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DM Brainiac's Prison of the Firebringer (Updated 12/21/05)
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<blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 1503169" data-attributes="member: 12882"><p>Chapter 7</p><p></p><p>The beholder gave the party an appraising look with its eyestalks before responding.</p><p></p><p>"So, you are not with the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame, then? Intriguing. I am Orichalxos. If you have not come to destroy me, then why are you here?"</p><p></p><p>The adventurers exchanged nervous glances, then Allanon stepped forward. "The Hidden Flame has been ambushing parties traveling along the Surbrin Way and taking many prisoners. We were sent to investigate and discovered that this cult was behind the disappearances. In our earliest battle, we managed to gain the trust of one of the cultists, who mentioned this forbidden observatory. Forbidden from anyone by order of the late Flame Lord. So we investigated, and here we are; I am known as Allanon Harpell."</p><p></p><p>"And I am Grundar,” said the elf, being careful not to look directly in any of the floating aberration’s eyes. He had heard stories about the magical powers beholders had, and he did not want to be on the receiving end of any of them. “As our friend Allanon said, we are not from the cult. We had come upon the Flame Lord Moskogg's papers mentioning your deal with him. Just what exactly is this deal you had with Moskogg?"</p><p></p><p>"The deal was quite simple,” said Orichalxos. “I have lived in this vale for many years, studying the research the Selskaryn conducted before they were wiped out. The Acolytes moved in several months ago and agreed to leave me alone if I returned the favor. They plan to free Bazim-Gorag, however, which would have serious repercussions across the Realms should they succeed. Not to mention that I want the Vale back to myself. Therefore, I am willing to deal with you. I will pay you well if you can drive the adherents of the Hidden Flame from the Dungeon of the Ruins. I can provide you with the history of the area, which may prove helpful to you later on."</p><p></p><p>Terenon overcame his nervousness and stepped closer to the beholder and smiled broadly. "Well it seems no one wants these Acolytes of the Hidden Flame to succeed. Not even you, Orichalxos. My name is Terenon. We both have the same goal. Your payment only sweetens the deal. Provide us with all the knowledge you have on the Hidden Flame, the Dungeon of the Ruins and the history of this area, and I will guarantee the elimination of the Acolytes.”</p><p> </p><p>The mage turned to look at the machine behind the beholder and the piles of books and papers. He glanced back at Orichalxos. "I too have a great deal of interest in the arcane. What is this machine, and who were the Selskaryn?"</p><p></p><p>"This machine is an orrery," said Orichalxos. "An apparatus which illustrates, by the revolution of balls moved by wheelwork, the relative size, periodic motions, positions, and orbits, of this world Toril and the other heavenly bodies that travel through the heavens. And as for who the Selskaryn were, that is a longer tale, as detailed in The Fall of the Tower of the Star by the one of the last Selskar wizards, Vandar Nightshade."</p><p></p><p>"In the year of Oaths Forsaken, a cabal of wizards cast out from Netheril formed an arcane college in the pristine wilderness of the ancient North. Known as the Selskar Order, the cabal took over a ruined dwarven stronghold named Andalbruin in the foothills of the Frost Hills. The Netherese built a village atop the ruins, centered on a school of wizardry, which they called Selskartur, the Tower of the Star. The Selskaryn claimed to be neutral in the affairs of the world, but in truth they were ambitious and haughty."</p><p></p><p>"In time, the Selskar Order might have become yet another wizard-ruled tyranny in western Faerun and gone the way of Athalantar or Illusk. But fate intervened in the form of Harska Thaug, the Render of Thrones--a troll warlord who had united the savage humanoids of the North into a bloodthirsty raiding horde. In the Year of Rumbling Earth, Harska Thaug led his horde south from the Spine of the World against the elves of Rilithar, a remnant of ancient Illefarn that lay on the eastern slopes of the Sword Mountains. The town of Andalbruin stood directly in the troll lord's path."