1995-08-27
Recovered original text · preserved verbatim
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NEVERWINTER NEWS
Issue #97
Week Ending 8-27-95
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FRONT PAGE
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Congratulations to Bobsil1 for winning last week's News of the Realm contest.
Bobsil1 has earned choice of 4 Pearls or Access to the GOH (Guild of Heroes)
WTG!
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Congrats (I think), to WLD WIL for torching me for 61 points and winning 4
Pearls and 1 FREE hour. : )
NW Baldor
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The winner of the Location Hunt on 8/23 was Lrd Honor who found the books on
the Crostrum brothers.
-NW Kel
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The winner of 4 pearls and an hour of free online service for the location
hunt of 8/25 was SYLVERION.
NW Mystek
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~~~~~~Great Hall Tavern~~~~~~~
This week's winner of access to the Guild of Heroes is, MECH Judas!! The
Tavern is open on Wed and Fri nights from 11pm-1am eastern time. The "best"
roleplayer of the week wins GOH access! All are welcome!
NWT Cyane, Your friendly Neverwinter Tavernkeep
NWT CyaneRe: Tavern
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NEVERWINTER CALENDAR
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Be on the look out for those Mini Booths that seem to pop up out of nowhere!
Can you be at the right place at the right time when the NW calls for a
location?
Keep your eyes and ears open for these events! Watch for the banners!
New Player Tour:
August 27th Sunday -2:00PM ET Join NW Daneel for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour
August 30th Wednesday 9:00 PM ET - Join NW Garion for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
New Player Tour:
September 3rd, Sunday 3:00 PM ET - Join NW Strahd for a tour of the Realm.
Those interested should keep an eye out for the banner telling where to
meet!;D
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"A Dark Storm Brewing"
(Submitted by UDL Diablo)
The spectral form of Diablo walked out onto the balcony, his crimson eyes
burning into the night. His view from high above the Castle of Bones was a
good one, as he surveyed the night around him. He had come to Neverwinter
what seemed like such a short time ago, and tonight he stood high in the
castle of one of the realms most feared guilds as their High Priest.
Diablo reached back and pulled up the black cowl that hung from the robe he
wore, then covering his head, turned and walked back into his chambers. The
room was dimly lit by candles as Diablo passed through and towards the spiral
stairs that led down to the main hall below.
The High Priest quickly made his way down the stairs as he never touched one,
the spectral form below the robes, flowing just above each step on the way
down. Once at the bottom, he turns and goes down a hall towards the rear of
the castle, his crimson eyes the only illumination along the hall he travels.
Occasionally, as the spectre floated down the hall, a scream could be heard
from deep below the Castle of Bones. "Be it prisoner or squire, either would
remember this night for some time", Diablo thought as he reached the end of
the passage. With a pass of his hand, the door before him, opens up and he
passes through. Beyond, he passed through a chamber where Shurg tortured his
favorite squires. Some brief, but lasting, memories quickly flowed through
Diablo's mind as he left the other side of the room.
Beyond the torture chamber lay another hall, this one was lit with torches
along it's length. The black robed spectre moves quickly along this passage
till he reached the far end. In all of the Castle of Bones this hall had
some of the most fearful vaults. It was in this hall that UDL members who go
unknown are placed. One never really knows what magic destroys one so
utterly that they go unknown, but none in the realms, even Elminster, were
immune to the incantation.
It was with a sigh of relief that the spectre passed from the hall of unknown
users, quickly making his way through Slayer's orientation hall. This was
where all UDL members learned about things like; No direct silence/dis, No
cadding, No re-entering in UDL PvP doctrine. No trash talking while a
squire, role playing a weekly story in the guild posting area, on-line
etiquette even though one is evil. Yes, Slayer kept himself busy here and is
truly pleased when a new squire leaves here and remembers what he or she has
learned here.
Beyond the orientation hall, the spectre goes outside, quickly crossing over
a field behind the castle and making his way to the graveyard that lies
there. Reaching the gate to the graveyard, Diablo hangs a bag on the fence
and lets out a wail that cuts through the night air. He reaches up and pulls
back the black cowl as a figure moves quickly from the tombstones beyond.
"Hail brother Ghoul", Diablo calls. "I have brought your favorite", the
words quickly follow, as the ghoul reaches the gate and takes the bag. A
grin cuts across the green face as Ghoul pulls out a rather large Sol Finger.
"That was from Sol Abysss, it should taste extra sweet my friend", Diablo
says, then moves closer to Ghoul.
"I sent out word about the new form of tithing to Myrkul, so you may find
yourself busy here soon Ghoul. I hope you will not fail me in the task I put
before you", the spectre says quietly, then turning so his gaze locks on that
of his new assistant. The ghoul turns his head, spits out a fingernail, then
quickly turns back to Diablo and grins. He then reaches into the bag, pulls
forth another of the fingers, turns, and makes his way quickly into the
graveyard once again.
"Oh Myrkul, you test your new priest well in having this one serve me",
Diablo says somewhat silent as he turns and makes his way back to the Castle
of Bones. "But then Myrkul, since the disaster at Waterdeep, all of this has
been long in coming. Soon master. Soon the realms will be ready to embrace
you once again", the last words spoken as the spectre moves back into the
castle for a much needed rest.
"To Feeb or not to Feeb....that is the question"
(Submitted by Mech Havoc)
I have been traveling throught the lands's of Never Winter for many
moons, and often fellow adventures whish to test there skill in combat
against mine. Every fight I am faced with difficult descisons regarding which
spells to employ in the fight. One of the most contraversial is Feeblemind.
For those of you who are new to the Realms, Feeblemind otherwise know as
"Feeb" is a combat spell which if succesfuly cast will reduce your opponents
wisdom and inteligence to 3. That takes away your opponents ability to cast
spells, and usually ensures your victory. Also as an added bounus your
opponent must go to a temple and spend 5000gp to get a heal spell cast on
him to restore his wisdom and inteligence.
Now you may be thinking wow what a great spell, next fight I go in to I'm
going to mem 3 of those ;>.
Now let's look at the negatives of this spell. First If you wish to test your
PvP skills against someone else do that. Feeb only tests your opponents
saves. Also many people in the realms consider feeb as a "cheap shot" . And
last (and the reason which I do not use feeb) is that it takes all the fun
out of PvP. What fun is there in killing someone who can not kill you :>.
Mech Havoc
"Champion of MECH"
Aluric
(Submitted by Aluric)
As day broke over the tree topping the Lost Hills of Never Winter,
Aluric could be found moving with great stealth through the Southern tracts
of the woods. Not that these woods where all that busy this morning but He
was talking no chances. The promise of help from the lord Malakar had
brought nothing but subterfuge and deceit. Aluric could not forget his
humiliation at that persons hands. Aluric had not fallen for his kind words
once, but 3 times. Chancing the first 2 where simply accidents of the
woods; and fleeing the encounters successfully without notice. Aluric each
time would rejoin Malakar to continue the journey. But even this naive
follower of the flame became cautious upon a third encounter with the
monsters within the lost hills and let Malakar take the lead into the
combat. But still Malakar seemed to be performing as was his word, and now
because of Aluric's suspicions, was about to fall to the salamanders; or so
it seemed to the young paladin. Hastening into the fray Aluric took up
position at Malakar's back, fighting off the lizards, ("But the powers below
did grow them big here") He thought.
Then did the deed of chaos take its true place. Turning about' Malakar
enspelled Aluric, so that his pace and size where again normal. "Gads but I
am a stupid one"; thought Aluric as he now tried to flee from the grasp of
that son of chaos. Malakar then attempted to cast upon Aluric that which
would hold him fast as he stood. { Even Aluric was now beginning to recognize
the spells semantics}. But Aluric's simple cloak of protection aided him
and Aluric continued running. Just as Malakar began another round of casting
did one of the monsters ilk turn on him and the spell was lost. Aluric now
began dropping things for fear of being captured in another spell, and all
this treasure was weighing him down. But ever so swiftly did Malakar close
the distance. Despite Aluric's best efforts, Malakar now spelled Aluric
fast as As he stood. Aluric plead his case asking for quarter, even though
he knew that one who would use such deceit had no such intention. The refusal
and insults that followed drew Aluric's ire and wrath, and Aluric began
returning the verbal onslaught to Malakr. For attacking one with no magic
of their own to defend themselves, seemed the ultimate in cowardice to
Aluric. Malakar then did prepare to deliver the finial blow, gaining no
satisfaction from Aluric at this point.
