The
Ingaran Adventures
Episode 39
“Knighthood and Rumors of Talishar”
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Alexander: The Gauntlet of
Athena
Zografos: An Ingaran painter
going under the name of Domnhall
Issic: Half
Human, Half Gold Dragon Warrior
India: A gypsy Bard/Shadow Dancer
Phaidon:
A local Tamer of the Beasts
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The Time: Summer, Nemed 27-30
The Place: Alisander –
A
very large city, the largest in all of Inzeladun, Alisander has a population of
120,000 persons. Although Lamapacher
does not have a capital, this city is the definite hub of Lamapacher's commerce
and power. Situated on the shores of
the
*DM's
note: Due to a failed intelligence check (probably caused by the recent mind
flayer infestation of my brain), I was not able to save the logs for this online
game, and so reconstructed the adventure as I best could remember it.
My apologies for any inaccuracies.
Alexander sat in silence, communing
with Athena. Alexander asked Athena, "Have
we eliminated the illithid influence within the city?"
Athena's voice came to him, a soothing sound of power. "All have
fled, and your war with them, for now, is over. Another of my chosen will carry
the war to them."
"What else do you wish to be accomplished in the city before we move
on?"
"If Lord Nadam has no further need for you, then go to Talishar, and
take with you Issic and any others you deem worthy."
"Who poisoned Lord Nadam's aid and who does he serve?"
"One of the lizard folk lurks in Nadam's palace, an assassin that
speaks both the name of Grindill and Yam ibn Saud."
"What can I do to uncover his plots?"
"Time will push him in the open, and you should wait for the
appropriate time to take any action against the lizard man.
Much of Grindill's plots are best handled through time."
"What has caused the illithids renewed hostility with the surface
after being dormant for so long?"
"A holy item was stolen from them and taken to Itsitlawikanah.
This angered the world beneath, and caused them to rise up in arms."
"Is there a connection between the illithids and Angustians or
Grindill?"
"Yes, but not the connection everyone suspects."
"Is there any way that the current Illithid plots against the
surface could be ended?"
"Kill them all. Barring
that, if Zografos succeeds, then the mind
flayers will be driven back to the darkness from which they came."
"Where or how will the illithids try to strike us next?"
"If Zografos fails, then they will attack again, attacking Issic
first with a dragon slayer illithid summoned from one of the moons."
"Do the saudians really believe that I am going to crown their
pretender king?"
"Some do. Some do
not."
"How badly have the illithids invaded the other nations of
Inzeladun?"
"Ahmn has fallen. Nyandar
is about to fall. Drychtnoth fights
a bitter battle, but is winning. You
have ended their campaign in Ingara. You
have ended their campaign in Lamapacher."
"Which property should I select?"
"A place called Talishar; claim it in my name, for a great evil has
arisen there, one that could destroy the world."
"What do I do about Zografos?"
"I intend to help him. His
success or failure could mean a lot to the world.
Do what you need to do that might help insure his success."
Alexander bowed and gave thanks to his goddess for her aid and for taking
the time to answer his questions. He
meditated for a while before he decided to leave.
He stood and sought out the temple scribes. Once he found them, Alexander
left his tomes in the care of the temple scribes. He handed the scribe the Illithiad
by Asmus Anagoge of the Arcane Order, Illithids, Kith and Kin (Volumes I,
II, and III) by Prinn Zaius, Technology of the Mind Flayers by Ehrlich
III, The Illithid Quindecennial (Volumes I, II, III, IV, and V) by Florid
Pythogenik, Apocalypse of Man, or, the Illithid Victory, by Groll,
The Ilsensine Papers, collected by Matterate Phytosuccivore, The
Illithid Quinary by Girandole, The Augean Worship of Ilsensine, by
Marl Aquish, Mendacious Cults of the Illithidkin, by Vibrissa, Impeccable
Captiousness in Underground Myths and Realities by Copro XIII, Steatopygic
Thralls of the Illithids by Acaro Myso, Apocryphal History of the Mind
Flayers, by Prinn Zaius, The Worlds Ruled by Illithids, by Glaaki,
and The Rebellion of Gith, by Stercoraceous Monofagous.
