Machine Kiss said:
Do you have an online story hour for your group? I'd like to see a battle description with foes in action.
One of my players has outdone himself with a journal entry (my word for private "story hour"). So, I'm going to share it with you, as it deals with the party's most significant encounter with Khrel-Hadad.
The Heros:
Alaric -- CG Ranger10 with a Mighty (+2) Holy Longbow +2 (his most treasured item, which he saved up for a long time to get). He's not a big fan of what he calls the "dark arts", but owes the Wizard Sparrowhawk a bond of loyalty.
Dr. Cornellius -- LN Rgr1/Wiz6/EK3 who has a tendancy to leap into combat using his +2 Cold Iron Rapier. He often self-buffs with his Rod of Lesser Quickening.
Donatello -- LG Monk4/Pal4/
Follower of the Golden Path 3 -- has Fire Symbiot that allows his unarmed attacks to do fire damage.
Sparrowhawk -- LN Wiz11, likes to fly and use [Sonic] spells, tends to get in trouble with fiends from the outer darkness. Most treasured item: Ring of Wizardry III.
Some Background
The party is on an island where Donatello's monestary once stood. It was attacked and overrun by hobgoblins & fiends, and now he's come back to try to drive them out.
Something really big smashed into the planet's largest ocean two weeks ago. Tsunamis have wrecked most costal towns, and a ceaseless acidic rain has been falling (for two weeks). Day is as dark as night, and night is black as the plane of shadow.
The Story
From the Journal of Sparrowhawk, Magus
It seems as if an eternity has passed since I last left the comforts of my
chambers in the Academy. My dissertation on the ongoing feud between the
Infernal and Abyssal powers will never get done at the rate I'm proceeding.
Fortunately, my current military detachement is providing me with some
excellent visceral research situations.
I find myself this morning on what should be a beautiful island in the Blood
Sea. In different days I'm sure the sun kissed beaches and verdant jungle would
have been a delight. However, it is been horribly altered by the recent
Cataclysm. The carbonic acids falling constantly from the sky have dissolved
the less hardy flora and fauna into a sickening morass of detritus and pulp.
Even the most resistant of plants have been stripped of their leaves. If this
island ever recovers from the catastrophe it shall require a virtual army of
druidical savants.
The ecological damage here is not my concern. I'm here with my faithful
colleague Alaric on behalf of the Goddess who guides my steps and my Craft.
Though I have been in this land for a few days, my mission is clear. This small
island drifting on the Blood Sea, once an idyllic monastary of peaceful
hermits, fisherfolk and fey has become a bastion of the Infernal. They have
destroyed the ancient First Age temples dedicated to the Silver Maiden and the
Crimson Lord, enslaved its priests and heinously murdered those who resisted or
were too exhausted to labor for them. There are yugoloth mercenaries patrolling
the skies and a bale fire has been lit on the summit of a holy shrine! Never
let it be said my Lady relies on subtlety alone to point out our paths! Ha!
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Several days later.....
I take up my journal again in an effort to put down recent events and clear
them from my head. I must keep my mind and heart focused in the coming days if
we are to survive and triumph. We have met up with a monk named Donatello and
another man named Cornelius (who seems to exhibit the dressage of a mage but
carries weapons like some ham fisted meat puppet). The duo has journeyed from
the Luxorian colony of Marseille and seem to be part of some abortive attempt
to free the island from infernal control. I fear they fell victim to the
massive Cataclysm which has most likely claimed the lives of the other
infiltration teams. Happily, Alaric and I have had more than a little
experience in surveillance and guerilla warfare. I even have a dissertation
currently on file in the University Library, "Introducing Terror to the Foe: A
Treatise On Psychological Warfare".
Alaric, Donatello and I have had several unfortunate skirmishes with patrols
since beginning our surveillance. I say unfortunate not because we suffered
defeat but because the battles served only to alert the enemy to our presence
without serving any true tactical purpose. In one instance we were forced to
abandon our shelter for the night when a patrol happened upon our location.
