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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LordVyreth" data-source="post: 1454656" data-attributes="member: 9626">Race For LifeThe party woke up early the next morning, but before they began their next journey (or even began to look for their next journey,) each spent the morning quietly pondering the events of the last week, and their hopes for the future.  Quercus wondered what his stepfather thought of him now that he was an accomplished hero of at least some regard, and considered asking Tsine if he heard anything.  At the same time, though, his thoughts drifted again to his real father, the celestial.  Who was he?  What type of celestial was he, and was he still a good being, or a fallen?  And if he was good, why did he abandon Quercus and the entire plane?  As he thought of these things, he had a premonition that he would soon find out.  Meanwhile, Tsine was also pondering his future, and his father, but his reaction was that of disdain.  He was tired of his father forcing him to take the arcane road.  He wanted to take the fight to his enemies, especially the orcs, who have so humiliated his people so over the millennia, and still mock their goddesses at every opportunity.  He was also disappointed partially with his teammates.  Why did they show mercy and honor to the orcs, who would never have done the same if the situation were reversed?  The orcs will never be stopped if they are constantly coddled.  Tal’s plans were less conflicted, but no less ambitious.  He was always the black sheep of the family, and his parents and other relatives always insisted that the Moinens were nobles, not entertainers or wilderness-trudging soldiers.  But he would show them.  With that, Tal got up, eager to practice his art at the local inns, to tell the tales he and his new friends have been on, and maybe earn an honest coin or two, and the eye of a charming lass.  Raz didn’t have any clarity at this point.  The loss of his memories affected him deeply, as did the captivity and the knowledge that just as he was getting his memories back, they were becoming a lie.  He wanted the truth about this world more than anything, and while he is willing to travel with the group for now to find them, if they diverge from this plan, he’d also be happy to abandon them, and do whatever it takes to learn of what they are and what their purpose is.    As morning drifted into noon, the four of them met up with Flix and Rudyard, and sought out the typical places of employment.  After a half-dozen false leads or missions that were too easy or difficult for them, or that led them in directions they didn’t want go, they finally found something promising.  A noble merchant named Randall Pillora was killed recently by undead, but the death was a strange one.  He wasn’t brought back as an undead, which often happens, but he also couldn’t be brought back by normal means.  It was like he was cursed.  Radmackis, a gnome cleric who has been taking care of him, did some research, and discovered a possible solution.  About a week to the southeast of Methosilang, there is supposedly a shrine dedicated to Nelkiss, the goddess of dead, or more accurately, the post-death judgment and afterlife.  Apparently, the shrine somehow judges those who go to it, and those who are deemed worthy are blessed with a free, and extremely powerful form of resurrection magic.  It could be enough to break the curse, but it is a dangerous journey.  The area is completely controlled by the orcs, and there are few if any tunnels in the area, so most of the trip will be overland.  But all of the members of the party are eager for glory, revenge, or a chance to prove themselves, and readily agree to the cause.  A grateful Radmackis gave them 500 gold in advance, and prepared a gentle repose for Randall, so he would last until the end of the journey before decomposing.  After buying the supplies, the party got directions to the shrine, and further instructions to go from there to Necropolis, where Radmackis will be waiting for them, either to reward them if they succeeded, or to help prepare the body for burial if they failed.  As they left the town, however, they heard an unusual song that an unfamiliar drow bard was playing to them.  After hearing and pondering it, they turned to ask the bard about it, but he had already gone.  (The song itself can be found at the end of the update, btw.)    The first day was spent underground, as they traveled towards the surface exit that was closest to the shrine.  It was silent, for at least a few hours, though surprisingly, it was Quercus who broke the silence.  “So, Tsine, did your father ever, ummm…” he began awkwardly, before trailing off.    Tsine sighed, having heard this before.  “No, Quercus, he never mentioned you.  I honestly don’t see why you feel the need for his approval, anyway.  The man hasn’t had a dignified thought in his body since, well, you know…” he trailed off, not wanting to bring up a what was a painful memory to both of them.  He suddenly changed the subject, “And I want to make something clear before we move on.  If we have to pry information out some other humanoid, fine.  But I am not helping you deal with the orcs any more.  They long since lost any right to mercy or forgiveness, and I won’t strike any more deals with them.”    Rudyard grunted his approval.  “I agree.  I lost my family to those arrogant monsters.  I’m sick of them and their dragon lackies ruining our world.  The only good orc is a dead orc, as far as I’m concerned.”    None of the others seem concerned about this, save Tal, ironically, who is the first to admit he cares the least about the intricacies of abstract morality.  That being said, extremism at every level concerns him far more, but since he also wasn’t known for being confrontational, he rode on in grudging silence.    They rested that last day underground, and emerged on the surface at the beginning of First Light.  However, they didn’t travel for more than a few hours before danger struck.  In the sky above them, a half-dozen hippogriffs, a strange spider/wasp creature, a giant eagle, a monstrous bat, and even two white dragons were approaching!  Well aware that this was not an enemy they could face, the party dove into the bushes, and hid while Rudyard and Flix tried to watch their flight stealthily.  Luckily, they apparently passed without incident, but a grave Rudyard informed the group that they were headed straight towards the shrine of Nelkiss.  This simple mission might have become a race!    OOC Notes: For this adventure, you should be aware that I’m using house rules for resurrection.  Basically, instead of the standard results of the raise spells, the raising cleric has to make a check based on a new skill, Knowledge (afterlife.)  The results vary a lot.  Besides level-loss and no effect at all, the raised being could have an alignment change, an ability score drain, or various mental effects, or they could come back with or as an undead, or even gain a template as a result!      Oh, and the song the party heard was this.Out of the darkness came the Four.The Hand and the Lady, the Prince and the Blade.Now, gentle travelers, gaze at this world,And look at all the trouble they’ve made.And the Blade, trouble they’ve made,And look at all the trouble they’ve made.The Hand ruled armies and conquered cities,But Fate twisted it into a Claw.The Fury overthrew order’s ruleAnd so Chaos sprung forth from lawInto a Claw, forth from law,And so Chaos sprung forth from lawThe Lady’s past hides beyond the stars.The Queen of Darkness her mother served.Blood she spilled, but her own drove her mad.Fear not! Her fate will be deserved.Her mother served, will be deserved.Fear not! Her fate will be deserved.The Prince of Nightmares rules the Fallen’s Valley,A relic of ancient evil his only friend.He betrayed she who gave him his gift,But justice was served in the end.His only friend, in the end.But justice was served in the end.There is mercy in the Blade’s cut.She believes her cause is right.But her brilliant mind cannot pierce the lies.Twisted minds lead to unjust might.Cause is right, unjust might.Twisted minds lead to unjust might.This is why the evils lament,And in their mistakes the Evil dies.But will the world survive their wrath,Or join in their despairing cries?The Evil dies, despairing cries.Or join in their despairing cries?</blockquote>

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