With a might right hook the large mail in the plate mail sent Shikyomaru crashing through a table onto the floor. But he refused to stay down.
"So ye want some more then aye?" said the man. "Ye got it."
With another huge punch Shikyomaru broke his way through another table.
"Where yer down ye stay down. Or ye will not be getting up a third time."
But Shikyomaru paid no attention to the man's threats. and rose to his feet once again.
"Oi!! I told yer not to get up again., Ye really making me mad mate, ye are!" grunted the large warrior.
Shikyomaru quickley stepped forward as the man lunged towards him to deleiver another powerful blow, and grabbed his arm and spun him around onto his back on the ground.
"If you hope to beat me in a fight you wirr have to do much better san sat" Shikyomaru said mockingly while holding a katana to the man's throat. "Now my friends and I must take our reave, If you want a rematch I suggest you come find me when you are ress drunk and have rearned how to fight, untir sen, I wirr take which ever woman I prease."
You could have beaten him at any time, but you did not. Why?" asked Balgarath.
"He was sizing us up as soon as we entered se tavern, he needed to rearn a varuabre resson, to fear what you cannot see." Shikyomaru said. "And besides, it is fun tossing drunks."
"Prehaps your reputation proceeds you. I have heard tales of a man from a land far away, know as much for his skill in battle as his bar room antics. I had not put two and two together until now. You will certainly liven any trip to a tavern more enjoyable, should we happen upon other such characters you have shall we say met before." Sir Elric said solemnly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Carloseus dodged a deadly snap at his neck, he slammed his right fist into the demon's face. It hurt him, his hand was now cut among several knuckles, and the blow took a bit of spiritual effort and energy, but it had the effect he wanted. His foe was sent rearing back, hissing in utter pain as another part of its body was in excruciating pain under the power of the light. It took the demon several seconds to recover and disorient itself, and it turned to look at the warrior and make another violent strike. However it was not oriented enough, nor positioned to make any attack or defend itself against the warrior now wielding the power of the light. Carloseus had jumped and was now falling onto his enemy, his left arm shining brilliantly with raw energy no doubt also granted to him from heaven. The light froze the demon, the minion of hell could no longer move and resist his doom. With a shout, Carloseus let loose the blow and upon striking it sent the demon's body scattering in all directions in little pieces.
He stood there, breathing heavily and the last of the light fading from his hand. He was now covered in demon blood and his own, the fight had been long and hard. He was still in this area of his mind, he did not yet want to return to reality. He looked back at the door through which the demon wanted to go through, knowing that his passing through it would return him again to reality, the rest of the world. And if he did, he would have to hurry to his friend's aid. Perhaps the demon had been lying, or perhaps there was a good chance his friends would now be in grave danger.
But he did not want that yet. He still had one question. Why, or how, did he have this new power? He was no stranger to the arcane forces, he was still learning to use them. However this energy he had used to defeat his enemy was not arcane, it was holy in essence. Was he now a paladin? Was he now a warrior of the church? No. However much he respected the churches and religions of he knew of, he could never believe them wholeheartedly. However, could he merely be a holy warrior? A protector and spreader of the light without also spreading words of "God" or of a church? Could he simply fight in the name of the light without also promoting a church or another?
He did not believe in a higher power, only that if one existed it was not just, loving, or in any way better than the scum he had just destroyed. Yes. He would be a warrior of the light, following most rules of the paladin orders however holding no allegiance to an church. What would Sir Elric think? Surely he would not be pleased, or perhaps he would be offended. Then again, how could he explain Carloseus's ability to harness the powers of a paladin without a church or training in that church? He turned to the door, and made his way to it. His questions would have to wait, at least until the likely dangers were gone, and he could ask his questions.
"You are awake! We had thought you would never rise again!" exclaimed Master Garren.
"Aye, and I must leave your hospitality and generosity to fight again. My gratitude is immmeasurable, I cannot say how thankful I am for caring for me." He took the Garrens hand, and in it planted a hefty pouch of gold. Garren looked at the gift and then up to the young man to argue. This much gold could buy him five horses!
"Take the gold, master Garren. You have more use for it than I do, and I will no doubt come across more of it in my travels. I do have one more thing to ask of you however, well, two. Where can I find the closest Blacksmith and in which direction did my party leave?"
After getting Venex situated in his room, Cinara heads out to bring his meal to him. She catches the last of the drunk tossing from Shikyomaru, and lets out a chuckle. He handled the large drunk easily, she muses.
Returning with Venexs food, she notices that he has fallen asleep, sets tray on the table and takes her leave.
She proceeds to Zubin's room to check on him. He is awake but is clearly still drunk as he tries to get up and move about, she lets out another chuckle and shakes her head.
"Hey Zubin," she says. He looks up groggily and tries to stand once again. She catches him before he falls and hits his head. Sitting him upright he starts mumbling something. She fills a pitcher with water and takes her leave of him as well.
"Goodnight Zubin", she says and heads off to her own room.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
arising early, the adventurers packed up their belongs and heaed for Waukeen's Prominade, and hopefully some answers about the mysterious talisman and the mage owner.
"So this is Waukeen's Prominade" Balagarath said looking around at the high tiers of the ring of the Prominade. It's pearl white steps and six towers capped with domes.
"Indeed. with it's many bizaars and markets, almost anything one could want is at your fingertips." said Sir Elric.
"Ahh se city, wis arr it's inhabitants and accumurate riches, yes" Shikyomaru said with a grin.
"Ha Ha quite." Sir Elric laughed. "Now if memory serves, the ore merchant should be on the second teir near the south gate."
Continuing on their way passed the many exotic stores and entertainers, from all the corners of the globe.
"Aah yes, here we are." Sir Elric said climbing the stairs to the second tier. "You there, I say Ore Merchant. A word with you."
"Greetings good master." said the merchant. "And how can I be of service to a member of the Raidant Heart this day."
"I am seeking to know all I can of a very strange metal, and I hope you may be able to assist me." asked the paladin.
"Then you have come to the right place." replied the merchant. "Do you have any of it on you?"
"A small amount yes. here you go." Sir Elric said handing over the small fragment of the talisman he had.
"Tis a shame you do not have more of it." the merchant said studying it closely. "Hmm it is rare, in it's inert state it has no properties, but through enchantments it can unleash small amounts of magical energy depending on the size, the bigger the amount, the more powerful to energy it can release. Just don't go using it around here, damn Cowled Wizards'll have you locked up in Spellhold faster than you can say Incetus Pulcher Imperio. A man from one of the temples, well he looked like he was from one of the temples, did come by a while back, he was after this stone as well. Didn't say what it was for but he wanted a lot of it. 200 pounds of the stuff. Wasn't easy to get I can assure you. Though fortunately Dreugar work for peanuts if you have a way with words. Not sure if the man is still there, but he would be the man to see next."
"I thank you for your help merchant. Here is a copper for you help. may the gods be with you." said Sir Elric. "Now when we enter the temple district, do try stay out of any of the church's politics, they are always dragging people into matters that do not concern them or try to convert anyone who thinks differently. While I can't blame them for that one, it's better just to avoid the situation of you can, some of them get pretty fanatical I can assure you."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
Zubin walked beside Cinara. Rubbing his eyes and yawning. Surely he was not fully concious.
''Hmmm, *yawn* so where are we going?'' said Zubin.
Cinara looked over to Zubin, ''You know my friend'' she said''
''Really? Well i guess i had a memory loss due to excessive drinking'' he added.
Cinara smiled and looked forward. We then saw Sir Elric showing the talisman to some merchant. They had a bit of chat and then Sir Elric continued to walk, and so did we.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
''May the Gods give you the strength and power to bear the madness which flows through our minds.''
''Zubin, I've always imagined you as a crazy raver. The kinda guy that spends all night dancing to trance music while waving glow sticks and popping ecstasy.'' - Murderface
As the entered the temple district of Athkatla, a throng had gathered at it's centre, a charismatic man stood in the middle, preaching to the huddled masses and disgruntled priests surrounding him.
