Wraith's Whispers - CoSQ (Update: 4/5/04)

[Wraithdrit]

Session 6

Ruins of Tethyamar
Eleint 28th, 1372
Late Morning

The three companions hated the waiting more than anything else. Tanerus sat in one corner, fidgeting with the corner of his cloak. Durgaden leaned on the wall near the door, fully clad in his armor, his shield strapped to his arm, the head of his axe resting on the floor, the haft leaning beside him on the wall. They waited for Will to return. It should be any minute.

Tanerus spoke first, "Maybe something happened to him."

Durgaden frowned, "Nothing be happening to him. He went to town."

Amador sat on the edge of the ancient bed. The stuffing was long rotted away, but the edge made a good place to sit. "I don't think anything has happened to him." He got a sort of far off look.

"Why, your god be telling you?"

"No... I think I sense him coming." Amador could feel the charge settling on the room, then with a flash of weird light Will appeared in the center of the room.

The form of their friend seemed to waver a bit. Amador frowned. There was an earthly scream as if some other worldly creature was trying to rip through with Will. Will was obviously still fine tuning the spell, his fingers moving in intricate patterns even as he seemed to fade in and out of existance. Finally his form solidified.

Will promptly fell to the ground gagging. Tanerus and Durgaden lept forward but Amador called to them. "Its okay... its only teleportation sickness. He should be fine."

Will recovered fairly quickly. When he finally was seated in a chair, sipping on his waterskin, he looked to his companions and frowned. "We have a problem my friends."

Durgaden asked first, "What problem?"

"Drow attacked Dagger Falls. They were after the gem." Will fished it out of his pack and tossed it to Durgaden.

Tanerus looked a bit confused. "What do you mean? How could they have known you had it, much less were in town?"

Will held up a hand. "Let me start from the beginning...

"I made it into town with little trouble. The shopping went fine, we can go over that in a minute. I also went to a sage friend of mine. Sergio. He had good information on the gem..."

Will related to the party what he had found out about the gem, then continued with his story. "I and my guards went on a few more errands, then went back to my apartment. That is when they struck. They shot Terin in the back as he was entering into the building. Malik managed to slam the door shut, but they just broke in through the windows in the front and back of the house. I was able to quickly kill the two that came in the front, but the one that came in the back was a different story."

"I was able to easily see through his invisibility with one of my spells, but most of the rest of my spells just bled right off of him. He tried to snatch the gem and actually had it in his hands when I finally managed to punch a spell through his natural resistances."

"He dropped quickly after that. I later found out that they had attacked not only my apartment, but my parents villa as well. One of the ones I killed had this on him." Will pulled out the parchment of notes that Sergio had taken. It had blood splattered across it.

"Sergio died because of what he knew of us. Somehow they know about us, that we have the gem, and that we are from Dagger Falls. Now they have a name to attach to us as well. My name."

Durgaden frowned. "The gem, even if made by halflings, is the property of these mines and will remain here. The drow will have to pry it from my cold dead hands if they want it."

Tanerus smirked, "That may be the point." The attempt at humor was mostly lost on the dark situation at hand. "So do you think this is the other force the Shadovar was talking about?"

Will blinked, "Shadovar?"

Tanerus quickly related the events that had transpired while Will was away.

Will nodded, "That makes sense then, yes."

Amador shook his head, "So we have a halfling gem and a dwarven axe wanted by drow who are working with the Zhentarim who hired the Thayans, all of whom the Shadovar wish to know about, and possibly prevent." He sighed. "This just gets better every day."

 

[Gilgalad]

More More ! ! !

_____________
Durgaden
9th Level Dwarven Warrior/Defender
Soon to be King of the Reclaimed Mines of Tethyamar...
...well...Head Beermyster anyway ;-p

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session 6 - Part 2

Tanerus cough lightly, "Actually there is more..." Everyone looked to the halfling, "I've heard rumor that the Zhentarim also stole a gnomish treasure... some sort of crystal." He fidgeted a little under everyone's scrutiny but the center of attention quickly shifted to Amador as he spoke up.

"That must be why Corellian has led me here."

Durgaden blinked, "To get a gnome's crystal?"

Amador smirked, "No. A circlet dedicated to Corellian."

"Did the Zhents steal it too?" asked Tanerus.

"No... drow. It happened near the western edge of Cormanthor. Hand crossbow bolts littered the body of a dear friend of mine who tended a shrine. His circlet, an item of some power was taken. The tracks did not lead into the forest as I would have thought. Instead they led west... towards Dagger Falls."

Will leaned forward, "I'm here looking for a book. Its called the Book of Eternal Flames. It was written by the late human chancellor and advisor to last King of Tethyamar."

Everyone looked at Durgaden. "Don't look at me, I'm just here to get me mines back!" He paused. "Well, and anything they looted and sold from me mines needs to be returned..."

"So now its a gnomish crystal, an elven circlet, a halfling gem, and a dwarven axe. And we know they were looking for the book as well, so might as well add that to the list. Someone is starting a collection," concluded Will. "Its time we finish what we started with the Zhentarim then get to the bottom of this."

The companions gathered their gear together and set out. They paused at the exit outside. Tanerus slipped out into the ruined city and snuck toward the Zhentarim camp. He was able to quickly ascertain that the camp had been dismantled and everyone had been brought inside. A large metal portcullis blocked the entrance to this set of mines. Tanerus returned and reported what he saw.

