Shalafi's Summer of Chaos (Inactive)

Game Master JASON RODARTE

Jakun approaches the Black Robed Wizard's table and sits down, "Well met Wizard, we are Brothers in the Art though I have yet to be called to take my test, tell me what brings you here?"

Jakun Stormhoof, until you take and pass the Test you are little more than a hedge wizard whose talents will either atrophy or not. replies the wizard.

"Not. I will prove my worth you shall see. It seems you know me, who are you?"

How soon we forget those who come into our lives if even for a brief time. replies the wizard.

Jakun's eyes widen is surprise, "Kendros of Solanthus? The Black Robes with hood over your head make it difficult to recognize you..."

I have been sent by the Conclave of Wizards has sent me as a representative in this escapade since the do not trust an unTested novice. Trusting from the cleric's big mouth they are wise.

Jakun shrugs, "Then it is good to have you along with us. You have demonstrated to me that you are a capable companion. Perhaps as my powers grow we shall discuss whether I apprentice for you!"

Jakun looks around and lowers his voice, "We shall no doubt meet with this Caramon and Tika soon, I assume you will come along to hear what they have to say?"

FYI, Jakun still has Kendros' articles and has not had a chance to burn them yet.

The brother of the Master of Past and Present and the Master of the Tower is a trusting fool. His wife on the other hand is cagey and intelligent.

He rises and asks the Barkeep Master Majere, I would like to pay homage to the greatest of my Order. May I go to the shrine?

[b] Sure. Let me show you where it is. When I get back we can go and see our friend?[ /b]

Jakun would o there as well to see the shrine to a Wizard rumored to be so powerful.

The room is simple. There is a keg in the middle of the room and a rocking chair sits in a corner. The room is filled with scrolls and other items of magical power. The keg has spell component pouches on it On a wall is a painting of Raistlin Majere confronting the Queen of Darkness in the Abyss, the Staff of Magius shining its light as he works a spell.

Aminah Mikku approaches the Kender with the medallion of faith and says, Greetings worshiper of Bran, otherwise known as Branchala, King of Bards. I am Aminah Mikku of Khur a Priestess of the holy Paladine. It is good to see another of the holy order of the Stars in this establishment. Would you happen to be a member of the Goodfellows of Branchala? I met a troupe of those back in Ak-Khurman some months back. Their skills in entertainment was impressive."

The cleric responds,
My name good miss, I think you should know,
is Tizzlewheat Applesnow.
My friends call me Tizzy, try not to say while standing on your head because it might make you dizzy.

It is nice to meet you, Fizz's friend
as you know my name if Tizzy.
As for me I serve the Bard King
He helps me feel happy, he helps me to sing
My job is simple and easy to keep
I bring joy and laughter to those who weep.
Good or bad, dwarf of elf
sometimes people need to laugh at themself.

Caramon mentions that the person that you want to talk to is upstairs in one of the guest rooms and he will lead you there when you are ready.

Aminah Claps and says "Wonderful rhymes Tizzy. You represent the Bard King well in your words. You words indeed has brightened my day further in this town."

Tizzy replies That is why I am here rain or snow
sun or moon
I sure am glad you enjoy the show

he says as he bows is top knot hitting the floor.

You are led through a side door to another room. In the room is a middle aged woman sitting at a chair, a tired look on her face. Hello, my name is Sara Dunstan. I understand that you need information on the Knights of Takhisis. The Knighthood has quietly recruited and trained young people from all corners of Ansalon, quickly teaching them as the Solamnics taught their squires that their honor was their lives, but (unlike the Solamnic Knights) service to Takhisis was the highest honor of all. This indoctrination, combined with Lord Ariakan's unsurpassed skills in the arts of war and designs of equipment (to this day the ordinary armor of the Knights of Solamnia is considered to be inferior to the design of Lord Ariakan, now uniform among his Knights), made them the undisputed masters of war. They also contacted dragons who had served in the Blue Dragonarmy and recruited as many of them as they could.

They have secret locations here on Ansalon, though I do not know where. Their main strong hold is in Storm's Keep, an island that is protected by Lord Ariakan's mother, the sea goddess Zeboim. It is only accessible by dragon and only chromatic dragons, mostly blues, know where it is.

She contues,

Order of the ThornThe Order of the Thorn specialize in arcane magic, as wizards or as sorcerers. They are known as the "gray robes" for the color of their robes. Unlike the black robes of Nuitari, they are not bound by the laws of the Conclave.

Jakun is a bit disappointed at the shrine but what can you expect from a warrior dedicating a shrine to a wizard?

Jakun looks at Caramon, "It is said that you were there Human Male. Is this true, did you journey with him to the Abyss and back and confront the Dark Queen?"

[b] I entered the Portal from this side. I went to stop my brother from coming out of the portal, bringing her with him. I saw what would happen if he came through, the end of all that is or was. I have been to Abyss and back, [b] replies the innkeep.