"Listen to me, my brothers and sisters...heed my words. We have been chosen as the recipients of a most holy miracle, one that should neither be dismissed nor ignored! I, Gaal...I, who have been stripped of my eyes most mercifully, have been shown the truth that has eluded the sighted! The gods that you worship are false gods, icons that serve to increase the wealth of churches and heathens! Listen to them not!" spoke the man defiately.
"Hold! You speak of blasphemy!" one of the priests said angrily. "The Morninglord Lathander has always shown His benevolence and power. His presence amongst us is unquestionable!" "Is it, priest? Gaal questioned. "I ask all of you to question, for a moment, if what the priest says is true. Yes, his false god grants him power to fuel his spells, much as any wizard might possess. I say that the churches lie to you! They claim their gods are present when they do nothing other than require your coin to fill their pockets." 'No! What you are saying cannot be true! The gods have ever protected us!" spoke one of the crowd. "Is that so? Have they protected you from famine? Have they protected you from disease? Have they wrought harmony upon the world? No, they have not! They lie and cloud your sight to gain your worship of their false images! I have stripped myself of their foul eyes and I see what is the truth! The truth, I tell you!" Gaal replied to the townsperson. "You lie! You lie! The gods exist!" retorted another citizen. "Such words are a horrid affront to the gods! Surely you will pay for this! The Storm God Talos will strike you down with his lightning bolts if you do no stop the vile and odious lies you spill forth." said another priest. "Quiet! Listen to what he has t' say!" another townsperson said said. "I call on you to abandon your false gods! They have done nothing for you! Cast them aside and join me on the true path, join me in the calling of the true sight!" Gaal said. "What does that mean? Shall we tear our own eyes out? Don't be foolish!" a fourth citizen. "What shall we do, then? Who shall we turn to if there are no gods?" asked a fifth member of the crowd. "But there is a god! There is the true god! The Unseeing Eye is here amongst us! He offers the faithful a clarity of vision, the true path to the divine! He offers you protection and succor!" Gaal said. "Do not listen to him! He seeks to poison your minds!" yelled the priest of Lathander. "Bah! What has your god ever done for me? I'm poorer and no better off than I ever was!" said the first townsman. "Don't speak to the priest in that tone! The gods will be offended!" interjected the second townsman. "Don't you hear what he's saying? There are no gods to be offended! I say we see what this Unseeing Eye has to offer! Aye! I wish to see!" said the first townsman again. "No, my friends...you do not wish to 'see'. Forget what the years of lies have taught your eyes! You wish to 'know'. You wish to 'learn'. These are the truths that the Unseeing Eye can offer to you. A truer gift that you'll not find amongst any of these other so-called deities. Come, witness the miracle of the truth! Come and behold the Unseeing Eye for yourself and see the true god that is present amongst us!" bellowed Gaal. "No! Do not go with him!" beckoned the priest of Talos. "I'll do as I wish! I want the truth!" said the first townsman. "Show me the Unseeing Eye!" "Yes! Show me! Show us!" rang out the second. "Come, then! Those of you who wish to become the truly faithful, to witness the magnificence of the Unseeing Eye and the truth he brings, come with me." Gaal said. "This must not come to pass. The everseeing eye of the god Silver must be made aware of what they intend. You there. You have the look of a man of faith." said a priest to Sir Elric Sigmundson. "I would ask a service of you. If you perform well you may gain the favor of the Temple of Silver. Follow me to the temple of Silver. I will discuss what is required of you there. Do not take too long; Silver requires you now."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
"We should not delay" said Sir Elric. "The god's have need of us."
"Yes, while I know little of your gods, it is best not to keep them waiting, regardless." said Balgarath.
"Indeed, incurring the wrath of a god is the last thing we need right now. let us make hast for the temple." said Sir Elric.
As the appraoched the temple they were met by a man in full plate mail, save for a helmet.
"Greetings to you, Sir Elric. We are honored to have a servant of Torm walk these halls. You are well known amongst your Order, and Silver respects those with such a devotion to duty." said a cleric at the door.
"The honor is mine, Guardian." said Sir Elric. "silver holds a special place in the hearts of all who join the Order"
"Welcome. I had hoped you would come." said the priest of the god Silver. "You bear the signs of one that is good of heart, but that also gives weight to all sides of an argument. We are aligned in a like fashion, and I think you would do well to pledge your service to the guidance of Silver. Here is the problem that I wish to pose to you. You heard that fool in the street? If what he says is true, it threatens to upset a delicate balance. A new power would only disrupt the way of things. If he is lying, then whatever cult he is proposing can only serve to hurt those it bilks into following him."
"He played on the people's insecurity. Can you not offer better than he?" asked Balgarath. "Silver offers unwavering stability; true faith has no instant reward. Silver very rarely appears in physical form. Walking with mortals is not the way of the gods." said the priest. "Then this man's claims are doubly disturbing. I will help, but what must I do?" asked Sir Elric. "He of the Unsleeping Eyes must know of this cult." said the priest. "The blindness they promote is abhorrent to Silver. We ask you to investigate and identify what is happening. The Vigilant One informs that the cult is underground and close, but we cannot see past the sewers. You must infiltrate, as friend or conqueror. The sewer entrances found through the district. You must suffer the filth of the sewers to find the filth of the cult. They are not hiding amidst the pipes, so there must be a passage leading further away." "And what is se payment forshis task?" Shikyomaru asked. "There will be reward. Do not tax your welcome by demanding it now. You will be given your due when the time is right." the priest said sternly. "Very werr, sough I wirr be most dispreased if it turns out you are rying." said Shikyomaru. "May the Great Guard give light to all wrongs against you." thundered the preist. "You may seek healing and tools to aid you here as you need. Ask an acolyte and you will receive."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As the sun began to rise, Cinara got up and cleaned off. She gathered her belongings and set off to see if Zubin and Venex were up and about yet. Zubin had falled asleep where she left him, sitting upright. She roused him up, "Come on Zubin, we are setting off to find the ore merchant." She couldn't help but laugh, he appeared to be sleeping still but was moving about.
Next she went to Venex's room. He was trying to stand and appeared to waiver a bit, Cinara went to steady him, as she did he whispered "Uh... What's going on?" She helped him to his water basin so he could freshen up.
"Something you have done has brought you back to us, we thought you dead. You will be glad to hear that the girl is safe, thanks to you. As for where we are not, we are in Athkatla, at an inn. We are setting off to find the ore merchant to see if they know anything about the metal the amulet is made of." Cinara stopped there so as to let that information sink in.
She got him and Zubin moving and noticed that Sir Elric and all were waiting for them. We set off for the ore merchant. Zubin still staggering and her aiding Venex a bit. During the walk to the ore merchant Zubin finally seemed to be coming about, he ws still a little groggy as he could not remember where we were heading to.
As Sir Elric spoke to the merchant we set down on the stoop of her shop to give Venex and Zubin a quick rest. After the information was gathered we hear a man preaching in the middle of town, Sir Elric approaches to listen. Cinara notices the man preaching and strains to listen. Ugh, another cultist, she thinks to herself.
She notices that Sir Elric is approached by a priest and he, Shik and Balgarath set off for the temple. Cinara motions to him that we will stay here until he is finished with the temple business.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Garren said it was this way.... Thought Carloseus as he reached a dead end. Before him was a great drop into a roaring river, and nowhere in sight was there a bridge nor any sign of crossing across the expansive torrent of water. He sighed, and sat down for the first time in 2 days. Garren had clearly made a mistake in the direction, or they must have taken a turn. No. He had known what their destination was, and had pointed him in that direction. No, he had messed up. Now he was surrounded by forest and was looking down the cliff into the water. He heard a sound, but deemed it too close to himself for it to be someone approaching.
"Hello." he heard. Instantly he was on his feet with his oversized sword at hand and ready for battle. The man put up his hands and laughed lightly, "calm, stranger, I mean no harm."
"Who are you? How did you find me?" demanded Carloseus, skeptical of the newcomer's intentions.
"I...I am....Who am I?" the stranger asked himself. He seemed puzzled, and turned around, jumping onto the nearest tree. Carloseus then noticed a blade as large as his own on this man's back. He relaxed a bit, now that the man was in on a tree and a little further from attacking range.
