In the Valus - The Heroes of Marchford (Chapter 14 Continues - 12/24/08)

[Funeris]

Well, I guess in all fairness I should give a list of Funeris'/Tobias' stats. However, not today. Its in the other room...but I'm too lazy to walk right now. It being X-mas eve and all. And I also think we should start another thread for that sorta thing (hint, hint, guys).

But Funeris/Tobias does know who he is currently and what he is. Even though he's had to nearly die several times to get it straight. He is the tank for the group (even though until recently he did not have the most HP...that d@mn cleric did ) But he is a brave bloke...and by brave I mean: Last session we were fighting some undead, after the undead had their surprise rounds Tobias only had 2 HP left. He killed one, cleaved the other. Then he went ahead and flanked the third undead and I had to give him an AoO to get to just the right position. The result of the AoO will have to be left for the SH.

Now, as far as the story still being stuck back in our 2nd-3rd session, I like filling in a lot of gaps. So its slowed the SH down a bit, but that just means I have a lot more to write. And the SH will go on for quite some time....which should give me more practice with my writing.

Again, Merry X-mas all...

~The paladin formerly known as the fighter Funeris.

 

[Námo]

Third session? Four levels to go just to catch up? Why, that's great - lots more of great story to tell and therefore to read.

Oh, not to forget it:

Merry Christmas

 

[Funeris]

Chapter 7: Child's Play Concluded

Lady Erigal peered at her servant from across the old oak desk. The stony glare would not have revealed much emotion except for the slight twitch in her left eye. Her lips began to move, no sound issued forth though.

“Mistress?” Myra whispered. Erigal’s knuckles turned white as her grip on the desk increased.

“You learned absolutely nothing?” The hoarse question was more of an accusation, Myra realized.

“No—“ the apprentice began but was immediately silenced by Lady Erigal’s gesture.

“I should have expected as much. The priest probably expected it. Well, I will just have to think of another method to attain my information.” Myra began to open her mouth again, only to be silenced for the second time that night.

“You are dismissed, Myra. Get some rest. Tomorrow might be a long day.” The Lady’s hands clasped her chin in quiet contemplation as Myra scuttled out the door.

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Fitz looked as if he had been slapped. His mouth hung open and his eyes wide. “But, we had a deal.”

“Well the rules of the deal have changed slightly. What you ask for is,” Erigal’s conniving grin lit up, “expensive.” Fitz grumbled and rummaged through his pack for his bag of coin.

“No, no,” the Mistress chided. “I do not require more money.” Fitz stopped rummaging and grunted. Motega almost beamed at the near-feral groan.

“What I require, aside from the monetary payment, is information.” Her grin pierced Fitz’s emotion and incited rage. “You see, the information I require will benefit both parties involved.”

“We DO NOT have time to run on errands for YOU!” Fitz screamed. His anger only served to widen the Lady’s smile.

“The information I require, you already possess. All you need do is answer my queries. Then, you shall receive the restorations as was agreed.” Her disheartening grimace inspired a slight level of fear in Fitz. But he nodded, fully expecting the worst. With a few gestures and quiet words from the Lady, Fitz felt divine magical energy crackle around him. It instantly faded but Fitz had recognized the spell at once: a zone of truth.

“Question number one,” the condescension in her voice heavily apparent again. “How exactly did you come into possession of such a minor fortune?”

Fitz released a nearly audible sigh. Quickly, he recounted the Heroes’ adventures since meeting in the Town of Marchford. Lady Erigal’s eyebrows peeked at certain points in the story, but her expression remained neutral. Upon completion of the tale, Fitz smiled happily. Not one lie, he thought proudly.

But the overly proud grin on the Lady’s face did nothing to quiet the discomfort that welled within Fitz’s stomach. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand, staring through the empty air. After a few moments of unsettling silence, she reaffixed her gaze on Fitz.

“For the second and final question, you each must answer individually.” Fitz’s mouth ran dry. He felt he knew the next question. Lady Erigal’s gaze now shifted between each of the Heroes of Marchford, lingering longest on Calyx before returning to Fitz. “Which god to you worship?”

