Haruka Shiraboshi |
if the temple is reasonably close
"good, next we should go to a temple of Sarenrae, they will be able to help you " says the miko still speaking in a clamming tone.
Haruka slowly stands up to lead Laurine to the temple, still holding her right hand (for the whole way)
repeat breathing exercises as needed (if possible in more private locations, if not then where they are right now(even if that is in the middle of a corridor))
first one
"you there, go to the temple of Sarenrae, tell them , we need a powerful cleric" add a "now" or a "go" if the person hesitates
later one's
"you there, go and make sure that we are not bothered on the way to the temple of Sarenrae." add a "now" or a "go" if the person hesitates
I am going for a"behave as if you have authority and people will react as if you have"-thing
Douglas Muir 406 |
Master Quednys smiles. "Ah, the zeal of youth. Very well! I believe I can assemble a schedule of studies that you may find interesting..."
You're going to have an interesting time of it, because even with Master Quednys' patronage you'll only be allowed to check books out for 24 hours. So you have to read and take notes fast, on top of all your other duties.
That said, for his first set of assignments you get to roll an Int check. (A 15 will give you something, and a 20 would give you something more.)
Douglas Muir 406 |
if the temple is reasonably close
"good, next we should go to a temple of Sarenrae, they will be able to help you " says the miko still speaking in a clamming tone.
Your earlier nat 20 on Diplomacy is still in effect, so she'll come with you. The two of you walk through the streets of Kenabres, Laurine holding on to your arm. (Okay, clutching your arm.)
It's a foggy night in autumn, but the streets are kept clean and are well lit -- Kenabres is unusual in that it has streets lit by Continual Flame spells. (In theory, any city with a few advanced spellcasters around could manage this. In practice, few do. But Kenabres has an unsually high number of wizard and clerics in the population, and is run with military efficiency.)
The Temple of Sarenrae is of course open at all hours. It's fairly small -- Sarenrae is well regarded, but Iomedae and Abadar have many more worshippers here. But is there anyone here who can help you...?
When I roll percentile dice to see if something happens, the rule is 'if there is an X percent chance of something happening, then it happens on a 1 through X'. So, if I'm rolling a miss chance for concealment, it's a miss on a 1-20. Anyway, rolling now to see if there's a cleric present who can help; you'd want me to roll low. 1d100 ⇒ 32
Douglas Muir 406 |
Master Quednys smiles. "Ah, the zeal of youth. Very well! I believe I can assemble a schedule of studies that you may find interesting..."
A word on the Library. It's as much a museum or private collection as a library, with a lot of demon skulls and awful things floating in jars. The severed wing of a vrock demon is nailed over the door (there's a story), so wizards and scholars who spend much time at the Library get the nickname "Blackwings".
Osei Otieno |
Osei breaks into a rare smile at the words of the elder scholar, his nausea temporarily ignored. "Thank you, Master Quednys. I look forward to absorbing all that I can." He gives Quednys a small bow and turns to leave the office, eager to dive into his first assignments.
He turns back into the austere, cold study. "Would there be any way to obtain quarters here, or nearby the library? I feel that traveling from the Temple would just distract me from my focus and waste valuable time. And I'm not exactly the most popular there ... " Osei rolls up a sleeve to show a sample of the runic tattoos covering his body.
First lessons:
Intelligence Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 Booyah.
At this point, Osei is so excited and engrossed in his studies, all other outside influences are nowhere in his near attention. He would need to be reminded to draw him back out. In fact, if there
Osei Otieno |
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:Master Quednys smiles. "Ah, the zeal of youth. Very well! I believe I can assemble a schedule of studies that you may find interesting..."A word on the Library. It's as much a museum or private collection as a library, with a lot of demon skulls and awful things floating in jars. The severed wing of a vrock demon is nailed over the door (there's a story), so wizards and scholars who spend much time at the Library get the nickname "Blackwings".
Nice. We have a mascot. Goooooo, Blackwings!
On a more serious note, Osei is practically giddy (though it might not outwardly show) in anticipation of his studies. He finds himself distracted - and so, he goes to obtain a bit of calming hot tea/java/equivalent - both to settle his stomach and nerves.
