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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 2876724" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Assault Upon the Gate of Tears - Prologue</strong></p><p></p><p>The meeting inside the Way of the Pearl’s quarters was somber and tense. Gone was the jubilance and excitement of the victory over the Harvesters. All were focused upon the Elorii known as Sevestia. Her icy tones, though low, managed to drown out the celebration still going on upon the ship’s deck.</p><p></p><p>“With a Black Ship in our possession, you now have a chance to slip into the harbor of Ymandragore without being destroyed outright. At the top of the stairs from the harbor there are places where the Harvesters come to sell whatever they cannot use. These slavers, I’ve been told, are a suspicious lot and have actually created a ritual about the transfer of goods. What these phrases and counter phrases are is unknown to me, but you have proven yourselves to be a resourceful lot.”</p><p></p><p>“Gee,” said Kham. “Thanks.”</p><p></p><p>“You should be able to pass yourselves off competently, if not with one, then with another of the slavers there,” said Sevestia. “Once the boy has been handed off to begin his infection, you have but one more task before leaving Ymandragore: Free my father from Orata’s grasp.”</p><p></p><p>“Where is this Orata?” asked Quintus.</p><p></p><p>“Orata will be finalizing his plans upon the Ordainer’s isle off the coast of the Isle of Tears,” said Sevestia. “Which of the hundreds of archipelagos that dot the Gulf of Yarris, I do not know. But my father does. He has been there many times and can easily guide us there.”</p><p></p><p>“And your father?” asked Holden.</p><p></p><p>“When I last saw my father, he was casting a spell to teleport me away, when Orata and his cronies burst in. They could not stop the incantation, but I’m sure they captured my father and are holding him, probably within Orata’s manse upon Ymandragore.”</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė met the other Elorii’s gaze. “How can you be sure he is not dead?”</p><p></p><p>“He is not dead,” said Sevestia matter-of-factly. “My father has been on the island for too long and is too well known for him to be sold or used as a power node. He will most likely be imprisoned, out of sight, until Orata’s plans either succeed or fail.”</p><p></p><p>“So we drop the kid off and then hope that we find your father, who we hope isn’t dead, somewhere in Orata’s house?” Kham looked around at the others. “This is the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard.”</p><p></p><p>“If you deliver him back to me, I will guarantee his cooperation in divulging the information he has on Orata,” said Sevestia, staring down her nose at Kham.</p><p></p><p>Before Kham could say more, Master Ecor cleared his throat. “I am sorry that such a frightful task has fallen upon you,” he said. “You have proven yourselves beyond what any of us could hope or expect. Rest here for now. Your best hope is to sail into the harbor in the dead of night. Tomorrow will be soon enough. It would be foolhardy to send you into Ymandragore now.”</p><p></p><p>“Foolhardy is not the word for it,” said Ilmarė. “And how will we go undetected amongst the Ymandrakes? I do not exactly…” she hesitated. “…fit in.”</p><p></p><p>“Before you set sail in the morning,” said Ecor, “I will cast a spell that will allow you to understand and speak Ymandrake for one day. You will be wearing Harvester robes we found in the hold. They should provide you with enough time to arrive, attend to your task, and leave that place.”</p><p></p><p>“I am familiar with Yamandragore,” said Holden. “So I can help.”</p><p></p><p>“A word of caution,” said Y’vigne. “The boy grows sicker by the day. I fear that he will not live much longer. He seems to be radiating the disease now; not by casting spells, but by his mere presence. We believe that for the safety of any sorcerer traveling with the boy, that they refrain from casting any spells while in his presence.”</p><p></p><p>Kham adjusted his lenses. “I am not a sorcerer,” he said. It didn’t sound very confident. They all looked at Holden.</p><p></p><p>“Nor am I,” said the grenadier. “I was taught my art.”</p><p></p><p>With a final goodbye, Y’vigne and Ecor turned and left without another word. Only Sevestia remained. </p><p></p><p>After a long pause, she said, “I have lived upon that malignant tumor of a place for two of your centuries, regarded more as an experiment than a sentient being. My father and I have always held great contempt for the lesser beings of Arcanis, especially humans.”</p><p></p><p>“Join the club,” said Kham, careful to not look at Ilmarė.</p><p></p><p>Lowering her eyes for a moment, Sevestia fought back tears. “My father is the only being who has ever cared for me. I have never depended on anyone but him. Ever. Bring him back to me and I shall be forever in your debt, both in this incarnation and those that will come.”</p><p></p><p>Kham shook his head. “For a being that’s been around a long time, you sure haven’t thought this out very well. I just hope your father is where you think he is.”</p><p></p><p>Sevestia glared daggers at him. “If you fail, I will become all that you fear from Orata and so much more.” Without another word, she turned and closed the door.</p><p></p><p>Kham raised one hand. “Who votes for ditching this mission and letting the snooty elf chick—no offense Ilmarė—find her father for herself?” </p><p></p><p>“I will see this mission through to its end,” said Quintus. “And Cassicus shall be granted a hero’s death.”</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė sighed. “I understand Sevestia’s pain. I will go. Not because it’s a good plan, but because any Elorii life is precious.”