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<blockquote data-quote="Galfridus" data-source="post: 1137" data-attributes="member: 119"><p><strong>Hobgoblin's Revenge</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Hullashfjord, October 23, LE 653</strong></p><p></p><p>Unfortunately, though the hobgoblin spellcaster has fallen, his spell has not. Elbryn notices that Thorald’s face is turning a deep blue and tries to open his windpipe, but an unseen force keeps pressing down. As Thorald gasps his final breath, his throat reddens with the mark of two spectral hands. Kalenthas tries a healing spell, but to no avail. The group pauses briefly out of respect for the fallen wizard.</p><p></p><p>Leilen collects a set of items that seem to radiate magic:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>5 unlabelled potions </strong>(4 are identical, brown and thick; 1 is a clear beige)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>1 suit of Studded Leather</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>1 parchment, tied around a rock </strong>(thrown at Jonetello during the fight)</li> </ul><p>There is some debate over whether to head back to town and rest (which might allow the hobgoblins to retake this position) or to press onward and risk a battle at less than full strength. Magnimiliar scouts ahead and reports (through Leilen, who finds him and returns) that another earthen embankment is about a mile up the road. This one has a series of poles with what looks like strips of cloth tied between them, and a couple unmistakable hobgoblin figures standing guard. There also appears to be a flock of sheep just outside the wall. Kanavin and Mystarion question the captive, who seems unwilling to talk. At last, the group decides to press forward, taking the heads of the hobgoblin leader and spellcaster with them as "negotiation incentives". Elbryn goes to behead the spellcaster – and is startled when he sits up and tries to <em>Daze</em> Elbryn! A brief battle ensues; this time, the hobgoblin wizard is slain for good. (The group makes sure no one else is pretending either.) This incident seems to sway the captive, who reveals that all of the hobgoblin leadership has no been slain, and that only ten or fifteen footsoldiers remain at the camp, but promises that many more are waiting in the mountains. Kanavin promises the hobgoblin his freedom if his facts are true. After mounting the two hobgoblin heads atop polearms, the group advances on the main camp. </p><p></p><p>Fortunately for them, the hobgoblin was not lying. As they approach (emerging from behind a blast from the <em>Horn of Fog</em>, hobgoblin heads presented prominently), they are greeted by a barrage of arrows from the three hobgoblins brave enough to fight, while nine or so others can be seen trying to sneak through the flock of sheep to safety. Before anyone else can react, Mystarion charges forward and cuts loose with a <em>Lightning Bolt</em>, frying three hobgoblins and ensuring an ample supply of cooked mutton for dinner that evening. As the rest of the group advances to give support, the three hobgoblins on the wall decide they have made their point and turn to run as well. All are killed save for one which escapes into the hills, and one which Elbryn grapples and takes captive. </p><p></p><p>As the fight winds down, Magnimilar and Leilen climb a wooden barrier blocking the road into the hobgoblin main camp. They see a human-sized hut as well as several low lean-tos erected over trenches dug into the hill. Leilen searches the lean-tos, while Magnimiliar heads for the hut. Inside, he sees a pair of beds, a table, and a small chest, as well as a beautiful, ornate scroll case (emanating magic) lying atop one of the beds. After checking for traps, he opens the chest to find a wealth of treasure:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>1159 gp, 780 sp, 39 pp</strong></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Several Gems</strong> (a colorless sapphire, a white opal, and five pieces of amber)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Silver Circlet</strong> (magical, with the phrase "Hennit Ta" inscribed on the inside)</li> </ul><p>Outside, Kanavin and Elbryn interrogate the new prisoner. He is quite willing to talk, suggesting that the hobgoblins would pay a generous ransom for his return. Kanavin is inclined to doubt this, but believes him when he says that this was the last of the hobgoblins deployed atop the ridge: the sentries to the west and north had been recalled, and everyone else was sent east to fight. Elbryn ties the hobgoblin securely until they are ready to depart. </p><p></p><p>As Magnimiliar finishes his search, Mystarion enters the hut. His eye immediately wanders to the pretty scroll case, and he opens it, revealing a single piece of parchment inside. He unrolls the parchment and reads…</p><p></p><p>Magnimiliar, distracted by the other treasures in the room, is just beginning to form the "N" in "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" when the <em>Explosive Runes </em>detonate. Those outside see gouts of fire burst from the windows and doorway of the hut, followed by a lightly smoking figure (Magnimiliar) who dusts himself off and walks away. Inside, Mystarion lies in charred and deadly silence. Kalenthas rushes in and tries a healing spell, but to no avail. "Well, this sucks!" he announces, and no one seems to disagree.