DM Carl: Zeoll is Dead! Long Live Zeoll! Monday April 29th, 2002 11:37:06 AM
Back at Bridge Isle the Chosen gather around Tarsus once more, and as they approach him the HeartStone grows noticeably lighter. He bows his head to you, seemingly pleased regarding the Heart, but with a great sadness in his eyes also.
He steps aside and behind him stands a grief stricken Wemic. He is tall and big, like all Liontaurs, with the tawny fur and light brown skin common to the race. His mane is woven with beads, and those who know his kind can tell his pride and clan from them. This Wemic carries no weapons you can see. He has a shield, though, and he wears a green hat with a black feather. His white shirt is beautifully embroidered. You do not recognize him.
But the body lying on the table is immediately recognizable by all. It is your friend and companion Zeoll, cold and still in death. A death that even the pleas of the mighty Jandor could not reverse.
Tarsus speaks, his voice tinged with sadness. "The first of us is fallen, and may never return. This" he indicates the new arrival "was Zeoll's teacher, the Wemic who taught him the ways of song and tale. It is he who has brought his apprentice's body back to us."
The stranger -- a bard, it seems -- stands fully upright, then bows very low, holds that position for a moment, and then rises. He chants in a sing-song voice. "Alas! Alas! Alas! Alas! Woe and honorr both I brring you. You the grreat and honorred Chosen," the wemic declaims in Tauric, and from his accent you know he comes from Zeoll's people.
"Long searrched I for mighty Zeoll! Farr I sailed and farr I sought him! Long I longed to offerr serrvice. To the grreatest of the Chosen. Once my pupil, now my masterr. Him I would have joined in fealty. Then at last my quest was overr. But crruel fate did twist the ending! For in battle fell grreat Zeoll! He is dead as I have found him. Death from which therre is no flinching. Dead as Domi whom he honorred! Death who takes with little merrcy. Dead as herre you see him lying."
The bard pauses, and you see his cheeks are wet. He grabs his shirt (embroidered with patterns of leaves and ivy) and rends it, so that it hangs in shreds on his body. He resumes his chant.
"Zeoll was the last, the rremainderr of his prride, the famed Nonowla. They werre hunterrs without equal. They werre brrave and strrong and trrue. Zeoll was the last one living."
The bard reaches down and touches the beads in Zeoll's mane. "He will be the last to wear these! So his line and name will end." The bard pauses and sighs, then stands up, resolved. "No -- it shall not be! It must not! I won't let his people end! I cast off my prride of birthing! I will take on famed Nonowla!" The Wemic takes a knife and cuts certain beads from his head, dropping them to the ground. Then he gently unbraids beads from Zeoll's mane, and weaves them into his own. He continues.
"So in honorr of his people. Of the hunterrs, the Nonowla. I have chosen to adopt them. I will wear his beads as my beads. And his prride will now be my prride. Now his prride will live among us. And his name should live as well. I gladly honor Zeoll. And take on his name as well. Henceforth I will be called Zeoll. In his memorry and honorr. I will carrry on his name. I can neverr be his equal. I can neverr be grreat Zeoll. So I name myself anew now. I am Zeoll, but the Lesserr!"
He thinks a moment, then adds, "Just a bard is not sufficient. I will learn to be a druid. Prriest as Zeoll was a prriest then. I will honorr him in echo. I can neverr be grreat Zeoll. Just a shade that mimes the herro. But my deeds will do him honorr."
The bard turns again to the Chosen and bows to them. "So I offerr you my serrvice. You the grrieving woeful Chosen. I can neverr be the leaderr. That was Zeoll in his glorry. But I hope to serrve the Chosen. As a humble serrvant only. If you will accept my serrvice."
Regardless of the Chosen's answer, the bard offers to perform at the funeral. It is simple ceremony under the sky, with burial in an unmarked place, as is the tradition among Zeoll's people. The bard, calling himself Zeoll the Lesser and wearing a new shirt, suggests that Zeoll be buried with his sword and drums. He plays wordlessly as clerics pray and others speak whatever words they find appropriate and comforting.
Once the simple funeral reaches its conclusion Tarsus speaks once again. "But there is no time to waste now my Children. Your quest cannot wait. You must make all haste for Centaur Isle, lest events overtake us. Once again you must spend the night with the HeartStone at the altar of Domi, this time inside Clearspring Temple."
Though tired (for none of you have slept last night) you make you preparations to leave, but you are all aware that this task may be even harder than the last. For that great temple, a 900-foot tall Whistal tree, sank from sight into an enormous crater on the day that Domi died!
Flat-top Monday April 29th, 2002 6:26:52 PM
Flat-top listens to Zeoll teacher, then look back at his friend Zoell. Helps with the services and after everybody left the grave side. Flat-top plantes a flower on the site, "My this flowers bring here beautiful butterflies. Oh! Dear Drinking Buddy. I have to go now, please watch my back."
Flat-top returns to Heartkeep and prepares himself, backpack. Telling Kale "you know Centaurs still cannot climb or decend a rope?"
Kalon the Wemic Monday April 29th, 2002 8:04:39 PM
Kalon continued to dwell on his praying at the minotaur temple as the Chosen took the journey home. Something was in his head and heart he couldn't quite put his finger on. Something about the death of Domi and the deaths of the other gods. Something odd about the way they died.
Finally iritated by his inability to find what point he was missing he finally forces himself to stop.
The strange occurence of Zeoll's teacher taking Zeoll's name and place amongst the Chosen twigs in his mind the thoughts that had occupied on the journey home. Something about the act seemed connected but he couldn't figure it out.
Kenisha Tuesday April 30th, 2002 12:29:38 AM
With tears in her eyes, Kenisha welcomes Zeoll the Lesser into the Chosen, "Welcome fellow Taur. Though our meeting is in sorrowful times, still you are welcome here."
She tells everyone to take as much rope with them as they can carry. "We may well need it to reach the Temple on Centaur Island. As it is, if the sides of this crater are too steep or unsteady, those of us with hooves will find the way very difficult in deed. Everyone keep your minds open to ways we might add each other in getting to the temple."
As soon as everyone is ready to go, Kenisha leads the Chosen out once more from Heartkeep.
Brahmah Tuesday April 30th, 2002 1:56:15 AM
Brahmah watches the ceremony with a strange look on his face. It almost seems like he may be trying to wrap his head around the fact, we are burying Zeoll, but Zeoll is going to be traveling with us? The minotaur sailor seems confused.
