The Creation Schema:THE FINAL BATTLE FOR POSSESSION OF THE SCHEMA

EBERRON
03/12/05
SEGMENT 054
“RAIL WRECK” PT V

“Do you want a drink ma’am?” asks the ½ elf waitress.

“Two Aundair wines.” Says Sara. “Do you want anything “Bob” ?”

Cedious is in love. “I’ll have an ale.”

Cedious looks into her eyes and continues. “So what brings you on this rail in particular?”

“I am a reporter for the Korranberg Chronicle.” She pulls out an issue from her traveling bag. She opens it to the second page and slides it to him. WHAT IS WRONG IN THRANE by Sara SilverGleam. “I was looking into some unusual activities within the church when I was politely asked to leave. To be sure I did, I was escorted by those two handsome human men.”

“Really?”

“Really “ Bob””

“I’ll let you in on a secret- my name is not Bob.”

“Really? I didn’t know.” She lies to Cedious. “What is it then?”

The waitress arrives with their drinks. Sara gulps the first then enjoys the second glass of wine. Cedious is entranced by her. “It is Boddynoc.”

She knows it is another lie but is enjoying this too much. It is obvious that there is a story here. She can smell it. “Well Boddynoc, you seem like a great traveler. Where have you been besides Fairhaven?”

“The Mourning Lands.” He says hoping to impress her with his bravery.

“Would you like a drink sir?” the waitress asks Black Sands.

With a mammoth hand he pushes her away by the forehead into the Claw. “No.” His eyes never leave the Claw or its leader in full plate armor that was laughing at his own joke before arriving at the punchline.

“WHAT is your problem?” He says sternly.

“No problem here from what I see.” Answers Black Sand.

Cedious is so caught up in Sara and her charming influence he doesn’t notice what is happening a mere fifteen feet away.

“I do not know where Rose Quarry is. Is it north or south? Is it near Metrol? I have heard Metrol is over run with undead.”

“We saw undead. I’m not sure where the place is.” He stammers as he realizes he saying more than he should be to her. Especially when she is a nosey reporter that specializes in this kind of stuff. “I was lost traveling through the mists.”

“Why ever go there to begin with? Only the foolish or the most brave go there. You don’t strike me as foolish.” She lies. She bats her eye lashes and smiles a pouty look at him.

“Oh boy oh boy oh boy” is all he is thinking.

“We … I was there …looking for …something. I didn’tfindithowever.” He nervously spits out.

“You are in my seat Claw idiot.” Black sand declares as there are about a dozen empty seats behind him near Cedious. He lifts the man up and deposits him off to the side and sits down and puts his heavy size 21’s on the table nearly knocking over the leader’s drink. He crosses his arms and smiles.

The soldier gets up and reaches for his weapon. The leader motions for him to stop. “I repeat- what is your problem? We are merely having drink and retelling tales of our lives. You are rude and abuse the wench then antagonize us. What do you have to gain from these foolish actions Droaam dog?”

Black Sand doesn’t miss the national slur. “Just relaxing is all.”

“I politely ask you to ‘relax’ elsewhere then half-breed.”

The barbarian doesn’t flinch.

Flustered, the leader slams down his mug. “Twice damn you and your kind. Begone before we remove you from our sight!”

Cedious tries to avoid talking about his connections to House Cannith. Hearing Black Sand is a welcomed distraction. “Beth asked us to leave them alone Sand. They are not worth it my mighty friend.” He wonders if saying friend was wrong.

“Some soldiers you are. It takes a mere halfling to protect you.” And with that Black Sand gets up and walks over to the corner to continue to glare at the wait staff and the claw. “What does it take to get a drink around here?!?” he yells out.

The claw whisper among each other and the leader in platemail gets up with most of his men. Three remain behind. They make a clear attempt to not look at the ½ giant or Cedious. This makes them look towards the Thrane soldiers whom find this all very amusing. One holds up a mug of ale in salute and the two laugh.

“May I get you a drink Blu?”

“I would be honored and appreciate it greatly Druid.”

The goblins look at him then roll their eyes. They know better than to argue the fact.

The group of seven makes it to the dining car. They are unaware of the events that have just occurred.

“I am Blu and I am an ambassador of Darguun to Karrnath. I am merely traveling to my office in Korth.”

“I too am traveling on business. I wish my business was more beign. But it is work.”

