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[FR]The Return of the Heroes of the Vilhon Reach (updated 8/20!)
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<blockquote data-quote="Broccli_Head" data-source="post: 840518" data-attributes="member: 105"><p><strong>The High Forest, 4 days later , 1378, Year of the Cauldron</strong></p><p></p><p>Benito helped Aris to the top of the hill and they surveyed the damage, and their handywork. Already, treants were edging to the outer rings of the Stone Stand to topple fetishes dedicated to Malar and replace them with shrubs and small trees. </p><p></p><p>"Benito, I have to sit down. The pain is increasing."</p><p></p><p>Aris leaned against the statue of Ilmater that Benito had raised over what had formerly been a pit that had led to a cavern where a half-dozen Beasts of Malar had dwelled. He had reduced the stunted and twisted tree (a sacrificed treant his allies had told him) that had once rested in the hole, freeing the trapped spirits and consecrating the whole ring. Stone Stand had been purified and Turlang was pleased. He would now allow one of his servants to guide them through the High Forest to the Citadel of the Mists, or at least to edge of the Mistmaster's domain. </p><p></p><p>The fight had not been easy, but as soon as a quartet of ogre druids had informed Benito of the perversion that existed at Stone Stand, he had marched harder and with a purpose. At the ring of stones and cairns dedicated to several Uthgardt barbarian tribes, servants of Malar had increased their hold. The heroes had arrived at a good time, but the battle had not been without difficulty. Two guardian spirits had attacked. One had possessed Grim who had almost slain Nosr. When Benito had blinded "Grim" the spirit had jumped to Kyros whom Benito had to stun before the ghost had used the psychic warrior to wreck more havoc among the party. Then the ghost had tried to take over Ellysidell. The Chosen seemed to shrug off the attempt and sent the spirit to a final death. </p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, during that chaos, Aris and Ivan had to contend with the majority of the Beast of Malar that had come pouring forth from the hole in the ground. They had held their own, slaying four of the beasts. The cleric and Ellysidell had finished the other two and Aris had cried out "Victory!"</p><p></p><p>Benito looked with concern at his companion. Aris, becoming more pale by the hour, was deteriorating the closer he approached Hellgate Keep. Ivan had not helped by bringing up the name of the ruin the previous day. Nosr had also been affected, and nearly being killed helped him to decide to return to Silverymoon. He had already <em>teleported</em> back. Kyros, on whom the Mistmaster had also placed a <em>geas</em>, was still unaffected by this lastest relapse of the retrictive dweomer, but Benito knew that it was only a matter of time before he succumbed as well. </p><p></p><p>"Aris, we must continue onward towards the Citadel. I will ask the Mistmaster to remove this curse. He will see that we are on a divine quest and will have to acquiese. He cannot turn us aside from the will of the gods."</p><p></p><p>"A man of the Mistmaster's power knows that the gods aren't infallible. He may have his own agenda."</p><p></p><p>Aris continued to grimace. The pain would not go away. Benito furrowed his brow, upset by the blasphemy of his friend but also sympathetic to his plight. Aris did not like being helpless and in a situation beyond his control. Benito, dedicated as he was to Ilmater, had long ago surrendered his will. Fortunately, Ilmater was merciful and just and had never asked Benito to give away his freedom. The cleric shuddered and muttered a prayer expressing his pity for the shamans who had been forced to give their life and unlife to the cruel Malar. Hopefully, he had eased their torment. Leaving Aris on the hill, Benito walked down to help the treants and Ellysidell plant a garden.</p><p></p><p>Kyros and Ivan joined Aris as he rested, breath ragged despite Benito's ministrations. </p><p></p><p>"Kyros, Ivan. I fear that I will not be able to continue until the Mistmaster is inclined to remove this <em>geas</em>. Please protect Benito on the journey. Help him to keep his emotions in check. Keep Grim out of trouble."</p><p></p><p>Kyros made as if to protest, but Aris held up his hand, "No Kyros, I will be fine. I do not think that anything could be past Turlang or his druids."</p><p></p><p>Aris forced a smile. It was good to be adventuring again! Tonight, despite the pain, he would sleep on the rough ground and look up at the stars with his boon companions who had spilled blood with him this day around him. Somehow, probably from sheer exhaustion from the constant pain, Aris fell asleep. </p><p></p><p>**</p><p></p><p>The next day Aris could not even move and Kyros began to feel the nagging pain that would worsen over the next two days until he also was bedridden. Ellysidell decided to stay with Aris while the other four companions continued south behind the mighty treant that led them towards the Mistmaster's domain. </p><p></p><p><span style="color: green">"BEYOND THOSE TREES LIES THE REALM OF THE MISTMASTER. I GO NO FURTHER, BUT WILL AWAIT YOUR RETURN."</span></p><p></p><p>Grim led the way with Benito not far behind. Kyros and Ivan brought up the rear but travelled side-by-side. There were no trees beyond where the treant had told them, just spongy earth and thick, rolling mists. They walked for a long time barely able to see each other and nothing more than 10 paces away. Eventually they saw a line of shadows ahead.