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Shadows of Greatness, a Forgotten Realms campaign UPDATED February 1, 2008
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<blockquote data-quote="sniffles" data-source="post: 3831784" data-attributes="member: 30035"><p><strong>Danger at the Dinner Table</strong></p><p></p><p>Following this recognition, I found it difficult to keep my mind on the dinner conversation or on my food. Nor could I keep my gaze from straying to Osaze as he passed along the opposite side of the broad table. Baran reminded us on more than one occasion to be wary of attracting the Caliph's attention, but my interest would not be denied. My task was made more difficult by the indifference of my neighbors, who appeared to elect to converse with one another mind-to-mind rather than speak to me or my friends.</p><p></p><p>Osaze bowed deeply to the Caliph, then moved to serve the individual seated nearest his position. It appeared to me that Osaze was most pleased to be acting as a mere table servant to the efreet. He behaved as though this occupation gave him the utmost contentment. I have never before seen a man who seemed so at peace.</p><p></p><p> But he spoke no word as he conducted his service, merely smiling and nodding when Liadan addressed him, and gesturing toward her silver hair to indicate his recognition of her relation to Covenant. </p><p></p><p>After some little while of this silent acknowledgement by Osaze, the Caliph appeared irritated. For a moment I wondered if perhaps Osaze's silence was by his own choice, to teach the Caliph a salutary lesson in self-restraint. The Caliph, with growing ire, berated Osaze for mistreating his guests, though I could not see how his behavior could be interpreted thus. The efreet threatened then to have the holy man beaten for impertinence.</p><p></p><p>I felt the eyes of many of the guests upon us at that point, and a strained silence descended upon the table. The Caliph seemed most displeased with Osaze, and perhaps somewhat disappointed, as though something did not meet his expectations. Then two guards began to approach Osaze.</p><p></p><p>Liadan rose, bowing politely toward the Caliph. Prince Jafar spoke to the Caliph, remarking that the Caliph's behavior was upsetting his guests. Liadan bowed once again and resumed her seat. I began to suspect that the Caliph was a being who could not master his own feelings and let his subjects suffer his whims. </p><p></p><p>Phaereteim glared at Liadan for a long moment with great distaste and a certain petulance. He then became most solicitous of us. He turned to Osaze and told him that he removed all geases and restrictions from the holy man, asking Osaze, "Am I not generous?"</p><p></p><p>To this Osaze replied, "A farmer who gives a sheep to a neighbor whose flock he has slain is not generous. Yet he has still done the right thing." </p><p></p><p>The Caliph glared at Osaze for a moment, then turned to look toward my friends and I. He told us that he saw no danger in permitting us to leave, and that we should conclude our business and depart before it became inconvenient. He gave us his permission to ask our questions of Osaze.</p><p></p><p>Though I was troubled by the thought of being obliged to speak with him in such a public manner, Liadan did not appear to suffer such fears. As soon as Osaze indicated that he was now able to converse with us, Liadan explained to him that Covenant and his companions had not been heard from for half a year, and we wished to gain access to her father's journal to learn more of what it was that he sought and why.</p><p></p><p> [sblock] Devo: "Osaze says he's glad to meet the daughter of his best friend."</p><p> Hedrin: "I was wondering if he'd know."</p><p> Devo: "It's the hair."</p><p> Zora: "And her father's propensity for fooling around with women."</p><p> patv: "That diary is really a little black book."[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Osaze then replied that Liadan should be capable of accessing the journal in the same manner that her father could. She explained to him that we had already seen Madu el Barake but had not been able to view the journal. Osaze held her hands for a brief moment and told her that she should now be able to reach the journal.</p><p></p><p>The conversation then turned to information that Osaze would have given to Covenant had they met before Covenant's departure to seek the dragon. He told us that in the history of the Gauntlet of Dawn, it had been charged with energy of light by a Soldier of Light, which we knew to be how certain servants of Elishar are called - Nekaya-Re is one such servant herself. As it seems Osaze is also. </p><p></p><p>Nekaya-Re then told him of the old blind man we had encountered in Arrabar, who is also such a servant of Elishar. When Osaze had heard this he was pleased that the old man still lived. </p><p></p><p>He then imparted to us a verse which he had learned, which may be of import to Covenant's quest. I transcribe it here:</p><p></p><p><em>Four of blood</em></p><p><em>One of sight</em></p><p><em>Did fill the dawn</em></p><p><em>In all sun's light</em></p><p></p><p>He explained that the Gauntlet might also be filled with light by gods of light such as Re-Harakhty or Lathander himself. Nekaya-Re told him briefly of our visit to the Twelve Hours of Night. Osaze then recounted to us that according to a story he had discovered, the Gauntlet is bound to a chain, or a chain to the Gauntlet, though he can make little of this information at present. </p><p></p><p>He was even more perplexed by another passage, which he told us he believed we would use ourselves rather than seeking to pass it on to Covenant.