= You seek something I know. It is okay. I will tell no one. Sometimes I can not help but to capture surface thoughts = “It is my curse you could say.” He then says aloud.

Back on the Cannith car, Beth watches the fighter clean his weapons and tend to his equipment. She is not certain what to make of this group. She asked for retrieval experts and got these …hirelings. How this could have been done she is uncertain. She looks at her large bag and thinks that she is at least safe still. She then looks at the area of the secret compartment where a few wands are kept. She is as prepared as she can get. But will it be enough?

EBERRON
03/12/05
SEGMENT 055
“RAIL WRECK” PT VI

The forest gives way to the open coastal plains that lead to the Scions Sound and Karrn Bay. Cedious is getting closer to Sara. They each have had a few drinks and pretend to be intoxicated but are not. Black Sand continues to stare at the frightened Claw members. One looks outside and motions to the other. A seagull flies by and disappears as the rail continues on at 30mph toward the Scion Bridge.

“I am impressed by the length of the bridge.” Says Balkroth to Blu.

“Yes- the Karrnath people are not without their surprises. They may be overtly pessimistic and brooding as people but for the most part they are good. They work hard and sometimes it shows in marvels like this-.” Blu says as he looks out to the waters that are beginning to appear through the trees and hillsides.

“I would normally say let’s go to my room but I don’t have one. Do you?” asks Sara hoping to learn more about this rogue.

“I …” he wonders what to do.

She adjusts her top slightly and smiles.

“Sure I do.” He blurts out while wondering how he is going to sneak her onto the Cannith car.

Cedious takes one of her bags and looks at Black Sand. He puts a finger to his lips hoping he will keep this a secret. “If you need help I can show you but I would hope you know what to do by now.” Smirks Black Sand. Cedious leads her to the next car. Sara thinks to herself that she was right. He works for House Cannith.

The druid nods and smiles to Cedious as he goes by.

“Your halfling teammate seems to have a made a new friend.”

“Make love- not war.” Says the druid with a big grin. Gnarl, the wolf, merely laps at his bowl of ale (yes- the druid ordered ale and a bowl for his companion).

Meanwhile, Captain Sirbarne has found all of the Emerald Claw soldiers on the electric rail and awaits for the bridge. If he starts this fight, he wants it to end on Karrnath land where he will have some advantages like not being prosecuted for the murder of this Droaam monster. He has 13 off duty soldiers with him. That makes a force of 16 plus him. The monster will not last long.

Meanwhile, a sharp scimitar silently slices through a tarp that was wrapped over the crates she traveled in. Scimitar, an agent for the Lord of Blades, leads a force of eleven armed warforged. Their mission- to kill Beth d’Cannith and collect any information she has on the Creation Schema.

Any thoughts?

i just want to say that cedious is my hero i wish i could act just like him.....

go cedious go cedious get you freak on its your birthday

*cries* im just so happy i have lasted this long, its a miricle

*holds tightly onto his potion belt* just incase you try and errrrr interupt my fun with a little hostility

EBERRON
03/12/05
SEGMENT 056
“RAIL WRECK” PT VII

“Who is that?!?!?” Screams Beth d’Cannith as Cedious opens the door for Sara. “She can’t be here! She doesn’t belong! Out! Out! Out!”

“uhhh- I can explain… really I uhhh.”


The door opens and Captain Sirbarne walks with confidence.

“What- you got yourself a set of balls now?” humors the ½ Giant whom finishes his only drink. He watches as the room fills with soldiers armed with shields and flails. “I guess you do.”

Balkroth coughs and motions to the front of the car. “Trouble. Emerald Claw force.”

The druid looks. “How did they locate us this quickly? How did they know Black Sand was part of our group?” He sighs and Gnarl stands up. He knows it is time for combat, not sleep.

“Still feel so high and mighty Droaam ½ breed?” Snarls Captain Sirbarne. He twirls his blade to bolster his confidence and the men to his side.

“Ahhh… look what I have here- “ and Black Sand slowly and purposely withdraws a Greatsword. Once more, he smiles then winks as he attacks the Captain. The Captain goes down with one strike. The rest of the men rally and attack the ½ Giant. They waver as a second ½ Giant steps out from the background waving his own oversized weapon. The halfling on the wolf goes unnoticed until it attacks with its bite.

The wait staff takes cover in the bar and the back of the car. Passengers leave in a hurry. The two Thrane soldiers look on.

