Cor listened to Cynil's plan. She wished to use several priests to form a protective net over the brothel. H had seen such done before and indeed had even been invloved in such a casting on occasion. It was because of this knowledge that he spoke to Cynil filled with doubt. "Tis a good and fine plan lass. However I fear that I and perhaps Connel in a pinch are the only clerics of high enough level to cast a meaningful spell. There may be a cleric in this village but at best he is young and unlikely to have the power required. Gathering 5 priest by noon is nigh impossible. Don't feel bad, many good plans have a flaw. Twas a good idea."

Cor turned to Ulthok. "I know it pains you greatly to see friends die as it does us all. You can save friends by your action but in doing so would condem your brother to certain death. If you act to save your brother you stand a chance of being the one who falls. You have a great stake in this. Think long and well."

Cor turned again to Cynil. "You spoke of negotiation with those inside. I feel that such is a doomed cause. Evil sees such as an act of weakness and is oft taken to negotiate to get what they desire and then break the bargin. This has gone far beyond a simple payment of debt. I for one object to any attempt to negotiate."

Turning back to Ulthok Cor motions for him to follow on a short walk. Once leaving ear shot of the others Cor speaks again. "Those inside are not likely to allow your brother to live. His life is forfeit as we speak I suspect. They likely intend to use his life as a bargining chip to disuade us from the action we know we must take against them. Even if we were to agree to terms with them, which we cannot, they would likely kill him anyway. I have the power to raise the dead and so I offer you this very tough option. We take away their bargining power. One of us, you if you wish though I or Connel will do it if asked, must kill your brother immediately upon entering the brothel. There is then nothing for the evil ones to hide behind and they cannot torture him to weaken our resolve. I will raise him when the battle is over. This is not without risks for there is a chance that his body will not survive the attempt and he will be truely and forever gone. I will give you time to think on this as it is likely the hardest decision you will ever make. I will be in my room when you have made a decision."

Cor turned and left Ulthok alone to think.

"I need to borrow a bow." I am good with it and have no other powerful ranged weapons.

(DM EDIT: Rayne has a +1 Composite Bow listed just underneath of her Sword of Agility)

Cor turned to Rayne. "Jitters getting you lass? Is that not a bow on your back? Or is it broken like our halfling friends bow?"

Cynil sort of shuggs into herself as her plan is chopped into pieces, or a least that is what it felt like to her. Maybe not knowing about towns and cities she did underestimate the number of available priests and priestesses. And the idea of negotiation was only a ruse to reveal the nature of the brothel's owner. That or a way to get Divot free because the owner did not want his nature revealed.

Maybe she did not make that clear in her description of the plan, she was unused to being in on strategies.

So now her plan was for nought, but at least she could create the circle and pentacle, it might just give them some added help, but this she keeps to herself.

"This is bow is my secon best, Unfortunately, my best bow is back at my quarters in the Pegasus's Riders' Hall. I shall not leave my best weapon behind again. even if this was just to be a quick messenger's run." She smiles quickly at Cor. "It is good but not my best, which is why I went hunting for a new one before we continued our mission.."

WHich is why Ulthok camew with me and we ended up at the brothel. to make a long story short.

The party once again at a crossroads, an Augury to Cor from Odin fore telling the possible death of some, yet a Divination to Rayne telling of the freeing of captive souls.

Many plans put forth yet not one agreed upon by all for now as the night grew deeper a party unsure of the right path.
Here it was that Alasdair did stand and speak.

“I know that as your leader I should be the one to make this final call yet this Augury from Odin does also trouble me. Our mission as our Knight Cleric has said is not one of rescue but of recovery, yet I as a Cavalier cannot just walk away from the evil that lurks behind those doors. My choice even with the threat of death is to go forward and face this evil even if it means my death.” Turning to Althena she so quiet beside him he took her hand in his.
“My dear lovely Althena I ask only 1 thing of you this day, please remain here, for the danger before us is great and you have a mission to complete with those of us who survive.” Turning back to the rest of the party once again
“I will on this day at noon meet the Magistrate and with him and his troop enter into the Bordello to face its owner and discover the source of this evil. I will not order any of you to go, that choice has to be yours only to make and let no one say we did not do our duty by turning away. Odin has said some of us will die if we enter this ’Bordello’ but I say to you this… There is no fate but that which we make for ourselves and I believe that together we can change his vision. So who is with me?”
Standing there with one hand holding Althena’s and his other hand thrust forward Alasdair did await the other party member’s choices.

