We began our third day as ‘normal’ as we escorted the humans and Vespa back to her father. I stood next to her and I tried to act casual, to conceal my emotions. Phobos again was silent.
Behind me I could hear Rhodes complaining… again… and I begged Torin if he had silence to use it. Soon I had had enough and stormed back to where Rhodes and Berrien were and standing to my full height glared at the dwarf and yelled “If you even think of hurting Vespa I will hang you from the nearest breach by your beard, take out your crag hammer and beat you like a piñata!”
He responded in typical dwarfish fashion by asking about my scales/hide obviously threatening to skin me, Berrien asked “what vexed me so?” I, still enraged spat “what stands before or should I say beneath me and if he is not careful I shall put him beneath the ground!” At that I turned away ignoring whatever prattle he was saying.
We soon arrived at the outskirts of the castle. Soon a crowd gathered and despite not being able to understand them (and Torin’s reluctance to translate) I could tell that they too were pro-dragon born and anti-dwarf. And in my mood I would probably be rewarded for impaling Rhodes for the third time in as many days. Phobos was silent, usually it is she who recommends such things.
We reached the castle and a guard approached us. (Torin translated for us) The guard believed that the princess was at her retreat. Vespa told him that she had been kidnapped by people disguised as city guards and how we had rescued her and we were to be trusted. The guard who travelled with us backed the story up with tales of our gallantry on the journey back. He scanned the group, as if to take our measure and when his eyes met mine he VERY quickly moved on, for only darkness lay in my eyes with the promise of death. When his eyes fell upon Rhodes they turned from fear to abject disgust and scowled at him but due to Vespa’s words to the same he trusted him.
I helped Vespa down from the carriage and we escorted her through the ‘commoners’ quarters where we noticed that there were other races here. These races occupy the other classes/casts. While the half-orks were the laborers the Halflings seemed to be merchants. This did not mean there weren’t ‘nobles’ of those races but due to the predominantly human occupation they were few and far between.
During the walk to meet Vespa’s father several people decided to use Rhodes to see how accurate they could throw their assortments of rotten fruit. As has become custom he voiced his concerns and I only heard the same sound that a Mr Brown heard when his elders spoke to him.
We come into a courtyard where a cage held a bedraggled, dirty dwarf which was next to a gallows. Rhodes grumbled “bloody typical” Berrien tried his best to console him but he is a dwarf.
We soon came to the ‘noble’ district this was cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing and soon we reached the palace. As if on cue they promptly ‘requested’ that the dwarf disarm, in a gesture of friendship Berrien offered up his weapons but Rhodes said it was not necessary. Again the guards made a gesture at the dwarf but Vespa spoke to them and we were permitted to see the king. (Under a six man battle hardened guard of course.)
Vespa was then escorted arm in arm by one of the guards to the throne room. There we saw two thrones. Upon one sat the king and on his left was an empty throne. On it sat bejeweled crown. We all bowed in respect to the king and Vespa ran to him and they hugged. Such happiness I have never had for myself was on their faces and I found myself alone in my thoughts for Phobos’ voice had gone. The king looked at us with the same awed look we’d gotten from others and then the speaking bearded cockroach look when he looked at Rhodes.
Vespa told him of her adventure and our bravery and it was plain for us to see that while he was relieved that she was safe he was even more relieved to know that she was ignorant of her ‘other half’. She then told him of the oddity of us not understanding their language. At this he waved over a courtier who then scurried off. After an uncomfortable wait a tall thin man in a purple robe who’s hair was as white as snow and who’s eyes were purple/red and piercing with skin a black hue appeared to address us. Berrien and Palos both hissed in anger at the appearance of their ancient racial foe.
The Black wizard wove his magic and cast a more powerful version of the comprehend languages spell that Torin used and was able to converse with us. This is where we found out that the dragon born, or dragon lords as they called them, along with their good allies fought in a war some centuries ago. In that war the dwarven god was killed and they turned to evil and thus were branded and treated as such. It was apparent that at the conclusion of the war the dragon lords had ‘gone over the mountain’ to continue the fight and the elves and Eladrin had gone to their crystal cities to await the next big war.
We tried to explain our back ground but the black wizard did not seem to believe in other realms. A combination of Rhodes (I believed at the time to be an error to allow a hated race to speak for us but it was intended to show our trust in him) and my using the obvious differences in our culture seemed to arouse his interest. The two other matters the language barrier and ‘trusting the dwarf’ we settled next I vouched for the dwarf but his weapons still had to be peace knotted and as for the language that was the most weirdest thing I had seen so far.
The wizard called in an attendant who carried a fish bowl with strange looking fish in it, apparently from some place called Bayble for they bared the same name. We were asked to put them in our ear, I did so and I finally could hear their language (and thus Vespa’s.) I told Vespa that it was my pleasure to have protected her and she replied in her sweet voice that I was welcome in the palace and could speak to her at any time.
