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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Wizardru's Story Hour (updated 11/21)
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Down with the Dead Men - Chapter 6
Down with the Dead Men – Chapter 6
OOC Notes:
Exp from last session: for 24th is 2000, 23rd is 2550, and 22 is 3700.
Exp for this session: for 24th is 1200, 23rd is 1530 and 22 is 2200.
This Week’s Adventure:
Very little time had passed before a crack split the air. Then a tremor. Then another. The domes seemed to be shaking and shattering, whether by design of Chavram or revenge of the betrayed. We began moving towards the dome we entered through and while in the connecting tubes, I could see one of the larger domes rising in pieces through the murky water. The tunnels had broken free in some areas. Then more creaking noises that sounded more like a scream as another dome released a cloud of bubbles. There were figures swarming over the dome as bodies of dead drow floated out. I couldn’t precisely see them but from they way they were swimming they could only be kua-toa.
We wasted no further time poking around and moved to the exit as fast as we could. By the time we emerged, most of the rays and other guardians had fled and those that remained were too distracted to care much about us, and we had no opposition as our swarm moved away from the disaster and towards something dryer.
As we moved away, Dravot received a sending. Friend of dragons, I would entreat with you to gain a neutral status and ensure you now that my contract is served I bear you no ill will. Shalthis.
At first we were in too much of a rush to realize the meaning, but upon second thought it was clear: Shalthis was merely hired to guard this area and was worried we would come after her. While I am not above revenge, I would say in this case none of us had even given her a second thought. Dravot replied If you do not oppose us, we shall not pursue your destruction.
Of course that didn’t mean she was getting those guardians back. I was really starting to like them. They just need to be smaller.
Once on land, we split up. Scorch and Aethramyr took Bolo’s corpse (so to speak) back to Ruun’Khazai and his small grove there, while the rest of us went to Brindinford.
[OOC Note: Bolo’s internal organs had been liquefied and sucked out of his body, leaving just an empty skin. Many jokes about rolling him up and putting him in a backpack and “the Bolo suit” (in memory of the Edgar suit) followed.]
Upon arrival at Ruun’Khazai, they found Marcus waiting for them. Marcus took the body gently and said “the process” would take an hour, perhaps two depending on the form chosen. Apparently Marcus was intent on reincarnating him, and that was just fine.
Aethramyr then went to speak to the drow enclave. He was concerned that the events in the underdark might have repercussions to the drow at Ruun’Khazai. He found Sirssus checking on the silk harvest with approval, as the new trade treaties with the surrounding countries made it very profitable for commerce.
[OOC Note: The profitable trade treaty, known as the “For god’s sake please don’t kill us” accord of 1494, supplemented by the “We swear we weren’t looking at you funny” amendment a year later, allowed for the profitable flow of goods to and from Ruun’Khazai.]
After some time, Aethramyr and Scorch returned to the grove to check on Bolo. Scorch, for his part, was in parts unknown for the last two hours, but was now in a near manic frenzy. Either he had been eating those strange beans again or something else had happened. He was babbling quite a bit, but in a generally ignorable kind of way.
Later when he was raving about arcane formulas, I made out just enough to be confused. So I cast a quick Detect Magic and was stunned. I might not have recognized what I saw, save for having seen it before. It was just a simple spell – ancient really. A basic Mage Armor and hardly noteworthy for that. But the sheer power and magnitude was beyond anything commonly held as being possible. Then it all suddenly made sense – Scorch had unlocked the secret of transvalent magic. He had finally deciphered the spells we took from the ShadowTaker. The ones that were beyond all accepted limits of the arcane art. And with this realization, one more quickly followed.
There’d be no living with him now.
Oh well, no help for it. When Scorch and Aethramyr found Marcus, he was sitting on a rock discussing something with a seven foot tall fellow with copper-red skin wearing off-sized robes.
Bolo was now a janni. Scorch plainly asked why, every time he dies, he comes back as something taller.
---
In Brindinford, there was a minor festival going on. A variety of puppet shows filled the square and vendors hawked their goods, and this made the arrival rather pleasant. We hurried along to the estate and started getting information.
