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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sir Kendrik" data-source="post: 40205" data-attributes="member: 123">Well here we are again wondering if Sir Kendrik and his men will catch the evil dwarf Deckard.  Well wonder no longer as here is the recap of the final showdown.  Who will survive?  Who will not?  Read on and find out……………….Joshuaday 17 Greening 1353The heroes had set up camp in the dangerous Jewelspider Wood.  The air was dank with the smell of dead undergrowth, unable to fully rot due to the conditions and stagnant, algae filled water.  The heroes rested as best as they could in what passed for a clearing.  As the party got ready to continue tracking after Deckard, Marban spied what he thought was someone watching in the bushes.  He quietly told Sir Kendrik this, and instantly Sir Kendrik yelled out to the figure, “Who goes there?”After a short pause a dishevelled, pudgy, timid and apparently unarmed young man made himself visible, walking out of the undergrowth.  Sir Kendrik asked the very nervous acting fellow who he was and what was he doing in the woods all alone.  The young peasant told the young knight that his name was Narsis and that he was very scared after seeing a demon in his village the night before.  Needing to deliver a message, he had to travel alone, but thought to perhaps follow the brave knight and garner some protection from what could be stalking the foul Jewelspider Woods.  Sir Kendrik told him that he could travel with the party and they would protect him while he did.  Narsis didn’t hesitate in joining the heroes on their travels.  He rode a flea bitten old nag that looked fit only to be put down and he jumped at every sound that came from the woods.The party made it’s way following the clear tracks that the creature had left in its haste.  It seemed that it was crashing through the undergrowth as it went blazing the clearest of trails.  They were making steady progress as they travelled until not long before nightfall out of the trees came a flock of bats.  The creatures swarmed towards the heroes until they came close enough for Sir Kendrik to recognize them not as bats, but stirges; rat sized flying beasts with a long, pointy, blood-sucking proboscis. There were seven of the foul beasts, flapping and squeaking as they attacked the party.  First to be attacked was Themas, as the stirge landed on the tracker’s back and plunged its proboscis into him.  Next to be targeted was Marban who was able to strike the creature down in mid air.  The Stirge that attacked Sir Kendrik was able to find a gap between the young knight’s helm and his armour, driving deeply into his exposed neck.Narsis timidly drew a short sword and sliced his opponent in two.  Laren was able to duck as the stirge flew by but Gerath was not as nimble.  The surprise of the attack did not stop the heroes from attempting to dispatch this pesky menace.  Sir Kendrik in his angry at being attacked, and with one of his huge hands grabbed the beast and proceeded to crush it.  Marban was able to kill the one that had attacked Themas while Laren and Gerath dispatched their opponents quickly.When the threat was over the effects of the blood draining was starting to affect Sir Kendrik, Themas and Gerath.  Themas was affected worst of all looking quite pale and weak but Kendrik and Gerath were both feeling off colour.  The party continued on their quest and about an hour or so travel made camp for the night.  Sir Kendrik re-jigged the watches to give Themas a chance to rest and recover from the stirge’s affects.  Sir Kendrik issued a watch to the peasant Narsis, but retracted his command at the suggestion of Gerath, who said that it would be best for the watch to be served by those more suited to the talks.  Although the night was noisy with the unusual sounds of the Jewelspider, there were no further incidents.Lonnaday 18 Greening 1353At day break the party headed off as soon as they had broken their fast.  Themas was feeling a little better and Sir Kendrik and Gerath were feeling almost as good as new with the nights rest.  The day’s travel was uneventful as they worked their way through the dank, stinking forest.  All along the way Narsis continued to whine about how scared he was, this was seriously starting to get on the nerves of Sir Kendrik, who was almost now regretting his hospitality.That whining made the going tougher than it really was.  As the day lengthened into dusk, the party stopped at a clearing in the forest next to a very small stream. During Gerath’s watch the sleeping party was roused by the call to arms by the young soldier.  