Douglas Muir 406 |
"Sir Constantine Godalming and Takka, self-styled of the Toad! It is the judgment of this tribunal that you are guilty of willfully disobeying the orders of your lawful superior; and that, in doing so, you endangered the lives of your comrades.
"You are hereby discharged from the Crusade. You may appeal this discharge to the Commandant; otherwise, you must depart the city of Kenabres within seven days."
Douglas Muir 406 |
In practice, there are two ways to stay in Kenabres. One is to join the Mendevian Army. (Remember, the Crusaders are guests in the nation of Mendev, which happens to border the Worldwound.) However, the Mendevians are unlikely to take a half-orc and would certainly not accept a kobold.
The other would be to join a mercenary company -- Mendev employs several of these, with financial support from countries who prefer to send gold rather than men to fight the demons. The good news is, these guys aren't very discriminating; they'd probably accept you! The bad news is... um, these guys aren't very discriminating. Mercenaries who are willing to sign up to fight demons tend to be a bit, shall we say, rough and tumble.
Finally, note that if you're planning an appeal, a thunderous denunciation of the tribunal might not be the way to go. Just sayin'.
Douglas Muir 406 |
He turns back into the austere, cold study. "Would there be any way to obtain quarters here, or nearby the library? I feel that traveling from the Temple would just distract me from my focus and waste valuable time. And I'm not exactly the most popular there ... " Osei rolls up a sleeve to show a sample of the runic tattoos covering his body.
"Heh. Indeed, we have quarters for exactly this purpose. Simple, but they should suffice." Whether getting this sort of special treatment will make you even less popular... well, I doubt Osei cares at this point.
First lessons:
[dice=Intelligence Check]1d20+3 Booyah.
Well!
1) After several days, you've pieced together the essential elements of a new spell! Select a first or second level spell with the evil descriptor, and add it to your spellbook.
2)
Of course, you'd need Lesser Planar Binding (a 5th level spell) to actually make use of this. Assuming you'd ever do such a thing, that is. Or is there some other way to use it? Or, on the other hand, you've heard that sometimes clever outsiders may plant false "true names" as traps... If only you could talk to someone knowledgeable about devils and devil-summoning!
Do you want to discuss your discoveries with Master Quednys?
Sir Constantine Godalming |
"Well Takka I guess we need to gather our witnesses and Osei's scroll and schedule a meeting with the Commandant......something is obviously wrong, I just can't place it."
Reclaims his weapons and heads to find everyone......
"Balek!"
Takka of the Toad |
Takka felt his body grow numb as he listened to the verdict, frowning up at the tribunal and then over to Constantine. Silently, Takka followed Sir Constantine out of the room, chewing over this information in his mind.
"...I am so sorry, Sir Constantine. My... my failure has cost you your work as a paladin, and dedicated members of the crusades." Takka hadn't even noticed that he wasn't hobbling as his usual self. He wasn't striding, but he wasn't taking care of his legs as he usually was. Looking up at Balek as they approached, he shook his head. "Master Balek... I'm sorry. I put you and everyone in terrible danger."
Takka stood quietly as he thought things through. He had to leave Kenabres. How could he become a knight now? The people who were the very pinnacle of such a concept deemed him too much trouble to stay around. And he did not even have his loyal companion to give him comfort... how could he face up to Terendelev and Apsu now?
...wait. Terendelev! Of course! He had 7 days to remain in Kenabres. He had time. If knighthood would not find him, he would go to it! "Sir Constantine! Master Balek! Please, I have to know something! Where can I find her Scalyship, the silver dragon Terendelev? I... I have to speak with her! Somehow, I must!"
Sir Constantine Godalming |
"Nay Takka I am still a paladin, no earthly power may remove that mantel from me. I was thinking along the same lines, if Balek were to help gather those who might aid us and a copy of the scroll Osei sent we can schedule with the Commandant and see about reversing the decision of the tribunal."
"While Takka and I attempt an audience with the silver dragon Terendelev."
"I have the same grave concerns over what happened to the safe houses before our arrival."
Knowledge local
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
"Though I have no idea on how to make such a thing happen."
Douglas Muir 406 |
...wait. Terendelev! Of course! He had 7 days to remain in Kenabres. He had time. If knighthood would not find him, he would go to it! "Sir Constantine! Master Balek! Please, I have to know something! Where can I find her Scalyship, the silver dragon Terendelev? I... I have to speak with her! Somehow, I must!"
