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masterghandalfThis is a repost from Das_sporking2. Previous installments of this sporking may be found here.
Warning: This chapter contains more violence and deaths.
MG: Well, everyone, it’s time to continue our journey through Ed Greenwood’s Shadows of Doom! Last time, Sharantyr made it into High Castle and killed a whole bunch of Zhents (and force-fed a potato to one of them, for reasons which aren’t clear but doubtless made sense to her at the time). Today… we continue our “epic” battle for the eighth straight chapter as we finally check back in with Belkram and Itharr. Yay? Joining us once again will be Errezha and Calassara!
Chapter Eighteen: Cheerless Obedience to Mages
Errezha: What about a cheerless slog of a battle scene, hmmm? That seems to be the bigger issue here, doesn’t it? And so we open with Stormcloak, who just happens to be walking by to overhear Sharantyr sobbing (how fortuitous!). What was a woman doing in this part of the castle? Had one of the men -? Had one of the men what, exactly? Also, are we to take this as confirmation that there are literally no women in High Castle? Which would not only imply that there are no ranking women among the Zhents themselves – am I the only one who’s noticed that Greenwood’s villainous groups tend to be overwhelmingly male, with a few notable exceptions? – but that none of the Zhent occupiers or council members have wives, mistresses or the like, and that there aren’t even any female servants? All of that seems… improbable. But Stormcloak is distracted from his musings as a number of fleeing Zhentilar practically run into him; he calls out for them to halt and demands to know what’s going on. They start babbling about how Sharantyr has killed at least ten of them and how a dragon she is, with a sword! *sighs and rubs her forehead* Greenwood, Greenwood… you are aware what a dragon is, yes? I assume so, because you’ve included them in your books before, but I feel like checking, because I’m compelled to wonder just what you think about a dragon’s natural weapons that adding a sword to them would make the creature more lethal?
Calassara: Well, certain dragons can assume humanoid form… perhaps the Zhents are assuming that Sharantyr is so powerful, she must be a dragon in disguise? Or that they’re simply babbling in a panic, which doesn’t speak well for their discipline, does it? Stormcloak, it happens, is not impressed either. Are you men? He asks, and they respond in the affirmative (considering there are apparently no women but Sharantyr in High Castle, and I doubt the existence of other options would have occurred to Greenwood at all, they would almost have to be, no? Unless some of them haven’t realized yet that they aren’t men…). Are you Zhentilar? They confirm that they are, and that the duty of Zhentilar warriors is to obey. Obey when told to slay, isn’t that how the song goes? Stormcloak asks. *groans and buries her head in her hands* Savored Sting help me, I can only imagine how dreadful the rest of the song is from that line alone… As for who they’re supposed to obey, it’s apparently Zhentarim mages (ssshh, don’t tell the Banites – I don’t think our old friend Fzoul will be very happy to hear that!) and Stormcloak goes on that they obey mages because if you don’t, we’ll unleash magic on you more terrible than any blade, more painful than any wound! Now, Stormcloak – if you can only compel obedience by threat of violence, you really don’t have a very well-structured organization, do you? Any bandit chief can compel obedience through violence! The Zhentarim are supposed to be a continent-spanning syndicate based in a city-state with imperial ambitions; surely you can do better? Stormcloak declares that his warriors can face one woman with a sword – and those who refuse can face him instead. The Zhents sullenly – oh, wonderful loyalty you inspire, O Stormcloak! – turn back the way they came to confront Sharantyr as the scene comes to an end.