Soon it came time to perform the ancient custom that has been passed down from adventurer to adventurer regardless of age or experience. Gain reward, spend it all and plead poverty. All while chanting that song of old “how much is that vorpal sword in the window”
While the others purchased their wares I felt it was time to make both a fitting name for myself and a proper title for Phobos. So I commissioned a vampiric blade to be made and in the twilight hours I held Phobos in my hand, her blade now so black your eyes slide right off her. I proclaimed my self Snake “eater of souls” and to Phobos, who I have wielded in battle countless times, Phobos The Black Blade. To my astonishment she replied in my adoptive mothers’ voice. Not in my mind as was with Phobos but in my ears. I was for the first time unable to think of a response to her approval of my self proclamations. For it was not an aspect of my mind that craved to love and be loved but some one who did once before.
She told me that she had forgiven me for being the instrument of her death but could you blame the blade or the madwoman wielding it.
During our conversation I found out she did seek vengeance on my parents but would gladly join me in my quest for happiness whatever the battles we might face, and to my delight she felt no jealousy towards my feelings for Vespa. Only that she did not want me to get hurt.
Over the next two weeks while we got used to the languages and customs of the realm we were in I wrote a poem for Vespa. As the others got their items of power and from what I understood Torin had a credenza or a chiffonier purpose built to fit on his chariot. It was during this time that Rhodes found time to talk with the dwarf that was caged. After refusing to talk to him I skillfully (at Rhodes’ request) snuck him some food but he shouted that by the chained god he would get vengeance.
Towards the end of the second week Malachi (the drow wizard) came with Vespa to see us leaving her in the next room he told us the story of what had happened to her and what was going on.
We were told that when she was young a stranger came to the castle and offered his friendship. When it was refused he bestowed the curse on Vespa. The group that had kidnapped her was a rebel group of soldiers.
The King had an uneasy peace with a neighboring country, Rodania, to which its prince Eugene was to marry Vespa in order to mend the rift. For King Carloft had already sent probing raids into the country and if the marriage failed it may be war.
This of course had one problem. Every full moon she turned into a beast. There was a ritual that a warlock had found that could cure her but could only be done on his tribal lands. The King has asked us to escort her there with promises of great reward. I said I would do it for Vespa and needed not reward but Malachi told me they paid their debts.
Arrayed against us was the usual factions that did not want the marriage to take place (and what of me I thought) along with the allotment of random creatures that got in our way. I did ask Vespa how she felt and she was unsure of marrying someone who she did not know. I gave her my poem and I understood that being the only child put immense responsibilities on her. She thanked me for the poem and was happy that a dragon lord took an interest in her.
So be it. Onward we go to save the princess from a monster and for what? To place her in the arms of another, to risk all for the hope that both kingdoms will be nicer to each other. I cannot be there for her always. I can’t be by her side at every moment (It would be very rude come wedding night) and so I will show her how to defend herself and a few other tricks I have picked up. Love may hurt but a blade below the belt is a nice way to persuade someone to discontinue a course of action.
Monday, September 28, 2009
LOVE BITES
While writing my diary I tried to draw a picture of what our names were for Vespa. Mine was by far the easiest but the others were not so simple. Before employing this tactic I showed them to the others, the idea was met with some support but Rhodes suggested (and thus defeating my idea) that we speak them phonically. I humored him during his speech because he had forgotten that neither she nor we had any idea what the other was saying. The dialect and syntax was too different in my opinion to make it a viable option.
During the night I had my heart to heart with Phobos about my feelings and she appeared to understand. But still I felt she was holding back, at that time the guard came back with some rabbits. (why is it always rabbits?) The family, a portly pair of human adults and a pair of kids not even six years of age, joined us. But while Vespa was haughty with the adults, she was playful with the kids. Phobos echoed my thoughts when she whispered “like a cat”. The guard seemed to still be wary of us but put his faith in Vespa’s trusting us but not so much Rhodes.
Soon it was time to turn in and Vespa suggested that the children spend the night with her, the parents turned pale and from what I was told by Torin and by their body language they were horrified at this. After much talk and after Torin interposed himself between her and the family trying to indicate that he would protect them Vespa relented and in a huff went to bed alone. I tried to be a comfort by drawing myself in a protective stance over her sleeping form but that did little to sooth her mood. The guard approached Torin and thanked him for his intervention and then he told him to “beware the moon”.
Berrien told us of certain creatures that were affected by the cycles of the moon and some people even worshiped it so we should be on our guard. This apparently entailed everyone being with in striking distance of Vespa’s cart/bed. I however slept in the tent with Phobos angry at the others for being THAT untrusting and I said “If they kill her they die”. As I drifted off I heard Phobos whisper “Does that include me?”
I was awoken by Palos yelling “Get up the monster has awoken!” At which I thought “it has now!”
Torin tried to get the monsters attention. He pointed at it violently and using both hands pressed together palm to palm he brought them to the side of his face and using all his arcane mastery he indicated that the monster should go back to sleep if it be so kind and awaited the response of the beast, Rhodes however shouted a terrible beast is attacking the princess!” to which Torin responded "It is the princess”. Rhodes then remarked ”SHUT UP I'm getting my story straight” He then attacked and I heard both his hit and the beasts response and the roar of pain and tearing of flesh.
Vespa (the beast) leaped over my tent, dodging Rhodes swing, and landed along side Torin who seeing that his masterful plan had failed cast Bigbie’s hand but a quick swipe from Vespa made him miss and she moved into the tent to feast of the meal within and as a regal does started with the entrées.
