Same difference at this point, lol.
Uuugh a cliff hanger.
The minotaur moves in for the kill but then Terevalis's spell goes off and he's struck with a blast of sound. The sonic blast rips through him and he bellows in pain and falls to the ground with blood flowing from his eardrums. He lies there painting and grunting in pain fighting off unconsciousness with pure hate but is too broken to get up. He looks not unlike a wounded bovine but currently at the mercy of Terevalis.
A glowing portal opens at the end of the room. The test has claimed Terevalis as the victor. He can move forward if he wishes. However that bastard minotaur is still alive. Terevalis can get his vengeance right here and now and kill him. Otherwise he'll likely live to dog you once again another day. What do you do?
He will end him before he leaves. be the first to fall, cow in kothian.
Terevalis unleashes his second yell on the dying Minotaur and it rips through him again and he gasps his last breath and collapses dead on the floor. The room is eerily silent when he dies. The only path that lies ahead is forward through the portal.
Using the sonic a second time.
Hurting and holding on to his damaged chest to try to keep from bleeding out he enters into the portal
I knew I didn't want that thing to get close to me and when he did it hurt.
Terevalis limps to the portal the wound still cutting through his chest. When he steps through the wound appears to have closed and is clothing mends itself. Still there is a burning sensation as the wound burns itself into his chest leaving a horrible scar in its wake.
When he steps through he finds himself in what looks like a large round chamber with numerous decorations on the walls. Indeed you have heard of this place. It is the council chamber of the Tower of Waylerith for the 3 masters of the Orders of High Sorcerer There sitting on 3 chairs are 3 individuals. In the center is a old human but still attractive for her age dressed in red robes. You recognise this woman as Jenna The Red, the Highmage of the Tower of Wayreth and master of the Red. To the left of her is a brooding looking elf with jet black hair and black robes and dark eyes you recognise as Dalamar the Dark and Master of the Black and to the right is a younger human mage dressed in the White Robes you recognise as Coryn Brinefolk, Master of the White.
The three look toward Terevalis. Jenna addresses him and says, "Greetings Wizard Terevalis. We have called you here to act as an arbiter for a disagreement the council has with an applicant to our order. A Nerakan who wields the power of Sorcery but has decided to to follow the way of the Moons in an attempt to redeem himself of his past sins. Dalamar believes that the man could be a spy looking to access secrets of the Orders and give them to the Knights of Neraka. Coryn on the other hand sees him as a man who truly regrets his actions and has potential to be a great mage if given a chance to join. I will be the deciding vote but both sides have merit in their arguments and I have yet to decide which side to support. It was decided that a mage from outside the inner circle would sway this argument one way or the other. You Terevalis shall be the arbiter in this circumstance. Do you accept such a task?"
Bowing before the Heads of the Orders.
Greetings to my kinsman, Master of the Black Robes
And to you Mistress of the White
And to you Lady Jenna, Mistress of the Red and Mistress of the Tower and Head of the Conclave. My shalafi, Shalyn Moonborn, has spoken well of you.
Looking around at the Tower he sighs How I have longed to see these hallowed halls. But I digress, you do me the honor of asking the opinion of an unyet robed mage. Has the sorcerer had an ephiphany?
Jenna says to Terevalis, "You are the correct choice in this matter Terevalis for you have not been influenced by the politics of the Orders. We need someone who can give an unbiased opinion and weigh the options that the Council has before us. As for the Sorcerer, we have not guided his ephiphany yet as it is still undecided if he should be allowed to join the Orders of High Sorcery. Our choices seem to be execute him as a spy or renegade, send him on his way and deny his request or grant him a chance to become a mage of the Orders and guide his ephiphany. Do you wish to speak to this potential recruit before you make your decision?"
As for Dalamar he sneers at Terevalis and says, "I am not your kin Silvanesti! Your kind cast me out for disobeying your foolish traditions of allowing only the House Mystic to practice the art. I was stripped of all that was elvish then. Now Magic is my only concern and I have mastered power far beyond what any of you fools can muster."
I do.