Granted we were a bit... overconfident in our safety thanks to my Craft but I
managed to extricate our bacon from the fire as they say... Ha! Thanks to my
unseen servant chef and a Dimension Door spell.
So far our surveillance has discovered numerous interesting things...
apparently a rather sordid consortium of extra planar scum have bandied
together for a purpose I have not yet been able to perceive. However - it may
have to do with the Hag Countess making a recent grab for power in the Hells...
While spying inside the Temple of the Moon I discovered a prophecy written in
the foul Abyssal tongue. The study of this manuscript is fraught with danger
and this new knowledge has placed a fear across my heart. Some say ignorance is
bliss and though I have dedicated my life to the discovery of secret
knowledges, in this instance I'm incline to agree that it is better to know the
sun's rays without knowing what lurks in the shadows.
Enough... the Prophecy spoke of a dark power rising again, I have copied a
translation into my journal notes which can be found in the rear of this tome.
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The Next Day.....
We have resolved to stop being passive observors in this place. It grates on
all of us... the constant waiting for help that may or may not arrive. We will
bring the fight to the enemy and attempt to disrupt their plans. In a vision
(praise the Goddess) I saw a council of scum discussing us and their plans. The
mercenary yugoloths seem to be in the hire of a group of hobgoblins. They are
being paid handsomely in damned souls and infernal coins. Knowing the yugoloths
as intimately as I do, we will attempt a rather daring raid I have formulated
and attempt to either a.) free the slaves and start a revolt, or b.) make off
with as much of their payroll as possible and failing that c.) kill as many of
the enemy as possible.
We are going to teleport into the large cavern holding the 10 or so ogre
prisoners, kill their captors, free the slaves and attempt to loot the wizards
quarters I discovered. We will enter the den of evil at high noon to take
advantage of the nocturnal nature of the hobgoblins and to place or trust in
Raelor who favors bold action. If I am allowed I will tell all when we have
returned.
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Later That Day.....
Success! Perhaps not complete success but we at least partiall accomplishe some
of our goals. If nothing else we have proved to enemy that though they
outnumber us and vastly out power us we can hurt them. Goblinoids are brave
enough when they outnumber you, but show them that they will bleed and they
quickly lose heart!
Our lightning strike went more or less as planned with a few exceptions... once
we teleported into the room we quickly dispatched the guards. Unfortunately the
ogres had been removed from the area and the "day crew" of laborers turned out
to be undead zombies created from dead slaves. So our plan to free the ogres
went out with the nightsoil as they say. We still had our secondary and
tertiary mission points to accomplish. One of the watchers was able to teleport
away, presumably to get reinforcements. We managed to kill two other demons and
a hobgoblin cleric. We quickly ducked down the hallway that I saw being used as
a hobgoblin barracks just as the huge nycoloth made its appearance. I hastily
threw up a wall of force to protect us from the depradations of the beast.
Donatello ran down the length of the hallway searching for a wizard I had seen
occupying one of the far chambers during my reconaissance while Alaric and
provided a little wake up surprise for the hobs nestled just
rousing themselves from sleep.
The Nycoloth summoned a mage to blast my wall of force earlier than I
anticipated but it had served our purpose well enough. Alaric and I stood
shoulder to shoulder to fend of the beast. Fortune was with us. Donatello did
not encounter a wizard... but two locked chests and a desk instead. Our
compatriot was able to stash both of the heavy chests in the portable hole
while Alaric and fended of the giant demon and his pet mage. The mage got a
taste of pain but the demon proved to be proof against our combined powers.
Luckily we were able to teleport away from the place of our impending death
with some new scars for our troubles... the Nycoloth was not amused.
The chests contained larval souls, infernal coinage and some manacles that
radiate magic. A small victory but a victory nonetheless... We have resolved to
leave them in the portable hole, hoping that being in the extradimensional
space will protect them from discovery.