He was being attacked by a monstrous spider, at least 2 feet long and moving in for the kill.  Another was moving towards Sir Kendrik’s warhorse, Valiant, with a third crawling in the direction of Marban and his dog.  The spider after Gerath rose up, fangs exposed and struck the hapless soldier.  Valiant made short work of the spider attacking it with solid crushing foot stomps.  Sir Kendrik and Marban dispatched the spider near them and Laren rushed over from his bed to help his friend Gerath kill the spider, but Gerath had been bitten and the spider’s foul venom was coursing through the soldier’s body.  Ill, but not mortally so, Gareth agreed to continue with his watch.Sir Kendrik ordered the party to move the dead spider carcasses to the undergrowth, hoping to remove the chance of carrion eaters coming in for a feed while they slept.  The party were just about drifting off to sleep again, with only Gerath who was still on watch and the timid Narsis, who couldn’t sleep, remained awake.  Out of the undergrowth a rustling noise accompanied the bursting forth of a monstrous centipede that was working it’s way towards Marban.  Again, Gerath called out, waking all but Marban!  The giant vermin was only able to move a few feet before a volley of three telling arrow shots hit the beast.  The first making it rear up in pain, one hitting it in the underbelly and the last pinning its head to the forest floor, rendering it threat no longer.  Sir Kendrik, as soon and the beast collapsed turned in the direction of Narsis and Themas and yelled, “Who did that?????”Themas confirmed who it was by walking up to Narsis and patting him on the shoulder and congratulating him on his accurate shooting.  Sir Kendrik made sure the beast was dead before grilling the young peasant, asking him whom he really was.  Naris affirmed that he was only a young peasant lad, taught the art of the bow by his father, and that the flurry of shots was nothing buy a lucky strike.  Suspicious, but not prepared to take matters further at this time, Sir Kendrik decided that it would be best if Marban and himself take the last watch.  To top off an already ugly night, a sudden heavy rain began to fall steadily not stopping until dawn.Freeday 19 Greening 1353The party woke to the sight of a soggy campsite.  The stream had swollen from 2 inches wide to 3 inches wide and the campfire had been long extinguished by the rain.  The party headed carefully after the tracks as the rain had made them less easy to follow.  In the mid afternoon Narsis informed Sir Kendrik that he thought he recognised where they where and that there was an abandoned Pell tower but 2 to 3 miles ahead of them.  He also informed Sir Kendrik that the Pell tower was located in Baron Montombre’s lands.  Narsis then proceeded to tell Sir Kendrik how he and his father were tied up and beaten by the Montombre’s men and left to rot in the Pell tower. After realising the Pell tower was in to direction that Deckard was heading, the party decided to force march to the Pell tower and finally arrived there just as dusk fell.  Kendrik told Themas and Gerath to look after the horses as they were wounded and were in no state to fight Deckard, let alone a possible demon.  The remaining heroes then headed into the pell tower with Sir Kendrik leading the way.  Narsis whined about having to go face a demon and was visibly shaking.  Sir Kendrik and the party moved into the tower and after Sir Kendrik scanned the room with his light and noticed that the top floor had rotted away but a set of stairs led down to a basement.  Kendrik moved carefully over to the top of the stairs, wary that the floor could collapse at any moment.  When he got to the top of the stairs he noticed the basement was lit up.  The others were talking and Kendrik motioned to be quiet and follow him down the stairs and when they caught up to him that was exactly what they did.As quietly as possible Sir Kendrik worked his way to the bottom of the winding stairs where he was greeted by the sight of Deckard, surrounded by 3 fires in the adjacent corner to the stairs.Without warning, Deckard let loose a crossbow bolt in Sir Kendrik’s direction. “Fight me like a dwarf, you coward, foul Demon!” Yelled Deckard.“I am no demon but you will face me dwarf, and justice!” Replied Kendrik, stepping into view.Sir Kendrik rushed in, kicking away one of the fires before striking the dwarf with his trusty longsword.  Narsis quickly followed the young knight into the room as he tripped down the stairs, but luckily managed to regain his feet at the bottom.  