Then did Aluric call upon the ultimate magic, requesting withdrawal
from the realms back to reality. This did infuriate Malakar, for tho Aluric
had no choice but to yield his life's force; He was denying Malakar the
ultimate kill. Helpless to defend himself Aluric would have made a perfect
sacrifice to whatever god Malakar did or didn't chose to follow. But now
Aluric stood outside his grasp, though he was still dead and defeated.
Malakar delivered the finial verbal blow from within the realms. "I
now have a new tale to tell, and it shall be such that the Knights of the
Eternal Flame shall never admit to its ranks one such as thee Aluric".
"Joyfully will I tell it to any who will lend me and ear." "Haste forth
forever in shame you coward". With the last stinging of insult did Malakar
vanish himself, into the planes beyond Neverwinter.
As soon as he was able, Aluric returned to Neverwinter and found
himself again at the door to Crossergate. Moving into the shack at the
entrance to the hills, Aluric found himself in the presents of the ultimate
master himself. Not daring to make eye contact, for Aluric was not so young
as to not fear the wrath of the mighty Fendar. The head of all the knights
did hail Aluric, and inquire as to how he fared in his questing. Then Aluric
made full and complete confession, not stopping till the complete story was
laid out for the world to see if it should be their desire. At its
conclusion, Aluric offered to sacrifice himself to atone for such grievous
deeds as he now thought he had done. His soul would miss the verdant greens
of Neverwinter but each sin has its price and if this be sin then no more
could be demanded.
Lord Fendar waited patiently for Aluric to finish, (Aluric thought he
might perceive this confession as the mere blubbering of a fishwife), but
when all was told Fendar showed why he was head of the greatest guild in all
of Neverwinter. "While such acts as yours are looked apon with disfavor, ye
are not lost to this house." "Aluric you are not yet skilled in the was of
magic, let alone one trained in a combat of players". "There is much still
to learn".
"As it is thee are not yet a knight of shield or sword". "Standards for
such as you have some leeway and lenience". "Still there is to be some
regard for thine actions may well have cost lives of others beside thyself".
"Our terms of service to the realms forbid any actions which do cause such
grief". " Since this was not the case with you, thee art entitled to
absolution". "For your penance take your first lesson in combat between
consenting players in this game of life within these realms". Besides this
one called "Malakar" is not unknown to us and even now we have already
prepared a "warm welcome" for him. It seems he has fled the realms and as yet
not returned. He is well famillar with the tactic though, having used it
himself on an occasion or two.
So did Master Fendar illuminate Aluric in some of the finer points of
combat between those who do visit the realms for a time. Then once more was
Aluric set out into the light which shines upon us all thou not all are
called to its service. Through the door into the Lost Hills did Aluric move
with more caution then er before. Circling round several minor skirmishes
between the visiting inhabitants of the woods and avoiding a few more of the
local wildlife, did he come once again to the hidden pass within the trees.
Crossing through Aluric had started to make his way westward through
Triboar's northern region and again was beset by ogre shaman's. Swiftly did
he dodge n parry for they saw him plane as day, and he would not be delayed.
Eventually Aluric did break away from the merciless pack of monsters, and
find his way to the centaur.
Generous and desperate the centaur did once again consent to Aluric's
aid in clearing the woods and give freely the promise of important
information once it was safe. Moving off to his bolthole, he discovered
the evil beings had found him out and laid waste to all his provisions there
stored. Raising his eyes heavenward in prayer to ask for divine guidance,
Aluric spied one of his birds newly returned. "Praise be all that the light
shows to be good"; he cried.
Calling to the gentle creature, cautiously did it alight upon his raised
glove. Closer examination showed this not to be one of his birds. This
flightling bore the mark of his lordship Dfoehammer. How had it come to be
here in this wood Aluric thought. Pondering all these tidings an Idea came
to him. Perhaps this flyer merely had lost its way. Scratching through
his pack brought some crusts of bread which he gave to the bird though the
hunger within him grew with each passing moment. Aluric could not recall
his last meal, flight can prod one to ever new feats. With the little
else he was able to find he scrawled a note. "Please come an help, my need
is desperate! Aethulric". Fixing the new missive to the birds leg, He
tossed it aloft. As yet Aluric had not learned of the fates that befell his
friends Zoarvox and Dragoneye, and his prayers where sent to the heavens for
their safety as well.
Looking to the heavens Aluric seen his newly released bird. She
circled once and sped onward to the northeast, Aluric again cursed his luck
for surely the castle was in nearly the opposite direction. Well to make the
best of it was the only course at this point. It was mid afternoon, while
Aluric was attempting to snare some lunch with his waistcoat lace, the reply
came. This mental communication was so distracting, he almost lost the
lacing, but it was very near. Sir Dfoehammer was but a short ways away at
the inn in Triboar and was even now making his way to Aluric. Still the
journey back through the lower lost hills and to where Aluric was camped was
no easy task. So Aluric decided against his instructions, and set about
scouting the near regions.
As was his usual, this rash of not so better judgment near cost him his
life. Some day he would teach those stupid ogres a thing or two about
kindness, preferably with the edge of a sword blade if he was lucky. But
slightly worse for the wear, Aluric promptly reported to Dfoehammer when his
lordship arrived. The magister eyed Aluric from head to toe and up again,
which gave Aluric the momentary notion of trying not to explain his sodden
appearance. Yet He was a paladin! and promptly put pride aside and spilled
out all lest he forget something and be found to be avoiding the truth.
Dfoehammer didn't even scold Aluric for not following his instructions,
(most likely stopped by the thought that the defeat was worse than any
punishment he could deliver). Dismounting Dfoehammer paid his respects to
the centaur, and they where again in the saddle and away. Not having gone
afar from where they started did the 2 come to trip the trap set by the ogre
magus. This time they where no match for the knights. With lances affixed
and some spells to hasten the progress did Aluric and Dfoehammer proceed to
dispatch the motley monsters group. Astonishingly the ogres held their
position, casting spells of protection about, not realizing their folly till
it was to late. Down went the monsters in a lake of gore and blood. Coming
about once more for another run Dfoehammer gave the order for Aluric to Hold!
This time Aluric performed as expected. The very sight of Dfoehammer upon his
roan charger was enough, the remaining ogres where permitted to flee the
field, and did so with great haste.
Having dispatched the band, Dfoehammer set out a new to the south to
find the spiders lair, making quick the cleanup of same. However the
manticores where not so obliging. Over a score of the abominations held the
field and Dfoehammer gave the order to dismount. No use wasting good
horseflesh. This was a job for sword n shield. On cue from the magister did
Aluric break away to the west and out flank the monsters. Through a hail of
incoming spikes did the 2 knights advance and engage the enemy. Though they
stood their ground well, no quarter being asked and none given, 'twas hard
and arduous work. The knights meet in the middle of the field, and no
monsters remained to oppose the dynamic duo. Cleaning up and preparing for
the next encounter, Dfoehammer struck Aluric across the back, "Well done
lad and you'll be the better for it, but there is still more to do". Aluric
looked again into the bright gleam of plate armor and wondered of he would
ever be worthy of such company. Still all had gone well till now, and some
light of day still remained.
Nextly did the 2 questing souls encounter snakes of numerous kinds, but
such monsters where no match for the knights, who by now had found that even
rhythm which makes for a deadly slaying machine when needed. In good order
did Dfoehammer clear the field with some help from Aluric. Aluric had to
admit he was no match for his master an lord but he did enjoy this work, and
followed Dfoe's orders with zeal and precision. Then it was back to the
centaur. Along the way they kept a weather eye for any signs of the ogre
mages, but none chose to come into the open if they even remained in the
wood. With delight did the centaur take the news, and with sadness report
of the captives held somewhere below. Backtracking their path, Dfoe lead
the way to a sink hole where did the 2 tie off ropes the centaur had
generously given and descend into the dark, leaving their mounts to make way
back to the castle.