Brahmah walks up to Kenisha, taking bundles of rope. "I don't like the fact this one is taking the name res'rved for Honorable Zeoll, the Fallen!!" He glances at the 'new' Zeoll. "Aren't you yur own person... Friend Taur!"
Leets Tuesday April 30th, 2002 8:54:31 AM
"Be welcome among us my Wemic friend. However, your task will be hard if you want to replace the Fallen Zeoll, instead of this try to have your own place with your own ways..."
During the funeral, Leets will take a handfull of soil and place it in a piece of cloth. Then he will close the piece of cloth with a string and wear it around his neck.
"I've failed, my friend, to protect you on our journey, and this is the most bitter lesson I have ever received...You used to teach us so much, even in death, you gave us a last advice."
"I take some of the soil of your grave to remember, and never let such a thing happen again. Goodbye my friend, Domi will probably welcome you where he is now..."
Ceira Karwyn Tuesday April 30th, 2002 10:27:00 AM
Ceira's personality still continues to spiral into an unknown void. Upon seeing the lifeless form of her friend, the hole in her heart seems to magnify to a level that even she cannot control. From the moment she saw Zeoll, a fountain of infinite tears started trickling down her cheeks. She had not said a word to anyone ever since she got onto the ship. Even for the fallen Zeoll, she was at a loss for words and could only send him away with a gentle goodbye-kiss to his forehead.
As Tarsus directs the Chosen to prepare for Centaur Isle, Ceira's body shakes at the thought. Her mind is tinkering on the edge of something... Perhaps insanity... Perhaps something better. Regardless, having to go back to Centaur Isle is not a comforting thought to her. Through the great deeds and charming personalities, she has grown comfortable around her centaur friends but that doesn't cure her of her prejudice of all centaurs. This would only add to the level of stress that has left her distraught all this time.
She walks up to Kenisha and looks up at her with glossy eyes. "Kenisha," she says as she puts a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm afraid I cannot go with you this time. I have much to sort out in my mind. I am afraid that my mental state might prove to be more of a burden than an aid in battle. As a sorceress, you know that we need our complete undivided attention in the heat of battle to focus on the verbal and somantic aspects of spellcasting. I hope you understand." Ceira pauses to let out a sigh with eyes full of pain. Her eyes reveal that she wishes she could contribute as one of the Chosen but she also knows this is the right decision.
Ceira walks up to Zeoll the Lesser. "I humbly welcome you to help us in our cause. I want you to do me a favor. Watch over my friends. Thank you."
Turning to the entire group. "My friends, I will stay here at Hearthold Keep and await your return. I have much to think about now. By the time you get back, I hope that my mind and body will be ready to rejoin you all and guide you through Wemic Isle. Farewell my friends and may Domi bless you with a speedy return."
And with that, Ceira slowly turns around and walks back towards the keep...
Zeoll the Lesser Tuesday April 30th, 2002 10:29:30 AM
The newcomer liontaur answers Brahmah and Leets with his head bowed and a gentle tone. "I underrstand you, mighty Chosen. Even as I accompany you, I will be but a serrvant to the least of you, forr you werre all Chosen by Domi, and I was not. I do not prresume to take Zeoll the Grreaterr's place -- it is ludicrrous to think that I could. My hope is that by adopting his prride and name, I will help otherrs rrememberr him. In memorry, he will still live. If otherrs hearr of my deeds as Zeoll the Lesserr, they will know that therre was one still grreaterr than me!"
Zeoll the Lesser also thanks Kenisha. "Not forr nothing, gentle lady, do the barrds sing of yourr wisdom and kindness."
He answers Ceira in his native tongue, "Thanks to you, friendliest of Chosen. May you find rest and healing. I will do my best to honor your wishes and trust."
At the end of the funeral, before the burial, Zeoll the Lesser takes a claw from the rear left foot of his former pupil, Zeoll the Greater. If any question him or look askance, he explains, "Among my folk, who arre Zeoll's folk too, it is the trradition of new prriests to wearr a rrelic of a holy perrson in a totem bag arround the neck. I am now devoted to becoming a prriest, and I can think of no betterr rrelic than this. In this way I honor Zeoll the Greater above all others." He asks a priest or cleric present to bless the relic.
DM Carl: An Old Friend Tuesday April 30th, 2002 12:04:53 PM
The weather is fine and there is a stiff breeze that carries the Chosen (minus Ceira) to Centaur Isle in very little time. You head to the site where the temple once stood, aware of what has happened, but even your awareness cannot prepare you for the scale of the devastation. An enormous, immense crater has been torn into the forest floor, and dead branches the width of ten centaurs poke grotesquely from the ghastly wound in the Wold.
You soon find Hollyhocks, the druid many of you have met before. He is busily organising work on preparation of a new temple, far far smaller than the old one. Next to him his raccoon, Scooter snores happily in the morning sunshine.
Hollyhocks seems happy and relieved to see you again, and explains rather apologetically that since the death of the old Patriarch Winowill on the Day of Darkness, he has been honoured with the mantle of Patriarch.
"It is good to see you again!" he smiles. In these troubled times it does me good to know we have champions of unity at the ready against the enemies of peace. Now, tell me of your adventures of late! What news of the other Isles? And what brings you to Centaur Isle?"
Flat-top Tuesday April 30th, 2002 2:15:13 PM
Flat-top with saddened face greets Patriarch Hollyhock; "Greeting to you and the rest of the clerics here. We are in mourning for we lost a great Friend Zeoll, we buried him just before coming here. I will let Kenisha tell you all about it. Excuse me for I have to see the crater."
Flat-top will trot over to the Crater and size thing up. Look for a way down for the Centaur and maybe the Minotaurs, the Wemics are fleet footed they'll probably have no problems. But it pays to look closely.
Kale (Substitute Cayzle) d20+8=23 d20+2=3 d20+7=19 Tuesday April 30th, 2002 3:27:52 PM Omigosh! Carl, Sam, I'm sorry. With all the tumult, I forgot to post for Kale yesterday. I'm sorry!
Kale joins Flat-top by the crater and looks the site over. He tries to judge how hard it would be to climb down and up, with ropes and without. (Climb check 23, Int check 3!)
Does it look as though anyone has gone down there? Is there a path or trail? Kale also looks for dangers (Search check 19)
Brahmah d20-1=5 d20+3=12 d20+5=6 d20+4=8 Tuesday April 30th, 2002 5:22:49 PM
With the explaination given by Zeoll the Imposter, Brahmah just gives him a "Hrrumph!" in response.