</p><p></p><p>"The Ar-magus Ilviroon, then leader of the Selskar Order, rallied the school to defend Andalbruin. But although the massed Selskaryn inflicted tremendous damage on Harska Thaug's horde, the shamans and warpriests serving the Render of Thrones blunted many of the magical assaults unleashed from the Tower of the Star. At last, Ilviroon decided to use his mightiest weapon to drive Harska Thaug from the vale. The ar-magus cast a gate spell and summoned the slaad lord Bazim-Gorag, also called the Firebringer, and made a deal with him to burn Harska Thaug's army."</p><p></p><p>"Bazim-Gorag did as the Selskaryn desired, wreaking great slaughter among the trolls and orcs. Harska Thaug and the survivors of his horde fled back to the Spine of the World. But the price the slaad lord demanded for his labor was high, and when the Selskaryn hesitated to pay, he turned on the Tower of the Star, scouring the citadel and slaughtering several of the mages. Angered by the slaad lord's rebellion, Ilviroon resolved to break Bazim-Gorag to his will. The ar-magus enticed the slaad into a devious trap, then worked a mighty binding spell in cooperation with a few other survivors to imprison him in the deep vaults of the tower. The ar-magus created a relatively simple set of conditions, which he named the rite of unbinding, for the slaad's freedom. But he did not share the details of this ritual with anyone, fearing that an ambitious underling might turn Bazim-Gorag against him."</p><p></p><p>"Decimated by the onslaught of the trolls and the battle with the slaad lord, the Selskaryn struggled to rebuild. But the following winter, Harska Thaug returned with an even greater horde. The Ar-Magus Ilviroon fell in battle before he could coerce Bazim-Gorag to aid the cabal against the trolls and orcs a second time. The Tower of the Star fell, and the Selskar Order was no more. Harska Thaug's horde continued south, overrunning the Fair Folk of Rilithlar two years later."</p><p></p><p>The beholder grimaced as he completed his tale. "Now, the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame work to free Bazim-Gorag from his prison beneath the ruins of the Tower of the Star, what is now known simply as the Dungeon of the Ruins."</p><p></p><p>Terenon shifted uncomfortably as he digested the beholder’s history listen. "If the ar-magus set the ritual of unbinding himself and told no one, how did the Acolytes find it?"</p><p></p><p>"I am uncertain how the Acolytes managed to discover the rite of unbinding,” replied Orichalxos. “There are powerful magicks that can reveal things of that nature, though. Perhaps one of the cultists cast a legend lore spell?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, I see no reason to threaten you or your work here,” said Terenon. “You did mention a reward. What specifically did you have in mind? Once we are done dealing with the slaad lovers, I'm sure we will return to collect it."</p><p></p><p>The beholder smiled. "I'm sure we can work some sort of suitable price for your aid in this matter. Say, a few thousand gold pieces worth of cash and equipment for each of you? We can discuss the exact amount once the deed is done."</p><p></p><p>"Sounds good to me,” said Grundar, making some calculations in his head as to how large their reward would be. “We shall be back once we rid the vale of this cult."</p><p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>"I don't expect we're to actually trust that great big ball of lies, eh?" Berek growled, thrusting a thumb back towards the observatory. "I mean, why not kill it, then do what he wants? If it even turns out to be everything he claims?" Snorting, the dwarf cracked his knuckles uneasily. "Don't trust anything that speaks that well and that much. Ain't the way things're supposed to work.”</p><p></p><p>“That creature is pure evil,” said Gillian softly. “I took the liberty of reading his aura while you were talking. Nothing but bad news.”</p><p></p><p>Terenon turned to the gruff dwarf and arched an eyebrow. "What makes you think anybody here trusts that floating abomination? Our goal is the same now as before we met that thing...to destroy the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame. Just because it wants us to do what we were already going to do, does not mean we're working for it. I fully believe it will try and get out of rewarding us. However, I am not comfortable about killing anything that has done nothing wrong that I am aware of."