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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Droid101" data-source="post: 1972540" data-attributes="member: 942">“So, according to the prophecies and a little input from the now-ascended Prophet, you’ve figured it out?” Eltharion asks impatiently.“Well, not exactly.  It’s really tough to decipher all this these ancient texts,” Adlai responds.  “But this is what I know.  The Prophet has cast all the Gods down here to our plane of existence.  They have lost all their Godly powers, and only retain mortal-like abilities.  From what I understand, they have shown up in places where their following is greatest.“For instance, Moradin appeared with the King of the dwarves, and is currently residing in Baron Castle with him.”“Did you say Moradin?” Eltharion says incredulously.“You got it.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is, for example, Lloth is probably teamed up with the dark elves, making the battle to come a little more interesting,” Adlai says.  “But from what I’ve gathered, the prophecies say that anyone can become a God during this time, not just those who have fallen.  If you prove yourself a master of a certain aspect of life, you can ascend once again.  Look for the Gods who have fallen to do anything and everything they can to further their cause and re-gain Godhood.”“I’ve got an idea, we should try to round up all the good Gods and have them help us!” Eltharion says.“Good idea,” Ogrim adds.“True.  There’s a few things pending, then.  We still need to find Grog and the others who never made it back from the Battle at Brunswick.  I need to continue to decipher the prophecies to try to help in the upcoming battle, or just see what’s coming.  And we can look for Gods to come help us,” Adlai says.“I’ll go find the others, we need to find Grog as our first priority,” Eltharion says.Eltharion rounds up Bloodthorne and Ogrim.  They go find Viknen.“I tink me old bones be needin’ a rest, now den,” Viknen says without rising.“That’s fine.  You’ve been more than a help to us so far, get your rest,” Eltharion says.  He looks back over to Ogrim and Bloodthorne.  “We’ll head out tomorrow.”They head over to the castle to see what they can see for the rest of the day.“How have you all been?” Wallace, the king of Brunswick asks.“Pretty good.  What was it like being stuck in that gem?” Eltharion asks.“Very strange.  But it’s good to be out,” Wallace says.  “And I heard you lost my castle to dark elves while I was gone.”  He looks sternly at the Heroes.“But, it… we tried!” Eltharion stammers.“I know, I’m just kidding with you.  You did what you could.  We’ll get it back, worry not,” Wallace says.“Something’s coming!!” a guard runs in the room shouting.  He continues to run through the castle.“Oh great, not a moment’s peace…” Ogrim grunts.  They head out of the castle.  Approaching them looks like a hundred mounted forms with spears and other sorts of weapons."How did they… wait a minute…” Eltharion looks quizzically at the creatures approaching.  They weren’t mounted at all, they were centaurs.“Ho there, friends!” one of the centaurs comes forward.  They Heroes instantly recognize him as Balophan, the centaur that helped them defeat Vecna.“Old friend!” Eltharion shakes Balophan’s hand heartily, as does Ogrim.  Bloodthorne nods with a goofy grin on his face.“We heard that the forces of darkness were about to decend upon the Kingdom of Baron.  I could not stand idly by.  If they took Baron, they would sweep across all of Aldor-Valencia.  We cannot let that happen.  We are here to offer our help in the impending battle,” Balophan says.“That’s great news!  We’ll let King Baron know.  You’re welcome to stay out in the fields alongside the dwarven and Brunswick refugees,” Eltharion says.“Thank you, we shall be ready for a call to arms,” Balophan says as he leads his massive group of centaurs out of the Capital City.“Things are looking better and better.  Anti-magic that the Prophecy Priests can cast through, extra help from Brunswick and dwarf soldiers, and now centaurs.  We can’t lose!” Eltharion sounds ecstatic.  Adlai joins the group from the castle.“Quick report, follow me,” Adlai leads them to his lab, where Senman, Misani, and Damaré are waiting.  “Okay, just wanted to let you guys know what we’re up to here in the labs.  The dwarves have helped us develop some firearm-type weapons.  We’ve coupled that with a heavy cavalry of Baronian soldiers for a deadly combination.”“Sounds good.  Tomorrow, we’re going to search for Grog, so that’s where we’ll be, in case you need to know,” Eltharion says.