This time Aluric knew what to expect mostly. With luck as their
handmaiden and The Eternal flame to guide, them all went exceedingly well.
With experience comes some degree of finesse even to Aluric, thou Dfoe bested
him at every turn, blow for blow down the narrow passages they went slaying
whatever evil sought to oppose them. But Dfoehammer was still the master,
and took pride in showing Aluric what still more there was to learn. Coming
upon some prison cells, they found the captives Aluric and Bleedugood had
previously set free. Yet the work was not done and the opposition was
mounting.
Freeing the last of the captives, Dfoehammer lead Aluric down another
winding turn in the passage way. As Aluric pushed past another of evils
minions he turned to find Dfoehammer gone! Looking about the dead, and the
surrounding area, the realization came back all to clear. Now which door
had he opened the last time. From another nearby cavern came Lord
Dfoehammer's call: "Back up! and Look again! harder!, and pay attention to
the little details". Aluric did as was instructed, hands trembling with
the memory of a wrong choice here. Aluric noticed the door for certain that
he did grasp upon his previous visit was but a cleverly disguised trap and
the real doorway was secreted to his right. Still, caution held him firm,
and he gingerly reached through the door. Finding Dfoehammer waiting not so
patiently upon the other side. "Come lad, time is wasting away and we have
still more to do!" and so onward into the cavern did they go.
Springing into the next room, did the tiring two startle an evil and
wicked mage. But not surprise him or his minions. "I don't know how you got
past the sentries to here but you'll not be leaving"; said the mage. And in
a flash Lightning seemed to spring forth form his very hands striking Aluric
and Dfoehammer a might blow. Yet 'twas not enough to sway Dfoehammer from
his appointed course. Such a volley of magic and sword play sprang forth
from Dfoehammer, "accompanied by his war cry of "for the honor and glory of
KEF!". That the evil mage never got the chance to keep his promise, being the
first to fall to the mighty "Hammer". Aluric meanwhile was occupied with
some of the evil ones minions. Deftly applying the trident and shield in
combination. Aluric was having a time of it, giving more than he ever
received. With each new opponent, bellowing his war chant: "let justice be
done though the heavens fall" such that the monks at his former priory would
be proud! The end was almost predetermined having no mage or master to lead
them.
With its finish the treasure of the quest was found. And did his
lordship instruct Aluric to return to Neverwinter and present himself at the
castle to Lord Nasher. Who would bestow a special reward for the deed done.
Aluric and Dfoehammer walked into the hills together but the monsters of the
night had returned and they where parted without warning. Aluric continued
on as he was instructed, happily thinking he was now done with the
assignments of the guild that stood between him and true knight hood. But as
was the way with the Knight errant, known as Aethluric Lundonie "the
bravehardt", he was in error, again; still that's another story.
Look for the continuation As Elgiem helps Aluric find His:
"Temple of gloom?"
Lines of Fate - Part 3
(Submitted by Morngrym)
"So, ye be skulking through our woods, eh man?" the confident thief
inquired. "Me name's Jackal ye know...of course ye know...everyone
does...Whots a fine fella like yerself doing out here alone on dis beautiful
morning?" The other thieves laughed at their leaders obvious sarcasm and
intimidating manner.
The group numbered about ten and they seemed to melt out of the forest trees.
Kerik was astonished...literally at a loss for words. He could think of no
worse way for this mission to go. It was practically impossible to surprise
him in the forest, but these stealthy thieves had done it. "Eh, tiger got ye
tongue or ye just shy man?" The thieves bursted into rowdy laughter once
again. Jackal smiled an evil grin as he slowly drew a jewel encrusted dagger
from his belt sheath.
All thoughts of the mission had now been driven from Kerik's mind, along
with his momentary surprise. Kerik was a man of great pride with a temper to
match...No one spoke to him like that, regardless of the odds. This very
fact had earned him trouble in many taverns over the years. Kerik drew his
sword quickly and the thieves armed themselves as well. "Come now
Jackal...If you are so brave step up to me and talk your rubbish..." he
growled in a angry voice. The thief leader was a bit surprised by the
action, but quickly recovered, his sarcasm returning. "Well now man...Ye see
we are rabble who don't believe in fighting honest like, so me thinks we'll
all just slit ya from nose to belly together". The thieves lunged as
Jackal's comments trailed off...
Kerik stepped up with a vicious swing that almost cut the lead attacker
in two. Jackal screamed orders from the back of the group, having no desire
to charge in just then. The thieves quickly surrounded Kerik, delivering
several small but painful cuts. He spun around, slicing another man's leg,
sending him sprawling to the ground. Kerik felt a sharp pain in his shoulder
as a dagger lodged itself there. He almost fell to the ground, but somehow
kept his footing and defended the following attacks the best he could.
'Thwip!' 'Thwip!' Two arrows streaked through the air, hitting the
thieves directly behind Kerik. They went down heavily, the shafts lodged
squarely in their backs. "This way!", he vaguely heard a voice call from the
direction of the shots. Kerik didn't even look as he turned and sprinted in
that direction. Two daggers flew past him, striking trees, as a couple of
the thieves pursued. "Stop, ye dogs!", Jackal screamed in the distance,
recalling his men. It seemed the losses were great enough for one day.
Kerik ran as fast as his legs would carry him, trying not to loose sight of
the figure running ahead.
The person came to a stop almost a quarter mile from the attack. Kerik
finally caught up, panting for breath. "Thank you sir, you surely saved my
hide back there", Kerik rasped, gulping in another breath of air. "I would
prefer to be called lady if you don't mind", the woman said, pulling back the
hood of her cloak and revealing her face. Kerik stared awkwardly for several
moments before he caught himself and glanced away. She was indeed a lady and
a beautiful one at that. "I am sorry, m'lady", he returned. "No offense was
intended, I didn't...". "Tis ok", she cut in with a wry smile, looking the
ranger up and down. The woman somehow seemed familiar to Kerik, but he just
couldn't place her...Indeed he had seen many women in the previous weeks and
tried to make a habit of not remembering them.
"You are very skilled with the bow", Kerik commented, at a loss for
anything else to say. "Thank you Sir", the woman said, noticing his
discomfort. "May I have your name? 'Sir' always seemed so formal to me",
she continued, still studying the man. "Certainly m'lady...My name is
Kerik", he said, extending a hand. She paused, taken completely off guard by
the revelation. "My name's Erin", she replied finally as she slowly reached
for his hand...
(To be Continued...in part 4 ;)
The Quest for the Amulet, Part 4
(Submitted by OSIR1S)
After several hours had passed, Osiris noticed they were approaching a
mountain range. "We're almost there, Love. The Cave of Lost Souls is there
in those mountains," Osiris said. Taarla just nodded and watched as they
grew closer to the mountains. The temperature was becoming cooler the closer
they got and a strong wind had begun to blow. Jack drew his horse close to
Osiris' and said, "We're going to have to leave the horses soon. These
animals aren't cut out for mountain climbing." "We can tie them at that
group of small trees just below the foot of the mountain," Osiris answered
him. Though it seemed they were close, it was almost dark by the time they
reached the trees where they would leave the horses. The afternoon had been
quiet, but Taarla worried that there had been no sign of Sir Sentra. It was
too soon to expect his return, but her brow furrowed with concern for her
young friend. She wondered if he would try to return if he found nothing, or
if he would head back to Neverwinter. She could not bring herself to think
that something may have happened to him as he searched the woods.
"I think we could stand a bit of rest before we start climbing across these
mountains, Osiris," Jack said as he noticed just how weary his friend looked.
