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Elemental's Story Hour: Updated 30 /5
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<blockquote data-quote="Elemental" data-source="post: 851823" data-attributes="member: 7931"><p><strong>Part 5</strong></p><p></p><p>Part 4:</p><p></p><p>Returning to the college, they found Hergal recovering from his clubbing, and understandably distressed to find out the truth about his companion. There was much conjecture about what Nermize’s purpose had been, to little end. Apparently, he had been with Hergal for about five years, when he’d been investigating the lair of a dragon called ‘Grilatras the Sour Wind’. Silver also found out how to trigger the amulet, changing himself into a fairy dragon. However, an interruption came in the form of a skittering sound from the room adjacent to the study.</p><p></p><p>Inside the storeroom, were kobolds, two of them. As Blue reached for his darts, there was a high-pitched squeal. “Please don’t kill us!”</p><p></p><p>"By Torm... not you two again..." muttered Carudan. “What are you doing here?”</p><p></p><p>"We got no where else to go!"</p><p></p><p>“Village in woods, smashed, crashed, burnt down when we got there. Nermize says, if anything really bad happen, find him up here. Something really bad happened, decided to come here."</p><p></p><p>"See this wand? Nermize is dead." said Silver.</p><p></p><p>"Bad, very bad. We didn't find other 4 or Nermize there either!"</p><p></p><p>"That is just nasty. I mean come on." said Blue.</p><p></p><p>"I'm with you there.” said Usha. “Nermize and co....they attacked us, they accepted the possibility of getting killed doing so. But wiping out an entire village....something needs to be done to whoever did this."</p><p></p><p>Carudan sighed. "Come on, you two," he says distastefully, "Let's get you cleaned up. Then we can talk some more."</p><p></p><p>"But, what happen to us? We alone, far from swamp, with many nasty things just waiting to eat us out there!"</p><p></p><p>"Look we promised not to kill you, I for one won't break my word" said Estivan.</p><p></p><p>"Come with us if you want. You know the lie of the land." said Usha.</p><p></p><p>They launched themselves at her feet, kissing them, and mumbling thanks. Carudan stared at her. "How do you do it?"</p><p></p><p>"It's a woman thing. Oh, hold on, it isn't. It's a give-people-a-chance thing."</p><p></p><p>"You mean we are taking these stinky little creatures with us?” asked Blue.</p><p></p><p>"We need their help if we're going to find out what destroyed their village" replied Carudan.</p><p></p><p>“Please?” asked the kobolds.</p><p></p><p>He frowned, insofar as anything could be told behind the mask (what was up with that anyway?) "Alright, but I will be watching them for foul play."</p><p></p><p>"No, no foul play! We promise!" </p><p></p><p>"Yea, only pigs be good enough for you!"</p><p></p><p></p><p>The kobolds were given a room, and business was concluded for the night.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The next day, she woke up late the next morning. Nice to have a soft bed after so long, she thought absently. But don’t get used to it.</p><p></p><p>Getting up, she gathered her equipment, and went down to get some breakfast (there was something of a commotion when the kobolds got into the kitchen), before going out to the stables. Estivan was there, talking with the stablehand, Alibon.</p><p></p><p> "…not too bad, Harry the Hook Horror just bit me once this morning." he was saying.</p><p></p><p>“What sort of beats is that?”</p><p></p><p>“It's in the basement. We got to keep it there, it'll die if left out in the sunlight too long.”</p><p></p><p>"Underdark critter, right?" asked Usha.</p><p></p><p>Estivan looked round. "Here is what I owe you for your service last night.” he said, holding out some coins. </p><p></p><p>"My, I haven't heard about that going on last night..." said Alibon with a smirk. Usha was momentarily too overwhelmed by dizziness at the sheer social ineptitude of the man to reply.</p><p></p><p>"Ah, keep it. I kill evil bastards who torch villages for free."</p><p></p><p>"I gave my word, besides you did deserve it for helping to retrieve the book.”</p><p></p><p>"Only in his fevered dreams. It's payment for kobold-slaying, which I just said no to."</p><p></p><p>"I insist you take it.”</p><p></p><p>"Well, if he feels the need to part with his gold, I've already set a good bit into a group fund." said Silver, who had just arrived.