“Hummmm… Scion Bridge.”

“Places this out of Thrane.”

“And we are off duty.”

And they raise and tink their drinks together before beginning their wagers on the outcome.

“Emerald Claw scum- they deserve to die.”

“Droaam refugees- there is no place for them but at the wrong end of a sword.”

If the Cannith employees have heard them, it goes unanswered.

However, The soldiers do look to the ceiling. “Squirrels?”

“Damn big ones then.”

Balkroth hears it also along with Black Sand. Something heavy has leapt onto the roof and now runs the length of the car. Then another, and another and another…..




“So- what does House Cannith have to do with the Mourning Lands and Talenta Plains?” asks Sara hoping for an answer but not truly expecting one from Beth.

“This is not a flop house- GET OUT!” Commands Beth whom motions to the fighter. He tries to grab her but the gnome is incredibly quick on her feet. She weaves and ducks under his arms and body. “Oh look- a painting of Merrix. Is that whom you work for?” she says as she hopes onto a padded seat and looks at his painting.

“No. And I am tired of …” thump goes his head against the wall as he leaps at her.

“Jorlanna then? That would explain Fairhaven.” She says as she rolls under his backhand.

“oh.” She stops dead in her tracks suddenly. Looking out the window of the door to a balcony, she sees a warforged leaning over the roof’s edge and peering in. In the new silence, they all hear it- warforged leaping onto the car!

“We are under attack!” yells Beth and she runs to her bag.

The trap door over Cedious rips open. A large warforged warrior peers in. It makes a clicking sound and suddenly the sounds of war forged climbing over the roof to the balcony landing is heard from both sides.

“By the forges of Onatar- how many are there!?!” screams Beth. Cedious spots one miss the landing and fall off the rail into the Scion Sound several hundred feet below. The doors leading to the balcony are forced open and the warforged armed with long swords rush in. The one at the overhead trapdoor fires in with a bow. A lucky shot nicks the fighter while he battles the first warforged to enter.

“You know how to throw a party at least Boddynoc!” says Sara as she pulls a wand from her jacket. Cedious drops her bag and shrugs his shoulders before pulling out his weapons of choice. “Melee happens.”


A Claw member takes a cheap shot at a goblin traveler and kills him. Blu whom was going to help anymore declares that a mistake. The two ½ Giants step into the mass of green, gray and black and add red to the color scheme. They cleave into the small division with impunity. Unlike them, the two half-giants don’t have to worry about whom to hit. The wolf bites and attacks even as the druid empowers it. He bites and trips up soldiers stopping them from flanking and thus surrounding the bigger warriors. The goblins do what they can.

Blu tries to locate the leaders and charm them into stopping but the ½ giants hit and kill them before Blu can finish the mental contact. The battle goes back and forth as several solid hits are made on Black Sand. Balkroth is attacked but the soldiers truly want Black Sand- not him. The druid is struck solidly by a flail and forced into the contained area of the bar. Trapped, he fears the worse as three soldiers advance looking at the “easier” targets.

A few shingles rip free and a warforged slides off the roof and makes a solid and loud bang as he strikes the bridge’s edge before plummeting to the waters below. Scimitar is not impressed. She [it] motions for the three remaining warforged on the roof to cut the fabric that covers the area that connects the two cars. This done, one warforged drops in. Another moves forward but slips and is run down by the following engine car. The magical energies fry it and it shakes erratically as it lies over the contact stones on the bridge.

“Boss on board!” yells the human fighter as Scimitar waves her wicked blade at the entrance. Sara fries a warforged with twin pellets of energy from her wand then moves away. Cedious ducks and weaves stabbing anywhere and everywhere. “Damned constructs!”

“We think even less of you flesh things.” Declares a war forged as it tries to slice the retreating rogue. Beth unties her bag and tosses the tie string to the side. It slowly stops in mid air and floats as she wrenches the bag down exposing a massive warforged charger. Bludgeon!

“I am in need Lady Beth?” It steps between her and the attacking warforged. “NONE SHALL PASS” it states with authority then slams it’s massive hands together. The effect catches everyone’s attention. The warforged continue after the flesh creatures. Beth, with the protection of Bludgeon, watches to further evaluate the two members of her team.

Another goblin is struck down. One Thrane soldier declares his winnings from the loser whom states it’s not over yet.

