[Taocow PBEM] Chapter XVII - On The Border Of Doom

[Aaron Clausen]

> > [GM]
> > The horsemen stop at about a couple of hundred feet.  They are dressed
> > in odd, almost medieval-looking armor, clearly megadamage but based on
> > ancient designs.  At their sides are swords, sheathed, but with hands at
> > the ready.
> >
> > The lead rider moves forward, and then removes his helmet, revealing an
> > Elven woman who might be beautiful, save for a terrible scar, three
> > inches wide and running from her chin right up behind her ear.
> >
> > She stops her horse at twenty feet, her sword pulled out and revealed as
> > a rune weapon, with a hilt shaped like that of a striking cobra, with
> > its runes drawn upon it, glinting in the fading light.
> >
> > "Declare yourselves." she says in a clear voice.  "Friend or foe?  Be it
> > known that the Free Republic of Tanoria is swift and harsh in its
> > punishments to those who would come with evil in hand or mind."
> > [/GM]

> [Alex]
> The scout waves gently, "We are just travelers. Never been to these
> parts before although we talk to others who told us nothing about a town
> here. I don't think we mean you any harm."
>
> Her hands do not move towards her rifle or pistol but her thoughts are
> that if it comes down to it, it is a bad idea to bring a knife to a
> gunfight. She has the gun too.
> [/Alex]

[Amanda Connors]
"That's right." Amanda says.  "We're just passing through."
[/Amanda Connors]

> [Owen]
> Rather than comment and make an already tense situation worse,
> Owen will hope that is Sixth Sense will let him know if they are in
> any danger.  He will endeavor to make himself appear harmless.
> [/Owen]

[GM]
There's no imminent danger that Owen can detect.
[/GM]

> [Talas]
> Talas, upon seeing the rune sword uses Magic Lore to see if he can
> identify the weapon.
> [/Talas]

[GM]
Talas can determine that the weapon is in all likelihood a minor rune
weapon, certainly not as powerful as the Greater Rune Weapons,
but still powerful.  As well, this one appears not to be of Splugorth
origin, but rather of Dwarvish, meaning it is very ancient and not from
Rifts Earth.
[/GM]

> [Koba]
> Looking at the classicly styled armor, Koba looks at Osiris to see
> if he wears similar armor. Under the supervision of other cyber knights,
> maybe they can recruit help or at least information. He waits and listens
> to Sia and the others speak with this elf.
> [/Koba]

[GM]
The armor is similar in some respects, perhaps because both seem
inspired by medieval models, but the fact that this elf is carrying a
rune weapon suggests that she may not in fact be a Cyberknight.

As everyone tries to get some measure of the women and her
companions, she moves her horse closer.  Her eyes close briefly,
and then reopens them.

"There is a shadow about your company," she says, "but whether
it is among you or pursues you I cannot tell. Since you declare you
are no threat, and since I cannot sense an immediate one, it is our
law that if you pay the toll, you may pass."

One of the other horsemen, who upon closer approach, is also
revealed to be an elf, comes closer.  "Lady Assara, it is the will
of the Council that these travelers spend the night.  The Council
has questions to ask of them.  If they do as the Council bids, then
no toll shall be charged."

Lady Assara looks upon the company.  "I think it would be wise
if you did as the Council asked.  They are wise and powerful."  She
seems to linger on the word "powerful".
[/GM]

-- 
Aaron Clausen
mightymartianca at gmail.com