Brahmah, now with the departure of Ceira, is more confused than he has ever been. But he askes no questions of it, he just figures that they are individually being tested by Imod.
When reaching Centaur Isle, Brahmah perks up and is watching EVERYTHING centaur related in sight to avoid ambush from them. (Spot Check of 6, 7 Centaur related) He stays close behind Kenisha the entire way.
Reaching the crater, standing next to Flat-top, Brahmah starts unwinding the bundles of rope he has been carrying since Kenisha asked him. At the edge of the crater Brahmah bends down as if looking for something. (Track check, of 5. If centaur related it's 6 :) ) Finding nothing, Brahmah begins to tie the ropes together (Rope Use of 12). Then he ties knots in them to make the climb that much easier.
OOC: Future Climb check (I know will happen), Climb of 8! GeeWhiz!! It is a knotted rope!!
Kenisha Tuesday April 30th, 2002 11:13:40 PM
Kenisha bows her head to the new Patriarch. "Greeting, Hollyhocks. Indeed we have sad news to impart. The Chosen, Zeoll, is dead. He died in battle against agents of the false god." Pointing to the new wemic in the group she continues, "This is Zeoll the Lesser; so named so that Zeoll the Greater's pride name will not die with him. He is a bard and a friend and mentor to Zeoll the Greater. He has pledged himself to the Chosen even though he was not called to be one of the Chosen."
Kenisha pauses for a moment and then points to Brahmah, "And this one is Brahmah, a sailor as of late and one who was Chosen, but unable to join us until recently."
"As to why we are here, we have come to pray and meditate in the Temple with the Heartstone. We are seeking to unite all taurs by revitalizing the Heartstone. It is out believe that we can make it beat again with the spirit of Taurs. If we succeed, surely it will be a powerful focus for all three races to look upon and to see that working together we can defeat the evil, false gods."
Kalon the Wemic Wednesday May 1st, 2002 12:58:40 AM
Kalon remains silent through al that the group does. Travelling ever at Kenisha's side lost in his contemplations.
Zeoll the Lesser d20+3=9 Wednesday May 1st, 2002 7:00:53 AM
The wemic bard greets Hollyhocks respectfully. "It is an honorr," he says, "to grreet you. If I am not mistaken, you knew Zeoll the Grreaterr when he was alive. When it is convenient, I would love to hearr yourr imprression of him and his worrk. But firrst we must rreach the altarr of the forrmerr temple."
Zeoll tries to recall any legends he may have heard about the old temple -- secret exits, etc. Or if he has heard of anybody investigating it since Domi died. (Bardic Lore check 9)
Kale Wednesday May 1st, 2002 9:52:40 AM
(thanks for covering for me Cayzle. im back) after talking with Flat-Top for a moment, Kale walks to Zeoll the lesser and says "Is your name really Zeoll the Lesser? Or are you just hiding your real name."
DM Carl: Dark Rumours Wednesday May 1st, 2002 11:21:40 AM
Hollyhocks is shocked and saddened at the news of Zeoll's death. "My deepest sympathies. He was a brave and wise warrior of Domi, and I share your grief at his passing."
He welcomes Zeoll the Lesser and Brahmah, greeting them warmly. But it does not escape the attention of the minotaurs in the group that although Hollyhocks is perfectly friendly, some of his fellow centaurs (mainly labourers and low-ranking druids) keep their distance and eye the minotaurs warily.
When Kenisha explains what the Chosen are here to do Hollyhocks smiles. "I wondered what your companions where doing at the crater mouth with all that rope! This is wonderful news, a glimmer of hope in these dark times! A plan to revive the HeartStone! I will do everything in my power to help!" He eyes the Stone in its ark with reverence.
He looks over again at Kale and Brahmah at the crater's edge. "But you will never get down that way. The temple was over 900 feet tall, and it has sunk even deeper than that into the ground. Even if you had enough rope, a climb that long would surely result in death. Let me think..."
Looking into that yawning, seemingly bottomless hole, Kale is convinced that the Druid speaks truly. Even if the ropes can be securely fastened together, the weight of some of the Chosen is likely to put incredible strain on it. And the act of climbing down 900 or more feet into perfect darkness, even with a strong rope, is likely to prove far too dangerous. And that's even before you consider what to do about the centaurs!
Those looking for tracks and signs of other journeys down are able to tell that (as far as they can see) many have come to stare into the pit, but none so far have been foolhardy enough to venture down.
An idea occurs to Hollyhocks. "Ah! There is one person who might be able to assist us! Though he's getting on a bit... Xith! Xith, come here a moment please." A colt of perhaps 15 trots over, with a tan hide, dark brown mane and green eyes. Some of you recognize him as the young messenger boy and acolyte who used to assist Winowill. Though in total awe of the Chosen, he manages a shy half wave as he approaches.
"Xith, I need you to go and fetch Thardius. Tell him I need him here, and don't accept any excuses. He'll claim he's ill, or busy, or too frail, but pay him no heed. He's tough as old hide, that one. And make sure he brings his tools."
Turning back to the Chosen as Xith gallops off he says, "It will take some time for them to return. Thardius lives some way from here, and he is not as fast as he once was. In the meantime, your arrival might well assist me. I am due at an emergency session of the Harras (OOC: The Centaur Government) shortly, and your news of the quest to revive the HeartStone may prove helpful.
"There are dark rumours, and much fear. There are some who talk of war with the minotaurs, and others who speak of a vast army approaching from the East, crushing all in its path. There is much confusion, and your voices, as the Chosen of Domi, may well calm frayed nerves. Any knowledge of events you have will be greatly welcomed, over the rumour and supposition that have held sway of late. Will you accompany me? Thardius will not be here for several hours yet."
Flat-top Wednesday May 1st, 2002 1:18:36 PM
"Ha Ha Good question, Kale." Flat-top smiling for the first time since Zeoll died. "Come on Let's see what we're going to do next." Flat-top trots over to where Kenisha and Hollyhock are and listens. Then thinks to himself *I wonder if we will be taking the Arc with the Heart with us? It would impress those Centaurs!*
Zeoll the Lesser d20+6=20 Wednesday May 1st, 2002 7:55:56 PM
Zeoll is happy to hear any suggestions, but he has some of his own as well, drawing on his training in magic arts (Spellcraft check 20).
