DCC DotSK: Act 1-3

Despite trying to stand apart, as if she was merely a spectator of the proceedings in the square, when the box is opened Anora takes a step forward to look inside!

If that incriminated her, then so be it!

The Three Fates really can be petty bitches.

Here is Ty, about to execute their mystical command, out of the decency of his own heart and his preference to avoid an agonizing death at the hands of the Faerie Lady who pursues him. And at that very moment, the Fates choose to bring the Pelagian priest's plight to his ears. As if to say, help your comrade, Ty! It's the right thing to do!

The right thing. He really has been too long among humans.

With a sigh, Tyravasiel-Llir mutters to Dufgal and Anora, "I'll see what he's on about." Then, abandoning any pretense of blindness, the elf tucks his 'cane' under his arm, leaps from the platform and scampers off in the direction of Aldric's bleating.

AT THE STRONGBOX

As Dufgal removes the lock and opens the box a crack, Ty hears Aldric’s call and rushes off, pushing through the gathering crowd before he sees the bedraggled priest and and angry Thegn pursuing him. As he goes, hoping to reach the watery witness in time, Anora and Dufgal peer into the strongbox.

Inside are almost two hundred folded pieces of parchment, surely each bearing the name of a villager… or perhaps a visitor. But in the center and on top of that pile of vellum rests another box — a shallow, much smaller one, open-topped and easy to reach through the slot in the top of the strong box. And in that smaller box? A single lottery slip, folded in half like the others.

"What is it?! What do you see?!" calls someone from the crowd. Broegan is close at hand and pressing after his daughter leaves a few urgent words in his ear. Dolsten and Lloré onlook as well, as do some of Wee Tocs’s confederates…

SOME DISTANCE AWAY

Behind the church, half-way to Ymae’s… a watery fart leaks and burbles from Aldric’s ass, sure sign from the Sea-Bitch that she will not intervene.

Seeing that Aldric is not running, and has in fact turned to meet him, Kreig slows his pace a little as the distance closes…

With one hand holding the top, Dufgal reaches his other hand for the singular folded paper and holds it up for Anora to read. He is not ashamed that he cannot read. It has always occurred to him as something that only the wealthy could do.

Anora grasps up the paper and waits for quiet to descend on the crowd. She fishes up a few more of the more ordinary pieces also and passes them out to those gathered, while the hush comes over the gathering.

When she is sure she can be heard, she starts:

"Secreted within the box is a single piece of paper! I think now that we see the ruse, do we not? Read those pieces of parchment I have passed around. You may find your own names there.

But…"

She pauses for dramatic effect.

"The lottery is anything but random. Dufgal here found a name set apart from the others. The Jarl, or perhaps Sylle Ru, surely select the candidate in advance! Check for yourselves!

Who is the sacrificial lamb tonight?" she invites them, as she unfolds the single piece of paper and reveals the name to be…

Aldric senses the wet fart of darkness is the last time he'll be casting that spell for a time.

Fuck, now what!? I can't outrun this bastard, with my waterlogged legs! I can't fight him with my oversexed muscles! I can't even pray for help, my fucking Goddess hates me so much!

AT THE STRONGBOX

The crowd, boisterous and outraged at the sight of the box-within-the-box, quiets instantly and utterly when Anora takes the folded card, the one from the second, hidden, box.

She glimpses the name before anyone, and it is her own name! The card reads Anora the Blue !

Ty rounds the church once more and dashes into the street behind Kreig. He takes but a moment to assess the scene: the burly thegn, the priest who seems to be sloshing through a lake of air. Then Tyravasiel-Llir swings his arms wide, and his mouth opens on words that are not his own, an eldritch vomit of speech that magic forces up through his elfin throat.

"Damn your eyes, you rotten slab of meat!! You sinewy shambles with no more sense than a steaming pile of horse dung!! May you be struck blind as you are stupid!!!"

BEHIND THE CHURCH OF JUSTICIA

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ROUND 1: Krieg vs. Aldric and Ty
Initiative Order: TBD

1 Round left for the Darkness in the Church

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Anora laughs derisively, and lets the paper be seen by those around!

"Chance is a curious thing in Hirot! This is what awaits any who try to stand against the present predicament. And it waits for all the rest once we few are gone to the stones and the beast’s belly thereafter!

Show me your hands! Who thinks my name being here is mere chance? I, who have been a thorn in the side of the Jarl since my arrival! He and his sorcerer have laid the ruse out far too clearly today!"

Aldric can feel his skin start to bubble forth seawater and moistness spread across the entirety of his flesh. It is as if his whole body cries, tears leaking from every pore. He sinks to his knees, surrounded by the stink of brine.

But, there is hope! Aldric is relieved to see Ty. "Oh, you're in for it now! Give them a taste of your ancient power!" He watches almost gleefully as the elf speaks in an alien voice, and then watches as the Excellent Prismatic Spray rains down upon the helpless Thegns! Were they going to burst into flame? Turn inside out? What horrible fate awaited these poor bastards!?

Aldric is horrified that the scintillating star rays do next to nothing - nay, maybe it strengthened their resolve?! - and that the axe wielders are no less motivated to kill him.

Pelagia has abandoned me, and the elf is impotent! his mind screams.

BEHIND THE CHURCH OF JUSTICIA

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ROUND 1: Krieg vs. Aldric and Ty
Initiative Order: Krieg, Aldric, Ty TBD

1 Round left for the Darkness in the Church

AT THE STRONGBOX

The gathered villagers first gasp as Anora shows the paper with her name on it, and then do so again when Dufgal dramatically casts some of the other slips onto the ground. From on high, the Jarl, Sylle Ru and the three remaining Thegns begin making their way down to the market from the great hall. They look on the scene with worry and curiosity as the crowd mills and voices begin to rise. They are too distant to clearly see what's going on, but are definitely suspicious.