The party slipped into the ruins, making their way toward the portcullis but were soon warned of an oncoming lone figure by Will's owl. Durgaden met the figure in the midst of the ruins, "I'm hoping you have an invitation to me mines!"

The figure stopped and pulled back her hood. Instantly he recognized her as the part demon sorceress they had battled in the hills while travelling from Dagger Falls. She held up her hands in peace. Her voice was exotic, sounding like two different people talking at the same time, one voice was husky the other silky smooth. "We need to talk. I come in peace."

Durgaden frowned, "Talk then, but nothing funny, or I'll split ye in two." The two came a bit closer together.

"You are heading into a trap, I want to make sure you are as prepared as you can be."

"Why?"

"I want you to win."

"Why would you want that? You work for them."

"No. Working for them would imply willingness. I'm compelled to do the bidding of Xandos. Long ago, my ancestors kicked your ancestors out of the mines. They beget offspring that beget offpsring that beget me. When the Zhentarim uncovered the mines, Xandos got the drop on me, my brother, and three cousins. He learned our true names, and helds us bound into his service. Kill him, and I will be free, and will leave these mines and never return."

The companions conferred for a moment. Durgaden asked, "Does he know you are out here? What kind of defenses do they have? Tell us what we are getting into."

"I don't know everything but here is what I can tell you...." Tursa leaned in and began to tell them everything she knew.

Will waited till Tursa was finished and had departed, "Alright, here is the plan..."

***

Darkness had fallen and Yulgar was starting to get nervous. He had signed up for military service with the Zhentarim to get out of life as a farm hand, but getting slaughtered was not a part of the bargain. Rumors had spread through his unit. Two captains, a lieutenant, a slew of orcs, two seargents, and a pair of tigers had all been slaughtered by whoever it was that was out there. Now he had the task of pulling the night shift of guard duty.

Yulgar stood at an arrow slit, his shortbow in his hand. Three of his squadmates stood at similar slits. The slits were mounted in a pair of massive iron doors. The only way to open the doors was by using the winches mounted in the walls beside each door. The guards could barely make out the outline of the portcullis through the arrow slits. It sat over a hundred feet away at the other end of the dark entrance cavern.

Two positions over Gornim started, "What was that?" Everyone lifted their bows into position. Something was racing across the cavern, but as it moved it seemed to just sink into the earth. Then there it was again, at the winch to the portcullis on the other side of the cavern. It was some sort of small earthen creature, an elemental perhaps. "Its cranking open the portcullis!"

Behind the archers, Sgt Hulgin heard the reports and yelled, "Fire!" Each of the archers let loose. Two of the arrows sailed wide, but two embedded in the things back. Something small darted up under the portcullis and raced up the wall, dissappearing into shadows.

Still the portcullis cranked upward. "Reload! Aim! What the - ?!" Sgt Hulgin cried out as another of the earthen creatures appeared up through the stone, inside the iron doors! A third elemental appeared as well. Both turned and started cranking open the doors. Yulgar and his fellow archers reloaded and aimed at the new threats.

Inside the cavern a dwarven voice was heard bellowing as its owner raced across the cavern, "Time to vacate me mines!"

***

Tanerus continued to skitter up the wall, the effects of the potion of spider climbing allowing him to stick easily to the surface.

Durgaden slammed into the doors, putting his back to the door then peeking through an arrow slit chuckling at the chaos Will's summoned elementals were causing inside. The doors began to open, inches at a time.

Will and Amador stayed at the portcullis till it was a full six feet up. "Thats good enough," Will told the elemental, "Head inside." The elemental nodded and skittered toward the iron doors. Fighting could be heard from within.

Durgaden grinned as the doors opened a full foot. The grin vanished when the doors stopped moving. He threw himself sideways at the opening and quickly shifted into his defensive stance on the other side. There were at least five Zhentarim on there, plus one of the acolytes of Bane that Tursa had told them about. The elementals were falling away into the earth, dispatched by the enemy forces. Thats okay, they had done their job.

A mage, probably Xandos apprentice thought Durgaden, appeared twenty feet ahead of him. He unleashed a bolt of lightning that coursed through Durgaden. The dwarf had managed to deflect a good portion of the energy with his shield and by ducking down, but still his skin burned and his hair singed in the lightning.

The Zhentarim quickly surrounded Durgaden, locked their shields and began to stab at him with their short swords. In his stance, with his back to the doors, he was practically invulnerable. Their swords bounced off his armor and shield, but could not find an opening.

Tanerus continued to skitter along the ceiling until he saw a large shape hanging from the dark cavernous ceiling. He looked down and saw Will and Amador jogging across the cavern, putting their backs to the large doors, ready to aid Durgaden. They were out of the range of his telepathy, and if he screamed out a warning, then whatever it was that was there would know he was here. He crept toward it along the ceiling.

Xandos, strapped to his saddle, his dire bat clinging to the ceiling, finished his first spell. The spell rained giant shards of ice and blasts of cold down onto the trio of companions near the door.

