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Seravin's Tales of the Night Below (Two Updates this Week - 07/24/07)
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<blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 3658824" data-attributes="member: 6783"><p><strong>Solstice Preparations</strong></p><p></p><p><em>I had thought I was going to post the rescue, but this one became larger than I expected. Probably not a bad thing as I want to get into the swing of more frequent updates again and I can use the practice.</em></p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>In the morning there was a feast the likes of which few Imperial citizens have been granted the grace to attend. Solstice feasts are not unusual by any means, especially as a way of celebrating the beginning of longer days to come; however this feast <em>was</em> unusual in at least three respects. The first was that it was a morning meal, with the sun not quite risen over the mountains. Second, it was attended by only twelve people; all whom were conspiring to commit mayhem after the meal was over. Finally, this feast was granted by the grace of Sarath, and until touched by the feasters had never been touched by mortal hands.</p><p></p><p>As befitting a Feast of Sarath* the morning meal was simple, consisting of piping warm bread, sweet fireweed honey, crisp apples and melons that could not have been as fresh as they were, and slabs of rich, succulant ham. Of the drink, it was neither wine nor water nor milk, or beer, but had aspects of all four. </p><p></p><p>Crowded into the small dining room of a private house that Lore had rented, the twelve co-conspirators took their fill of the simple breakfast. Some of them had expected a quick meal, hasty plans, and a murderous assault. Instead the meal took almost a full candle to consume as they shared past joys they had almost forgotten and regaled each other of their hard won battle victories.</p><p></p><p>It was a simple meal, but like all good meals it filled more than their hunger, it filled their souls. These twelve were from all walks of life and they were about to raise their blades against the lord of the city and the devilish conspirators that held him in thrall. Victory would not be certain but for now they knew no fear; only confidence that this was the right thing to do.</p><p></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>The furniture had been moved up against the walls and most of the conspirators had been asked to wait elsewhere in the house to make room for two more guests. Curious, the conspirators choose to wait in the hallway as Captain Jared sat quietly in the main room, offering prayers to Sarath, His angels, and His saints. Kellron and Dax Rusuk (he offered no rank for this mission) watched on and offered their own supporting prayers.</p><p></p><p>Watching from the hallway it seemed as if a long time passed as they watched the three men offer up prayers and liturgy. Boredom did not have time to set in however as even the still air seemed to be anticipating something momentous.</p><p></p><p>Almost without warning, Jared’s prayers ceased and he threw his arms wide. At that exact moment he was engulfed by a halo of blue and white light. Jared’s voice thundered through the house. “General Markon! I ask for the Intercessor! What belongs to the Defender and the Defender’s Own has been taken and a battle is required to win them back!”</p><p></p><p>It was dramatic. By rights a lightning bolt should have cleaved the air. That did not happen. The halo about Jared died away and the electric stillness in the air seemed to drain away. </p><p></p><p>Then the angel appeared.</p><p></p><p>Nine feet tall with skin the color of the sea and no hair to blemish his head, Markon the Intercessor, a General to one of Sarath’s armies, filled the room as if he had always been standing there. His visage was calm and wise and strong. Clad in golden armor with a large sword belted to his waist the angel looked about, pulling his feathered wings close about him to give others room. Those closest to the angel could see that his feet did not touch the floor.</p><p></p><p>The Intercessor had only rarely been called to stride the earth. His was normally the role of guidance and tactics for those still living. Gazing into the souls of all within the house, the Intercessor finally turned to the one had called to him. </p><p></p><p>Lieutenant Jared saluted smartly. “Sir. I respectfully wish to withhold the briefing until I call upon your sword brother, Arvon of the Celestial Host.”</p><p></p><p>The Intercessor had experienced surprise before; but it had been centuries since a mortal cleric had surprised him thusly. Strictly speaking the briefing should be held immediately as the General had other matters to attend to; but strictly speaking the situation was extraordinary. The angel nodded his assent gravely and stepped aside to make room for his sword brother.</p><p></p><p>Again, Jared took up his prayers, this time under the watchful eye of the Intercessor who neither aided nor hindered the effort. Now was not the time. Shortly, the little house in an out of the way neighborhood of Corlean was graced by the presence of two angelic planetars of Sarath’s celestial host as near alike to each other that they could be twins.