Knowledge [local] check.
Balek Nine-fingered |
Balek sits in the back row of the audience, staring at the tribunal in sick disbelief.
How can they...?? Bare is back without brother. Of course we aid our friends and fellows.. A dozen old Sarkoran songs run through his mind. He hurries down the steps, meaning to meet Takka and Sir Constance outside. They came in to rescue me. What can I do for them?. He mostly ignores the whispers as he passes by -- too many of the Crusaders are biased and ignorant, knowing nothing of the lands they have come to save, or even of others who have joined the Crusade.
But we must stand together.. He knows that too. Sarkoris fell apart when the demons came, fighting each other as much as the invaders. And there may be an ally.. He swerves to stand beside Nurrah. This will be delicate.
"You made the same choice they did," he tells her. "To go in to rescue others. Do you not still think the demons are worth fighting, and the ones you risked your life to save, worth preserving for the fight?" He pauses to consider her reactions. "How can one appeal from a tribunal?"
Diplomacy to convince Nurrah to help, 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Sense Motive to consider her reactions and what she can and can't be asked to do: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Takka of the Toad |
Takka's fringes perk up as he hears the words from behind him, before watching Balek come to Nurrah's aid. He wanted to go help... but the last thing Nurrah probably wanted to see was him. After all, he was partly responsible for the death of her mate. Being a kobold, love was not something typically factored in to mating, but he knew it meant a lot more to the bigger races... and he had cost her that.
Turning back, he could hear the whispers around him. This was nothing new to him... here, nor back in his tribe. Quiet mockery and questioning of his worth.
It did nothing, but harden his resolve.
Stepping forward, he looked about, trying address as many who would listen as possible. "Please... I ask your aid. I will leave Kenabres in a week, if not sooner. But before doing so... I simply wish to speak to the silver dragon, Terendelev. If I am truly the monster you think I am, she will see through any ruse of mine and crush me with one claw. I know she protects this city... please... I just want to speak with her once..."
As I can't make a Kn. Local check on my own, I shall resort to diplomacy to hopefully get the info.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Osei Otieno |
Mutter, mutter, comcast 24 hour outage first world problems, mutter, mutter.
"Heh. Indeed, we have quarters for exactly this purpose. Simple, but they should suffice." Whether getting this sort of special treatment will make you even less popular... well, I doubt Osei cares at this point.
Osei will discreetly gather up his belongings, and inform the temple he will now be staying at the Library. And no, he really wants out of there.
1) After several days, you've pieced together the essential elements of a new spell! Select a first or second level spell with the evil descriptor, and add it to your spellbook.
Osei pens Infernal Healing into his spellbook - Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 against DC 16.
2) ** spoiler omitted **
Do you want to discuss your discoveries with Master Quednys?
After secretly penning the new spell into his spellbook, he will take the text source to the Master and display his theory about this being an actual arcane spell to get a read on how Quednys responds. That is, did he expect me to find this? Did he know about it? How will he take an [evil] spell being discovered?
Osei will offer a light overview of his thought process and ask if Master Quednys thinks it's a valid piece of arcana, leaving a small but key piece of information out of the spell matrix that Quednys will obviously see. He will withhold further discussion (and not mention spoiler issue) until he gets a read on his instructor's reaction.
BTW - in what text were these pieces of arcana found?
Will handle spoiler via PM.
Douglas Muir 406 |
The Temple of Sarenrae is of course open at all hours. It's fairly small -- Sarenrae is well regarded, but Iomedae and Abadar have many more worshippers here. But is there anyone here who can help you...?
1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
1d20 ⇒ 2There's a senior cleric in residence, but...
"It appears the woman has been infected by some sort of demonic influence! She must be quarantined and placed under observation until a proper exorcism can be performed. You, too may have been infected. Stay here!"
You don't need a Sense Motive to tell that Laurine is ready to bolt out the door. What do you do?
Douglas Muir 406 |
Osei pens Infernal Healing into his spellbook - [dice=Spellcraft]1d20+7 against DC 16.
Done! Do note the material component, though. Not something you're going to easily find around here...
Osei will offer a light overview of his thought process and ask if Master Quednys thinks it's a valid piece of arcana, leaving a small but key piece of information out of the spell matrix that Quednys will obviously see. He will withhold further discussion (and not mention spoiler issue) until he gets a read on his instructor's reaction.
