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The Misfits: Ashy's Story Hour! (updated 12/12/07)
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<blockquote data-quote="Ashy" data-source="post: 2218332" data-attributes="member: 312"><p><strong>Session 5 (4-22-05) - Storm clouds burst, parts 5-8</strong></p><p></p><p>Vaskesh sucked in several lungfulls of the sharp, salt air; the lizardman ranger was very happy to be out of doors once again, he had been cooped up inside for far too long and could bear no more of Daubenspeak’s “lesson” when he had begun doting over Jekka’s new cohort, the horned goblin Ug, and that thrice-damned artifact, “the brainrock”. The lizardman snorted slightly, thinking how the party had been duped by the seemingly sentient item – it had even begun calling itself “Huntress” as of late! Vaskesh did not trust it one mote, and had told Jekka and Karma that it needed to be dropped over the side of a ship in the middle of the Eternal Ocean!</p><p></p><p>Regardless, he was away from it now and even though he could feel the item’s presence hovering at the edge of his consciousness, like a pesky bloodfly, he had “closed” his mind to it for now. He knew that this cut him off from the rest of the group, but it mattered little to the ranger – he needed a spot of time to himself. Vaskesh looked down to his right hand and saw the familiar sight of the pale, almost bone white metal ring upon his finger. His sharp reptilian eyes studied the strange, squiggly purplish-blue pattern that wriggled across its entire surface – he knew that he could contact Jekka and Quela whenever he wanted to…</p><p></p><p>The lizardman stalked his way through the crowded city streets – many folk steered well out the way of his seven-foot, green scaled bulk – he had business to attend to, after all.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://img21.echo.cx/img21/8059/longorganebar9nw.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>The next several hours passed quickly with each of the Misfits set to their own tasks. Quela spoke with her contacts within the Temple in regards to the High Inquisitor and his standing in the church. Oricx meticiously made certain that all of the proper paperwork was filed and the necessary “field reports” were compiled so that the group could proceed with their intended plans. Jekka spent her time in the library with Karma, Dromar, and Ug doing research. Jekka was interested in learning more of the history of her new sect within the Church and found that her new mantle as a “Champion of the One” stretched back to the very foundations of the Church itself! Dromar and Karma delved into the history of the elves, which soon transformed of its own accord into a history lesson on the whole of the Urth itself… Ug ate several books, but did not think any of them were particularly tasty or remarkable.</p><p></p><p>Within the library, Daubenspeak passed by now and again, assisting the druid and the sorcerer with their research. He would now and again ask Jekka if she would mind leaving the “new species of goblin she had discovered” with him to research. Each time, Ug would look wide-eyed to Jekka with fear plastered across his horned features and yell, “NO! Please, Wowee-zowee, please, please, PLEASE don’t leave Ug in ‘orrible book room!!” The half-orc warrior had to try hard to hide her smile, but continually told the aged half-elf librarian that Ug would have to stay with her for the time being…</p><p></p><p>Vaskesh returned shortly before time to depart, weaponless and grumbling. A scowl was etched upon his draconic features, making him even more fearsome looking than usual. The nixie paladin, ever sensitive to her friends and their feelings, spoke up quickly.</p><p></p><p>“What’s tha matter, Vas? Why tha scowl?”</p><p></p><p>“Let’sss jussst sssay it isss not a good idea to threaten magesss in thisss city who are membersss of the Wizzzardsss Guild. They do not take it lightly…” The lizardman returned, the words falling from his mouth like poisonous grapes.</p><p></p><p>“At least ya’re not in jail!” Quela commented cheerfully.</p><p></p><p>“Yesss – they decided to releassse me once I apologizzzed.”</p><p></p><p>The nixie placed her hand to her forehead as if a sudden pain had come upon her and shook her head slowly. Jekka merely chuckled…</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://img21.echo.cx/img21/8059/longorganebar9nw.