A Dawnforge Legend Storyhour (Chapter 7 started on May 27th)

[Tokiwong]

The basic premise of the story begins in the city of Seaward, and will deal with some conspiracies. The basic enemies will be the Black Circle and the northern hordes of the humanoids and other nastiness, with a rather mundane beginning. This is the starting cast, and th story will actually center on Dais at first, but build from there.

Oh and this is not an acual game, but I will have stats for the main people and all that. Just an exercise in written prose, within a game setting with characters that will grow, and all that It is an experiment of sorts. I doubt it will be all that enjoyable but unlike my Midnight game can't die due to lack of players so please enjoy...

Updated Characters with their stats... story will follow with some introduction of course 32 point buy was used, with standard rules, using the Core Books and both Dawnforge and Age of Legend

Dais (Male Lowlander Fighter 1 Neutral Good): CR 1; STR 18, DEX 14, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 10, CHA 12; HD 1d10+2 (HP 12); BAB +1; FORT +4, REF +2, WILL +0; AC 17 (+2 DEX, +4 Armor, +1 Shield), Flat-Footed 15, Touch 12; Initiative +6; Attack +7 melee (Longsword 1d8+4 19-20/x2), +4 ranged (Light Crossbow 1d8 19-20/x2); Move 20 ft.; Skills- Climb (4) +8/+3, Swim (4) +8, Craft Artwork (4) +4; Feats- Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus Longsword, Quick Draw; Languages- Common, Anderlar; Racial Talents- Ironwall (Longsword, Spear, Light Crossbow); Racial Transformations- None; SQ- Lowlander Traits; Legend Points- 0; Equipment- Longsword, Light Crossbow, 20 bolts, Dagger, Scale Mail, Light Steel Shield, Uniform, Traveler’s Clothes, Backpack, 30 GP

Brash young soldier from Ironwall, with an uncharted destiny and a penchant for meeting the wrong people at the right time. He is a good person, and is naïve and wants to see the good in everyone, and is the most likely person to try and save an enemy, if only because there may be some good in that person.

Dais is average height and has a lean build with dark hair that touches his shoulders. He has a young slim face, and strong gray eyes which burn with his youth and idealism. He truly believes that good can triumph over all evils in the world. His greatest dream is to become a hero like his brother Baile.

Lain (Female Night Elf Rogue 1 Chaotic Good): CR 1; STR 12, DEX 18, CON 10, INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 10; HD 1d6 (HP 6); BAB +0; FORT +0, REF +6, WILL +2; AC 16 (+4 DEX, +2 Armor), Flat-Footed 12, Touch 14; Initiative +4; Attack +1 melee (Kukri 1d4+1 18-20/x2), +4 ranged (Shortbow 1d6 x3); Move 30 ft.; Skills- Balance (4) +8, Climb (4) +5, Decipher Script (4) +6, Disable Device (4) +6, Hide (4) +10, Listen (4) +6, Move Silently (4) +10, Open Locks (4) +8, Sleight of Hand (4) +8, Spot (4) +6; Feats- Stealthy; Languages- Common, Elven, Anderlar, Sylvan; Racial Talents- Unusual Stealth; Racial Transformations- None; SQ- Night Elf Traits, SR 1, Sneak Attack +1d6, Trapfinding; Legend Points- 0; Equipment- Kukri, Shortbow, 20 arrows, Leather Armor, Backpack, Traveling Clothes, Thieves’ Tools, 40 GP

Capricious, and dishonest, Lain lives her life on the edge. A petty street thief, surviving off the scraps of the city, she has eked out a good living for herself far from the lands of her people. She arrived in Seaward nearly fifteen years ago, fleeing persecution from the dawn elves. She hates that her people are involved in a civil war and tries to steer clear of it, wishing that it would end so maybe one day she could go home, but until that time comes she just enjoys herself.

Lain has a lithe curvy build with smooth ebon skin and a bright smile. Her eyes are silver just like the silken strands of her hair, which she wears short, around her face. She usually carries a permanent smirk on her face, and is always dressed for mobility.

Thane (Male Trueborn Disciple 1 Lawful Good): CR 1; STR 10, DEX 10, CON 14, INT 12, WIS 18, CHA 16; HD 1d8+2 (HP 10); BAB +0; FORT +4, REF +0, WILL +6; AC 15 (+4 Armor, +1 Shield), Flat-Footed 15, Touch 10; Initiative +4; Attack +0 melee (Heavy Mace 1d8 x2), +0 ranged; Move 20 ft.; Skills- Concentration (4) +6, Diplomacy (2) +5, Heal (4) +8, Knowledge Religion (4) +5, Spellcraft (2) +3; Feats- Improved Initiative, Favored Disciple; Languages- Common, King’s Tongue, Celestial; Racial Talents- Divine Mastery*; Racial Transformations- None; SQ- Trueborn Traits, Intercession 1/day, Divine Spells, Spell DC 14+Spell Level; Legend Points- 0; Equipment- Heavy Mace, Scale Mail, Light Wooden Shield, Disciple’s Robes, Divine Focus, Pack Mule “Jake”, Supplies, 17 GP

Spells Prepared- 0th (Detect Magic, Light, Purify Food and Drink); 1st (Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Protection From Evil)

*Extra First Level Spell Slot

A pious disciple, Thane shows promise to his brethren, and favor of his chosen Immortal. He is a gentle soul, and much prefers words to action, and is not the kind to embark on adventuring indeed, he is much happier in his enclave then traipsing about trying to right wrongs forcefully. But it seems fate has a different path in mind for Thane.

