King Joseph thinks about this offer carefully. "Normally, I would say rodents, but many wizards use them as familiars. Wasps are holy to the goddess Calistria, and sadly I'm sure I'm already on her do-no-like list. To my knowledge, there are no stirges here in Camelot."
"Hmm. Mosquitos. Just the mosquitos, if you don't mind. If not, that's fine also. Your previous assistance is more than a gift enough for me. Continue to keep your undead within your borders, and all will be well."
"Familiars should not be affected by my magic and any creature caged would likely not be able to follow either. Mosquitos then tomorrow." He states and walks over to where his vampires are standing as the muscle bound men take the chest away.
With all of the gifts given, Merlynn steps up.
"Games shall be held in the East wing, refreshments are in the dining hall, and the ball is being held in the West wing. Enjoy the entertainment to your hearts content and rest easy tomorrow." She states to the assembled crowd using her normal voice with a simple spell to enhance it.
Joe likely circulates and may even partake of the festivities himself.
Before The Night Hawks leave to enjoy the festivities, Joe gives the members a firm handshake , or a kiss on the hand . "Remember, if you need a 'wing man', introduce me to the guy or girl and touch your eyebrow. I'll talk you up." The paladin whispered conspiratorially.
Artemis would turn the handshake with a firm grip before nodding and smiling a little at the whisper before whispering back, "Of course, I'll be sure to come over, but hopefully I do not require your assistance." With that, Artemis would nod before heading over to the games, taking a seat and watching them silently, hoping he didn't miss anything important.
She has been very busy with the nobles. Though watching the interactions it is the opposite. Just as some of the braver nobles try to get to know the Night Hawks, the rest of the nobility tries to get some time with Merlynn.
As she finishes one conversation and vanishes, to the dismay of the next noble waiting nearby, Niversal sees her reappear in a side room. She pours herself a drink and takes a few moments to herself.
She happily stays on Joe's arm, meeting nobles, networking, and socializing. She enjoys all the compliments and is happy to make the statement that she is here for good, of course tactfully.
The night passes too fast! Everyone makes it to their rooms on their own or with some help. There is plenty of offers for all of the Night Hawks to choose who goes to bed with them. The next day comes and goes in a blur as most sleep off their hangovers and might venture into the hallways.
The next day many of the nobles meet with Joe and Ryada before they leave. Semi private farewells with well wishes. Merlynn is nowhere to be seen.
Ryada's family finally arrive. They appear pleasant and civil. One of Ryada's younger sisters rushes forth to give her a hug as the rest of the family seems a bit aloof or are following proper decorum as they are in public. Her father offers his deepest apologies as they were way laid by bandits and had to repair several of the wheels due to the bandits' trap.
During the celebration, King Joseph chatted with many noblemen, knights, dignitaries, and ambassadors. All with Lady Ryada on his arm. The couple had their first foray into courtroom dancing and did an acceptable job. The food in the dinning hall was amazing; with Joe, to his surprise, enjoying the dwarven haggis immensely.
Next day, Joe puts is best foot forward with his potential father-in-law, in which his permission is key. "I'm so glad you all made it. You did all make it in one piece? No one was lost, I hope."
"A few scratches may yet remain but no loss of life on our side." The Elven father states and continues with introductions, "I am Caladrel Silverleaf, previous high ranger of the Ivory Forest. My wife Tessara, one of my most trusted of allies. Faunra and Jathal are Ryada's older sisters, their husbands are tending the forest now in my stead together. And last but not least my youngest daughter Opal."
-----
Jellena calls a meeting of the Night Hawks so that the group can decide on what and when to do what next.
"A pleasure to meet you all," King Joseph smiles. Wow. An entire family of elves. You would think I might be getting used to this world, but it still amazes me, thought the paladin. "The amenities of Camelot are at your disposal. Please feel free to relax after your long journey. Or if you are not tired, I'd be happy to offer a tour of the grounds?"
-------
"Well, not much has changed concerning what we know about the locations of the next Dark Souls." Joe began. "The Greed Dark Soul is still unknown. The Prideful Nephilim's Cloud castle was seen above the Golden mountain last month, but that could have changed drastically. Reports of the Dracolisk still claim it's in The Bowels of Tigat. The Verdant Grove is still claimed by The Lusting Nymph. And The Wraithful Demonic Knights are south in the Desolate Wastes."
|
He had made it back in time for the coronation in the nick of time. He and his companion did not accompany the Night Hawks in the procession. After cleaning up and changing into regal attire He joined the Night Hawks in the festivities, even throwing a few harmless barbs at the official king.
-----
At the meeting he would quietly listen.