</p><p></p><p>Usha bit back the retort that had been on her tongue. "Good idea. Do that."</p><p>Estivan and Silver talked finances. Blue hustled the kobolds in, saying something about their having been caught stealing. Carudan brought up some scrolls he’d found in Nermize’s stuff. "Sorry to interrupt, but I found some strange scrolls in Nermize's chambers. Do any of you know how to read magical blueprints?"</p><p></p><p>"Give them to the Sorcerer." said Estivan. Silver held out a hand.</p><p></p><p>"So we have another sorcerer?" asked Alibon.</p><p></p><p>“Another?”</p><p></p><p>"Well, not really around here, but one does come by frequently enough. A centaur sorceress. Bit of an odd one, but nice enough, comes around for a bit of spell components and such. Can't stand the cobbles of the university proper, and the wizards wouldn't like her in there, so she has to come here."</p><p></p><p>"Well, we'll stick with our oddball for now." said Usha.</p><p></p><p>Silver started looking at the scrolls. Usha had a look over the rest of the menagerie. There was a unicorn, asperii, shocker lizard, and some lions and tigers, as well as the horses. Presumably, magic had been used to help them forget their usual culinary relationships.</p><p></p><p>Alibon noticed Estivan looking at one of the tigers. "Oh, that's Grula, lead lady tiger we have sitting with her cubs. I've done quite a job making sure them and the other big cats here are as comfortable as possible.”</p><p></p><p>"First time I've seen one of those that wasn't actually trying to kill me." said Usha, not sounding fully at ease.</p><p></p><p>"I honestly don't know why they would attack a lady like you, they're such noble creatures."</p><p></p><p>"Magic compulsions, probably. Plus a few spells to fill them with rage. I assume, anyway." Might even be true. Magical compulsions and enhancements had been popular with the owner of the arena in Thay….</p><p></p><p>"I hope you took revenge on who ever sicced them on you."</p><p></p><p>“Time will tell.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>The trip to the village was short and uneventful. None of the much-vaunted defenses proved a problem. When they drew closer, it became plain why that was.</p><p></p><p>‘Sune help me, who could cause much so destruction?’ she muttered to herself, looking round. The village had been destroyed. Damn close to obliterated. Only a few brunt timbers and fence posts were left. No sign of life. Like her own home….</p><p></p><p>They looked through the village. Other than a bag of weapons, there was little either of value or any signs of survivors. "Somebody got happy with the flame spells. Most likely Fireballs and Flame Strikes." said Silver.</p><p></p><p>Carudan put his hands on the shoulders of the kobolds. "May Torm watch over the spirit of your people." he said, not entirely without sympathy.</p><p></p><p>Looking around, Usha found some footprints, about three sets. They looked reptilian….too large for kobolds, but too small for a dragon (mercifully). </p><p></p><p>The tracks led into the forest. Blue scouted ahead, but stopped to investigate something in a bush. There was an explosion, and fire rolled out. Usha was unhurt, and Blue managed to get out of the way, but everyone else was scorched. Estivan began cussing and swearing, but she tuned him out, checked that everybody was still alive and receiving healing, and went up to have a look at the next trap. She had assumed that if there were others, then they’d be of the same type, which wouldn’t affect her. Wrong. This detonation was one of freezing cold. She staggered back, and with shaking hands, used two of her own potions to undo the freezing cold.</p><p></p><p>"Have Silver check it for magic. Maybe he can analyze what's next?" she asked. He did so, and reported no more magic, although there were two other glyphs nearby.</p><p></p><p>Blue checked the bush again, but just found the two disarmed glyphs and a copper piece, left there in mockery. He went over to the other two.</p><p></p><p>"Good luck Blue Dragon.” said the elf. “I think they might be the same as the other two but can't be sure."</p><p></p><p>"You have enough spells to heal me if I fail, priest." he replied.</p><p></p><p>"Of course, Torm will doubtless expect some applications of boot leather in the name of righteousness as payback....it's only fair, after all." added Usha, joining the others in standing back.