</p><p></p><p><em>Three hands against the Shadows</em></p><p><em>Who strike from below against heart and magic</em></p><p><em>Stand still, locked away with a terrible purpose</em></p><p><em>Defending the dread not-sword</em></p><p><em>From gate's opening and triumphant return.</em></p><p></p><p>He emphasized carefully that the words he spoke were "dread not-sword" and not, as we had previously heard, Sword of the Dreadnaught. This was quite a revelation to all of us. As I considered this, Osaze told us that Covenant's quest had become far more important with the rising of the Shadows such as those we had encountered in Arrabar.</p><p></p><p>[sblock]Zora: "Okay, so it says, 'blah blah against we're boned, blah blah, we'll never understand this, blah blah blah boned screwed we're so boned blah blah.'"</p><p></p><p>Devo: "Osaze says, 'Your father is a great man. What he did, he did for the light.'"</p><p>patv: "That's what he tells all his girlfriends."[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Liadan explained to Osaze that we next intend to visit the dragon to determine what has become of Covenant and his companions. Osaze warned us that the dragon would not be pleased with visitors. He then wished us good fortune in our endeavor, and turned toward the Caliph as though listening to something, though the efreet did not speak aloud.</p><p></p><p>It became apparent that our conversation was at an end. Our fellow guests began to converse more freely, though they had returned to speaking in their native tongue. Their glances often turned toward my companions and I with greater interest than they had previously shown, but they did not address their words to us.</p><p></p><p>I found the remainder of the dinner unnerving, for the Caliph continued to watch us with great interest, smiling to himself in a manner that disturbed me. I attempted to distract myself from my discomfort by listening to the tales of the only female efreet seated there, an adventuress of some sort who had been invited to dine after having presented some ancient relic to the Caliph. I pray that my friends will never let me prate on so about my own deeds.</p><p></p><p>Osaze made one more circuit of the table before we parted, and I spoke with him briefly of my beloved Erendis, whom he knows. I confessed to him then that I feared I should not see her again until we meet in the halls of Arvandor. His faith heartened me. </p><p></p><p>We took our leave when the other guests retired to another room to hear an epic poem recited. Once we had returned to the rooms where Pakkin awaited us, we prepared the gem to be sent to Prince Jafar - though Baran was doubtful that it was wise for us to give the gem to the prince, wondering if perhaps it might serve us in some future endeavor. But we had made an agreement to present the gem to Jafar, and I agreed with Liadan that perhaps his good will might also serve us in some future endeavor.</p><p></p><p>We dressed in our ordinary garments and prepared to leave the palace, resolving to return to the inn, gather our possessions, and make our departure from the city with all speed. But before we could make our exit from the palace we were approached by one of Lord Fwaash's associates seeking an audience. </p><p></p><p>The salamander offered us a different means of egress from the Caliph's lands: safe passage through the Plane of Fire. But he sought for us first to listen to an offer of employment.</p><p></p><p> [sblock] Devo: "The salamander offers you safe passage through the Plane of Fire."</p><p> sniffles: "But at what price?"</p><p> Devo: "He'd like you to attend a meeting."</p><p> Hedrin: "He has these condominiums he'd like to talk to us about…"[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Though we were concerned that the capricious Caliph might send his men in pursuit of us, we declined the salamander's offer. As Liadan described it wisely, we feared that our philosophy and theirs would come into conflict. The salamander insisted that this would not be the case, but we none of us felt comfortable accepting service among the creatures of Fire. Liadan bluntly told the salamander that we did not trust his kind, thanked Lord Fwaash for his offer, and the discussion was ended.