JollyDoc's Shackled City
Nightingale 7
First Post
Well,now you see what happens when you stand against a devil without a bridge handy,and no Shatter in your spell list. 
Joachim
First Post
I've got to go ahead and give Gfunk his props. I thought that even with proper preparation that Ajax was going to be toast in this fight because of the Unholy Blight, and how it can suck to be a Celestial on the receiving end of an infinite number of them. However, G posed the possibility of using Spell Immunity on me, and that realization possibly won the fight as much or more than anything else.
Kudos.
BTW, very well written there, Jollydoc. Nicely done, indeed.
Kudos.
BTW, very well written there, Jollydoc. Nicely done, indeed.
Caine just leveled!! Woo-hoo!! Here's the updated charcter sheet.
Caine (Sorcerer 8)
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Medium Humanoid
Hit Dice: 8d4+24 (45 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 26 (+2 Dex, +8 armor [exalted], +3 natural, +3 deflection), touch 15, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+3
Attack: Quarterstaff +0 melee (1d6) [subudal only]
Full Attack: Quarterstaff +0 melee (1d6) [subudal only]
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5 ft.
Special Attacks: Spells
Special Qualities: Exalted benefits (Vow of Poverty/Nonviolence), calming aura, weapon immunity, endure elements, exalted strike, sustenance, mind shielding
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +9
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 18
Skills: Concentration +14, Spellcraft +14, Diplomacy +17, Speak Languages +5 [Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Giant, Infernal], Knowledge (Arcana) +8
Feats: Celestial Familiar [Exlated], Nimbus of Light [Exalted], Nymph's Kiss [Exalted], Sacred Vow [Exalted], Vow of Nonviolence [Exalted], Vow of Peace [Exalted], Vow of Poverty [Exalted], Vow of Purity [Exalted]
Environment: Vilhon Reach
Organization: Solitary (with Lantern Archon Familiar)
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: Goods
Alignment: Lawful Good
Dressed in simple robes and leaning on a well-used quarterstaff, this plain looking man is cloaked in a radiant light. You know without a doubt that he is a champion of good and is favored by the powers of the Upper Planes.
Caine was a former War Wizard in service to Cormyr when the drow invaded the forest nation. His subsequent capture and torture by the dark elves for years was finally ended when the forces of Queen Alusair prevailed.
However, the mage's psyche had been irrevocably changed. He finally recoginzed the cycle of pain and suffering wrought by violence. To escape this he took the vows of an ascetic and left Cormyr. Over the next several months he travelled down the Dragon Coast, finally making his way to Vilhon Reach and the small town of Cauldron.
Here, he hopes to quietly convert people to his philosophy while providing them with any aid he can.
Combat
Having taken vows of nonviolence and peace, Caine will never inflict lethal damage, ability damage, or energy drain on any living creature. However, he has numerous special abilities that often make violence unecessary or cause already militant foes to lose their resolve to fight.
Exalted Benefits (Vow of Poverty): Caine has taken an oath never to own more than the bare necessities of life, including his quarterstaff, clothes, and spell component pouch. Although others may cast magic on him and he may use temporary magic items (potions), he may never don or use any magic items, even temporarily. In exchange for this severe penance, Caine has been gifted with numerous special abilities.
Exalted Benefits (Vow of Nonviolence): The saving throw DC for spells or other special abilites Caine uses against humanoids or monstrous humanoids is increased by +4 if the spell does not deal damage, bestwow negative levels, or cause death. The bonus granted by this feat does not stack with the bonus granted by the Spell Focus feat.
Calming Aura (Su): A 20 foot aura constantly surrounds Caine and all within it must make a Will save (DC 18) or be affected by a calm emotions spell. Creatures who leave the aura and reenter it receive new saving throws. A creature that makes a sucessful saving throw and remains in the aura is unaffected until it leaves the aura and reenters. The aura is a mind-affecting supernatural compulsion. The save is Charsima based.
Weapon Immunity (Su): If a creature strikes Caine with a manufactured weapon, the weapon must immediately make a successful Fortitude save (DC 17) or shatter against his skin, leaving him unharmed. The save is Constitution based.
Endure Elements (Ex): Caine is immune to the effects of being in a hot or cold environment. He can exist in comfortably in conditions between -50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit without having to make Fortitude saves.
Exalted Strike (Su): Caine gains a +1 enhancement bonus to all his attack and damage rolls. In effect, any weapon he wields become a +1 magic weapon that can overcome the damage reduction of a creature as though it were a magic weapon.
Sustenance (Ex): Caine doesn't need to eat or drink.
Mind Shielding (Ex): Caine is immune to detect thoughts, discern lies, and any attempt to discern his alignment.
Spells: Caine casts spells as a 8th level sorcerer. Note that spells cast by Caine that do not deal lethal damge, bestow negative levels, or cause death have their DCs increased by 4.
Typical Sorcerer Spells Prepared (6/7/7/6/4; DC 14 + spell level): 0--detect poison, detect magic, read magic, mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation, arcane mark; 1st--eyes of the avoral, shield, enlarge person, charm person, grease; 2nd--invisibility, yoke of mercy, false life; 3rd--fly, haste; 4th--otiluke's resilent sphere
Caine (Sorcerer 8)
-------------------------------------------------------
Medium Humanoid
Hit Dice: 8d4+24 (45 hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 26 (+2 Dex, +8 armor [exalted], +3 natural, +3 deflection), touch 15, flat-footed 24
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+3
Attack: Quarterstaff +0 melee (1d6) [subudal only]
Full Attack: Quarterstaff +0 melee (1d6) [subudal only]
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5 ft.
Special Attacks: Spells
Special Qualities: Exalted benefits (Vow of Poverty/Nonviolence), calming aura, weapon immunity, endure elements, exalted strike, sustenance, mind shielding
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +9
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 18
Skills: Concentration +14, Spellcraft +14, Diplomacy +17, Speak Languages +5 [Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Giant, Infernal], Knowledge (Arcana) +8
Feats: Celestial Familiar [Exlated], Nimbus of Light [Exalted], Nymph's Kiss [Exalted], Sacred Vow [Exalted], Vow of Nonviolence [Exalted], Vow of Peace [Exalted], Vow of Poverty [Exalted], Vow of Purity [Exalted]
Environment: Vilhon Reach
Organization: Solitary (with Lantern Archon Familiar)
Challenge Rating: 8
Treasure: Goods
Alignment: Lawful Good
Dressed in simple robes and leaning on a well-used quarterstaff, this plain looking man is cloaked in a radiant light. You know without a doubt that he is a champion of good and is favored by the powers of the Upper Planes.