Dravot’s brother Gerrin reported that the Overking was still not in the capital. The undead had abandoned Kalstrand as an organized force but the Overking had not yet raised an army to reclaim it. He was of course trying. At this point his power is reduced to something more like a regional warlord and Brindinford is operating mostly as an independent territory. The Overking has requested assistance but the messages have so far been ignored.
Thora was somewhat suspicious of Kaltin. Understandable, considering what happened the last time a dead brother returned. I set about discussing the matter with the Binder while Dravot researched the circumstances surrounding Roget’s death. Prince Faruhd claimed that he was no longer bound by Chavram, and while he should be under Kaltin’s control right now, he is not, since Kaltin violates the requirements. Chavram controls the Abjuration and Necromancy binders as well as the Ninth binder. He was unable to acquire the enchantment binder despite trying – someone got there first. It was supposed to be in Celene in the mountains on her northern borders. This is why Chavram went through that area on the way to Geoff.
Chavram also sought the Conjuration binder but was unable to take possession of it – it is currently in Rauxes. Orcus holds sway in Rauxes, now a demi-plane adjacent to the Prime, and the master of undead could easily take control of Chavram if he were to have the chance.
Dravot returned from digging in the family archives. It was clear that his father and grandfather became more distant around the time of Roget’s death. There is no clear statement on the cause of his death. He also learned that the crypts in Brindinford are not the original crypts of the family, just the ones they have used since taking stewardship of Brindinford. The original house shrine was located at the previous family estate.
I looked at him, lost. “And where was the previous family estate?”
He just looked at me and waited.
I thought a moment. “Wait wait. Don’t tell me. Rauxes.”
He nodded once. I sighed hard.
We went to the crypts to examine the supposed remains of Roget. It was easy to determine that while there was a body in the crypt, it was not Roget. As for what this meant, I had no idea.
The next matter to attend to was the removal of the binder. There were many reasons to consider this a high priority not the least of which was if someone else found out we had it, they would likely remove it from Kaltin’s head in a manner not designed to further his general health. We learned from the binder that Chavram used the power of the Necromancy binder to shape Kaltin’s flesh open and then place the binder inside. While the binders were powerful in their class, they seemed to reflect abilities that were not beyond skilled practitioners of that art. So to discuss matters of shaping the flesh of the dead, there was only one place to go: The Temple of Wee Jas.
They gladly received us, and we discussed not only the removal of the artifact (unnamed, thankfully) but also the rituals that might reverse the animus process and return Kaltin to normal. The priests were of course anxious to help the local noble as well as explore the academic issues in this new field. There was a brother there who was skilled in the shaping of flesh, and he agreed to make the attempt despite wariness about the artifact.
Brother Sawbone took some hours to prepare, then took us to one of their warded rooms for the procedure. It took nearly an hour to slowly open his skull then close it again, and while the entire process was revolting, I had to admire the subtlety and skill of Brother Sawbone. Kaltin was badly hurt in the process but the were able to “cure” him of the injuries. Their work was thoroughly impressive.
As for the binder, it was in the shape of a ring. I immediately took possession of it lest anything ill happen.
While Kaltin rested, Dravot and the priests began examining the second subject: his state of unlife and the possible reversal. I noted at points that both Dravot and the clerics of Wee Jas impressed each other with their respective knowledge of things undead. Even knowing his passions, I suspect the clerics underestimated the depth of his study. After consulting with Chavram’s notes and logs, Dravot is sure that not only is Kaltin not completely an animus, but that he was specifically left in this state where the process would be reversible. The ritual would be complex, but Dravot believed with some help that his brother could be restored to life.
Kaltin was of course rather keen to be back among the living, despite the risks. It took the better part of a day to prepare, and some eight hours to actually conduct the ceremony as well as the combined skills of Dravot, Aethramyr, Thorkeld, and two priests of Wee Jas. The balancing and cleansing of his negative energies was extremely complicated and I can’t say I understood it. They had to slowly leech off the negative energy within him, cleanse it to a neutral state, then return it to him. Then the process repeated cleansing the neutral energy to positive energy. In between, he was in great danger, as the unbiased energy was almost inadequate to keeping him alive.
But despite some missteps, Dravot succeeded. Kaltin was cured. He was a man again. He would be weak for a fortnight most likely and very sensitive to energies. And Dravot was completely exhausted, but gratified nonetheless.