With those tomes in the care of the scribe, Alexander returned to the
palace.
Walking through the palace halls, Alexander went to the Library of
Antiquities. Pushing open the doors,
he was greeted by the musty smell of old books and decaying scrolls.
In the morning, Alexander knocked on Zografos' door in the morning.
"Can I have a moment of your time?" he asked.
Zografos, finished dressing, opened the door and walked into the hallway
with Alexander. "Of
course," said Zografos. "We
can talk on the way to the throne room."
They fell into step together and walked through the spacious corridors of
the impressive palace.
"Athena tells me you are going your own separate way, and that you
need power to succeed in your duty. Toward
that end, I have decided to give you the Finger
and Ring of Vulthois, but on a condition," said Alexander. "You
need to accept a quest of Athena."
Zografos was shocked. Then he wondered what the quest would be.
"What sort of quest?"
"You need to surrender the Ring
and Finger of Vulthois to Hannah when the time is right.
In the meantime, you must protect the items, as well as Hannah."
"That is acceptable," said Zografos.
Alexander reached into a pouch beneath his linen wrap and handed Zografos
the small wooden box where the artifacts were kept.
Alexander summoned divine energy from Athena, and laid the geas
upon Zografos.
Zografos was stunned into speechlessness.
The vision of shadow dragon mount clouded his mind, and he could almost
feel the power already. He slipped
the small parcel into his own belt pouch. Then,
almost without conscious thought, he held out his hand to Alexander.
Alexander grasped his hand, and shook it.
Lord Alexander led his group through the marbled halls of the palace.
Lord Issic followed close at the Ingaran's heels, followed by Lord
Phaidon and Lady
India
, hand in hand.
Zografos, Lord Domnhall, his shadow dragon coiled beneath his new cloak,
trailed behind the others.
The pages opened the vast valves of the main audience chamber doors and
announced that the Champions of Athena were in attendance.
The crowd of nobles watched as Alexander and Issic led the group into the
room. They noted the long tables of
food that flanked the room on all sides, and the vast number of people in
attendance. Lord Nadam's royal
guards were dressed in purple livery, a color they had never worn so far as
Alexander could remember. Issic noticed that Cthaat Angartha was not in
attendance.
When they reached the half-way point in the room, Lord
Nadam stood up from his throne. Ordiss
Ool slithered around the throne to stand at Nadam's left.
Alexander and Issic stopped at the base of the small flight of steps that
went to the throne. Lord Nadam
glanced at Ordiss Ool. Ordiss Ool,
in turn, his cold eyes almost vacant, nodded to the guards that surrounded the
room. As one, each of the royal
guards drew their swords with their right hands, their left holding their
halberds.
Lord Nadam drew his ancient sword and walked down the steps toward the
Champions. He said, "Issic,
Alexander, as Ruler of Alisander, I, Lord Nadam, once Champion of Vale,
recognize your deeds of valor and piety, and make you knights of Alisander, of
the new Order of the Blood Owl." With
that pronouncement, Lord Nadam lightly touched Issic, then Alexander, on the
shoulder with his sword. The
assembled nobles applauded loudly. Issic
spread his wings wide and roared. He
noticed Ordiss Ool watching the affair coldly.
Issic had the feeling the counselor was pleased.
Issic wondered if the counselor wanted to keep them busy for some
ulterior reason.
Lord Nadam clapped his hands, and musicians began to play and the
assembled lords and ladies sat down to eat at the feast.
As the feast progressed, Sir Alexander went up to speak to Lord Nadam.
"Lord Nadam, I think I have some information about the assassin who
tried to poison your servant."
"Good," said Lord Nadam. "Talk to my counselor.
He will take the appropriate steps."
The lord indicated Ordiss Ool, who stood silently behind him.
"As you wish, my lord," said Sir Alexander.
"As for the what you might do for the glory of Athena could this new
order of Knights be give the land around
"Aye," said Lord Nadam. "I
will have the charter drawn up. You
will be Lord Talishar from this point on. Sir
Alexander Maximus, Lord Talishar. How
sounds it?"
"It sounds pleasing to the ears of Athena and her father," said
Alexander. Alexander bowed to Lord
Nadam and walked away from the throne.
