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<blockquote data-quote="CrusadeDave" data-source="post: 1944034" data-attributes="member: 6716"><p><strong>Chapter 1:</strong></p><p></p><p>Chapter 1: Decent into the Sunless Citadel</p><p></p><p>Part 1 - The Gong, his Thief, their Druid and her Wolf</p><p></p><p>While the Birthless Plague was a worldwide stain on Lathander’s reputation, it was not the sole cause of pain for Lyryn, Dawn Bringer of the Morning Lord.</p><p></p><p>Pel was the shame of the Church of Lathander in Baldur’s Gate. In fact, it was often thought that Pel’s bumbling manner was the sole purpose in the lack of growth of the Morninglord’s worship. Pel was loud, obnoxious, aloof, blunt, smelled, and naïve, in short, everything you would expect of a drunk priest. Lyryn shuddered to think what alcohol would do in Pel’s system.</p><p></p><p>But today was going to be a good day for the Light in Baldur’s Gate. Today, Lyryn, the chief priest of Lathander in Baldur’s Gate had a piddlely mission for Pel that would take him outside the city limits. Little did Pel know, but Lyryn would kindly ask the City Guards to bar him from ever returning. Normally sending a Cleric out on a mission of the church involved a formal meeting, and a blessing.</p><p></p><p>Lyryn had one of the Acolytes slip a note under Pel’s door.</p><p></p><p>"Brother Issar,</p><p></p><p>It has come to my attention that one of our young Paladins, Bradford of Hommlet, has gone missing. Kerowyn Hucrele, the local baker, hired him out as an escort in the town of Oakhurst. You are to go to Oakhurst, meet with Mrs. Hucrele as well as our local Cleric, Dem Nackle, and determine the whereabouts of Bradford, as our attempts of divination and scrying have proven surprisingly unsuccessful.</p><p></p><p>Before leaving, you are to pack up your belongings from your room, as you have been reassigned to a new parish up North in Lonelywood. We will ship your personal affects ahead for you. Also, we need you out before dawn, as we have already designated your room for another.</p><p></p><p>Upon departure you are to report to the nearest precinct of the Flaming Fist, and request a hired hand. Have it billed to Kerowyn Hucrele of “Hucrele and Hucrele Fine Baked Goods”. </p><p></p><p>Please send notice upon successful completion of your mission by post, and then head to your new parish at once. Good Luck.</p><p></p><p>Lyryn</p><p></p><p>P.S. Please do not announce yourself openly as a Cleric of Lathander to residents of Oakhurst. Dem Nackle is very territorial. Thanks."</p><p></p><p>Two hours before dawn, Pel’s room was empty. Upon the shut of the main door of the Abbey, a hushed whispering began, in case Pel returned. By noon that day the Temple was in full celebration, anticipating a reversal of fortunes in town.</p><p></p><p>The noise of the revelry spilled outside the walls as two rival priests of Umberlee walked by. “I wasn’t aware this was a special holiday of Lathander.” </p><p></p><p>A shrug was the only response the elder priest could give his student.</p><p></p><p>Pel: Human Cleric of Lathander (Healing, Sun) NG</p><p>Str 18, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.</p><p>Weapon Proficiency: Spiked Chain, Weapon Focus: Spiked Chain</p><p></p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Jonny the Fish was a dead man.</p><p></p><p>Kiernan sighed. His first job for the guild had gone wrong, not of his own doing, and he was now sitting in the eastern station of the Flaming Fist Mercenaries, waiting to be assigned to a prison cell.</p><p></p><p>It was supposed to be simple. “Stand on the eastern side of the dock and act as a lookout as the shipment came in” he was told. Little did Jonny expect that the entire cargo run was a setup by the local law. Little did Kiernan expect that the local law could be so easily bribed and that he could be fingered as a king of a smuggling ring.</p><p></p><p>Yet things were as they were.</p><p></p><p>Kiernan was looking for a diversion when suddenly a rather large one strode into the room wearing the clerical robes of Lathander and bellowed with a rather haughty voice.</p><p></p><p>“I demand to see to Log Officer!”</p><p></p><p>Kiernan recoiled as the dyne made the local sheriffs seem orderly.</p><p></p><p>After a few minutes of listening to a rather obstinate conversation, the log officer picked up his book and filed away an invoice for the Hucrele Bakers and started looking up and down his the current roster. </p><p></p><p>“Confound it! I don’t have any men to spare to send off on expeditions. Twenty years ago was different, before the plague, but I need all the men I can get.”</p><p></p><p>Kiernan seized his opportunity with a perfect bluff. Slowly moving over from the line of prisoners to the desk he whispered, “Excuse me, I’m not much of a man, but I’ve got nothing better to do.” </p><p></p><p>“What’s your name again?”</p><p></p><p>“Kiernan. Signed up yesterday, been waiting for something to do all day.”</p><p></p><p>The log officer looked up and sized up this new voice. This kid was not equipped at all and looked like he’d been dragged up the street. “Weren’t you supposed to go through basic training and equipping?”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, but I got sent over here for processing. I was told my paperwork got lost and you were you supposed to redo it.”