The Four Lands - The Great North

[Canaan]

Jaroth

Smiles.

Mortals do not summon gods. They either come when invoked or they don't. Summoning implies some kind of control over them.

You said yourself, the storm was NOT of your making, there is no need for you to take the blame for it or any effect that followed. If anything, you should take credit because you, by taking considerable personal risk because it was beyond your power, saved your companions.

After you rest and have time to reflect on it you'll see there is nothing to feel guilty about.

Jaroth smiles warmly at Vorian and nods his head. "You are too kind."

Looking around he notes Vadric's unease.

"Whatever happened up there, it drove away the dark and left the servants of the Light alive. The booming voice emanated from a being that called himself Zephyr. When the Darkness of the combined might of the Drakarian spellcasters proved too much for me, I became desperate. Calling on an ancient form of magic, I invoked the spirits of the World to aid me. That's when Zephyr appeared. With his appearance came a tenfold increase in the intensity of the storm. He called himself a god and he felt like a god. I pleaded with him to spare you, explaining that it was the Drakarians who summoned the storm and who were tainting it with their dark magics. But after he dealt with the Drakarians, the winds would not abate. I tried to wrestle control of them from him. That's when I passed out and had my visions..."

 

[ethandrew]

Kellson flashes a disarming smile, "I actually was drawn here before the storm, and mostly it was people, since I've been alone a while, but then I saw those dark folk sneaking and attacking your tent area. I thought you'd need help since it was clear you guys are good and they are bad, in the basic way, you know? But then the storm came and I jumped away, like I said. About where I come from and my family..." He pauses, subconsciously grabbing at the chain around his neck before he continues.

"I really don't know too much. It seems like a cliché, and I hate it, but I have no recollection of things prior to about a year ago. But yeah, I came to in Kell. You heard of it? Obviously that's where my name comes from. Kell, Son, son of Kell. I don't actually know what my name is, and everything was just too overwhelming down there, so I booked passage up North, to see where my feet would take me, looking for life and adventure. Looks like I found something good, eh? An Elder God? Didn't get much of that in Kell."

 

[Scotley]

Bertrand

"The road is a good place to find yourself and maybe if you are lucky a place to belong. I find that staying in one place too long doesn't agree with me. I'm happy to say that encounters with Elder Gods are not a common occurrence in the North either, but adventure, well I can tell you there is an abundance of that."

 

[Rhun]

It is clear from the discussion of flame blasts, elder gods, and dark magic that Vadric is becoming more and more uneasy as the conversation continues. Standing, he gathers his gear and excuses himself from the company. "Please forgive me, but I find myself in need of some air." He nods to all present, and exits the tent for the cove.

 

[Canaan]

Jaroth

Jaroth nods at Vadric and watches him go, clearly wanting to go after him to explain, but knowing that he is the last person Vadric would want to listen to under the circumstances.

He looks around the table at the others.

"Perhaps, I've said too much. If you'll excuse me, I'll retire to one of antechambers."

He gets up and leaves.

[sblock=for DM] Jaroth will take this time to write down everything that has happened on the boat and subsequently, including the appearance of Zephyr on the prime and the circumstances surrounding that event. His notes will include the names and detailed physical and personality descriptions of his traveling companaions as well. He will place his notes in his Rosewood box and whisper the incantation to send them to his Order. In his notes, he will explain that he intends to journey to the Keep to deliver the book to the Order for safe keeping and he will seek guidance from the Council. [/sblock]

 

[Rhun]

Once outside, Vadric takes a deep breath of the cool air. With a small sigh, he wonders down to the beach. Again thrusting his blade into the ground before him, he kneels, hands upon the quillons of Warsong's crossguard, and begins to pray, asking the Light for guidance in these difficult times.

 

[Dracomeander]

Finnian listens intently to Kellson's tale and Jaroth's explanation obviously mentally noting the pertinent points. He watches the others to see how they are reacting to the tales. As Vadric exits and Jaroth retires, Finnian speaks up again.

"Relax Jaroth. The Church and its knights know that the elder ones are still around. It's just seldom that they have such concrete proof put before them. We know you work toward the greater good. It will just take Vadric some time to find his mental balance again."

