Adventurers-Upon-Return · Legacy archive
Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#281Kadarin was not suprised that the tomb brought nothing but sorrow - but he knew no-one would want to hear that, so he kept quiet.
Had things went the other way and fantastic riches been acquired, he would have thought it a good idea...
Now the group was heading to a monastary to purge it from evil, without a single light-bringing cleric to draw upon.
Hopefully the monk was being dramatic - the giant is nothing more then a tall brigand and the darkness simply a gang of murderous thugs... thought Kadarin hopefully, though not really beliving it. With our luck we'll run into the Giant King himself along with his ice queen Sharula
He contemplated the new capability of channeling some spells through Mouse - maybe with work he could extend the range beyound that of touch. That would be interesting!...
Now, I need to teach this little one to read.
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#282In The Wilds, South of the Monastery
The three outlaws huddled around the fire they had “found”, as the remains of its builder cooled in a nearby ditch. The men spoke in hushed tones, for Keilen had been there at the camp when the undead… things had swarmed over it, massacring everyone. He was lucky to have been able to escape that night of slaughter. If he hadn’t fled when he did, no doubt he, too, would have been left in that corpse-strewn encampment.
A man with any feelings for his comrades would have been shattered, but Keilen was as free of compassion as a vengian blade serpent. Keilen saw only that the massacre had left the territory near Ganse open to someone with the vision to seize it! Searching for surviving allies, he had found two, both men as ruthless as he was.
Suddenly, the men looked up, as a figure appeared, staggering around one of the low hills of the wasteland. Heavily cloaked and hooded against the cold, the man walked slowly through the snow toward their camp. Apparently, he didn’t notice the blood on the snow, or the body thrown haphazardly in the ditch.
The traveler’s hoarse voice called to the rough men around the fire. “Hail, good fellows! Of a certes, ‘tis rough weather for a journey! Have you fellows room enough at your fire to shelter a cold traveler? I needs must journey far this night.”
Keilen’s voice dripped with scorn. “Of course you may, stranger.” He rose from his spot by the fire; thrusting savagely with a dagger he had hidden beneath his cloak, he spitted the stranger. The vicious stab punched right through his unsuspecting visitor, armor and all.
The hooded stranger began slowly falling to the ground, clutching at the impaling blade as Keilen wrenched it out with a cruel twist. Immediately, Keilen leaned forward and began expertly searching the fallen traveler’s body.
“Why, I thank thee,” whispered the traveler as his pale, cold hands reached around the bandit’s throat. His hood fell back, revealing the silvered disks over his eyes. “Tis sure that I’ll repay thee for thy kindness.”
A few minutes later, the monk left the silent encampment. He had many miles yet to travel. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#283Adventurers-Upon-Return
After a tiring forced march north by north west, the companions slowed for the night, having travelled the majority of the day, coming upon a hidden half-cave in the snow. Nothing hidden about the signs around the place however. Blood, frozen red, but darkening, everywhere around the lean-to's opening, stained the virgin snows.
Dujek bent absent-mindedly and lifted something from a milky mound. It looked like...an eye, or some other glassy lump. The necromancer smiled.
Vee and the others contemplated their next move. The Great Escarpment mocked them, far in the distance, all jagged cliffs and wind-scarred rocks. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#284Moruz and Henge (again, short and sweet)
Moruz and Henge trudged on, but soon slowed, having come as to close to the perilously perched monastery as they dared. It was dark now. The night brought the howling of distant, hungry wolves.
Henge seemed contemplative, while Moruz strained his eyes, eyeing the perched aerie in the coming darkness.
How would he get up there? Moruz thought, and as if in reply, Henge once more pointed wordlessly.
Squinting in the direction of Henge's finger, Moruz could make out what the druid was showing him. The pass, which ascended in circles up the stone cliff, upon which perched the monastery, was blocked with huge boulders, not the kind of stones humans would be able to move easily, if at all.
So, Moruz thought, the ease of using the "road" to the monastery was denied him, strewn as it was haphazardly, with tons of rock. The desert warrior gazed upwards at the cliff-face once more, but little could he see. Night had arrived. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#285Hearing the songs of the wolves Vee pulled his cloak a bit tigter around him. He had little love for dogs, and certainly none for wolves. He wished for the umpteenth time that he had some sort of K'tonian Clockwork with him, or perhaps the arcane powers of a sorcerer at his command. Alas, all he had was his new trio of crossbows. His weathered and well used Nimzian cocking action hung at his belt, ready to be drawn and fired. The other two, a more commonly made crossbow and a more exotic repeating bow he carried over his shoulder with the rest of his gear.
The Escarpment loomed ahead and given a choice Vee wanted stone to his back. Not much for retreat, but it reduced the amount of space they would have to watch as night set. "We should make for the base, maybe find a road up to this monastary, I'm pretty sure that we aren't much behind Moruz and Jjuldae. I think they are both still alive." Vee said hopefully as they made they way towards the base of the giant ridge.
At least it had stopped snowing for a bit, and they could see tracks in the snow.
(OOC - advance to base of Great Escarpment) -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#286"Hmm, let's see just what we can do now." said Kadarin, a little quietly as he dug through his robes. He was wearing both against the cold - the brown one outside and the brilliant green one underneath. Bringing forth a scrap of leather from the armor one of the luckless bandits who had imprisoned him, he looked at mouse and spoke the strange words of magic. Nothing appeared to happen, but Mouse glowed briefly, almost imperceptibly.
Mouse was startled by the short surge of power but could see nothing else to give alarm. He shot a questioning look at Kadarin.
"A protective charm, nothing more, young one. One normally reserved for the magii who casts it. This is indeed interesting."
