Paladine's light heals, Daughter of the Qualinesti, it does not harm. Though I am in agreement that the political situation against us is most dire. Our best hope is to flee and investigate these strange happenings and put an end to the Lord of Death's plans. At a convenient time I will notify the Temple of Palanthus.
Good theory, but not. Bruhma says, walking his horse down the street.
What you just witnessed is the culmination of decades of planning. The Dark Queen has always hated Solace, especially the Inn. It has stemmed from her defeat at the hands of the Heroes of the Lance, since this is where they met. And again, it was here that the forces for Krynn gathered before moving against Chaos. So it would seem that this area has a penchant for producing heroes. And the Gods of evil will stop at nothing to destroy this area.
Reaching the outskirts, and in the darkness of the road beyond, He mounts his horse, motioning everyone to do the same.
But, what is happening today will stall out. It is too soon for the Gods to be playing this card this early. I feel that this may be the work of a high ranking cleric who is seeking to regain favor with his flock, and by striking out at the patrons of the Inn, he might have secured a brownie point, but it will cause a ripple that the forces of good will perceive, thus denying the plan. It is convoluted. But, that isnt our worry. Within a week this place will be sanctified by all the Gods of good. Our need is else where, our quest more important.
Mounting his horse, he grasps the reins and looks at everyone as they mount.
we ride. We must be to xak tsarath within 4 days. The journey will be tough, but we should be ok.
Turning back, he kicks his horse and lets it stretch out into a full run in the darkness.
Handel Animal
I am not saying that you killed them all. What i am saying is that the woman who saw you alongside the bodies will give you description to the Solamic that will come and investigate. In their mind you will be the culprit. And when they come after you they might want to kill you on sight with out giving you time to explain. And even if they enquirer about who you are and find out you a cleric of Paladine, well who is to say that you haven't converted to a darker power?
Patting her horse in order to sooth it. She then turns her head toward the direction of the inn she just left in order to see if anyone is coming from that direction
Oh and everyone since, i'll be traveling with you until we can make camp tonight, please call me Helen.... Helen Forestreeves.
Following Bruhma's lead, Solinas will kick her horse forward after him.
My medallion glows because my Lord is with me. It would not do for the knights to kill someone without trial, especially one who is a cleric, from noble blood, and the son of a Knight of the Rose. Paladine's will be done, Sifat.
I follow Bruhma.
Trapdodger hops aboard a horse and also heads out with the others.....
"What was that all about? That lady was almost scary, and no fun at all!"
Asterius attempts to ride on his own horse to follow, keeping watch for some rare birds. He dislikes not having his own feet touch the ground but states no complaint, disliking the thought of having to walk all the way to Xak Tsarath more.
The minotaur is brought away from his birdwatching by the Kender, sparing some attention to him. It's awfully hard to ignore a Kender when they're not being sneaky. "I have no idea," he whispers conspiratorially. "I stopped listening to the argument a while ago."
A thought strikes his mind, about how perceptive Kenders can be when they're interested in something. And how dangerous they can be when they weren't interested in something and were therefore bored. Better to attack the enemy from both sides—he could use an extra set of eyes and it would be better for everyone if the Kender was occupied.
"Trapdodger, why don't you help me? I'm looking for some rare birds, but they're very good at hiding. If you see anything unusual, tell me so I can confirm if you saw a rare bird or not. And if you see more birds than me, I'll let you borrow whatever is in my pocket."
The minotaur pats his pocket to emphasize his words, making it into a game. And last he remembered, all he had in his pockets were some cheap coins and some stones he picked up earlier for his sling.
"Birds! Where?"
Perception
Whose eyes are decidely upon the bulge in the minotaurs pocket.....
After having saddled hup his horse, Torald follows his comrades along the road, watching for followers.
Bruhma sets a breakneck speed for you and the horses as you flee out of town. The road east, well travelled, making for smooth travel for a couple hours, diminishing the fear of a horse falling from such fast speed.
After two hours of break neck speed, bruhma slows the group, and then dismounts.
For the next hour, we must rest the horses, but still must travel fast. we must run while the horses rest.
turning, he begins to run at a fast pace, his armor gingling in the night as he presses onward while leading his horse.
after an hour, he mounts his horse, pauses for you all to do the same, and then sprints off again.
Bruhma continues this forced pace all through the night. the night is cool, but you all begin to swear profusely from the strain. Exhaustion begins to creep in, your legs quiver as you run, your rump hurts from the slamming it gets on the saddle, your thighs ache from all the motion. Your stomach begins to rumble, and yet you begin to grow concerned for the horse, as they begin to sweat and nicker in pain at the harsh pace.