</p><p></p><p>When we had given the gem to a servant to deliver to Jafar, we left the palace. Many eyes seemed to follow us as we made our way to the gate. It appeared to me that the number of guards had increased, but they made no move to delay us. I wished greatly that I was astride Aratan, speeding out of the city at a full gallop.</p><p></p><p>Despite our apprehension, when one of the djanni approached us we paused to speak with him. He asked us if we needed a carriage, then told us where we could meet two carriages a short distance away. The wait seemed long, but no one approached us as we waited and after a time the carriages did arrive to carry us to the lower city. </p><p></p><p> As we arrived at the inn, Baran employed his ability to contact others over long distance to notify Khai that we would be returning to him. We arranged to meet him where we had last seen him. Though it was night, we nonetheless bade the innkeeper farewell. He had already prepared our belongings for our departure. </p><p></p><p>We asked that the carriages carry us to the edge of the city and proceeded steadily toward the field of fiery pillars. Erim prepared us to resist the rigors of the desert by cloaking us all in an enchantment to protect us from flames. I felt a sense of comfort beneath the light of the moons, though only the red moon was fully in view, casting a blood-tinged light upon the shifting sands.</p><p></p><p>As the pillars of flame drew nearer, Baran heard something approaching from behind us. </p><p></p><p> [sblock]Zora: "Now I roll crap!"</p><p> sniffles: "Don't roll crap - roll dice, please."[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Twenty efreet flew toward us, garbed as soldiers. They surrounded us. The dark sands lit with the sun's rays as Sunshine emerged from within Nekaya-Re's bag. Nekaya-Re called out to them, asking why they approached us. </p><p></p><p>The efreeti began shouting and brandishing their halberds, obviously attempting to cow us. They began to fire bolts of flame at us. We stood our ground, declining to engage them - though in truth we were not well-equipped for combating flying creatures. Fortunately Erim's spell meant that their flaming bolts did us no harm.</p><p></p><p>After a few moments, we turned away without response and continued our journey. We proceeded without haste, ignoring the efreeti and their taunts. Baran encouraged us to stay close to him and I felt a sense of inner strength from my friend that fortified my resolve. </p><p></p><p>Our pursuers were evidently satisfied that we were leaving and lost interest in attempting to attack us. But they continued to follow us for a short time, until we had almost entered the field of pillars. Then they ceased following and returned to the city. </p><p></p><p>Baran was able to use our previous experience among the pillars to best advantage and we passed among them with relative ease, dodging the attacks of the obsidian pillars and their flaming neighbors and avoiding the gusts of wind that threatened to carry us off. It was not long before we found Khai awaiting us at the peak of a dune. </p><p></p><p>Praise Corellon, now we may continue to seek my beloved.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="sniffles, post: 3831784, member: 30035"] [b]Danger at the Dinner Table[/b] Following this recognition, I found it difficult to keep my mind on the dinner conversation or on my food. Nor could I keep my gaze from straying to Osaze as he passed along the opposite side of the broad table. Baran reminded us on more than one occasion to be wary of attracting the Caliph's attention, but my interest would not be denied. My task was made more difficult by the indifference of my neighbors, who appeared to elect to converse with one another mind-to-mind rather than speak to me or my friends. Osaze bowed deeply to the Caliph, then moved to serve the individual seated nearest his position. It appeared to me that Osaze was most pleased to be acting as a mere table servant to the efreet. He behaved as though this occupation gave him the utmost contentment. I have never before seen a man who seemed so at peace. But he spoke no word as he conducted his service, merely smiling and nodding when Liadan addressed him, and gesturing toward her silver hair to indicate his recognition of her relation to Covenant. After some little while of this silent acknowledgement by Osaze, the Caliph appeared irritated. For a moment I wondered if perhaps Osaze's silence was by his own choice, to teach the Caliph a salutary lesson in self-restraint. The Caliph, with growing ire, berated Osaze for mistreating his guests, though I could not see how his behavior could be interpreted thus. The efreet threatened then to have the holy man beaten for impertinence. I felt the eyes of many of the guests upon us at that point, and a strained silence descended upon the table. The Caliph seemed most displeased with Osaze, and perhaps somewhat disappointed, as though something did not meet his expectations. Then two guards began to approach Osaze. Liadan rose, bowing politely toward the Caliph. Prince Jafar spoke to the Caliph, remarking that the Caliph's behavior was upsetting his guests. Liadan bowed