Perhaps when this is over, I could write a thesis on this and perhaps become a professor at the Mage College. Not a quick way to riches though.
"Does anyone have a plan, or are we going to go right up to the door an knock? " To the monk, still a little woozy from his injury, he asked "How many enterances are there to the Monastary? Are there any secret ways an invader may not know of?"
"Would any here like to be increased in size the way the Glass Warrior was when we encountered the Gnolls? If we run into the Giant, that may tip things in our favour. The duration is short though, so we need to time it well. I doubt a giant would succumb to my mystical slumber."
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#287The Need drove the traveler on, pushing him ever closer to the bleak stone of the Great Escarpment. His cloak, purchased bare weeks earlier, was crusted with ice and ragged. His sandaled feet had turned black and swollen as he forced himself forward, disregarding the damage he was doing to himself.
As he trudged onward, the traveler could see the cliffs looming ominously nearby. Crouching low, he began keeping to gullies and using what cover the sparse brush offered. Ahead, he could make out hushed voices, two men talking. Silently, the cloaked figure slipped his mace from its ring on his belt and crept closer. He could almost make out the two men ahead when a raven rose from a tree ahead of him, croaking an alarm for anyone with the knowledge to listen.
His surprise foiled, the traveler strode forward through the snow. He could make out the shape of Moruz ahead, the outlander's mirror-bright weapon readied to strike.
“I thank thee, Moruz. Thy gifts were a kindness unexpected, even though I be not given overmuch to… reflection.” The man pulled back his hood, revealing his pallid, death-swollen features and the glittering death gifts of the desert warrior. “’Tis a fault my abbot found most grievous.” -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#288Vee, Vorodon, Kadarin, Aerex, Talia, and Dujek
As the companions trudged out once more through the snows, moving slowly, Vorodon led the band. Not because he was the finest scout of the lot, but because of his partial night-vision, as well as the behemoth's uncanny ability to discover sink-holes and snow-covered rocks, well before the others could stumble upon them, twisting ankles or worse.
Deep into the night they went, until they they had to stop and rest, the moon only a sliver, and seeing the terrain proving difficult, even with Vorodon leading the way.
As they camped, Vorodon looked ahead at the many cliffs lining the horizon. It was then he spotted the precipitously perched monastery in the night sky. They were near now. Another few hours march, and they would come upon the promentory leading to the abbey. But first they needed rest, not to mention a plan of action.
Meanwhile, the monk was innundating Kadarin with information. He spoke of the vile wizard Alzamus, his stone giant thrall, and his many devious "magicks". He spoke as well of some deep twisted tunnels that lay below the Glassworks of the cliff-rock.
The monk, Tirron, was sure that an assault on the keep would prove difficult if not impossible, but he swore by St. Senren, that he would try to recapture the monastery if he had to go at it alone!
"Here, eat you, quiet. We help." Vorodon handed Tirron a rabbit haunch. Aerex had earlier caught several rabbits with his shortbow, and Vee had killed a third with his Nimzian crossbow, itching to use it as he was..
Now Vorodon looked around the camp, hoping that indeed, someone would start talking...and planning.
Kadarin spoke first...(see val's post above) -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#289Moruz peered up at the monestary, considering. Speaking his thoughts out loud so Henge could gauge them, the glass shifter mused, "Perhaps we could simply scale the rock..." Ugh - terribly dangerous, he know. "Maybe there's a secret tunnel... a back way in or out carved in the mountainside..." That would take some careful searching, probably to find nothing. He sighed beneath his breath Perhaps they could sprout wings and fly. That seemed about as likely as any other course of action at the moment. Still, there HAD to be a way up there! "I can only assume those boulders were put there by the giant I told you of. If we get into the monestary, i'd much rather not encounter that thing directly again - if we can avoid it or do away with it subtlely, it would be far better for us.
... A ravens gutteral croak served as a fine warning. Instantly on the alert, Moruz snagged his weapon and whirled about.
"I thank thee, Moruz. Thy gifts were a kindness unexpected, even though I be not given overmuch to… reflection." Oh no. Moruz remembered that grammar. "Aethelstan..." The dead man pulled back his hood and affirmed the glass warriors thoughts. "’Tis a fault my abbot found most grievous.”
Weapon still at the ready, Moruz uttered "Xactaki" beneath his breath, before speaking to the man proper, "As i'm sure you know, you are no longer alive. Why are you here?" The Ouzquin Dremorix spied the drawn mace, and he raised his own weapon in front, ready. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#290Monastery
“Come back down luv’. Don’t make me fetch Grilgrull! Come down now and let us go to the feast. The cook has prepared stuffed lampreys. And soon no doubt, Master Alzamus shall seek our…company.”
At the mention of Grilgrull, the stone giant, Donovan paled somewhat. He did not want that accursed beast, crushing his windpipe, like he had done to Allabro Red-Bottoms, yet another erstwhile companion of Donovan’s, who, like the young boy, and the fourth troubadour, had been slain during the wizard’s assault.
Donovan could not get rid of the woman. He had made piece with this fact over the days and hours. Despite the harsh, and then, yet harsher brush-offs on the bard’s part, Mazoma stayed with Donovan like a diligent canine guard.
And when the bard managed to get to the highest part of the monastery, and break several shingles to test a possible ascent to the roof, Mazoma was there as well and chiding him.
“Make another move luv’ and you’ll be severely punished, let us go back down…now”, she cooed huskily.
Donovan turned and obliged, following the woman to the grand dining hall, a huge cold stone foyer, where Alzamus held his nightly dinner feasts, macabre panegyrics, high on pomp and circumstance.
