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Topic: The Shattered Sky (Read 1200 times) |
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Erik_the_Celt
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Mtor my captain.
Can it be that my heart has been hidden all these years from even your perceiving eyes!
Let us keep watch together as the others rest before evening, as they gather strength to do battle with Myrkul's legion.
Let us keep watch and I will begin my tale.
Silly lawful priest. *sighs* If only it were so.
Silly yes, silly when I leapt aboard your fishing boat in full mail! It's a wonder the boards held. More wonder that you did not heave me overboard as I stumbled across the deck. A fine fool I must have seemed, a foolish young acolyte hanging over the side rails with my face in the foam. What did you see in me to haul me around the Dragon Sea in search of what? Adventure, revenge or the release that comes from death’s chill hand.
But priest I am not and lawful nay. I am apostate, deserter! That is how I came to the docks, that is how Helm came to your rescue. Saved by a cursed and forgotten son.
Where then does my sorrow begin. In the barren cells of Helm's Gate, in the trails and glens of the High Forest or the glowing halls of Silverymoon.
It begins with Aeleis Vant and Oran Silvertongue. A foolish Bard rescued from brigands by a forest maiden. A long journey through the forest to Silverymoon and later a child. A child raised in the forest with a mother's loving touch and a wolf for a guardian. Then a word from Meilikki and my mother lead me on the long trek south to Helm's Gate and left me there.
Then years in service to the priests, years of long cold nights on the watchtower. Endless training with mace and shield, hammering on the dummies till my arms grew strong, stronger than the roots of the forest. Nights in prayer and devotion and watching. Days of training and toil. Helm's servants do not sleep for long (though more than elves you say). And Helm's service holds little joy for a child of the forest. Oh, how I hated that place and hated Helm the ever watching. Then came Gwenett to join our ranks. She was strong and bold and laughed at all our labours. She won my heart and soul and rekindled the joy I had known in the forest. Gwenett, how my heartaches at the thought of her, raven-haired, green eyed and strong as a mighty forest oak.
The priests saw our love and forbade it. We were duty bound to the service of Helm and love was forbidden. Gwenett tried to obey. She truly loved Helm and his service but I could not, would not deny myself for Helm. The priests keep watch and eventually they caught us again in each other’s arms. They set me to prayer and fasting in the cells. Gwennet they sent out on patrol.
No doubt you can guess the rest. Zhents and their foul undead carrion ambushed them. I was mad with grief, I ranged against Helm and cursed his priest. After a week, I cooled down and began plotting my escape. I apologized for my blasphemy and professed my faith. The priests released me from the cells and returned me to guard duty on the tower. I left that night, and sought the trail of the Zhents. My mothers training now served me well though the trails was cold by weeks. I tracked the Zhents for months, killing one or two when I could catch them alone.
I was more assassin than priest.
Eventually, I came to the docks and the last of the Zhents I was trailing. It amused me to ambush the ambushers when they swarmed the Daebean and gladly would I have died when the last of the Zhents had fallen. But there were too many, too many for us with their black priests and their foul sell swords.
In my rage and my lust for vengeance I cried out to Helm in anger. In hatred, I would die cursing his name. I don't know how or why, but my body filled with a power I could not control. I cried out and the flames of heaven fell upon the Zhents.
The sunlight dims. It is time to wake Mae and Dale. We must be ready to purge this forest of the foul undead.
To arms Mtor. To arms and vengeance.
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Skeeneyman
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As soon as your party members leave the cave the dragon takes you into its huge claws (though very gently) and flies out of his layer into the open blue sky. The speed is breath taking. You and the Dragon climb higher and higher into the sky leveling off hundreds of feet into the air. Grimswield takes a sharp turn and heads almost due west toward the mountains.
The view is breathtaking. It’s interesting how much of the land has changed and how much has stayed the same in 3000 years. What was all swamp is now a lush forest what is now land was then underwater. It’s a comforting feeling however to see that the mountains have stayed the same.
“It will be some time before we reach our destination little one.” Says the dragon, “There are some things about you…Mando is it? Yes, that’s what they called you. That I don’t understand”. The Dragon lifts you close to his mouth when he begins to smell you. “You don’t smell like anything from this world, Where are you from Mando? And, please don’t bother lying. I can hear the blood flowing through your veins and the beating of your heart. I will know if you are lying.