Jenna looks to Dalamar and says, "Calm yourself Dalamar. We are here to pass judgement on a recruit not to bicker about past grievances."
Dalamar nods but gives a disliking glare to Terevalis. Apparently he does not like the House Mystic and likely will be biased against you in this hearing.
Jenna says, "You may question this recruit if you wish Terevalis. She taps her staff and a red robed wizard comes in and bows. She says to him, "Brenos, bring in the Sorcerer, Helgar Lornvale."
The wizard bows and leaves and an unsteady minute passes. A man is brought inside. He is dressed in a suit of brown leather armor and wearing a brown cloak. He has pale features, coal black eyes and jet black hair. He bows to the council of wizards and says, "Thank you Council for considering my request to join the Orders. Have you yet come to a decision?"
Jenna says, "The deliberations yet continue Helgar Lornvale. This is a decision that will not be taken lightly. As such, I would like to introduce you to Wizard Terevalis, who will be an arbiter for our final decision of what shall be done. Please answer his questions honestly and truthfully."
He bows to the Council, "As you wish great masters."
He then looks to Terevalis awaiting his questions.
May I remind you My Lord, it was Porthios Kanan of the Qualanesti that named you dark elf.
Helgar Lornvale looks to Terevalis and says, "What do you want to know Wizard Televalis. I am a Sorcerer of some skill but I regret the choices that I've made. When I saw the horrors of the War of Souls I faced death in the face and saw the very goddess I believed in betray us and all of Krynn. I regret the choices I have made in the past and the mistakes I have made. Now I want to make amends by offering my skills to aid the restoration of the Conclave of Wizards and hopefully get the penance I seek for what I've done."
Dalamar scoffs at his words and says, "A Nerakan regretful of his acts. Bah! What foolishness. Was your kind regretful when you forced the great wizard Lorac to unleash the Nightmare from the Dragon Orb? Do you regret your aiding of the Dark Queen and her attempted coup of the world? Clearly this man is a spy and it would be better to kill him now lest he poison the Conclave from within its ranks."
Coryn says, "All have a potential for good in their souls Dalamar. Many saw the evils of the War of Souls first hand and look for someone to blame and the Nerakans were the ones who would bear the worst shame. The Nerakans were duped just as many elves were by the promises of the One God. True this man may have committed acts of evil in the past but Solindri believes that magic can do good things as well. If this man is skilled in magic already then his skills could benefit the Conclave greatly. The Gods of Light preach forgiveness and redemption. He came to us in good faith, he should be given a chance to become a wizard."
He takes it in. Ponders and thinks carefully. At last he responds. Mistresses. My Lord. My great love is for the Magic. By the laws of magic and the Conclave this man should should be allowed to join the Queen that he dedicated his life to. He is no regular sorcerer to undergo an epiphany. I was present at one a week or so ago. Ordinary sorcerers are one thing This man is a Dark Knight of the Thorn. He made allegiance to the Dark Knights and to them does his soul belong. I remember that your father decreed that all Thorn knights were renegade and even those of the White robes had permission to slay them. His heart would be divided. He swore allegiance to one goddess and now when conveniant switches to another. Hus heart is divided and as such is more in fact a renegade and disloyal. This is what I counsel but the final decision is up to the Council of 3.
This was a great Test.
Dalamar gives a nod to Terevalis agreeing with his decision. Corin however looks to Terevalis and says, "I would ask again to consider your words. Are you denying this man his chance for redemption due to his crimes or your own bias of humans? Is hate all that lies in your heart? We are in dark times now. We have few wizards among our ranks and our numbers increase but at a trickle. We must increase our ranks lest the Sorcerers forever outnumber our own and we may never bring them to heel."
Jenna looks to Corin and says, "You may wish Sorcerery to come to an end but the veiled maiden sees potential in those who embrace it as well. Still this man came of his own free will and knowing it is at his own peril that he is here."
Jenna looks to Terevalis and says, "Is this your final opinion on this issue? Should this man die for his crimes rather than be given a chance to repent?"
