An Echoing Sound of Thunder [DM Jerry] Friday May 25th, 2007 9:28:52 AM
FLASH!
KABOOM!
With a bright flash of light and an echoing sound of thunder, two adventurers appear in front of our walking heroes.
One is dressed in emerald green from head to toe, a glowing sword at her side. Her bright hair waves in the wind and her cloak billows.
She is K'nara, leader of the Emerald Dragons!
The other is dressed in silver--platinum, if you will--with accents in gold. He stands tall and very muscular for a half-elf. The dragonstone glows on his chest, and his sword, "The Drqagonslayer", hangs off his hip. His confident smile lets you know that he's not being agressive.
He is Valdor, leader of the Platinum Dragons and the Dragonstone of the Dragon Consortium.
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[OOC, K'nara and Valdor will speak for themselves when they post today. Feel free to react as you wish. ;)]
Valdor Friday May 25th, 2007 11:20:28 AM
Valdor smiles at the gathered heroes and says,"My friends, I am Valdor of the Platinum Dragons. This is K'Nara, whom I'm sure some of you have either met or seen. She is the leader of the Dragon Consortium's newest members, the Emerald Dragons."
He steps back and motions for K'Nara to proceed.
Monthor Friday May 25th, 2007 11:26:50 AM
{ Hey Julie.... should me bash these two? }
K'Nara, an Emerald Dragon Friday May 25th, 2007 1:22:28 PM
(OOC: sorry for the delay--would've posted earlier, but I'm a bit under the weather.)
The tall human woman bows to Valdor.
"Thanks for the introduction, Valdor." she says, then turns canny hazel eyes to the group. "We two are here because the Dragon Consortium has become aware that your group has exhibited amazing potential to do great things in the Wold. Quite frankly, we like what we see. So we're inviting you all...to breakfast at the Emerald Dragons' Tower at Maryn, where we'd love to make you an offer. We'll provide the transportation to breakfast in the morning." She looks around, smiling, holding out her left hand, upon the palm of which is tattooed the colorful figure of a rearing unicorn.
"So...see you in the morning...yes..?"
Monthor Friday May 25th, 2007 2:54:30 PM
{ No bashing me guess... }
" If there be beer. Monthor Angels..... me means the GREY KNIGHTS will be there. Right boys?!? "
ooc> We stopped being the Hamletteers a while back did we not?
[Jerry: Yeah, but it hasn't taken totally because you wanted to keep the same icon on the games page. :)]
Tratain Friday May 25th, 2007 5:46:57 PM
Tratain's hand drops to the War Hammer hanging at his belt at the flash and sound of thunder but relaxes when its not the Circle who appear.
Tratain smiles at Monthor's attitude and response and says to K'nara "I believe I can speak for everyone when I say it would be our Honor to come and visit your tower tomorrow. We will be staying at our Properties in town here. Shall we meet whoever you will be sending to transport us there? , I can give you directions if you need them. Just be sure that whoever comes doesn't teleport right into the house, it may lead to unpleasantness. We're having a bit of a disagreement with a group of assassins called the Circle, they think they can just break into our house and tie up our housekeeper. We were going to teach them that they were in error."
Jova Friday May 25th, 2007 11:21:25 PM
Jova is shocked at the sudden appearance. The strangers were strange indeed. He remebered the troup of actors whpo changed theur appearances as well. Careful, he reminded hisself.
"Horvis beware, guard."
It is at that time as he takes inventory on the knights, where was Izen? This could be the attack they had been waiting for. Tratain walks right up and starts talking to them. Jova's mind reels.
OOC] Ok I understand we bbe moving the story. But with several highlevel assassins on our trail is there any way we can verify these are not of the circle? Not that i dont trust matt, but.......hehe.
Draax Friday May 25th, 2007 11:37:58 PM
Draax jumps a few steps back when Valdor and K'nara appear. After listening to them, he realizes that it might be a trap, but since he has met Valdor before and has heard of the Emerald Dragons, he does not think it is in the group's best interest to refuse.
