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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 1090764" data-attributes="member: 9255">UNDER A DARKSUNSEGMENT 104“Minscar”“You two must be Mania and Cosa of Nibenay. Welcome to the lands of Silt.” Replied the tall noble-looking cleric.  “I am Jenner.  And these are the Sentinels of Bodach.  Kavarii had let us know to expect you.”  The cleric walked down to the two adventurers to properly shake their hands and make greetings.The other Sentinels fell in behind him.“I am Cosa and this is Mania.  Kara sent us here in Salt View.  We are uncertain why but trusted her due to her racial background.”“…and if she were not a pyreen…you would not trust her?  Be wary of making all judgements of people based on race or association only.  I trust her because she has never done anything to allow me to distrust her.”“Jenner- it would be poor to lecture these young people in the silt fields.  Let us depart and return to our home.” Replies the younger cleric.  Up close, it becomes apparent that they are related.  They are either brothers or possibly father and son.The five of them then leave and go through the silt together.  Logan leads them.  He is a barbarian with psychic abilities.  He is also a strange creature to behold.  As is the case for most dwarves, he has no facial hair.  Not even eye brows.  In his case however, from the neck down he is covered with course thick hair or bristles.  Behind him walks the younger cleric of water.  Chaffle is his name.  He is a nephew to Jenner.  His faith follows the path of water.  He tries to be proper and polite.  He acts much like a noble speaking to another noble.  Cosa and Mania walk on either side of Jenner.  Jenner has an air of wisdom that one expects from a greater cleric.  He too comes across as being once of noble blood.  Behind them walks Belinda.  She studies the two new comers closely even while watching the rear of the party.  She is the opposite of Jenner.  She is neither reserved nor shy.  She wears little over her ecto-skin leaving little to one’s imagination.  She walks with a bounce in her step.  She is a being of nervous energy and not one to stay still for long.  It takes two hours to reach a group of rocks the Sentinels call home.Tents, stacked boards and cleric shaped stone have created the base of operations.  It resembles a shantytown similar to outside of Salt View than a military base.  These Sentinels are here out of a sense of duty and purpose.  They are not paid.  It amazes Cosa that they could do this.“This tent will be yours while you are here.”  Jenner says before a patched canvas tent made from various animals hides and manufactured clothes.  You will find water, fruit and a place to sit down and rest inside.  Shortly we will have mealtime.  You can meet the rest of my friends and comrades then.”The two of them step into the tent.  It is ten by fifteen feet and roughly eight feet tall in the center.  There are stools with pillows on them around a small table.  Another table has a bowl of water.  The bowl is fanciful with etchings of people standing knee deep in water.  They have nets and within the nets is a type of large eyed animal.  The fruit is similar but with scenes of people picking fruit from trees.  Cosa is impressed most by their less obvious quality.  They are enchanted!  The water is cool to the touch.  It warms up as she thinks about bathing.  She tries the fruit.  The enchantment here keeps the fruit fresh and juicy.  She is impressed already.  Mania has made his way to the back of the tent.  A cloth curtain separates the sleeping area from the rest of the room here.  He has lain down and is snoring within two minutes.  Walking over and untying her dress, Cosa stops and places her hands on her hips.  “Men”Later, Mania awakens to the smell of cooked meat.  With a large smile he washes up…gives a startled look as the water cleans itself before him.  He picks up his weapons then stops.  He frowns to himself then places the three clubbing objects back and leaves the tent.  He leaves the weapons not because he trusts them but because he is certain they would do him no good against these defenders.Cosa is talking to two women at a table.  They are snacking on strips of seasoned bread.  Logan has his head almost within the stew pot smelling it.  Kavarii is here.  She is the cook.  Her druid knowledge allows her complete mastery over spices and herbs.  She is well skilled for cooking.  Jenner and Chaffle are talking quietly under a lean-to cutting fruits and vegetables.  Belinda (face now exposed to the air) is laughing and talking to several men.  They look like fighters with their well-developed frames and scars.  Mania gives Cosa a quick squeeze on her shoulders before asking Kavarii what he can to help.  He can not help but to smile.  Everyone here is…happy.The meal consists of fresh and cooked fruits and vegetables, seasoned rock snake stew and strips of bread seasoned.  There is fruity tasting water, plain water or near Logan, a large cask of strong drink.  The cask is stamped as belonging to the House Wavir.   The meal begins with a moment of silence.  Each cleric quietly gives their thanks, as do a few others.  Then Jenner opens his eyes and nods.  Logan nearly leaps out of his seat to reach the stew.  The others take a serving of whatever is closest then pass it to their left until everyone has had a chance.  Mania looks at Cosa whom sits across from him.  Her eyes sparkle and her smile is enticing.  Mania blushes briefly guessing what is on her mind.   There is small talk.  Much is centered on Cosa and Mania as some of the men are from the Mekillot Mountain region, which is near Nibenay.  Everyone is impressed by the tale Cosa and Mania tells.  They leave little out.  They see no need to keep any secrets here.  