------------------------------------------------------------
The party then decided to try to check on the monestary, which was lower than the temples on the mountain. They hiked for two days through muck and mire, over corroded trunks of uprooted trees and through the muddy bay that just two weeks ago had been a deepwater port. They found two guards 3/4 of the way up the road to the monestary, and failed to kill one of them, who teleported to get help. After several minutes, the cavalry arrived: Khrel-Hadad and two normal Nycaloths. The party tried to scatter, only to see Sparrowhawk snatched by the huge green fiend. He was grappled, pinned, knocked unconscious, and finally sucked through a moaning swirl of darkness and brimstone. The remaining party members slew one of the Nycaloths (the other teleported away) and began their slow trudge home. The following occurs four days after the preceeding.
The Present
The glare of Donatello's radiance deepened the shadowy darkness outside the doorway of the ruined guard tower. The fey creatures tittered and giggled, basking in the glow. Quite suddenly the laughter of the sprites broke off as they turned to stare at the gathering darkness in fear.
"Evil approaches humans", said one wizened pixie before fading from view. Someone or something was lurking in the gloom and acidic rain of the night.
The shape took on substance in the doorframe, man-shaped, reeking of brimstone and something... fouler. Then just as it came into the light, it lifted its hands and... sneezed.
"Aaaachooooo!!!!" Sparrowhawk stumbled through the door. "Alaric, Cornelius... Donatello, would you mind turning down your celestial nightlight please? I have one Hades of a headache and I don't think my... guest appreciates your zeal as much as the rest of us." Sparrowhawk, ignored the stunned looks of his companions as he strode across the room, shaking out his cloak. "This is... uh... Valdemar" gesturing to a pale figure still standing in the doorway. "He is... uh... here to... uh... provide us with some valuable information that I believe will be of some assistance to us," said Sparrowhawk with nervous grimace.
"I'm here to do a bit more than that," replied Valdemar, arching an eyebrow. "Why, pray tell, are you doing offering explanations to your slaves?" he questioned sardonically.
"Yes... well about that Valdemar. I may have been a bit overzealous in the description of my relationship with these sentients. It's just so hard to find a good translation for the term 'friend' or even 'compatriot' in some tongues."
"Wizard... what the hell are you talking about?" growled Alaric. "What devilry has all your dabbling in the Dark Arts gotten us into now? And who or what is this... thing... you've brought to our hideout?"
"Ah yes... well that is a tale I suppose I must tell." said the wizard sinking wearily into the corner. "I'll start from our scouting mission I suppose. After our last foray into the lair of the hobgoblins, you all remember deciding to explore another avenue of gaining entrance into the temple ruins by way of the caves that stretch down into the seashore. Cornelius, Donatello and I set out in search of the caves. We made our best attempt at stealth but unfortunately the enemy has sharp eyed scouts and we blundered into one of
their patrols. The battle did not go as well as it could of, Alaric. We were in sore need of your bow for one of the demons was able to escape us and report our location."
"When last we saw you Sparrowhawk the giant demon we saw in the temple had grabbed you and disappeared into a cloud of foul smoke!", Donatello exclaimed jumping up. "Cornelius and I were attacked by smaller versions of the same swine, I killed one but the other escaped. We were lucky to get back here alive!"
Valdemar cocked one eyebrow, "Another of the Master's cavalry killed? He will not be amused, wizard."
"Ah yes. I see your point Valdemar. But I can hardly be held accountable for that one. I wasn't even there so NO renogotiating now!" Sparrowhawk said worriedly.
"Just tell us wizard... where the hell have you been?!?" Alaric glowered.
"Um...well not hell exactly. It was Gehenna. Rather close to the Hells from a planar relativity standpoint..." Sparrowhawk trailed off seeing the stunned look on his companion faces. "Well really! Where did you think a giant, winged, acid-dripping demon was going to take me?!"