</p><p></p><p>Using his thief mojo, Blue disabled the other two glyphs without incident. Another copper piece was there, this one with a naked orc on the side that seemed to be intended to personify victory.</p><p></p><p>Frustratingly, the trail ran dry there. Usha thought it likely that the tracks had been an intentional trap. After all, it was spellcasters that had wrought this carnage, so they had probably simply flown or teleported out of there after setting the glyphs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Elemental, post: 851823, member: 7931"] [b]Part 5[/b] Part 4: Returning to the college, they found Hergal recovering from his clubbing, and understandably distressed to find out the truth about his companion. There was much conjecture about what Nermize’s purpose had been, to little end. Apparently, he had been with Hergal for about five years, when he’d been investigating the lair of a dragon called ‘Grilatras the Sour Wind’. Silver also found out how to trigger the amulet, changing himself into a fairy dragon. However, an interruption came in the form of a skittering sound from the room adjacent to the study. Inside the storeroom, were kobolds, two of them. As Blue reached for his darts, there was a high-pitched squeal. “Please don’t kill us!” "By Torm... not you two again..." muttered Carudan. “What are you doing here?” "We got no where else to go!" “Village in woods, smashed, crashed, burnt down when we got there. Nermize says, if anything really bad happen, find him up here. Something really bad happened, decided to come here." "See this wand? Nermize is dead." said Silver. "Bad, very bad. We didn't find other 4 or Nermize there either!" "That is just nasty. I mean come on." said Blue. "I'm with you there.” said Usha. “Nermize and co....they attacked us, they accepted the possibility of getting killed doing so. But wiping out an entire village....something needs to be done to whoever did this." Carudan sighed. "Come on, you two," he says distastefully, "Let's get you cleaned up. Then we can talk some more." "But, what happen to us? We alone, far from swamp, with many nasty things just waiting to eat us out there!" "Look we promised not to kill you, I for one won't break my word" said Estivan. "Come with us if you want. You know the lie of the land." said Usha. They launched themselves at her feet, kissing them, and mumbling thanks. Carudan stared at her. "How do you do it?" "It's a woman thing. Oh, hold on, it isn't. It's a give-people-a-chance thing." "You mean we are taking these stinky little creatures with us?” asked Blue. "We need their help if we're going to find out what destroyed their village" replied Carudan. “Please?” asked the kobolds. He frowned, insofar as anything could be told behind the mask (what was up with that anyway?) "Alright, but I will be watching them for foul play." "No, no foul play! We promise!" "Yea, only pigs be good enough for you!" The kobolds were given a room, and business was concluded for the night. The next day, she woke up late the next morning. Nice to have a soft bed after so long, she thought absently. But don’t get used to it. Getting up, she gathered her equipment, and went down to get some breakfast (there was something of a commotion when the kobolds got into the kitchen), before going out to the stables. Estivan was there, talking with the stablehand, Alibon. "…not too bad, Harry the Hook Horror just bit me once this morning." he was saying. “What sort of beats is that?” “It's in the basement. We got to keep it there, it'll die if left out in the sunlight too long.” "Underdark critter, right?" asked Usha. Estivan looked round. "Here is what I owe you for your service last night.” he said, holding out some coins. "My, I haven't heard about that going on last night..." said Alibon with a smirk. Usha was momentarily too overwhelmed by dizziness at the sheer social ineptitude of the man to reply. "Ah, keep it. I kill evil bastards who torch villages for free." "I gave my word, besides you did deserve it for helping to retrieve the book.” "Only in his fevered dreams. It's payment for kobold-slaying, which I just said no to." "I insist you take it.” "Well, if he feels the need to part with his gold, I've already set a good bit into a group fund." said Silver, who had just arrived. Usha bit back the retort that had been on her tongue. "Good idea. Do that." Estivan and Silver talked finances. Blue hustled