"I am Bastrom. And I found you only because I have been following you for some time."
"Why?" asked the warrior.
"Because, Carloseus, I follow the same path as you. We were...seperated long ago. Do you not remember?"
Carloseus searched his mind for this man's face.
.........
...........
"I...do remember. We were friends, right?"
"Yes. But right now we gotta get you to your friends. We will meet again, Carloseus, and next time we do meet I hope we have more time to talk." he said. With that, he jumped off the tree, and walked to the cliff. To Carloseus's amazement, he did not stop when he got to it, and simply kept walking. Where he should have dropped like a rock he continued to walk in mid-air, and suddenly the empty space, river below, and the sound of rushing water went away. Zack was now walking down a path, surrounded by ever more forest. Carloseus stood up, and followed. Zack stopped, and looked back at his old friend.
"There are powers at work that are set on evil, Carloseus, and as you and your friends grow stronger and find out more of these evils, the attempts at destroying you all will also grow in number and dedication."
They entered the city of Athkatla, found an inn, and got two rooms. There was very limited conversation between them, and most of it concerning the bridge mirage and the forces that had attacked Carloseus after the battle in the dungeons. Both the mirage and attack were of a demonic work, however who had done it and where was yet to be known. The trip was one of 5 days, they had crossed it in a day. Two men were obviously faster than an entire party, especially if they kept talk at a minimum, dedicated their entire energy on moving forward, and strong due to the various adventures, battles, and years of training.
Carloseus laid down, and kept his long knife at hand sheathed and beneath the sheet over him. His clothes had been washed and dried before he had gone into his room, the washing by a lovely lady offering such services for a fee just outside, and the drying by himself with the arcane forces he was still mastering. Now he laid in his bed fully clothed and armored, ready for anything should so much as tap be made on the door to his room.
The sewer was dark, damp and narrow. as the sewer widened the came upon a man in full armor fighting his way through a small group of ghastly looking creatures. As the last one one fall before his might hammer, he turned his attention to Sir Elric and his compatriots.
"Halt and go no further laymen!" he said in a deep booming voice. "There be a grave evil here, the source of which I have yet to find. Please, forgive the harshness of my tone, but state your business in this place."
"A grave evil, you say... Of what sort, and who are you to seek it out?" asked Sir Elric. "I am Darrian Lighthammer, servant of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart. As for the evil of which I speak, I know only that it has preyed upon my brothers in faith. I have heard that the other Churches have suffered similar losses as of late. Now surely you must understand that I cannot let you pass without an answer to my questions. Who are you and what is your business here?"
"I am Sir Elric Sigmundson. and I..."
"SIR ELRIC!!" Darrian blurted out before Sir Elric could finish his sentence. "Forgive my arrogance my lord you have been gone far to long, I did not recognise you."
"As I was about to say the church of Silver dictates that I search these depths. If you do the same, tell me what you know." said Sir Elric. "The evil of which I spoke, its presence is quite strong and, unsurprisingly, it emanates from somewhere deep below us. I have not yet found a downward exit to this place, but I am sure that is where the evil sleeps. Come, let us seal our fates together and seek it out. I was instructed to await the group that I would aid in this matter. It is my duty to serve for the greater good. But I had no idea it would be you they would send. Torm must favour me this day." "Your presence in my group would be most welcome, Darrian Lighthammer. I accept your service." "Lead on then, I will direct my sword where you wish. Let us seek an exit from these pits that leads to the greater blackness below. In Helm's name let us crush this evil together." "Aye, I would appreciate the company, especially against an unknown foe. Come, let us find an exit from these pits that does not open skyward." said Sir Elric.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As Sir Elric, Shikyomaru and Balgarath make their way to the temple, Cinara though about Venex's condition and the trek ahead and decided to see if the priests would have something for him that would work better than what she currently had. She was not sure of the magic involved in bringing himself back but surely the priests would have something that would help.
Just as she was reaching the entrance of the temple a priest had come out. She explained to him a bit of the situation and he agreed that they did have something that would aid Venex. While he retrieves the potion, Cinara surveys the town, and far off it appears that Carloseus was heading towards an Inn with a companion. She shakes her head to clear her vision for that could not possible be him, and determines to make up a potion for herself.
The priest comes out with not one but a few vials and instructs her to mix in an herb, that he also hands over, with it just before consuming. She thanks him and offers to pay but he politely refuses.
She rejoins Venex and Zubin, mixes in the herb as instructed, and hands it to Venex to drink up, which he does and to Cinara's amazement has an immediate effect. Zubin asks if there is anything in her bag to help with his headache and she replies, "you are just going to have to ride that one out my friend."
We head over to the temple as the rest of our group emerges and head off. She approaches Sir Elric to find out where they are heading and is dismayed to hear it is yet another underground cavern.
As we neared the sewer, the stench was almost overpowering and brought back memories of our previous battle, where we almost lost two of our members. She thinks back on her vision of seeing Carloseus arriving at the Inn, for that is what she can only comprehend it being he could not have possibly caught up to us by now.
We meet up with the man who will be questing with us in this foul smelling place and head on down into its depths.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
The warrior woke as if he had always been awake, as if he had simply closed his eyes for a second. However it was morning now, and they had arrived the afternoon the previous day. He was rested, he felt calm, collected, and his body felt no soreness or stiffness. Nor was he weaker. If anything, his strength was growing, as if he was still recovering from something all this time since he woke from Garren's abode.
"Carloseus. wake-"
"I am awake." Carloseus said opening the door. Bastrom smiled, and laughed lightly.
"Good! You are recovering well. Let's find something to eat, I'm starving." he said, clapping Carloseus softly on his shoulder.
"Aye, me too. This is a big city, we should have no problem finding something good to eat!" the warrior replied, returning the gesture to his long lost friend. They laughed, and set off to find an eatery that was not already filled with people.
They found a good restaurant, and as they ate they talked about the upcoming mission. They could not immediately rejoin Carloseus's party, they would have to take a different route to them. And they would surely sense him, for his power and presence had grown, he would have to let them hope against logic that he would come to their aid. At least for now. For now, they would investigate the identity of this demon force plaguing Carloseus.
As they ventured deeper into the sewers they came upon a small complex of interconnected rooms and tunnels, at its entrance stood the preacher from the streets above. He was flanked by two men dressed in heavy looking armor.
"Hold, you tread on sacred ground! Only those who serve the Unseeing Eye may enter. I am Gaal, High Priest of the One God." said the preacher.