(OOC: OK short post and because I was not sure of what you guys had planned as far as a plan I decided to give you some more time before the meeting at noon. Awesome posting this week and lots of good role play.
Dru, Eol, Kyle please start posting as you guys are missing out. And Eol you did promise me a Torture post remember, Bad Mod, Bad Mod whatcha gonna do oh sorry nvm . Next post next Wednesday as norm)

"Cynil, you look downtrodden. I hope it is not due to my comments on your plan for it was indeed a good one. We simply lack the required person to carry it out. Such is the way many planing session go. Someone has an idea and the others seek to find the weak spots our enemies can exploit or logistic reasons it will fail. I cannot rememeber the number of times I had what I thought a grand plan that was torn to shreds by my fellows. 'Rhinosaurus skin' they told me I must grow; thick, tough and protective. It is not you but the plan that is attacked; once hatched it must grow on its own. It takes years of experience to get more than a quarter of your plans to survive. At least you offered a suggestion and that in itself takes courage. Learn and continue; do not back into a shell." Cor patted the lass on the shoulder for he had more respect for her due to her actions.

"So you left your good bow at home did ya? Well that shant happen again I trust. Did the same myself once with me good axe. Thought I was going to a meeting and ended up on a campaign. Now it goes everywhere with me. Wish I had one to lend ya lass. Short dwarf legs and tall bows don't mix well though so we seldom carry them."

Turning to Alasdair, Cor became serious. "If Althena stays without the brothel then I will enter with you. She above all must not fall this day. I do not belive we can change the path Odin has partially revealed but if meet him today I must I stand ready. However, if I enter it is to rid the world of a great evil. In this case the ends do indeed justify the means. As such I have already releaved Connel of his obligation to fight with honor for our foe has shown they are without it and unworthy of receiving it. This I can do as Admisitrator General for the Advancement of Paldins in the Order and Knight-Cleric of Odin. As such my word is law and above contestation by any here in attendance. The cost may be high and the path tough and unpopular. I guarantee either I will fall or there will be a minimum of 3 dead at my feet before I leave. I will not make my choice until our halfling friend has made his for we have had words on the matter that have bearing upon my choice."

Cynil gives Cor a smile in return that lights her face revealing her gratitude for his words.

When Alasdair calls for volunteers she steps forward. " I still plan to set the pentacle," she states for them all, before anyone enters. You will need healing and the Cor and Conall will not have time to fight and heal. And If none of my spells work inside, given the mention that magics did not work inside, I will go back out to protect Althena. Unable aid the fighters and protect myself would make me more a burden that a help."

"Now that sounds like a fine plan Cynil. It has purpose and built in flexibility."

" Rayne listen to the others that have spoken. "I am going in.". Rayne adds with with quiet clarity. "I shall leave a note on my Pegasus to be carried back to the King if I should fall. As Corellon is my Diety I cannpt let souls be in peril without my trying to rescue them. Be they elf or other. That Evil must be destroyed or banished from here. Preferably destroyed."

And before she goes she does exactly that. She takes her Pegasus with her in the morning along with her great Eagle Owl. THe letter is carefully placed in the sadddlebags that contain her few belongs she had brought with her. The eagle owl she had go on guard on the outsedie of the Bprdello wo watch over those staying outside. Using her ring of animal communication she tells the owl, Keep watch for any person or thing that might sneak up and try to harm those who remain outside. Do what you can to warn them. She gently." To her Pegasus she tells them that if she does not return in a day or two or if she is told that of Rayne's death she is to return to the Pegasus Rider's Hall with the message I have put in your saddle bags."

The rest of the might she prays to Corellon though she asks for his quidance as she does. She shapens her swords checks out her arrows smoothing the fletchin of each one and shecking the tightness of the heads. The fine leaf tippe arrows are replaced carefully in her quiver ready to pull/ She takes out two extra strings and stashed them in her pouch. They she meditates, to rest, in the hours left to her.

Rayne will eat a light but sustaning breadkfast in the morning. and settle her weapons including her extra daggers about her person.. HEr holy symbol gleems with polishing The silver cresent moon holy symbol of COrellon Larethian hung on a fine chain about her neck. She wears a tabard of her order over her fine mithral mail shirt.

Rayne is ready.

...Divot, of course, struggled madly as the Consort lifted him from the floor by a claw full of his hair. “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow,” he complained, kicking and swinging his fist at the evil wench, “pullin’ ‘air now, is it? This ain’t no torture, ya slithering trollup, it’s blinkin’ play yard pony-shi…iAaaAAaaaaaaaaaaaiiiieeeeeeeEEEE!!!!”

The Consort’s talons flashed before him and an instant later he felt the flesh on his chest and neck part where those razor claws had passed and Divot screamed… then, as he was flung across the room, the scream became a mad laugh. “Oy,” he chortled, tears of agony streaming from his eyes as he clawed his way to his feet, “I think yer losin’ yer touch in yer ol’ age, luv! That din’t ‘urt near as much as… AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

Even before the Consort’s claws had closed around him again, he felt the gods-awful burning and eating away of flesh as whatever spell the slitch had cast turned his blood to acid for an agonizing moment. He was still screaming when she snatched him up and slammed him, back-first into the wall. She laughed as she drove her talons through his shoulder and pinned him to the damp stones of the wall and, in spite of himself, Divot laughed, too. That same, pain-maddened giggling that followed every wound she inflicted on him for the gods only knew how long now… every night… forever.