Finnian then turns back to Kellson.

"How sad to have lost self and family like that. But rest assured, if you are truly a son of Kell, then you have found yourself among friends. I myself enjoyed the time I spent studying in Kell. The masters there are quite adept at helping others discover the gifts the Light has bestowed upon one.

"As for the dangers we face, our company is blessed to have such stalwart champions of the Light to help keep the darkness at bay. Give yourself a chance to discover your inner strength, and I'm sure you will prove to be far more capable of pushing back the darkness than even you believe at this time."

 

[Rath Lorien]

Anniston assumes a contemplative manner at Jaroth's announcement and remains quietly reflective during lunch, though he seems to enjoy the banter as the party begins to familiarize themselves with one another. He makes no comment as Vadric and Jaroth excuse themselves from the table. After a few minutes Anniston smiles at those remaining at the table and excuses himself as well. "Rendee, you clearly have many talents and I thank you for this delicious lunch. It lightens my heart to know I shared this meal with friends."

Anniston goes out in front of the tent. He watches Vadric praying and takes the opportunity to reflect further on his own thoughts. In time he approaches his friend and speaks when it seems appropriate to do so.

"Vadric, I hope I do not disturb you. We find ourselves in a difficult situation and our path is full of shadows. On the one hand the evil of the cult is clear. Our friend Jaroth is an enemy of our enemy, but I fear he is unaware that the forces he wields are drawing him further from the light, no closer. He desires the Light, but he has much to learn and he needs us."

"If this Zepher is in fact one of the elder powers -- and I have no reason to believe that it is not -- then we are in great peril. I do not have to tell you that the elder powers that did not join to become the Light cannot be trusted. As it has been revealed to the Holy Church, it is only in the sacrifice of becomming one with the Light that the gods were sanctified, and only through the Light of their sacrifice that we men might be made righteous. You know that the elder powers who did not submit to the purification of the Light are lost and unable to reconcile themselves to the Light. They are not all evil, but they will never be one with the Light and in the end they can only be defeated as the prophets have foretold. But these powers do not go willingly into oblivion. They are unable to join the Light, yet they rage against the dark. In the end they can only destroy what they had hoped to save. All these things you know. I say it because Jaroth needs us and we must not abandon him. The Light yet illuminates his path. We must pray that he will see it, for the alternative is to let him slide into darkness. Do not dispair, the Light has called us here and for that there is reason for hope."

 

[Neurotic]

Vorian

OOC: as no one said what healing they took Vorian heals 24 hit pts to Anniston who is only one that asked.

As I said, Kellson, it is not my intention to offend. I'm ready to answer any and all questions that you all might pose about me and would find that only prudent not offensive. I'm sorry for your loss. You are welcome in our company indicates himself and Arrwuh and I'd say all others agree.

To Finnian: As I said, I'm here scouting and mapping the area. I have some personal business here as well and unique knowledge among the knights who are more oriented toward units with scouts and everything then toward being alone for extended periods in wilderness. As far as why the storm attracted me, it was obviously unnatural and thus product of spellcasting. Group of riders that rides in the same direction only chinched it. I sent Arrwuh after one company and hurried here, third part by neccessity ignored. When I arrived I saw spellcasters and warriors arrayed against people with markings of the Light. It wasn't really hard choice to make.

 

[Rhun]

Vadric listens to his friend, nodding as Anniston speaks. "It is our duty to stand against the dark tide. The Light is not only our calling, but our weapon. Through faith may the darkness be defeated. Jaroth certainly needs out help, of that I have no doubt." The cleric scratches at the stubble growing upon his chin as he ponders. "I fear that the line he walks between Light and Dark is liken to a razor's edge. One small misstep, and he could fall." The cleric places his hand upon his companions shoulder and offers a small smile. "It is our job to ensure that doesn't happen. And we must keep our eye on these newcomers as well. One has stated that he wields arcane energies, and that worries me. Heresy comes in many forms, and the Dark can hide many things. We must be vigilant, my friend."