the kobolds in, saying something about their having been caught stealing. Carudan brought up some scrolls he’d found in Nermize’s stuff. "Sorry to interrupt, but I found some strange scrolls in Nermize's chambers. Do any of you know how to read magical blueprints?" "Give them to the Sorcerer." said Estivan. Silver held out a hand. "So we have another sorcerer?" asked Alibon. “Another?” "Well, not really around here, but one does come by frequently enough. A centaur sorceress. Bit of an odd one, but nice enough, comes around for a bit of spell components and such. Can't stand the cobbles of the university proper, and the wizards wouldn't like her in there, so she has to come here." "Well, we'll stick with our oddball for now." said Usha. Silver started looking at the scrolls. Usha had a look over the rest of the menagerie. There was a unicorn, asperii, shocker lizard, and some lions and tigers, as well as the horses. Presumably, magic had been used to help them forget their usual culinary relationships. Alibon noticed Estivan looking at one of the tigers. "Oh, that's Grula, lead lady tiger we have sitting with her cubs. I've done quite a job making sure them and the other big cats here are as comfortable as possible.” "First time I've seen one of those that wasn't actually trying to kill me." said Usha, not sounding fully at ease. "I honestly don't know why they would attack a lady like you, they're such noble creatures." "Magic compulsions, probably. Plus a few spells to fill them with rage. I assume, anyway." Might even be true. Magical compulsions and enhancements had been popular with the owner of the arena in Thay…. "I hope you took revenge on who ever sicced them on you." “Time will tell.” The trip to the village was short and uneventful. None of the much-vaunted defenses proved a problem. When they drew closer, it became plain why that was. ‘Sune help me, who could cause much so destruction?’ she muttered to herself, looking round. The village had been destroyed. Damn close to obliterated. Only a few brunt timbers and fence posts were left. No sign of life. Like her own home…. They looked through the village. Other than a bag of weapons, there was little either of value or any signs of survivors. "Somebody got happy with the flame spells. Most likely Fireballs and Flame Strikes." said Silver. Carudan put his hands on the shoulders of the kobolds. "May Torm watch over the spirit of your people." he said, not entirely without sympathy. Looking around, Usha found some footprints, about three sets. They looked reptilian….too large for kobolds, but too small for a dragon (mercifully). The tracks led into the forest. Blue scouted ahead, but stopped to investigate something in a bush. There was an explosion, and fire rolled out. Usha was unhurt, and Blue managed to get out of the way, but everyone else was scorched. Estivan began cussing and swearing, but she tuned him out, checked that everybody was still alive and receiving healing, and went up to have a look at the next trap. She had assumed that if there were others, then they’d be of the same type, which wouldn’t affect her. Wrong. This detonation was one of freezing cold. She staggered back, and with shaking hands, used two of her own potions to undo the freezing cold. "Have Silver check it for magic. Maybe he can analyze what's next?" she asked. He did so, and reported no more magic, although there were two other glyphs nearby. Blue checked the bush again, but just found the two disarmed glyphs and a copper piece, left there in mockery. He went over to the other two. "Good luck Blue Dragon.” said the elf. “I think they might be the same as the other two but can't be sure." "You have enough spells to heal me if I fail, priest." he replied. "Of course, Torm will doubtless expect some applications of boot leather in the name of righteousness as payback....it's only fair, after all." added Usha, joining the others in standing back. Using his thief mojo, Blue disabled the other two glyphs without incident. Another copper piece was there, this one with a naked orc on the side that seemed to be intended to personify victory. Frustratingly, the trail ran dry there. Usha thought it likely that the tracks had been an intentional trap. After all, it was spellcasters that had wrought this carnage, so they had probably simply flown or teleported out of there after setting the glyphs. [/QUOTE]
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