Brief Recap: Last turn, the company journeyed from Trajia to Dunore (a trip that took many weeks). They discovered that Dunore is under attack by some magic influence, causing the stone markers and even buildings of the city to move, disrupting protective spells cast on the city that keep demons and such creatures at bay.

Defending Dunore

The party has finished speaking with Azrael and waits for Aria to arrive. The sun is nearly set, and Azrael warned them that the attacks come each evening.

Not long before sundown, Aria appears at the door. She summons the entire party to the central temple, where a circle of standing stones surrounds rune-scribed rocks upon which the druids stand when they are in convocation.

Once everyone is there, and Bibi has taken her spot with the other druids (the rest of the company, along with many other spectators from the city, stand just outside the circle, but within easy speaking distance), Aria says, "Another night's labor awaits us. But we now have another of our number, Bibi, who can lend her strength.

"But though our full number is here, I still fear for our survival. The attacks grow stronger as time passes, not weaker. The more the stone of the city is moved, the more mis-aligned the ancient runes become, and the weaker the protective enchantments of Dunore. Though we labor nightly to resist the attacks, and daily to set straight what they have moved, we are losing." Those in the crowd murmur their understanding of these facts.

Aria continues: "I have spoken of this before, but now I officially propose to you all that we use the Obsidian Stone in our defense. I know there is risk, for its use may attract those who seek it. The stone is otherwise hidden from all eyes but mine, and will remain so even if Dunore and all its guardians turned to dust.

"But will that avail us? Should we let ourselves be destroyed without using this potent weapon to save ourselves?"

At that, Aria opens the subject to discussion. The company may speak, as can all present.

Trenin says nothing as he knows little of the Obsidian Stone.

Bibi says, "I have been in the far south. So, I can not speak of the danger of this situation. I will concede my opinion to my elders." Bibi motions to Aria, Azrael and Gerund. "I offer to you that I will be the one which calls on the powers of the obsidian stone. I have never before drawn on it direct but it's powers have many times come over me and protected me from my curse. I will be the one."

Aria looks around the congregation, and Gerund speaks: "You know my mind, Aria. But I bow to your wisdom, which has proved greater than mine on more than one occasion." From the expression on his face, he is troubled by the situation.

Abu interjects, "Though I am not learned in the druidic ways, I am educated in the art of warfare. It would seem to me that revealing the stone, might be exactly what the enemies who assail the forests of Dunore are waiting to occur. By revealing it, do you not invite an immediate full-scale assault? By using it, you assure the enemy of its presence. Perhaps it ought to be conveyed to a place of greater safety. Dunore, like all others, has fought wars with magic, and men before, and fought to victory, if the old legends have it right. But to lose the stone is to loose an evil so great that the Wurld united could not possibly stand against it. If it were conveyed from here it would be protected and a better plan might materialize. That is only my humble opinion." Abu bows his head respectfully.

Gerund, the other Archdruid along with Azrael, says quickly, "How would it be protected? Where would YOU take it that is safer than this holy place?"

Azrael raises a hand and Gerund bows his head in deference. Azrael then says, "I too raised these concerns, Abu, and this is what troubles Gerund. To use the stone is to reveal it to those such as Thae-Rune Ibn. One of his art could find and enter Dunore, but he would not be able to remove the stone from its final hiding place. Only the Grand Druid may do so, for that spell is Divine and greater than any mortal magic.

"But the alternative is to lose Dunore itself, and with that loss, loss of the Stone forever. For without this temple, the Stone cannot be retrieved. Only on this holy ground may the Grand Druid retrieve the stone. Desecration would seal the stone forever in its resting place."

Another druid, a female of the same rank as Bibi, says, "And without the Stone, we cannot defend our home. We must use the Stone to defend ourselves, then return it to its hiding place when the threat is past."

Aria says, "Then we are back to our old debate it seems. Is it better to save Dunore and risk losing the Stone (though I believe if we use the Stone, we can save Dunore and the Stone), or it is better to lose Dunore for certain, but also know the stone is forever beyond ours or anyone's hands?"

Aria considers for a moment, then looks at the Mujahideen: "What greater place of safety is there, Abu?"