When Alexander stepped away from the throne, Sir Issic stepped away from
the crowd and bowed to Lord Nadam. Lord
Nadam nodded in return and Issic, blunt and direct, said, "I desire to rule
the lands of Ortenau. I know it is
not within the lands you offered, but those are the lands I desire."
"Ortenau, the lands of Anhartz, are ruled by Lord Dinringer. However,
I shall name you Count Anhartz, Earl of Ortenau.
Thus you shall outrank Baron Dinringer."
"Thank you, Lord Nadam." As Issic stepped away from the
throne, he noted the young Lady Brenhold in attendance.
Phaidon stood and looked around at all the people gathered while Issic
conversed with Lord Nadam.
India
stood at Phaidon's
side. A powerful looking Khemian
stood out in the crowd, drawing Phaidon's attention.
She had an exotic beauty, and she moved gracefully through the crowd,
greeting various lords and ladies.
A guard approached the throne, but before Lord Nadam could ask his
business, the councilor slunk down and slithered away with the guard, talking in
hushed voices. Alexander went over
to the councilor under the pretense of telling him about the assassin, but, of
course, intending to eavesdrop. He
heard the guard tell the councilor that Lord Nadam needed to send out the
military, or the whole town might go up in flames, flames fanned by a follower
of Alexander. The guard says,
"Religious fanatics are destroying temples all around town, and order is
going to Hell. He should also arrest
that Alexander for causing this unrest."
Ordiss Ool patted the guard on the back and sent him off, assuring the
guard that he would tell Lord Nadam, and all would be taken care of.
Ordiss Ool gave a quick look at one of the huge paintings on the wall,
nodding surreptitiously. The councilor returned to the throne.
Alexander intercepted Ordiss Ool and said, "I was told by Lord Nadam
to tell you what I know of the assassin."
Ordiss Ool's eyes narrowed. "Go
ahead," he whispered, concern on his face.
"The assassin is a lizard man with connections to Grindill and the
son of Ares."
The counselor raised a cool eyebrow.
"Really?" he hissed, his eyes narrowing further.
"Interesting. Of course, you
know Khasmaphet is no mere serving girl. That
would explain much."
"Yes," said Alexander. "I
found it very interesting myself. Well,
I will leave you to your duties."
Issic stepped through the crowds around the tables to stand next to the
young Lady Brenhold. "How grows the trees?" he asked.
The young lady said, "I am sure they are fine."
She took Issic's hand and said, "Come, sit with me at the
table."
Issic sat down next to her and asked, "So what do you think of this
recent development of the Knights?"
"I think it is a singular honor.
It takes a lot of gold to outfit an order of knights, and that is part of
what is offered."
Phaidon watched Issic and the lady eat and talk. The ranger also noticed
how much attention those gathered near and far also paid them. Many of the
looks did not seem friendly. The ranger shrugged, then whispered to
India
,
"Hungry?"
India
said, "Yes, I
am. Let's go eat."
As Phaidon and
India
sat down at the table, Zografos sought out the young diplomat he'd been seeing
around. He located her in the crowd of nobles quickly. She looked
quite radiant, aggressive, though soft-skinned, soft-limbed. She wore a
dress of black silk, with black lace in the neck and sleeves, and she had black
stockings. She looked confident and diffident. walked through the
congratulatory throng as quick as he could and introduced himself to her.
"I am pleased to meet you, Lord
Domnhall," she said, suddenly catching her underlip between her teeth,
giving a soft smile that was half-sly, half-innocent.
"And I am pleased to meet you. Do you
have a name?"
"Of course. I am Nylissa."
"If I may be so bold, Nylissa, I'd like to
paint your portrait sometime."
Her hand went to her chest and she said,
"Really? Me?" Zografos nodded. She blushed, then said, in
a narrowed voice, "I would like that. Since you have been bold with
me, permit me some boldness in return."
"Of course," said Zografos, who
preferred straight talk to circles.
"I'd like a nude."
"Then that is what you shall have. If
you have nothing pressing, I'd love to see to your painting now," Zografos
said.
"I have nothing pressing at the moment, but
I hope to have something pressing soon." She presented her arm, which
Zografos took.
"Do you want to do the painting in my
quarters, or yours?"
