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A note
Posted: 28 Jul 2006 12:48 PM |
The day came and went. Lucius never saw Jessup and never saw Nico. The fish mouldered in his pack and his entourage of cats multiplied. After a particularly jarring argument with Ulalume, in which the paladin made the completely erroneous assertion that Gabriel had 'enthralled' Ophelia and the infuriating assertion that Dana hadn't fought the undead because she was in league with them, Lucius had had enough. She would manipulate his guilt and good nature no more. When she strode back into Port Royale, he left, Dana and Ophelia, clearly not 'enthralled' (though rather drunk), following.
When Sam later arrived, they'd made a decision to climb Se'eth's tower again, Lucius still convinced that a woman could talk sense to Se'eth's bride, where he and the other men had failed. Sam's arrival provided an opportunity to discuss Kal and Ophelia's situation. He wasn't Jessup, but Sam knew many of the same things, and Lucius doubted that he would have heard any different from Jessup. When Sam finished offering his opinion, Dana chimed in that "Sam da smartz", something Lucius had only ever heard her say about himself, her father, herself, and Sam. 'Auspicious company', he thought with fondness. Ophelia also shared her opinions, and much later, after a day and evening of turmoil, Lucius sat and penned his note. He was in the vast cave that marked the M'Gok Tukar feast hall, the room now dimly lit and empty for all save Lucius. He had a quill in one hand and an ale in the other, a shiny purple stone holding his parchment in place.
The note reads:
Dear Kal,
I would first like to say that I have little more to offer you than what I told you yesterday. I will be gone from Port Royale and the area for a few days now, so if your decision is to go destroy the ring, I won't be around to help. I'm sure Ulalume and whoever else you and she might bring along will be a more than capable complement for the task.
I really don't know the repercussions from destroying the ring. The repercussions from Ophelia's actions appear to be the assault on the Seven Sisters, though I don't know whether that assault is a result of her destroying the ring or of refusing to do Gabriel's bidding. I wish Djinn was around to speak to, because she has put more effort into researching your condition than anyone else but, alas, she appears to have disappeared. Now you appear to have people arguing from two ends of an ideological chasm about what you should do.
This letter marks my last word on the subject. I'm no more well-informed that those who would argue that you rid yourself of the ring and fight Desth'des. What little I know comes from speaking to Jessup and his employees, people that I suspect you don't trust. They are of the opinion that standing up to Desth'des at this juncture won't work, that it will merely bring more fighting and more suffering. Ignoring the ring that you carry for a moment, I think it is logical that if you and Ophelia refuse to retrieve the Glyph, Desth'des will keep looking until he finds someone who will retrieve it.
Agreeing to retrieve it buys time, and perhaps keeps Desth'des from signing up 'volunteers' with darker hearts than yours. Maybe he needs someone of pure heart to retrieve the Glyph, and that's why you and Ophelia were chosen, though, from something Gabriel said the other day, I doubt that is the case. I suspect he just needs it to be retrieved by the living.
By keeping the ring, you bear a heavy burden. By disposing of hers, Ophelia released the burden of the sickness that was enveloping her, but not the burden of her debt to Desth'des, at least not in Gabriel's eyes. His threat to her was that if she doesn't retrieve the Glyph, over time, all those close to her will be killed.
So, from Ophelia's experience, all that I can really say is that destroying your ring might precipitate another attack. Please remember that the Sisters were defended by a group that is rarely assembled in one place together. The beasts that attacked would have slaughtered an ordinary town militia.
I wish you well, whatever your decision is, and I'll hopefully speak to you again soon.
Yours sincerely,
Lucius
Jane flies off to deliver the letter, happy to get away from the 'ugly people' and culinary delights of M'Gok Tukar. |
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Re: Stranger Companies Yet: Tales of Kalannar Illistynn (3rd person)
Posted: 29 Jul 2006 12:10 PM |
((letter attached to Cala from Ophelia))
Dear Kalannar,
By now you have heard what has happen at the Seven Sisters. I cannot explain how bad I feel about what has happen. Because of my foolishness many people died that night. I thought I could stand up to Gabriel by destroying the ring. Kalannar, the ring cannot be destroyed. Before the attack began Gabriel came to me and showed me my ring. I am sorry. My punishment for disobeying Gabriel is all the ones I love will be killed. I have tried to wander alone. Tried to stay away from the ones I love. Hoping it will keep them safe. It’s not working. Friends of mine have already been attacked. I fear my father is dead for I haven’t seen him for months. I am not strong enough to be alone. I cannot watch all those I love perish in front of my eyes. I am going after the Glyph. If I have to, I will do it alone. I cannot have anymore die because of my mistakes. If I find it I will use it to stop from anyone else getting hurt. This probably will be my final letter to you or anyone for that matter. I am sure I will not even make it to Maldovia. I will most likely be killed before I even get there. But, I do not know what else to do. I am staying at the Four Winds preparing for my trip. If you must contact me. Please do it their.