Finally, at the point where you are about to collapse, he leads the group into a large clump of trees, dense from the outside, but open on the inside. A small pit filled with dry timber and ash sits in the middle. A small pile of wood sits to the side, ready to grab.
Thank you friends for doing this. I know this was harsh, but we had to flee, and flee far. I fear that we must now walk for the rest of the time to xak tsarath, as the horses cannot bear our weight. They will die of exhaustion. Please take them to the back over there and let them drink the water. There is plenty of foliage for them to eat and regain their strength. Be sure to unsaddle them. We are far enough away from Solace to avoid the attention of those that seek me. I will start the fire, and once everyone has eaten and rested, i will explain my actions.
Talin takes the saddle off of his horse and does his best to pet and massage the horse. He then takes the horse to the water source.
Solinas will unsaddle her horse, look for any sign of heavy strain in his legs and will brush him down while slowly and softly sing a calm and soothing tune in High Elven.
Asterius finally dismounts his horse, standing for a few moments to stretch his aching muscles before doing as Bruhma instructed--the man seems well-prepared. He sets about recovering, trusting that the explanation will keep as he regains his strength.
Torald dismounts and unsaddles his horse. Then he rubs it dry while letting it drink at the water. After having taken care of his horse, Torald returns to the fire.
Having made sure that her horse is comfortable, solinas will head back toward the fire, unpack some rations and starts eating.
During her diner once torald and thalintal are done, she will talk to both of them.
I thank you for coming back earlier today in the inn. i don't know if many got out but you did try. And i also i wanted to thank you for the healing.
During the long ride, Rumal realized he didn't even know why he was pushing his mule so hard. He decided he was tired, and would turn north instead. Since they were racing so far ahead of him, he was certain it wouldn't be a problem. Besides, they all seem to be intent on whatever it was they were trying to accomplish, so no one would miss the lone gnome.
Daughter of the Qualinesti, it was your gift that helped to stun the cleric of the god of Death enough for me to be able to heal others. Paladine's light was able to shine brighter because of you.
Bruhuma, you have driven us through the night, you have a cult of death after you, noble knights have been slain, all since we have met you and you want us to go to a city that according to the Chronicles of Astinus was returned to the sea during the War of the Lance. I believe that an explanation is very much necessary. .
He saig he would, let him eat a bit of diner. He is going to tell us his story...
Trap beats around in the bushes and climbs some trees looking for birds...
"Is it storystorytelling time?"
Finishing his meal, bruhma looks about at the people gathered around the fire.
You all have pushed yourself so hard this night for a complete stranger, all for some pay, and now you recognize that there is more to this than what meets the eye. I will fill you in with what is going on.
Standing up, he walks about, collecting his thoughts.
Five years ago, i was in the Library of Palanthus, researching history of the knights of Solomnia and the recent emergence of both the Knights of Neraka and the Legion of Steele. Whilest reading and making notes for my Lord, i heard a scuffle break out. Finding this odd, i went and investigated. There i came across several men in black robes attempting to kill an Acolyte for the Library, over one book. Now i know how well these acolytes take to protecting their books, and this one was no different. He was putting up a great fight, but would ultimately loose, unless i stepped in. So i did.
Pausing to drink some water, he continues
Killing those thieves, i went to aide the Acolyte, but he was passing on to the next realm. As he lay dying, he thrust the book into my hands, asking me to ensure its protection. This is one of the most destructive books on Krynn. protect it. and he died. At first, i meant to put it on a shelf and forget about it, but my curiosity got the better of me. I went back to my desk and began to read it. I was shocked to discover it was written by a wizard, and a powerful one at that. This book described this wizards journey to an alternate realm, one like ours, but not. There, Chaos was defeated, but the Gods left. As a result, these massive dragons, dragon overlords as they are refereed to in that realm, became the masters of the realm. The amount of death and destruction they rained upon the masses was catastrophic. But, if that was all this book was was just a story, then i could have put it on the shelf.
unfortunately it is not. THis book also contained the spells necessary to travel to and from our realm to this new realm. Along with this, there was an annotation of attempting to bring over one of these dragonlords, and that cannot be allowed to happen.
Turning to face everyone, he continues.