Caine was a former War Wizard in service to Cormyr when the drow invaded the forest nation. His subsequent capture and torture by the dark elves for years was finally ended when the forces of Queen Alusair prevailed.
However, the mage's psyche had been irrevocably changed. He finally recoginzed the cycle of pain and suffering wrought by violence. To escape this he took the vows of an ascetic and left Cormyr. Over the next several months he travelled down the Dragon Coast, finally making his way to Vilhon Reach and the small town of Cauldron.
Here, he hopes to quietly convert people to his philosophy while providing them with any aid he can.
Combat
Having taken vows of nonviolence and peace, Caine will never inflict lethal damage, ability damage, or energy drain on any living creature. However, he has numerous special abilities that often make violence unecessary or cause already militant foes to lose their resolve to fight.
Exalted Benefits (Vow of Poverty): Caine has taken an oath never to own more than the bare necessities of life, including his quarterstaff, clothes, and spell component pouch. Although others may cast magic on him and he may use temporary magic items (potions), he may never don or use any magic items, even temporarily. In exchange for this severe penance, Caine has been gifted with numerous special abilities.
Exalted Benefits (Vow of Nonviolence): The saving throw DC for spells or other special abilites Caine uses against humanoids or monstrous humanoids is increased by +4 if the spell does not deal damage, bestwow negative levels, or cause death. The bonus granted by this feat does not stack with the bonus granted by the Spell Focus feat.
Calming Aura (Su): A 20 foot aura constantly surrounds Caine and all within it must make a Will save (DC 18) or be affected by a calm emotions spell. Creatures who leave the aura and reenter it receive new saving throws. A creature that makes a sucessful saving throw and remains in the aura is unaffected until it leaves the aura and reenters. The aura is a mind-affecting supernatural compulsion. The save is Charsima based.
Weapon Immunity (Su): If a creature strikes Caine with a manufactured weapon, the weapon must immediately make a successful Fortitude save (DC 17) or shatter against his skin, leaving him unharmed. The save is Constitution based.
Endure Elements (Ex): Caine is immune to the effects of being in a hot or cold environment. He can exist in comfortably in conditions between -50 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit without having to make Fortitude saves.
Exalted Strike (Su): Caine gains a +1 enhancement bonus to all his attack and damage rolls. In effect, any weapon he wields become a +1 magic weapon that can overcome the damage reduction of a creature as though it were a magic weapon.
Sustenance (Ex): Caine doesn't need to eat or drink.
Mind Shielding (Ex): Caine is immune to detect thoughts, discern lies, and any attempt to discern his alignment.
Spells: Caine casts spells as a 8th level sorcerer. Note that spells cast by Caine that do not deal lethal damge, bestow negative levels, or cause death have their DCs increased by 4.
Typical Sorcerer Spells Prepared (6/7/7/6/4; DC 14 + spell level): 0--detect poison, detect magic, read magic, mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation, arcane mark; 1st--eyes of the avoral, shield, enlarge person, charm person, grease; 2nd--invisibility, yoke of mercy, false life; 3rd--fly, haste; 4th--otiluke's resilent sphere
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JollyDoc
Explorer
Zenith
“The duergar said that Zenith was being held in the upper levels,” Ajax said as the new Bright Axes stood upon the great dais, surveying the ruin of the temple to the Sea Mother.
“Actually,” Caine corrected, “he said that Zenith’s audience chamber was on the upper level. I’m not sure that implies that he is a prisoner.”
“What’re ye sayin?” Rusty demanded, his face thunderous.
“Calm yourself my friend,” Caine said placatingly, “I only mean to say that we cannot be sure what’s Zenith’s status or state of mind is. We must be cautious, and not react on instinct. All may not be as it appears.”
The temple bore three exits: one on the main level, which led back to the entry hall; one on the lower level; and one off the top balcony. It was to this last set of doors that Ajax ferried the companions, one by one. Beyond the doors was a short hallway that ended at a T-intersection. A set of double doors lay at the end of each short branch. The company first approached the doors to the west. Tilly listened closely at them, but heard not a sound. Next, Ajax stepped up and concentrated, sensing for the presence of evil beyond the portals. Nothing. They repeated the procedure at the eastern set of doors, with Tilly again hearing nothing. However, when Ajax scanned for evil, he detected a faint emanation. “Here,” he whispered.
The five friends braced themselves. Ajax summoned one final bit of magic, one which gave his eyes the ability to see the unseen, and with that, he opened the doors. The lozenge-shaped chamber beyond was adorned with more frescoes, this time of kuo-toans emerging from the sea and marching into holes in the ground. The floor of the room was covered with the same porcelain shards that were present near the entrance to the shrine. The eastern corner of the north wall featured a second set of stone double doors. Ajax stepped in cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning every nook and shadow. Suddenly, he spotted something, crouched on the ceiling above the door he had just entered. It appeared to be another kuo-toa, unadorned except for a chest harness bearing numerous curved daggers. Ajax raised his blade defensively, but did not attack, “We mean you no harm,” he called out in the language of the Underdark, “we are simply here to find our lost companion, Zenith Splintershield. Bring us to him and we will be on our way.” The kuo-toa stared at him with its lamp-like eyes, and slowly its hands moved towards its weapons. Ajax tensed, preparing for the coming attack, but then Caine entered the room. Immediately, Ajax felt the aura of calm surround him. Apparently, the kuo-toa felt it as well. He relaxed his position, and instead crossed his arms over his knees, staring at Caine curiously. “My friend speaks true,” the sorcerer began, “we come in peace, though your kinsmen have forced us to show otherwise. We wish only to see Zenith.”
The kuo-toa looked towards the far door, and then spoke in a bubbly voice, “I am the Last Breath. It is my word to you that you should leave this place. It is only your own death that you shall find here.” He then began crawling, spider-like, across the ceiling, heading for the far side of the chamber. Caine followed beneath him, trying to prevent the creature from moving beyond his aura. “Please,” he appealed, “if you would only listen to us. We will make restitution to your people for the damage we have done. Only bring us to Zenith and let him decide for himself if he will come with us.” Out of the corner of his eye, Caine saw the rest of his friends enter the room, all save Wathros and his lupine companion. Tilly then closed the door behind them, admonishing the druid to stand guard.
“Master,” the kuo-toa said loudly, now positioned above the far door, “you have guests!” He then turned back to Caine, “Zenith is the Eye in the Darkness. To look into the Eye is to seek eternity.”