Thane is short, and an unimposing figure. He is bald, by choice, and wears a long dark robe. He does not carry any weapons though he is trained in their use, he just does not travel about armed unless he must. His eyes are dark and filled with wisdom, but he is not overly prideful, though he can be a coward at times.

 

[Tokiwong]

Prologue

Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.

- Arthur Rubenstein

Delightful music filtered through the wooden floor, up into the large spacious chamber. A single large bed dominated the chamber, with an oaken nightstand, which was draped with fruits and a copper cup lying on its side. Wine bled out over the table onto the wooden floor, in a slow rhythmic pattern.

Soft laughter filled the room, as two figures in the flickering darkness entwined themselves in passion. Hushed whispers in the dark, soft sounds of skin against skin, mixed with the gallant music from below, created a pounding rhythm that filled the room.

As the two lovers reached the zenith of their passion, a soft sound rushed through the room, and then there was only the gallant music from below. No harsh breathes of passion, only the soft music remained as one lover freed herself from the limp body.

She smiled in the darkness, quite pleased with her handiwork, and stabbed the blade still tucked into her hand, into the corpse’s back. Her form was squat, and muscular the very essence of dwarf beauty, feminine yet powerful.

Once she was pleased that the dwarf lord lay dead, she began to search the room, her form already shifting to that of a tall lean woman, with several scars along her body. Her fingers were deft and fine, and were nimble as she searched through the various packs and bags that the dwarf lord had so carefully left strewn about the room.

She smiled as she found what she needed.

Three months of planning had finally paid off, and her masters would be pleased at the chaos she was about to sew. Within moments the window swung open and the assassin was off into the night with her prize…

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 1 - Part 1

Skilled fingers guided the quill over the paper in quick, yet deliberate strokes, with each stroke forming an image of the city that surrounded the artist. The city of Seaward, dominated by old organic looking structures erected by the druids some time ago. It was the crown jewel of Anderland, a constant reminder of the struggle and the sacrifice the men of Anderland had faced and overcome in their rise to prominence.

But to Dais it was a city of wonders, a far cry from his early years in the fortress city of Ironwall. The multitudes of people, of foreigners, and natives alike and the sites were quite breathtaking. Where Ironwall was built for function and defense, Seaward had the gracious curves of beauty and style of a spoiled aristocrat. Dais’ fingers deftly guided the quill over the parchment as he tried to capture the aesthetics of the city and its inhabitants.

“You should have been an artisan, Dais,” the gruff voice replied as a larger soldier sat next to the artistic lowlander. The man was Uric, a fellow soldier and a good man, if a bit too self-indulgent for his own good.

“You jest,” Dais laughed, brushing his mahogany brown hair from hi face, “I do this only for fun. There is no way I could make this a worthwhile profession.”

Uric placed his large hands on Dais’ shoulder, “Well you must do something, I heard from the others that you have decided to end your tour here in Seaward, and you won’t be returning home with us to Ironwall.”

Dais shrugged, “I don’t want to spend my whole life as a soldier, I want to be a hero, like my brother, I want to do something exciting. Something more exciting then escorting haughty diplomats, I want to do something that matters.”

“You just want an early grave is all it looks like to me,” Uric replied smugly, “your banking on a fool’s errand, good men die for nothing, trying to be heroes. At last as a soldier you die for a cause.”

“You don’t understand,” Dais countered, with calm indifference.

“Stubborn, you won’t budge, well at least let me buy you a drink before you start your new life,” Uric laughed, as he stood trying to lighten the mood.

“You make it sound like we will never meet again, Uric,” Dais replied still sketching away, “go ahead I will catch up, I want to finish this while its all fresh in my mind.”

“Don’t take too long, Dais,” Uric added with a shake of his head and walked don the broad busy avenue here others were passing. It was busy, with people moving to and fro without any rhyme or reason. The masses were always in motion it seems, never taking a moment to slow down and admire the beauty that had become just another part of scenery.

Dais placed the final stroke, and sighed. It was like the closing of a chapter in his life, albeit a fairly short and dull chapter, but a chapter nonetheless. He had no idea what the future had in store for him, or what would become of him…

But destiny it seemed had a plan for Dais.

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 1 - Part 2

The sun was setting, and the glittering flecks of gold danced on the waves of the Goldspring Sea, shimmered in the waning light. Dais paused to admire the sight, his breath taken aback by the beauty of the scene.