Your Friend,
Ophelia |
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An Urgent Letter to Ophelia, via Raven
Posted: 31 Jul 2006 01:05 AM |
Gasping and wheezing he runs through the brush just off the trail. His weakened body still moving lithely despite being hunkered over and appearing so old. Perhaps if a venerable elf in his last years made an urgent sprint through the forest it would look like this... but kalannar was no full-blooded elf. And he needed a particular creature to carry this message. Something ominous enough to send towards Maldovia... perhaps it wouldn't get slain and fed upon too quickly if he could use one of these: he needed a raven. It would be the only animal he could get in close enough before Ophelia ran herself into sure disaster.
He stumbled past a Buckshire guard with blazing torch in the pale half-moonlight. The guard simply grunted as the pallid, sickly looking half-elf blew past him. He knew Kalannar by face and reputation, and only mumbled a slight protest as he ran by, quieter than even the Pink's cat hunting seagulls.
Written in the letter addressed to Ophelia, and tied to the foot of the raven:
"Friend,
I knows tha times are diff'cult and tryin fer ye. PLEASE, don go yet, an 'specially not alone. I'll come wid ye, if I must. But it'd be better ta wait on Djinn. We shuld bring Dana an Lou fer protection, an perhaps Ulalame, Byron, an others not tied inta the Magistry's or Dethsade's web. Really, I don mean it bad, but ye ain strong enough ta take em on alone. Nor am I, so we shuld get a party tagether ta do this right... maybe we stands a chance ta stop Gabriel or use the Glyph against 'im... but NOT alone. Please... WAIT.
*written slowly and carefully:* Yer concern'd friend Kal."
Then he spots a second raven and keeps it in his sight as he begins a second letter...
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"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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Gokathul's Call to Attention... ((or not))
Posted: 11 Aug 2006 09:07 PM |
A Tarik-DM Production
((thanks to whichever DM it is who plays him))
Kalannar rubbed his head as he awoke in the Sisters once again... His breath rhasped as he still breathed quickly: he was still very excited by his discovery. He checked his belongings, and surely, as per the norm, the ragpickers had taken a goodly sum of gold from his purses, yet he was happy to find all his gear still present and intact. "I thought it were the Aristi tha' went searchin fer folks an brought them back to tha sisters..." he thought to himself, not understanding how the Aristi could be capable of stealing.
He quickly discarded his thoughts of gold, for what he recently found was much more valuable. He had discovered an abandoned gravesite of Gokathul. It was packed with servants of his, mumbling prayers to him, and Kalannar had an idea. Now if only he had the firepower to make it come into action... Gokathul would feel the sting from his victim soon, Kalannar would be sure of that. ((Foolishly, he didn't realize that Gokathul would be one of the innocent victims this day.))
---
He quickly ran to the tailor's shop in the port, but before he could enter, he ran into a familiar face. How could his luck be so good that he should run into Ophelia at a time like this? Perhaps Valstadoriun was showing favor on him, he thought. It took little convincing to get her to agree to tag along, and a little Elf by the name of Febriel wanted to come along too. He told her that it would be dangerous, but she wanted to come along, so they permitted. She would at least add spell buffers to the group and was good with a bow.
So the party made their way into the dangerous wood where Kalannar knew the crypt was. With any luck the acolytes won't have raised the destroyed minions from before, Kalannar thought to himself. As they made their way, Ophelia explained to Kalannar, that the Glyph was actually intended to be used as a tool to Deths'des in order to try to overthrow the throne of Gokathul and become the new god of Death, or Undeath as it were. Kalannar thought, "even better, then maybe we'll catch the attention of Gokathul and he'll help us to overthrow Deths'des and be free of this curse." With the alternative of seeking out the Glyph and all the potential problems related, this seemed a worthy alternative. An excellent "Plan-B", Kalannar thought to himself.
Luck wasn't on their side as they entered, the minions had indeed been restored, but the heroes' flame enchanted weapons were stronger. They cut through the group, and with a call to "Take the Ghoul first!" they even took out the party of Acolytes accompanied by some gargantuan undead aborration and the Ghoul from the depths of the Abyss. So where to go from there? ... That decision was to soon be decided for them.
