's play. What was your friend's name? For I will need it to find his shade."

[ascieszl]

"HurK(ette)."

Kleys will throw himself down in a chair with a heavy sigh and brood for a moment before getting up, popping off a Detect Magic, and slowly wandering about the room to see what kind of goodies Aman has (no touching, just a mage's professional interest...)

[Deleted]

"Tell me what you wish to know of the Bodachians. Their history is long and storied - most of it revolving on false faith in order - a cult of belief that in the end provided blindness to the actions they needed to take to save their city. What promises and obligations did they exact from you, if I may ask? The old ways were steeped in honor, but honor always has a cost."

Mak responds excitedly in Rhul-Thaun fashion, "I'd like to know all sorts of things. Maybe a brief overview of their founding and history? Have you ever been there personally? If so when, and what were your observations/impressions? Do you have any dealings with them since the fall of the city? What role did Wyan play in that terrible event? What are the key laws and beliefs that govern their society?" Mak takes a momentary breath and then continues, "We left some of our companions in Bodach, we understand they are working in the records room and are being kept safe from the curse that causes so much conflict within the city at night. Do you know how that curse functions? As for promises, we were promised to be made citizens of Bodach upon our return and gifted with many powerful items such as their banner. Living citizens, something that unsettled some on the ruling counsel there."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem smiles upon the myriad of questions that Mak makes to Aman, all interesting - And which battle was represented as an illusion in that room? Who were those involved? And if you said that Dote and his companions are interested in the last of the kind you called troll, does it mean that some members of others, allegedly extincted, races could have escaped their purge and be hidden somewhere else? And what is a troll? - so many questions and not a life enough to get them all answered..

[DM Bob]

Aman turns to Kem.

"That was a lesson of sorts. A vision of my brother squaring off against Manu, once he found his gall. Probably the only redeeming moment in his bitter life, to be honest. Seems he's back to his kank-shit once more."

The undead mage shakes his head as Kleys notices much magic. A lot radiates from Aman himself. His robes, fingers, his spellbook, and the room itself a bit stronger than the rest of the building's facade (that he'd viewed so often before).

Maybe a brief overview of their founding and history?

"The base stones of the city of Bodach were laid down in the 8th World's Age, in the Year of King's Reverence by dissatisfied subjects of the second king of Giustenal. Lord Reynald Bodach led the rag-tag column of from the shores of the sparkling sea south towards the unknown. The former citizens of Giustenal faced numerous hazards on their perilous trek through the grassy plain that numerous now obliterated races had claimed as their own. By the time their leader found the land that would become their home, a rocky bluff that overlooked magnificent forests below, they were down to half their number. These survivors created a new system of government that would eventually become widespread in the Green Age. This system of government was heavily cult-driven in origin, as many of the subjects who migrated from Giustenal worshipped one named Ireya, the mistress of Law.

Have you ever been there personally?

"Yes. On business for the Warbringer himself. My brother studied the Way there... something I never had much use for."

If so when, and what were your observations/impressions?

"It was a large place and I never felt at home in true cities. In my youth, my ideals were heavily influenced by my Laird... so I studied there under his savage eye. It was where I learned much of the foundations of magic, the arcane. I had little issue though with its eventual fall. My brother however called it home for quite some time."

Do you have any dealings with them since the fall of the city?

"In this part of my life's tale? There is little need to placate their stubborness and inability to adapt. What is one when they are not learning? Final Death would be preferable to an eternity of that, that is for certain."

What role did Wyan play in that terrible event?

"Why he betrayed the gates of Bodach to the Left Hand of the Warbringer, eventually leading to it's fall and curse. A prime reason for your benefactors to be bent on justice even all these years now passed."

What are the key laws and beliefs that govern their society?"

"What didn't they have laws for? Structure is one thing, but freedom to grow is more important, no?"

"We left some of our companions in Bodach, we understand they are working in the records room and are being kept safe from the curse that causes so much conflict within the city at night. Do you know how that curse functions?

"It was a curse that has never been matched. In defense of Bodach, both defiler and preserver fought the encroaching army of Waverly. They sacrificed themselves to preserve their knowledge. But, Irikos, the Left Hand himself returned the favor in kind on his dying breath as he was immolated from inside and out. Every man and woman that died during and since that fateful day rise from their graves at night to wander the streets, denied a final rest. I would not trust they are safe from this curse as you say. Nothing in Bodach, that is a resident of Bodach, could easily free themselves from it's twice vengeful grasp. Such is it's intensity, even now."

Yiska vomits at this point, having held on every word.

"My dear, was it something I said?"

As for promises, we were promised to be made citizens of Bodach upon our return and gifted with many powerful items such as their banner. Living citizens, something that unsettled some on the ruling counsel there."

"That is something I would need to think on. Restoration of Bodach? Within it's Laws? Such an odd thing might warp the taint that's grasped so vise-like on it's memory."

[Attilius]

Aug 18, 2021 14:02:20 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Yiska vomits at this point, having held on every word.

The giant smirks as he hands the elf his water skin

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem gets close to Yishka and tries to comfort her in a low voice - All will be fine.. - knowing the origins of such a reaction.

The female Jazst turns to Aman - I don't know why are you so freely giving us away all this information but many thanks - showing a smile of gratitude - I might be wrong but after all my years in the Arena and after all I've seen from you so far, you don't seem someone eager for destruction or evil in nature, at least no now, despite what you related us from your past.

A little dark green head shows up from around Kem's waist line. Kem looks there, offers her hand and the lizard squirrels into it. The reptile relaxes as there is not combat going on and the gladiatrix raises her head back to Aman - Why are you helping us? - She asks openly without any malicious meaning

[DM Bob]

"Why? To help you?"

The green-lit eyed skull stares straight into the gladiatrix's own eyes.

"You have shown nothing but respect in my house. I do have some to gain, but as long as I'm generally let alone? You have been the most interesting, new thing that's caught my attention. Respect is a powerful thing, is it not?"

[Attilius]

When there's a pause
"Aye Boss Man, got any magic whammy you's can put on my weapon and shield? I can pay ya in coin or muscle..." he says flexing his ridiculously large biceps