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.
