As much as no one might have expected Ceven to be the tension breaker, he arrived slightly in arrears of the main group.
He looked ... breathtaking.
He looked quite unlike they had seen him previously.
He looked, quite unlike they had imagined, ever.
Even his features seemed less mixed, as though he had taken on an unmistakably Silvanesti bearing.
It was uncanny.
Dinner arrival CEVENDYL.
He approached their host without a hint of reservation, and executed a bow that they had never seen before; well, they, the companions.
Their half-elven guide was, at best, agog.
"I wanted to ensure you understood our honor in joining you tonight and I hope to humbly offer any honors I can, simply to show my gratitude, and that of all those I accompany."
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Anatoli arrived with the rest dressed in the most simple things he could find and still wearing his worn belt pouch with his assortment of herbs which he always has upon him. He does a short curt bow upon arrival and says thank you for your assistance Sir. To what purpose do you bring us away from our journey to the mage tower besides to thank you for your timely assistance?
Ceven did not understand the uneasiness that seemed to hang in the air. Something was bothering his companions. It did not seem to be about dinner. Something about the extraordinary wizard bothered them.
Cevendyl takes a seat at the far end of the table, interested in what the response would be from their host. Magic generally also made him quite hungry ...
Typical Qualanesti impatience. the Black Robe smiles. The Forest of Wayreth would have allowed only the wizardress entry as you would have found out as you were set upon by Dark Knights. In a way, I saved your lives.
Typical Qualanesti impatience. the Black Robe smiles. The Forest of Wayreth would have allowed only the wizardress entry as you would have found out as you were set upon by Dark Knights. In a way, I saved your lives.
"In a way ..." Ceven had a way of smiling that was half-genuine half-smirk "I am sure that each of Lady Telerin's companions will express their gratitude."
"For myself, I genuinely appreciate the consideration for our longevity. The Forest summarily rejecting the balance of our party had not been a consideration as yet."
The wizards cannot be too careful with so many Knights of the Thorn seeking entrance into our hallowed halls.
"and now that you have been so "careful" with us, removing us from the menace of the Dark Knights, will you be sending us on our way and letting "the forest" know that she should let us pass? The Lady and our entire team would be ever so grateful.
Entering the chambers, Windsworn hasn't partaken of the extensive wardrobe choices available to him. Instead he had spent the time to polish his armor and weapons and attempted to shine his boots as well used as they are.
He does however takes the time to groom himself and wash away the dirt. Unlike his more well dressed companions, he looks more or less the same.
Upon entry he gives the black robe a bow.
"You have my thanks for the timely rescue of my charge and companions. I do wonder though what would this gain you. Forgive ym somewhat rude questions but as a black robe, are you not working in tandem with the Knights of Neraka?" He steps to the side of the Lady Telerin.
"What have I missed?" he whispers to the herbalist.
The Black Robe's left eyebrow lifts at the squire's comment. The Nerakans are enemies of the elven people. The Thorn Knights are enemies of the Conclave. Tell me, have you heard of the Dark Knight citadel of Darkhaven?
Anyone else?
Ceven, oddly enough, seems to be keeping his thoughts to himself.
"What little I know is strictly on the battlefields following my Knight master. So if you wish to enlighten us on this, pray do so."
Darkhaven is a Dark Knight citadel in Eastern Ansalon where the Knights of the Skull and Thorn held sway. They created many powerful undead and had gotten ahold of a holy relic, a tear of Quenesti Pah, and corrupted it, so that it brough woe and destruction rather than healing and restoration. My group and I cleared it out, if even temporarily and recovered the Tear he says.
"Pray tell us ... you only said 'recovered' were you unable to uncorrupt the Tear as of yet? That would seem to be unfortunate.
Cevendyl is clearly intrigued by the Tear of Quenesti Pah
With a smile The clerics of Quenesti Pah are not powerful enough to purge the corruption from the Tears.
He adds, If you only knew the wonders I have seen. My staff, for example, the fabled Staff of Magius, was given me by the Three Cousins themselves as a reward during my Test of High Sorcery. We were able to recover the Dragonlance of Huma Dragonbane, Knight of the Crown from Maly's Peak.
Ceven is, once again, awestruck, and struggling not to show it ...
Cevendyl can barely keep the incredulous look off his face, this could NOT be possible
"The Staff of Magius ... as in the THE Staff of Magius ... given to you as though you might be the heir to Raistlin Majere himself!?!?!?"