Errezha: Yes, I have to say that was a rather pathetic display of thuggery. My mother isn’t nearly as powerful or clever as she likes to think she is, but I’m quite certain she – or any Chelish noble – could compel the obedience of her house guards more effectively than that, without having to resort to such crass and obvious threats. We cut to Sharantyr as she stalked forward on silent feet, like a hunting cat, how dramatic. She assumes that soon the Zhentilar she’s driven off will be back, likely with a mage wanting to show off their power by killing her. So, she’s overestimating Stormcloak, it seems – he sent his men after her, rather than coming himself! She starts looking around for an alternate route, while musing out loud to herself. Well, then, Stormcloak… let’s see if one Knight with a sword can bring you down. It’s been done to Zhentarim before. And that, I presume, is without a deific conflict currently causing magic to go haywire – no, I don’t think “Lord” Stormcloak’s odds are very good here. Or perhaps I’m just jaded to Greenwood’s various inanities. Suddenly a voice calls out if that’s Maeralee talking – I thought there weren’t any women in the castle, hmmm? – and then Sharantyr finds herself facing a Zhent who quickly realizes his mistake. He asks who she is, and she responds that I am your bane. Considering the patron deity of Zhentil Keep is literally named “Bane,” I would think calling oneself that would be to tempt fate… personally, even though I’ve left Cheliax far behind, I still find it… prudent… to avoid naming the Prince if I can help it. One never knows who may be listening… But Sharantyr, of course, easily defeats and kills her opponent, and is left wondering just how many Zhents were crawling about this castle? Far, far too many, if you ask me. She remembers Elminster once telling her that it only takes one to kill thee and normally I’d agree with that, but… Sharantyr is one of Greenwood’s pets. Not on Elminster’s level, but still a member of his pet adventuring party. She is not dying to a random Zhentilar, however much sense it would make. Sharantyr promptly runs into another Zhent, and though he apparently considers himself a matchless swordsman – how she knows this, I’m less certain of – she easily defeats him in two sentences as well. My point is proven. Sharantyr leaves him bleeding out on the floor, begging Mielikki’s forgiveness for becoming a butcher – I appreciate your self-awareness, but if previous Greenwood protagonists are any guide, you have much butchery left before you! She promptly wanders into another room with four Zhents in it and thinks exasperatedly to herself that there are some days she would love to forget but will never be able to, and this was definitely turning into one of those days. Yes, it is indeed one of those days.
Calassara: I’ll also note that she seemed more annoyed than afraid to be outnumbered four to one – Errezha, I not only think you’re right, I think Sharantyr is on some level aware of it. How disconcerting. We suddenly cut to Belkram and Itharr, who also think this is one of those days as they break down a door. Belkram asks if Itharr is getting bored – I know I am, gods help me – and one of the locals with them wonders if they’re always like this. Belkram says they’re usually worse – am I the only one who feels we’ve had this exact conversation with Greenwood adventurers before? – and then they’re all thankfully interrupted as yet more Zhents – these in full plate armor, oooh – come charging at them. Belkram orders the others back and calls on Itharr to do the sticking, oh my. They engage one of the Zhents, with Belkram holding him off long enough for Itharr to stab him through the visor, while some of the dalesmen use a table they got from somewhere to bowl another Zhent over. After they bring him down and make sure he’s dead, six more Zhents, these more lightly armored, charge into the room, and I am also compelled to wonder how many of them are there? Does Stormcloak have a portal to Zhentil Keep in the basement he hasn’t told anyone about, through which he can summon infinite reinforcements? Or perhaps the theory that all of these Zhents are clones has some merit… Itharr rallies the dalesmen, uses a move Storm taught him (of course) to instantly kill a Zhent as the locals engage the others.