Zografos was tempted to take her to his quarters,
but he felt compelled to change his activities about. "Yours, if you
don't mind."
"Won't you need your paints?"
"I'll have a servant bring them to me."
"Very well then. Let's go."
Zografos stopped a servant and sent him to his
suite to get his art supplies, then walked over to Phaidon and
India
and told them where he was headed. Zografos and the diplomat left the
throne room.
Alexander watched Ordiss Ool with growing suspicions. What was happening
out in the city? Alexander decided to take action. With a loud
noise, Alexander toppled, tumbling next to the throne. Ordiss Ool was surprised,
and slid back quickly as Lord Nadam rose from his throne. Phaidon jumped
up and rushed to Alexander's side, followed by
India
. Phaidon tried to wake him as Issic jumped across the room and grabbed
Ordiss Ool. "What have you done to him?"
Although Ordiss Ool had previously had no
intention of harming either Alexander or Issic, he decided in that second that
Issic would get some personal attention later for this unwarranted affront.
Ordiss Ool took in his distinctive scent so he could be tracked later.
Alexander shook his head and set up, feigning
grogginess. "I got a message from Athena," he said. Issic
released Ordiss Ool. Ordiss Ool slunk away, hate burning in his blood.
"I will see you in Talishar," hissed the counselor under his breath.
India
asked, "What sort of message?" The whole throne room was silent
as they waited. Alexander said, "There is trouble on the streets.
Something horrible is happening, and the city is burning from the misguided
hands of a zealot."
Lord Nadam motioned for the throne room guards to
follow Alexander. Alexander motioned for Issic, Phaidon, and
India
to follow him. They ran through the palace corridors. Anathek Dar
and some of his retinue joined the group.
Through the city streets ran Alexander, followed
by Issic,
Phaidon
,
India
, Anathek, and several of Lord Nadam's personal guard. They pushed through
the panicked crowds as they ran toward the
They were greeted with a horrific sight at the
As the others rushed madly through Alisander's streets, Zografos and the
diplomat entered her rooms. She put her arms around Zografos' neck.
"Do we have to wait for your paints and canvases before I can get
naked?" she asked.
Zografos smiled, and tugged at the lacings of her
dress behind her back. He had a sensuous mouth and startling blue eyes.
He had a physical presence as disturbing as some rare perfume, long slim and
wiry. She liked his slender fingers and the way they moved as he undressed
her. She imagined him naked and aroused, and felt a tightening of her
internal muscles. She fell against him, breast to breast, mouth to mouth,
kissing greedily. The need she felt was so powerful she thought she would
faint. She had never known anything as sensuously beautiful as his mouth;
the soft, warm lips that parted against hers. His hands, long-fingered,
strong, and clever, moved over her body as they kissed. In a matter of
seconds he had her stripped naked, her bodice, her blouse, and her skirt
discarded to the floor.
Nylissa started to worry. She had had sex
before, but never like this, never with someone she had just met.
Suddenly, though, she wanted more than anything to be overpowered, to be made to
do what she wanted to do, to have the guilt taken away. Zografos gazed
into her eyes and read there what she wanted as he rolled an erect nipple
between thumb and forefinger. She felt fixed by his gaze, unable to resist
his sensuous charm. She stood very still, quivering.
"Stand back and spread your legs," he
said.
"No," she said weakly, not meaning it.
She meant she wanted him to make her do it, to do it to her, she was helpless
now.
"Up against the wall and spread your
legs," he said, sternly.
She swallowed hard, then found her voice again.
"No."
Zografos laughed, "No? No? What
does that mean? Your body's saying something else." He slipped
his hand between her legs. She gasped and quivered as he found her
wetness. "Your body doesn't lie. It says yes." His
touch was as soft as his voice, delicate and perfectly judged. She moaned
and closed her eyes as he stroked her clitoris. She let him continue until
his touch was too teasing, his fingering too delicate for her much harsher
desire, and then she reached down to push his hand harder against her and his
fingers inside of her. He walked toward her, his fingers inside of her,
and forced her back to the wall.