</p><p></p><p>The group sets the heads of the goblin leader and wizard atop two of the poles, then plasters the camp with threats (in Goblin) should any hobgoblins return to the site. They gather what treasure they can find, release the prisoner, and begin the trek back to town, lugging Mystarion’s body with them. On the way back through the battle site, they pick up Thorald’s corpse, and release the other captured hobgoblin. Shortly after descending the switchbacks into the valley, they become aware of a strange wind blowing down from above them. Unlike before, this wind is rhythmic, coming and going every few seconds or so. "It’s the hobgoblin’s pet chimera," someone quips – and then a old man appears on the path in front of them, dressed in robes of dark purple and carrying an ornate staff with an enormous ruby set in the top. The wind dies down. Kalenthas starts to say something, then furrows his brow, confused.</p><p></p><p>"Are you companions of Thorald Stone?" the man asks, peering around them at the two corpses they are carrying. "Who wants to know?" a couple people ask. "You may call me Vorn," the man replies, still looking at the bodies. "I have business with Thorald Stone." </p><p></p><p>"Are you a friend of <em>Kelon</em>", Jonetello asks, infusing his rapier with magical power. Vorn seems to ignore the comment. Magnimiliar, standing toward the back, seems doubtful. "How do we know who you are? You could be a hobgoblin in disguise!" Vorn smiles briefly, and his form begins to shift. "I could indeed," he declares, as his features become one of a tall, snarling hobgoblin. He begins to move toward Magnimiliar, focused if not menacing. Jonetello draws his rapier and advances toward Vorn, who sweeps his staff downward, shattering the rapier. Jonetello draws a short sword and attacks as Vorn moves away. His strike draws blood, but Vorn does not seem to notice. He advances on Magnimiliar, who promptly runs through the group as fast as his feet can carry him. From behind, Jonetello hurls a flask of alchemist’s fire, which sets Vorn aflame; but again, he takes little heed. He frowns a moment as Magnimiliar flees, then begins to shift once more. A faint purple glow surrounds him as he grows…and grows…and grows, into a tremendous dragon of light purple hue (causing everyone but Zook to shake in their boots with fear). With a swift wingbeat, he glides over the group to land next to Magnimiliar. Elbryn <em>Creates Water</em> with his breastplate, putting out the alchemist’s fire and hoping to placate the beast. Magnimiliar turns on his heel and runs the other way – but this time, the dragon is too fast, and pounces on him with both foreclaws. However, Vorn turns his talons away from the helpless rogue, battering him greatly but doing no lasting damage (14 subdual). Zook, seeing a helpless and innocent man trapped, charges the dragon and strikes, but his blow glances off the dragon’s scaly hide. </p><p></p><p>Vorn pauses, then in a halo of purple light, returns to human form once more, staff still in hand. "I think that is enough," he says, and none of the group seems to disagree. After a moment of uneasy silence, he continues. "I would…examine Thorald Stone." "Why? "What for?" asks the group. "Because I wish to." "Can you tell use why?" Vorn smiles briefly. "I could tell you, but I will not." He steps forward to Thorald, and no one tries to stop him. He leans down and pulls Thorald’s robe aside at the shoulder, revealing a pale purple tattoo. Leilen recognizes the tattoo as magical, but has never seen anything remotely like it in the past. Vorn turns to his staff. "I cannot bring these two back to life, but <em>he</em> can," he says, turning to Kalenthas. "This is a Staff of…" "--A Staff of Life!" Kalenthas exclaims, foolishly interrupting Vorn. "It’s…it’s a holy staff of Pelor, and it can heal you or bring…bring you back from the dead." He falls into a reverent silence, looking meaningfully at the rest of the group.