They reached the point where Kalannar had been earlier, but one thing changed: Walls of stone had appeared and blocked their exit... now it was fight forward or rot in this pit of abyssal disgust. They decided to continue forward, but every minute there seemed to be more aborrations appearing to block their path. When they continued down the stair that Kalannar had spied out, there were even more foes than he had seen before. Perhaps Gokathul had noticed the intruders. Perhaps he'd take them seriously now. They had slaughtered a good many of his servants. They made their way to the double bridge, crossed, and saw the throne of somebody important. Behind the throne was a huge pillar of black stone (not too different from the stone in Kalannar's ring) and an onslaught of nasties came rushing at them to defend their master.
But where was the master? After all the minions had been cut through, Kalannar had a sinking feeling in his infested gut, that something wasn't right. He could feel a presence, and it wasn't a positive one. This was confirmed after some time when Ophelia made the comment, "Uh oh, now we're really in trouble." A lich Priest of Gokathul appeared and raged at the intruders. HOW DARE THEY PROFANE THIS TEMPLE OF GOKATHUL?!?! Kal had never realized this was a temple, and now he was about to pay a holy price for his holy offense. A balor was summoned and then another Huge Aborration, flames came breathing in from his flanks, and the Lich began casting spells. Indeed they were in serious trouble. Kal gripped his swords and prepared for the onslaught. He mistakenly faced the balor first... everyone knows to face the summoner before his summons, but Kal had never seen a Balor before and it's unholy magesty had him nearly soiling his armour, so he turned to face it immediately. Ophelia and Febriel had more sense: they ran.
Kalannar fought bravely in a battle that he knew was hopeless. Escape was blocked, the Lich obviously wasn't interested in holding counsel, and the only option was to kill or be killed. Between, Balor, Lich and gargantuan, Kalannar fell bravely. Amidst the many blows, the soul-scorching pain, the disease, he was unable to tell what brought on the enclosing darkness, but as it closed in he felt MUCH pain.
---
Then he woke up to hear Ophelia whispering. Some strange creature was talking with her and apparently had brought him back from the darkness. But why? They were still in the crypt-temple and escape was impossible. Ophelia explained the circumstances and the creature, apparently some sort of forest diety, promised that some form of escape would be possible. Kalannar didn't catch this kind soul's name, but it looked like a hin, or maybe a large fairy, with wings and it talked quickly. Febriel was recovering too, so everyone bandaged themselves quickly in hushed whispers. What was that strange creature?
But the Lich-Priest had sensed their living spirits as they returned. He came running over the bridge enraged and confused that somehow the group had thwarted his almighty power of destruction. "Quick invisibility!" Kal shouted and cast a spell on himself and Febriel. Ophelia was faster and had herself enshrouded already. They ran through the door.
The undead minions and their acolytes had been working fervently. Already the staircase was guarded by another throng of acolytes and even another Aborration and a ghoul of the depths. When would this nightmare end? Kalannar thought. "Quick! While yer invisible, lets get outta here!" he shouted, but Febriel and Ophelia were smarter and moved more slowly. Kal would have been right, and even been safe if he'd known better how to deal with the greater minions of undeath, but those lessons were yet to be learned. He ran to the door they entered in... Locked. As he fumbled with the door, he heard a grotesque rhaspy sniffing sound from behind... the creature approached him tensing up as it closed in and sniffing more emphaticially. It had picked up on his scent, and now the cruellest of Gokathul's servants in the room had become aware of his presence. He was still invisible, but in his rush hadn't used his enchantments of protection. He was helpless before this ghoulish beast, it's razor sharp diseased claws twitching in nervouse anticipation of the body it would ravenously feast on. Kalannar , this time was the one to run. The creature must have looked funny to the acolytes as it chased what appeared to be nothing, running in circles three or four times around the circumference of the room before it stopped and an artist/warrior, tired of a hopeless chase, stopped to face it off. That was when all the abominations closed in on the now visible foe. Febriel tried to take advantage to run, but was unsuccessful. Ophelia, however, grabbed up the bodies and ran all the way to... Kalannar didn't know where to expect: he drifted away from consciousness.
---
She paid a high price, but the healer was willing to do the job finally. She was even feeling so philanthropic that she offered free holy water, a rarity in Port Royale.
