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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5528195" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p><strong>Joy to the Pearl</strong></p><p></p><p>No sooner had our battered, bruised and nearly bereft of spells band hunkered down for the night when they all bolted up right at the sound.</p><p> </p><p> “AWOOOOOOOOOOooooo.”</p><p> </p><p> It hauntingly eerie howl echoed through the night. The sound unlike that of a normal wolf or dog, a preternatural edge sent chills down the spines of everyone.</p><p> </p><p> “They are not far off.” Erevan stated. None questioned the veracity of his elvin ears.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria’s face showed visible concern in the shimmering silver and green light from the waning greater and waxing lesser moons. Her ability to work any serious magic was spent for the day and if these were, indeed, the hellhounds they had seen earlier, she knew she had not the strength to stave off such supernatural creatures. Reluctantly, she drew the slender white wand from its holster and began barking orders.</p><p> </p><p> “Braddok, sever the line. Trihna, get us out of here.” Said the magess.</p><p> </p><p> “We are beached, Alaria. I will not be able to…”the priestess replied apologetically.</p><p> </p><p> “Use the pearl!” commanded Alaria.</p><p> </p><p> Taken aback by the curt command, Trihna did take up the sacred orb of her faith and sat beside the tiller with it in her lap. She closed her eyes and almost immediately, the flickering blue-white light within the pearl began to pulse.</p><p> </p><p> Braddok, Erevan and Coerraine readied weapons at the boat’s prow, scanning the tree line for their expected arrivals.</p><p> </p><p> “They don’t like the water, do they Alaria. Maybe we’ll be safe here on the boat?” Haelan questioned wearily. The daelvar cleric from the Free Hollows had had about all of the adventure he could stand the past couple of days. Harpies, hellhounds and a watery hydra was plenty enough for him.</p><p> </p><p> “I’d rather we be safe than sorry, Haelen.” answered Alaria without looking at the halfling.</p><p> </p><p> “AWOOOOOOOOO….” Came the cry again. Even non-elvin ears could tell it was definitely closer than the first. Again chills went through the group in anticipation of a battle they had little hope of winning.</p><p> </p><p> As the sound of the waves around them seemed to increase, everyone watching the beach steeled themselves as a pair, then two, of bright orange flaming eyes could be seen in the shadowed forest.</p><p> </p><p> “Whenever you’re ready, Trihna.” Shouted Braddok from the prow.</p><p> </p><p> The sea priestess seemed not to notice. Her face was passive, eyes closed and lips whispering some chant to her ocean mother the others could not hear.</p><p> </p><p> “Maybe you could use this, boss.” Offered Duor. The magess turned to the dwarf holding out the crystalline orb he had pilfered from the other altar in their hasty retreat.</p><p> </p><p> “I don’t know what it is or does, Duor.” Alaria replied in annoyance. Honestly, she thought, does the dwarf not understand anything about the workings of the arcane?</p><p> </p><p> “Well I don’t either! Give it a shot!” said the dwarf. The worry in his voice caught Alaria by surprise and she turned in sympathy to take the orb from him.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria could feel the energies pulsing about the device and a swirl of wind seemed to surround her for a moment. Then the wind all around the ship grew and rose, coming off of the water. The sound of crashing waves increased more and the ship lurched up as the increading sea gathered beneath the vessel.</p><p> </p><p> Just as the two black hounds burst from the treeline, their flaming eyes and maws seared the souls of the party with fear, the wind turned to come off of the land. The ship lurched again as a great swell of water and strong wind heaved the small ship out into the cover andbeyond the breaking waves.</p><p> </p><p> The hounds stopped just short of the waterline. One yelped in fear, and perhaps pain, as the edge of a wave washed over its flaming paws.</p><p> </p><p> The hellhounds let out a combinations of frustrated barks and howls at their prey, far beyond their reach in the accursed water.</p><p> </p><p> “Blessed be Her depths.” Said Haelan loudly with a broad smile at Trihna. The priestess smiled back at the halfling, “Well said, brother Hilltender.” She turned to Coerraine and Braddok, “Raise the sail if you would, brave warriors. It seems we shall be departing this night, afterall. Erevan, might you be able to take the tiller for a while. I am so very tired.”</p><p> </p><p> With a deep bow, “It would be my pleasure, Waverider. You’ve done your goddess, and we, great service this day.”</p><p></p><p></p><p> Trihna nodded weakly and smiled. She rested herself below the aft section and as she was passing off to blissful sleep, a light hand ws on her shoulder.</p><p> </p><p> She turned to see Alaria’s face. “Thank you, Trihna.” Said the wizardess.