Of these matters, I must rely on the wisdom of Modi and the Prophet. But my own wisdom too, as mortal is it may be, suggests that many assumptions are being made here that must first be overturned. First, you say that no mortal magic may reach the stone from here. Yet, you assume what we face is mortal magic. But, I ask, wouldn't a magic strong enough to shake the very foundations of the enchantments that protect this great and beautiful place also have to be divine in nature? Secondly, you assume the destruction of Dunore, which legend would take issue with, as the legends speak that the very forest itself will rise up to eject those unfit to lie beneath its shade. Third, you assume that the fall of Dunore would forever hide the stone in a divine place. While I don't mean to question your faith, I have been sent on an errand for the Prophet and knowing that errand, I would suggest that your stone would not be safe in this divine place at all. For, if so, the Prophet would surely have suggested the stone stay in Dunore and the temple that hides it be razed. He did not. And I trust his wisdom. As for my errand, and my suggestion, I would argue that the forest be left guarded, the stone retrieved, and the council of druids, along with the stone, journey to the city of the Prophet where two magics of divine nature can face this evil that is trying to consume your great forest. It is my opinion, and I believe I can speak for those of my order, that safety shall not be found in hiding, but in fighting--with strength. Alas, the decision is yours as a council to make. Though I am charged with the errand of delivering the stone to the Prophet, for its safekeeping, I will not take it from you, as I serve the course of good above all. If you choose it, I will stand and fight alongside you, to the death if I must. But, if we win, the victory will be short lived and the evil will return. In the end, and the final assumption that must be overturned, is that the evil cares about Dunore at all. In fact, they are only after the stone. To remove the stone is to protect Dunore. For it is the stone this evil desires, not the forest. May Modi protect us all."

Aria bows her head to Abu and says, "Let it never be said that the servants of the Prophet are without skills in oration. If I may answer some of your concerns, and raise one of my own:

"The magic that hides the stone is far greater than that which guards our city. Though the city's enchantments are ancient, they were made by men and women such as ourselves, vesting their spells in the most enduring things they knew of--the very stones of the city. But it seems our enemy has found a weakness in that defense. For by moving the stones, the enchantments are disturbed. I suspect someone of great power has conjured the elementals of the very earth to do this task. But putting that aside, the magic which hides the stone is indeed of a different nature. It was not made by men, but is a gift from the spirits of nature, whose power surrounds us always and is eternal. Not even the vile lich Acererak, were he to stand before us, could wish the Stone from its location. Nor even a demon or demi-god. Such is our lore, and I trust that." She emphasizes this last word in contrast to Abu saying he trusts the Prophet's wisdom, but she does so without sarcasm or anger.

Next she says, "But your words also raise a concern, Mujahideen: I sense no evil in you. You are a true servant of the Prophet and his god Modi, and you say you are charged with returning the Stone to the Prophet. What then if we refuse to send the Stone with you?"

"Abu trusts that wisdom shall win out in the end. It is how both the druids and the Mujahadeen have remained the servants of good since the dawn of time. I am an emissary, sent to retrieve the stone and to convince you of the prophets wisdom in this matter. If however, you fail to see the wisdom of my words, and I see that no manner of persuasion shall convince you, I will return to the Prophet, tell him of my failure, and drive my dagger into my heart. He will then employ whatever means he sees as necessary to bring about his goal, as his heart is filled with goodness and his goodness shall be his guide." He pauses for a moment, his eyes lingering on Bibi. He almost has a tear in his eye. "But I will not give up hope that you will see my wisdom... just yet."

Trenin seems shocked by Abu's mention of taking his own life. "What bizarre religion is the Prophet spreading that thinks so little of it's followers's lives?" asks Trenin. "Certainly death is a part of life, but to bring it upon oneself is against nature."

Bibi interrupts before Abu has a chance to answer Trenin's questions. She is feeling betrayed by both the Abu and the Prophet. "I believe I speak for us all when I say that the stone will stay here. So, perhaps you should be on your way now." Bib has no intention of having any new companions to battle over the stone with. Although she very much misses Humphrey she does not wish to replace the friction she is missing.

Bibi returns her thoughts to Abu and away from Humphrey. "I am to hasty. Abu please forgive me but we must first save Dunore." She watches him for a reaction, as she does she thinks of his words about taking his own life and she images herself in that state.

"It is alright," Abu says without contempt. "I was young once. I know the passion that burns inside our youth often overcomes wise decision-making. Modi forgives all." He smiles quite grossly sweetly. [how is that for your adverbs?]

[91-7: The following may change, depending on what Abu says.]

Aria then says, "Very well. Bibi, I think you for your offer to hold the Stone, for the risk is great. Azrael himself also suggested this course of action, and I now agree." She reaches into a fold of her ceremonial robes and pulls forth the dark, gleaming object of so many quests. The Obsidian Stone.

She bids Bibi approach, which the young Druid does, and Aria puts the Stone into Bibi's hand. Bibi moves back to her own rune stone, nearby.

At that moment, a faint trembling can be felt through the ground. Aria says, "Quickly, we must begin." The Druids all stand within the circle of standing stones, each on their respective rune stones.

[Recall: the rune stones are flat circular stones with runes carved on them, and the ranking druids (12 in all, if I remember correctly) each stand on one during convocations, etc. The temple itself is an open air grounds, with a circle of standing stones defining its outer edge. All the runestones are within this circle, which is about 40 feet across. There is an alter in the center of the circle, where Aria stands. All others (non-ranking druids and non-druids) stand just outside this circle.]

The company members each feel the earth move slightly beneath their feet, and rumbling can be heard throughout the city. Aria begins to chant, and Azreal joins in. Next Gerund adds his voice, followed by the rest of the druids.

Posting Instructions: Please post your actions for the round.

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