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>As the group traversed the winding hallways back to the ‘portal prayer room’, Quela quickly filled them in on the information that she had gleaned about the High Inquisitor. Apparently, her contacts had been quite forthcoming, but only to a point.</p><p></p><p>“Bacillius’s a very powerful mage who’s only been a member of tha church for a while now. Little’s known about his past, but it’s widely rumored that he’s solidly in tha pouches of tha extremist sect. Apparently, he’s very good at doing his job, which’s generally, routin’ out, persecutin’ and flayin’ heretics.”</p><p></p><p>Karma, unused to church politics of any kind, spoke up, her deep but purring feminine voice reverberating in the chests and ears of those around her. “Why, then, does the church support such heinous actions?” she asked, the surprise evident in her tone.</p><p></p><p>Oricx answered for Quela, the quickness in his voice belying his true feelings on the subject, “The church, as a whole, does not, but there are many who feel that the church’s current leadership – Marszten – is far to weak to deal with the rapid expansion of the church’s borders. Many very powerful and influential church members feel the current open and accepting tone of the church should be forsaken for a more severe and unforgiving stance.”</p><p></p><p>Quela sighed, her usually vibrant, sea-green eyes dimming somewhat with her apparent sadness.</p><p></p><p>“Why?” asked Ug, unusually inquisitive. The horned goblin’s question drew a few surprised glances from the group, but none spoke their thoughts. Quela smiled and answered, patting Ug on the arm.</p><p></p><p>“Tha unforgivin’ folk believe that openin’ our doors an’ hearts ta anyone and everyone – literally – that wants to hear tha word o’ tha One is foolish and dangerous. Those folk feel thaat only “civilized folk” should be allowed entrance and membership into tha One’s Flock.”</p><p></p><p>Ug’s heavy-set brow furrowed a bit and a slight frown overcame his usually blissful features. “But den Ug can not come to One…” he stated as well as asked, his words tinged with sadness.</p><p></p><p>Quela nodded, her mouth down-turned, “Ya’re right, Ug. But that’s not tha way tha One wants it: nor Oricx, nor me, nor even Lord Marszten. And that’s why we must be wary of tha High Inquisitor.”</p><p></p><p>The horned goblin nodded; lapsing into silent thought. Jekka looked on and held her tongue, thoughts of her own filling her usually-rage clouded brain.</p><p></p><p>Reaching the portal, Oricx asked, “Is there anything more that we should know about Bacillus? If he is the new mayor of Seafoam and is as hard-lined as we have been told, I doubt he will take kindly to our traipsing about through his parlor.”</p><p></p><p>Quela nodded again, “Ya, Lord Marszten keeps Bacillus on a long leash, for a couple of reasons-“</p><p></p><p>“Hopefully giving him enough rope to hang himsssself.” Vaskesh interrupted.</p><p></p><p>Again Quela indicated the affirmative and then continued, “--As well as ta separate himself from tha Inquisitor’s actions. It’s said that Bacillus is powerful, well-connected both within and without the church, that he’s tireless an’ ruthless in his pursuit of evil. He’ll stop at nothing ta insure that tha evil’s completely rooted out and utterly destroyed. However, that means that in tha past he’s often stepped o’er tha line, but ta date, tha Church’s done nothin’.”</p><p></p><p>“So as long as he succeeds, he is given carte blanche…” Oricx stated with disgust. He looked to each of his companions with his dark, unreadable eyes. “We must be doubly cautious.”</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><img src="http://img21.echo.cx/img21/8059/longorganebar9nw.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p></p><p>Jekka was almost disappointed when she pulled her massive, muscled bulk through the portal. No threat awaited them, no High Inquisitor glowered over them like a brooding carrion bird – all was as it had been when they had left. “Meybe him not get here yet”, Jekka spat, offering a helping hand to Quela. The diminutive nixie scanned the room as well, looking for signs of danger, but saw none.</p><p></p><p>The paladin shrugged, “Perhaps ya’re correct, Jekka. Regardless, we’ve much ta do. Preparat’ns for tha arrival of Gunnar and his troops, defenses ta be bolstered, and tha ruins-“ the nixie stomped her sandaled foot on the stone floor, indicating the secret ruins the party had discovered only days before; then continued speaking without missing a beat, “need ta be explored.”