Donaldbain...I will get that info to you as soon as I compile it from the players...they tend to be a secretive lot!
Silverymoon, about 14 days after Midsummer, 1378, Year of the Cauldron
The raven ruffled is feathers trying to shake off the last droplets of dew as it perched on the stone ramparts of the palace. Occasionally, it would tilt its head as voices echoed from below.
The former group known as the Heroes of the Vilhon Reach banded together once again and met outside the gates of Silverymoon. After a brief sojurn to Twillight Hollow, Ivan had reluctantly left his wife and children to accompany Benito, Johanna, and Samantha back to Jalanthar in the Silver Marches. Then they travelled to Silverymoon. The rest (Kyros, Grim , Ellysidell, Nosr and Aris) had arrived with the help of the sorcerer and his teleports after Aris and Alberia had returned from Ilighon. Word of their impending trek into the ruins of Hellgate Keep had filtered to the ears of certain powers that be, and the company had been asked to assemble before Lady Alustriel, Guardian of the Silver Marches. Coincidentally, the rest of the High Council was in attendance.
"So, how much are we getting paid to do this task for you?" chimed Ivan.
"Bahh! Typical adventurers. They're all mercenaries only out to line their own pockets," grumbled King Harbromm, the dwarven ruler of Citadel Adbar not so under his breath.
"How dare you!" shouted Benito
The raven on the rooftop startled by the sudden noise from below flew off for a better perch.
"Benito!" came a harsh whisper from Aris as he tried to put his hand on the cleric of Tyr's forearm to hold him back.
Benito shrugged it away...he had had enough of keeping up appearences already this morning...
**
After formal introductions, Lady Alustriel had began, "Gentleman, Welcome! I have called you forth today to ask of you a favor for the good of the Marches."
Benito interrupted, "As long as it does not interefere with the will of Ilmater."
Aris grimaced as the cleric's remark drew murmurs from the assembled peers and their advisors. An air of exclusivicity hung over the meeting as many of the courtiers and nobles had been dismissed leaving only the High Council and select, trusted advisors. The pause after the interruption lingered even as the High Lady continued to smile and to the heroes made the grand hall feel very large. Grim not liking the hard stares of the council members, especially the dwarves, wanted to crawl into a shadow but Ellysidell, sensing his intentions shook his head.
Aris broke the awkward silence, "My lady, please excuse young Benito. He is not used to appearing in such formal gatherings. Whatever task benefits your graces and the good people of the Marches we will willingly do."
Benito crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "Why should we do anything to help them? What have they done for us?"
More murmurs arose, but no one cut of the priest of Ilmater as he continued.
"We will do what we are going to do with or without your blessing and whether you have a task for us or not. The gods decree our path."
Alustriel, outwardly maintaining the same smiling demeanor, went on. "Very well. You will see that our paths meet, young cleric of Ilmater."
She spoke to the group as a whole, "When Hellgate Keep was destroyed, the mythal energies were torn asunder. In your journey into the ruin, we merely ask that you activate this item." Lady Alustriel held out a small green marble or jade sphere. "This will repair what was destroyed and more importantly, keep anything inside from leaving."
That was when Ivan decided to ask for compensation.
**
Facing and pointing at Harbromm, Benito continued his rebuke, "How dare you judge us as you would judge others and perhaps yourself! If I had a choice in this matter I would be at home with my wife and child. However, I do the will of Ilmater in spite of the sacrifice and the gaze from your haughty eyes."
Now it was King Bruennor Battlehammer's turn to hold back one of his companions as Harbromm rose from his highbacked chair and pounded one fist onto the table while shaking the other at the cleric of Ilmater.
"What do you know of sacrifice, whelp?! I have seen countless of my people give their lives to stave back the orc hordes! Where have you been? When you were not even a thought, I had already sacrificed much."
King Harbromm would have exploded even more, except that Bruennor's calm bass drowned out his tirade, "Benito Moltos, do not take the King of Adbarimm's generalization personally. Before you were even born, Harbromm has been slaying orcs to prevent the extinction of his people. His cynicism towards the short-lived races is legendary."
The King of Mithral Hall gave a sharp tug on King Harbromm's forearm, yanking the dwarf back to his seat.
"And in any case, if these heroes were of questionable ethics we would not have summoned them to appear before us and undertake this delicate task. You must trust mine, and the High Lady's judgement," added Taern Hornblade, High Mage of Silverymoon.
"However, the Rashemani bears watching," proclaimed Emerus Warcrown, lord of Citadel Felbarr.
"This meeting is only a formality. We have already all agreed to request their aid. They come highly recommended. Your son, High Lady AND the High Mage have scrutinized them." Helm Dwarf-friend of Sundabar spoke. "What say you, Lord Kayl?"
Lord Kayl Moorwalker, First Elder of Everlund merely shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I am but a humble merchant. I know not of adventuring and whom to hire or not, and--"
"Yes, yes we know. You have to consult the rest of the elders in Everlund," Bruennor added with a hint of sarcasm.
Aris could only shake his head during the whole ordeal. Only Aris, Ivan, and Benito had even opened their mouths. The rest of the group had remained in awed silence. Grim still wanted to slink away. Ellysidell kept looking at the stained glass windows wishing to catch a glimpse of the outdoors. Nosr could not help staring at the High Lady. He hoped she would just look his way. Kyros was just impassive recording everything.
How embarrassing! thought Aris placing his hand on his forehead and shaking his head once more.
"By the honor of the Stormwolf Legion, we will undertake this quest to Hellgate Keep for you, High Lady Alustriel!"
Aris gritted his teeth as he mentioned Hellgate Keep and he saw Nosr almost double over. Kyros gave him a hurt look.
"Can you do anything about this curse that the Mistmaster has laid upon us, Lady. It would help us to serve you better?"
Before she could reply, Benito clarified, "The Stormwolf Legion does not speak for nor does it include me."
"Alas, the powers of the Mistmaster are beyond even my ken, " said Lady Alustriel. She added with a frown that nearly broke Nosr's heart, "It seems to me that you are very disjointed as a group. I had thought that there was more unity among you."
Harbromm guffawed,"I think we should re-think our proposal. They cannot even agree upon a name to call themselves."
"Aren't we just as bad, Harbromm?" came Bruennor to their defense.
"Besides what is in a name. We have been apart for five long years, but be assured that when the battles come, we work like a well-oiled machine. I am confident in that," said Aris.
"So will you undertake the quest?" asked Alustriel again holding out the jade marble.
Aris bowed, approached the dais, and accepted the item. He was very suprised by the weight of the sphere as the High Lady placed it into his hand. Courtiers also gave each hero a unicorn pendant to bring them right outside the gates of Silverymoon when they had completed the task or things became dire....
"Companions of the Quest, then. I will go," said Benito accepting the pendant.
First, however, we need to stop and pay a visit to Mr. Mistmaster!