Of course his admiration for the beautiful sunset was disturbed by the sharp hue and cry of a scrambling merchant, trying to move his large bulk after a far slimmer and smaller night elf that easily weaved through the crowd with ease.

The merchant cried, “Thief! Thief! She stole my purse!”

Dais shook his head, and without another thought gave chase to the nimble night elf, keeping pace much better then the portly merchant who gave up in exasperation. Dais was not as nimble as the lithe night elf, but his stride was longer and what he lacked in grace he made up for in raw strength.

The night elf glanced over her shoulder, and cracked a wry grin as she turned sharply into an alley. But her smile quickly diminished as she came to a halting stop. The alleyway was a dead-end, filled with refuse and a lone beggar singing to no one in particular.

Dais paused in the only way out of the alley, with a knowing look. He stepped forward, “Okay I don’t want to hurt you,” using the Common tongue, “just hand me back the purse, alright?”

The night elf smiled, her face was slim and her smile was perfect. She was a small figure, being an elf, but proportionate and beautiful. Her silvery hair was worn short, and her elfin ears pointed outwards, like daggers. She thought on his request and replied in perfect Anderlar, “How about no? He stole from me first, with his outrageous price gouging!”

Dais blinked, “You speak… you can speak Anderlar?”

“No, I use that one phrase for kicks, it’s all I know honest, idiot,” she responded once again in Anderlar.

“Idiot? Harsh words from a thief,” Dais scowled.

“If the boot fits,” the night elf smiled walking forward.

“Hey, don’t turn this around on me, you’re the thief, and I am taking you in!” Dais stated, though he unconsciously backed up one step.

The night elf stopped right in front of Dais and spoke in a sultry tone, “Then arrest me,” she offered her hands, “turn me in, but I promise you, that merchant got what was coming to him. He is a cheat and a swindler, and all he does is think about how to make himself richer.”

“That does not give you the right to steal from him,” Dais sighed.

“Why not? He is stealing from us, so I am just taking back what is rightfully mine, just in a more direct manner. Instead of smiling and gouging you with my outrageous prices, I just take it. By the way, my name is Lain, remember it,” she said with a whimsical flourish.

“Dais…” he paused, looking frustrated, “Hey! I don’t care about your name you are confusing me! Your trying to make me all mixed up, well it won’t work, your coming with me!”

“Well Dais, it has been fun, but I think,” she sauntered past him, “it is time for me to leave, but I just know we will have another stirring, intellectual debate another day,” she winked.

Dais spun his heels, “Wait!” he placed his hand on her shoulder, “you can’t just leave, you are a thief! I can’t let you go,” he looked around for the merchant, “just give me the money and we can all it even, okay?”

“Oh so I see what is going on, you’re going to rob the thief, and keep the money for yourself huh? Is that it? And here I thought you were an honest man,” she sniffled.

“What!” Dais shouted in surprise, “I am not trying to rob you, I am trying to return the money!”

“You want to rob me!” Lain raised her voice loud enough for several citizens to hear and take notice. She smiled inwardly as the crowd started to form a semi-circle around the two of them.

“No!” Dais cried, “I don’t want to… hey you robbed that merchant, I am just trying to return the money!”

“But its my money,” she whimpered back, “I need this money for my mother, and my four brothers,” she sniffled.

Dais scowled, although his anger was quickly crushed under the embarrassment of the stares and gawks of the growing crowd. Just as he wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear he hit upon an idea, “Alright, well I am sorry, I don’t want to rob you, I just want to help. Let’s get this money to your family and I will even escort you. Again I am sorry, Lain for the misunderstanding.”

Lain’s smug grin, shrank, “Okay, thank you, Dais,” she choked the words out.

Dais smiled and offered his arm, “Shall we?”

Lain accepted the gesture, “Sure,” and the two walked away from the dispersing crowd. Lain whispered to Dais through clenched teeth, “You do know I am not going to turn this money in right?”

“I know,” Dais replied, “but until you do, you are stuck with me.”

Lain cursed in Elven, and then spoke softly in Anderlar, “Why do you care, its not your money?”

“It isn’t right to steal from people, even if this merchant is a bad man, there are better ways of seeking justice, Lain,” Dais replied.

“You are so nai-” she paused as a man crawled his way out of an alley only to collapse at the couple’s feet. He was thin, with long lanky legs, and dark swabs of clothes stained red with blood, his own blood. A trail of blood lead off into the alley, and a single bolt was lodged in the man’s back.

Dais knelt down, “By the immortals,” he gently turned the man on his side, the man’s blood sticking to his hands as he tried to staunch the bleeding.

Lain almost bolted but seeing the human show compassion for the wounded stranger stayed her hand. She watched as the darkness of night loomed. Her keen ears picking up movement in the alley that the human just was not sensitive enough to sense.

She whispered in Anderlar, “Someone is in the alley…”

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 1 - Part 3

“Huh?” was all that Dais could get out before a bolt lodged itself into his arm. He screamed in pain, but had enough wits to draw his longsword. The blade was sharp and clean, the mark of a disciplined soldier, although the blade itself was relatively plain in appearance. Dais cursed himself though; he wore no armor, and did not have his shield handy either and he did not know how many attackers there were as he scanned the alley for his attacker.

