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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carnifex" data-source="post: 591847" data-attributes="member: 227">Well, this is something of a rebirth for my Story Hour! The posts up until now have tracked the events of the various players as they made their way through the 'prologue' of the game, but now, for the first time, they all meet up together as one group, and Chapter 1: The Arcanist's Tower, begins!To summarise the status of the two parties that the PC's are currently split into at the moment:The 'Cavern Company': Consisting of the aasimar sorceress Melisande, the mysterious cleric/monk Ebri, the magic-wary soldier Sebastion, and two NPC's, both ex-PC's - the eartn genasi psion Sandslipper and the Flame Hawk mage-knight Alaric. This party is heading north through the lands of Naseria, a kingdom ruled by sorcerous noble houses; Sandslipper bears a package that she is to deliver to a nobleman of House Tarravus called Ecurius, and the others accompany her for their own reasons; friendship, duty, or deeper purposes.'Wolf's Company': Consisting of Wolf Kieresane, a veteran NPC mercenary and both a ranger and warrior of some skill, as well as Kale, a wily young mercenary ranger and rogue, Wyshira, a water genasi priestess of the goddess of Storms, Burl, a necromancer quite different from others of his profession, and Cord, an aged, blind dwarven monk and worshipper of the Stonelord Grumand. They seek Truth Seeker Ecurius Tarravus because he has work for them...Chapter 1: The Arcanist's Tower - The Offer Is MadeThe warmth of the first days of summer caressed the rich Naserian countryside, lush and verdant vegetation covering the landscape in vibrant green. Blue skies were marred by only the occasional meandering cloud of cotton-like white, the rays of the sun conveying Solanthar's blessing without obstruction.Deep within the realm of Tarravus, the heartland of Naseria, the well-kept residence of a nobleman looked down over rolling hillside, giving an excellent view of the valley below in which nestled the capital of the nation. The mighty city straddled a winding river, already spilling out of the boundary of the city walls that had so recently been rebuilt to defend the burdgeoning population. Above the roofscape of slates and occasional rising towers, of the larger bulk of nobles houses and the ornate delicacy of observatories eternally examining the skies, the awe-inspiring palace of House Tarravus rose up, its marble-clad stones lavishly decorated, great arches and tall towers lifting it up to dominate the skyline. Across the marvellous city rose another amazing site; the fortress of the Wind Hawks, the Air Tower of Tarravus. The white marble construction rose higher than the palace, much higher, its tip seeming as if it could pierce the sky itself, and a myriad of smaller battlements and towers rose off the thick central trunk. Within this mighty fortress the legion of mage-knights trained and studied, walking its high and airy corridors in the multicoloured light that the great stained glass windows let pour into it. A great swathe of open land further down the valley was given over to the stables and grounds for the knights to cultivate and hone their cavalry skills.The nobleman's residence up on the crest of the valley's side, looking down over all of this, was a small estate. A cluster of buildings housed the servants and served the farmlands of the estate, while where the view of the city below was best, the home of the noble himself had been built. A large house ending in a squat tower, all of exquisite architecture and elaborated with wondrous azure blue stained glass; this was the home of the Truth Seeker Ecurius Tarravus.The sorcerer stood in his private study at the top of the tower, looking through the window over the bustling city below. It teemed with life and movement, tiny gleams over the city making it look like a shimmering pool of water as people flowed around it in tiny currents. Summer had come, and on this pleasant day the lives of all the people in the city were in full swing.He was drawn away from his ponderings by a polite rap on his door. Turning quizically, he called them in; a servant, apologising for disturbing him but there were people approaching, up the drive.<center>* * *</center>Wolf's band had left the sundered village the very morning after the vicious werewolf attack; behind them peasants were heaping the dead monstrosities into piles and putting them to the torch. The Inquisitor had replied to Wyshira's inquiries that the mercenaries need not fear infection with lycanthropy; the mere bite of the master werewolf was not enough to transmit it, but rather a debased and fould ritual to some dark god had to be performed on the subject.They'd left on foot, their horses having been slaughtered in the initial werewolf attack; but Latorath had provided them with a signed letter of authority to requisition horses from the next temple they came across; he professed that since he could offer them no real reward for their part in exterminating the vile coven, he could at least compensate them for the loss of the steeds.They'd left Adbar itself some few days later, crossing out of the country and into the wilderness of the untamed Drakkath once again. Spring was wearing on, summer approaching, and the weather held