The Unusual Suspects (Updated 05/27/03)

[Delgar]

The Drawing of Three

It was a fine spring day with summer creeping up slowly around the corner. The sun was shining brightly in the sky and birds chirped merrily in the background. Cales was returning home for the first time in 15 years. He wondered how much his parents would have changed, he wondered if they would recognize him, most of all he wondered if they'd be proud or him.

He had finally completed his training at the Temple, not at the top of his class, not even somewhere in the middle, but he definitely came a long way from throwing mud and dung at passing nobles. Just the thought of his childhood brought a smile to his face. 'I wonder why they never came to visit,' he thought to himself, 'Everyone else's parents seemed to show up from time to time, but never mine. I guess they were just too busy keeping afloat, I bet that's it.' He smiled absently to himself and began whistling a traveling tune. 'Soon I will be back in Mudcake and back with my family, but what will I do after that? How will I make my mark on the world?' He pondered these issues as he continued walking down the path.

***

"Arrgh, what I wouldn't give for some fine dwarven ale!" Melkantur muttered absently to himself as he continued down the path. He took a swig from his wineskin and spit it out on the ground. "Bah what these humans call ale is nothing more than swill. I need some strong drink to quench my thirst, something with some kick."

"I should never have left the village. All this traveling has done nothing but cost me more than I can afford. What have I gained, what have I gained? Damnit I should never have listened to you Rigdar, I should never have gone on this confounded quest" Melkantur ranted as he looked down at the black toad riding in his pocket.

"Ribbit" the toad croaked back up at him.

"I know I had WAY too many spirits that night, but you really should have known better than to talk to me when I was in that condition!"

"Ribbit" the toad looked up at him innocently.

"Arrgh, stop mocking me!"

Melkantur and Rigdar continued bantering back and forth as they traveled down the path to their unknown destination.

***

"I know Grrr, but we really need supplies and maybe some information" Sasha tried to convince her blonde bear companion. "We've been traveling for days and I'm not really sure where we are."

Grrr continued to pull on Sasha's cloak trying to get her to come back in the direction they came, while Sasha tried to wriggle out of Grrr's grip. They struggled for a few moments until finally Sasha undid her cloak and the two of them both tumbled to the ground.

"Look Grrr there is a farmhouse just over this ridge, that means we're probably close to a village. I just want to find some villagers, ask a few questions and maybe pick up a few supplies," Sasha pleaded as she stood up and dusted herself off.

Grrr sat up and whimpered softly.

"I know that not everyone is going to react kindly to us Grrr, but if we want to find our way home, then we have to start somewhere. We're not going to be able to avoid people forever."

Grr scratched his ear, completely unconvinced.

"Besides maybe they have some of that honey that you love so much?" Sasha stated innocently as she picked up her cloak and wrapped it around herself and began walking towards the farmhouse.

Grrr's stomach growled as he stood up and stretched out his back legs. Sasha looked back at Grrr with small pleading eyes, and Grrr shook his head and padded after her.

"You'll see Grrr, You'll see." Sasha said as they sauntered across the farmer's field.

***

 

[Delgar]

The Drawing of Three cont'

“Be careful Ghared I sense that powerful forces are trying to oppose you. You must leave at once, you will find no answers here only trouble.” The woman placed a hand on his head, and several visions flashed in his mind. “You will find others on your way that can help you, now go quickly before they find you!”

***

Ghared took a sip of his drink, trying to wipe the thoughts from his mind. He fumbled absently with the silver medallion that hung around his neck, tracing the two hands bound together, with his fingers. ‘Why have you involved me in this,’ he thought to himself. ‘Illmater what is your will?’ He then noticed that the barkeeper, a tall lanky fellow, was staring at him intently, smiling at him with a toothless grin. Ghared raised his mug, slid a few silvers to the side of the table and nodded appreciatively.

Ghared quickly scanned the room, another small town filled with farmers. ‘Ah, it’s hopeless,’ Ghared thought to himself, ‘Where am I going to find help among peasant rabble?’

Just at that moment the door to the inn opened and in walked a black robed dwarf with ashen skin, carrying a wicked looking maul with a skull etched on it’s head.

Ghared nearly choked on his drink, “forgive me for doubting your will Illmater,” he mumbled silently. All eyes in the tavern had tuned to the dwarf and a silence fell over the crowd.