</p><p></p><p>Vorn indicates that he will return Thorald and Mystarion from the dead, but requires two volunteers in exchange. Each will receive a tattoo like Thorald’s. In response to repeated inquiries, Vorn will only say that the tattoos allow him to view the bearers from afar. He also says that he may call on each bearer once to perform a favor. Mystarion will be one of the volunteers; after a short discussion, Leilen steps forward as the other.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Thorald finds himself in a formless grey fog, lit from all directions. He drifts for more time than he can measure, or no time at all – there is little way to tell. Eventually, he recalls his companions, and the choking hands at his throat, and concludes he must be dead. </p><p></p><p>After a while longer, he perceives a shadow in the mist, a form that is slowly approaching him. Eventually he can make out the shape of a tree, rooted in a small hillside. Underneath, roots emerge from the dirt and trail off into nothingness. An old man is seated at the base of the tree, watching as Thorald draws closer.</p><p></p><p>"You are a psion," the man says without preamble. Thorald is caught off-guard. "Yes, I am," he says, surprised. They talk briefly, and the subject quickly becomes the Order of Ardinor. "I have not been able to find Ardinor, though I have been looking for some time," says Thorald. The man chuckles. "I imagine that they would find you." Thorald shakes his head. "In my time, the Tataiafar Empire is no more, and Ardinor is lost," he says. The man seems surprised. "Really? Do you wish to know more about Ardinor?"</p><p></p><p>Thorald’s eyes bug out, and he gives a civil nod at the prospect of satisfying a quest which he has come to realize represents the purpose for which he was exiled from his village, trained by an amethyst dragon, and transported across the planes. "Yes," he manages to speak aloud.</p><p></p><p>The man sighs. "The Knight Order of Ardinor," he muses. "The most important thing about the Order of Ardinor is…"</p><p></p><p><em>[…We interrupt this program to bring you an urgent Resurrection…]</em></p><p><em></em></p><p></p><p>The man’s words fade into nothingness as Thorald feels a strange tug: at the end of a tunnel of light, he sees Kalenthas Thistleberry, priest of Pelor and follower of the cause of good, calling him to return to life. He hesitates for an agony-filled moment, then accepts the call, feeling the pressures of mortality return as his spirit flees the Astral and floods onto the Prime.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Kalenthas stands over Thorald’s body, listening as Vorn whispers in his ear. He speaks several words of power, and the staff begins to glow. The glow drifts down over Thorald, closing his wounds and restoring color to his flesh. His eyes open and he sits up, absently touching his neck where the mark of two spectral hands endures. His eyes widen. "Alvornux!" Vorn nods. "Greetings, Thorald. It is good that you had the forethought to die so close to my dwelling." Thorald scrambles to his feet, ignoring for the moment the insistent questions from his companions. "Now for the elf," says Vorn, and Kalenthas repeats the words over Mystarion’s body.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Mystarion is floating in a formless mist – doubtless the Astral Plane, judging from the uniform gray and consistent lighting. He is content to drift for a time, but then a tremendous shape looms out of the fog. He watches as a stone fortress approaches, drawbridge up, ramparts empty. It grows closer, and closer – and then from within, a sound of deep thunder issues, and the stone seems to darken. At that moment, he feels the tug of life from Kalenthas. He pauses a moment, drawn to this fortress, but it’s almost sinister appearance makes his decision for him. He returns to life, hearing the strange rushing of his own blood as it begins to flow once more.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Mystarion rises without comment. Vorn declares that the rest of the group should return to the village while he completes his business with the two volunteers. They take his advice and depart. Over the next several hours, Alvornux enacts a magical ceremony over one, then the other. They feel a cool magical power flow into them as he inscribes a mystic tattoo on the backs of their shoulders. When at last he is complete, it is dark outside. "There are two things I would say before I depart," he says. "Firstly, should you travel through the lands of the great dragon Sygwerdan, keep these symbols hidden –- for should he learn that you possess them, he can use them as easily as I can to spy on you." Mystarion and Leilen roll their eyes, but Vorn does not deign to notice. "Secondly: should you actually encounter the dragon, I would suggest that you say nothing of my visit to lands bound by his Treaty. I am certain he would take a dim view of such a breach, and would likely perceive you as my accomplices, given the symbols you now bear." Vorn continues to ignore the expressions of dismay on the pair as he accompanies them back to the village. Mystarion wants to know what plans Vorn has in store for them, and for Thorald in particular. Vorn chuckles. "I am sure he will tell you both, as soon as he figures it out for himself." He will say no more. As they reach the edge of the village, he bids them farewell, and disappears. A swift downdraft of wind blows over them, and Alvornux is gone.