He nods his head in agreement to the group accepting the invitation.
Valdor Saturday May 26th, 2007 1:26:04 AM
Seeing some are hesitant, Valdor smiles and says,"Some of you know me, some do not. Your...means of travel, will arrive at first light. Trust me when I say that you will know when it is time to go."
He is grinning knowingly. For those who haven't met him, he stands a few inches over six feet and weighs well over two hundred pounds, although there doesn't appear to be an ounce of fat on him. He wears a mithril breatplate with the letter 'V' etched in gold on his shoulderguard on his left arm. There is also a figure of a gold dragon etched in gold on his chest. When he moves, the gold dragon appears to be moving as well, sometimes flying, sometimes walking, but always in movement. He has a mithril shield as well, with the gold dragon on it.
He carries three long swords and has two baldrics of daggers over his chest and back. When he moves, it might make you think about assassins, but there's no doubt that had he been an assassin, there would be a lot of bodies on the ground already. All of his weapons are obviously magical and of exquisite workmanship. However, one sword has a jeweled hilt and the scabbard has a red tint to it. Any who have heard of him know he was once called the dragonslayer and that sword has helped him earn that name many times over.
(Hopefully, that will rest Jova's mind about the possibility of him being an assassin)
Horvis Saturday May 26th, 2007 10:18:16 PM
The dancing dog notices the arrival of the two strangers and how the others in the party react. When Jova motions, Horvis will stop jumping and stand facing the pair. Given a chance, he will try to get their scent and determine if they are wholly human and half-elf, or perhaps something else.
Horvis doesn't move from his guard position, even when the others in the party seem to accept the tall half-elf's words at face value. Horvis has spent too much time in the wilds to fully understand what has transpired, and staying in the form of an animal seems like a safer thing to do.
Jova Sunday May 27th, 2007 5:45:59 PM
Both Tratain, and Draax seem to trust these strangers. Even if it is a ruse, the circle has been found. They would need to go home and wait til the morrow. Somehow he presumed Monthor would not appreciate that, so...
"Friends, lets duck in here at this tavern and have a few drinks before we go home, what do you say?"
Tratain Monday May 28th, 2007 12:04:59 AM
Tratain says "Thats fine with me Jova, lets get a drink or two and collect everyone then head back to the house. We know where the Dwarf likes to drink so we can come back and find him after our meeting tomorrow."
Out of the Sun [DM Jerry] Monday May 28th, 2007 2:33:43 AM
Once the questions are ended, Valdor and K'nara depart with a show of fireworks! For an instant the explosions form a shape of a dragon, then they are gone.
The rest of the day is spent in curiosity and the normal activities of the day.
-----------
Early the next morning, a shout goes up from the streets!
There is much yelling and screaming outside.
Once you take a look, either out the window or going outside, you see a golden shape circling overhead. As it moves out of the sun, you see what the excitement is about.
A GOLD DRAGON!!!
It circles as if to ascertain that this is indeed the spot it was looking for. Once satisfied, it hovers for a bit looking intently at those below.
Then, having made up its mind, it buffets its wings and descends to the street to land.
Seeming to enjoy itself immensely, it lounges there watching and waiting.
Once it spots one of the group, it grins.
::GRIN::
Then it lowers a wing and extends a leg.
Tratain Monday May 28th, 2007 3:34:03 PM
Tratain looks out the window when the commotion starts in the streets. Seeing the Dragon Tratain is a little awed that one would come pick up the party, He calls to the Group "I think our transportation is here."
Tratain then gathers his belongings and heads out to meet the Dragon. He introduces himself to the Dragon before taking the offered ride.
Arien Monday May 28th, 2007 4:07:36 PM
Arien's eyes widen at the sight of the dragon and he lets out a low whistle. Arien follows Tratain out to the dragon and also introduces himself.