Fitz’s stomach plummeted. If he were to answer truthfully, he thought, his friends would not receive the help they had already paid for. His eyes lowered to the floor in quick contemplation. And if he lied, the gears grinding furiously in his mind, then she would instantly know. Fitz raised his gaze, stared deeply into the Lady’s eyes and made the only right decision.

“I don’t have to tell you that.” Lady Erigal’s smile faded. “First, it wasn’t part of the original payment. Second, I am not in need of your restoration. So you can take your question and shove—.” Motega patted Fitz on the shoulder, quieting the priest.

The Lady Erigal’s lip twitched slightly. “Fine, those not in need of a Restoration need not answer,” she grudgingly conceded. “Everyone else though, must. I use my abilities for the good of my own church, not for enemies of my church.” Her eyes again glowered at Calyx.

“You, redhead! What God do you worship?” She implored.

Tobias smiled. Shrugged. Fitz’s face twitched in earnest. “I worship no gods, priestess.”

The Lady grimaced. This young heathen told the truth. Seemed to take pleasure in it, she thought. Her scowl deepened. “Fine, I will be able to restore you.” She pivoted toward the mage. Magnus’ head was peeked out the doorway eyes intently fixed on Myra. “Shut that door!” The priestess bellowed. Magnus leapt backward and shut the door abruptly. He turned but his gaze was now locked on the floor.

“And what God or Goddess do you follow, pig?” Her stern gaze kept Magnus’ eyes staring at the floor for only one moment.

But Magnus raised his head and smiled. “Myself,” he stated cockily. The Lady’s face went red and she almost choked on the air she was breathing. “Within my body there is power you couldn’t understand. And I don’t have to worship some monkey wearing colorful robes to get it!”

Fitz chuckled under his breath. The Lady Erigal grew rigid and angry. Her body convulsed. Magnus beamed at his sudden clarity of thought. But as quickly as it came, it passed.

Still no lie, the Mistress thought. “Let us be done with our business.” The words slid out between the Lady Erigal’s gritted teeth.

As quickly as was possible, the companions were restored and pivoted to exit the small church. As Calyx moved toward the door, Lady Erigal grasped her by the shoulder.

“We Burn Druids,” the Mistress hissed. Fires of hate welled in Calyx’s eyes, but her mouth remained shut.

“Take care not to pass this way again, Heathen. Else we may have to convert you. Painfully, if need be.” Calyx ripped her shoulder from the Lady’s grasp. And without any word, exited the church.

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The Heroes stood outside the gates of Dun Moor, deciding their next actions. Calyx stalked out of the gate and pushed through them, making no move to slow down or stop.

“Wait!” Magnus cried. “Where are you going?”

Calyx stopped and turned. Her eyes were full of tears and rage. “To get answers.” The druid paused for a moment, taking a steadying breath. Then with finality claimed, “My path lays a different way than yours.” She spun away from the Heroes and ran into the forest. The forest swallowed her form eagerly and the four remaining Heroes of Marchford looked on in surprise.

 

[Funeris]

A few Notes

Well, we're on page 5 and I think we're doing well. I'm going to setup another thread (hopefully sometime this week) for all of our character infos. As you all noted at the end of this most recent installment, Calyx left. As such, don't expect to see her stats. We're down to four players...and have stayed at that number since she left.

I'd like to thank you all for reading. And I hope I've kept it interesting through the 5 pages. My first psychology teacher told me once that if I would just add details to my writing, it would improve tenfold. Hope there is enough detail for you guys (and gals). And I hope that you don't mind the amount of dialog. There's still a bit more dialog to go through before we get to another battle. So, I hope you stay put. And keep reading.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Yes the Archmage sits and waits....

Yes I sit and wait for more, just as the (soon to be) Archmage Magnus awaits the powers he is destinied to wield, so to do I sit here in his alter ego awaiting more of the story hour that I already know.

Between you and Rick, it gives a great view how are characters view each other.

As a spoiler, Magnus tends to grow up very quick after his wits are back. Just a touch darker for his troubles. But he does still tend to babble about everything, but Motega and Fitz take turns distracting him with their glares.
But they are lightening up now that the "Boom-Boom" has been layed down.
(*Should it worry other characters, when the Mage reaches 5th level, and starts talking about laying the 'boom-boom' down on their enemies.*)

 

[rickajr]

Fitz speaks...

