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Up a mountain and back down again... (very, very long!!!)
Posted: 21 Feb 2004 11:15 AM |
Greetings to ye all,
I have a tale to tell, of events that unfolded over the last day. Please forgive my lack of eloquence...fer I am no master of songs, no purveyor of wondrous tales, just a simple man who found himself caught up in quite extraordinary events, events I believe worth relating.
There were many who took part in this tale, many folk more worthy than I, but this tale is of but three of them...fer there were just the three of us as it all started. To name others would be to inevitably neglect to mention someone...and I wouldst not wish to do so fer all played their part, and then some. So suffice to say that during the course of this tale many were involved, maybe as many as twenty took part at one stage or another, including some of the most renowned legends of these lands.
But twas two others that began my part in the tale...and miraculously all three of us were there to see its end. Myself made one, my dearest friend Solitaire another, and my newest friend Sinjin Kane was the third.
The day had begun much as any other...with a little shopping, a restocking of supplies needed fer the hunting of some of the fell creatures that so plague our lands. Fer once lady Solitaire was not immersed in her favourite occupation, reading one of her dusty old tomes, but was also embarked on a tour of the fine shops of Midor. Thus we met, and journeyed on. Supplied and ready to leave, by happy chance we encountered Sinjin. After some parlay he persuaded us to accompany him on a rather more challenging hunt that had been our intent...though compared with what was to come his suggestion was positively mild. We sough the homeland of the trolls...and some caves he had heard tell of that many fell creatures laired within.
Indeed I had briefly explored such an area afore, and thought I knew roughly where he sought to reach. And lady Solitaire had her maps, painstakingly inscribed bit by bit onto parchment as she explored further and further away from her safe refuge in the libraries of the world. Surely between the three of us we could locate this area we sought. But as is so oft the case, we ended up a little lost, and found ourselves elsewhere...though whether we were guided by chance or by providence I will leave ye to judge.
Anyways, we had chanced upon a pass that led up to a vast mountain. This pass was positively crawling with exceptionally large and powerful creatures...some form of giant kin fer sure. A certain threat to other travellers, and mayhaps to the nearby town as well. So with little debate we all agreed to do what we could to beat them back to whatever foul lairs spawned them.
Those of ye who have met Sinjin will know of what I speak when I describe his movement in battle as near unto an art form in and of itself. Fluidity and grace combine with startling speed to ensure that few of the ponderous but powerful blows aimed his way found their target. With him captivating their attention I wouldst oft land a few telling blows of my own from a position of advantage...but truth to tell between his grace in combat and lady Solitaire's ever increasing range of spells my aid mayhaps made little difference.
Twas when we had finally cleared the pass of these creatures, temporarily at least, that our tale truly began. I apologise fer the length of this tale, brevity is not amongst my talents I fear.
With a crackle of black lightning and a sulfuric stench, a creature from darkest nightmare appeared afore us. Speaking with a voice that reverberated power it issued demands to us. So shocked and terrified was I that I could barely find my voice. I had once been blessed to encounter an angel from the heavens, this was some terrible parody of that being, magnificent in its corruption and overwhelmingly beautiful and yet undeniably terrible in aspect.
It told us that a group would soon be coming to these lands, a group led by a dwarf that would seek to reach the summit of the huge mountain that lay in the distance. We were to turn this group aside or our lives were forfeit. These words were spoken with the utmost surety; it seemed undeniable that one or t'other of these results would surely come to pass.
The creature departed in similar fashion to its arrival. Looking to my two companions I could see the same shock, awe and horror in their eyes as surely was clearly written upon my face. Yet it gladdened my heart that when, in hesitant fashion, we began to speak...all agreed that to serve such a creature was not an option. I fer one will not willingly be party to bringing more evil into this world that already suffers so.
So we sought out this group...but to warn them and aid them if such were possible. Eventually we met a few travellers...and the first of the group we hadst been forewarned of. The dwarf was not present yet, fer there had been a small disagreement afore they set out, but that matters not to this tale. Some had arrived...and soon enough others would, many others; valiant warriors and mighty archers; spellweavers and masters of song and blade; and many others. And all were united, fer now at least, in common goal.
