Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ancalagon" data-source="post: 7199732" data-attributes="member: 23">Author's note: You may have noticed that there's a typo on the dates; specifically, there are two May 11th's. So every date needs to be advanced by one. I'll try to fix that later. May 12After traveling a short distance down the road, we realized that, in our weariness, we had forgotten to search the ogre and orcs. We decided to split up, with Finis and Taelsyn (who both travel much faster on horseback than we do in our wagon) going back to fetch whatever junk the orcs happened to be carrying, and Vladamir scouting ahead to warn us of danger. Vlad has a map, a copy of which I enclose. We decided not to follow the road to Dun Coba, instead cutting straight north from Bennan, crossing the road once, in order to shorten the journey. Splitting up was a good idea, or at least, it sounded like a good idea at the time.Finis and Taelsyn retrieved some items with no trouble, and Vlad encountered nothing unusual. Torin, Blades, and I were not so lucky. As we were riding along, Blades noticed something burrowing towards us. Torin tried to spur the horses on, but instead crashed the cart off the road. Before we could react, a Lomcor burst out of the ground. Having no choice, we fought a terrible fight against the creature. Although we won, Torin was grievously wounded. I did what I could, but we had to use up the goo from the clay jar (which turned out to have impressive healing properties).Taelsyn and Finis caught up with us, bringing a few tokens. One item interested me: they had a thick sheet of copper, with a spell inscribed on it! Why anyone would choose such an inconvenient substance, I can't imagine. Enchanted scroll paper is durable enough! I determined that it was a spell to ward off evil--not from one person, but from a 10 foot radius! The creator of the scroll must have been powerful indeed. I kept it, hoping I would not have to use it.By lunch time, we had come to the road again, after crossing the rolling hills so common in this region. After a quick meal, we were soon on our way again, and we made excellent time. We stopped for the night after some peaceful riding, and I carefully copied Vlad's map. I just noticed that I have taken to calling Vladamir "Vlad". I suppose we are all getting used to having him around, although he doesn't seem very interested in making conversation.May 13This morning I examined a vial that Taelsyn and Finis found on the orcs yesterday. It has a crack in it, and the slightly blue liquid, which smells of both alcohol and mint, is slowly leaking. I cleaned out the jar that had held the healing goo, and transferred the liquid to the jar. I have no idea what it does. Sometimes Prometheus withholds knowledge from us, because we may learn much about one thing, while trying to pursue knowledge of another. After all, I came here hoping to learn about the culture and customs of this land, but I have had the unexpected boon of learning about the ways of dwarves and elves as well. Is it not amazing how Prometheus leads us to knowledge, and we do not notice?After traveling a short distance, Vlad came running back, entreating us to be quiet. He said that he had spotted a group of at least forty orcs in the woods! We very carefully and quietly sneaked by them (Blades did not grumble so much this time).When we came upon the road again, we soon started seeing people, of increasing frequency and variety. At first there were just shepherds, but soon we saw merchants and farmers. The merchants were of every imaginable race. I wonder if this town of Dun Coba is always this busy, or if the crowds are just stopping by on their way to the fair at Duma Faifni.Much to our distress, Vlad determined that the Baroness Emain had already departed for Duma Faifni. Vlad suggested that we get fresh, faster horses and get underway quickly. We agreed, and found a place to meet later (Vlad hurried off to trade in our old horses and purchase new ones). After some discussion, we decided that, because horses are so outrageously expensive here, we should be prepared to help Vlad pay for horses; he could always pay us back when we had warned the Baroness (assuming some kind of reward would be forthcoming).Unfortunately, our funds were not very liquid, being contained in various valuable items and little actual coin. So we set out to find a jeweler, as well as collect the bounty for the orcs we had killed.We found a dwarf (who worked for a Cymbrian named Ossam) that seemed very interested in the orcish artifacts. We sold him that horrid statue, as well as 35 silver Klegoth coins, and a few other less interesting items we had picked up along the way. He asked us to bring any similar items we find directly to him. We agreed, and asked him for the name of a reputable jeweler or gemologist. He recommended one, and we had soon sold our gems, as well as collected the bounty for the orcs. We had so much money that we had to convert our bronze into gold! I hope that there is enough in my share to send another missive