Truth be told, Donovan’s mind had been a bit ravaged lately. He found himself feeling unsure of his own motives and motivations. His hatred of the wizard burned bright…or did it? He could not be sure sometimes. The enchanter had poisoned his mind, no doubt, Donovan thought as he walked. But he had not poisoned his mind completely. There were periods of lucidness, several hours of clarity…but then, Alzamus would “speak” to the bard again, the next day and night, and Donovan’s mind would cloud over once more, unsure of whether or not the mage was friend of foe.
Glumly, yet twitching with anticipation, Donovan followed the voluptuous woman smelling of cloying perfume and wine. He had to…it was dinner hour now, and Alzamus liked everyone to be prompt. Donovan did not want to be forcibly brought to the table by Grilgrull, or worse, prodded by that blasted, little demonspawn, Fyrfyr…or whatever his master called him.
As the bard loped toward the main hall, he pocketed his parchment, the one he had convinced Mazoma earlier were song lyrics. He told her that he needed plume and parchment earlier in order to write a special piece for Alzamus, a ballad of wizards and giants, he had called it.
Now, hours later he held his written plea in his chest pocket, hidden from sight. He awaited an opportunity to call forth this avian brother, the one that Donovan had heard screeching above the keep. But first…dinner with Alzamus. The wizard did not like to be kept waiting.
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#291Aethelstan stood up, sliding his mace back into its ring on his belt. Moruz was no foe! He had given Aethelstan what kindness his people knew to show the dead; the desert warrior’s question deserved an answer.
“Friend Moruz, that accursed ground where I did fall… ‘Tis burdened with centuries of baleful necromancy, it overfloweth with power to twist and curse anything that lies there. This fell potential did entrap my soul; there I waited, praying that I might be freed to find my reward... And my prayers were answered most wonderfully; I sensed a presence, a spirit most beneficient. It did reach forth, and gift me with liberty,” the undead monk explained, his voice familiar, and yet strangely hoarse.
Moruz watched warily, sensing the unnatural energy of the undead monastic. Aethelstan could sense the man’s caution, a cautious readiness to strike that he had never seen directed at him before. The man’s eyes narrowed, suspicion and unease filling his features.
Standing with the peculiar stillness of the undead, Aethelstan continued his tale, “Whilst I was freed to ascend, to face my judgment, I did sense summat more: A Need, a petition of the servants of Andur’s Justice. I was freed to ascend, and yet also was I freed to serve the path of Justice.”
“The servant of light then did give me a name most strange; the servant called for me to become ‘The Hand of Andur’. Entering yet again within my mortal coil, I did draw upon the dark power of that accursed land to yield it animate power. To touch such foul magic is to be corrupted, yet in some wise, the power of Andur shieldeth my soul.”
Looking at the daunting cliffs, Aethelstan let out a low hiss. “Shall we assay yon precipice? The Justice of Andur hath been delayed o’erlong, methinks.” -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#292Talia had not spoken much during the march, prefering instead to let the hours go by in silence. Now she was trying to come up with a plan. "Kadarin. How many times can you make someone grow?" A vague sort of idea was taking shape, but she didn't know if it was workable or not. She glanced at the monk who had joined them. "Tell us more about these tunnels, and if you know, how to reach them." It did not seem like a good plan to make a frontal assault, especially since the wizard there had already killed several people. If they could sneak in, then they could mount a surprise attack. And maybe avoid the harsher defenses, like the giant. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#293Henge knew the path of justice as part of the pattern, so unconcerned was he about the Returner. He stared into the gloom. Knew this monestary he did, as he knew this mountain for a time. The weather was their ally not at this time, but the shepard's path might be accessible. "Come," he said to his companions. When they hesitated, he simply repeated it again, "Come!", shaking and pointing his staff for emphasis on the way to go. They backtracked down the mountain some, Henge setting a gruling pace. Then he found the sweet lower meadow. He took three pieces of deadfall and created a cairn, marking this turn. He began to trudge across the meadow when Moruz began to say something. "Friends you have. Path they may need, should seek the same as you they will. It was a faint trail in the snow and brush, but after a bit, even Moruz could see it. The path parralleled the proper one, but lead to a number of feeding spots for the goat herds that used to populate this area regularly until the wheezing sickness took them all. Only old timers knew of this path, or even the goats, in these parts. Henge was of times past, he was.
Moving quickly and surly, Henge kept up his pace, following his footsteps of boyhood. The others spoke from time to time on the journey up. Henge ignored them, focusing on the trail and the pattern to be. Danger there was ahead. Fool he was not.
The going was hard, given the snow and that it was a goat trail all said. But they came to the Shepard's Rest, a small alcove cave, just near a snow burried grass lane. False Dawn lit the snow burdened clouds. "Hide here and rest we will. Scout at twilight. Approach with the darkness of the Starheld's Cloak (old poetic metaphor for night and the fog). Sleep if you can. He handed out honey cakes to both of them (more of a gesture of acceptence to the Returner, than meeting a need). He then found his old spot, still matching the curve of his spine it did, and with two blankets under and one above, he slept.
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#294"Not more then twice friend Talia, though with Mouse...." Kadarin trailed off. It is not wise to plan on resources one cannot control.
"No, twice only. "
In some ways this was like being in the pit again, only walking. So little known and seen, and dread hanging heavy in the air.
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#295Talia: Tell us more about these tunnels, and if you know, how to reach them.
"Yes, I know how to reach them. It is the same branch I used to escape. It winds up the promentory, but know this, we will be encased in rock the entire time, it is an old lavaflow tunnel, and ye would have to crouch throughout the entire ascent.
