Unti Family/Philip/Act 4/Act 4 Scene 10
Roleplay from Kultan
For the second time of the evening, Kultan was relegated to being a mere spectator, frozen along the wall as he watched the unfathomable happen. Julia's destructive energy, a whirlwind of hatred and venegeance, Philippe's fall, her mercy and brief moment of vulnerability, followed by Philippe revealing his stony interior. Half-dazed, barely thinking, Kultan pulled out a small flute and began to play. Most of the time his playing was just for show, to entertain the audience in order to extract a few more coins or at least stave off a hail of projectiles; this time, though, it was a song from his heart.
The music, beautifully haunted and speaking of unrequited love and anguish and heartache and longing, filled the room, taking flight. Even Philippe paused when he heard the ethereal melody, and Kultan thought for a second that he saw a golden tear shed from the stone man's jeweled eye.
Roleplay from Julia
-"I could crush your throat princess, stone is good at that.... " his threat trailed off as she felt Philippe studying her, his hand pressing her throat cutting off Julia's breath
Finally bringing her closer he says,
-"Or I could finish your training in the code, teach you to direct your anger, to expand your hatred of men to all lesser creatures; to make you the full Black Knight you were meant to be."
Teardrops still running from her eyes, the Amazon replied, struggling to fill her lungs with fresh air
-"No Philippe, Philip, Avatar of him or whatever your true name is. I didn't win the most difficult battle of my life to submit to your evil teaching. I do not seek for power Philippe. I am a Dame of the People, an Amazon Princess, an Avamarian. I know not of Black Nights. I care not. I seek for no power"
Julia's free hand moved slowly toward her leather belt where Doccy's Whip was resting
-"My desires had always been much humbler Philippe. I do not seek for power, at least not the power you are referring to. I seek for true power Philippe. I seek for peace and love"
By saying the last word, Julia drags the small dagger, hidden until now behind Doccy's whip. The same dagger Philip had returned to her when she came back to Avamar after her long trip.
Phillipe catches the unusual glint out of the corner of his eye. The blade is sharp but what catches his attention is that there's still wrapped around the handle a chain, ending with a golden teardrop, the symbol of Sacrifice.
-"It was not meant to end like that. I'm sorry. I really am. Goodbye Philip" Julia says as she stubs again and again the eerie faceless Avatar
Roleplay from Philip
‘‘Julia's free hand moved slowly toward her leather belt where Doccy's Whip was resting’‘
Seeing her move slowly towards her whip Philippe scoffed, stupid woman, did she really think that would do anything?
‘‘-"My desires had always been much humbler Philippe. I do not seek for power, at least not the power you are referring to. I seek for true power Philippe. I seek for peace and love"
By saying the last word, Julia drags the small dagger, hidden until now behind Doccy's whip. The same dagger Philip had returned to her when she came back to Avamar after her long trip.’‘
Seeing the dagger race towards his head Philippe curls his fingers causing the blade to twist and warp flowing out of the way but ‘‘Phillipe catches the unusual glint out of the corner of his eye. The blade is sharp but what catches his attention is that there's still wrapped around the handle a chain, ending with a golden teardrop, the symbol of Sacrifice.’‘ His powers faltering for but a second as the mask speaks again, the blade to sinks home.
‘‘-"It was not meant to end like that. I'm sorry. I really am. Goodbye Philip" Julia says as she stubs again and again the eerie faceless Avatar’‘
As the knife slid between the eye slit and pierced the golem's head for the third blow of the evening everyone in the crowd could almost see the pieces of the puzzle falling into place:
‘‘Turning in slow motion, his cloak swirling out around him, Philip watched as the quarrel tore through the air towards his helmet and desperately tried to bring his arm up to block..... Hurling himself forward Sir Yimlos intercepted the quarrel.
Kira to notice that it was Philip and pull his sword away from the strike but he did plant his foot to the face of Philip when he was trying to recover and flipped to the other side of Philip.
Kira's blade rapped into the side of Philip's helmet, making a ringing sound, while he said, "You duel poorly hero...."‘‘
While the people of Avamar realized the weakness of the construct, Philippe could sense the magical stone from the far off Ubent mountains begin to crumble. As the living stone died Philippe raged against the inevitable and desperately tried to hold together his link to the world through sheer force of will and power; but not all things can be solved by force alone. All on lookers watched as the towering figure of black metal and cold stone collapsed with a roar into a sea of gravel and bits of metal. The monster in man form, the Black Knight, was gone.
Struggling out of the entangling pile of scrap and sand Julia dragged herself to freedom while desperately clawing at the gauntlet still wrapped around her throat.
