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After a rest, you are gathered into Brayson's tent. Gear lies around in large piles, and the clockwork horses are standing outside. "Well my friends, the time has come. I have prepared a raft for you to cross the smallest part of the river with, and packed the horses with enough gear to get you through the Mournland. Tomorrow, I march with 500 men to the border to stir up some trouble."
"The horses?" Brayson asks awkwardly. "I have arrange for these to take you through the Mournland. They do not tire, and will move much faster than a normal steed. In addition, they will not spook and dump you in the middle of that Flame-blasted land. Now, shall we all rest and then make plans in the morning for exactly what you will be doing?" Kaius smiles, nods, and follows the knight back to the heart of camp.
Sister Dianora's blades slash out at the linen-shrouded creature, but they fail to find their mark. Seif's charge into the creature causes it to halt as his large curved blade bites into the creature, and it howls in pain, the coals that serve as its eyes flashing an even brighter red. Anum racks his memories for any information on a creature such as this. It occurs to him that yes, indeed, it is a mummy, but something is different about this creature. If he recalls correctly, the Four Pharaohs favored a form of embalming that turned the mummies of their era into even more powerful examples of such monstrosities. While more powerful physically, they were more susceptible to magical attacks of a certain type. Typically, this energy type was imprinted on their body so that if the creature went rogue it could be easily taken care of. Anum stabs into the creature as well, and his sword ignites into a flash that ignites the dark room like the sun. The mummy lets out a howl like none of you have ever heard before!
Leading you through part of the military camp, any of you who served in the Last War can make out all the common things found in the typical Thranish infantry and cavalry. There does appear to be more mages than normal mixed into this lot, but other than that, nothing stands out to you immediately. After a short walk, you come to what is a make-shift stable, yet the area does not smell of animal, instead a metallic tang meets you, and your eyes take in a group of clock-work horses of Cannith make, each with the emblem of the Silver Flame engraved in their flank. "Stunning, aren't they?" asks a smiling Brayson.
"Rumor has it that Vurgenslye has had some problems with roaming monsters from the Mist, and has had little to no help from the crown because they are focusing their attentions elsewhere." Kaius pipes in at that, "That seems unusual, as my grandfather was never a warmonger in his time, and cared deeply for his people. ... although when one does become something more than human, I've heard their personalities change." "Not only that, but their souls are tainted ... Now, where were we? Ah, yes. So, to aid in your mission, I have collected something for you that you may appreciate. It will make your travels considerably more comfortable, and less stressful! Follow me." With that, Brayson leads you out the back of the tent.
Sir Braysen indeed believes the mission to be insane, and you have a hunch that he knows more than he is revealing. "Ah, yes, well, it's not everyday that the Cardinal finds a group of people that have no actual connection to the Keeper that can go in and topple an evil kingdom, my dear Reynald!" he pauses and smiles for a second, a sadness behind his eyes, "Now, if you follow the orders set out for you from the Cardinal, which I have here -" he flashes a scroll tube in front of you, "You would all be dead by sundown tomorrow. Luckily for you, I have no interest in having you all die so quickly. The Cardinal wants you to ride into the Mournland, and head North into Karrnath, to the city of Karrlakton. The journey there would be suicide. To cut through that much of the Mournland is insane. Therefore, I suggest you cross here," he indicates the ruins of Shadukar, "And run along the border, crossing into the Karrnath at Vurgenslye, which will be easier to penetrate. The city is also having problems of its own which will allow you to get in easier..."
Initiative Order:
18 - Anum 15 - Belgraen 13 - Dianora 5 - Sief The Mummy =
Belgraen knocks the bow from the mummy's hand, and the force shakes dust from the walking corpse's body. The hot coals that serve as the monster's eyes flare with anger, and it roars in frustration!
As Belgraen's words bring up the notion of violence, the mummy's eyes flicker and burn like hot coals. In a second, it rises to it's feet and draws a long bow, taking aim at Belgraen's chest!
After some tedious affairs and greetings, you are ushered into a large circular tent. At the heart of the tent lies a large oak table with a map of the Mournland and Karrnath pinned to it. A red-headed man wearing a crisp military uniform of navy blue leans over it as if staring at it will somehow make the nations fall before his blade. As you enter, he looks up. "Ah! Sir Reynald! Good to see you." The man is an old friend of Reynald - Silver Pyromancer Marcus Braysen - actually, a former student of the same school of arcane magic. "They talked you into this suicide mission I see!" Braysen laughs, his voice sharp. His laughter shakes his small frame, and for a second it looks like he may fall over.