“Whatcha waitin’ fer, heifer,” Divot rasped as he hung suspended, impaled on her talons, “C’mon… gut me an’ burn my berries ya dirty whooOOOOOooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggghhhhhhh!!!!”

And so it went, long into the night. Divot screamed, and burned, and boiled, and bled, and laughed, and suffered. The worst of it was, no matter how much he encouraged her, she wouldn’t kill him… the pain was endless and death should have visited him more than once but the Consort always held it off… Divot screamed until he couldn’t scream anymore… He couldn’t remember when her games had ended but he did know that he’d wake up in the morning; whole again and ready for her tomorrow night.

…where’s…me blinkin’…axe?

Cor listened as others stated thier intentions to enter the bordello. Connel had not spoken but there was little doubt that the paladin would enter. Though he believed that this fight was one best avoided, especially after the revelation from Odin, Cor knew that his place was alongside those he traveled with. 'There is no good day to die, only good days to assist your enemy in dying.' such had been the words of his mentor and he intended to do what he could to survive and see the evil ones fall.

"It seems the decision is made and we shall enter and confront the evil ones. I pledge my axe shall seek blood and my hands will staunch blood. Know now that my goal is simple; eliminate the vile creatures beyond this gate. Such is my focus and I will do whatever is necessary to accomplish that end. Since it is likely that most of you would disgree with my intent to lift the suffering from the captive halfling swiftly, I will refrain from targeting him directly. However I make no promise that he will not take damage at my hands if such will bring an end to those who hold him."

Cor made his way to the tavern for an ale before retiring to his room for a quick nap. He knew his strength would be tested and there was no reason to begin the battle fatigued.

Rayne watches Cor as he makes his statements. She considers his words carefully. A friend may go down is the midst of battle by other friends weapons. such are the hazards of battle.

"We do not want something like this to happen, we do not want it to happen to us, but it does happen and Deities willing we can bring the dead back. I have taken Resurrection with that idea in mind but I have only one such spell to use this day. The rest of my spells I prayed for are offensive, defensive and healing. I plan to do battle with my weapons as well."

"Resurection is a good choice Rayne. I myself have a Raise Dead spell prepared. Most other spells are healing for I intend my axe to be my main offense and failing that I will fight by keeping the other fighters alive. Somehow I fear that inspite of our efforts we will be a smaller party when we walk back theu the gate."

With Alasdair’s words ringing in their ears one by one they stood and placed their hands into the circle. The last one to do so was the Paladin Conall his face determined yet calm.
“Today we will face an evil for now yet unknown to us but be it Devil or Demon together we will destroy it.” Then for all it was off to rest, for the fighters sleep, for the Clerics prayer, for the spell casters memorization, all alone, yet all together ready for the fight ahead....

AT THE BORDELLO
Then the time was nigh and the party of 9, minus the Lady Althena, did find themselves before the doors of the Bordello awaiting its opening for business.
As the doors began to slowly creak to allow entrance the Magistrate did appear before the 8 of them, alone and without any soldiers.

“What is this Magistrate, why do you not bring along any guards” Conall stepped forward to ask, beating Alasdair by mere seconds as he also was about to ask the same.
“Good Paladin with all respect to you and your party, I have as yet seen no proof of this evil. For I to walk in with a troop of armed men and demand such without any proof would be a violation of the owner’s rights as a free citizen of Star Falls. Let us all enter together and speak with him and then if we discover this evil my men will be already in place to help us.”
With that, and the Magistrate leading the way they entered into the Bordello, some of the party for the very first time.
As Ulthok and Rayne had seen it before nothing inside had changed but for the moment no music blared and no dancers were there yet on stage.

Almost as if waiting for them the Owner was there sitting at a table not far into the club, a Human women just to his left and a little behind him. Amazingly there seemed to be not a single Tortle in sight. But the most shocking scene was the second person seated at the table for it was the Halfling Divot looking none the worse for wear and in no way imprisoned. In a very polite and light tone the Owner did speak first.

“Welcome Magistrate how may I help you and your friends this afternoon”
The Magistrate, trying for a voice of authority but for some reason failing miserably, returned the Owners greeting.
“Well sir it seems these people claim that you are evil and hold many here against their will.” “Is that so” the Owner then as if his movements were planned turned to the party
“So tell me good people why do you feel that I am evil. What have I done to make you think me such? I am but a lowly, yet very rich, business man no one is here against their will. They all knew the risks of gambling here yet still did so. Blame me not for that, for in the end they themselves are to blame for their fate."
The Owner then leaned forward with no attempt to hide a look of savage amusement

“So I ask you all again, tell me what EVIL I have done”....
(OOC: Ok everyone next post next Wednesday. For those of you with spells check your characters to see how many you can pray for or memorize and get me the spell lists for what spells you have by next Wednesday. If you do not and a fight breaks out the spells you have now will be the only ones you will have and I know most of you have open spell slots and need to relearn your spells.
Dragon Mistress, Keeper, Brianna very nice posting and character interplay.
Eol very good torture post Keep them coming (the posts I mean not the torture )
To the rest of you baring Dragonmist changes have been made)