"I wish to know more. How does one serve your 'Unseeing Eye'?" asked Sir Elric. "The One God has demanded that his disciples achieve a higher state of wisdom...you must remove that which is limiting and offensive." replied Gaal. "The unholy eyes are removed from your head during the sacred initiation. If you survive and are proven faithful, the Unseeing Eye accepts you into service." "And what if I'm not interested in having my eyes removed?" Sir Elric asked. "Hmmmn. It is a sign of weakness to refuse the enlightenment. Would you walk about willingly without arms, without feet? I do not think so." Gaal said as he pointed directly at the paladin. "Still, the Unseeing Eye could use the skills of one such as yourself. An exception... could, perhaps, be made in your case. There is... something that you could do that the great one cannot, despite His vast power. Assist in that and I will admit you into our ranks and into the Unseeing One's presence, yes?" "Tell me what the task is and I'll consider it" replied Sir Elric. "These holy grounds are part of a larger, ancient structure... dangerous if one ventures into the lower levels. The Unseeing Eye knows of a valuable item in this area. If you were to venture below you could prove your worth by retrieving this artifact for Him." said Gaal. " Do this and I will allow you into our ranks and the One's divine presence." "What is this item you speak of...and where would I locate it?" Sir Elric asked. "The item is a rod...or part of a rod, rather, that you will find atop a holy altar." Gaal replied. "I cannot tell you more than that. You must let your faith guide you. " "And how would I get to these lower levels?" asked Sir Elric. "I imagine I won't get far by just banging on walls and floors." "Yes, Yes, you are quite right. I have a key I can give you... this will allow you entrance to the inner chambers through a door a short distance back the way you came, at the sewer passages." said Gaal. "Very well, I shall do as you suggest." replied Sir Elric. "You are worthy in my eyes, faithful one." Gaal said as he reached into his pocket. "Here is the key. Once you have the rod, bring it to me and together we shall present it to the Unseeing Eye." "I do not like this Sir Elric. The mutilate their bodies." said Darrian. "They are clearly possessed. What is next. orgies with goats?" "Ha Ha." Laughed Sir Elric. "Having orgies including goats doesn't make them possessed, simply horny... and inventive." "Sir Elric, as an initiate of the Order, I heard many a story of your prowess and courage. At one point, Sir Cassius made reference to your heroism on the Giant's Plain. He stopped abruptly and, with a dark look, would say no more. What happened there?" asked Darrian. "Heroism, he said? Cassius gives me more credit than I deserve. The days on the Giant's Plain were dark days and the deeds performed, darker still." replied Sir Elric. "We were captured by Grinning Rath in an ambush after being betrayed by Sir Taerga. Rath and his band caught us in a strand of deadfall as we picked our way through, leading our horses. The archers made short work of our horses and nearly half my men. Stumbling about in the deadfall in full plate, we had no chance. Rath stripped us naked, dead or living. I had an arrow through my shoulder. His ogres were kind enough to tear it out along with a great chunk of flesh before the Dance. It pains me still." "The Dance?" asked Darrian. "The Dance was Grinning Rath's signature." began Sir Elric. "Each living knight was bound to a dead companion, head to head, hand to hand and foot to foot. He drug us to the open plain and tied us thus so that we could not move save dancing with the dead. We lay there 'neath the blazing sun and, as our friends began to rot, my men began to die of exposure. I managed to grind through the bonds on one wrist using stone that stuck from the ground. I saved those that could be saved, Cassius included. Some of the men had died during the Dance, some had lost their wits as the flesh of their friends melted in the sun. I tracked Rath, snuck into his camp and killed him and all who participated in the atrocity. There was no heroism, Darrian, only slow brutal death and grim deeds. We shall speak no more of this."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As we proceed along through the tunnels we come accross the man that was preaching in town earlier. Cinara, who was in the rear of the party moves up closer to where Sir Elric is, and after hearing part of the conversation Sir Elric had with the priest she wonders what he has in mind. Surely he wasn't considering joining up with them, she thinks to her self. Then she hears that the priest has the key to the door and she realizes that indeed Sir Elric is just plotting.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"I think we don't have enough. This city is obviously not the place to research demons, especially the elusive ones. Hard enough tracking the ones that don't hide themselves, whoever is doing this is being very sure to cover their tracks and hide themselves in the shadows." responded Zack.
Carloseus noticed himself looking to Bastrom for leadership. He had once looked up to this man for guidance, to take command when he had no answers. He shook it away. He was his own man now, and he was his own leader. Sure, this man could tag along with him, and they could weave their paths together, but it would be respect and trust in each other that would be between them, no mentor or teacher or decided leader.
"Then, we should meet up with the others. I sense a trouble approaching, and I am unnerved about this subtleness and the silence of the city." Carloseus stated. Bastrom pondered.
"If we go with them now, we may be unable to help them. They do not know of the terrible danger, or perhaps they don't care. They've begun to enter the sewers now, at the request of a cultist, a possible servant of our offender. We can flank them by finding our own way there, or join your friends. I've searched a long time now for you, I'lll join you and your friends in your quest for your company promises to be quite unique and favors my own quest against the coming darkness."
Carloseus nodded, and soon they were slowly making their way to Sir Elric's band. They needed no directions, the paladin's presence was very noticeable on its own as they too were righteous warriors. However the difference between them and the crusader was: he served Lord Silver, and they did not.
Heading back the way they had come a short while, they came to the fork, thaking the path to their left, after a minute or two they came to a group of three men, who were missing their eyes, much like Gaal and his warriors and priests.
"Ah...be wary, my friends! Someone has come before us, I can sense it!" said the old man in the centre.
"More of you with no eyes! Are you followers of the Unseeing Eye, then?" asked Sir Elric. "No, my Lord, we are not." said the old man. "Or perhaps it is more correct to say that we are worshippers no longer. What brings you to this place?" "The church has bid me and my companions investigate the cult, but I also seek a rod from below." "No! You must not do this!" the man exclaimed profusely. "You cannot give the rod to the beholder, my Lord! It is an artifact of immense power!" "Why not? What do you know about this rod? Speak! Tell us what you know old man!" demanded Darrian. "When I was the high priest for the Unseeing Eye, I discovered that its purpose for coming here was to gain the powerful artifact below. It is an item of such destructive power that the gods themselves determined it should not be used again. It was split in two and this half was secreted here. It is protected against intrusion by powerful magic and beasts that live in the caverns. Many of the beholder's followers have perished trying to retrieve it. I know, my Lord, that the beholder has the other half of the rod! If he were to acquire this half, he would be capable of wreaking terrible destruction" replied the old man. "If this is true, then the cult must be destroyed." Balgarath said. "Indeed" said Sir Elric. "In that case I shall not retrieve the rod." "No, my Lord, the exact opposite is true! If you are able to retrieve this rod, you must do so!" pleaded the old man. "Why?" questioned Sir Elric. "I thought you said the beholder cannot get a hold of this item?"
"We tried to get the second half of the rod ourselves, to use its destructive power to defeat the beholder. That is the only way to destroy the creature." the old man continued. "The beholder has failed to acquire the rod because the gods have cursed the item. This lets you determine the artifact's true worth... or threat. Would you...would you be willing to go below and retrieve the artifact, my Lord?"
"Can this half of the rod work without the other half?" asked Balgarath.
"No, that is true." said the old man. "The beholder's half must be stolen for the power to be used. I know of a way to do this. Retrieve the first half and I shall tell you of it." "Very well...I shall return as soon as I am able." said Sir Elric. "I am most grateful, my Lord. We have tried, but our blindness limits us. This chamber we are in is safe...so long as the sarcophagus further down the passage is not opened. I would ask that you do not try to open it yourself... I sense great evil from it. And I do wish my brethren and I to remain safe, here. Oh, I pray that my god will someday forgive my great trespass and restore my sight! Be careful in the levels below, and remember that the gods will likely not allow one to take the artifact for themselves for long. Remember that! Godspeed!"
"I do not like this Sir Elric." said Darrian. "Half truths and missing information. We should destroy this cult and be done with it. They are heathens."
"I do agree with you Darrian, I am not fond of being lied to and mislead." said Sir Elric. "But If this beholder seeks to destroy many, it must be stopped. That should be our primary concern here."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.
As they head on to the proper entrance, Cinara stops abruptly, causing Zubin, who was not paying attention, to bump into her. Ahead there are a few of the order that no longer have their eyes, they tell us that the rod we seek is very powerful and is heavily protected, by magic and beasts. But can they be trusted she wonders, or are they out for their own profit. She is grateful that Venex has recovered for he and Balgarath will be great aid in dealing with the magics. The beasts they mentioned will hopefully prove no match after dealing with the Efreeti. She has been practicing little since their last battle, so she falls to the rear of the group to give herself a little room to practice up with her quarterstaff, while they trudge their way along the paths.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
As they head onto the proper entrance, Cinara stops abruptly, causing Zubin, who was not paying attention, to bump into her. Ahead there are a few of the order that no longer have their eyes, they are talking to Sir Elric. They tell us that the rod we seek is very powerful and is heavily protected, by magic and beasts. But can they be trusted or are they our for their own profit, she wonders.
She is grateful that Venex has recovered for he and Balgarath will be a great aid in dealing with the magics. The beasts they mentioned will hopefull prove no match after dealing with the Efreeti. Plus they have Darrian to aid them in this quest.
Cinara starts thinking of her training and realizes that she has not had much since their last battle, so she decides to fall back to the rear of the group to give herself a little room to practice up with her quarterstaff, while they trudge along the paths towards their goal.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Smiling is infectious.
Give, expecting nothing thereof. ------------ BoD - Come have some fun! Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Carloseus felt the paladin close now, and with him the rest of his friends. He could even sense Cinara at the back of the group flailing a staff around. If he really wanted to, he could even see her by straining his senses and the aura she let out. The arcane forces were so much more than he realized, and he marveled at this awakening. He turned to Bastrom.