So 5 years ago, i made an oath to do whatever i have to to prevent this from happening. So i spent the last 4 years gathering information, finding out who the key players are for this scheme, and gathering resources to combat this unseen foe. Now, i am close to finishing this quest, and i need your help. The foe, who are both the clerics of chemosh, the clerics of Morgian, and a splinter cell of black robed wizards, are converging on Kendermore to reconstruct a gate that will be powerful enough to draw one of these dragonlords to this realm. I need you to come with me, learn more about this threat, and help defend Krynn against these forces. My job, nay, our job is to destroy this group before the Overlord comes through the gate.
Quite shocked by the revelations, solinas slowly ponders.Other worlds, dragon overlords. Like the ones who tried to rule after the war of the lance. How come you aren't heading to kendermore with a full army of knights?
Does the Temple of Paladine know of this? The Orders of High Sorcery?
I wonder why you ddn't involve the knights of Solamnia. This would be a cause they would support without questions.
"Can we go there?.....I want to see a dragon!"
The kinder gets more agitated
"Come on and cast that spell!"
The cause seems righteous, Squire of the Crown, however, that may have been why the garrison was decimated. For now you are the Solamnic prescence among us.
Worse. These Overlords are Dragons themselves. The book appears says that some sort of magicka is used to grant these overlords power over other dragons. I do not know how.
[b]An army cannot be used. As you know, the continent is divided between both orders of knights, with the legion hidden within. Moving an army past the demarcation line is a declaration of War, and both Grand Marshals dont want that. Well, not until one side has the early advantage...
I informed Palin Majere, master of the White robes, but all i got was Thanks for the info, as if dismissing me. The Temple of Paladine is informed. I informed them 4 years ago... He pauses, looking at Torald with a long look before continuing. But Paladine does as he is want to do
Well who know what these lofty higher ups wizards do or think. Once on of them told be the they did act for more on a subtle note for the other side might take notice.
A few questions tough, what was the name of the book, the spell it contained and most importantly where is it now?
pausing for a minute as she ponders.
Well for now i am in. You can count on the help of Helen Forestreeves.
"Are we still going to Kindermore?"
There appears to be a stop required first a a certain city, before we head to you home lands.
Perhaps the evil clerics and the blackrobes are trying to draw upon the magic that remains from the Tower of Loscarum?
I am in too. Paladine must have had a cause to let our ways cross.
Oh no, little elf. Im not revealing that information. I have learned, the hard way, that mentioning the title of the book or the spell will bring attention to ourselves. We must be stealthy.
nodding to Talinthal, that was my thinking too. Combine the remnant magic stored within the ruins of Loscarum with the enhanced magic on the night of the eye, then they would easily be able to open a gateway to this alternate dimension.
Picking up a stick, he smooths out an area next to the fire place and then begins to draw.
Here is kendermore. Over here is the ruins. Its about 10 miles away from kendermore. A gateway that opens here will bring about the destruction of Kendermore.
He marks 7 spots around the ruined location. My research has shown that 5 of these 7 spots will make the most perfect locations to draw out the innate energies found within the ruin, and will allow for gate to be created. Now, to combat this, i have discovered within the ruins of Xak Tsarath are 7 rods, rods made during the age of might that will capture and channel any magic, and funnel it to a the receiving rod. This rod, in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, can amplify the casters spellcasting ability to rival that of some of the greatest wizards on Krynn. My plan is to get these rods first, and then plant them within these 7 locations, so when the gateway is created, the energies will be channeled away.
"How you plan to keep kendermore from digging up and hauling away your rods?"
"I will follow." That is all the minotaur says on the matter.
Hum, the hard part might be to have the spellcaster able to use the rod or if you are using the to syphon the energies that is not required? Also do you have any idea of the precise location of these rods within the city for if i understand well, time is limited?
It sounds like we will need the help of the gods of good and the gods of magic in this instance. Paladine guide us. Sifat!
with the town a few miles away from the closest sight, hopefully we can avoid detection by your fellow kin. Plus, I will take steps to ensure that the rods are well hidden.
Glad to hear it, Asterius. And i am glad that you kept up with us. I felt that you might have fallen back from the difficulties that your horse had handling your girth.
looking at Solinas We have a spellcaster here, right Asterius?
Last place i read they were within the treasure room of xak tsarath. But i also heard that that room slid into the sea. Let us hope that our luck is with us and the story isnt true.
Well if it is just arcane spellcasting, indeed that should be easy enough indeed.
Great. I am glad to see everyone is on board with this.... Hmmmm...it appears that we are missing one. Seems his donkey couldnt keep up. Well, we cannot wait for him. If he fell behind, he will either catch up or not. Bruhma says as he looks around.
I suggest we all get some sleep. We have to be up and moving in 4 hours, so sleep now. I have some experience staying for days on end, so i will take watch while the rest of you sleep.