Osiris looked at Taarla and said, "We still have time, Love, but if you want
to continue, we will." Taarla said, "We'll stop for awhile, Osi. We're
going to need our strength for the rest of this journey." Taarla told Osiris
to get some sleep as she began unsaddling his horse. He made himself
comfortable on a somewhat smooth slab of rock and in seconds he was asleep,
his cloak wrapped around him to keep him warm from the chill winds blowing
from the mountaintops. Jack finished removing the packs from the horses and
then left them to graze on the sparse croppings of grass which grew around
the small trees. Taarla sat, leaning up against one of the trees. "Jack,
get some sleep. I'll take the first watch. I got enough sleep in the saddle
to last me a little while," Taarla said as Jack found his own spot beneath
the largest of the trees. He argued that he did not want to leave her with
the watch, but she would not hear it. "I'm fine, Jack... I'll only let you
sleep for a bit, and then I'll wake you," she said. Reluctantly, Jack
agreed, his eyes heavy and joints aching, and wrapping a blanket around him
to protect against the wind and falling temperature, he was soon asleep
himself.
Taarla waited several minutes until she was sure they were both breathing the
steady rhythm marking deep sleep and then she went to her pack and removed
her grimoire. The fine leather cover was smooth as silk and the rune-filled
pages within were worn from endless hours of studying. Carefully flipping
through the pages, she found the spell she planned to use. It was a spell
she had rarely found a need for, but useful nonetheless. After a few minutes
of intense concentration, she was satisfied she had the incantation perfectly
memorized and closing the grimoire, she returned it to her pack. Dragonslayer
watched her inquisitively with his large yellow eyes, but Taarla ignored him.
She didn't have much time and she wanted to be sure she cast the spell
correctly before either Osiris or Jack woke up. She looked at her sleeping
husband and immediately felt guilty for what she was about to do. They would
both be angry, but she could not allow either of them to follow her into the
boundary... she was not sure if she would survive herself. Before she could
talk herself out of it, Taarla began casting the spell. The words of the
spell were difficult and she had to focus her powers intently on each
syllable to ensure there were no mistakes. The spell she cast was a wizard's
web and she hoped it would buy her the time she needed to get well ahead of
them before they woke up. Jack and Osiris would sleep deeply...
dreamlessly... yet they would be shielded from sight by the cloak the
wizard's web threw over them. Only she would be able to see their sleeping
forms. Dragonslayer meowed at her, but she ignored the protest and continued
with the spell. Speaking the final incantations, she released the spell
successfully.
Taarla looked towards the woods one last time to see if perhaps Sir Sentra
was headed back, or if whoever had followed them through the woods had caught
up with them, but she saw nothing... no movement at all. She turned and
picked up her pack, and looked at Dragonslayer. He actually looked upset
with her, but she accounted this to her feelings of guilt and calling to him
to come on, she started up the side of the mountain.
Taarla noticed a rocky path that wound its way up and around the hill and she
followed it, occasionally sliding on the loose rocks. After awhile, she
looked behind her towards where Osiris and Jack slept and was disappointed
she had only gotten a short distance away. Still, she was relieved that her
absence was as yet undetected and that the two men remained sleeping
peacefully. She pressed onward, willing herself to go faster and soon she
had followed the pathway around until she was on the opposite side of the
mountain. The last rays of sunlight disappeared beneath the horizon and
though she did not wish to draw any unwanted attention to herself, Taarla
again produced the hovering sphere of light so she could find her way.
Dragonslayer followed close behind her, sometimes in front of her, but he was
always near his mistress as they continued further up the path. Taarla's
legs began to ache and though the temperature was reaching the freezing
point, she refused to stop even for a moment. The sphere hovered always
slightly ahead of her and provided enough light to see where she was
stepping, but she could not see very far ahead of her. She came to a point
where the pathway ended, and she began climbing over rocks, scraping her legs
and cutting her fingers on jagged edges as she reached for handholds. The
wind moaned above her and whipped her hair carelessly around her face and
almost blindly she felt her way. Dragonslayer leapt from rock to rock as he
steadily kept his footing and followed her.
As Taarla climbed higher up the mountain, the wind moaned louder and she
stopped to listen. It was a curious sound and she wondered where the sound
was coming from and why. She was tired and wondered if she was imagining the
noise. She was going to have to rest soon, but not yet. By this time, her
hands were almost numb and bleeding and the muscles in her legs screamed with
every step she took up the steep and rocky incline. She was going by sheer
will alone and several times Dragonslayer meowed at her, but she either
refused to listen, or couldn't hear him over the ominous moaning above her.
Taarla reached above her to find a hold to pull herself up with, but her hand
met with nothing but air. She looked above her and saw only empty space. She
had only to step up and she would be on level ground. That one step marked
the end of her endurance and she collapsed onto the rocky floor beneath her.
She lifted her head and looked around her before she would allow herself to
rest... she lay at the entrance to a cave. The opening was blacker than the
night sky and Taarla knew she had reached the Cave of Lost Souls. Laying her
head on her hands, she closed her eyes and allowed exhaustion to overtake
her. Dragonslayer did not curl up beside her as she slept. Instead, he
remained standing like a sentry guarding a sacred possession, his eyes pools
of darkness as he looked from the cave to his sleeping mistress.
Just as Taarla fell asleep at the entrance to the cave, Osiris woke up. He
peered into the darkness and saw Jack sleeping at the foot of the tree and as
his eyes swept the area further he discovered what he had feared most...
Taarla was gone. She had set out on her own. Osiris did not know how much
time had passed, but he had a feeling there was magic at work... Taarla's
magic. He rushed over to Jack and shook him awake. "Jack! Wake up!" Jack
looked at him bleary-eyed, and when he saw the expression on his friend's
face, he knew something was terribly wrong. "Osi, what is it?" he asked.
"It's Taarla... blast her stubborn hide, she's gone ahead on her own!" he
exclaimed. Jack got quickly to his feet and looked around. "Where's that
cat?" "I'm sure Dragonslayer is with her... she meant what she said... he
goes anywhere she does, especially when she's alone," Osiris answered as he
began gathering his pack and made a quick check of the horses. Jack rushed
to grab his gear and then stopped... someone was coming on horseback, and
they were coming at breakneck speed by the sound of it. "Osiris, listen."
Osiris had heard the approaching hoofbeats as well and stood facing in the
direction from whence the thundering hooves came. "This could be trouble,
Jack." Jack readied his sword and the two of them stood waiting to see who
or what approached.
From out of the darkness came a single horse and rider, but they were still
too far away to identify. Jack and Osiris waited, sword and spells at the
ready. Osiris grabbed Jack's arm as he realized who sat astride the horse.
"It's Sentra!" The horse slowed to a walk as it approached the two men and
they could see Sir Sentra slumped over in the saddle and when the horse was
within reach, Jack grasped the reins and steadied the wild-eyed mare. Osiris
pulled Sir Sentra from the saddle and feeling hands upon him, Sir Sentra
looked up, his eyes wild with fear, and saw that it was Osiris. Osiris
helped Sir Sentra to the rock on which he had slept while Jack tied the horse
to a tree then rushed over to join the two other men. Sir Sentra looked
around him as if in a daze, then he asked, "Where is Taarla?" Jack told him,
"She has gone up the mountain alone... she left while Osiris and I were
sleeping." Sir Sentra's eyes grew wide with alarm. "She has to be
stopped... it's a trap... he's waiting for her... never let her reach the
boundary..." Osiris asked, "Who waits for her, Sentra?" Sir Sentra opened
his mouth to speak the words then collapsed against the rock. It was then
that they saw his chest had been lashed open and the front of his shirt was
soaked in blood. Osiris cursed and then turned to Jack. "I'm going after
her, Jack. Stay here with Sentra." Jack nodded and as Osiris started
towards the foot of the mountain he said, "I'm sorry, Osiris. I should not
have let Taarla take the watch." Osiris turned to him and replied, "It's not
your fault, Jack. She would have found a way no matter what we would have
done," and with that, Osiris left Jack and Sir Sentra and began to ascend the
mountain in search of Taarla.
