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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ziona" data-source="post: 133135" data-attributes="member: 484">As the group emerged from the depths of the Underdark, they squinted their eyes at the rising sun.  Relieved to be on the surface again, they moved hastily and made good time on their way back to Ashabenford.They decided that they would head straight to Noristuor’s home since he was the one who had called them all together several days ago.  However, as they approached his house, they realized something was wrong.  The front gate leading to Noristuor’s yard had been smashed open, and his front door dangled on it’s hinges.“It can’t be drow, or my sword would be vibrating more,” Aarack mumbled.  His sword always trembled slightly in Ziona’s presence, but there was a noticeable vibration when a true drow was about.“FOR JUSTICE!” shouted Doc, drawing his rapier and running past the companions.The rest of the party followed, weapons drawn.  The smell of charred wood and paper assaulted the nostrils of those who entered the house.  By the smoldering bookshelves and curtains, it was obvious a Fireball had gone off in the room.  “Noristuor?!” called Solstar.As the companions walked further into the abode, they heard a soft moan.“There!” shouted Ziona, who ran to where Noristuor lay bloodied beneath an overturned table.  Aarack pulled the table away and watched as Ziona closed her eyes and used her divine powers to heal Noristuor’s wounds.As the tiefling mage came to, he began clawing about the air madly.“Noristuor!  It’s okay!  It’s us!  Calm yourself, you are with friends,” cried Ziona, grabbing his flailing arms.His eyes focused on her a moment, and he sighed. “What has happened here, Noristuor?” asked Solstar.“Was it the damn drow?” spat Varr.“No…no it was someone else,” Noristuor began. But before he could finish, Doc solemnly walked from the kitchen.“I think you should all have a look at this,” he mumbled.Lying in a bloody heap upon Noristuor’s eating table was a body.  The corpse was missing it’s left leg, several fingers, and had an odd symbol branded into it’s forehead.“Ziona…it’s Holden,” Doc said softly.Ziona stood up from her kneeling position beside Noristuor and made her way towards the kitchen.  When she saw Holden Forthright, the ranger who had accompanied the companions on past adventures, she gasped in horror.“Who?!” She shouted behind her at Noristuor.  “Who has done such despicable acts?”Even Varr cringed at the sight of Holden, whose bruised face and torn flesh could have made an orc gag.“It was a group of people,” Noristuor began again, “and they said this was a lesson.”“A lesson for whom?” asked Aarack.“A lesson for Drexel.”Doc, Ziona, and Varr turned from Holden’s body and faced Noristuor, who was now sitting up against the overturned table.“These men, these villains…they said that they work in the name of Bane, and that this destruction was a lesson for Drexel Doomhand.”“Who were they, Noristuor?  They must be brought to justice,” said Doc.Again Noristuor sighed.  It seemed there was more that the mage did not want to say.“I am afraid your friend who fights along side you for ‘justice’ was also involved in this,” he said.“Spiderfang?” asked Varr.“Wait, Spiderfang helped Drexel take my mother to Thay for her antidote.  Where are they now?” asked Ziona.“I have not seen Drexel or your mother, Ziona.  Only Spiderfang.  He was among those who dragged the body into my house, ravaged my belongings, and nearly killed me!” said Noristuor angrily.“It could not have been Spiderfang,” began Doc, but the cold look Noristuor flashed him showed that he was not mistaken.“It was indeed Spiderfang!  He said that Zygamoor the Hunter had shown him the truth about Drexel, and that he must be brought to justice.”“What do you know about your friend Drexel that could have provoked this?” asked Aarack.Ziona’s features hardened.  She and Rossal, along with Spiderfang, knew that Drexel was a tiefling.  However, Drexel kept his heritage hidden using a magical hat to disguise his true appearance.  Ziona never truly understood why, but perhaps this encounter had something to do with it.“Listen, we can’t make any assumptions until Drexel is back.  I’m sure he can explain everything,” she said.“But Ziona, how do we know where Drexel and your mother is?” asked Zellian.Ziona looked at her father and sighed.  She thought the nightmare was over…“Are you sure you can trust your friend Drexel?  How long have you known him?” asked Aarack.“Do you trust anyone at all?!” shouted Doc.“Quiet, all of you,” shouted Noristuor over the noise of the ensuing argument.  “I have been researching this man Zygamoor.  The men who follow him are dangerous…an assassin, a cleric of Bane, an evil wizard and an odd gnome.  They were all here, and I’m sure they will not wait long before they strike out again.”“All the more reason to begin preparations now,” said Ziona.MORE TO COME…</blockquote>

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