Laren and Marban followed and strategically placed themselves in the room.  Deckard, full of rage, tore off his rags, revealing that he had no armour, just a pair of trews and boots, and his tattoos were faintly glowing blue.  Grimacing in hate, Deckard struck at Sir Kendrik.  Sir Kendrik attacked the dwarf again with lusty blows that had no visible effect on the dwarf.  Narsis moved in to attack the dwarf, striking with his shortsword.  Marban also moved in and attacked the dwarf, but once again the blows appeared to have no effect.During the combat, Narsis noticed out of the corner of his eye, an eerie figure manifesting out of the shadows behind him.  The creature screamed and launched itself through the combatants towards Deckard, grabbing him in it’s claw and melted back into the shadows cast by Sir Kendrik and Marban, taking Deckard with it. The party frantically looked for where Deckard had gone.  Thinking that the demon had taken him and hidden in shadow the party made sure the light shone where Deckard was last seen.  It didn’t seem to work.  They then proceeded to kick out the other fires Deckard had lit.  All of a sudden, Deckard finally reappeared screaming, “Face me coward!” his body torn and bleeding from a number of deep claw marks.Once more the shadow creature reappeared and Narsis attempted to attack it.  Enraged by the affront, the creature turned on Narsis dragged him into the shadows. Sickened by the sudden sense of motion, Narsis found himself in a dark, colourless place with a howling wind jostling him about.  All around him he could see his companions struggling with Deckard, but they seemed insubstantial, unreal, and the wind seemed to be blowing them, whipping at them and causing their images to bleed, like sand cast aside by a breeze.  The beast, the only other solid object in that weird realm made itself seen.  A tall, gaunt figure, it’s skin an oily, shining black.  It’s arms hung to below it’s knees and the it’s clawed hands were enormous.  A huge distended belly looked out of place on it’s emaciated frame and its large mouth was full of sharp, fetid teeth.  It’s eyes glowed with a malevolence the likes of nothing ever before seen.  Narsis struck at the demon, drawing blood.  The demon struck back, but before Narsis could return the blow, the creature became insubstantial once more.Deckard, now enraged charged Sir Kendrik and connected solidly with his dwarven war axe and knocking the knight down.  Marban now attacked Deckard but was targeted by the demon, who suddenly appeared behind the barbarian, and dragged him also moving into the realm of shadow. Kendrik got to his feet and charged Deckard, his longsword biting deep.  “If you promise to come with me to face justice, we will help you defeat this demon”, Kendrik declared.In the Shadow Realm, both Narsis and Marban were now attacking the demon, even in the unnatural surrounds they flanked it dealing it serious damage.  “Surrender! NEVER!”, Yelled Deckard, striking Kendrik again and knocking him down.  “I will deal with you like I will deal with what that B**** Queen Magda has sent against me!”  Deckard slapped the tattoo with on his shoulder with his hand, causing the tattoo to glow and his skin once more to take on the hardness of stone.Deckard then charged the knight again knocking him off his feet with the blow.  Laren, seeing his lord prone on the basement floor attempted to trip the dwarf with his guisarme, but was unsuccessful.  Meanwhile in the eerie Shadow Realm, Narsis moved behind the demon and plunged his shortsword deep into it’s vitals.  Howling in pain, the creature fell to it’s knees as Narsis buried his blade deep into the base of it’s skull.  The demon dropped at the peasant’s feet as Marban, in a blind rage bashed the now unmoving creature with his shield.“If that is your answer so be it.  Mark my words dwarf.  I WILL bring you to back to face justice”, replied Sir Kendrik, again rising to his feet. Sir Kendrik and Deckard proceeded to swap blows, moving around each other in a slow dance of death.  Although Deckard was striking telling blows through Kendrik’s armour, nothing seemed to affect the dwarf.  Suddenly, after many blows, Kendrik’s sword bit deep into the dwarf’s shoulder, and the magical tattoos ceased to glow.This only served to anger the dwarf even more, and he launched a savage attack at the knight, knocking him backwards and pinning him down on the floor.  Laren fearing that the dwarf would attempt drive a fatal blow into Sir Kendrik again used his guisarme to trip the dwarf, giving Kendrik time to regain his footing.  