“All right, see you later then,” Adlai says as he dismisses everyone.The following day, Bloodthorne, Eltharion, and Ogrim head north out of the Baron Capital City to the Great Wall.  After a day on horseback, they leave the kingdom and head north.“I remember Grog runnin’ north of the Battle at Brunswick while we were distractin’ the giants.  Perhaps we should start looking in the forest near Brunswick?” Bloodthorne says.“Good idea.  Let’s get moving,” Eltharion says.They travel north for another day, and arrive at the Adventurer’s Guildhall.  They go in for some investigating.“Have you seen our friend Grog lately?  He’s a goblin, about this tall,” Eltharion motions to Basil Evans, the brightly colored fop behind the counter.“Ah yes I remember him.  I haven’t seen him in quite a while.  Last time I saw him was the last time you were here with him, several months at least,” Basil responds.“Okay, well, thanks anyway.  If you see him, let him know we’re looking for him,” Eltharion replies.“Hm, I did see a tall fellow with black dreadlocked hair and a skull-topped staff a couple of days back.  He said that if he didn’t return in a week, to send word to Baron about ‘The Necromancer’s’ demise.  I wasn’t really sure what he was talking about, but I said I’d do it,” Basil says.  “That’s the only strange activity I’ve seen lately.”“The Necromancer.  He must be in some kind of trouble.  Let’s get going,” Eltharion says.  The Heroes go out and ride off into the forest.  Bloodthorne flies up above, trying to survey a larger area.After several hours of searching, dusk comes.“I think I see somethin’!” Bloodthorne says as he flies back down to Eltharion and Ogrim.  They continue forward toward whatever Bloodthorne saw, and come to a clearing around a small brook.  There are about ten tents set up here and there.The Heroes are surrounded.  Six or seven goblins all poke primitive spears in their direction, calling out in the primitive goblin tongue.Bloodthorne looks around at them, then back to Eltharion and Ogrim.“Should I kill ‘em?” Bloodthorne asks.“I don’t think so, not worth it,” Eltharion says.“Smelly things…” Ogrim grumbles.“Wait!  Guys!” a voice is heard from across the camp.  They see none other than Blaze Brague running at them, his hugely muscular form and shiny plate mail glinting in the moonlight.“Blaze!  We didn’t know what happened to you!” Eltharion says.  The goblins back off as Blaze approaches.“We basically tried to lure the demons off the main battle, but looks like we lost the castle anyway…” Blaze says.  “My brother Blaine, The Necromancer, and Grog are here too.”“What in Moradin’s name are you doing in a goblin camp?” Ogrim asks."Long story.  I’ll let The Necromancer explain, but first you need to see Grog…” Blaze says.He leads them to a tent, and opens the flap, revealing Grog.Grog looks different.  He is wearing some pearly white ornate samurai-type armor.  He also has a wakizashi and kata with hilts and sheaths that match his katana.“Grog…?” Eltharion says.“Yes.” Grog responds tesely.  He doesn’t even turn to look at Eltharion or the other new arrivals.“How have you been?” Eltharion tries to pry an answer.“Fine.” Grog responds.“Where did you get that armor?” Eltharion asks.“A spirit gave it to me while I was wandering alone,” Grog says.“Strange…” Ogrim says.  “So what are we doing here?”“I am hunting those who would kill my people.  The evil rat-men have been killing my kin here and I must defend them,” Grog says.“Is he crazy?” Eltharion asks Blaze.“No, no.  We have been fighting off some insane skaven cultists, for lack of a better word.  Blaine, The Necromancer and I stumbled upon them near the ruins of Canticus.  We overheard them talking about how their God is re-joining them on earth and will help them spread plague and chaos.  We fought them a couple of times.  They retreated once, and we had to retreat once.“They use all kinds of poisons and disease, so the battles are pretty nasty.  We ran into Grog out here, and he wouldn’t come to Baron with us.  He said that no matter what he was going to kill these skaven and save his people.”  Blaze says.“Looks like the God of the skaven is looking to get back his status by spreading plague,” Ogrim says, remember Adlai’s words.“Wait, did you say God?” Blaze says.“Seems like the gathering of the stones of power caused all the Gods to fall to Aldor-Valencia.  Each one has to do something to earn back its status as God,” Eltharion explains.“That’s not good…” Blaze shakes his head.Another fight with a God?  Will the Heroes stay and help Grog, or go back to Baron?  Find out next time!</blockquote>

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