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Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6202748" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 18b: The Gloom.</span></p><p></p><p>18b.01</p><p></p><p>Jimmy breaks the spell, the halfling scrabbles on the floor, searching the body of the fallen elf- Ninaran; he comes up grinning, clutching a heart-shaped locket.</p><p></p><p>It’s all a bit much for Gokan, the half-orc turns away and mooches over to kick at the remains of the gravehounds.</p><p></p><p>Tonka finally brings order to the proceedings.</p><p></p><p>“I think we should rest a while… or at least…” The dragonborn is interrupted.</p><p>“We should guard the portal.” Sigur states and points at the strange device.</p><p>“While we rest, make sure nothing comes through.” The dwarf concludes.</p><p>Tonka nods, “that’s what I was going to say”, the warlord concurs and then grins at Sigur, who manages a half-hearted smirk in reply.</p><p></p><p>A short while later the adventurers have cleared the area, it’s as it was- save for a set of bloody drag marks created when Ninaran’s body was tidied away.</p><p></p><p>A nearby alcove is quickly transformed in to a makeshift sleeping area cum guard room; the area is hidden from view, anyone coming through the portal or in to the chamber from the dungeon cannot see the camp- an ideal spot.</p><p></p><p>A rota for guard duty is quickly organised, and soon after the adventurers settle down to rest and recuperate, save for Jimmy who has first shift.</p><p></p><p>Time passes.</p><p></p><p>Finally Jimmy whispers to Tonka.</p><p></p><p>“What’s through there?”</p><p></p><p>Tonka fails to reply.</p><p></p><p>The halfling creeps a little closer to the dragonborn and then whispers again- a little louder this time.</p><p></p><p>“I said what’s through…”</p><p>“He’s asleep.” Sigur states gruffly.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy creeps closer still, the dwarf is right, although Tonka has his eyes open he is indeed fast asleep.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy shrugs, and then creeps back to his vigil.</p><p></p><p>Time continues to pass.</p><p></p><p>This time it’s Sigur that breaks the silence.</p><p></p><p>“The gloom.” The dwarf states.</p><p>“What?” Jimmy hisses back.</p><p>“It’s called the gloom.” Sigur confirms.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy looks non-plussed.</p><p></p><p>“What is?” He finally asks.</p><p></p><p>“Moradin’s backside.” Sigur kicks himself free of his sleeping roll and scrambles to his feet.</p><p></p><p>“Through the portal- the Shadowfell. We dwarves call it the gloom. It’s…” Sigur shivers, “… a bit creepy.”</p><p>“Creepy?” Jimmy echoes and enquires.</p><p>Sigur shivers again, “Yes. Creepy.” He replies, failing spectacularly to shed any light on the matter.</p><p></p><p>18b.02</p><p></p><p>Jimmy mulls on this new information for a while.</p><p></p><p>“But what is it?” But before Sigur can reply Jimmy enquires further, “and why is it creepy?”</p><p></p><p>Sigur stretches and gingerly makes his way over to the halfling, picking his way through the sleeping adventurers.</p><p></p><p>“It’s the same as here- a copy of our world, or else a shadow of our world- even the land is the same, the same geography that is. If you know your way around this world then you can find your way in the Shadowfell.” Sigur states, and before Jimmy can ask anything else goes on.</p><p>“Only it’s a shadow of this world, there’s no sun, no seasons, and very little life.”</p><p></p><p>Jimmy goes to open his mouth- Sigur cuts him off again.</p><p></p><p>“There are even towns and cities there, shadows of those in our world, like Fellhammer and Crestfallen.” The dwarf briefly concludes.</p><p>“What?” Jimmy gawps. “What are you saying?”</p><p>“I was born in Hammerfast.” Sigur states, “in the Shadowfell, in the gloom, there’s a city called Fellhammer- where Hammerfast is. Crestfallen is…”</p><p>“Fallcrest.” Jimmy catches on, Sigur nods.</p><p></p><p>“Oh.” The halfling adds. </p><p></p><p>“But who lives…” Jimmy is starting and failing to make sense of things.