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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5830654" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>Imgulg returned with the refreshed drinks. He left Duor in the unremarkable kitchen, below. What the dwarf rogue was hoping to find, the aged dwarf did not really care. There was nothing of interest, as far as Imgulg was concerned, for his youthful kinsman to find.</p><p></p><p>"Alaria Staver and Erevan Ryvsorai, I wouldst speak with thou." came the voice of Evaranthriine from above to everyone's surprise. The star-studded lady stood upon the landing far above looking down upon the companions.</p><p></p><p>Alaria and the others who had suffered at the swiping sapping attacks of the shadow noticed they were beginning to feel significantly better from the warmth of the firepit and the tasteful libations.</p><p></p><p>The magess and the elf rose and made the slow climb up the winding staircase. Their companions watched in concern, hoping that nothing would befall their magical companions, but assured they could rush to their aid if needs be.</p><p></p><p>They entered the chamber that seemed to encompass the whole of the second floor. To one side there were a few rows of books and scrolls. Another part of the walls contained shelves filled with jars and bottles, boxes and containers of all sorts of materials, stacked bunches of dried herbs, bones and crystals and stones of every color and luminosity. Most of the interior of the floor was taken with long tables piled with tomes and scrolls, glass beakers and tubes and hoses running into other tubes and beakers, small cauldrons atop contained flames bubbled and gave off wispy smokes and steams of a myriad of pale colors.</p><p></p><p>The odors of the room were staggering to Alaria. She could only imagine what the elf's heightened senses were doing to the elf. A sidelong look at Erevan proved the elf to visibly bothered by the assaulting mixture of scents.</p><p></p><p>Evaranthriine seemed neither to notice, or simply didn't care. She led the two spellcasters to one of the smaller tables around which a few chairs were arranged.</p><p></p><p>In the center of the table, a perfect sphere of crystal, not dissimilar in size and appearance to the Ihs Repahl rested in an elegant silver stand.</p><p></p><p>The lady shrouded in night indicated they should sit as she took a seat in the high-backed chair of very worn-looking midnight blue velvet.</p><p></p><p>"It is my supposition thou wouldst not wish to remain here over long, though, there are chambers aplenty for thou to rest as long as thou wish." Evaranthriine began.</p><p></p><p>"Indeed, Lady Evaranthriine." Alaria replied. "We would like to return to our own world as soon as might be possible. I would ask if you know of a gateway we might use to that end?"</p><p></p><p>Evaranthriine shook her head and stared at the crystal ball on the table. "I am afeared, wizard, that my sister made the portals her first priority upon her fall. She distorted or destroyed all of the existing gateways. Plundering the tombs as she went, the witch! All except for one...which leads only to her own realm." She paused another moment and looked hard at the two magic adepts.</p><p></p><p>"Truth be told, I was unsure there were any other modes for entry than that remaining portal. It seems Amthyriine has access I was not aware of...or perhaps, in the unpassing night I had simply forgotten." she said.</p><p></p><p>"However, with our realms still being joined, I have been able to determine that the gateway into the original Gorathgraard yet exists within her dark realm. It is through that gateway, as it is the only way I know, that you might return to your world..." then in a whispered weighted down in sadness added, "...once <em>our</em> world."</p><p></p><p>"Lady, I am sorry to see you thus. Is there no way you might return to Orea as well? Could we, possibly, defeat your sister that you and the Lady Amthyriine would be safe and unhindered before we left? Is there no way to break the Dark One's hold on her?" Erevan offered.</p><p></p><p>Alaria was quite surprised at the offer. She had already thought she might offer they break the curse upon her champion, for her. Though, truth be told, Alaria thought to herself after seeing the laboratory and magical equipment at her disposal, if this Lady of Night could not undo it herself, Alaria had little hopes they possessed the necessary power.</p><p></p><p>Evaranthriine looked surprised at Erevan's question. "You ask that which I had long ago stopped considering, master Staliiri. You offer what I long ago thought impossible and lost to me fore'er...to <em>hope</em> again? I dare not." </p><p></p><p>Erevan wanted to correct the lady that he was one of the Miralostae not of the ShiStaliiri...but thought the better of it. He realized, with what they knew of these strange Swan women, that they would have no knowledge of his relatively "new" [in elf terms] nation.