Gnarl tries to leap out of the entrapping bar but is struck down by the soldiers. The druid’s spell is broken even as he tried to caste it. Blu aids his new friend by messing with one soldier’s mind. The half giants continue to wade through. The bodies are piling up as the last of the soldiers enter the car. They see the carnage and stop just out of the range of the 1/2 giant with darkened skin.

“We didn’t start this. We were only told to help the Captain. We …” Slice. Obviously Black Sand doesn’t care whom started it, only that he finishes it. They then aid the druid and his wolf by removing another soldier. The battle ends.

“How are we going to explain this to Beth?” asks Balkroth to the druid.

“Heal me.” Is all Black Sand has to state.

Soon there is breathing space as the fighter confronts Scimitar. She [it] is still constrained to the hallway as he attacks. He scores several hits until she [it] can attack back. Sara blasts and destroys a warforged as Cedious removes the last one standing besides Scimitar.

“You can not stop us! We are legions!” and strikes the fighter solidly. “But you are not.” Declares the fighter whom then swings under her attack and stabs her into the torso. She falls down and rolls next to the open doorway.

Unseen by any, a small piece of component separates from her chest and flies out the open door. Cedious is bumming, there is no money on the warforged. The fighter finds her scimitar to be magical (it glows lightly) and keeps it. She also has a whole 6 gold pieces on her.

“She is right, they will return but with a larger and better skilled force.”

Surveying the scene and trying to figure out how she will explain this (she isn’t even aware of the dining car incident -yet) to the Karrnath authorities and House Orien she sends the fighter to collect the others.

“Now, Cedious- who is this…?” she says staring at Sara whom is trying to place a sincere and charming smile on her face even with Bludgeon looking over Beth’s shoulder.

EBERRON
03/26/05
SEGMENT 057
“RAIL WRECK” PT VIII

“Now, Cedious- who is this…?” she says staring at Sara whom is trying to place a sincere and charming smile on her face even with Bludgeon looking over Beth’s shoulder.

“ahh….umm…”

“You were given simple and clear instructions. This trip was to be done in secret. That means no bringing strangers into the car. I can’t believe this! Even with your history-“

“Ummm ….should we leave now?” Cedious asks with little confidence. He hopes he didn’t just get fired.

“Com’on Boddynoc- lets go. I’m sure we can find better company elsewhere.” Says Sara as she takes in more of the Cannith car.

As the door closes Beth collapses into a heap on a bench. She holds her head in her hands nearly sobbing. Bludgeon steps up to stand by her. “go.” She says to the Warforged bodyguard. “I can not. It is my programming and orders to protect any House member of Cannith. I thus protect you.”

“go. Go clean up this mess.” She says looking at the bodies of the warforged piled and toppled everywhere within the car. The fighter nods and begins to drag battered and cut up constructs to the doors leading outside. He figures the best thing to do is throw the pieces out the door into the waterway.

Meanwhile, in the diner car, Blu sits down to rest his mind. The druid begins to caste spells to clean up the blood and other bodily fluids. Black Sand finds a service door in the floor and hopes to open it to dump bodies through it but it is locked. Balkroth piles bodies next to the trap door.

“What is going on here!” they hear. Black Sand stares down at a ½ elf dressed in an uniform suggesting he is an employee on the rail. “My beautiful rail! It’s a disaster!”

Balkroth, still moving bodies- “We were attacked.”

Black Sand ignores him and tries to break the lock but can not get the leverage required to do so. “damned locks.”

The druid tries to calm the Orien worker. The worker seems in shock. He repeats over and over “my beautiful rail …look at my beautiful rail.”



Back in the Cannith car-
Pieces and chunks of warforged are thrown off the balconies of the last car of the rail. The fighter looks for anything of use before throwing pieces off. Beth can not believe what is happening here. This was not according to plan. Why are they being attacked on the rail? How could they know she was here? Then it dawns on her. There has to be a mole in the Cannith North division. A spy. But this was the warforged of the Mournlands …wasn’t it? Would Merrix use warforged? She was lost in thought as the rail began to descend down the bridge towards Karrnath …and fate.



Back at the Diner car-
The druid tries to calm the Orien employee but finds it is not working. The ½ elf continues to mutter about the rail. Suddenly the ½ elf looks up. “My beautiful rail. It’s so messy. So unclean. It needs to be cleaned.”

