Ahhh.. the beginning of the spring, just two weeks ago the free city dressed in holiday, celebrated Needfest with bonfires and sacrifices in the outskirts of town, but the sky darkened in the last two day, storm is brewing in the north west over Veluna, last night it thundered in the far horizon, above the Treacherous Ironwood, making her way to consume the visvounty and the southern Lortmills.
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You are summoned by a delegate of the Canon of Veluna, a bunch of noble counselors dressed in fine clothes, those arrogant bustards know only to drink wine and flatter to the Canon. They all came here to the Viscounty
A large brown oak table and match carved sits are placed in the center of a decorative hall, fine tapestries and paintings cover the walls, silverware are placed on the table, a large unlit fireplace, an enormous Chandelier hangs from the ceiling and other valuable antiques. The most impressive that you can spot is a large stone statue of a Knight, possibly a former ruler of the region.
2 guards stand on each side of the room, they are well dressed with decorative plate armors and holding glaives, two stands in the south doors, where you came from, and two others in the north finely carved wooden door.
Wine and fruits are served as you wait for your host.
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Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
As he enters the Viscounty and lighting crosses the horizon, almost as if calling him...
Edirion smiles.
The weather at the horizon suited his mood... precious little things did of late
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The raven black-hair of the elf is unmoving... not as if it would move much, the pace of the elf is firm and calm. He doesn't even move his head to look at the silverware, the tapestries, or the paintings... some time ago he would have allowed himself to be delighted with such delicacy... but today he soberly took his seat.
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The emerald orbs of the elf scan the other persons at the table, more interested in who they were than in whatever the table sported.
The other elf at the table surprises him in a good manner, for altough he wears the trappings of an arcanist, there's a certain something which tells him off from him being the usual mage who stands nearer to fancy nobles than to warriors, or common people.
The dwarf, they've been told to be worthy in battle and smithing... that's got to be seen, as anything else.
The tall, olive-skinned man... looks like a warrior but is somehow absent in his eyes... has he been in any battle?
The gnome, completly alien to him... as brave as halflings? who knows...
The young human sitting in front of him, the most interesting... can stop moving, surely can't help it, they've got short lifespans after all... but the attitude is that of someone ready to action, not yet defined, but the body says more than do words...
No jesters... at least so it appears... not as bad as expected.
Of course, no comparison with the Dusk Riders can be traced
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainz
I do it because I simply love this game.
Level 10, essence of D&D as of November 17 2006
Wizard paralyzed, samurai 6 hp, your Fiend Hunter down to 4 hp and 1 Con, surrounded by four dead Bebilith and one still alive...
Without sheathing the greatsword, with shaky hands unstoppers the small vodka bottle, swallow it down, and hurl it at the still standing demonic spider while yelling "come and get me!" just to allow the samurai to get the edge.
Llewellyn casually peels an orange and drops the peel on the table beside him as he eats it slowly, one segment at a time. He watches the other elf eye him and the rest of the group.
"You have a slaver's eye," he says casually before popping the final piece of orange into his mouth.
Edirion faces him directly now, showing his clouded eye, the one obviously damaged the same slash that caused a rather young vertical scar which goes from over the brow to under the eye... miraculously the eye remains almost intact, the bright green cluded by a white veil.
He blinks at the arcanist with his right eye... or is closing his eyes, it's hard to tell wether he can or can't close his left eye.
"The eye life gave me..."
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainz
I do it because I simply love this game.
Level 10, essence of D&D as of November 17 2006
Wizard paralyzed, samurai 6 hp, your Fiend Hunter down to 4 hp and 1 Con, surrounded by four dead Bebilith and one still alive...
Without sheathing the greatsword, with shaky hands unstoppers the small vodka bottle, swallow it down, and hurl it at the still standing demonic spider while yelling "come and get me!" just to allow the samurai to get the edge.
Miltiades drinks his wine meditatively, asking the server after its home vineyard and harvest year when the servant first pours. The olive skinned man radiates a calm relaxed aura as his eyes sweep over the hall. Those dark eyes seem to note many details, but it is as if every piece fits perfectly into a broad puzzle and is as it should be. Even the elves' verbal sparring.
Llewellyn blinks for a moment, as though registering something he hadn't noticed before. "Forgive me," he says. "I spoke not of your scars, but of the way in which you weigh us with your sight." He plucks the orange peel from the table and places it in a small pouch which he returns to his side. "I assure you, I intended no disrespect."