The wall was hard against her back. Her
thighs ached with strain as she rode his hand, the clever, stranger's fingers
that seemed somehow to know her better than she knew herself, knowing just how
to stroke and to probe together, knowing when a teasing gentleness should become
more brutal. All this time, he watched her, watched her face contort and
he read her desire as he murmured commands and compliments that alternated with
a purpose like the hard-soft touch of his hand.
And then his other hand was on her ass, fingers
probing the crack, and she moaned as he began to work her with both hands, back
and front, and she cried out for still more.
Phaidon found the mob at last at the
Temple
of the Silver Tree. They were gathered en masse around the marble
edifice, screaming and yelling in rage. Alexander,
Issic
,
India
and Phaidon were all shocked at the huge number of people involved in this
murderous spree.
"Who is responsible for this?" said
Alexander, in a thunderous tone of fury. "Stop now! This is not
worthy of followers of Athena, but for her brother, Ares!"
A voice from the crowd boomed forth, and a
powerful man dressed in a toga and gold accoutrements stepped up the stairs of
the
India
put her hand on Phaidon's arm. "My father," she whispered,
horrified.
"This is unacceptable," cried
Alexander, stepping forward. The mob moved aside, looking on in awe,
finally realizing that Alexander, the Gauntlet of Athena, and Issic, Athena's
Champion, were really and truly among them. "This is not what Athena is all
about! This is chaos and mindless, senseless war!"
"Isn't she a goddess of war?" asked
Larbius Prama.
"Yes, but not that sort of war! This
is her brother's sort of war!"
"Just kill him!" screamed
India
at Alexander. Alexander looked at her sharply. "Just kill
him," she repeated.
"Ah," said Larbius Prama.
"My daughter! Not as unlike me as she would like to pretend! Kill me?
Yes, Alexander, kill me. Let my daughter lead you down a path of
slaughter."
India
looked at her father in horror, then stormed away. Alexander motioned to
Phaidon to follow her. Alexander said to Larbius Prama, "Leave her
be! I am sick and tired of you causing trouble for me!"
"I merely want to help. Perhaps you
could show me? Teach me?"
Alexander wondered if this was a ploy or
sincerity at work. "Then you have to give up your diabolical powers
and become mortal."
"Really? Just like that? Perhaps
I will. It would be nice to travel with my daughter, make sure she is
traveling the right path, you know."
Alexander was fed up. "Leave and
never, ever cause harm in this city again! Promise me!"
Larbius Prama laughed, a hideous evil chuckle
that sent shivers down the spines of the massed mob. "One day,
Alexander, I will return the favor I owe you." He raised his arms and
brought them quickly down, and, in a flash of smoke, Larbius Prama vanished.
Zografos went down on his knees and began
tonguing Nylissa's clitoris, still probing her in both directions with his long
fingers, breathing hard with his own excitement. The warm, wet touch of
his mouth was gentle, exact, and excruciating, and it was more than the young
diplomat could bear. Like lightning, an intense orgasm flashed through her
as she cried and yelled, and clutched at his light brown hair.
"Yes!" she cried. "Yes!"
He pulled her to the floor, on her belly, and she
heard him take off his trousers. She said nothing. She lay still and
let him position her for his pleasure. He lifted her ass and parted her
legs and the head of his manhood nudged at the slick lips between her legs.
She closed her eyes and gave herself up to physical sensation.
He was very big and greedy in his lust.
Although she was very wet and willing, he spared her no tenderness now, but
thrust himself inside her hard and fast, using his hands to part the cheeks of
her ass at the same time as if he wanted to split her in two. She welcomed
and wanted this penetration, enjoyed the sensation of being forced. He
laughed and thrust again, finding a hard, driving rhythm that satisfied both of
them. She lost all sense of time and place and even of self as he drove
into her and drove himself, and her, finally, over the brink in a fierce,
all-consuming orgasm, with a final shout in which their two voices mingled.
A little while later Nylissa felt him withdraw.
She made a small sound of protest but no move, too exhausted and happy where she
was, sprawled facedown and legs spread on the floor. She heard the door to
her room open. Was he leaving? She heard voices. He was
talking to a servant, who brought in his painting supplies. She smiled and
rolled over, ready to pose however he might want her.