once again and resumed her seat. I began to suspect that the Caliph was a being who could not master his own feelings and let his subjects suffer his whims. Phaereteim glared at Liadan for a long moment with great distaste and a certain petulance. He then became most solicitous of us. He turned to Osaze and told him that he removed all geases and restrictions from the holy man, asking Osaze, "Am I not generous?" To this Osaze replied, "A farmer who gives a sheep to a neighbor whose flock he has slain is not generous. Yet he has still done the right thing." The Caliph glared at Osaze for a moment, then turned to look toward my friends and I. He told us that he saw no danger in permitting us to leave, and that we should conclude our business and depart before it became inconvenient. He gave us his permission to ask our questions of Osaze. Though I was troubled by the thought of being obliged to speak with him in such a public manner, Liadan did not appear to suffer such fears. As soon as Osaze indicated that he was now able to converse with us, Liadan explained to him that Covenant and his companions had not been heard from for half a year, and we wished to gain access to her father's journal to learn more of what it was that he sought and why. [sblock] Devo: "Osaze says he's glad to meet the daughter of his best friend." Hedrin: "I was wondering if he'd know." Devo: "It's the hair." Zora: "And her father's propensity for fooling around with women." patv: "That diary is really a little black book."[/sblock] Osaze then replied that Liadan should be capable of accessing the journal in the same manner that her father could. She explained to him that we had already seen Madu el Barake but had not been able to view the journal. Osaze held her hands for a brief moment and told her that she should now be able to reach the journal. The conversation then turned to information that Osaze would have given to Covenant had they met before Covenant's departure to seek the dragon. He told us that in the history of the Gauntlet of Dawn, it had been charged with energy of light by a Soldier of Light, which we knew to be how certain servants of Elishar are called - Nekaya-Re is one such servant herself. As it seems Osaze is also. Nekaya-Re then told him of the old blind man we had encountered in Arrabar, who is also such a servant of Elishar. When Osaze had heard this he was pleased that the old man still lived. He then imparted to us a verse which he had learned, which may be of import to Covenant's quest. I transcribe it here: [I]Four of blood One of sight Did fill the dawn In all sun's light[/I] He explained that the Gauntlet might also be filled with light by gods of light such as Re-Harakhty or Lathander himself. Nekaya-Re told him briefly of our visit to the Twelve Hours of Night. Osaze then recounted to us that according to a story he had discovered, the Gauntlet is bound to a chain, or a chain to the Gauntlet, though he can make little of this information at present. He was even more perplexed by another passage, which he told us he believed we would use ourselves rather than seeking to pass it on to Covenant. [I]Three hands against the Shadows Who strike from below against heart and magic Stand still, locked away with a terrible purpose Defending the dread not-sword From gate's opening and triumphant return.[/I] He emphasized carefully that the words he spoke were "dread not-sword" and not, as we had previously heard, Sword of the Dreadnaught. This was quite a revelation to all of us. As I considered this, Osaze told us that Covenant's quest had become far more important with the rising of the Shadows such as those we had encountered in Arrabar. [sblock]Zora: "Okay, so it says, 'blah blah against we're boned, blah blah, we'll never understand this, blah blah blah boned screwed we're so boned blah blah.'" Devo: "Osaze says, 'Your father is a great man. What he did, he did for the light.'" patv: "That's what he tells all his girlfriends."[/sblock] Liadan explained to Osaze that we next intend to visit the dragon to determine what has become of Covenant and his companions. Osaze warned us that the dragon would not be pleased with visitors. He then wished us good fortune in our endeavor, and turned toward the Caliph as though listening to something, though the efreet did not speak aloud. It became apparent that our conversation was at an end. Our fellow guests began to converse more freely, though they had returned to speaking in their native tongue. Their glances often turned toward my companions and I with greater interest than they had previously shown, but they did not address their words to us. I found the remainder of the dinner unnerving, for the Caliph continued to watch us with great interest, smiling to himself in a manner that disturbed me. I attempted to distract myself from my discomfort by listening to the tales of the only female efreet seated there, an adventuress of some sort who had been invited to dine after having presented some ancient relic to the Caliph. I pray that my friends