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| « Last Edit: on: Dec 13, 2004, 1:26AM » |
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anoikis
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Morgan, my friend
I knew you had left the order- but I had no idea the full extent of your story!
You and Dale have a nasty habit of keeping things from the elf!
Now I understand why you were less than enthusiastic when Dale and I would bring "visitors" to the Daebean!
Your heart is elsewhere and aches. But it has been YEARS now. Let our destruction of these evil beings cleanse your heart.
Morgan we are so different you and I, but we share things in common.
We both were raised in the forest and know our way around the woods.
We both have good reasons for hating the undead.
Oh how I long to kill the undead! My soul feels alive when I destroy them.
We will have our chance again, soon.
You and Dale are so much more than my crew: We have seen so many transient workers come and go, you two have become my comrades.
I have a plan that I will discuss with the 2 of you soon- so that we will have many more adventures together- until you short-lived humans are too old to through out the lobster pots!
We'll talk of the mission when Dale awakens
The watch is nearly over: Time for a nip from my grandpappy's flask. I'm glad you have come to tolerate my Moon elf sunshine (secret recipe you know)
A toast to you, friend and comrade
To Morgan Vant: Woodsman, Priest, Apostate, Undead hunter.
May your heart lighten with each blow of your mace on a skelton's skull.
Cheers, comrade
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| « Last Edit: on: Dec 13, 2004, 3:56AM » |
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Stravinsky
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As the dragon's breath washed over Mando like a hurricane, he did briefly consider lying. He did, after all, have quite a knack for it. But, feeling the dragon's claws squeeze tighter around him at his indecision, he realized the truth was probably the way to go. "Although,", he thought to himself as he glanced at the ground far below, "tighter is preferable to the alternative at this point."
"Well, I am from this world, in a way. I'm even from this region, for that matter. I'm just not from here yet...I guess you could say I come from the future."
Mando eyed the dragon warily, but since he wasn't crushing the life out of the halfling, Grimswield appeared to at least be considering that Mando was telling the truth. Encouraged, Mando continued, "You see, there was this gate, a portal of some kind, through which some really nasty elves, the Bain Sidhe, were attacking my home and my neighbors. The only way to stop them was to use the gate to travel back in time, track down this...this Scary Gate or whatever that they were using in this time period, and destroy it. Of course, that would leave whoever went back to destroy it stuck thousands of years in the past. Since I didn't really have much to hold on to in my time, I volunteered. That's how I found myself in this strangely similar yet even more strangely different world."
Mando was careful not to mention Mae at all in his account. She had enough to worry about without becoming another subject of the dragon's attention. Fortunately, Grimswield didn't seem to notice the omission.
"Well," continued Mando nervously, "now that I've told you my story, maybe you could give me some idea of why you've separated me from my companions? I'm reasonably sure you don't intend to eat me, and while the view is spectacular, I doubt you've brought me all the way up here for the scenery..."
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Erik_the_Celt
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Morgan shuddered as he walked out the door of the Cross Roads tavern. Confused and troubled, he stumbled over to the campfire prepared by Mtor. He barely noticed Dale’s bawdy songs and Mtor’s glee over the gold and the killing. Morgan could still feel his soul twist in the grip of the demon mage. How could he be such a fool as to forget all his training and rush into the arms of those foul creatures? He knew he should have died, knew the creature should have torn his soul from his body and dragged him down to the abyss.
Helm had been with him. Helm had crushed the demon in his gauntlet. Helm had stood over him and protected him while Mtor toyed with the undead. A deserter, yet Helm had stood firm and protected him. All this time, Helm had heeded his half-hearted prayers and soulless pleadings. Why? Why had Helm chosen to protect him? Why did he not desert Morgan as Morgan had deserted Helm? Aeleis had never told him why she left him with the watchers of Helm except that it was Meilikki’s will. In all her visits she never gave a clue as to why he should be there. Why he should be trained as a watcher.
Morgan slipped into a troubled sleep by the fire. He dreamed of demons roaming the land, tearing children from their mother’s arms. Demons torturing poor souls, the young and the innocent with no one to protect them. He dreamed of Helm, boldly striding across the land driving the demons back into the abyss where they belonged.
He awoke feeling calm and stronger than before. Perhaps it was for this, to journey with Dale and Mtor into pits of hell and drive back the demons from this place. That was why he was chosen. That was why Helm had brought him to this time and place. He felt stronger now. Clearer in mind and purpose, Morgan arose from his slumber and entered into his morning prayers. He felt a new power flow from his right gauntlet and into his whole body. He had never felt so strong in his faith before. He was the chosen of Helm and he would choose Helm. Choose to stand with his friends in the face of all demons the lords of the abyss would throw at them.