Nicodemus the Scribe was there too, and eveybody seemed in an overly joyous mood, considering the circumstances... As Kalannar blinked his eyes, and looked around: Nico was wearing the gold and black uniform of the Aristi. Surely he had died, and must be in Heaven, Kalannar thought. In the real world of Vives Port Royale would never give away free Holy Water, and eveyone knew that Nico served Frobozz. Kal must be in heaven.
As the conversation continued, mention of prophecies were made and Nico seemed so very friendly, it seemed more and more likely that Kalannar had died and was now in either Heaven or some positive parallel universe... Ophelia was in the book and Kalannar wasn't, but what was this book? A registry of the addmitted to heaven? Nico found Ophie, and now searched for Kalannar: Not listed.
Would this mean that he would be sent to Nethar'u to suffer an eternity of torment? Was the paradise changing? Was he really just being decieved adn really had already begun his eternal torment?
The talk of prophecies lead to talk of liberation from the curse, and Ophelia would indeed be liberated. Kalannar was relieved to realize that the notebook was actually some book of prophecies. Yet he wasn't listed. Ophelia would be released of the curse, but Kalannar wasn't likely to escape it. What a stupid book, Kalannar had thought. He mentioned that not all prophecies are true, and Nico became infuriated. He left.
Then Ophelia left.
Kalannar was left with Sywyn and some beautiful woman who had just entered. Sywyn was gathering the free Holy Waters (yet another turn for the negative: Kalannar didn't even get any free holy water.) They spoke a bit about crating, and Kalannar agreed to make an Scarab of Malachite for him. Sywyn showed him a new type of arrow he would add to his available stock. Truely a magnificent specimine.
Alyssa, as Kalannar found out later she was called, took offense at the fact that he found Karli attractive. After some dispute about how evil Naruth was and some heated words, Kalannar left... he was unable to take his eyes off of her even as he left the Temple. WHY is it that the most beautiful women of Vives seem to always follow the three evil sisters? It is so wrong that beauty meant deception, selfishness, and so much materialism. Despite her loyalty to a god that Kalannar didn't understand, he found himself thinking about her the rest of the day. The sickness had had him away from civilization for too long: just the sight of one pretty woman turned his head around and had him missing the company of... well, anybody.
He finished the day watching the sun set over the waters behind the boats of Port Royale. Sure it was a dirty city, but he loved it anyways. So many days he had spent crafting here, and he knew all the locals. He may not have a home, but the port was becoming very much like one for him.
((Thanks to Febriel, Sywyn, and Alyssa for wonderful contributions to the RP today!!!)) |
"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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A Secret Expedition...
Posted: 13 Aug 2006 06:03 PM |
After a failed expedition to the temple in the Swamps of Buckshire Ophelia, Noah West, Djinn ((Zubeida al Maheeni)), and Kalannar Illistynn sat around the fire and exchanged words. All were tired: Ophelia for having carried out three bodies after an epic battle with two small Black Dragons, and the other three... for obvious reasons. The sisters had been kind, taking only a small sum in comparison to what the priestesses of Port Royale demand.
How is it that the door they discovered had appeared and disappeared? Why did it disappear only after letting two through, to their emminent demise? And then, when the other two came to rescue, how is it that Kalannar had been paralyzed and petrified, yet only temporarily? All sat quietly and reflected on the events that just passed.
Then Djinn and Opelia and Kalannar began to discuss the Glyph of Aman'Dur. Djinn had made some recent discoveries: 1) The glyph is a piece of knowlege, and is scribed much like the arcane is. 2) It had originally been taken from the Aman race of Titans by Vestlat. 3) It prevents mortals from raising the dead to life. 4) The glyph kills any mortal who tries to possess it. Kalannar and Djinn discussed a bit about raising the dead, as Kalannar had believed that the power was not owned by mortals, but rather they asked the Gods to do it for them. Djinn said that was not the case, that she had been grantd the ability by Elbereth, and could do it on her own accord.
Then it occurred to Kalannar that Dethsdes had sent them on a mission to sure death. The Glyph would have killed them, and is surely unattainable. Yet Djinn reasoned that surely due to thier bond with him he surely had the intention to glean the information though their soul connection even though Ophelia or Kalannar would die. The deceit of Dethsdes seemed to have no bounds. BUt would being killed have turned them into undead or sent them to perpetual death?
Djinn also clarified that the Kobai Tribes prayed to the Diety of the Crypts of the Valley of Lost Souls, and that Diety was Dethsdes, who now intended to usurp Gokathul. Surely it would serve Kalannar and Ophelia to join up with a greater power to break the curse, but would it be wise to choose a side in this conflict of evil undead, or would it be wiser to side up with the Aristi or the elves?
