[HQ Ignorance] Scene 92: Torang and the Meeting With JarEel The Razoress

[Nic Hughes]

In the presence of such divinity given human form Aalmon allowed himself 
a moment of hope, perhaps after riding half-way across the world this 
time it would be different and another pointless war could be avoided. 
Against his will he began to slump against the wall behind him as he 
sipped his drink and listened to her words, his magics were beginning to 
fade and without their vitality his wounds sapped his strength. As he 
listened his heart sank once more, for despite her eloquence her answers 
were the same as he had heard from everyone else - to try to create 
peace by means of war. Even here in front of a dazzling demi-goddess 
there was to be no escape from the grim futility of it all, no end to 
the wars that were breaking apart the world and leaving cracks large 
enough for the devil to ooze in through. If even this woman, the most 
enlightened he had ever heard of or seen, could not see the doomed 
pointlessness of it all then there was no hope remaining.

Knowing that his legs would not hold him up for much longer Aalmon spoke 
with the recklessness of those who have lost all hope and believe they 
have nothing more to lose "The old gods and spirits showed us how to 
bring peace when they remade the world and Yelm completed his re-ascent, 
yet in every age people think that they can do better than the old gods 
and use war to create peace. Pacification is not peace, it is just war 
that is held within a bottle of resentment and hate."

He threw down the bloody and broken arrow he had pulled from his own 
neck "This pacification has not lasted, nor will the next. But the 
empire will do it anyway because that is what empires do. The means for 
peace exist but we both know that men of power would rather see the 
world crack apart and let the devil in than willingly give up any of 
their power."

He stopped and gulped from his cup, perhaps a little surprised that 
after such an outburst he was still alive to drink.

"I brought this message because of the goodwill between my people and 
the empire. I will complete this favour as best I can. You ask about the 
curse which I have seen for myself seems to act within a few moments, I 
would think the newly made rabbits spread it somehow for I saw them when 
my horse and that of Icthya were changed. The horses of the nomads seem 
to be immune, so I took the horse of the man who shot that arrow to 
complete my journey. The curse did not affect us directly, other than 
the hazard of riding through a field full of rabbit holes. As for the 
nomads I saw only a few but I was riding fast, to meet even a few might 
mean that they are already there in some numbers and their hostility was 
clear to me."

"Now if you can pardon me for my lack of diplomacy and tact I am in 
urgent need of a healer and fear I must take my leave before my legs 
fail and dishonor me."

Nic

OOC: Aalmon does not actually have healing magic, just magic that lets 
him carry on despite his wounds. I think the wounds are still very much 
there.




Lev Lafayette wrote:
> Scene 92: Torang and the Meeting With JarEel The Razoress
>
> Icthya and Aalmon ride through the gates of the city, with Aalmon
> rushing as fast as he can to see the daughter of the Red Emperor
> herself, JarEel The Razoress. Upon recognition of the seal of Oraya, the
> sargent ushered Aalmon as quickly as possible into the governer's palace
> and from there Aalmon was taken to the gymnasium where JarEel was in
> practise with dual practise scimitars against four opponents
> simultaneously. Watching her duck and weave against fighters far more
> skillful than himself, Aalmon could not help but be overcome by her
> beauty, grace and poise; it was quickly clear that she was but playing
> with her opponents, practising more her ability to parry, rather than to
> riposte.
>
> Meanwhile Icthya stayed behind at the stables. At least there was a
> small area for which the steeds could be washed down, fed and taken for
> a walk. Whilst most humans shied away from the smell of horse sweat and
> manure, Icthya positively relished such environs, especially in a city
> like this. The Elf considered the possibility for a while that the Nomad
> horse contained some spirit which caused the Rabbit Curse that they
> witnessed, or some immunity but try as she might she could detect no
> such spirits; indeed the lack of spirits seemed to indicate something it
> itself (roll 3 from 17 common magic versus roll 19).
>
> Some distance away, JarEel took notice of her men-at-arms and she
> concluded the training swiftly. Following a quick introduction to
> Aalmon, she read the missive provided and sighed deeply whilst pouring
> from a pitcher of wine and water with Aalmon too being offered a cup.
>
> "Everyone is equal under the light of Sedenya, the Moon Goddess reborn.
> Of course, some unruly barbarians do not know or understand this, and so
> they must be pacified. We will progress, we will renew and we will
> include all. When all worship the moon, there will be the greatest age
> of peace and harmony on Glorantha." 
>
> "How sad it is that I must bring sword and spell against these proud
> nomads. Did they not agree to be our vassals? Did we not clear land for
> them? Did we not allow them worship of the old Gods and spirits (for our
> new age does not require ridding oneself entirely of the old)? What is
> the matter of these people? Have they not learned from the good Lunar
> settlers of Oraya?"
>
> "And tell me of how this Curse affeced the good people of Oraya? And how
> it affected you and your Elf?"
>
>
>
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>   


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