-----
Artemis would nod, "The library is always a fine choice, gives us time to think and plan if we find something, and even if we don't find something, we might find something that would help us all."
|
|
The Night Hawks then steeled themselves after that meeting. Collected their gear and head off after alerting Arelius to their departure. Very few souls saw them leave, and mostly just guards.
With the use of the waypoint the group was once more in the desert. As you approached the city a massive huge black feline with blue stripes charged towards your group...
"It was a success! After killing the swarm of goblins in the caves of my inquiry, I found the vault. My values and oath of a paladin served me well and I claimed a glorious bow of divine power!"
"Congratulations!" King Joseph smiled at his fellow Paladin of The Mistress. "Glad you and Castria were able to make it back in time! Listen, before we leave the castle, meet me in the throne room. I'm making you Avalon nobility. All the other original members of The Night Hawks are also nobility, with the new guys knighted."
The Night Hawks then steeled themselves after that meeting. Collected their gear and head off after alerting Arelius to their departure. Very few souls saw them leave, and mostly just guards.
King Joseph asks an attendant to help armor himself up, of which she dutifully does. Among his belonging, Joe takes Uther's wedding present to his wife. The paladin renames the item Box of Generosity. It will act as his daily stipend for goods and services. Joe takes an unused belt and uses it to secure The Box's lid, so it doesn't open at inopportune times. As the last piece of half-plate armor is attached, Brandon flies down from his perch in a nearby candelabra to rest at his perch on Joe's left shoulder. The armorsmiths of Camelot were able to make a small metal perch on the left pauldron, to make Brandon's place on King Joseph's shoulder more bearable.
On his way to the waypoint, King Joseph stops by the Royal Stables to collect Gertrude. The rhinoceros has had some adjusting to do with a cooler climate she's used to, but The Stablemaster has done a good job making a nice home for her, despite King Joseph often waking up in the mornings with Gertrude sleeping next to him on the floor. The official mount of King Joseph was waiting for him with her slick-new saddle made especially for her, bearing the Avalon flag and colors. King Joseph was pleased to see the request to have a lance and fitting attached to Gertrude's saddle's right side.With the use of the waypoint the group was once more in the desert. As you approached the city a massive huge black feline with blue stripes charged towards your group...
Gertrude bucked and snorted loudly to see an large predator running toward them. Thankfully, Joe was able to stay in the saddle.
"Whoa! WHOA! Gertrude! It' alright. He's a friend," Joe gulps, a little unsure. "I hope he's still good enough of a friend not to eat you."
The huge tiger charges up and halts before the group. It eyes the group and then sighs, "No new victims this time... oh well... Welcome back!" Then it lazily walks backwards in case someone has something to say.
"How have you been, our savage friend?" Joe asks atop his rhinoceros.
With a yawn that exposes all of his teeth he adds, "Mostly bored, nothing to play with."
---
As Midnight had meant, the town was still vacant, and nothing was encountered on the way to the library. Entering you find the staff lined up for inspection and are ready to help.
As Midnight had meant, the town was still vacant, and nothing was encountered on the way to the library. Entering you find the staff lined up for inspection and are ready to help.
King Joseph greets and thanks those members of the library staff present, answering any questions about the outside world as best as he can.
Joe, as a former retired English Professor I started remembering some of the artifacts of ancient Arthurian legend so I am going to search the library for their whereabouts or last known locations. Niversal says with a smile.
Joe listens to Sir Niversal nonplussed. "Wow..I can know see why you gestalted in bard. Yes! Please! Good luck in your research!"
A rough nudge lets King Joseph that Gertrude is with them. The paladin bends down and talks to his divine steed. "Now, Gertrude. This is a place of Learning. So NO eating any tomes, scrolls, or books. Hear me?"
The rhinoceros lets out a high whine of disappointment.
"I know. I know. Feel free to go incorporeal if you want, but stay out of trouble."
As the spirit animal lumbers away as library staff dodge to get out of it's way, Brandon tuts, "Goodness. She does whine a bit."
"Please take it easy on her", Joe asks his celestial familiar. "As far as I know, this is Gertrude's first experiences actually in the Material Plane. And don't think I'm not blind to your situation. You're a full celestial, Gertrude is a spirit totem. But you are both spiritual beings on the side of Good, with me. Try to guide her as you would any wayward soul."
"Fine. But I may be forced to 'correct' her. Are you ready for that?" The cassissian angel-in-crow-form asks.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Brandon sighs. "You mortals and your phases."
"Go on. Fly or walk around the library. Find something to read or research. I think I'll be fine here."
Without a word, Brandon rises off of King Joseph's shoulder, transforming into his black helmet form and flies over the stacks.