Alexander ordered the palace guard to arrest the
rioters, and to put them to work cleaning up the mess they created. He
lectured to them about the true path Athena seeks for her followers.
Anathek and Alexander debated slightly about appropriate punishments for the
destruction of temples and the deaths of temple personnel. Anathek argued
for death. Alexander didn't want to kill anyone for this crime but
Larbius. He argued that the people were under diabolic influences and
could not be held accountable. While they debated, Phaidon finally caught
up to
India
.
Phaidon was a little shocked. He never
really realized that
India
had fiendish blood in her. He put that shock away and sat down beside
her. He put his arms around her and she leaned her head against his
shoulder. They talked briefly, then rose and returned to the palace as the
sun set, blazing brilliant colors over the palace.
Ordiss Ool stalked the corridors of the palace,
still outraged at Issic's affront. "Time," he hissed, "Time
will be key." He wondered if he should hit Issic himself, or let his
organization, the Shadow Shoal, take care of the half dragon. He opened
the door to his own suite of rooms. The décor was Spartan, at best.
Ordiss Ool didn't care much for decoration. He liked to keep it simple.
A ring of coral hung over a modest bed, and a mirror hung on the wall adjacent.
Other than that, there was nothing on his walls. No tapestries, no
paintings. A shadow cast by nothing darkened one of the walls.
Ordiss Ool motioned, and the shadow moved toward him, taking on a humanoid
semblance. Ordiss Ool said, "Return to Redshore. I want
whatever information Aaron Kientai has on Issic."
Ordiss Ool decided he would take care of it
personally.
Zografos had left a message for Phaidon to come
to his suite. Phaidon and
India
walked in the large corridors and arrived at Zografos' doors. Phaidon
knocked. Zografos opened the doors.
"You summoned me?" asked Phaidon. He
walked into the room, moving past Zografos.
India
hesitated, but followed Phaidon. Zografos closed the door.
"Yes. To get to the point, there is
something I would like to do for you."
"What is that?"
"I'd like to summon shadow panthers for you.
I cannot replace what you have lost, but I would like to do this for you."
"It is alright with me. Do I need to
do anything?"
"No. I will take care of it. Let's go into your rooms,
though." Once in Phaidon and
India
's suite, Zografos made a clear space on the marble floor. Zografos opened
his various shadow tomes as Phaidon and
India
watched. He pronounced the runes of an old Angustian formula, which at
frequent intervals was cadenced with fatal names of lethal gods, and in it were
told the secret appellations of the black god of shadow, and use was made of the
titles of many tomb-lairing demons. Heavy and hollow sounding were the
runes, and in them Phaidon and
India
imagined they heard a great noise on sepulchral doors, and a clangor of
downfallen slabs. The air darkened as if with the hovering of seasonless
night, and, thereupon, like a breathing of the night, a chillness entered the
chamber, and it seemed that the black wings of shadow passed over the room,
beating prodigiously from void to void.
Hearing that formula uttered aloud, India and
Phaidon were struck dumb with the extremity of their dread, and would have fled
the room ere the spell ended but a mortal weakness was upon them, and they felt
a sickness as of quick-coming death. Shadows were woven before their eyes,
but through the shadows they each beheld the coming of a dark shape, a shadowy
panther.
When the spell ended, and the rune went unspoken,
two panthers were in front of Phaidon and
India
. Zografos, however, was gone.
One panther was definitely made of
shadow-substance, but the other was flesh and blood. Phaidon wondered at
that. He held his hand out for the shadow-panther to sniff and lick.
It did. Phaidon presented his hand to the other black panther. It
backed away at first, then it came up and sat on its haunches, presenting its
paw to Phaidon to smell.
Phaidon looked over the black panther and saw it
had a bag tied around its waist on a belt. "I am Uisdean," said
the panther. Phaidon and
India
looked at each other in alarm. "I am awakened, so have no fear.
I am here by choice."
"Well," said Phaidon, "It is a
pleasure to meet you, Uisdean."
Zografos walked into his suite. The drow
stood in the room, looking over his recent painting of Nylissa. She was a
gorgeous, short elven beauty with the characteristic slanted eyes, black skin,
and long, long white hair. Hate danced in her eyes, and she had power in her
bearing despite her slight four and a half feet of height. She was still
wearing the black silk armor, and the rapier. Cerlyn asked, "Are you
ready?" Her voice dripped with menace and confidence.