As I stated Mistress of the Red, according to the Rules of the Conclave the man, as a Knight of the Thorn should have been slain on sight. This was something that your own father, Justarius the Wise and Just, decreed. Unlike the Mistress of the White I remember this time. As I stated, the man will be torn. We all know knights of Takhisis desire the destruction of the Orders of High Sorcery. Did you not cleanse the Tower from two such as he? Were he another unattatched sorcerer it would be different. You asked for my counsel and I have given what I think is just in accord with the Laws of the Conclave and the Laws of Magic. It is not for hate's sake Mistress of the White but for justice, for the love of the Magic. Perhaps your own loyalties are torn since you yourself were once a weilder of the ambient magic?
Corin says, "Every one of the Conclaive chose to practice the Ambient Magic at one time Terevalis. We chose when the Gods returned to leave behind what we learned and embrace the Moon magic. My loyalties are not so torn as you would believe. True there were laws that before the second Cataclysm about the Dark Knights. Yes the Dark Queen did bind these Dark Knights to her body and soul. But the Dark Queen is dead now and justly so. What chains hold this man's heart now. Indeed the Knights of Neraka are not irredeemable. Was not the Legion of Steel founded by a dark knight and incorporated many former Knights into their ranks?"
Dalamar give a glare to Corin and says, "Terevslis is correct, by the letter of the law this man is a renegade and a traitor. There is a standing decree that the Knights of Neraka are all renegades. This was never revoked in Council and thus by all rights this man should be executed as an enemy of the Orders of High Sorcerery. And the Legion of Steel, bah, they are just as much renegades as the Dark Knights themselves and use Sorcerery without converting to our case. Your arguments hold no weight here Corin. You still have much to learn on the ways of wizardry"
Jenna listens and then says, "Terevalis does make some points. Yes we did have to slay the Dark Knights to retake this tower. Yes by the letter of the law the Dark Knights should be executed as renegades and traitors just as my father had decreed. I am not my father though and as the Highmage I must consider all options including looking beyond the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law. I may be somewhat bias in my opinion considering that in my Sorcerery days I taught many who would eventually join the thorn and took coin from the Dark Knights for my magical services. Hence why I had brought in Terevalis to act as the arbiter for an unbiased opinion. Helgor Lornvale do you have anything else you want to say in your defence before we pass judgement?"
Helgor bows to the Council looking frightened that his life may be ended in a whim and says, "Great masters of the Orders of High Sorcery. I was raised in a land where the Vision of the Knights of Neraka was feared and respected. I was brought up to believe that it was the true path in life, that the brutality of the regime was justified to provide law and order to a land ravaged by Chaos and constantly at war with itself. My great grandmother was one of your very order, the black robe Vala Obran so I have had magic in my blood. When given an opportunity to learn the art I took the only path available to me, that which the Knights of Neraka offered when they saw my potential. Yes I swore to the vision, yes I used the power of Sorcerery to bring great harm to others in the name of the Knights of Neraka. When Mina brought the word of the One God, I followed. But now I know I was deceived and betrayed all my life. That I have been fed nothing but lies. The Dark Queen did it care for me. She used me as a tool to impose her will on the world. When I saw the souls of the dead flow across the world chained to her will, I knew then something was amiss. Now the Dark Queen is dead and I can no longer hold to the vision any longer. I need a new purpose in life, one that is worthy and will allow me in some small way to repent my actions. I come here of my own free will, knowing my life is in peril. The Knights of Neraka already have marked me as a deserter and would have me executed on sight. My only chance to live is through your grace great Masters. Please allow me to prove my worth to you,"
As I stated my Lord and Ladies I have given my opinion. The final decision is up to the Highmage and the Heads of the Orders to make just as any changes to the Law would be made by the Conclave or the Council of 3. he states.
It stands.He believes he is being faithful to the decree that Thorn Knights must be killed even White Robes had permission to kill them on sight.