</p><p> </p><p> Again, Trihna smiled weakly and simply said, “Blessed be Her depths, magess.”</p><p> </p><p> The night dragged on and hours later, the two moons low in the sky, Trihna was back at the tiller. The elf had not slept that she had noticed. Instead, he had been at the prow since she had risen, scanning the sea and sky. She had mused at the breezes causing his silver grey hair to flow and glitter in the moonlight, almost like waves itself. She discreetly got Erevan’s attention, not needing to make much sound to catch the elf’s ears notice. With his inherent grace and balance, he wove his way through their sleeping companions to the back of the ship.</p><p> </p><p> When he’d arrived, Trihna said softly, “Do you see there, master elf? That bank before us…can you senses pierce the fog?”</p><p> </p><p> Erevan turned to the large fog bank on their horizon. “I am afeared not, Waverider. Though it seems peaceful and quiet and lovely in the moonlight.” His violet eyes turned to the human priestess and he smiled a small smile on his handsome ageless face.</p><p> </p><p> “Lovely, it is.” Admitted Trihna, not seeming to notice the elf’s flirtation. “But that is where we should be coming upon Shoal. The temple should be in view though I see nothing but the mist.”</p><p> </p><p> “You sense some doom has befallen your village.” Erevan stated. It was not meant as a question.</p><p> </p><p> “I do not. The Shoal Spirit and Tidemaster Kama keep the village safe…”the priestess paused a moment, “Though I can not, in my life there, recall ever seeing a fog over our waters.”</p><p> </p><p> “While I dare not suppose to know your waters better than you, in my homeland, a morning mist is quite common.” Replied Erevan. “In fact, they are an almost daily pleasure. The young of my people use them to play a game that helps to train and heighten the vaunted “elvin senses” you humans are so fond of remarking about.” Erevan smiled again. “Do you think we should stop here?” he asked. “Surely, in the morning sun, they will disperse.” </p><p> </p><p> “Perhaps that would be wise.” Trihna replied. Again, she seemed to be paying the elf’s subtle displays of interest no mind. She left the helm and tossed the small anchor overboard.</p><p> </p><p> Erevan turned to again look to the fog. Perhaps, he mused, the water priestesses are not allowed the pleasures of the body. He understood many of those in religious orders seemed to be denied the pleasure in human lands. A sacrifice of their bodies to their respective deities, as Erevan had once been told. A sacrifice, indeed, thought Erevan. But he did not press the issue and returned to his place at the prow.</p><p> </p><p> Dawn came and the sun rose to mid-morning. The fog did not disperse. Nor, noted Erevan, had its position or size changed at all in the increasing heat of the day. It was, unquestionably, not naturally formed. After some discussion, and Trihna’s assurances that she could unerringly direct them back to the temple, it was decided that the party would press forward. </p><p> A short time passed and the small ship came out of the fog bank into the bright sunny day, in full view of the village and the temple of Tyris upon the high rocky outcropping. Alaria studied the fog from the “inside” and could see that it seemed to create a ring, extending beyond the shoal, to encicrle the waters beyond the village.</p><p> </p><p> As they neared the temple dock, they could see a throng assembled. The long white beard of Tidemaster Kama was unmistakeable, even at a distance. The high priest was flanked by his twin acolytes. Several others, most in the blue and green wraps and robes of Tyrisian garb, were there also.</p><p> </p><p> “Hail to the champions of Tyris!” proclaimed Kama. A great cheer went up as the ship pulled up to the dock. Dihm and Suhm, the twins, leapt aboard the ship and deftly secured lines as another lesser cleric laid out a gang plank for the returning adventurers.</p><p> </p><p> The group disembarked to more cheers and adulations.</p><p> </p><p> “Tyris, blessed be Her depths, is greatly pleased by your success, brave souls. The Shoal Spirit reported the taint of the crab-demons are gone from our waters. You have done us a great service.” Tidemaster Kama proclaimed.</p><p> </p><p> “We are humbled by your praise, Tidemaster. But, I fear, we could not have succeeded without Waverider Trihna’s excellent aid.” Alaria replied and stood aside as Trihna presented the black pearl to the Tidemaster.</p><p> </p><p> As the aged priest took the artifact tears formed in his eyes. He stared at the pearl for a moment before turning to the crowd and raising it above his head. “Praise to the heroes of Shoal. Praise to the Ocean Mother. Long blessed be Her depths!” </p><p> </p><p> “Blessed be Her depths.” Came the communal response. Then the crowd swarmed the heroes and as a wave of humanity, led them back up the outcropping to the temple grounds with great cheer, dancing as the music of woodwinds and flutes rose from somewhere in the assembled crowd.