As Caine continued to try and reason with the guardian, Tilly and Ajax moved slowly around the room to the far doors. There, Tilly noted them to be securely locked, and began working with his picks. The kuo-toa took full note of his actions, but appeared unconcerned. Caine was confident the creature was still under the effects of his aura. In short order, Tilly had the lock open. Ajax stepped forward, and without hesitation, threw open the doors. The room beyond was large. Against the far wall sat a throne made of what looked like stitched together skin. Four slender pillars surrounded a faintly luminescent circle about five feet across, carved into the stone of the floor. To either side of the throne hung banners depicting a dwarf in blue and white armor holding a war axe aloft. Both banners were hung upside down.
A tired-looking dwarf slumped in the throne, a glowing sphere in his hand and an axe across his lap. Hanging by their feet above him by nooses attached to the ceiling were dozens of rotting corpses, each with the top of its head removed. The corpses muttered and twitched in a pale mockery of life.
The dwarf lifted its eyes as Ajax entered, “I prophesy your doom!” he whispered harshly.
Ajax’ eyes widened as his view of the dwarf became more clear, for covering Zenith’s face was a large birthmark, one which would normally have been invisible if not for his magically enhanced vision. Furthermore, the mark was not random. It was undeniably a symbol, and one that Ajax recognized…Carceri, the prison plane. At that moment, Rusty stepped into the room behind him. The priest’s eyes also went wide, but with anger rather than shock. The banners hanging behind the grisly throne were clearly those of Clan Splintershield, but Rusty knew, as any dwarf would, that to hang them upside down was the gravest of insults. “What’s the meanin’ of this?” he sputtered. Zenith’s hollow gaze shifted to him, and he raised one bony finger to point at Rusty, “A man in blue will slay you before the year is done!” With that, Zenith rose from his seat, and hurled the glowing sphere against the wall beside Ajax and Rusty. The sphere shattered, and a small puff of smoke issued from it, but to all appearances, the gesture was an impotent one. Ajax, however, knew different. Materializing out of thin air was the ghostly outline of a flying humanoid. Ajax knew the others could not see the elemental, and the creature would use that to its full advantage. The deva shouted a warning to his companions, but he knew that the greater threat here was Zenith himself. The dwarven prince seemed insane. What was this nonsense that he kept spouting? What was he doing here, apparently leading these kuo-toan zealots? Perhaps the kuo-toan priests had cursed him, and bound him here to torment him with madness. Ajax took to the air, weaving a counter curse as he flew. He landed beside Zenith, and reached out a hand to touch him gently on the shoulder, “I free you from your curse,” he said calmly. The dwarf turned towards him. His whole body stiffened, and he tightened both hands on his axe, planting his feet firmly, and snarling, “You will be buried alive, but you won’t be alone!”
Rusty knew something was wrong here, but he wasn’t going to be as gentle in his approach as the deva was. Something had happened to Zenith, to be sure, and whatever that something was, it was evil. Rusty knew how to fight evil. Perhaps a good jolt of pure, unadulterated goodness would shock the prince out of his madness, and if not, at least it would teach him a lesson. Rusty called on Mystra’s power to deliver a might smite of holy power. It struck Zenith like a thunderclap. The dwarven prince reeled for a moment, and then grabbed his eyes, howling as he was temporarily struck blind. Rusty then began moving towards the throne, intending to help Ajax subdue and restrain Zenith, but suddenly he was walloped from his blind side. A blow like the kick of a mule hammered into his temple. He spun, looking for his attacker, but there was no one there, just a soft rush of wind.
Caine watched from the doorway, his soliloquy to the kuo-toa guardian forgotten. He didn’t know why Zenith Splintershield was attacking them, but he knew that they had to take the dwarf alive. By the same token, it wouldn’t do to have his own companions killed by the homicidal prince while they were trying to be merciful. Caine intended to level the playing field. Calling upon his sorcery, he ensnared Zenith with a magical Yoke of Mercy. Now the dwarf would be forced to use only non-lethal tactics himself, if only for a short time. So intent was Caine on the conflict that he failed to notice the Final Breath had crawled quietly down from his ceiling perch, and was now standing directly behind him. The kuo-toa silently slipped one of his blades from its sheath.
Tilly was circling stealthily around the perimeter of the chamber, trying to take in all aspects of the situation. He wasn’t sure what he should do. On the one hand, this crazy dwarf was attacking his friends, but on the other, this same crazy dwarf was whom they’d come all this way to save. Had they endured all their trials only to have to kill their quarry? As he pondered his choices, his mind was suddenly drawn back to the here and now as two unseen blows struck him heavily from behind.
Zenith stood regarding Ajax with a mixture of hatred and curiosity. Ajax could see the murder in his eyes, but also the need to obey the compulsion of the Yoke. Ajax used the moment of confusion to strike. Turning his blade to the flat, he swatted Zenith across the temple with it, causing the dwarf to blink in surprise. At that same moment, Rusty approached from Zenith’s flank, dividing his attention now between two opponents. Zenith wasted no further time on his dilemma. He too turned his axe blade flat side up, and the proceeded to pummel Rusty unmercifully, raining blow after blow upon the priest. Non-lethal though the attack might have been, Rusty was still seeing stars, and found his vision blurring completely around the edges. “You will set your city aflame!” Zenith raged at Rusty, shrugging off another blow from Ajax as he continued his assault.
Caine whirled around as the blade sliced through his robe, narrowly missing his flesh. Recovering from his surprise, he quickly summoned a grease spell, hoping to cause the dagger to slip from the kuo-toa’s hand, but even as he began uttering the incantation, the blade flashed again, this time sinking into his shoulder. The spell died on his lips as he felt the pain, and then a deeper burn. He felt himself grow weak…poison.
Rusty couldn’t take much more of the beating that he was receiving. Dropping his hammer and shield, he put his head down and rushed at Zenith, hoping to tackle his clansman and take him to the ground. He wrapped his arms around the prince, but with barely a shrug, Zenith threw him off, then followed up with a vicious crack to Rusty’s skull. Rusty staggered backwards, moving out of range of Zenith’s attack. He made for the wall where Tilly stood, but before he had gone three steps, he was struck again, this time by the invisible stalker. His head rang like a cathedral bell, and he felt himself slumping to the floor.
Tilly watched as Rusty crumpled. This was getting out of hand already. He saw that now Zenith had turned his full attention to Ajax, and the deva was going to have his hands full. On the other side of the room, Caine was struggling with the now armed kuo-toa. Weighing his choices, Tilly ran for Caine, knowing the pacifist sorcerer wouldn’t defend himself. However, as he moved, Tilly was struck again by the unseen elemental. He dove to the floor, rolling and tumbling behind one of the pillars. When he flipped to his feet on the far side, he unfortunately found himself face to face with the kuo-toa. The guardian dropped the dagger he held, then instantly drew another, this one also glistening wetly with the poison applied to its blade. Tilly tried to dodge, but the guardian was like a snake, striking out and slashing his arm. As he staggered away from the kuo-toa, he bumped into Caine. “Trust me,” the sorcerer whispered, and he uttered a spell. Instantly, Tilly found himself invisible, concealed from his attackers…or so he thought. The kuo-toa seemed to look right at him, and with a snarl, he drew a third dagger, and buried it in Tilly’s leg.