Destroying the ring would likely relieve Kalannar of his symptoms of the curse, although the bond would remain. This would likely anger Gabriel very much and Kalannar would have to take refuge. Either in Ferien, or with the Aristi, whoever would take him. Since he had no family and no one he truely loved, it is unlikely that Gabriel could venge himself like he threatened to Ophelia.
Not long after their discussion Ophelia and Djinn excused themselves to rest and Kalannar headed to finish crafting a Scarab he promised to Sywyn.
---
In Omiga's he ran into Gnimini, a gnome whom he had adventured with quite a few times before he had begun adventuring with Lucius Edmonds, and before the Dragon hunting, before the slaughter with the Blues, beofre he lost his finger, before Gabriel's ghoulish minion, before this curse... much had changed. Gnimini's brother by adoption, a hardy dwarf by the name of Jubei Murasame, had been in the halls of Bregodim and they hadn't seen each other in ages, so Gnimini was practicing his hand at amulet making. Kalannar showed him his recently expanded collection of Amulets and watched as Gnimi made a Fire Opal Amulet just like his own, and of just as good quality. In talking about how useful it would likely be in the lands of Naruth it came up that Kalannar was interested in heading there on a special errand... Gnimini agreed to show him the way.
On the way Gnimini noticed that Kalannar had gotten some sickness and Kalannar explained that this was why he needed to go to the bridge over the fires of Naruth and toss in the ring. This should free him of the disease part of his curse. AND Kalannar made him swear, for his own protection, not to mention the adventure to anybody. Gnimini agreed.
They collected materials for the journey, and as they rested in the Four Winds Inn they met a strange Half-Orc who had no voice. Apparently he had lost his voice due to some wound on his throat (what looked like a few claw scratches), but was intelligent enough to communicate through signing and notes. He showed a serious lack of experience ((LEVEL 1!!!)) yet insisted that he wanted to go on the adventure. Kalannar didn't know the way, so he let Gnimini determine if it would be a good idea. They planned some enchantments they could use to protect him and agreed they'd take him with them. Invisibility and protective spells would be of utmost importance... plus he gathered a bow from his room and promised to stay back.
So they were off...
---
It took Grok little time to win Shira's trust by watering the horses, yet the horses were less trusting: tossing him off in the desert. He struggled his way to Brandibuck and they caught a wagon to the Great Plains. Figuring it would be less likely he get tossed from it. He held on better this time and although Jusin's wagon bounced and tossed quite a bit, they managed to get there still inside the wagon. Then they headed West.
Kobolds, Hill Giants, and then... the lava flow. Grok had only run ahead once, and he had been invisible. Fortunately, Giants tend to be so dumb that they didn't have the skill to discover a hidden half-orc beneath a cloak of invisibility.
They stood by the lava and looked on... Kal felt a burden in his pack increasing, as if the ring knew what was about to happen... he seemed to get more tired and the lump in his chest became more heavy. Grok pointed up to the bridge, and Kalannar agreed, slowly, that that would be the place to go. Gnimini was already in route. Gnimini subtly fumbled for his skinning knife and sized up Kalannar's behaviour. He had promised Kalannar, reluctantly, that if the ring wasn't thrown, that he would cut off the hand, if necessary. Kalannar remembered the promise and how Gnimini had taken out the knife earlier as if to punctuate the promise. Although hs didn't see the blade this time, he knew he was being watched, and struggled with the inner conflict. Finally he would have to throw it in: he remembered all the trial he had had in losing just a finger and still hadn't resolved that it was INDEED Dana who had eaten his finger. Losing a hand would be another hardship he didn't need. He'd not be able to sing again, and how he missed singing. The sickness in his throat had kept him from it and he desired to be able to sing out loud again...
The thought of song and being able to make it again warmed his cooled heart, spiting the burning lava below him, and after a few drops of perspiration fell evaporating before reaching the lava, he let the ring fall too. It hit the Lava and didn't melt at all, rather it slowly sunk below the liquid-stone surface. A bubble, and a puff of steam... was it destroyed?
They realized that the giants would return soon, so tried to make escape before they arrived. Kalannar turned and headed back toward their region... now NOT coughing or rhasping. Something was different. Hopefully he and others would not have to pay a high price for the change. |
"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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Refugee
Posted: 16 Aug 2006 03:26 PM |
| ((sorry, another user entry error, disregard or delete, please)) |
"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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Refugee
Posted: 16 Aug 2006 03:27 PM |
A "Ranger" Production.