</p><p></p><p>Back in the village, there is a mighty party being held for the victors in the battle against the hobgoblins. Magnimiliar presents the chieftain, Carl Alding, with much silver, some gold, and a few pieces of amber. Many toasts are made, many drinks are downed, and many songs are sung. Zook, sitting at the table, sees a golden gnome seated across from him. "Defending an innocent and attacking a dragon was very brave. Garl likes bravery. You did good." The gnome winks and grows blurry; Zook blinks his eyes, and the hefty human warrior seated across from him grabs him by the shoulders and shakes. "Wake up, little one!" </p><p></p><p>As the rest of the group celebrates, Leilen and Mystarion examine the magical items they have found. Mystarion examines the circlet: the phrase is from the Sylvan tongue, and translates: "Trust Me". After enjoying a good laugh, he settles down and allows Leilen to <em>Identify </em>the circlet along with the other items:</p><p></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>5 unlabelled potions: </strong>(4 are identical <em>Potions of Bull’s Strength</em>, brown and thick; 1 is a clear beige <em>Potion of Feign Death</em>. "So <em>that’s</em> what the wizard did!&quot <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>1 suit of Studded Leather:</strong> <em>+1</em> <em>Studded Leather of Light Fortification</em></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>1 parchment, tied around a rock:</strong> Target of an <em>Explosive Runes</em> spell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Several Gems</strong> (a colorless sapphire worth around 1000gp, a white opal worth around 400, and five pieces of amber worth around 30 each)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Silver Circlet</strong> (a <em>Circlet of Persuasion</em>)</li> </ul><p>Magnimiliar immediately offers to forgo anything else he would be entitled to from the treasure, in exchange for the circlet. The group agrees. Jonetello takes the Studded Leather, the potions are distributed amongst the melee fighters, and the gold is divided up. Elbryn and Mystarion donate the majority of their shares to Kanavin, to assist him in his struggle to clear his name and regain his title and lands.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Galfridus, post: 1137, member: 119"] [b]Hobgoblin's Revenge[/b] [b]Hullashfjord, October 23, LE 653[/b] Unfortunately, though the hobgoblin spellcaster has fallen, his spell has not. Elbryn notices that Thorald’s face is turning a deep blue and tries to open his windpipe, but an unseen force keeps pressing down. As Thorald gasps his final breath, his throat reddens with the mark of two spectral hands. Kalenthas tries a healing spell, but to no avail. The group pauses briefly out of respect for the fallen wizard. Leilen collects a set of items that seem to radiate magic: [list][*][b]5 unlabelled potions [/b](4 are identical, brown and thick; 1 is a clear beige) [*][b]1 suit of Studded Leather[/b] [*][b]1 parchment, tied around a rock [/b](thrown at Jonetello during the fight)[/list] There is some debate over whether to head back to town and rest (which might allow the hobgoblins to retake this position) or to press onward and risk a battle at less than full strength. Magnimiliar scouts ahead and reports (through Leilen, who finds him and returns) that another earthen embankment is about a mile up the road. This one has a series of poles with what looks like strips of cloth tied between them, and a couple unmistakable hobgoblin figures standing guard. There also appears to be a flock of sheep just outside the wall. Kanavin and Mystarion question the captive, who seems unwilling to talk. At last, the group decides to press forward, taking the heads of the hobgoblin leader and spellcaster with them as "negotiation incentives". Elbryn goes to behead the spellcaster – and is startled when he sits up and tries to [i]Daze[/i] Elbryn! A brief battle ensues; this time, the hobgoblin wizard is slain for good. (The group makes sure no one else is pretending