Except on his can!
Search Posts
I have a lovely bunch of coconuts
I'm so blue
mine? Peasant! I have laid claim to the ToP, whilst others lag at the bottom of the previous page.
Give it up! Edit: YES! Blue man FTW!
It's a trick! Every day at Paizo Publishing is like a vacation! PS: The crash is a lie!
"Nothing my King. My apologies."
In his chambers Telestial opens his eyes. His hand trembles. "Too slow. How? May the Lords of Law watch over us."
As if in a time lag, the image thrusts a dagger into the cocoon, where the babe had just laid. It looks surprised that it had missed, and that the babe is nowhere to be seen. A look of panic upon his face, the image fades.
on the 2nd day and image is added to the silent vigil. He stands at the head of the coccon.
to himself "but at what cost?"
"My King. The Tempest has been summoned. Shall I withdraw the troops?"
In the City of Pearl, Telestial's face goes pale.
I got chunks of guys bigger than Joren in my stool. ;)
Telestial approaches the challenger. "I'm not sure how you conduct yourself in your own group, but here nobles try to avoid shouting in the midst of parties."
With a glance from Telestial the area around the two deftly gets cleared. Servants, bodyguards, nobles of the palace maneuver the other attendees away with tales and myriad distractions.
Telestial bypasses the hall's main entrance, and the group enters fairly close to Mirathan while he speaks to a small group.
The knight gives them time to prepare then escorts them to the banquet hall. On the way he describes some of the beings attending, and the gathering's purpose. It is a chance for the king to garner support from visitors and thank certain high-ranking officials for their efforts in the rebuilding. Tomorrow will be too busy with the ceremonies.
"You may all see him if you wish. There is a small gathering in the banquet hall. The young king refuses to use the throne room until the funeral." the knight pauses "He blames himself for not being there when his father was struck down. He tries to hide this, but I have known him for a long time."
Nimora shook her head. "I keep telling you, Kaelar is the Champion. I'm just a fighter." The knight smiles. "Deny it if it makes you feel better, but to our people all 3 of you are champions. The king has told us of your exploits." "I am honored to have fought at your sides."
"Three champions of water gathered in
"On behalf of our city, and myself, thank you all."
knock at the door, assuming it's opened "Is this a private reunion?", a smiling Telestial inquires.
"Thank you sir", the clerk says with a genuine bow of his head.
"What?! But I thought that...Telestial said...Oh, this is a right mess.
"A message will do fine, kind sir. Thank you."A few days after she calls, Kaelar enters the underwater city, remembering what happened last time. He does his best to be polite and asks where Nimora might be.Greeted by one of the beleaguered administrators at the portal Kaelar is told that Nimora is at the Palace. Not seeing his name on the list, the clerk asks if he needs a message sent or directions or the many crowded inns. "Certainly." The clerk retrieves a small shell from his net. Holding it btwn his two webbed hands he speaks into it "Please deliver a message to Lady Nimora Olbereth stating that a gentleman by the name of Kaelar is at the portal, and wishes to speak with her." Turning back to Kaelar "She should receive the message soon."
A few days after she calls, Kaelar enters the underwater city, remembering what happened last time. He does his best to be polite and asks where Nimora might be. Greeted by one of the beleaguered administrators at the portal Kaelar is told that Nimora is at the Palace. Not seeing his name on the list, the clerk asks if he needs a message sent or directions or the many crowded inns.
"We can send word to your friends, or you may use the crystal you have." "I'm sure your family will be well-cared for in the Sandreef delegation rooms."