"Before I fell, I could barely cast the mediate of spells, and now I know I can probably use the hard ones if I learned how to execute them. Why?"
"The battle you had was definately a hard one, the spirit and body heals itself to become even stronger after such hard events and close encounters to death. You've learned the way of the berseker, in which you use up your extra energies that are intended for healing. That is why you take so long to heal after battles." he spoke. Carloseus nodded, this made sense.
"However during your healing process, this demon attacked you. If yours was in the same manner as mine, it was an inner battle with a demon. The conclusion I came to was this. A force of the darkness tried to overtake you, when you were your weakest. In doing this, our enemy pushed the balance of light and darkness. By attacking us in that manner in our state we were able to find access to the forces of Light, and thus defeat our enemies."
"So what church do we belong to then? Or do we discover that later?"
"Church? Churches are religions. I belong to no god, nor any divine force. There is simply Light and Darkness. There are creatures and forces that fight using darkness, as well as creatures and forces using the light. And there are factions on both sides as well, it is never black and white with this war. There are gods, angels, demons, and everything in between. Humans are stuck in the middle of as light and darkness fight for dominance of our kind." Carloseus was now beginning to realize.
"We don't belong to light or its factions, we belong to humanity." he said.
"Exactly. In a way we are paladins already." Bastrom replied.
"How long have you been thinking about this? How long did it take you to come up with all these realizations?" asked Carloseus.
"About a year. But my battles and my struggles were not as easy to interpret as yours. Nor did I advance as fast as you have. In seeing you and knowing what you went through my theories have been proven and now I know that it isn't a god or a church or a cult or anyone giving me these abilities, I just have them."
As Bastrom concluded, Carloseus noticed a man with no eyes, and a mob of people eagerly listening to the cult-seeming priest. They were doing well, they would catch up to the party soon.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
"So ye want some more then aye?" said the man. "Ye got it."
With another huge punch Shikyomaru broke his way through another table.
"Where yer down ye stay down. Or ye will not be getting up a third time."
But Shikyomaru paid no attention to the man's threats. and rose to his feet once again.
"Oi!! I told yer not to get up again., Ye really making me mad mate, ye are!" grunted the large warrior.
Shikyomaru quickley stepped forward as the man lunged towards him to deleiver another powerful blow, and grabbed his arm and spun him around onto his back on the ground.
"If you hope to beat me in a fight you wirr have to do much better san sat" Shikyomaru said mockingly while holding a katana to the man's throat. "Now my friends and I must take our reave, If you want a rematch I suggest you come find me when you are ress drunk and have rearned how to fight, untir sen, I wirr take which ever woman I prease."
You could have beaten him at any time, but you did not. Why?" asked Balgarath.
"He was sizing us up as soon as we entered se tavern, he needed to rearn a varuabre resson, to fear what you cannot see." Shikyomaru said. "And besides, it is fun tossing drunks."
"Prehaps your reputation proceeds you. I have heard tales of a man from a land far away, know as much for his skill in battle as his bar room antics. I had not put two and two together until now. You will certainly liven any trip to a tavern more enjoyable, should we happen upon other such characters you have shall we say met before." Sir Elric said solemnly.
He stood there, breathing heavily and the last of the light fading from his hand. He was now covered in demon blood and his own, the fight had been long and hard. He was still in this area of his mind, he did not yet want to return to reality. He looked back at the door through which the demon wanted to go through, knowing that his passing through it would return him again to reality, the rest of the world. And if he did, he would have to hurry to his friend's aid. Perhaps the demon had been lying, or perhaps there was a good chance his friends would now be in grave danger.
But he did not want that yet. He still had one question. Why, or how, did he have this new power? He was no stranger to the arcane forces, he was still learning to use them. However this energy he had used to defeat his enemy was not arcane, it was holy in essence. Was he now a paladin? Was he now a warrior of the church? No. However much he respected the churches and religions of he knew of, he could never believe them wholeheartedly. However, could he merely be a holy warrior? A protector and spreader of the light without also spreading words of "God" or of a church? Could he simply fight in the name of the light without also promoting a church or another?
He did not believe in a higher power, only that if one existed it was not just, loving, or in any way better than the scum he had just destroyed. Yes. He would be a warrior of the light, following most rules of the paladin orders however holding no allegiance to an church. What would Sir Elric think? Surely he would not be pleased, or perhaps he would be offended. Then again, how could he explain Carloseus's ability to harness the powers of a paladin without a church or training in that church? He turned to the door, and made his way to it. His questions would have to wait, at least until the likely dangers were gone, and he could ask his questions.
"You are awake! We had thought you would never rise again!" exclaimed Master Garren.
"Aye, and I must leave your hospitality and generosity to fight again. My gratitude is immmeasurable, I cannot say how thankful I am for caring for me." He took the Garrens hand, and in it planted a hefty pouch of gold. Garren looked at the gift and then up to the young man to argue. This much gold could buy him five horses!
"Take the gold, master Garren. You have more use for it than I do, and I will no doubt come across more of it in my travels. I do have one more thing to ask of you however, well, two. Where can I find the closest Blacksmith and in which direction did my party leave?"
Returning with Venexs food, she notices that he has fallen asleep, sets tray on the table and takes her leave.
She proceeds to Zubin's room to check on him. He is awake but is clearly still drunk as he tries to get up and move about, she lets out another chuckle and shakes her head.
"Hey Zubin," she says. He looks up groggily and tries to stand once again. She catches him before he falls and hits his head. Sitting him upright he starts mumbling something. She fills a pitcher with water and takes her leave of him as well.
"Goodnight Zubin", she says and heads off to her own room.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"Dawn"
arising early, the adventurers packed up their belongs and heaed for Waukeen's Prominade, and hopefully some answers about the mysterious talisman and the mage owner.
"So this is Waukeen's Prominade" Balagarath said looking around at the high tiers of the ring of the Prominade. It's pearl white steps and six towers capped with domes.
"Indeed. with it's many bizaars and markets, almost anything one could want is at your fingertips." said Sir Elric.
"Ahh se city, wis arr it's inhabitants and accumurate riches, yes" Shikyomaru said with a grin.
"Ha Ha quite." Sir Elric laughed. "Now if memory serves, the ore merchant should be on the second teir near the south gate."
Continuing on their way passed the many exotic stores and entertainers, from all the corners of the globe.
"Aah yes, here we are." Sir Elric said climbing the stairs to the second tier. "You there, I say Ore Merchant. A word with you."
"Greetings good master." said the merchant. "And how can I be of service to a member of the Raidant Heart this day."
"I am seeking to know all I can of a very strange metal, and I hope you may be able to assist me." asked the paladin.
"Then you have come to the right place." replied the merchant. "Do you have any of it on you?"
"A small amount yes. here you go." Sir Elric said handing over the small fragment of the talisman he had.
"Tis a shame you do not have more of it." the merchant said studying it closely. "Hmm it is rare, in it's inert state it has no properties, but through enchantments it can unleash small amounts of magical energy depending on the size, the bigger the amount, the more powerful to energy it can release. Just don't go using it around here, damn Cowled Wizards'll have you locked up in Spellhold faster than you can say Incetus Pulcher Imperio. A man from one of the temples, well he looked like he was from one of the temples, did come by a while back, he was after this stone as well. Didn't say what it was for but he wanted a lot of it. 200 pounds of the stuff. Wasn't easy to get I can assure you. Though fortunately Dreugar work for peanuts if you have a way with words. Not sure if the man is still there, but he would be the man to see next."
"I thank you for your help merchant. Here is a copper for you help. may the gods be with you." said Sir Elric. "Now when we enter the temple district, do try stay out of any of the church's politics, they are always dragging people into matters that do not concern them or try to convert anyone who thinks differently. While I can't blame them for that one, it's better just to avoid the situation of you can, some of them get pretty fanatical I can assure you."
Zubin walked beside Cinara. Rubbing his eyes and yawning. Surely he was not fully concious.