Taarla woke with a start, a rush of adrenaline surged through her and though
every muscle in her body ached, she stumbled to her feet. Afraid she had
slept too long and Osiris and Jack had come searching for her, she turned
around and looked over the edge of the rocky incline. She was relieved to
see that she was still alone. Dragonslayer meowed loudly at her, but she
said, "Shush, lil' one. I know what I'm doing." She turned towards the
gaping mouth of the cave and slowly began walking towards the darkness.
Dragonslayer stayed at her side, his fur brushing against her skirts he was
so close. Before she stepped into the cave, Taarla conjured the small,
hovering light and paused for a moment. She wondered what lay within the
cave... the Cave of Lost Souls. Dragonslayer began meowing incessantly, but
Taarla started walking again, directly into the Cave of Lost Souls.
The roof of the cave was high enough that she could walk without stooping,
and the light from the sphere was enough that she could see the walls on
either side of her. The rocky walls were very dark but glittered with
reflections of silver. The wind continued to moan outside, but only a
chilling draft reached her within the cave. She continued to walk deeper
into the cave, never stopping, because she knew if she did, her fears might
get the better of her and she wouldn't be able to continue. Dragonslayer had
grown silent, but he still stayed beside her.
The farther she went, Taarla noticed that the walls on either side of her
seemed to be drawing closer together. The passageway was getting smaller.
Slightly ahead of her, Taarla saw an opening in the stone floor and drawing
closer, she saw it was a stairway leading down into the mountain itself.
Moving cautiously, she began going down the stairs, her boots clicking softly
as she descended.
The stairs seemed to stretch unendingly before her. She wondered how long
she had been going down when she began to hear strange noises below her.
Sharp, scraping noises grew louder the farther she went and below her she
could see a faint, greenish light. Ignoring her fear and taking one step at
a time, Taarla moved steadily down the stairs.
Finally, Taarla could see the bottom of the stairway illuminated by the light
cast by whatever lay in the cavern ahead. She doused the globe of light
hovering above her and took the last steps down into a room filled with a
green glow. Stepping farther into the room she saw the glow came from the
farthest wall... a wall of wavering light that appeared almost like a barrier
of water held in place by some unseen force. The colors swirled, fading in
and out and the effect was almost soothing and Taarla stood for many minutes
just watching the glowing green wall. She stood in front of the outermost
boundary to the netherworld and her heart raced as she began to think of what
lay within. She was almost there, but she didn't know how much farther she
had to go, or how long she had to get there. Time had lost all meaning since
she entered the cave. She wondered if Osiris had awakened and what he must
be thinking. Undead could enter the netherworld, but could he remove the
Amulet of Light? This question and others played through her thoughts as
Taarla watched the glowing lights of the boundary's edge.
Taarla had been so mesmerized by the colors swirling in the boundary that she
had forgotten about the scraping sounds and she immediately became alarmed
when the sound came from directly behind her. Dragonslayer paced around her
legs and began hissing. Slowly, Taarla turned around and before her stood a
monstrosity that must have crawled from the very abyss itself. It was
hideous to say the least and Taarla's blood ran cold.
Resembling a dracolich, the creature before her had three heads, each with
eyes like glowing embers. Its body was skeletal, the only flesh remaining
hanging in tattered shreds. As Taarla watched the beast, trying to
anticipate its movements, she heard another sound... a voice echoing through
the caverns... an evil voice that sent a feeling of dread to her very soul.
"It's been a long time, Taarla and like always you have fallen into my
clutches yet again." Taarla tried to see where the voice was coming from,
but the light was dim and she was afraid to look away from the beast crouched
in front of her. "Show yourself, Anubiss, or are you afraid?" she yelled
into the cavern, trying to keep her voice from shaking with the fear and
anger she felt. Evil laughter echoed all around her and Taarla became
furious at his taunting. It was then that the skeletal beast exhaled a ball
of white-hot flame in Taarla's direction. Caught off guard, the fireball hit
her and she was hurled across the stone floor, landing in a heap at the very
edge of the boundary. Her cloak had protected her somewhat from the spell,
but her face and hands felt like they were on fire. Stunned from the force
of the blow, Taarla was unable to get up in time... the beast gave a
deafening roar and from the mouth of its other grotesque head came a stream
of liquid flame. But before the flames could engulf her, Taarla countered
with a blast of ice and the cavern filled with billowing clouds of steam.
Taarla looked around her for Dragonslayer, but he had somehow disappeared.
"Give it up, Taarla. You don't have a chance of surviving this time,"
Anubiss roared. Taarla got to her feet and in a rage, she cast a wall of
fire between her and the approaching beast and screamed, "Never!"
Taarla knew the wall of fire would not keep the monster away from her for
very long and the only hope of escape was to go through the boundary. She
looked behind her at the glowing wall, but before she could step through, a
powerful hand seized her by the arm. Whipping her head around, she stood
staring face to face with Anubiss. "Leaving so soon, wench?" With her free
hand, Taarla wrenched a dagger from her belt and slashed out at Anubiss,
cutting him from the corner of his eye to his chin. In a fury, he knocked
the dagger from her hand and threw her to the stone floor. Snapping his
fingers, the wall of flame was dispelled and the hideous beast disappeared.
"I will take the greatest pleasure in killing you, Taarla... slowly...... and
painfully," he sneered at her. Anubiss reached down and grabbed Taarla from
the floor, pulling her up until their faces were a hair's breadth away. His
breath was foul and Taarla thought she would retch as he whispered, "You..
are... dead." Her eyes locked with his and the evil she saw within the dark
pools froze the scream coming from her throat.
At that moment another voice was heard, and Taarla thought it was the most
wonderful sound in the world... "Let her go this instant before I run you
through, Anubiss," Osiris spoke from directly behind him. "Well, well, two
for the price of one is it?" Anubiss chuckled. Taarla looked past Anubiss
and saw Osiris standing a few feet away, a deadly look on his face. "I said
let her go," Osiris scowled. "Certainly," Anubiss hissed and with that, he
hurled Taarla away from him with such strength she was thrown into the far
wall and there she fell unconscious. Intent on revenge, Osiris lunged at
Anubiss and plunged a dagger into his back. Screaming, Anubiss fell to the
floor, reaching behind him in an effort to free himself from the sting of the
blade embedded within him. Dragonslayer ran to Taarla and began pawing at
her. Moaning, she opened her eyes and looked into the face of her
yellow-eyed pet. Anubiss lay on the ground, she saw, a dagger protruding
from his back, cursing as he tried to free it, then he was still.
Osiris walked over to Taarla and knelt beside her. For a moment he said
nothing as he looked at her, then he gently touched her reddened face and
said, "Whatever were you thinking, Love?" Taarla just looked at him as tears
filled her eyes. She looked away, her eyes focused on the boundary and in a
small voice said, "The amulet..."
Movement out of the corner of her eye turned her thoughts away from the
amulet and towards Anubiss once again and she stared in horror at the sight
before her. Osiris followed Taarla's gaze and looked towards Anubiss as well
and they watched as an unseen force pulled the dagger from his back and
remained floating above the still body. Black blood dripped from the tip of
the blade as it hovered in the air. Osiris got up from where he knelt and
never taking his eyes from the blade, held his left hand out to Taarla. With
that movement, the blade hurled through the air and straight through Osiris'
outstretched hand and into the stone wall behind him. Anubiss lifted his
head from the floor and began to laugh and said, "It's not over yet. It
takes far more than a simple dagger to kill me, you fools!" Taarla got
quickly to her feet and with both hands grasped the dagger that held Osiris'
hand pinned to the wall. The knife had gone deep into the granite surface
and it held fast. Taarla looked over her shoulder as Anubiss rose from the
floor and began walking towards them. Quickly she turned back to Osiris, his
face a grimace of pain. Dragonslayer paced back and forth in front of Osiris
and Taarla and growled deep within his throat as Anubiss drew closer.
