Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="primemover003" data-source="post: 3948754" data-attributes="member: 11293">A Factol's Plea...Just before Anti-peak that question was answered as the wiry Duklar, his new friend Yark, and Horny the Minotaur arrived.  Even though the hour was very late the assembled members of the Sword were led up to the Speaker’s Podium where Factol Darius awaited them.  The Factol of the Signers was a handsome woman in her late forties, tall and olive skinned.  She stood before them on the podium, her poised and commanding presence a palpable thing.“Welcome Heroes.  I know you have many questions as to why I have summoned you here and I shall address them shortly.”  The Factol took a moment to look at each of them in turn before continuing.  “I have been dreaming of your faces,” she said.  “I Dream of you, standing against a terrible, growing evil.  A savage tide that threatens to drown all I have worked to accomplish for so many years.”  Darius’ eyes were unfocused as she spoke, looking off into some unknown distance, but her voice was strong and pulled at the listeners before her.  The Factol pulled herself back and focused on the moment.  “I have asked you here because you are known as fiend slayers.  Each of you is a mighty warrior of goodness, a champion of right.”  She pounded her fist on the wood of the podium.  “I have need of such warriors as you.”Sir Lucien was the first to speak, “My Lady how can we help you?”Darius motioned to her aides who brought forth charts and maps of a small fortified settlement and two small coffers.  “I ask you to travel to the Wilderness of the Beastlands and there defend the colony of Farshore from demonic assault.  I have foreseen portents and omens that forces led and supported by the Tanar’ri are targeting our Faction’s holdings.  I fear they also aim to abduct my daughter Lavinia who leads the mission there.  Your expedition shall take you into a remote region of the Beastlands known as the Forbidden Plateau which is a wondrous and deadly place.”“Why are demons targeting you Factol,” asked the Constable.  “Why attack such a remote outpost on an Upper Plane?”Factol Darius asked if anyone had heard of the tanar’ri Za’rafas.  The Harmonium soldier nodded, “He was a general who staged a feint through the Outlands nearly two decades ago.”  The Signer continued, “I see the Unity of Rings in this.  I was instrumental in the defeat of this tanar’ri who was favored of his demonic lord.  This is a personal vendetta against me, but one that would tear my great Faction apart.  I beg of you to help me defend my people and my daughter.”Sir Lucien looked around at his companions, “My Lady I’m sure I can speak for all and say we would help you against the foul tanar’ri.  We love nothing more than ridding the multiverse of that accursed breed, but have you no forces you can send to aid the colony?”  The Factol stepped down from her podium and closed with the adventurers.  “My Faction is not a martial organization.  We do not have a military arm like some others within the Cage.  We are politicians, diplomats, and counselors.  As such I have no troops to spare or send.  The colony has a small militia, but we never anticipated an attack such as I have seen in my visions.  My daughter fancies herself a swordswoman and may resent my meddling.”  The Factol handed them a strand of crystal beads from her wrist, "Give these to her as proof of my sending you."The Factol's aides unfurled the maps and charts of the colony and its surroundings for the adventurers to study.  Farshore sat on a small island in the midst of the River Oceanus near the Forbidden Plateau.  According to it’ charter the mission of the colony was to study the remnants of a ancient Pantheon's fallen realm that littered the region and to collect natural resources for trade such as exotic spices, rare botanicals, and select timber.  Duklar and Horny looked at each other when the last portion of the charter was read.  "Don't think the Wylders would take too keenly to harvesting timbre, eh Bull?"  The big Minotaur nodded in agreement but added, "They'd be more offended if the Signers were fool enough to trap fur."  The tiefling shrugged and then whispered, "Bet those resources would pull in a pile of jink if a proper trade route could be run to them.  Just think of the market for Arborean goods, this could rival that depending on what the Signers have discovered."  The wiry scout then asked aloud, "So how do we get there?"Factol Darius looked at the group and decided they would aid her cause.  "There is no direct route for the moment," she stated.  "The Forbidden Plateau is one of the most remote regions of Krigala.  While the River Oceanus flows near the Plateau, its path seems to change erratically.  One can navigate it but only from within the Beastlands itself.  Our planar cartographers have not yet ascertained the reason or methodology of it, but soon enough the power of our Belief will guide us from more distant points like Elysium or Arborea."  Her Factions goal plot the great planar river's course through the power of their "Imagining" was a massive undertaking.  Darius' confidence in her Faction's philosophy was impressive.  "However until that feat is achieved the fastest route to Farshore is by way of the Gatetown, Faunel on the Outlands.  A being called Wrath controls the Gate into the Beastlands.  A request to be allowed passage to Signpost is usually granted.  He is a stubborn one and trusts few, especially if he deems them too civilized."  