"There is nothing to forgive," she said with a smile and a shake of her head, "but if you feel that there is, then I will gladly forgive you. You were doing what you thought was best, for your kingdom and for your family. You had just been attacked. You had no real reason to trust the word of some unknown girl. I cannot possibly blame you for that. Besides, there's no sense dwelling on what-ifs. Mirathan is alive and safe and that's all that matters." The Queen winces slightly at the name shared between her husband and her son, but recovers quickly. She rises, pulling Nimora up with her. "Safe. Because of you. I underestimated you dear one. Not only do you save my first son, you saved one of our knights. Remarkable. My husband would have like to have met you, Lady Nimora Orlbereth of Sandreef." "My son is much better than you last saw him, but is consumed by affairs of state. Please let us honor you with some clothing, and perhaps some styling. Something to emphasize the woman...yes...the woman behind the warrior. You'll create quite the stir. And add a spark of happiness to these halls."
"Oh, please don't kneel in front of me," Nimora pleads, dropping to her own knees to be on a level with the queen. "I promised you that I would bring him back and I did. How could I have possibly done otherwise? I would do anything for him. If there is anything else that I can do, anything at all, you have only to name it." [Queen]"Forgive me?" The attendants gasp, then cover their mouths.
[Erstlan] "Well that won't do. I've have a dressmistress visit you immediately. You'll need something for the funeral, then the coronation..." An interruption at the door, as two Knights of the Red Octopus enter, followed by the familiar face of Mirathan's mother. "You'll do no such thing Erstlan." The queen approaches Nimora, kneels on both knees taking hold of both of her hands, and kissing each in turn. The servants, guards, and chamberlain look shocked. Only Telestial doesn't seem to be. "She shall use my dressmaker." She looks up at Nimora, tears brimming in her eyes. "Thank you."
After an hour there is a knock on the door, and one of the attendants answer it. She asks if the Lady will grant audience to the Knight-Captain Telestial and the High Chamberlain.
Telestial enters, followed by a smaller elf in fine clothing. They both bow deeply. The servants both bow, and backstep a bit holding their heads low. "My Lady, I am glad that you have come. I was remiss in not thanking you and your companions for removing me from that nest of vipers. This is the High Chamberlain Erstlan. He will see to any of your needs." "My Lady." he continues "Is it true that you come without luggage? No gowns? No personal attendants?"
In a carriage of polished shell Nimora Orlbereth is taken upon a tour over the city. She can still see signs of the damage in the distance, but her driver navigates a course that focusses upon the untouched beauty of the Pearl of the South. Up and down they go, meandering slowly, allowing her to take in the sights. The presence of the Manta Knights keep the curious from straying too close, but she can also see that she is the source for much attention. The royal carriage has that effect on people, even sea elves. Eventually she is delivered to the Palace itself, and turned over Knights of the Blue Eel, who escort her to a suite of rooms oppulent enough to rival her mother's villa. Inside, two female servants attend to her every need with much fuss.
"Thank you," she says with a smile. "Please, lead the way. I am still learning my way around here." The captain bows again. "This way please." A carriage of shell pulled by a team of sea horses pulls up, the driver in livery of a sea dragon clutching a trident. Her escort indicates that it is for her. The crowd of dignitaries pause in their discussions and turn their attention to Nimora. The whispering of their questions and comments increases. The 2 Manta Knights approach with sea horses of their own.
3 of the Mantas approach. 1 is definitely an officer. They all bow, and the Captain addresses Nimora... "Lady Orlbereth. The Mantas would be honored to escort you to your suite at the Pearl Palace."
"I...Oh, my, it's changed so much in just two days. Yes, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let myself get distracted. I just wanted to check on Mirathan's condition. I - oh, yes, you probably need to know who I am," she said with a self-deprecating smile. "I am Nimora Orlbareth. Ummm, I'm not even sure who to ask for. Telestial? Could I speak with him please?" The clerk looks bothered at first at Nimora's simple, meandering introduction. He starts checking his ledger and stops at the first page. His look changes to one of embarrassment and slight panic. "I...uh...my apologies, Lady Orlbereth. I shall have an escort take you to your suite immediately." He bows quickly and swims off a short distance, calling for the Captain.