Roleplay from Philip
Racing towards the trapped Julia, Lalakis called out, “Quick help her.”
With great effort the Princess was dragged from the remains, though once free she shook off the helping hands of the crowd and turned away.
Sensing that it was not quite time to start singing the victory song, Kultan quietly asked Lalakis, “So is it over?”
But before he could answer there came a voice, “Not quite yet I’m afraid….”
The Avamarins turned as a bloody and broken Lina was helped into the square leaning on Tomaas.
“The d-destruction……. of the a-…avatar is wonderf-ful news, but we… must s-sever the link,” gasped Lina.
“Some form of artifact?” asked Tomaas softly while trying not to move.
“Yes…”
“Are you able?”
“I must…”
Realizing that there were things going on here unknown to them the Avamarins spoke up.
“A link, something connecting the man and the puppet?” asked Elowily.
“Yes..”
Lalakis threw his hands up in frustration, “Where could such a thing be, what could it be?”
“The guild,” replied Kamenos with conviction as he handed a letter to the crowd.
Roleplay from Julia
My dear Sister,
I have been informed through the guild about the appointment of Philip as Duke of Avamar. I suggest to delay somehow the ceremony and then move, you or to any other of the Avamarian nobles, first to the Academy of Knoweldge in Montijo. There search and skim through Philip's, Thomas' and Lina's books. Then you must go straight to the temple in Oporto where Philip's hounding occured. You can also ask Lina and Thomas about Philip. I've heard that they know much more than it seems. There's something wrong about Philip! Do not trust him I urge you!
Always yours,
Pipeta of Perdan
“I received this message a few moments ago, but it makes sense, Philippe built the guild who knows what kind of defenses he could have put in place.”
Tomaas nods his head, “Yes.. that does make sense. Come on everyone, we have a hard ride ahead!”
While others ran around desperately trying to gather horses and supplies Tomaas whispered to Lina, “Can you do nothing to heal yourself, they are not watching?”
She shook her head slightly, “It does not work that way…”
Frustrated and anxious Tomaas almost cursed but was interrupted.
“Take me to the mount.”
With great difficulty the two maneuvered towards what was left of the strange lizard mount of Philippe. Kneeling down and placing a hand on it’s head she spoke, “Rest young one, your ordeal is at an end.” With that she pried open the mouth and carefully reached inside. After some straining and a few sharp tugs she came up holding a small fleshy sack of some form.
“But with this….. I can do much more…”
Sometime later the heroes arrived at the Montijo guild hall and reigned in their horses.
“Big place,” commented Naira as they approached the gates.
“Not much in it yet,” added a much relieved Tomaas as he helped Lina along, “Though I expect great things from it one day.”
Limping only slightly and no longer breathing painfully Lina added, “Yes one way or another, this place will become dangerous. The question is only how soon…”
Getting past the guards was no problem with so many of the group being guild members and similarly it was an easy task to sneak into Philippe’s private room, but once there things became difficult.
“So, any idea what we’re looking for?” asked One while he idly shuffled the papers on the desk.
“Just a guess mind you, but my bard senses are telling me that the glowing gem on the mantel is a good place to start,” replied Kultan.
Sure enough a jewel set in the stone was shimmering unnaturally in the early morning light. But before any could move towards it the tapestries on either side of the door began to shift and flow forming a face which spoke with a familiar voice, “You dare to think you’ve won? All that you’ve accomplished is merely a delay, and when I return to make this world mine you will all suffer terribly for your interference.”
Speaking softly Julia glared at the parody of the true image, “You will never conquer this land or any other Philippe because we are watching for you now and always.”
Suddenly a panel in the wall opened and a pair of quarrels flew towards the group.
Roleplay from One
One using his burocratic speed pulled from his jacket the book of laws for Avamar. One tossed the book between Kultan and the crossbow just as it fired.
"Stop in the name of Justice!!!"
Considering Avamar has over twenty-eight thousand laws the book easily stopped the bolt, damaging only the section on what color pants one is allowed to wear on a Wednesday.
Roleplay from Tasadar
Tasadar seeing Kultans impending doom leapt in frotn of the arrow just in time to take the arrow in the shoulder. He immediately fell to the ground and yelled to Kultan "Hey now you owe me one, I just saved your life.”
Roleplay from One
"Good thing I stopped that second bolt or you would have been toast, toast is food, you eat food, soup is food, a fly was in my soup!!!
I will find you who ever put that fly in my soup and I will get my revenge!!!"
Then before Philippe could do anything else Tomaas leapt forward and snatching a strange object from his belt smashed the glittering jewel. A flash of light blinded everyone in the room and then, silence…..
Finally Lina breathed a great sigh, “It is done…”