Mania even speaks of his possible father.  This makes everyone pause for a moment.  Mania allows Cosa to answer questions related to it.  He is uncomfortable talking about it after the reaction he got.The meal finishes and the women collect the dishes and extra food.  The men prepare for the night.  The few gates they have are locked and the fire checked on.  Shortly they regroup before Jenner’s large sandstone structure.  A few men place on armor and go onto guard duty while the rest enter his home.  There are carpets and linens on the floor and walls.  There is little doubt in Cosa and Mania’s mind that Jenner was once a noble or at least wishes to be thought of as once being a noble.  Quietly everyone walks to a table.  On the table are a cloth of Raamian make and a colorful rock collection.  Using a stern voice, Jenner addresses Cosa and Mania.“Based on your merits passed on by a Kara and by Kavarii, I feel it is safe to show you our true home and the greatest secret we have.”  Logan drags the table away while one of the women pulls back the rug.  Belinda grunts as she lifts a wooden trapdoor.  An earth tunnel with a ladder is visible. The two women go first then Chaffle.  Jenner motions for Cosa and Mania next.  Jenner, Logan and Belinda follow.Strangely, about five feet down, the earth becomes smooth and almost chitin like.  It is a pale off white color.  The lighting is weak and it becomes difficult to see.  Mania calls on his mind and his eyes adjust to the low lighting.  Cosa prepares to caste a bit of light onto her bracelet but Chaffle says not to.  Respecting his wishes they go on.  At the bottom, the women are handing out lit torches.  The room is perfectly round but with a flat base to walk on.  There are soft pillows and mats here.  “This is where we discuss Minscar and other matters of importance.” Answers Chaffle as Cosa and Mania look about.  “Glaze would have written a poem or song about this place.” Mania says not realizing he is thinking out loud.Each takes a seat forming a semi circle.  Everyone remains quiet and attentive looking towards Jenner.  He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.“Within this room all are free to talk openly.  The nature of the very structure obscures magic, including scrying.  My friend from Urik has warded the earth around this structure against psionic scrying.  Though the powers of the mind work within these structures, arcane and elemental powers do not.  Within this room we keep our greatest secrets and assets.  I ask you not to wander beyond this room.  It is unexplored and may be dangerous to explore.  Ask anything you wish to Cosa and Mania.  We will answer to the best of our ability. “Why?”  Asks Mania.  Why guard here.  It was suggested you are keeping Bodach contained.  What is there to contain?  Are not the undead within Bodach trapped there as part of their undead existence?”Jenner nods softly.  “The original undead are indeed trapped within the city limits.  It is part of the curse they were entrapped within on the day of the great battle.  However, since then, others have entered the ruins and passed away.  Their spirits and remains become animated also but are not restricted to the city limits.  Some of these undead are freewill and powerful.  We are here to contain these restless spirits and divert as many possible new persons from entering the city to possible fuel their numbers and abilities.”He takes a deep breath and nods to Chaffle.  He picks up the explanation.  “Some of these spirits are trying to use Bodach’s resources to further empower themselves.  One of great note is the undead spirit known to us as only Minscar.  Though dead, he has retained his clerical abilities over silt.  His powers over undead have been amplified.  Whether this is through his undead nature or through an infernal artifact is uncertain.  It was one of his creations we battled this morning.  He empowered that skeleton to a great level.  We battered it down until Jenner could easily defeat it.  He will try again.“Why not hunt him down and destroy him?” asks Cosa.“We have.  His power is so great that we can not truly destroy him.  His spirit is located somewhere else.  We can destroy his body but the next day he merely reforms or possesses another.”“Can he be contained?” asks Mania.“We do as we can but I fear it is not enough.  His attacks are becoming more daring and cunning.  He is planning something.  We are certain of that.” Replies Chaffle.“And we’ll hack ‘em apart then as we did today!” yelps Logan with a great smile.  Seeing his outburst was not needed he settles down with a quiet “sorry my bad.”Our greatest fear is he may be reaching out to others beyond Bodach.  There has been an elven tribe sniffing about regularly.  They worship silt.  This may be mere coincidence but we can not take that chance.Mania and Cosa look at each and say together- “Dessantee.”+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++The captain looks back on his village as he leaves for the next trip to the islands.  A tear runs down his left cheek.  He wipes it away and turns to his crew.  “The Hidden (pirates) have been busy near the shore to Balic.  Let us set a course away from the shoreline.”“Sir- that places us closer to the islands!  Are you certain…?”“That is final!” He barks out sharply.  He waits a moment to be sure there will be no further questioning or hesitation before returning to his cabin.He closes and locks the door.  He sits down and looks at his two maps.  He subconsciencely rubs his chest. “How long?” “Errrr…. I thought I told to keep out of sight?”From within the closet of the captain’s quarters peers out Dessantee.  “I dislike this game.  How long until we reach the ruins?”“Soon…very soon.”  A soft light glows under his shirt and hand.  “Very very soon”</blockquote>

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