</p><p></p><p>“What about Yilren?” Dromar asked with a hint of concern in his husky voice. In his heart of hearts, the fey’ri was more concerned with getting his hands on the items that he had weaseled out of the young, impressionable apprentice, but one does not survive for long in the Abyss without learning a few tricks about motivating others. He knew that if he played the “soft side” with the paladins that they would quickly help him obtain his goal.</p><p></p><p>From somewhere deep inside the tanar’ri-spawned elf, a portion of his sylvan heritage screamed out and demanded to be heard. Dromar throttled it for the moment; flashing a winning, yet concerned smile to his companions.</p><p></p><p>Oricx nodded, “Yes we do need to check up on the boy, Uuren, in order to make sure that all is well with him. We must also check the progress of his research. We requested it, after all.” The water genasi’s tongue, used to forming words in the near-weightlessness of water, had some difficulty with many of the air-breather’s word-sounds, in particular the young cotton-haired apprentice’s name.</p><p></p><p>Jekka moved through the parlor to the front door of what was only a few days earlier the home of Mayor Morningstar and opened it - only to be taken by surprise by a hulking, helmeted figure filling up the space like a cork in a wine bottle. A large, hairy, smelly and armored cork at that…</p><p></p><p>“Bosh wanths ta shee yash.”, the thicked-lipped creature slurred, sending a not-so-fine spray of ale-smelling spittle all over the half-orc barbarian’s face. Jekka’s thick jaw clenched and Vaskesh could see the cords in her neck standing out from where he stood, near the portal. He instinctively reached for his tridents, only to remember that he had left them with the Wizard’s Guild in the City of the One to have them enchanted! The lizardman spat a curse underneath his breath, drawing a cutting look from Quela, despite the seriousness of the current situation.</p><p></p><p>The brute at the door, who looked (and smelled) more ogre than human as he stood in his patch-worked, battle-scarred armor, lifted a spiked mace – the head of which was easily twice as large as Jekka’s skull and bellowed. “Ish shaid Bosh wanths ta shee yash! Ish yoush deef?”</p><p></p><p>“I see Bacillus has sent out the welcoming wagon”, Karma growled with disgust, twitching her tail sharply in agitation…</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ashy, post: 2218332, member: 312"] [b]Session 5 (4-22-05) - Storm clouds burst, parts 5-8[/b] Vaskesh sucked in several lungfulls of the sharp, salt air; the lizardman ranger was very happy to be out of doors once again, he had been cooped up inside for far too long and could bear no more of Daubenspeak’s “lesson” when he had begun doting over Jekka’s new cohort, the horned goblin Ug, and that thrice-damned artifact, “the brainrock”. The lizardman snorted slightly, thinking how the party had been duped by the seemingly sentient item – it had even begun calling itself “Huntress” as of late! Vaskesh did not trust it one mote, and had told Jekka and Karma that it needed to be dropped over the side of a ship in the middle of the Eternal Ocean! Regardless, he was away from it now and even though he could feel the item’s presence hovering at the edge of his consciousness, like a pesky bloodfly, he had “closed” his mind to it for now. He knew that this cut him off from the rest of the group, but it mattered little to the ranger – he needed a spot of time to himself. Vaskesh looked down to his right hand and saw the familiar sight of the pale, almost bone white metal ring upon his finger. His sharp reptilian eyes studied the strange, squiggly purplish-blue pattern that wriggled across its entire surface – he knew that he could contact Jekka and Quela whenever he wanted to… The lizardman stalked his way through the crowded city streets – many folk steered well out the way of his seven-foot, green scaled bulk – he had business to attend to, after all. [center][img]http://img21.echo.cx/img21/8059/longorganebar9nw.gif[/img][/center] The next several hours passed quickly with each of the Misfits set to their own tasks. Quela spoke with her contacts within the Temple in