It would lead to the Glassworks below the keep. Where our work is done. It is dangerous, as well, because the wizard knows of the tunnels, but is loathe himself to explore them. But he knows! mark my words, he watched, as several of us escaped below the hatches, which lie behind the oil vats.
I must do something..I must...it tears my heart assunder. I wish to know why St. Senren has forsaken us! I wish to see this misanthropic wizard cast down!" -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#296Brother Tieron’s heart-rending cry echoed through the wasteland, “I must do something... I must... It tears my heart asunder. I must know why St. Senren has forsaken us! I wish to see this misanthropic wizard cast down!"
Hearing the monk’s cry, Vorodon was troubled. As they had journeyed, he had grown to like the monk, despite the man’s frequent emotional outbursts. The man had been through Hell, and the strain told heavily on him. Vorodon was sympathetic, but Tieron had to pull himself together!
The massive warrior grabbed Tieron by the arm. “Tee-Ron! Tee-Ron must need keep to… dekk… grop! Keep to grop, Vorodon tell! Need Tee-ron tell for persons who faces on heard! Yes? Who persons there for place of monks?”
“I don’t really know who’s left,” the troubled monk replied. “So many are dead! We were lucky to make it out with our skins…”
Kadarin was also concerned about the dangers ahead, interjecting, “These tunnels you mention: Are there ones he does not know of? I can't think of a surer deathtrap! Even the oil is there to broil us! If this is a wizard of power, it is sure he would watch those tunnels, if by nothing else but a tattle-spell of sorts. Then, at a word, his giant servant could fill the tunnels with oil, and send us to a fiery end. By even simpler traps he could accomplish the same end. I do not want to sound negative - this wizard must be cast down, but we must go in with both eyes open.”
Vorodon would not be distracted. “Need for to know persons! Persons need for to kill! Persons not need for to kill!”
“Before the wizard came, there were some minstrels…” the monk began.
“What manys?” cut in Vorodon, “Need for number!”
“I don’t know! Three or four, maybe… And there were others there! A professor and some guards, one of them was a big fella, like you!”
Kadarin was still trying to find out more about the tunnels. They seemed a fool’s hope. "I hope there is another way. The memories of the pit I was imprisoned in are too fresh for me to want to negotiate more tunnels. Others such as our large friend here," pointing to the half-ogre, "may find them impassible."
Before the monk could answer, the half-breed warrior cut in again.
“Big like Vorodon? Was name-called Bross? Where Bross?” he interjected.
“Stop interrupting me! I think he was named Bross! Do you want me to tell you or not?! I don’t know what happened to them; they might be dead or captured. They might even have escaped. The wizard had some people with him too, a couple of women and that stone giant. I don’t know anything else about them,” the overstressed monastic exclaimed.
Undeterred by the interruptions, the wizard continued his questions. “How did the Giant gain egress? From what you describe the ascent is formidable?"
“I’m not sure!” replied the monk. “I think that they came up the main path.”
Kadarin hoped that they weren’t going ahead without a sound plan. Brigands, gnolls, and ghouls were one thing: They did not bring much intelligence to bear. “A wizard is a different animal indeed,” Kadarin reflected. He knew well how far he had to go to attain that title. The feats his instructors could perform still sent shivers down his spine. The school that Uncle had gained him entry to was more focused on Art then Ethics: It was one of the few schools with courses in the darker arts. Kadarin had audited one such course; even now the memories were difficult to carry.
The pair were going to keep grilling Tieron as they drew ever closer to the mist-shrouded monastery, but just then, Aerax spotted something through the mists. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#297Moruz downed the honey-cake in three bites, then lowered to a rest between a pair of rocks, where the snow had not touched. The druid was already deep in slumber. The glass warrior peered at the sky - perhaps two hours to twilight. During the journey up to this shepherds rest, he had been convinced that Aethelstan was the himself - after all, the dead couldn't confound Moruz with the common language as Aethelstan could! So, now he had TWO people he could barely understand!
Even still, Moruz had no intention of sleeping. He peered at the once-dead priest, his Ouzala rested on his lap. "I don't care for your lands, Aethelstan. Things are much more... complicated, than in the desert." -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#298Tales are told of warriors strong
Of Kings and Knights of old
But none shall ring through time as long
As Alzamus the Bold
This drivel was all that kept him alive. Ridiculous as it was, Donovan wasted his talent for verse on writing songs for the pompous wizard whom he has the displeasure of being in the employ. Or was he? At times Donovan was not so sure.
Days seemed blurred as of late, his mind wandering between devoted adoration and righteous hatred toward his benefactor. The only think comforting that seemed to last was the wind.
Slaa sahll er toinn muck roauyr.
The lingering stink of the wench and the cold-iron taste of blood assailed his senses more often than he cared to acknowledge. Only in the deep cold of the enveloping night was he free of his torturous fate.
Donovan lingered over the body of the apprentice bard once again. The night was cold and the torch flickered weakly against the wind. His breath, slow and measured, made icy clouds in the air. The moon shone bright through the collapsed wall. He laid the rebec in the crook of his elbow and drew the bow delicately across the strings.
Cha nee eshyn ta red beg echey ta boght,
Agh eshyn to geearree smoo.
Cha daink lesh y gheay, nagh ragh lesh yn ushtey,
Brishys accyrys trooid voallaghyn cloaie.
Ta brott cheh boggagh arran croie,
Chyndaa us mish myr va roie.
Kiangle myr void, as yiow myr carrey,
Craue beg ’sy chleeau…
Donovan sang softly, yet his voice carried well on the chill breeze. No doubt the magus and his entourage would think him writing; having told the wench Mazoma of his intentions for the parchment and quill.