Amador was quick to retaliate, despite the pain of the ice shards had caused him. He called upon the might and fury of Corellian, invoking a massive column of flame to rip through Xandos and his mount. The skymage screamed in pain, the mount let go of the ceiling and quickly took flight to try and avoid the next attack.

Durgaden was blasted by the ice, but was forced to ignore it in favor of retaliating on the Zhentarim that were still surrounding him. His axe took down two of the foes quickly.

Will chose to ignore Xandos. After all the elemental protection spell against fire that he had Amador cast on him would prevent fireballs from hurting him and the spell immunity to ice storms and lightning bolts just about sealed his protections. He had thrown up a spell to make his skin hard as stone, just to be on the safe side. Instead of contronting Xandos, he lobbed a fireball through the opening in the doors.

It erupted between the line of Zhentarim warriors, the skymage's apprentice, and the acolyte. Durgaden saw the fireball arc over his head in time to have brought up his shield and brace. Flames licked around the shield and the heat singed his arm, but he was none the worse for wear.

When he lowered the shield, the smoke and fire receeded revealing the corpses of all of his foes laid out before him. Durgaden frowned, "Hey! Those were... I was gonna... Oh well." He turned to the closest Zhentarim looked him over. The Zhentarim warrior groaned and stirred slightly. "No invitation!" bellowed Durgaden. He slammed his axe into the fallen foes head, making sure the fireball's work was completed.

Tanerus skittered up closer to the skymage. He was almost to a point where he could jump on the back of the dire bat... just a little closer...

Xandos finished a spell and dissappeared, mount and all, in a quick flash. Tanerus cursed outloud.

The companions quickly gathered and took stock. About a fourth of the Zhentarim aligned forces that were supposed to be left in Tethyamar now lay dead. The companions had broken into the mine, now it was just a matter of cleaning out the rest of the vermin.

 

[Gilgalad]

More !!!

Ok already, the boards are working again today...so where's the rest of the bloody story already ?

Must....have....fix....today

Durgaden
9th level Dwarven Warrior/Defender
Note...STILL 9TH LEVEL...What's the deal here ? ;-)

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session 6 - Log 3 of 3

The companions moved forward quickly. Prior to the first fight, Will had scouted the area through the use of form of scrying spell, and they knew that before they got through the doors, at least one Zhentarim warrior had gotten away. That combined with dissappearance of the Skymage Xandos guaranteed the rest of the Zhentarim were waiting for them somewhere, aware of thier presence.

That or Durgaden's bellows and the explosions of magic would have warned them.

The group moved forward quickly, their beneficial spells still holding. The passed barracks on either side of the large natural center carvern only to eventually reach a point where the cavern split in each direction. A wide swath of stairs led up to the left, a small set led down to the right. The cavern continued in front of them, and they could see a pair of doors ahead, so the companions decided to move on, clearing out the main floor first.

Tanerus listened at the door and shook his head. He slipped a little further down the corridor, checking to see if anything indicated a trap.

Durgaden sighed, "Oh, by Klangadin's beard..." He stomped up and kicked in the door on the right. Behind it was a corridor, several Zhentarim defending a bend in the corridor. They quickly brought their bows to bear and fired at the surprised dwarf. The arrows bounced off his shield as Durgaden strode toward them. Behind the first two was the woodsman with the scourge that had disarmed Durgaden the last time they had met.

Tanerus moved to the other door, about to check it when the door burst open from inside, a massive demon blooded ogre standing on the otherside. Behind him were several more Zhentarim.

Amador and Will were back in the main cavern, watching the fight break out ahead. They were startled first to see a pair of figures with backwards bending knees and small horns appear in the corridor at Tanerus' and Durgaden's backs. They were about to shout a warning, when cries where from up the large staircase. Into the light came charging a pair of skeletons, a pair of commanding Zhentarim, a priest of Bane, an acolyte of Bane, and Xandos the Skymage.

The trap had been sprung, and the fight was on. Will quickly called up a wall of fire, blocking off the force coming from down the steps. He was too late to catch the female commander of the Zhentarim, she was almost already on top of him.

Tanerus fired off his hand crossbow, cursing as the ogre ignored the poisoned dart. He only had one more poisoned dart left. Scrambling as the demonkin rogue appeared behind him, he tumbled off to the side, escaping the reach of the large part-demon ogre. The ogre and his companions kept after him, closing all of the companions but Durgaden into a tighter and tighter knot.

Amador called upon Corellion to aid all of his companions and aflict their enemies. Swirls of divine energy arched from the priest into each of the sides warriors, emboldening his friends and cursing his enemies.

The wall of flame died quickly under the dispelling magic of one of the Banites. The other attempted to freeze Amador's muscles, but he managed to shake the effect off.

Small globes of energy appeared near Xandos and arched toward Amador, threatening to slam into. At the last second they swirled toward a brooch he had picked up off Xandos' dead apprentice after the last fight. The hit the brooch and with a soft pop, dissappeared harmlessly.

Will backed up under the assault of the mine's commander. She screamed and slammed her sword into his magical shielding over and over. Most of the blows were not even able to connect, and the one that did barely cut throne his stone like skin.

Durgaden spun on the rogue behind him and cut him down in two quick easy cuts. He spun back in time to parry and block the blows at his back and kept fighting to secure at least this one corridor. He can rescue the others later, the dwarf thought to himself.