regards to the High Inquisitor and his standing in the church. Oricx meticiously made certain that all of the proper paperwork was filed and the necessary “field reports” were compiled so that the group could proceed with their intended plans. Jekka spent her time in the library with Karma, Dromar, and Ug doing research. Jekka was interested in learning more of the history of her new sect within the Church and found that her new mantle as a “Champion of the One” stretched back to the very foundations of the Church itself! Dromar and Karma delved into the history of the elves, which soon transformed of its own accord into a history lesson on the whole of the Urth itself… Ug ate several books, but did not think any of them were particularly tasty or remarkable. Within the library, Daubenspeak passed by now and again, assisting the druid and the sorcerer with their research. He would now and again ask Jekka if she would mind leaving the “new species of goblin she had discovered” with him to research. Each time, Ug would look wide-eyed to Jekka with fear plastered across his horned features and yell, “NO! Please, Wowee-zowee, please, please, PLEASE don’t leave Ug in ‘orrible book room!!” The half-orc warrior had to try hard to hide her smile, but continually told the aged half-elf librarian that Ug would have to stay with her for the time being… Vaskesh returned shortly before time to depart, weaponless and grumbling. A scowl was etched upon his draconic features, making him even more fearsome looking than usual. The nixie paladin, ever sensitive to her friends and their feelings, spoke up quickly. “What’s tha matter, Vas? Why tha scowl?” “Let’sss jussst sssay it isss not a good idea to threaten magesss in thisss city who are membersss of the Wizzzardsss Guild. They do not take it lightly…” The lizardman returned, the words falling from his mouth like poisonous grapes. “At least ya’re not in jail!” Quela commented cheerfully. “Yesss – they decided to releassse me once I apologizzzed.” The nixie placed her hand to her forehead as if a sudden pain had come upon her and shook her head slowly. Jekka merely chuckled… [center][img]http://img21.echo.cx/img21/8059/longorganebar9nw.gif[/img][/center] As the group traversed the winding hallways back to the ‘portal prayer room’, Quela quickly filled them in on the information that she had gleaned about the High Inquisitor. Apparently, her contacts had been quite forthcoming, but only to a point. “Bacillius’s a very powerful mage who’s only been a member of tha church for a while now. Little’s known about his past, but it’s widely rumored that he’s solidly in tha pouches of tha extremist sect. Apparently, he’s very good at doing his job, which’s generally, routin’ out, persecutin’ and flayin’ heretics.” Karma, unused to church politics of any kind, spoke up, her deep but purring feminine voice reverberating in the chests and ears of those around her. “Why, then, does the church support such heinous actions?” she asked, the surprise evident in her tone. Oricx answered for Quela, the quickness in his voice belying his true feelings on the subject, “The church, as a whole, does not, but there are many who feel that the church’s current leadership – Marszten – is far to weak to deal with the rapid expansion of the church’s borders. Many very powerful and influential church members feel the current open and accepting tone of the church should be forsaken for a more severe and unforgiving stance.” Quela sighed, her usually vibrant, sea-green eyes dimming somewhat with her apparent sadness. “Why?” asked Ug, unusually inquisitive. The horned goblin’s question drew a few surprised glances from the group, but none spoke their thoughts. Quela smiled and answered, patting Ug on the arm. “Tha unforgivin’ folk believe that openin’ our doors an’ hearts ta anyone and everyone – literally – that wants to hear tha word o’ tha One is foolish and dangerous. Those folk feel thaat only “civilized folk” should be allowed entrance and membership into tha One’s Flock.” Ug’s heavy-set brow furrowed a bit and a slight frown overcame his usually blissful features. “But den Ug can not come to One…” he stated as well as asked, his words tinged with sadness. Quela nodded, her mouth down-turned, “Ya’re right, Ug. But that’s not tha way tha One wants it: nor Oricx, nor me, nor even Lord Marszten. And that’s why we must be wary of tha High Inquisitor.” The