</p><p>“The Undead.” Sigur abruptly states, “and worse.” He adds.</p><p></p><p>Time stretches a while.</p><p></p><p>“Why’s it called the gloom? Why’s it creepy?” Jimmy asks, still keen on getting a definitive answer.</p><p></p><p>Sigur sighs and sits down.</p><p></p><p>“It’s called the gloom because it’s gloomy- dark, shadowy- hence the name Shadowfell.” The dwarf snarls a little in his reply, clearly beginning to regret opening his mouth earlier.</p><p></p><p>“It’s… oppressing, and depressing- no light, hordes of undead, it’s not somewhere you go for no reason. Which incidentally also answers your second question; it’s creepy because it’s the gloom.” Sigur finishes.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy nods.</p><p></p><p>Sigur scooches down, more lying than sitting, the dwarf makes himself comfortable- taking and rearranging Tonka’s blanket over him in the process.</p><p></p><p>Time continues to pass.</p><p></p><p>“Have you been there?” Jimmy finally asks and stares down at Sigur.</p><p>The dwarf broods a while and then meets the halfling’s gaze, “yes.”</p><p>“What…” Jimmy starts but is cut off again.</p><p>“And I swore I would never go back.” Sigur states, and then pointedly turns away from Jimmy.</p><p></p><p>Thirty seconds pass.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy continues to stare at the back of Sigur’s bald head, nope he can’t leave it at that, the halfling bends down and whispers in the dwarf’s ear.</p><p></p><p>“Why did you swear to never go back?”</p><p>Without turning Sigur plainly states, “I was the only one that came back- I don’t want that to happen again.”</p><p>“Oh.” Jimmy concludes and then shivers in a sudden icy gust of wind.</p><p></p><p>The chamber returns to silence.</p><p></p><p>Which stretches.</p><p></p><p>Tonka snorts, Jimmy almost jumps out of his skin.</p><p></p><p>The halfling involuntarily clutches at the heart-shaped amulet he took from Ninaran- he wonders whether the dead elf ranger will be there in the gloom, or Hal, or Hedda…</p><p></p><p>The rest of Jimmy’s shift passes without incident, in fact nothing at all comes this way- eight hours later the adventurers are up and about their business.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Jimmy’s new amulet]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10090953673/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/10090953673_fb29028c74_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p>Jimmy’s looking mighty fine with his +1 Amulet of Life, now he’s wiped the blood off it.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 6202748, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 18b: The Gloom.[/SIZE][/CENTER] 18b.01 Jimmy breaks the spell, the halfling scrabbles on the floor, searching the body of the fallen elf- Ninaran; he comes up grinning, clutching a heart-shaped locket. It’s all a bit much for Gokan, the half-orc turns away and mooches over to kick at the remains of the gravehounds. Tonka finally brings order to the proceedings. “I think we should rest a while… or at least…” The dragonborn is interrupted. “We should guard the portal.” Sigur states and points at the strange device. “While we rest, make sure nothing comes through.” The dwarf concludes. Tonka nods, “that’s what I was going to say”, the warlord concurs and then grins at Sigur, who manages a half-hearted smirk in reply. A short while later the adventurers have cleared the area, it’s as it was- save for a set of bloody drag marks created when Ninaran’s body was tidied away. A nearby alcove is quickly transformed in to a makeshift sleeping area cum guard room; the area is hidden from view, anyone coming through the portal or in to the chamber from the dungeon cannot see the camp- an ideal spot. A rota for guard duty is quickly organised, and soon after the adventurers settle down to rest and recuperate, save for Jimmy who has first shift. Time passes. Finally Jimmy whispers to Tonka. “What’s through there?” Tonka fails to reply. The halfling creeps a little closer to the dragonborn and then whispers again- a little louder this time. “I said what’s through…” “He’s asleep.” Sigur