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Message: <blockquote data-quote="S'mon" data-source="post: 1399765" data-attributes="member: 463">Leo's accountThe Caves and BeyondHaving fought a hard battle in the Court of the Goblin King, Captain Xiang and the rest of the Heroes of Gaxmoor started to search the chamber more thoroughly. The court was bisected by Fjorint’s Wall of Thorns, sealing a good amount of goblins behind it. Some goblins had fled down a large corridor. At this moment, Sigurd disappeared in a familiar manner. A moment later Ramu Khem, the Aryptian appeared with the news the Sigurd was needed for an important conference with Kanor.  Having completed their preliminary searching, Leo sent one of his Prying Eyes into the corridor. At the same time, Xiang and Fjorint approached this exit while the rest of the group made a few more preparations. Then Sigurd appeared again. Leo looked at him questioningly but he just made a signal that the matter could wait. The exit being watched by Fjorint and Xiang was suddenly filled with ogres, including one who looked bigger and stronger than his companions. In the other entrance to the Court, goblin warg riders began struggling through the small gap in the vast, wooden doors. The ogres ran to the entrance of the chamber, trying to batter Xiang and the others. The large ogre made a telling strike on Xiang while Fjorint was injured several times by the others. Ramu and Cailin rapidly met the rear attack of the warg riders. Sigurd and Tarquin moved forward to help in the ogre attack. Leo moved to the rear of the chamber and cast one of his most powerful spells which devastated the warg riders, leaving only four wargs and two riders alive. On the other end, things were not going so well. Just as Sigurd and Tarquin arrived, Fjorint cast a fire spell on the ogres but was then struck down in a bloody heap. Raven, about to go and help with the wargs, saw that they were only a small threat, and rushed to join the fight with ogres. At the same time, Leo saw Xiang execute a dazzling combination of moves with his spear, puncturing the ogre leader several times. The creature staggered but roared in defiance at Xiang who scowled. Both Sigurd and Raven also struck telling blows. Cailin, in the meantime was shooting as rapidly as she could into wargs and goblins but gave a stifled cry when she saw a good score more of the creatures wriggle their way through the rear door. They fired their bows and scored a couple of glancing shots but ominously, they carefully positioned themselves into formation for maximum effect. The battle against the ogres continued. Tarquin had confirmed that Fjorint was indeed dead and moved to heal Raven, who had been struck badly. Xiang rid himself of his troublesome opponent and the rest of the warriors were then met with the sight of more goblin reinforcements coming behind the ogres. Cailin had been tripped by one of the wargs and was prone but fortunately Ramu, in a dazzling move, killed one of his goblin opponents and one of the wargs. Under the careful goblin formation, the ground erupted with a mass of black tentacles that grabbed goblins and wargs indiscriminately, causing havoc and destruction. Having grabbed their victims, there were audible cracks of bone as the tentacles squeezed. At the front, the last ogre fell and Raven gleefully fell on the goblins and hewing mightily with his axe, three of them fell. The rest, seeing this as well as the unnatural wriggling mass of tentacles still squeezing the life out of their comrades, fled. The party regrouped. The bodies of the ogres were searched yielding certain valuables including an odd jewel encrusted Rod. At the same time Tarquin asked the others to sit Fjorint against a wall while he retrieved certain specific and spell components out of his pouch. He performed certain complicated prayers and the valuable diamond dust disappeared. At the same time, Fjorint coughed and stirred. Moments later, Tarquin gave her one of his most powerful healing spells. The colour came back into her cheeks, she flexed her muscles and was able to rise and walk around. Back up to full strength, the group formed up and quickly marched down the corridor with Cailin as a scout. The corridor curved and then branched, leading to a heavy steel door. Cailin motioned the group forward and made sure they were ready before she attempted to pick the lock. She managed this in a very professional manner and the door was opened to reveal a large, plush chamber decorated in a tasteless manner. Suffice to say it was the seraglio of the Goblin King. Inside were three goblin females and a semi naked blonde human woman. One of the goblins was holding the woman with a knife to her throat. She shouted something in goblin. Raven, in the first rank, dropped his weapon and held his hands up. Sigurd, shouted something out in goblin and continued shouting. The goblin shrank back and let the woman go. She promptly turned around and punched the goblin in the stomach before running to the group. “Oh, thank you. My name is Lady Claudia of Gaxmoor. Someone will finally be able to get me of this filthy place,” she exclaimed. This was spoken in ancient Imarran so only Leo, Tarquin and Sigurd understood. Sigurd put her behind him as the three goblins shrank past him and the rest of the group. As Sigurd was at the front and he did nothing to stop them, the rest assumed that this was part of the deal. Almost casually Sigurd asked the