"With a magic spell known as Featherr Fall, one could safely drrop into the pit. Also with Levitate. The Floating Disk of Tensor could help carrry otherrs. Of courrse, I know not if any of us have these magics handy."
"But if the pit is 1,000 feet deep and the trree 900 feet tall, it seems to me that one could be lowered the 100 feet differrence and then climb down frrom therre."
"But all these ideas have prroblems. Maybe good Tharrdius will have some better insight."
As the the question of the centaur parliament, Zeoll the Lesser defers to everyone else. He will do whatever the rest do.
Kenisha nods her head at Zeoll the Lesser, "Feather Fall would work if the distance wasn't so great. It would take a very powerful caster to make it all the way down on a single casting. Like-wise with Levitate, although a less experienced caster could do that rather than the Feather Fall spell. But the point is moot unless we have access to the spells. Which for myself I do not. I do have Bull's Strength and Mending which may be of use depending on what this Thardius is going to do. But keep thinking, my friend, they were good suggestions." She smiles at him before turning to Hollyhocks.
"I at least will go with you to the Harras. They are right to be concerned, but it's not the Minotaurs that are the threat. It is the false god and his evil army that we need to prepare to fight against."
She turns to the Chosen and says, "Any who want to may stay here to ponder how to get down, but I do believe we should speak to the Harras about what is going on. Who is with me?"
Regardless, before heading off to the Harras, Kenisha will whisper to Kalon, "I feel you are troubled, Dearest One. What is it? Can I help?"
Raorr Thursday May 2nd, 2002 12:09:15 AM
Raorr shakes his head, hearing about the pit's problem. "Why not just make pulley system with rope across the pit, secure it with strong trees at least 75 feet from the pit. From there we could create a rope basket and pull ourselves across, there by allowing us to lower our selves to at least the top of the structure."
Raorr begin to use the butt of his Glaive on the group and tries to draw ot his idea.
The minotaur continues "We may need to set up even more rope to create a lattice pattern to distribute the strain upon more ropes, this should lessen any potential dangers to the taurs who ride, or to the arc once we lower it. I'm sure we could salvage pulleys and even more rope from the ships in the harbour the weights would need to operate on a counter balance system,at least one person should hold the weights here on the lip until the first two people make it down safely. After that the taurs down below can operate the pulleys until all of us are down."
Kalon the Wemic Thursday May 2nd, 2002 12:39:35 AM
Kalon still deep in thought does catch wind of Raorr's idea and smiles to himself. When Kenisha speaks he seems to start from his thoughts.
"Uh,huh what? Troubled...Well yes in a certain way I suppose I am troubled but then these are troubling times" he smiles and reaches out pulling her closer for a kiss,"Nothing that your sweet kiss can't cure."
"Actually I keep thinking there is something we're missing. Something very simple and very obvious that can help us in battling the dark god. It seems that the gods die very easily and I am wondering why that is. Prior to these times have gods died this easily before. Was this dark god a god before hand or did he merely challenge Domi and the gods had to make it an fair battle. If that is the case can we challenge the gods and be allowed a level playing field." he shakes his head,"I'm missing something, we're missing something. Nonetheless a kiss would make me feel much better and I will come with you to the Harras."
Brahmah d20+5=7 Thursday May 2nd, 2002 2:23:04 AM
Listening to everyone, being wary of all centaurs around the group (Spot Check 7, 8 Centaur related), Brahmah shakes his head at Roarrs suggestion that the ships may be of use. "Maybe the anchers?! Great idea Friend!"
When Kalon gets mushy with Kenisha, Brahmah lets out a loud sigh then sticks out his tongue between his teeth (pththth).
"Gods die easily by a God's hand! But just having fought one of our Fallen Gods servant, I'd have t' say a mortal killing a God would not be an easy task! I had 'nuf trouble with a mortal!" He laughs and looks around at the group, then steps in close to speak with Kenisha and Kalon. "I have missed something too, the Chosen feels ...incomplete somehow. Zeoll and Ceira, both Chosen, now not with us, just ain't right somehow!" He leans closer to Kenisha. "The new Zeoll is... not Zeoll. Not Chosen!" He ponders a moment, then smiles. "But he is a Taur, after all."
Kale Thursday May 2nd, 2002 9:09:56 AM
"I guess he didnt like my question." Kale says to Flat-Top as they go to the meeting. "I didnt even get an answer from Zeoll. But anyway, I have a bit of magic on me. I could just fly down there and take a look, though I dont think I could take the heart with me."
Leets Thursday May 2nd, 2002 10:05:05 AM
If he has enough time before or during the journey, Leets will gladly -bless- Zeoll the Lesser's item.
Once arrived before the horrible hole that swallowed the temple, Leets is obviously deeply shocked.
"I came here for my first pilgrimage with my mother...It was such an important symbol of Domi to me. I knew it would have suffered, but this..."
"Someone will have to pay for this...Sooner or later..."
Leets is really disapointed not to be able to reach the depth right now, but in a way it makes him understand that patience will be an important virtue in this war...
"I will come with you at the Harras too, maybe I can find my brother there, he was the stallion of our tribe when I left. If he still has some weight among the other tribes maybe he could help us..."
DM Carl: Politics Thursday May 2nd, 2002 11:51:46 AM
The Chosen follow Hollyhocks to the Harras, a gigantic dome shaped hall, set once again within a vast whistal tree.
As you take your places you notice some familiar faces; as well as Hollyhocks and some of his fellow druids you spot Silkshanks Surefoot (Female Stallion and owner of the Surefoot Vineyards), and Hogar Brass-Hoof, hotheaded Stallion of the FireMane tribe (who visited the Chosen once on Bridge Isle), along with around 20 others stallions of the grand tribes of Centaur isle.
With a final call for silence the meeting begins, though the tension in the air is palpable.
The Harras Speaker steps forward and addresses the assembly.
"It has been brought to the attention of the Harras that, as we speak, the minotaurs prepare for war!" Gasps and cries of rage greet this comment; clearly some had heard, whilst others are all too aware. "Informants have told us that they prepare an invasion fleet, and plan to strike today!" At this uproar ensues, as everyone starts shouting their opinions. Hollyhocks hangs his head in despair.