He continued singing the coaxing melody into the icy night, his fingers growing cold and his voice tired. Clenched in his bow hand was the parchment; his plea for salvation.
The burning in his breast was enough to keep him warm…until his “avian brother” came to call…
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#299Aethelstan listened to the restless musing of Moruz. More complicated… things were complicated indeed. “Moruz, thou hast struck the heart of it. Men were ne’er crafted for such broils of steel and magic; the heart of man hath been shaped for a world more true.”
As he talked, he began rearranging the tattered bindings on his sandals, trying not to notice the torn flesh of his feet, the ribbons of skin hanging where the sandals had failed to protect them from the rocks and ice. “All that we may do is seek truth and justice, as best we may, that we leave a few clean spots on this besmirched world ere we pass on,” he mused.
Aethelstan wished that he could sleep. It hadn’t occurred to him that he would miss sleep so much… The joy of letting his spirit relax, free to receive the visions of the blessed Saint Senren. Trapped in this strange unlife, he felt so alone. How long would he have to live this way before he could again feel communion with the Saint?
Part of him knew that he could still let go, still retreat from the world, but he could feel the corrupt part of his nature beating at its prison walls within his mind. He couldn’t ever let himself forget that this body was animated by the foulest of necromancy. If he failed in his vigilance, that foulness would be released, freed to work its evil.
He couldn’t let that happen. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#300Talia considered. If the tunnels were as cramped as he said, that wouldn't work, not for her, at any rate. "If he knows about the tunnels, then they're likely to be guarded. And if they're that small, we'd best find another route. A pity we don't have a way to send a distraction up the tunnels." She was quiet. "If you can cast that grow spell twice, then it had probably better be a fighter. I think myself and Vorodon are the best choices, if you don't mind," she added, glancing at the ogre. "Maybe one when we start fighting, then the other if they need help. Do you have any spells or somesuch to either protect us, or counter the wizards spells?" -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#301"Alas, unless he tries to shrink you, my enchantments are not the match of a true wizard. Maybe someday, but not now."
He paused, "Magus Dujek here may be able to assail Alzamus more directly."
Kadarin cursed the fate which kept him from this vocation so late - had he started his training when the other apprentices had, this would be far easier.
"How close are we now to the monstary, Brother Tieron? We should settle on our course soon, for it may be dangerous to plan too close. I do not wish to make wizards seem as like gods, but there are fairly elementry enchantments which allow one to eavesdrop."
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#302After having dined and listened to the excellent, and properly fawning, tunes of Donovan, Alzamus and Lazanne withdrew to their chambers. Laughter and merriment was the order of the day as the happy couple teased each other on their way up the stairs.
After a night of passion, Alzamus awoke to the sounds of Lazanne regurgitating in the early hours of the morn. "I feel sick, Alza!" the woman croaked, and the disturbed wizard ran to help her, but she shoved him away. Not knowing what to do, the undressed enchanter ran off in search of Donovan, who awoke barely a minute later to the screams of a wild eyed, naked wizard on the verge of total panic.
"It is Lazanne! She is is SICK! She is SICK! You must come help her!"
Not really waiting for the bard, the distraught mage ran back through snow and monestary chambers. What would become of him without Lazanne to guide him?
(OOC: As I have understood the posts of the other players, they will wait the night and then launch their surprise party the next day. If need be I will withdraw this post to give room for some nighttime assassination and mayhem) -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#303Wind currents ran wild in this airspace. The flying one spotted the spark of light which was his path. This-way-this-way-this-way- the thing rising in the back of his mind told him the way. Follow-spark-follow-spark-this-way-this-way.
It was dark, and all around the flying one were the night winds, lancing in the mercurial dance of the air around the great stone pile. Two-legger-nest-this-way.
The flying one spotted an opening in the great man-cave, and with a thin screech, wheeled downward. Two-legger-hatchmate-two-legger. He settled his talons onto a windowsill, peering into the two-legger nest. The small space, skyless above and contained below, made him uncomfortable. Where was the two-legger. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#304After a moments thought, Kadarin said "I've enough with the underground, and I'm no mountaineer. My vote is the path. Most obvious, of course, but we can spread out if the mage tries spells, or the giant Boulders."
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Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#305Monastery
Could it be true?
Donovan stared at the white and gray plumed raptor with unabashed admiration. The 'falcon-has-landed' Donovan thought, remembering another of his people's sayings, denoting a job well done or an unexpected but pleasant conclusion to a thing.
Earlier that night, Donovan had seethed with rage inside, while smiling a deep smile and singing his soul out for Alzamus' gathered 'dinner guests'. The music was divine, his voice, perfect. It was one of his better pieces, he mused to himself. Even Alzamus smiled, his heavy lids half-closed, his head gently swaying to the mournful ode.
But after dinner it was back to his chamber, with Mazoma in tow. She had taken to sleeping in Donovan's spartan quarters, desirous of his attentions, but oblivious to his insults. She slept on the floor, she did not care...and neither did he.
Mazoma was sound asleep and snoring when the gray hawk landed on the stone sill. It $%@#ed its head in curiousity, but didnt make a sound. Donovan approached, plaintive note in hand.
The bird had answered his desperate call.
Elswhere...
"Once more, my dear, once more" cooed Alzamus as he crushed a beetle absentmindedly.
"I will be the death of you, my...love" Lazanne whispered back, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight.
"This I know" Alzamus grinned, "This I know." he sighed heavily and drew the woman closer. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#306The Ascent
As Moruz, Henge, and the silent Aethelstan ascended the path, the full moon seemed to guide them. There was more than enough light beneath the great orb this night to be sure, and navigating the rock falls and propped boulders did not prove as difficult as Moruz had initially thought, while earlier gazing upon the edifice, from the other side of the cliff.