Draax Monday May 28th, 2007 5:57:11 PM
Hearing the commotion outside, Draax gathers his gear as he guesses correctly that their ride has arrived. When he gets outside and sees the dragon he stares at it in awe for a few seconds before going towards the creature's wing. "Now this is impressive. I expected a golden chariot, a floating cloud or something like flying horses, but I never expected to be honored by a live gold dragon."
Monthor Monday May 28th, 2007 7:17:36 PM
Monthor eventually gets outside takes one look at the dragon, stretches and yawns....
" Me bets ye that they don't serve drinks on that ship..... HOWYADOING Dragee!!! "
Monthor then walks up to the dragon and follows the others.
Jova Monday May 28th, 2007 7:45:21 PM
Jovais visibly agitated as the link with Z seems to be hurtful. Jova exits the house, seeing the sun, nearly falls over. Drinking with Monthor had not been a pleasant experience. And now the constant noise in his head from Z
Upon seeing the dragon, Jova assumes it is aferaffects of the alcohol. Telling Z to stay and watch the house, he follows the others to the shup, whicxh oddly looks like a dragon, of all thgings.
Horvis Monday May 28th, 2007 9:54:09 PM
The brown and black dog capers beside Jova as the mage exits the apartments. Horvis decided against drinking with Monthor, especially since he decided to stay in his assumed form. Even though he had to change back overnight, Horvis has attempted to adopt the same form.
Fortunately, the gold dragon's leg serves as a good step for the dog. Even though canine paws are not well suited for this, Horvis doubts that any other claws would work either. And hooves certainly wouldn't. So he finds a comfortable place to rest, not minding if one of his companions holds onto him. His disguise might be broken by the calm behaviour for Horvis is an experienced flyer.
ADM Joe Monday May 28th, 2007 10:51:22 PM
Posting Report for week ending Friday May 25th
M T W R F DM X X X X X Tratain X X O X X Jova X X O X X Monthor X X X X X Izen X X X O O Arien O X O X O Horvis O X X X X Draax X X X X X Juliander X X X X O
Juliander Monday May 28th, 2007 11:42:46 PM
Juliander follows the rest of the group out to meet the dragon. Standing before the magnificent creature, he bows as low as he can possibly go without falling over, "Juliander Phaelix... at your service." He then humbly takes his place along side his relatively new friends.
Izen Tuesday May 29th, 2007 8:25:20 AM
Kup ooc: I'm back! Marcin, thanks for posting for Izen. DM, I'm assuming that Izen "saw" and "heard" all of this while invisibly circling.
-Yes, we'll ahve to assume that you didn't go very far, and that the spectacle of the visitors teleporting in drew your attention. MC
IC: Izen took note of the pub to which he had tracked the invisible form, picked up the fallen envelope, and then landed and reappeared to join the others.
Going to follow on the Dragon board.
All Aboard [DM Jerry] Wednesday May 30th, 2007 8:16:46 AM
The dragon looks and smells each of you. It causes your clothes to billow. Amazing.
Then it lowers a wing and a front leg...
...and grins.
Izen Wednesday May 30th, 2007 8:56:33 AM
Izen's eyes widened involuntarily at the sight of the massive beast. Gingerly, he climbed onto the creature's back, shaking his head in disbelief.
Jova Wednesday May 30th, 2007 1:14:49 PM
Jova follows his friends as they climb on the beast. Jova thought it odd, this offer to ride. Maybe one of the others was talking to it, like he and Z talked. No matter.
Monthor Wednesday May 30th, 2007 8:18:04 PM
The dwarf smiles a toothy grin as he climbs on board the dragon.
" Momma's gonna love this story... her baby dwarf flying on a gold dragon. She be bragging about this one to the aunts for years.... "
Draax Wednesday May 30th, 2007 9:09:20 PM
Draax climbs on the dragon and makes himself comfortable.
