Rhun's Greyhawk ALPHA Campaign (tToEE) - PART III

[Boddynock]

Wailing, the dwarf flings himself at Kurt. He aims a vicious kick at the cleric's head before stooping to wrest the gem from him. He then stands, exultant, and turns back to Dara with a snarl on his face, ready to blast her from existence.

[stonegod]

Corraine is put aside by the strange turn of events. Ragnok, fiend! I've always found your beard scraggly and your ways foul! Leave these others out of it! He puts himself in the dwarf's way as best he can.

OOC: Test of Mettle to draw Ragnok's ire and move to w/in 5'.

[Legildur]

Distracted by his struggle with the gem, Kurt can't do much to avoid Ragnok's attack except cringe in expectation.

[Rhun]

Combat Round 1 update above

As quickly as it began, the battle is over. Burne's spell paralyzes Ragnok, and Coraine and two of the tower guards quickly subdue the enraged dwarf. Within seconds, Ragnok has his weapons removed from his person and is securely bound and gagged, with two guardsman standing over him, their longswords bared.

Kurt climbs to his feet, the gemstone in hand. Seeing this, the wizard moves to his desk, and retrieves a smallish lead box from a drawer. He quickly moves toward Kurt, his silk and samite robes swishing about him, opening the box to reveal a velvet lined interior. "Please place the gem inside, if you please?"

[Leif]

Trevor, still numbed by what he has just witnessed take place between his friends, is grateful that Burne appears to know just what to do so that everyone's sanity will hopefully be fully restored. He smiles and sighs deeply.

[Thanee]

“He is still a friend and an ally, be sure that you do not harm him,” Dara says to the guards as she sheathes her own weapon, then turns towards Burne. “I'm glad that you have found a way to restrain him without bloodshed. Now we can only hope, that the influence of the gem can be lifted from him. But what to do with that gem? Shouldn't we destroy it?”


OOC: Two natural 20s against Ragnok. That gem was not meant for him!

[Scotley]

The warlock puts the scroll away and considers this latest turn of events. "Yes, I think destroying that gem is best. Anything that could so redily turn a trusted ally against his friends is too dangerous to keep around."

[Legildur]

Kurt frowns as Lord Burne offers the open box. but he places the red gem inside, anxious to have it out of harm's way.

"What would you do with it now?" he asks as the Lord closes the lid on the temptation.

[Rhun]

Burne closes the box, takes a small key from his pocket, and locks the box. Then he hands the box and the key to Kurt. "The gem is obviously a powerful force of evil. This box should shield you from its emanations. It should be guarded for now, and it seems that you possess the strength of will to resist its temptations."

Turning, he nods to the guards. "Take the dwarf to the dungeons, and treat him well. His actions were no fault of his own." As the guards drag the still struggling dwarf down the steps toward the dungeon, Burne turns back to the rest of you. "My guess is that the effects should wear off shortly now that the gem can no longer influence him. We will keep him secure, and keep an eye on him, until then. It would not do to let him loose before we are sure."

Burne moves to pour himself a large snifter of brandy, and then sits heavily in a padded chair nearby. He sighs, and takes a large gulp of the potent liquid. "It will take a couple days to add the enchantments to your items as requested. My apprentice and I shall also take some time to research this gem and what its true purpose may be. I do not believe destroying it is a simple matter, such as smashing it with a hammer...it is an artifact of evil, and not easily overcome."

Burne takes another gulp of his brandy. "In the meantime, I suggest you make whatever other preparations you may need to continue your assault against the Temple. The general store may carry some useful items, and Ostler Gundigoot might have a few as well. He has a tendency to collect interesting items, if you know to ask. If you need to exchange coin for gems or such, the moneychanger may be of interest as well. And the village folk are always glad to see adventurers with coin." He smiles at you.

"Return here at sundown, two days hence, and your items should be ready. I hope to be able to tell you more of this gem at this time as well."

[Thanee]

“Thank you, Lord Burne.”

Dara then, since she hasn't had the opportunity yet, describes what enchantments she would like to have on her equipment.


OOC: Will have to see what is affordable in addition, but the twilight enchantment for the armor definitely makes sense. I will post that in the OOC later.

[Leif]

"We are ever in your debt, m'Lord, and we humbly thank you for your assistance and knowledge."

OOC: Trevor did manage to ask Lord Burne to add some enchantment to his nifty, new Warhammer, didn't he? That's what I remember about the situation, anyway.... If he didn't, then he will do so now. (At least, I think Trev's got enough gold for that!)

[Scotley]

Nodding his thanks, Verdis departs with the others. "Where to now? I should like to pick up some more sunrods and crossbow bolts."

[Legildur]

"Thank you," Kurt says simply to Lord Burne in recognition of the service just provided. "No one tell Ragnok that I have the gem."

"Dara, I will leave it in your hands to decide who gets which enchantments that Lord Burne so kindly offers. But perhaps we should visit the other establishments first?" he suggests.

[Leif]

Trevor just smiles and does his famous 'wallflower' impersonation.