Errezha: What follows is several paragraphs more of rather tedious fighting as the Harpers and the dalesmen work together to bring down multiple nameless, interchangeable Zhentilar, lovely. Finally, they hear one of them calling for aid. A voice replies that the lord will have their soft bits, charming, if they can’t keep the attackers out of the main hall. When one of the Zhents asks what lord, and the other voice responds that it’s Stormcloak – what lord do you think he meant? – the first Zhent replies that if Stormcloak wants the Harpers dead, let him use his magic to deal with these. Ah, the classic problem with using fear of force alone to compel obedience – when you’re not around to make good on that threat, your minions don’t feel very compelled to obey you! And all this accomplishes is to give Belkram ideas, as he calls out and demands to know where the “great hall” is. So now you’ve given the attackers a specific target – excellent work! And he actually gets a response. Twould be the most foolish treason to tell you that it’s through here, turn right, and behind the double doors at the end of the straight passage – so I won’t tell you that. Ah… you just did? Also, the narration describes the speaker as saying all of that “laconically.” I don’t think Greenwood knows what that word means. But suddenly the speaker’s voice is cut off in a scream, as another voice says so die all traitors. What an entirely predictable outcome of those actions! Belkram protests that he liked that man – you don’t even know if he gave you accurate information or not, fool! He could have been leading you into a trap! – and the new speaker turns out to be a hulking armored form with blonde hair, blue eyes and a scarred face. He introduces himself as Gathen Srund… I was Left Axe to Lord Longspear. I will avenge him rebel traitors. Ah, but does he know that Belkram and Itharr were the ones who killed Longspear, I wonder?
Calassara: I, meanwhile, am compelled to wonder. Is a left axe like a right hand, only somewhat lower in rank and in charge of tasks that exclusively involve chopping things? Also, despite his title, he wields a hammer. Which only reminds me of Longspear the swordsman. I don’t think these people quite understand what weapons they’re supposed to be using, even after putting them in their names and/or titles to remind them! All of the other Zhents and several of the dalesmen are down, though, leaving the Harpers to face Srund on their own. Itharr has opinions. Have you noticed… how pompous these Zhent bully blades always are? The occupy some place, usurping rightful rule and law, and then squeak of “rebels” and “traitors.” It’s odd… No, in my experience that’s how authoritarians tend to be… Belkram calls on the dalesmen to scatter, as Srund taunts them. Belkram and Itharr attack, flanking Srund and keeping him distracted; Itharr idly wonders what the Right Axe is like (at this point, the least likely option seems to be that he’s an actual axeman…) before stabbing Srund through the faceplate, killing him. Hmmm; that was anticlimactic. Not certain why I expected any more at this point, but even so… The surviving Zhents flee (I thought there weren’t any of them left already?) and Belkram suspects that if there is a Right Axe, they’ll be meeting him soon enough (and I imagine he’ll be equally disappointing). The Harpers embrace and exchange happy observations on what a good fight this is – oh, I beg to differ, as a storyteller this battle commits the one sin I cannot forgive, that of being boring – while a dalesmen comments on how young they are, and then a moment later screams start from down the hall as the scene ends. *flatly* Oh, how dramatic. Whatever could it be? I can hardly wait…
Errezha: And so, we cut to Sharantyr as she stalks down a staircase like a vengeful wind, how dramatic, and comes across more Zhents. More to slay. Yes, this is clearly a woman who is sick of violence! She immediately starts killing them, so effortlessly that she actually wonders if she’s killing with her gaze alone. *flatly* Yes, that’s the point we’re all at now – our protagonist is killing her enemies so easily she’s literally unsure if she’s using magic to do it. More Zhents run in, and all she has to do is smile at them before they literally scream and run away. *sigh* Have I mentioned that none of these people would last a day in Cheliax? Oh, and Sharantyr actively enjoys the sound of their screaming. I think someone, despite her protests to the contrary, is becoming slightly drunk on bloodlust. She suddenly spots the dalesmen coming up the passage behind her – no, don’t ask me to make sense of this castle’s layout – while the remaining Zhents have formed up in front of some heavy doors. She spots the Harpers leading the locals, and they all introduce themselves. Sharantyr. Knight of Myth Drannor… Itharr and Belkram of the Harpers, with true men of the Dale. *arching an eyebrow* As opposed to what, false men of the Dale? One of the old men then asks Sharantyr to hug him so live or die, I’ll do it happily, so I suppose Elminster isn’t the only dirty old man around here. And Sharantyr does so, though the narrative goes out of its way to mention her arms are bloodstained, of course. The, ah, pleasantries out of the way, everyone turns to face the Zhents.