states gruffly. Jimmy creeps closer still, the dwarf is right, although Tonka has his eyes open he is indeed fast asleep. Jimmy shrugs, and then creeps back to his vigil. Time continues to pass. This time it’s Sigur that breaks the silence. “The gloom.” The dwarf states. “What?” Jimmy hisses back. “It’s called the gloom.” Sigur confirms. Jimmy looks non-plussed. “What is?” He finally asks. “Moradin’s backside.” Sigur kicks himself free of his sleeping roll and scrambles to his feet. “Through the portal- the Shadowfell. We dwarves call it the gloom. It’s…” Sigur shivers, “… a bit creepy.” “Creepy?” Jimmy echoes and enquires. Sigur shivers again, “Yes. Creepy.” He replies, failing spectacularly to shed any light on the matter. 18b.02 Jimmy mulls on this new information for a while. “But what is it?” But before Sigur can reply Jimmy enquires further, “and why is it creepy?” Sigur stretches and gingerly makes his way over to the halfling, picking his way through the sleeping adventurers. “It’s the same as here- a copy of our world, or else a shadow of our world- even the land is the same, the same geography that is. If you know your way around this world then you can find your way in the Shadowfell.” Sigur states, and before Jimmy can ask anything else goes on. “Only it’s a shadow of this world, there’s no sun, no seasons, and very little life.” Jimmy goes to open his mouth- Sigur cuts him off again. “There are even towns and cities there, shadows of those in our world, like Fellhammer and Crestfallen.” The dwarf briefly concludes. “What?” Jimmy gawps. “What are you saying?” “I was born in Hammerfast.” Sigur states, “in the Shadowfell, in the gloom, there’s a city called Fellhammer- where Hammerfast is. Crestfallen is…” “Fallcrest.” Jimmy catches on, Sigur nods. “Oh.” The halfling adds. “But who lives…” Jimmy is starting and failing to make sense of things. “The Undead.” Sigur abruptly states, “and worse.” He adds. Time stretches a while. “Why’s it called the gloom? Why’s it creepy?” Jimmy asks, still keen on getting a definitive answer. Sigur sighs and sits down. “It’s called the gloom because it’s gloomy- dark, shadowy- hence the name Shadowfell.” The dwarf snarls a little in his reply, clearly beginning to regret opening his mouth earlier. “It’s… oppressing, and depressing- no light, hordes of undead, it’s not somewhere you go for no reason. Which incidentally also answers your second question; it’s creepy because it’s the gloom.” Sigur finishes. Jimmy nods. Sigur scooches down, more lying than sitting, the dwarf makes himself comfortable- taking and rearranging Tonka’s blanket over him in the process. Time continues to pass. “Have you been there?” Jimmy finally asks and stares down at Sigur. The dwarf broods a while and then meets the halfling’s gaze, “yes.” “What…” Jimmy starts but is cut off again. “And I swore I would never go back.” Sigur states, and then pointedly turns away from Jimmy. Thirty seconds pass. Jimmy continues to stare at the back of Sigur’s bald head, nope he can’t leave it at that, the halfling bends down and whispers in the dwarf’s ear. “Why did you swear to never go back?” Without turning Sigur plainly states, “I was the only one that came back- I don’t want that to happen again.” “Oh.” Jimmy concludes and then shivers in a sudden icy gust of wind. The chamber returns to silence. Which stretches. Tonka snorts, Jimmy almost jumps out of his skin. The halfling involuntarily clutches at the heart-shaped amulet he took from Ninaran- he wonders whether the dead elf ranger will be there in the gloom, or Hal, or Hedda… The rest of Jimmy’s shift passes without incident, in fact nothing at all comes this way- eight hours later the adventurers are up and about their business. [sblock=Jimmy’s new amulet] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/10090953673/][img]http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/10090953673_fb29028c74_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] Jimmy’s looking mighty fine with his +1 Amulet of Life, now he’s wiped the blood off it. [/sblock] [/QUOTE]
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