</p><p> </p><p> The companions were taken to quarters within the temple to wash and clean themselves as a lavish feast was prepared and brought out. All members of the village were present with much music and dancing, drinking and merry-making both around the temple and in the village below. </p><p> </p><p> News of the heroes return spread quickly and soon Elder Bundo and the other Elders arrived at the temple’s courtyard to share their respectful thanks and congratulations to Alaria and her band.</p><p> </p><p> As pleased with the reception as Alaria was, she was ever mindful of the work before them. She repectfully requested the use of the temple library and Tidemaster Kama’s help in identifying the magical items they’d found. She also wished to speak to him about the other strange orb, its properties and purpose in that evil place.</p><p> </p><p> Tidemaster Kama granted her request for access to the temple’s limited resources and simply smiled in reply to the R’Hathi mage’s next barrage of questions.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Finally, he said, “My dear young wizard of R’Hath, your thoughtfulness is to be admired. However, you must learn to enjoy the ride of the waves when they crest. ‘Ere they are lost on the ebbing tide.” The elder priest winked at Alaria with a smile and raised his goblet of sweet wine to her.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria smiled in response and clinked his goblet with her own. “Indeed, Tidemaster. I apologize for any unintended insult. The festivities and hospitality you have shown us are most welcomed.”</p><p> </p><p> “You have returned to us a great treasure, Alaria.” Kama replied. “As you shall to many others.”</p><p> </p><p> “Indeed? Has the Shoal Spirit told you this, Tidemaster?” asked Alaria in mild jest.</p><p> </p><p> Kama leaned in close and whispered in the magess’ ear, “Not all treasures are of gold and magic, after all.” With a smile and nod of a bow, the long-bearded cleric turned and disappeared into the crowd.</p><p> </p><p> The following day, Alaria spent her time with Tidemaster Kama and the young priest in charge of the temple’s library pouring through scrolls and tomes and casting various divinations on the items she knew to be enchanted, including the dagger that Duor had reluctantly turned over for examination.</p><p> </p><p> Braddok, Coerrine and Haelan went down to the village to take up the shopkeeper, Patty, on his offer to resupply the band insofar as his wares could.</p><p> </p><p> Fen explored the village nd its surrounding woods, stopping often to chat with the locals about the various plants and herbs to be found so near the coast.</p><p> </p><p> Duor nursed his hangover with the remains of the ale leftover from the previous day’s festivities. It was a watery concoction, but enough of it did the job. The rest of his time was spent wandering the temple and waiting for Alaria to return his new prized weapon.</p><p> </p><p> By the end of the day, it had been determined that the potions in the small coffer included one to heal, one that could neutralize poisons of all types and the electrum flask embossed with vines had something to do with the growing of plants…though, Kama apologized, they could not specify exactly its use or application. All of the vials in the coffer were above average size for such elixirs and the temple’s librarian supposed there were two or three draughts of each liquid.</p><p> </p><p> As to the hematite ring it could only be discerned of being protective in nature. Alaria donned the ring as her own. After an initial tingle as the magic of the ring flowed over her body, the magess felt nothing.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Haelan’s shield and Duor’s dagger were each shown to possess the mildest of enchantments, though the dagger possess something “more.” </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Of the crystalline orb found with the pearl, they were unable to discern any specific properties...other than it was, most definitely, enchanted and contained magic of a magnitude significantly higher than their other treasures.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Kama and the librarian were very sorry their expertise could not be more specific. Alaria admitted, and also apologized, her own craft was also unable to achieve (what she would have cinsidered) sufficient answers. Still, she thanked the clerics profusely and offered the librarian a token of a few coins as "donation" to the temple for his time and help.</p><p> </p><p> It was suggested by the librarian, that Alaria might seek the aid of the elves at the trading post of Silver Falls. They were known to maintain an enclave of elvish sorcerers to aid the passing of the Miralosta trading skivs up and down the falls to reach the Whitegull Bay and proceed on to their trade in Hawkview.</p><p> </p><p> The following day, fully equipped, and presented by Kama with a small shallow ship of their own. They thankfully took on the provisions of fresh skins of Pure water and a map of the coastline north which included the river D’Evand and the Laklans. </p><p> </p><p> Despite their supplications, which included a sizeble donation of their found gems and gold, Trihna was unable to continue on with them. The Tidemaster explained that since she had used the pearl it was to be her new duty to be the keeper of the pearl’s shrine and to further explore and master the pearl’s power.