Wathros had heard enough. He knew that the others had told him to stand guard, but if no reinforcements had heard the melee by now, then none were coming. He pushed open the doors and dashed across the chamber to witness the battle in the room beyond. Though he didn’t understand exactly what was going on, he did know that his friends were in trouble and needed help. He concentrated for a moment, then opened a portal to the elemental plane of earth, calling from that inhospitable place two of its natural denizens…thoqua. The creatures were natural burrowers, appearing as bloated worms with glowing red “eye” spots on their backs. The thoqua did not burrow by digging, however. Instead, their eyespots radiated such intense heat, that they literally melted through earth. Wathros thought they might prove useful. He immediately sent one of them towards the kuo-toa assassin, who predictably struck at the approaching creature, thinking it slow, easy prey. He was rudely surprised as its white-hot hide scorched his hand, causing him to leap back, screaming in pain.
Now that the kuo-toa was distracted, Caine focused once more on the rest of the battle. He quickly noted Rusty lying unconscious several yards away. He opened his robes and Jules hovered forth. “Go to him,” Caine instructed, and the little archon zipped away, coming to a halt inches above Rusty’s face, bathing him in a glowing, golden light. Rusty’s eyes fluttered open, and he heaved himself to his feet. “Thanks, littler feller,” he grumbled, and then began moving back towards Zenith, not sure how he was going to stand up to another assault, but completely sure that he had no other choice.
Wathros smiled smugly at his handy work. The thoqua had forced the kuo-toa away from Caine, and were now herding him across the floor. They couldn’t quite catch him, but he was too wary of them now to risk an attack. He was considering summoning a third one, when suddenly the wind was knocked out of him as an invisible fist slammed into his gut. “Wathros, behind you! It’s invisible!” Ajax’ voice sounded across the chamber in warning, and Wathros quickly backed against one wall, involuntarily looking around for the enemy he knew he could not see…but at least he had an idea of where the creature was. Calling up another spell, Wathros caused a brief flash of violet light to appear. When it had faded, he saw a humanoid form standing before him, outlined in flickering faerie fire.
Ajax and Zenith continued to trade blows, each slapping at the other with blade flats and hafts, neither doing any real harm to the other. It was then that Ajax noticed the invisible form of Tilly creeping slowly up behind the dwarf, but unfortunately, he was not the only one who saw. “Master! An assassin approaches from behind!” the kuo-toa warned, spotting Tilly again. Ajax growled angrily, whipping around to face the guardian. Here, at least, was an opponent he did not have to be merciful with. With two wicked strikes, he had opened deep gashes in the kuo-toa’s hide. The creature attempted to dodge past him, rolling to the floor much as Tilly had done, but Ajax was the faster this time. He stabbed his blade down like a spike, severing the kuo-toa’s spine, and ceasing its struggles.
The glowing form of the stalker leaped at Wathros, hammering at him with its powerful fists. Instantly, the druid summoned a glowing flame to his hand, and then drove it into where the creature’s face should be. At the same time, he mentally called the thoqua to return to his side. In moments, the stalker was surrounded. The two thoqua stood behind it, while Onesock and Rusty flanked it from the front. “Kill!” Wathros’ command rang out, and his minions attacked. The stalker twisted and spun front to back, attempting to fend off the assault, and striking blows of its own. One flailing fist clipped Wathros squarely across the jaw, sending the elf reeling against one wall, his head swimming. The stalker, seeing its chance, moved in for the kill, but before it could deliver the coup de grace, one of the thoqua leaped on its back, bearing it to the ground where it erupted in flames, and then vanished in a cloud of ash.
Tilly knew that he had only one chance. While Zenith was still unaware of his exact position, he drove in with his sword, slicing into the dwarf’s side, and ripping it wide open. He was heedless of the fact that he might be killing the man they had come to save. At this point, he was in pure survival mode. With his attack, Tilly’s invisibility ended, and Zenith retaliated…lethally. Caine’s enchantment had ended, and the dwarf now brought his axe down in a double-handed chop, sinking it into Tilly’s shoulder, to scrape against the bone of his clavicle. That was enough for the little rogue. He broke off, stumbling back across the chamber. Rusty quickly took his place, just as Ajax stepped to the Zenith’s far side, boxing the mad prince in. The deva swung his sword like a club, causing Zenith to double over with a grunt as it smacked against his belly. As the dwarf stood back up, he was visibly winded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Rusty thought the battle almost over. He stooped to retrieve his dropped axe, but as he did, Zenith showed him that he still had some fight left. He caught the priest with an upper cut from his axe, lifting Rusty off his feet. He crashed to the floor, his head bouncing off the flagstone, and he lay very still. Zenith then spun about, sensing Ajax’ approach, but one final swat from the deva’s sword ended the drama, and the dwarf hit the floor beside his fallen kinsman.
Those of the group who were still standing moved to assist those who were not, administering healing elixirs where needed. Soon, all stood again, standing over the fallen Zenith Splintershield. “We should not tarry here,” Caine said, an uncharacteristic edge to his voice. “I suggest we gather up our friend here, bind him tightly, and move out.”
“Not so fast,” Rusty whispered hoarsely, his eyes drifting up to the mass of muttering corpses on the ceiling. The bodies were of many races, mostly native to the Underdark, but three immediately caught his attention. One was Mangh Mictho, the priest they had fought the previous day, obviously hung here for his failure. The other two…Rusty felt his throat closing up in anguish. There, hanging by their feet, naked, horrid wounds in their flesh were Pez and Gardrid. Like the other corpses, they twitched and moaned in a horrible parody of life.
“Get them down!” Rusty howled, “Get them down now!”
Ajax scowled as he took in the sight. What kind of insane asylum had they stumbled across? He flew to the ceiling, cutting the bodies loose and lowering them gently to the ground, where blessedly, their movements and vocalizations ceased.
“Come,” Caine said again, “We will carry our lost home.”
______________________________________________________
The journey back to Cauldron was largely uneventful. Frustratingly so, especially for Rusty. Zenith regained consciousness after his wounds were tended, but he seemed in a daze. He refused to speak at all, and would merely walk along behind them like an automaton. He accepted food and water, but with no expression, and no light of reason in his eyes.