"There are also other, unsubstantiated rumours" yells the speaker, struggling to be heard over the hubbub, "that an unidentified army approaches from the East! This Harras must decide upon a course of action!" This second comment meets with little or no response. Everyone is far too concerned about the immediate threat posed by the minotaurs to worry about mysterious phantom armies. Indeed, one calls out "Rubbish! It's just a Minotaur trick! They seek to catch us off guard!"
Hogar is the first to speak. "This is not a Harras, this is a Council of War!" he bellows, shaking his fist and stamping. "We have borne the warlike ways of the minotaurs for too long! I say we strike first, catch them by surprise and destroy them before they destroy us!"
Silkshanks is more circumspect, advising caution, but apparently somewhat swayed by Hogar. It is true, she agrees, that they cannot allow Minotaur aggression to continue, and that if the reports are true they must prepare to fight.
Only Hollyhocks and his fellow Druids council peace. "We must parley with them! Everything must be tried to avert war! We must seek unity for our people, after so many centuries of fighting! Even if this report of a military build-up is true, we must try to follow the path of peace!"
He does not receive a very good reception.
"Domi's Chosen are here with me today" he calls, as the others try to drown him out. "They of all of us are best positioned to understand the clash between our cultures, and how best to calm it. Will you hear them?"
After some conferring the Speaker agrees. "Very well, you may step forward."
Zeoll the Lesser Thursday May 2nd, 2002 1:26:53 PM [OOC: Sorry Sam, I dropped the ball on my answer to Kale. here it is]
Although distracted, after a moment the wemic bard gives an answer to Kale. "I'm not Zeoll the Grreaterr, who led you. I'm not trrying to usurrp his place orr the place of any of the Chosen. Domi did not choose me, so I am grrateful just to be able to follow you and help wherre I can. I have adopted the name of Zeoll only as a memorrial. But I know that I am the least of all, so I call myself Zeoll the Lesserr. I have not intended to offend anyone."
At the parliament, as the Chosen speak, Zeoll softly hums and croons wordlessly, as a complement to whatever the main speaker says. By tuning his quiet song to the speech, he tries to make the words carry, and to have more weight.
[OOC: Zeoll is using his Bardic Inspire Competence ability, in order to give a +2 bonus to the skill check (Diplomacy, most likely) of the main speaker (Kenisha, most likely). That's one of his three uses of bardsong per day.]
Flat-top Thursday May 2nd, 2002 5:58:08 PM
"That's alright, Zeoll, tell us did you see the bridges that goes to keep Island? You see they are invisable . They are visible to only to those who needs, or is needed, or Chosen that can see thoes bridges. They connect to all three Island. So if you came to us over the bridge, you might be needed or Chosen. youu came over the bridge didn't you Kale? As for me and Kenisha we arrived by the bridge the first time. Kale and the rest of the party will be with you." Flat takes his place with Kenisha and Leets for unity, watching the all around the arena. "We better watch our back?" Flat-top will look for trouble and the safety of the Minotaurs and Weinics.
Kale Thursday May 2nd, 2002 6:44:48 PM
"I came on a ship, but the others that came with me are no longer here." Kale says to Flat-Top. then, after hearing all the arguments, Kale says nothing and shakes his head
Kalon the Wemic Thursday May 2nd, 2002 10:06:36 PM
Kalon shakes his head wearily and waits to allow Kenisha to speak to the Harras.
Kenisha d20+6=25 Friday May 3rd, 2002 12:25:58 AM
Kenisha steps foward, bows, and announces in a clear strong voice, "The enemy is indeed at our gates and we must prepare for WAR!!" She pauses for a moment the holds up a hand. "But the enemy is not the ones you seem to expect. It is not the Minotaurs, nor the Wemics, but the evil army of the false god, Marteaus. He and his sneaky agents have been pitting all of the Taurs, indeed all the races of the Wold against each other. His goal is clear. By dissension he seeks to keep the Taurs from uniting and fighting against his army of darkness. By keeping us at our own throats, he seeks to destroy us from within!"
Kenisha turns to face each member of the Harras as she continues on without a break. "Are we going to let this false god dictate our will? I say no! Will we stand idly by as his army ravishes the Wold? Again I say No! Are we afraid to do as our God Domi commanded us to do, namely to unite with our fellow Taurs? NO! We are Taurs, chosen of Tomi... Imod... Domi!"
"If we are to survive, we must unite and fight our common enemy. But before we can do that, we must all fight the prejudices and fears that have festered too long in our hearts. The Miotaurs fear treachery from us. We fear attacks from the Minotaurs. And the Wemics, well, they distrust both of us."
"We have just come from Minotaur Island. We went there to pray at their temple in order to prepare the Heartstone for a ritual which we hope will cause it to beat again with the spirit of all Taurs. The invasion fleet was being dismantled even as we left. It saddens me to say, but it took the Rite of Blood to set things right there. Not sad that the rite occured, mind you, but sad that it took a fight to the death to remove one more of Marteaus' influences from our Isles."
"All three Taur races must parlay together so that we can prepare ourselves against the rising tide of evil that is lapping at our mutual shores. And if we do not... may the remaining Gods of good have mercy on our souls."
With that she bows again and returns to the rest of the Chosen to await what the Harras think of her speech.
Brahmah d20+5=15 Friday May 3rd, 2002 2:12:32 AM
Brahmah goes with Kenisha to the meeting.
He does not speak, for it is the leader of the Chosen that must do so.
He shakes his head in agreement at the mention of the Rite of Blood. Brahmah shinks back behind Kenisha, not happy at himself for the death of Raakis (he could have been a great combatant in the war).
He stays very alert while at the meeting. (Spot Check of 15)
Leets d20+5=25 Friday May 3rd, 2002 5:35:17 AM
Leets stands by Kenisha's side during all her speech, trying to find his brother in the crowd but not finding him. He nods when when Kenisha has finished and then makes one step forward.
"Brothers Centaurs! I am Leets Talric of the Talric tribe,Chosen of Domi, Son of Stallion Cyrus Talric, and among you I see many who fought by his side, and perhaps saw him fall bravely at the battle. Among you I see many of our most fearsome warriors and skilled leaders, and I can feel the fierce desire for battle in your hearts and souls, because I am not different from you!"
"Brothers Centaurs! This time it shall not be another battle! Time has come for WAR now, and Domi is finally giving us an opportunity to show that his legacy is flowing in our veins, that we can honor him on the battlefield, and that we have enough strength in our hearts to face the most terrible threat the Wold has ever known!"