They knew a little more of their goal in reaching the summit. Some fell force was plaguing innocents and this group had learnt that the secret to the origin of these foes would be found atop the mountain.
We travelled onwards and upwards...battling foes I had ne'er thought to encounter...creatures I would not even have believed the existence of a few short months ago. Snakes seemingly carved from the very rocks they dwelled amongst, giant kin, huge beasts that seemed intent on feeding on our flesh, birds the size of mansions with beaks that could rend a man limb from limb in seconds...and then there were the demons. Aye, again and again they were sent against us. I know not how or why they were summoned, but they came, and they fell and dissipated into most foul essence in their multitudes...slain by the assembled blades of this company.
Countless times I thought our path doomed. The birds I mentioned split our group in half at one stage...I feel no shame in admitting I cowered in abject terror in a cave too small fer them to enter. And when others found this refuge we sought an alternate path only to be assailed by wave after wave of strange earthen creatures.
Sinjin fell to these monstrous avian nightmares, or so I heard. But he was returned to us...by some benign force watching over us that had sufficient power to reach out and grab him from the very claws of death. The relief I felt to see him again...well suffice to say I have known fer happier moments. There were few who fell, considering what we fought through, though many came close...too close. And we were all tired, battered and bruised, and cold...so very, very cold, when eventually we came to the summit.
More demons awaited us there, though swiftly dispatched by the newly arrived and very powerful warriors that had somehow caught up to us. But then a creature appeared, a demon akin to the others it seemed to me, though later i learned it was considered a lord amongst its kin. It moved with an unnatural speed, its blows were more ferocious than any I had felt afore and its fell magiks...well I am sorry to say it overcame me with the most dire, abject terror I have ever suffered. A truly amazing battle ensued, and again the creature was slain.
And there, in its place, shivering and helpless, stood a little girl. Terrifed and alone she stood trembling atop that majestic peak, I felt such sorrow fer her. Gradually she was calmed and her story told. I may be biased in this, but felt that truly Solitaire worked a wholly new form of magic upon this child, a magic based purely in compassion and tenderness. Regardless, we found the child's story, or began to.
She claimed the name Ladriel. Named after her mother, a reknowned figure of legend I believe. I fear I know little of such things, they were never of import in my life. But this Ladriel, lady of the lake, was apparently mother to this child. And twould also seem the child had been displaced somehow in time. Truly such things are well beyond my ken. But it seems she lived with her mother in a time thousands of years in the past. She wouldst not speak of her father, other than brief reference that made it clear he was a figure of terror to her.
After a long parlay we proceeded down the mountain, the child holding to Solitaire's hand and protected as best we could. No harm befell her, though the trials were still great on the descent.
When we neared the base of the mountain, this tale took an interesting turn. Fer somehow a demon lord appeared, seeming to emerge from within the child and assailed our group. All the while the child crying she didn't mean it. And somehow blaming it upon her father. There had been some sporadic conversation in between fights that made it clear something was amiss, and many of our companions were showing varying degrees of concern about this child and where to take her.
Initially we planned to make fer Midor but realised this was no longer an option, if the girl was at the very least somehow a conduit fer demons. So we decided to take her to the lake in search of her mother.
However as we left the dangerous mountain climes behind and ventured into more civilised lands more demons emerged, with the girl seemingly summoning them forth. Fer a while, and fer no reason I can name, I had become increasingly uneasy about the child. Well, no reason beyond her summoning demon lords at any moment I s'pose!
But then I heard her speaking with Sol. She was becoming more and more excited about seeing her mother....eager beyond that which seemed natural. The way she spoke of looking forward to playing with her mother, how pleased her mother would be to see her, mayhaps twas paranoia but I felt there was something more unsaid beneath the surface of her words.
And then she slipped, or seemed to. I misremember the exact words she spoke to Sol, but it was close enough to...'We have been looking for mommy for so long' except she started to say 'we' and then swiftly changed it to 'I have been looking for so long'.
Feeling torn between shame at further tormenting this young child and a growing sense of unease, I pressed her to explain the slip. After some efforts she denied any such thing had occurred and we were left with no choice but to continue on.