Horvis Wednesday May 30th, 2007 10:19:19 PM
The brown and black dog scrambles onto the back of the dragon, nimbly jumping from the ground to a leg and then onto the broad back of the beast. Once there, Horvis will find a place to rest. His companions may find flying to be interesting, but Horvis has been flying for many years.
Arien Wednesday May 30th, 2007 11:56:03 PM
Arien climbs aboard the dragon as well, and makng himself as comfortable as one can mentally braces himself for the flight to come.
Tratain Thursday May 31st, 2007 12:36:22 AM
Tratain steps up onto the Dragon with the others.
The Flight [DM Jerry] Thursday May 31st, 2007 9:08:34 AM
Once everyone is aboard, the dragon roars...
::ROARRRRRR::
...as a warning and leaps into the air. Its powerful wings beat and you rise at an alarming rate. Soon, the land below is a panarama of splotches and geometric figures.
As you travel across The Red Hills, you can spot little blips that must be ogres or giants. Eventually you cross the Peaseblossom where you see some large trade rafts manned by halflings...if that's what they are. Too small to be sure.
Across the river, you fly over Culverwood, just barely skirting the trees. It must be amazing to travel like this at will and not be concerned in the least about any dangers of the road.
Eventually, you spot a tower sticking out above the trees in a more cultivated part of the forest.
The dragon circles it once and roars his arrival. He descends and lands in front of the tower. You can see many adventurers out front. Some wave to welcome you.
The dragon lowers his wing again and extends his leg. Then he turns his head towards you and again....::grins::
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Ok, folks, from this point on until we're done, you'll be posting on the Emerald Dragons's Board. Feel free to go post there now. ;)
Stan / Draax Thursday May 31st, 2007 11:17:00 PM
I do not have permission to post on the Emerald Dragons's Board.
Jova--OOC Monday June 4th, 2007 6:29:25 PM
So are we posting here or the ED board. everything is helter skelter, hehe.
DM Jerry Tuesday June 5th, 2007 10:49:03 AM
We're posting on the Emerald board. If you still don't have access, email me. I'll call it in personally. :)
Jova-OOC Tuesday June 5th, 2007 3:24:56 PM
Jerry. You said in one of your posts in the ED board to take the discussion back to your regular boards. You also said stay here in ED Board and discuss. Seemed ambiguous where to post. So i covered my 6
"Well me lads... sounds like the big boys are sending us on quite the trip. If the goal be that we end up with a castle... then me suggestes that we get some additional funds together by selling the group's house and property. We can use the proceeds ( that's a BIG word for Monthor ) to fund the quest. Me'd also suggest that we pool together what's left of our personal financial resources ( again with the BIG words) into a group found. Finally, we assess each other's strenths and weaknesses and spend the funds to compensate for them. We need to think ahead and consider what may be coming our way and be ready for it. Me be the last dwarf to want to share his gold but me sees this as an investment to make even MORE GOLD.
ooc> And 100 000 split 8 ways isn't that much considering what we have to do with it.
Horvis Wednesday June 13th, 2007 9:18:40 PM
The centaur nods at Monthor as the dwarf starts making plans.
There are several things that Horvis would like to add, in terms of personal protection. Perhaps the journey into Fae Skimr would allow him to harvest a dragonhide large enough to have crafted into armor that would fit him?
Izen Wednesday June 13th, 2007 9:33:53 PM
"I hadn't spent any funds from the Sons of Dread trip. Add that to the pool," the halfling known colloquially as Izen offered.
"I'll sell my Bands of Binding and a Ring of Protection, buy a Ring of blinking, and add in the extra proceeds, too."
Draax Thursday June 14th, 2007 1:21:19 AM
Draax looks shockingly at Monthor at the suggestion of selling the property. "Let us wait until we have a castle before we think about sell the property. Even if we do get castle it is a nice summer place and until we find out the meaning of that tree, I think we should hold onto the place. And more important, that is where I keep my horse."