At that moment Marban re-appeared still lashing at the air where the demon lay.Sir Kendrik regained his footing and struck Deckard once more, the dwarf appeared to be on his last legs.  Suddenly Narsis appeared and moved in helping to surround the dwarf.  When this happened Deckard bellowed looking directly at Sir Kendrik “Trust you human to not have the honour to fight me single-handed!”, Deckard bellowed, glaring directly at Kendrik. “My honour is beyond reproach cur.” Sir Kendrik returned.  Turning to his men he stated “Step back so I may face him alone.”Both Laren and Narsis withdrew their weapons, but Marban ignored Sir Kendrik’s order and felled the dwarf with a final blow.“Tie him up tight!” Ordered Sir Kendrik, sheathing his sword. Marban told Sir Kendrik that he had manacles and Sir Kendrik nodded “Use them” the knight said.Once this was done Sir Kendrik pulled a pouch with two vials containing blue liquid, the very vials Lady Elanor had given him as he left Clyster.  Kneeling down beside the unconscious dwarf, he slowly trickled them into Deckard’s mouth.  The first stopped the bleeding and the second brought the Dwarf around.  The heroes then returned to Gerath and Themas, dragging Deckard between them.Sir Kendrik ordered that the party would stay there for the night and head home in the morning, and the party set up camp.   “My lord I must away and deliver my message.” Narsis told KendrikSir Kendrik thanked the young peasant for his assistance and wished him safe passage.  Narsis mounted his horse and slowly rode off.  After a few steps, he turned to look back at Sir Kendrik, a cheeky grin on his face.“My lord please give my regards to Br Arton when you get back to Clyster.”  With that, the peasant kicked his horse into a gallop and disappeared amongst the trees.Kendrik just stood there, slack-jawed and confused.Solday 20 Greening 1353After a day’s travel to the northeast the heroes arrived at Baron Aldred’s winter keep, Heron Castle.  The party rested there that night, and Sir Kendrik sending word to the Baron via messenger pigeon that Deckard had been captured.Marday 22 Greening 1353The day broke on a lovely mid spring day as the party neared their destination.  The heroes finally arrived at the city gates in the mid afternoon.  Much to Sir Kendrik’s surprise it seemed the whole town had come out to triumphantly welcome his party.  Gerath and Themas led the procession with Sir Kendrik in the middle with his pennon flying on the end of his lance.  Marban rode behind with a dirty and dishevelled Deckard being led behind Sir Kendrik’s packhorse.  Laren brought up the tail of the group.  As the heroes made the way through the streets of the crowds cheered wildly with some of the more uncouth members of the town raining rotten fruit and vegetables on the prisoner.  Deckard appeared to be unmoved by the indignity.The party finally reached the gates of the keep and into the bailey they travelled.  The party was ushered to the great hall where the Baron awaited them, Deckard now dragged behind them by keep guards.  Once in the great hall, the dwarf was pushed to his knees in front of the Baron.  To the left of the baron sat the Lady Sharra, her hands clasped nervously in her lap.  Standing behind her was her constant companion, Lady Elanor.  To the right of the Baron, decked in his full armour, stood the Baron’s Champion, Sir Brand.Baron Aldred then turned to his daughter, Lady Sharra, and asked if that was the man who kidnapped her.  Lady Sharra timidly looked at Deckard and quickly nodded her head, turning away once she did.  The baron then motioned for the keep guards to drag the prisoner away to the dungeons.  Baron turned to look at Sir Kendrik, who was down on one knee, his head bowed.  “Arise Sir Kendrik,” began the Baron.  “Once again I find myself showering you with gifts for yet another good deed done by you.  How is it this time that I can reward you for your services?”The young knight rose to his feet.  Looking upon the face of his beloved Elanor, he took a deep breath before speaking. “My Lord, I am pleased to serve you whichever way I can.  If I am be so bold as to ask, may I again court the fair Lady Elanor?”  Kendrik paused for a moment and gathered his thoughts before continuing.  “I also wish to ask that once I have proven myself to be a worthy vassal for my Lord, I would like to return for my Lady Elanor’s hand in marriage”The Baron looked at Sir Kendrik or a moment, his eyes slightly hooded.“It seems, Sir Kendrik, that the courtship of Lady Elanor continued regardless of my wishes.  