They arrived in Cauldron at dawn on the fifth day out from Bhal Hamatugn, and made immediately for the Cusp of Sunrise. Renjin greeted them at the door, and seemed on the verge of apoplexy at the sight of their dirty, bloodstained clothing. Fortunately, Celeste intervened before blows were exchanged, and she ushered the group into a private meeting room. She explained that Davked was too ill to meet them, though now that his son had been returned, she was sure he would be hale again soon enough. She then listened to their tale with great interest, and expressed genuine regret at the losses they had suffered. She assured them that Zenith would be tended to and healed, eventually. For now, he would be returning home with Davked as soon as the two were fit to travel. With a note of finality, she awarded each of the Bright Axes the gold they had been promised, as well as bestowing upon them official membership to the Cusp of Sunrise. She then bid them farewell, and congratulations on a job well done.
At the temple of Tyr, Jenya greeted the returning heroes with a mixture of relief and sadness. Her eyes grew haunted as she gazed upon the lifeless forms of Pez and Gardrid. “It is within my power to return them to life, if that is your wish,” she said, primarily addressing Rusty, Wathros and Tilly.
“That’s fer them to be decidin’,” Rusty said gruffly, nodding at the bodies. Jenya understood what he meant. She had ways of communicating with the dead, and she would do so now, asking of the departed their wishes.
The companions waited in silence in the sanctuary while Jenya performed the ritual. Hours passed, and darkness fell. Finally, the door to the private chapel opened, and the haggard looking high priestess appeared. A collective gasp came from the companions as they saw who followed her. It was Gardrid, looking tired and pale, but alive. Before he could stop himself, Rusty rushed over to his kinsman, and wrapped him in a huge bear hug, shouting a dwarven cheer as he did. Tilly was right beside him, clinging to the battlerager’s legs. “All right, all right, put me down ye idgits!” Gardrid growled half-heartedly, “Can’t a man come back from the dead without everyone raisin’ such a stink about it?”
“What of Pez?” Wathros asked from further back in the sanctuary, noting only the presence of Gardrid.
Jenya sighed, then smiled, “Pez has…passed on. I did indeed speak with his spirit, but he is no longer the Pez we knew. He has been redeemed, and reclaimed by the celestial host. His time among mortals is at an end.”
The others nodded in silence…all except Ajax. He merely bowed his head, a grim expression on his face, hidden from his friends. While he rejoiced at the redemption of his brother, he could not but help wonder when his own time would come…
Several days later, Gardrid stood at the western gates of the city, Rusty, Tilly and Maple beside him.
“Ye’re sure about this?” Rusty asked, probably for the hundredth time.
“Yep,” Gardrid replied, “I’m goin’ home. I done what I came fer. Zenith’s been found, and what’s left of the clan here reclaimed. I’m reportin’ back to the King. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back before too long. After all, I gotta be checkin’ on me own kingdom. Don’t seem like Zenith’ll be reclaimin’ the Malachite Fortress any time soon. I trust ye to watch over it fer me.” He clapped Rusty on the shoulder, then turned into the sunset, and walked away.
Gretchyn answered the door of the orphanage, and stared suspiciously at the beggar on the doorstep.
“Help you?” she asked thinly.
“I am called Caine, madam,” the sorcerer said with a bow, “and I have come to make a delivery to you.”
“Deliveries are usually round back,” the elderly halfling said, “but you’ll pardon my sayin’ that you hardly look like a delivery boy.”
Caine smiled, and then unshouldered the heavy pack that he carried. “For you, and your charges. You have heard of the death of the warrior Pez. He died honorably, and it was his final wish that the orphans be looked after and cared for. Use it well.”
He turned abruptly and started down the walk. Gretchyn bent down carefully, and opened the flap on the pack. She almost fainted dead away at the sight within, for the gold coins there were more than she had ever seen, or even heard of in her entire life.
It was not long after, that construction started on a new wing of the Lantern Street Orphanage, which was soon to be renamed as the Pez Memorial Home for Foundlings.
“The duergar said that Zenith was being held in the upper levels,” Ajax said as the new Bright Axes stood upon the great dais, surveying the ruin of the temple to the Sea Mother.
“Actually,” Caine corrected, “he said that Zenith’s audience chamber was on the upper level. I’m not sure that implies that he is a prisoner.”
“What’re ye sayin?” Rusty demanded, his face thunderous.
“Calm yourself my friend,” Caine said placatingly, “I only mean to say that we cannot be sure what’s Zenith’s status or state of mind is. We must be cautious, and not react on instinct. All may not be as it appears.”
The temple bore three exits: one on the main level, which led back to the entry hall; one on the lower level; and one off the top balcony. It was to this last set of doors that Ajax ferried the companions, one by one. Beyond the doors was a short hallway that ended at a T-intersection. A set of double doors lay at the end of each short branch. The company first approached the doors to the west. Tilly listened closely at them, but heard not a sound. Next, Ajax stepped up and concentrated, sensing for the presence of evil beyond the portals. Nothing. They repeated the procedure at the eastern set of doors, with Tilly again hearing nothing. However, when Ajax scanned for evil, he detected a faint emanation. “Here,” he whispered.
The five friends braced themselves. Ajax summoned one final bit of magic, one which gave his eyes the ability to see the unseen, and with that, he opened the doors. The lozenge-shaped chamber beyond was adorned with more frescoes, this time of kuo-toans emerging from the sea and marching into holes in the ground. The floor of the room was covered with the same porcelain shards that were present near the entrance to the shrine. The eastern corner of the north wall featured a second set of stone double doors. Ajax stepped in cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning every nook and shadow. Suddenly, he spotted something, crouched on the ceiling above the door he had just entered. It appeared to be another kuo-toa, unadorned except for a chest harness bearing numerous curved daggers. Ajax raised his blade defensively, but did not attack, “We mean you no harm,” he called out in the language of the Underdark, “we are simply here to find our lost companion, Zenith Splintershield. Bring us to him and we will be on our way.” The kuo-toa stared at him with its lamp-like eyes, and slowly its hands moved towards its weapons. Ajax tensed, preparing for the coming attack, but then Caine entered the room. Immediately, Ajax felt the aura of calm surround him. Apparently, the kuo-toa felt it as well. He relaxed his position, and instead crossed his arms over his knees, staring at Caine curiously. “My friend speaks true,” the sorcerer began, “we come in peace, though your kinsmen have forced us to show otherwise. We wish only to see Zenith.”