As the boy was devoured Palos appeared in front of the tent in a flash attempting to save the family. His two swords flashing cut into her flank. In response she wheeled around and slashed him with a claw. I leaped to my feat drawing my blades and said” In no uncertain terms are we to slay her”. I could hear Berrien awaken Hescan via a bow poke to the gut and the wine thunk of the arrow striking the beast Vespa.
Rhodes charged but his blow missed he then shouted” Avast ye' bastard I've come to slay you as I've done before!” I retorted” you haven't slain me yet Dwarf”. The beast suddenly became a cloud of claws and despite an arrow appearing in its flank from Berrien who shouted ”Don't kill it it's the princess” to that Rhodes replies ”Thanks I never figured that out”. But the blows took their toll on Torin, Rhodes and Palos all of whom got clawed and pushed back and flattened, save for Rhodes whose closeness to the earth helped him stay upright. Torin tried to use his Bigbie’s hand again but the beast dodged. Palos flipped onto his feat and charged the beast but his swords only found fur, Hescan awoke stood up and in a commanding voice yelled ”fight on” and I could see Palos' wounds heal, I slithered up to her flank saying ”Forgive me my princess”, stabbed her in the flank then Phobos blinded her. I then had to swallow my spit due to the families presence. The guard got his act together and took a swipe at the beast, I gestured him to get the family out.
Rhodes hid (quite well) and struck the beast but got cut from her spiny hide. Palos scored a glancing blow on her as Torin's Bigbie’s hand failed again. The beast tried to leap clear of us and despite taking a huge amount of damage fled. I gave chase and sliced into her flanks and Hescan backed me up delivering the knockout blow. Right then in front of our eyes the beast changed shape and reverted to that of the princess. Even as Phobos said it I used my cloak to cover up the princess. It was at that point that Rhodes complained that it was because of the fact she was the princess we could not kill it.
As Hescan tended to the wounded and buried what remained of the boy we discussed what had happened and it was agreed that she was a lycanthrope but that was not all, the guard told us that not only was she under a curse but her father has been concealing the fact from her (hence the lock up). That led us to the next problem. Tomorrow night there would be one final full moon, so we had to come up with a plan. As we discussed this Berrien consoled the human noble female. Her husband, who was quite distraught, made remarks at Rhodes which needed no translation. Rhodes understood. “Humans have such short lives to have kids”.
There were a few more problems to be rectified, the most pressing of which was that Vespa had no clothes. Despite Phobos' remarks on typical male groups we did eventually get the noble woman to give us some of hers.
Then came the matter of prevention. This did result in two things: One, we “secured” her in what remained of the canvas of her tent. Two, we needed to make a sleeping potion to keep her asleep.
I admitted “I lack the knowledge but if I had the right ingredients I could give it a shot.”
The rangers, while we traveled, tried to find some herbs that we could use but being in a foreign land came back with what the guard indicated was poisonous. He showed them the colored tip to seek out. It was near dark when they returned and as the sky turned black I had made a potion that I believed would work.
I then goatherd up the poisonous plants and pocketed them. Berrien’s keen eyes fell upon me and he warned me on invoking his ire should I use them.
Soon we ate and thanks to the noble woman Vespa ate the potion. Whence she fell into a deep slumber, to our relief. That did not prevent the same if not even more excessive “precautions”.
I again was alone with Phobos and my thoughts when it happened. The others were arrayed in a combat formation ready to strike the moment the beast appeared. (A lot of faith in me eh?)
Palos bow in hand fired two shots, both piercing her furry hide. Berrien’s follow up spiting tree attack bounced off the cart. Hescan moved up and using warlords strike slammed his weapon into Vespa’s ribs, strengthening us all. He then used hammer and anvil on her and Rhodes struck her with a mighty blow. In response Vespa tried to move but Rhodes cut into her, as she passed she retaliated and clawed him. Again she turned into a cloud of claws striking Rhodes, Berrien and Hescan. Rhodes got the worst of it as chunks of flesh and blood were ripped off his torso. The others received nasty cuts and were knocked flat. I remembered its last appearance, so drawing both blades became one with the shadows. I awaited it to try and eat the family, Rhodes, despite his many attempts to hit, missed again and took on his rein of steel stance.
Palos woke Torin using the most ancient of techniques. Then using shadow wasp strike pierced her furry skin and she howled in pain. Both Berrien’s and Torin’s shots/spells missed their mark. Hescan rose to his feat and charged, striking Vespa, Vespa leaped over the others in an attempt to escape, I gave chase striking once from afar.
Now seeing that if she ran I could not return her to her family I charged after her, and with Phobos dark blade glistening in the moonlight, and despite the damage from her fur, cut deep into her legs, and as she screamed in pain a single tear ran unnoticed down my cheek, for it had nearly crippled her.
Rhodes joined me and his crushing blow hurt her even more. Vespa barely dodged Palos jaws of the world as he moved up. Berrien’s electrified arrows whizzed over head and Hescan's blow like wise missed. Even as Torin’s magical missiles exploded into her it was Rhodes stance attack that felled her. Fortunately for her (and even more for him) he did not go for his much wanted kill.