((This IS common knowlege, and anyone who has any contact of open communication with elves or Kalannar can find this out with little difficulty.))
He let out a deep sigh as the Aegea landed on the shores of Ferien. As he disembarqued, he gave his thanks to Valien and tossed him another Gold Coin, which was received with the usual silence. Not even so much as a nod.
Kalannar went straight to the high courts to visit the Bowyer. This was a usual stopping in place for him when he visited. Not much had changed, as things in Ferien seldom did. Their strength was in their constance. The elves were ever training, and progressing in their traditions. Improving, and not varying from their course. And they resented the abomination of undeath. Surely their strength against those who cheated the cycle sould serve to his favor.
After leaving the Archer's store he ran into a scene: two Ferien guards had knocked their arrows and were telling an Elf to confess if he had or hadn't committed a crime. With some time, Kalannar learned that he had attacked a Midoran Guard and that such behaviour would not only not be tolerated by the court of Ferien, but that it was to be punished severely. The Elf was banished before Kalannar's eyes. Told to leave the Elven city in no more than 10 minutes and never to return. A harsh punishment for an Elf, kal thought. The elf was told he could petition a repeal, but it would have to be done from outside of the city.
Kal thought that he had better handle his situation carefully: he couldn't get them involved inadvertantly, he may find himself banished as well for endagering the city. He had to be direct about it. He explained to the authority present what his situation was, and asked if he may be granted stay as a refugee. his appeal was heard, but that was not to be decided unilaterally. He would have to put in an appeal with the counsel. His order was to leave a formal request in the palace, but would be allowed to remain while he awaited response. The matter would be handled with urgency, due to the risk.
---
Not long after, he arrived at the Palace and left a note with, Eowarar Gelin requesting permission to stay. His Elven was poor, but in respect to the elves he wrote his request in his best Elven. He drank a Fox's Cunning potion to assist him in the writing, to be sure it would be worthy the attention it would be given by the Counsel. He even drank two flasks of Elven wine he had made, to assist in his writing, since that always seemed to improve his Elven-understanding ability. Then he went to the waiting room across the hall to await his pending response.
~The Letter~ ((Thread: Personal Journal of Kalannar Illistynn))
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"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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As he awaits Ferien's response...
Posted: 21 Aug 2006 05:06 PM |
| ((oops, disregard or delete this particular entry, user error!)) |
"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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Of Dark Dwarves and Dark Elves
Posted: 27 Sep 2007 06:37 PM |
Tristian, Johe, Vrodo, Kal's old friend and co-sufferer Ophelia, and a quiet elven druid who recently clarified that his name is Amon all sat in the Inn at the Icy Vale recovering from wounds of a recent scouting mission. The trip to Wastwater had been dangerous with encounters including Durgazon Scouts and Knights. Normally only the magically inclined mountain Ogres would reside in that region. Kal knew the area well, but recently things had been changing. In his time away from society, he had often taken silent refuge on these very cliffs, and nearer towards the Vale watching the Frost Giants that live bove the peaks.
The Durgazon had had letters on their persons and were far from their normal reaches. Tristian and Johe were very concerned.
As they discussed how to find a translation, Mr Miggins notified Ophie that a "Freddie" had been in and left message that he was headed to the Gold mines. Kal knew of the dangers and what with Durgazon on the prowl, this may be particularly lethal. If he didn't find help, he would surely find his demise, unless thie Freddie were a skilled swordsman, Kalannar had thought.
Amon had to stay and nurse a broken leg damaged by a huge falling boulder at the Ogre camp, and Ophelia was tired. This Freddie fellow seemed to not have left a very good impression on some of the group, but Kalannar knew that to save a life would be a good thing... and in that region there were a good many useful crafting resources... Why not get some supplies for his old passion, and have a little protection, just in case?
Vrodo, Tristian, Johe and Kal set out to see if this Freddie could be protected, whatever his questionable background. To Kalanar's dismay, Vrodo requested that his Snow Orc brothers NOT be hurt in the process. With a little grumbling and a lot of preparation Kal was able to sneak by without being seen.
Cautiously they made their way through the caves...
. . .
cut scene
. . .
Tristian, Vrodo, Johe, Fennigan, and Talion hear a whump in the snow in front of them as a humanoid form is cookie-cut into the snow. The invisibility wears off and Kalannar is revealed laying bloodied and disheveled.
"I gah ambush'd! a couple scouts an' a leader!" he stammered out with bloodspurts and wheezes between words. "They may have followed me back out!"
