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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3481612" data-attributes="member: 35788">Chapter Seven: THE COMING OF THE WHETTING ONEThe following day turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day along the northern shores of Tongra.  A light northwesterly breeze had blown in off of the sea and carried the subtle scent of saltwater across the land.  There were several bands of clouds present at daybreak when the adventurers had left for Fingerdale with Iasho, but by the time they arrived at the gates the warmth of the sun had made even the clouds dissipate.  As noon approached and the party took up their positions around the city square the sky was cloudless.Brandt had been waiting for their arrival at the southern edge of the city square.  He was sitting very nonchalantly on a park bench dropping crumbs of bread from a bag onto the ground.  A small flock of pigeons gathering at his feet were enjoying the free meal.  Charis smiled as she was the first of the five to spot the priest of Reah.  Each of the party dismounted and slowly moved in Brandt’s direction.  They were careful not to disturb the birds looking to Brandt for more bread crumbs.Rhema addressed Brandt softly from behind.  “Good day, Master Brandt.  Have you any news for us?”Brandt turned slightly and allowed him arm to stretch along the length of the back of the bench.  A few pigeons pecked at Brandt’s sandals once they realized that his attention was no longer on feeding them.  “Unfortunately, I have to bring both good and bad news.  I spent a fair amount of last evening researching in the library of Reah for any reference to the Whetting One.  I looked specifically in our tomes against Duu Mahr and Yrraxea, and the good news is that the Whetting One is not a mention to any specific follower of those deities.  Just for fun, I checked the greater annals of Walcea and Pohprek, but the Whetting One was given no mention in there, either.”Semeion nodded appropriately.  “Well, I guess that means that you assumptions were confirmed.  The good news is that we apparently aren’t going to be stumbling into a magical rift or opening a magical doorway for some kind of otherworldly creature.”Charis added to Semeion’s thought.  “And, of course, that implies that we really don’t know what we are about to do.  We can only eliminate one item from a very long list of possible outcomes.”Brandt chuckled as he turned to toss some bread at the ever-increasingly demanding pigeons.  “And that is the bad news.  We are going into this rather blind, which is why I showed up.  I figured that I would stay here on the park bench and observe the proceedings from a distance.  Perhaps I’ll blend in with the crowd, yet still be available should something unexpected happen.”Ischarus looked pleased at Brandt’s precaution.  “I appreciate your giving the time to be here.”Iasho bowed slightly while still holding onto the reigns of his horse.  “And I, sir, am relieved going into these proceedings knowing that the justice of Reah is looking down upon us and that we have a priest dedicated to watching over my children.”The foursome smiled as Iasho’s words embraced them all.  Ischarus spoke again in his pragmatic prodding of the group.  “And noon is quickly approaching.  Brandt, if we can I’d like to briefly describe our plan to you.  We figured that Semeion would be the most likely candidate to send the message.  He has the proper spell ready.”Semeion interrupted Ischarus to give an account of greater detail to Brandt.  “The spell that I memorized is the most basic message spell that I know.  It is not capable of reaching far from my position.  I figured that it would be safest to use weak magic in this scenario.”Brandt smiled and nodded in approval as Ischarus continued to speak.  “The rest of us would stand along the square much like you propose for yourself.  We will watch the proceedings in case something should happen.  Since Charis has the ability to heal as well as having a decent ability to protect through the use of her pick, she will be the closest to Semeion as he sends out the message.”Brandt continued to nod with every detail.  “The plan seems sound enough, knowing that we have no clue as to what we are really doing.  I’d like to plan a little bit of a preparation spell as well, if I may?”Semeion nodded eagerly.  “By all means!  What kind of protective spell are you planning on unleashing?”Brandt grinned at Semeion’s assumption.  “Not a protective spell, Semeion.  I plan on performing a preparation spell.  I’ll not be warding you, I’ll be watching for magic in your vicinity.  Here, I’ll show you.”Brandt raised his hand and pointed to the statue of the original Lord Ironblood.  After making a quick gesture with his fingers he spoke the magical words.  “Thizzle Sooth Fundar”  The party didn’t see any visible effect, but from Brandt’s perspective the area around the city square now had an orange tint.Semeion turned the magical words over in his mind.  “From what you’ve taught me and I learned from my former master, you’ve cast a spell designed to detect some kind of magical form?”Brandt looked pleased at Semeion’s deduction.  “Indeed.  I’m hunting a very specific kind of magic.  I’ll let you know if I should happen to find it.  Until then, I suggest you all get ready.  The noontime approaches quickly.  Oh, and feel free to tie your horses off with me, if you’d like.”Iasho sat down beside Brandt.  “Perhaps I’ll share your bench?  They brought me along to watch the horses, but I wouldn’t mind sitting beside you while you also care for the pigeons at your feet.”Brandt scooted to the left to make room for Iasho.  Semeion moved toward the statue and took up a position of admiration.  Charis, Rhema, and Ischarus parted and moved about the square, occasionally stopping at merchant booths which allowed them to have a good line of sight to observe Semeion and the statue.At the appropriate time, Semeion moved into position and very quietly spoke the simple command.  “Allay.”  In his mind, Semeion formed the magical words for the Whetting One and felt the message leave his mind.Suddenly Brandt leapt off of the bench, startling Iasho.  Pigeons took flight as Brandt ran through them, giving the entire square the appearance of Brandt emerging through a screen of feathers.  He charged toward the statue and stopped about ten feet from its position.  He was speaking in a loud voice into what seemed to be thin air.Semeion backed away from the statue and instinctively took cover at Brandt’s sudden motion.  Charis was standing near him with her weapon drawn in a matter of seconds.  Rhema had moved to protect her father while her husband had his sword drawn and was standing beside Brandt in a heartbeat.Brandt continued to mutter at something which only he could apparently see.  “Don’t you run and hide from me until I am done with you!”Ischarus gave a confused glance to Brandt before offering up an invitation to explain his actions.  “Brandt, what do you see?  I can’t see a thing in the direction that you are staring!”When it was apparent that the threat was not imminent, Semeion and the rest of the party moved in to surround Brandt.  They all noticed that Brandt was drawing the attention of those standing in the city square.  They also had to agree with Ischarus.  Brandt was talking to something which only he could see.Brandt ignored Ischarus’ inquiry temporarily.  “Oh no you don’t!  I saw you spying on us and I’m not letting you go until you show me who sent you.”  Brandt reached up and seemed to pull on an imaginary line.  His muscles tensed as he struggled against the invisible object.Suddenly, Brandt relaxed and a look of dejection came over his face.  Charis was the first to see it and she spoke to the priest of Reah now that his attention wasn’t diverted.  “Whatever it was got away?”Brandt sighed.  “Unfortunately, yes it did.  I had suspected that the message was merely a command to trigger some kind of magical alarm.  I was right.  As soon as Semeion spoke his magical command I saw an eye appear above him.  The eye began to move around Semeion at a distance of ten feet.  The eye was circling him as if to examine him from every side.  I’ve no doubt that the eye was under the control of the one we seek.”  He was careful not to mention the name specifically.Ischarus began to put the scenario together.  “So you wanted to catch the eye in hopes of identifying the sender?”Brandt smiled broadly.  “You’ve heard that the eye is the window to the soul?  So it is with magical eyes, too.  If I could have controlled the eye, I could have looked into it and seen the eye’s maker.  I could have identified the person as well as the location of the eye’s maker.  And I almost did.”Semeion looked amazed towards Brandt and his lost magical battle.  “You were unable to master it?”Brandt placed a hand on Semeion’s shoulder.  “Alas, young Semeion.  Although I am powerful, I am not all powerful.  I have spent much time studying matters religious as well as arcane.  My split time means that while I have great versatility, I also have less specialization.  There are both priests and magicians who are more powerful than I in their own field.  Whoever sent this eye is one of them.”Rhema looked pleased with Brandt’s conclusion.  “Well, that should narrow it down some, then.  We know that the one we seek is a powerful user of magic – more powerful than Brandt in his own discipline.  I say that we leave here and return to the villa.  We’ve set the call into motion and we’ve now got a few days. I’ll buy some more meat and we’ll have another feast tonight.  The spirits of those at the villa will be soaring after two good meals.  And we can talk more once we are somewhere that we haven’t drawn such a crowd.”As Rhema nodded in the direction of the crowd, the rest of the party realized just how odd the proceedings must have seemed.  It was appropriate to return home to the villa now.  