Osiris watched as Taarla continued to grasp the dagger pinning him to the
wall and he said to her, "Go, Love... go through the boundary." Taarla
gritted her teeth as she continued to pull and said, "No, I won't leave you
here with that beast!" Osiris watched Anubiss and saw that his lips were
moving silently... he was preparing to cast a spell. "The time for
stubbornness is done, Taarla... GO NOW!" he yelled to her, but Taarla
wouldn't go. Sensing the urgency in his voice, Taarla placed one booted foot
against the wall and pulled with all her might. The dagger came free with a
grating noise and then everything seemed to happen in slow
motion.......Taarla started to fall backwards..... the air around them
crackled as Anubiss released a bolt of lightning..... Osiris caught Taarla by
the arm and yanked her towards him..... Dragonslayer leaped onto Anubiss'
neck shrieking in fury..... then Osiris leaped to the side, Taarla in his
grasp, and they fell through the barrier..... the boundary of the
netherworld..... as the bolt of lightning disintegrated the wall where they
had stood mere seconds before.
The instant they passed through into the boundary, Taarla felt like she was
drowning. She felt weightless and her feet met with no surface beneath her.
Osiris pulled her close to him and with eyes filled with fear she looked into
his eyes and though his lips did not move, she could hear his voice calmly
speaking to her. "It will pass, Love... you can breathe." She shook her
head, but Osiris held her firmly and said, "Trust me, Taarla... breathe."
Taarla looked at the gold chain on Osiris' neck and then back into his eyes.
She fought to take a breath, but she couldn't and her fingers began clutching
Osiris' arms. She looked around her at the swirling green world she had
entered, trying to summon the strength to take a breath. "Look at me!"
Osiris said with such force it shocked her, but she did as he said and kept
her eyes focused on his. "We're no longer in the land of the living, yet we
are not in the realm of the dead... the boundary is filled with illusions and
trickery." Osiris began to fade from Taarla's vision, and he sensed he was
losing her. "No, Taarla! Breathe!" he yelled. He had to distract her
somehow to draw her mind from the illusion that she could not breathe, but he
wasn't sure what he could do. He had to think quickly. Then he did the only
thing he could think of... which was simply to kiss her. As his lips touched
hers, she struggled, but he held her and kissed her with all the love and
desire he felt within his heart and soon she ceased her struggles as she
started to breathe. He stopped kissing her and watched her as she caught her
breath.
Thankful that she was breathing again, Taarla looked around her in wonder.
They appeared to be walking on air through greenish-grey mist. Osiris took
her by the hand and spoke to her, "We are in the boundary now, but we must
hurry, Love. Time passes quickly here." Taarla was puzzled that she could
hear him speaking to her, but she never saw his lips move. She tried to
speak to him, but no sound came out. "Speak to me with your mind... sound
does not carry within the boundaries." Taarla concentrated a moment and then
mind-spoke, "I love you." Osiris smiled at her and said, "I love you, too."
Osiris began walking but he did not get very far before Taarla stopped him.
"Dragonslayer... where is he?" she asked him. "He was still outside the
boundary... I do not know if he entered, and if he did, he will be very hard
to find. Don't worry, Love... he will find us if he can." Taarla had no idea
in which direction the altar of the Amulet of Light was, but Osiris seemed to
know where he was going. She wondered if the world of the boundary appeared
the same to him as it did to her. She wanted to ask him, but she knew time
was short and she didn't want to ask anymore questions. It felt so strange
to her... she walked, yet her feet did not seem to touch any solid surface.
She felt like she was trapped within one of her nightmares, but she knew she
wasn't sleeping... she was very much awake and it was very real. She wondered
if Anubiss pursued them and several times she looked behind her, but
everything looked the same in either direction she looked... mists swirling
on either side of her, above her and beneath her, and dead silence.
Outside at the bottom of the mountain, Jack Raven tended to Sir Sentra's
wounds. He had not regained consciousness and his body was ravaged by fever.
Several times Sir Sentra cried out and Jack wondered what the young man had
come across in the woods. Not having the abilities of a cleric, Jack was not
sure how to best help his young friend. He looked up at the mountain and
wondered if Osiris had found Taarla and what had become of them. It had been
hours since he last saw Osiris climbing the mountain, in fact, it was well
past the hour of noon... the third and final day. Jack looked at Sir Sentra
and knew he needed more help than he could give him. He knew he could not be
of any further help to Osiris and Taarla, but he was reluctant to leave the
area. Jack began making preparations to leave, hoping they would be all
right and that he could get Sir Sentra to a cleric in time. He saddled the
two horses and then placed Sir Sentra on one of the mounts and with rope,
tied him to the saddle. Taking the reins of Sir Sentra's horse, he mounted
his own steed and began the long journey back to Neverwinter.
***********To be continued*********
Night of the Dark Tithe
(Submitted by UDL Diablo)
Ghoul slipped out the front gate of the graveyard and made his way over
towards the Castle of Bones. It was near midnight and the High Priest would
be waiting on him. Ghoul grinned as he moved through the halls of the castle
as Diablo almost always had a bag of Kef fingers for him.
There was major construction going on near the rear of the castle as the new
High Priest of Myrkul was busy building a hall of worship for the God of the
Dead. A scream now and then along the brief journey caught Ghoul's
attention, but he continued quickly to his appointment with Diablo.
Reaching the area of the temple, two acolytes came forth and greeted Ghoul.
They asked for the scroll that Ghoul had kept the last few days and then
turned and walked back towards the alter area of the hall. Ghoul stood and
watched a moment, let out a deep growl of sorts, turned and headed back the
way he had just came.
The High Priest of Myrkul sat atop the throne of bone that had been
constructed in the hall, the throne set back in the shadows behind the alter.
The two acolytes brought the scroll to the High Priest as he sat there,
bowing after handing it over, then turning and walking back towards the rear
of the massive chamber.
Diablo unrolled the scroll and looked at the names that reported to Ghoul,
and how few it was. "This will bring anger from Myrkul that so few wish to
openly acknowledge him with tithes", the High Priest says to himself. He
then stands and walks to the alter, his mind thinking as he goes, "It truly
is time for a priesthood to be formed, to help guide the guilds spiritual
matters".
As he reaches the alter, his hands go up and pull back the dark cowl that
covers his head. The crimson eyes look slowly around the hall, taking in the
beginnings of Myrkuls true desires. His spectral hands quickly pass over the
candles, thirteen, that circle the alter and small flickers of flame start to
dance from each.
The light from the candles cast shadows on the bones that covered the alter
from side to side. The High Priest slowly started walking around the alter
speaking in tones that slowly rose in volume until his words were echoing
about the hall.
"Myrkul, tonight, the first night of tithing to my master, I come with very
little to offer. This brings a sadness on your servant, for tonight I can
ask for your favor towards only myself and two of my Brothers in Death. This
is shameful oh great God of the Dead, it is shameful that your glory is not
being spread about the realms in great detail. Tonight I can only speak for
a few of the souls that have been tithed to you oh great Myrkul, but for but
one nights reporting the harvest was good. Soon great one, we shall list
names for hours before this alter, soon", the last words coming quickly down
to normal tone as Diablo unrolls the list.
Standing before the alter, looking across the bones and flames towards the
throne of bone that sat beyond, the High Priest of Myrkul, the spectral form
of Diablo starts to hum. Slowly he lifts his arms and raises the scroll
before him, the humming rising in tone, a cold breeze starts to blow about
the hall.
Then, on the throne a ghostly form takes shape, that of the god Myrkul.
Diablo's eyes are closed, the scroll held before him, a constant humming his
only actions. The figure on the throne seems to grow solid and then looks
across at the High Priest.
"Servant, open your eyes before your God, read to me the names of those who
have given me souls. I shall see that they gain favor in there efforts, now
speak!", the last being a command.
Diablo opened his eyes and read from the scroll before him. "Oh great
Myrkul, these Brothers have offered a public tithe to your glory. UDL
Vault2, UDL Diablo and Shurg in proclaiming the following souls to your
glory....
