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| | From:  Hiel- (Original Message) | Sent: 10/24/2007 5:32 AM |
NEW ADVENTURE Interested Members Contact Hi'el Troiye via email or post.
| Location: City of Sundabar -- Halls of Everlasting Justice (Temple of Torm and Tyr),
Time: Midday (D+3 after the Temple's Destruction); | | | 1. Tarnar's Moat
2. River Gate
3. East Gate
4. Turnstone Gate
5. Swords Gate
6. The Master's Hall | 7. Hall Of Vigilance
8. Hall Of Everlasting Justice
9. Baldiver's
10. The Firestar Chariot
11. Malshym's House
12. The Trumpet | |
 | |  ~ ~ ~ Meting out justice, the High Justice and Council of Justiciars presided over open assembly handing down rulings on civil and criminal precedings brought before them by Clergy and Servants of Tyr or by the Stone Shields. The open assembly was always held in the multi-tiered, main worship hall of the temple capable of seating several hundred neophytes, acolytes, clerics, priests, paladins, and citizenry of Sundabar and Everfire. Entering the chamber, the Elven Knight descended the stairs between tiers, heading for the Tier of Judgment, the bottom most level where the High Justice and Council of Justiciar's rendered their judgments. When stopped by one of the chamber Bailiffs, the Arms Major convinced the worshipper of Torm to place his name next on the docket of supplicants to be heard before the assembly. Lord Galifrey watched as the Baliff, nodding in his direction, spoke to the Docket Magistrate, who in turn nodded, agreeing to the change in the scheduled. The Ithil'Quessir relaxed his posture, which had unconsciously been tense, because of the uncertainty of how his request for audience before the open assembly would be received, and waited more at ease now that no objection had been raised. While waiting, the Paladin of Torm casually scanned the tiers of seated attendees, mostly Humans and some Dwarves, from what he could discern in his local proximity. ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Soon enough, the Bailiffs were echoing his name, summoning him before the High Justice and Council of Justiciars. The platinum-haired Ithil'Quessir walked directly to the reviewing stand beneath the upraised platform on which the High Justice and Justiciars adjudicated over the cases brought before them. From the raised dias, High Justice Trian'Dial spoke to him, saying "The High Court of Sundabar welcomes Lord Galifrey, Paladin of Torm. What matter would you bring before the Justiciars and Assembly?" Carefully chosing his words, the Arms Major, speaking in Ancient Elvish translated into Common by the magical pendant given him by the Sorceress Arienne, enunnciated in his melodious aristocratic tenor "High Justice, I ask for an Inquest. I ask this for two reasons. The first is to receive a Church Sanction for a vision given me presumably by Torm of a Mithril Griffon statuette in the possession of the Dwarven Cleric Ashen Shugar. The second, and more important reason, is there maybe something wrong shown me in the vision happening beneath Sundabar which the Dwarves haven't shared with the Lords of the Surface City. I request an official delegation of paladins and priests from the Halls of Everlasting Justice to accompany me into the depths of Everfire to meet with the Dwarves." ~ ~ ~ | | Kur'ai Galifrey | | Translation(‡†):
Current HP: 58 / 58 [6th level]; THAC0 = 14; Saving Throw: NA; Ability Score Check: NA; AC: -4 [AC Base = -1 (plate mail & dexterity), -1 w/in Paladin's aura, -2 War Blade; penalties = DM Call]; Initiative: NA; Actions/Attacks: NA; Results/Damages: NA; Total Damage (rolled): NA; Active Powers: Standard Paladin; | |
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| Location: City of Sundabar -- Halls of Everlasting Justice (Temple of Torm and Tyr),
Time: Midday (D+3 after the Temple's Destruction); | | | 1. Tarnar's Moat
2. River Gate
3. East Gate
4. Turnstone Gate
5. Swords Gate
6. The Master's Hall | 7. Hall Of Vigilance
8. Hall Of Everlasting Justice
9. Baldiver's
10. The Firestar Chariot
11. Malshym's House
12. The Trumpet | |
|  ~ ~ ~ Naturally, the claims of the Elven Knight about something being wrong in the depths of the Everfire Forges didn't go over well with the Dwarves sitting in the Assembly audience. And because of the natural antipathy between Dwarves and Elves, the uproar lasted considerably longer, and took even longer to restore peace and order in the hall. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The High Justice called for the Bailiffs to restore order, and repeatedly struck the Judgment Bell, issuing sharp clarion peals throughout the hall. When order was finally restored to the Assembly, Trian'Dial and the eight Justiciars quietly conferred about the matter, before finally reaching a decision. Standing from her chair, the High Justice, dressed in deep silver robes trimmed with a white hem and embroidered with royal blue-thread, balance scales, formally stated their decision, announcing "Lord Galifrey, this is highly improper, and places us in a difficult position." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ To which, the Arms Major dispassionately replied "I know, but that's not my problem. What is; however, is I am an outsider, unfamiliar with the state of temple politics, and unwilling to let the matter be decided without first making the Open Assemby aware. And therefore the larger community aware of the potential evil brewing beneath the Forges of Everfire." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Trian'Dial nodded at the explanation, and concluded the logical sequence of follow on events, stating "So you are aware that only the High Priestess may sanction an Inquest. It still remains Her decision to grant the Inquest. But as you planned, the High Priestess may no longer have the option to arbitrarily deny the Inquest without Impugning your claims, which if she did would be an insult to your Honor, permitting a challenge by Trial at Arms. It might also breed doubt in the hierarchy rank and file about a High Priestess, who decided not to investigate a vision of Torm and a report of evil from a Paladin." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The ancient Ithil'Quessir gave a slight, non-chalant shrug of his shoulders, and cryptically answered "Something like that, High Justice. I prefer to believe that I'm doing Torm's Will." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Trian'Dial looked up from Lord of Myth Drannor to the Open Assembly, and announced "On behalf of High Priestess Ashierra, the Council of Justiciars calls for a formal Inquest. The official delegation is open to any now present within these halls, contingent upon the benediction and approval of the High Priestess. Who present among the rank and file will join the Inquest?" ~ ~ ~
| | Kur'ai Galifrey | | Translation(‡†):
Current HP: 58 / 58 [6th level]; THAC0 = 14; Saving Throw: NA; Ability Score Check: NA; AC: -4 [AC Base = -1 (plate mail & dexterity), -1 w/in Paladin's aura, -2 War Blade; penalties = DM Call]; Initiative: NA; Actions/Attacks: NA; Results/Damages: NA; Total Damage (rolled): NA; Active Powers: Standard Paladin; | |
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Location: City of Sundabar -- Halls of Everlasting Justice (Temple of Torm and Tyr),
Time: Midday [12th of Summertide (174 day of the year); D+3 after the Temple's Destruction]; | | 1. Tarnar's Moat
2. River Gate
3. East Gate
4. Turnstone Gate
5. Swords Gate
6. The Master's Hall | 7. Hall Of Vigilance
8. Hall Of Everlasting Justice
9. Baldiver's
10. The Firestar Chariot
11. Malshym's House
12. The Trumpet | |
| From all around the Assembly Hall, a dozen individuals, each with their own reason for doing so, arose from their seats, and made their way down to the bottom most Tier of Judgement to take up position behind the ancient Ithil'Quessir.
- From the second tier, the first individual to arrive behind Kur'ai was an armorless Dwarf, who quite literally sprung out of his chair to smoothly land in a crouch. Upon rising from his crouch, the Dwarf announced "I am Fulcrum of the Stone Shields." and waited for the others to assemble. The boots and cloak he wore were of particular note, as was the staff in his hand, the crossbow on his back, and the katana and hammer stuck through his belt. [Fulcrum - D♂ // T8 // N]
- Like the first Dwarf, a second one, not to be out done by a male, also sprang into the Tier of Judgment, though not dropping into a crouch upon landing as the first had done. Dressed unmistakably in Elven Chainmail, the new Dwarf took up a place next to Fulcrum, and bowed slightly to the Council of Justiciars, proclaiming "I am the Warrior-Priestess Crystalmace, a Luckmaiden of Haela Brightaxe." The female Dwarf also wore boots and a cloak of Elven make, an impressive girdle about her waist with a wide assortment of weapons, e.g. katana, long sword, mace, dagger, axe etc. [Crystalmace - D♀ // F7~P7 // CG]
- A third Dwarf arrived next dressed in platemail and bearing a shield emblazoned with the emblem of the God Moradin. Stopping a breast of the Dwarves, the newcomer bowed to the Council of Justiciars, and stated "I am Silverheart, Priest of Moradin." The Priest of Moradin also wore an impressive girdle, bearing hammer and mace, and walked with a staff in his hand. [Silverheart - D♂ // P7 // LG]
- The fourth to arrive was an armored human female, dressed in plate mail with a shield. The weapons she bore consisted of a long sword, battle axe, mace and long bow. Assuming her place in line with the others, the female spoke, saying "I am Mor'raine, commander in the Stone Shields" [Mor'raine - H♀ // W11 // LN]
- A second female, whose features hinted she was of mixed Elven parentage, stepped into line after Mor'raine. The new woman wore no armor of any kind, and carried a staff in her hand. At her waist, she carried a scimitar and sickle. The dainty Half Breed bowed gracefully to the Council, and announced "I am Le'Rae Shelle, Priestess of Silvanus." [Le'Rae Shelle - 1/2E♀ // D9~M8 // N]
- Another armorless figure of mixed parentage swaggered, not into line as the proceedings would dictate, but upto the Elven Knight. Slapping him on the armored shoulder, the newcomer, in an unforgettable voice, spoke directly to the Paladin, declaring "Waiy, howdy pahtnur! Ya remimbirs yer ole pal, Bernard Tulane, now dohn't yas? Yer Honors, I, Bernard Tulane ohf ta Stone Shields, seen his Lordship arrive in Sundibar! POOF! Whirs yer pritty missy, who was wit ya?" The High Justice, familiar with Bernard's antics, cleared her throat, signalling an end to the rambling discourse of the squad commander. Bernard, taking the hint, patted Kur'ai on the forearm, and with a wink, whispered without accent "We'll catch up later!" The Rogue took his place with the others. [Bernard Tulane - 1/2E♂ // M10~T11 // N]
- While Tulane was running off at the mouth, another armorless figure with staff in hand serenely sauntered into line with the others, and executing a precise bow, intoned "High Justice, I am Astra Lenna, Mage of the Master's Court. HE will want to know of any problems beneath HIS city." This pronouncement raised a collective gasp and prompted many whispered conversations from among the Assembly. The Mage took her place in the line. [Astra Lenna - H♀ // M12 // N]
