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Topic: Paths of Shadow (DMed by Scrotok) (Read 105 times) |
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Purple Puppy
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'Paths of Shadow' as DMed by Scrotok
(Ethrania Selyn'dor the elf reflecting on recent events):
Finally got the much needed supplies. Odd, the Helm clerics refused to help us even though we explained we are up against demons...Yet when I went back to check on Kulbaen, whom they accused of having an "impure heart", one of them was giving him the dissmissal scrolls...The halfling had a good laugh at the wizard for the whole "impure heart" deal, honestly I think she nearly died from laughter, rolling around on the ground like that.
We have plenty of healing kits and potions now at least...had to hand out some kits to the others just to make sure, since Raine and Nimbles didn't answer when I asked them if they needed anything...Why do I always feel like I have to look out for those two, it's not like they are children.
Nimbles caused some trouble with the guards... And the magic shop owner was further alienated by Kulbean and I...for what this time?...bad tempered gnome...
We went to the tavern after that and rested. Then... I got drunk and my pseudodragon Barev got drunk, Nimbs got drunk....memory to blurred to remember who else got drunk...Nimbles was ranting about something afterwards..too much of a hangover to remember what though...Did Raine get drunk?...no, don't think so...can't remember I passed out after a while...Kulbaen definately did not get drunk.
We'll be back at the homestead soon not too much further, hope the knights have managed to protect the town from the kobold attacks.....Oh no, just remembered I forgot to get any supply kits! I knew I forgot something, no use walking all the way back now, hope the others remembered to get some.
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Scrotok
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Two points of clarification:
- The gnome shopkeep, having apparently been recently robbed, seems to have taken on an air of paranoia. He doesn't like people milling about in his shop, talking, conducting non-essential business, etc. In fact, he seemed to be quite suspicious of the party for some reason, kicking Rani out when she showed the slightest indignation. Kulbaen apparently was able to calm the gnome down enough to conduct business.
- The high priest of Helm was talking to Kulbaen when Rani entered the temple. She seems to have caught the end of the conversation, which apparently was not going well. The high priest said (to Kul), "I will not speak with you on this again. If you will not give up your ways and follow Helm with all your heart and soul, I cannot help you. And I will not give aid to her, as long as she is with you." Rani overheard this, asking, ".........hmmm is something wrong?" The priest replied (to Rani), "This man's heart is troubled. He needs to seek Helm. I will not give up the powers of the divine to one such as he. Lord Tagnar and the Hellriders are sworn to protect its people. And I assume your band will also attempt to assist. However, you will not receive divine aid from Helm unless your heart is pure. We will help anyone Helm wishes to help. Seek Helm, then seek my aid." Rani asked, "and what, may I ask, is wrong with this mans heart?" The priest replied, "Each of us holds secret hearts, burdens we must all carry. I will not confess the heart of another. Destroying demons is worthy enough, but Helm has spoken through me to you. If it his will that aid be witheld from that one, so be it." Kulbaen and Rani left. Later, Kul returned to talk to the priest. After a time, Rani arrived to see Kul leaving a "confessional booth" in the back of the temple with the priest, who said, "It seems that Kulbaen's heart is now... right... with Helm." Whatever difficulty Kulbaen had with the temple appears to have been solved.
J
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Purple Puppy
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Rani wondered how long it would be until Johnus would return, he had been gone for some time time now.
She thought about what the mages at the guild had said. After she'd left the monastery, some time ago now(years), she'd found she had the knack for casting spells despite having had no formal training. It was then that she'd gone to a mages guild too ask about this. After some questions a few tests they had concluded that she had some dragon blood, there must have been a dragon of some sort in her family tree. But most of her family was dead, she could not ask about it.
Before she had departed, one of the mages had given her Barev, apparently his own familiar had offspring and he was having trouble finding homes for all of them.
It had been quite some time since she'd last thought about any of this, it was troubling yet also a distration from the current situation; the demons that they would soon have to deal with...
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Mpskydog
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Kulbaen cast the occasional glance behind the party as they walked, a look everyone five minutes or so, almost like clockwork. Still, he was silent - did not speak, or even smile.
Mpskydog~
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JironGhrad
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With the demon and his bizarre kobold ally dead, Johnus paused to reflect on several things.
Where do I stand with Rani? I know how important she is to me, but how important am I to her? Did she think about me while I was gone? And what was she talking about with Kulbaen? Well, if she wants me to know what they talked about, she'll tell me. Does she know how I feel about her?