Calassara: Who have just been obligingly standing there and letting everyone hug instead of shooting them with arrows or crossbow bolts, it seems, for shame! Their leader orders the attackers to lay down their weapons or die. We are warriors of Zhentil Keep. We know much of killing. Well, based on their recent performance I can certainly say the Zhentilar know much about being killed… And then Itharr makes that exact crack. I, however temporarily, shared my thought processes with a Greenwood character, and now I feel unclean. But it also seems like even the book is admitting its antagonists are only good at dying. Odd. The Zhent says that if they save their breath for pleading, he might spare them, leading Sharantyr to mock his “pacifism” and “generosity” (you have been slaughtering your way through this castle, you are in no position to talk!). In response, the Zhent tells his men to capture Sharantyr alive, and they address him as Right Axe, so it seems that’s one mystery solved. Gedaern the Dalesman then fills Itharr in that the Right Axe’s name is Sunthrun Blackshoulder and he’s known for cruelty and butchering women and younglings, just in case we were worried there was any chance this character might have some moral nuance. Blackshoulder agrees that’s all correct *sigh* and Belkram says it will be a pleasure to kill him. In return, Blackshoulder draws his sword, which is as tall as a man – that sounds unwieldy – and its blade was dull and black and menacingly evil. *rolling her eyes* Oh, look, it’s an evil, black sword. I’ve literally never seen that before! *beat* And I’ll note that the Right Axe is also not an axeman. I am not surprised.
MG: Something tells me this one isn’t going to be joining the ranks of Stormbringer and its more impressive expies, I have to say.
Errezha: With the caveat that I don’t know what “Stormbringer” is… you’re probably correct. Well, our heroes aren’t cowed, and advance down the corridor. Belkram and Itharr kill some Zhents, opening a pathway for Sharantyr, who engages Blackshoulder himself. She trades blows with him and kills one of his guards, and then Belkram also kills a guard and attacks Blackshoulder himself. Blackshoulder manages to hold them both off, and nearly stabs Sharantyr until she grabs one of the other Zhents to use as a shield, so Blackshoulder runs him through instead, how honorable of her. She rolls away and trips another Zhent so Itharr can kill him, while Blackshoulder himself kills one of the old Dalesmen. Sharantyr is furious, and she and Belkram attack Blackshoulder from both sides. He tries to force them into each other, but they’re ready for that tactic. Belkram parries his sword, and Sharantyr stabs him in the armpit. Right Axe Sunthrun stiffened, spat blood, and collapsed silently to the floor. And then, adding insult to injury, Gadaern the Dalesman stomps his head, no doubt making a wonderful mess everywhere. *she shudders* Itharr asks if there are any more – all the Zhents are down, but so are all the Dalesmen except for Gadaern and one other. This… prompts no emotional reaction from Sharantyr and the Harpers whatsoever, as they trade looks, Belkram tells Itharr that one always opens doors for a lady – I can’t say many people have ever given that courtesy to me, less because of my gender and more because of, well *she gestures at her obviously-tiefling self* - and the chapter comes to an end as Itharr opens the door to the council chamber. *she sighs* Maybe this means something interesting will finally happen next time? Though I suppose I’m only fooling myself with false hope…
MG: Well, this chapter was… marginally better than the last one, if only because our protagonists actually made some notable progress and fought some enemies a bit more distinctive than just random Zhent mooks. On the other hand, we’re not even pretending anymore that Sharantyr in particular isn’t just wading through Zhents and slaughtering them with zero effort, and while the two “Axes” are marginally more interesting opponents, they still go down very easily and had never even been mentioned before this chapter, so they still don’t feel like a big deal. And while Sharantyr’s internal monologue tries to make it seem like she is getting sick of the violence, her actual behavior shows alarming levels of bloodlust (while the two Harpers barely have that much personality between them). Next time… we have our ninth straight chapter of battle, but actually start making progress towards the end as Sharantyr and Friends confront Stormcloak and his council, and after several chapters of not doing much, Elminster makes his move. We’ll see you then!