Lain on the other hand dove out of the way, just to the right of the entrance, and drew her kukri, secreted away under her cloak on her hip. She peered back don the alley and spotted the ‘assassin’ trying to load his crossbow, and grinned. She spoke to Dais, “There is only one, male, and he is reloading… go!”

Dais jumped to his feet ignoring the pain, and rushed into the alley. He spotted the assassin crouched behind an old rotting barrel. He wore a long dark robe, and a sash across the lower half of his face. His eyes grew large as Dais tried to bring his blade down on the assassin, and he raised his crossbow to defend himself, the sturdy weapon deflected the attack as he tossed it aside and drew a thin bladed scimitar, weaving it back and forth.

Dais gritted his teeth, and clenched his blade in both hands, as the assassin slashed back at Dais cutting a neat line along the young soldier’s arm as the young soldier tried to use his blade in defense. The young soldier gave the assassin ground as his blade spun upwards, but the assassin was more skilled than he let on as he parried the attack.

But like a shadow Lain dashed by Dais, flanking the assassin with a wink to Dais, “You didn’t think I would abandon you, did you?” her kukri flashed quickly piercing the dark clothes and drawing blood as it struck deep into the assassin’s vitals.

The assassin slashed again at Dais trying to keep an eye on Lain, but his painful wound, and the sudden realization that he was facing two opponents overwhelmed him. Dais followed the easily batted away attack by running the assassin through. The assassin gurgled for a moment, dropping his blade, and then fell to his knees. Dais raised his foot and kicked the thug off his blade; he fell back with a spray of blood and gore.

Lain made a face, “So I guess you know how to use that after all, I guess you are good for something.”

“What?” Dais clenched his teeth, wincing at the pain in his arm, “I was a soldier in the service of Ironwall for two years; I know how to fight!”

Lain nodded as she started rifling through the gear that the assassin had. She picked up the scimitar, “I bet I could sell this for at least ten gold coins, not bad quality either, unless you want it of course?”

“Huh, hey, wait a second, what about the victim, don’t you even care?” he glanced to the dying man, laying in the street, he had crawled a little further but was now not moving.

“Sure let me fill my pockets first, though,” she winked, as Dais rushed back to the man’s side. Dais examined the man, but he was dead, clutched in his hand was an object wrapped in silk, stained with his blood, as he unwrapped the silk object. A faceted gem of shimmering green, spilled out into his waiting palms, it sparkled in the waning sunlight, and immediately caught the eye of Lain.

“Oh my, now that is a find,” she finished searching the assassin’s corpse and walked back slowly towards Dais, keeping her eye firmly on the gem. It was nearly the size of his clenched fist, and flawless.

“Its important is what it is, he probably died for it, maybe we should show this to the local authorities,” Dais replied with an earnest and serious tone.

Lain laughed, but it slowly eased to uncomfortable silence, “You are serious, huh?”

“Yes, this man is dead, and I bet it is because of this gem, I think we should turn this over to someone with more expertise then us,” Dais sighed, wrapping the gem up.

Lain pouted, “Can I at least touch it, before you wrap it up…” she sighed in frustration.

“No, you’re a thief remember,” Dais replied with a mocking grin, then went serious, “we should drag these bodies to the city guard, right?” he asked Lain.

Lain blinked, “No way, I am not dealing with the city guard, lets drag this guy into the alley, he is a thug anyway, he works for one of the gangs in this district,” she says gesturing the corpse with the bolt in it.

“And I trust you would know all about low life scum,” he added, before closing his eyes, “I am sorry that was uncalled for, you helped me. I thank you, Lain.”

Lain opened her mouth for a nasty response but paused, “Wow… you really mean that, huh?” she blushed slightly, as she drug the corpse into the alley. She dusted her hands off, as she finished, “And yes I do know about some of the low life scum here in Seaward, and this guy ran with a group calling themselves the Black Gulls, if he had his hands on that gem, then I bet the previous owner is probably dead.”

“So why not go to the guards then?” Dais asked earnestly, his hand on his bloody arm, which was now only a dull throbbing, and not so much a sharp stab of pain.

“Simple, well simple for two reasons. One, I am not on good terms with them, a misunderstanding really. And two, the guards are run by the city, but many of them garnish their purses with money from Thule the Red, one of the most ruthless men in Seaward. With the guard in his back pocket, he can do whatever he likes.”

“Oh.”

“Look let's get you to a temple and get that wound healed, I know a place close by run by honest folks, we can get what you need there, alright?” Lain replied with a smile.

