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As the group comes together and begins to try to understand one another and their situation, the mists continue to slowly recede, drawing back in almost a perfect circle from the stones, leaving you all standing in a cloudy ring.
Out of nowhere, a voice speaks to you. It is faint but perfectly clear. As it speaks, the stones thrum with a strange vibration, as if they were amplifying the voice somehow.
The time of the Equinox is come. My children… I am sorry. I have done what must be done. You deserve answers. I am far… too far from you. You must learn who you are. The land is yours. The people are yours.
The speaker seems to be under great strain, as if speaking to you was exhausting her.
This place is sacred to you. Sacred to the stars that you are. There are other places like this. From the time when people remembered. Heed me now. If any of you should fall, then bear him to the stones, and the soul will be able to enter the flesh… once again. But make haste, for flesh that is spoiled can never be made whole.
There is silence again and you wonder if that is all. Then the voice speaks once more, faint as a dying echo:
Know this. There is a force against you. Already it gathers, already it senses your return. Seek the sword of Starkweather John… it lies near, waiting to be claimed… when that is found, you may begin to understand, to remember.
With these ominous words, the voice falls silent and with that quiet it feels that time has begun again. The mist retreats further, starting to dissipate slowly until you can vaguely see through it in a murky haze. You seem to be standing on a small island, extending perhaps 15 feet further in all directions beyond the megaliths. Other than the stones themselves there don't seem to be any signs of humans at all on the island.
A small causeway of damp rocks stick up from the water to the south leading perhaps 50 feet to a barren rocky slope of mainland that extends as far as you can see in either direction through the fading mists.
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John pursued his foe, the drow wizard Zomelach, across the island of Chillhame to a village called Bronce. Both of them were intent upon reaching the stone circle at the Tump; John to defend it and Zomelach in a last-ditch attempt to corrupt its power. John and Zomelach finally met and clashed, while frightened villagers watched and recorded what they saw. The air burned with drow magic and screamed with the sound of pitched battle. Zomelach’s poisoned weapons bit deep into John’s flesh, but not deep enough. With a single decisive sword-blow, the wizard’s body fell one way and his head the other. John died soon afterwards from the poison.
Brutus is in the midst of joking with some of his companions when the voice speaks. His demeanor changes immediately and he listens to the strained voice with a singular focus. When the voice finished speaking, he notices the clouds drifting away, almost as if they were under their own compulsion. Before he speaks though, he takes a moment to think about what he had heard.
My children, the land is ours, the people are ours, the stars that we are... What does it mean?" As he thinks about the words he knows, just as the voice tells him, that they don't have enough information to put it all together yet. "Well, it is safe to say that the mystery and confusion will remain for awhile. Anyone know anything of this Starkweather John character? If finding his sword will help clear up the confusion, I am all for it." He adjusts the straps on his backpack, slips his sandle back on, grabs his bow and asks, "Well, who is leading the way?
He hears Aetherni mention the clouds and he lets out a sigh and says, "I am glad I wasn't the only one, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. I think I saw 5 clouds floating away but in a weird way, as if they were dictating their course..." Brutus pauses a moment and then waits to see if anyone is going to draw the same conclusion he was beginning to grasp.
Mogwai didn't notice the clouds, but he is smart enough to know that there are probably lots of things he doesn't know. He listens to the others describing them. "We follow clouds?" He asks.
Aetherni's tale of the Legend of Starkweather John has a large effect on Mogwai. The goblin looks at Vorik, unsure of how the Drow took the story, but places a hand on his leg in solidarity. It's his way of saying, "Yeah, my people have done some really awful things, too."
At the conclusion of the story, Mogwai wipes something from his eyes, and speaks in an almost broken voice. "Stark Weather John true hero. Good omen for us, we find his sword."
The drow is silent as the presence speaks to them, and while her words make no sense, they resonant deep within him, and ring true.
Before it fully departs he replies "If forces are arrayed against us, then we will destroy them. No mercy asked, none given"
He looks around after it leaves, trying to learn what he can of the land
"Interesting clouds, I doubt they are natural."
Brutus listens as Aetherni relates his knowledge about Starkweather John. As he listens to the story, he sees its effect on a few of the other members. He sees the emotion in his new companions face, and can't help but feel something similar. "The ultimate sacrifice, laying ones life down for the freedom of others, if I must go I want to go in the same fashion. I will gladly seek out his sword. But know, I don't think we are following the clouds, instead, I think the clouds actually brought us here. That way," Brutus says nodding towards the land bridge, "I think that is where our path lies."