</p><p></p><p>"Bah!" Berek said, rolling his eyes. "It's a beholder which lives amongst evil creatures and somehow has enough wealth to offer us a reward. Bettin' odds lie with it bein' a bastard." He shrugged his shoulders as he spoke again. "It’s your show though, as I damn well barely know what's going on here. If you want me to wait until after he pays us--assuming he don't just try to kill us or shirk us--then I suppose I could always just beat his eyeballs'n then. Course, if'n you’re just doin' this for the reward, I don't see why we can't just kill 'em now and take the whole kettle of fish..."</p><p></p><p>"I do sympathize with you and Gillian,” said Rhys, “but I do see a greater good in stopping the slaad lord. There will be plenty of bloodshed in our future, and if we can avoid more of it by working with the beholder, then I have to agree with Terenon."</p><p></p><p>“Well then, before we head off to the ruins,” said Terenon, “we should probably check in with that woman who escaped from the barracks house. Degradzel, Osterel said her name was. If you all will wait a few minutes, I will attempt to scry on her.”</p><p></p><p>The mage pulled out a mirror from his pack and set it up against the wall of the observatory. He then cast his spell and was rewarded as an image began to form. In the mirror, Terenon could see Degradzel and her immediate surroundings. Degradzel was seated in a large chair across from a wooden table. Seated at the table, a man with a shaven head wearing robes of iridescent green examined several documents. A sheathed longsword laid across the table within easy reach. Degradzel was helping the man go over the documents; both were all but silent.</p><p></p><p>Terenon looked deeper into the looking glass, trying to read the papers. The documents that Terenon could see seemed to be notes about troop movements and attack plans once the Firebringer was freed from his prison. A few also appeared to be propositions for alliance and threats of destruction to those who might defy the Firebringer's will.</p><p></p><p>Terenon dismissed the spell and turned his attention to the group. "From what I've seen, it suggests that this scheme to release the slaadi is backed by a kingdom. It's not just a bunch of crazed cultists. Very interesting…very interesting indeed."</p><p></p><p>"Don't change a lot. Well, maybe a bit more killin' in the end, I suppose," Berek grunted, clearly less than shocked at this new information.</p><p></p><p>“Well,” said Grundar, “at any rate, we better make a move soon and head toward the ruins. We don’t want to give the Acolytes longer to prepare than we already have.”</p><p></p><p>“Sounds like a plan,” said Allanon. “Let’s head out.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ltclnlbrain, post: 1503169, member: 12882"] Chapter 7 The beholder gave the party an appraising look with its eyestalks before responding. "So, you are not with the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame, then? Intriguing. I am Orichalxos. If you have not come to destroy me, then why are you here?" The adventurers exchanged nervous glances, then Allanon stepped forward. "The Hidden Flame has been ambushing parties traveling along the Surbrin Way and taking many prisoners. We were sent to investigate and discovered that this cult was behind the disappearances. In our earliest battle, we managed to gain the trust of one of the cultists, who mentioned this forbidden observatory. Forbidden from anyone by order of the late Flame Lord. So we investigated, and here we are; I am known as Allanon Harpell." "And I am Grundar,” said the elf, being careful not to look directly in any of the floating aberration’s eyes. He had heard stories about the magical powers beholders had, and he did not want to be on the receiving end of any of them. “As our friend Allanon said, we are not from the cult. We had come upon the Flame Lord Moskogg's papers mentioning your deal with him. Just what exactly is this deal you had with Moskogg?" "The deal was quite simple,” said Orichalxos. “I have lived in this vale for many years, studying the research the Selskaryn conducted before they were wiped out. The Acolytes moved in several months ago and agreed to leave me alone if I returned the favor. They plan to free Bazim-Gorag, however, which would have serious repercussions across the Realms should they succeed. Not to mention that I want the Vale back to myself. Therefore, I am willing to deal with you. I will pay you well if you can drive the adherents of the Hidden Flame from the Dungeon of the Ruins. I can provide you with the history of the area, which may prove helpful to you later on." Terenon overcame his nervousness and