Izen (second) Thursday June 14th, 2007 10:41:22 AM
"It's already a bit of a fixer-upper, Draax," izen observed, pointing out the damage from the attack of the Circle of assassins. "Not exactly the most secure location for high-profile Dragon-initiates."
SteveH Thursday June 14th, 2007 11:47:14 AM
(OOC:Not sure who the group's leader is, but your group got a gift from Valdor in his last post on the Emerald board. He presented it to Tratain because he knows him the best, but the leader should decide who carries it)
Jova Thursday June 14th, 2007 12:35:04 PM
Introspective at themoment.
Horvis Thursday June 14th, 2007 9:38:49 PM
The centaur listens to the conversation before rooting through his packs. Horvis returns with his Haversack, and hauls out the pouch that he keeps his coin in.
"I have nearly 14,000 gold that I can contribute. Besides the recommended magics, perhaps we could purchase a wand of Stoneskin?"
Draax Thursday June 14th, 2007 10:52:42 PM
Draax smiles at Izen's remarks, "Fixing it back up is not a problem, you should have seen the place when we first brought it. Once we have another place established, I will not have problem giving up this place. Until we get rich, I believe we should keep this place."
"I will throw in 5,000 gold to the group fund."
Onrad [DM Jerry] Friday June 15th, 2007 4:25:00 AM
Onrad pops in for a second. "As for how to get to Fae skiemir. I forgot to give you your cryptic clue. See we don't ever speak out loud of where the entrance is exactly. So I'm writing this down. Consider it part of the test?"
Grinning he scribbles something on a piece of paper.
It reads:
Find out about the Valley of Humiliation.
Monthor Friday June 15th, 2007 8:08:22 AM
Monthor takes a stick and starts doing the math by writing in the dirt....
" So, 100 000 from the Dragons, 5 000 from Draax, 14 000 from Horvis, 5 000 from the great and benevalent Monthor....Izen? How much are ye kicking in? Arien? Did you say you had coins to throw in too? Anyone else? "
"Total... carry the 5... add the 2... 124 000 so far. "
Monthor to SteveH Friday June 15th, 2007 8:09:56 AM
ooc> No issues here with Tratain carrying the scroll. No leaders in this group, just a bunch of civil servants taking forever to make decisions. :-)
Tratain Friday June 15th, 2007 4:36:23 PM
Tratain thanks Valdor for the Scrolls and says "I really hope we won't need to use these, but we'll be glad to have them just in case."
Tratain takes the piece of paper from Onrad and reads it, he says "I didn't know the entrance to the place we are going was there, Draax, Arien, Monthor and myself traveled through this place once before when the Fey king was causing troubles, on our way to see Queen Maab. There is more than one portal there then?"
OOC: Tratain has 6,000 gold at least that he will contribute, plus little used Items I can sell depending on what we decide to finally buy.
Arien Sunday June 17th, 2007 8:13:38 PM
Arien does a bit of considering before answering Monthor's question. "I can donate 40,000 gold pieces to the party pool. I would like to spend at least a week reviewing and adding spells to my spellbook though, which means a lot of time at the Star Mages guild."
Draax Sunday June 17th, 2007 9:55:44 PM
"Yea I remember the trip to see Queen Maab. It was not one of the most pleasant trips, but at least this time we will know the way and have some idea what to expect."
DM Matt Monday June 18th, 2007 9:03:19 AM
OOC: I believe we will be ready to start on the module tomorrow, unless anything changes. Of course, if there are other things anyone wants to do or take care of first, please say so.
Jova Monday June 18th, 2007 3:07:01 PM
Jova is really concerned at all the money they are talking about spending. Would the monsters really be that bad??? He had never come across anyhting too dangerous, nothing he couldnt run from. Time would twll.