"After our botched escape from the patrol and my capture I blacked out. I found I was in for a rather rude awakening. Indeed I awoke dangling upside down with a huge, hound-like visage snarling in my face. The demon looked almost black from the deep red light illuminating it from below but I knew it was our green friend. My stomach almost turned when I realized I was hanging suspended over an infernal lava floe by the very nemesis we had been so dedicated to defeating. "
"'YOU HAVE ENJOYED YOUR NAP, MORTAL?' The grating in my mind allowed me to deduce that the beast was neglecting more conventional means of communication in favor of direct telepathic contact. Not a pleasant experience I can assure you."
"Deciding to be diplomatic, I replied. 'Why yes... thanks for your concern, O' Great Terror of the Outer Planes.'"
"'HEH, HEH, YOU MAY REFER TO ME AS KHREL-HADAD. YOU ARE THE LEADER OF YOUR LITTLE GROUP?'"
"'Yes, I am the leader of our group... in that they follow my strength when I am able to apply it. This is a leadership concept I believe you yourself may be familiar with Great One. I am called the Sparrowhawk by my people.'"
"Wait just a minute... you are OUR leader?" snorted Dr. Cornelius. "I don't remember enlisting under you!"
"I think you are losing the big picture my good doctor... I had to tell him something!" Sparrowhawk retorted. "Just what would you tell a colossal, soul crushing, hell beast about to barbecue you? Now, if I may continue the demon was questioning me..."
"'... I am called the Sparrowhawk by my people.'"
"'YOU ARE MORE... MAGPIE? FILTCHER? YOU SEEM MORE EFFECTIVE AS A THIEF THAN A WARRIOR, THOUGH YOU HAVE COST ME SEVERAL EXPENSIVE MINIONS.'"
"'I have been called many things. Lets just say... we use our abilities the best we can especially when confronted with such a great power as yourself. I apologize if we have inconvenienced you but minions can be easily replaced...'"
"'INDEED'. The demon began shaking me vigorously over the flaming pit. It was only my quick hands that managed to save a rather expensive wand that fell out of my belt."
"'Hmph... my value lies not in the paltry trinkets I carry but in the knowledge I hold inside my head. Tell me what you would have with me or kill me and be done with it. I admit that I am within your power but I have had some dealings with your kind before and know that you can be bargained with.' I bravely challenged the beast (of course I didn't know that I could bargain with him but it was an educated guess... I actually read an interesting treatise on mercenary of the lower planes... Moon's Light, Alaric you needn't glare at me so... but I digress...)"
"'It is known to me that you are not entirely satisfied with the bargain you have made with the hobgoblins... tell me a bit of your trouble and perhaps we can come to an agreement of our own. A secret alliance between us could be a hidden dagger poised at the heart of your enemies.' I slyly hinted. I could see the wheels turning behind the cunning eyes of the demon turning as the thought it over."
"'I AM NOT TO BE BARGAINED WITH I AM TO BE OBEYED" it snarled. "THERE ARE SOME FOES THAT I CANNOT STRIKE. YOU WILL KILL THEM AND BRING ME THEIR COIN, WEAPONS AND MAGIC. THEN YOU WILL OFFER ME THE SPITEFUL BOW OF YOUR MINION. YOU WILL SWEAR TO THIS OR I SHALL RIP YOUR SOUL FROM YOUR FLESH.'"
"Now I found this last request strange and disturbing.... please Alaric... stop that pagan muttering. I'm quite familiar with the various curses and wards your people practice in the Northern tongue and I can assure you they stand no chance of protecting you from the wrath of a demon as powerful as Khrel-Hadad. You, my hunter-friend have earned a special place of hatred in the rotten hearts of some of the Neverborn. As I was saying... I found the demon's ire against you disturbing because I had received a vision of Khrel-Hadad smashing the Holy weapon to splinters under his taloned foot. These visions are a rather new occurence for me so I'm not entirely sure how reliable they are... but let
me continue my tale."