Quednys notes the omission and corrects it at length. "...summing up columns A and W, we see that the most likely outcome is that the spell will have no effect. The second most likely is that you will give yourself a raging fever combined with a magical aura of malevolence, without in any way healing your injuries."
Douglas Muir 406 |
"You made the same choice they did," he tells her. "To go in to rescue others. Do you not still think the demons are worth fighting, and the ones you risked your life to save, worth preserving for the fight?" He pauses to consider her reactions. "How can one appeal from a tribunal?"
"I have no interest in appealing," says Nurrah quietly. "As for fighting... I lost everything I was fighting for. I'm done with this mad Crusade. Only one thing remains for me here." She gives you a long, appraising look. It isn't hostile, but the message is clear: Don't get in my way.
She turns and walks away.
Douglas Muir 406 |
Crazy Molly is a plump human female who haunts Kenabres' central square, usually selling stale buns and baked goods. (A local bakery lets her have day-old stuff as charity, and people buy them either to give her a copper, because they're really hungry, or to make her go away.)
Some say she was once a Crusader who lost her mind in an encounter with demons. Others say that's just made-up dramatics; she's just a crazy old lady. (Certainly Kenabres, outpost on the edge of the Worldwound, is a somewhat stressful place. If you were a little unstable to begin with...) In any event, she's taken an interest in Takka before, following him around, calling him "lizard lad" and "mini-Crusader man" while babbling about anything and everything.
Crazy Molly yells a lot. It's not clear if this is because she's deaf, or because she just likes yelling.
Douglas Muir 406 |
Stepping forward, he looked about, trying address as many who would listen as possible. "Please... I ask your aid. I will leave Kenabres in a week, if not sooner. But before doing so... I simply wish to speak to the silver dragon, Terendelev. If I am truly the monster you think I am, she will see through any ruse of mine and crush me with one claw. I know she protects this city... please... I just want to speak with her once..."
As I can't make a Kn. Local check on my own, I shall resort to diplomacy to hopefully get the info.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+5
Laughter.
"Nobody sees the Great Silver Lady except the highest and holiest lords and commanders!"
"Like she'd talk to a little... creature like you!"
Sir Constantine Godalming |
"Indeed we are all sad, men were lost in battles against demons. I hear the hurt from within you. Takka is no demon, so your anger is misplaced. Turn your faces over the wall and rail gainst the demons below with all the impotent sound and fury you can muster."
"Takka's misdeed was going too quickly into battle against a demon!"
Diplomacy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
@Takka
"Let us look elsewhere for aid in seeing the dragon."
Osei Otieno |
Quednys notes the omission and corrects it at length. "...summing up columns A and W, we see that the most likely outcome is that the spell will have no effect. The second most likely is that you will give yourself a raging fever combined with a magical aura of malevolence, without in any way healing your injuries."
Keenly noting the man's reaction, Osei decides - at least for now - that there is no malicious intent. "... Ah! Yes, of course. It was late when I put this together, and I was thinking that I could skip every other column using Leobin's Lemma. But I see due to the previous cross-products that it doesn't hold. Thank you for the correction!"
"I agree the spell might have ruinous consequence if miscast. It seems diabolical in nature - what about speaking with the Marquis?"
<Bardic Performance>Probe, probe, probe Quednys' prejudices!
Douglas Muir 406 |
"I agree the spell might have ruinous consequence if miscast. It seems diabolical in nature - what about speaking with the Marquis?"<Bardic Performance>Probe, probe, probe Quednys' prejudices!
Quednys frowns. "I would advise most strongly against any professional conversation with any fiend-worshipper! And that goes double for the Marquis! Whatever his arcane skills, he is a devil-summoner and a willing tool of Hell!"
He leans over the desk, a vein throbbing in his bald forehead. "His loathsome masters attempt to pervert the Crusade with donations of their tainted gold and 'companies' of 'volunteers', but the truth is they are every bit as vile as the demons! Do not be deceived! We would be better off if every Chelaxian were driven out of Kenabres at sword's point! To fall to the festering chaos of the Abyss or the iron slavery of the Nine Hells -- there is no difference!
"Evil is evil! Take heed!"