will never let me prate on so about my own deeds. Osaze made one more circuit of the table before we parted, and I spoke with him briefly of my beloved Erendis, whom he knows. I confessed to him then that I feared I should not see her again until we meet in the halls of Arvandor. His faith heartened me. We took our leave when the other guests retired to another room to hear an epic poem recited. Once we had returned to the rooms where Pakkin awaited us, we prepared the gem to be sent to Prince Jafar - though Baran was doubtful that it was wise for us to give the gem to the prince, wondering if perhaps it might serve us in some future endeavor. But we had made an agreement to present the gem to Jafar, and I agreed with Liadan that perhaps his good will might also serve us in some future endeavor. We dressed in our ordinary garments and prepared to leave the palace, resolving to return to the inn, gather our possessions, and make our departure from the city with all speed. But before we could make our exit from the palace we were approached by one of Lord Fwaash's associates seeking an audience. The salamander offered us a different means of egress from the Caliph's lands: safe passage through the Plane of Fire. But he sought for us first to listen to an offer of employment. [sblock] Devo: "The salamander offers you safe passage through the Plane of Fire." sniffles: "But at what price?" Devo: "He'd like you to attend a meeting." Hedrin: "He has these condominiums he'd like to talk to us about…"[/sblock] Though we were concerned that the capricious Caliph might send his men in pursuit of us, we declined the salamander's offer. As Liadan described it wisely, we feared that our philosophy and theirs would come into conflict. The salamander insisted that this would not be the case, but we none of us felt comfortable accepting service among the creatures of Fire. Liadan bluntly told the salamander that we did not trust his kind, thanked Lord Fwaash for his offer, and the discussion was ended. When we had given the gem to a servant to deliver to Jafar, we left the palace. Many eyes seemed to follow us as we made our way to the gate. It appeared to me that the number of guards had increased, but they made no move to delay us. I wished greatly that I was astride Aratan, speeding out of the city at a full gallop. Despite our apprehension, when one of the djanni approached us we paused to speak with him. He asked us if we needed a carriage, then told us where we could meet two carriages a short distance away. The wait seemed long, but no one approached us as we waited and after a time the carriages did arrive to carry us to the lower city. As we arrived at the inn, Baran employed his ability to contact others over long distance to notify Khai that we would be returning to him. We arranged to meet him where we had last seen him. Though it was night, we nonetheless bade the innkeeper farewell. He had already prepared our belongings for our departure. We asked that the carriages carry us to the edge of the city and proceeded steadily toward the field of fiery pillars. Erim prepared us to resist the rigors of the desert by cloaking us all in an enchantment to protect us from flames. I felt a sense of comfort beneath the light of the moons, though only the red moon was fully in view, casting a blood-tinged light upon the shifting sands. As the pillars of flame drew nearer, Baran heard something approaching from behind us. [sblock]Zora: "Now I roll crap!" sniffles: "Don't roll crap - roll dice, please."[/sblock] Twenty efreet flew toward us, garbed as soldiers. They surrounded us. The dark sands lit with the sun's rays as Sunshine emerged from within Nekaya-Re's bag. Nekaya-Re called out to them, asking why they approached us. The efreeti began shouting and brandishing their halberds, obviously attempting to cow us. They began to fire bolts of flame at us. We stood our ground, declining to engage them - though in truth we were not well-equipped for combating flying creatures. Fortunately Erim's spell meant that their flaming bolts did us no harm. After a few moments, we turned away without response and continued our journey. We proceeded without haste, ignoring the efreeti and their taunts. Baran encouraged us to stay close to him and I felt a sense of inner strength from my friend that fortified my resolve. Our pursuers were evidently satisfied that we were leaving and lost interest in attempting to attack us. But they continued to follow us for a short time, until we had almost entered the field of pillars. Then they ceased following and returned to the city. Baran was able to use our previous experience among the pillars to best advantage and we passed among them with relative ease, dodging the attacks of the obsidian pillars and their flaming neighbors and avoiding the gusts of wind that threatened to carry us off. It was not long before we found Khai awaiting us at the peak of a dune. Praise Corellon, now we may continue to seek my beloved. [/QUOTE]
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