"I am," said Zografos. He sensed
that he would have died a horrible death if he had said otherwise. He
deathly cold eyes drew him in, and he shivered. Still, he did not regret
his choice. He felt the shadow dragon climb within his enveloping cloak
when he put it on.
"Let us go, then." She walked out
onto the balcony, and climbed over the rim, climbing down the wall like a
spider. Zografos followed her.
Through the night, Ordiss Ool sat in his room and
pondered, looking over papers and parchments sent to him from Redshore.
Issic had done some interesting things. And had a rather interesting
ancestry. Time. Perhaps something could be done… in time.
The next morning, Alexander and Issic summoned
their companions to a brief meeting. Anathek Dar was also invited.
Phaidon entered the room with two panthers. One was very shadowy, the
other was more solid, but just as black. The second had a bag tied around
its waist. Alexander raised his eyebrows in question.
"Uisdean," said Phaidon, indicating the
more solid panther with the bag. "And Zagreus." He
indicated the shadow-panther. "Parting gifts from Zografos."
Alexander nodded in understanding.
Anathek Dar summoned his magic in an attempt to
detect the presence of undead, but detected none. He sat down next to
Issic.
Alexander began, "Zografos should be able to
keep the illithids busy for a time while we deal with other things. At some
point I wish to call together a war council so that these illithids can be
destroyed, but before this can happen the illithids will attack one of our
number again."
"Just exactly what is it that this is if not
a war council?" asked Issic.
"This is a war council but I wish to summon
representatives from across Inzeladun and help us put an end to the illithids
for good," answered Alexander.
Anathek said, "Hmmm, a war council? Good
thing you have a warlord around."
Issic said, "I have another matter to
discuss. We have been given knighthoods, and the start of a new
order. I would like to extend membership of that order to one whom I feel
deserves it."
Alexander said, "So be it."
Issic asked that Cthaat Angartha be
summoned. A page eventually found her and brought her to the meeting
chamber, where Alexander was talking now about Talishar.
"Issic and I are headed to Talishar.
Athena suggests there is evil afoot there, and I have chosen Talishar to be the
lands I want from Lord Nadam. I would like for you to come with us, but
that is your choice."
There was unanimous agreement to join Alexander
and Issic. Issic saw the page and Cthaat. He motioned her into the
room.
Cthaat was uncomfortable around these
distinguished folk, but she did not show her nervousness. Was she in
trouble? She had missed a day of duty. Issic smiled and said,
"I want to offer you a place in our order of knighthood. I want you
to travel with us to Talishar."
"Really? Me? A
knight?" She couldn't believe her ears. She was of common
birth. Could this be real?
"Yes, you. Do you accept?"
"Oh, yes. Yes, sir!"
She smiled. Issic grinned and leaned back in his chair. He eyed the
room. "When shall we leave?" he asked. They decided to leave immediately.
As
Phaidon
,
India
, and the panthers walked back to Phaidon's rooms, Uisdean, the panther, thought
that those guys talked a lot. Phaidon laughed, picking up his thoughts
telepathically. "We have to plan, or the bad guys will triumph over
us," he sent back.
Uisdean snorted. "Eat or be eaten,
that is the way it has always been and will always be. These people seem
to think their mouth is for talking and not eating."
"You will soon learn that we talk a lot.
There will be plenty of time for eating. You, Zagrius, and I will do some
hunting on the way to Talishar."
"Is the beast so large that three must hunt
it at a time? It is unnatural to hunt as a pack."
"If we can find one large enough. My
other panther friends and I used to hunt together all the time. If you
want to hunt alone, that is your decision."