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The Waverider did take a moment from her new duties to see the party off, hoping they would not be long in their quest and looking forward to seeing them again soon.</p><p></p><p></p><p>After many long hugs and thanks the party, clumsily at first, set sail for the river D’Evand, to the Silver Falls and, it was hoped, on to their destination in Welford.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5528195, member: 92511"] [b]Joy to the Pearl[/b] No sooner had our battered, bruised and nearly bereft of spells band hunkered down for the night when they all bolted up right at the sound. “AWOOOOOOOOOOooooo.” It hauntingly eerie howl echoed through the night. The sound unlike that of a normal wolf or dog, a preternatural edge sent chills down the spines of everyone. “They are not far off.” Erevan stated. None questioned the veracity of his elvin ears. Alaria’s face showed visible concern in the shimmering silver and green light from the waning greater and waxing lesser moons. Her ability to work any serious magic was spent for the day and if these were, indeed, the hellhounds they had seen earlier, she knew she had not the strength to stave off such supernatural creatures. Reluctantly, she drew the slender white wand from its holster and began barking orders. “Braddok, sever the line. Trihna, get us out of here.” Said the magess. “We are beached, Alaria. I will not be able to…”the priestess replied apologetically. “Use the pearl!” commanded Alaria. Taken aback by the curt command, Trihna did take up the sacred orb of her faith and sat beside the tiller with it in her lap. She closed her eyes and almost immediately, the flickering blue-white light within the pearl began to pulse. Braddok, Erevan and Coerraine readied weapons at the boat’s prow, scanning the tree line for their expected arrivals. “They don’t like the water, do they Alaria. Maybe we’ll be safe here on the boat?” Haelan questioned wearily. The daelvar cleric from the Free Hollows had had about all of the adventure he could stand the past couple of days. Harpies, hellhounds and a watery hydra was plenty enough for him. “I’d rather we be safe than sorry, Haelen.” answered Alaria without looking at the halfling. “AWOOOOOOOOO….” Came the cry again. Even non-elvin ears could tell it was definitely closer than the first. Again chills went through the group in anticipation of a battle they had little hope of winning. As the sound of the waves around them seemed to increase, everyone watching the beach steeled themselves as a pair, then two, of bright orange flaming eyes could be seen in the shadowed forest. “Whenever you’re ready, Trihna.” Shouted Braddok from the prow. The sea priestess seemed not to notice. Her face was passive, eyes closed and lips whispering some chant to her ocean mother the others could not hear. “Maybe you could use this, boss.” Offered Duor. The magess turned to the dwarf holding out the crystalline orb he had pilfered from the other altar in their hasty retreat. “I don’t know what it is or does, Duor.” Alaria replied in annoyance. Honestly, she thought, does the dwarf not understand anything about the workings of the arcane? “Well I don’t either! Give it a shot!” said the dwarf. The worry in his voice caught Alaria by surprise and she turned in sympathy to take the orb from him. Alaria could feel the energies pulsing about the device and a swirl of wind seemed to surround her for a moment. Then the wind all around the ship grew and rose, coming off of the water. The sound of crashing waves increased more and the ship lurched up as the increading sea gathered beneath the vessel. Just as the two black hounds burst from the treeline, their flaming eyes and maws seared the souls of the party with fear, the wind turned to come off of the land. The ship lurched again as a great swell of water and strong wind heaved the small ship out into the cover andbeyond the breaking waves. The hounds stopped just short of the waterline. One yelped in fear, and perhaps pain, as the edge of a wave washed over its flaming paws. The hellhounds let out a combinations of frustrated barks and howls at their prey, far beyond their reach in the accursed water. “Blessed be Her depths.” Said Haelan loudly with a broad smile at Trihna. The priestess smiled back at the halfling, “Well said, brother Hilltender.” She turned to Coerraine and Braddok, “Raise the sail if you would, brave warriors. It seems we shall be departing this night, afterall. Erevan, might you be able to take the tiller for a while. I am so very tired.” With a deep bow, “It would be my pleasure, Waverider. You’ve done your goddess, and we, great service this day.” Trihna nodded weakly and smiled. She rested herself below the aft section and as she was passing off to blissful sleep, a light hand ws on her shoulder. She turned to see Alaria’s face. “Thank