#anywhere

--------

Colton rules with an iron fist...actually, it's more coppery , probably some affect of the barony. Odd as it's made from stone and silver shavings and glass bits.

The motley have been studying up on troll rules and they have questions.

"So only furking trolls can be a Chief, Mountain, or Storm or ..Hearth?" The nocker asks

Knowing where this is going, he says "Yes."

"Why?" The nocker says "Can't tell me other kiths wouldn't be good at it ? I mean.. ... other kiths have warriors, and folks that know lore..."

"Trollish Lore," Colton corrects, "It's not just raw knowledge, or magic might, it's knowing the ways of our spirituality, it's shamanism and more"

"Right, so what, a two week crash course and bam you're in..." The nocker waves it off, "And plenty can cook and clean and stuff"

Colton sighs "Hearths do more than that."

Symon comments, "I've heard of at least one case where a Kinain was elected as Hearth." He adds, helpfully.

"A troll kinian I bet," Colton says

A shrug. "Can you argue that one who doesn't even hold a fae soul can be better suited to know the needs of one who does?" A pause, and he edits, "Well, of course you can. But by that same logic - the best person for the job, regardless of other "traditional role requirements", other kithain may suit as well - or better - if the situation warrants."

Symon may as well have little horns and a forked tail, for all that he's playing devil's advocate here. But he switches them with the tattered wings for the angel on the other shoulder as he provides helpful insight and continues work on the inventory - it may be quite frustrating.

Colton sighs, indicating that yes it is, "This lodge was founded by trolls. It was defended by trolls. Maybe it sounds kithist, but they paid the blood price up to the very end, and for this place particularly, with the blackgate in its belly? While I'd welcome any help, I think trolls are best suited to be guardians and this lodge needs that. The only ones who might have a better claim are the Nunehi, and they recognize us... in fact, it might be a betrayal of the peace for trolls to go 'you know what, forget this whole 'lodge' thing despite our promsises'."

"Founded by and defended by... and, harsh as it sounds, they failed. It was rescued by a mixed motley - everyone here worked together to defeat the big bad in the basement. Doesn't it also betray them to edge them out to a second class citizen status?"

Colton frowns "Anyone would have failed against a great wyrm of dark legend, but the real question is, are you guys willing, to swear here and now, to serve, to put your duty to your role as Hearth, Mountain , or Storm above all other things? To live and die for the lodge above motley, above self interest? That's life for Brekke, for Frank, and for Kerri. " he looks to the nocker. "Could you put the lodge over your friends? Could you put your duty over going off when one of them said they needed you but the lodge needed you more? You were all very heroic, but that's not enough to be a Chieftain, a storm, a hearth, or a mountain. It means giving up your life, not just risking it, but giving it up."

The nocker frowns, and backs up, "Yeah well... you know... that's like.. your furking opinion." But he walks off "Fine. Fine"

He watches the nocker go, and nods to Colton. "Fair enough. I hope that, whoever does end up with this hold, they'd consider the same. Maybe not that fellow, but others may well fit that mold." A thoughtful rub of his chin... oh, he misses that chin. "Not me, though. I'm too selfish, and honest enough to admit it." A small, gummy grin.

Colton looks at the sluagh, "For a selfish guy, you do a lot of good for others when you could just run and hide. " A bit of a smile, "I think Dagmar notices it. It's probably one reason she thinks you're awesome"

A small snort. "That, or she just wants that plus 2 rod of warding that I dangled in front of her shaman in the last campaign."

"Ooo seriously? +2 rod of warning? Damn, that's like a guaranteed safe space for camping... natural wandering monsters won't even come close..." Then a blink "Argh, you're doing it again. I think I've got you figured out and now I'm not sure anymore."

He stretches - oh, should arms - let along necks - bend that way? And gathers up his notes. "I wouldn't want you to get bored." He shuffles the pages for a moment. "I appreciate that you're at least willing to listen to the motley. ...it can suck, sometimes, feeling stuck on the outside. Even being an "honored guest" still means that you're a visitor in someone else's house."

"You do know that the Rivervale crew considers you one of them? Certainly the wilders right? I mean, you're less of a stranger than I am and I'm dating the Hearth's daughter"

"Who said anything about me? We're talking about Stanwix."

"Well I thought maybe you were sharing a personal exper..." A sigh "Well, fine. You're right. I need to make sure each member of the motley has my support and recognition for what they've done. Honored Guest maybe an honor, but I see how the guest part might insult after a time regardless." He rubs his brows.

He gives a quirk of a bow. "My liege." A hint of a smirk, as he slips out to go check on whether the dusty rafters in one of the rooms will support his weight to check on the structural integrity, or need more buttressing - perhaps with a nailgun.

A groan from the poor regent at the liege part

and Symon is off

A lot of the fortress seems quite solid, as if healing now that it's a hold...but a few mortal underpinings could use work.

Symon IS interested in playing with the nailgun. Hopefully this doesn't end up with a nail through anything he values.

Like maybe a hand.. there is a shortage of those

---------------------

Heir Adelaide says "So, with the Balor offering such a blatant and insulting bribe, we did not support 'bannerhouse paler' but I have notes on it." She smiles at AKanthea "I did enjoy making the suggestion of a committee."

Ack, Flee the Dread Sovereign