Larbius Prama the
Gelugon, Sorcerer 16: CR 25, large
outsider; HD 17d8+16d4+165; hp 312; Initiative +1, Spd 40 ft; AC 28 (flatfooted
27, touch 10); Attack +28/+18/+13 (1d8+12[+2d6 vs. good] Longspear of Frost),
and +20 (2d4+3 bite) and +20 (3d4+3 + cold tail); Reach 15 ft; Spell like
abilities, fear aura, cold, summon Baatezu, damage reduction 20/+2, SR 25,
Baatezu qualities, regeneration 5; AL LE; Fort +18, Ref +14, Will +24; Str 23,
Dex 13, Con 21, Int 22, Wis 22, Cha 21
Skills: Alchemy +25, Bluff +17, Climb +20, Concentration +39,
Disguise +18, Jump +19, Knowledge (Arcana) +39, Knowledge (Religion) +20, Listen
+22, Move Silently +16, Search +20, Sense Motive +29, Spellcraft +35, Spot +22,
Scry +11
Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Dodge, Power Attack, Empower Spell, Silent
Spell, Improved Critical (Longspear), Leadership, Maximize Spell, Combat Casting
Equipment: +3 longspear of frost
Cerlyn Ilphu, Female drow Rog7/Assassin10: CR 18; ECL 19; Medium-size Humanoid (elf); HD 17d6+34; hp 93; Init
+10; Spd 30 ft; AC 19 (+6 Dex, +5 Armor); Melee rapier +20/15/10 (1d6+3/crit
18-20), or dagger +16/11/6 (1d4+2/crit 19-20); Ranged dagger +18 (1d4/crit
19-20); SA death attack, sneak attack, spell-like abilities, spells; SQ +2 Will
save vs. spells or spell-like abilities, +5 save vs. poison, darkvision 120 ft,
evasion, light blindness, poison use, SR 28, uncanny dodge; AL NE; SV Fort +7,
Ref +18, Will +10; Str 15, Dex 22, Con 15, Int 17, Wis 18, Cha 15.
Skills: Balance +26, Move Silently +26, Hide +36, Read Lips +9,
Bluff +22, Disguise +16, Escape Artist +26, Intimidate +12, Jump +12, Open Locks
+16, Spot +24, Tumble +16 (doesn’t include -1 armor check penalty)
Feats: Improved Initiative, Expertise (Rapier), Quick Draw, Dodge,
Mobility, Improved Critical.
SA–Death Attack: If Cerlyn Ilphu makes a successful sneak attack after
observing the victim for 3 rounds, the victim is killed or paralyzed for 1d6+10
rounds (Fort negates DC 23).
SA–Sneak Attack (Ex): Cerlyn Ilphu deals +9d6 damage against an
opponent with a discernable anatomy who is denied a Dex bonus or is flanked.
SQ–Uncanny Dodge: Dex bonus to AC, can't be flanked, +3 vs. traps.
Assassin Spells Prepared (-/3/3/3/1):
Equipment: +2 Keen Undead Bane Rapier, +2 Keen Aberration Bane
Dagger, +2 Silk Shadow Armor, Z’henra’s tools (torture kit), 5 doses of
Chiff, 7 doses of Medusa poison.
Sjachrenthisj, Young Female Shadow
Dragon: CR
5, small dragon; HD 10d12+10; hp 75; Initiative: +4 (Imp. Init.); Spd 80 ft, fly
150 ft. (average); AC 24 (flatfooted 24, touch 11); Attack +12 (1d6+1 bite) and
+7/+7 (1d4 claw/claw) or Breath Weapon (20 ft. Cone, 1 negative level, DC 18);
SR 15; Special Qualities: Energy drain immunity, Shadow Blend; AL CE; SV Fort
+8, Ref +7, Will +10; Str 13, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 17.
Skills: Listen +13, Spot +13, Search +13, Bluff +13, Appraise +13,
Knowledge (Arcana) +13, Concentration +11, Diplomacy +8, Escape Artist +5, Scry
+13
Feats: Flyby Attack, Hover, Improved Initiative
Cthaat Angartha, the female human guard who made
a knight by Issic, Warrior 1: CR -; medium humanoid (5'2"); HD 1d8+4+3; hp
12; Initiative: +4 (Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft; AC 14 (flatfooted 14, touch
10); Attack +3 (1d8+2 longsword or 1d10+2 halberd); AL NG; SV Fort +6, Ref +0,
Will +0; Str 15, Dex 11, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 13
Skills: Sense Motive +2, Intimidate +5, Jump +2
Feats: Improved Initiative, Endurance
Equipment: Scale mail, Halberd, Longsword