Aethelstan spooked Moruz however, though the desert warrior did not show his fears. By what eldritch power did this man now walk amongst the living? Moruz remembered the young priest with the infectious smile, so full of life and vigor, but now, now Moruz wasn’t sure what to think.
For his part, Henge walked and hummed. It seemed to Moruz that the druid was at peace…with everything and anything.
Not so, would say Henge. He was still humming, yes, but the countenance of the hermit had somewhat changed. He now seemed deep in thought.
After an hour or more, Moruz couldn’t be sure, the trio approached the last precipice. It took some doing for Moruz to convince the now completely fearless Aethelstan to pause, while Moruz scouted ahead.
Cresting the ridge like a desert caracal, Moruz, crawling up on his stomach, saw a level path ahead in the moonlight. Fifty feet to the gate of the monastery, a large, imposing edifice of stone, Moruz eyed the scene, and in front of the gate, wearing some bizarre scarf of cloth, was the stone giant. Sitting with his back against the gate, the giant seemed asleep, still and silent, though of course, Moruz couldn’t be sure.
The desert warrior inched his way back below the last ridge and eyed his two bizarre companions.
-
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#307A league away,
Aerex had indeed spied something in the light of the full moon. A small triangle of pebbles and rocks, no wait, not a triangle, an arrow, pointing around the eastern face of the great cliff, beneath which the companions had now gathered. As Aerex inspected the man-made sign, he noticed several glass shards lying on top of the rocks. Moruz' shards, Aerex realized! He was here...and alive...and he had left a marker, though strangely, the patterned rocks did not reflect Moruz' style. Was it Jjuldae? the inspector wondered, as he returned to the group.
Meanwhile, the others were gathered around yet another make-shift camp, planning and plotting.
An hour later...
The companions were half-way up the incline, more arranged rock markers showing them the way around the collapsed and seemingly randomly tossed boulders.
The full moon was with them this night, lighting the path up to the monastery. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#308Talia scrambled up the incline easily, a little ahead of the others. She was glad that Moruz was here, if the glass was any indication. It would be good to have another fighter. Privately, she thought this wasn't just a fool's errand, it was one that was likely to get them all killed. It didn't matter, everyone had to die sometime. And fighting for her life would keep her mind off of the incident with that wretched pit. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#309Walking up the pathway, weaving in between the stones haphazardly blocking the trail, Dujek and Koschei plotted.
I'm telling you lizard, it won't work. But if you think that we'ven't got a glimmer of a chance otherwise I'll try it your way.
"Vee, a second." Dujek said as he walked over to the learn'd man, "If we run into this Giant the monk talked about we think it would be best if it was dealt with promtly. I can cast the same spell on the giant that I did on the werewolf in the tavern. It wouldn't be able to move, and from there I'm sure that you can deal with it as you think best. But I also don't know how long I'll be able to keep him from moving, and once he breaks out there won't be much I can do to help keep him contained."
Looking up into the Moon Lady's hard glare Dujek seemed to get lost in his thoughts, whatever he thought about quickly passed, as he seemed to steel himself for the upcoming raid upon the mountain fastness. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#310"Well we know the thing can bleed, and anything that can bleed can die. If you can hold it still long enough I can put a suitable bolt through it's gizzard, or whatever it has." Aside from the magically gigantized Moruz, Vee had never seen a giant. "What about that trick when you made Moruz giant, what if you giant-sized my crossbow bolt after I fired it, so it was the size of a tree trunk or something like that?' Vee asked as the trodged up the winding path of hard stone and scree. He was looking forward to seeing Moruz again, he was rather comfortable around the glass warrior, certainly not on edge like he was around Aerex. He knew that the Inspector would likely stab him through the back with as little remorse as he had done the bandit by the riverside.
Perhaps taunting him about Talia wasn't the best idea. No use in making foes when there were already plenty to be had. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#311"It's a great thought! You have a wonderous opinion of my reaction time, but I'm afraid that would be rather chancey. At best the bolt would become the size of a javaline, and may simply fall out of the air with the added weight. If my power were greater, it would be worth a try.."
-
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#312The Moon is the One, Aspect of the Three, Blessed Be. This mantra had been going through his mind the entire time sneaking along the path. It was an abbreviated version of the prayers he should be saying in the comfort of his own hill. He almost didn't notice Moruz scouting ahead. When he did, he hid behind the clump. It was unnerving that the Returning was there, so close, yet made no sound of breath or heartbeat.
When The Three got close, Henge wispered. "Unless a plan brave and heroic you have, that be smart too," Henge pointed at one of the back section second story windows. "I have strong Ivy Seeds and the Will of the Nature to make them a path".
-
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#313Salvation!
As he had hoped, a large osprey sat on the sill of the window, somewhat distraught. He had to be careful now. Donovan knew the bird might scare easily.He softened his voice and began his plea.
“Brother, take this page to others who would help” he cooed “ ones' as I, and I will be in your debt.” He produced the note. Moving delicately he slipped it into the the bird’s talons and stepped back.
“Foddeee fastyr grianagh ve ec moghray boojalagh. Fly true, my friend.”
He watched as the noble creature took flight, and hoped his instructions would suffice.
He stepped over the snoring whore lying on the floor by his bedside and slid under the blankets. The sun was close to rising and he needed sleep…
A short time later
Donovan woke with a start. He wasn’t certain, but he thought a naked man just screamed at him and ran off. Something about a sick girl. Or was that his dream? He rubbed his eyes.
“Damn” he jumped out of be as he watched the bare posterior of the old wizard turn the corned of the hall.