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: green">"YOU HAVE RETURNED ALREADY?"</span></p><p></p><p>Benito growled in frustration. They had walked in a huge circle and returned to where they had started. He looked at Grim, their guide, who shrugged and looked a little dazed. In fact, looking at Ivan and Kyros confirmed the cleric's initial thought. Kyros was fine, but Ivan had a blank look upon his face. There was some sort of repulsion or confusion magicks going on in the sea of mist. </p><p></p><p>"I'm not giving up!" Benito yelled into the fog, his voice carrying. </p><p></p><p>It was then that he struck upon an idea...</p><p></p><p>"How loud can you bellow?" he asked of the treant.</p><p></p><p>And shortly, they were trekking back into the thick and damp fog with the sound of the "foghorn" echoing behind them, letting them know that they were moving forward and not in circles. Benito had decided to let Kyros lead and seemingly they were making good progress. However, the air was turning slowly colder.</p><p></p><p><em>Benito, I have a bad feeling about this</em> sent Grim emphasizing his mental message with a shiver. </p><p></p><p>Shadows had lengthened and occasionally the heroes heard sounds and saw lights somewhere in the fog. </p><p></p><p>"Hold!" cried Kyros. "I saw something moving up ahead."</p><p></p><p>The heroes drew weapons and remained still, but there was only silence. Kyros gave an "all clear" sign as he scanned the fog for any sign. He moved forward.</p><p></p><p><em>Then he saw It come from out of the fog. He was paralyzed with fear and It approached him. Shadowy, insubstantial tentacles writhed from It's head as it closed. He screamed as It wrapped those slimy appendages around his head. He heard the sick CRUNCH of his skull being ripped open and the sucking sound as the shadow illithid consumed his brain....</em></p><p></p><p>As soon as Kyros had moved forward, Grim had shouted and alarm from behind. </p><p></p><p>Ivan cried out, "Shadows, Benito!"</p><p></p><p>The cleric spun around and saw multiple shadows floating through the mists towards them. Without hesitaiton he grasped <em>Mano de la Justicia</em> and called upon the holy power of Ilmater. The shadows blew into the nothing that they had once been.</p><p></p><p>They heard Kyros scream from in front of them and rushed forward only to find him convulsing on the ground. Then he lay still. </p><p></p><p>"Be wary friends. There is death here in this fog," warned Ivan as he turned his back to Grim, Benito and Kyros's body to look for any more enemies. Grim watched in the other direction wishing Ellysidell and the warm fire of his falchion were around. It was really, really cold. </p><p></p><p>Benito crouched and felt for a pulse. Kyros was dead!</p><p></p><p>He stood up and shook his fist in the air,</p><p></p><p><strong> "Mistmaster! We came here in good faith and now you have killed one of my friends! However long it takes to find you, Mistmaster, know that I will. And when I do, I will kill you!"</strong></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Broccli_Head, post: 840518, member: 105"] [b]The High Forest, 4 days later , 1378, Year of the Cauldron[/b] Benito helped Aris to the top of the hill and they surveyed the damage, and their handywork. Already, treants were edging to the outer rings of the Stone Stand to topple fetishes dedicated to Malar and replace them with shrubs and small trees. "Benito, I have to sit down. The pain is increasing." Aris leaned against the statue of Ilmater that Benito had raised over what had formerly been a pit that had led to a cavern where a half-dozen Beasts of Malar had dwelled. He had reduced the stunted and twisted tree (a sacrificed treant his allies had told him) that had once rested in the hole, freeing the trapped spirits and consecrating the whole ring. Stone Stand had been purified and Turlang was pleased. He would now allow one of his servants to guide them through the High Forest to the Citadel of the Mists, or at least to edge of the Mistmaster's domain. The fight had not been easy, but as soon as a quartet of ogre druids had informed Benito of the perversion that existed at Stone Stand, he had marched harder and with a purpose. At the ring of stones and cairns dedicated to several Uthgardt barbarian tribes, servants of Malar had increased their hold. The heroes had arrived at a good time, but the battle had not been without difficulty. Two guardian spirits had attacked. One had possessed Grim who had almost slain Nosr. When Benito had blinded "Grim" the spirit had jumped to Kyros whom Benito had to stun before the ghost had used the psychic warrior to wreck more havoc among the party. Then the ghost had tried to take over Ellysidell. The Chosen seemed to shrug off the attempt and sent the spirit to a final death. Meanwhile, during that chaos, Aris and Ivan had to contend with the majority of the Beast of Malar that had come pouring forth from the hole in the ground. They had held their own, slaying four of the beasts. The cleric and Ellysidell had finished the other two and Aris had cried out "Victory!" Benito looked with concern at his companion. Aris, becoming more pale by the hour, was deteriorating the closer he approached Hellgate Keep. Ivan had not helped by bringing up the name of the ruin the previous day. Nosr had also been affected, and nearly being killed helped him to decide to return to Silverymoon. He had already [i]teleported[/i] back. Kyros, on whom the Mistmaster had also placed a [i]geas[/i], was still unaffected by this lastest relapse of the retrictive dweomer, but Benito knew that it was only a matter of time before he succumbed as well. "Aris, we must continue onward towards the Citadel. I will ask the Mistmaster to remove this curse. He will see that we are on a divine quest and will have to acquiese. He cannot turn us aside from the will of the gods." "A man of the Mistmaster's power knows that the gods aren't infallible. He may have his own agenda." Aris continued to grimace. The pain would not go away. Benito furrowed his brow, upset by the blasphemy of his friend but also sympathetic to his plight. Aris did not like being helpless and in a situation beyond his control. Benito, dedicated as he was to Ilmater, had long ago surrendered his will. Fortunately, Ilmater was merciful and just and had never asked Benito to give away his freedom. The cleric shuddered and muttered a prayer expressing his pity for the shamans who had been forced to give their life and unlife to the cruel Malar. Hopefully, he had eased their torment. Leaving Aris on the hill, Benito walked down to help the treants and Ellysidell plant a garden. Kyros and Ivan joined Aris as he rested, breath ragged despite Benito's ministrations. "Kyros, Ivan. I fear that I will not be able to continue until the Mistmaster is inclined to remove this [i]geas[/i]. Please protect Benito on the journey. Help him to keep his emotions in check. Keep Grim out of trouble." Kyros made as if to protest, but Aris held up his hand, "No Kyros, I will be fine. I do not think that anything could be past Turlang or his druids." Aris forced a smile. It was good to be adventuring again! Tonight, despite the pain, he would sleep on the rough ground and look up at the stars with his boon companions who had spilled blood with him this day around him. Somehow, probably from sheer exhaustion from the constant pain, Aris fell asleep. ** The next day Aris could not even move and Kyros began to feel the nagging pain that would worsen over the next two days until he also was bedridden. Ellysidell decided to stay with Aris while the other four companions continued south behind the mighty treant that led them towards the Mistmaster's domain. [color=green]"BEYOND THOSE TREES LIES THE REALM OF THE MISTMASTER. I GO NO FURTHER, BUT WILL AWAIT YOUR RETURN."[/color] Grim led the way with Benito not far behind. Kyros and Ivan brought up the rear but travelled side-by-side. There were no trees beyond where the treant had told them, just spongy earth and thick, rolling mists. They walked for a long time barely able to see each other and nothing more than 10 paces away. Eventually they saw a line of shadows ahead. [color=green]"YOU HAVE RETURNED ALREADY?"[/color] Benito growled in frustration. They had walked in a huge circle and returned to where they had started. He looked at Grim, their guide, who shrugged and looked a little dazed. In fact, looking at Ivan and Kyros confirmed the cleric's initial thought. Kyros was fine, but Ivan had a blank look upon his face. There was some sort of repulsion or confusion magicks going on in the sea of mist. "I'm not giving up!" Benito yelled into the fog, his voice carrying. It was then that he struck upon an idea... "How loud can you bellow?" he asked of the treant. And shortly, they were trekking back into the thick and damp fog with the sound of the "foghorn" echoing behind them, letting them know that they were moving forward and not in circles. Benito had decided to let Kyros lead and seemingly they were making good progress. However, the air was turning slowly colder. [i]Benito, I have a bad feeling about this[/i] sent Grim emphasizing his mental message with a shiver. Shadows had lengthened and occasionally the heroes heard sounds and saw lights somewhere in the fog. "Hold!" cried Kyros. "I saw something moving up ahead." The heroes drew weapons and remained still, but there was only silence. Kyros gave an "all clear" sign as he scanned the fog for any sign. He moved forward. [i]Then he saw It come from out of the fog. He was paralyzed with fear and It approached him. Shadowy, insubstantial tentacles writhed from It's head as it closed. He screamed as It wrapped those slimy appendages around his head. He heard the sick CRUNCH of his skull being ripped open and the sucking sound as the shadow illithid consumed his brain....[/i] As soon as Kyros had moved forward, Grim had shouted and alarm from behind. Ivan cried out, "Shadows, Benito!" The cleric spun around and saw multiple shadows floating through the mists towards them. Without hesitaiton he grasped [i]Mano de la Justicia[/i] and called upon the holy power of Ilmater. The shadows blew into the nothing that they had once been. They heard Kyros scream from in front of them and rushed forward only to find him convulsing on the ground. Then he lay still. "Be wary friends. There is death here in this fog," warned Ivan as he turned his back to Grim, Benito and Kyros's body to look for any more enemies. Grim watched in the other direction wishing Ellysidell and the warm fire of his falchion were around. It was really, really cold. Benito crouched and felt for a pulse. Kyros was dead! He stood up and shook his fist in the air, [b] "Mistmaster! We came here in good faith and now you have killed one of my friends! However long it takes to find you, Mistmaster, know that I will. And when I do, I will kill you!"[/b] [/QUOTE]
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