Jenna gives a look the others wizards. Dalamar nods in approval. Corin sheds a tear and shakes her head. Jenna gives a soulful gaze to Helgor and says. "With a heavy heart I must agree with Terevalis. We have changed much with the reestablishment of the Orders of High Sorcery, but there is some traditions we must abide by. The Dark Queen Takhisis broke the covenant of magic and those that follow her teachings must pay the price for their violation of magical law. I must chose the side of the Master of the Black and Wizard Terevalis on this issue. Despite your desire for repentance you are a renegade and an enemy to the Orders of High Sorcery. You came here of his own free will knowing you risk your very life by coming here with such an affiliation. That was a brave act indeed but in the end fruitless. For the crimes of the Knights of Neraka against the Orders of High Sorcery I sentence you to death. I am truly sorry Helgor."
Helgor bows his head in shame and says, "If my life is the price I must pay for my sins then I accept your judgement great Masters of the Orders. I hope in death my soul can one day be forgiven."
Helgor looks toward the council accepting their judgement. Indeed Terevalis looking into his eyes you see a broken man with a heavy burden on his shoulders and awaits his death to come.
Jenna looks to Dalamar, "Your argument has won Dalamar the Dark. His life is yours to take."
Dalamar grins at the opportunity and says, "Let this be an example of the fate that awaits all the Knights of the Thorn. One day we shall whipe all of Ansalon of you pathetic betrayers and renegades. The Order of High Sorcery will rise once again to its true status in the world of Krynn!"
With that he encants a dark spell saying sinister words. Helgor bursts into blue flames and screams in horrible pain. Indeed Terevalis remembers this was the EXACT spell that caused that old woman to explode into fire as well. Soon the power of the spell consumes him and all that remains of him burns into a pile of ash. Corin weeps and Jenna is stoic and Dalamar grins after completing his work and looks to Terevalis and says to him. "Perhaps you have potential after all Wizard Terevalis. You put the traditions of the Orders of High Sorcery before petty morality and your loyalty is refreshing to witness. I see great things coming from you in the future."
And with that the vision fades.
He looks around. Where was the Tower and the Hall of Mages?
Terevalis first finds himself in darkness as he feels a powerful magical force pull on him. Even with his magical senses inactive he feels the great magical power being exerted upon him. When his vision returns he finds himself in the exact center of a massive chamber. The domed ceiling reaches high into the air and on the top of it stands shifting stars that map the very heavens. On the floor is mapped out the orbits of the moons and on each moon stands a figure. On the white stands an elvish looking young man with flowing white hair, radiant blue eyes and dressed in a luminescent robe that seems to have an inner glow and carrying a white staff with a shining Diamond tip. On the red lies an attractive human woman with flowing red hair, red ruby eyes and wearing a red veil across her face and carrying a red staff with a Ruby tip that glows a fiery red color. The final individual appears to be a confident looking old man with coal black irises and dressed in black robes. His staff is black and the gemstone on the top is a stone of the blackest obsidian that seems to drain light around it.
The white robed elf speaks first, "Terevalis you are favored of the Moons and one of the Chosen of Destiny. Thus the three cousins have decided to call you to our presence to address you."
The red robed woman then speaks, "The balance of the world lies on a razor's edge. Plots both divine and mortal are in motion, shaping the very world for good or ill."
The black robed man then speaks, "One among the darkness has a reach that exceeds his grasp. With the throne of dark queen empty he seeks to fill the void that remains."
The white robed man then speaks, "Thus it was decided among the Gods that new heroes must rise. Ones that will walk the path like the companions of old."
The red robed woman then speaks, "The rules of the High God are still followed by many among the Gods. The Gods may interfere only in small ways in the events that are to come."
The black robed man then speaks, "My cousin in darkness is no longer is restrained by the commands of the Dark Queen. He never respected the balance and now seeks to undermine it."
The white robed man then speaks, "And thus you and those who travel with you have been chosen. You among the others shall work together to thwart the calamity that is to come."
The red robed maiden then speaks, "You will encounter many dangers on your quest. There will be allies that will aid you and enemies that will seek only your destruction."
The black robed man then speaks, "Evils unlike you have ever seen shall stand in your way. You must overcome these threats with force and guile lest your quest will fail."
He kneels before the 3 Cousins weeping.