Agamnemnon
Pwyllthor
Mech Focus
SirWalker
Pwyllthor (twice)
DrkThghts
A Gamnemnon (twice)
HR Roph
Tychos
D0mino X
The High Priest then tosses the scroll on the alter and it quickly vanishes
in an explosion of smoke and flame. The form of Myrkul lets out a hideous
scream that rips through the hall and then disappears. Diablo then passes
his hands across the alter once again and the flames die out. Darkness
engulfs the hall as the High Priest reaches up and pulls the black cowl over
his head. "Next week I had better have more souls to report to him", the
spectre thinks to himself as he floats towards the rear of the temple and
it's exit.
History of a Seeker
Part 9 - Seekers
(Submitted by Whiiplash)
Whiiplash strode between the twin dragon statues, their looming forms
magically enchanted to destroy unwelcome visitors. He ignored them, however,
and entered Seeker Hall through the iron-reinforced oaken door. Inside,
fountains and trees decorated the huge hall, and the cavernous arched room
was brightly lit through tall stained windows near the ceiling. Tapestries of
intricate weave adorned the aged stone walls, each magically woven to slowly
display each of the over two score Seekers fighting some evil or another.
Whiiplash half walked half ran up the stone staircase at the other side
of the hall, finding his way to his quarters. Inside, he pulled on his chain
mail and blue Seeker tabard, preparing for his daily sparring match. His
two-handed sword now fit easily in his huge hands, the months of training
paying off at last. He shouldered his longbow, his weapon of choice, and
sheathed his hidden boot knife and half-sword. Finally sliding into his heavy
brown robes, he mentally willed them to keep him in sight as he left his room
and descended to the underground battle arena.
The huge training center was decorated only with practice dummies and
targets. Seekers were scattered about the huge training arena, their armored
forms sparring with longswords and tridents. It was a large, circular room,
filled with sand, and dimly lit with torches scattered along the walls. High,
near the wooden ceiling, were pegged the coat of arms of every Seeker.
Whiiplash was planning on having a weaver make one for him soon, but he had
decided to put off such minor things until after he had completed his
lifequest. Whiiplash spotted Hawkfrnd, the High Priest of the Seekers,
showing a newly recruited Seeker the basics of swordplay and moved to join
him.
Saying nothing, Whiiplash stood off to the side to watch Hawkfrnd move
through some basic trident routines, the recruit looking on in wonder. The
young fighter hefted his own trident, unenchanted and blunt, and tried
clumsily to do the same. Nearby, Hawkfrnd's companion, a huge hawk seemingly
always nearby, called out approval. Whiiplash smiled and moved off to spar
with the others.
A few hours later, after quiting the training grounds exhausted,
Whiiplash returned to his room. He shed his armor, as magical arts were much
easier without it, and climbed to the second level, above the vaults and
living quarters. Inside a small chamber, he sat at a table and opened a tome
to a page marked with a strip of cloth. He had finished his magical studies
several weeks before, and was now counted as an archmage of the Seekers. He
had also joined in prayers with the brothers at the shrine, learning clerical
spells of protection and healing to match his druid spells of growth and
restoration. He smiled to himself as he recalled his home at Neargoth, before
the destruction. His boyhood fantasy of this, a battlemage, adept at the arts
of magic and blade. Soon, he would take what he had learned and return, to
destroy those who murdered his life. He had overcome the losses of his
family, but the need for revenge had not been diminished. Each time he
remembered his vision of his people working mines, he felt the sudden need to
claim revenge now, but each time he came to his senses and felt he was not
ready.
Whiiplash dove into the book. It was titled "Murridias' Tome of
Enchantments," something Whiiplash had picked up at the library downstairs.
He was planning to enchant the small wooden figurine, given to him by the
strange elf. He recalled the elf, a Seeker according to the guild logbook and
listings by the door. Whiiplash lifted the dragon figurine, marvelling at its
smooth edges and intricate details. There were plenty of dragons to the
north, soon he would journey there and befriend one.
Whiiplash bid farewell to his friends, as he could be gone days, and
pulled inside his mind. He recalled a map of the realms, memorized from a
book, and chose a spot. He felt the magic surge through his body, and he let
it settle before chanting the words. They came to him easily, and the magic
grew stronger within him. Suddenly, with a flash of bright white light and a
strange jerk, he was hurtled through space for the slightest instant. Then,
just as suddenly, he was sucked back into existence hundreds of miles to the
north of Seeker Hall, just south of the Spine of the World.
Snow and ice cut into his face as he sought to magically construct a
barrier against the elements. The wind howled in his ears, and he struggled
to chant above the wind, his words lost to him as they were carried away by
the screaming torrents of air. Then, it stopped. A small glimmering shield
stretched around him, a protective shell against the pounding wind and ice.
Wiping the caked ice from his face, he cast a simple spell and it slid
from his body, leaving him dry and comfortable. The spell stretched to the
ground, and the once waist deep snow was pushed away from the barrier,
revealing a warm and soft clearing. Sitting down gingerly, he closed his eyes
and pulled back within himself.
Anyone watching would have seen a wonderous show of magic. Above the
meditating Whiiplash sitting on the ground, a small globe formed. It was
first just a glimmer, but soon it was filled with thick grey smoke, churning
within the strange bubble. It hovered there for a moment, a small globe of
smokey greyness, but then it was speeding off into the storm. Over the
mountains it flew, Whiiplash's eyes seeing through it. He directed it across
mountains, in search of a dragon. He watched as it zoomed this way and that,
its magical eyes peircing the heavy storm. It searched for what seemed like
hours, but could have been only moments.
It suddenly halted, hovering over a single, snow laden spire.
It rose off of the side of a mountain, its tall stone structure caked
with snow. It held against the powerful wind, and Whiiplash thought, seeing
it through the globe, that some magic must be at work. Smiling, he decided to
investigate. Letting the globe shatter and the grey smoke get carried away,
he kept the spire's image fresh in his mind. With a sudden tug, he was
sitting on a small ledge of snow, the protective spell still holding back the
ice.
Whiiplash grinned. He could sense a strong magic here, and the presence
of a sleeping beast. he steeled himself and searched through himself,
gathering magic. He pushed the shell outward, forcing snow and ice back,
clearing the snow around the base of the spire away. A wall was revealed,
stones set perfectly and signs of age non-existent. He pushed the shell
farther, and the wall stretched away, the spire alone. The wall was huge,
nearly forty feet high, its towering mass easily holding back the
comparitively weak wind. It stetched about one hundred feet, corners at each
end turning the wall into the mountain. There were no doors, there was just
the wall. Whiiplash still smiled, curious as ever. He magically transported
himself inside the wall, and found ruins. In a small courtyard between it and
the mountain, blocks of stone and wood were scattered about. Something had
come here and destroyed it, leaving only the wall and the last spire.
Whiiplash made his way over the heavy rubble, toward a huge cave mouth. It
was huge, large enough to allow a small dragon passage. Grinning, Whiiplash
made his way inside....
History of a Seeker
Part 10 - Dragon's Castle
The tunnel stretched away into darkness. Creating a small globe of light
and sending it farther down the large passage only confirmed that it seemed
to continue forever.
Whiiplash's booted feet thumped on the perfectly cut stones of the
floor, his longbow drawn and an arrow set. He had long since let his magical
light expire, as there was some kind of natural light coming from the walls.
"Where is the end...?" Whiiplash muttered into the silence. His voice echoed
faintly ahead of him, but the silence only returned.
Suddenly, the tunnel seemed to drop off as Whiiplash approached the edge
of some kind of chasm. He balanced on a small peice of rock, apparently what
was left from a destroyed bridge. Below, a deep, rumbling snore thundered.
Whiiplash smiled. He had found his dragon. While having never seen such
a creature, save in books, he had no fear of their like. He shouldered his
longbow and began to chant. Within seconds, he lifted himself gently from the
overhang and let himself fall, descending nearly a hundred feet as if a
feather. He touched the stone floor, which was still part of this same
strange castle, and glanced around. He was at the bottom of a huge feat of
construction, a nearly two hundred foot high cavern of stone blocks. Near the
ceiling, narrow bridges of stone still crossed its huge width, but below,
most of them had been destroyed. Many passages opened up into this room, and
Whiiplash figured to himself that it must be some kind of main hall for the
maze of tunnels beyond. He turned his attention, however, to the sleeping
beast before him.