Aminah Mikku says, "This is dire news indeed Sara Dunstan. Not only that this organization of evil exists but that it has had time to grow and strengthen itself over time. Certainly an order like these false Knights would have one goal, the absolute subjugation under their rule. So you say that they recruit members from all walks of life. That is dangerous indeed. But in order to wage war they'll need more than few knights, they will need an army. Who is providing them safe haven? Is it those foul Nerakans? It has to be! It was the heart of the Dragon Empire back in the War of the Lance. If there is anyone that supports the Dark Knights its those bastards."

"My my, you are passionate about those Nerakans. Something happened there or how so brittle eh? Anyway could you Sara tell us where we could we start for the best possible result or which direction should we head. No idea how old Quentus got even here or to this quest... I was just enjoying my time, took some people to some place and boof... *a vision told me you are also there*... oh please. We might as well just keep going forward says Quentus

The Dark Knights count on the fact that there is so much division. Rather than bring the races together, the War of the Lance lulled them into a sense of complacency and old hatreds rose again. Just look at what happened with the elves. They count on the fact that the knights will not believe this because Ariakan knows how smug they are. They have recruits among the dwarves, the elves, Solmanics, half-elves, minotaurs.

Cleric of Paladine, they have an army. It is vast. They have allies. Draconians, minotaurs, goblinoids, ogres, all those who worship Her Dark Majesty. Ansalon is in for a world of hurt. My son, Steel, is a Knight of the Lilly, totally lost to darkness. I tried to get him to see the way of his father and thus asked his uncle and Tanis Half-Elven to take him to the High Clerists Tower. After embracing darkness he shunned me. With that she breaks down in tears that only a mother could have and truly understand.

Aminah Mikku shutters at the words of Sara but lets her have her tears and settle before responding. Aminah says, "By the Draco Paladin how could this happen! Something must be done before the forces of evil rise and subjugate the lands and destroy all hope for its people. Indeed if these Dark Knights show enough force even the Khur may be drawn as allies to their cause and I would not wish to raise a blade against my own people. But how are we going to convince the free peoples to take this threat seriously? The Solamnics appear to be so content in their ways that they will be unprepared when the Dark Knights finally strike. We must find irrefutable proof that these Knights of evil are real."

listens with a distant look on his face it seems his attention strays alot

-Posted with Wayfinder

The Knights have been recruiting for at least 10 or 15 years from all around Ansalon. There are the children of Knights of Solamnia in their ranks and even former Wizards of High Sorcery. Anyone that shows an inclination to serving the Dark Queen or can be brainwashed when they are young enough to join would be a wonderful member that Ariakan would take. He often handpicks members himself, as he did with Steel, who is the son of the Blue Lady, Kitiara Uth Matar. Anyone who can be taught honor and discipline is a candidate. The Knights of the Skull and even the Thorn mages can read thoughts so they know if a candidate is legitimate in their devotion or not. Those that are not are disposed of.

These knights have none of the weaknesses of the Dragon Highlords of the past or the Dragon Armies.

Marantis looks confused for a moment during the telling. "I thought you said that Steel was your son. Now you're saying that he is Kitiara's son?"

I raised him as my own and I am the only mother that he has known she replies to the Silvanesti's inquiry.

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Aminah says to the others, "Then we have a few choices of what to do my colleagues. One option is to let things happen as they will and support whatever resistance we can muster against the Dark Knights and hope that once again evil can be beaten back. It is a viable option but as we do not know the strength of the enemy we face its a gamble that could cost us in the end."

Aminah cringes in thought of the second option but then says, "The second option is to infiltrate their ranks, join their side and gather information from within. We would have to find a way to avoid detection by the Clerics and Wizards of evil however. It is possible however that if we aim for a "Rank and File" position rather than an actual leadership position in their ranks that they will not put too much scrutiny on who joins. It may be impossible for Marantis to join unless he can convince the Dark Knights that he is somehow betraying his people. As for myself, as the Khur did aid the Dragonarmies during the War of the Lance and thus I also could be a good candidate for recruitment but that would also involve forsaking my faith for a time and even losing my abilities as a cleric till such a time I could atone for my transgressions. It is a choice I'ed make though if it meant saving the world although one I'ed like to avoid if possible."

Aminah thinks and then says, "A more moderate option would perhaps be to capture one of the Dark Knight recruiters and take them back to Solamnia for interrogation. We would have to go some place where we could find a ranking officer of their ranks. Neraka would definately have such a person but we would risk much trying to kidnap an official from a nation that supports the forces of evil. The safer process would going to a large city and see if we can find a recruiter there and perhaps put forth a potential candidate making them reveal themselves and then take them prisoner. It may be difficult though and I do know know how fanatical these Dark Knights could be. They could very well try and kill themselves than risk capture."

Jakun shrugs at Aminah's suggestion, "All seem like reasonable courses of action. I suppose the hard part is trying to find them to start any of these tasks! Human Female Sara where in the world do we look for one of their strongholds here on Ansalon".

Jakun turns to Marantis, "Unless you are willing to trim those ears, I do not think you will pass off as a half breed" Jakun grins to try to show the elf that this is a joke, it seems that lesser races cannot tell humor without a smile unlike the discerning humors of the Minotaur where everything and nothing can be a joke. If you are gored by your companion, they did not find it funny at all...