"'Great Lord... is there some other place we may go to discuss this matter?" Staring down at the bubbling lava below me was disconcerting to say the least. "Ah... I take it by your fierce countenance that you do not wish to grant my request. May I inquire about the enemies you wish me to kill for you? Perhaps you would be so kind as to provide me with numbers, disposition, weak areas of defense etcetera. Before I make any oaths we must come to an accord and though I understand your desire to see the paltry weapon of my minion destroyed... It was very expensive.'"
"'YOU SPEAK OF DISDAIN FOR TRINKETS AND THEN IMPLY THAT MY MINIONS ARE WORTH LESS THAN THE CURSED WEAPON OF YOUR SLAVE?!?" Khrel-Hadad bellowed, acid flowing over his jaws. "HOW THEN WILL YOU COMPENSATE ME FOR MY SLAIN NYCOLOTHS?'"
"'Well from a strategic point of view, destroying the bow would obviously decrease the offensive capabilities I could bring to bear against your... or should I say our enemies...'"
"'FOOLISH HUMAN... REMEMBER MY WORDS. FIRST, YOU WILL KILL MY ENEMIES. SECOND, YOU DELIVER UNTO ME THEIR WEALTH AND MAGIC. FINALLY, YOU PRESENT ME WITH YOUR MINION'S WEAPON. I WILL INSCRIBE MY COMMANDMENTS IN YOUR FLESH IF IT WILL HELP YOU REMEMBER...'" Khrel-Hadad leered wolfishly.
"Ha ha... you have a wonderful sense of humor m'lord... ha... I did apologize for the deaths of your minions. As to how I will compensate you for them... I will pay in blood. The blood of those enemies you wish slain but may find inexpedient to you kill yourself. Obviously you do not need me for my magical prowress alone but for the secrecy with which I can kill them and keep the blame from being laid on your shoulders. Surely this service is worth something to you?"
"'HA! YOUR SERVICE IS WORTH LITTLE INDEED TO ME; MERELY YOUR LIFE. NEITHER IS IT CURRENTLY YOURS TO BARGAIN WITH. NOW, I ASK AGAIN; IF NOT YOUR MINION'S WEAPON, WHAT DO YOU OFFER TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY LOST NYCOLOTHS?'"
"'Forsooth Dark Lord... I have a palatte of damned souls and a chest of infernal coins that we liberated from the hobgoblins. Gladly will I deliver these unto you in return for the minions you have lost'" haggled Sparrowhawk.
"'MMMHRRRRMH...'" the beast mentally grumbled to itself.
"Then it clamped its great paw over my face and I felt as if I were speeding through all of space at great speed. I'm ashamed to say I passed out again. When I awoke next it was to the darkness of a blindfold and the weight of shackles at my wrists and ankles Still it was a more pleasant awakening then the last. At least I was lying on a solid surface and air didn't seem as toxic, but I did hear the scuttling of... things in the darkness. I figured the devil had thrown me inot his dungeons and that if I was lucky death would find me quickly. Obviously, I did not trust my luck. Although I knew it would be pointless; I tried to muster my strength for one last magical attack that might at least kill me rather then render me to the tender carresses of Khrel-Hadad's flunkies..."
"No offense meant of course Valdemar..." said Sparrowhawk addressing the pale figure standing uncomfortably by the doorway. As far from the paladin as possible.
"Not at all Sparrowhawk, not at all. When you are in the service of an entity such as m'lord Khrel-Hadad you must learn to develop a thick skin against slights, intended or no" Valdemar smiled toothily. The slightest hint of fangs peeking over his lower lip. Gentleman, this is where I come into your fearless leader's tale," bowed the pale figure.
"He is NOT our leader!" Jhaery squawked indignently.
"Anyway... gentleman..." sighed Sparrowhawk. "I am coming to the crux of the story which will explain the exact predicament in which we now find ourselves."