stepped closer to the beholder and smiled broadly. "Well it seems no one wants these Acolytes of the Hidden Flame to succeed. Not even you, Orichalxos. My name is Terenon. We both have the same goal. Your payment only sweetens the deal. Provide us with all the knowledge you have on the Hidden Flame, the Dungeon of the Ruins and the history of this area, and I will guarantee the elimination of the Acolytes.” The mage turned to look at the machine behind the beholder and the piles of books and papers. He glanced back at Orichalxos. "I too have a great deal of interest in the arcane. What is this machine, and who were the Selskaryn?" "This machine is an orrery," said Orichalxos. "An apparatus which illustrates, by the revolution of balls moved by wheelwork, the relative size, periodic motions, positions, and orbits, of this world Toril and the other heavenly bodies that travel through the heavens. And as for who the Selskaryn were, that is a longer tale, as detailed in The Fall of the Tower of the Star by the one of the last Selskar wizards, Vandar Nightshade." "In the year of Oaths Forsaken, a cabal of wizards cast out from Netheril formed an arcane college in the pristine wilderness of the ancient North. Known as the Selskar Order, the cabal took over a ruined dwarven stronghold named Andalbruin in the foothills of the Frost Hills. The Netherese built a village atop the ruins, centered on a school of wizardry, which they called Selskartur, the Tower of the Star. The Selskaryn claimed to be neutral in the affairs of the world, but in truth they were ambitious and haughty." "In time, the Selskar Order might have become yet another wizard-ruled tyranny in western Faerun and gone the way of Athalantar or Illusk. But fate intervened in the form of Harska Thaug, the Render of Thrones--a troll warlord who had united the savage humanoids of the North into a bloodthirsty raiding horde. In the Year of Rumbling Earth, Harska Thaug led his horde south from the Spine of the World against the elves of Rilithar, a remnant of ancient Illefarn that lay on the eastern slopes of the Sword Mountains. The town of Andalbruin stood directly in the troll lord's path." "The Ar-magus Ilviroon, then leader of the Selskar Order, rallied the school to defend Andalbruin. But although the massed Selskaryn inflicted tremendous damage on Harska Thaug's horde, the shamans and warpriests serving the Render of Thrones blunted many of the magical assaults unleashed from the Tower of the Star. At last, Ilviroon decided to use his mightiest weapon to drive Harska Thaug from the vale. The ar-magus cast a gate spell and summoned the slaad lord Bazim-Gorag, also called the Firebringer, and made a deal with him to burn Harska Thaug's army." "Bazim-Gorag did as the Selskaryn desired, wreaking great slaughter among the trolls and orcs. Harska Thaug and the survivors of his horde fled back to the Spine of the World. But the price the slaad lord demanded for his labor was high, and when the Selskaryn hesitated to pay, he turned on the Tower of the Star, scouring the citadel and slaughtering several of the mages. Angered by the slaad lord's rebellion, Ilviroon resolved to break Bazim-Gorag to his will. The ar-magus enticed the slaad into a devious trap, then worked a mighty binding spell in cooperation with a few other survivors to imprison him in the deep vaults of the tower. The ar-magus created a relatively simple set of conditions, which he named the rite of unbinding, for the slaad's freedom. But he did not share the details of this ritual with anyone, fearing that an ambitious underling might turn Bazim-Gorag against him." "Decimated by the onslaught of the trolls and the battle with the slaad lord, the Selskaryn struggled to rebuild. But the following winter, Harska Thaug returned with an even greater horde. The Ar-Magus Ilviroon fell in battle before he could coerce Bazim-Gorag to aid the cabal against the trolls and orcs a second time. The Tower of the Star fell, and the Selskar Order was no more. Harska Thaug's horde continued south, overrunning the Fair Folk of Rilithlar two years later." The beholder grimaced as he completed his tale. "Now, the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame work to free Bazim-Gorag from his prison beneath the ruins of the Tower of the Star, what is now known simply as the Dungeon of the Ruins." Terenon shifted uncomfortably as he digested the beholder’s history listen. "If the ar-magus set the ritual of unbinding himself and told no one, how did the Acolytes find it?" "I am uncertain