Warning: This chapter contains more violence and deaths.
MG: Well, everyone, it’s time to continue our journey through Ed Greenwood’s Shadows of Doom! Last time, Sharantyr made it into High Castle and killed a whole bunch of Zhents (and force-fed a potato to one of them, for reasons which aren’t clear but doubtless made sense to her at the time). Today… we continue our “epic” battle for the eighth straight chapter as we finally check back in with Belkram and Itharr. Yay? Joining us once again will be Errezha and Calassara!
Chapter Eighteen: Cheerless Obedience to Mages
Errezha: What about a cheerless slog of a battle scene, hmmm? That seems to be the bigger issue here, doesn’t it? And so we open with Stormcloak, who just happens to be walking by to overhear Sharantyr sobbing (how fortuitous!). What was a woman doing in this part of the castle? Had one of the men -? Had one of the men what, exactly? Also, are we to take this as confirmation that there are literally no women in High Castle? Which would not only imply that there are no ranking women among the Zhents themselves – am I the only one who’s noticed that Greenwood’s villainous groups tend to be overwhelmingly male, with a few notable exceptions? – but that none of the Zhent occupiers or council members have wives, mistresses or the like, and that there aren’t even any female servants? All of that seems… improbable. But Stormcloak is distracted from his musings as a number of fleeing Zhentilar practically run into him; he calls out for them to halt and demands to know what’s going on. They start babbling about how Sharantyr has killed at least ten of them and how a dragon she is, with a sword! *sighs and rubs her forehead* Greenwood, Greenwood… you are aware what a dragon is, yes? I assume so, because you’ve included them in your books before, but I feel like checking, because I’m compelled to wonder just what you think about a dragon’s natural weapons that adding a sword to them would make the creature more lethal?
Calassara: Well, certain dragons can assume humanoid form… perhaps the Zhents are assuming that Sharantyr is so powerful, she must be a dragon in disguise? Or that they’re simply babbling in a panic, which doesn’t speak well for their discipline, does it? Stormcloak, it happens, is not impressed either. Are you men? He asks, and they respond in the affirmative (considering there are apparently no women but Sharantyr in High Castle, and I doubt the existence of other options would have occurred to Greenwood at all, they would almost have to be, no? Unless some of them haven’t realized yet that they aren’t men…). Are you Zhentilar? They confirm that they are, and that the duty of Zhentilar warriors is to obey. Obey when told to slay, isn’t that how the song goes? Stormcloak asks. *groans and buries her head in her hands* Savored Sting help me, I can only imagine how dreadful the rest of the song is from that line alone… As for who they’re supposed to obey, it’s apparently Zhentarim mages (ssshh, don’t tell the Banites – I don’t think our old friend Fzoul will be very happy to hear that!) and Stormcloak goes on that they obey mages because if you don’t, we’ll unleash magic on you more terrible than any blade, more painful than any wound! Now, Stormcloak – if you can only compel obedience by threat of violence, you really don’t have a very well-structured organization, do you? Any bandit chief can compel obedience through violence! The Zhentarim are supposed to be a continent-spanning syndicate based in a city-state with imperial ambitions; surely you can do better? Stormcloak declares that his warriors can face one woman with a sword – and those who refuse can face him instead. The Zhents sullenly – oh, wonderful loyalty you inspire, O Stormcloak! – turn back the way they came to confront Sharantyr as the scene comes to an end.