Two days after Mirathan was brought home, Nimora steps through the portal and looks around uncertainly. As Nimora steps thru the omniportal she sees a much different scene than when she was last here. The omniportal is guarded by a squad of knights of the Order of the Pearl, Manta Ray sect, in gleaming armor of black and white. Colorful pavilions surround the portal, with a small army of clerks swimmming to and fro frantically. There are no signs of the destruction upon the fields heading into the city, and colorful banners adorn the walls. Some obviously covering damaged sections. Crowds of dignitaries mill around the portal, discussing items with the assembled clerks. A frazzled clerk approaches. "Yes, Miss, how may I help you?"
With great formality the knights head thru the omniportal, Telestial is the last. As he steps thru a small white pearl falls, seemingly unnoticed. It rolls across the floor, meandering straight to Nimora. Spoiler: The pearl radiates strong Law. It is the same as he threw unerringly against the 3 orbs.
"Telestial, I love him more than anything, and I want nothing more than to be near him. Assuming he can ever bear to look at me again. And Blurghoot can go to hell as far as I'm concerned. I would have agreed to anything in order to save Mirathan and my mother knew it and took advantage of the fact." "Law is stronger than Chaos, and Love is stronger yet. You are a loyal and honorable woman, Nimora Orlbereth. Let not your mother's dishonor diminish the fire within your heart." "The healers within our Order are skilled at dealing with the attacks of the Daughters. I have hope."
Deep below the boiling sun that scorches the surface of the Obari Ocean, untouched by the roiling seas, a war torn underwater city rebuilds itself. Built of living coral and shell the dull shafts of sunlight from the surface alight upon a sprawling, multi-colored metropolis nestled against a rising cliff. Fields of kelp and coral give home to thousands of salt water fish. Here and there areas sculpted of living coral give testimony to the beauty of the city, luckily avoiding the destruction. Work crews busily attends to the damaged zones, coaxing them slowly back to the original grandeur. At the center of it all a tower of pearl looks over the city and its inhabitants. This is the beginning of the reign of Mirathan the Third, forced upon the Pearl Throne by the death of his father in the Battle against the Black. Will the poet-king be strong enough to lead his people past this devastation? His heart is strong. We of the Order of the Pearl will make sure it stays so. Shell may be sundered, coral broken, loved ones lost, but the sea elves are resilient. As we hope our new king will be. Years of living in the deep seas have taught us to weather the forces of Nature. These lessons should hold true during the aftermath of this recent storm. How the story unfolds will be left to you.
"If I might be so bold, he might prefer your touch once his shock wears off. And imagine the influence Sandreef would gain in Pearl's court." "Kings have more freedom than most know about publicly." "Of course if you'd rather stick to the bargain your mother forced upon you..."
"Fret not noble lady, you have saved the new king. No one will harm you or your friends." "It was not the son in the witch's vision, it was the father. Once the healers failed, our Order had to stop that vision from coming true."
Telestial bows "The State funeral and coronation will take place in 3 tides' time. You are welcome in the court. If you can breathe underwater. My apologies about that." "I suspect your mother might be in
The omniportal flashes again. An uncomfortable looking sea elf in white robes enters with yet another knight, a young one. They hurry over to Mirathan and the healer begins his examination. Telestial rises and walks over to Alaina and Nimora. "By your leave, we'd like to take the king home. We've added our portal to your system."
The omniportal flashes again and 4 more knights enter. They take up positions around Mirathan, standing at attention.
Telestial walks over to Mirathan and kneels. "My King, I am here for you. I will let no one harm you. Take this pill. It will calm the chaos in your mind. Your people need you."
"I have only three tides before I must leave or be forsworn to my mother. But even so, yes, I will stay as long as it takes." "Much can happen in 3 tides. Situations can 'be altered'..."
"Yes, you are right. Very well. I will stay near but out of sight. Until he is able to look at me without terror.""How can you abandon him now? He can be helped. Eventually he will need you.""I cannot bear to cause him pain. All of this, everything I risked, in the battle, in the last few days, it was all for him. Surely you know that. And now the sight of me causes him to draw back in fear. How can I possibly do that to him?" "Will you stay as long as it takes?"
|