how the Acolytes managed to discover the rite of unbinding,” replied Orichalxos. “There are powerful magicks that can reveal things of that nature, though. Perhaps one of the cultists cast a legend lore spell?" "Well, I see no reason to threaten you or your work here,” said Terenon. “You did mention a reward. What specifically did you have in mind? Once we are done dealing with the slaad lovers, I'm sure we will return to collect it." The beholder smiled. "I'm sure we can work some sort of suitable price for your aid in this matter. Say, a few thousand gold pieces worth of cash and equipment for each of you? We can discuss the exact amount once the deed is done." "Sounds good to me,” said Grundar, making some calculations in his head as to how large their reward would be. “We shall be back once we rid the vale of this cult." -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I don't expect we're to actually trust that great big ball of lies, eh?" Berek growled, thrusting a thumb back towards the observatory. "I mean, why not kill it, then do what he wants? If it even turns out to be everything he claims?" Snorting, the dwarf cracked his knuckles uneasily. "Don't trust anything that speaks that well and that much. Ain't the way things're supposed to work.” “That creature is pure evil,” said Gillian softly. “I took the liberty of reading his aura while you were talking. Nothing but bad news.” Terenon turned to the gruff dwarf and arched an eyebrow. "What makes you think anybody here trusts that floating abomination? Our goal is the same now as before we met that thing...to destroy the Acolytes of the Hidden Flame. Just because it wants us to do what we were already going to do, does not mean we're working for it. I fully believe it will try and get out of rewarding us. However, I am not comfortable about killing anything that has done nothing wrong that I am aware of." "Bah!" Berek said, rolling his eyes. "It's a beholder which lives amongst evil creatures and somehow has enough wealth to offer us a reward. Bettin' odds lie with it bein' a bastard." He shrugged his shoulders as he spoke again. "It’s your show though, as I damn well barely know what's going on here. If you want me to wait until after he pays us--assuming he don't just try to kill us or shirk us--then I suppose I could always just beat his eyeballs'n then. Course, if'n you’re just doin' this for the reward, I don't see why we can't just kill 'em now and take the whole kettle of fish..." "I do sympathize with you and Gillian,” said Rhys, “but I do see a greater good in stopping the slaad lord. There will be plenty of bloodshed in our future, and if we can avoid more of it by working with the beholder, then I have to agree with Terenon." “Well then, before we head off to the ruins,” said Terenon, “we should probably check in with that woman who escaped from the barracks house. Degradzel, Osterel said her name was. If you all will wait a few minutes, I will attempt to scry on her.” The mage pulled out a mirror from his pack and set it up against the wall of the observatory. He then cast his spell and was rewarded as an image began to form. In the mirror, Terenon could see Degradzel and her immediate surroundings. Degradzel was seated in a large chair across from a wooden table. Seated at the table, a man with a shaven head wearing robes of iridescent green examined several documents. A sheathed longsword laid across the table within easy reach. Degradzel was helping the man go over the documents; both were all but silent. Terenon looked deeper into the looking glass, trying to read the papers. The documents that Terenon could see seemed to be notes about troop movements and attack plans once the Firebringer was freed from his prison. A few also appeared to be propositions for alliance and threats of destruction to those who might defy the Firebringer's will. Terenon dismissed the spell and turned his attention to the group. "From what I've seen, it suggests that this scheme to release the slaadi is backed by a kingdom. It's not just a bunch of crazed cultists. Very interesting…very interesting indeed." "Don't change a lot. Well, maybe a bit more killin' in the end, I suppose," Berek grunted, clearly less than shocked at this new information. “Well,” said Grundar, “at any rate, we better make a move soon and head toward the ruins. We don’t want to give the Acolytes longer to prepare than we already have.” “Sounds like a plan,” said Allanon. “Let’s head out.” [/QUOTE]
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