Twas then I heard a voice speak within my head...a voice I will hear in my nightmares for many nights to come. This voice was no childs voice, but some dark malignant Power. It promised me eternal suffering if I pushed any further. I was, to say the least, shaken...for all the while the girl was beaming her wonderful smile at me.
Torn, I could not take the chance we were taking this demon child to exactly where she wanted to go, with who knew what consequence. As best I could I whispered my concerns to my companions. My heart growing weaker as time and again I received these threats within my mind, that seemingly nobody else knew aught of.
It tore my heart I could not tell Sinjin or Sol the extent of my concerns, but they were close to the little girl and seemed to have earned her...or "it's" trust. Eventually I had to flee the child, afore it shattered my mind and what little courage remained to me with it's threats.
I and one other travelled as swift as Kusin could take us to Midor, where my companion sought the help of her temple. Thereafter we parted ways, following the advice of the priest. I, despite my reluctance to be anywhere near the child, could not forsake my friends and so returned to them as swiftly as I could. And my companion...she travelled on to speak with the lady of the lake alone afore we took the child there.
There is little more to tell prior to our arrival at the lake. Sinjin and Sol and the others had done a marvellous job in keeping the child entertained, but it suspected me and on my return I sought to buy time afore we departed. This angered the child who summoned forth another demon. Bereft of the aid of many of our companions by now it was difficult to slay but we managed, if barely.
The lady of the lake said we should bring the child to her, but be wary. Forewarned, the lady and her guards awaited us outside a tower on the lake.
The child and mother spoke, of demons and darkness and ills that would befall our lands. When they were done the child disappeared, sending forth many powerful demons in her place.
In conclusion even the mother seemed undecided if the little girl was in any way a part of her long lost child, or simply a demonic agency. I know not, in all truth.
All I know is that she seemed two separate entities at times. If seen again, I still could not raise a blade gainst her. Not unless sure she was beyond all hope of salvation. I trust that wiser heads, and braver blades than my own will see this matter through, but be aware...
Both the lady of the lake and the child spoke of gateways opening across the lands. I fear dark times may be ahead...
Sirac Gerardson.
OOC Huge thanks to the ref who managed to be in three places at the same time! And to all the other players. First major event we have had a chance to get involved in and really enjoyed it, thx to everyone. Though I hate you all...as only got four hours sleep before work today! :0) Shame doesnt look likely me and Sol will be free again til Sunday afternoon GMT, but hey at least we might see a little more of the plot before the end...and fingers crossed there is a small chance our plans for the w/end will change.
Sean and Jane |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Misadventure With Lawfuls
Posted: 21 Feb 2004 12:43 PM |
For Loli the adventure started at the Great Plains campfire, where she, Avari, and Dina were quietly enjoying a bit of conversation about men and crafting. They were joined after a bit by Xix, Sinjin, Sirac and Solitare. After a while Xix evidentially became bored, and left. Shortly thereafter, Thelia showed herself and played around a bit with costumes, amusing some of them quite a bit. When Luther showed up, conversation turned to adventuring. Luther wanted to go fight the ogres in Gladden Hills. Sirac and Solitare then excused themselves, evidentially to check up on their friend Doujan near Buckshire. Sinjin decided to go with them. The rest of the group headed north, towards Gladden Hills.
When the party of Avari, Dina, Loli, Luther, and Thelia reached Icy Vale, they found it infested with ice trolls. After killing the lot, the group talked to the innkeeper and heard that these creatures had been showing up quite often, recently. The party decided that the icy wastes were the most likely source, and started out. Thelia suddenly excused herself, but, luckily, Xix reappeared as the group was exiting Cold Canyon. It was as if by magic that their numbers thus remained constant. After some fighting on the Tundra, though, an occult messenger appeared and told them they were in the wrong icy region. The only other region they knew of was on the peak of Fiirkrag, so they started back in that direction.