"This threat, Brothers, will not come from the Minotaur Islands! You have faced and fought Minotaurs long enough to know that I'm speaking only truth! Minotaurs are strong, skilled, proud and formidable opponents: it is not me who will teach you that! You all have enough scars and ancient wounds to remember it! But are Minotaurs EVIL? They are certainly the only equals we can have on the battlefield, but once again I ask you: ARE THEY EVIL? You all know that they are not more evil than us!"
"The true threat, Brothers, is coming from the east, as surely as the sun will rise from this direction tomorrow, Marteaus will make darkness fall on the Wold like a new dawn of terror! HE, the FALSE GOD, is the only THREAT, HE is the only EVIL we shall FIGHT!"
"I tell you, Brothers, that the Holy War against Marteaus and his legions is about to begin, and you can be sure that Minotaurs will be ready for it! What will be said about us? You all, Brothers Centaurs, must take your weapons, and prepare for the battle! And when the generations to come will ask you 'What were you doing when Evil was at our door? What were you doing when time came to honor Domi?' you will be able to stand up, to raise your head and to say: "I WAS THERE!" and then what you will see in the eyes of your children, your grandchildren, will have no price..."
Leets then unsheathes his sword and raise it as high as he can.
"We are about to enter an area of darkness Brothers Centaurs, but it shall not be said that we stood backward! We will take our weapons and show Minotaurs, and show Domi, and show Marteaus, what our pople can do on the battlefield! Night is about to fall Brothers, but a wise Paladin who was also my mother, once told me that it is at the darkest hour that one can recognize his true allies!"
"I ask it NOW Brothers Centaurs: Who will stand by Domi's side?"
"WHO WILL STAND BY OUR SIDE!"
Raorr Friday May 3rd, 2002 8:45:59 AM
Raorr shrugsand says "Yeap, this does look like the war council"
He looks at the members for a moment he thinks how much glory and fame he'd have back on minotaur isle, if he wiped out these politicians. He'd end any possible chance the minotaurs would have of losing if a war still broke out despite the chosen's plea.
"No!" he says as he closes his eyes and shakes his head trying remove the intruding unheathly thought from his mind. Raorr's purpose is to unite the taurs not to defeat the Centaurs.
Raorr frowns and continues to wait mumbling something like "...the clip-clop...driving... me crazy"
DM Carl: The Chosen: Warrior Diplomats of Domi Friday May 3rd, 2002 9:39:48 AM
The words of Kenisha and Leets totally silence the Harras. Hollyhocks closes his eyes and smiles, perhaps offering some silent prayer of thanks. The power of your words seem to have swayed the majority of the Stallions, and much excited debate breaks out amongst them. The moderates such as Silkshanks greet news of the breakup of the Minotaur invasion with great relief.
Only Hogar continues to argue the case for war against Minotaur Isle. "No! It's all a Minotaur trick, can't you see? We were warned of this! They've been duped, and all this talk of Marteaus and his army is just trickery! What proof do you have of this 'evil army?' Have you seen it? No! It's just a trick to weaken and divide us!"
But the eloquent speakers of the Chosen have persuaded enough of the Harras. The Speaker calls for a vote, and it is decided to send a peace envoy to Minotaur Isle, along with an envoy to Wemic Isle, in order to prepare for whatever approaches from the East. Some sort of defence must be put in place against this fearful army of the Dark Lord.
Even Hogar, seeing the vote go against him, agrees to abide by the decision of the Harras and abandon his plans of war with the Minotaurs, though he is not happy about it...
OK, feel free to post.
Zeoll the Lesser Sunday May 5th, 2002 3:11:44 PM
The wemic bard does not seem at all surprised by the outcome. "How could it have gone otherrwise?" he asks the Chosen when they have a private moment. "No one can stand against the rrighteousness of yourr sacrred purrpose. The only rreason we Taurrs are not alrready joined as one is because you Chosen cannot be in morre than one place at a time."
"Well, that challenge passed, do let us see to the fallen altarr. Wherre's that Tharrdius?"
Kenisha Sunday May 5th, 2002 11:30:48 PM
Smiling with relief, Kenisha nods. "Yes, let's find out if this Thardius is there yet. We still have to make it to the temple."
Raorr Monday May 6th, 2002 12:32:59 AM
Raorr begins to leave quickly, "that's good I was afraid the centaurs were going to be as hard to convince as the Minotaurs"
Brahmah d20+5=10 Monday May 6th, 2002 12:52:01 AM
Walking up to Kenisha with a look of concern on his face, Brahmah leans over to speak quietly to her, "We keep 'n eye on that Hogar fellow I say!"
OOC:Brahmah is going to pay close attention to Hogar and his friends, mainly to see if they may conspire against the Chosen (ie. if they sneak away secretly), Spot check of 10, 11 centaur related.
Leets Monday May 6th, 2002 4:19:11 AM
"Glad to see that the Centaurs will also follow the holy path. If we could unite our people in this holy war we could all gain much..."
"Now let's go, I really want to meet this Thardius, and see what's lying in this hole too..."
Kale Monday May 6th, 2002 8:58:47 AM
without a word Kale just stands there with his arms crossed behind him.
Kalon the Wemic Monday May 6th, 2002 10:58:05 AM
After Kenisha's speech he steps up close,"Wonderfully done my love" then gives her a hug. Looking at Leets he adds, "You as well Leets you have done your family honor and yourself as well"
That said he takes Kenisha's hand and goes with the group to me Thardius
DM Carl: Fear of Flying d20+2=13 Monday May 6th, 2002 1:37:32 PM
Hollyhocks approaches the Chosen as they leave and cannot begin to thank you enough. "That was magnificent!" he grins; "I fully expected war to break out, and with but a few words... magnificent!"
Brahmah is not so sure of unqualified success, and eyes Hogar suspiciously as you leave. You notice him deep in conversation with a pair of burly centaurs, but before you can attempt to get an idea of the topic of their conversation he looks up, and your eyes meet. The look Hogar gives Brahmah could not be described as hatred, but it is not far off.
Hollyhocks leads the Chosen back to Clearspring Temple, and by the time you arrive Xith is back, along with an ancient looking centaur. His white beard reaches down to his knees, and his dappled grey coat is piebald and in serious need of grooming. He wears a tattered old body warmer, that may once have been red velvet, but now is a sort of uneven muddy colour. As you approach Hollyhocks begins to whisper to you "About Thardius, perhaps I should have explained..." But before he can continue he is cut off.