</p><p></p><p>"Could we, perhaps, free your champion from his curse? I hope you do not mind Imgulg told us a bit of what had transpired here. though to be honest, Lady Evaranthriine, I suspect you are much more versed in the Mysteries than we." Alaria offered cautiously.</p><p></p><p>Evaranthriine actually grinned at the R'Hathi woman's honesty. It was the sort of grin an adult gives a child who had just figured something out for themselves for the first time.</p><p></p><p>"Certainly not." she said, albeit kindly. "Yet where I am doomed to failure, magess, it is just possible, though I almost dare not to imagine the possibility, that you might succeed." </p><p></p><p>"The only possibility, which I am forbidden by law and oath to even attempt, wouldst be Madagbueil's death. A constraint thou art nay bound." Evaranthriine said. She was obviously working through various information in her own mind.</p><p></p><p>"Yes...but thou wouldst nay stand a chance of survival at present." Evaranthriine said, somewhat deflated.</p><p></p><p>The lady stood, somewhat quickly, and proclaimed to the magess and elf. "Thou shalt remain, for such a time as thou mayst increase thy skills. This place is yours to utilize as thou might. I shall offer what assistance I may.</p><p></p><p>"Your companions are capable, I am sure, of honing their own skills as might be necessary. I can offer suitable distraction and opponents aplenty in the surrounding land for their more...physical abilities." Evaranthriine said.</p><p></p><p>Then, more sternly, "I shall even permit your fellow of the Green to come and go, as he might, for whatever practice he might require. But I warn thou now! If he causes the slightest of infractions or I perceive the hint of treachery from him, I shall hold thou all accountable and you shall be thrust out into Madagbueil's waiting claws. Am I understood? Are we in agreement?" </p><p></p><p>Alaria and Erevan both thought that they should consult their companions first to see if this was amenable, but the lady's stern manner caused them to agree forthwith.</p><p></p><p>"Imgulg and the Spire shall see to your needs. I shall have him show you to chambers." Evaranthriine declared and moved out of the "library/laboratory" in a soundless sweep of her twinkling starlit gown.</p><p></p><p><em>Author/DM's note: Everybody's going up a level! For Alaria and a couple of others this means 3rd level spells! Albeit a limited selection, in Alaria and Erevan's, based on what they have with them and what Evaranthriine's materials have at their disposal. But still, a good jump for everyone.</em></p><p></p><p><em><strong>Next time: The Hunt for the Dread Witch Madagbueil.</strong></em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5830654, member: 92511"] Imgulg returned with the refreshed drinks. He left Duor in the unremarkable kitchen, below. What the dwarf rogue was hoping to find, the aged dwarf did not really care. There was nothing of interest, as far as Imgulg was concerned, for his youthful kinsman to find. "Alaria Staver and Erevan Ryvsorai, I wouldst speak with thou." came the voice of Evaranthriine from above to everyone's surprise. The star-studded lady stood upon the landing far above looking down upon the companions. Alaria and the others who had suffered at the swiping sapping attacks of the shadow noticed they were beginning to feel significantly better from the warmth of the firepit and the tasteful libations. The magess and the elf rose and made the slow climb up the winding staircase. Their companions watched in concern, hoping that nothing would befall their magical companions, but assured they could rush to their aid if needs be. They entered the chamber that seemed to encompass the whole of the second floor. To one side there were a few rows of books and scrolls. Another part of the walls contained shelves filled with jars and bottles, boxes and containers of all sorts of materials, stacked bunches of dried herbs, bones and crystals and stones of every color and luminosity. Most of the interior of the floor was taken with long tables piled with tomes and scrolls, glass beakers and tubes and hoses running into other tubes and beakers, small cauldrons atop contained flames bubbled and gave off wispy smokes and steams of a myriad of pale colors. The odors of the room were staggering to Alaria. She could only imagine what the elf's heightened senses were doing to the elf. A sidelong look at Erevan proved the elf to visibly bothered by the assaulting mixture of scents. Evaranthriine seemed neither to notice, or simply didn't care. She led the two spellcasters to one of the smaller tables around which a few chairs were arranged. In the center of the table, a perfect sphere of crystal, not dissimilar in size and appearance to the Ihs Repahl rested in an elegant silver stand. The lady shrouded in night indicated they should sit as she took a seat in the high-backed chair of very worn-looking midnight blue velvet. "It