</p><p></p><p>“You’ll need me,” said Holden. “I knew what I was getting into when I signed up.”</p><p></p><p>Vlad scratched the back of his head. “I’m doing it for the money. I think. Did anyone ever mention if we’re going to get paid?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 2876724, member: 3285"] [b]Assault Upon the Gate of Tears - Prologue[/b] The meeting inside the Way of the Pearl’s quarters was somber and tense. Gone was the jubilance and excitement of the victory over the Harvesters. All were focused upon the Elorii known as Sevestia. Her icy tones, though low, managed to drown out the celebration still going on upon the ship’s deck. “With a Black Ship in our possession, you now have a chance to slip into the harbor of Ymandragore without being destroyed outright. At the top of the stairs from the harbor there are places where the Harvesters come to sell whatever they cannot use. These slavers, I’ve been told, are a suspicious lot and have actually created a ritual about the transfer of goods. What these phrases and counter phrases are is unknown to me, but you have proven yourselves to be a resourceful lot.” “Gee,” said Kham. “Thanks.” “You should be able to pass yourselves off competently, if not with one, then with another of the slavers there,” said Sevestia. “Once the boy has been handed off to begin his infection, you have but one more task before leaving Ymandragore: Free my father from Orata’s grasp.” “Where is this Orata?” asked Quintus. “Orata will be finalizing his plans upon the Ordainer’s isle off the coast of the Isle of Tears,” said Sevestia. “Which of the hundreds of archipelagos that dot the Gulf of Yarris, I do not know. But my father does. He has been there many times and can easily guide us there.” “And your father?” asked Holden. “When I last saw my father, he was casting a spell to teleport me away, when Orata and his cronies burst in. They could not stop the incantation, but I’m sure they captured my father and are holding him, probably within Orata’s manse upon Ymandragore.” Ilmarė met the other Elorii’s gaze. “How can you be sure he is not dead?” “He is not dead,” said Sevestia matter-of-factly. “My father has been on the island for too long and is too well known for him to be sold or used as a power node. He will most likely be imprisoned, out of sight, until Orata’s plans either succeed or fail.” “So we drop the kid off and then hope that we find your father, who we hope isn’t dead, somewhere in Orata’s house?” Kham looked around at the others. “This is the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard.” “If you deliver him back to me, I will guarantee his cooperation in divulging the information he has on Orata,” said Sevestia, staring down her nose at Kham. Before Kham could say more, Master Ecor cleared his throat. “I am sorry that such a frightful task has fallen upon you,” he said. “You have proven yourselves beyond what any of us could hope or expect. Rest here for now. Your best hope is to sail into the harbor in the dead of night. Tomorrow will be soon enough. It would be foolhardy to send you into Ymandragore now.” “Foolhardy is not the word for it,” said Ilmarė. “And how will we go undetected amongst the Ymandrakes? I do not exactly…” she hesitated. “…fit in.” “Before you set sail in the morning,” said Ecor, “I will cast a spell that will allow you to understand and speak Ymandrake for one day. You will be wearing Harvester robes we found in the hold. They should provide you with enough time to arrive, attend to your task, and leave that place.” “I am familiar with Yamandragore,” said Holden. “So I can help.” “A word of caution,” said Y’vigne. “The boy grows sicker by the day. I fear that he will not live much longer. He seems to be radiating the disease now; not by casting spells, but by his mere presence. We believe that for the safety of any sorcerer traveling with the boy, that they refrain from casting any spells while in his presence.” Kham adjusted his lenses. “I am not a sorcerer,” he said. It didn’t sound very confident. They all looked at Holden. “Nor am I,” said the grenadier. “I was taught my art.” With a final goodbye, Y’vigne and Ecor turned and left without another word. Only Sevestia remained. After a long pause, she said, “I have lived upon that malignant tumor of a place for two of your centuries, regarded more as an experiment than a sentient being. My father and I have always held great contempt for the lesser beings of Arcanis, especially humans.” “Join the club,” said Kham, careful to not look at Ilmarė. Lowering her eyes for a moment, Sevestia fought back tears. “My father is the only being who has ever cared for me. I have never depended on anyone but him. Ever. Bring him back to me and I shall be forever in your debt, both in this incarnation and those that will come.” Kham shook his head. “For a being that’s been around a long time, you sure haven’t thought this out very well. I just hope your father is where you think he is.” Sevestia glared daggers at him. “If you fail, I will become all that you fear from Orata and so much more.” Without another word, she turned and closed the door. Kham raised one hand. “Who votes for ditching this mission and letting the snooty elf chick—no offense Ilmarė—find her father for herself?” “I will see this mission through to its end,” said Quintus. “And Cassicus shall be granted a hero’s death.” Ilmarė sighed. “I understand Sevestia’s pain. I will go. Not because it’s a good plan, but because any Elorii life is precious.” “You’ll need me,” said Holden. “I knew what I was getting into when I signed up.” Vlad scratched the back of his head. “I’m doing it for the money. I think. Did anyone ever mention if we’re going to get paid?” [/QUOTE]
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