Lenuran placed a modest amount of food on his plate, more to satisfy the demands of etiquette than out of real hunger, but kept his journal underneath his seat in preparation for the meeting. The summons had brought Lenuran away from Lortmills, as well as a temporary retirement, but his mind raced with the possibilities of what could happen tonight.
Glancing around the room as he took a small sip of his wine, Lenuran listened briefly as the two elves discussed an aspect of one of the elves' eye, the young human male seemed content to enjoy his meal for the time being, and the dwarf was also keeping his distance from the others. The only one who seemed interested in talking to the others was the equally young man who must have been famished from his travels and attacked his plate with the gusto of a starved wolf. His antics brought an honest smile to Lenuran's face and the gnome nodded his head slightly in greeting when the young man caught Lenuran looking his way.
'Brought together yet we stay far apart. It will be interesting to see what the uniting force will be for them...'
Lowering his glass, Lenuran was content to sit back and observe the opening act of this play to record in his journal later.
Last edited by Tonks; 10th August 2006 at 04:26 AM..
During the entire trip, the Kid was restless. He did not belong in the calvacade of nobility. He should be on the northern front, waiting for the next incursion of Old Wicked's constantly probing fingers. But, he had his orders. And orders were followed.
Usually.
~~~
The Kid's mouth went agape at all the finery the Canon displayed. Such wealth was the vibrant dream of a former guttersnape like him, and he was oblivious to most everything else for a while---until he saw the food. Then, with little grace, he plopped himself down and started in with a plate of---well, a little of everything.
He had finished his first plate when he noticed the others sitting around him. He blushed, knowing that his lack of manners would probably disgrace the Furyondy officers. Abashed, he sat back, beginning to twirl his father's dagger in his left hand. It was a constant twitch---he did it when nervous. Or hungry. Or anxious. Or, well, whenever he wasn't doing anything else.
Smiling his nervous but innocent smile, he softly says "heya" to the folks gathered around before twirling the dagger faster.
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
"No offense taken, my "slaver's eye" was given to me by life" effective, but probably less dry than he wished his speech to be.
When the young human jumps all over the food, Edirion confirms his thought Short lives: frantic
Directing himself at the others, uneasy being the one to lead, instead of saying Given that our hosts have not arrived, I say we make good use of time
he stands from his seat, and states "Athas" while patting the pommel of a sheathed sword at his side, then he proceeds
"Edirion Redilameri" feels something is lacking... and adds"of the Dusk Riders"
that mention stings, even if it is only barely noticeable on the outside.
he takes seat again, expectant
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainz
I do it because I simply love this game.
Level 10, essence of D&D as of November 17 2006
Wizard paralyzed, samurai 6 hp, your Fiend Hunter down to 4 hp and 1 Con, surrounded by four dead Bebilith and one still alive...
Without sheathing the greatsword, with shaky hands unstoppers the small vodka bottle, swallow it down, and hurl it at the still standing demonic spider while yelling "come and get me!" just to allow the samurai to get the edge.
Korbryn downs a glass of wine in one quaff, a look of disappointment on his face. It surely didn't compare to the fine dwarven spirits he was used to drinking. The finery as well, was distasteful to him. Not the residence of a warrior, to be sure.
Stroking his long, blonde, braided beard with a callused hand, the armored dwarf turns his scarred face to give each of you an appraising look, as if sizing you up. At Edirion's introduction, he offers a curt nod.
"Greetings to yerself, elf." Pointing at the scars upon his face, the dwarf smiles. "Looks like we have something in common."
Since the elf stand, and introduce himself, the young man does so as well. In a practiced tone, as if said a many times before, comes, "Thandis Ornth, 2nd Grabford Recon Regitment, County of Crystalreach, Furyondy." Then, a bit more sheepishly. "Every calls me 'The Kid'."
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
After sometime, while you enjoy the fine wine and fresh fruits, the north door open and a couple of nobles enter. Greeting, I'm overwhelmed to see that you find the hospitality to your convenience.
The tall human says when he sees some of you eat elegantly the food and some devour it I'm Atzil, first counsel of His Noble lordship, Defender of the faith. The Viscount Langard of Verbobonc, may Rao bring peace on him everyday.
The rest of the counselors take a sit, some of you can recognize Matbea, ministry of treasure, Katzin, captain of the Verbobonc's royal guards and few others who serve minor positions in the canon's court. He motions the guards to close the northern doors.
You are summoned to this court for a noble cause, you are the finest of all Available agents that we could muster with such an hurry.
He smiles in sarcasm, takes a sip from his wine and returns a look, this time he frowns. we suspect that the aligned nations are facing danger.