It was time to stand up for Helm. Time to remember the lessons of Helm’s Gate. To plan and to prepare. To stand firm in the face of the unlawful and to protect the innocent. He would not forget his teachers, his faith, his god. He would plan his battles carefully as he had been taught.
On the road again, with Dale and Mtor as they trudged the forest paths towards Myth Drannor he felt his heart and spirit lift with the golden light of the forest morning. As they left the cross roads together, Morgan was lost in thought. Soon he began humming an old tune he had learned long ago. Out in the sun and far from the horrors of the Elvin School he soon broke out into a cheerful little song.
Dashing through the halls
With a crazy, lazy elf
Over the dead we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on clerics ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to slay and sing
A slaying song tonight
Dingle bells, Dingle bells
Dingle all the way!
O what fun it is to run
With Mtor as he slays.
Fortunately Dale reacted quickly and shoved Morgan out of the way of Mtor’s poisoned arrow.
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anoikis
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*Mtor rises up from the fire as the salt-cured redfish crackles over the flames, takes a swig of grandpappy's sunshine and looks over his friends. Dale, the hulking womanizer, drinkin' ex-gladiator and Morgan, the sometimes (previously always) serious priest who is a fugitive from his order, despite the obvious blessing of Helm*
*scratches head*
"How in the hells did I turn you two motely humans into sailors!?"
"My comrades, we have come far. Far in our ways, our journeys, our friendship. Our lives have teetered on the edge. We have each been directly responsible for each others' lives and well-being. Paradoxes exist. Dale, despite your suspicion of the arcane world, magic has saved you at times. Morgan, despite your comfort with regiment and order (you are sooo damned clean..), you have broken with your order and are now on a fools' mission, and me- despite my resentment of my father- the way he abandoned the seas for a life of adventure and a human woman in his bed- I find myself growing more like him daily."
*deep breath*
"I have thought long and hard, comrades. We have all in some way or another, assimilated to amalgams of each of us. With this in mind- I offer you a business and friendship proposition.
To each of you I offer a 30% share of the Daebean. While this may seem convienent because of the repairs needed, I will consider this small contribution to the repairs as adequate payment for your individual shares.
This 'buy-in' will serve each of us well.
Dale, I know you are too proud to accept this gift without renumeration. And Morgan, you would probably cite some esoteric religious mumbo-jumbo as to why you cannot accept gifts, blah blah.
Now assuming we all survive to tell tales to our grandchildren, I'm still gonna be around when you two of the weaker race are fertilizing tulips. Your share will never be revoked, it is REAL ownership that cannot be taken away nor not bequeathed while I still fire the bow that my father gave me!
I think we can convert the smaller cargo hold into two staterooms for each of you,,, *ahem* sailors,, *ahem*
The crews' quarters will remain as is, the poor transient boys who spend a few weeks with us will now have a cot.
Of course, I will remain as Captain, but I think that your duties as security chief need to be supplemented, Dale. It is high time you and I spend some time discussing advanced navigation and piloting.
Morgan, your responsibility as medical officer is critical, but I would love to relenquish control of the accounts and quartermastering.
Well, don't just sit there slack-jawed like a greyfin caught in a net, raise your flasks!
To womens, wines, wherever!"
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| « Last Edit: on: Dec 22, 2004, 5:25PM » |
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rob_the_mighty
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after lowering his mug Dale gets a thoughtful look on his face. Thank you Mtor, I don't think anyone has ever given me somthing of value before, I really don't know what to say. with that he sips again from the mug, eyes on the fire, and becomes unusualy quiet.
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| « Last Edit: on: Dec 21, 2004, 11:34PM » |
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Skeeneyman
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In Grimswield other hand is Mae. She has done little else but cry since they left the ground. All she will say is “It’s all wrong. Everything is wrong” and shake her head back and forth. This seems to anger the great dragon. Her looks at her as if it was a big mistake to bring her along. Though he has not said it YET you know he is considering simply dropping her.