- The next to come after the Mage was a large figure of a man dressed in chainmail covered with the tabbard bearing the symbol of Tyr, as does the shield on his back. The warrior bore a great two handed sword upon his back along with a long bow, and other smaller weapons at his waist e.g. hammer and flail. The human stopped online with the others, and thumping a mailed fist to his chest, reported "Lain Pendar, Paladin of Tyr, reporting for assignment, High Justice!" This drew a chortle of amusement from Bernard. [Lain Pendar - H♂ // W10 // LG]
- Following behind the Paladin came another armored Dwarf, wearing chainmail and bearing a shield. The under earther bore a wide assortment of weapons, e.g. crossbow, scimitar, mace, short sword. Parking it in place beside the Paladin of Tyr, the Dwarf grumped "Blackaxe from Everfire. Let's get this nonsense over with." [Blackaxe - D♂ // W9 // N]
- With spear strapped to his back and staff in hand, a chainmailed human, bearing a shield on his right arm, entered the Tier of Judgement, and walked over to the line, taking a spot. The shield bore the emblem of Tempus as did the tabbard over the chainmail. The man, once in line with the others, declared "High Justice, I am Deaken, Priest of Tempus!" [Deaken - H♂ // P9 // CG]
- Filing in second to last, a slender figure, cloaked and hooded, dressed in Elven chainmail with spear and bow strapped to his back and a long sword at his hip took up position at the end of the line. Tossing back his hood, there was no mistaking the Elven features of the newcomer, who softly spoke "Indre'Shar of the Stone Watch." [Indre'Shar - E♂ // W8~M8 // N]
- The last of the delegation to take his position was another Dwarf, heavily armor with plate mail and a shield, and bearing a number of weapons e.g. hammer, dagger, mace, short sword, crossbow. With staff in hand, the Dwarf stood beside the Wood Elf, and giving him a skeptical look, stated "O'Gin, Priest of Gorm Gulthyn!" [O'Gin - D♂ // P7 // LG]
From the upraised dias, Trian'Dial acknowledged the delegation with a slight inclination of her head, before looking around the Open Assembly, and asking "Those gathered before US fairly represent the collective interests of Sundabar, Everfire and the Halls of Everlasting Justice. If there NO other members of the Assembly who will participate in the Inquest, the Council of Justiciars will adjourn for noon fast." The High Justice lifted the striker for the Judgement Bell, and waited for several score heartbeats to see if any others moved toward the Tier of Judgment. | |
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| | (1 recommendation so far) | Message 4 of 13 in Discussion |
| | From: Hiel- | Sent: 1/21/2008 6:03 AM |
Location: Dwarven City of Everfire -- Council Hall of the Long Beards,
Time: Mid-afternoon [12th of Summertide (174th day of the Year) D+3 after the Temple's Destruction]; |
| 1. Tarnar's Moat
2. River Gate
3. East Gate
4. Turnstone Gate
5. Swords Gate
6. The Master's Hall | 7. Hall Of Vigilance
8. Hall Of Everlasting Justice
9. Baldiver's
10. The Firestar Chariot
11. Malshym's House
12. The Trumpet | |
| When no one else moved to join the Inquest, Trian'Dial adjourned the Open Assembly and dismissed the Council of Justiciars. From there, the High Justice led the prospective delegation before High Priestess Asherra, and presented them for her sanction and benediction of the those forming the Inquest. Asherra approved the Inquest, and to the official delegation, issued instructions about observing the utmost propriety and decorum when meeting with the Dwarves of Everfire. The High Priestess knew she'd need someone skilled in court etiquette and diplomacy, and appointed Astra Lenna to the position of spokesperson for the Inquest. Who better than the Sorceress of the Master's Court. She would have a vested interest in answering one of the dictates for the Inquest. Was there anything amiss in the Dwarven Realm which could imperil Sundabar. The other dictate would be proven if the Dwarven Priest Ashen Shugar acknowledged the Elven Knight and more importantly acknowledged the Mithril Griffon from the dream.
Once the conditions for fulfillment of the Inquest were clearly specified, the official delegation led by Astra Lenna departed for the Master's Halls. Where upon arriving, she gained His leave to undertake the Inquest. Into the depths of the Dwarven Realm, the natives of the Undercity, Fulcrum, Silverheart, Crystalmace and Ogin led the delegation to the great gates of Everfire and the volcanic lava Forges. Normally, the delegation wouldn't have made it past the great gates even with the Dwarven escort. However, when the Dwarves mentioned the Pointy Eared Paladin, the guards, as though expecting them, expeditiously ushered the delegation through the gauntlet of death. A deadly series of defenses comprised of gates, portcullises, battle halls, and enough murder-holes to leave the slaughtered dead of any Orc Horde attempting to breach piled high in the corridors.  When the last set of gates parted, the delegation was admitted into the Throne Room of the Dwarven King. Built into the bottommost stair at equidistant points of the uprised dias for the vacant throne were eleven stone chairs for the Council of Long Beards. Waiting impatiently in those chairs were the highest ranking servants of the Dwarven Dieties: Berronar Truesilver, Clangeddin Silverbeard, Dugmaren Brightmantle, Gorm Gulthyn, Haela Brightaxe and Moradin. In addition to the ranking members of the clergy sitting on the Council were the Masters of the Forges, the Stoneshapers, the Metalsmiths, the Gem-Masons and the Tunnellers.