</p><p></p><p>Just what the log officer needed, paperwork. Well, to heck with that. "’kay, here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to go along with Pel here, and what’s your name again?”</p><p></p><p>“Kiernan.”</p><p></p><p>“Alright, Kiernan, and when you get back we’ll have a chance to redo your paperwork.”</p><p> </p><p>Kiernan (?): Human Rogue of mysterious background CG</p><p>Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 10.</p><p>Weapon Finesse, Dodge</p><p></p><p>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>Xana had been a good student. Well studied in all the ways of the forest, she was comfortable with all manners of forest life, be it plant or animal. She could defend herself well enough, even without the companionship of Nailo, her wolf, and she had a great breath of skill, be it in wilderness survival, knowledge of nature, spellcraft, or the training of animals. As a young wood elf, the Cloak Wood was all she had known. </p><p></p><p>And Dydd’ison was her teacher. He was an elderly Druid, and scarcely spoke direct to her, instead passing messages to her through the wind or the birds, but 2 days ago he sent for her to come to his home and Xana knew that all was not well. She walked in his sleeping quarters and awoke him with her entrance.</p><p></p><p>They did not speak very long, Dydd’ison was very old, and weak. His time within the circle of life was almost complete and he spoke very slowly.</p><p></p><p>“Xana, your lessons are all but complete. Your last task is to find one of our members who has left us. His name is Belak, gone 8 years to the town of Oakhurst. The spirits have indicated to me that we must account for him at this time.”</p><p></p><p>“You are to set to this task. Now. The Spirits will guide you beyond, if you listen. Farewell.”</p><p></p><p>Xana departed by giving Dydd’ison a kiss as he fell asleep. 2 days later as Xana passed from the boundaries of the Cloak Wood she felt him die. After 4 days travel in the hills south of Baldur’s Gate, in a slight drizzle, Xana was set upon by 3 bandits seeking a toll. Nailo made short work of them as Xana disarmed their prone bodies and made sure none of them bled to death, while lightening their purse of other tolls they had taken from travelers. </p><p></p><p>The rain finally let up when she came within site of Oakhurst. Xana strode in to Oakhurst at night before noon on 1 Mirtul, in the Year of Rogue Dragons. After talking to some of the town merchants at the local farmer’s market, she was no closer to determining the location of Belak. </p><p></p><p>She walked in a store called Hucrele and Hucrele’s baked goods. And began talking to the female baker, Kerowyn. The only information she gleaned was that the barkeep at the inn, Garon, was older than even the beer he served, and if anyone could remember a face it was Garon.</p><p></p><p>Xana: Elven Druid of Very Little Experience NG</p><p>Str 10, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 12.</p><p>Spell Focus: Conjuration</p><p></p><p>Nailo: Faithful Wolven steed of Xana: N</p><p>Str 14, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 8</p><p>Weapon Focus: Bite</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CrusadeDave, post: 1944034, member: 6716"] [b]Chapter 1:[/b] Chapter 1: Decent into the Sunless Citadel Part 1 - The Gong, his Thief, their Druid and her Wolf While the Birthless Plague was a worldwide stain on Lathander’s reputation, it was not the sole cause of pain for Lyryn, Dawn Bringer of the Morning Lord. Pel was the shame of the Church of Lathander in Baldur’s Gate. In fact, it was often thought that Pel’s bumbling manner was the sole purpose in the lack of growth of the Morninglord’s worship. Pel was loud, obnoxious, aloof, blunt, smelled, and naïve, in short, everything you would expect of a drunk priest. Lyryn shuddered to think what alcohol would do in Pel’s system. But today was going to be a good day for the Light in Baldur’s Gate. Today, Lyryn, the chief priest of Lathander in Baldur’s Gate had a piddlely mission for Pel that would take him outside the city limits. Little did Pel know, but Lyryn would kindly ask the City Guards to bar him from ever returning. Normally sending a Cleric out on a mission of the church involved a formal meeting, and a blessing. Lyryn had one of the Acolytes slip a note under Pel’s door. "Brother Issar, It has come to my attention that one of our young Paladins, Bradford of Hommlet, has gone missing. Kerowyn Hucrele, the local baker, hired him out as an escort in the town of Oakhurst. You are to go to Oakhurst, meet with Mrs. Hucrele as well as our local Cleric, Dem Nackle, and determine the whereabouts of Bradford, as our attempts of divination and scrying have proven surprisingly unsuccessful. Before leaving, you are to pack up your belongings from your room, as you have been reassigned to a new parish up North in Lonelywood. We will ship your personal affects ahead for you. Also, we need you out before dawn, as we have already designated your room for another. Upon departure you are to report to the nearest precinct of the Flaming Fist, and request a hired hand. Have it billed to Kerowyn Hucrele of “Hucrele and Hucrele Fine Baked Goods”. Please send notice upon successful completion of your mission by post, and then head to your new parish at once. Good Luck. Lyryn P.S. Please do not announce yourself openly as a Cleric of Lathander to residents of Oakhurst. Dem Nackle is very territorial. Thanks." Two hours before dawn, Pel’s room was empty. Upon the shut of the main door