Lady Claudia if she was acquainted with Larius, Sigurd’s cohort and captain. “You know Larius? Where is he? How is he? What is he doing? How do you know him?” Both the tone of her voice, and the expression on her face said that the Lady Claudia was very well acquainted with the dour Larius. More questioning revealed that she had been captured by Heracules and through many adventures had finally finished as part of the harem of the Goblin King. She also said that the ogres had their living quarters in the direction where the group was going while most of the goblins lived in the opposite direction.Claudia was given some more clothing and the group set out down the corridor. Another chamber was discovered, obviously the chamber of the ogres. Then as the group were approaching another steel door Tarquin suddenly asked everyone to stop. He had an abstracted look on his face and in a few moments he informed the others that he had just had a magic message from Petronius. It was quite urgent that they return to Gaxmoor as Kanor wanted to speak with them as quickly as possible. After a quick consultation the group decided to investigate this last room and then leave for the city by arcane means. Cailin quickly unlocked the door and saw it was empty with three other identical steel doors. This bare room looked very suspicious so the group left it alone and decided to leave. One problem was that the group was too large by one person to be taken out at once. So the decision was taken to escort Alp to the nearby Druid’s Sacred Grove. From there he would then make his way to the Thuali tribe and inform them their former home was available to them again. The journey to the Grove was uneventful and as the group entered the area, they noticed a change in the atmosphere. The closest Leo had come to anything similar was when he entered the Temple of Urnus Gregaria. There was a feeling of power in the place but different to that of a Temple. As Alp entered the grove, a strange white boar entered the grove from the other side. With a happy cry Alp strode forward to the beast, greeting it like a long lost friend. Thus, the group, along with the Lady Claudia, transported themselves to the Temple of Urnus Gregaria and the Tower of the White Way. The two separate groups were told in both places that Kanor had left word that they were to go to the palace as soon as they arrived. Both groups met at the palace and were ushered to Kanor’s presence. As soon as he saw them he said:“Gysshk the Hobgoblin has just come from the south with a slave caravan. As you are aware, he was trying to get a seat on the ruling council of Carrisqui Town. Although Carrisqui has acknowledged my rule it never paid its dues to me or the League. Gysshk has been successful in obtaining a seat on the council and is now suggesting that if I set him as sole ruler of the town he will throw out the council and swear fealty to me. He has sweetened the deal by saying that he has been in touch with hobgoblin contingent of Heracules’s troops, that is a good four hundred warriors, and they are willing to desert on mass providing he can provide land and dwellings for them. They are also willing to fight for us in the coming winter campaign. If I accept his offer he specifically requested Capt. Xiang to be a member of the group that goes with him to make sure the council accepts the new regime. What to do you think I should do?”Much discussion ensued after this momentous news but in the end it was decided that Gysshk’s offer was too good to turn down in view of the both the military gains and losses to Heracules, the offer was just too good to turn down. There were widely held reservations, especially by Sigurd and Raven. These were partly allayed as Kanor was more than happy to accept anyone from Carrisqui who was unhappy with hobgoblins living nearby. Gaxmoor was still only about half populated.  The group retired, on the understanding that they would go with Gysshk first thing tomorrow. The next morning the group met with Gysshk. He greeted the warriors of the group like long lost friends but was distinctly nervous when told that they would have to ride Phantom Steeds to Carrisqui. He was even more unhappy when he heard that he would not be able to take his guards but in the end he was convinced by Xiang and Sigurd that speed was of the utmost necessity. The journey South to Carrisqui was fast and uneventful and the group arrived at dusk. Wasting little time, Gysshk went to the Town Hall and summoned the council members. They duly arrived and were told the new status quo without ceremony. They fluttered and spluttered in the manner of politicians but they were cowed by Sigurd’s presence. Sigurd and the mayor were acquainted from the past when Sigurd demanded some back taxes from the town. Still spluttering, the council members retired. Leo turned invisible and followed them. They made their way to the mayor’s house; there, Leo heard a continuation of their outraged spluttering. This soon turned into a conversation about stirring the local population into a mob to oust Gysshk. Several of the members left to organise the mob. Leo followed one of them and cast one of his spells at him to make his mind more accepting of the regime change but he proved surprisingly resistant. Leo turned visible and fled, unwilling to cause needless casualties. Coming back to the Town Hall, Leo saw there was already a mob outside. He had to fly in and informed the others of what he had