"The runes are everywhere. You must leave this place. No one is safe."
The Cardinal's seal is indeed among the banners that snap in the wind. Everyone who looks for it can identify it as such. As you approach, you are stopped, and brought into the camp. These are indeed the troops you are to meet with.
After resting in a small hamlet a days travel south of the capital, you are equipped with horses and more travelling gear on the Cardinal's coin. After resting and refreshing in the rural community, you travel another day to the border of Thrane and the Mournland. A wall of gray-mist hangs like a curtain, separating you from what was once the Crown Jewel of Galifar. "You're pulling one on us Cardinal..." mutters a nervous Kaius. On the edge of your vision, a large company of silver-plated soldiers appears. Banners whip in the wind...
"I serve as the guardian to this tomb, as do others. I serve the Four, who's runes you find hidden in the passage ways. I know not what you seek."
Heading away from the city and to the South East, you travel along a road that has obviously seen more use in the past few weeks. Deep ruts make travel difficult, and the ground muddy from the recent rain. As you make your way down the road it occurs to you that Karrnath is to the North East, across the river. You are headed the opposite direction! Reynald: If questioned about this, you point out that there isn't a truly open state of war yet, and Thrane is likely moving soliders through the Mournland!
"I have served The Four for the past 56 cycles of the Sun. I was at one time, like you, a mercenary, a treasure hunter, a sword for hire." the mummy's raspy voice sends chills down your spine.
"I am most pleased to meet your acquaintance, Sir Reynald. To preserve my country, I will indeed learn to appreciate the heart of the Church, but I will still remain loyal to those who have guided me from birth," this last part is aimed at the still stewing paladin of the Nine, Six, and One, "I believe we have everything we need for our current plan of action." At that moment, Hugh remembers that he has the paper work from the Cardinal. Paperwork: Silver Wizard Reynald, It is my desire that this group be led to the military camp along the eastern border, there, you will meet up with a military unit - to be determined at this point - you will know the unit by my seal on their banner. Until then keep everyone alive, and keep an eye on the paladin. It is two day's travel from the city to the South-East. May the spirit of the Flame be with you.
The linen wrapped corpse's head slowly raises, leveling hot-coal eyes at Belgraen. "My name was Seraton. Now I am nameless. I entered the island, and cast my eye, I didn't go my on my way, so I had to die. I voiced regret, but they heard not my plea, and in the end, I no longer serve me." Sief detects that the creature is evil. The room is 30x30, with the monster in the south-east corner.
Do what you want. He's in the game now.
Nothing about the room detects as magical, although the linen-wrapped form in the corner gives off a necromantic aura.
In the evening you are met by a man outside of the gates of the city. He is your contact from the church.
[ooc]Vorik? Anything? We'll be moving on tomorrow./ooc]
Mott, let me know when you get back. I'm in the mid-term crunch, so the timing is perfect for a quick break before continuing.
Towards the monster. Going straight down the hall, there is a sudden left, which turns into a large chamber. Each wall is riddled with various hieroglyphics and seals. in the north-east corner, a human form swathed in tattered linens is propped against the wall.
Okay! We're back in action! Do any of you have anything to buy?
Going up the level, you come to the T shape intersection, the passage on your left leads back to the entrance of the tomb. The other tunnel, which goes straight ahead, leads to the room with the linen-wrapped monster that Belgraen saw in his spell.
The High Cardinal gifts you each with 100 gold pieces to equip your self with any mundane gear you may need.
Assuming you all get up with minimal difficulties, you gather on the level above (the entry level). Backtracking leads you to the T-shaped intersection.
As you turn the corner, you find the shaft empty. Looking up the shaft, you can make out the shape of the golem, climbing up and pushing the platform to the levels above.
Considering Flamekeep's size, you can find nearly anything you would need for the expedition. Papers will be provided by the High Cardinal. After you have selected what you need, please post it here and include it in your inventory. If you need to do anything else within the confines of the capital, now is the time to do so.
All the doors lead into an outer hallway, which encircles (or rather, squares around) the room you are currently occupying.
"Well, I would suggest, Sir Vorik, that you lead this group into your homeland. And from there spread the seeds of revolution. Leave, get supplies, and then at dusk, meet at the entrance of the city. Someone will be there to meet you."
"Now, my friends, do you have anywhere in particular that comes to mind as an excellent starting point for starting an insurrection?"