Still wrapped in his kilt (more for protection from Mazoma’s lecherous advances than comfort) he slid out of bed and slung his bag of herbs over his shoulder.
“I’m a bard damn it, not a priest…” he mumbled as he began to sprint to Alzamus’ room.
He knew what he’d find. It was early morn, and the young girl was ill. The old mage should have expected as much…they spent enough time locked in there together...
He opened the door to find the wizard doing something odd with an insect while cradling Lazanne.
“Do you want my help, or are you just going to poison her with your strange brews and blame me later?”
He moved towards the couple while digging in his bag. “Move yourself Alzamus, so I can work. And please….put something on” he growled, not too disrespectfully. He was tired and his fingertips were sore from playing.
He looked her over carefully, pressing here, looking there. His mother had taught him well the art of healing the sick with herbs. He continued for but a scant few minutes, and satisfied with his findings, closed his bag.
He gave her nothing...
Caghlaa obbyr aash.
He stood up slowly and walked over to the mage.
“You know what’s wrong with her, don’t you” he said in a hushed tone “you should, it’s as much your fault as any. No more bugs, old man…she’s with child, not dying.”
He paused a moment, trying to gauge the wizard’s reaction.
“Now if you don’t mind the sun is still low enough for me to get back to sleep.”
Donovan waited a moment for the thought to sink into the wizard's mind.
Satisfied that he understood the news, the bard trudged off to bed hoping to slumber a few more hours... -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#314Aerex was tight-lipped on the ascent up the apparently marked path. He desperately wanted to believe that Moruz or Jjuldae had left the markers for them to follow, perhaps marking the monastery or the corpse of their giant. But it was just too damn convenient. What if someone else had placed these markers? What if they were walking directly into a trap? He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling, but didn't want to let his pessimism dampen the spirits of the others. It's probably just cold feet, he thought. Probably.
At least it was night. If there was one thing Aerex enjoyed, it was a good moonlit stroll. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#315“Friend Moruz, good Henge, mayhap we may make our way nigh unto the Monastery’s chapel,” whispered Aethelstan. “T’would lie yonder, if this monastery follows the traditions of the Order,” he added, pointing.
“In thus wise, we shall be well clear of yon giant an’ may clamber up the wall unmolested. I shall summon some humble climbing creature there, that it may carry a strand from my rope up the wall and over one of the roof joists. When it returns to us, we may affix our knotted rope to this strand and so silently make entry through one of the shattered windows. I yearn to see the chapel soon, for I have great need of the Lord of Law’s guidance.”
“Should the giant wake, I shall befuddle its sight with the magic at my command. What say ye?” -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#316Moruz nodded to Aethelstan's words - the plan sounded wise; certainly far better than charging that beast head-on once more. So... the giant must take residence here, otherwise it would not be resting out the front there in such a casual manner. But then, what of the monks? What of the glass-works he had heard of? Moruz was becoming more and more interested in this situation as he thought it out... "Lead the way, Aethelstan - and keep low; I'd rather not tempt fate by believing that the giant is asleep - we should act as though it were wide awake and on the alert."
-
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#317Alzamus stood at the bottom of the bell tower. Looking up he saw the monk's bell far above. In the days of the monastic order it had chimed at dusk and dawn, at prayer and for dinner. Not so anymore, for the wizard could not stand the sound. He wore his fur and velvet cloak tight about him, for the new day had arrived bearing a biting frost from the north.
"Fyrfyrion!" he called but once.
A minute passed and Alzamus began showing signs of anger. He could sense the familiar, and if he focused he could see through its eyes and hear through its ears. But Fyrfyrion sensed in such a strange way the experience always left him ill at ease.
"Yeess maasster! Do you tire from celebrating yourself already? Have you come to torment poor Fyrfyrion with worthwhile tasks? Do you want me to kill that charming witch?" it hissed, yet it was still invisible to the wizard's eyes.
"It is I who do the charming around here, fiend. No. I come as I always come in the morning. I ask for any news you may have acquired" the wizard was annoyed with Fyrfyrion, and the fiend's constant desire to kill Lazanne was getting on his nerves. He had a nagging suspicion the familiar was jealous, or something like that, for at first it had been unbothered by his master's new pet.
Better save my peculiar news until later. If he discovers she is pregnant, there is no end to what he could do
"Oh... Is that true?" the unseen familiar replied, its voice heavy with sarcasm. "I was beginning to fear she had acquired your powers... Perhapss even rendered you a lovestruck old fool..."
Alzamus did not reply. Instead he turned around to leave.
"Oh... maaster! I may still have some news of interest!" the fiend taunted.
"Yes?"
"Hehehe... Grilgrulls old friends are in the forest below, maassster. Some of them may be even closer. I spied them moving through the fog this night"
Smiling Alzamus replied. "Is that so? We have work cut out for us, you and me!"
Fyrfyrion smiled at the wizard's reply. Indeed they had and there was even more cut out for him. There was fowl on the menu, and a bard would sing. As the wizard disappeared out of sight, the fiend flapped its wings and flew back up to the bell of the tower.
"There is fowl on the menu, and Donovan, you will sing! You will even do me a favour, you witless fool!" the familiar said to itself. And, with an eerie, cackling laughter, the invisible familiar threw itself from the tower. There was work to be done. -
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#318Grilgrull thought he heard something and arched a single eye in the direction of the sound. Eh? What was that?
The giant grew suddenly anxious, imagining how angry Alzamus might be if intruders came unannounced, and the giant was on the outside, and not where Alzamus had told him to guard.
For a moment, Grilgrull of the Clouded Mind, thought of rising and entering the main gate once more, standing vigil on the inside of the great stone door, where he was supposed to be. But just as quickly he changed his mind again.