Tanerus ended a roll right behind the Zhentarim commander and lashed out with his blade, digging it deep in her back. She screamed, weakened severely by the blow.

The skeletons lept forward now that the wall of fire had dissappear, and attempt to latch onto Will and Amador. Will finally managed to cast off one of his empowered bolts of lightning. It cut a deep swath through their foes, blasting one skeleton into nothing, ripping through both the commanding Zhentarim and finally slamming into the two priests and Xandos.

Xandos screamed as the bolt surged through him, then fell forward dead. He was joined by both the commanders.

Will was going to pay for his attack though, several of the ogre's comapanions rushed him. While they had been chasing Tanerus down, Will had proven what kind of threat he could be. Durgaden dropped another Zhentarim in the corridor he was fighting in, but he could not get a clean shot on the woodsman.

Amador had pulled out his sword and was fighting against the remaining skeleton when the demonic ogre charged at this side. The elf retreated a step or too. There were just too many of them. The odds needed to be evened. He looked at the body of Xandos. The mage was dead, the demonkin should be freed from bondage. Had he given their true names to someone else? Was Tursa willing to sacrifice them to make her getaway swift?

A cry from down the corridor revealed the answer. Tursa flowed forward turning to lob a ball of fire into the corridor Durgaden fought in. Tumbling past her was another tiefling, this one in red robes. She had said her brother would be very recognizable. What was unfamiliar about him was his fighting technique. He seemed unarmed, till he left the ground behind the three zhentarim on Will and kicked each in the head indiviadualy before lightly returning to the ground. All three fell forward, dead or unconscious.

The tiefling monk spun on the ogre who recognized his kin and backed up a few steps.

Amador slashed again at the skeleton, this time knocking its skull from its shoulders.

Durgaden was a bit worse for wear afted Tursa' fireball, but she had managed to take out all but him and the woodsman in the corridor, so he did not mind the scorch marks on his armor.

The only threat left standing was the woodsman and the priest of Bane. The priest began to cast, but was cut short by the small hand crossbow bolt that thudded into his chest. Tanerus grinned, perfect shot. He watched in amusement as the drow sleep poison worked its magic, dropping the priest to the ground and then into a deep sleep.

Durgaden stalked the woodsman, but a soft hand on his shoulder stayed his arm. Tursa looked at the woodsman and said, "Why don't you put your weapon away." Durgaden almost put his away too. It sounded like a good idea at the time, but he managed to shake off the effects of the charm that Tursa was using on the woodsman. The effect was so strong it had almost caught him as well. The woodsman was like putty in her hands. She commanded him to lower his weapon and he did.

Quickly the two groups gathered. On one side was the four companions, on the other side was Tursa, her brother the tiefling monk, the woodsman, and the demonic ogre. She spoke quickly, "My kin and I are leaving, and we are taking this one with us." She pointed to the woodsman.

Looking down at the sleeping priest of Bane Will nodded. "We can get our information we need from this one."

Durgaden held a hand out to Tursa, "Thanks for holding up your end of the bargain. When this is all done and the mines are moving ore again, perhaps you will return to visit your old home one day. But only under a bit more... peaceful circumstances."

Tursa nodded, "We will see." She turned towards the woodsman and narrowed her eyes at him. "Did you have something you wanted to say?"

He shook his head and bit his lower lip. As the strange crew of four walked out of the mines, Durgaden lowered the portcullis behind them. The woodsman stopped and turned whispered softly before departing, "I will give Master Clariburnus your regards." With that he turned and caught up with Tursa and her kin.

Amador smirked, "Clariburnus?"

Tanerus nodded, "He said he had someone on the inside..."

Durgaden chuckled and lifted a mug of ale, "Well friends, we finally got back me mines!" He tossed back the ale and drank a large gulp or ten.

Will looked a bit pensive, "Aye, but we only have even more questions now than before. I have a feeling we have a long journey still ahead of us before we reach the bottom of all of this..."

 

[med stud]

I like it!

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session 7 - Prologue

Home of Randal Morn
Dagger Falls
Eleint 28th, 1372
Early Morning
(The morning following the drow raids)

The fire had already been burning in the fireplace for several hours, despite the very early hour. It had been lit by servants after the entire household had been roused near midnight. The drow had attacked the town this time, things were getting very serious.

Randal Morn walked into the room wearing his leather armor, his sword strapped to his side. His three advisors had gathered to discuss the morning events. Nearest the fire sat the tall broad shouldered form of Tunfar the Stout. The High Priest of Tyr was dressed in a full suit of chain and plate armor. Beside him lay his shield and mace, neither of which had seen battle in a few weeks.

Standing near the door was a skinny middle aged man with weathered skin, also clad in leather armor. He was Dulwar the town's leatherworker. Unknown to most he was also an accomplished scout and spy. He stood up from the spot where he was leaning on the wall when Randal entered.

Seated across from Tunfar was Shevaril Starcloak. The half-elven abjurer was well known in town as one of the most powerful wizards in the parts. That was what she spoke of first. "My lord, young Will Farseeker has been busy. The spells he used today... they are out of even my reach." She seemed downright worried.

Randal was able to quickly connect the dots, "And he barely survived his encounter with the drow. Which means we have a very large problem."