either.) This incident seems to sway the captive, who reveals that all of the hobgoblin leadership has no been slain, and that only ten or fifteen footsoldiers remain at the camp, but promises that many more are waiting in the mountains. Kanavin promises the hobgoblin his freedom if his facts are true. After mounting the two hobgoblin heads atop polearms, the group advances on the main camp. Fortunately for them, the hobgoblin was not lying. As they approach (emerging from behind a blast from the [i]Horn of Fog[/i], hobgoblin heads presented prominently), they are greeted by a barrage of arrows from the three hobgoblins brave enough to fight, while nine or so others can be seen trying to sneak through the flock of sheep to safety. Before anyone else can react, Mystarion charges forward and cuts loose with a [i]Lightning Bolt[/i], frying three hobgoblins and ensuring an ample supply of cooked mutton for dinner that evening. As the rest of the group advances to give support, the three hobgoblins on the wall decide they have made their point and turn to run as well. All are killed save for one which escapes into the hills, and one which Elbryn grapples and takes captive. As the fight winds down, Magnimilar and Leilen climb a wooden barrier blocking the road into the hobgoblin main camp. They see a human-sized hut as well as several low lean-tos erected over trenches dug into the hill. Leilen searches the lean-tos, while Magnimiliar heads for the hut. Inside, he sees a pair of beds, a table, and a small chest, as well as a beautiful, ornate scroll case (emanating magic) lying atop one of the beds. After checking for traps, he opens the chest to find a wealth of treasure: [list][*][b]1159 gp, 780 sp, 39 pp[/b] [*][b]Several Gems[/b] (a colorless sapphire, a white opal, and five pieces of amber) [*][b]Silver Circlet[/b] (magical, with the phrase "Hennit Ta" inscribed on the inside)[/list] Outside, Kanavin and Elbryn interrogate the new prisoner. He is quite willing to talk, suggesting that the hobgoblins would pay a generous ransom for his return. Kanavin is inclined to doubt this, but believes him when he says that this was the last of the hobgoblins deployed atop the ridge: the sentries to the west and north had been recalled, and everyone else was sent east to fight. Elbryn ties the hobgoblin securely until they are ready to depart. As Magnimiliar finishes his search, Mystarion enters the hut. His eye immediately wanders to the pretty scroll case, and he opens it, revealing a single piece of parchment inside. He unrolls the parchment and reads… Magnimiliar, distracted by the other treasures in the room, is just beginning to form the "N" in "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" when the [i]Explosive Runes [/i]detonate. Those outside see gouts of fire burst from the windows and doorway of the hut, followed by a lightly smoking figure (Magnimiliar) who dusts himself off and walks away. Inside, Mystarion lies in charred and deadly silence. Kalenthas rushes in and tries a healing spell, but to no avail. "Well, this sucks!" he announces, and no one seems to disagree. The group sets the heads of the goblin leader and wizard atop two of the poles, then plasters the camp with threats (in Goblin) should any hobgoblins return to the site. They gather what treasure they can find, release the prisoner, and begin the trek back to town, lugging Mystarion’s body with them. On the way back through the battle site, they pick up Thorald’s corpse, and release the other captured hobgoblin. Shortly after descending the switchbacks into the valley, they become aware of a strange wind blowing down from above them. Unlike before, this wind is rhythmic, coming and going every few seconds or so. "It’s the hobgoblin’s pet chimera," someone quips – and then a old man appears on the path in front of them, dressed in robes of dark purple and carrying an ornate staff with an enormous ruby set in the top. The wind dies down. Kalenthas starts to say something, then furrows his brow, confused. "Are you companions of Thorald Stone?" the man asks, peering around them at the two corpses they are carrying. "Who wants to know?" a couple people ask. "You may call me Vorn," the man replies, still looking at the bodies. "I have business with Thorald Stone." "Are you a friend of [i]Kelon[/i]", Jonetello asks, infusing his rapier with magical power. Vorn seems to ignore the comment. Magnimiliar, standing toward the back, seems doubtful. "How do we know who you are? You could be a hobgoblin in disguise!" Vorn smiles briefly, and his form begins to shift. "I could indeed," he declares, as his features become one of a tall, snarling hobgoblin. He begins to move toward Magnimiliar, focused if not menacing. Jonetello