</p><p></p><p>General Markon, Arvon, I ask aide in today’s battles.” He turned to face the Intercessor. “General Markon please attend myself, Kellron, Jallarzi, and Kestral. We plan to go to the Ducal Palace, free the Duke, and kill or drive off the High Priest of Tresh and his allies. Too many people are charmed however and we wish to keep casualties to a minimum.”</p><p></p><p>Jared then turned to the other planetar. “Arvon, Rusuk Dax and his team will attempt to free Priestess Raptoran and our own Colonel Megara. They are both in the hands of a criminal that has allied himself with the Treshans and the illithid. We fear that they may be slain out of spite before we can free them and wish your aide in preventing that.”</p><p></p><p>Jared looked to the angels. “Will you help?”</p><p></p><p>There was a long pause and then the angels turned about, their heavy gaze resting upon each person in the household; the simple wood and stone construction no barrier to their sight. Reaching a silent accord the planetars again faced the priest who had asked for their aide.</p><p></p><p>It was the Intercessor who spoke. “Your cause is just and righteous. Your allies, while of questionable morality, are true to you; however you have dared to summon such might that has not been seen within the Empire for centuries. Are your tasks worth so much to you?”</p><p></p><p>Jared nodded. “They are. We would sacrifice much to see them accomplished.”</p><p></p><p>The Intercessor returned the nod. “Very well; hear then the conditions of our aide. Our fight is not with, and will not be with, mortals. We will not raise sword or hand against any mortal within this city; Sarath does not war upon his own. We will not be seen by any within the city except that we manifest in battle.” </p><p></p><p>As the Intercessor fell silent, Arvon began to speak. “We <em>will</em> raise arms against all creatures not of this world and will render such bolstering help that our skills allow. If the battle goes ill then we will also aide in escape.” The angel paused for a moment. “Are these conditions acceptable?”</p><p></p><p>Jared grimaced only slightly; he had hoped for more but was glad for any aide. “It is.”</p><p></p><p>“Then hear our final condition;” continued Arvon. “Both of us have duties elsewhere and your callings have hampered our preparations of a coming battle. We will help you for this day but in return you will owe us a day of your own sword arm. In three weeks time there will be a stand against the hordes of the Abyss and we require that a small portal located deep in the Gray Realm** be guarded. If this portal is taken then the hordes could use it for a flanking maneuver. Will you aide us as we will aide you?”</p><p></p><p>Jared glanced over to Kellron, and then Jallarzi and Kestral. They all nodded. Jared turned back to the angels. “We will.”</p><p></p><p>--</p><p></p><p><em>*Heroes Feast</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>**The Astral Plane</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Seravin, post: 3658824, member: 6783"] [b]Solstice Preparations[/b] [i]I had thought I was going to post the rescue, but this one became larger than I expected. Probably not a bad thing as I want to get into the swing of more frequent updates again and I can use the practice.[/i] --- In the morning there was a feast the likes of which few Imperial citizens have been granted the grace to attend. Solstice feasts are not unusual by any means, especially as a way of celebrating the beginning of longer days to come; however this feast [i]was[/i] unusual in at least three respects. The first was that it was a morning meal, with the sun not quite risen over the mountains. Second, it was attended by only twelve people; all whom were conspiring to commit mayhem after the meal was over. Finally, this feast was granted by the grace of Sarath, and until touched by the feasters had never been touched by mortal hands. As befitting a Feast of Sarath* the morning meal was simple, consisting of piping warm bread, sweet fireweed honey, crisp apples and melons that could not have been as fresh as they were, and slabs of rich, succulant ham. Of the drink, it was neither wine nor water nor milk, or beer, but had aspects of all four. Crowded into the small dining room of a private house that Lore had rented, the twelve co-conspirators took their fill of the simple breakfast. Some of them had expected a quick meal, hasty plans, and a murderous assault. Instead the meal took almost a full candle to consume as they shared past joys they had almost forgotten and regaled each other of their hard won battle victories. It was a simple meal, but like all good meals it filled more than their hunger, it filled their souls. These twelve were from all walks of life and they were about to raise their blades against the lord of the city and the devilish conspirators that held him in thrall. Victory would not be certain but for now they knew no fear; only confidence that this was the right thing to do. --- The furniture had been moved up against the walls and most of the conspirators had been asked to wait elsewhere in the house to make room for two more guests. Curious, the conspirators choose to wait in the hallway as Captain Jared sat quietly in the main room, offering prayers to Sarath, His