of the Abbey, a hushed whispering began, in case Pel returned. By noon that day the Temple was in full celebration, anticipating a reversal of fortunes in town. The noise of the revelry spilled outside the walls as two rival priests of Umberlee walked by. “I wasn’t aware this was a special holiday of Lathander.” A shrug was the only response the elder priest could give his student. Pel: Human Cleric of Lathander (Healing, Sun) NG Str 18, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8. Weapon Proficiency: Spiked Chain, Weapon Focus: Spiked Chain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonny the Fish was a dead man. Kiernan sighed. His first job for the guild had gone wrong, not of his own doing, and he was now sitting in the eastern station of the Flaming Fist Mercenaries, waiting to be assigned to a prison cell. It was supposed to be simple. “Stand on the eastern side of the dock and act as a lookout as the shipment came in” he was told. Little did Jonny expect that the entire cargo run was a setup by the local law. Little did Kiernan expect that the local law could be so easily bribed and that he could be fingered as a king of a smuggling ring. Yet things were as they were. Kiernan was looking for a diversion when suddenly a rather large one strode into the room wearing the clerical robes of Lathander and bellowed with a rather haughty voice. “I demand to see to Log Officer!” Kiernan recoiled as the dyne made the local sheriffs seem orderly. After a few minutes of listening to a rather obstinate conversation, the log officer picked up his book and filed away an invoice for the Hucrele Bakers and started looking up and down his the current roster. “Confound it! I don’t have any men to spare to send off on expeditions. Twenty years ago was different, before the plague, but I need all the men I can get.” Kiernan seized his opportunity with a perfect bluff. Slowly moving over from the line of prisoners to the desk he whispered, “Excuse me, I’m not much of a man, but I’ve got nothing better to do.” “What’s your name again?” “Kiernan. Signed up yesterday, been waiting for something to do all day.” The log officer looked up and sized up this new voice. This kid was not equipped at all and looked like he’d been dragged up the street. “Weren’t you supposed to go through basic training and equipping?” “Yes, but I got sent over here for processing. I was told my paperwork got lost and you were you supposed to redo it.” Just what the log officer needed, paperwork. Well, to heck with that. "’kay, here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to go along with Pel here, and what’s your name again?” “Kiernan.” “Alright, Kiernan, and when you get back we’ll have a chance to redo your paperwork.” Kiernan (?): Human Rogue of mysterious background CG Str 10, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 10. Weapon Finesse, Dodge --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Xana had been a good student. Well studied in all the ways of the forest, she was comfortable with all manners of forest life, be it plant or animal. She could defend herself well enough, even without the companionship of Nailo, her wolf, and she had a great breath of skill, be it in wilderness survival, knowledge of nature, spellcraft, or the training of animals. As a young wood elf, the Cloak Wood was all she had known. And Dydd’ison was her teacher. He was an elderly Druid, and scarcely spoke direct to her, instead passing messages to her through the wind or the birds, but 2 days ago he sent for her to come to his home and Xana knew that all was not well. She walked in his sleeping quarters and awoke him with her entrance. They did not speak very long, Dydd’ison was very old, and weak. His time within the circle of life was almost complete and he spoke very slowly. “Xana, your lessons are all but complete. Your last task is to find one of our members who has left us. His name is Belak, gone 8 years to the town of Oakhurst. The spirits have indicated to me that we must account for him at this time.” “You are to set to this task. Now. The Spirits will guide you beyond, if you listen. Farewell.” Xana departed by giving Dydd’ison a kiss as he fell asleep. 2 days later as Xana passed from the boundaries of the Cloak Wood she felt him die. After 4 days travel in the hills south of Baldur’s Gate, in a slight drizzle, Xana was set upon by 3 bandits seeking a toll. Nailo made short work of them as Xana disarmed their prone bodies and made sure none of them bled to death, while lightening their purse of other tolls they had taken from travelers. The rain finally let up when she came within site of Oakhurst. Xana strode in to Oakhurst at night before noon on 1 Mirtul, in the Year of Rogue Dragons. After talking to some of the town merchants at the local farmer’s market, she was no closer to determining the location of Belak. She walked in a store called Hucrele and Hucrele’s baked goods. And began talking to the female baker, Kerowyn. The only information she gleaned was that the barkeep at the inn, Garon, was older than even the beer he served, and if anyone could remember a face it was Garon. Xana: Elven Druid of Very Little Experience NG Str 10, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 12. Spell Focus: Conjuration Nailo: Faithful Wolven steed of Xana: N Str 14, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 8 Weapon Focus: Bite [/QUOTE]
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