you, Trihna.” Said the wizardess. Again, Trihna smiled weakly and simply said, “Blessed be Her depths, magess.” The night dragged on and hours later, the two moons low in the sky, Trihna was back at the tiller. The elf had not slept that she had noticed. Instead, he had been at the prow since she had risen, scanning the sea and sky. She had mused at the breezes causing his silver grey hair to flow and glitter in the moonlight, almost like waves itself. She discreetly got Erevan’s attention, not needing to make much sound to catch the elf’s ears notice. With his inherent grace and balance, he wove his way through their sleeping companions to the back of the ship. When he’d arrived, Trihna said softly, “Do you see there, master elf? That bank before us…can you senses pierce the fog?” Erevan turned to the large fog bank on their horizon. “I am afeared not, Waverider. Though it seems peaceful and quiet and lovely in the moonlight.” His violet eyes turned to the human priestess and he smiled a small smile on his handsome ageless face. “Lovely, it is.” Admitted Trihna, not seeming to notice the elf’s flirtation. “But that is where we should be coming upon Shoal. The temple should be in view though I see nothing but the mist.” “You sense some doom has befallen your village.” Erevan stated. It was not meant as a question. “I do not. The Shoal Spirit and Tidemaster Kama keep the village safe…”the priestess paused a moment, “Though I can not, in my life there, recall ever seeing a fog over our waters.” “While I dare not suppose to know your waters better than you, in my homeland, a morning mist is quite common.” Replied Erevan. “In fact, they are an almost daily pleasure. The young of my people use them to play a game that helps to train and heighten the vaunted “elvin senses” you humans are so fond of remarking about.” Erevan smiled again. “Do you think we should stop here?” he asked. “Surely, in the morning sun, they will disperse.” “Perhaps that would be wise.” Trihna replied. Again, she seemed to be paying the elf’s subtle displays of interest no mind. She left the helm and tossed the small anchor overboard. Erevan turned to again look to the fog. Perhaps, he mused, the water priestesses are not allowed the pleasures of the body. He understood many of those in religious orders seemed to be denied the pleasure in human lands. A sacrifice of their bodies to their respective deities, as Erevan had once been told. A sacrifice, indeed, thought Erevan. But he did not press the issue and returned to his place at the prow. Dawn came and the sun rose to mid-morning. The fog did not disperse. Nor, noted Erevan, had its position or size changed at all in the increasing heat of the day. It was, unquestionably, not naturally formed. After some discussion, and Trihna’s assurances that she could unerringly direct them back to the temple, it was decided that the party would press forward. A short time passed and the small ship came out of the fog bank into the bright sunny day, in full view of the village and the temple of Tyris upon the high rocky outcropping. Alaria studied the fog from the “inside” and could see that it seemed to create a ring, extending beyond the shoal, to encicrle the waters beyond the village. As they neared the temple dock, they could see a throng assembled. The long white beard of Tidemaster Kama was unmistakeable, even at a distance. The high priest was flanked by his twin acolytes. Several others, most in the blue and green wraps and robes of Tyrisian garb, were there also. “Hail to the champions of Tyris!” proclaimed Kama. A great cheer went up as the ship pulled up to the dock. Dihm and Suhm, the twins, leapt aboard the ship and deftly secured lines as another lesser cleric laid out a gang plank for the returning adventurers. The group disembarked to more cheers and adulations. “Tyris, blessed be Her depths, is greatly pleased by your success, brave souls. The Shoal Spirit reported the taint of the crab-demons are gone from our waters. You have done us a great service.” Tidemaster Kama proclaimed. “We are humbled by your praise, Tidemaster. But, I fear, we could not have succeeded without Waverider Trihna’s excellent aid.” Alaria replied and stood aside as Trihna presented the black pearl to the Tidemaster. As the aged priest took the artifact tears formed in his eyes. He stared at the pearl for a moment before turning to the crowd and raising it above his head. “Praise to the heroes of Shoal. Praise to the Ocean Mother. Long blessed be Her depths!” “Blessed be Her depths.” Came the communal response. Then the crowd swarmed the heroes and as a wave of humanity, led them back up the outcropping to the temple grounds with great cheer, dancing as the music of woodwinds and flutes rose from somewhere in the assembled crowd. The companions were taken to quarters within the temple to wash and clean themselves as a lavish feast was prepared and brought out. All members of the village were present with much music and dancing, drinking and merry-making both around the temple and in the village below. News of the heroes return spread quickly and soon Elder Bundo