"I had ta use a miracle potion an go invis'ble ta escape tha fellers... I don know if they seen me or nah," Kalannar tried to explain, mumbling something about a cohosh being hardly a fair trade for a malar hide. "Methinks the Roc I tamed took out the scouts, but the Knight killed the roc an left me fer dead. Norm'ly there ain no scouts there, they musta followed us up..."
"you went to go get the Malar hides alone didn't you?" one of them replies, and an argument ensues as to whether throwing Kalannar over the gate as an offering would please or offend the Durgazon more.
Johe, keeps his cool and begins setting traps on the gate, while others knock arrows and bolts to defend, should Kal have been followed.
After a long while they figure the Durgazon must have figured Kal for dead and they head back to the Inn. Talion pulls Kalannar aside and offers a trinket if he'll just keep his mouth closed for 10 minutes... Then conversations of Wars, Letters, and Adamantine begin amongst the others...
With purple face and bit lip Kalannar manages to keep his mouth shut. He and Talion enter the Inn and Mr Miggins mentioned later to a passer by that a good deal of rare items exchanged hands, something of mithral, parchment, cobalt...
. . .
cutscene
. . .
[NOT COMMON KNOWLEGE, ONLY DMs AND KALANNAR WOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING]
Later that same day, with Troll and Ogre blood spattered on his armour Kalannar wanders into what was once the forest where he grew up: Latonei. Strand, his savior-mentor's Tree-home is only a burning stump now, and the trees have all been razed and burned. His childhood saved when he was found by the ranger, now another part of Kalannar's past has disappeared into the mists of the encrouching dark forest. A musty steam rises from the tainted soil and a dark forboding hangs in the air as though the Atalan may appear at any moment. Kalannar cautiously makes his way through to the old clearing where the Druids once gathered at the entrance to Ferien. All the Chesnut trees and Hawthorn now destroyed, there are no resources here to be spoken of. The land is now tainted, nearly useless.
"Perhaps the Ferien bridge has been rebuilt?" Kal thinks to himslef and as he heads toward Ferien, but then realizes that he may need rest, should he cross paths with an Atalan scout. Seeing the strange cliffside abode, he recalls how he had rested before in front of the door. Cautiously, makes his way down: Never know what could have happened with the Atalan attacks... maybe they inhabit it now?
Inside the cave all looks the same as before, only perhaps a bit more neglected, dirty, as though nobody had been here in a LONG time. Hard to tell, as this place always had a strange rustic dirtiness about it anyways.
What inspired him to try the door, Kalannar may never know, but that fateful moment will surely change the course of the rest of his life... The door had ALWAYS been locked and he had never found a way to crack it... unless the Atalan had truely superior magics not even they could enter this strange underground abode.
He gave the door a solid shove... "CREEEEEEAAAAAK"... it swung open.
Inside he saw the strangest of sights. There were bookshelves and furnature like he would imagine of the Atalan or one with the Undercity's connections to have. Books and papers strewn about... it was hard to tell if the place had been razed, or if it were the home of some mad wizard with no sense of order or cleanliness... either way the place looked like it hadn't been habitated in a LONG time. Beyond the strange ornate thrones and Bookshelves and study desks was a gate blocking a portal... to where? He'd never know. The gate was locked. Sealed tight.
Curiosity began to get the better of him... he banged on the bars, but they wouldn't break. He would not find out today where it went. . . . then the idea came to him to try another door. He went to the other room and began to bash at one he had seen before... "the place looks abandoned anyways," he thought to himself as he did so. The door, due to neglect or some other cause, damaged easily and with little effort it was soon on the floor.
He walked into what appeared to be a bedroom. Just as dirty and unorganized. A chest was in the corner, but was locked. But then, as he turned around to leave, he spotted "IT": a strange box as he had never seen before with a hand holding a large glowing gem of sorts on the top as a decoration.
"Now THAT's pretty, he thought to himself and went to examine more closely." It radiated a strong magic that almost seemed to pulsate out and electrify his fingers with soft surges. hesitantly, he touched it... nothing...
...but the top shifted.
He heard a "SLAM" behind him, but now was so deeply intrigued at what this thing was he didn't investigate, yet. He pushed at the statuette and the top of the box lifted back revealing a space inside. The magic in here was as tangible as water on your skin when you stick your hand into a current... his hands trembled. 3 books, some scrolls, bandages, and a strange unfamiliar staff. Finally, he looked over his shoulder to see that it was the entrance door that had closed behind him. "DRAT!" he cursed.