"'Bout time!" Thardius snaps, as the Chosen arrive. "I've been 'ere fully 'alf'nour, freezin' me chaps off. Don' they teach punctuality in Chosen school these days?" Behind him Xith gestures that they have been there no longer than a couple of minutes, and you can tell yourself that the fine and sunny day is one of the warmest in weeks. The cantankerous old taur continues, without turning round; "An' you can stop all that waving about an' such, me lad, if you know what's good for you." Xith goes beetroot, and thrusts his hands behind his back, staring at the floor..
"Now then, I 'ear ya want to go down that there hole and spend the night in the sunken temple. Lot of ole' nonsense, if ye ask me, but thass the young for you, less sense than a bucket o' pigswill. Now back in my day, the young did what thems was told, an' would get a good clip round the ear if they gave any sass. Still, no 'oldin' back progress, or so they tell me. Well then."
And he begins to rummage in his pack for something. As he does so Hollyhocks rolls his eyes apologetically at you.
Thardius pulls out what looks at first glance like an old twig that's been rolled in mud and dropped in a bird's nest, then snapped and tied back together again. Badly.
"'Ere we go! One wand o' flyin', this'll getcha down." He strides over to the crater entrance, waves the wand experimentally and mutters a few words under his breath. Nothing much happens apart from a couple of the feathers flutter down to earth. "Right! Who's first?"
Zeoll the Lesser Monday May 6th, 2002 1:48:47 PM
The wemic bard springs to his feet and volunteers. "I'll be firrst to go, grrandfather," he says. "Forr if therre is any dangerr, we can ill afforrd to lose anotherr Chosen, while folk like me arre a gold piece a grross in the Wold!"
Zeoll bows low and looks at Kenisha for approval.
Flat-top Monday May 6th, 2002 2:39:16 PM
"I'll be next, Grandsire! Pick me!" Flat-top waves and speak loudly ang marches up tho the Ols Centaur. But on his way there and on passing Flat-top speaks to Brahmah, Kale and Raorr,"I notice what look like a heavy conversation between Hogar and the other two Stalions. I don't trust him, we better watch our backs. Evevn if we do go down into that temple."
Leets Monday May 6th, 2002 2:56:10 PM
Leets puts his hand on Zeoll the Lesser's shoulder.
"If there is any kind of danger in the bottom of this abyss, I will certainly not let you go first...We are Chosen, for the better and the worst..."
Leets then comes as close as possible from the hole, and tries to detect evil downward.
Kale Monday May 6th, 2002 7:38:03 PM
"ill go last, since everyone seems to be eager to go first". Kale says with a little smirk on his face
Kenisha Monday May 6th, 2002 8:59:02 PM
Kenisha nods to Brahmah when he whispers his warning about Hogar. "I agree. I did not like the way he was looking at you either."
At the crater, Kenisha smiles politely to the elder, Thardius, as he rants, "Apologies, reverant one. We meant no disrespect; we needed to speak before the Harras and were delayed."
After he waves the wand and everyone has spoken so far, Kenisha asks, "Good sire, will you be coming down with us? I only ask because we will need a way back up as well, unless there is some other means of leaving the temple."
Brahmah Monday May 6th, 2002 9:40:57 PM
Brahmah just shrugs at the Chosen's leader, "We'll see."
Knodding at Flat-tops remark, Brahmah says, "W'ther Centaur or any Taur look at me like that, I don't like it!"
Swaggering up to Roarr Brahmah says with a whisper, "Friend! If need we take on these centaur mooks t'gether, agreed!?" Smile wide and honest. "NOW! How deep IS that hole!"
Kalon the Wemic Tuesday May 7th, 2002 9:12:14 AM
As he waits his turn he says, "Perhaps we should always be vigilant and stop looking for trouble with our brothers. The old hatreds will not dry up in days. So we should be leading by example and stop expecting our brothers to become our enemies." looking at Flat-top and Brahmah then finally at Raorr, "We have plenty enough enemies to deal with without looking for more. Let's lead by example and trust in Hogar until he proves untrustworthy"
DM Carl: Going Down Tuesday May 7th, 2002 12:17:37 PM
One by one the aged magician casts his magic over you, until at the end you are all bobbing in the air, trying to get used to the curious sensation.
"Right, hop to it!" grumbles Thardius, pointing at the crater lip. "You only have an hour or so flying time. Or is it less? Ooh, the trouble my memory gives me these days, you wouldn't believe..."
At Kenisha's question he laughs in disbelief. "Me? Go down there? You must be mad! Not on yer life!" Behind him Hollyhocks gestures that he will sort things out, however.
Those floating over the seemingly bottomless drop must make a Fort check (DC 12) or feel distinctly ill (fly at half speed).
As you descend into the darkness the comforting rays of the sun are soon lost, and below is nothing but darkness.
Leets is able to feel the opressive aura of evil, all around him.
Leets d20+9=21 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 2:52:55 PM
Slowly floating in the air, Leets looks worried as he glances at those who are about to explore the hole...
"Be careful everybody...Very careful...Maybe it is neither Minotaurs, neither Centaurs that will be waiting for us this time..."
With those words, he dives into the shadows, unless Kenisha says otherwise.
Flat-top d20+7=21 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 3:36:46 PM
(OOC: Made my Fort) Flat-top make a jump off the edge and in mid air he makes a four way split (N-S-E-W) with his hooves. "Come Taurs, OH! I forgot to pick up the arc. Would you two minotaurs bring it with Youuuu" You hear his echo as flat-top descends.
Raorr d20+9=27 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 5:44:36 PM
Raorr looks at Brahmah and says "What look are you talking about Brahmah?" The minotaur looks around, looking confused.
-- Forgot to press submit --
Raorr looks at the mage and chuckles "At least it isn't a lid to a garbage can." As the minotaur remebers his journey in which he slew a purple worm.
Before heading down he grabs a hold of the arc and attempts to float over and down the hole.
Kenisha d20+4=22 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 6:50:07 PM
Kenisha smiles at Hollyhocks and after making sure Raorr is managing with the arc, she heads down the hole. "Everyone be careful now."
Zeoll the Lesser d20+2=20 Tuesday May 7th, 2002 7:52:54 PM
Swooping and looping, Zeoll laughs in delight at his new flying ability, forgetting that he had volunteered to go first.
"Thank you, good Tharrdius!" he exclaims. "But how do we get back up in the morrning?"