“Alright,” he followed Lain with a sigh, “well thank you again, Lain. After the temple we can return the money you stole…”

Lain sighed, “I hope you are kidding…"

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 2 - Part 1

A cool evening breeze wafted through the temple, carrying the sweet aroma of the incense that burned throughout the small temple to Alharra, the Immortal patron of the Trueborn of Kingsmarch. The temple was circular in shape with a domed top, painted in bright colors of fire and the sun. On the floor was the face of the immortal, shaped by various pieces of tiles, into the loving face of a woman of serene otherworldly beauty.

On one side of the structure opposite of the main entrance of the temple, sat a fountain that bubbled clear water that was daily blessed by the disciples that tended to the small temple. In the waning light of day a single young disciple was tending to the grounds, busy sweeping away the errant dust that had filtered in during the daylight hours. Another long day of proselytizing to the unwashed masses of Seaward, all for the will of his devotion had come and gone for the young disciple, and the journey that had begun with so much zeal and enthusiasm was soon becoming a stifling prison of boredom and minutiae. Perhaps it was for the best though, it was not as if he was suited for a life of excitement and adventure. He was very cautious by nature, and small of frame, and not all hat dashing by any means, he was unremarkable for a trueborn and for his part he enjoyed being just another face in the crowd.

Perhaps he was bored, but he enjoyed a life of silent anonymity as much s he would like to complain about it. The disciple smiled, and smoothed out his robe, as he finished sweeping and looked about the clean and orderly temple, and was quite pleased with his work.

The disciple smiled dusting off his hands, “Thane, your work here is done,” he said aloud to himself, “now time for a warm meal, and my evening prayers.”

The disciple smiled, but his smile withered to a frown, as the doors behind him burst inward. The hour was getting late for petitioners but it was his duty to make them welcome. It was only when he turned and saw who was at the door did his face scrunch up in a scowl, and his mood truly worsen. The night elf had returned.

Lain grinned, “Thane, old buddy, I told you I would be back one day,” she tossed a satchel of coins into his surprised grasp, “Twenty coins, you can count it, thanks again for letting me borrow it.”

“Borrow? Borrow? You stole this from me last time we met, and I told you never to return,” he sighed.

Dais couldn’t help but smirk despite the pain, “I see that your reputation proceeds you.”

Lain shot him a look, but then shrugged, “Look Thane I am sorry about last time, but my friend needs your help before his wound gets infected, could you heal him, please?”

The disciple thought over the words, and then motioned for Dais to come forward. The young soldier obliged, while the disciple looked over the wound, it was not deep, and luckily the cut was fine and clean. Dais winced at the pain, as the Thane looked it over.

“This wound would heal cleanly in time,” the trueborn replied.

“Sure, but we may not have that kind of time,” the night elf purred.

Dais blinked, “If it is money you need, a donation, I have a few coins, not much, but enough to afford some healing.”

“Please keep your money, Alharra be praised, and her will shall be done,” he murmured as he placed his hand on the soldier’s wound. The disciple uttered words of incantation, and a yellow glow consumed his hand as it burned away the impurities in the wound, and it sealed under the divine power of Thane’s faith and piety.

Dais felt his arm go numb for a moment, before he felt the throbbing fade away to nothing. The blood on his shirt remained, but the wound was gone, and with a thankful smile he turned to Thane, “Thank you, Master Thane.”

Thane blinked, “Master, oh please you grant me too much honor, I am but a novice.”

“Well everything is good now, so we should be going, come along now,” Lain smiled sweetly, taking Dais by the hand.

Dais paused for a moment, “Wait, I want to ask him something.”

“Alright, hurry up,” she replied tapping her feet.

“What is it you wish to ask me?” Thane replied with a gentle smile.

“Have you ever,” he reached into his satchel and pulled out the bloody silk parcel, unwrapping it as he spoke, “seen this before? We uh, sort of found it, and I want to return it to the owner if at all possible.” Lain nearly choked at the young soldier’s words, rolling her eyes in frustration.

“I can’t say that I am familiar with this,” he replied somewhat shocked to see such an object so up close, “where did you find it,” darting a look to Lain, “or do I even want to know?”

The night elf frowned, “We didn’t steal it, well not really. We found it on a dead thug, cut down by an assassin. That is how my companion earned his injury,” she shrugged, “it’s the truth. And now,” she choked the words out, “we wish to return it, to its rightful owner.”

“Alright, well perhaps I can hold it here, for you, for safekeeping,” the disciple said softly, “it may not be safe to carry it with you on the streets.”

Dais nodded and handed the parcel to Thane, “Be safe then, I will check on you in the morning while we try and sort out this mess. I just hope this does not put you in danger.”

Lain blinked, but said nothing totally surprised that the young soldier just turned over a king’s ransom to a lowly temple of some foreign immortal who could are less about their troubles or ills. But she could only sigh, as much as she wanted to smack Dais, he had a spark of honesty and goodness that was refreshing, after her many years of life.

Dais smiled, “All right, let’s go, I promised a friend I would meet him for drinks, and then we can do some more investigating,” walking towards the door. Lain followed with less vigor, glancing a look back to Thane who simply winked as the two companions stepped back out into the streets.