Errezha: Yes, I have to say that was a rather pathetic display of thuggery. My mother isn’t nearly as powerful or clever as she likes to think she is, but I’m quite certain she – or any Chelish noble – could compel the obedience of her house guards more effectively than that, without having to resort to such crass and obvious threats. We cut to Sharantyr as she stalked forward on silent feet, like a hunting cat, how dramatic. She assumes that soon the Zhentilar she’s driven off will be back, likely with a mage wanting to show off their power by killing her. So, she’s overestimating Stormcloak, it seems – he sent his men after her, rather than coming himself! She starts looking around for an alternate route, while musing out loud to herself. Well, then, Stormcloak… let’s see if one Knight with a sword can bring you down. It’s been done to Zhentarim before. And that, I presume, is without a deific conflict currently causing magic to go haywire – no, I don’t think “Lord” Stormcloak’s odds are very good here. Or perhaps I’m just jaded to Greenwood’s various inanities. Suddenly a voice calls out if that’s Maeralee talking – I thought there weren’t any women in the castle, hmmm? – and then Sharantyr finds herself facing a Zhent who quickly realizes his mistake. He asks who she is, and she responds that I am your bane. Considering the patron deity of Zhentil Keep is literally named “Bane,” I would think calling oneself that would be to tempt fate… personally, even though I’ve left Cheliax far behind, I still find it… prudent… to avoid naming the Prince if I can help it. One never knows who may be listening… But Sharantyr, of course, easily defeats and kills her opponent, and is left wondering just how many Zhents were crawling about this castle? Far, far too many, if you ask me. She remembers Elminster once telling her that it only takes one to kill thee and normally I’d agree with that, but… Sharantyr is one of Greenwood’s pets. Not on Elminster’s level, but still a member of his pet adventuring party. She is not dying to a random Zhentilar, however much sense it would make. Sharantyr promptly runs into another Zhent, and though he apparently considers himself a matchless swordsman – how she knows this, I’m less certain of – she easily defeats him in two sentences as well. My point is proven. Sharantyr leaves him bleeding out on the floor, begging Mielikki’s forgiveness for becoming a butcher – I appreciate your self-awareness, but if previous Greenwood protagonists are any guide, you have much butchery left before you! She promptly wanders into another room with four Zhents in it and thinks exasperatedly to herself that there are some days she would love to forget but will never be able to, and this was definitely turning into one of those days. Yes, it is indeed one of those days.
Calassara: I’ll also note that she seemed more annoyed than afraid to be outnumbered four to one – Errezha, I not only think you’re right, I think Sharantyr is on some level aware of it. How disconcerting. We suddenly cut to Belkram and Itharr, who also think this is one of those days as they break down a door. Belkram asks if Itharr is getting bored – I know I am, gods help me – and one of the locals with them wonders if they’re always like this. Belkram says they’re usually worse – am I the only one who feels we’ve had this exact conversation with Greenwood adventurers before? – and then they’re all thankfully interrupted as yet more Zhents – these in full plate armor, oooh – come charging at them. Belkram orders the others back and calls on Itharr to do the sticking, oh my. They engage one of the Zhents, with Belkram holding him off long enough for Itharr to stab him through the visor, while some of the dalesmen use a table they got from somewhere to bowl another Zhent over. After they bring him down and make sure he’s dead, six more Zhents, these more lightly armored, charge into the room, and I am also compelled to wonder how many of them are there? Does Stormcloak have a portal to Zhentil Keep in the basement he hasn’t told anyone about, through which he can summon infinite reinforcements? Or perhaps the theory that all of these Zhents are clones has some merit… Itharr rallies the dalesmen, uses a move Storm taught him (of course) to instantly kill a Zhent as the locals engage the others.