I sent Dravot to bed and stayed up to watch over Kaltin. And while I did, I started going over some reading material we’d taken from the ShadowTaker. He was one of the mages who created the binders – if there was a way to destroy them, it should be here.
And after several hours of reading, I was sure it was. I just couldn’t understand it. Academic learning was never my strongest suit, and the arcane theory was beyond anything I could make any sense out of. So after isolating several key passages, I took the collection to Scorch.
Who, I must note, was still raving about insanity beans.
Beans aside, he made quick sense out of the notes. And within a few minutes he had worked out ways that we could destroy the binder and release the djinn. Prince Faruhd, for his part, seemed relieved though he said nothing. I suspect that while he knew two others had been released, he was not overly optimistic about his own fate. Perhaps he thought that once I had control of a binder, especially one I found so personally appealing, that I would be unwilling to give up the power it afforded. I can’t honestly say I was totally untempted. I did ask the prince if he could teach me any more illusion spells but he said it just didn’t work that way.
But that didn’t mean we weren’t going to release him. Scorch determined that the binder could be broken at one of several places of power, including Toreg Balu where they were made. Of course that was in the vast desert left by the twin cataclysms. The Valley of the Mage was another possibility. (Most “Jonathan” jokes were suppressed at this point.)
But after running through the entire list, one leader quickly emerged. The location of the Great Map was a candidate, and one whom we had direct access to and indeed just plain knew the location of. The act would require several powerful spellcasters which we had available, and a tool suitable to the sundering of the rings.
We rallied at the Great Map. Gold dragons were in the form of local wildlife while elves patrolled the area. The gulthite growths had been completely removed. Indeed there were few sightings of Gulthias horrors these days. The serum Scorch had concocted worked very well, and any remainders were likely isolated loners rather than an organized force.
We set up in the room and I restored the binder to full size. As one, Bolo, Aethramyr, Scorch, Dravot and I all worked to suppress the magic containing the djinn prince. The rings slowed gradually and quietly came to a stop in mid air and time felt like it held still. Then Aethramyr slowly drew Shatterspike back, and brought the blade down hard once on each of the three rings. There was no crack visible, no chip, no break. But I knew the blows had landed true. Aethramyr sheathed the blade and stepped back. In a moment, the rings began moving again. But as they turned faster and faster, suddenly there was a sharp crack in the air. A heartbeat later one ring flew off in pieces across the room, and once it was gone the other two quickly followed.
Of course the only person to get hit was Bolo. But the wound was slight. I suspect he doesn’t realize how tall he is now.
Prince Faruhd stood before us, free. He bowed deeply. “Thank you for your help, and your honor. I assure you that you have a friend now should you come to my estates.” He then turned to the Great Map and they had an exchange that we could not understand.
Bolo asked “Prince Faruhd, how did the mages compel you to agree to this in the first place?”
“They threatened us. They threatened to release the water primal. The damage would be great to both worlds but that didn’t stop them. In the end we agreed.”
“The water primal… that’s the one under Kalstrand,” I remarked casually. On the great map, a location flashed. I raised an eyebrow.
“The Map knows the locations of all the primals. That is one of its secondary functions,” the Prince said.
We exchanged frustrated looks with each other. All this time and the map was under our noses. But it raised another question which I put to the map. “Do you wish to be released? There is no function for you now – all the binders have been moved.”
The Map declined. “I was the first, and I shall be the last. When my brethren are all free, then I shall go. Not before.”
“I still can’t understand why Chavram just handed you over to us. Did you hear him say why?” I asked Prince Faruhd.
“I cannot say for sure. However when one carries a binder too long, things begin to go… wrong. I believe the Sule emperor and his courtiers were afraid of the power they represented, and made it such that they would change hands and move about.”
The Prince then stepped closer to me and said quietly “I am slightly surprised you gave my power up so easily. Illusion is a talent of the elves and one you have wielded before. Yet you gave up this ultimate power with no hesitation.”
“I was tempted Prince. But while the power tempts me, the binders frighten me. They frighten me far more than they tempt me. The world is safer without such things. And then there are the Princes. You and your kind, trapped for centuries. It breaks my heart to see you so imprisoned. I would not have power at that price.”