Lady Jellena and Lady Ryada walk up, watching the exchange from a distance. Joe shakes his head. "Kids... Siblings..."
Turning to the two of the three smartest women he knows, King Joseph asks, "Well, based on what we know about the recipients of the Dark Souls, who or what should be The Night Hawks next target?"
Frank states, "I will need to gather my books again. Anyone care to help?"
With the aide of a few servants and possibly others the books are collected and Frank pulls out his notepad. Cross referencing his notes and any new information he then tells the group, [b]"At our present power level we should be able to handle...
"We should be able to fight the Prideful Nephilim Osirus. His castle is currently hidden in the clouds around Needlepoint Mountain. In 5 days it will fly over Camelot. All the Dark Souls have been defeated or killed, except Osirus, the Wrathful Demon Knight Brothers, and the envious Dracolisk who is hiding in the Bowels of Tigat in the Burnt Scrags."
"We should be able to fight the Prideful Nephilim Osirus. His castle is currently hidden in the clouds around Needlepoint Mountain. In 5 days it will fly over Camelot. All the Dark Souls have been defeated or killed, except Osirus, the Wrathful Demon Knight Brothers, and the envious Dracolisk who is hiding in the Bowels of Tigat in the Burnt Scrags."
"I see that we should move into their territories and activate waypoints for easy travel. As the rest of us plan an assault on a floating castle." She suggests.
King Joseph just stood transfixed, taking in the information.
"Well.." The young monarch finally said. "That's a decent spot of good luck. I'm think we need to acquire flying mounts to deliver us to The Nephilim's doorstep. Camelot's stablemaster seems highly knowledgable about such beasts."
|
"Artemis and Frank can fly on their own. Frank could carry one of us on his back. Though that would leave us with... Delman are you going to venture into the Wastes to find a waypoint? Joe you want to keep us together? Hold on..." She sits down and makes a prayer then rolls her dice into the obsidian bowl.
She looks at the group and shakes her head. She states, "The future concerning our next steps is uncertain."
"I will not be left behind again, I will go with you Delman!" He states with vigor.
Niversal you find three useful books that could point you in the right direction. As you go to open the third one you see the rune on it starting to glow.
King Joseph sighed. "Sadly I sacrificed my ring of feather falling to the Goddess. She has it now."
|
Niversal will release the book that starts to glow and will take a sack and scoop it into the sack and join the conversation.
Ed can move with us on his feet as I don't think he would enjoy riding. As for protections perhaps being able to fly would cut this all down and we could fly in which case Ed could fly too.
"Frank, Artemis, and Niversal can fly. I will follow my divine hunter's recommendations on assaulting the cloud palace. I think he's earned that chance." King Joseph states.
Frank offers, "Very little information is known about Osirus the Nephalim except that he is Prideful. The pieces of literature on him are vague and almost rumor."
|
|
She looks at those gathered and asks the obvious question, "So once we have a way to get up and back. How are we going to fight him? It sounds like good Ole steel?"
"I remember they are native outsiders. They are resistant to most magics and a few elements. So let's learn if it has any weaknesses and focus on where it does not naturally protect from."
After a bit of knowledge gathering you learn that Nephalim are resistant to normal weapons unless they are magical, cold and fire.
Three days pass within the library before the group ventures out again. Delman is venturing to the Wastes to accomplish his new goal from his holy weapon. Markas seems determined to go with him. Frank sees the need and offers to help, though he could be persuaded to stay with the main group.
Joe, Artemis, Niversal, Ryada, and Jellena will be the group assaulting the floating castle.
Without any interest Jellena continues to prepare herself for the coming battle:
Wand of fly with 21 charges.
She added feather fall to her spell list.
A rod of admixture.
Want of fireballs 15 charges.
And some fancy new shoes.
Unless there are some other suggestions?
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," He states and winks at Niversal as he picks up the book. The glow grows brighter and then explodes in his face.
He takes some damage and then opens the book, looking at what he risked for.
---
He nods at Jellena's words and thanks her for the healing.
After a few minutes he states, "It looks like a journal of Percevil's. With a closer look someone may be able to find reference to where his armor is located." Then he hands it back to Niversal. He then adds, "The magical trap will likely reset after an hour."
King Joseph rushes forward to check on the young knight.
"Goddess, Markas! Are you okay?"
On the way out to the waypoint Delman, Frank, and Markas give their farewells to the group.
Ryada, Joe, Jellena, Artemis, Niversal and Ed stop at the waypoint.
"Back to Camelot then?" She asks Joe directly but open for the group to respond. Then she quickly quips, "Back to our studies king! Only gone for hours to the world and days have passed for us!"