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 2 - Part 2

“So do you think we can trust him?” Lain said aloud breaking the long silence between the two unlikely companions. Lain didn’t like the silence, it was unnerving, and it made her uneasy.

“Yes, he looks like an honest man, and you said it yourself. The temple is run by honest folks, so what are you worried about,” he replied with a shrug as he turned down another busy avenue.

“Well good point, but I mean do you really trust people that much?”

Dais paused thinking, “Well no, but I mean I looked in his eyes, and he really looked like a good man,” he smiled seeing the familiar sign, “There we go, my friend should be inside, come one, I am late as it is.”

She sighed and followed, “Great, this sounds like fun.”

Dais glanced around the interior of the tavern, and recognized several of the faces, mostly fellow solders from Ironwall. The greetings and cheers came in waves as Dais welcomed his friends, although many gave him an odd look for his company and the blood still on his shirt, he was at least among friends and familiar faces. Lain felt visibly out of place, but smiled demurely, and just did her best to try and not stand out, not easy for a slim attractive night elf, in a tavern rife with dirty young and old men, but after a few harsh words in Anderlar, she managed to hold her own quite well.

Dais finally found a seat with Uric, “Well I made it,” he grinned.

“Aye, you did, though I had to wonder, you were taking far too long, I was about to just drown my sorrows all alone. But I can see why you were distracted,” Uric grinned, gesturing to Lain as she played a drinking game with the rest of the Ironwall regulars.

Lain looked up to Dais and just laughed as she focused back on her game. The young soldier choked on his drink, “Oh no, you got it all wrong, I am just escorting her until she turns some money back in that she stole. Really that is it, it’s nothing” he shrugged.

“Oh, if you say so,” Uric laughed, “so how did your clothes get all bloody, or is that nothing as well?”

“I had a run-in with some of the local scum, thankfully Lain was there,” he motioned to the night elf, “and we were able to bring him down. But in the process, stumbled upon a greater mystery.”

“By the Green Man, you think you’re on the start of some ‘adventure’? Its that kind of thinking that leads a fool to an early but well-deserved grave,” Uric spat.

Dais sat in silence as he thought on Uric’s words. He glanced to Lain as she laughed, and spoke with his old comrades, wondering why everything had happened as it did, but he could not make sense of it. In the end, things had happened, and now it was duty to see it through, and make things right. That is what a true hero did right? He sighed finally, “I think it’s a worthy cause to at least look into. Look, if you see my father tell him I am well alright?”

“If I see him? Of course Dais, your family and mine are close, I will bring him your message, is there anything else you need me to do?”

“I think that is it,” he finished barely touching his pint of ale.

Uric smirked, “Alright, well I can’t say I am not going to miss you. You’re on of the best soldiers I have seen in a long while; despite being a rookie.”

“Thanks.”

Uric smirked as Dais made his way to his room and gathered his things. Rummaging though his pack and changing the bloody shirt out with a clean one, he sat with a sigh and looked over his sketches from the day. He lit the lantern in the room, and began to sketch from memory, his charcoal scratched over the parchment in broad determined strokes. His mind seemed to lose track of time as he focused on the sketch, it seemed to flow out of him, until Dais looked up and saw the door open, he nervously glanced around but saw no one else in the room till he felt a tapping from behind on his shoulder.

Dais leapt to his foot spinning, reaching for his sword in one swift motion, only to pause. Stunned at seeing Lain standing behind him, with a mischievous smile. She pouted, “Why did you stop drawing, it actually looked pretty good, and a wonderful likeness if I must say so, myself.”

“Huh,” he replied as finally looked at the sketch, and realized what he drew, “wow it does look like you, I really hadn’t noticed, I kind of just let my mind and hand wander. I hope your not upset, it just kind of came to me with all the excitement we had today.”

“I think it’s lovely,” she flopped on the bed, devoid of any of her normal Elven grace and just lounged. She rolled around on the bed, “A little hard, but not so bad, so am I sleeping here?”

“What!”

“Hey you bought me here, so obviously, I must be sleeping here till the morning,” she smirked, “I have to admit your pretty sly, that honest little boy act was very charming.”

“Huh?”

“You are trying to seduce me right? With the artwork, and the room, and the…” she looked into Dais’ eyes and sighed, he truly was clueless and she just rolled over. She spoke softly, “I am sorry I am just use to dealing with… nothing, lets get some sleep, I am sure tomorrow will be pretty busy.”

The young soldier smiled weakly, “Uh, okay. I will sleep on the floor, you can have the bed,” although with her back to him, he couldn’t really tell if she was listening or asleep. He shrugged, it had been a long day, and despite wanting to investigate more, there were no leads and sleep was sounding better with the moment.

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 2 - Part 3

*****************************************************

A resounding slap filled the chamber. A whimper quickly followed as a rough looking thug, held a hand to his scarred face in the flickering candlelight. A slim female figure stalked the gathering of men, six in all. The woman had a scar across her face, and cold dark eyes, eyes that had seen death and reveled in its bloody beauty.