out for them as they travelled over the land called the Plain of Sorrows. Wolf warned them all to be eternally vigilant, for this landscape, covered in tangled undergrowth and copses of gnarled trees, was reported to be the home of fragments of the Dread March, dark undead which had refused to die for good after their master had been slain and still roamed the wilderness. They saw none though. Once or twice they came past ruins of buildings, covered in tangled vines and weeds, but that was all.Cord still felt that faint unease, as if the land itself was displeased, but the almost overwhelming nausea that the coven had infected the village with seemed to have faded; it seemed they were a symptom of something more widespread. All he could do was wonder whether there were more like the dark, corrupted lycanthropes prowling the land, or if it was something else entirely, something even darker. The strange, wild land they travelled now gave him a sense of unease due to entirely different reasons, but still the malaise of the Drakkath seemed present even here, faintly detectable. He could make no sense of it, nor understand it, other than to know that Grumand was ill at ease; how could the land itself be sickening for something? Did other followers of Grumand sense it? Certainly, none of those around him seemed to feel it.Wyshira had found the link to her goddess even stronger after the battle with the werewolves. Her magics and faith were stronger, the favour of Ishrak more tangible to her, and it seemed that the experience had improved more than just her skills in battle. Was the Storm Lady pleased with her performance against the abominations? She could not tell for sure, but it certainly seemed so. One day, Burl handed to her a small cluster of scrolls, imbued with divine magic; since he could not use them himself, it seemed sense to give them to her.Burl took advantage of the long days of travel over the Plain to study, to contemplate and theorise. The encounter with the werewolves, the magic he had unleashed then and the death all around, had given him new insights and understanding, and he found his magics strengthening as he gained a better grasp on the arcane. He managed to successfully scribe the spells on the scrolls of the wizard he had slain beneath Iril, adding more to his magical arsenal. Yet he was plagued too, by the same strange dream of standing upon the blasted scorched earthen plain as around him behemoth shapes struggled and blurred figures scurried. The dreams were by no means regular, and seemed to have no pattern, yet they had become more real and tangible since they had begun on their journey over the haunted Plain of Sorrows. One day he finally saw the massive thing looming over him, the shadowy shape, as a thing of fire and shadow and scorched, charred scales, and its red eyes locked onto him mere moments before he shot awoke, cold sweat soaking him. He could not fathom why these happened.When they eventually crossed the Plain, more of the Drakkath rolled away before them; wilderness thick with woods and valleys. Beyond the green rose the shapes of the Sarokean mountains, gray and monolithic shapes reaching upwards. Burl's dreams faded in intensity, and he did not see the beast of fire and shadow clearly again.One day as they rode, they encountered a small band of horsemen, some five or six riders of the simple armour and weaponry that indicated militia. They'd watched the travellers carefully, before saying their piece; this land was the edge of the new domain of Mirayek, the lord of which they served; the travellers should pay good heed to his authority or be subject to punishment. Wolf hadn't seemed too worried, explaining afterwards to the others that it was not an irregular occurance for some would-be warlord to carve his own little territory out of the wilderness. What was more unusual was that this must be the lord whom Evant had spoken of; a man who had, apparently, the backing of the church of Kevayek the Bringer of Pestilence.They'd encountered no problems from Mirayek, or in the lands beyond, as they approached the grand range of mountains called the Sarokeans. With the good weather finding a pass had been easy; Wolf had planned to lead them north to cross west through the well-travelled Emerald Pass but they found a more serviceable path into Naseria before having to travel any further. It was not many days before they had crossed the broad and rugged Sarokeans and entered the lush and civilised lands of Naseria.* * *The band of five urged their horses up the tree-lined path towards the residence of Ecurius Tarravus. Wolf had already told them that this man needed mercenaries, and was likely to pay well being a wealthy nobleman with royal connections. His home certainly seemed to reflect this, clearly the abode of a rich man. As they halted on the gravel before the house itself, servants came and greeted them."Good day, sirs; what is your business here?" asked a sturdy man in well-cut garb, perhaps a butler or chief servant."I am Wolf Kieresane, and these are my fellows; we have been informed that Lord Ecurius seeks men to perform a task for him. I believe he has been awaiting us."Wolf had explained to Kale that his networl of contacts would have carried word to the man long before the mercenaries themselves arrived."Indeed. Please, follow me in; your horses will be