Melkantur stood in the doorway eyeing up the inhabitants of the tavern warily, for a brief moment it seemed that time itself had stopped for not a soul made a sound. Melkantur raised his hand towards the bar and spoke gruffly, “Barkeep I’ll have two of your finest ales and a bowl of whatever that slop is by the fire.”

Time resumed, and the rest of the patrons seemed to go back to minding their own business. The barkeep smiled his toothless grin to the dwarf and quickly went to work.

“Well Rigdar,” Melkantur mumbled to his companion, “Welcome to Mudcake!”

***

Cales knew that something was wrong before he’d even approached his home. He had sensed it in the back of his mind on the last leg of his journey home, but the full realization hadn’t come to him until he started walking up the path to his house. The property was wild and overgrown with weeds, it was like nobody had lived here in years. The farmhouse itself was in shambles and the barn was empty.

'Where could they have gone?’ Cales thought to himself. ‘Why didn’t they tell me, where they were going? I guess I’ll have to head into town and ask around.’

Secretly, in the small recesses of the back of his mind he knew that his parents had abandoned him, that they had never wanted him. But it didn’t make sense it didn’t make any sense at all and he needed to know the truth.

***

“Well Grrr, so far we haven’t been very successful, have we?” Sasha asked her bear companion. “First two people ran screaming away from us and then, I’m sure that there was someone there at that farmhouse just a ways back. Are we really that scary Grrr?”

Grrr just stared at her blankly with his tongue lolling in an out of his mouth.

“Oh well, maybe we’ll get more help in town. We’re almost there now, no point turning back.” Sasha stated confidently pointing up the road where there appeared to be several buildings. She shifted the helm, shaped like a jackal’s head, and started walking towards the town with an air of confidence. “Come on Grr,” she called back.

Grrr stood on the road a moment staring after the small figure walking away from him. He slowly shook his head back and forth and then trodded up behind Sasha.

 

[Delgar]

As she placed a hand on his head, images began flooding through his mind. The first was a dwarf dressed all in black carrying a maul with a skull etched on its head. The second was a man who looked more like a boy, whose piercing gaze belied his humble demeanor. The third was of a happy go lucky kobold, wearing a bent jackals head helm, tumbling in a field with a blonde, bear. The fourth was a male gnome standing in a forest staring intently at the shadows of the trees. The fifth and final vision was that of a towering elven female cleaving foes with a huge decorative sword.

***

Ghared just stared at the dwarf who had just entered the tavern, in complete disbelief. However, quickly regaining his composure, he called out “Master Dwarf, would you please be so kind as to join me in a drink.” He was unsure of how he would broach the subject, but he knew he must take advantage of the situation immediately. “It has been a long time since I’ve heard a good dwarven tale!”

“As you wish father,” answered Melkantur. “Although I’m not sure that you’ll find any of my tales impressive.” He grinned at the priest as he approached the table and continued, “however, I would definitely enjoy some different company.” He felt a small kick at his neck as he sat down by the priest.

The bartender dropped off a couple of mugs of ale, and Melkantur went right to work at on one of them, while Ghared just stared at him in awe.

“So father,” Melkantur muttered as he wiped foam from his beard, “what brings you to this little town?” He took another swig from his mug and looked intently at the priest.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Ghared said. He took a big swig from his mug and just then the door to the tavern opened and he spit the beer all over the dwarf.

“Father!” Exclaimed the dwarf, as he wiped his face with a rag. “I know the beer isn’t great here but that is not reason to waste good beer!”

Standing in the doorway was a small draconian like creature, wearing a helm in the shape of a jackal’s head and peaking out from behind her was a golden bear. Another hush fell over the bar, and several of the patrons looked around nervously, but this was Thesk it was a land that had seen it’s fair share of strange things.

Sasha surveyed the crowd, and noticed the dwarf moping beer off of his face and smiled. “Master Dwarf, Master Dwarf!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Perhaps you can help me, I’m looking for the great dwarven stronghold Khundrakar, perhaps you can tell me the way home?”

At that the crowd relaxed and went back about their business.

 

[Delgar]

The Drawing of Three cont'

Sasha hoped up onto a chair and looked at the dwarf expectantly and Grrr curled up at the base of her chair sniffing constantly taking in all of the new scents.

“No little one, I am sorry I have never heard of this Khundrakar.” Melkantur said to her as he continued to wipe beer off of his face. “However, perhaps Father… What did you say your name was again Father?”

