Choose your path to greatness, obscurity or death. A multiple choice LP

[GreyViper]

4 B A

+1 to attempting to see if the shard will speak back to you.
+1 to speak to the voice without shard.

 

[Vernydar]

Service post.

It's been a horrible, horrible week. I've been terribly busy and tired. Sorry for the lack of updates, I will see what I can do in the next days.

I did not think real life commitments would be so... pervasive.

 

[Anabanana]

Don't worry about it, Vernydar, real life is more important than entertaining a bunch of random people on the internet.

 

[Monty]

: x


More seriously, I'm sure your loyal readers will understand. You've kept up quite a prodigious output so far, not sure how you've found the time and energy. Hope to see you back here sometime ( as long at it's not to kill us off suddenly - 'without warning the keep explodes, Kyoss is incinerated')

 

[ScubaV]

I thought Europeans were super lazy and worked only 30 hours a week. The boss must be cracking the whip for a few extra hours.

Nah it's cool, like Monty said you've had an impressive output to this point.

 

[Curufinwe]

I thought Europeans were super lazy and worked only 30 hours a week.

I wish.

 

[CappenVarra]

Whoa, finally caught up. I'm well pleased by slower updates, haven't been voting lately because I didn't have the time to keep up. Maybe I'll manage now... Not voting for this update since I'm not yet fully refreshed, but I have to say I'm getting a strange Revan vibe about Kyoss. At first, his feeling calm among Avarlos magics seemed to point towards being a descendant of their kind... but the seemingly "dark side" shard keeping us safe is a bit too convenient. As the Third House is the current (warm/bright) location, which was in conflict with the "shard side", who wants to bet Kyoss is a descendant of the Sixth House, born on the sixth day of the sixth month, in the sixth hour? Well, we'll see...

 

[Baltika9]

who wants to bet Kyoss is a descendant of the Sixth House, born on the sixth day of the sixth month, in the sixth hour? Well, we'll see...

? Possible.

 

[CappenVarra]

who wants to bet Kyoss is a descendant of the Sixth House, born on the sixth day of the sixth month, in the sixth hour? Well, we'll see...

snip? Possible.

Well, what crossed my mind was http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Poison_Song and http://www.darklyrics.com/lyrics/icedearth/somethingwickedthiswaycomes.html#12, but close enough

 

[CappenVarra]

2) Yes, as long as nobody "desecrates" this place. The general should instruct the soldiers specifically so they are respectful

The whole Keep is the 3rd House. Whatever "desecrate" means to the dormant owners, we better not do it. Have the soldiers behave, and for the love of Shaitan, have them report any supernatural activity immediately and avoid interaction with anything they don't know the use of.

B) The low buildings, detailed search

Somehow seems to have the highest chance of discovering more without triggering some form of defense. Just a feeling, though.


Speculation Time!

yellow and orange = 3rd House = the mysterious She = ...

blue and purple = 6th House (i'll use this term for now ) = our shard = possibly related to the unnatural darkness we experienced recently? = still active in some form in the world? = ...

Also, the existence of the 3rd House means there are at least 2 more (1st and 2nd) somewhere out there. Does the map show anything about this? Haven't noticed anything yet, but I have a dreadfully low PER score... Considering the color scale, green seems to still be available for the taking (but it could fit with blue and purple as the color of necromancy)... And 1st vs. 3rd vs. Nth House of Avarlos could represent factions, or chronological progression of bases as they were established... I suggest looking into knowledge of Avarlos-related locations in the land somewhat urgently... it doesn't seem likely anybody could stumble on such a place and not notice its ties to the supernatural. Since it's classified information just like the existence of this keep was, we should ask through official spy channels (i.e. Irene) to be told the location of any other known places of interest. Then connect the dots on the map till they form a pentagram or whatever

I'd also stay away from priests, just because of the chance they are not useless and could also detect our shard and shout Burn the Warlock! And let's not forget how that dude way back accused us of murdering our parents - perhaps he could sense the shard somehow, and thought (correctly or incorrectly) we're part of some shadowy cabal he knows of and wants to steer clear of? Could we recruit the guy and persuade him he'll be helping the kingdom by sharing his knowledge (since we already shared the shard's existence with Irene, that could be a way to use her influence and play the good guy).

Also, could our mysterious enemies be influenced by one of the long-dormant Avarlos factions/houses/something? Didn't they wear red uniforms, or am I imagining things? How do their tattoos and uniforms we saw compare to the Avarlos soldier uniforms and rune patterns we see around? And let's not forget about the mysterious group responsible for playing Thunderstruck! on selected nights... Oh and - wanna bet why the centipedes are nowhere to be seen anymore but were found fried? Somebody planted them in the supplies, but didn't know where they were headed. Once the supplies reached the 3rd House, some form of local defense detected them (as magic signifying an opposing faction?) and fried them (yellow and orange suggests fire magic, no?). And as far as spies go, mundane ones we can only find by good old-fashioned detective work, but what if any spy using supernatural whatever with the signature the local defenses recognize as hostile would trigger some form of countermeasure? So, has anybody been struck by fire or gone ill or is just acting strangely?