At the fire in the Great Plains, Loli settled down to wait for Dina to get more bandages and Avari to buy more arrows. Xix and Luther barreled through and abandoned the party. No one was sure where they went. While Loli was waiting, Mykal came to the fire. Dina and Avari returned just as Loli was explaining to Mykal where they were headed, and why. He joined them and the four rode the cart to Buckshire. In Fiirkrag Pass, though, Mykal's armor proved unable to withstand the beatings by the enemies close at hand, and he had no long distance weapon. So, sadly, he chose not to accompany them to the peak. The three women escorted him safely back to Buckshire, and returned to the mountain.
With only three remaining in their group, Avari and Loli were uncertain of success. The snakes on the mountainside were wickedly venomous, and they had yet to face the roc. But then, somehow, they found themselves on the mountain top. Not to the summit, but at least above the snowline. And wonder of wonders, there were Xix and Luther. They were partied with Sinjin, Sirac, and Solitare, and they managed somehow to work up righteous indignation at the tardiness and argumentativeness of the abandoned threesome. To Loli's relief, at least Doujan was absent. The monks tried to taunt Loli into ascending the mountain to fight a dark angel. When she told them she had no intentions of doing such a foolish thing, they changed tack and said a solar had blessed their venture. Finally, Loli gave in, if for no other reason than to still their prattling since she'd already come this far. Besides which, there was still the source of the ice trolls to deal with.
At the summit, after combat with some demons, a small girl was found. It seemed she had come from the distant past, and wanted to go to Midor. Midor, however, as it was long ago: a simple fishing village. Eventually she gave her name as Ladriel, daughter of Ladriel. This heartened the group, who decided to take the little girl to Lake Ladriel rather than Midor, where the shock of the many great changes might unhinge her. She insisted she had no father, and each time the topic arose, a balor appeared. Finally Loli told the group to stop mentioning that parent, and they got underway to descend the mountain. The descent took quite a long time, as the girl was weak. Time after time Xix ran ahead and came back impatiently when the party did not follow as promptly as she wished. By the time they reached Buckshire, Loli's temper was worn quite thin. Avari left them without a word, a sure sign that her temper was already gone. When Doujan then joined them, Loli left for a meal and a nice lie-down.
By the time Loli had eaten and rested, and rejoined the group at Lake Ladriel, the little girl was gone. Apparently she had vanished, and with her disappearance had arrived a crowd of demons. Loli regretted not having been there to aid Avari, but the group seemed to have coped well enough. The story she got later was that the Lady of Ladriel had indeed borne a child many hundreds of years ago, and that the child had been taken. Whether this was in fact that child, or simply a demon facsimile, no one knew.
The day ended more pleasantly, with a quiet interlude in the Secret Garden with Avari, Callia, and Chandler. They shared some of Loli's homemade Elven Wine and everyone got both tiddly and sleepy. |
Dieties preserve us from the evil chaotics named Lag, Crash, and Server Reset.
PCs: Loli Dankirk (Ftr 18/Brd 8.5 @ 1777 hrs) left Vives for Origins; Gnora Gnombody (Sor 5 @ 54 hrs) and Amanda Stark (Wiz 3 @ ~10 hrs) left Vives for Feline Providence. |
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Re: Misadventure With Lawfuls
Posted: 23 Feb 2004 01:17 PM |
Pleased to forgive this one for his late response on the matter of the forgoing expedition.
This was in fact, one of the grandest and most honorable journeys of Sinjin's heretofore boring life of herbalry, scrolls and meditation. He was most blessed to be accompanied by many brave and thoughtful companions who successfully navigated the mountain passes and (after much research) brought the little girl to Lake Ladriel and her mother there.
Sinjin feels it only appropriate to point out that while he was distracting and deflecting the blows of the massive giants in the pass, it was the deft stabs and perfected blows of Sirac that truly felled these creatures. In deed, Sinjin feels his only contribution to said adventure was the spark of wisdom from his ancestors that made him suggest to bring the girl to the lake in the first place. Many thanks to Xix and Doujan for their diligent work in meeting with both the Priests of Midor and the Lady of Ladriel for their council while Sinjin, Sirac and Sol stayed with the child. Sinjin is pleased to point out the true, and as yet unsung, heroine of the story was Sol, who so adroitly delt with the little girl for such a long journey. |
Humbly Submitted,
Sinjin Kane |
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Re: Up a mountain and back down again
Posted: 28 Feb 2004 12:39 PM |
I thought I would also record my memories of these events, plus happenings of yestereve.