“Ahh, how rude of me not to introduce myself,” Ghared said as he tried to regain his composure, “my name is Ghared, faithful servant of Illmater.” He held out his hand to the dwarf and the kobold in turn. In turn both shook his hand and introduced themselves.

“Melkantur Granitemug at your service” Melkantur said as he bowed his head.

“Ribbit!” stated Rigar adamantly.

“Oh, yes, lest I forget my faithful companion Rigdar.” Melkantur nodded towards the toad sticking out of his pocket. “Blasted toad always has to get the last word in.”

“Ribbit!”

Grrr eyed the little toad suspiciously for a moment and then Sasha spoke up. “Sasha” stated the little kobold, “and this here is my bestest friend in the whole world Grrr.” Grrr purred at the mention of his name and rubbed his head up against Sasha’s leg. She smiled down at Grrr and proceeded to scratch behind his ear.

“As I was saying perhaps Father Ghared has heard of the great dwarven stronghold Khundrakar? Have you father?” Melkantur asked bluntly.

“No, I am sorry I have never heard of this dwarven fortress but my knowledge of such things is sorely lacking.” Ghared said begrudgingly. “However, I am very curious as to what brings you and your friend here to Mudcake?”

“Yes, why do you have such an interest in this place, little one?” Melkantur asked curiously. “Most of my knowledge and understanding of Kobolds is unpleasant.”

Sasha seemed to disregard the dwarfs last statement and tells them her entire tale barely stopping to take breaths in between. “So you see,” Sasha says finally, “I’m not sure how I got here, or where here actually is, but I know that my father must miss me and I’m sure that Kitty really misses me and I really should be getting back home. The entire time that Sasha was speaking, Grrr worked on an itch behind his ear feverishly.

“Ribbit” Rigdar proclaimed from one of Melkantur’s pockets.

“Yes indeed Rigdar that is a sad tale indeed,” Melkantur nodded sympathetically. “I really wish I could be of more help. I would also love to see your home, it sounds very much like a place I’ve always dreamed I could live.”

“Ribbit!”

“A sad tale indeed,” stated Ghared compassionately. “What about you Melkantur, what brings you here?”

‘It must be fate’ Ghared thought to himself, ‘fate brought them here.’

Melkantur related his tale and Rigdar chimed in occasionally to correct him. “You see Father, I’m very interested in expanding my knowledge of all things both living and dead, but what interests me most is this heirloom I have inherited. It is the only thing I have left of my father. I hope someday I can find it’s past and hopefully tell me more about my own.”

“Well I can make no promises,” offered Ghared eagerly. Ghared eyed the two nervously. “However, I am heading off to see a friend of mine in Reme and it is possible that he might be able to help you out. Also I would welcome…”

He was completely interrupted when the door to the tavern opened up once again and a man with sorrow filled eyes walked in. ‘Those eyes,’ Ghared thought to himself ‘those eyes, I recognize those eyes,’ and then he fainted.

 

[Delgar]

Is this thing on?

It's like standing up in front of a crowd and complete silence!

Ah well, I'll have more this week.

Delgar

 

[Melkantur]

if only they knew

I know a Paladin who reads it 'religiously' named Cales

and Rigdar has been very appreciative of his mention.

when you catch up with the Lannan Halfling saga, I'm sure your reader-base will become riveted

 

[Caliber]

I'm reading, I'm reading!

Its a great story, sorry I haven't posted more. I'll try to put something a little more constructive up tomorrow.

But don't you worry that your words are simply falling into the void.

 

[Salad Shooter]

Sounding good to me! I've got this thing book marked and'll check back occasionally, wish I could find players down here who gave a hoot...

 

[Delgar]

Wow, I have fans!

Now I'm actually going to have to start working my butt off to catch up. I'm slowly falling further and further behind.

I'm not sure what the secret is with the players. I've been slowly trying to cull the living greyhawk mentality out of them and each session seems to get better. I've also definately taken some creative liberty with this first part of the story, but I definately wanted to set an interesting scene.

So please post comments, critiques, ask questions. I'll update the rogues gallery with their characters as we progress.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Delgar

 

[cjhalo]

Im enthralled!

Great job!

I just have a question. Why does it seem that Cales is so picked on. O, you haven't gotten that far yet have you?
Sounds great!
You fill in the pieces perfectly. You've got me coming back just to re-read the past posts. Looking forward to more.
_C