She collapsed once more to revert to her beautiful self.
I find my self now in a foreign land with foreign thoughts and feeling, “Why do I feel this way about this human? Is it because of her monstrous side? But if that is true why do I want to save her from it? Why is the hunger easier to quell when she is with us? Above all else. Why do I want to protect her from others with my life?” I've asked Phobos but she is silent.
During the night I had my heart to heart with Phobos about my feelings and she appeared to understand. But still I felt she was holding back, at that time the guard came back with some rabbits. (why is it always rabbits?) The family, a portly pair of human adults and a pair of kids not even six years of age, joined us. But while Vespa was haughty with the adults, she was playful with the kids. Phobos echoed my thoughts when she whispered “like a cat”. The guard seemed to still be wary of us but put his faith in Vespa’s trusting us but not so much Rhodes.
Soon it was time to turn in and Vespa suggested that the children spend the night with her, the parents turned pale and from what I was told by Torin and by their body language they were horrified at this. After much talk and after Torin interposed himself between her and the family trying to indicate that he would protect them Vespa relented and in a huff went to bed alone. I tried to be a comfort by drawing myself in a protective stance over her sleeping form but that did little to sooth her mood. The guard approached Torin and thanked him for his intervention and then he told him to “beware the moon”.
Berrien told us of certain creatures that were affected by the cycles of the moon and some people even worshiped it so we should be on our guard. This apparently entailed everyone being with in striking distance of Vespa’s cart/bed. I however slept in the tent with Phobos angry at the others for being THAT untrusting and I said “If they kill her they die”. As I drifted off I heard Phobos whisper “Does that include me?”
I was awoken by Palos yelling “Get up the monster has awoken!” At which I thought “it has now!”
Torin tried to get the monsters attention. He pointed at it violently and using both hands pressed together palm to palm he brought them to the side of his face and using all his arcane mastery he indicated that the monster should go back to sleep if it be so kind and awaited the response of the beast, Rhodes however shouted a terrible beast is attacking the princess!” to which Torin responded "It is the princess”. Rhodes then remarked ”SHUT UP I'm getting my story straight” He then attacked and I heard both his hit and the beasts response and the roar of pain and tearing of flesh.
Vespa (the beast) leaped over my tent, dodging Rhodes swing, and landed along side Torin who seeing that his masterful plan had failed cast Bigbie’s hand but a quick swipe from Vespa made him miss and she moved into the tent to feast of the meal within and as a regal does started with the entrées.
As the boy was devoured Palos appeared in front of the tent in a flash attempting to save the family. His two swords flashing cut into her flank. In response she wheeled around and slashed him with a claw. I leaped to my feat drawing my blades and said” In no uncertain terms are we to slay her”. I could hear Berrien awaken Hescan via a bow poke to the gut and the wine thunk of the arrow striking the beast Vespa.
Rhodes charged but his blow missed he then shouted” Avast ye' bastard I've come to slay you as I've done before!” I retorted” you haven't slain me yet Dwarf”. The beast suddenly became a cloud of claws and despite an arrow appearing in its flank from Berrien who shouted ”Don't kill it it's the princess” to that Rhodes replies ”Thanks I never figured that out”. But the blows took their toll on Torin, Rhodes and Palos all of whom got clawed and pushed back and flattened, save for Rhodes whose closeness to the earth helped him stay upright. Torin tried to use his Bigbie’s hand again but the beast dodged. Palos flipped onto his feat and charged the beast but his swords only found fur, Hescan awoke stood up and in a commanding voice yelled ”fight on” and I could see Palos' wounds heal, I slithered up to her flank saying ”Forgive me my princess”, stabbed her in the flank then Phobos blinded her. I then had to swallow my spit due to the families presence. The guard got his act together and took a swipe at the beast, I gestured him to get the family out.
Rhodes hid (quite well) and struck the beast but got cut from her spiny hide. Palos scored a glancing blow on her as Torin's Bigbie’s hand failed again. The beast tried to leap clear of us and despite taking a huge amount of damage fled. I gave chase and sliced into her flanks and Hescan backed me up delivering the knockout blow. Right then in front of our eyes the beast changed shape and reverted to that of the princess. Even as Phobos said it I used my cloak to cover up the princess. It was at that point that Rhodes complained that it was because of the fact she was the princess we could not kill it.
As Hescan tended to the wounded and buried what remained of the boy we discussed what had happened and it was agreed that she was a lycanthrope but that was not all, the guard told us that not only was she under a curse but her father has been concealing the fact from her (hence the lock up). That led us to the next problem. Tomorrow night there would be one final full moon, so we had to come up with a plan. As we discussed this Berrien consoled the human noble female. Her husband, who was quite distraught, made remarks at Rhodes which needed no translation. Rhodes understood. “Humans have such short lives to have kids”.
There were a few more problems to be rectified, the most pressing of which was that Vespa had no clothes. Despite Phobos' remarks on typical male groups we did eventually get the noble woman to give us some of hers.
Then came the matter of prevention. This did result in two things: One, we “secured” her in what remained of the canvas of her tent. Two, we needed to make a sleeping potion to keep her asleep.
I admitted “I lack the knowledge but if I had the right ingredients I could give it a shot.”