Solinari the White, Lunitari the Red and Nuitari the Black. I so missed your touch and your presence during the time we were stolen from you. Thank you for this honor. I will work my entire life for the sake of the Magic and to help restore honor and prestige and numbers to the Orders of High Sorcery. I will bring honor to your names! I will do what I can, and aide the heroes of destiny, to stop the Lord of Bones in his quest for supremacy at the cost of the people of Ansalon and the world.
The three cousins nod at Terevalis's acknowledgment. Solinari then speaks, "It is time Terevalis for you to take up the robes. We have watched from above your test and it is time for you to be judged. The first test was one related to the past. You risked your life to save a colleague in arms from oblivion. Your choice was noble but came at the cost of the high wizard Ardryll of House Mystic. The touch of the Shadow Wights wiped him from existence and from the minds of all who knew him but know he shall be honored and remembered for with his death many others would live. For this you have my favor."
Lunitari says, "The second test was one of the mind and soul. You walked the path of the Arcane but did not fully take advantage of the other parts of the riddle. For the Gods no longer in the heavens can not show their wrath for their signs were also safe to cross in your path through the room. You followed the middle way and thus earned my favor on this task."
Nuitari says, "The third task was one of magical guile. You used your spells to fool the brutes in your way and pass unscathed to your goal. You left your brethren behind but they were mere peons, their lives less worthy than yours. Still by leaving them behind you also came at a price for it gives your enemies strength. The Ogres use stolen elven blood and Sorcery to steal the birthright of the elves and overcome the curse that was placed on them by the Gods. Still your choice in this task has earned my approval."
Solinari then speaks, "The Forth task was a duel against a representation of your enemy. A form of your hate and fear for those who had wronged you and the elven people. Through guile, wit and spell you defeated a superior foe, exploiting the weaknesses he had upon him. However the test was not only that of prowess but also that of the heart. Your foe was defeated and helpless and the way forward was given. You knew full well he was an embodiment of your hate and fear but you could not let go of it. Instead you slew a helpless foe with vengeance in your heart. Such is unbecoming of a child of Eli. There is a darkness in you Terevalis and you gave into its embrace. For that Nuitari has claimed you into his embrace."
Lunitari then says, "The Fifth task was one of the balance of Judgement. Helgor Lornvale came before the council, regretful of his sins among the Thorn and sought refuge among the wizards. Dalamar represented the letter of the law, Jenna the spirit of the law and Corin the compassion of the law. Sorcerery is a danger to the world indeed but we also cannot competely condeme their choice. As far as the mortals knew the Gods had departed for good from the world. They had to fill the void that remained and thus sought other means of gaining back what was lost. Now that we have returned we seek to restore the old ways of magic. But now our numbers are few. Most of the wizards of old perished in this age from viloence or natural cause. This the Sorcerers are a way to restore our ranks back to what they once were. In the end though there was no right answer to this decision. All considerations were valid and I shall not chastise your choice. You were correct that the Conclave had condemned the Knights of the Thorn also you failed to consider that concessions could be made to allow those who submitted to the Conclave and its laws be given the right to take up Wizardry. In the end you favored the letter of the law and your own hatread of the Knights of Neraka judge this man. With that you have chosen to favor tradition over compromise and with that marking you in the favor of Nuitari."
Nuitari looks to Terevalis and smiles an amused grin and offering his hand to him, "Come onto me Terevalis and accept the power that comes with Darkness. It is time to become what you have been born to be."
Rising he states., I did what I felt was necessary. I truly know myself now which is the goal of the Test. Perhaps had the world not been stolen a different choice would have been made in these situations but we can no longer dwell on the past. The world has changed and as such we must change with it. I still hope to reclaim the elven lands, knowing that by my decisions I will never walk among them. Such is the price to do what must be done. May the power of the Black Moon guide and protect me. Nuitari, my Lord, I embrace your teachings knowing that a Black Robe will do what must be done in order to preserve and advance the Magic. Just as the Black Robe Raistlin Majere was responsible for the defeat of the Dragon Queen may one of our Order rise to block the machinations of the Lord of Bones. he says, taking the hand of Nuitari
Terevalis takes the hand of Nuitari and feels power flow through him. The colour of his robes turn from white to pitch black. His hair also turns from its normal colour to pitch black as well. He also however feels knowledge flow through his mind his potential extending beyond what it was, he truly now is a Wizard of High Sorcery. He also feels that he now wears his hate and rage on his chest though. The scar on his chest a reminder of this.