Also, the damn scholar is going to do something stupid. Give him something to occupy his time, and have somebody escort him at all times for "security". At the first sign of unsanctioned research (say, digging up mage graves, the suicidal fool), throw him in chains. I'm serious. Or, I guess we could arrange some deal where we bring him material to research, in exchange for dibs on hearing his theories first and perhaps some reading lessons...

 

[GreyViper]

*chuckle* For some reason the mysterious KEEP and yellow and orange marks made me think we are playing Dark Souls. Yellow and orange as player left messages, maybe we should go for the hellbard leather armor for the rolling long reach combat style in future combat.

Also, could our mysterious enemies be influenced by one of the long-dormant Avarlos factions/houses/something? Didn't they wear red uniforms, or am I imagining things? How do their tattoos and uniforms we saw compare to the Avarlos soldier uniforms and rune patterns we see around? And let's not forget about the mysterious group responsible for playing Thunderstruck! on selected nights... Oh and - wanna bet why the centipedes are nowhere to be seen anymore but were found fried? Somebody planted them in the supplies, but didn't know where they were headed. Once the supplies reached the 3rd House, some form of local defense detected them (as magic signifying an opposing faction?) and fried them (yellow and orange suggests fire magic, no?). And as far as spies go, mundane ones we can only find by good old-fashioned detective work, but what if any spy using supernatural whatever with the signature the local defenses recognize as hostile would trigger some form of countermeasure? So, has anybody been struck by fire or gone ill or is just acting strangely?

Also, the damn scholar is going to do something stupid. Give him something to occupy his time, and have somebody escort him at all times for "security". At the first sign of unsanctioned research (say, digging up mage graves, the suicidal fool), throw him in chains. I'm serious. Or, I guess we could arrange some deal where we bring him material to research, in exchange for dibs on hearing his theories first and perhaps some reading lessons...

You know this makes a lot of sense and I have to agree. I suppose when we do encounter the other occupant of the mansion some of the background will be explained. Still crossing fingers we get the "voice" as join able NPC, this LP needs more party banter.

 

[Anabanana]

some deal where we bring him material to research, in exchange for dibs on hearing his theories first and perhaps some reading lessons...

+1 to this

 

[Hoodoo]

 

[TOME]

 

[Baltika9]

 

[Vernydar]

4 wins by large majority
B then A are the most voted results

As I said, I'm really busy so I'm going to update when I can. But I'm awake now and I can't sleep. So might as well write something to relax. Update will be up in a hour or so.

Still, quite interesting speculations here...

CappenVarra Kyoss is not completely sure, but there is a slight resemblance between the tattoos on the faces of your enemies and these patterns of Avarlos. Of course it could be simply how magic symbols are drawn. But you cannot completely discount the possibility for them to be related.

 

[Vernydar]

As I wrote above, sorry for the delay but I'm really busy. For the time being I'll update when I can

77 – Honor the fallen

You consider for a moment the best course of action, then you decide that being prudent would be best. Your opinion is that the place should be safe for the army as long as they stay in the outer courtyard and avoid acts that could count as "desecration". What this actually means is not perfectly clear, but probably just inhabiting the fortress is not enough to anger this mysterious "She". After all the army has been here for some months, and before the fortress was used for decades at times.

Irene has stated more or less the same things, so the general gives you a curt nod and tells you to proceed with the exploration. He also tells you that he will send Jacob a report of your findings up to now, because Medah needs to know as well. With that you are dismissed, and return to your camp. Irene has declined the offer of moving to the main army camp, which is now occupying one of the courtyards. She prefers your group to stay separated from the army, for security reasons.

"Very well, time to get started once again I suppose. I think I will make sure that the scholar is always escorted by a couple of level-headed people, with strict orders to stop him should he have any ... questionable... behavior. We do not want to make anyone angry here... What do you think we should start from, Kyoss?" She looks at you, waiting for an answer.

You gather your thoughts for a moment before answering. You think you could do a more in-depth exploration of the low buildings in the central courtyard, and then try to brave the massive keep. You also suggest that you could leave the artifact here, and try to talk to the "voice" in the grove once again. Maybe if the artifact is elsewhere you will have more answers. Irene ponders this for a few minutes.

"This is certainly a possibility, but I think we should explore the keep first. We can try doing that later maybe. Better gather some more information if we can.... Go and have some breakfast, we leave in half an hour for the central courtyard."