stabled and looked after.""Remember, this man's a Truth Seeker as well as a member of the royal family; the Truth Seekers are a well-respected orgainsation of sorcerers, so on both counts be respectful to him. From all I've heard, he deserves it."Within the grand building, the band found themselves in a large hall, richly decorated with tapestries and paintings. At the far end a broad staircase rose up, and walking with proud bearing down it was a tall man who wore clothes of white and cream silk and high-quality cloth, golden threads stitching them together. He stepped lightly down onto the floor of the hall, and slowly approached; not with caution but rather with a rather calm disposition that indicated he was in no desire to rush about.Tall, well-built and handsome, Truth Seeker Lord Ecurius Tarravus was young for a sorcerer of his power, not even past his early thirties and incredibly handsome. Light brown hair was close-cropped over his noble features, and he moved with grace and agility. At the moment, he wore a smile that displayed his pleasure at seeing the newcomers."Ah... the mercenaries, at last! Most excellent, I have been awaiting your arrival; I'm sure you'll find me a most generous employer, it's a possibly dangerous but definitely well-paying task... but perhaps more on that in some few moments. You've doubtless travelled hard, it must have been a long way if Roberto was right in telling me you'd have to come all the way from the eastern Drakkath; but his recommendation was enough for me to be willing to put up with the wait, for certain. I've had some rooms prepared for you in the guest wing, so you can go and put your belongings there, then come and join me for lunch. I'm expecting some other guests as well, so it should be a most intriguing meal. Cirius will show you to your rooms..."The butler nodded. "Please, gentlem... um, noble warriors, follow me."* * *The travel north across Naseria had been pleasant for all of the band who had so recently departed from Corvus. Fine weather and views of the countryside raised spirits so soon after the vicious battle with the scorpion-tattooed assassins in the Cowardly Dragon tavern, combined with the fact that the rations which Alaric - now officially granted the title of Flame Hawk Errant - had acquired were far from the iron rations of the common soldier. They ate well as they journeyed.Ebri had found that her connection with the divine had strengthened, her faith ever greater. Perhaps it had been the meeting with the Old Master, the inspiration of meeting one of the mighty beings and it actually talking to her in person, or perhaps she had pleased her deity through her performance so far and the battles she had fought. Whatever the explanation, she felt stronger and more secure in mind, body and faith, though there were no more night-time visitations. The renewal of faith she felt had been most displayed when she had practised her kata, and found a small amount of what could only be called enlightenment, a greater understanding of the monastic arts her teachers had trained her in.Melisande found her own powers greater, honed by practice and insight, but above all she had plenty of time to think as they travelled. She had so many questions, and there seemed no-one to answer them all for her... and more strangely, one night early on she had experienced a strange dream in which she had witnessed, as if disembodied, a conclave of shadowlike figures in some dark and hidden place, circling another figure which stood half-illuminated in gray light. Then she had realised that the figure was herself and just before she woke had seen from her own eyes the tide of shadows flood in towards her, the faint light around her being overrun by darkness.The dream had only come on that one night, and when she had woken she had found Ebri performing some sort of religious dance; the woman claimed she had been unable to sleep but certainly seemed happy and invigorated by something - Mel could have sworn she saw the remnants of a tear shed in happiness in the mysterious priestesses eye. Mel had sunk back into sleep, untroubled this time until dawn came.Sebastion had found his won sword-arm and reflexes improving; he spent time sparring with undergrowth and training himself to consolidate what his recent battles had taught him. He understood now what his father had meant when the man hda said that real skill could only be taught through real battle; already the warriors fighting abilities were definitely greater.Sandslipper remained quiet, almost introverted, as if something was troubling her. She spoke rarely to the others, keeping instead to herself when she could.* * *Alaric grinned broadly. "And here we are; the residence of Lord Ecurius Tarravus."They had rode up the path towards the house and its outlying buildings, and now found themselves before the grand central residence, where servants came out to greet them. Alaric quickly told the butler of their purpose, and the man nodded. "My lord Ecurius awaits you, and would invite you all to dine with him for lunch, with his other guests. Rooms have been prepared for you all; you must have had a long journey."Cirius led them to their rooms to deposit their belongings, then they followed him into the dining hall. Sandslipper seemed to be fidgeting uneasily all the while.