Takka of the Toad |
Takka stands tall (well, as tall as he can) in the face of the mockery. This was nothing new to him. "Yes. She will. I will do all in my power to earn her audience, and prove myself worthy!" he said defiantly. "If she says no, I will return and ask again! I will not be deterred!"
Takka looks up as Constantine comes to his defense, looking back around at the crowd. Perhaps he was right... it seemed they would not assist them. But as he was ready to turn and leave, his fringes perked up again, turning back to see who was yelling at him. It was that old woman... the one they called Crazy Molly. He remembered her. She was always yelling at him, but she seemed harmless enough. She was constantly offering him sticky buns, but he never took the bait... not that he didn't like them. He was a kobold, he had eaten far worse than a day old pastry. He just... never had the time.
"...Sir Constantine, wait..." Takka said, tugging at the half-orc's leg armor. "...I... think I could use something sweet right now."
Walking over and eying the buns, he lingered on the raisin one before nodding, forcing a polite smile to his maw. "...I am sad, Lady Crazy Molly. I'm afraid I've... cost many people some very capable heroes. And I am not yet strong enough to take their place. If you think these will help, I would be grateful." Takka fished through his ratty underclothes and pulled out a gold coin, handing it to her. "Perhaps you can buy some less squashed buns for tomorrow with this?"
Douglas Muir 406 |
"AW HEY LITTLE LIZARD GUY YOU MADE A MISTAKE THAT'S GOLD! THESE ARE JUST A COPPER!!" Crazy Molly pokes through her pile of buns with a none-too-clean finger. "YEAH THE SQUASHING'S NOT ALWAYS BAD, IT KINDA MOOSHES IN THE FLAVOR... I GOT STICKY WITH RAISINS, STICKY CINNAMON, STICKY CHEESE, HONEY WITH EXTRA STICKY, THIS ONE IS SOME KINDA BUTTER THING... I GUESS YOU WANNA RAISIN? HERE YA GO!"
A moderately squashed, unquestionably sticky bun with a few withered raisins is held up in triumph. (A snicker runs through the assembled crowd.)
"THERE THAT'LL PUT A SHINE ON YER SCALES!" Crazy Molly watches you expectantly.
Osei Otieno |
<frothy ranting>
Osei looks a bit taken aback at the unmasked intensity of Master Quednys' response, and offers an apologetic bow. "My apologies. It was not my intent to consort with evil, simply to glean the knowledge that might be involved in a discussion. After all, scholarship is our method and goal, and no matter the source - the knowledge must be respected."
Osei waves towards the open door that leads out into the stacks. "Here in this place of learning we are surrounded by tomes and artifacts that contain evils," he points to his precisely lettered notes, "and we study them to better understand our enemies and their abilities. Simply because a thing is dark does not imply it holds no value. I think we agree on that. Those aspects must be explored and understood - but not absorbed - if we are to close the Worldwound."
"I mean no disrespect, Master Quednys, but I am curious: You do not speak with the Marquis? Why impose that artificial limitation on our efforts at such a threshold, instead of another?"
I suppose a letter or other discreet method will have to do, then ...
Takka of the Toad |
Takka smiled a little, shaking his head and proffering the gold coin once more. "I know, but I find myself with extra funds, now that I don't have my little poliwog to care for... I would rather they go to better use than weighing down my pocket. Perhaps buy yourself a bun as well?"
Takka accepts the bun and bites into it... and again, and again. They actually weren't bad! Especially not when compared to what he used to eat growing up. And the stickiness didn't bother him either, not when he held it with his claw tips. He had to admit, he was feeling better!
Takka bowed his head in gratitude. "My humblest thanks, Lady Crazy Molly. You were right... I feel better now." Looking up at Sir Constantine, he pondered that a moment, before nodding and turning back. "If you can, I would happily give you the money to buy the best bun you can find and return tomorrow to collect it. I believe it would make a humble offering to her Scalyship, Terendelev... and you may keep the rest, of course. Consider it my thanks for your kindness."
Balek Nine-fingered |
Balek says, as Nurrah turns away, "I do not forget that you came in when I was a captive. If I can aid you, I vow I will."
And so the crusaders' zeal strips another spear from their ranks. When will they learn?
He turns and walks out the door into the square.
"Molly! A honeybun, if you please. And Erastil's blessing on your way!"