discovered. Sigurd stepped out in front of the people and calmly and carefully informed them of the sequence of events using his personal charisma and magnetism. He cut an imposing figure with his dazzling armour, imposing figure and personal charisma. Leo couldn’t help but be impressed. His appeal had an immediate effect on the mob, which settled down and soon individuals started drifting home. Gysshk now felt more confident. Leo hoped that the council members had the sense to leave Carrisqui very quickly. This night preferably. Gysshk was not a forgiving individual.Three days later, Kanor sent troops to aid Gysshk’s authority and Leo cast Phantom Steeds so the group could leave for Gaxmoor. They went past the former goblin caves and saw that Alp’s tribe had started to move in. They reached Gaxmoor that evening and reported to Kanor who was satisfied at the result. He reminded them that the League conference was in five days time. However, he wanted to be at in Scornel a day ahead. Kanor was of the understanding that Leo would transport him to the Temple of Carthea in Scornel and Leo informed the High Priestess, Aquila, that they were on their way. During those five days, the group sold the goods they had taken from the goblins and made ready for the journey to Scornel. Leo was able to inscribe a couple of spells into his spell book. He was also approached by Fjorint, who asked him if he knew any trees in the temple. Trees were not something he paid particular attention to but Fjorint explained that she had a specific power that allowed her to literally walk between trees. Provided she knew the location of two trees of the same species, distance was not an issue.  If Leo could let her know of any trees in Scornel, preferably close to the temple, she would be able to take the rest of the group to the city. Thus, Leo was given a crash course in trees on the understanding that as soon as he arrived in the city he would contact Fjorint and let her know about a suitable tree nearby to which she could “step”. Leo thought this was an interesting branch of magic. It also explained certain rumours he had heard about the abilities of druids.The day before the great congress, Leo transported Kanor, Sigurd, Xiang and Tarquin to the Temple. They were met by a tall, raven-haired woman wearing flowing diaphanous robes whom Leo recognised as Aquila Valira, the High Priestess.“Greetings Leo, Kanor. Ah Sigurd, it is good to see you again. We had an interesting discussion last time we met.”Sigurd smiled in a slightly embarrassed manner. The discussion was on the philosophy of democracy and he had disagreed with the priestess. Sigurd had a fairly simple view of democracy. He was right and everyone else was wrong. “Come. We have prepared quarters for you. I do hope you will be able to stay with us. There will be a dinner tonight and Maxilio Verbaris, mayor of Scornel will be there. I know you want to see him.”Leo answered. “You are most generous my lady. Before we accept your kind offer though please bear with us for a little time. We will be back in a moment. Ramu, would you be so kind as to escort Kanor to his quarters.”With those words, Leo found the nearest oak tree, following instructions. He then relayed the information arcanely and moments later he saw the rest of the group “step” out of the tree.  The rest of the day was at the disposal of the group. Leo wondered around the city. It was very different from Gaxmoor. It was built on several terraces, with the lowest bordering Deepwater Lake. The climate was kind to this land and the houses were uniformly white, giving the city a gleam. The streets were paved and everywhere there were signs of commerce and prosperity. People were rarely armed and if they were they marked themselves as either strangers or guardsmen. There were restaurants, shops and throngs of people. Leo spent an enjoyable day and in the late afternoon he went back to the temple. He met the others who had spent the day similarly. Cailin related that she had seen a large crowd around a gate, which was cheering a procession of armed knights in bronze armour. The crowd chanted “Kardus, Kardus”. This must have been the legendary warlord who had had so many successes against the Mongali. Xiang and Sigurd had sampled the local restaurants and could recommend the fish. That evening a sumptuous dinner was arranged. Attending was the group together with the Priestess, Maxilio Verbarius, mayor of Scornel and Kanor. Much was discussed. Sigurd suggested raiding parts of the Mongali homelands from Trafalgis but Maxilio dismissed that as geographically impractical. Kanor asked for help against Heracules but was bluntly told that the resources for that were just not there. He was also told that it was deeply unlikely that he would be chosen war leader. Maxilio mentioned that Zalindra consort to Tarkane was in the city. She had offered a huge amount of troops if Scornel acknowledge Tarkane as Overking. Kanor mentioned his success with the Makyans but again Maxilio seemed to dismiss this. Leo was getting the impression that Maxilio was dismissive of the Borderlands in general. He watched and waited, knowing that Maxilio would have several visits like this tonight and thinking it very likely that certain decisions that were supposed to be discussed during the Congress, had been made months ago. Tomorrow, Maxilio would do his utmost to push them through.</blockquote>

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