Vorik: Let it flow. All things happen for a reason. There was a lull in posting, so I did my best to keep things moving. When no one responded (which wasn't what I was expecting) I had to have the action move forward. Now, is there anywhere you want to go with this, as the Cardinal is asking for suggestions.
The chamber you are in is perfectly square, and has large double doors on each wall.
** spoiler omitted ** Vorik: Let it go for now. You can work against Kaius if you must, but there are a number of finer points in the contract he just signed that he did not read into. A lot of things are in action, and Kaius is only a naive young man in all reality. There is no reason you couldn't work against him and take the country for yourself and lead people to truly worship your pantheon. A theocracy of your own.
...and signs the contract in a flowing script. As his name is finished, a flash passes through the paper, and glowing chains bind the king to the outsider standing behind Krozen. "It is done." says the outsider in a cold voice. "Now, we must discuss the matter if the war. I plan on you being the central component. Of course, the armies of the Pure will march on the damned nation, but you have the most important job. You will cause an insurrection, and eventually, Kaius, you and your friends will kill your grandfather." Krozen says, "Now, do any of you know where to best start this battle? A small town or village that could turn away from the vampire and his elven queen?"
Telekinetically cover it back with the lid of the sarcophagus.The young dragon mummy falls inert on the chest of the Pharaoh. The heavy lid is placed back on the coffin, and a heavy silence falls over the chamber.
The young dragon mummy falls inert on the chest of the Pharaoh.
Perception 1d20+25 with True Seeing Anum, notes that coins occasionally shift throughout the room (never more than a slight tremble really) but does not see anything out of the ordinary.
The tiny undead dragonling is indeed, an evil creature. Greedy and vile to its core. Nevertheless, it is a child, an unaware that its very nature is evil. Seif also detects a ripple in the coins at the edge of the room. It appears for a second, then disappears again. A few coins clink together, and the sound quietly bounces off the walls. The dragon, heeding the words of Belgraen, slinks back into the coffin, and curls up on the chest of the long-dead Pharaoh.
Belgraen teleports to the island with the sarcophagus. He is surrounded by 11 torches that shed a pale blue light, and from his vantage point can see the inside of the elaborate casket - a well preserved body wrapped in the finest linen. A heavily bejeweled funeral mask cover's the long-dead Pharaoh's face, and multiple pieces of jewelry bedeck the corpse.
GM only:
Tukanem-Hanam's Stealth Check: Dinaora hears the clinking of coins, and pin points the source to be directly behind Belgraen.
The mummified dragonling slinks forward towards Belgraen, skittering across the gold coins. It pauses below Belgraen, and stretches up on its hind legs to reach for him. "Father!"
The tiny dragons shivers as it climbs from the sarcophagus, "Father?" it rasps in draconic. For Belgraen: You sense nothing, as your attention is on the undead dragonling.
"The document has been forged in the language of the high-heavens, celestial, so I suspect none of you can read it with the exception of the exiled king, unless of course, they don't teach that to you in your death-worshiping country," Krozen states with a smirk, "For you understanding, I have summoned a servant of the Flame here to assist you." He indicates the outsider standing behind him. "Now, if you look at the document, Kaius, the terms and conditions will be made clear. Thrane will assist you in retaking your country, but only if you sanctify the Flame as the state religion, and convert to it yourself. You will pay your respects to the Keeper, and obey their over-all mandates in accordance to the will of the Flame. There is a clause in the document allowing you to keep one from the line of Kessler as a religious adviser, to guide your country by the will of your old gods. This adviser must be of the line Kessler. In addition, your royal guard shall be composed of 50% Puritans at all times. There are numerous other situational scenarios covered in the document, but I'm sure you'll understand those. Now, if you'll sign here and here. Krozen indicates two lines, above which he has already signed, and the outsider has signed as well. Kaius picks up a rich quill, and dips it in blood-red ink...
The raspy clicking grows louder, but only slightly. A couple sparks shoot up from inside the coffin, and a soft red light emanates from within.
Suddenly ...:
a tiny clawed hand reaches up and clings to the side of the sarcophagus, pulling up with it the husk-like dried body of a small dragon. It pauses for a minutes, taking you all in with its beady glowing red eyes.
The sarcophagus is untrapped, and Belgraen lifts the heavy and ornate cover off it from a safe distance away. There is a rush of air from the sealed coffin, and then an eerie silence. From within the coffin there comes a raspy clicking ...
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