The rangers, while we traveled, tried to find some herbs that we could use but being in a foreign land came back with what the guard indicated was poisonous. He showed them the colored tip to seek out. It was near dark when they returned and as the sky turned black I had made a potion that I believed would work.
I then goatherd up the poisonous plants and pocketed them. Berrien’s keen eyes fell upon me and he warned me on invoking his ire should I use them.
Soon we ate and thanks to the noble woman Vespa ate the potion. Whence she fell into a deep slumber, to our relief. That did not prevent the same if not even more excessive “precautions”.
I again was alone with Phobos and my thoughts when it happened. The others were arrayed in a combat formation ready to strike the moment the beast appeared. (A lot of faith in me eh?)
Palos bow in hand fired two shots, both piercing her furry hide. Berrien’s follow up spiting tree attack bounced off the cart. Hescan moved up and using warlords strike slammed his weapon into Vespa’s ribs, strengthening us all. He then used hammer and anvil on her and Rhodes struck her with a mighty blow. In response Vespa tried to move but Rhodes cut into her, as she passed she retaliated and clawed him. Again she turned into a cloud of claws striking Rhodes, Berrien and Hescan. Rhodes got the worst of it as chunks of flesh and blood were ripped off his torso. The others received nasty cuts and were knocked flat. I remembered its last appearance, so drawing both blades became one with the shadows. I awaited it to try and eat the family, Rhodes, despite his many attempts to hit, missed again and took on his rein of steel stance.
Palos woke Torin using the most ancient of techniques. Then using shadow wasp strike pierced her furry skin and she howled in pain. Both Berrien’s and Torin’s shots/spells missed their mark. Hescan rose to his feat and charged, striking Vespa, Vespa leaped over the others in an attempt to escape, I gave chase striking once from afar.
Now seeing that if she ran I could not return her to her family I charged after her, and with Phobos dark blade glistening in the moonlight, and despite the damage from her fur, cut deep into her legs, and as she screamed in pain a single tear ran unnoticed down my cheek, for it had nearly crippled her.
Rhodes joined me and his crushing blow hurt her even more. Vespa barely dodged Palos jaws of the world as he moved up. Berrien’s electrified arrows whizzed over head and Hescan's blow like wise missed. Even as Torin’s magical missiles exploded into her it was Rhodes stance attack that felled her. Fortunately for her (and even more for him) he did not go for his much wanted kill.
She collapsed once more to revert to her beautiful self.
I find my self now in a foreign land with foreign thoughts and feeling, “Why do I feel this way about this human? Is it because of her monstrous side? But if that is true why do I want to save her from it? Why is the hunger easier to quell when she is with us? Above all else. Why do I want to protect her from others with my life?” I've asked Phobos but she is silent.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
EVERYONE HATES RHODES
After a short rest and some magical transference of power I suggested that we partake in some petty and pointless vandalism trashing the keep and setting it on fire etc. For once I had an accord with the dwarf (maybe I was wrong about him?).
As we made our way to the entrance of the keep I collected Kallel’s body, strung him up at the entrance to the portcullis and then activated the trap. As the hot liquid poured over the lifeless form of my victim the scent of cooking meat and internal organs reached my nostrils, waiting until he was well done I decapitated him skillfully, removed the top of his burnt skull and had myself a nice morning tea (I saw it in a play once about an archaeologists adventures in a temple of some sort).
“This place has been good to you” Rhodes said, true if not ironic words.
Our leader started to lead the party to the swamps where we came from when I reminded them that the keep was also a week point in the veil between our realms (I would regret this). So he wove his magic, cast his spell and the portal appeared.
Stepping through, the tunnel turned from its normal blue to insidious red and a demonic voice informed us that we “had interfered for the last time” and that he would “send us to the lowest plane of hell” where we would “suffer unspeakable torment for all eternity” he then gave a impressive maniacal laugh. Suddenly the tunnel turned back to its blue colour and a female voice told us that she was interceding and that while she could not send us to our realm she could put us where we could do some good. (totally ruining the demonic voices nice monologue) And so in a flash we were on a pebbled beach overlooked by cliffs of a white hue, the voice then said “I hope you can make a difference, do you best”
I pondered the recent event while finishing my snack. The voice had asked us to do good and then to do our best but my best is far from good so what in Zhirs name does this voice want from me. My thoughts were interrupted by Rhodes asking me was I intending to keep onto Kallels head? I responded that I was going to make a goblet out of him. At this he strenuously objected and argued that it is wrong to do this to a sentients body and I should cast it into the sea. I stared him in the eyes and demanded the same from him and his comrades in regards to the dragon they carved, up without regard for me or Torin, for what ever foul purpose they had in mind. Unfortunately while my point was well validated it did spark the “back in the time of the dwarven empire” monologue.
We headed towards the cliffs where we found a crudely carved staircase with some writing on it that none could decipher. Climbing them we came insight of a keep. Our keen eyes noticed that the doors were open and being the adventurous types that we are went to investigate.
Inside we found signs of battle, bits of what were people strewn around, the stables had been smashed but the most telling thing was that the damage came from within. We decided to announce ourselves in response a voice in a language that we did not understand responded thinking quickly I grabbed some debris and a(thanks to a prestidigitation) white cloth tried to indicate that we meant no harm(yet). A guard appeared upon the stairs looked at us then his eyes fell on Rhodes on spat on the ground.