horned goblin nodded; lapsing into silent thought. Jekka looked on and held her tongue, thoughts of her own filling her usually-rage clouded brain. Reaching the portal, Oricx asked, “Is there anything more that we should know about Bacillus? If he is the new mayor of Seafoam and is as hard-lined as we have been told, I doubt he will take kindly to our traipsing about through his parlor.” Quela nodded again, “Ya, Lord Marszten keeps Bacillus on a long leash, for a couple of reasons-“ “Hopefully giving him enough rope to hang himsssself.” Vaskesh interrupted. Again Quela indicated the affirmative and then continued, “--As well as ta separate himself from tha Inquisitor’s actions. It’s said that Bacillus is powerful, well-connected both within and without the church, that he’s tireless an’ ruthless in his pursuit of evil. He’ll stop at nothing ta insure that tha evil’s completely rooted out and utterly destroyed. However, that means that in tha past he’s often stepped o’er tha line, but ta date, tha Church’s done nothin’.” “So as long as he succeeds, he is given carte blanche…” Oricx stated with disgust. He looked to each of his companions with his dark, unreadable eyes. “We must be doubly cautious.” [center][img]http://img21.echo.cx/img21/8059/longorganebar9nw.gif[/img][/center] Jekka was almost disappointed when she pulled her massive, muscled bulk through the portal. No threat awaited them, no High Inquisitor glowered over them like a brooding carrion bird – all was as it had been when they had left. “Meybe him not get here yet”, Jekka spat, offering a helping hand to Quela. The diminutive nixie scanned the room as well, looking for signs of danger, but saw none. The paladin shrugged, “Perhaps ya’re correct, Jekka. Regardless, we’ve much ta do. Preparat’ns for tha arrival of Gunnar and his troops, defenses ta be bolstered, and tha ruins-“ the nixie stomped her sandaled foot on the stone floor, indicating the secret ruins the party had discovered only days before; then continued speaking without missing a beat, “need ta be explored.” “What about Yilren?” Dromar asked with a hint of concern in his husky voice. In his heart of hearts, the fey’ri was more concerned with getting his hands on the items that he had weaseled out of the young, impressionable apprentice, but one does not survive for long in the Abyss without learning a few tricks about motivating others. He knew that if he played the “soft side” with the paladins that they would quickly help him obtain his goal. From somewhere deep inside the tanar’ri-spawned elf, a portion of his sylvan heritage screamed out and demanded to be heard. Dromar throttled it for the moment; flashing a winning, yet concerned smile to his companions. Oricx nodded, “Yes we do need to check up on the boy, Uuren, in order to make sure that all is well with him. We must also check the progress of his research. We requested it, after all.” The water genasi’s tongue, used to forming words in the near-weightlessness of water, had some difficulty with many of the air-breather’s word-sounds, in particular the young cotton-haired apprentice’s name. Jekka moved through the parlor to the front door of what was only a few days earlier the home of Mayor Morningstar and opened it - only to be taken by surprise by a hulking, helmeted figure filling up the space like a cork in a wine bottle. A large, hairy, smelly and armored cork at that… “Bosh wanths ta shee yash.”, the thicked-lipped creature slurred, sending a not-so-fine spray of ale-smelling spittle all over the half-orc barbarian’s face. Jekka’s thick jaw clenched and Vaskesh could see the cords in her neck standing out from where he stood, near the portal. He instinctively reached for his tridents, only to remember that he had left them with the Wizard’s Guild in the City of the One to have them enchanted! The lizardman spat a curse underneath his breath, drawing a cutting look from Quela, despite the seriousness of the current situation. The brute at the door, who looked (and smelled) more ogre than human as he stood in his patch-worked, battle-scarred armor, lifted a spiked mace – the head of which was easily twice as large as Jekka’s skull and bellowed. “Ish shaid Bosh wanths ta shee yash! Ish yoush deef?” “I see Bacillus has sent out the welcoming wagon”, Karma growled with disgust, twitching her tail sharply in agitation… [/QUOTE]
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