Turning back to Mando an amused look comes into his eyes. “Believe it or not little one I actually don’t care much for eating humanoids. They simply do not taste good and it often causes more problems than they are worth”. The dragon laughs. “I will admit one thing that is true about eating humanoids, elves are very tasty. There’s something about them the”. The dragon stops seeing the look on Mando’s face. “The forest supplies me with plenty of food. I have been living in those woods for almost a thousand years now. Cyanacain is home and I will slaughter any that threaten it”. Grimswield’s eyes suddenly turn very dark and menacing. A low growl comes from his mouth and your nose stings from a powerful acid smell that washes over you. The dragon tightens his grip almost crushing you. You look over at Mae and notice that she has stopped crying and her eyes are bulging. It is clear that the dragon is tightening his grip on her as well. Just when the world starts to fade to black the dragon loosens his grip. You notice that Mae did not fair as well. She is unconscious and does not seem to be breathing. “Describe these elves to me Mando. The ones you called Bain Sidhe”
You notice that the dragon has turned south slightly. Below you are thick forests surrounding a lake. The western side of the snow covered Thunderpeak Mountains lie directly in front you. Grimswield starts to climb higher and higher as if he means to pass over them. Mae is still not moving…
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| « Last Edit: on: Dec 23, 2004, 7:06PM » |
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Skeeneyman
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The bloodstained piece of paper simply reads:
Sgd Czdadzm gzr addm entmc zs sgd Czmkds Snvmrgho.
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anoikis
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He had been standing guard- trying to stay awake with a belly full of fresh lamb and wine, purchased from the inn and roasted at the campsite.
Then it hits him- like a tone of bricks- a simple code- advance each letter one inthe common alphabet and- OH NO!
"The Daebean has been found at the Danlet Township"
With a start he shook Dale and Morgan awake-
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Erik_the_Celt
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Morgan’s breathing was ragged as he twisted in his bedroll. Images of elves and dryads sprawled naked across dungeon floor floated before his eyes. He could not stop the screams that rang through the hallways. He swung his mace through thin air and groaned “Helm, where are you?” Slowly, Gwenett floated towards him, he reached out to hold her. Icy fingers slid over his cheeks and down his neck as the succubus reached forward to embrace him. He held her, entranced, even as the demons began a dance around the couple.
Demons leapt and danced as the succubus twirled in Morgan’s arms. A fiery sword swept through the aid slicing the succubus in two. Dale grabbed at him and began shaking him. Morgan dived, rolled and landed in the remains of Oscar’s supper.
Mtor and Dale roared with laughter as Morgan brushed blood and entrails from his tunic.
“Must have been a wonderful dream,” gasped Mtor.
Dale wheezed, “More fun than shooting Zhents from an ambush.”
Morgan glared at them. “Helm curse you”.
When the laughter had diminished, Mtor showed Morgan the note and explained the code.
“And you woke me for that! Ah well, the demons got them before we could. It’s a shame I wasted good prayers over those scum.”
Morgan walked over to the stream to wash and begin his morning devotions. Glancing back at Mtor he said, “I suppose we could renegotiate that 30% now that it’s a liability to you, Mtor.”
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anoikis
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Glancing from Morgan he looked at Dale-
"What's with you damn humans?"
How in the nine hells did that imply to the his holiness that my gift to him was a liability?!"
*takes swig of sunshine*
"I'm taking a nap, enjoy the morning with grumpy god-boy"
*turns back around and yells to Morgan*:
"Listen Helm-ette: I for one would want to know if my home and livelihood was the subject of Zhentarian intelligence reports! Feel free to wake me up ANY time!"
*with that he kicked the makeshift grill over and curled up under a tree, flask in hand*
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Stravinsky
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Mando tried to keep his eyes on Mae, but the dragon's flapping wings and large girth made that difficult. But as far as he could tell, she had ceased to move entirely. He deeply feared for her life as well as his own, but since there was nothing he could do for her while pinned in the dragon's claw, he proceeded to answer the dragon's question.
"Yes, the Bain Sidhe," Mando began, swallowing to relieve his dry throat. "Well, I don't really know very much about them honestly. There were...are a powerful group of flying elves. I think they were paladins of a sort, or something. But, well...they basically went nuts. Elves aren't generally the friendliest people, but these guys took it to the extreme. They believe that elves are the only race that deserves to exist at all, so they've taken it upon themselves to either destroy or enslave every other form of intelligent life. You can see why it was important enough for me to agree to be sent thousands of years into the past."