At this time we acted quickly, Torin cast a spell so that he could understand the guard while the rest of us showed our respect to the fallen, as Torin cast his spell a second voice this one obviously female had called out and despite not understanding her or him it was obvious she was in trouble and the guard retreated.
Palos, Berrien and myself with Phobos at my side faded into the shadows as Rhodes stated “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” went for the doors (where some tracks/drag marks were) adjacent to the stairs where I was headed. Berrien covered Rhodes and I remarked that we would flush the enemies toward them. Rhodes opened the door and found that five humans awaited him. He then charged up the stairs to his left. Berrien also entered the room and promptly shot the crossbowman causing nice wounds, in return the crossbowman shot him in the chest. Torin picked on the crossbowman as well shooting him with a well placed magic missile, he did however tell us that they had said to “defend the princess” I heard a voice that was my own but the words that came out could not have been mine “disable them don't kill them” it said.
Palos having reached the top of the stairs and moved to the corridor there he open a door. He came across the humans that had been lying in wait and one of the humans(h1) struck him knocking him down to the ground, leaping to his feet Palos used evasive strike to enter the room where the human had retreated hitting solidly. I moved up to cover Palos' rear and attacked the same human (h1) as if it had started a trend, Rhodes joined in on the fun but missed then assumed a stance of steel. Berrien continued his ranged duel with the crossbowman and took a shot at the human behind(h4) but missed both. The crossbowman was just as inaccurate his bolt shattering on the door frame. The much picked on human(h1) took a hit from Rhodes(due to the stance) and missing his shot tried to retreat and got another, Rhodes skills as a fighter came to the fore as he struck all within reach and dodged or parries all comers attacks, Torin’s magic missile smashed against the wall near the crossbowman.
Palos shifted up but missed, I was not so graceful as I moved in to attack. I slipped on some invisible debris and was wide open to attack, Rhodes shifted up dropping his shield and drawing his mordencrag but his blow glanced of his opponents armor(h3). Berrien sent a shot into the crossbowman causing a near fatal wound, he then charged his bow but his splintering impacted the ground. One of the humans(h2)struck Palos wounding him but the others(h3,h4) despite, or because of, the stance damage couldn't lay a blade on Rhodes. Only the grievously wounded “leader”(h1) got in a blow. Torin’s magic missiles sent the crossbowman crashing into the ground and unconsciousness.
Palos twin strike rendered the human he was pursuing(h1) unconscious, I slither up into a flanking position and nearly eviscerated the unmarked human(h4) then I spat at them causing more wounds(h2,h3) and as I tried to finish off my prey(h4) I overstepped and became vulnerable myself. Rhodes missed his target and assailed his ears with profanities. Berrien took down his opponent (h2) with a well placed shot, Rhodes' stance power took down one human(h4) even as another human missed(h3)and Torin’s magic missile exploded above his head.
Palos' thin strike wounded the remaining human and I shifted up and with a nice blow knocked him out(to my and Phobos' amazement I did not have an accident or a whoops my finger slipped moment)
While we tied up the guards Berrien opened the door to find a heavily manacled female human “dressed” in rags she seemed surprised to see him, not that she was rescued it was as if she had never seen an Eladrin before and the strange reactions didn't end there. When Torrin and I entered the room she had a look of what can only be described as awe on her face and an even bigger surprise (and to my delight), upon seeing Rhodes she had a look of abject disgust as if something she trod on has tried to have a discussion with her.
We searched the room and found an anomaly, scratch marks, after failing to get any info on it from the female I gave her the traitorous rangers clothing(one from a pre-diary encounter who's head I also carry) to wear. Berrien gave her a sword, weather or not she can fight is yet to be seen. With Torrins help we managed to understand her name was princess Vespa and that if we escorted her to her father there would be a reward in it. We found a map and it was a four day journey.
Vespas repeated sighs of distaste of having Rhodes in her presence caused him to remind us all of the fact that his race has faced persecution before, and for many lifetimes have they endured, and even in this far flung realm he would also endure, no mater what the hardship or racial abuse he would have to face. I remarked to Berrien with a sympathetic look “We need a bard”.
On the first day of travel we passed from farm areas into the wilderness were we come upon a caravan being asalted by hobgoblins again the strange feeling of being unsure of my actions came over me even when Vespa asked “Are you not going to help the guards my lord?” I did note that the standard on the humans was the same as the ones at the keep. Palos,unaffected by the same malady as me, shot a hobgoblin to which Vespa responded “Good shot sir elf”. At this I finally had some clarity and yelled to the others (and Phobos noted to myself) Target selected let the slaughter commence". And as one on the human guards collapsed to the ground I struck one of the hobgoblin with spite, Berrien taking my cue finished it off (this made the princess happy indeed) the others moved forward to engage.
Palos fired again at the hobgoblins and the human killed another. Two more hobgoblins
appeared and attacked the guard, Berrien deeply wounded one of the hobgoblins nearest the guard, Torrin likewise wounded one of the close hobgoblin. Rhodes ran forward shouting out about the injustices of his race and himself as Vespa said "your slave is escaping”.