"That is quite a feat in itself."
Cev smiles his more disarming smile, and says, It IS a world full of wonders though; a staff, a lance, and a Tear are a good beginning for a long life."
It is only proper, the staff was made by a Silvanesti mage of awesome power, but only came into its own with the human wizard, Magius.
I have been researching how to cleanse the Tear but have found nothing so far as to how to accomplish this.
It is only proper, the staff was made by a Silvanesti mage of awesome power, but only came into its own with the human wizard, Magius.
I have been researching how to cleanse the Tear but have found nothing so far as to how to accomplish this.
"and as formidable as I am sure that process has been, who have you consulted on the power of prayer? Magic tends to lend itself to corruption ... not purity."
Why would a Black Robe care about what happens to a holy artifact? Telerin asks.
We had among our ranks a cleric of Zivilyn and a Knight of the Crown, both were unable to discern how to cleanse it.
Interesting. The power of faith used by Beldina Piloforo, the last Kingpriest of Istar, seemed to corrupt very well. he says with a smile. Knights of Solamnia and Knights of the Divine Hammer had no problems hunting down elves and White Robe Wizards. So tell me again how it is the magic of faith that is pure? he says with a sardonic smile.
Interesting. The power of faith used by Beldina Piloforo, the last Kingpriest of Istar, seemed to corrupt very well. he says with a smile. Knights of Solamnia and Knights of the Divine Hammer had no problems hunting down elves and White Robe Wizards. So tell me again how it is the magic of faith that is pure? he says with a sardonic smile.
Cevendyl lauhgs; no one recalls having heard this before ...
"It's funny that you may have mistaken my meaning: I would actually expect that even more from a cleric. I said prayer ... and believe it or not, I meant, pray. Have you prayed? Has anyone asked the gods, directly, as a supplicant, if they might just do this small thing for the elven people? To restore one small symbol of hope for a people who desparately need to see the love of the divine in their lives."
There is a light in Cev's eyes which is odd but not entirely off-putting
"Pray forgive me but as wonderous as the unveiling of the artifacts you have in your possession your arguments on what knights or priests or wizards have on killing and hunting each other." the squire pauses.
"What is it do you want? I cannot imagine that it's out of your goodwill. You mentioned that these Tears cannot be purged of its corruption yet. Do they have something to do with us?"
He gives the squire a smile. You had no problems using my support in the past. Should I have let you be killed by the goblins near Wayreth? I don't recall saying that Tear should be uncorrupted.
"Your offer was made to everyone as a whole. My charge accepted and as I have given oath to protect her, I too must accept that help lest I abandon her just to battle goblins near Wayreth. My master had warned me of wizards and their way of using words as weapons. Speak Plainly Sir. What is it do you want with us not that you have already offered refuge and spoken on legendary artifacts." Windsworn says the words calmly though he watches to see if the dangerous Black robe does anything else.
He gives the squire a smile. You had no problems using my support in the past. Should I have let you be killed by the goblins near Wayreth? I don't recall saying that Tear should be uncorrupted.
"Indeed, in fact you also said nothing about being of service to the elven people, in spite of having dogged this party since its inception. Maybe you would like to speak to that? Maybe you would like to tell everyone why, having been present since before their departure, you chose at long last to engage? Clearly, altruism was NOT the reason. Clearly, preserving this expedition has a value to you and perhaps your Order that you haven't shared. Trust me, we are listening ..."
" ... and oh by the way, I'm an Ogre ... "
"That's not an appropriate time for a joke." Windsworn frowns at his companion.
He gives the squire a smile. You had no problems using my support in the past. Should I have let you be killed by the goblins near Wayreth? I don't recall saying that Tear should be uncorrupted.
"and you are correct, you did not say that you thought the Tear should be uncorrupted ... you were simply quite direct in having said you were 'researching' how to do so; perhaps your purpose is to ensure that it is NOT cleansed."
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Anatoli looks over at his new associate as Windsworn dismisses it and says nothing in front of the wizard having said all this earlier and being dismissed and knowing now isn't the time for the conversation.
perhaps I might say instead that it is up to the Lady what is done now and that you should speak to her. I am done with the verbal jousting. My place is to assist the Lady.
Windsworn shifts on one foot as he looks towards his charge to see what she would say.