And Rhema was right.  They had a few days to figure this out.[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]Chapter Seven: THE COMING OF THE WHETTING ONEThe following day turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day along the northern shores of Tongra. A light northwesterly breeze had blown in off of the sea and carried the subtle scent of saltwater across the land. There were several bands of clouds present at daybreak when the adventurers had left for Fingerdale with Iasho, but by the time they arrived at the gates the warmth of the sun had made even the clouds dissipate. As noon approached and the party took up their positions around the city square the sky was cloudless.Brandt had been waiting for their arrival at the southern edge of the city square. He was sitting very nonchalantly on a park bench dropping crumbs of bread from a bag onto the ground. A small flock of pigeons gathering at his feet were enjoying the free meal. Charis smiled as she was the first of the five to spot the priest of Reah. Each of the party dismounted and slowly moved in Brandt’s direction. They were careful not to disturb the birds looking to Brandt for more bread crumbs.Rhema addressed Brandt softly from behind. “Good day, Master Brandt. Have you any news for us?”Brandt turned slightly and allowed him arm to stretch along the length of the back of the bench. A few pigeons pecked at Brandt’s sandals once they realized that his attention was no longer on feeding them. “Unfortunately, I have to bring both good and bad news. I spent a fair amount of last evening researching in the library of Reah for any reference to the Whetting One. I looked specifically in our tomes against Duu Mahr and Yrraxea, and the good news is that the Whetting One is not a mention to any specific follower of those deities. Just for fun, I checked the greater annals of Walcea and Pohprek, but the Whetting One was given no mention in there, either.”Semeion nodded appropriately. “Well, I guess that means that you assumptions were confirmed. The good news is that we apparently aren’t going to be stumbling into a magical rift or opening a magical doorway for some kind of otherworldly creature.”Charis added to Semeion’s thought. “And, of course, that implies that we really don’t know what we are about to do. We can only eliminate one item from a very long list of possible outcomes.”Brandt chuckled as he turned to toss some bread at the ever-increasingly demanding pigeons. “And that is the bad news. We are going into this rather blind, which is why I showed up. I figured that I would stay here on the park bench and observe the proceedings from a distance. Perhaps I’ll blend in with the crowd, yet still be available should something unexpected happen.”Ischarus looked pleased at Brandt’s precaution. “I appreciate your giving the time to be here.”Iasho bowed slightly while still holding onto the reigns of his horse. “And I, sir, am relieved going into these proceedings knowing that the justice of Reah is looking down upon us and that we have a priest dedicated to watching over my children.”The foursome smiled as Iasho’s words embraced them all. Ischarus spoke again in his pragmatic prodding of the group. “And noon is quickly approaching. Brandt, if we can I’d like to briefly describe our plan to you. We figured that Semeion would be the most likely candidate to send the message. He has the proper spell ready.”Semeion interrupted Ischarus to give an account of greater detail to Brandt. “The spell that I memorized is the most basic message spell that I know. It is not capable of reaching far from my position. I figured that it would be safest to use weak magic in this scenario.”Brandt smiled and nodded in approval as Ischarus continued to speak. “The rest of us would stand along the square much like you propose for yourself. We will watch the proceedings in case something should happen. Since Charis has the ability to heal as well as having a decent ability to protect through the use of her pick, she will be the closest to Semeion as he sends out the message.”Brandt continued to nod with every detail. “The plan seems sound enough, knowing that we have no clue as to what we are really doing. I’d like to plan a little bit of a preparation spell as well, if I may?”Semeion nodded eagerly. “By all means! What kind of protective spell are you planning on unleashing?”Brandt grinned at Semeion’s assumption. “Not a protective spell, Semeion. I plan on performing a preparation spell. I’ll not be warding you, I’ll be watching for magic in your vicinity. Here, I’ll show you.”Brandt raised his hand and pointed to the statue of the original Lord Ironblood. After making a quick gesture with his fingers he spoke the magical words. “Thizzle Sooth Fundar” The party didn’t see any visible effect, but from Brandt’s perspective the area around the city square now had an orange tint.Semeion turned the magical words over in his mind. “From what you’ve taught me and I learned from