The kuo-toa looked towards the far door, and then spoke in a bubbly voice, “I am the Last Breath. It is my word to you that you should leave this place. It is only your own death that you shall find here.” He then began crawling, spider-like, across the ceiling, heading for the far side of the chamber. Caine followed beneath him, trying to prevent the creature from moving beyond his aura. “Please,” he appealed, “if you would only listen to us. We will make restitution to your people for the damage we have done. Only bring us to Zenith and let him decide for himself if he will come with us.” Out of the corner of his eye, Caine saw the rest of his friends enter the room, all save Wathros and his lupine companion. Tilly then closed the door behind them, admonishing the druid to stand guard.
“Master,” the kuo-toa said loudly, now positioned above the far door, “you have guests!” He then turned back to Caine, “Zenith is the Eye in the Darkness. To look into the Eye is to seek eternity.”
As Caine continued to try and reason with the guardian, Tilly and Ajax moved slowly around the room to the far doors. There, Tilly noted them to be securely locked, and began working with his picks. The kuo-toa took full note of his actions, but appeared unconcerned. Caine was confident the creature was still under the effects of his aura. In short order, Tilly had the lock open. Ajax stepped forward, and without hesitation, threw open the doors. The room beyond was large. Against the far wall sat a throne made of what looked like stitched together skin. Four slender pillars surrounded a faintly luminescent circle about five feet across, carved into the stone of the floor. To either side of the throne hung banners depicting a dwarf in blue and white armor holding a war axe aloft. Both banners were hung upside down.
A tired-looking dwarf slumped in the throne, a glowing sphere in his hand and an axe across his lap. Hanging by their feet above him by nooses attached to the ceiling were dozens of rotting corpses, each with the top of its head removed. The corpses muttered and twitched in a pale mockery of life.
The dwarf lifted its eyes as Ajax entered, “I prophesy your doom!” he whispered harshly.
Ajax’ eyes widened as his view of the dwarf became more clear, for covering Zenith’s face was a large birthmark, one which would normally have been invisible if not for his magically enhanced vision. Furthermore, the mark was not random. It was undeniably a symbol, and one that Ajax recognized…Carceri, the prison plane. At that moment, Rusty stepped into the room behind him. The priest’s eyes also went wide, but with anger rather than shock. The banners hanging behind the grisly throne were clearly those of Clan Splintershield, but Rusty knew, as any dwarf would, that to hang them upside down was the gravest of insults. “What’s the meanin’ of this?” he sputtered. Zenith’s hollow gaze shifted to him, and he raised one bony finger to point at Rusty, “A man in blue will slay you before the year is done!” With that, Zenith rose from his seat, and hurled the glowing sphere against the wall beside Ajax and Rusty. The sphere shattered, and a small puff of smoke issued from it, but to all appearances, the gesture was an impotent one. Ajax, however, knew different. Materializing out of thin air was the ghostly outline of a flying humanoid. Ajax knew the others could not see the elemental, and the creature would use that to its full advantage. The deva shouted a warning to his companions, but he knew that the greater threat here was Zenith himself. The dwarven prince seemed insane. What was this nonsense that he kept spouting? What was he doing here, apparently leading these kuo-toan zealots? Perhaps the kuo-toan priests had cursed him, and bound him here to torment him with madness. Ajax took to the air, weaving a counter curse as he flew. He landed beside Zenith, and reached out a hand to touch him gently on the shoulder, “I free you from your curse,” he said calmly. The dwarf turned towards him. His whole body stiffened, and he tightened both hands on his axe, planting his feet firmly, and snarling, “You will be buried alive, but you won’t be alone!”
Rusty knew something was wrong here, but he wasn’t going to be as gentle in his approach as the deva was. Something had happened to Zenith, to be sure, and whatever that something was, it was evil. Rusty knew how to fight evil. Perhaps a good jolt of pure, unadulterated goodness would shock the prince out of his madness, and if not, at least it would teach him a lesson. Rusty called on Mystra’s power to deliver a might smite of holy power. It struck Zenith like a thunderclap. The dwarven prince reeled for a moment, and then grabbed his eyes, howling as he was temporarily struck blind. Rusty then began moving towards the throne, intending to help Ajax subdue and restrain Zenith, but suddenly he was walloped from his blind side. A blow like the kick of a mule hammered into his temple. He spun, looking for his attacker, but there was no one there, just a soft rush of wind.
Caine watched from the doorway, his soliloquy to the kuo-toa guardian forgotten. He didn’t know why Zenith Splintershield was attacking them, but he knew that they had to take the dwarf alive. By the same token, it wouldn’t do to have his own companions killed by the homicidal prince while they were trying to be merciful. Caine intended to level the playing field. Calling upon his sorcery, he ensnared Zenith with a magical Yoke of Mercy. Now the dwarf would be forced to use only non-lethal tactics himself, if only for a short time. So intent was Caine on the conflict that he failed to notice the Final Breath had crawled quietly down from his ceiling perch, and was now standing directly behind him. The kuo-toa silently slipped one of his blades from its sheath.
Tilly was circling stealthily around the perimeter of the chamber, trying to take in all aspects of the situation. He wasn’t sure what he should do. On the one hand, this crazy dwarf was attacking his friends, but on the other, this same crazy dwarf was whom they’d come all this way to save. Had they endured all their trials only to have to kill their quarry? As he pondered his choices, his mind was suddenly drawn back to the here and now as two unseen blows struck him heavily from behind.
Zenith stood regarding Ajax with a mixture of hatred and curiosity. Ajax could see the murder in his eyes, but also the need to obey the compulsion of the Yoke. Ajax used the moment of confusion to strike. Turning his blade to the flat, he swatted Zenith across the temple with it, causing the dwarf to blink in surprise. At that same moment, Rusty approached from Zenith’s flank, dividing his attention now between two opponents. Zenith wasted no further time on his dilemma. He too turned his axe blade flat side up, and the proceeded to pummel Rusty unmercifully, raining blow after blow upon the priest. Non-lethal though the attack might have been, Rusty was still seeing stars, and found his vision blurring completely around the edges. “You will set your city aflame!” Zenith raged at Rusty, shrugging off another blow from Ajax as he continued his assault.
Caine whirled around as the blade sliced through his robe, narrowly missing his flesh. Recovering from his surprise, he quickly summoned a grease spell, hoping to cause the dagger to slip from the kuo-toa’s hand, but even as he began uttering the incantation, the blade flashed again, this time sinking into his shoulder. The spell died on his lips as he felt the pain, and then a deeper burn. He felt himself grow weak…poison.
Rusty couldn’t take much more of the beating that he was receiving. Dropping his hammer and shield, he put his head down and rushed at Zenith, hoping to tackle his clansman and take him to the ground. He wrapped his arms around the prince, but with barely a shrug, Zenith threw him off, then followed up with a vicious crack to Rusty’s skull. Rusty staggered backwards, moving out of range of Zenith’s attack. He made for the wall where Tilly stood, but before he had gone three steps, he was struck again, this time by the invisible stalker. His head rang like a cathedral bell, and he felt himself slumping to the floor.