Mae's body continues to hang limply from the Grimswield's other claw, leaving Mando with the sickening feeling that she is not going to survive this trip. "Look, I know you're a big powerful dragon and all, but I think I've answered all of your questions as much as possible, and I deserve to know what your intentions are, both for myself and for my companion." Mando glances over at Mae's unconscious form again. "Especially for her."
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Skeeneyman
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Higher and higher into the air you fly, the air is now cold and thin, the snowy peaks are now just below you. Grimswield turns upward sharply just clearing the peak of the mountains then starts to descend on the other side, he is once again heading due west toward another mountain range. Just south of you is another forest. This one is just as dark and foreboding as the Myth Drannor forest. On the western edge of the forest is a huge lake.
Grimswield is silent as if he is thinking about something important. Ignoring Mae, he turns to Mando and says, “It would seem that fate has delivered you to my claws little one. It would seem that we have a common enemy and this may….” Noticing that Mando is paying little attention to the details of his words, he looks at Mae. He looks greatly annoyed by her condition as if she is a dead fly he just smashed in his talons and he only wishes to wipe off the guts. The dragon gives out a sigh and turns north slightly heading to the northern edge of the second mountain range. Looking westward along the mountain range you see the red glow of a huge active volcano. Below you are beautiful rolling hills and valleys. The dragon starts too quickly descend toward the base of the mountain. As you get closer to the ground, you see a huge and seemingly bottomless pit. Grimswield is heading straight for it. Just before, you enter the pit; it vanishes completely replaced by the most beautiful lake you have ever seen. The dragon lands in the middle of the lake and starts heading toward a large weeping willow on the waters edge. Suddenly hundreds of flying pixies, water nymphs and every water dwelling animal you can imagine surround you and the dragon. Grimswield dose not even seem to notice them. “Al'doer Natures Kor'in! Vel'noa xal udos kla'ath dos?” They say repeatedly in between giggles and gleeful laughter. The creatures start kissing and cleaning the great dragon while he walks through the water treating him as if he was a father that had just returned from a long trip.
Lounging on large moss covered rock beneath the weeping willow are five Dryads. They seem very happy to see Grimswield until they notice you and Mae in his claws. There smile quickly turns to a troubled frown. “Usstan sevir nindol rivvil j'nesst ghil xuil dos.” says the dragon. When the dragon spoke the language everything around you shimmered, it was as if all living things turned to listen. The leaves of the weeping willow, fish in the lake, even blades of grass seemed to move slightly as if to better hear the words of the dragon. He hands Mae to what looks like the leader of the dryads. The dryad does not seem at all happy with the gift at first. “Silvanus zhah gareth xuil nindol uss. An'kin ilta d'natures avuna. Il orn kult nindol grove lueth sslig'ne wun lil coming times d'trouble.” says Grimswield. The Dryads features soften at the dragons words. She nods and lays the human on the soft grass next to the rock and quickly starts removing Mae’s cloths and armor. The dryad kisses Mae on the lips and begins speaking to the ground around her. “Ssinssrigg ilta izil dos ssinssrigg ussa” The ground around Mae shimmers and comes to life. The blades of grass start wrapping around Mae pulling her into the soil incasing her in a large green cocoon.
Wiping tears from her eyes, the dryad turns to Grimswield and says “Dos plynn lotha uss ulu lil Bain Sahdi monastery?” With a nod, the great dragon flies into the air again and starts heading west along the mountain range. You look down to and see that the lake is gone, replaced by a huge bottomless pit. Seeing the concerned look on Mando’s face the dragon gives out an annoyed sigh. “She lives little one, though if you ever see her again she will be very different then how you remember. She will serve Silvanus now and forever.”
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Stravinsky
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Mando continued to look back over his shoulder at the growing green mound covering Mae until it receded too far intp the distance. Even then, his eyes remained transfixed, and the flight of the dragon proceeded for many minutes with Mando barely noticing. He thoughts dwelled over his time with Mae...Her smile, her sharp wit...he couldn't imagine how it could ever be the same without her.
Of course, things hadn't been quite the same since Warren's death. She had put on a strong face, but the pain was evident and seemed to grow by the day. And their flight in Grimwield's claws...if it hadn't unhinged her yet, it would have soon. Lately, the only solace she received was in Maelstrom's grove. There her connection to nature and Silvanus seemed to comfort her somewhat, and she could lose herself in it's beauty. While Mando was sure that Grimswield had only done what he did to stop the halfling's complaints, the dragon was not as unfeeling as he seemed. And as hard as it was to face the fact that he may never see Mae again, at least he could take comfort in realizing that she was truly in the one place where she could find happiness.