Perhaps something else would be in order?”Sir Kendrik was taken aback by the Baron’s statement.  Looking in the direction of Lady Elanor he noticed that she was motioning towards the Baron, as if to say ‘Go on ASK HIM!’  Drawing in a calming breath, the young knight once more addressed his lord.“My lord, if it pleases you, I would like to ask for Lady Elanor’s hand in marriage”“I believe that to be a suitable reward for your services Sir Kendrik.  I will draft a letter to Baron Althor outlining my recommendation concerning your proposal.”  That having been said, the Baron rose to his feet and held out his arm for his daughter, who daintily placed her hand on his before being led out of the great hall.  Sir Brand and Lady Elanor following close behind.  Lady Elanor turned to her possible fiancé and gave a demure smile and lowered her eyes shyly.  Sir Kendrik however had a smile a mile wide.“I think a bit of a celebration is in order.”  Declared Sir Kendrik, turning to his companions.“Yeah, lets get drunk!” agreed Marban. Pelorday 23 Greening 1353The following day Sir Kendrik felt surprisingly well considering the amount of cider and ale he had imbibed.  Sir Kendrik rose in time for morning services, after which he spent a bit of time with his lady, pleased that things were back on track for them.During lunch Sir Kendrik ate with his mentor Sir Brand.  Sir Kendrik asked Sir Brand what had happened to the treacherous Sir Beorn.  Sir Brand filled the young knight in on what had happened.  Baron Aldred had to unfortunately release Sir Bron due to lack of evidence and his noble birth; however, he had more than enough to try Sir Beorn for his crimes.  The Baron had him brought to the Great Hall and the Baron then proceeded to strip Beorn of his knighthood, and all the privileges of that position.  He also had his goods and possessions forfeited and he was banished from Borderlund, on pain of death.  This news pleased young Sir Kendrik no end, he finally felt that justice had been served and all the trauma of being killed and resurrected worthwhile.  Later that afternoon, Sir Kendrik met with Marban and the others in Sir Kendrik’s party to discuss their further plans. “What next My Lord?” Asked Laren“Nest we return to Axbridge.  Get your affairs in order, we leave by the end of the week.”“Aye My Lord.” Replied the soldiers and all but Marban departed.Sir Kendrik and Marban headed to the monastery with the intention of meeting with Br Arton.  On the way Sir Kendrik asked Marban if he would be joining his party to Axbridge.  Marban told Sir Kendrik that he would let him know in a day or two.At the monastery Sir Kendrik and Marban were ushered to the cloister where Br Arton was busy reading and contemplating.  Sir Kendrik interrupted the brother’s reading and told him it was good to see him again.  After exchanging pleasantries Sir Kendrik told Br Arton that he and his party had encountered a demon.  Br Arton fearing that they needed some privacy ushered the pair of adventurers into a secluded part of the complex.  Sir Kendrik then recounted what had happened on the adventure highlighting to Br Arton the details of the demon that had tracked down Deckard and mentioned the name of Queen Magda.  Br Arton arched an eyebrow at the mention of name.  Sir Kendrik went on to chat with his good friend, lamenting that he would have to return home and leave his friends behind.  Br Arton reassured the young knight that their friendship would survive the distance and that they would no doubt adventure again.  Br Arton then imparted a bit of advice to his good friend.  He informed Sir Kendrik that his ladylove would need time to adjust to living in Axbridge, far from all she was used to.  He suggested that Sir Kendrik make sure that Lady Elanor felt comfortable in her new home.   Sir Kendrik gladly thanked Br Arton taking in the words of wisdom.  On that note, Sir Kendrik and Marban departed and Br Arton decided that it may be time to visit with the imprisoned dwarf, Deckard.Br Arton was led into the prison cell and was confronted with the sight of Deckard, head bowed and arms shackled to the wall.  The guards warned Br Arton that Deckard had not spoken a word since he was imprisoned, refusing to eat or drink.  Br Arton asked to be alone with Deckard and the guard said that they would come as soon if Br Arton called for their aid.  Br Arton began by offering the dwarf some food and water, but Deckard remained unresponsive.  Sighing, Br Arton continued on to question of the dwarf, who still remained silent and sullen until the Brother asked Deckard specifically about Queen Magda.  