Epic Problem : Prevention

[Shayuri]

A broad, crocadile grin spreads across Athearkepeskorn's face.

"When does one answer answer all questions?" he says. "When the one answer tells you where to find all answers."

He looks around at the others. "We have two days, during which time we may leave and try to find other rumors and other leads to follow. But when the Ages awaken, we must return."

He considers for a moment, then asks the king, "Do you know of any old, abandoned castles or stronholds that we might make use of? With your permission, of course. If we cannot rest in cities, we -will- need a place we can take shelter and refuge in."

 

[Jemal]

"Bastion" The head paladin speaks, grinning. The other two grin likewise, and the king responds "Yes, I think Bastion would do nicely. It is manned, but has withstood legendary assaults in the past. It lies halfway between Islo and Malindar. I doubt even these beings you're after would attack you there. It is a powerful symbol and place of good."


*Knowledges : Atherkesporn(history), and Mary(Bardic) have heard tales of the fortress of Bastion. It was magically constructed in a single day by Lyrevan mages on her darkest day. The captial, Islo, had finally fallen to the Alliance and their army was marching to Malindar, to take the last of Lyrevan's great cities, when they came across this fortress that had sprung out of nowhere. In their arrogance they decided against simply goign around it, and ended up fighting the entire remaining Lyrevan army, as well as all silver dragons and the legendary Kai Sarutobi (Before he became king) and Dar Elzmyr (Before he became The Sea).

Though the invading army managed to storm the fortress, when they finally breached the inner walls they found nothing but the fading magic of a teleportation circle. And then, death as the fortress and everything nearby were incinerated by a pre-preapred trap. The majority of the invading army was destroyed, the rest retreated.
Since then, the fortress has been rebuilt (non-magically), and strengthened. It is now one of the most heavily fortified places in the multiverse, and it is said that the spiritual power of the place enhances it's defenders and it's walls. Since it's reconstruction it has been sieged and attacked unsuccsesfully time after time, but never again were it's walls breached, and it was used as the main base from which the Legend Barrier was constructed.

 

[Shayuri]

Athearkepeskorn ruffles his wings and preens thoughtfully for a moment, then nods.

"It sounds ideal. Since we have some time before the Ages awake, let us go there and see for ourselves."

He surveys the rest of the group.

"Eh, friends? Better to attract trouble to where they're prepared for it, I say!"

 

[Darimaus]

"Then let us go, befoe we attract any more trouble..."

Mary then looks around in a slightly embarrassed fashion.

"Though I must admit that if I want to keep up with you guys, I'm gonna need a ride."

 

[Jemal]

The High Mage Offers to teleport some of you to the outside of the Fortress (A permanent Dimensional Anchor now surrounds the outer walls), though he doesn't have the power to take more than a few. Eventually it is decided that the dragons, their riders, and Lochlan/Zephyr will have fly normally (should take a couple hours), while Minathiel and Mary teleport with him to inspect the place while they wait for their companions.


At Bastion, Minathiel and Mary arrive in a circle of trees some a thousand feet away from a grand Fortress. It appears to be made wholey of Mithril and Adamantine, reinforced by obvious magical wards, with 30 foot high walls surrounding it 500' out, and another set of 40' high walls at 200'. Everything else is clear plains for about a mile around the fortress, and a moment after they arrive, an arrow thuds into each of the trees nearby. The High Mage holds up his hand to them "NO, do not react. Those were meant to startle any who are not used to it and force them to reveal their nature. Follow my lead, please." With that, the mage walks slowly forward out of the circle, his hands out to show he is unarmed. An arrow thuds the ground right in front of him. He picks it up and then continues walking. Another thuds in front of Mary and another in front of Minathiel.
*Assuming you follow his lead*
When they pick up the arrows, the Bard and the Archon feel a sense of peace and belonging, and each note the archers at the faroff walls put down their bows.
On arriving at the gate, the High Mage calls out in Celestial "Friends of the King and the Land have come to seek shelter. King Sarutobi wishes for you to aid them, that in turn they may aid our entire world." He then sets the arrow in a small pile near the doorway and motions for you to do the same. The gates swing open, magical wards shutting off one by one, until you are permitted entrance.

The other travellers take about 2 hours to get to Bastion, following directions.
There are no warning shots or attempts to stop THEM, however. The presence of the two Silver dragons allows them all to land safely in the outer courtyard, where Minathiel and Mary are waiting to meet them.

*OOC: What do you guys plan on doing for the next 2 days until the Ages are ready to be questioned? Do you have questions about the fortress, or anything you want to say/ask the people here?*

 

[Shayuri]

Athearkepeskorn decides it's time to get some intelligence. Rhodia stays at Bastion, trying to find out what is known of the Seven, and of any other legendary beings who came through the gate. She also locates any maps that are available to help Athear plan his destinations.

The silver dragon flies out to nearby communities and assumes human form before entering them. In that shape he plies traveling merchants and common folk for rumors and tales of beings of great power surfacing once more. He's looking for the same thing as Rhodia...just from a different source. He hits as many fairly major settlements as he can each day, then teleports back to Bastion to get updates and make his own report.

(Note - Athear possesses magical devices on his hind legs that allow him to teleport 900 miles per use, 3 times per day. He can carry up to three medium sized beings with him when he does this.)

 

[Darimaus]

Mary will wander around the fortress assisting those who live there with their daily chores and getting to know everyone she can. She will perform for the people in order to boost fortess morale and keep everyone cheerful, and makes sure to memorize the names of everyone she can in the fortress, in order to make deep attachments with those she may have to fight side by side with.

 

[Pyrex]

Lochlan spends some time wandering the keep with Mary, trying to get a feel for the keep's defenses should they be attacked while there.

Later that evening over dinner, he gathers the others to discuss what exactly they should ask the ages when the time arrives.

 

[Ivellious]

Tharivol spends his time on the top of the fortress, looking out to the sky, with Xialanet by his side, in her elven form. "You know, you could always.." Xialanet starts, but stops as the half elven man makes a slashing motion with his arm. "Alright, I'll stop" She says quietly, as she heads back inside, leaving the Half Elf alone with his thoughts

 

[Shayuri]

"We must ask it where we can find Crystal," Athear declares, stabbing his pheasant triumphantly with a fork.

"With Crystal's cooperation, we can learn all else we need to...including, I'm sure, the location of this Bard fellow...not to mention the Seven and the other legendary beings."

He proceeds to eat with gusto, even in his human form his appetite is large.