Palos fires an arrow and grazed his target, the remaining hobgoblin attacked the guard while gesturing emphatically at Rhodes but missed. I finished off the hobgoblin nearest the guard leaving Berrien to delay and Torrin to spit at the two remaining ones. To the hobgoblins shock Rhodes (an ally in this realm?) jumped on a nearby rock and struck the hobgoblin who quaked with a crushing blow.
Palos moved forward to reach the hobgoblins, both hobgoblins missed their targets and my shot deflected off the rocks. The remaining guard got into flack and impaled the hobgoblin. Berrien still covering the princess tried to get her to draw her sword. Torrin's magic missile hit the last hobgoblin hurting him. Rhodes, full of anger, struck the last hobgoblin so hard it was driven into the ground like a steak.
After the battle the guard eyed us with caution but upon seeing the princess stood down.
We returned to the wagon he was protecting to find a family of well dressed humans inside (nobility perhaps).
What a realm we have entered and what does one make of this decision by a goddess to put us here in the hopes we will make a difference but she left out in what way, for good or ill?
And then theres Princess Vespa either I'm beginning to like her or I'm going to end up killing her I must be careful how I talk to Phobos about this for I could feel the “Typical male look” the second she got on bended knee in her room and I smiled, sheepishly mind you, at Berrien because no matter what I say in my defense she can turn it against me but that being said I think its time I told her about my family and why I feel the way I do around Vespa.
As we made our way to the entrance of the keep I collected Kallel’s body, strung him up at the entrance to the portcullis and then activated the trap. As the hot liquid poured over the lifeless form of my victim the scent of cooking meat and internal organs reached my nostrils, waiting until he was well done I decapitated him skillfully, removed the top of his burnt skull and had myself a nice morning tea (I saw it in a play once about an archaeologists adventures in a temple of some sort).
“This place has been good to you” Rhodes said, true if not ironic words.
Our leader started to lead the party to the swamps where we came from when I reminded them that the keep was also a week point in the veil between our realms (I would regret this). So he wove his magic, cast his spell and the portal appeared.
Stepping through, the tunnel turned from its normal blue to insidious red and a demonic voice informed us that we “had interfered for the last time” and that he would “send us to the lowest plane of hell” where we would “suffer unspeakable torment for all eternity” he then gave a impressive maniacal laugh. Suddenly the tunnel turned back to its blue colour and a female voice told us that she was interceding and that while she could not send us to our realm she could put us where we could do some good. (totally ruining the demonic voices nice monologue) And so in a flash we were on a pebbled beach overlooked by cliffs of a white hue, the voice then said “I hope you can make a difference, do you best”
I pondered the recent event while finishing my snack. The voice had asked us to do good and then to do our best but my best is far from good so what in Zhirs name does this voice want from me. My thoughts were interrupted by Rhodes asking me was I intending to keep onto Kallels head? I responded that I was going to make a goblet out of him. At this he strenuously objected and argued that it is wrong to do this to a sentients body and I should cast it into the sea. I stared him in the eyes and demanded the same from him and his comrades in regards to the dragon they carved, up without regard for me or Torin, for what ever foul purpose they had in mind. Unfortunately while my point was well validated it did spark the “back in the time of the dwarven empire” monologue.
We headed towards the cliffs where we found a crudely carved staircase with some writing on it that none could decipher. Climbing them we came insight of a keep. Our keen eyes noticed that the doors were open and being the adventurous types that we are went to investigate.
Inside we found signs of battle, bits of what were people strewn around, the stables had been smashed but the most telling thing was that the damage came from within. We decided to announce ourselves in response a voice in a language that we did not understand responded thinking quickly I grabbed some debris and a(thanks to a prestidigitation) white cloth tried to indicate that we meant no harm(yet). A guard appeared upon the stairs looked at us then his eyes fell on Rhodes on spat on the ground.
At this time we acted quickly, Torin cast a spell so that he could understand the guard while the rest of us showed our respect to the fallen, as Torin cast his spell a second voice this one obviously female had called out and despite not understanding her or him it was obvious she was in trouble and the guard retreated.
Palos, Berrien and myself with Phobos at my side faded into the shadows as Rhodes stated “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” went for the doors (where some tracks/drag marks were) adjacent to the stairs where I was headed. Berrien covered Rhodes and I remarked that we would flush the enemies toward them. Rhodes opened the door and found that five humans awaited him. He then charged up the stairs to his left. Berrien also entered the room and promptly shot the crossbowman causing nice wounds, in return the crossbowman shot him in the chest. Torin picked on the crossbowman as well shooting him with a well placed magic missile, he did however tell us that they had said to “defend the princess” I heard a voice that was my own but the words that came out could not have been mine “disable them don't kill them” it said.