The night was so serene, so peaceful. There was no peace inside, only reminders of his vile master’s magicks.
Grilgrull ignored the sound. Animals no doubt anyway, the slow-witted giant decided.
The pain in Grilgrull’s throat was throbbing and perpetual now. Stupid humans, he grew angry now, stupid, stupid humans!
Now feeling awake, Grilgrull did get up, all ten feet of carved stony flesh and muscle, and stretched.
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The companions had followed the stone markings all the way up the steep, rocky incline. They travelled mostly in silence, lost in their individual thoughts.
It was Vorodon who suddenly called a halt. He had spied something at the pinnacle, a huge, anthropmorphic shape, that made the half-ogre's bushy brows furrow in consternation.
As the companions paused at Vorodon's hushed but urgent warning, the monastery of stone now reared above them, beautiful and alien beneath the full moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henge, Aethelstan, and Moruz stalked their way around the limited rock-strewn pathway, encircling the monastery's summit, in relative silence. The druid, the grave-sent abomination, and the desert panther made little sound. They had managed to near the opposite side of the structure now, away from the terrifying giant, and now looked up at the smooth, cold stone walls of the keep.
The creature that was once Aethelstan began to chant in tongues, queitly. Meanwhile, Henge rummaged in one of his many pouches. As to Moruz, the desert warrior stood still and silent, unafraid, but anxious.
-
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#319The Osprey flew deep into the night, then turned ever so slightly, allowing his wings to catch descending currents. The creature glided in cirles, slowly approaching the keep it had once already visited this same night.
Familiar shapes appear beneath the moon-lit sky. The osprey nears its target now. The Osprey has landed.
"Shoo" announced Vorodon in a harsh, guttural whisper, only a Volgottor could pull off, consternated at this annoying new distraction. A huge bird, a fish eagle, he remembered seeing them in his childhood, soaring above the Green River, had landed silently on a jutting shard of rock, not a dozen feet from the companions.
It was Talia that approached the peculiar bird. Should it not be sleeping? As the Bladedancer neared the avian, Jjuldae's mind stirred, somewhere deep inside the osprey's meager brain.
It was not the bird's approval or companionship which Talia sought. Instead, she had spied the rolled parchment in its grasping claw. Talia removed the paper gently, as the osprey allowed her to do so. The bird parted its beak suddenly, as if to screech, but no noise issued forth, the Osprey-that-once-was-Jjuldae, suddenly thought better of it, as Talia removed the note.
To whom ever finds my plea,
I am held against my will in a monastery atop a mountain.
I can offer little help to one who would assist me, but I can do something.
When the sun falls in the west I will lower a rope from the drainage portals on the south side of the building. It will be a mere fifty feet, but I will do my best to acquire more if I am able. I will mark the walls in chalk to lead to a safe place once inside the walls, where I will meet my rescuers as soon as I am able.
You will find a note there, for my words are not to be trusted. I am without recourse in this matter; it is beyond my control.
Know you this; a magus calls this place home as of late. The magus knows of the souls traversing this land that ran afoul of a giant, so be wary of traps he may have lain along the road. He is crafty as well as devious, and is not to be trusted.
I will speak no more of this, as I cannot betray my "liege".
I hope this note finds you soon, I fear my time is short…
D. R.
Aerex and Vee had grown quite distant in a relatively short period of time. It was as if the stoic walk up the mountain forced them both to think thoughts they may have otherwise not considered.
An invisible but palpable rift seemed to be quickly growing between the rogues. Not a hatred, but more a sense of detachment and reservation, and it was more than just Talia. It seemed to be a general unspoken resentment.
No one could guess how this would play out between the pair, Kadarin thought to himself, and not for the first time, as he paused to remove his shoe and shake out some painful pebbles. The young sorcerer found himself thinking of his uncle, as he trudged on, occasionally helping Mouse, occasionally being helped in turn by the mute albino. As Kadarin had paused, so too did Mouse. In the moonlight, the boy's hand gestures were unmistakable to Kadarin, the boy was warning him with his own brand of Fingerspeak, which the mage had helped him develop. Mouse was pointing to the castle, (after all, it looked like a castle to the boy, he had never seen a monastery) and then making the hand sign for 'bad magic'. Kadarin paled slightly, then grabbed Mouse's hand and caught up to the others, who were kind enough, Kadarin thought, to have paused at the cusp of the step hill, to wait for him. Wait...what was Vorodon pointing at...and why does everyone look agog? They had not paused, Kadarin suddenly realized, to wait for him, they had paused because on the other side of that rock lip, was something which held them motionless in their tracks.
Dujek plotted and chatted with Vee in hushed half-whispers. It was agonizing, Vee thought, he could never be sure, whether the necromancer with the drooling jaw, was saying something to Keykold, or answering his lizard outloud.
-
Re: Adventurers-Upon-Return (Chap II)
#320Talia read the message, then passed it around. "Well, we have a couple of options," she whispered. "We can go through the front door and the giant, and probably have to fight our way in after. We can go to the south side, probably walk into a trap, and hopefully fight our way free. On the very off chance this is telling the truth, we can get in and maybe run amok before they realize we're there. In any case, I think we're in for a rough night. We'll have to deal with the giant, and then there's the wizard, and who knows what else he's got up there?" She bit her lip. "Someone up there, at least one person, knows we're here and knows we're coming. Personally, I'm inclined to see if we can find our way in another way, maybe distract the giant and sneak past it." Actually, she thought if they had any sense, they'd just leave. Going up to a stronghold with as little information as they actually had was stupid. Not, of course, that she was going to bother saying so.