''Hmmm, *yawn* so where are we going?'' said Zubin.
Cinara looked over to Zubin, ''You know my friend'' she said''
''Really? Well i guess i had a memory loss due to excessive drinking'' he added.
Cinara smiled and looked forward. We then saw Sir Elric showing the talisman to some merchant. They had a bit of chat and then Sir Elric continued to walk, and so did we.
''Zubin, I've always imagined you as a crazy raver. The kinda guy that spends all night dancing to trance music while waving glow sticks and popping ecstasy.'' - Murderface
"Listen to me, my brothers and sisters...heed my words. We have been chosen as the recipients of a most holy miracle, one that should neither be dismissed nor ignored! I, Gaal...I, who have been stripped of my eyes most mercifully, have been shown the truth that has eluded the sighted! The gods that you worship are false gods, icons that serve to increase the wealth of churches and heathens! Listen to them not!" spoke the man defiately.
"Hold! You speak of blasphemy!" one of the priests said angrily. "The Morninglord Lathander has always shown His benevolence and power. His presence amongst us is unquestionable!"
"Is it, priest? Gaal questioned. "I ask all of you to question, for a moment, if what the priest says is true. Yes, his false god grants him power to fuel his spells, much as any wizard might possess. I say that the churches lie to you! They claim their gods are present when they do nothing other than require your coin to fill their pockets."
'No! What you are saying cannot be true! The gods have ever protected us!" spoke one of the crowd.
"Is that so? Have they protected you from famine? Have they protected you from disease? Have they wrought harmony upon the world? No, they have not! They lie and cloud your sight to gain your worship of their false images! I have stripped myself of their foul eyes and I see what is the truth! The truth, I tell you!" Gaal replied to the townsperson.
"You lie! You lie! The gods exist!" retorted another citizen.
"Such words are a horrid affront to the gods! Surely you will pay for this! The Storm God Talos will strike you down with his lightning bolts if you do no stop the vile and odious lies you spill forth." said another priest.
"Quiet! Listen to what he has t' say!" another townsperson said said.
"I call on you to abandon your false gods! They have done nothing for you! Cast them aside and join me on the true path, join me in the calling of the true sight!" Gaal said.
"What does that mean? Shall we tear our own eyes out? Don't be foolish!" a fourth citizen.
"What shall we do, then? Who shall we turn to if there are no gods?" asked a fifth member of the crowd.
"But there is a god! There is the true god! The Unseeing Eye is here amongst us! He offers the faithful a clarity of vision, the true path to the divine! He offers you protection and succor!" Gaal said.
"Do not listen to him! He seeks to poison your minds!" yelled the priest of Lathander.
"Bah! What has your god ever done for me? I'm poorer and no better off than I ever was!" said the first townsman.
"Don't speak to the priest in that tone! The gods will be offended!" interjected the second townsman.
"Don't you hear what he's saying? There are no gods to be offended! I say we see what this Unseeing Eye has to offer! Aye! I wish to see!" said the first townsman again.
"No, my friends...you do not wish to 'see'. Forget what the years of lies have taught your eyes! You wish to 'know'. You wish to 'learn'. These are the truths that the Unseeing Eye can offer to you. A truer gift that you'll not find amongst any of these other so-called deities. Come, witness the miracle of the truth! Come and behold the Unseeing Eye for yourself and see the true god that is present amongst us!" bellowed Gaal.
"No! Do not go with him!" beckoned the priest of Talos.
"I'll do as I wish! I want the truth!" said the first townsman. "Show me the Unseeing Eye!"
"Yes! Show me! Show us!" rang out the second.
"Come, then! Those of you who wish to become the truly faithful, to witness the magnificence of the Unseeing Eye and the truth he brings, come with me." Gaal said.
"This must not come to pass. The everseeing eye of the god Silver must be made aware of what they intend. You there. You have the look of a man of faith." said a priest to Sir Elric Sigmundson. "I would ask a service of you. If you perform well you may gain the favor of the Temple of Silver. Follow me to the temple of Silver. I will discuss what is required of you there. Do not take too long; Silver requires you now."
He leaned over to Cinara and whispered.
"Uh... What's going on?"
"We should not delay" said Sir Elric. "The god's have need of us."
"Yes, while I know little of your gods, it is best not to keep them waiting, regardless." said Balgarath.
"Indeed, incurring the wrath of a god is the last thing we need right now. let us make hast for the temple." said Sir Elric.
As the appraoched the temple they were met by a man in full plate mail, save for a helmet.
"Greetings to you, Sir Elric. We are honored to have a servant of Torm walk these halls. You are well known amongst your Order, and Silver respects those with such a devotion to duty." said a cleric at the door.
"The honor is mine, Guardian." said Sir Elric. "silver holds a special place in the hearts of all who join the Order"
"Welcome. I had hoped you would come." said the priest of the god Silver. "You bear the signs of one that is good of heart, but that also gives weight to all sides of an argument. We are aligned in a like fashion, and I think you would do well to pledge your service to the guidance of Silver. Here is the problem that I wish to pose to you. You heard that fool in the street? If what he says is true, it threatens to upset a delicate balance. A new power would only disrupt the way of things. If he is lying, then whatever cult he is proposing can only serve to hurt those it bilks into following him."
"He played on the people's insecurity. Can you not offer better than he?" asked Balgarath.
"Silver offers unwavering stability; true faith has no instant reward. Silver very rarely appears in physical form. Walking with mortals is not the way of the gods." said the priest.
"Then this man's claims are doubly disturbing. I will help, but what must I do?" asked Sir Elric.
"He of the Unsleeping Eyes must know of this cult." said the priest. "The blindness they promote is abhorrent to Silver. We ask you to investigate and identify what is happening. The Vigilant One informs that the cult is underground and close, but we cannot see past the sewers. You must infiltrate, as friend or conqueror. The sewer entrances found through the district. You must suffer the filth of the sewers to find the filth of the cult. They are not hiding amidst the pipes, so there must be a passage leading further away."
"And what is se payment forshis task?" Shikyomaru asked.
"There will be reward. Do not tax your welcome by demanding it now. You will be given your due when the time is right." the priest said sternly.
"Very werr, sough I wirr be most dispreased if it turns out you are rying." said Shikyomaru.
"May the Great Guard give light to all wrongs against you." thundered the preist. "You may seek healing and tools to aid you here as you need. Ask an acolyte and you will receive."
Next she went to Venex's room. He was trying to stand and appeared to waiver a bit, Cinara went to steady him, as she did he whispered "Uh... What's going on?" She helped him to his water basin so he could freshen up.
"Something you have done has brought you back to us, we thought you dead. You will be glad to hear that the girl is safe, thanks to you. As for where we are not, we are in Athkatla, at an inn. We are setting off to find the ore merchant to see if they know anything about the metal the amulet is made of." Cinara stopped there so as to let that information sink in.
She got him and Zubin moving and noticed that Sir Elric and all were waiting for them. We set off for the ore merchant. Zubin still staggering and her aiding Venex a bit. During the walk to the ore merchant Zubin finally seemed to be coming about, he ws still a little groggy as he could not remember where we were heading to.
As Sir Elric spoke to the merchant we set down on the stoop of her shop to give Venex and Zubin a quick rest. After the information was gathered we hear a man preaching in the middle of town, Sir Elric approaches to listen. Cinara notices the man preaching and strains to listen. Ugh, another cultist, she thinks to herself.
She notices that Sir Elric is approached by a priest and he, Shik and Balgarath set off for the temple. Cinara motions to him that we will stay here until he is finished with the temple business.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
Garren said it was this way.... Thought Carloseus as he reached a dead end. Before him was a great drop into a roaring river, and nowhere in sight was there a bridge nor any sign of crossing across the expansive torrent of water. He sighed, and sat down for the first time in 2 days. Garren had clearly made a mistake in the direction, or they must have taken a turn. No. He had known what their destination was, and had pointed him in that direction. No, he had messed up. Now he was surrounded by forest and was looking down the cliff into the water. He heard a sound, but deemed it too close to himself for it to be someone approaching.