"I wouldn't be so quick to throw around the term 'we'" Jhaery muttered.
"AS I was saying..." continued Sparrowhawk, pointedly ignoring the comment.
"I awoke shackled and chained to a stone table or (Selene forbid) an altar of some sort; blindfolded nearly naked and in great pain. I couldn't contain a groan as I regained consciousness..."
"'What is your name mortal?'" questioned a hollow voice which would have sounded at home inside a dank tomb.
"I hardly think my voice sounds quite that bad..." Valdemar said archly.
"If I could please just get through this? Everyone is such a critic. Its not as if I were a bard or talespinner!"
"You can say that again," snorted Donatello.
"ANYway..." Sparrowhawk said shooting dirty look at the crouching monk.
"'I figured that escape was impossible... even if I were not magically trapped as well as physically, I had no idea if I had been brought back to the Prime or if I were still in Gehenna. I thought to trick my captors into thinking I still lay unconscious and perhaps hear what they had in store for me but I was betrayed by the afore mentioned groan.'"
"'Ahhh, our guest has awakened. You must have been quite a thief. I can see why our master spared you. You may call me Valdemar. What is your name, mortal?'"
"'They call me the Sparrowhawk. If your master has decided to spare me then would you be so kind as to remove this blindfold so I may have the pleasure of seeing whom I address?'"
"'Ha ha" laughed the sepulchural voice. "I have already given you my name. You are blindfolded for your own protection. Now... I have been perusing your belongings. I hope you don't mind? No? Now in your belongings I have found several wonders... but surely none surpass this one...'" I heard the clanging of a metal lid and realized this Valdemar had found my..."
"'A teapot! How delightful. It's been long since I drank... tea." said Valdemar. "Clem! Make our guest a nice cup of tea.'"
"ENOUGH SPARROWHAWK!!!" shouted Alaric, leaping to his feet. "I don't care about your tea or what you had for lunch or your trip to the Hells for that matter. Tell me NOW what you have gotten us into!"
"Ah well my impatient friend... I sort of, that is I may have... promised that we would assassinate the leaders of the hobgoblins." muttered Sparrowhawk.
"Oh... well in that case... that doesn't sound too bad" Alaric shrugged. "You know me, never met a gob I didn't want to plant an arrow in. True, we are kind of working for Evil but as long as we don't have to kill any innocents."
"Let me assure you we will not be required to kill anything BUT hobgoblins..." Sparrowhawk began.
"Well I am not doing it!" Donatello shouted. "You know I'm sworn to the holy orders! I can not and will not take orders from a hell bound Nycoloth from Gehenna nor from his vampiric lickspittle crony!!"
"Please dear boy," said Valdemar offended. "I am hardly a 'lickspittle' as you call it. My master is actually quite fair and reasonable once you get to know him and treats me a damn sight better than your masters who sent you to this island completely outmatched and outmagicked."
"Look Donatello", said Sparrowhawk. "I know we haven't known each other for very long but you really must trust me on this. By making this bargain we are going to be freeing your island from not only the hobgoblins but from the demonic influences as well. The hobgoblins are working for Dispater, The Iron Lord. He is a prince of the Hells. You can bet that they are hear for some terribly evil purpose. A purpose that we must prevent from coming to pass. Khrel-Hadad has agreed to pull all of his forces from this isle as soon as we kill his summoner. This is an economic decision and purely business. I hate to burst your bubble but this how things get done in the grown-up world my friend. You don't have to like it and you certainly won't have to take orders from any nycoloths... just from me."
"That is hardly any better... now that I know you bargain with infernal powers" said Donatello hardly mollified.