That's great - and Yeti's reply makes me laugh.

No more spoilers!

Shameless plug - for another view of our campaign as Yeti suggests - see the post:

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111638

It's written in journal form - and gives the thoughts and views through Fitz's eyes. I think the story becomes a bit more clear when reading both threads.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Damn Priest....

Damn Priest,
always telling me what to do just because he is older.
He just doesn't know the power I command yet.

 

[hobbit_killer]

hidden bump

I knew I was going to regret mentioning Archmage to you.


Your friendly neighborhood cannibal.

 

[Funeris]

Chapter 8: Into the Deep

The Heroes stared into the forest. Calyx had gone. She had left them just as quickly as she had joined them. It was unexpected.

“Uh…” Magnus started then abruptly just stopped.

“Why?” Tobias began but likewise silenced himself.

“She travels her own path,” Motega answered.

“She knows what she’s doing,” Fitz agreed. “Let’s move on. What’s next?”

“We have to return to Llyndofare,” announced the paladin. “How can we defeat that…creature?”

Fitz turned toward Tobias. “Well, our weapons won’t be of much use against the spirit.”

“And we don’t have enough money to purchase new weapons,” Magnus declared. “Don’t have enough money to do much of anything,” he added in a whisper.

“We’ll go back for the gear,” grunted Motega.

“Yes,” Magnus said doing rough calculations in his mind, “if we get the gear and sell it, we should have enough money to purchase some scrolls…” his voice trailed off in thought. “We’ll need a cart!” Everyone turned and stared at the mage. “What? It’s a lot of gear! And not to doubt the strength of our warrior here,” he added quickly, “But, if we have a cart, it will speed the whole process up.”

“Can we afford a mule drawn cart?” Fitz asked.

“Well…um…”

“I can,” answered Tobias. Then he turned and entered Dun Moor.

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“Ahh, well I’m sorry I can’t help you.” The Stable Master uncomfortably answered.

“It’s just for a few days. You have my word.” Tobias’ eyes measured the Stable Master up. He was an older fellow, probably in his forties. His unkempt brown hair hung loosely over his shoulders. And his face was covered by a layer of filth, probably from working in the stables. Tobias noted the man’s clothing, which was not much more than rags held together precariously by a handful of remaining seems.

“Well see…the carts are needed…” the Stable Master began again.

“What’s your name?” Tobias interrupted.

“Harold,” the man answered raising his eyebrow questioningly.

“Okay. Harold, look I am in dire need of a mule drawn cart. I, well my companions and I, are transporting goods for sale. But as I’ve said, we need a cart. It will only be a few days. But if you can provide the cart I need, I promise to bring you more business. And,” the paladin reached into his satchel of money, “I tip heavily.” Tobias dropped two silver pieces in the man’s hand. **

Harold’s grin could have lit up the room. Two Silver Pieces, he thought. That’s more than I make in a month. “You will have the very finest cart. And try to have it back at the end of three days. But if not, keep it as long as you need.” He grinned again and moved hurriedly to secure the cart for travel.

** - On top of slipping the Stable Master money, I had to roll a diplomacy check. I rolled a twenty. The man idolizes me Also…remember that silver pieces are actually gold pieces in the Valus.

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Several days had passed. The Heroes had gathered the gear from their hiding spot in the woods near Llyndofare, transported it back to Dun Moor and sold all of it. The proceeds had gone to a few scrolls the mage suggested and to Harold the Stable Master. Tobias had also slipped Harold a few more silver pieces for his time. The only problem the Heroes had run into was a small band of Orcs and Goblins. The problem didn’t last long.

The Heroes looked through the archway at the well. The solid oak door was still beside the well, and nothing else seemed to have changed. Magnus used a scroll or two to enhance the blades Motega and Tobias wielded. They headed in toward the well.

A few feet from the well, the shadowy apparition slid up through the ground to attack. The insane babbling of voices attacked the Heroes, but could not pass through the magical enchantments on the party. Smug smiles cracked on the Heroes’ faces. Then they sent the spirit to its final death.

 

[happycat2000]

Very entertaining. Keep up the good work, Funeris.