 As the delegation entered the presence of the Long Beards, the second dictate of the Inquest was quickly established, when the over-zealous Battlerager established recognition by acerbically berating the Pointy Eared Paladin about taking his blasted sweet time getting there. The Long Beards were trying to regain some order in the Throne Room, when Ashen Shu'Gar presented the small Mithril Griffon statuette. What transpired next surprised everyone present in the Throne Room. The statuette unexpectedly dissolved in a dazzling burst of bluish-silver radiance with a combined hawkish screech leonine roar. What reappeared in place of the statuette was a huge living Griffon the size of a Hieracosphinx with mithril plummage, fur, claws and beak, and silvery-blue eyes.
Speechless silence reined supreme throughout the Throne Room in the wake of the Mithril Griffon's appearance, and lasted even longer, when it spoke in ancient Elven, understandable by all, with a beautiful, aristocratically-accented, female voice to the Paladin of Torm. The aristocratic accent was unmistakably similar to Lord Galifrey's manner of speech. The words of the Griffon rang through hall "My beloved Kur'ai, from Arvanador I've returned, through Correllon's grace and Torm's gratitude, to be reunited with you. I take my place by your side once more, my husband, to aide you in your service to Torm." Naturally, all eyes expectantly turned from the Griffon to the Elven Knight, who, like a tree felled in a forest, surprisingly feinted dead away crashing to the floor of the Throne Room. When the delegation finally had the ancient Ithil'Quessir back on his feet, he was naturally suspicious at first about the claim of the Mithril Griffon hosting the reincarnated spirit of his long dead wife, Mar'iah Wintermoon, even though it was unmistakably her voice as he remembered it, but soon confirmed her identity with secret details of their former life and her death in Myth Drannor. Part of the Inquest was confirmed. The other aspect of the Inquest was yet to be confirmed. While the Paladin and Mithril Griffon continued their reunion, Astra Lenna broached the second dictate of the Inquest with the Council of Long Beards. Not surprisingly, the Dwarven Council was extremely reticent to admit anything wrong in Everfire; however, Ashen Shu'Gar and the other Dwarven members of the delegation quickly picked up that the Council members were not being completely forthcoming about the true state of affairs. The Inquest eventually learned from the Long Beards that the Tunnellers had breached almost six months past into a vast, [hundreds of feet deep, wide and long] underground cavern, an ancient dormant volcanic ancestor of the current volcanic regions of Everfire. After months of engineering work by the Stoneshapers and Metalsmiths, they'd created a system of chain bridges for getting exploration parties down to the tallest peak in the cavern. None of the parties ever returned. And the guards placed at the entrance turned up missing. Next, the family members of exploration parties and entrance guards went missing. Nearly, a hundred Dwarves had gone missing since the first exploration parties descended into the cavern. And link to the disappearances were all based on someone known to those who'd gone missing first. With this knowledge, the last dictate of the Inquest was confirmed, an evil was spreading through the Undercity for some fell purpose. | | |
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| | | From: Siannia | Sent: 2/11/2008 9:09 PM |
Astra Lenna stepped a pace forward with a formal bow of her head as she proceeded , " Most honorable Masters , it would appear that a more diverse group of skilled indiviuals may be required to answer the riddle that plagues this realm. I do not believe for an instant that this contagious tragedy would befall only you and your fellow master crafters. If the cause of this is not stopped in prestigious timeliness many families will feel the grieveous need to vacate the vicinity and possibly the realm. This would not be prosperous for anyone and the loss of more lives is never pleasant." She waited in respectful silence ... |
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| | | From: Siannia | Sent: 2/11/2008 9:13 PM |
Le'Rae Shelle knelt down upon a knee behind Astra; "Any who journey upon this quest may count upon my blade and the many blessings of Silvanus. I agree that no more lives need to be lost." |
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| | | From: Hiel- | Sent: 3/5/2008 3:06 AM |
~ ~ ~ The Dwarven Cleric was just as happy as could be, when the Pointy-Earred Paladin was ushered into the throne room of the Dwarven King. The Battlerager's reputation and honor were on the line as he'd requested the gathering of the Council of Long Beards with the intent of proving the Stoneteller Prophecy was coming to pass. But the Long Beards had been on the verge of leaving because of how long it had taken the Elf to get there. Which would've been a mighty insult to Ashen Shu'Gar had THAT come to pass. And it weren't no wonder. The blasted Elf must've brought half the upper city with him to include Stone-Watch Commander Tulane and the Mage of the Master's Court. 'What the blazes was he upto.' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Priest of Clanggeddin wasn't going to let the Elf pull any fasts ones on him, so made sure the Long Beards would know he had been right. He brought forth the Mithril Griffon to show everyone the reason they'd come together in the throne room. But the words for Ashen's follow on exclamation dried up when the statuette went poof in his hands, and became one humongous Mithril Griffon, all wings, beak and claws. Of course, the urgre to grab one of his axes, and charge at the beastie was forestalled by the ethereal voice which emanated from the mixed up Bird-Lion, especially when it claimed to be the wife of the Pointy--Earred Paladin. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ But it was all worth it. Even if the Dwarves didn't get their apology from the last Elven Lord of Myth Drannor, just seeing the shiny Paladin keel over like he'd been poleaxed like a Kobold was etched forever in his memory to be replayed over and over. The Axe-Wielder considered ridiculing the fainting Elf, but thought better of doing so, considering how he'd feel if any of his wives were to have died and come back as something other than a Dwarf. Ashen turned his attention to the Mage of the Master's Court, when she addressed the Long Beards to inquire about the state of affairs of the undercity. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The sidelong glances of the Council, spoke volumes to the Battlerager, and his suspicions were fully confirmed when they tried to deny there was anything amiss in Everfire. Naturally, being a follower of Clanggeddin, he challenged the secrets the Council members were keeping by bringing up the rumors about numerous Dwarves having gone missing throughout Everfire. The full details about what really had been happening surprised the Dwarf, and prompted him to say to the Council and Astra Lenna "An you ain't goin without me. Someone's got to keep you all out of trouble." ~ ~ ~ | |
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| | | From: Hiel- | Sent: 3/6/2008 4:54 AM |
~ ~ ~ Many centuries before the fall of Myth Drannor, the Akh'Velahr knew of Paladin Galifrey and his Quest to find the Dragon which killed his wife and unborn child. The unwavering obsession of the Elven Knight to slay dragons earned him the nickname Cold Heart for he never sought another love and turned away those who sought his heart. Even when the Paladin became the Arms Major of the Akh'Velahr, he still remained aloof and distant, none could take the place of Mar'iah Wintermoon. So no greater shock could rock Kur'ai than hearing the voice of his beloved wife coming from the huge Mithril Griffon. The surreal moment in time caused the world to turn on its side, and color to fade to blackness as consiousness fled him. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Crawling his way back to awareness, the Ancient Ithil'Quessir still confronted a skewed reality with a Griffon speaking with the voice of Mar'iah Wintermoon. Kur'ai, once back on his feet, quietly spoke with the Mithril Griffon, asking questions of their past together... her birthdate, his birthday, how they met, the name of the Hippogriff he rode, the name of her mother and father and his, their anniversary, the name of their child boy or girl... All the answers were correct. Rare were the times the Paladin had shed tears. But on this occasion the truth of the matter melted the Cold Heart, and freed the heartbreak and sorrow frozen within allowing tears to flow unabated. Lord Galifrey hugged the huge Griffon strongly about the neck, and reaffirmed his love for his newly reincarnated wife in steed form. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ With solid assurances as to the identity of the Mithril Griffon, Lord Galifrey turned his attention to the problems affecting the Dwarves, and stepped forward, addressing Ashen Shu'Gar "You have re-united me with my wife, thank you. I will help you stop whatever troubles your People." ~ ~ ~
 | | Kur'ai Galifrey | | Translation(‡†):
| Current HP: 58 / 58 [6th level]; THAC0: 14; Saving Throw: NA; Ability Score Check: NA; AC: -4 [AC Base = -1 (plate mail & dexterity), -1 w/in Paladin's aura, -2 War Blade; penalties = DM Call]; | Initiative: NA; Actions/Attacks: NA; Results/Damages: NA; Total Damage (rolled): NA; Active Powers: Standard Paladin; | | |
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| | | From: Hiel- | Sent: 5/20/2008 5:35 AM |
Location: Dwarven City of Everfire -- Council Hall of the Long Beards,
Time: Late-afternoon [13th of Summertide (175th day of the Year) D+4 after the Temple's Destruction]; |
| 1. Tarnar's Moat
2. River Gate
3. East Gate
4. Turnstone Gate
5. Swords Gate
6. The Master's Hall | 7. Hall Of Vigilance
8. Hall Of Everlasting Justice
9. Baldiver's
10. The Firestar Chariot
11. Malshym's House
12. The Trumpet | |
| After softly conferring amongst themselves, the Council of Longbeards reached a decision, and sanctioned the group to find and eliminate the threat facing Everfire. The group of adventures were escorted to the Great Hall, and put up for night there. Food, bedding, and all manner of adventuring supplies were brought for the party to stock up on before leaving in the morning. The supplies available are all those listed on the miscellaneous equipment table in the Players' Handbook to include Greek Fire plus mundanes stores of weapons available from the weapons table. The collective adventurers avail themselves of all the supplies they are able to carry upto their available encumbrance capacity. The next morning the party moved out. Dwarven Tunnellers escorted the party to the excavated entrance, now sealed by a stout, iron-wrought door. Beyond the wrought iron door, a narrow passage stairway freshly carved into the soft calcium carbonate rock descended in spiral loops down through the length of a giant stalactite. The rush of wind through the open door was exhilarating, but not so much the sickening fetid smell of dank corruption and waste carried on it. Some of the stairs, despite being freshly carved, were worn smooth by the tread of traffic or even cracked and broken, threatening to send the unwary adventurer tumbling to the bottom. After countless