[HQ Ignorance] Re : Scene 72: The Iron Ring

[Loran]

Azhur
looked at King Broyan and interpreted his answer to the Stormbulli as a mark of
wisdom. Despite of his barbarian manners, the Orlanthi seemed to be an able man
and leader, thus the greetings of the malkioni nobleman translated by
SwordSinger were honorable and respectful:
- “After Arkat
turned to be a troll, Harmast Barefoot walked the Path of Light for the second
time, said Azhur to the King of the last true orlanthi of Dragon Pass. He met
Talor the Laughting Warrior in the Distant Land of the Dying Sun and both
fought the illuminated troops of Gabji the Ultimate Liar… It is said that the
respect between the two allies grew so strong that some heortlings followed
Talor when he went back to Fronela while some of the western soldiers took
wives in Maniria. Today, we, the Followers of Talor the Sarcastic and you, the heirs of
Harmast the Simple, we also meet in time of desperate battles against ultimate
destruction... and we need urgently to become good allies!”
 
Azhur took
out his copy of Good King Siglat’s First Truth and showed it to Broyan:
- “I see
here a good omen, Azhur pondered. Logical resemblances magnify esoteric trends
and facilitate positive magic development from the Essence planes, so before entering into the fight,
may I propose you to follow the blessing ritual of Friendship Bond, invented first before time by Saint Hrestol and conducted then by Talor and
Harmast in the First Age of Glorantha? This ritual is today still described in
the most holy book of my countrymen in Loskalm and is sometime used to appease
tensions between the loskalmi and their orlanthi neighboring…”
 
The elected
King of Seshnela looked at Minaryth the Purple, hopping some support from the
bearded sage.
-
“Nowadays, so many different books contain so many different truths that it is
hard to know which one the just man should follow or even if only one book can
contain all the necessary truths, and I’m well placed to understand this
difficulty, he added skeptically, thinking about the original version of the Abiding Book the godlearner Rikku
held in his possession… Well, I know that time is missing to convince you fully but
no harm never came out from this ritual when it was accomplished between
sincere hearts and surely more trust and confidence between allies in a battle
shouldn’t be discarded. Both sides can conduct the ritual as equal and the
result will be a stronger merged force, like copper and tin are allowed to make a stronger bronze...”
 
Azhur
looked at King Broyan frankly in the eyes. It was a melancholic glance, a remembering of a simpler and better period like childhood when love and good will were the guiding
powers, a period now gone for ever, silenced by the passage of time and Death
itself and replaced by the implacable determination born from  the pure sense of duty an responsability in difficult times:
- “When
your people is risking annihilation, will you accept to use yourself one of my single
western magics which deals positively with pagans? At the end of the world, all men of good will should unite...”

[OOC]
For the Ritual:
- Hestoli Holy Book 13
- Doctrine of the New Hrestoli Church 17
- Worship God 18 or Venerate God 14
=> I never understood the difference and why such subtlety in terms of game mechanics, if not to absorb HP spending... :-(
- Hrestoli Battle Seers Liturgist 17

The ritual being a binding in friendship on the battle ground:
- Honorable 17
- Loyal 17
And perhaps the Banner may help in a way...
- Truce and Negociations 14

Please use freely 1HP to achieve some visible success, I'm tired about these lazy banner's effects ;-)
If successful (I hope) Azhur will then mount his charger and use his lance and sword side by side with King Broyan. His men will support him with magics and skills as one single unit of western knights (if needed, please spend 1 HP for "Endless Warriors" at 14).
"For Lady Marianne's honor!" will be the rally cry and in Azhur's mind, every lunar will be assimilated to seseinite seducers, thanks to the Abinding book's chapter on the false friend Aalmon... Grrr!
;-)
Loran



----- Message d'origine ----
De : Lev Lafayette <lev at mimesisrpg.com>
À : HeroQuest Glorantha <ignorance at mimesisrpg.com>
Envoyé le : Lundi, 13 Octobre 2008, 14h35mn 50s
Objet : [HQ Ignorance] Scene 72: The Iron Ring

Scene 72: The Iron Ring

Acting as protectors to the Orlanthi refugees and keeping the Telmori
leashed in order to maintain the peace, the Fellowship takes a leading
role in the journey to the Auroch Hills, where the last rebels have
holed up. Miryanth The Purple explains that this location is where the
Last Free King, Broyan, has set himself against the Lunar Forces.
Although but a few day's journey, it is ardorous through the thick snow
and incredibly still air.

