OK, Nolantor has gone to bed now and you should decide what to do
next. A few minor items of information
that you've gleaned from small talk:
1. I neglected to point out that Slang, the blue-furred bear with
a paper mache human mask, has human hands.
Along with Scree he helps Boshbisil with fine manipulation. He can waddle on his two legs or scamper
around quickly on all fours. Poor
thing has a POW of 8.
2. You notice that Paneye is an exceptional trollkin; very
bright, responsible, and articulate, with skills. He says his main job is welcoming
visitors at the gate (his big bronze shield that he hides behind is a gift from
Gonn Orta and is unbreakable; infinite AP) and overseeing the upkeep of the
castle, especially during these times when the snow has melted. Normally the residents of the castle
hibernate from mid-Earth season (soon!) until early Sea Season.
3. Glockmoor the policeman also seems to be an exceptional
trollkin. The 50+ other trollkin
scurrying about seem less exceptional, but at least they have clothes and tools
and even some language and magic.
Gonn Orta takes good care of them.
4. Mr. Greatness offers to arm-wrestle with anyone. He looks burly, and did he mention he
has a thumb?
5. Scree is surprisingly old; he came here with Boshbisil and
thus must be centuries old. Unlike
the trollkin and bears he is bundled in furs and layered leathers, and shivers
occassionally while joking about the cold.
Scree says he likes to read books by his fireplace at night, and
Boshbisil will trade for him for good books if anyone has some.
6. Lukaros now relaxes but is still peeved in a big way, with a
cold and malicious aura. He does
not drink more than one glass of ale and is jittery. Once he's alone with you he says this
much, quietly:
"Time
for me to anty up with some information, I see. I know you don't trust me, and I don't
trust you as much as I'd like to.
We have an alliance of convenience that is fragile. Nolantor is a charismatic man but his
tongue is forked. Perhaps if I tell
you more of him you will find him less appealing. A few years ago, Nolantor was sent by
the Red Emperor himself as one of several envoys to visit a potential
ally. That ally was none other than
Ralzakark, King of the Broos and Lord of Dorastor. Yes, Ji of Humakt, I see your eyes
narrow. I am sure you did not see
him there [Lukaros is right; Ji never saw/heard of these envoys] as the
missions were very secret. Well, in
their meetings Ralzakark pulled a trick on Nolantor and I think Nolantor was
driven mad, obsessed with demons and evil spirit lore. His obsession moved him quickly through
the Lunar ranks, through many secret societies, cults, and mystical
groups. He has become one of the
world's masters of otherworldly creatures, I think. But soon his obsession became a
political impediment; not everyone in the Empire appreciates such
practices. Nolantor was too
powerful and headstrong. He was
cast out. In a fit of rage he burned the library of the Irripi Ontor
(knowledge) temple in Raibanth to the ground and fled for his life, murdering
friends and foes along the way to cover his path.
Now
Nolantor is much like me: one of the most wanted men in the Empire, and seeking
to redeem himself. Somehow he found
me and thought he could gain power and perhaps political weight from killing me
after receiving what little bits of knowledge he lacked from me. I told him little, for I did not trust
him, and my distrust and magics saved me in the end. Now he goes to bring Things into this
world that will bring its ending. I
do not know what Things, but I do know that his talents make him uniquely
suited to enslaving the worst of the demons of the pits of hell, and he has
brought artifacts with him that further this goal. This is why you must work with me to
stop him. I no longer seek power or
evil or demons. I seek freedom,
something your people now fight for at home every day. I want to escape this conflict that Gonn
Orta speaks of, and live the rest of my years far away in a paradise, with
peace of mind knowing that in the end I did right. My crimes in the past are far less than
what Nolantor has done and will do.
That is why you will trust me.
I am the lesser evil. And I
will trust you, because you are all I have to work with. I could never stop Nolantor on my own or
travel these lands without you. We
will maintain this fragile alliance until we arrange safe passage for me from
Pavis County to a far off land across the sea. I swear to work with you to slay
Nolantor before he sets his spawn loose.
After then, I will fade into the background and merely accompany you to
Pavis, my job done. Nolantor speaks
of betrayal by me. I plan none
such, that I swear. Will you work
with me, then?"