What am i doing? Rumal asks to himself as he lets his haggard donkey slow to a walk, its flanks heaving from the extreme effort in attempting to keep up with the others.
Why should i risk my neck? let alone my donkey's, for this strangers quest. He ran away from a cleric of Chemosh, ran again from the garrison. I saw his breastplate, it had the solamnic symbols upon its surface, proclaiming him a Knight...Or so i thought it does.
Shrugging his shoulders, Rumal slips off his donkey and slowly walks the beast of burden to the other side of a hill, out of sight of the main road.
Building a small fire for cooking, Rumal preps his campsite for sleep.
Ho there! A voice shouts from afar.
Rumal stops, motionless.
Ho in the camp. I am approaching! I am unarmed! shouts the voice, a womans voice.
How...? Rumal thinks to himself as a woman, an elven woman, steps into the meager light from his cooking fire.
Hi there. I was travelling the road, and looking for a place to camp, when i spotted this location. I was on the other side of the hill when i smelled the food cooking, so i felt it neccessary to announce myself. She says in a silky voice, her words seeming to enter into rumal's brain, and settle like satin upon his thoughts, quieting any sense of fear or caution.
I have something to share, if you would be so kind as to share your meal? She asks as she produces a jug with a cork. The sound of liquid sloshing inside can be heard.
Well, i suppose Rumal hesitates, but agrees.
Smiling, she sits down on the ground, her skirt falling to the side showing long pale legs and bare feet. her hair shifts slightly to the side, revealing a pale shoulder and elegant neck. Her dress seems to twinkle in the low light, as if shimmering from opaque to translucent.
He looks at this woman, staring at her for long moments, a thought, little, small, begins to form at the back of his head.
SHall we eat? she asks, holding out the jug.
Nodding, Rumal takes the jug, and pulls the cork. The smell of alcohol hits his nose like a club to the face, almost making him pass out. The sudden fuge of smell ignites his thought that he had to his forward brain.
Thinking out loud, he asks If you were traveling, where is your bag?
The elven woman purses her lips together, Where is He? she demands.
Who? Rumal asks, but already knowing who exactly she is asking about.
Bruhma. Where is he? Merrik said that Bruhma was travelling east with a group of people, including a minotaur and gnome. You are the Gnome. Where is Bruhma? where is he going? She says, any hints of silk removed, hard iron and resolve replacing the void.
Swallowing hard, Rumal glances about, beginning to wish he hadnt fallen out.
K- k- Kendermore! He gasps out, his breath fogging in front of him, as if in the middle of winter.
The woman growls loudly, a noise that cannot be made from an elven throat.
I KNOW THAT! FOOL!
The cold begins to intensify, the air colder to breathe, his lungs begin to feel on fire, and flares of pain begin to erupt within his chest.
The woman steps forward, her hand, curved, blackened fingernails that are obscenly thick touches his hand. Pain, then bone chilling numbness flows through his hand. Snatching his hand back, he looks at it, fear taking root.
He hand, at the point where she touched, slowly changes, from health, to frost bit, to necrosis. The pain begins to spread, first one finger, then another, they curl from the extreme cold freezing his blood. His hand bones begin to swell, the ice crystals within expanding, forcing outward from the enclosed marrow cavity.
Tears fill his eyes, his teeth bite through his lips drawing warm blood to fill his mouth.
Xak Tsaroth. He said he has to stop in xak tsaroth. he says with a gurgle, hoping that this thing will stop the pain.
Fallig to his knees, Rumal as he hears the thing speak, he wishes once again to have kept with the group...
You will not die, you will serve the Ice lord Frost instead, paving his way to this new realm. Your soul will go to enhance his power when he arrives, and your body will be used to gather more of the souls.
The kender is tired and falls alseep his hand inside Asterius's pocket......
Sometime while everyone is around the fire, a tall cloaked man with a bow across his back walks up to the circle.
My name is Willow Greystream. I have been searching the area for a man named Brhuma... I was hired to meet him here... Would any of you fine folk happen to be him? Unless I am mistaken I believe his group and himself have booked rooms at this inn...
is he an other ennemy ?
...
... Willow attempts to convey his sinsarity, hoping the patrons of this fine establishment will help him out...
Bruhma calls out, Ho! Willow! glad you found the location. Our friends here and I have traveled through the night and pushed ourselves hard. Please, stand watch while we catch our sleep. Wake us all in 4 hours.
With that, bruhma lays down and closes his eyes, sleeping the moment his head hits the ground.
not yet an enemy then it appears