What the Factol didn't tell them was Wrath didn’t trust her Factions intentions concerning the Forbidden Plateau.  The ornery Gatekeeper could transport them there directly if he didn't suspect them of working for her.  "From Signpost you could chart a course upriver to the colony."Sir Lucien nodded, confident he and companions would prevent the attack from succeeding.  Before he agreed to the Factols plea however Duklar spoke up.  "We like killing fiends and all, but some compensation might be in order.  Perhaps even a little up front, eh?"  Lucien frowned slightly at the mercenary nature of his companion, but the scout was right.  They did risk much to stop what sounded like a large demon backed raid.  And the journey itself was quite hazardous.  Factol Darius remained unperturbed by the request and in fact had expected it.  Only one of the band was a paladin after all!  "The journey to our colony is long and difficult and the request for aid is hazardous.  We can provide you with some assistance in getting there."  She motioned her aides to open the coffers they had brought out earlier revealing several scrolls, potion vials, and two wands.  "Here are magical remedies for disease, poison, extremes of climate, and healing.  In addition I will provide you the location of a permanent two-way Portal to Faunel and its key.  Certainly that is a valuable commodity here in the City of Doors."  The Factol waited as the Sword nodded their consent for her offer was generous.  She then added a final incentive.  "And should you save our Faction's holdings you will no doubt find its resources quite lucrative.  As a bonus I will grant you a share of its bounty."  Between the clerical magic items and the potential profits a trade route could generate Duklar found the deal to be sound.  "We're in."*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *The adventurers retired for the night choosing to start first thing the next morning.  Following the directions given to them by the Factol took them on a short jaunt through the Guildhall Ward to a health spa called the Other Place that catered mostly to members of the Transcendant Order, a Faction of doers and action oriented folk.  Thus when the band stepped through the door in fully armed and armored none of the staff or patrons were overly alarmed.  A pretty young maid greeted them, "Welcome good sirs.  What service may we provide you this day?"  Sir Lucien and Faltye took charge of the situation persuading the young attendant to give them a tour of the facility.  As they were lead through the Other Place they passed all manner of treatments for the mind, body, and spirit.  Massage parlors, saunas, and even pools of lava were seen as they passed through.  Coming into a communal courtyard Yark and Deek saw the baths through a changing area.  The quickly broke ranks and raced though the room seeking out a mudbath and the key to the portal they sought.  Yark plunged his hands into the greenish mud scooping up a sticky glop of the stuff.  Deek found the woman's bath, a large pool set in a marble basin nearly 20 feet wide.  Both Ragers jumped into the clear waters landing waist deep.  Woman clambered out of the pool screaming in fear, surprise, and sometimes just annoyance.  The rest of the Sword entered in the ensuing confusion.  A large clot of  mud in Yarks hands seeped out and landed in the pool fouling the water as it sunk to the bottom.  As the mud touched the bottom of the stone basin it opened the portal, a green beam of light erupting from the bottom.  Quickly the adventurers jumped through the open portal leaving the steamy bathhouse and appearing shin deep in a horsepond at the center of a ruined town.  Colorful tents, tree stands, the skeletons of stone buildings and nearby caves made up the only structures in Faunel.  Woodsman of all stripes went about their business paying the seven in the pond scant attention.  Standing at near the center of the pond sat a great stone head easily the size of a small house.  A snarling face with glowing blue eyes regarded the men in the pool.  The Sword approached the massive stone monolith hailing the Gatekeeper by name.  A deep resonant voice boomed in their heads, "I am Wrath.  Why do you seek passage into the Wilds?"  The Tymoran cleric stepped forward an addressed the stone faced inquisitor.  "I am Faltye Gainsborough and my companions are warriors seeking passage to prevent an invasion by demons within the Beastlands."  Wrath concentrated on those gathered before him sensing the auras of Chaos and Order among them, Goodness in most.  None radiated evil nor were any veiled in secrecy.  "Demons you say?  How is it you know this Luckseeker for I would know how fiends dare to trespass in the wild Heavens?"  Falyte chose his next words carefully heeding the warning given by Factol Darius of the beings suspicious nature.  "An auger foretold of the breach by forces led or supplied by the tanar'ri.  We seek to halt the incursion and preserve the sanctity of the great wilderness.  We ask for passage to Signpost and from there we travel Oceanus."  Wrath sensed there was some detail missing or excluded from the human's story but  believed the information accurate.  He had sensed a change in his connection with the Beastlands through the Gate.  Some great evil was abroad in the Wilds and it flitted just outside his consciousness.  He would send these warriors through and even recommended a river pilot he knew to be trustworthy.</blockquote>

Verification