Tilly watched as Rusty crumpled. This was getting out of hand already. He saw that now Zenith had turned his full attention to Ajax, and the deva was going to have his hands full. On the other side of the room, Caine was struggling with the now armed kuo-toa. Weighing his choices, Tilly ran for Caine, knowing the pacifist sorcerer wouldn’t defend himself. However, as he moved, Tilly was struck again by the unseen elemental. He dove to the floor, rolling and tumbling behind one of the pillars. When he flipped to his feet on the far side, he unfortunately found himself face to face with the kuo-toa. The guardian dropped the dagger he held, then instantly drew another, this one also glistening wetly with the poison applied to its blade. Tilly tried to dodge, but the guardian was like a snake, striking out and slashing his arm. As he staggered away from the kuo-toa, he bumped into Caine. “Trust me,” the sorcerer whispered, and he uttered a spell. Instantly, Tilly found himself invisible, concealed from his attackers…or so he thought. The kuo-toa seemed to look right at him, and with a snarl, he drew a third dagger, and buried it in Tilly’s leg.
Wathros had heard enough. He knew that the others had told him to stand guard, but if no reinforcements had heard the melee by now, then none were coming. He pushed open the doors and dashed across the chamber to witness the battle in the room beyond. Though he didn’t understand exactly what was going on, he did know that his friends were in trouble and needed help. He concentrated for a moment, then opened a portal to the elemental plane of earth, calling from that inhospitable place two of its natural denizens…thoqua. The creatures were natural burrowers, appearing as bloated worms with glowing red “eye” spots on their backs. The thoqua did not burrow by digging, however. Instead, their eyespots radiated such intense heat, that they literally melted through earth. Wathros thought they might prove useful. He immediately sent one of them towards the kuo-toa assassin, who predictably struck at the approaching creature, thinking it slow, easy prey. He was rudely surprised as its white-hot hide scorched his hand, causing him to leap back, screaming in pain.
Now that the kuo-toa was distracted, Caine focused once more on the rest of the battle. He quickly noted Rusty lying unconscious several yards away. He opened his robes and Jules hovered forth. “Go to him,” Caine instructed, and the little archon zipped away, coming to a halt inches above Rusty’s face, bathing him in a glowing, golden light. Rusty’s eyes fluttered open, and he heaved himself to his feet. “Thanks, littler feller,” he grumbled, and then began moving back towards Zenith, not sure how he was going to stand up to another assault, but completely sure that he had no other choice.
Wathros smiled smugly at his handy work. The thoqua had forced the kuo-toa away from Caine, and were now herding him across the floor. They couldn’t quite catch him, but he was too wary of them now to risk an attack. He was considering summoning a third one, when suddenly the wind was knocked out of him as an invisible fist slammed into his gut. “Wathros, behind you! It’s invisible!” Ajax’ voice sounded across the chamber in warning, and Wathros quickly backed against one wall, involuntarily looking around for the enemy he knew he could not see…but at least he had an idea of where the creature was. Calling up another spell, Wathros caused a brief flash of violet light to appear. When it had faded, he saw a humanoid form standing before him, outlined in flickering faerie fire.
Ajax and Zenith continued to trade blows, each slapping at the other with blade flats and hafts, neither doing any real harm to the other. It was then that Ajax noticed the invisible form of Tilly creeping slowly up behind the dwarf, but unfortunately, he was not the only one who saw. “Master! An assassin approaches from behind!” the kuo-toa warned, spotting Tilly again. Ajax growled angrily, whipping around to face the guardian. Here, at least, was an opponent he did not have to be merciful with. With two wicked strikes, he had opened deep gashes in the kuo-toa’s hide. The creature attempted to dodge past him, rolling to the floor much as Tilly had done, but Ajax was the faster this time. He stabbed his blade down like a spike, severing the kuo-toa’s spine, and ceasing its struggles.
The glowing form of the stalker leaped at Wathros, hammering at him with its powerful fists. Instantly, the druid summoned a glowing flame to his hand, and then drove it into where the creature’s face should be. At the same time, he mentally called the thoqua to return to his side. In moments, the stalker was surrounded. The two thoqua stood behind it, while Onesock and Rusty flanked it from the front. “Kill!” Wathros’ command rang out, and his minions attacked. The stalker twisted and spun front to back, attempting to fend off the assault, and striking blows of its own. One flailing fist clipped Wathros squarely across the jaw, sending the elf reeling against one wall, his head swimming. The stalker, seeing its chance, moved in for the kill, but before it could deliver the coup de grace, one of the thoqua leaped on its back, bearing it to the ground where it erupted in flames, and then vanished in a cloud of ash.
Tilly knew that he had only one chance. While Zenith was still unaware of his exact position, he drove in with his sword, slicing into the dwarf’s side, and ripping it wide open. He was heedless of the fact that he might be killing the man they had come to save. At this point, he was in pure survival mode. With his attack, Tilly’s invisibility ended, and Zenith retaliated…lethally. Caine’s enchantment had ended, and the dwarf now brought his axe down in a double-handed chop, sinking it into Tilly’s shoulder, to scrape against the bone of his clavicle. That was enough for the little rogue. He broke off, stumbling back across the chamber. Rusty quickly took his place, just as Ajax stepped to the Zenith’s far side, boxing the mad prince in. The deva swung his sword like a club, causing Zenith to double over with a grunt as it smacked against his belly. As the dwarf stood back up, he was visibly winded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Rusty thought the battle almost over. He stooped to retrieve his dropped axe, but as he did, Zenith showed him that he still had some fight left. He caught the priest with an upper cut from his axe, lifting Rusty off his feet. He crashed to the floor, his head bouncing off the flagstone, and he lay very still. Zenith then spun about, sensing Ajax’ approach, but one final swat from the deva’s sword ended the drama, and the dwarf hit the floor beside his fallen kinsman.
Those of the group who were still standing moved to assist those who were not, administering healing elixirs where needed. Soon, all stood again, standing over the fallen Zenith Splintershield. “We should not tarry here,” Caine said, an uncharacteristic edge to his voice. “I suggest we gather up our friend here, bind him tightly, and move out.”
“Not so fast,” Rusty whispered hoarsely, his eyes drifting up to the mass of muttering corpses on the ceiling. The bodies were of many races, mostly native to the Underdark, but three immediately caught his attention. One was Mangh Mictho, the priest they had fought the previous day, obviously hung here for his failure. The other two…Rusty felt his throat closing up in anguish. There, hanging by their feet, naked, horrid wounds in their flesh were Pez and Gardrid. Like the other corpses, they twitched and moaned in a horrible parody of life.