Prince Faruhd nodded quietly in thanks. “But,” I added, “if you wanted to teach me a good illusion before you go, I wouldn’t say no.” And I just grinned.
He smiled back. “I must depart before I am forced to. I thank you all again for my release. Please visit me when you can.” And we all knew exactly where his home was.
The Prince disappeared just before the Judges arrived. They arrived calm but prepared, but knew that their quarry had departed and nodded. But before they left, they turned their gaze on Bolo.
Oh no.
They moved towards him. Bolo’s voice had only an edge of concern “I’m native to this plane. I was reincarnated!”
The Judges did not find this relevant. They touched him with their staves and Bolo twitched in pain. This was not going to end well at this rate. When Bolo did not disappear from the plane, they paused. Then they went to strike him again.
“ENOUGH!” I yelled, with steel in my voice and an arrow on my string. “He is of this plane. Cease your actions or you shall have to fight us. You know who we are, and you know that this is a threat to take seriously.”
It was, of course, a stone cold bluff. I was trying to get their attention, to make them stop and talk or face a grim battle that they would lose. (And we would if we fought it.)
They turned to me. “The law is the law. He violates the law.” It was supposed to be a statement. In fact it was a plea. They were bound by the law but wanted to help.
“Call Meltorannan.” It was supposed to be a threat. In fact it was saying I understand and don’t want to hurt you.
Meltorannan came quickly. He looked around and understood. He had more of his own will than most Judges but he was still a servant of his deity. “I sympathize with your situation. But he violates the law. He must leave.”
Again, the message was clear. I am bound by the law. But there is a way.
I thank Corellean I saw it fast enough. “We wish to appeal the ruling.”
Meltorannan had the flash of the smallest smile on his impassive face. “Your appeal will be heard.”
We appeared once again on the shores of the Nyr Dyv. There were dozens of Judges in the sky flying in formation. On the shore was Chance, the Gambler, and avatar of Ralishaz.
“This Court of Appeals is now in session.”
Down with the Dead Men – Chapter 6
OOC Notes:
Exp from last session: for 24th is 2000, 23rd is 2550, and 22 is 3700.
Exp for this session: for 24th is 1200, 23rd is 1530 and 22 is 2200.
This Week’s Adventure:
Very little time had passed before a crack split the air. Then a tremor. Then another. The domes seemed to be shaking and shattering, whether by design of Chavram or revenge of the betrayed. We began moving towards the dome we entered through and while in the connecting tubes, I could see one of the larger domes rising in pieces through the murky water. The tunnels had broken free in some areas. Then more creaking noises that sounded more like a scream as another dome released a cloud of bubbles. There were figures swarming over the dome as bodies of dead drow floated out. I couldn’t precisely see them but from they way they were swimming they could only be kua-toa.
We wasted no further time poking around and moved to the exit as fast as we could. By the time we emerged, most of the rays and other guardians had fled and those that remained were too distracted to care much about us, and we had no opposition as our swarm moved away from the disaster and towards something dryer.
As we moved away, Dravot received a sending. Friend of dragons, I would entreat with you to gain a neutral status and ensure you now that my contract is served I bear you no ill will. Shalthis.
At first we were in too much of a rush to realize the meaning, but upon second thought it was clear: Shalthis was merely hired to guard this area and was worried we would come after her. While I am not above revenge, I would say in this case none of us had even given her a second thought. Dravot replied If you do not oppose us, we shall not pursue your destruction.
Of course that didn’t mean she was getting those guardians back. I was really starting to like them. They just need to be smaller.
Once on land, we split up. Scorch and Aethramyr took Bolo’s corpse (so to speak) back to Ruun’Khazai and his small grove there, while the rest of us went to Brindinford.
[OOC Note: Bolo’s internal organs had been liquefied and sucked out of his body, leaving just an empty skin. Many jokes about rolling him up and putting him in a backpack and “the Bolo suit” (in memory of the Edgar suit) followed.]
Upon arrival at Ruun’Khazai, they found Marcus waiting for them. Marcus took the body gently and said “the process” would take an hour, perhaps two depending on the form chosen. Apparently Marcus was intent on reincarnating him, and that was just fine.