back to you.Back at our rendezvous point, we found that Vlad had purchased several fine horses. We set out on the road, with Dun Coba at our backs, as quickly as possible. I am becoming used to the constant stopping and starting that "adventuring" seems to require. Indeed, I've noticed that we have all been sharpening our skills since we started traveling together. My frail body can now channel more of Prometheus' light than when I set out; I hope that I am worthy of his gifts!All along the road were inns and taverns. After passing what we guessed to be the last one before the land became wild again, we stopped to camp. Taelsyn and Torin (what an odd pair!) walked back down the road a short distance to have a look at the last tavern we passed. They later told us that it had been filled with dwarves. I think it did Torin good to be with many of his own kind for a while. It will do me good to get some rest, so I now end today's writings.May 14thYou may find it difficult to believe the events of which I am about to tell you, but I swear to you that I do not lie. I can scarcely believe it myself. As you can tell from my handwriting, my hands are still shaking.This morning was no different from any other so far. We traveled without incident until the afternoon, when Vlad came back to tell us that he had learned of the location of the Baroness. She had stopped for the night at the keep of the Linden Tuatha, a local clan. The Linden tree is the symbol of the clan, but the clan has become weak as the Linden trees were slowly cut down or died off. Of course, we got there as quickly as we could. It started raining again, and it was night when we arrived at the gates of the small castle. We told Vlad to do the talking, since this was his idea. He seemed a little uncomfortable with that, but shouted for a guard anyway. He attempted to explain our situation, but seemed to be confusing the guard, so Taelsyn and I took over. The guard was concerned, and called for someone else. Soon a very portly man (apparently a priest of Dagda) waddled up and told us that everything was under control, and that the Baroness was in no danger. We pointed out to him that he had posted only two guards on the castle walls. He scoffed at us, and took his leave.Not sure what to do, we walked down the hill away from the castle. After some discussion, we decided that it would be wise for Taelsyn and Vlad (being our most stealthy party members) to sneak into the fortress and look around. I felt a little guilty about trespassing on their property, but a life was at stake! They scaled the castle wall with little difficulty. Some time later, they came back and said that the place was virtually unguarded. They had hung rope down the castle wall, and we all climbed up the wall, turned the rope to the other side, and climbed down into the courtyard, behind the stables. Again we sent Taelsyn and Vlad to scout ahead. They sneaked through a back door, into the center keep (there was both an outer keep and a smaller, inner keep). Again they came back, saying that there were no guards until the second floor. We guessed that they had probably at least taken the minor precaution of housing the baroness on the second floor or in a tower, and so we walked up the stairs. The only guard that Taelsyn had seen had left his post to move farther down the hallway. Unsure whether to charge him or use stealth, I suggested that I cloak Taelsyn in False Knowledge--a sanctuary spell. It would give us a little more time to look around before being forced to fight our way in. Prometheus must have been watching over me closely tonight, for the spell worked perfectly. Taelsyn walked right past the guard, who even stepped aside to give him more room to pass!We then heard the sound of a door opening, followed by Taelsyn wheezing "Gas!", and the sound of something hitting the floor. Deciding that Taelsyn was the something, Finis and I charged down the corridor, either to his rescue or our doom. Strangely, the dwarves were much more cautious, and only followed us after pondering other options for a moment.I realize that I am going into more detail about events than I normally do, but I think that you will understand why I am so verbose when I finish my story. Bear with me!The guard thought he was ready for me, but much to his surprise (and my own, I must admit), I struck him with my flail with such force that he staggered to the side, unable to react at all. I ran by him, hoping that Finis would deal with him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an open door to the right, with only Taelsyn's feet visible in the doorway (he was obviously lying in the doorway where he fell). I could not attend to him, however, because I was confronted with another guard. I held him off long enough for Vlad and the dwarves to catch up. The dwarves quickly dispatched the guard I had struck, and turned to deal with the second. I turned to the doorway, and saw inside a terrible creature. It looked like a nobleman, but with very pale skin. He leaned over a woman, whom I took to be the Baroness. Her