"The drow only went after the Farseekers, m'lord. They seemed very deliberate." Dulfar held a small leather working tool in one hand, he spun it at the end of each sentence, absent mindedly playing with the tool while he spoke. "That leaves three conclusions. Either the Farseekers have something the drow want, the Farseekers have done something the drow wish to avenge, or..."

Tunfar knew the third answer, "Or the drow know that Will Farseeker is the biggest threat to them in this town and are trying to take him out to make the town easier to subjugate."

Randal frowned, "I'm not sure which it is, but I don't think it matters. The Farseekers are well respected members of this community. If the drow wish a fight, a fight they will have. We will stand by the Farseeker family through this."

Tunfar frowned, "I might know what they are after, m'lord. Young Farseeker brought me an amulet, a holy symbol of their spider goddess. He wanted it properly disposed of."

Randal raised his eyebrows, "Did you?"

"Not yet."

"Do so as soon as possible. The last thing we want is them getting their hands on it, or worse ransacking the temple trying to find it. Who all knows that you have it?"

"Us and Farseeker."

"Good. We need to work a bit more on the plan for the next time the drow decide to make a visit." Randal walked over to a side table and poured himself a glass of water from a pitcher that sat there.

An unfamiliar voice cut through the pause, its dark tone, and otherworldly feel sent fear racing through each of the room inhabitants. "You have another problem to worry about." A black figure stood in one corner, barely visible. It seemed unarmed and unarmored, but it was hard to tell."

All four of the room's inhabitants reacted quickly. Fuses were short, sleep had been lacking, and the stress had strained all of them. This intrusion, but something so dark was not taken lightly.

Tunfar snatched up his mace and kicked his chair out at the figure as he stood. Shevaril stood and pulled a long slender wand from her belt. Randal drew his sword and called out for his guards. Dulfar slipped to one side, switching his tool for a short sword hidden behind his cloak.

The shadowy form, the Prince of Shade Calriburnus shook his head and waved one hand in front of him, conjuring up a dark black disc of a shield, "Don't be foolish, I wish you no harm."

Tunfar did not seem to want any of the Prince's explanations, "Skulking around in the dark! Spying on our meeting, after what you people did in Cormyr you think we will believe that?" He growled and lunged at the shade, but by the time his mace arrived where the shade had been, the shade was gone.

Shevaril spoke a soft word and globes of energy arced toward where the shade had been, flying from the tip of the wand. As the shade slipped into shadow to avoid the cleric's mace, he reappeared on the otherside of the room and the missiles changed course, arcing back toward him. They impacted his shadowy shield and dissappeared harmlessly.

Randal turned and strode toward the shade, "I suggest you leave now, there are only so many places in this room for you to hide." The four were fanning out.

Clariburnus was losing his patience. "I suggest you wisen up, Morn! I have information you need." Tunfar grabbe up his holy symbol and began to mutter soft words to Tyr. Clariburnus threw a hand toward the cleric and the magic the cleric was summoning was dispelled.

Shevaril had waited for that, she started her spell then held a hand out toward the shade. Nothing happened, the spell energy just flowed off the shade with no effect. A spell designed to harden his muscles and render him immobile had no effect whatsoever.

Randal and Dunfar flanked the shade, bothing holding thier swords at the ready.

Clariburnus had enough of this game. "I warned you." He took a half step toward Randal, and when Dunfar reacted Clariburnus was ready. The prince spun in mid step, grabbed Dunfar's wrist and slammed it against a wall. His free hand had pulled out some sort of shadowy dagger. The shade plunged the dagger into Dunfar's wrist. The scout screamed as his wrist was pinned to the wall. He dropped his weapon and was grabbing at his arm with his free hand.

Randal tried to take advantage of the situation. He lept forward striking at the prince's back. Randal's blade cut deep, but Clariburnus just spun, his black blood fading into nothingness as it flung from the open wound. The shade slapped aside the Mayor's weapon and then spoke a few dark ancient words of magic.

Shevaril screamed out, "No!" She recogonized the deadly spell. One touch and Randal would be killed instantly. Clariburnus grabbed Randal by the throat and slammed him against the wall, his other hand glowed blackish blue with the deadly magic. Randal's eyes went wide as the prince thrust a finger at him, the deadly magic crackling softly.

But Clariburnus stopped an hairs width from Morn's forehead. The magic energy snapped and crackled, playing between the finger and its intended target. But the touch was not made. The attack was held back. Clariburnus growled, "Do I have your attention yet?"

Randal choked from the grip on his neck but managed to whisper, "Yes."

"A fairly large contingent of Zhentarim are travelling along the road toward Tethyamar. Your friends will be overrun easily with such numbers. Call your troops up, ambush the Zhentarim in the mountain pass."

Tunfar stood back but gripped his mace tightly, "If we do that, we will be defenseless against the drow!"

"If you don't do it, your friends, the only people in these parts capable of taking on the drow, will be killed. You stand no chance against the dark elves, not with out the heroes of Tethyamar."

Randal swallowed, "Alright... we'll do it."

Clariburnus released Morn, turned and stepped into the shadows dissappearing as he said, "Good, and know this. Those heroes are the kingdom in the stone that they are carving out is the only thing that stands between you and the Empire of Shade. They are also the only thing that stands between you and certain destruction at the hands of the drow. I suggest you remember that." With that the shade was gone.