Aethramyr then went to speak to the drow enclave. He was concerned that the events in the underdark might have repercussions to the drow at Ruun’Khazai. He found Sirssus checking on the silk harvest with approval, as the new trade treaties with the surrounding countries made it very profitable for commerce.
[OOC Note: The profitable trade treaty, known as the “For god’s sake please don’t kill us” accord of 1494, supplemented by the “We swear we weren’t looking at you funny” amendment a year later, allowed for the profitable flow of goods to and from Ruun’Khazai.]
After some time, Aethramyr and Scorch returned to the grove to check on Bolo. Scorch, for his part, was in parts unknown for the last two hours, but was now in a near manic frenzy. Either he had been eating those strange beans again or something else had happened. He was babbling quite a bit, but in a generally ignorable kind of way.
Later when he was raving about arcane formulas, I made out just enough to be confused. So I cast a quick Detect Magic and was stunned. I might not have recognized what I saw, save for having seen it before. It was just a simple spell – ancient really. A basic Mage Armor and hardly noteworthy for that. But the sheer power and magnitude was beyond anything commonly held as being possible. Then it all suddenly made sense – Scorch had unlocked the secret of transvalent magic. He had finally deciphered the spells we took from the ShadowTaker. The ones that were beyond all accepted limits of the arcane art. And with this realization, one more quickly followed.
There’d be no living with him now.
Oh well, no help for it. When Scorch and Aethramyr found Marcus, he was sitting on a rock discussing something with a seven foot tall fellow with copper-red skin wearing off-sized robes.
Bolo was now a janni. Scorch plainly asked why, every time he dies, he comes back as something taller.
---
In Brindinford, there was a minor festival going on. A variety of puppet shows filled the square and vendors hawked their goods, and this made the arrival rather pleasant. We hurried along to the estate and started getting information.
Dravot’s brother Gerrin reported that the Overking was still not in the capital. The undead had abandoned Kalstrand as an organized force but the Overking had not yet raised an army to reclaim it. He was of course trying. At this point his power is reduced to something more like a regional warlord and Brindinford is operating mostly as an independent territory. The Overking has requested assistance but the messages have so far been ignored.
Thora was somewhat suspicious of Kaltin. Understandable, considering what happened the last time a dead brother returned. I set about discussing the matter with the Binder while Dravot researched the circumstances surrounding Roget’s death. Prince Faruhd claimed that he was no longer bound by Chavram, and while he should be under Kaltin’s control right now, he is not, since Kaltin violates the requirements. Chavram controls the Abjuration and Necromancy binders as well as the Ninth binder. He was unable to acquire the enchantment binder despite trying – someone got there first. It was supposed to be in Celene in the mountains on her northern borders. This is why Chavram went through that area on the way to Geoff.
Chavram also sought the Conjuration binder but was unable to take possession of it – it is currently in Rauxes. Orcus holds sway in Rauxes, now a demi-plane adjacent to the Prime, and the master of undead could easily take control of Chavram if he were to have the chance.
Dravot returned from digging in the family archives. It was clear that his father and grandfather became more distant around the time of Roget’s death. There is no clear statement on the cause of his death. He also learned that the crypts in Brindinford are not the original crypts of the family, just the ones they have used since taking stewardship of Brindinford. The original house shrine was located at the previous family estate.
I looked at him, lost. “And where was the previous family estate?”
He just looked at me and waited.
I thought a moment. “Wait wait. Don’t tell me. Rauxes.”
He nodded once. I sighed hard.
We went to the crypts to examine the supposed remains of Roget. It was easy to determine that while there was a body in the crypt, it was not Roget. As for what this meant, I had no idea.
The next matter to attend to was the removal of the binder. There were many reasons to consider this a high priority not the least of which was if someone else found out we had it, they would likely remove it from Kaltin’s head in a manner not designed to further his general health. We learned from the binder that Chavram used the power of the Necromancy binder to shape Kaltin’s flesh open and then place the binder inside. While the binders were powerful in their class, they seemed to reflect abilities that were not beyond skilled practitioners of that art. So to discuss matters of shaping the flesh of the dead, there was only one place to go: The Temple of Wee Jas.