and the other Elders arrived at the temple’s courtyard to share their respectful thanks and congratulations to Alaria and her band. As pleased with the reception as Alaria was, she was ever mindful of the work before them. She repectfully requested the use of the temple library and Tidemaster Kama’s help in identifying the magical items they’d found. She also wished to speak to him about the other strange orb, its properties and purpose in that evil place. Tidemaster Kama granted her request for access to the temple’s limited resources and simply smiled in reply to the R’Hathi mage’s next barrage of questions. Finally, he said, “My dear young wizard of R’Hath, your thoughtfulness is to be admired. However, you must learn to enjoy the ride of the waves when they crest. ‘Ere they are lost on the ebbing tide.” The elder priest winked at Alaria with a smile and raised his goblet of sweet wine to her. Alaria smiled in response and clinked his goblet with her own. “Indeed, Tidemaster. I apologize for any unintended insult. The festivities and hospitality you have shown us are most welcomed.” “You have returned to us a great treasure, Alaria.” Kama replied. “As you shall to many others.” “Indeed? Has the Shoal Spirit told you this, Tidemaster?” asked Alaria in mild jest. Kama leaned in close and whispered in the magess’ ear, “Not all treasures are of gold and magic, after all.” With a smile and nod of a bow, the long-bearded cleric turned and disappeared into the crowd. The following day, Alaria spent her time with Tidemaster Kama and the young priest in charge of the temple’s library pouring through scrolls and tomes and casting various divinations on the items she knew to be enchanted, including the dagger that Duor had reluctantly turned over for examination. Braddok, Coerrine and Haelan went down to the village to take up the shopkeeper, Patty, on his offer to resupply the band insofar as his wares could. Fen explored the village nd its surrounding woods, stopping often to chat with the locals about the various plants and herbs to be found so near the coast. Duor nursed his hangover with the remains of the ale leftover from the previous day’s festivities. It was a watery concoction, but enough of it did the job. The rest of his time was spent wandering the temple and waiting for Alaria to return his new prized weapon. By the end of the day, it had been determined that the potions in the small coffer included one to heal, one that could neutralize poisons of all types and the electrum flask embossed with vines had something to do with the growing of plants…though, Kama apologized, they could not specify exactly its use or application. All of the vials in the coffer were above average size for such elixirs and the temple’s librarian supposed there were two or three draughts of each liquid. As to the hematite ring it could only be discerned of being protective in nature. Alaria donned the ring as her own. After an initial tingle as the magic of the ring flowed over her body, the magess felt nothing. Haelan’s shield and Duor’s dagger were each shown to possess the mildest of enchantments, though the dagger possess something “more.” Of the crystalline orb found with the pearl, they were unable to discern any specific properties...other than it was, most definitely, enchanted and contained magic of a magnitude significantly higher than their other treasures. Kama and the librarian were very sorry their expertise could not be more specific. Alaria admitted, and also apologized, her own craft was also unable to achieve (what she would have cinsidered) sufficient answers. Still, she thanked the clerics profusely and offered the librarian a token of a few coins as "donation" to the temple for his time and help. It was suggested by the librarian, that Alaria might seek the aid of the elves at the trading post of Silver Falls. They were known to maintain an enclave of elvish sorcerers to aid the passing of the Miralosta trading skivs up and down the falls to reach the Whitegull Bay and proceed on to their trade in Hawkview. The following day, fully equipped, and presented by Kama with a small shallow ship of their own. They thankfully took on the provisions of fresh skins of Pure water and a map of the coastline north which included the river D’Evand and the Laklans. Despite their supplications, which included a sizeble donation of their found gems and gold, Trihna was unable to continue on with them. The Tidemaster explained that since she had used the pearl it was to be her new duty to be the keeper of the pearl’s shrine and to further explore and master the pearl’s power. The Waverider did take a moment from her new duties to see the party off, hoping they would not be long in their quest and looking forward to seeing them again soon. After many long hugs and thanks the party, clumsily at first, set sail for the river D’Evand, to the Silver Falls and, it was hoped, on to their destination in Welford. [/QUOTE]
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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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