Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 2378987" data-attributes="member: 12882">Chapter 36 Across town, Grundar, Terenon, and Taigiel had found their way to the residence of one Lasom the Large, a gnome scholar and sage. He kept a rather extensive private historical reference library, and he kept tabs on the area more than most people, so he would undoubtedly be the best source of information in Latona. Terenon's knock on the scholar's door was answer by a gnome with shoulder-length blonde hair, a goatee, and crystal blue eyes. He was clad in winter wolf furs and looked up at the three visitors with interest."Out-of-towners, eh? We don't get too many of your kind around these parts. My name's Lasom: how may I be of assistance?" "Grettings Lasom," Terenon replied, bowing slightly. "I am Terenon. We have been told you are the man to see regarding information, news and history of the region."Lasom smiled. "Indeed, I know many things about the lands around Latona. Come in, won't you? I won't have my guests freeze to death when a warm fire is but a few feet away!"The gnome ushered the three into his home. Each wall was lined with a bookshelf that stretched from floor to ceiling, chock full of tomes and grimoires of all shapes and sizes. Lasom lead them into a sitting room where a crackling fire roared in a fireplace and offered them some wine, then settled into a plush, oversized chair."Information, news, and history. Is there anything specific you are interested in? I could talk for hours on the Spine of the World, the plains around Latona, the Mect Cliffs far to the north. I could talk about the founding of the city, the battles we have fought to keep it running, the struggle to survive in the frozen wastelands. Or I could tell you about the great wyrm Acessiwal the White." Grundar's ears perked up at the mention of the wyrm and he leaned forward with interest. "What do you know of Acessiwal?""Ah, Acessiwal," said Lasom. "I have heard and read many stories about confrontations with him over the centuries. The great dragon slew all but a few of his would-be hunters in the past hundred years. Many of them I met before they set off on their fool's quest to the north. A few of the older legends tell of heroes who managed to drive off the dragon, however. Indeed, an ancient song makes sport of 'Acessiwal the Yellow,' a cowardly beast of the north. Of course, each time the wyrm was driven off, he always found a new place to make his lair." "He will not flee this time," Taigiel whispered icily, his eyes twin pools of flame. "He will die at the ends of my blades, and I will know peace.""Acessiwal is cowardly?" Terenon asked, a little loudly to draw attention from Taigiel's statement. "That's not the impression we've had of late. Is he of arcane accomplishment? We've heard that he has ice golems to do his bdiding. He has almost decimated the frost giants in this region and they are little more than shadows of thier former strength. Hardly fits with the name of 'Acessiwal the Yellow.'" Lasom shrugged. "I am merely a collector of tales; I cannot attest to their veracity. The one song that makes fun of Acessiwal is quite ancient, and things may have changed over the intervening centuries. There is not much information available on Acessiwal specifically, but from what I know about dragons, the older ones are quite proficient with the arcane arts. I've never seen an ice golem before, but I'm sure its possible that he commands such things." Grundar was only listening half-heartedly. One hand slid into a pocket where he fiddled with a gold coin. He wished he had gone with the others to the temples instead sitting around in this dusty library.Terenon mulled over Lasom 's answers with a bit of disappointment. Perhaps another line of questioning was in order. The mage began again. "Lasom, I would guess you know what intteligent creatures dwell in the area. If someone we're interested in gathering an army, what indigenous species would he choose from. Could be humanoids, barbarians, or something I haven't even thought of." "An army?" asked Lasom, eyeing Terenon dubiously. "The most prevalent creatures in the area are the frost giants, though their tribes are scattered far and wide across the tundra and have not seen real organization for years. We also see the occasional group of orcs, ogres, or trolls, but usually nothing too serious. Besides the mastodon herds and the winter wolf packs, there isn't really much else out there.""What do you know of the Mect cliffs to the north?" asked Grundar. "What kind of creatures inhabit that area? Have there been any recent news coming from that area?" he asked, hoping that Lasom might provide something interesting. "The Mect Cliffs are a dangerous place; no sane person ventures near them and lives long," says Lasom. "They are inhabited by the normal beasts of the tundra. Frost worms, remorhaz, mastodons. Every so often, a younger white dragon is spotted flying about, and recently scouts have been reporting sightings of swarms of small, white, bat-winged creatures flying about. You would do well to stay away from them if you wish to remain safe. Latona is the furthest bastion of civilization in the north, so you will be on your own after you venture outside its walls."Well this fountain of knowlege is dry, thought Terenon. What could the dragon possibly use as an army if the most prevalent possibility has been crushed by said army. Damn. I should have questioned the giants about what they had fought."Thank you for your time, Lasom. I need some time to think." The mage stood, and Grundar followed behind him."I will join you shortly," said Taigiel. "There is more I would know about my fa--about Acessiwal.""We'll yell if we need you," said Terenon, winking.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Grundar sighed heavily, the winter wind whipping at his clothes. A few yards away, Terenon stood with his back to the elf, lost in his thoughts. Grundar was not a mind-reader, but he could guess what his friend was thinking, pretty much the same thing he was. Lasom's information didn't really tell them anything they didn't know already. Forewarned was forearmed, and right now he felt as if they were about to plunge into the unknown weaponless.A new chill fell over him, though, that had nothing to do with the cold. Somebody was behind him. No, something.A thought that was entirely not his own entered his mind then. This is strictly business. Nothing personal.Before the elf could do anything, a thick, slimy appendage wrapped around his neck. There was a sickening snap, and then the elf thought no more.</blockquote>

Verification