They gladly received us, and we discussed not only the removal of the artifact (unnamed, thankfully) but also the rituals that might reverse the animus process and return Kaltin to normal. The priests were of course anxious to help the local noble as well as explore the academic issues in this new field. There was a brother there who was skilled in the shaping of flesh, and he agreed to make the attempt despite wariness about the artifact.
Brother Sawbone took some hours to prepare, then took us to one of their warded rooms for the procedure. It took nearly an hour to slowly open his skull then close it again, and while the entire process was revolting, I had to admire the subtlety and skill of Brother Sawbone. Kaltin was badly hurt in the process but the were able to “cure” him of the injuries. Their work was thoroughly impressive.
As for the binder, it was in the shape of a ring. I immediately took possession of it lest anything ill happen.
While Kaltin rested, Dravot and the priests began examining the second subject: his state of unlife and the possible reversal. I noted at points that both Dravot and the clerics of Wee Jas impressed each other with their respective knowledge of things undead. Even knowing his passions, I suspect the clerics underestimated the depth of his study. After consulting with Chavram’s notes and logs, Dravot is sure that not only is Kaltin not completely an animus, but that he was specifically left in this state where the process would be reversible. The ritual would be complex, but Dravot believed with some help that his brother could be restored to life.
Kaltin was of course rather keen to be back among the living, despite the risks. It took the better part of a day to prepare, and some eight hours to actually conduct the ceremony as well as the combined skills of Dravot, Aethramyr, Thorkeld, and two priests of Wee Jas. The balancing and cleansing of his negative energies was extremely complicated and I can’t say I understood it. They had to slowly leech off the negative energy within him, cleanse it to a neutral state, then return it to him. Then the process repeated cleansing the neutral energy to positive energy. In between, he was in great danger, as the unbiased energy was almost inadequate to keeping him alive.
But despite some missteps, Dravot succeeded. Kaltin was cured. He was a man again. He would be weak for a fortnight most likely and very sensitive to energies. And Dravot was completely exhausted, but gratified nonetheless.
I sent Dravot to bed and stayed up to watch over Kaltin. And while I did, I started going over some reading material we’d taken from the ShadowTaker. He was one of the mages who created the binders – if there was a way to destroy them, it should be here.
And after several hours of reading, I was sure it was. I just couldn’t understand it. Academic learning was never my strongest suit, and the arcane theory was beyond anything I could make any sense out of. So after isolating several key passages, I took the collection to Scorch.
Who, I must note, was still raving about insanity beans.
Beans aside, he made quick sense out of the notes. And within a few minutes he had worked out ways that we could destroy the binder and release the djinn. Prince Faruhd, for his part, seemed relieved though he said nothing. I suspect that while he knew two others had been released, he was not overly optimistic about his own fate. Perhaps he thought that once I had control of a binder, especially one I found so personally appealing, that I would be unwilling to give up the power it afforded. I can’t honestly say I was totally untempted. I did ask the prince if he could teach me any more illusion spells but he said it just didn’t work that way.
But that didn’t mean we weren’t going to release him. Scorch determined that the binder could be broken at one of several places of power, including Toreg Balu where they were made. Of course that was in the vast desert left by the twin cataclysms. The Valley of the Mage was another possibility. (Most “Jonathan” jokes were suppressed at this point.)
But after running through the entire list, one leader quickly emerged. The location of the Great Map was a candidate, and one whom we had direct access to and indeed just plain knew the location of. The act would require several powerful spellcasters which we had available, and a tool suitable to the sundering of the rings.
We rallied at the Great Map. Gold dragons were in the form of local wildlife while elves patrolled the area. The gulthite growths had been completely removed. Indeed there were few sightings of Gulthias horrors these days. The serum Scorch had concocted worked very well, and any remainders were likely isolated loners rather than an organized force.
We set up in the room and I restored the binder to full size. As one, Bolo, Aethramyr, Scorch, Dravot and I all worked to suppress the magic containing the djinn prince. The rings slowed gradually and quietly came to a stop in mid air and time felt like it held still. Then Aethramyr slowly drew Shatterspike back, and brought the blade down hard once on each of the three rings. There was no crack visible, no chip, no break. But I knew the blows had landed true. Aethramyr sheathed the blade and stepped back. In a moment, the rings began moving again. But as they turned faster and faster, suddenly there was a sharp crack in the air. A heartbeat later one ring flew off in pieces across the room, and once it was gone the other two quickly followed.