arm he held over the edge of the bed, draining blood from it into a bottle. I realized immediately that this must be an undead--probably a vampire! Horresco referens! I raised my ring, and ordered the fiend to begone, but he only laughed at me. I am afraid that I am too weak a vessel to channel more than the smallest amount of Prometheus' power.Vlad and Finis stood in the doorway with me. Vlad raised his flaming sword, and opened his right hand, in which he held a brightly glowing stone--a rock with continual light cast upon it. Finis took a deep breath, and charged bravely into the room, running straight for the Baroness. I followed him in. The vampire recoiled from the light for a moment, and Finis took the opportunity to sweep the Baroness into his arms. I cast a healing spell upon her, and we turned for the door. I could hear the sounds of combat continuing outside. The Vampire had turned again towards the doorway, and was fixing his stare upon Vlad--but he was not just looking at Vlad. It was something more. I hoped it was not a curse or charm of some kind. I have heard that vampires have such powers.Realizing that we could do nothing to hurt such a creature, Finis used some of his precious breath (there was still gas in the air!) to say "protection from evil". For a moment I prepared to cast the spell upon the Baroness, hoping to at least keep the Vampire off of her, even if it killed the rest of us. Then I remembered--that ridiculous copper scroll! I grabbed it from my pack as quickly as possible, ripping the leather a little. Reading from the scroll was very easy, and fast. As I read the scroll, I felt the familiar sensation of magic flowing, but I could swear that I felt Prometheus' power adding to it. Perhaps it was just me, but I think he was actively helping us. In any case, the spell worked, and I immediately felt some relief from the oppressive evil that emanated from the vampire. The vampire cursed something I couldn't understand, then laughed. Torin charged in to guard our escape. We made it safely to the doorway, and then turned to help Blades, who was still fighting the second guard.After subduing the guard, and tending to our wounded, we turned again to the vampire--only to find that he had disappeared. The poison gas had mostly dissipated. There were three servants lying on the ground around the bed, and we checked their condition. Fortunately, they had only been overcome by the gas, and not injured. The effect of the gas seemed to be temporary, and we managed to stir Taelsyn. He immediately noticed a passageway in the wall, with a skeleton wedged in it. Apparently the vampire had turned into a mist and floated into the room via this secret tunnel.I will now return to being brief, as I have finished with the exciting part of the story. The sub-chief of the keep burst in, and we told him what happened. He was not happy, and had the whole keep up in arms in a moment. The priests of Dagda were awakened, and they came to tend the wounded. We were thanked several times, and the sub-chief seemed so impressed with our story that he wanted to hear it over and over again. The Baroness is now sleeping soundly, and it is unlikely that she will wake until tomorrow.Taelsyn searched the skeleton in the crawl space, and found from a journal that it was a thief who had taken some coins from somewhere in the keep. He also had a magic rod, which projected various lighting effects. The coins (gold coins) were apparently poisoned, and Taelsyn was affected by them as well. A priest quickly neutralized the poison, however.Speaking of priests, Barnrick, the fat priest that ignored our warning, is surely in for a serious dressing down when the chief of the castle returns. Why am I not surprised that the priests of other gods are more interested in food and personal comfort than in the well-being of other sentient creatures? Prometheus has set an example of how to care for our fellow beings; it is frustrating to see others so unaware of His sacrifice. While the portly priest snored in his bed, we narrowly averted a great disaster. How much easier would it have been if he had only listened to us! Perhaps Prometheus withholds knowledge from him for a reason.We are staying in the castle tonight as honored guests. We will finally get some well-deserved rest, before resuming our journey. One thing puzzles me: In the journal of the skeletal thief was a riddle of some sort, suggesting that when the sun is right, the way to the treasure will be revealed on the Linden tree. We are not sure what this means. One of the rooms in this castle has a magnificent bronze and wood door, depicting a mighty Linden tree. I suggested that at a certain time of day, the sun may shine upon the door in such a way to reveal a secret passage. According to the sub chief, there was a treasure lost in the castle somewhere centuries ago (the "Linden treasure"). Perhaps we will investigate this tomorrow.Now, I must rest. For once, I will not have to ask Prometheus for help or knowledge; I know that I will sleep very well tonight.</blockquote>

Verification