Trying to hold that thought in his mind, Mando turned to Grimswield reluctantly. "I guess I should thank you. She's...she's probably much better off with Silvanus than with anyone else after all she's dealt with." Mando looks off into the distance. Far away he notices what looks like a large stone keep, but it's built right into the side of a mountain, right up near the peak. It also appears to be directly in their path. "Is that our destination? Maybe now that we're almost there, you can tell me what it is you need from me? Whatever it is you want, I'm sure I'll have a much greater chance of success if I have some idea of what to expect when we arrive."
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Skeeneyman
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“You have good eyes Mando. That is indeed your destination.” Grimswield quickly drops into a grove of trees near the base of the cliff. His scales start to change to different shades of green and brown blending perfectly with the surrounding trees. “A year ago my spies spotted something very odd. A caravan of demons came out of the ruins inside the Skull Crag.” The dragon points to the red glow of the volcano you saw earlier. “They were similar demons to the ones in the Myth Drannor forest. They carried something very large with them. It was covered and therefore my spies could not get a good look at it. They delivered it to the winged elves in the monastery.”
“The winged elves go by the name Sidhe. They have lived in this place longer than I have lived in Cyanacain. The have always kept to themselves holding on to and protecting the ancient ways of elf kind. The Bain Sidhe’s are the warriors or paladins of the Sidhe. They had been very peaceful for the thousand years I have lived in the area but something happened two years ago. The Bain Sidhe turned on those they swore to protect and killed any Sidhe that opposed them. Since then many winged elves from all parts of the world have been rallying to there banner. Until our little talk Mando I had no idea what they were up to.” Grimswield gives out an acidy snort. “Actually I would not care what these tasty little elves were up to if not for fact that Mammon’s demons are involved.”
While the dragon speaks, the two of you continue walking through the woods heading toward the cliff face beneath the monastery. You spot a spring coming out of the cliff. Upon closer examination, you notice that this spring looks constructed but not in any way, you have ever seen before. Instead of it looking dug out it, looks like the rocks moved on there own. There is a tiny tunnel following the spring just big enough for you to fit into, “This tunnel leads all the way to a well house located within the Sidhe monastery. One of what humans call pixies has followed the tunnel all the way but set off a magic detection ward due to her nature. It is a long tunnel but safe. Since you do not depend on magic to conceal yourself I believe you will be able to slip past there detection wards. I need you to confirm that the demonic gift is indeed the Askari Gate you spoke of earlier. If possible, try to find out why the demons gave them such a gift. Mammon and his minions only care about one thing and that is bringing hell to Faerun. This gift must serve that means but how continues to elude me.
I must return to Cyanacain to see if your companions have cleaned out the undead from the ruins of the Myth Drannor School of magic. I will return in two days, if you complete your task before my return wait here for me.” The dragon makes a very strange face as if he is about to say something he cannot believe he is about to say then thinks better of it and flies away.
The tunnel is very long, difficult, and wet. However the dragon was correct, it does end at a well house on what looks like the north section of the monastery.
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| « Last Edit: on: Jan 2, 2005, 3:38PM » |
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Stravinsky
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Peeking over the edge of the well, Mando saw that he was definitely within the monastery walls. All around, the Bain Sidhe were briskly going about their business. It was clearly a war effort; Mando saw more elves in their thin elvish armor than he had ever wished to. Realizing he would be spotted at once if he attempted to sneak through now, he slid back down the tunnel and waited until nightfall.
As soon as it was dark enough, Mando slipped out, but he still crept along slowly, in the deepest shadows he could find. Elves can still see fairly well in the dark, so Mando was not about to take any chances. Fortunately, even elves need their sleep, and the monastery was noticeably less busy. What guards remained were not expecting someone of Mando's stature, and it was no challenge for one of his skills to slip past them.
Without any sort of map, Mando had to wander through countless passages, but finally, he stumbled upon a central room emitting a strange but familiar glow. It was unguarded; being so deep within the monastery, the Bain Sidhe probably assumed their was no need. A quick peek around the corner confirmed his suspicions: a gate almost identical to the one in his own time. There was no doubt; it was the Askari Gate. But in front of the gate was a sight he was not expecting. There stood one of the Bain Sidhe, a leader from the look of his garb, in conversation with a gruesome looking demon. Mando leaned in carefully to try and hear what they were saying...
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