disorient turns of the stairs, the spiralling passage ended in a simple landing sufficient for half the party to occupy. Across from the last stair, a man sized hole in the opposite wall emptied out in a vast gulf of emptiness. A whole lot of nothingness in the form of a gigantic cavern awaited the party beyond the opening in the wall. The ceiling was shrouded in darkness several hundred feet above the opening in the stalactite. A long drop and sudden stop at the bottom of a several hundred feet fall awaited any who stepped wrong. The bottom of the cavern could not be seen through the faint greenish, churning mist barely illuminated by a diffuse phosphorescent lichen growing upon all the walls and surfaces. The only thing even remotely suggesting that there was a bottom to the place was a stalagtite below a sister stalactite a hundred paces away, almost a medium shot away with a short bow. Spanning the distance between the two stalactites was a chain bridge anchored into the soft limestone, two supporting guide chains with a third walking chain. This was the first real challenge for the party. Roping themselves together as a precaution, the party proceeded across the bridge. There were a few mis-steps by some of the less graceful adventurers. But all were saved from the fall by the rope. Some of the mis-steps were caused by the close, unnerving flapping of leathery wings, something large and fast beating the air overhead in the darkness beyond infravision range. The air currents stirred by whatever passed brought more strongly the fetid dank odor of corruption and waste to the nostrils of the party. What an eye-watering experience that was. Somewhere beneath the mist, other indications of life in the giant cavern echoed in the ears of the party. A shrill piercing clamor which could only come the fungal growths known as Shrieker arose from far below. They didn't shriek like that unless their was good reason, so clearly something more than fungi dwelled in the cavern below. On the far side of the chain bridge, the party found a chain ladder which descended into the gaping hollow maw of darkness in the top of the stalagtite below. Down the chain ladder, the party slowly climbed one rung at a time to the sensation of constant swaying as a result of the others movement both above and below. Arduous and long was the first leg of the journey, requiring some frequent rest stops along the way while hanging from some precarious places. Thankfully none of the leathery winged beasts, presumably large bats, found the party in such a precarious position or realized how was palatable a meal they'd make. After at least five hours of exhausting climbing along chain bridges and ladders, the party finally discovered solid ground at the bottom of the well in the stalagtite. With some help from the Priests of the party, a few continual light feathers were set adrift on the wind currents of the stalagtite, and revealed the disturbing mosaic of some great serpent surround a thousand coils of lessers snakes staring up at them from bottom of the well. Along with the disturbing image, which seemed to writhe and beckon the party with hypnotic eyes, the odor of fetid corruption and waste subtlely altered, becoming more reminiscent of some long inhabited reptile den holding snakes and lizards, and equally as disagreeable to the nose. 
The large central serpent image was in fact a snake-head statue carved into the floor from a black stone, a basalt or obsidian different from the limestone of the stalagtite. The architecture and skill of the carved floor mosaic images used light from the continual light feathers to give the illusion of life and writhing motion of the serpentine coils. More disturbing in the mosaic were half glimpsed panicky human and demi-human images wrapped within the coils or desperately grasping for a helping hand to save them. The room at the bottom of the stalagtite in which they found themselves was octagonal in shape [60' across]. At the center of room was the huge serpent’s head [30'l X 15'h] made of the black stone and green inlaid stone contouring the features and scales of the beast. The only oddity was a human-like hand-print set into the area just above the front of the snakes mouth found by Fulcrum. Careful scrutiny of the hand print by the Dwarven Rogue [FT 60] revealed a trap which, when activated by the pressure of a hand, would shoot a spring loaded needle into the person's palm. The needle would likely be poisoned, and kill the unwary person who pressed their hand into the handprint. Fulcrum disarmed the trap [RT 49] by jamming the pinhole with metal slivers and wax to prevent if from firing into a person's palm. Once assured it could not harm anyone, the Dwarf pressed his hand into the palm print, and triggered the mechanism with which it was associated. Tremors rocked the room sending a cascade of dust and loose rocks raining down upon the party. One rock scored a hit upon the Warrior Morraine [76 / 77]. The fanged mouth of the stone serpent ground open to gape widely at the party standing before it. More emptiness and nothing dangerous did the party find within wide gaping mouth of the serpent's head. There was; however, one unusual discovery, a Elven word etched into the roof of the gigantic pie-hole, which read 'Vytholus'. It was clearly not a word for no meaning was recognized, and decided to be a name. But for whom or what was unknown. That was all there was to the strange snake-head statue. However, more was found by Bernard inside the octagonal room in the form of four identical doorways [3' d, designated A-D] set into the floor precisely spaced around the statue. Each doorway was marked by an artistically crafted snake rearing up to strike from the floor.