Tratain Monday June 18th, 2007 6:28:17 PM
Tratain spends a week prepareing for the Trip, buying items from the catacombs and readying various other items. (I will send an OOC e-mail with what I do Matt if anything)
When the group is ready Tratain suggests going to speak with Lord Arrack first to see if he has anything to add about the Sons of Dread or the groups current mission.
OOC:I've sent an e-mail detailing things I suggest we buy for the Trip but so far very few respondents positive or negative, we need to make this purchase very soon and its a large ammount of money. If In a day or two I still get no feedback I'll just buy what I've listed.
Juliander Monday June 18th, 2007 7:55:25 PM
Juliander hauls a sack of coin out of his haversack, "Here ya go Monthor. Add thirty-thousand gold coins to the kitty from me. I'll need it not."
Monthor Monday June 18th, 2007 8:05:57 PM
"Carry the 6 and 30..., add Jova's 5 000, take the root value and multiply the whole thing by 12.... and the answer is.......
4!!!!!!
:-)
Wait! 205 000 gps!!!
Tratain, add some stuff to the list!! "
Tratain Monday June 18th, 2007 8:52:28 PM
Tratain whistles at the Funds in the War chest. He says "Someone's going to have to help me carry all this coin to the Catacombs"
(OOC: During the downtime we have Tratain would like to check out any reference Materials he can find regarding Fae Skymir anywhere in Plataue City. Any Information on its location. Also any information on what types of Creatures live there, any stories about the place as it was in the past and is now. Also, once there can you teleport home or is the Portal the only way in and out. Tratain will also Ask lord Arrack about these things when we go see him.)
I'll check on what info you can find. As for visiting Arrak, don't forget you also have the communication device to talk to him - M
Horvis Monday June 18th, 2007 8:52:59 PM
The centaur listens to the discussion about resources. He really should give the others some idea of what he has available.
Draax Monday June 18th, 2007 11:25:48 PM
Draax listens as the group discusses needed items and available funds. At Tratain's request for someone to help carry the War chest funds, Draax raises his hand, "Sure, I will help you carry the funds. Anyway, with the assassins still out there, we should not travel alone."
Arien Monday June 18th, 2007 11:50:04 PM
Arien spends the next week studying at the Star Mages guild and adding spells to his spellbook, stopping by the party's property just to rest.
Izen Tuesday June 19th, 2007 1:04:44 PM
"I still have to contribute, too," Izen pointed out. "I just can't remember how much my share was from our encounter with the Sons of Dread. I ... er ... never was very good at sums."
"I'd like to sell my Bands of Binding and Ring of Protection in favor of a Ring of Blinking, and possibly upgrade armor. The group is welcome to the rest."
DM Matt Tuesday June 19th, 2007 3:57:28 PM
OOC: are we ready, or is there still anything to take care of before we begin?
If ready, let me know what your intended course of travel is.
Tratain Wednesday June 20th, 2007 7:27:49 AM
After finishing shopping at the Catacombs and finding out what he can in his research Tratain is ready to Travel. He will cast Windwalk on the group and Head for Lord Arrak's to find out what they can.
OOC:I think we're ready, I'm in the catacombs now buying our items, it shouldn't take too much longer to finish and we should be set.
Izen Wednesday June 20th, 2007 9:04:32 AM
Izen hustled along with Tratain to the shop (ooc: got to get my purchases done, too--been stalling on getting my act together and now time's up! I should be all squared away by tomorrow's post).
A Trip to Arrak Wednesday June 20th, 2007 10:08:25 AM
ooc: keep going with the cats stuff while we do this, no worries.
After some days of preparation, everyone feels as ready as they can be for their new ordeal. The first stop, it is decided, is Lord Arrak's lair.
Tratain works his divine magics, and the group rises into the air, appearing almost cloudlike and insubstantial. Another moment, and you are speeding off toward Arrak at high speed.
After a short time, you come within site of the cavern you now know fairly well.