He smiles at Cevendyl's comment Nothing for the elven people? I have rescued magical items and spellbooks from the ruins of Silvanesti. I have an many elven students who I sponsor in their wizardly studies. In fact, it was MY students who saved you from the Dark Knights. Tell me, ogre, what do you know of magic and how do you use it?
She begins to interject something...
The Black Robe stops her. Remember your place, novice. This is a matter of the business of the Conclave, would you interfere in such business?
He smiles at Cevendyl's comment Nothing for the elven people? I have rescued magical items and spellbooks from the ruins of Silvanesti. I have an many elven students who I sponsor in their wizardly studies. In fact, it was MY students who saved you from the Dark Knights. Tell me, ogre, what do you know of magic and how do you use it?
The 'elf' no longer looks handsome or charming in any way: his beauty is earthshattering.
In the blink of an eye, his skin becomes a pale shimmering indigo, and his eyes are solid silver ... and he stands close to 7 feet tall. He does not appear pleased.
"You might imagine, my parents are Irda as well ... or did you think it was simply the 'Whiteness' of his Robe which accounted for all of your beloved Par-Salian's 'unconventional' ideas. Irda laughter is also beautiful ... and terrifying "My parents were THERE; helping him to understand that the ways of Berthal & his renegades weren't wrong, your cultures simply weren't ready yet. You think he's weak? LOL, small elf, he listened to counsel wiser than you can fathom. When the Stars blessed me with my gifts, they received Par-Salian's blessing with the love of old friends. The Sorcery of the Stars isn't something you will ever understand, but one day, maybe we will share more than dinner. Trust me though, it is far better to be a friend to young gods than a slave to a moon."
"As the oldest person in the room, I know a great deal. Born of a race twice decimated, I know enough abut loss, that is certain, to want to save the elven people. Drilled beyond exhaustion until I could honour my family, I know loyalty beyond your reckoning as well. So what would you have me share great Shalafi who hunts the blessed to hide his shame?"
You use magic outside of the sanctions of High Sorcery he replies.
Cevendyl smiles like you've never seen ... AND laughs
"To whose sanctions might you be referring!? He laughs again
"You cannot possibly be implying that your little band of moon-wizards is relevant to me or to my people, correct? That cannot possibly be what you meant ... that Par-Salian would 'sanction' a magical war with all of the remaining Irda who could sink this continent?"
"THAT CANNOT BE WHAT YOU MEANT
"We could all certainly go ask him though, couldn't we?"
Par-Salian is no longer Head of the Conclave and journeyed on the River of Souls long ago.
Windsworn thinks quickly as he attempts to bring the learning from his Knight Lord to bear and comes up short.
He wasn't a student of history and the fields of battle makes poor scant learning grounds for anything else related to other fields other then survival and strength of arm.
He could only watch this verbal joust as both this black robe and his companions begins trading barbs over People he barely knew off besides stories told over campfires.
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She turns and gives Cevendyl a look as if to say, keep talking and he WILL kill you.
She then turns to Terevalis, Master of the Renegade Hunters, it is unbecoming to fight and threaten guests in your own residence. What would the Conclave think of such actions?
Allow me to remind you of the Law of Nuitari, given to all mages, The world beyond the walls of the towers may bring brother against sister and order against order, but such is the way of the universe. This irda is not a wizard nor are we in the hallowed halls of Wayreth or Nightlund.
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Dear sir, I would like to be allowed for our group to accomplish what we have been asked to do and bring the Lady to the Conclave. Cevendyl, I would like if you kindly stopped talking to our host in a manner which is unbecoming. Finally, I wish to again thank you for your timely assistance on our behalf. I wish to thank you for the information of your adventuring group and for the information on those wonderous items from another age. I should like then to ask that you allow our time to come to a close in peace so we may conduct the business of the Conclave. It seems to me that regardless of the moon that there are too few wizards now of bearing to stand in the way of the business of the Conclave. I will be sure to speak on your generous behalf when we arrive and thank you and give credit where it is due. Anatoli says pausing several times as he speaks and then nodding at the end.
Cevendyl bows to The Lady, and seats himself again ... in the form they are more accustomed to.
I came to you as ally and as a supporter of your quest he says quietly.
Master Terevalis, we thank you for your hospitality but I do need to make it to Wayreth to speak before the Conclave to see if there are any elven wizards that would be able to teach at our school