At the same time, across town, in the home of the dwarf Gregor Stoutbeard...

Gregor looked at Nileger in disbelief. "He did it then?"

Nileger nodded, his beard flapping about, "Aye. Or rather he is about to. Me Mara does work at the temple. They say that Farseeker, who went with Alepounder, was seen at the temple, and at a couple of the shops in the merchant ward. Was trading ancient coin. Dwarven coin, for services. They are doing it Gregor! Alepounder is truly the one."

Gregor nodded. He remembered Alepounder from a few days earlier. He knew the boy, or rather, knew of him. He looked much like his father had, and his grandfather before him. It was obvious that the boy didn't know the truth though. He would have to fix that. "Very well then Nileger. Send out the call. We will need to be leaving as soon as we can."

Nileger smiled, "I already did, sir. I already did. Your pony awaits and the lads are all ready to go."

Gregor was mad at first. How dare Nileger make the call without him commanding it? But if what he said was true, then the outcome was inevitable. His frown slackened and he smiled at Nileger. "Out you fiend, I need to gather me things. Then I will join you and the boys outside."

Nileger smiled and nodded and was out the door fairly quickly.

Gregor turned and walked over to his chest. He pulled out the key and unlocked it, then lifted the sturdy lid and looked down at the contents. He pulled out his warhammer, smiling at the feel of the haft in his hand after so many years. He swung it back and forth a few times then looked down at the armor in the chest.

The breastplate looked just like the one Alepounder had been wearing, only his was merely steel, where Alepounder wore one crafted of Adamantine. As he pulled on the armor he glanced down and saw the small box. He swallowed away the lump that grew in his throat. He lifted the box out and slowly opened it. The light of the fire glinted off the item inside. It practically lit Gregor's face.

He softly stroked one finger along the edge and nodded. It was time. He closed the box, latched it and tucked it under his arm.

Gregor turned and strode out, seeing the boys waiting for him, "Alrighty boys! Lets go home!" The cheer the crew let out woke a few people in the surrounding neighborhood, but the dwarves could not care less.

Later that afternoon, in the mountains west of Dagger Falls...

Captain Lowe grunted in pain, the arrow had pierced his armor and tore into his shoulder. Below in the pass the fight still raged on. His own archers, what were left of them, were trying to pick out Zhentarim targets toward the back. The Zhentarim archers in the back of the melee were returning fire. The Zhentarim infantry had formed a nearly impenetrable wall of shields and was slowly dispatching the Dagger Falls militia with practiced ease.

Lowe shook his head. "We need to call a retreat..." He looked at his second in command. "Call the retreat."

The young female Sgt Serin nodded and lifted the small horn to her lips, she inhaled sharply and was about to blow out the notes to retreat when a deep low horn sounded below. She let the horn fall from her lips a bit and stared down in the pass, trying to discern where the noise came from.

Lowe frowned, "What you waiting for, call the retreat!" He snatched at the horn.

Serin shook her head and kept the horn out of reach, "Captain, look!" She pointed at the back opening of the valley, behind the Zhentarim line. A group of at least twenty dwarves all riding war ponies came pouring out of the opening, the leader waved his warhammer and then let it crash down atop the head of a fleeing Zhentarim. The head popped like a melon. "Reinforcements, sir!" The deep horn that the second dwarf carried blasted its note again across the battlefield.

The back of the Zhentarim line started to collapse. A few of the Zhentarim were still fighting, but as their missile and magic support started to wane their line began to crumble even faster.

Serin smiled and quipped, "Congratulations sir, we did it!" She looked over at the slumped form of her commander. "Sir?" She pushed the captain back and he fell onto the ground, a crossbow bolt buried in middle of face. Serin frowned then turned to archers beside her, "Time to mop up boys." She lept from her perch and began striding toward the battle, stopping every few feet to loose an arrow into a Zhentarim combatant.

After the battle had finished Serin met with Gregor and Nileger. Gregor nodded, "Fine ambush ye had going lass, sorry about your captain."

Serin nodded, "He was a fine man, and will be missed. So you are headed back to Tethyamar?"

"Aye, gotta see if the lad needs any help mopping up the mess the hordes left so many years ago. You and yours are welcome to come with us. We could use the help."

Serin fidgeted a little. "We should get back to Dagger Falls, they will be needing us there. The drow could attack at any time."

Gregor shook his head, "And miss all the fun? Come now lass, we could use a few good archers to help out, me boys is good with axe and hammer, but bows just aren't our thing."

Serin thought back to her orders. Randal had told her to stop the Zhentarim at all cost. He had said that helping out the Heroes of Tethyamar was paramount to the survival of Dagger Falls. "Very well, I will come, and I will ask for volunteers who wish to join us, but I will not order anyone to come."

"Fair enough." Gregor grinned and looked over to Nileger and nodded.

 

[Gilgalad]

Hmmmmmm.......

Me thinks an ultra heavy dose of extra stout ale might help jar the memories from me head that seem to be missing....like...

Who are Gregor Stoutbeard, Nileger and the boys ?

Did me pappy or gran-pappy every say somethin about the mines other than about mak'n ale ?

Is Sgt. Serin good lookin' and does she like Dwarven men ?