He stopped and turned through the gruesome journal of the dead kobold. The sickening book, written on the skin of humans or elves, shed some very disturbing light on the events of late. As they all stood there, he could feel the magical barriers weakening and knew, unless they left the lair soon, his illness would return.
His thoughts turned back to his mission and the unexpected summons. The consequences of that summons and how to handle any unforseen side-effects. This would take a lot of doing...oh yes it would indeed...
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Mpskydog
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Kulbaen stood rather quietly, regarding the stone altar that rested in the chamber, a concerned expression evident on his face. His stone skin spell had worn away some time ago, and now one of his gloved hands brushed along the goatee on his chin as he continued to study the Stone.
Mpskydog~
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Purple Puppy
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Rani sat quietly on the ground, watching the others.
The group was rather tense right now.
Johnus busily read through the kobold's journal, frowning every now and again and she thought she saw him go pale for a moment.
Kulbaen's attention appeared completely consumed by the stone altar, and he too had a concerned expression.
Rani gave a deep sigh, even though they’d succeeded in dealing with the demons, it was clear that the larger battle had not been won. There was more to it, everyone in the group was already aware of this, the enemy had not been defeated.
Barev poked his head out of Rani’s satchel, which was on the floor next to where she was sitting. The psuedodragon slowly climbed out, and upon realising that the danger had subsided, took flight and began surveying the area. His first instinct was to give Rani a big hug and then fly over to each of the others and see what they were doing.
Rani thought about what she had told Kulbaen earlier.
She’d wanted to tell someone and had chosen Kulbaen because she felt he’d understand the most…Although, she wasn’t certain why she’d been more comfortable telling Kulbaen than Johnus. At first she’d told herself it was because he had a greater understanding of magic and was a mage, but then again she’d known Johnus for longer and he had always proven to be very understanding.
She was worried about how to tell the others or how they may react. But now that she’d somehow sparked this heritage it was going to show sooner or later and she’d have to tell them…tell them all. Over the last year or so she’d felt the beginnings of the effect, but it had been far from unpleasant, in fact she was becoming stronger in a number of ways.
Barev flew over to Rani and sat down on her lap, she patted his soft scales and scratched behind his ears. She glanced over at Johnus and then Kulbaen, she couldn’t understand her true feelings right now, but sooner or later she’d figure it out…figure it all out.
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JironGhrad
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As Barev flew nearby, Johnus reached into his pouch and pulled out a small candy. He idly tossed it to Barev and continued studying the journal. Hmmm...what's this portal the kobold is talking about? Is it real, or just the mad ramblings of a demented creature, driven with it's lust for power? Either way, I'd best tell the others.
He glanced up and saw Kulbaen studying the Stone. Speaking loudly enough that all could hear him, his voice echoed slightly in the large room, "The journal speaks of a portal...a portal that can't be closed from this side. Whatever these demons that were helping the mad kobold are; it's likely that if the portal exists, they entered through it. Which means we probably have to find it...and close it...whatever the cost, to keep more of the evil from seeping in."
A brief moment of silence, as the others took it all in...
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Purple Puppy
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Rani's thoughts raced.
A portal that can only be closed from the other side would require us to travel to that side and find a way to close it whilst still there...effectively trapping whomever closes it in that place with no way of coming back unless re-opening the portal, which in fact, defeats the purpose...but there must be alternatives, another way to go about it...we'd better take our time with this one.
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Purple Puppy
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Raine and Johnus?........That doesn't sound quite right..or, or maybe.....No, that's not it....there's nothing wrong with them ending up together. Why do I even care?..It's none of my business anyway....
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| « Last Edit: on: Nov 13, 2005, 6:07AM » |
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JironGhrad
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Johnus sighed...Why was Rani ignoring him? Something he said? It just didn't add up...
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Mpskydog
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Kulbaen was deep in his thoughts - nay, within his own self. He was quietly inspecting himself, feeling around his inner being. His mind was focused on assessing his physical and mental condition, while he unconsciously followed the others.
He felt...slightly different, but could not necessarily place it. It was a strange feeling indeed, but nothing entirely blatent or overwhelming.
Mpskydog~
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Mpskydog
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Kulbaen's mind finally focused on something more exterior, though it remained purely inner monologue.
Those fools, he thought to himself. How could to fail to stop him? Yes, there was more to this than we expected. We did expect only a single foe - but still...
His mind was abuzz with potential consequences. Especially what they would find at the end of this journey. A simple portal, leading to so much more trouble than it almost seems worth...
...but he kept solace in knowing that failure is not an end.
Mpskydog~
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