is my supposition thou wouldst not wish to remain here over long, though, there are chambers aplenty for thou to rest as long as thou wish." Evaranthriine began. "Indeed, Lady Evaranthriine." Alaria replied. "We would like to return to our own world as soon as might be possible. I would ask if you know of a gateway we might use to that end?" Evaranthriine shook her head and stared at the crystal ball on the table. "I am afeared, wizard, that my sister made the portals her first priority upon her fall. She distorted or destroyed all of the existing gateways. Plundering the tombs as she went, the witch! All except for one...which leads only to her own realm." She paused another moment and looked hard at the two magic adepts. "Truth be told, I was unsure there were any other modes for entry than that remaining portal. It seems Amthyriine has access I was not aware of...or perhaps, in the unpassing night I had simply forgotten." she said. "However, with our realms still being joined, I have been able to determine that the gateway into the original Gorathgraard yet exists within her dark realm. It is through that gateway, as it is the only way I know, that you might return to your world..." then in a whispered weighted down in sadness added, "...once [I]our[/I] world." "Lady, I am sorry to see you thus. Is there no way you might return to Orea as well? Could we, possibly, defeat your sister that you and the Lady Amthyriine would be safe and unhindered before we left? Is there no way to break the Dark One's hold on her?" Erevan offered. Alaria was quite surprised at the offer. She had already thought she might offer they break the curse upon her champion, for her. Though, truth be told, Alaria thought to herself after seeing the laboratory and magical equipment at her disposal, if this Lady of Night could not undo it herself, Alaria had little hopes they possessed the necessary power. Evaranthriine looked surprised at Erevan's question. "You ask that which I had long ago stopped considering, master Staliiri. You offer what I long ago thought impossible and lost to me fore'er...to [I]hope[/I] again? I dare not." Erevan wanted to correct the lady that he was one of the Miralostae not of the ShiStaliiri...but thought the better of it. He realized, with what they knew of these strange Swan women, that they would have no knowledge of his relatively "new" [in elf terms] nation. "Could we, perhaps, free your champion from his curse? I hope you do not mind Imgulg told us a bit of what had transpired here. though to be honest, Lady Evaranthriine, I suspect you are much more versed in the Mysteries than we." Alaria offered cautiously. Evaranthriine actually grinned at the R'Hathi woman's honesty. It was the sort of grin an adult gives a child who had just figured something out for themselves for the first time. "Certainly not." she said, albeit kindly. "Yet where I am doomed to failure, magess, it is just possible, though I almost dare not to imagine the possibility, that you might succeed." "The only possibility, which I am forbidden by law and oath to even attempt, wouldst be Madagbueil's death. A constraint thou art nay bound." Evaranthriine said. She was obviously working through various information in her own mind. "Yes...but thou wouldst nay stand a chance of survival at present." Evaranthriine said, somewhat deflated. The lady stood, somewhat quickly, and proclaimed to the magess and elf. "Thou shalt remain, for such a time as thou mayst increase thy skills. This place is yours to utilize as thou might. I shall offer what assistance I may. "Your companions are capable, I am sure, of honing their own skills as might be necessary. I can offer suitable distraction and opponents aplenty in the surrounding land for their more...physical abilities." Evaranthriine said. Then, more sternly, "I shall even permit your fellow of the Green to come and go, as he might, for whatever practice he might require. But I warn thou now! If he causes the slightest of infractions or I perceive the hint of treachery from him, I shall hold thou all accountable and you shall be thrust out into Madagbueil's waiting claws. Am I understood? Are we in agreement?" Alaria and Erevan both thought that they should consult their companions first to see if this was amenable, but the lady's stern manner caused them to agree forthwith. "Imgulg and the Spire shall see to your needs. I shall have him show you to chambers." Evaranthriine declared and moved out of the "library/laboratory" in a soundless sweep of her twinkling starlit gown. [I]Author/DM's note: Everybody's going up a level! For Alaria and a couple of others this means 3rd level spells! Albeit a limited selection, in Alaria and Erevan's, based on what they have with them and what Evaranthriine's materials have at their disposal. But still, a good jump for everyone.[/I] [I][B]Next time: The Hunt for the Dread Witch Madagbueil.[/B][/I] [/QUOTE]
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