Ahhhh...can't wait to discover the answers tonight


Durgaden Alepounder
9th level Dwarven Fighter/Defender
King of the Reclaimed Mines of Tethyamar

 

[Wraithdrit]

Gregor, Nileger, and the boys are the dwarves from Dagger Falls that refused to go with you to the mines on day one. Seems they wanted to see some results before committing to what was always considered a suicidal mission.

Oh and it was your father that was from the mines, and no, he never talked much about them. Just said that he missed them and that one day he wanted to go back but that he couldn't. Never wanted to talk about it much. Refused to talk about it really.

- Wraith

 

[Wraithdrit]

Session 7 - Log 1

Fortress of Tethyamar
Eleint 28th, 1372
Late in the evening

Having searched the rest of the caverns of the mines, the group assembled around their prisoner, a priestess of Bane. She awoke slowly and looked around, instantly assessing her situation.

"What would you do with me now?"

Durgaden spoke first, "That depends on what you are willing to tell us. Tell us what you know, and we will ransom you back to your people."

Tanerus smirked, "Minus all your goodies of course." The priestess frowned. They had striped her down to her garments that she wore under her armor, and tied her hands behind her back.

"Very well. I agree. What is you wish to know, I will answer as truthfully as I can." She looked between the companions.

Durgaden was quick to ask, "What be ye doing here?"

"Administering to the needs of the followers of Bane."

"And what were the Zhentarim doing here? What use is this place to you?" Durgaden saw he was going to have to be fairly literal. She said she would answer him, but that did not mean she would volunteer extra information.

"Command and control."

"But you control nothing out here."

"The desert road is something. The Zhentarim is split between east and west. Down the middle is Cormyr, we need a way to move troops and caravans from one side to the other, that road is the way."

"Not any more it isn't!" Durgaden grinned.

"You think that I am the last that will come? Reinforcements are already enroute. You think we did not send for some after the first few attacks you made? You will lose these mines."

"I think not! They are my mines now."

"We will see about that."

Will interrupted the debate, "Who has the axe?"

"What axe?"

Durgaden sputtered, "The axe from the middle of town? Where is it?"

"The underdark somewhere I suppose. Kara sold it. She was meeting with someone, selling them something." The priestess shifted a little.

"To drow?" asked Will.

"I believe so, I wasn't directly involved."

"We will be getting it back, along with the rest of what you stole from me mines." Durgaden huffed a little.

The priestess looked at Durgaden with a scowl and asked, "Just who are you anyways?"

"The new owner of the mines!" Durgaden puffed up his chest.

"And your name...?" The venom in her voice was obvious.

"Durgaden, Durgaden Alepounder."

She snorted, "Right. Are we through here?"

"I suppose. You try to escape and I will have no choice but to kill you."

"Fine. You have my word, I will not try to escape. I will require sustenance."

"You will have it."

The companions locked her away in an officer's room, then settled down for the night. The gates were shut, and Tanerus had removed the cranks to make it harder to get in.

Early the next morning a noise was heard from the front portcullis. The companions readied themselves and went to see what it was. A few humans in Dagger Falls militia uniforms and a large group of dwarves stood on the otherside of the gate.

Durgaden called to them, "What do you want?"

"Durgaden? Its Gregor Stoutbeard from Dagger Falls, I come looking for Durgaden Alepounder!"

"Well you found him!" Durgaden motioned for Tanerus to fix the crank. "What do you want with me?"

"Let me in son, I've been riding all night and I'm sore as can be. I have something for ye."

Soon the gate opened and Gregor and the boys moved inside at Durgaden's invitation. They made their way to the mess hall and readied some of the Zhentarim provisions.

"Mighty nice of them to stock the larders for you boys," joked Gregor.

"Here, here." Durgaden grinned, "But I have me own stout to go with!" He raised a mug, and the rest of the dwarves joined him. "So what have you for me."

Gregor looked down suddenly, he was obviously not very proud of something he had done. He looked old, even for a dwarf. "I.. I uh, have a letter." He pulled an ancient worn letter from a pouch, it was tied by a string. It has obviously been read many, many times. "I was sent this by King Ghallin before the fall of the mines."

Durgaden looked at Gregor. That would make him several hundred years old. Durgaden's father had lived here, and had left the mines sometime around the fall the mines, though Durgaden never really got the exact details. His father, Durgen Alepounder, had not been much on reminiscing on old times.

Gregor sighed, "Well the letter, it explains it all." He handed the letter to Durgaden, and as Durgaden started to read it outloud, Gregor pulled an ancient wood box from his pack and set it on the table between him and Durgaden.

Durgaden read the letter slowly, taking it all in, reading aloud as he did...

Dear Gregor,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits despite what I have done to you. I know you think you should be here, helping to defend the mines, but I will not risk my most talented craftsman on a suicide mission. We can not win this battle, and Thomas and I saw the writing on the wall long before the hammer dropped.

I just hope that we bought enough time for some our traps to do their trick, and for you and the others to get away safely. The horde may get into the mines, but they will also stay here, and not spread too far a field. The East Ridge Outpost will be our test for the trap. If it works there then we will set one more here in the base of the mines at the shrine to Clangeddin.