"I realize my presence here may be a bit of a complication so perhaps we should just get to business" said Valdemar sounding increasingly bored. "Let me brief you on your targets: The first is Padrone di Terzo Ferro. He is the Thaumaturge who contracted our master's company. He is your primary target. You are sworn to destroy every document in his posession. (That's not his real name, by the way.) I suspect that "Padrone" has a planar cohort of some sort guarding his personal quarters... he is entitled to such by his rank, but I have not seen any particularly servile creatures in his company. If he is alerted to your disposition, he may be able to summon specific creatures to combat your forces. It would be unwise to let him live beyond your first encounter."
"The second target is Khurn the Torturer. A sneaky bastard by all accounts, he fights with a pair of cold iron kukri that his servitude to the Iron Lord enhances. He wears a chain shirt of great value, which it seems he took from an elven prince."
"The third is Dolore di Fuoco. A sorcerer of modest power -- most likely able to command spells of no higher valance than yourself, Sparrowhawk. His staff is worth adding to my collection. As you may have guessed, he's specialized in fire. Goblinoids are an unsubtle lot, wouldn't you agree? Oh, I'm sorry, I'd forgotten that you prefer sonic detonations... forget what I said about unsubtle. How rude of me!"
"Lamierina Spaventosa: a warrior disciple of the Iron Lord. His longsword detects as quite magical with a strong necromantic bent. I'm interested in analyzing its arcane properties. He seems focused on melee, so I'd try to avoid allowing him to engage your minions. His armor spikes are magical and very dangerous."
"Finally 'Ruth' (not her full name) the Erinyes. She is their liason to the Iron Lord himself. It might be wise to eliminate her first, as her baatezu traits make her a dangerous opponent. Obviously, you'll want to dimensionally anchor her before showing your true strength. There are times that they are separate... I'll advise you when and where to strike by an arcane message, so leave yourself open to scrying."
"Thank you for that information Valdemar," said Sparrowhawk. "If you would be so good as to return to me my belongings we shall begin to formulate a battleplan."
"Of course. Here are your various magical sundries except for that wonderful Ring of Wizardry you possessed. That little item I think I will add to my collection!" chuckled Valdemar in his hollow voice.
"That ring is a family heirloom and I will do no work for you or your master if I am to be despoiled in the process of doing a favor!" sputtered Sparrowhawk."
"A family heirloom indeed my friend! This ring is no more than a decade old. You may be a thief but you are no liar, human' Valdemar laughed. 'No, I think this to good an item to pass up. The rest of your personal effects are to be returned to you per our master's commands so you may complete your mission."
"But how am I to complete my mission for YOUR master (for he certainly is not mine) if you rob me of the very tools I need to complete it?' cried Sparrowhawk. 'Perhaps we can make a bargain or our own. I am skilled craftsman of certain kinds of magical items. What type of magic do you wield?"
"Keep talking little wizard...' Valdemar replied. 'I am a necromancer by trade..."
"Ah... that is not... surprising,' gulped Sparrowhawk. 'Perhaps I could create a powerful staff for you. As I am more of a general practitioner of sorts, I could fill it with magical effects which you may not be versed in. Certainly that would be of greater value to you than my own ring?"
"An interesting proposition. I'll agree to your suggestion providing I get to outline the magical affects the staff will produce! Never the less I think I shall hang onto the ring until you have completed the promised staff." continued Valdemar. "I would not impugn the honour of an ally -- but I simply don't want it to fall into the wrong hands! I'm sure you understand."
"Nonesense m'lord Valdemar. I have of course sworn that I will uphold my end of the bargain and we both know the dark powers will hold that promise... indeed part of our bargain was that my own items would be returned to me so that I could complete my mission for your master. Are you so powerful that you can thwart the pact so easily?"
"Heavens no (if I may use the term) dear boy" Valdemar countered. "As agreed, I will return you your ring. But I'm sure you agree that its safer if such and easily stolen item were to remain somewhere safer than where you're going. And in the unlikely event that you should fail, I'd truly hate for you to face an enemy who were using your own tools against you.
"Now, be a good chap and
invite me in..."