draws his rapier and advances toward Vorn, who sweeps his staff downward, shattering the rapier. Jonetello draws a short sword and attacks as Vorn moves away. His strike draws blood, but Vorn does not seem to notice. He advances on Magnimiliar, who promptly runs through the group as fast as his feet can carry him. From behind, Jonetello hurls a flask of alchemist’s fire, which sets Vorn aflame; but again, he takes little heed. He frowns a moment as Magnimiliar flees, then begins to shift once more. A faint purple glow surrounds him as he grows…and grows…and grows, into a tremendous dragon of light purple hue (causing everyone but Zook to shake in their boots with fear). With a swift wingbeat, he glides over the group to land next to Magnimiliar. Elbryn [i]Creates Water[/i] with his breastplate, putting out the alchemist’s fire and hoping to placate the beast. Magnimiliar turns on his heel and runs the other way – but this time, the dragon is too fast, and pounces on him with both foreclaws. However, Vorn turns his talons away from the helpless rogue, battering him greatly but doing no lasting damage (14 subdual). Zook, seeing a helpless and innocent man trapped, charges the dragon and strikes, but his blow glances off the dragon’s scaly hide. Vorn pauses, then in a halo of purple light, returns to human form once more, staff still in hand. "I think that is enough," he says, and none of the group seems to disagree. After a moment of uneasy silence, he continues. "I would…examine Thorald Stone." "Why? "What for?" asks the group. "Because I wish to." "Can you tell use why?" Vorn smiles briefly. "I could tell you, but I will not." He steps forward to Thorald, and no one tries to stop him. He leans down and pulls Thorald’s robe aside at the shoulder, revealing a pale purple tattoo. Leilen recognizes the tattoo as magical, but has never seen anything remotely like it in the past. Vorn turns to his staff. "I cannot bring these two back to life, but [i]he[/i] can," he says, turning to Kalenthas. "This is a Staff of…" "--A Staff of Life!" Kalenthas exclaims, foolishly interrupting Vorn. "It’s…it’s a holy staff of Pelor, and it can heal you or bring…bring you back from the dead." He falls into a reverent silence, looking meaningfully at the rest of the group. Vorn indicates that he will return Thorald and Mystarion from the dead, but requires two volunteers in exchange. Each will receive a tattoo like Thorald’s. In response to repeated inquiries, Vorn will only say that the tattoos allow him to view the bearers from afar. He also says that he may call on each bearer once to perform a favor. Mystarion will be one of the volunteers; after a short discussion, Leilen steps forward as the other. * * * Thorald finds himself in a formless grey fog, lit from all directions. He drifts for more time than he can measure, or no time at all – there is little way to tell. Eventually, he recalls his companions, and the choking hands at his throat, and concludes he must be dead. After a while longer, he perceives a shadow in the mist, a form that is slowly approaching him. Eventually he can make out the shape of a tree, rooted in a small hillside. Underneath, roots emerge from the dirt and trail off into nothingness. An old man is seated at the base of the tree, watching as Thorald draws closer. "You are a psion," the man says without preamble. Thorald is caught off-guard. "Yes, I am," he says, surprised. They talk briefly, and the subject quickly becomes the Order of Ardinor. "I have not been able to find Ardinor, though I have been looking for some time," says Thorald. The man chuckles. "I imagine that they would find you." Thorald shakes his head. "In my time, the Tataiafar Empire is no more, and Ardinor is lost," he says. The man seems surprised. "Really? Do you wish to know more about Ardinor?" Thorald’s eyes bug out, and he gives a civil nod at the prospect of satisfying a quest which he has come to realize represents the purpose for which he was exiled from his village, trained by an amethyst dragon, and transported across the planes. "Yes," he manages to speak aloud. The man sighs. "The Knight Order of Ardinor," he muses. "The most important thing about the Order of Ardinor is…" [i][…We interrupt this program to bring you an urgent Resurrection…] [/i] The man’s words fade into nothingness as Thorald feels a strange tug: at the end of a tunnel of light, he sees Kalenthas Thistleberry, priest of Pelor and follower of the cause of good, calling him to return to life. He hesitates for an agony-filled moment, then accepts the call, feeling the pressures of mortality return as his spirit flees the Astral and floods onto the Prime. * * * Kalenthas stands over Thorald’s body, listening as Vorn whispers