d&d scenes } { of betrayals and plotting

[iluvroadrunner6]

Shar: [so after Raknok gets sent to the prison maze to stew, she pulls Ric aside to chat a bit and see what he thinks they should do next. She's curious what he thinks would be best, given he knows the victims in question] So. Anything else I should be aware of?

Ric: There are still four others in the forest on their way here. (describes Draco, luck, Donna, and Alister and which gods the last three are aligned with). Draco is the one I believe stole my piece of the shadow weave but I've been unable to find it. They are trying to rescue a woman named Erin, who is an acolyte of Selene.

Shar: Yes, I have her already. Not that she's going to be much good to them, her mind is all but gone at this point.

Ric: I don't know the depths of their magic, but Donna and Alister were able to break control over the ghouls you sent to meet us.

Shar: [sneers] Acolytes will do that. But don't worry, I have more where those came from. [she doesn't seem to care much, she talks about her troops for battle like a person playing a video game, that their lives have no real consequence in the grand scheme of things] And if I run out of those, I can always make more.

Ric: Of course, my Goddess. [not like he hasn't sent her enough in the last several years]

Shar: [yep, or be one himself] That simply leaves your friends in the dungeon.

Ric: Yes. Fie is a wizard. He has made the team multiple enchanted weapons, armor, and items. Griffin is his partner [describes Griffin's talents because my brain is coming up empty]

Shar: I've devised as much. They're with Erin now, and I believe they're trying to formulate an escape. Granted, from my dungeon, that's difficult to do, but that doesn't mean it's something we shouldn't take into consideration.

Ric: The four in the forest as well as those two do not know of my involvement yet. Only Raknok. He will inform the others once he has contact with them again.

Shar: Well, I've got up tied up for the moment. I presume you want to control the situation?

Ric: I will do whatever you ask, my Goddess. I believe I can lure the last four into your dungeons. After that, what happens to them is not of my concern.

Shar: And what will you tell them of your "comrade"?

Ric: Another battle, stronger than before, and we were captured, but I was able to slip from your acolytes inside the castle and use my stealth skills to find them and warn them. They already know I have the skills of a spy and can sneak around undetected, so it would not be much of a stretch.

Shar: Mmmm. Should be a simple enough ruse.

Ric: In order to make them believe that it is true, I will need for an acolyte to hurt me. Just enough to have proof that I was in a battle, but not enough to incapacitate me. The healer will be able to restore my health once I find them. [he has no problem suffering for his Goddess.]

Shar: I'm sure that could be arranged. [then, curiously] Do you think any of them are worth enticing to our side?

Ric: [thinks] Draco would be the only one, but I'm not sure. This institute I've had a hand in creating is a group effort to take on the abuse of the Gods. They see the world in a naïve black in white. The previous memories in my mind they unlocked showed that I once lived like that before the world was redesigned. I know better now about the shades of gray one needs to look at if they wish to truly have the power to help those in despair after they have given that despair to you. Unless you can show to them that, and how your influence in the world is necessary to the stability of the world balance, they will not understand our side and continue to fear it.

Shar: They're in my domain now. We have the time to influence them to that side of things, should we choose to. I simply wanted to see if any of them had skills worth salvaging.

Ric: Luck is very powerful, but true to her goddess. She is sly of tongue and able to charm others to her side. If she could be turned, she would be a valuable asset. Draco would have a built-in network of resources to obtain rare objects that you may require. Griffin and Fie can enchant most things, include technology, for your acolytes in the human realm to spread your influence in non-traditional ways that we use now. Raknok would be a powerful monster to kill the ones who worship Selene. I do not think Donna or Alistair would turn from their gods, so they would be unsalvageable.

Shar: I assumed as much about the acolytes. What goddess is this Luck loyal to?

Ric: Avandra.

Shar: Mmm. That would be difficult. Avandra's called the Changebringer for a reason.

Ric: That is my understanding as well.

Shar: Very well. Leave those of a divine inclination to rot and see what we can do with the rest.

Ric: Yes, my goddess.

Shar: Anything else I should know before I send you off to put your plan into action?

Ric: No, but I do have a humble request.

Shar: What is that?

Ric: While I know an acolyte would be able to sufficiently cause me pain for our ruse, it would be an honor if you would inflict the pain upon me yourself, my Goddess. [said with head bowed, such an obedient submissive to her]

Shar: [oh, Ric, that's going to come back and bite you. Still, she smiles and takes a step closer] Are you sure that's what you want?

Ric: [probably, but it will really make it look good and he's banking on Donna to heal him. Plus he has no expectations on ever leaving her servitude right now] It has been no secret that I desire to be with you, my goddess. I am not proud enough to believe that I am worthy of your affections, yet I more than willing to gift you with my pain.

Shar: [moves closer, brushing a hand against the side of his face gently] Such a loyal servant. [and with that she will ... definitely beat him up pretty well]

Ric: [just the touch along the side of his face was worth it, and he will hold onto that simple pleasure through the pain she will inflict on him. Did I mention he has a 7 Wisdom score?]

Shar: [and, bruised and battered, she will send him off to entice his friends back to her]