It rested upon a pile of gold coins, dented armor, and rusty swords.
According to what Whiiplash had read in the books of Seeker Library, this was
nothing. The beast itself, however, was magnificent. Scales, shining bright
white even in the dim cavern, reflected the glow from the walls. Cold air
seemed to blast from its huge nostrils, and as Whiiplash stood there studying
the huge beast, it shifted, its thunderous snoring momentarily ceased. Its
jaws gaped open, revealing a full row of deadly fangs, easily capable of
tearing large animals to shreds. At the end of huge limbs, talons like
broadswords scraped across the stone floor. Suddenly its eyes snapped open,
revealing massive, narrow orbs of a deep blue, which turned to focus on the
small armored human that had dared enter its lair.
"YOU ENTER MY DOMAIN? YOU SHALL DIE, HUMAN!" It snarled, rolling onto
its feet. The dragon didn't seem surprised, but merely angry. It inhaled a
moment, and suddenly let out a blast of freezing air, causing the nearby
stone to frost over and ice.
Yet still, after the snowy air had dispersed, Whiiplash stood unharmed,
arms crossed over his chest. The dragon, roared, furious, and let out several
more blasts in rapid succession. The surrounding stone had completely iced
over, nearly a foot thick around Whiiplash's protective shell. He quickly
chanted under his breath, and another spell of protection was weaved around
him. The dragon, screaming in fury, slashed out with long talons and snapped
at him with huge jaws. It merely struck the invisible barrier Whiiplash had
built, however, and its anger increased each time it encountered the magic
wall.
Yet still Whiiplash stood, watching the dragon tire himself. Finally,
after several impressive roars and blasts of freezing air, the dragon slumped
to the ground, exhausted.
"I wish to make a... proposal, " Whiiplash said, hand resting on the
figurine hidden in his robes.
The dragon snorted, adding another layer of ice to the stone floor. It
swung its head around so its huge eye stared directly at Whiiplash and said
in a much less hostile tones, "What could you possibly offer me? I have
plently, hunt what I dont have already."
Whiiplash smiled. "I could aid you in much, dragon. I sense you are
disturbed that I am immune to your powers. I could perhaps enhance those
powers to much greater effect, even upon those of... Great power..."
"Such as yourself?" Whiiplash nodded, and the dragon continued to eye
him suspiciously as he said, "So what would keep me from destroying you
should you grant me these powers?"
Whiiplash smiled again and sat down next the dragon, its head nearly the
size of his whole body. "I don't think you would want to do that, as I would
not need your help much, and I could provide much in repayment... How would
you feel if I were to enchant this castle, so rival dragons, among other
enemies, could not enter and steal your treasure?" Whiiplash eyed the meager
horde and continued, "Or, provide you with powers over more than just
coldness? Much would be possible, were you to aid me."
The dragons' eyes widened at this, and Whiiplash smiled again. "I assure
you, both are quite possible."
If the dragon was still suspicious, he did not show it. The dragon
slowly nodded his head, saying, "I am Delonock'taergoth, simply Delonock to
humans."
Whiiplash returned the formality, strange but somehow seeming to bind
them together as companions. "I am Whiiplash, Crusader of the Seekers. Come,
there is a place called Seeker Hall, where I may perform these enchantments."
The dragon nodded in agreement and, with a powerful beat of his wings,
launched from the bottom of the chasm and took wing toward Seeker Hall.
Whiiplash sent him a message mentally, then took flight toward Seeker Hall
upon the wings of magic, grinning to himself.
The huge dragon thundered toward the rooftop of Seeker Hall, its bronze
scales reflecting sunlight in a beautiful display of color. Yet even as
Whiiplash watched him approach, the dragon's scales seemed to shift color,
slowly darkening, until they were nearly black when the huge dragon glided
down and landed surprisingly gracefully.
Whiiplash greeted the dragon with a wave of his hand and began rummaging
through the sack he had slung over one shoulder. As the dragon watched,
curious, Whiiplash pulled out two amulets, golden figurines on the end of
silver chains. One was shaped into the likeness of a huge golden dragon, with
sparkling rubies set into the head as eyes. A small blue gem was set into the
chest, and it seemed to glow with some kind of magic. The other amulet, much
much larger, was shaped into a knight, armored in gold, with a ruby helm set
atop its shoulders. A blue jewel blade, glowing much like the dragon's blue
gem, was held in one of the statue's hands, and a golden shield in the other.
As the dragon watched, Whiiplash slid the dragon amulet over his head and the
larger knight amulet over the dragon's head.
The dragon was startled to find a voice sounding within his head, but
the voice was comforting, and explained how he was communicating to the
dragon so easily. The amulets, they allow us to communicate with mind speech
over any distance. Should I need your aid, or you mine, simply think my name
and I shall hear. It is much like speaking, just think the words... Whiiplash
sent through his mind, surprised himself at how easily his words passed into
the dragon's mind.
Delonock tried to "think" back to Whiiplash, focusing on the heavy
amulet around his neck. Then, with surprising ease, they were speaking to
each other, as if they were talking out loud. They work! This is a feat to
match my enchantment, friend Whiiplash. In fact, I was meaning to speak to
you of that. I feel I can almost control my changes, and I am quite positive
that I can shift to my original state of white at any time. I find red much
more useful, though.... I think your figurine will work now as well. When you
first tried, I was startled and I resisted. Try again, and I will not...
However, I am famished. As much as I would like to fiddle with your devices,
I must hunt. Whiiplash nodded, knowing that he could't conjure anything that
would satisfy the dragon, and waved farewell as the dragon leaped from the
edge of the rooftop. Delonock quickly spread his wings and soared over the
bustling city below.
Whiiplash didn't notice Talnis, the Lord Ranger of the Seekers, walk up
to stand behind him. His panther padded up behind him, large eyes glancing
around curiously. Whiiplash turned as Talnis dropped a hand down to rub the
panthers head absently, the cat rumbling contentment and laying down right
there.
"Magnificent creature... I'm surprised your enchantment worked. I was
pleased to visit that castle up in the Spine of the World. Fine job, though
the whole thing seems more like catacombs for burying the dead than a dwarven
stronghold." Talnis said, staring off into the distance where the dragon was
already just a speck of green.
'Mi'lord..." Whiiplash said, out of respect. Whiiplash was in service to
WKNDWARR, Lord Knight of the Crusaders, but the tall ranger was still of
higher rank and thus was owed respect. "Indeed, although I'm afraid I may
have bungled the enchantment. Delonock should be able to shift from fire to
snow without actually changing. I suppose I could have just read the
spellbook wrong... But, enough of that." Whiiplash returned to his sack and
pulled out a strange, huge saddle. It was unlike those used for horses, as it
was meant for a dragon. He held up the strange saddle and said, "For when I
decide to learn to ride atop him. Although, I don't think he will like it
much..." Whiiplash tossed it back into the bag and pulled out the only other
item. It was a simple circlet of gold, with a large pearl set into the front.
Whiiplash set it atop his head, so the pearl was on his forehead, and tossed
the bag aside. Now, I can communicate with any human over any distance, much
like I did with the dragon. Simply think your responses, as you don't need
another of these devices...
Incredible... How do you come up with such things? Now, come, I belive I
heard Lord Phantra, may the gods bless his soul, saying that your image
appeared on the life tapestry... Whiiplash turned to follow the Ranger, and
the panther awoke from his doze and followed. The ranger was garbed in the
traditional green and brown leather of rangers, with a dark cloak thrown over
his shoulders and clasped in the front by a strange little figurine. Over his
armor, a narrower version of the Seeker tabard was thrown lightly, and he
tugged at this absently while the other hand scratched the panther behind the
ear. The panther was a graceful, yet deadly creature. Zebryl's muscles
rippled as he lumbered along, paws padding along the marble hallway.
Whiiplash smiled to himself, lost in his own thoughts, and descended the
stairs into Seeker Hall, thinking of when he would return to wreak revenge
upon his enemies...
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