“”I’m trying damn it” snarls the dark skinned ½ giant named Black Sand. “I need a key or so help me- I rip this door apart.”

Staring, the ½ elf reaches into his pocket. Black Sand is ready to tear him apart if he pulls out a weapon. It is a key. “my beautiful rail ….it is so messy …needs to be cleaned…”

The druid is confused. He tries to figure out what has happened. The ½ elf seems …charmed. He has Gnarl turn around and sure enough, Blu is sitting down and staring into the Orien man’s eyes. He is psionically manipulating the ½ elf into helping them.

“Yes …I should go. The rail will be clean. It was never messy…. Always beautiful… yes…Ginger and Darla …should go to break now also…” and he walks away slowly leaving Black Sand with a key to the trap door. The two waitresses readily leave. The ½ Giant opens it and begins to drop Emerald Claw warrior bodies through the door. A strange crackling and crunching sound is heard as the bodies fall onto the magical stones that push and guide the rail. Any disturbance felt by passengers is taken as the descent from the bridge’s higher arch to the land of Karrnath.

With one mile of bridge to go, the last claw member is disposed of and the spell of cleaning is nearly complete as only the blood splatters on the tables and walls remain. Blu excuses himself as the effort to psionically calm then alter the Orien members thoughts and perceptions has drained him completely. The two remaining goblin bodyguards escort him to his seat in the next car.

Cedious arrives now with Sara. He looks at the last of the blood as it seems to evaporate and Black Sand closes and relocks the trap door. Balkroth uprights the tables and chairs that were knocked over during the combat. Sara wants to know what happened.

“Not now, we should be back at the Cannith car when we arrive in Rekkenmark.” Suggests the druid. The two ½ giants shrug their shoulders and turn to go.

“Coming Cedious?” asks Balkroth.

“I don’t think Beth wants to see me just now. I’ll wait here.”

The others leave the car but Black Sands hesitates- “That was quick…” he says with a smile then leaves.

Cedious forgets him quickly enough as Sara draws his attention once more.

The fighter notes the walls of Rekkenmark as the rail slows down to enter the city. It is surrounded by high walls with sharp metal spikes protruding out and razor wire. Guards with large animals stand guard and watch the rail arrive with no emotion.

The druid sees this also but looks at the animals with interest- Horrid guard dogs. He pats his wolf’s shoulders but thinks “Now there is a animal companion …what kind of familiar could it be I wonder?”

Everyone exchanges stories of what has happened. Beth is dismayed. The Emerald Claw attacked us and the Warforged. Everyone seems to know we are here. She looks out to the strong military presence outside as the rail comes to a stop.

“Trouble” calls out the fighter.

Outside the rail stops. There are three soldiers per side of each car and a cleric per car. It looks like they are boarding.

EBERRON
03/26/05
SEGMENT 058
“RAIL WRECK” PT IX

Sara looks out and looks displeased. She doesn’t care for the police nation of Karrnath. She is unwanted in Thrane AND here. She just hopes that certain clerics and military officers are not here. Cedious looks out and takes it all in. He looks again at the car. He swallows hard. He spots a lone green leather covered finger that was missed under a far table. The soldiers are already boarding! Too late!

Bludgeon returns to his place of storage in the Cannith bag of holding. The two ½ Giants go to the bunkrooms to “sleep” while the others hang out and try to look casual. The war priest doesn’t bother to knock as he enters the car. A wand held out being used for detection purposes. The druid tries to determine what but can only make out detection magic. Perhaps secret compartments or magic.

“This is the property of House Cannith. You are not allowed on board this car as such.” States Beth d’Cannith to the cleric as his guards spread out. The druid spots Emerald Claw symbols on two of the guards. He quietly curses to himself and hopes the cleaning spell worked completely and Blu’s mental reprogramming of the rail and waitress staff works. Maybe the ½ giants are prepared to fight their way out of Rekkenmark, but he is not.

“I will inspect and do anything I wish to this car and the people within it. You are on Karrnath land now Maker.” Retorts the cleric. He reaches behind his back under his cape, which has the fighter reach for his weapon. “If you draw that blade- you will die” calmly states the cleric as he pulls out a scroll and opens it. He has a soldier hand it to Beth.

Beth reads it carefully and sighs in defeat. “We carry no one of this description.”

“I will be the judge and jury of this and my wraith will be the executioner if required.” The cleric returns to waving his wand through the car’s first room.

