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Shadows of Greatness, a Forgotten Realms campaign UPDATED February 1, 2008
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<blockquote data-quote="Hedrin" data-source="post: 2472134" data-attributes="member: 31867"><p><strong>A once proud steed brought low</strong></p><p></p><p>There must be a trickster god out there somewhere, just floating around waiting to grant the fondest wishes of those mortals he chooses as "bless". As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for.</p><p> </p><p>Heading back to Camber we were rebuffed by how much the river had raised and deemed it safest to add a day or two onto our journey and use the fjord a ways up the river. After that the road back to Camber took us near the Winterwoods. Last time we were by here I thought I had seen Califax in forest, but no one else did, and he left no tracks in passing so I'm not sure what I saw. This time I kept my eye out for any signs of his presence hoping to see any marks of his passage, and was surprised when I saw him galloping towards us. I yelled "There he is!" to my friends and spurred my little mare Shadowcast forward. </p><p> </p><p>I slowed my horse when we closed the distance and he veered off suddenly from me. I assumed he wanted me to follow and I did. However he soon outdistanced my mare and turned back towards me only to veer off again in another direction. By this time Rock had caught up and was yelling at me. It took a moment for his words to sink in and to realize that I was the only one seeing Califax. While I was stopped again, and Rock was yelling at me, I came to the conclusion that Califax was not veering off in any specific direction. It seemed almost random.</p><p> </p><p>I dismounted and walked towards where Califax was approaching. He didn't slow, but knowing him as well as I do, I could imagine him trying to test my nerve, so I walked towards him still, confident he would stop in time. He did stop, but only to pirouette suddenly and land a staggering back kick to my chest. OWWWW!!!!!</p><p> </p><p>I stood there stunned for a moment, but unslung the shield I had on my back. I didn't want him to do that again. I approached him to find out what was the matter when he reared up and slashed out at me with his hooves. Lot of good my shield work did! People told me later that no one could see him until he attacked me and then he appeared to everyone. Erim and Phaele talked later about some form of invisibility, but then why could I see him? Anyway, other stuff was going on, but I didn't even really notice, I was so focused on Califax.</p><p> </p><p>I called for the Dawn Light that Lathander has granted me use of, and attacked him with the Searing Light of Dawn. I am told I yelled something out at this point about him not truly being Califax and people started attacking him. How could he be and still attack the loyal daughter of his master? </p><p> </p><p>Again he lashed out at me with his back kick to great effect and I burned him again. Then he wheeled around and slashed out with hooves and his great biting mouth. He was wearing me down quickly and I came to the conclusion that the only spot I might be "safe" was on his back. If you knew Califax, you'd know why I qualified that word. With that monster of a warhorse, no where would be safe.</p><p></p><p>Coming close to him was a risk as it gave him the chance to kick at me again, which he did, but I was able to vault onto his back anyway. Clinging to his mane for dear life as he didn't wear either saddle or bridle, he charged out of the clearing and into the Winterwoods. </p><p> </p><p>I managed to hang on for a time, dodging and ducking to escape the branches that reached out to snag me. In the end I didn't even see the one that unhorsed me. One moment I was on Califax, the next a great branch grabbed the back of the neck opening of my armor and I was sprawled on the ground. </p><p> </p><p>He turned and charged back at me, and lashed out at me with that devastating back kick of his. I felt the world dim for a moment, but then felt the healing Renewal of Lathander suffuse my weary body and I kept my feet. However I knew I was in bad shape and I couldn't rely on that again today, but by this time Nekaya and Telimnar had reached me and Nekaya used her healing one me to my great relief. I backed away and healed myself quickly as Nekaya and Telimnar interposed their horses between Califax and myself. Nekaya's hakra and Telimnar's swords flashed brightly in the sunlight, doing much damage to Califax. I tried to remount him, but being the wily veteran he wasn't about to be fooled by that move twice. His back kick dashed me to the ground and my head was still spinning when I tried to mount him. He twisted out from under me but I was able to keep my feet. The fight ranged on with the three huge horses and fragile little me. Califax tried again and again unsuccessfully to break through the defenses of the other two horses. My light lashed out at Califax again, but to no effect. </p><p> </p><p>Nekaya yelled at me to remind me of Califax's connection with Lathander. With my ribs on fire and my head ringing, I hadn't been thinking straight. Being father's horse and his being blessed of Lathander, I knew she was right and I had to try.</p><p> </p><p>I found an opening in the weaving wall of horseflesh and strode towards Califax. I pulled forth the Lathander amulet that I was father's final gift to me and called upon Lathander to channel his power through me. "I call forth the power of Lathander. Begone evil spirit, begone... Califax."</p><p> </p><p>The last startled me. I had meant to say, "...begone image of Califax." But I think I knew in my heart that this was truly father's proud steed. His companion of many years, many battles, and the responsibility he had left behind for me. The responsibility I gave over to another. </p><p> </p><p>Califax screamed and reared up as Lathander's influence hit him. His eyes rolled in his head as his lips curled back showing impossible amounts of teeth. Foam and blood shook from his flanks and spittle flew out of his mouth as his head shook from side to side. Then, like a daydream, he faded and was no more. </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p>I'm sorry. I can't write any more.