Palos having reached the top of the stairs and moved to the corridor there he open a door. He came across the humans that had been lying in wait and one of the humans(h1) struck him knocking him down to the ground, leaping to his feet Palos used evasive strike to enter the room where the human had retreated hitting solidly. I moved up to cover Palos' rear and attacked the same human (h1) as if it had started a trend, Rhodes joined in on the fun but missed then assumed a stance of steel. Berrien continued his ranged duel with the crossbowman and took a shot at the human behind(h4) but missed both. The crossbowman was just as inaccurate his bolt shattering on the door frame. The much picked on human(h1) took a hit from Rhodes(due to the stance) and missing his shot tried to retreat and got another, Rhodes skills as a fighter came to the fore as he struck all within reach and dodged or parries all comers attacks, Torin’s magic missile smashed against the wall near the crossbowman.
Palos shifted up but missed, I was not so graceful as I moved in to attack. I slipped on some invisible debris and was wide open to attack, Rhodes shifted up dropping his shield and drawing his mordencrag but his blow glanced of his opponents armor(h3). Berrien sent a shot into the crossbowman causing a near fatal wound, he then charged his bow but his splintering impacted the ground. One of the humans(h2)struck Palos wounding him but the others(h3,h4) despite, or because of, the stance damage couldn't lay a blade on Rhodes. Only the grievously wounded “leader”(h1) got in a blow. Torin’s magic missiles sent the crossbowman crashing into the ground and unconsciousness.
Palos twin strike rendered the human he was pursuing(h1) unconscious, I slither up into a flanking position and nearly eviscerated the unmarked human(h4) then I spat at them causing more wounds(h2,h3) and as I tried to finish off my prey(h4) I overstepped and became vulnerable myself. Rhodes missed his target and assailed his ears with profanities. Berrien took down his opponent (h2) with a well placed shot, Rhodes' stance power took down one human(h4) even as another human missed(h3)and Torin’s magic missile exploded above his head.
Palos' thin strike wounded the remaining human and I shifted up and with a nice blow knocked him out(to my and Phobos' amazement I did not have an accident or a whoops my finger slipped moment)
While we tied up the guards Berrien opened the door to find a heavily manacled female human “dressed” in rags she seemed surprised to see him, not that she was rescued it was as if she had never seen an Eladrin before and the strange reactions didn't end there. When Torrin and I entered the room she had a look of what can only be described as awe on her face and an even bigger surprise (and to my delight), upon seeing Rhodes she had a look of abject disgust as if something she trod on has tried to have a discussion with her.
We searched the room and found an anomaly, scratch marks, after failing to get any info on it from the female I gave her the traitorous rangers clothing(one from a pre-diary encounter who's head I also carry) to wear. Berrien gave her a sword, weather or not she can fight is yet to be seen. With Torrins help we managed to understand her name was princess Vespa and that if we escorted her to her father there would be a reward in it. We found a map and it was a four day journey.
Vespas repeated sighs of distaste of having Rhodes in her presence caused him to remind us all of the fact that his race has faced persecution before, and for many lifetimes have they endured, and even in this far flung realm he would also endure, no mater what the hardship or racial abuse he would have to face. I remarked to Berrien with a sympathetic look “We need a bard”.
On the first day of travel we passed from farm areas into the wilderness were we come upon a caravan being asalted by hobgoblins again the strange feeling of being unsure of my actions came over me even when Vespa asked “Are you not going to help the guards my lord?” I did note that the standard on the humans was the same as the ones at the keep. Palos,unaffected by the same malady as me, shot a hobgoblin to which Vespa responded “Good shot sir elf”. At this I finally had some clarity and yelled to the others (and Phobos noted to myself) Target selected let the slaughter commence". And as one on the human guards collapsed to the ground I struck one of the hobgoblin with spite, Berrien taking my cue finished it off (this made the princess happy indeed) the others moved forward to engage.
Palos fired again at the hobgoblins and the human killed another. Two more hobgoblins
appeared and attacked the guard, Berrien deeply wounded one of the hobgoblins nearest the guard, Torrin likewise wounded one of the close hobgoblin. Rhodes ran forward shouting out about the injustices of his race and himself as Vespa said "your slave is escaping”.
Palos fires an arrow and grazed his target, the remaining hobgoblin attacked the guard while gesturing emphatically at Rhodes but missed. I finished off the hobgoblin nearest the guard leaving Berrien to delay and Torrin to spit at the two remaining ones. To the hobgoblins shock Rhodes (an ally in this realm?) jumped on a nearby rock and struck the hobgoblin who quaked with a crushing blow.
Palos moved forward to reach the hobgoblins, both hobgoblins missed their targets and my shot deflected off the rocks. The remaining guard got into flack and impaled the hobgoblin. Berrien still covering the princess tried to get her to draw her sword. Torrin's magic missile hit the last hobgoblin hurting him. Rhodes, full of anger, struck the last hobgoblin so hard it was driven into the ground like a steak.
After the battle the guard eyed us with caution but upon seeing the princess stood down.
We returned to the wagon he was protecting to find a family of well dressed humans inside (nobility perhaps).
What a realm we have entered and what does one make of this decision by a goddess to put us here in the hopes we will make a difference but she left out in what way, for good or ill?
And then theres Princess Vespa either I'm beginning to like her or I'm going to end up killing her I must be careful how I talk to Phobos about this for I could feel the “Typical male look” the second she got on bended knee in her room and I smiled, sheepishly mind you, at Berrien because no matter what I say in my defense she can turn it against me but that being said I think its time I told her about my family and why I feel the way I do around Vespa.
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