“Get them down!” Rusty howled, “Get them down now!”
Ajax scowled as he took in the sight. What kind of insane asylum had they stumbled across? He flew to the ceiling, cutting the bodies loose and lowering them gently to the ground, where blessedly, their movements and vocalizations ceased.
“Come,” Caine said again, “We will carry our lost home.”
______________________________________________________
The journey back to Cauldron was largely uneventful. Frustratingly so, especially for Rusty. Zenith regained consciousness after his wounds were tended, but he seemed in a daze. He refused to speak at all, and would merely walk along behind them like an automaton. He accepted food and water, but with no expression, and no light of reason in his eyes.
They arrived in Cauldron at dawn on the fifth day out from Bhal Hamatugn, and made immediately for the Cusp of Sunrise. Renjin greeted them at the door, and seemed on the verge of apoplexy at the sight of their dirty, bloodstained clothing. Fortunately, Celeste intervened before blows were exchanged, and she ushered the group into a private meeting room. She explained that Davked was too ill to meet them, though now that his son had been returned, she was sure he would be hale again soon enough. She then listened to their tale with great interest, and expressed genuine regret at the losses they had suffered. She assured them that Zenith would be tended to and healed, eventually. For now, he would be returning home with Davked as soon as the two were fit to travel. With a note of finality, she awarded each of the Bright Axes the gold they had been promised, as well as bestowing upon them official membership to the Cusp of Sunrise. She then bid them farewell, and congratulations on a job well done.
At the temple of Tyr, Jenya greeted the returning heroes with a mixture of relief and sadness. Her eyes grew haunted as she gazed upon the lifeless forms of Pez and Gardrid. “It is within my power to return them to life, if that is your wish,” she said, primarily addressing Rusty, Wathros and Tilly.
“That’s fer them to be decidin’,” Rusty said gruffly, nodding at the bodies. Jenya understood what he meant. She had ways of communicating with the dead, and she would do so now, asking of the departed their wishes.
The companions waited in silence in the sanctuary while Jenya performed the ritual. Hours passed, and darkness fell. Finally, the door to the private chapel opened, and the haggard looking high priestess appeared. A collective gasp came from the companions as they saw who followed her. It was Gardrid, looking tired and pale, but alive. Before he could stop himself, Rusty rushed over to his kinsman, and wrapped him in a huge bear hug, shouting a dwarven cheer as he did. Tilly was right beside him, clinging to the battlerager’s legs. “All right, all right, put me down ye idgits!” Gardrid growled half-heartedly, “Can’t a man come back from the dead without everyone raisin’ such a stink about it?”
“What of Pez?” Wathros asked from further back in the sanctuary, noting only the presence of Gardrid.
Jenya sighed, then smiled, “Pez has…passed on. I did indeed speak with his spirit, but he is no longer the Pez we knew. He has been redeemed, and reclaimed by the celestial host. His time among mortals is at an end.”
The others nodded in silence…all except Ajax. He merely bowed his head, a grim expression on his face, hidden from his friends. While he rejoiced at the redemption of his brother, he could not but help wonder when his own time would come…
Several days later, Gardrid stood at the western gates of the city, Rusty, Tilly and Maple beside him.
“Ye’re sure about this?” Rusty asked, probably for the hundredth time.
“Yep,” Gardrid replied, “I’m goin’ home. I done what I came fer. Zenith’s been found, and what’s left of the clan here reclaimed. I’m reportin’ back to the King. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back before too long. After all, I gotta be checkin’ on me own kingdom. Don’t seem like Zenith’ll be reclaimin’ the Malachite Fortress any time soon. I trust ye to watch over it fer me.” He clapped Rusty on the shoulder, then turned into the sunset, and walked away.
Gretchyn answered the door of the orphanage, and stared suspiciously at the beggar on the doorstep.
“Help you?” she asked thinly.
“I am called Caine, madam,” the sorcerer said with a bow, “and I have come to make a delivery to you.”
“Deliveries are usually round back,” the elderly halfling said, “but you’ll pardon my sayin’ that you hardly look like a delivery boy.”
Caine smiled, and then unshouldered the heavy pack that he carried. “For you, and your charges. You have heard of the death of the warrior Pez. He died honorably, and it was his final wish that the orphans be looked after and cared for. Use it well.”
He turned abruptly and started down the walk. Gretchyn bent down carefully, and opened the flap on the pack. She almost fainted dead away at the sight within, for the gold coins there were more than she had ever seen, or even heard of in her entire life.
It was not long after, that construction started on a new wing of the Lantern Street Orphanage, which was soon to be renamed as the Pez Memorial Home for Foundlings.
Lela
First Post
!Okay, way happy with the conclusion of that adventure. Well done JollyDoc. Action, character, drama. It had it all.
I think both Cain and Ajax are really coming into their own. Ajax, in particulay, has managed to distance himself from Pez enough to atain his own identity but is still similar enough to provide us with fond memories.
Caine has come to provide a unique perspective (and complication) on combat situatoins. He's a different kind of character, one that I've never seen before. He adds a unique dynamic to the story that I'm really growing to love.
Looking forward to more,
Good job JD! That was awesome!
BTW, as a side note to our readers, both Tilly and Wathros' players were salivating over the exalted feats/classes in the BoED. Tilly was looking at the feat Exalted Strike where your sneak attacks turn into d8s and are treated as good weapons for overcmoing DR -- but only when you sneak attack evil creatures. Wathros is looking at a couple of feats including Exalted Wild Shape and Exalted Animal Companion which allow a wild-shaped druid or his companion to take the celestial template, respectively. Also, he was looking at the PrC class the Lion of Talsid. Talsid is a lion-like celestial paragon (Guardinal) who rules in the Blessed Fields of Elysium.
The power of good may be enough to turn these folks exalted too. But, of course, this comes with restrictions which they may not yet be prepared to accept. Stay tuned . . .
BTW, as a side note to our readers, both Tilly and Wathros' players were salivating over the exalted feats/classes in the BoED. Tilly was looking at the feat Exalted Strike where your sneak attacks turn into d8s and are treated as good weapons for overcmoing DR -- but only when you sneak attack evil creatures. Wathros is looking at a couple of feats including Exalted Wild Shape and Exalted Animal Companion which allow a wild-shaped druid or his companion to take the celestial template, respectively. Also, he was looking at the PrC class the Lion of Talsid. Talsid is a lion-like celestial paragon (Guardinal) who rules in the Blessed Fields of Elysium.
The power of good may be enough to turn these folks exalted too. But, of course, this comes with restrictions which they may not yet be prepared to accept. Stay tuned . . .
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