As he looks around the group, he is a bit astounded by the drow's resolve. "I have to tell you Cleopatra, I don't think we are going to agree when the moment comes to choose mercy or the sword. What do you think, does Cleopatra work for now, or should we find another, Zeus maybe, or Teeny?" Brutus makes this proclamation and jokes to make it easier to swallow, but in his mind he tells himself, "Conflict will probably occur with this one..."
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The clouds that remain in the dwindling mist have stayed low, just above the level of the water, appearing more like small patches of fog that have coalesced than true clouds.
As the group remains in discussion it becomes more evident that the areas of distinct murkiness don't seem to be moving away from the island or following the gentle breeze in the air, instead they seem to be circling, the area right at the edge of the island.
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Cleopatra does not seem to match his type, but while you do not remember your name maybe we should call you King. You see, it will confound our enemies to an awesome point, leaving us always with strategic advantage.
What would you do if in a group of enemies you hear someone screaming "protect the king"? You would leave whatever you're doing and focus on it.
But the Drow will suffer a little bit of chasing by the enemies, which seems to be what you want, right mr nameless?
The young man shakes his head at Brutus words "No, I don't not believe that is my name. For now, just call me Sir Drow. It will suffice, until I can remember my real name."
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Drombar absorbs the speech with interest,So it is divine agency that brought us here...it explains much.. He reflects upon the speech as it unfolds The land and the people are ours...What does that mean? This is a sacred place...Yes,that's obvious...Stars that you are...We are made from stars? or we represent stars? Time when people remembered...I have not heard of this time. The sword of Starkweather John...when it is found you will begin to understand...ok, That's what we need then.
"Hmmm...North shore of Chillhame, unless I miss my guess. What are those clouds? are we going to find this sword then? our answers begin there.
If we want to name the Drow, it seems that we could just as well call him nobody. The call to protect Nobody would be more confusing than the call to protect the King.
Mogwai nods to Brutus and begins walking towards the bridge, looking at the clouds as he walks. He is slightly apprehensive, not knowing what could possibly be at the other side, and hopes the others are coming.
Brutus laughs at the Drow's serious demeanor. He pats him on the shoulder as the smile still sits on his face and says, "Come now friend, I can't go around calling you Sir Drow, you saw the stir you caused just with Aetherni over there; obviously calling you by your race would just draw more attention to you. I like King, of course, I also like Night Bright, , but if you don't decide soon, you might get stuck with a name you aren't particularly fond of."
Still smiling he hears Drombar, who has been silently observing, describe the coast as the North Shore of Chillhame. "Well, I have no blessed idea where Chillhame is, maybe that means you are or were from here, but I certainly am not. Either way, I am up for an adventure and finding the sword of Starkweather John seems like a great place to start. Anyone like to lead the way, or may I do the honors?" Chaucer says, knowing that the longer they sit here with confusion and mystery the more eradicate they could become. A goal gives purpose, and a purpose is what they need now.
He sees Mogwai start heading toward the bridge, and joins him. Leaning in he says, "It looks like we both have the honor of leading this little company doesn't it.
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Aetherni nods in agreement, following the figures up front. You hear him singing in a low voice what seems to be a Dwarven Battle Song:
He suddenly stops and directs to the fetchling:
Drombar, it seems you know the land! Would you have a guess at where that sword might be?
Brutus can't help but throw his head back and laugh at Drombar's joke. Turning around and walking backwards a few steps, he looks at the dwarf and says, "Aetherni, I have to tell you, you walked right into that one." Still smiling he turns his attention to land that he encounters on the other side of the causeway.
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In case you need them:
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As the group begins to make their way from the center of the island towards the causeway, the small clouds swoop around the outside of the stones, converging towards the southern end of the island.
As Mogwai and Drombar take the first steps outside of the stone circle, the murky masses rise up a few feet off the ground and seem to begin to become more substantial, forming into more distinct shapes until they are leaving vaguely humanoid shadows upon the ground.
Somewhat shockingly, the shadows slowly push up from the ground, rising to stand rather than simply laying upon the ground. As they take shape they take a fully three dimensional form the clouds above them as if their energy was spent in the creation of these creatures.