Eventually however the party arrives at the campsite. It is small by the
standards seen by the Fellowship in the past. Barely several hundred
warriors, if that, and probably only a third of those truly capable. The
rest are barely men, brave but impetuous, full of youthful energy and
ideas of rebellion - or they are old, slow of sinew, but relishing the
opportunity for one good fight before they join the ranks of their dead
god.

Miryanth strides with direction, straight to the tents of his King,
bringing the Fellowship with him, along with the leashed Telmori and the
Storm Bull (who, finally revealed his name as Alyrard). Upon witnessing
the group, King Broyan, dressed in helm and chain hauberk and with sword
and shield by his side, rises to converse with Miryanth who explains
that this group are most seasoned adventurers, many of them from the far
west and even beyond and that they come with a recommendation from
Nauticles in Esrolia. They seek to journey to the East, and are unable
to do as Orlanth is bound in death. With their assistance, we may win
this battle, the Purple Sage explains - but they will only do so with
the promise that a revived Orlanth provides great winds to aid their
journey.

"They seek...", says Miryanth with a pause, "Many strange things that I
have gleaned from conversation. The shamaness claims that she is weirded
to remove the stain of Chaos from the Telmori - and strangely so she
does have a certain sway with said beings". Hiding his shame with a
cough, "She managed to convince the Telmori to join the rebellion at the
Wild Temple. Those present are representatives of their people."

"The disparate group claim that they are seeking the weapons of Talor's
Companions to defeat an evil called The Kingdom of War which threatens
their borders. They have one of these weapons; the axe borne by the
shaman. The others are to the east and north. One of their number claims
to the new crowned king of Seshnela, and I have found no reason to
disbelieve him yet."

"The Storm Bull, Alyrard, confirms that some indeed fought against a
Lunar patrol which ambushed his clan - but demands the right to execute
the Telmori as Chaotic prisoners."

Broyan spends a moment deep in thought. "So... the Telmori no longer to
wish to howl at the moon in friendship? That is indeed good news. We may
not be friends yet, but for the time being we may not be enemies.
Alyrard, you did well to capture such a large number of werewolves, and
seemingly single-handedly. Our numbers are few however and rather than
immediate execution, perhaps some indentured labour would be more
appropriate first. You also acted wisely bringing them to me before
slaughtering them; for if what the foreigner says is true, you may have,
in your own way, destroyed Chaos in greater numbers than you can
imagine.... Go join your clan and prepare for the upcoming battle.
Prepare for the Hurricane."

With the departure of the Storm Bull the King becomes visibly more
relaxed. First he bows to King Azhur, as one king to another. He
inquires to each member of the Fellowship what their story is, and how
they came to be so far from home, and what the revival of the dead god
Orlanth could do for them. And he introduces the members of the
Fellowship to the Iron Ring itself. "When in battle", the King remarks,
each member of the Ring has been allocated a force. You foreigners may
choose who you wish to attach yourself with."

"The assault is led by spear and sword, on the left and right wings, by
Dernu and Gernu on the left and Elalanditi Wild Wind." You cannot help
be surprised by Dernu, a large spotted cat with long sharp ears, who
does the talking for his silent human partner. Elmalandtri on the other
hand is somewhat shocking in his own right. Despite the cold, he is
totally naked, with numerous Wind runes in blue dye over his body. His
dark hair and beard are wild and unkempt. 

"Our missile force is led by Gyffur Ulfsonn, they will take the centre
front." Gyffur is a grim man which speaks with a voice that has seen too
much already. There is more than a slightly crazed look in his eye.

"The central force is myself and Orlastor Spearlord." Orlastor is a
middle-aged man, balding, fat but one who gives the appearance of a
professional soldier, albeit long retired."

"And Miryanth.. you can bring up the rear and organise support for this
battle."

Miryanth seems concerned; "Where is Queen Kallyr Starbow, leader of the
rebellion?"

The King shook his head sadly. "Missing. Not seen for many days."

After the introductions are complete, the King gathers some wild, naked,
priestesses with him. They sacrifice a sacred Auroch Bull upon a stone
altar and begin a chant, and just like the battle with the Lunars a
ghostly apparition appears. For a moment it hovers above the campsite
and then, with incredible speed, it rushes northwards. The chanting
continues, and shows no sign of stopping.

Once again Jareena recognises the magic. "They are serious about this.
That bull was not so much a sacrifice to their Gods, but laying a scent
trial for their enemy."

"They are summoning the Lunars." 

[Icthya's scene next...]


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