“I wonder what they are looking for?” asks Cedious as he notes the standard search and recovery patterns by the military.

“Not what but maybe whom.” Answers Sara.

Cedious is surprises as out of the corner of his eye he sees her hand become plumb and less dexterous. Turning to face her, she now looks like a fat female halfling with a wart on her cheek and light hair. He gulps as the first thing he wonders is which was the disguise- the beautiful gnome or the ugly halfling. They can hear the soldiers outside.

“uh-oh….very bad.” Mumbles Sara.

“What is it?” Cedious says as he stares at the new and less than improved Sara.

“That sounded like bad history to me. Please- Please Olladra- Please let that not be Lord Rikus. The world is too big for it to him here and now.” She seems to sink into the seat recalling that name and remembering the incident that occurred with him.


“What is your purpose d’Cannith?” commands the priest as he slowly sweeps the room with his wand. The druid notes where he slows down and hesitates. These may be secret compartments with magic within. Beth did suggest there was magic here.

“We travel to the Talenta Plains to locate a missing Cannith member.” She states.

“Really? That is a long way to go. Why was this member there?” He steps into a room and checks it out. He notes there are signs of more people than the ones he sees here.

“He sought a relic. We fear he has died. We are there only to retrieve him if we can. The house doesn’t believe the relic is worth the human life at risk.”

Looking at the druid and his wolf, the cleric comments. “So you use non-humans?”

“This is our guide.”

“Humm. Yes I guess he is. What is behind this locked door?”

“My personal room.”

“Nothing is personal. Open it. Now.”

Clenching her teeth, she uses her ring of Cannith to unlock the magical lock. He enters and stops. “What is in the bag? Show me NOW.”



The guard scans the diner car then calls over his shoulder- “Clear Lord Rikus.”

Sara’s gulp is nearly audible.

A heavily armored man with a beard and red cape enters the car. He has a wand in one hand and the other hand rest on the handle of his war mace. He looks around a bit and sees only four occupants. Two halflings and two Thrane officers.

He continues to look at the floor, walls and tables as walks through the car. Cedious barely catches his whisper to the men. “This is the cleanest car I’ve ever seen.” He walks directly to the halflings. “Identification Papers. Now.”


Bludgeon stands revealed before the priest. He slowly looks up the body of the large warforged and centers his attention on the faceplate. “Charger. Don’t see these often on the rails.”

“He is my body guard.”

“Why would you need one?”

“He is my personal possession. I bring him anywhere I go.”

“Hum. Yes. Be careful with these. Chargers tend to be ..destructive.”

He continues into other locked rooms. The druid tries to insult the soldiers with small minor actions. Nothing that is unlawful, only disrespectful. They ignore him.

“Droaam Beast.” Declares the cleric as he opens the door revealing Black Sand. “More protection?”

“It is the land of the predators good lord. It may prove to be required to have extra protection.”

“The world is full of predators. The war is over but there is still conflict. What kind of relic was it you seek?” He turns to try the next door.

“I am unsure good lord. I believe it involves the use of large lizards. Thus the location.”

“Another Droaam creature. You may need protection from your very guards. You should not lie to me Maker. These are not mere bodyguards. They are warriors and dangerous ones at that.”

The human fighter tenses up and wonders if he could get in one fatal strike before being blown apart.

“Now, why are you here again?”

“Janna Freeberry. So halfling of you.” Lord Rikus throws the ID onto the table so that it slides across and onto Sara’s lap. “Cedious. Cedious? No last name runt?”

“I am a Sharn Orphan. Parents were killed during the war. Cyre (hoping to gain favor).”

Lord Rikus looks it over then throws his ID so that it tumbles across the table. Cedious catches it easily and puts it back into his pocket. Rikus notes the grace of a rogue.

“And what of you?!? What is your purpose?” He demands as he turns to the Thrane natives.

“Cedious?” asks Sara.

“Janna?” answers Cedious.

They allow only the smallest of smiles before returning to the fear stricken respectful halflings they were trying to pretend to be.


“That was close. Too close.” Says the Human Fighter as the cleric finally leaves with his guards.

“No problem.” Answers Black sand. I would have torn him apart.”

“Do not be so sure. Now…about the Claw and the Diner car….”