What stands before you could easily be confused with a mockery of those who first exited the stand of stones, small goblinoid shapes that appear to be made of shadow, so that you can partially through them. It is clear that they have none of the honor or sophistication that Mogwai tries to spread among his people as they crouch low and hiss, readying the shadowy weapons they hold for the attack.
Shadowy Goblins
Aetherni
Mogwai
Vorik
Drombar
Brutus
With a hiss the shadowy forms rush forward lightning quick, seeming to move just as soon as they are made solid, they cluster around where they party is leaving the stones charging forward. Two of the goblins have to dash to get to place, but the other three are able to lash out with their weapons.
Caught off guard by the suddenness of the attack, Mogwai is able to dodge away from one of the blows, but the other catches him across the side.
The other shadowy form manages to catch Drombar squarely with his morningstar, cackling with a wheezy laugh as it does.
Mogwai hisses at the attack, and instinctively moves one hand to the wound. He calls something out angrily in his mother tongue before attacking back.
Infuriated, but keeping himself calm, Mogwai pulls back, only dealing minimum damage, seeking to show the goblin that he knows exactly where to hit it, and that it should stand down.
Using a minor blessing from his deity, the Drow attempts to ascertain the true nature of these shadow creatures
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As Mogwai lashes out, his claw does rake across the surprised creature, tufts of shadow stuff floating away like feathers and then dissipating, causing the goblin to take on a slightly more faded look as if whatever it is made of is stretched slightly more thin now. To the words, it merely hisses and growls in response, showing no sign of understanding or halting its attack.
Drawing his bow, the Paladin infuses himself with holy power and lets loose an arrow at the nearest goblin
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Vorik focuses for along second on the goblins and apparently whatever he sees is enough for the attack. His bow comes up and fires. Its a difficult shot though, with the jostling of combat and he narrowly misses.
Drombar however manages to take full advantage of the missed arrow causing the goblin to duck out of the way, sidestepping back away from the bulk of the goblins and neatly skewering their shared target while it was off balance.
The goblin collapses to the ground, the hole through it leaking smoke. The creature seems to fade away before your very eyes, returning to a cloudy shape, though it no longer seems to have the energy to maintain its form and scatters into the breeze.
Brutus watches surprised as the clouds form into Shadowy figures that look similar in shape at least to Mogwai. He finds his body not responding as quickly as he would wish, and he is left watching as both Mogwai and Drombar take hits from the enemy. Finally, the lethargy that had surrounded him lifted and he reacts. Seeing a goblin near him, he steps back, putting one of the large megaliths between himself and the goblin. Then he brings his bow up, breathes deeply, and fires two arrows quickly at the goblins.
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Actions:
5' step to K-13, attack goblin in I-15, if dead after first shot, move to goblin in I-16
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Snapping to, Brutus takes up position and lets fly two arrows with impressive speed. The first one sails wide but the second one flies directly through the dark form, taking a chunk of its essence with it and leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.
Rather than either withdrawing or charging forth after Drombar, the shadowforms seem surprisingly careful in their movement, shifting in place to work in tandem, surrounding both the goblin and the dwarf.
While they aren't the most skilled of fighters, the tactics seem to work well. While the dwarf manages to bat away both attacks, one of them nearly slips through and Mogwai is not as fortunate, dealing with the attacker on one side leaving him vulnerable to a heavy blow from a morningstar behind him.
At the blow from the Morningstar, Mogwai drops to one knee, and begins chanting quietly in goblin, clasping his hands to his wounds as they glow with yellow light.
Mogwai, now infuriated, attacks the same goblin that he's been attacking.
Taking another deep breath, Brutus pulls out two more arrows and with surprising speed, fires them off at the shadowy goblins.
As the arrows sail wide, Brutus sighs, "Dang it; well, for a side note, I don't think I was accurate on my guess that we came here on those clouds."
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Actions:
Attacks G2, if it dies, moving to G1
The holy warrior fires off another arrow
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Aetherni moves into the middle of the goblins, letting them surround him to draw some attention away from the rest of the team. As he positions himself he takes a quick swipe at one of the goblins that doesn't have much chance of landing.
Mogwai ducks back a bit from the shadowy goblins, doing what he can to restore a bit of his health, some of the immediate deep bruising beginning to fade.
Vorik sends another arrow in the direction of one of the goblins, but this one too narrowly misses.