“So let me get this straight,” her voice was coarse and stern, “not only did you idiots lose the gem, but now Oliver is dead, along with Thedic. I am not happy at these chain of events,” she scowled.

“Eh, we will find the gem, and Thedic was a fool as is, he probably got himself killed,” one of the men replied.

The woman seethed, “That gem means more to our client then our lives if we don’t find it, we are all dead, understood?”

“So what do you suggest Faith?” another man replied as he sharpened his scimitar, “we don’t have any leads on where the gem may be.”

“Then I suggest you start scouring the streets, and stop talking to me. Where is the corpse?” Faith hissed.

“In the next room, we got both of them,” the man said standing and sheathing his scimitar.

“Good, then leave me, and don’t return unless you have the gem, or information on where it may be,” she responded with a narrowing of her eyes.

The men scattered quickly, as she walked into the next room, and found the two corpses lying on tables covered in bloody sheets. She pulled the sheet from Oliver, a look of disgust growing across her face. A fool and his greed were costing her operation dearly, and her masters would not be pleased until the artifact was in their hands. She turned to Thedic and pulled his sheet back, and sighed, he had potential and now he had been cut down far too soon to be useful to her. She grinned slightly; perhaps it was for the best, his promise and potential was not as deep as she had originally thought.

“Faith, ah good, you have gathered the bodies,” a figure spoke in Doppelganger, his features shrouded by a deep hood, and a dark robe which covered his feet as well.

Faith froze, “Yes my master, but we have not found the Light of Korum,” she gulped in fear.

The figure sauntered into the room with a hiss of disapproval, “That is most unfortunate, Faith. Your success hinges on retrieving that artifact,” he continued in Doppelganger.

“Of course, my master, we will have it soon, perhaps you can use your magic to speak with these dead fools, and glean any secrets that can aid us in finding the artifact,” Faith bowed her in deference.

The robed figure did not reply, as the room grew darker, and shadows began to loom. Faith marveled as the shaper began to bend the magical energies of the world to his will, and a palpable evil filled the air, mixed with great and terrible divine forces.

Thedic’s corpse stirred before his eyes opened. He sat up sharply and turned his head to look the fobbed figure in the eye. The corpse said nothing as it silently stared at the dark shaper, an unblinking and unnerving stare.

“Who killed you?” the master spoke in the common tongue.

The corpse hissed slowly, “One was a man, like myself, he was young, and had the look of an Ironwall soldier. The other was a woman, but small in build, and dark in skin. Her ears were pointed, and her eyes were different from a man’s…”

Faith spoke softly, “A night elf it sounds like, she should not be hard to find, and there are not many night elves in the city. That should make our search much easier, master.”

The master nodded, and then spoke to the corpse, “Where is the green gem, where is the Light of Korum?”

The corpse hissed once more, “Oliver had it last I saw. If the black woman and the man killed me, they most likely have it now.” The corpse hissed, and then fell back as the magic that had animated the remnant spirit of the corpse fell away from the corpse.

The master thought for a moment, “Find the night elf woman, and I am sure she will lead you to the Light of Korum.”

“It shall be as the Black Circle prescribes,” she replied bowing her head.

***************************************************

 

[Tokiwong]

Quick Character Sketch/Stats for an NPC

Faith (Female Doppelganger Fighter 1/Rogue 2 Neutral Evil): CR 4; STR 12, DEX 18, CON 14, INT 12, WIS 14, CHA 10; HD 2d6+4 plus 1d10+2 (HP 22); BAB +2; FORT +4, REF +7, WILL +2; AC 19 (+4 DEX, +1 Natural Armor, +4 Armor), Flat Footed 15, Touch 14; Initiative +8; Attack +8 melee (Masterwork Rapier 1d6+1 18-20/x2), +6 ranged (Light Crossbow 1d8 19-20/x2); Move 30 ft.; Skills- Bluff (5) +9, Disguise (5) +5, Escape Artist (5) +9, Hide (5) +9, Intimidate (3) +5, Listen (5) +7, Move Silently (5) +9, Spot (5) +7, Tumble (5) +9, Use Magic Device (5) +5; Feats- Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse Rapier, Weapon Focus Rapier; Languages- Common, Doppelganger, Dwarven; Racial Talents- Alternate Form Lowlander, Mimic Voice; Racial Transformations- Natural Armor; SQ- Doppelganger Traits, Sneak Attack +1d6, Trapfinding, Evasion; Legend Points- 0; Equipment- Masterwork Rapier, Studded Leather Armor +1, Light Crossbow, 20 bolts, 2 Potions of Cure Light Wounds, Potion of Spider Climb, Potion of Invisibility, 116 GP

Faith is a young doppelganger agent of the Black Circle, though not even an initiate she longs to make her mentor and master proud so that she may one day become a member of the society proper. She was born in the Kingdoms of the Dwarves, and was raised and trained in those lands. She has only recently come to Anderland on a mission to cause strife between an influential Anderland house and their dwarf trade allies back in her “homeland”. To that end she portrayed the role of a dwarf maiden seduced the dwarf emissary and then killed him and left evidence that the house in Seaward was at fault. But also coupled to that plan was stealing an artifact the emissary had on his person. But unluckily for her one of her minions tried to steal the artifact from her, and then got killed and lost in the artifact in the process. Needless to say Faith is not really pleased with the chain of events.