He says with firm voice our agents brought some concering news from the north, agents stationed in the cursed city of skulls (Dorakaa, capital of Iuz) reports that the old one has sent his minions to retrieve a lost and ancient magical artifact from the Yatils, in the meanwhile, strangers with ocher robes have been spotted wandering around the hills and bogs of Hommlet, we all know what happened 9 years ago in the cursed Temple of the elemental god.
His words echoes in the great hall when he meantions the god's name, the window's burst open with chill draught, shivering pass in your spines and every counsel make a silent prayer. We sent a group to investigate the rumors in the north, but we need to make sure it's just a fairy tale in the south, we must not face this danger again!
He slams his fist on the wooden table, his face twists in pain but he shakes it off immediately You must find out what is brewing around Hommlet, be stealthy as much as you can, if the enemy is out there again, you must not reveal yourselves.
He looks over to Lenuran and nods, We brought a specialist to this mission, a known scholar and sage among his kind, Lenuran of Lortmills.
He says and turns his look to Katzin, the captain pulls out a small box with papers and hand them out to the consular. According to the writings
he continues Twenty five years ago, the forces of evil gathered north and east of Hommlet and constructed a huge temple, this was a bastion for their evil armies, from this place they unleashed earthquakes, storms, fires and floods upon the countryside, but our allies in Veluna and Furyondy rallied their forces and sacked the temple in a battle called Emridy Meadows. Most of the evil forces destroyed and driven off and the temple were abandoned and sealed.
He pauses for a sec. the others nobles stare in awe as he tells the story, but all are quiet. Nine years later, Bandits began troubling the area around Hommlet, evil humanoids and strangely garbed priests were seen on the road, like those we have been reported of, it became clear the temple was rising again, this time, bands of adventurers and heroes attacked the ruined place and the evil was once again over thrown, since then the territory has prospered in the peace that has settled in … you must check it out.
He says and lifts his eyes from the papers. It's probably nothing, the panicked canon just wastes our treasury.
Say one of the nobles, a slim dark haired man.
The nobles starts to argue among themselves until the first counsel raise his voice Silence, leave us.
Some of the nobles exit the room angrily and they can still be heard in the corridors behind the northern doors, they leave you with Katzin, Matbea and Atzil.
Sitting silently all the time, Matbea, ministry of treasure takes your attention. Honorable servants, although the Viscounty treasury is quite low, I managed to secure some funds, 100 gold each, use it wisely.
You are leaving tomorrow
Atzil announce, make your preparations and sleep well, I'll meet you at south gate at sunrise.
Any Question ?
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
Lenuran quickly committed the names to their hosts and smiled once more when the younger of the human males introduced himself as “The Kid”.
’Their capacity for nicknames rivals that of the gnomes. I wonder if the dwarves would ever allow themselves to go through lives with childhood names like that that.’
Preparing to stand and introduce himself, Lenuran stopped as he saw Atzil and the other nobles enter into the room. Lenuran had not seen the First Council in almost a decade and while the human had aged well when judged by human standards, Lenuran noticed the increase in gray hairs as well as the deepening of the crow’s feet around his eyes.
’I wonder if my parents saw the same in me when I returned home?’
Listening to the First Council speak, Lenuran was surprised when he was described as a sage and scholar, but stood and nodded his head in greetings to those in the room. When he had first been tasked to gather information on those who had stormed the Temple the first time, Lenuran did not know that his journeys would take him so far, but in the end yield so little.
Sitting down as Atzil began telling those who had not heard of the Temple’s past, Lenuran drank his wine slowly and looked at those who had been called, trying to judge their reactions to the First Council’s words. As the scribe of these events, Lenuran accepted that his role would be a minor one compared to those called for their skill with blades and spells, but he would do his part to assist them where and when he could.
’The dwarves did give me Frostfang to protect myself and I will not dishonor them by hiding away from my responsibility’
Matbea began passing out the coin pouches, Lenuran took his, but left it sitting on the table in front of him for the moment. Looking to Atzil, Lenuran spoke for the first time since he entered into the meeting room.
”First Council are the sources which informed you of these new sightings trustworthy in your opinion? I ask this not because I doubt the truth of your words, but many times in my travels accusations have been made among villagers who sought to gain revenge upon their neighbors by making false claims. Also are there any in Hommlet that we may confide in if there is a need to send a message to you and we are unable to be the senders?”
The Kid tries to keep his natural jitteriness to a minimum once the nobles arrive in force, and manages to only have a jumpy leg during the Counsel's speech. Now that he knew the mission, he growned inside. Chasing ghosts?