my former master, you’ve cast a spell designed to detect some kind of magical form?”Brandt looked pleased at Semeion’s deduction. “Indeed. I’m hunting a very specific kind of magic. I’ll let you know if I should happen to find it. Until then, I suggest you all get ready. The noontime approaches quickly. Oh, and feel free to tie your horses off with me, if you’d like.”Iasho sat down beside Brandt. “Perhaps I’ll share your bench? They brought me along to watch the horses, but I wouldn’t mind sitting beside you while you also care for the pigeons at your feet.”Brandt scooted to the left to make room for Iasho. Semeion moved toward the statue and took up a position of admiration. Charis, Rhema, and Ischarus parted and moved about the square, occasionally stopping at merchant booths which allowed them to have a good line of sight to observe Semeion and the statue.At the appropriate time, Semeion moved into position and very quietly spoke the simple command. “Allay.” In his mind, Semeion formed the magical words for the Whetting One and felt the message leave his mind.Suddenly Brandt leapt off of the bench, startling Iasho. Pigeons took flight as Brandt ran through them, giving the entire square the appearance of Brandt emerging through a screen of feathers. He charged toward the statue and stopped about ten feet from its position. He was speaking in a loud voice into what seemed to be thin air.Semeion backed away from the statue and instinctively took cover at Brandt’s sudden motion. Charis was standing near him with her weapon drawn in a matter of seconds. Rhema had moved to protect her father while her husband had his sword drawn and was standing beside Brandt in a heartbeat.Brandt continued to mutter at something which only he could apparently see. “Don’t you run and hide from me until I am done with you!”Ischarus gave a confused glance to Brandt before offering up an invitation to explain his actions. “Brandt, what do you see? I can’t see a thing in the direction that you are staring!”When it was apparent that the threat was not imminent, Semeion and the rest of the party moved in to surround Brandt. They all noticed that Brandt was drawing the attention of those standing in the city square. They also had to agree with Ischarus. Brandt was talking to something which only he could see.Brandt ignored Ischarus’ inquiry temporarily. “Oh no you don’t! I saw you spying on us and I’m not letting you go until you show me who sent you.” Brandt reached up and seemed to pull on an imaginary line. His muscles tensed as he struggled against the invisible object.Suddenly, Brandt relaxed and a look of dejection came over his face. Charis was the first to see it and she spoke to the priest of Reah now that his attention wasn’t diverted. “Whatever it was got away?”Brandt sighed. “Unfortunately, yes it did. I had suspected that the message was merely a command to trigger some kind of magical alarm. I was right. As soon as Semeion spoke his magical command I saw an eye appear above him. The eye began to move around Semeion at a distance of ten feet. The eye was circling him as if to examine him from every side. I’ve no doubt that the eye was under the control of the one we seek.” He was careful not to mention the name specifically.Ischarus began to put the scenario together. “So you wanted to catch the eye in hopes of identifying the sender?”Brandt smiled broadly. “You’ve heard that the eye is the window to the soul? So it is with magical eyes, too. If I could have controlled the eye, I could have looked into it and seen the eye’s maker. I could have identified the person as well as the location of the eye’s maker. And I almost did.”Semeion looked amazed towards Brandt and his lost magical battle. “You were unable to master it?”Brandt placed a hand on Semeion’s shoulder. “Alas, young Semeion. Although I am powerful, I am not all powerful. I have spent much time studying matters religious as well as arcane. My split time means that while I have great versatility, I also have less specialization. There are both priests and magicians who are more powerful than I in their own field. Whoever sent this eye is one of them.”Rhema looked pleased with Brandt’s conclusion. “Well, that should narrow it down some, then. We know that the one we seek is a powerful user of magic – more powerful than Brandt in his own discipline. I say that we leave here and return to the villa. We’ve set the call into motion and we’ve now got a few days. I’ll buy some more meat and we’ll have another feast tonight. The spirits of those at the villa will be soaring after two good meals. And we can talk more once we are somewhere that we haven’t drawn such a crowd.”As Rhema nodded in the direction of the crowd, the rest of the party realized just how odd the proceedings must have seemed. It was appropriate to return home to the villa now. And Rhema was right. They had a few days to figure this out.[/Sblock]</blockquote>

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