"Hello." he heard. Instantly he was on his feet with his oversized sword at hand and ready for battle. The man put up his hands and laughed lightly, "calm, stranger, I mean no harm."
"Who are you? How did you find me?" demanded Carloseus, skeptical of the newcomer's intentions.
"I...I am....Who am I?" the stranger asked himself. He seemed puzzled, and turned around, jumping onto the nearest tree. Carloseus then noticed a blade as large as his own on this man's back. He relaxed a bit, now that the man was in on a tree and a little further from attacking range.
"I am Bastrom. And I found you only because I have been following you for some time."
"Why?" asked the warrior.
"Because, Carloseus, I follow the same path as you. We were...seperated long ago. Do you not remember?"
Carloseus searched his mind for this man's face.
.........
...........
"I...do remember. We were friends, right?"
"Yes. But right now we gotta get you to your friends. We will meet again, Carloseus, and next time we do meet I hope we have more time to talk." he said. With that, he jumped off the tree, and walked to the cliff. To Carloseus's amazement, he did not stop when he got to it, and simply kept walking. Where he should have dropped like a rock he continued to walk in mid-air, and suddenly the empty space, river below, and the sound of rushing water went away. Zack was now walking down a path, surrounded by ever more forest. Carloseus stood up, and followed. Zack stopped, and looked back at his old friend.
"There are powers at work that are set on evil, Carloseus, and as you and your friends grow stronger and find out more of these evils, the attempts at destroying you all will also grow in number and dedication."
They entered the city of Athkatla, found an inn, and got two rooms. There was very limited conversation between them, and most of it concerning the bridge mirage and the forces that had attacked Carloseus after the battle in the dungeons. Both the mirage and attack were of a demonic work, however who had done it and where was yet to be known. The trip was one of 5 days, they had crossed it in a day. Two men were obviously faster than an entire party, especially if they kept talk at a minimum, dedicated their entire energy on moving forward, and strong due to the various adventures, battles, and years of training.
Carloseus laid down, and kept his long knife at hand sheathed and beneath the sheet over him. His clothes had been washed and dried before he had gone into his room, the washing by a lovely lady offering such services for a fee just outside, and the drying by himself with the arcane forces he was still mastering. Now he laid in his bed fully clothed and armored, ready for anything should so much as tap be made on the door to his room.
"Halt and go no further laymen!" he said in a deep booming voice. "There be a grave evil here, the source of which I have yet to find. Please, forgive the harshness of my tone, but state your business in this place."
"A grave evil, you say... Of what sort, and who are you to seek it out?" asked Sir Elric.
"I am Darrian Lighthammer, servant of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart. As for the evil of which I speak, I know only that it has preyed upon my brothers in faith. I have heard that the other Churches have suffered similar losses as of late. Now surely you must understand that I cannot let you pass without an answer to my questions. Who are you and what is your business here?"
"I am Sir Elric Sigmundson. and I..."
"SIR ELRIC!!" Darrian blurted out before Sir Elric could finish his sentence. "Forgive my arrogance my lord you have been gone far to long, I did not recognise you."
"As I was about to say the church of Silver dictates that I search these depths. If you do the same, tell me what you know." said Sir Elric.
"The evil of which I spoke, its presence is quite strong and, unsurprisingly, it emanates from somewhere deep below us. I have not yet found a downward exit to this place, but I am sure that is where the evil sleeps. Come, let us seal our fates together and seek it out. I was instructed to await the group that I would aid in this matter. It is my duty to serve for the greater good. But I had no idea it would be you they would send. Torm must favour me this day."
"Your presence in my group would be most welcome, Darrian Lighthammer. I accept your service."
"Lead on then, I will direct my sword where you wish. Let us seek an exit from these pits that leads to the greater blackness below. In Helm's name let us crush this evil together."
"Aye, I would appreciate the company, especially against an unknown foe. Come, let us find an exit from these pits that does not open skyward." said Sir Elric.
Just as she was reaching the entrance of the temple a priest had come out. She explained to him a bit of the situation and he agreed that they did have something that would aid Venex. While he retrieves the potion, Cinara surveys the town, and far off it appears that Carloseus was heading towards an Inn with a companion. She shakes her head to clear her vision for that could not possible be him, and determines to make up a potion for herself.
The priest comes out with not one but a few vials and instructs her to mix in an herb, that he also hands over, with it just before consuming. She thanks him and offers to pay but he politely refuses.
She rejoins Venex and Zubin, mixes in the herb as instructed, and hands it to Venex to drink up, which he does and to Cinara's amazement has an immediate effect. Zubin asks if there is anything in her bag to help with his headache and she replies, "you are just going to have to ride that one out my friend."
We head over to the temple as the rest of our group emerges and head off. She approaches Sir Elric to find out where they are heading and is dismayed to hear it is yet another underground cavern.
As we neared the sewer, the stench was almost overpowering and brought back memories of our previous battle, where we almost lost two of our members. She thinks back on her vision of seeing Carloseus arriving at the Inn, for that is what she can only comprehend it being he could not have possibly caught up to us by now.
We meet up with the man who will be questing with us in this foul smelling place and head on down into its depths.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
The warrior woke as if he had always been awake, as if he had simply closed his eyes for a second. However it was morning now, and they had arrived the afternoon the previous day. He was rested, he felt calm, collected, and his body felt no soreness or stiffness. Nor was he weaker. If anything, his strength was growing, as if he was still recovering from something all this time since he woke from Garren's abode.
"Carloseus. wake-"
"I am awake." Carloseus said opening the door. Bastrom smiled, and laughed lightly.
"Good! You are recovering well. Let's find something to eat, I'm starving." he said, clapping Carloseus softly on his shoulder.
"Aye, me too. This is a big city, we should have no problem finding something good to eat!" the warrior replied, returning the gesture to his long lost friend. They laughed, and set off to find an eatery that was not already filled with people.
They found a good restaurant, and as they ate they talked about the upcoming mission. They could not immediately rejoin Carloseus's party, they would have to take a different route to them. And they would surely sense him, for his power and presence had grown, he would have to let them hope against logic that he would come to their aid. At least for now. For now, they would investigate the identity of this demon force plaguing Carloseus.
"Hold, you tread on sacred ground! Only those who serve the Unseeing Eye may enter. I am Gaal, High Priest of the One God." said the preacher.
"I wish to know more. How does one serve your 'Unseeing Eye'?" asked Sir Elric.
"The One God has demanded that his disciples achieve a higher state of wisdom...you must remove that which is limiting and offensive." replied Gaal. "The unholy eyes are removed from your head during the sacred initiation. If you survive and are proven faithful, the Unseeing Eye accepts you into service."
"And what if I'm not interested in having my eyes removed?" Sir Elric asked.
"Hmmmn. It is a sign of weakness to refuse the enlightenment. Would you walk about willingly without arms, without feet? I do not think so." Gaal said as he pointed directly at the paladin. "Still, the Unseeing Eye could use the skills of one such as yourself. An exception... could, perhaps, be made in your case. There is... something that you could do that the great one cannot, despite His vast power. Assist in that and I will admit you into our ranks and into the Unseeing One's presence, yes?"
"Tell me what the task is and I'll consider it" replied Sir Elric.
"These holy grounds are part of a larger, ancient structure... dangerous if one ventures into the lower levels. The Unseeing Eye knows of a valuable item in this area. If you were to venture below you could prove your worth by retrieving this artifact for Him." said Gaal. " Do this and I will allow you into our ranks and the One's divine presence."
"What is this item you speak of...and where would I locate it?" Sir Elric asked.
"The item is a rod...or part of a rod, rather, that you will find atop a holy altar." Gaal replied. "I cannot tell you more than that. You must let your faith guide you. "
"And how would I get to these lower levels?" asked Sir Elric. "I imagine I won't get far by just banging on walls and floors."
"Yes, Yes, you are quite right. I have a key I can give you... this will allow you entrance to the inner chambers through a door a short distance back the way you came, at the sewer passages." said Gaal.
"Very well, I shall do as you suggest." replied Sir Elric.
"You are worthy in my eyes, faithful one." Gaal said as he reached into his pocket. "Here is the key. Once you have the rod, bring it to me and together we shall present it to the Unseeing Eye."