I..I have not been around other folks much, and this has meant that I am often painfully shy, especially of large groups of people. But when we found the little girl at the top of the mountain, my heart melted. My shyness was forgotten, replaced by a need to comfort and help this small girl who told us her name was Ladriel.
My only desire was to help her return to her Mother. Such innocence I saw within her, and such pain from being taken from her Mother at such a young age.
And when I found out how afraid she was of her Father, and that when she merely thought of him, daemons appeared, I became even more fearful for the poor child.
Others have said to me since this day, that this girl may not be saved. That this may be her true form and therefore no way to release the poor child, yet I remain ever hopeful.
Once we had returned the girl to the Lake Ladriel, and to her mother, hordes of daemons appeared. These were vanquished by my many companions, yet afterward I realised the girl had gone. Some said that this was her doing, but I also wondered if twas her Father, reclaiming his daughter once again. Lady Ladriel was shocked and alarmed at having her daughter returned after so many years. She was torn as to whether the girl was truly her daughter, or an abomination her Father had sent to torment her. So she told us all that she needed to think more on this.
I came back to the tower at the Lake a few days later, and spoke with one of the guardians there, but she would not tell me where the Lady was. I sat and waited, reading a book to pass the time, but she did not return, so I sadly made my way back to town.
Then yestereve, Sirac and I were travelling through Mirghul Woods, and out of nowhere the small girl appeared. She did not seem to recognise me at first, but when she did I realised that evil had started to consume her being.
I was even more afraid for the poor child, and implored with her to listen to me and forsake her Father. She tormented me with evil taunts and threats that we will soon all play with her for an eternity, games with daemons no doubt and eternal torture. I pleaded with her to wait, but she soon vanished, leaving me sobbing on the floor at what she had become.
Sirac comforted me as best he could. Heading back to Midor, we heard the sound of thunder off in the distance and suspected it to be the girl's work, and ran off to find her.
We came upon her soon enough, near to Whipsnade Pass, found her tormenting some of our friends. I again tried to plead with her, summoned all of the courage within me and shouted at her to forsake her Father, to no avail.
She summoned daemon after daemon, until we decided to run to the Lake Ladriel to see if the girl's mother had returned and found out anything that would help us to aid the girl.
After an arduous journey, beset by daemons and the sound of the girl's laughter echoing around us at times, and many of us hearing her daemonic voice in our heads threatening us - we made it to near the Lake. In our path stood a huge daemon, the kind of which I have not seen in my worst nightmares. It cruelly despatched us all, laughing as it did so, taking no more than one or two blows for even the strongest amongst us. And I knew no more...I remember not where I was, but then suddenly I was back in the world again, surrounded by friends all restored to full health and wondrously alive. I did not see for myself, but others told me a magnificently beautiful bird had healed their wounds and called them back from the land of the dead.
We gathered our strength and resolve and made the short remaining journey to the lake. Here we were told by one of the Guardian's that the Lady had travelled to Nalliamne, had not been heard from since and was believed to be in grave danger; that we must travel there as swiftly as possible to find and save her. We were given directions and followed Coruva who knew the way anyway, we set off.
We made our way to the docks where the boat travels to Ferein. We convinced the boatkeeper to delay her evening's repose and take us on our urgent journey to Ferein.
We battled our way through the outskirts of Ferein and made it to the bridge across the Great River, as we had been directed by the Lake's Guardian. The Guardian had told us that we must cross at the gate and not go underground. We soon realised that the huge gate was locked and there was no way for us to get through. Then in a swirling of smoke, a skeletal figure appeared, calling himself the Gatekeeper. Much to our alarm and dismay Coruva realised that only the dead would be allowed to pass. We talked with the Gatekeeper a while and asked if there was any way that he woud consider allowing us to cross without forfeiting our lives. He answered that he would allow this, in return for either our lives or a small piece of Lady Ladriel's soul.