in his ear. He speaks several words of power, and the staff begins to glow. The glow drifts down over Thorald, closing his wounds and restoring color to his flesh. His eyes open and he sits up, absently touching his neck where the mark of two spectral hands endures. His eyes widen. "Alvornux!" Vorn nods. "Greetings, Thorald. It is good that you had the forethought to die so close to my dwelling." Thorald scrambles to his feet, ignoring for the moment the insistent questions from his companions. "Now for the elf," says Vorn, and Kalenthas repeats the words over Mystarion’s body. * * * Mystarion is floating in a formless mist – doubtless the Astral Plane, judging from the uniform gray and consistent lighting. He is content to drift for a time, but then a tremendous shape looms out of the fog. He watches as a stone fortress approaches, drawbridge up, ramparts empty. It grows closer, and closer – and then from within, a sound of deep thunder issues, and the stone seems to darken. At that moment, he feels the tug of life from Kalenthas. He pauses a moment, drawn to this fortress, but it’s almost sinister appearance makes his decision for him. He returns to life, hearing the strange rushing of his own blood as it begins to flow once more. * * * Mystarion rises without comment. Vorn declares that the rest of the group should return to the village while he completes his business with the two volunteers. They take his advice and depart. Over the next several hours, Alvornux enacts a magical ceremony over one, then the other. They feel a cool magical power flow into them as he inscribes a mystic tattoo on the backs of their shoulders. When at last he is complete, it is dark outside. "There are two things I would say before I depart," he says. "Firstly, should you travel through the lands of the great dragon Sygwerdan, keep these symbols hidden –- for should he learn that you possess them, he can use them as easily as I can to spy on you." Mystarion and Leilen roll their eyes, but Vorn does not deign to notice. "Secondly: should you actually encounter the dragon, I would suggest that you say nothing of my visit to lands bound by his Treaty. I am certain he would take a dim view of such a breach, and would likely perceive you as my accomplices, given the symbols you now bear." Vorn continues to ignore the expressions of dismay on the pair as he accompanies them back to the village. Mystarion wants to know what plans Vorn has in store for them, and for Thorald in particular. Vorn chuckles. "I am sure he will tell you both, as soon as he figures it out for himself." He will say no more. As they reach the edge of the village, he bids them farewell, and disappears. A swift downdraft of wind blows over them, and Alvornux is gone. Back in the village, there is a mighty party being held for the victors in the battle against the hobgoblins. Magnimiliar presents the chieftain, Carl Alding, with much silver, some gold, and a few pieces of amber. Many toasts are made, many drinks are downed, and many songs are sung. Zook, sitting at the table, sees a golden gnome seated across from him. "Defending an innocent and attacking a dragon was very brave. Garl likes bravery. You did good." The gnome winks and grows blurry; Zook blinks his eyes, and the hefty human warrior seated across from him grabs him by the shoulders and shakes. "Wake up, little one!" As the rest of the group celebrates, Leilen and Mystarion examine the magical items they have found. Mystarion examines the circlet: the phrase is from the Sylvan tongue, and translates: "Trust Me". After enjoying a good laugh, he settles down and allows Leilen to [i]Identify [/i]the circlet along with the other items: [list][*][b]5 unlabelled potions: [/b](4 are identical [i]Potions of Bull’s Strength[/i], brown and thick; 1 is a clear beige [i]Potion of Feign Death[/i]. "So [i]that’s[/i] what the wizard did!" ;) [*][b]1 suit of Studded Leather:[/b] [i]+1[/i] [i]Studded Leather of Light Fortification[/i] [*][b]1 parchment, tied around a rock:[/b] Target of an [i]Explosive Runes[/i] spell [*][b]Several Gems[/b] (a colorless sapphire worth around 1000gp, a white opal worth around 400, and five pieces of amber worth around 30 each) [*][b]Silver Circlet[/b] (a [i]Circlet of Persuasion[/i])[/list] Magnimiliar immediately offers to forgo anything else he would be entitled to from the treasure, in exchange for the circlet. The group agrees. Jonetello takes the Studded Leather, the potions are distributed amongst the melee fighters, and the gold is divided up. Elbryn and Mystarion donate the majority of their shares to Kanavin, to assist him in his struggle to clear his name and regain his title and lands. [/QUOTE]
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