I have dire news. Thomas fell yesterday. There was nothing I could do. Thomas was the greatest wizard I have ever met, and the noblest of humans. He overcame his heritage and was a shining example of power being used for good rather than evil. Never had I met a more stalwart companion. He always had my back, and always had advice for any situation.

The hordes have grown stronger. We are pulling out of Tethyamar after the traps are set. The battle is lost, and I will have no more dwarven blood wasted in these mines. Mines can be retaken, lives can not. My cousin Ferim lives in Cormyr. I will go there, and hope that there comes day that I can return to claim my home.

My axe will be returned to the Temple of the Axe in the center of town. We have prepared a guardian for it, and will seal it there. It will remain there till I am strong enough to reclaim it, or perhaps one of my kin will someday use it to carve the Tethyamar kingdom back into these mountains.

If only my brother Durgen were here. Perhaps he would finally forgive me that father chose me to rule over him. True he was older, but father knew that after what Durgen had done, no dwarf would follow him until his bloodline was cleansed of its stain. Drunkenness has always run in our family, but we are nobles and must control our urges. Many say the chamberlain’s death was an accident, and that Durgen did not mean to kill him. It matters little. The fact is that Durgen did kill him in his drunken rage. And for that father cast him forth from the great halls.

It was then that I knew that Thomas would be my Chamberlain. With the current line of Chamberlains now ended, I can choose who I wish, and I wish it to be Thomas! Damn those who think that a human should have no place in our society. The humans are the future. If we do not embrace them into our fold, we will cease to exist. We must adapt and trade with the humans, lest their expansion overwhelm us.

These are all rambling thoughts. Thomas is dead now, we have prepared a place for him deep beneath the Temple to Moradin on the eastern edge of the city. We covered the entrance with a third large water basin in the main entrance hall to the Underdark. It was to be my tomb, but I want Thomas to have it. I only hope that the horde does not gain entrance to it, Thomas would not want his tomb defiled like that. Thomas’ latest creation will stand guard over him. I pity the poor soul that tries to rob that tomb. No book is worth that.

Yes, I buried Thomas’ masterpiece with him. He would have wanted it that way. He always said that it was his and if any of those greedy Thayan relatives of his wanted it, they would have to pry it from his cold dead hands. Well, who am I to stand in the way of his wishes!? Har! Rest well my friend, we had great adventures together. Maybe we will meet again in the next life.

I have sent with this letter my crown. Hold onto it my friend. And when the day comes that the mines are cleared, you are to bestow it on the next King of Tethyamar. I only hope that it is me, or one of my kin. Hell, who knows maybe even Durgen will earn the right! I still can not believe that father kicked him out of the mines, much less stripped of the family name. And to rename him something as crude as Alepounder…

Durgaden sputtered as he read the last few sentences. He downed the rest of his mug and croaked out, "Can I get some more ale?"

When more had been delivered he continued reading...

well I suppose father knew best. I just hope that someday Durgen or one of his kin can wipe the stain from his bloodline, and be once more known as a Tethyamar.

Be safe my friend, live many years. May your forge always run hot, your hammer always be strong, and your works always be of the finest caliber.

Your liege and friend,
King Ghallin ‘Grim’ Tethyamar

Durgaden lowered the letter and looked at Gregor.

Gregor slid the box across the table. "Me and the boys wanted to help you, mate. But with your father's sins still in place, we couldn't. We figure after what you've done, its time that those sins be forgiven. That would make you the heir to Tethyamar. Our king." Gregor slid the bench out, and with the rest of the bows dropped to one knee.

Durgaden opened the box as Gregor talked and saw a finely wrought helmet crown. The spines of the crown were inlaid with platinum. The helmet itself was made from adamantine. The chain coif built into it was mithril. Gems studded the masterpiece in various places. He sputtered, closed the box and watched as the dwarves dropped to one knee.

"Oh by the gods! Get up! Get up! Stop that." The dwarves quickly stood.

Gregor grinned, "Long live the King!" The rest of the dwarves joined in the chorus and raised the mugs, shouting out salutes and cheers. Durgaden grinned a bit sheepishly, but hid it well enough. Durgaden's companions smiled and watched on as the dwarves celebrated.

Durgaden stopped the rowdy celebrations and pointed at his companions, "You boys do as these fellows bid ye, just as sure as if it were me. None of this woulda been possible without them." Durgaden strode over to his companions. "Well we did what we set out to do, and I will reward as I promised."

Tanerus nodded, "There is still the matter of the book."

Durgaden nodded, "Aye, Will, you can study it all ye want, copy it, and all once we find it, but it will need to stay in Tethyamar."

Will nodded, "I understand."

Durgaden grinned, "And we will be needing to go after the items the drow have taken."

Tanerus nodded, "I would bet they are all in one place."

Amador nodded, "I would have to assume that is so. It troubles me that the drow have collected such an array of varying items. They are definately up to something."

Gregor walked up. "M'lord, we will secure the fortress while you and your companions go after this book."

Amador asked Gregor, "Do you know anything about this crypt of Thomas."

Gregor shook his head, "None of us were involved in building it. Most of these boys are like Durgaden, one generation removed from those that lived here. I'm the exception, and as I said, I was not there when the crypt was built."

Will nodded, "Then lets finish getting some rest and when we are ready, we will enter this crypt." All agreed and the plan for the next day was set.