[AU] Siege on Ebonring Keep - Part 2

[Liminal Syzygy]

Pyior takes a half step forward, clears his throat and explains, "I don't think you are going to like what we found. We met with one of your scouts and with his help followed the Rhodin's trail to a cave. By the way allow me to put in a good word for Runther. He was very helpful, very capable. You're lucky to have him. You might mention this to Yaren.

There had obviously been some sort of battle in the cave, there were many Rhodin bodies which appeared to have been picked over by scavengers. There was also a rune. When I used the detect magic dwoemer on the rune a message appeared...

My dear Iriana,

Imagine my shock when word reached me of your endeavor in these parts. Ambition that I would not have expected of you. Your claim to the Keep's prize is dubious, given how easily you let it slip through your fingers. For this reason, I have moved it to a safer location.

To honor the fondness I always had for you, I will offer you one last chance to claim your prize. Conquer the Heart of Night, prove yourself where you failed before, and the Ring will be yours.

Do not waiver or dawdle in your decision, for if you do not claim it soon, I will keep it as my own.

Kisthmetch accepts all but welcomes none save the Brothers of Shadow.

 

[Rybaer]

Iriana visibly pales as Pyior recites the contents of the hidden message.

"Shaddeck," she says. "That arrogant bastard. He just doesn't see what securing the Keep means to the safety of this region."

She leans heavily against the pedestal in the center of the room and sighs deeply. Her bearing has lost much of the strength and surety that it had when you had first met her.

"Shaddeck is an old acquaintance of mine," she says. "Fellow student, actually. We studied together at the Sharden Enclave. The guy always rubbed me the wrong way - arrogant, self-absorbed, and eager to prove himself smarter than everyone else. Might just have been a verrick thing, but still...

"The town of Sharden is just north of the Floating Forest, in the foothills of the Bitter Peaks. Only a week by horse from here, I suppose. Anyway, not too far from Sharden in the Bitter Peaks is a long abandoned Akashic school - Kisthmetch. It is now a destination for thrill seekers or those eager to join the Brothers of Shadow. Those who enter Kisthmetch and conquer the Heart of Night, by overcoming their fears, are welcomed into the order.

"The Brothers of Shadow aren't much more than a loose affiliation of those who have made it through Kisthmetch. More a fraternity than an organization with any goal.

"Given the close proximity of Kisthmetch to Sharden, it is quite common for the students of the Enclave to test their mettle against the Heart of Night. Shaddeck and I went into the place together. He passed while I failed."

Iriana is quiet for a moment, her eyes unfocused as she is lost in memory.

"I need the Ebonring if there is any hope of securing this keep and in turn this entire region," she says, strength returning to her voice. "Yet I cannot go to Kisthmetch to retrieve it myself. Were I to leave here for the two or three weeks it would take, the soldiers would likely abandon this endeavor.

"And I don't think I could face that place again," she adds in a hoarse whisper.

"Could you complete this quest you have started for me? I will triple your pay and provide horses for the journey. Please?"

 

[Erekose13]

"I would not speak for my companions yet, but I will accept the next stage of our quest that you have set before us. But if I may ask, what does this Shaddeck have to do with the rhodin bandits who held this keep before you liberated it?" Ys-Korros says, after having listened to Pyior tell of their tale and seeing her responce.

 

[Rybaer]

"I would not speak for my companions yet, but I will accept the next stage of our quest that you have set before us. But if I may ask, what does this Shaddeck have to do with the rhodin bandits who held this keep before you liberated it?" Ys-Korros says, after having listened to Pyior tell of their tale and seeing her responce.

Iriana shakes her head in frustration.

"Nothing, I hope," she says. "Nothing at all except for me. I can't imagine Shaddeck being in any way involved with that disjointed band of rhodin. He must have heard about my undertaking and come along to observe or interfere if for no other reason than to remind me of his superiority. He's not an evil man - or verrick, rather - but his way of thinking is somewhat twisted. He very well might not think that I'm worthy of taking responsibility for the Ebonring and this keep.

"It would be very much in keeping with his personality to taunt me in such a manner...to dangle the Ebonring on a stick that he doesn't believe I can reach. I think he's honorable enough to actually return if his 'conditions' are met, though."

 

[rangerjohn]

Danwyn looks to the giant and then the others. "I suppose we need to get started in the morning? Turning back to Iriana, "you have offered horses for the trip. I am afraid we will need supplies for the trip as well, he did indicate a need for speed in his message. So, with rations and feed for the mounts, I know at least Ys-Korros will be on our way in the morning. Oh and one last thing a map would speed things greatly."

 

[Rybaer]

"Oh, yes, of course," Iriana says. "I'll see to it that you are all provided with appropriate provisions for both yourselves and the mounts.

"Thank you both, masters Ys-Korros and Danway, for accepting the continuation of this mission. What say the rest of you?"

"I too will join this endeavor," Ys-Baddaden says. "Besides, I can't rightly allow my brother to hog all the glory."

Iriana's attention turns to the two faen, Pyior and Aurial.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

Pyior seems lost in thought a few moments more, then speaks, "I, too, will accept your request. From a analysis of the available facts it seems clear to me that your plans have the best chance of granting much-needed stability to this region. And I can determine no sensible reason for Shaddeck to pursue this matter rather than self-aggrandizement. I would of course like to speak with him and hear his side of the matter. And if he can have a rational discussion on the matter, perhaps he will be more inclined to listen to a fellow magister.

In turn I have two requests -- the acceptance of neither is a prerequisite for my accepting this task. First, as my companions have alluded, the more resources you can provide us with, the more chance we have of being successful. Would you consider providing us with a payment for services rendered so far, or an advance on the final payment? Perhaps minor magical salves and the like would be appropriate?

Secondly, it seems probable to me that all or some of us may have to face this Heart of Night to meet Shaddeck's conditions, or to gain the respect that will be necessary for negotiating with him. Can you provide us with more detailed information on this trial?

Finally, I have a question -- do you think it likely that he will accept us as your proxies? Our plan could collapse like a tower of cards if not."

 

[Rybaer]

"You demonstrate both wisdom and forethought, young magister," she says with a grim smile. "Yes, I can provide you with some of your pay up front, and I suppose I could part with a few magical tokens that might be of some help along the way. I regret that I don't have much I can part with. Let me scrounge through the supplies and gather what I can. I'll have it ready for you by morning.

"As for advice on facing the Heart of Night...well, there is little I can say. As I understand it, what is faced in the darkness of that place is unique to each individual who dares enter. What I faced was too personal to share. I'm sure what you face will be entirely different.

"Just remember to have a strong heart. Strength of arm and mighty spell will not necessarily be of much use there.

"And, as to whether or not Shaddeck will accept you, I cannot say. He is verrick, and a strange one at that. I don't know if he will scoff at you or find it amusing and simply give you the Ring without a second thought. I suspect that you might have to prove yourselves to him, as you yourself have suggested."


(ooc - Iriana will be happy to answer any other questions, then will bid you rest while she makes arrangements for your travels. I'll get a list of gear/magic worked up in a day or so. Still waiting to hear if Argent Silvermage/Aurial is going to continue or not.)

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

"I have no other questions, my lady. We will await word on the provisioning options."

 

[Rybaer]

(ooc - note posted in OOC thread. Will try to get this moving along shortly.)