Errezha: What follows is several paragraphs more of rather tedious fighting as the Harpers and the dalesmen work together to bring down multiple nameless, interchangeable Zhentilar, lovely. Finally, they hear one of them calling for aid. A voice replies that the lord will have their soft bits, charming, if they can’t keep the attackers out of the main hall. When one of the Zhents asks what lord, and the other voice responds that it’s Stormcloak – what lord do you think he meant? – the first Zhent replies that if Stormcloak wants the Harpers dead, let him use his magic to deal with these. Ah, the classic problem with using fear of force alone to compel obedience – when you’re not around to make good on that threat, your minions don’t feel very compelled to obey you! And all this accomplishes is to give Belkram ideas, as he calls out and demands to know where the “great hall” is. So now you’ve given the attackers a specific target – excellent work! And he actually gets a response. Twould be the most foolish treason to tell you that it’s through here, turn right, and behind the double doors at the end of the straight passage – so I won’t tell you that. Ah… you just did? Also, the narration describes the speaker as saying all of that “laconically.” I don’t think Greenwood knows what that word means. But suddenly the speaker’s voice is cut off in a scream, as another voice says so die all traitors. What an entirely predictable outcome of those actions! Belkram protests that he liked that man – you don’t even know if he gave you accurate information or not, fool! He could have been leading you into a trap! – and the new speaker turns out to be a hulking armored form with blonde hair, blue eyes and a scarred face. He introduces himself as Gathen Srund… I was Left Axe to Lord Longspear. I will avenge him rebel traitors. Ah, but does he know that Belkram and Itharr were the ones who killed Longspear, I wonder?
Calassara: I, meanwhile, am compelled to wonder. Is a left axe like a right hand, only somewhat lower in rank and in charge of tasks that exclusively involve chopping things? Also, despite his title, he wields a hammer. Which only reminds me of Longspear the swordsman. I don’t think these people quite understand what weapons they’re supposed to be using, even after putting them in their names and/or titles to remind them! All of the other Zhents and several of the dalesmen are down, though, leaving the Harpers to face Srund on their own. Itharr has opinions. Have you noticed… how pompous these Zhent bully blades always are? The occupy some place, usurping rightful rule and law, and then squeak of “rebels” and “traitors.” It’s odd… No, in my experience that’s how authoritarians tend to be… Belkram calls on the dalesmen to scatter, as Srund taunts them. Belkram and Itharr attack, flanking Srund and keeping him distracted; Itharr idly wonders what the Right Axe is like (at this point, the least likely option seems to be that he’s an actual axeman…) before stabbing Srund through the faceplate, killing him. Hmmm; that was anticlimactic. Not certain why I expected any more at this point, but even so… The surviving Zhents flee (I thought there weren’t any of them left already?) and Belkram suspects that if there is a Right Axe, they’ll be meeting him soon enough (and I imagine he’ll be equally disappointing). The Harpers embrace and exchange happy observations on what a good fight this is – oh, I beg to differ, as a storyteller this battle commits the one sin I cannot forgive, that of being boring – while a dalesmen comments on how young they are, and then a moment later screams start from down the hall as the scene ends. *flatly* Oh, how dramatic. Whatever could it be? I can hardly wait…
Errezha: And so, we cut to Sharantyr as she stalks down a staircase like a vengeful wind, how dramatic, and comes across more Zhents. More to slay. Yes, this is clearly a woman who is sick of violence! She immediately starts killing them, so effortlessly that she actually wonders if she’s killing with her gaze alone. *flatly* Yes, that’s the point we’re all at now – our protagonist is killing her enemies so easily she’s literally unsure if she’s using magic to do it. More Zhents run in, and all she has to do is smile at them before they literally scream and run away. *sigh* Have I mentioned that none of these people would last a day in Cheliax? Oh, and Sharantyr actively enjoys the sound of their screaming. I think someone, despite her protests to the contrary, is becoming slightly drunk on bloodlust. She suddenly spots the dalesmen coming up the passage behind her – no, don’t ask me to make sense of this castle’s layout – while the remaining Zhents have formed up in front of some heavy doors. She spots the Harpers leading the locals, and they all introduce themselves. Sharantyr. Knight of Myth Drannor… Itharr and Belkram of the Harpers, with true men of the Dale. *arching an eyebrow* As opposed to what, false men of the Dale? One of the old men then asks Sharantyr to hug him so live or die, I’ll do it happily, so I suppose Elminster isn’t the only dirty old man around here. And Sharantyr does so, though the narrative goes out of its way to mention her arms are bloodstained, of course. The, ah, pleasantries out of the way, everyone turns to face the Zhents.