Marching Order: - SILVERHEART [D♂ // P7 (57 hps) // LG // AC -3]:
- CRYSTALMACE [D♀ // F7~P7 (73 hps) // CG // AC 1]:
- O'GIN [D♂ // P7 (51 hps) // LG // AC -5]:
- ASHEN SHU'GAR [D♂ // P8 (84 hps) // LG // AC -4]:
- KUR'AI GALIFREY [E♂ // PAL7 (58 hps) // LG // AC -1]:
- INDRE'SHAR [E♂ // W8~M8 (45 hps) // N // AC 0]:
- LAIN PENDAR [H♂ // W10 (92 hps) // LG // AC -2]:
- ASTRA LENNA [H♀ // M12 (43 hps) // N // AC -1]:
- BLACKAXE [D♂ // W9 (62 hps) // N // AC 0]:
- DEAKEN [H♂ // P9 (59 hps) // CG // AC -3]:
- FULCRUM [D♂ // T8 (40 hps) // N // AC -2]:
- BERNARD TULANE [1/2E♂ // M10~T11 (49 hps) // N // AC -3]:
- MOR'RAINE [H♀ // W11 (77 hps) // LN // AC -2]:
- LE'RAE SHELLE [1/2E♀ // D9~M8 (45 hps) // N // AC 1]:
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| | | From: Hiel- | Sent: 8/10/2008 4:32 AM |
~ ~ ~ Things were not going as anticipated for the Priest of the Axe. There was nothing in the Stone Prophecies about the Last Elven Lord of Myth Drannor being re-united with his reincarnated dead wife! Ashen was left nonpulsed when the Paladin thanked him, and couldn't help the exclamation which escaped his lips "Huh? That's it! What?! What about the prauphecy ... the apawlogy?" The wisdom of the Cleric of Clanggeddin and awareness of the Council of Long Beards soon reasserted itself over an unrully mouth, and quickly snapped shut, grumbling "Oh, nevermind!" The Battlerager stomped away to go avail himself of the supplies and rest up for the adventure ahead. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ When the party headed out the following day, the Battlerager preceded the white-haired Elven Lord, and clinked and clanked down the spiral stairs, rocking side to side in his heavy platemail armor. No step threatened the Dwarven Cleric with a precipitous spill down the spiral staircase. All was going well for the Priest of Clanggeddin, confidence was high, up until confronted with the prospect of having to cross the chain bridge. Normally of swarthy dark complexion, Ashen soon seemed to resemble his appellation, loosing some of his color upon looking into the abyss. "Uh... ya's gautta be yankin me beard! Hauw coulda hundred Dwarves go missin ahcrauss this thing?" grumped the axe-bearing Dwarf, looking over the edge into the mist, and as they crossed the chain bridge, pointed down at the floor of the cavern, exclaiming "Dauwn there is where we need ta look. Aughta find some baudies dauwn there." As the descent took the party down the chain ladders into the depths of the hollowed out stalagmite, the Priest of the Axe, upon catching the disagreeable stench, grumbled "This can't be good. I ain't never smelled no rauttin bawdies like this." ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ When the party reached the bottom of the stalagmite to stand on solid ground, Ashen, along with all the rest, was equally glad to finally be off of those thrice be damned chain ladders. The Battlerager, once finished checking out the stone-carved snake head and the rest of the room, assuredly pronounced, "No hand of any Dwarf shaped the stone of this place. And I ain't never heard of 'Vytholus'." and looked to the other Dwarves among the party for their input. The Priest of Clanggeddin then checked out the doors in the floor, before asking "Four ways ta go. Nauw what, Paladin?" ~ ~ ~ | |
~ ~ ~ Though perplexing, Ku'rai dismissed the irate Dwarf's outburst, and set about making his own prepartions for the adventure ahead with the Mithril Griffon following at his heels. The Arms Major passed the evening away with his beloved wife, reincarnated in the male body of a huge Mithril Griffon, and whose name was now Starfire. Even after all the centuries of separation, their bond of love and loyalty was still as strong as ever when they were once husband and wife. They mourned together over the loss of their unborn child, never knowing what destiny would've await him or her. And though she held a different form, as his Gods granted Paladin Steed, Kur'ai, when he looked in her eyes, saw no one but Mar'iah Wintermoon, staring back at him. From the Dwarven stocks offered up for the party's use, the Paladin of Torm, under the attentive and sharp eye of his Holy Steed, availed himself of all that was offered. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ As many of his weapons forged in Myth Drannor were lost with destruction of the All Faiths Temple in Elmshade, the Elven Lord re-armed himself with a medium shield, a short composite bow, three javelins, two long swords, three more daggers and two horseman's maces of Dwarven manufacture. Watching over his shoulder, Starfire mentally reminded him, 'Remember to grab some spare bowstrings, blade files and a sharpening stone.' and continued hovering behind him, trying to anticipate what other things might be needed for the coming expedition. The Ancient Ithil'Quessir picked out a fieldpack, and packed it with the spare bowstrings, a couple of blade files, a sharpening stone, a week of field rations, two half-gallon waterskins, six flasks of lamp oil, hooded lamp, three of greek fire, ten pitons, small hammer, two 50' ropes, three torches, woven straw sleeping mat, and two blankets. The Paladin of Torm then ordered the Dwarves to complete construction on a special saddle for Starfire by the time he returned made to exacting specifications from a strong light weight mesh weave which wouldn't interfere with his flight, movement or attacks. The Lord from Myth Drannor instructed the Dwarves in the construction of the saddle, the appropriate measurements to make, and explained which materials to be used in its construction. Once satisfied with the Dwarves understanding about the measurements, specifications, and the materials for the fabrication of the saddle, the Arms Major retired for the rest of the evening to perform Reverie, returning the Mithril Griffon to his statuette form. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ With the start of a new day, the Arms Major checked his own gear, and to the others, asked "Check your gear, and that of the person next to you. We leave when this is done and any oversights have been corrected." When all was in readiness, Lord Galifrey approved the order of march, and signaled the party to move out. At the bottom of the stalactite, looking out over the immense cavern, the Elven Paladin had to agree with the Dwarf's logic, "You may be right. I'll send Starfire to check the cavern floor, once we're across." and to protect the party from any flying creatures which might attack them, as they crossed the chain bridge. The ancient Ithil'Quessir called Starfire into service, setting her loose to hunt and protect them, saying 'Starfire, arise from your stone sleep. Protect us from whatever would attack us as we cross the chain bridge, and if it is prey, kill and eat what you can.' Once they started descending the chain ladder into the stalagmite, the Holy Warrior of Torm mentally directed, 'Starfire, when we descend into the mountain, check the cavern floor for any signs of Dwarven remains below the chain bridge. Don't take any chances. We may not be able to effectively support you.' 'Yes, my husband.' mentally responded the Mithril Griffon, who then took to the sky overhead. Kur'ai let the others pass him by where the chain ladder descended into the stalagmite, and waited to see what Starfire had to report or if trouble was encountered which might require assistance from the party. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Once Starfire returned from scouting and hunting, the Arms Major requested of him, saying 'Starfire, well done. Return to your sleep of stone. I will bring you forth when next you are needed.' and only then descend to rejoin the party down below. Back with the party, the Elven Paladin will inform them about whatever Starfire saw during his scouting mission. After that, Kur'ai checked out what had already been discovered, and about 'Vytholus', asked of the others "Anyone know what this means? Or heard any legends or stories?" No matter the answers received, the Defender, in response to Shugar's question, informed the adventurers "We've been going at a strenuous pace for most of the day, and will setup camp here. Pendar establish a guard rotation, seven staggered guard shifts so their are two people awake per shift. Lenna work with Shelle and Indre'Shar to try, and freshen up the air here. When we're all rested and ready, we'll open the doors one at a time, and check out what lies beyond, before deciding which to explore first. Any questions or suggestions about how to proceed?" The ancient Ithil'Quessir scanned the faces of all the other party members, and looked to see if they had anything to contribute. ~ ~ ~ | | | Kur'ai Galifrey | | Translation(‡†):
| Current HP: 58 / 58 [6th level]; THAC0: 14; Saving Throw: NA; Ability Score Check: NA; AC: -4 [AC Base = -1 (plate mail & dexterity), -1 w/in Paladin's aura, -2 War Blade; penalties = DM Call]; | Initiative: NA; Actions/Attacks: NA; Results/Damages: NA; Total Damage (rolled): NA; Active Powers: Standard Paladin; | Tongues Pendant (from Arienne Starsinger)
Elven-made Items Missing/Recovered from Temple Ruins: Composite Short Bow, 2 Long Swords, 3 Daggers, 2 Horseman's Maces | | |
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|  Mor'raine had been patient throughout all the prepration and political requirements, yet she was very glad to finally be moving. Her bright blue eyeshad missed nothing from either the Council session or the visit with the Longbeards. In fact she was very glad of sharing the reargaurd duty with Le'rea knowing that the half-elven woman's ears would pick up trouble long before hers did, and that gave the Helm's Warriotr a few more moments of thought time.
As they marched, the woman turned her mind towards cataloguing the various noises that each member made. It would be an addition to thiis noise that would alert her to possible trouble. Ocassionally the 5'8" tall, fair skinned woman turned and walked backward, letting her eyes try to pick out what they could from the faint light. Mor'raine frequently ran a finger over her ring of free action, that also served as one of the few mementos from her deceased Father. He too had been a warrior, but he had not fallen in battle. Rather Seamus Sheildstone had fallen into a well after doing some heavy drinking with the dwarves he had been so fond of. With his death she had been adopted into a Draven Clan and raised amongst them. So it was with a faint indulgent chuckle that she listened to the Battlerager's complaints. The Warrior sniffed the air and shrugged. "Smells no worse then you do after you've been fighting all day, Ashen." She lightly rolled her shoulders soothing away the bruise on the right one from the rock that had fallen on her. After listening to the Elven Arm's Major, Mor'raine thought on his words. "we should have the Mages and Clerics take either first or later watches, so they can get enough rest to either study or Pray. Warriors on the midwatches should include one with nightvision (infrared) along with any of us night-blinded humans." her words were edged with her usual good humor. "As for what we do when we've rested I agree with the Arms' Major. It seems a good plan to me."
| Current HP: 76/77 THAC0: 6 Saving Throw: NA; Ability Score Check: NA; AC: -2 [Plate Mail +2, Sheild +1, Dex +2 | Initiative: NA; Actions/Attacks: NA; Results/Damages: NA; Total Damage (rolled): NA; Active Magic: Ring of Free Action | | |
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| | | From: Siannia | Sent: 10/17/2008 12:01 AM |
Lenna turns to Shelle; a look of contemplation covers her features.
" Perhaps if I had a lemon or similar fruit or even a mint leaf I could cleanse the air a bit. A bit of the peel or a single leaf would be enough to get a small whisk of a breeze started."
Lenna starts looking through her food rations mumbling softly to her self, ' those I usually take on sea faring trips , not tunneling.' |
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| | | From: Siannia | Sent: 10/24/2008 6:01 AM |
Le'Rae Shelle reached in her bag of provisions....."
"Let me see ..... apple...dates...cheese....here is one...it is a little hard around the edges....but will this lemon do?"
She looks for a nod , and tosses it to Astra Lenna.
Astra Lenna pulls her dagger and a small cup from her rations bag. Cutting a few pieces from the softer skin of the lemon;she places it in the cup. Adding a few drops of wine and filling the vessel with water she stands as close to the middle of the group as permisable.
Her voice now soft and melodious sings archaic intonements . While she sprinkles water around the area of each member a small breeze begins to tussle about with the scent of sweet lemonade. |
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