EBERRON
03/26/05
SEGMENT 059
“RAIL WRECK” PT X

After the 2 hour layover ends, the rail begins to leave again. The next six hours go by slowly. The Cannith employees watch military stations go by. Karrnath is obviously prepared for war should it ever break out again.

The next stop is Korth. There is another two-hour layover. Beth d’Cannith excuses herself as she gets off the rail and sends a message home through House Sivis. Sara says her good-byes to Cedious whom during the past few hours has given her more- much more- accurate information on their trip current and in the past. It leaves him wanting.

The others stay on board. Many are happy that Black Sands has slept through the two-hour layover. The Druid stays away from his habit as he has come to accept this mission is already dangerous. Balkroth sits and eats Cannith cupboards clean.

Cedious is hanging out in the diner car. Beth still is irate with him so he hangs out there. A commoner walks by whom is startled. He stares at him as if trying to remember him from a distant memory. He walks off slowly and watches Cedious through the window. The last whistle sounds and the rail crackles and rises as it powers up. Suddenly the man becomes outraged and curses at Cedious. Cedious watches him disappear as the rail leaves the station. “What is his problem?” wonders Cedious as he orders another drink. “It’s just NOT my day.”

The next stop is 10 hours away in Atur. This entire leg of the trip runs along or within the The Nightwoods. Night settles as they enter the woods leaving the plains and Karrnath’s capital of Korth behind.

Everyone has his or her meal in the diner car (since Balkroth ate everything already). Cedious is brooding. The druid is bumming. Blu got off at Korth. “He did say he was an ambassador…” surmises the halfling. He orders meat for his wolf also. The ½ Giants hang out until they grow tired. The druid goes to the Cannith car for the night as does Balkroth.

The rail enters a section of woods where the rail is within a tunnel of thick dark reaching out trees and brush. It is much like a tunnel and all light goes away, even the light from the stones below. It is quiet. Very quiet and still.
Perhaps it is because of this that Cedious jumps as the door opens. In the doorway is a very large warforged. It scans the car as if looking for someone.

EBERRON
03/26/05
SEGMENT 060
“RAIL WRECK” PT XI

As if satisfied, it steps into the car and allows in a beautiful woman dressed in see through silk gown with silver and gold laced within it. Expensive jewels adorn her ears, wrists, ankle and navel. Cedious looks at her and her jewels and falls in love.

She sits down at the very table the Emerald Claw had and calls for a waitress. Her voice is like a song …a seductive song. Cedious squirms out from his seat and goes over to introduce himself. Black Sand watches with interest.

Cannith car-

Beth writes in her journal then places it into a hidden compartment within her bag. She then prepares for bed and sleeps as Bludgeon watches. The druid and his wolf go to another room and sleeps. Balkroth is snoring even as his head hits the billow. He truly likes these Cannith beds. The fighter stays up cleaning his sword after using it on the warforged earlier.

The woman has darker skin and ample cleavage. Cedious looks at every curve and shape of her body. Her dark eyes hypnotize him. Her lips promise delight and adventure. Her jewelry promises rich rewards.
Then she speaks and he forgets the money, forgets the riches, and forgets the Cannith house. There is only …her.

“I am Cedious. Who are you?”

“Whom ever you wish me to be.” She purrs.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

The waitress arrives with a bottle of Aundair wine. She opens it and hands the cork to the woman whom smells it. She tries a small sample and nods her approval. “I have one already.”

“I'll pay for it.”

“It is 350 gold a cup or 3000 gold a bottle.” She says in a tone that teases as much as states.

“ah…”, he checks his pouch. He has the money but little would be left over. “I can if you wish.”

“No, enjoy my hospitality. I would wish of other things of the night my halfling traveler. Have you any thoughts on the subject?”

No longer able to hold back, Black Sands gets up and walks over to present himself. If she wants a man, take a big one, not a half.

“He sits down and picks up a cup and the bottle. “I am Black Sand. May I join you?”

“I believe you already have large one. What do you bring to the table to share with me? Tales of adventure? Stories of war?”, She looks to the halfling- “Romance?”

Cedious almost spits out his 350 gold a cup wine. A big smile crosses his face. His luck is turning around after all.

After twenty minutes of talking using phrases with double meanings, Black Sands gives up. He gets up and excuses himself. “Skank.” Is all he thinks as he leaves. This leaves Cedious and the mysterious beautiful woman ...and her warforged.

They get up and go to her private car. Cedious has a good night before him and a better morning.