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hedrin, post: 2472134, member: 31867"] [b]A once proud steed brought low[/b] There must be a trickster god out there somewhere, just floating around waiting to grant the fondest wishes of those mortals he chooses as "bless". As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Heading back to Camber we were rebuffed by how much the river had raised and deemed it safest to add a day or two onto our journey and use the fjord a ways up the river. After that the road back to Camber took us near the Winterwoods. Last time we were by here I thought I had seen Califax in forest, but no one else did, and he left no tracks in passing so I'm not sure what I saw. This time I kept my eye out for any signs of his presence hoping to see any marks of his passage, and was surprised when I saw him galloping towards us. I yelled "There he is!" to my friends and spurred my little mare Shadowcast forward. I slowed my horse when we closed the distance and he veered off suddenly from me. I assumed he wanted me to follow and I did. However he soon outdistanced my mare and turned back towards me only to veer off again in another direction. By this time Rock had caught up and was yelling at me. It took a moment for his words to sink in and to realize that I was the only one seeing Califax. While I was stopped again, and Rock was yelling at me, I came to the conclusion that Califax was not veering off in any specific direction. It seemed almost random. I dismounted and walked towards where Califax was approaching. He didn't slow, but knowing him as well as I do, I could imagine him trying to test my nerve, so I walked towards him still, confident he would stop in time. He did stop, but only to pirouette suddenly and land a staggering back kick to my chest. OWWWW!!!!! I stood there stunned for a moment, but unslung the shield I had on my back. I didn't want him to do that again. I approached him to find out what was the matter when he reared up and slashed out at me with his hooves. Lot of good my shield work did! People told me later that no one could see him until he attacked me and then he appeared to everyone. Erim and Phaele talked later about some form of invisibility, but then why could I see him? Anyway, other stuff was going on, but I didn't even really notice, I was so focused on Califax. I called for the Dawn Light that Lathander has granted me use of, and attacked him with the Searing Light of Dawn. I am told I yelled something out at this point about him not truly being Califax and people started attacking him. How could he be and still attack the loyal daughter of his master? Again he lashed out at me with his back kick to great effect and I burned him again. Then he wheeled around and slashed out with hooves and his great biting mouth. He was wearing me down quickly and I came to the conclusion that the only spot I might be "safe" was on his back. If you knew Califax, you'd know why I qualified that word. With that monster of a warhorse, no where would be safe. Coming close to him was a risk as it gave him the chance to kick at me again, which he did, but I was able to vault onto his back anyway. Clinging to his mane for dear life as he didn't wear either saddle or bridle, he charged out of the clearing and into the Winterwoods. I managed to hang on for a time, dodging and ducking to escape the branches that reached out to snag me. In the end I didn't even see the one that unhorsed me. One moment I was on Califax, the next a great branch grabbed the back of the neck opening of my armor and I was sprawled on the ground. He turned and charged back at me, and lashed out at me with that devastating back kick of his. I felt the world dim for a moment, but then felt the healing Renewal of Lathander suffuse my weary body and I kept my feet. However I knew I was in bad shape and I couldn't rely on that again today, but by this time Nekaya and Telimnar had reached me and Nekaya used her healing one me to my great relief. I backed away and healed myself quickly as Nekaya and Telimnar interposed their horses between Califax and myself. Nekaya's hakra and Telimnar's swords flashed brightly in the sunlight, doing much damage to Califax. I tried to remount him, but being the wily veteran he wasn't about to be fooled by that move twice. His back kick dashed me to the ground and my head was still spinning when I tried to mount him. He twisted out from under me but I was able to keep my feet. The fight ranged on with the three huge horses and fragile little me. Califax tried again and again unsuccessfully to break through the defenses of the other two horses. My light lashed out at Califax again, but to no effect. Nekaya yelled at me to remind me of Califax's connection with Lathander. With my ribs on fire and my head ringing, I hadn't been thinking straight. Being father's horse and his being blessed of Lathander, I knew she was right and I had to try. I found an opening in the weaving wall of horseflesh and strode towards Califax. I pulled forth the Lathander amulet that I was father's final gift to me and called upon Lathander to channel his power through me. "I call forth the power of Lathander. Begone evil spirit, begone... Califax." The last startled me. I had meant to say, "...begone image of Califax." But I think I knew in my heart that this was truly father's proud steed. His companion of many years, many battles, and the responsibility he had left behind for me. The responsibility I gave over to another. Califax screamed and reared up as Lathander's influence hit him. His eyes rolled in his head as his lips curled back showing impossible amounts of teeth. Foam and blood shook from his flanks and spittle flew out of his mouth as his head shook from side to side. Then, like a daydream, he faded and was no more. I'm sorry. I can't write any more. [/QUOTE]
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