This information threw our group into turmoil. We spent a long while debating the morals of whether Lady Ladriel would wish to do this; whether it was the right thing for us to place such a decision upon her; whether we should take the treacherous longer route; whether twas right to even contemplate a deal such as this with an undead creature.
Many times I thought I had decided upon my path. One time Sirac and some others decided to take the long route, and I decided the right thing to do was to follow, that I could not force such a fate on Lady Ladriel. But after following for a short way, I saw the others running back. They told me they had been chased by great Shadow Giants, and were not sure they could best such beasts, especially as few as they were.
We all went back to the gate and deliberated our path a while longer.
Twas nearly the end of our expedition, this moral dilemma, to the extent that some considered returning home an option.
As I stood listening to the others debate, I suddenly remembered the promise I had made to the Guardian, a promise I had made from my heart and not just to the Guardian, but to whatever remained of the small girl. Then it was clear to me, I had given my word and therefore I would give my life afore breaking this promise so dear to me.
I told my dear friend Sirac that I had decided that I would give my life to cross the bridge.
He was deeply pained, but understood my motives, and said that he would follow me because of events in our past that bind us together. I shouted at the top of my voice for the Gatekeeper to return. He appeared once more and I told him of my decision. He gestured, spoke some words and I knew no more.
I awoke to find a angelic being standing over me, I was on the other side of the gate, surrounded by all of my companions who had, it would seem, also decided to give their lives. The angel was bringing them back to life one by one. All he spoke unto us was to tell us that we had been foolish, yet the Gods smiled on us. I fear we should not have trusted the Gatekeeper, yet I did not believe there had been any other choice, for me at least.
Shaken and weary, we set off again to Nalliamne. We soon found the tower there and made slow progress to the top, dispatching Liches that attempted to stop our progress. At the top, to our relief and joy, stood the Lady Ladriel of the Lake. We managed to awake her from her trance, and although she was much weakened she magically gated us all back to her tower at Lake Ladriel. She spoke briefly of some necessity for her to sacrifice a part of herself to save the lands, though I remain unsure what exactly she meant. Due to her exhaustion, she was not able to tell us much else. But I was relieved to know that she was now safe, and that in spite of strong odds against us, we had rescued her.
Sirac and I left shortly after, and set up camp near to the lake. Both of us were near to falling asleep on our feet after the both physical and mental exhaustion from the day. I finally slept after a short prayer to Elbereth, giving thanks for her aid that day and praying for the soul of the girl Ladriel and wishing ferevently that she could be returned to us.
A weary yet hopeful,
Solitaire.
((OOC - for those that were there yesterday, at the DM quest about Ladriel's daughter, at the bridge over the Great River, when we all gave out lives to cross the bridge .......
........ Sean (Sirac) and I (sitting next to each other IRL) were crying with laughter, all our corpses lying in a pile, as the DM/Gatekeeper kept kicking Sinjin and Calmeir (sp?) to death, because they kept standing back up again and again.
At one stage Calmeir "fell prone" to RP being dead, but we knew he was faking *grins* and were shouting IRL for him to get up and make a run for it!
And then poor Evaramier turned up out of nowhere to see lots of people on the other side of the gate, all dead, and kept saying "please tell me what is going on"
OOC it was very funny !!
IC it was very serious and the evening was the best bit of role-play in a long time.
Vives just keeps getting better and better for me )) |
- Solitaire, Wizard
- Ilyana Fiirhaart, High Priestess of Naruth |
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Re: Up a mountain and back down again
Posted: 28 Feb 2004 12:51 PM |
*OOC*
Very well written! I enjoyed reading about your adventure, it was almost as though being there myself. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts!!
*OOC* |
Luther McIath: I see, so [X is] the right person in the wrong place with the wrong people at the wrong time.
[Fictrix] ... And can speak French, like both! Wait, I mean Elven. |
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Re: Up a mountain and back down again
Posted: 13 Mar 2020 01:27 PM |
*BUMP*
This started one of the first campaigns we ran in Vives!
And was all Ara's fault! |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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