EBERRON
03/26/05
SEGMENT 061
“RAIL WRECK” PT XII

It is midnight when the Human fighter hears it. A scream.

It comes from either outside or the next car. Unknown to him, Black Sand is within this car.

Black sand is amazed as he sees three greenish-white spirits allow the rail to speed through them until his car. They then materialize just enough to travel with the rail. The occupants that were awake here scream as the three wraiths then float through the walls and bodies to the back of the rail. People awake with panicked looks on their faces. They look suddenly sick and weaken from their touch.

Black Sand pulls his weapon. He knows this is no mere random encounter. These undead seek him and his teammates in the next car,

The human warrior sees a greenish glow through the blackened window of the Cannith car. He yells a warning as a wraith passes through the door. It reaches up to him as it draws near to him. The druid awakes just in time to see a green wraith float through the wall beside him. Gnarl stiffens as the creature floats very close to him.

The third wraith floats through an empty room into the main central room. The fighter now faces two of the creatures. They seem focused on Beth d’Cannith’s room. “WAKE UP EVERYONE! UNDEAD!” he begins to scream.

Bludgeon stirs as the wraith begins to phase through the wall. Beth sits up and hits the wall next to her bed. A secret panel opens revealing four wands. She grabs one that she hopes will save her. The Magic Missiles arch out and around Bludgeon and strike the wraith tearing holes into its incorporeal form. It motions as if screaming but no sound is heard.

The fighter’s magic sword slices into a wraith even as it touches him. It’s cold touch saps his health. Black Sand charges in to destroy the creatures next. His magical weapon sweeps through the creature as if it were not there. The cushion instead of a chair is torn in two.

Bludgeon charges into a wraith. It’s pure adamantine hand blast through the wall instead. A wraith touches Beth taking the very breathe out of her. She zaps at it again. Balkroth powers up his weapon with his focus after seeing how his weapon passes through them with no effect. The druid powers up his wolf that fears the wraiths but understands the dangers they present to the party. Beth is struck again. She drops to a knee but tries to use the wand again. Bludgeon strikes at the wraith again and instead creates a spot for a new trap door in the floor. Eerie flickering light emits from below as the light from under the rail is allowed in through the hole.

Cedious is aware.

The human fighter and Black Sand miss their target as their weapons pass through once more. Balkroth misses also. Beth stumbles out of the way of her attacker. Finally the wraith fighting Black Sand and the human dissolves with a silent scream of anger and pain. They turn to the hole in the wall that Bludgeon made. Balkroth powers up again by psionically focusing. Beth is struck again and drops to all fours. She can not hold her wand anymore. It is an effort just to breathe. Another wraith reaches for her defenseless body. Even as it touches her, Bludgeon goes to strike it. He misses her as he once more passes through the incorporeal creature and smashes into the secret compartment of wands. His adamantine fist easily breaks the wands causing them to discharge their arcane energy. Bludgeon takes most of the blast. One wraith is destroyed by the raging energy. Everyone else is burned by it but lives. The exterior wall has been blown out. The whoosh of the speeding rail can be easily heard from outside.

They team up on the remaining wraith that looks to escape now that Beth has been killed by it. They destroy it even when half of the team misses the incorporeal creature.

“Great! Just great. Now what?” bemoans the human fighter.

And as if to answer, a pure white wraith rises from Beth’s dead body. It turns onto them seeking Cedious. When it doesn’t see him, it attacks the next person that has caused her grief that remains- Black Sand. He spits out his air as he is hit. The others try to take her / it down but miss. She hits him again. His weapon weighs a ton now and his breathe is being sucked out from his lungs along with several lose and light weighted items as they go out the hole in the wall. Bludgeon stares uncertain at what to do. It looks down and sees her physical body and charges the wraith. Another doorway is made exiting the room and tearing up the floor.

She is destroyed finally.

“The Cannith car is in ruins and Beth is dead. Cedious is missing. What now?” asks the human fighter.

“Cedious …he is in no danger the lucky bastard.” Answers Black sand.

Meanwhile, several cars away, Cedious is having a carnal moment then pales as he looks into the mirror. He always wondered what it would be like to see this in a mirror. He still has to wonder. Above him is the beautiful woman. In the mirror, there is no one.

“At least I’ll die happy….” Thinks Cedious.


Forgot to add: He finds bite marks and claw marks on his neck and shoulders.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!