 

[Tokiwong]

Chapter 2 - Part 4

Thane was up early pouring through various tomes in the modest library of the temple. Most of the tomes were religious texts detailing the rise of the kingdoms of the Kingsmarch. But there were a few historical texts that begged to be perused, and hopefully contained any useful bits of knowledge he could find on the fist-sized emerald now in his possession. He thought of the young lowlander soldier, whose name he still did not know, an odd if trusting fellow who kept strange company. Of course anyone willing to actually spend time with Lain had to be odd, the woman was an anomaly for a number of reasons. But she had paid him back, and even threw in two extra gold coins for his trouble, so maybe she was not as bad as he had originally thought.

Thane smirked, most likely she was worst.

“Brother Thane, you have visitors,” the voice of Brother Matrus shook Thane from his thoughts as he turned and stood smoothing out his robe.

“Thank you, Brother Matrus,” he picked up the tome, and carried it out into the main hall, where both Dais and Lain were waiting. His face turned to an immediate scowl at the sight of the night elf, who in turn just waved playfully.

Lain spoke up, “Well its nice to see you too.”

“Morning Brother Thane, I hope you were well last night,” Dais greeted the young disciple.

“Well enough, I did some research on your gem and I could not find much, but maybe something that could be related to it. A passing reference to an object of power called the Light of Korum, but there is precious little else on what it does or its significance beyond it being held by the dwarf lords during their early wars with the fire giants…” Thane replied somewhat pleased that he had found that much.

Dais nods, “Well do you think it is the Light of Korum?”

“Better yet, what is it worth, I mean to the original owner of course,” Lain smiled.

“Well in the passage it mentions that the green light of Korum shall shine in the eternal darkness and bring great strength to the children of Moridrin. Later it describes that the Light of Korum was distilled into an emerald, and is an object containing great power. That is not to say that every emerald is the Light of Korum but its size, and latent magical aura lead me to believe it may be the object in the text or at least related to it,” Thane explained.

“So I guess our next move is to find a dwarf, but well perhaps someone official?” the young soldier questioned.

“Ugh, dwarves are so… so droll and boring, and serious. Why don’t we just say we tried, sell it for lots of gold and split it, it’s more then the dwarves will pay for a reward,” she responded.

“Well if anyone would know anything more then they would know,” Dais replied, “I guess we can take the artifact now and see if we can’t figure out our next course of action.”

“Our next course?” Lain questioned with a look of annoyance, “look you may be all about helping others, but it’s not like anyone tries to help me.”

“Well, the teachings of Alharra profess that we must strive to aid those in need, for our just rewards do not matter on what we receive but on what we give,” Thane replied in a soft tone.

“Oh joy,” she rolled her eyes.

“Well I would like your help Lain, your really the only person I know here in Seaward, this would be much harder by myself,” Dais replied.

Lain sighed, “Alright, I didn’t say I wouldn’t help you, just wanted to know what I was getting out of it, you know. But… we better get a reward for this stupid gem or I am never listening to you ever again!”

“Sure,” Dais laughed, “well let’s get going, I think we have a full day ahead of us.”

“Well if you don’t mind I would like to accompany you, sir. I apologize I don’t even have your name stranger,” the disciple gestured to Dais.

Dais smiled sheepishly, “Oh, just call me Dais, Brother Thane. Are you sure you want to come with us, we may be the target of an assassin now, since we already slew one…”

“Just call me Thane, and I am sure. Alharra has brought you to me, and I believe I should see where your path leads, and in turn, perhaps I shall understand her will, and what it is she wishes me to see,” the pious trueborn replied with a gentle smile.

“Then by all means,” Dais grinned, quite pleased that he would not be tackling this endeavor alone.

“Oh great, just what I need, a clueless boy, and a goody goody trueborn,” she sighed, “I just know I am going to regret letting you come with me,” she muttered to Dais.

“Letting me?”

“Yes, someone as god as me, would never be caught by the likes of you, I can leave any time, I just choose to stay,” she winked, “hey since your going with us Thane, why don’t you uh, get changed, things could get messy.”

“Oh of course,” Thane replied and retreated to his chambers to gather what he a proper disciple of Alharra would carry into battle, although secretly he hoped that there would be a minimum of violence.

By mid morning the trio was out in the street amidst the hustle and bustle of the early morning in Seaward. A morning breeze wafted over the merchants and baker’s district bring the scene of sweet breads and exotic spices to their noses. The only lead they had was that they needed to confer with the dwarves to find out for sure just what they were dealing with. Luckily Lain knew just the individual to ask, an old dwarf lore master who holed himself up in the small dwarven district. Of course finding and gaining audience with the dwarf lord would be easier said then done.