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

[Rhun]

Alright, feel free to get your IC on once again.

[Scotley]

Verdis enjoys the meal and the attentions of the serving wench while bidding his time for an opportune moment. First time no one is within earshot of the table, Verdis speaks softly, with a tankard held to shield his lips from any who might be watching. "I feel we are being watched. I think we should spread a little disinformation lest we be ambushed before we can return to the temple. Would it be worthwhile to discuss false plans to venture to another town such as Nulb for a few days?"

[Leif]

Trevor stretches, winks at Verdis without looking at him, and says, "Oh dear, I dread going back to Nulb! How long will our business there take, do you suppose?"

[Legildur]

A very focussed and determined Kurt joins the others for breakfast.

I slight smile creases his mouth as he listens to Verdis. "I too had come to the conclusion that we should visit Nulb. I need to check in with my superiors and advise them of my achievements. I am hoping that they will be pleased with me and that they will promote me to somewhere more fortunate than this place!"

"I presume that we depart in the morning?"

[Scotley]

"Sounds good. After a breakfast of course."

[Leif]

Trevor just shrugs when Verdis ignores his question. "Ah, well, he thinks, "I guess I'll find out for myself in due course."

[Scotley]

Originally Posted by Leif

Trevor stretches, winks at Verdis without looking at him, and says, "Oh dear, I dread going back to Nulb! How long will our business there take, do you suppose?"

OOC: Sorry!

"Oh several days I should think. We are in no real hurry. I think we've destroyed any real threat at the temple. Just a little cleaning up left to do."

[stonegod]

Coraine raises his eyebrow, but lets the subterfuge take its own course.

[Leif]

Originally Posted by Scotley

OOC: Sorry!

"Oh several days I should think. We are in no real hurry. I think we've destroyed any real threat at the temple. Just a little cleaning up left to do."

Trevor's eyes grow wide at Verdis's words at first, but, then, after he thinks for a moment, he realizes that the canny arcanist is laying a false trail for any who might overhear. Trevor smiles at Verdis and nods knowingly.

[Rhun]

The blonde haired serving girl Alice brings another round of ale, pausing long enough in her serving to bat her eyelashes at Verdis. Then, with a wink, she is off to serve the farmers at a nearby table.


Just a ping while we wait for a post from Thanee and Boddynock to get the game back on track.

[Thanee]

“I'm prepared. If you want to leave towards Nulb tomorrow, I will gladly accompany you,” Dara remarks, then focuses on her dinner again.

[Rhun]

That's 5 of 6. Just need Boddy to post!

[Boddynock]

The door opens and Ragnok enters the room. Without hesitation he strides over to his companions and stands stock still in front of them.

There's a moment's silence as the dwarf looks each of them in the eye, then he says in a harsh voice, "I am shamed by my betrayal of you. The fact that I wasn't in control doesn't excuse my actions - it only makes them worse."

"I've lived my life in the certainty of my honour - as a dwarf, as a Drakeforge and as a warrior - and now I've seen that certainty crumble into dust. Well, I'll live with that, too. I've taken what steps I can to protect myself in the future, and one thing's for sure: from now on somebody else can pick up the magical gems!"

He takes out his axe and holds it up - not as a threat but as a pledge. It crackles with fierce energy in his hand.

"But now Norryjar and I are both thirsty. My thirst I'll satisfy tonight. Hers I'll slake tomorrow!"

"Here, lass! A tankard of dwarven ale - and keep them coming!"

[Leif]

Trevor smiles at his Dwarven friend, and raises his glass: "Hear, hear! Now let's all bend our elbows in salute to our reunion with the real Ragnok!" And Trev drinks deeply of his ale.

[Legildur]

Kurt nods to the dwarf in acknowledgement. "It was a thing of great power," he says. "There is no shame. It is simply one of the hazards we faced and dealt with."

"Your axe may have to rest for a time as we are heading to Nulb," he says, trying to impart some sort of signal to indicate not to question the statement.

[Boddynock]

Originally Posted by Legildur

"Your axe may have to rest for a time as we are heading to Nulb," he says, trying to impart some sort of signal to indicate not to question the statement.

"Nulb, eh? Ah well, she'll wait - for a while!"

OOC: Ragnok attempts to pick up on Kurt's subtle cues: (1d20+1=20)

[Scotley]

The warlock gladly buys the dwarf a round to slake his thirst. "It is good to see you my friend. Think no more of that dark time."

[stonegod]

Coraine slaps Ragnock heartily on the back. Good to have you back, friend. Fear not of temporary ills; it more important that we fight than dwell on the past! Drink, and off again will we be!

[Leif]

Despite the air of revelry in the tavern this evening. Trevor, although happy to see Ragnok's return, remains a bit on the reticent and somber side, remembering all to well the evil temple that awaits them.

[Rhun]

You finish dinner and drinks, and make your way back to Burne's tower. You are ushered into the audience chamber, the guards looking at Ragnok a bit more suspiciously than they had before, but nobody seeks to stop him. After a few moments, you are comfortably ensconced in the padded chairs about the chamber, waiting.

You do not have to wait long. The Lord Mage appears in short order, looking resplendent in satin robes of royal blue, trimmed in silver fox fur. He shuffles through some pieces of parchment and then looks you over.

"Well, I've spent countless hours in research these past couple of days, and everything keeps bringing me back to this damnable poem." He holds up a parchment for you to see, a parchment on which is the original of the poem Coraine has copied many days before, when you were first starting in your forays against the Temple. "While the poem is certainly some writer taking poetical license with a story of the fall of the Temple of Elemental Evil, it also gives vital clues."

The wizard clears his throat, and then begins to recite the poem from the paper, reading it loudly:

"The Two united in the past,
a place to build, and spells to cast.
Their power grew, and took the land
and people round, as they had planned.

A key without a lock they made
of gold and gems, and overlaid
with spells, a tool for men to wield
to force the powers of Good to yield.

But armies came, their weapons bared,
while evil was yet unprepared.
The Hart was followed by the Crowns
and Moon, and people of the towns.

The two were split; one got away
but She, when came the judgment day,
did break the key, and sent the rocks
to boxes four, with magic locks.

In doing so, She fell behind
as He escaped. She was confined
among Her own; her very lair
became her prison and despair.

The Place was ruined, torn apart
and left with chains around the heart
of evil power - but the key
was never found in the debris.

He knows not where She dwells today,
She set the minions' path, the way
To lift Her Temple high again
With tools of flesh, with mortal men

Many now have gone to die
in water, flame, in earth, or sky.
They did not bear the key of old
that must be found - the orb of gold.

Beware, my friend, for you shall fall
unless you have the wherewithal
to find and search the boxes four
and then escape forevermore.

But with the key, you might succeed
in throwing down Her power and greed.
Destroy the key when you are done
and then rejoice, the battle won."

He stops and looks over at all of you, and then taps his finger against the paper he has been reading. "The Key!" he exclaims, a bit excitedly. "The gemstone you found is a part of the Key. According to this accounting, there are four stones; I can only gather that there would be one to go with each of the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Sky. The fifth part of the Key must be this 'orb of gold' mentioned."

Lord Burne takes a deep breath, and then continues. "It is my belief that the Key must be destroyed. Unfortunately, it is also my belief that each piece of the Key is completely invulnerable...only in its assembled state can the thing be destroyed. The poem says that the gems were sent to four boxes that were magically locked. But if what you told me was true, then this one at least had already been found and retrieved by the followers of Elemental Evil. Which means the others too might be in the hands of the Temple followers." The wizard trails off, pondering, and giving you a moment to voice any opinions that you might have...