angels, and His saints. Kellron and Dax Rusuk (he offered no rank for this mission) watched on and offered their own supporting prayers. Watching from the hallway it seemed as if a long time passed as they watched the three men offer up prayers and liturgy. Boredom did not have time to set in however as even the still air seemed to be anticipating something momentous. Almost without warning, Jared’s prayers ceased and he threw his arms wide. At that exact moment he was engulfed by a halo of blue and white light. Jared’s voice thundered through the house. “General Markon! I ask for the Intercessor! What belongs to the Defender and the Defender’s Own has been taken and a battle is required to win them back!” It was dramatic. By rights a lightning bolt should have cleaved the air. That did not happen. The halo about Jared died away and the electric stillness in the air seemed to drain away. Then the angel appeared. Nine feet tall with skin the color of the sea and no hair to blemish his head, Markon the Intercessor, a General to one of Sarath’s armies, filled the room as if he had always been standing there. His visage was calm and wise and strong. Clad in golden armor with a large sword belted to his waist the angel looked about, pulling his feathered wings close about him to give others room. Those closest to the angel could see that his feet did not touch the floor. The Intercessor had only rarely been called to stride the earth. His was normally the role of guidance and tactics for those still living. Gazing into the souls of all within the house, the Intercessor finally turned to the one had called to him. Lieutenant Jared saluted smartly. “Sir. I respectfully wish to withhold the briefing until I call upon your sword brother, Arvon of the Celestial Host.” The Intercessor had experienced surprise before; but it had been centuries since a mortal cleric had surprised him thusly. Strictly speaking the briefing should be held immediately as the General had other matters to attend to; but strictly speaking the situation was extraordinary. The angel nodded his assent gravely and stepped aside to make room for his sword brother. Again, Jared took up his prayers, this time under the watchful eye of the Intercessor who neither aided nor hindered the effort. Now was not the time. Shortly, the little house in an out of the way neighborhood of Corlean was graced by the presence of two angelic planetars of Sarath’s celestial host as near alike to each other that they could be twins. General Markon, Arvon, I ask aide in today’s battles.” He turned to face the Intercessor. “General Markon please attend myself, Kellron, Jallarzi, and Kestral. We plan to go to the Ducal Palace, free the Duke, and kill or drive off the High Priest of Tresh and his allies. Too many people are charmed however and we wish to keep casualties to a minimum.” Jared then turned to the other planetar. “Arvon, Rusuk Dax and his team will attempt to free Priestess Raptoran and our own Colonel Megara. They are both in the hands of a criminal that has allied himself with the Treshans and the illithid. We fear that they may be slain out of spite before we can free them and wish your aide in preventing that.” Jared looked to the angels. “Will you help?” There was a long pause and then the angels turned about, their heavy gaze resting upon each person in the household; the simple wood and stone construction no barrier to their sight. Reaching a silent accord the planetars again faced the priest who had asked for their aide. It was the Intercessor who spoke. “Your cause is just and righteous. Your allies, while of questionable morality, are true to you; however you have dared to summon such might that has not been seen within the Empire for centuries. Are your tasks worth so much to you?” Jared nodded. “They are. We would sacrifice much to see them accomplished.” The Intercessor returned the nod. “Very well; hear then the conditions of our aide. Our fight is not with, and will not be with, mortals. We will not raise sword or hand against any mortal within this city; Sarath does not war upon his own. We will not be seen by any within the city except that we manifest in battle.” As the Intercessor fell silent, Arvon began to speak. “We [i]will[/i] raise arms against all creatures not of this world and will render such bolstering help that our skills allow. If the battle goes ill then we will also aide in escape.” The angel paused for a moment. “Are these conditions acceptable?” Jared grimaced only slightly; he had hoped for more but was glad for any aide. “It is.” “Then hear our final condition;” continued Arvon. “Both of us have duties elsewhere and your callings have hampered our preparations of a coming battle. We will help you for this day but in return you will owe us a day of your own sword arm. In three weeks time there will be a stand against the hordes of the Abyss and we require that a small portal located deep in the Gray Realm** be guarded. If this portal is taken then the hordes could use it for a flanking maneuver. Will you aide us as we will aide you?” Jared glanced over to Kellron, and then Jallarzi and Kestral. They all nodded. Jared turned back to the angels. “We will.” -- [i]*Heroes Feast **The Astral Plane[/i] [/QUOTE]
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