Of course the only person to get hit was Bolo. But the wound was slight. I suspect he doesn’t realize how tall he is now.
Prince Faruhd stood before us, free. He bowed deeply. “Thank you for your help, and your honor. I assure you that you have a friend now should you come to my estates.” He then turned to the Great Map and they had an exchange that we could not understand.
Bolo asked “Prince Faruhd, how did the mages compel you to agree to this in the first place?”
“They threatened us. They threatened to release the water primal. The damage would be great to both worlds but that didn’t stop them. In the end we agreed.”
“The water primal… that’s the one under Kalstrand,” I remarked casually. On the great map, a location flashed. I raised an eyebrow.
“The Map knows the locations of all the primals. That is one of its secondary functions,” the Prince said.
We exchanged frustrated looks with each other. All this time and the map was under our noses. But it raised another question which I put to the map. “Do you wish to be released? There is no function for you now – all the binders have been moved.”
The Map declined. “I was the first, and I shall be the last. When my brethren are all free, then I shall go. Not before.”
“I still can’t understand why Chavram just handed you over to us. Did you hear him say why?” I asked Prince Faruhd.
“I cannot say for sure. However when one carries a binder too long, things begin to go… wrong. I believe the Sule emperor and his courtiers were afraid of the power they represented, and made it such that they would change hands and move about.”
The Prince then stepped closer to me and said quietly “I am slightly surprised you gave my power up so easily. Illusion is a talent of the elves and one you have wielded before. Yet you gave up this ultimate power with no hesitation.”
“I was tempted Prince. But while the power tempts me, the binders frighten me. They frighten me far more than they tempt me. The world is safer without such things. And then there are the Princes. You and your kind, trapped for centuries. It breaks my heart to see you so imprisoned. I would not have power at that price.”
Prince Faruhd nodded quietly in thanks. “But,” I added, “if you wanted to teach me a good illusion before you go, I wouldn’t say no.” And I just grinned.
He smiled back. “I must depart before I am forced to. I thank you all again for my release. Please visit me when you can.” And we all knew exactly where his home was.
The Prince disappeared just before the Judges arrived. They arrived calm but prepared, but knew that their quarry had departed and nodded. But before they left, they turned their gaze on Bolo.
Oh no.
They moved towards him. Bolo’s voice had only an edge of concern “I’m native to this plane. I was reincarnated!”
The Judges did not find this relevant. They touched him with their staves and Bolo twitched in pain. This was not going to end well at this rate. When Bolo did not disappear from the plane, they paused. Then they went to strike him again.
“ENOUGH!” I yelled, with steel in my voice and an arrow on my string. “He is of this plane. Cease your actions or you shall have to fight us. You know who we are, and you know that this is a threat to take seriously.”
It was, of course, a stone cold bluff. I was trying to get their attention, to make them stop and talk or face a grim battle that they would lose. (And we would if we fought it.)
They turned to me. “The law is the law. He violates the law.” It was supposed to be a statement. In fact it was a plea. They were bound by the law but wanted to help.
“Call Meltorannan.” It was supposed to be a threat. In fact it was saying I understand and don’t want to hurt you.
Meltorannan came quickly. He looked around and understood. He had more of his own will than most Judges but he was still a servant of his deity. “I sympathize with your situation. But he violates the law. He must leave.”
Again, the message was clear. I am bound by the law. But there is a way.
I thank Corellean I saw it fast enough. “We wish to appeal the ruling.”
Meltorannan had the flash of the smallest smile on his impassive face. “Your appeal will be heard.”
We appeared once again on the shores of the Nyr Dyv. There were dozens of Judges in the sky flying in formation. On the shore was Chance, the Gambler, and avatar of Ralishaz.
“This Court of Appeals is now in session.”
Argent Silvermage
First Post
I had not expected this.... To find out that I have HIS blood in my veins. To find that I'm partialy a Great One.....
Argent Silvermage
First Post
Mwahahahahaha! I can say that now with some authority.Nifft said:
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