He grabbed the things and stuffed them in a finely crafted bag... "such treasures should NOT be left for the Atalan," he thought to himself... "and if they belong to the Atalan, it would be good to remove such items from their possession!" My how Valstadoriun had blessed him today! Such exquisite things!
He closed the strange box, now not seeming to radiate so much power as before, and began to seek another way out. The main door would not be scratched as before, and now was sealed shut. He bashed every door he could find, but none would give way and allow passage.
He was TRAPPED.
He noticed a strange room that seemed to open up into the cliffside and a few trees were planted in formation. In the middle an old rotten looking, burned and gnarled looking tree stood. As he investigated the room, the tree seemed to move. A shiver went up his spine, and he got a strange sense of Deja-Vu. It was as though he had seen something lke this tree before, but he couldn't remember where. He decided to keep his distance for now.
He went back to the door to see what trinkets may help in his escape... nothing suitable. He investigated the items he had found... maybe one was a sort of key... He put on his Khaazim rings to better make them out... still the staff was strange to him, but the books seemed to contain some rare magic such as he had NEVER seen before. The scrolls seemed to explain a spell he had only seen once or twice in his life. One inparticular caught his interest. I was sealed with a rune and seemed to contain a few parchments in the roll. The rune seemed to resemble a man with his arms outstretched only half of the body was there. Reading it silently he deciphered that it may be a spell to make him reappear in a place he envisioned. "I could use this to get into that house where the full kitchen is at! At last I can cook again!" he thought to himself, but more importantly: he knew it could get him out of here as well.
He began reading the runes out slowly, clumbsily, and even with his significant skill, it was perhaps the distraction that kept him from reading adequately. There was a flash, a surge of energy, and everything went dark... . . . but it didn't get light again... . . . and he realized he hadn't moved anywhere... HE WAS BLIND! "Dear gods..." he murmured, shuddering at the thought of that tree so close.
It took a few moments but eventually his sight came back, so he decided to go investiage that tree before he really gave it a good go...
As he inched closer the tree shuddered and rustled... he noticed that it moved again, only this time he could make out markings almost as of a Living Tree's Face... only this one surely had been tainted or was evil... He carefully backed away, wonderring why it hadn't attacked him yet, and thanking every god he could think of for their mercy.
"don't get too close," he thought to himslef as he slinked back tot he door and noticed that it stopped rustling. Maybe it was a gift left behind by the Atalan?
He began the preparations, put on all his most cultured clothing which inspired him creativity, he put on his helmet that helped him concentrate better on such things, drank a potion of inspiration and readied to try another of those scrolls from the sealed roll. This time he was much more focused: his life depended on it.
He flet a surge as he read out the words with skill, the air seemed to crackle with electricity, he felt his body seem to quiver in an undescribable way... "YES!" he thought to himself...
And then suddenly the power dissapated and stopped... as though some greater force were blocking it.
"DRAT!!!" Kalannar exclaimed as a deep sense of terror and desperation overwhelmed him. Trapped in a place very likely to be the Atalan's, with a HUGE tainted living tree, and no way to get to the portal or the door.... "Surely this must be a puzzle..." he thought to himself, and began running through ideas.
The only thng he could think of would be that maybe the tree didn't attack because it had some sort of key. "I'll see if I can persuadeit to give me a clue..." he thought shuddering and looking at the gnarled, black, monstrosity of a tree. "Gulp."
He cast protections and summoned his biggest assistant hoping that would help and approached the tree. "*gulp!* errrr..." Looking up at the tree.
And he felt a wave of some hostile magic energy weling toward his mind.
"Eh?" he thought, as he drew his weapons instinctively... the Wolf attacked the tree and battled insued. Kalannar struck at the tree, but even his enchanted weapons hardly damaged the thing through it's thick bark... this was an ominous sign for him.
His enchantments held and he was able to fight for a good deal of time. Suddenly another wave of fear and confusion welled over him and he found himself disoriented and confused. He fought inefectively now, swinging, but not knowing clearly where or at whom; just at whatever seemed to be a threat, and at the moment it's this big wooden thing in front of him.
Then he stopped dumbfounded to contemplate that for an instant: "a big wooden threat... hmmm..."
Not a second later he was pummeled by a branch the size of 3 Kalannars that connected all too squarely, and it sent him reeling over the cliff face... he could see no bottom, but thought the Great River was below... or was it? Where was he anyways?
A few seconds later he could hear trickling water approaching, but his body had fallen too close to the cliff's edge: he slammed into it throwing him into a spin and completely lost consciousness.
. . . |
"Life is a short trip... travel light"
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