Deckard finally broke his silence by asking Br Arton what exactly did he want to know.  Deckard declared that it appeared as if the queen had abandoned him, and he no longer owed her fealty.  He then went on to confirm that Queen Magda is “The Magda”, an Old Ways goddess.Deckard was more than willing to tell the young deacon all that he knew about Queen Magda’s plans.  He told Br Arton that it is the Queen’s sole desire to rid the Misty Isles of the church of Pelor and return the lands to the Old Ways.  She intends to replace the ailing King of the Misty Isles with a True King, who would be able to bring the Old Ways to its rightful place in the hearts of the people, banishing the Church of Pelor back to where it came from.  With some coaxing from Br Arton, Deckard went on to say that Queen Magda had planned, and Sir Bron enacted, to kidnap the Lady Sharra to secure Bron’s claim to the throne as the True King.  This information was now starting to piece things together for Br Arton.  With the previous knowledge that Sir Bron a descendant of Morgrid, the evil half-brother of the ancient High King Vallandar and Lady Sharra being a descendant of Vallandar’s widow, Queen Arionrod, this threat to the very existence of the Church of Pelor in the Misty Isles was very real.  Brother Arton asked if Deckard wished to confess, however the dwarf refused, saying that he had nothing that he was ashamed of.  His only regret that he would now not be reborn through the Cauldron of Life.  Nodding in understanding Br Arton left.   After leaving the keep, Br Arton headed straight to Asgenar Abbey to talk to the archdeacon, Br Marchael.  Br Arton was led to the cloister where Br Marchael was contemplating the garden.  Br Arton told the archdeacon that he had some very grave news regarding the Old Ways that he wished to talk about.  Br Marchael told Br Arton that the cloister was not the place to discuss this and quickly led Br Arton to his private chambers, calling two Heironial Guards to guard the door, which Br Marchael then proceeded to bar from the inside.Br Marchael then asked Br Arton what exactly what was it that was troubling him.  Br Arton retold what Deckard and Sir Kendrik had told him earlier.  Br Marchael had a look of concern on his face.  Br Marchael then explained who Queen Magda was mythologically and how she was defeated by High King Vallandar’s wizard Mathar, who founded the Wizard’s Council.  “Of Course he did!” exclaimed Br Arton “Because the religion needed to be taken into hiding”Concerned, Br Marchael then explained some secret lore to his trusted follower.  Br Marchael informed Br Arton about the hidden history of the Celestial War.  “During the Sundering”, Br Marchael explained “When the Dark One was banished from Celestia, along with his evil followers, into the depths of the Abyss, there was a group of Celestials that refused to side with neither Pelor nor the Dark One.  This displeased Pelor, who stripped them of their divinity and cast them from His Holy Light.  Not evil enough to be trapped in the Abyss, nor good enough to return to Celestia, they found themselves caught in the mortal world.”  Br Marchael continued saying “These Forsaken preyed on the fears of the primitive folk that dotted the Urth, their remaining powers making them seem like gods those simple people.  The Forsaken soon realised that the worship gave them a semblance of the divinity and power that they once had.  The more worshippers they possessed, the more powerful they became” Suddenly it all dawned on Br Arton, there really is only one god, the rest are all but parasites, preying on their followers fear and doubt.  “Pelor Forgive me!” he thought to himself, feeling ashamed for ever doubting his faith and the teachings of his church.Br Marchael then told Br Arton that Bishop Felanor should be informed, and no doubt the bishop would want to take this knowledge to Archbishop Goroman in the throne city of Covanant.  Br Marchael proceeded to formulate their next course of action, telling Br Arton to prepare to leave for Covanant before weeks end.  Br Arton thanked the archdeacon for his time and went to prepare with a feeling of dread for the future.  End Session!What you think everyone?What did you like about the adventure?Where do you see it going?I have some news also.  There will be a break of six months in the game (not real life) for all the research and other character pursuits can take place before the Story will continue next week.</blockquote>

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