* * *The long table was well-stocked with food, water and wine, and at the head, in an ornately carved chair of mahogany depicting scenes from the history of the royal House Tarravus, Ecurius sat. He had donned the azure blue robes of the Truth Seekers, and looked regal and commanding.Wolf, Kale, Wyshira, Burl and Cord had already entered and the sorcerer had bade them sit in a friendly manner, inviting them to eat. It was soon afterwards that Melisande, Ebri, Sandslipper, Sebastion and Alaric had entered too, and saw the handsome noble for the first time."Ah! Most excellent, I am glad to see that you have arrived at last. Falkmar told me of your departure from Corvus, so it is good to see you finally here." He smiled, and took a drink of wine from his goblet. "Please, be seated, eat. You must have had a long journey too."Those of the band from Corvus could not help but look curiously at the strangers who sat on the other side of the table; a grizzled-looking Cryosian man of heavy build, next to him a younger man probably of Corinthian origin, then another Cryosian man, dark haired and dark garbed who had an intangible air around him of something sinister, and finally a woman of strange aquatic colour of skin and hair who somehow brought the sea to the mind of her viewer. The band of mercenaries saw a man of southern blood, maybe Carthagian or Huronese, a bizarrely blue woman and another who looked like a living statue, a third woman of sturdy build and simple garb and a man in the uniform of a noble warrior.When all had sat, Ecurius spoke again."Well, welcome to you all, indeed! I believe," he said, looking at Sandslipper, "that you have something to deliver to me?" She nodded and handed him her package. He slipped it into his robes, for the time being seemingly unconcerned to investigate it."Well, this is most fortuitious - please, all, eat! It is most excellent food that my cook has prepared today, I must say - for I find much luck descending upon me today. It seems Naskha smiles upon me! Wolf," he said, addressing the veteran, "the reason why I procured your services was, well, listen and I shall reveal all - ah, could you pass me that wine? Why thankyou, lady, and I must say you have a most impressive shade of skin, I first thought you to be a Cerulean One when I saw you! Ah, but back to my story... there is a tower in the Sarokean mountains, well beyond the border of Naseria and the patrol routes of the Iron Hawks, and I want you to, well, for lack of a better word, loot it.""I'm not talking about simple plundering here, of course. You see, it seems that many decades ago a rogue wizard from Carthagia left that dark land for some reason or another - I don't know why, I'm afraid, and you couldn't pass that bowl over there, could you, I'm afraid I cannot reach quite that far - and set himself up ina tower deep in the wild mountains. Apparently quite a genius, a clever man when it came to machines, rivalled the gnomes of Kerr in the department of thaumineering. My research has turned up reports that he's now dead, has been for many years, so the tower is just standing there accumulating dust.""That leaves a lot of valuable knowledge in there too, knowledge I'd love to have access to, especially his thaumineering designs and theories. Those designs could prove to be of real worth if the tales of some of the wizard's inventions are anything to go by, a step forwards in the art of thaumineering. I want you people to acquire these plans from the tower. Now, why I'm hiring you to do this is because the tower is both in a wild and potentially dangerous area - the Sarokeans are hardly safe with all the beasts and peoples that roam them, from giants to goblins - and because the wizard's tower is almost certain to have its own defences, and possibly its own inhabitants. But if you can get me those plans, then you can have anythign else you salvage from the tower - books, wealth, whatever, all I want is his notes on magical artisanship and machinery - as well as the fee of..." he paused, thinking."I would say two hundred and fifty pieces of gold would not be an inadequate sum, would you not agree?""Now... I have no doubt of the skill of Wolf and his men here," the sorcerer said, turning to the other side of the table and looking at them appraisingly over the food heaped high on the silver plates, "but by all accounts you fellows can hold your own with the best of them as well; I hear you fended off some people who wanted to steal my package from you," he said with a frown. "You seem like the right sort for this job, and certainly a slightly larger band would probably be a safer bet for all of you. I open this offer to you people as well, if you wish; a journey into the Sarokeans in search of treasure and knowledge," he finished with a grin, before addressing the entire gathering again."Now of course this is a low-profile little mission you'll be running for me, and I'm looking to hire all you people because I think you lot are probably up to the task. And... I might have more employment for you all, if you do this well.""If you do agree, there'll be a few days before I can finalise arrangements and you can all depart, so I'm willing to offer you all lodgings here, in my humble abode, and feel free to go and visit the city; it's a truly great place. Plenty for you to see and do there."</blockquote>

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