"I do not like this Sir Elric. The mutilate their bodies." said Darrian. "They are clearly possessed. What is next. orgies with goats?"
"Ha Ha." Laughed Sir Elric. "Having orgies including goats doesn't make them possessed, simply horny... and inventive."
"Sir Elric, as an initiate of the Order, I heard many a story of your prowess and courage. At one point, Sir Cassius made reference to your heroism on the Giant's Plain. He stopped abruptly and, with a dark look, would say no more. What happened there?" asked Darrian.
"Heroism, he said? Cassius gives me more credit than I deserve. The days on the Giant's Plain were dark days and the deeds performed, darker still." replied Sir Elric. "We were captured by Grinning Rath in an ambush after being betrayed by Sir Taerga. Rath and his band caught us in a strand of deadfall as we picked our way through, leading our horses. The archers made short work of our horses and nearly half my men. Stumbling about in the deadfall in full plate, we had no chance. Rath stripped us naked, dead or living. I had an arrow through my shoulder. His ogres were kind enough to tear it out along with a great chunk of flesh before the Dance. It pains me still."
"The Dance?" asked Darrian.
"The Dance was Grinning Rath's signature." began Sir Elric. "Each living knight was bound to a dead companion, head to head, hand to hand and foot to foot. He drug us to the open plain and tied us thus so that we could not move save dancing with the dead. We lay there 'neath the blazing sun and, as our friends began to rot, my men began to die of exposure. I managed to grind through the bonds on one wrist using stone that stuck from the ground. I saved those that could be saved, Cassius included. Some of the men had died during the Dance, some had lost their wits as the flesh of their friends melted in the sun. I tracked Rath, snuck into his camp and killed him and all who participated in the atrocity. There was no heroism, Darrian, only slow brutal death and grim deeds. We shall speak no more of this."
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"I think we don't have enough. This city is obviously not the place to research demons, especially the elusive ones. Hard enough tracking the ones that don't hide themselves, whoever is doing this is being very sure to cover their tracks and hide themselves in the shadows." responded Zack.
Carloseus noticed himself looking to Bastrom for leadership. He had once looked up to this man for guidance, to take command when he had no answers. He shook it away. He was his own man now, and he was his own leader. Sure, this man could tag along with him, and they could weave their paths together, but it would be respect and trust in each other that would be between them, no mentor or teacher or decided leader.
"Then, we should meet up with the others. I sense a trouble approaching, and I am unnerved about this subtleness and the silence of the city." Carloseus stated. Bastrom pondered.
"If we go with them now, we may be unable to help them. They do not know of the terrible danger, or perhaps they don't care. They've begun to enter the sewers now, at the request of a cultist, a possible servant of our offender. We can flank them by finding our own way there, or join your friends. I've searched a long time now for you, I'lll join you and your friends in your quest for your company promises to be quite unique and favors my own quest against the coming darkness."
Carloseus nodded, and soon they were slowly making their way to Sir Elric's band. They needed no directions, the paladin's presence was very noticeable on its own as they too were righteous warriors. However the difference between them and the crusader was: he served Lord Silver, and they did not.
"Ah...be wary, my friends! Someone has come before us, I can sense it!" said the old man in the centre.
"More of you with no eyes! Are you followers of the Unseeing Eye, then?" asked Sir Elric.
"No, my Lord, we are not." said the old man. "Or perhaps it is more correct to say that we are worshippers no longer. What brings you to this place?"
"The church has bid me and my companions investigate the cult, but I also seek a rod from below."
"No! You must not do this!" the man exclaimed profusely. "You cannot give the rod to the beholder, my Lord! It is an artifact of immense power!"
"Why not? What do you know about this rod? Speak! Tell us what you know old man!" demanded Darrian.
"When I was the high priest for the Unseeing Eye, I discovered that its purpose for coming here was to gain the powerful artifact below. It is an item of such destructive power that the gods themselves determined it should not be used again. It was split in two and this half was secreted here. It is protected against intrusion by powerful magic and beasts that live in the caverns. Many of the beholder's followers have perished trying to retrieve it. I know, my Lord, that the beholder has the other half of the rod! If he were to acquire this half, he would be capable of wreaking terrible destruction" replied the old man.
"If this is true, then the cult must be destroyed." Balgarath said.
"Indeed" said Sir Elric. "In that case I shall not retrieve the rod."
"No, my Lord, the exact opposite is true! If you are able to retrieve this rod, you must do so!" pleaded the old man.
"Why?" questioned Sir Elric. "I thought you said the beholder cannot get a hold of this item?"
"We tried to get the second half of the rod ourselves, to use its destructive power to defeat the beholder. That is the only way to destroy the creature." the old man continued. "The beholder has failed to acquire the rod because the gods have cursed the item. This lets you determine the artifact's true worth... or threat. Would you...would you be willing to go below and retrieve the artifact, my Lord?"
"Can this half of the rod work without the other half?" asked Balgarath.
"No, that is true." said the old man. "The beholder's half must be stolen for the power to be used. I know of a way to do this. Retrieve the first half and I shall tell you of it."
"Very well...I shall return as soon as I am able." said Sir Elric.
"I am most grateful, my Lord. We have tried, but our blindness limits us. This chamber we are in is safe...so long as the sarcophagus further down the passage is not opened. I would ask that you do not try to open it yourself... I sense great evil from it. And I do wish my brethren and I to remain safe, here. Oh, I pray that my god will someday forgive my great trespass and restore my sight! Be careful in the levels below, and remember that the gods will likely not allow one to take the artifact for themselves for long. Remember that! Godspeed!"
"I do not like this Sir Elric." said Darrian. "Half truths and missing information. We should destroy this cult and be done with it. They are heathens."
"I do agree with you Darrian, I am not fond of being lied to and mislead." said Sir Elric. "But If this beholder seeks to destroy many, it must be stopped. That should be our primary concern here."
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
She is grateful that Venex has recovered for he and Balgarath will be a great aid in dealing with the magics. The beasts they mentioned will hopefull prove no match after dealing with the Efreeti. Plus they have Darrian to aid them in this quest.
Cinara starts thinking of her training and realizes that she has not had much since their last battle, so she decides to fall back to the rear of the group to give herself a little room to practice up with her quarterstaff, while they trudge along the paths towards their goal.
Folks will always come and go, so enjoy them while they're meant to be in your life.
"Before I fell, I could barely cast the mediate of spells, and now I know I can probably use the hard ones if I learned how to execute them. Why?"
"The battle you had was definately a hard one, the spirit and body heals itself to become even stronger after such hard events and close encounters to death. You've learned the way of the berseker, in which you use up your extra energies that are intended for healing. That is why you take so long to heal after battles." he spoke. Carloseus nodded, this made sense.
"However during your healing process, this demon attacked you. If yours was in the same manner as mine, it was an inner battle with a demon. The conclusion I came to was this. A force of the darkness tried to overtake you, when you were your weakest. In doing this, our enemy pushed the balance of light and darkness. By attacking us in that manner in our state we were able to find access to the forces of Light, and thus defeat our enemies."
"So what church do we belong to then? Or do we discover that later?"
"Church? Churches are religions. I belong to no god, nor any divine force. There is simply Light and Darkness. There are creatures and forces that fight using darkness, as well as creatures and forces using the light. And there are factions on both sides as well, it is never black and white with this war. There are gods, angels, demons, and everything in between. Humans are stuck in the middle of as light and darkness fight for dominance of our kind." Carloseus was now beginning to realize.
"We don't belong to light or its factions, we belong to humanity." he said.
"Exactly. In a way we are paladins already." Bastrom replied.
"How long have you been thinking about this? How long did it take you to come up with all these realizations?" asked Carloseus.
"About a year. But my battles and my struggles were not as easy to interpret as yours. Nor did I advance as fast as you have. In seeing you and knowing what you went through my theories have been proven and now I know that it isn't a god or a church or a cult or anyone giving me these abilities, I just have them."
As Bastrom concluded, Carloseus noticed a man with no eyes, and a mob of people eagerly listening to the cult-seeming priest. They were doing well, they would catch up to the party soon.