Setting down and looking around, things appear a bit different. The refugees you brought are gone. After a moment, one of the halflings you recall from your last visit comes out of the cave and bows. "If you please, follow me."
She leads you into the cave, and to the same sitting room in which you last met Arrak. After being offered a light snack and some refreshing drinks (including a mug of ale for Monthor), you look up to see Arrak enter the room.
"Ahh, my friends! To what do I owe the pleasure? My . . . sources . . . tell me you should be well on your way to Fae Skiemir by now." At the mention of the ancient elven city, one of the halflings gasps quietly before clapping a hand over her mouth.
DM Matt addendum Wednesday June 20th, 2007 3:54:50 PM
OOC: almost forgot, I need fully updated character sheets from everyone, including any changes from this weeks catacombs shopping. Even if you've sent me yours recently, and haven't done any shopping, please just send it again.
I have to get them all soon, as Jerry and I have a few things to deal with yet for this module and need the CS to do so.
Joe OOC Wednesday June 20th, 2007 5:09:20 PM
That including the items we're in the process of buying right now? We just need to finish the transaction in the catacombs and pass the stuff out and we're all set.
Yes, as up to date as possible. After the current cats transactions is perfect. -M
Juliander Wednesday June 20th, 2007 8:00:34 PM
Juliander spends his time in contemplation of the task before them. Humming a soulful elven dirge all the while, he prepares himself for the trials ahead. When they come upon Arrak, "Indeed fine sir, we are on our way... so to speak." Juliander smiles benignly.
Horvis Wednesday June 20th, 2007 9:37:35 PM
The centaur enjoys the leisurely flight to Arrak's cavern. Normally he would fly himself but Horvis won't reject a free ride.
After being taken inside, Horvis waits with the others until Arrack enters. When the dragon tells them that they should already be going, Horvis looks.
"Arrak, sir. What can you tell us of Fae Skiemir before we depart?"
Draax Wednesday June 20th, 2007 10:19:40 PM
Draax takes a sit and eats some of the knacks while he listens to Arrak's answer to Horvis' question.
Tratain Thursday June 21st, 2007 12:18:05 AM
Tratain sits and eats some snacks while the group meets with Arrak. Tratain asks him if he has learned anything yet from the information the group has brought him. And after that He asks about Fae Skeimir. (Questions I asked were posted above, I as the same questions to Arrak. Did I learn anyhting in the City)
Monthor Thursday June 21st, 2007 6:03:55 AM
" 'Sup Arry! "
Izen Thursday June 21st, 2007 8:08:34 AM
Izen bowed deeply to the dragon. "My lord," he said solemnly. "So .... Your lordship ... approves of our joining the Consortium?"
Lord Arrak Thursday June 21st, 2007 4:55:14 PM
"First," Arrak says, "Let me address our prior business. I have not yet learned much more on the Sons of Dread, though I am busily, and enjoyably, poring over the documents you brought me.
"Though I must pass on many thanks from those refugees. All have been returned to their families, if they had any, or sent where they felt most comfortable otherwise, and to the man, each claims he owes you all his life."
Arrak pauses to take a glass of wine, then settles into a wide armchair. "Now . . . Fae Skiemir. I must say, with all due respect, I am surprised the Consortium would send you there so early in your careers. It is . . . perilous, to say the least. I certainly would think twice myself before venturing there alone."
Pausing, he looks at Izen. "Why, of course I approve! I think it is a wonderful achievement, and offered to an entirely deserving band of brothers. But you don't need my approval. I am but one dragon, and not technically of the consortium proper."
Returning to his story, Arrak continues, "The city was once a beautiful achievement of elven magic and architecture. Sadly, it was destroyed at the end of the second age, as a result of a divisive and violent war between a number of elven factions.
"After its destruction, the drow were driven underground, the elven nation as a whole was weakened horribly, and they have never recovered to achieve their past state of glory.