The coin was not much, but it quickly disapeared into the many folds of the Kid's clothing. Old habits died hard, and coin was still coin.
Ever the practical one, the Kid had one question. "So where do we start?"
__________________ stonegod -- LEB judge and spawn of Khyber since 2005 (Blog)
Korbryn stands, fists at his hips as he gazes upon the remaining ministers. He speaks plainly, his voice reminiscent of gravel sliding down a hillside. "Me lords," he begins grudgingly, sarcasm heavy in his voice at the word "lords", "Ye could have gotten any number o' sneaks to investigate these rumors from the south. It is plain to me, that though ye dismiss these grim tidings as rumors, that is not what ye believe in yer hearts. Ye suspect that evil has returned, suren as these scars upon me face. If this be the case, what then? Ye don't need a warrior such as meself if yer not expecting us to remedy this situation."
As the others started speaking up, Lenuran resumed sitting to grant the First Council an excuse for getting to his questions when he chose. Glancing over towards the dwarven warrior, Lenuran wondered if the dwarf found the job not to his liking, or if he simply wished for Aztil to grant him full verbal permission to strike down any foes of the kingdom that they might discover.
'A kingdom it seems he does not truly respect at that...'
The Kid on the other hand seemed ready to bolt from the table and towards Hommlet with the same energy that he attacked his food earlier.
"May peace be upon you First Counsel. I am as always ready to serve as needed on behalf of the Church. The gnome raises wise questions. The source of knowledge of the rumors would be a logical place to begin investigations and knowing what resources and allies we already have in place would be helpful. I have read accounts of the past events, however is there knowledge of what temples of the good gods retain a presence to this day in the area around Hommlett?"
The elf hears the whole tale, as usual, over-adorned. They just had to keep an eye on some cultists from the dread Temple, fell a decade ago, and Iuz was involved.
Was it that complicated to put it simple?
So a gnome, a dwarf, and two elves should not rise suspicions... maybe some blood will have to be shed so that robed cultists don't run about screaming about us
"And you have called for us because of simple rumors, summoned from Highfolk to investigate plain rumors..." The dwarf is right, of course, a storm is brewing and they know it
He lets that phrase hang on the air... and he takes the pouch offered.
"So we are basically fighting against Iuz?" The first smile in his face appears "I'm in"
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainz
I do it because I simply love this game.
Level 10, essence of D&D as of November 17 2006
Wizard paralyzed, samurai 6 hp, your Fiend Hunter down to 4 hp and 1 Con, surrounded by four dead Bebilith and one still alive...
Without sheathing the greatsword, with shaky hands unstoppers the small vodka bottle, swallow it down, and hurl it at the still standing demonic spider while yelling "come and get me!" just to allow the samurai to get the edge.
”First Council are the sources which informed you of these new sightings trustworthy in your opinion? I ask this not because I doubt the truth of your words, but many times in my travels accusations have been made among villagers who sought to gain revenge upon their neighbors by making false claims. Also are there any in Hommlet that we may confide in if there is a need to send a message to you and we are unable to be the senders?”
Quote:
Originally Posted by StoneGod
"So where do we start?"
When the first temple fell as you know
replies Katzin, the royal captain folk in Hommlet saw Ochre robed priests fleeing westward to the Welkwood and from there to the now Pomarj controlled wild coast, but evil was not done, over the years its creatures and servants returned to the place and once more Ochre robed priests were spotted.
Where to go and what to do?
He throws the question to the thin air, shrugs and look at Atzil. As some of you know, former temple liberators live in Hommlet, although they aged, they can help you and we are keeping in touch with them.
Elmo is the captain of the militia and Canoness Y'dey is the head of the St. Cuthbert's church.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhun
"Ye could have gotten any number o' sneaks to investigate these rumors from the south. It is plain to me, that though ye dismiss these grim tidings as rumors, that is not what ye believe in yer hearts. Ye suspect that evil has returned, suren as these scars upon me face. If this be the case, what then? Ye don't need a warrior such as meself if yer not expecting us to remedy this situation."
Yes, that is what we suspect and we honor your heroic decision to join.
Atzil replies with low voice. Only if the gods could help us …
In this stage, Matbea and Katzin leave the great Hall
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
"So we are basically fighting against Iuz?" The first smile in his face appears "I'm in"
The first and second temple were built on rumors and we know the history since then
Atzil replies to the Elf As for the enemy, we suspect that Iuz is behind this one, as he wants to converse us from his main goal in the Yatils.
__________________
Spoiler:
Zirat Igruf, Gladiator (Rhun's ToEE): OOC ; IC ; RG
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