[Rhun]

"Be on your guard," says Burne by way of parting words. "If you have done as much damage to the Temple as you say, they may be looking for payback. They most certainly have dangerous agents that operate outside the place; while I think Hommlet is safe, it is best to be wary."

[Legildur]

Kurt nods in thanks for the warning before leaving with the others to go to Ostler's.

[Rhun]

For Ragnok/Boddy

A gentle hand shakes Ragnok's shoulder, rousing him from his sleep. His head hurts, like he had just spent the night before playing at dwarven drinking games. As he opens his eyes, the dim torchlight stings, and he is forced to close them again. He blinks serveral times, and slowly a grizzled human face comes into focus. Then man is dressed in leather and mail, with a longblade at his belt. Judging by the ferocious looking badger stiched upon his surcoat, Ragnok is quite certain he must be one of Burne's and Rufus' guards.

"Eh there mate...how are you feelin'?" The guard kneels, offering a mug of water to the dazed dwarf. "The Lord Burne says you should feeling right as rain now that you've been purged of the great evil and what. You're friends are waiting for you at the Wench, or so I hear."

[Rhun]

IC Post for everyone else coming tonight/tomorrow morning. Please hold off posting until then. Thanks!

[Rhun]

You spend the next two days preparing for your next assault upon the Temple: planning, gathering gear and equipment, and waiting. Lots of waiting. Still, the village of Hommlet is not a bad place to while away the pleasant autumn days, and the villagers are surely glad of your coin.

While the unfortunate Ragnok has spent the time locked in a cell, recovering his wits, the rest of you have had a chance to explore the town and get to know some of the locals.

The young Coraine has gotten on well with the jovial and tipsy Elmo, the son of a local farmer. While a bit slow in speech, he has been a fine drinking companion at night, and Coraine has found him to be a skilled warrior as well. The two have spent a few hours sparring down by the river, in the fields behind the Wench. While Coraine seems to win about 2 out of 3 bouts, the young Elmo has managed to beat the knight on a few occasions. And the young and handsome knight has received more than a few smiles and batted eyelashes from the local farmgirls, much to the chagrin of their fathers.

The friendly and talkative Trevor has managed to befriend many of the townsfolk, mostly farmers and other laborers. The dairy farmer near the mill, Ruftan, has had the young man over to sample his many cheeses over a bottle of pleasant local wine. And Trevor has taken to playing at cards and dice at night with the self-proclaimed "treasure hunter" Furnock of Ferd who is staying at the inn. There was some initial tension, when each of them got caught cheating by the other, but the two had a good laugh over it and continued to play...trying to see who could cheat better than the other.

Kurt has spent some time getting to know Canon Terjon and the underpriest Calmer at the Church of Saint Cuthbert. While his religion differs somewhat from their own, he has found them to be quite wise and insightful during their discussions. And some of their tenants he has found refreshingly similar to his own; such things as "evil which cannot be removed must be eliminated" and "enlightments can penetrate even a helm of iron." Other than this, Kurt has mostly spent his time in meditation, prayer and reflection, preparing himself for the coming trials. He had felt the overwhelming darkness when he had held the gemstone in his hand, and it was only his faith and devotion that had kept him from being overcome.

Dara too has spent some time getting to know some of the locals. She even managed to secure an audience with the reclusive Druid of the Grove, Jaroo Ashstaff. Of course, she had to befriend the hard-working and likable Brother Smythe, first, but seeing as how he runs the only blacksmith in town and Dara's knowledge of weaponry, this proved quite easy. From Jaroo Dara has learned that it is not only the forces of good that are concerned with the growing power of the Temple, but the forces of balance as well. The Druids of the Gnarley Forest have been most concerned about the rising evil in the area, and Jaroo is most relieved to find that the companion's foreys have been quite successful. He offers his aid, what little he can provide, should Dara deem it necessary.

And Verdis has found himself sharing serving drinks with the travelling wizard Spugnois, who is also staying at the inn. They have had many lively discussions on such topics as arcane magics and the planes of existence, and Verdis was quite shocked over the man's knowledge of the ancient Suloise. And the serving wench Alice...well, the tiny little blonde has taken quite a liking to Verdis, flirting with him shamelessly whenever he is about.

As the days pass, though, you can't help but feel like you are being watched from time to time. None of you ever actually see anyone paying anymore attention to you then they should, and no attacks materialize, but the feeling remains. For the most part, Hommlet is exactly what it appears: quaint and peaceful.

[Rhun]

It is evening of the second day, just a couple hours until your previously arranged meeting with Lord Burne. You have all gathered at your usual table in the Wench's taproom, a large circular hardwood table surrounded by eight armchairs, nearest the hearth and furthest from the door. Ostler has again ourdone himself, serving you an incredible meal: a salad of bitter greens mixed with pinenuts and a cream dressing, hot oatbread baked with bits of apple and nuts, buttery garlic potatoes, and honey-baked pheasant. It is a delicious and filling. You sit back in your chairs...just enough time remains for another tankard or two before you have to meet the wizard at his tower.

For Ragnok/Boddy

Alright, the stage is set for the return of Ragnok, if you'd like to do the honors.