Terevalis gets the following benefits.
1. +1 permanent bonus to Intelligence
2. He gains an additional bonus feat (Which should be a Metamagic feat)
3. He gets the moon magic benefit. Better since he has the Favored of the moons feat.
4. You gain access to tower resources.
However he gets the a curse as well. I will give you the following Oracle Curse. You don't get the other benefits of the curse though and it shall remain the same as long as you live. This is your Soulforge.
Choleric
You are full of wrath, irritability and bitterness.
Any time you take damage or lose an opposed skill check, you fly into a rage as the spell, for 1d4+1 rounds. You can on those rounds as a move action make a Wisdom check (DC 15) to act normally. You gain a +4 bonus to save against poisons and emotion effects.
I like that Curse. This is really cool. What about the Item of Power?
The alignment would change.
:)
It would be appropriate for a certain staff to appear since a certain other item does as well, lol.
Once this is done Terevalis goes back to the center,
Solindri looks saddened by Terevalis's fall to darkness but nonetheless accepting of his choice. Lunarti gives her neutral stance as always hiding behind her veil. Nurtari just grins after this is done and rightfully so for he has claimed another to his size.
Solindri then says to you, "You are now among the Wizards Terevalis. Each of us will now present you with a gift that will aid you in your quest."
A scroll appears in his hand and he offers it to Terevalis. "I offer you a spell that will protect you and your companions from the power of the elements."
Lunarti likewise makes a scroll appear in her hand and she offers it to Terevalis, "My spell will allow you to pass through earth and stone without impedement."
Nurarti then manifests a scroll in his hand and offers it to Terevalis. "I give you a spell created by a great wizard in my service that will allow you to strike down your foes with a lance of lightning."
They all say in union, "And now a gift from all of us."
These gifts are most generous My Lords and Lady. I shall copy them into my spellbook so that the learning is not lost and they can be cast more than once.
They raise their staffs up and appearing in front of Terevalis is a staff with a polished wooden haft and a golden triangular tip.
The 3 cousins nod in approval for you to take it.
Thank you my Lords. This gift is a demonstration of your faith in me and my abilities. May the Magic flourish now that the Orders have been reborn and another added to their ranks.
Lol
The 3 cousins nod to Terevals.
Solindri says, "Go forth favored of the Moons and chosen of Destiny."
Lunarti says, "May your acts endeavor to allow this world to endure in times of imbalance."
Nurarti says, "Wield your power well Tervalis and uphold the tenants of the Orders of High Sorcery."
And with that they all raise their staffs to Terevalis and he feels a jolt as he is pulled through planes once again. When he opens is eyes he finds himself outside the testing chamber. Both Zoe Left Hand and Cole are there looking wide eyed at Terevalis in surprise.
Zoe says "Where the heck did you go? The last I saw was that you compleated the final challenge and then I felt a surge of magical power of high porportions and suddenly you were gone."
She gives him a glance and says. "It looks like you've fallen from the light Terevalis. You've taken up Nurarti's embrace it appears. Well at least you didn't lose any limbs in the process it looks like. Welcome to the Order of High Sorcery brother."
Cole just stares mouth agape in utter shock and surprise.
I thank you Zoe of the Red. Pariah to my people I become but night us necessary in a day. I shall return. I have companions that I must meet as well as an elf lord.
Zoe looks at the staff and then says, "It appears you've been given a powerful magical item. Usually I would provide such a thing but it appears you already have something to that matter. Anyway I would recommend you go and get some rest. I am sure you have exhausted your spells and still am injured from the wounds you received in the test. You are free to rest here for the night or rest where you currently reside. Ah yes, take this to recover some of your strength."
She gives Terevalis a potion.