Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 2 - Illusions)

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC for Silas

You have a kobold in the party. Silas will be able to learn all the spells if Rix agrees to help decipher the text. One spell can be learned automatically for each spell Rix agrees to help with.

 

[GlassEye]

[sblock=OOC]I doubt Silas could withstand the withering scorn and abuse that Rix would heap upon him the entire time they were working on the spells. And I kinda doubt that Rix would agree to it anyway. So Silas will content himself with using Read Magic and Comprehend Languages and just doing a quick skim of the material.[/sblock]

Silas listens in concern as Dartis relates the information about the slain patrolman. "Do you think the troll may have followed us? I'm not certain golems can giggle or I would think it..." Silas abruptly pauses. "My guess would be that it is an illusion sent by Astraughley." Again Silas pauses. "Wait. Didn't the troll that got loose at the kobold lair giggle as it killed the kobolds? If this is it then I feel some responsibility for leading the creature back here." He takes a deep breath. "I think we should hunt it down and kill it."

As they continue to talk Silas will relate the information that he has learned about golems and will recommend carrying torches or flammable oil if they can find any.

 

[Land Outcast]

"Spending the night outside will be enough to lure the creature" Alexander comments, on the hunting of the troll "if we can prepare the terrain ahead, the better"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The party instead decided to step out into the wild and follow Horacios' directions, keeping a watch out for a troll attack that never comes. It takes three slightly uneventful nights to travel to the large lake silhouetted by five large peaks, although Rix swears something was giggling outside the camp during his watch on the last night.

After heading towards the second peak from the left, you find yourself circumventing the lake and walking along a tree-covered ridge. Soon the trees become a string of petrified wood which create a thick canopy over your heads. After several more minutes, you realize that underneath the dirt beneath your feet is hardened cobblestones, much eroded due to the passage of time.

You see the cobblestoned path raise at a slight angle, only to plateau ahead of you after a few hundred feet and about fifteen feet higher than your current position. Five hundred feet passed the beginning of this plateau can be seen a dome-like structure, the glow of a flickering fire highlighting a doorway. Also on the plateau, you can see two rows of thin, square pillars with motifs unnoticeable from this distance.

As you approach, you note that most of the light of the fading evening is not penetrating the canopy of petrified trees above you. You also can't help the feeling that you are being watched.

 

[Fenris]

Dartis maintains an uneasy watch as they approach. His arrow is nocked and ready.

"This place is old, and though your kinsmen made it Kel, it is no longer of their work nor wholesome in the least. Come Silas let us light a torch in preparation of night. I fear we are already known and the light will not betray us further" says Dartis.

OOC:[sblock] Dartis will have restocked his arrows, and he'll take the MW Chain shirt if Kel does not need it.[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: Sure, annotate the armor on Dartis' character sheet.

 

[GlassEye]

Silas lights a torch. "Perhaps we should make a camp before travelling further."

 

[Land Outcast]

"Perhaps we should make a camp before travelling further."

"We wouldn't be able to see any better by day" answers Alexander as he points towards the petrified canopy...

"This place..." he takes a moment to breathe before the magnificience of the construction, having never before seen a building greater than a fort...

"I fear we are already known and the light will not betray us further"

"Lets keep moving then"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

You make last minute preparations before continuing, with Silas walking with his staff in his right hand and his lit torch in his left. Because of a slight breeze, the flame casts strange shadows from the pillars, that jump and dance with each twist of the fire. No animals are heard as you approach, just a deathly silence and a chilly wind that causes you to shiver involuntarily.

You walk the upward slope and reach the beginning of the plateau. The pillars show carvings of elven figures with wings, flying upwards in between symbols of the sun, moon, and trees. You take another step forward in order to get a better look, when a bright flash of light temporarily blinds you.

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Your vision clears and you gasp in amazement. The trees have become wooden and beautiful, with bright, warm sunlight peering down upon you from a clear sky above you. These strong, tall trees grow on either side of you, making a majestic mockery of the overgrown, petrified monstrosities that you had previously walked under. All around you are elves, but of a kind you've only heard in faery tales. Their beauty tears at your heart as these winged sylvan creatures fly gracefully around you, some circling you playfully as childish laughter reaches your ears. The pillars next to you gleam from the sunlight with a polished finish, showing the skills of craftsmen greater than you thought possible.

A delegation of female winged elves land in front of you, blocking the view of the path ahead with their formation. They smile at you as they approach with crowns made of leaves, a beautiful song of peace issuing forth from their red lips. Pale arms reach out, crown you, and touch you, while tender eyes look at you with wonder and promise. They speak in a rythm that seems like song, "Heroes, welcome. You have passed our test of courage and found the hidden observatory of the Larinthree elves. I know you are confused, but we've been affecting your minds from afar. Your kingdom still exists, and your friends are unharmed. We have need of such men as you, but first you deserve to enjoy the rest of true heroes. Come with us to the lake and join our dance. Let us tend to you, brave Dorinthians, and give you the joy that you deserve. We have been waiting for heroes to come to our land for so long."

 

[Fenris]

Dartis stands in shock for a heart beat. He then speaks slowly and distinctly.

"Yes, yes, Dorinthia still stands. But only here" says Dartis placing his fist on his chest.

"No witchcraft or sorcery could casue me to falsely witness or to ever forget the screams of a thousand dying countrymen upon the fields of Kalden. Yes indeed heroes have come, but not for the foul purposes you have lain your webs. Never will I forget Kalden, Never will I forget Kalnian, Never will I forget Dorinthia and I will not have you defiling the proud memory of a proud people" ends Dartis in a shout.


Breathless, chest heaving from emotion, Dartis screams again.
"We have come for you Astraughlay! And I will see you lay as carrion and offal for the vultures for your mockery here! Do you hear me Astraughlay! Oh yes, a pleasing display, one that would entice any man. But you have failed to account for Dorinthian pride, honor and heritage. Dorinthia lives indeed, she lives in me! So take your toys and play with them yourself. You have failed Astraughlay! We have come for you" finishes Dartis, tears streaming down his face. Dorinthia lives, he so wanted to believe it, he so wanted it to be true. But the blood, the stench of war, the cries and screams of battle, he knew it could not be so. But if only it could, if only it could. If only his family were indeed safe, if only his home still stood. If only he could believe this paradise, he wanted to but Dorinthia called him, called him to be true.