Calassara: Who have just been obligingly standing there and letting everyone hug instead of shooting them with arrows or crossbow bolts, it seems, for shame! Their leader orders the attackers to lay down their weapons or die. We are warriors of Zhentil Keep. We know much of killing. Well, based on their recent performance I can certainly say the Zhentilar know much about being killed… And then Itharr makes that exact crack. I, however temporarily, shared my thought processes with a Greenwood character, and now I feel unclean. But it also seems like even the book is admitting its antagonists are only good at dying. Odd. The Zhent says that if they save their breath for pleading, he might spare them, leading Sharantyr to mock his “pacifism” and “generosity” (you have been slaughtering your way through this castle, you are in no position to talk!). In response, the Zhent tells his men to capture Sharantyr alive, and they address him as Right Axe, so it seems that’s one mystery solved. Gedaern the Dalesman then fills Itharr in that the Right Axe’s name is Sunthrun Blackshoulder and he’s known for cruelty and butchering women and younglings, just in case we were worried there was any chance this character might have some moral nuance. Blackshoulder agrees that’s all correct *sigh* and Belkram says it will be a pleasure to kill him. In return, Blackshoulder draws his sword, which is as tall as a man – that sounds unwieldy – and its blade was dull and black and menacingly evil. *rolling her eyes* Oh, look, it’s an evil, black sword. I’ve literally never seen that before! *beat* And I’ll note that the Right Axe is also not an axeman. I am not surprised.
MG: Something tells me this one isn’t going to be joining the ranks of Stormbringer and its more impressive expies, I have to say.
Errezha: With the caveat that I don’t know what “Stormbringer” is… you’re probably correct. Well, our heroes aren’t cowed, and advance down the corridor. Belkram and Itharr kill some Zhents, opening a pathway for Sharantyr, who engages Blackshoulder himself. She trades blows with him and kills one of his guards, and then Belkram also kills a guard and attacks Blackshoulder himself. Blackshoulder manages to hold them both off, and nearly stabs Sharantyr until she grabs one of the other Zhents to use as a shield, so Blackshoulder runs him through instead, how honorable of her. She rolls away and trips another Zhent so Itharr can kill him, while Blackshoulder himself kills one of the old Dalesmen. Sharantyr is furious, and she and Belkram attack Blackshoulder from both sides. He tries to force them into each other, but they’re ready for that tactic. Belkram parries his sword, and Sharantyr stabs him in the armpit. Right Axe Sunthrun stiffened, spat blood, and collapsed silently to the floor. And then, adding insult to injury, Gadaern the Dalesman stomps his head, no doubt making a wonderful mess everywhere. *she shudders* Itharr asks if there are any more – all the Zhents are down, but so are all the Dalesmen except for Gadaern and one other. This… prompts no emotional reaction from Sharantyr and the Harpers whatsoever, as they trade looks, Belkram tells Itharr that one always opens doors for a lady – I can’t say many people have ever given that courtesy to me, less because of my gender and more because of, well *she gestures at her obviously-tiefling self* - and the chapter comes to an end as Itharr opens the door to the council chamber. *she sighs* Maybe this means something interesting will finally happen next time? Though I suppose I’m only fooling myself with false hope…
MG: Well, this chapter was… marginally better than the last one, if only because our protagonists actually made some notable progress and fought some enemies a bit more distinctive than just random Zhent mooks. On the other hand, we’re not even pretending anymore that Sharantyr in particular isn’t just wading through Zhents and slaughtering them with zero effort, and while the two “Axes” are marginally more interesting opponents, they still go down very easily and had never even been mentioned before this chapter, so they still don’t feel like a big deal. And while Sharantyr’s internal monologue tries to make it seem like she is getting sick of the violence, her actual behavior shows alarming levels of bloodlust (while the two Harpers barely have that much personality between them). Next time… we have our ninth straight chapter of battle, but actually start making progress towards the end as Sharantyr and Friends confront Stormcloak and his council, and after several chapters of not doing much, Elminster makes his move. We’ll see you then!