Marantis frowns for a moment at Jakun's jest, before he realizes it is one, and then smiles, "I am rather fond of my ears, so I'd either have to pass as a full blood elf, or that option wouldn't work well. It would be the same if someone told you to file your horns and shave yourself to pass for an ape." Marantis grins, throwing the jape back at Jakun.

"We already know from what Sara told us that these Knights are dedicated to their cause, so capture and coercing information is probably not going to be much of an option. Ariakan was a captive of the Solamnics for a great deal of time, and nobody foresaw him doing this. To expect less of his recruiters is foolish.

Our best course of action lays in figuring out what their goal is going to be, how they can best achieve it, and stopping some small part of it that we can expose to the Solamnics and the people. It seems to me that the natural course of action for them to take would be to see their queen restored."

nods as jakun whispers to him

-Posted with Wayfinder

"[/b]mittens no lie[b]"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Sarah states,

I myself must be moving on, I tarried here as a favor to Lady Crysania. The death squads are probably on to me and I must be leaving. Paladine and all of the gods of good and even the grey, walk with you.

And with that, she leaves.

Red Horn kept quiet the whole time. While the information was interesting to some, it mostly just went over his head. However there were a few things that caught his attention.

One, the knights will be honorable at least which he can exploit perhaps to keep the rest of them alive when needed. Perhaps by offering up a one on one duel like he had with the cleric, though he will need to get stronger.

Two, they like to read minds. While that didn't really hurt Red Horn since he doesn't follow any god, that would be something to deal with if directed at several of those that come with him.

And Three, they are doing this of their own free will so there is no saving them. That mean that he could kill them and not feel guilty for it as they would likely be killed by their own justice system were they brought in.

Red Horn smiled, well it seemed that at least this quest didn't tarry to much outside of his own wheelhouse.

Maybe Red Horn doesn't have much of a mind to read. :)

Which plays in his favor HAHAHA

The minotaur heard that in his head, in the cleric's voice. LOL

"Well, that was most certainly interesting tid bit of news. So what now. We have a lot to do and not much time it seems. Time is always relative in these terms. I dont even know how I ended up here outside that "prophecy" " Quentus sighes as he looks around "Old poor Quentus definetely needs a drink"

You are more than free to spend the evening at the Inn of the Last Home while you get your strategy and plan together.

"Perhaps we follow this Sara, if a death squad comes for her, we can ambush them and learn what we need with some Minotaur persuasion tactics".

Red Horn snorts "I enjoy a good persuasion but I don't know if I could stand hiding like a coward and tailing her." he said flatly showing that he could be talked into it if they must.

Aminah nods to Quentis and says, "Yes... this is a lot to take in. A drink to calm my nerves would be a good idea."

Aminah goes to the bar and orders some hard ale and atarts drinking. For the first time you see this normally brave woman shutter with fear. She takes a seat with her companions and says, "The way she made things sound, it looks to be hopeless. I knew one day evil would one again but what can be done? We alone cannot prevent this war, it is inevitable. The only thing we can do is make sure we are ready for it. We must find out their strength and when they intend to strike. We must spy on their activities and capture a Dark Knight if we hope to succeed."

"mittens does the holy son's Will. mittens will fight unholy queen's kids"
grabs his sword handle as he speaks, looking like he is ready to use it

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Our Human Female was more useful than was that one. This Sa-ra told us nothing in terms of where to begin. At least Ami-nah gave us a place to go, Neraka. Do we journey to that place to root these foul Knights out?"

Marantis shakes his head a bit, wondering if any of them even listened to what he and Sara said.

"Capture a Knight, and do what exactly? Did you not just listen to what Sara said? They have committed to the Dark Queen, mind, soul, and body. Unless you know some magics that can turn that around, we are not likely to find out anything from them. But, every army needs information, and that information is likely going to come from greased palms, or from common people that think they will gain from the coming invasion. Or from some noble that seeks to gain power. THAT's who we need to find, and put pressure on.

Mittens, Red Horn, I assure you that the time for you to put horn and blade to use will come, but now, we need information."

Aminah says, "It may be somewhat underhanded but we do have contacts to the Towers of High Sorcery. Perhaps we could take a prisoner to one of their wizards who can unravel the secrets from his or her mind. If magic can twist their mind it can untwist it as well. We either need real intelligence from an actual member or we try and acquire some of their papers and correspondence and hope that the evidence can be believed. Or we cut the proverbial head off the organization and kill Ariakan himself. Tanis Half-Elven did something similar to the Dragon Emperor back in the war of the lance and the forces of evil turned on themselves. We slay the head and the body dies with it. Still if he is a Half-God as he claims to be that would a legendary feat to accomplish. Indeed a Half-God may be as indestructible as the Gods themselves."

Thinking about the suggestion of asking around as Quentus watches the liquid in his mug slowly swirling around "I will have to see and talk with some of the people. There is always unusual activities"

KN:Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 to recall some information about strange events or movents

Not too much shady things happening in Solace.

*facepalm* Not Solace...Palanthas! LOL