"Fae Skiemir was, in so many words, the epitome of magic in its day. Laden with riches and arcanum beyond your imagination. Magic controlled everything there: weather, day and night, the very length of the elves' lives. It was used to prevent sickness, feed the hungry, and protect them from attack. So, one can imagine the sort of effect on the Wold if such a place were, for all intents and purposes, destroyed?
"When the city fell, most of the elves there were destroyed. The riches and wonders of Fae Skiemir remained, along with the remnants of the greatest elven magics in the Wold. Over time, this attracted the greedy, the malicious, and the evil beings in the world.
"Through the centuries, Fae Skiemir became populated with all sorts of beings who ventured there to gain wealth, power, knowledge, and more. But they did not fully understand what it was they were doing. You see, the magic of Fae Skiemir became . . . warped . . . after the city's fall. Most, if not all, of those beings who sought riches for greed or selfish purposes found themselves stuck in the city, unable to leave.
"It seems some sort of curse had been born over the ages. Now, this is where my information - and, most of the information available these days - becomes a bit unreliable. No one quite understands how the magic is keeping these things in the city. No one knows exactly what is doing it either. What seems clear is that these powerful, greedy, evil beings are now tied to the city in some way.
"This dynamic has developed over time, and now, at any given time, one can find a number of what I would call 'powerbrokers' in Fae Skiemir. These would be the toughest, meanest, smartest of those creatures who inhabit the city. They all have their minions, and of course there are countless evil beings scattered throughout the ruins.
"But these 'powerbrokers,' as I refer to them, control significant portions of the city, and have comandeered vast troves of the wealth that once graced the halls and towers of Fae Skiemir. Luckily, they spend their time vying for power over each other, instead of working together and focusing on finding a way out of the city for good. That, in itself, has probably done much to save the outside world from the evils within the ruins."
Looking around, Arrak sighs. "That, I fear, is all I know about Fae Skiemir, and more than you are likely to find in most libraries. I hope the information provides somewhat useful, though I would caution you again to think long and hard before making this trip. Someone, or some few, will surely die before you are through." He frowns into his cup, the drains the last sip as he finishes his story.
Draax Thursday June 21st, 2007 6:52:12 PM
Draax sits quietly as he listens to Arrak, "Thank you. That is much more than we knew five minutes ago. I am sure it will come in handy."
Jova Thursday June 21st, 2007 8:48:03 PM
Jova is incognito. Barely there. A foul mood has enteted his brain, and he cant shake it.
OOC-Very sick in real life.
Horvis Thursday June 21st, 2007 9:16:00 PM
The centaur kneels towards Arrak, thanking the dragon for what information he is able to share.
"Thank you, sir. My companions and I will need every scrap of information that we can acquire before going to such a place."
Horvis cannot help but wonder if the warped magic of Fae Skiemir is a trap for people just like his companions. At least, if pressed, they might be able to play one faction off against another. Just like running through a pack of lions when fleeing from a pack of hyenas, hopefully some of the pursuers get distracted.
Juliander d20+15=34 Thursday June 21st, 2007 11:52:56 PM
Listening to the stories of Lord Arrak, Juliander does his best to recall any additional stories he may have heard regarding that legendary city.
(OOC: Bardic Knowledge check DC 34)
Arien Friday June 22nd, 2007 2:02:17 AM
Arien bows to Arrak and thanks him for the information as well. The elven mage was in a pensive mood and had been since they were given their destination. It would almost be a homecoming of sorts.
Tratain Friday June 22nd, 2007 7:33:49 AM
Tratain thanks Lord Arrak for the information he has imparted. He says "Do you have anything you can tell us regarding the location to the entrence to where we are going? We know basically where it is, but nothing specific. Or anything about what guards it right now? I have been told that the guardians change periodically and was wondering if you knew what was guarding it now so we could come up with a way to get past it if it won't let us through."
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