Takka of the Toad |
Takka scowled at the comments regarding Molly. He could tolerate mockery directed at him, but he would not allow others to be belittled! That was not how a knight does things.
Finishing his sticky bun, he cleaned at his claws before nodding to Molly again with a thank you. He turned in the direction of the comments, nodding in conjunction with Sir Constantine. "Indeed. I will not turn my snout up at something edible, especially something given in an act of kindness."
Takka's looked back at Balek as he asked for one, nodding at Molly as he continued. "And I am saddened. I had believed Kenabres to be home to paragons of charity, kindness and protection. And yet only she has had the heart to grant me so much as a kind word... and you claim she's selling garbage!?" Takka pounded his chest proudly as he stood tall. "I will take your insults, your harsh words, and your mockery in stride, but I will not permit you to squash out kind deeds like hers! If you have foul words to pass about, or issue with me, than say it loudly, and let us see you stand behind them with conviction! But do not dare belittle Lady Crazy Molly's generosity! I will not stand idly!"
Takka looked about, frowning hard at the eyes upon him. "Well then? Have you no more words? Or do you simply fear being bested by a 'shameful', 'little', 'not-to-be-trusted', 'monster'?"
Haruka Shiraboshi |
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:You don't need a Sense Motive to tell that Laurine is ready to bolt out the door. What do you do?
sense motive;is the priest telling the truth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Haruka doesn't think that he is lying, but her main concern right now is Laurines wellbeing (around the worldwound paranoia is a survival skill)" we should stay, unless you have a good reason not to."
if she doesn't give a good reason
" Sarenrae is the godess of Healing and Redemption, she teaches compassion and peace, her priests would never intentionaly harm someone coming to them for healing" says the miko, ending with a glare at the priest, that promises painfull death if he does.
I assume that the purview and the basics of the teachings of the main goods are common knowledge for someone that was raised at a shrinedipomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Douglas Muir 406 |
Laughter and hooting.
Monsters and the crazy lady!
Yeah, eating that stuff'll put a shine on your scales, all right!
Who needs demons when you've got stale garbage rolls?
The crowd is laughing, but there's a nervous, angry undertone to it. Kenabres is a lawful town, but OTOH living by the Worldwound can make people edgy and quick to lash out.
Douglas Muir 406 |
Haruka doesn't think that he is lying, but her main concern right now is Laurines wellbeing (around the worldwound paranoia is a survival skill)
The priest doesn't seem evil so much as undertrained and/or distracted.
11 on Diplomacy? Laurine is pausing, obviously about to fly. The priest is raising his hands to cast some sort of spell...
Takka of the Toad |
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Takka's claws clenched as he glared back the townsfolk. Something inside him was straining under the pressure. He tried his hardest, his absolute best, to be a brave and noble knight. And yet... they mocked him. They mocked him, and those who were kind to him. Why? What was wrong with them!? Did they truly have no clue what he'd given to try and be the knight he aspired to be?
Baring his fangs, Takka stepped forward with a snarl, before letting out a surprisingly deep roar to silence the laughter and taunting. "ENOUGH!" he bellowed, sharp teeth still visible as he spoke. "What is wrong with you ingrates!? Brave souls have been slain by demons and those who stood up to avenge them are suffering both from them AND from your cowing! Is this what knights are met with... laughter and mockery for their adherence to duty!? To protect those who laugh and scorn them!?"
Takka knew he had to stop, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. He didn't understand why. How could they laugh and jeer those who lost so much to protect them? To keep them safe? "Have you no idea what my friends have given up to protect you!? Do you even comprehend what I myself have lost to try and become a knight!? I lost my little polliwog... my... my best friend... for you ungrateful sods!?" His slitted eyes started to squint, trying to restrain what he thought might actually be tears forming. He knew he couldn't cry, even if he wanted, but he felt such a strong need to.
"These crusaders waste their bravery and valor on you dastards!!! They face horrors the likes of which you cannot even comprehend, and on their return, you reprimand them for not adhering to codes that you conjure up safe behind your walls and traps!" Takka's teeth clenched as his voice became more and more feral, growling with almost every word. He felt such rage... such anger! Why become a knight, why sacrifice and give so much to protect the weak, if they simply mock you for pursuing such a goal to begin with?!