You return to your tent, and start to get prepared. But suddenly a weird thought enters your mind. What if the metal artifact... is sentient? Is it possible? You have no idea, but maybe you could try talking to it. You feel silly while you put it on your small table, but you want to try...

You stay there for a few minutes, talking to the metal artifact. You even try to think about talking to it, as if you could do it in your mind. Nothing happens. You shrug, it was worth a try, you know nothing of magic after all... You finish you preparations and join up the rest of the group, ready to start another interesting day. You have the metal artifact with you, if needed you can always put it somewhere else later on. For now carrying it has served you rather well after all.

Your group moves back to the central courtyard, your first destination the low buildings. You comb them carefully for clues, looking in every nook and cranny for the entire morning. But you do not find much of interest. The only interesting thing is the state of the people murdered on their beds. You notice once again just how strongly they were hit. The bones are completely, utterly smashed. The professional soldiers with you are sure that this is not normal at all. It would take a heavy maul to explain such hits. But this is certainly not possible, considering how many have been killed in their sleep. The sound, the impacts would have awakened all but the first ones being hit. Something else must have killed them, maybe something supernatural...

Your job here done for now, you have a quick lunch and then finally approach the keep. The doors are slightly ajar, but they look very heavy. Irene orders the soldiers to start pulling them. Surprisingly they offer very little resistance though. They open silently and smoothly, and with a bit of trepidation you enter the massive hall behind them.

It is a huge room, with seemingly delicate, elegant columns supporting the ceiling. The place is brightly lit, yellow flames burning from patterns etched into the walls and the columns. You think these were made specifically for this purpose. The walls are decorated by paintings, tapestries, ceremonial armors. Massive chandeliers hang from the ceiling as well, yellow and orange flames rising from them. All in all this room is almost as bright as the outside. Many doors opens on other rooms and corridors, some closed, other battered down. A massive staircase leads to the floors above, another plunges deep under the keep.

Bodies cover the floor of this great hall, a veritable carpet of bodies. Most of them bear the same armor markings of the ones that were slaughtered in the barracks outside, and that fell while fighting the monstrous bat behind the keep. You think these were the "defenders" of this fortress, most likely betrayed or attacked by surprise. A few however are clad in the armor of the other... faction, the one you now think to be the attackers and/or betrayers.

A few skeletons of the four armed, tailed monsters can be seen here and there. Blue and purple flame roar inside the bones, and the by now familiar yellow, orange and red flaming pattern surround the places where they fell. In horrible fascination you look at one of them. It seems that the soldiers killed it, though you can see it was not without paying a terrible price.

Each monster is surrounded by a large number of fallen men, all of them wearing the armor of the "defenders" of this fortress. The bodies of the fallen all share a common trait. They are to a certain degree melted, along with their armors and swords. Was this done by the flames roaring inside the monstrous creatures? Or was it something else? You cannot say, but it seems as least that these monsters can be killed by normal weapons. If you are ready to pay the price for it...

"Fascinating! So interesting, we must surely inspect all these bodies and search for any possible object of historical value! And maybe this place has a library, we must search for it immediately!" It seems that the scholar did not understand Irene's not so... veiled message. She rolls her eyes and gestures to the men who are going to "escort" the scholar, reminding them to be ready to stop him if needed.

She then turns to the rest of you and talks. "Very well, guess we should start exploring this place. It's huge, so this task will take a while. Please be careful at all times."

It is time to discuss with Irene how you should proceed. The place is indeed huge, what are your opinions?

Regarding the exploration, how much time you should use for it?
A) However much it takes, you do not want to leave any possible clue unfound.
B) A rather long time, but you can quickly skip the places which are obviously quite mundane, like kitchens, common bedrooms and so on.
C) Not too much time. Explore in detail only the interesting places, everything mundane can be quickly inspected instead.
D) A rather short time. Only look for things of interest regarding Avarlos and the monsters

And, how will your group proceed?
1) All together in one big group. Better stay together in case something happens or you find anything dangerous. This will greatly increase the search time.
2) Two groups. One with Irene, the other with yourself. This should cut the time needed to explore this huge keep
3) More smaller groups, please specify how you want to divide the people

And finally, what will you explore first?
- The floors above ground
- Head below first
- Or if you voted for more than one group, specify how you want them to explore this place.

As always suggestions and questions are welcome. I will try to answer them when I can.

 

[newcomer]

A1, Go down

 

[Kipeci]

Let's split up, gang!

A2 Up.

 

[GameOver]

I was just thinking that I needed my Kyoss fix. As for the amount of updates, as long as you continue the story, I am satisfied whether the updates happen once a week or once a day.

A1. Up!

 

[m4davis]

A1

 

[Baltika9]

A1, go up.

 

[TOME]

A2, up.

 

[Monty]

B2 Up

 

[Bloodshifter]

A1 Down