After waiting for an answer, if there is one, Zeoll heads down into the hole. He takes his Everburning Torch from his wemic-style backpack to help light the way. The wemic bard keeps his eyes and ears open, and he whistles as he descends into the dark.
Brahmah d20+7=22 d20+5=12 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 1:51:40 AM
OOC:Fort Save 22.
Looking at Kalon with a blank expression, Brahmah says, "Maybe yur not cautous e'nuf! We'r Chosen, we must be vigilant."
"Roarr, nevermind. Just know I have yur back Friend!" The minotaur smiles, and walks to the hole.
"I'm r'edy to go!" Brahmah secures his gear, and weapons, then descends into the hole. Looking around as he goes. (Spot of 12)
Kale d20+4=22 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 9:10:30 AM
floating for a moment in order to get his bearings, Kale speeds down the hole as fast as he can, his bow out and his eyes searching for danger
Kalon the Wemic d20+6=13 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 10:59:48 AM
Kalon looks at Brahmah. "I am ever vigilant but I don't look for enemies wherever I go for if you look for enemies more likely then not you will find some."
As Kalon steps out into the air he feels very uncomfortable not having his feet on the earth.
"Being high on Plateau City was one thing. This is something else entirely" he thinks to himself. However a couple of deep breaths and he quickly focuses his will on the task at hand.
OOC: Made Fotitude barely
DM Carl: Down Amongst The Dead Men Wednesday May 8th, 2002 12:34:21 PM
Roarr has no trouble with the HeartStone. The ark is hardly necessary, the stone has grown so light. It is easy for him to carry under one arm.
The Chosen swoop on down, their path lit by Zeoll's torch. It is not long before you reach the shattered top of the temple tree, spreading out beneath you. There is a large aperture that takes you inside, and the true scale of the Clearspring temple begins to dawn on you.
The inside is immense, a vast echoing chamber 900 feet in height, and perhaps 100 feet in diameter. The sensation of being able to see down 900 feet to the base is disconcerting to say the least. But you thank your lucky stars for Zeoll's light; this would be an even more unpleasant journey in total darkness.
As you descend you are able to make out some details of the temple. Those of you who have been here before in happier days are shocked at the transformation. The great Whistal tree is now rotting, corrupted; it stinks of death and decay. The walls are black, twisted, and slick with putrefaction. And now you all feel a pervading sense of evil in the stale air; as you float down to the altar that stands askew at the shattered base of the mighty tree, you are shaken by the opression, the darkness, and the sense of ill-defined dread that hangs heavy in the air.
Scattered here and there are the skeletons of centaurs, no doubt those poor souls who were inside the temple when it fell into the earth.
Far, far up above you see a pinprick of light through the gap in the tree 'roof'. Over the next half an hour or so it begins to fade as far up above the sun begins to set. You gather around the HeartStone, set upon the altar, with the torch burning between you, throwing alarming and unearthly shadows on the gnarled and rotting tree walls. The prospect of spending an entire night down here in the bowels of the Wold is not a pleasant one...
(OOC: DM Carl: Everyone must make 3 will saves vs. DC 15 (if you don't roll you are assumed to have failed!). But for the time being please don't react to the rolls. Thank you, and have a pleasant night...
Muwahahahaha!)
Flat-top d20+2=18 d20+2=15 d20+2=18 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 3:47:18 PM
As they decends and start to see the decay, the damage,and the stink of death. It hurt Flat-top to see the wall black, twisted and stained with slimy mold. "Oh! Kenisha! the altar is in ruin, the skeletons. The air is full of death." Them Flat-ton look kup and see the light is fading. "What do we do next?"
Raorr d20=18 d20=14 d20=19 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 5:50:14 PM
Raorr sets down the heartstone at the alter and says "What do we do next? Isn't it obvious? WE stay here for the night and deal with the rest when morning cometh."
Raorr plops his gear down and relaxes "Now at least we won't be attacked so far from our enemies. This will be an evening to relax and finally get some good shut eye."
Brahmah d20-2=16 d20-2=7 d20-2=15 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 6:30:40 PM
Brahmah descends into the deep.
(OOC:Will saves, 16,7, 15 respectively)
Seeing the carnage, Brahmah's only reply to it is, "Wow!"
Kenisha d20+6=19 d20+6=16 d20+6=25 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 7:06:32 PM
"Raorr's half correct." Kenisha says after she casts a Light spell on the wall near the altar to help keep the gloom away. "We stay the night yes, but we must all meditate. As to any attacks. While more Taurs will not be bothering us tonight, there are other things about that might. And by the looks of this temple, I'd say our true enemies are closer than you think, Raorr."
She settles herself before the Heartstone and opens her mind and soul to thoughts of Unity, Tomi, and Courage.
(ooc Will saves are 19, 16, and 25. The light spell will last for 40 minutes and unless it will interfer with her meditation, she will recast it periodically throughout the night five more times)
Zeoll the Lesser d20+7=27 d20+7=24 d20+7=23 Wednesday May 8th, 2002 8:46:13 PM
Zeoll flies down the pit. At first he is carefree and happy, but as the light dwindles, so does his enthusiasm. In fact, to an observer, Zeoll's face becomes strangely flat and vacant in the flickering light of his Ever-burning Torch. His eyes roll back into his head, and only the whites show. Just before he floats to the floor, he wakes up. He looks around as if chased by hell hounds. He begins to shake uncontrollably, and his voice cracks -- the first time you ever heard him lose vocal control.
"I ... I ... Oh! Help! Oh!"
He breathes deeply and tries to calm himself down. He hums a little under his breath. After a minute, he has composed himself well enough to speak.
"Please everrybody," Zeoll the Lesser calls softly, "please come arround and hearr tidings of imporrt and woe!"
His voice changes, and he chants in a soft but compelling voice. In a happy drream, a vision. In a vision was a taverrn. Therre the painted Wyrrm danced Crrimson. Therre was I in spirrit forrm.
Many herroes therre werre also. Chief of them was fearrless Valdorr. Came to Valdorr then a message. Brrought by two thrrough heavy storrm.
Brrought by storrm frrom distant rreaches, Farr came they to give theirr speeches.
Spoke the valiant two of endings. Frrom the Edge they said they trravelled. Frrom the Edge of all crreation. Frrom the borrderr of the Wold.
But, said they, the Edge was moving. Coming closerr day and hourr. Fasterr moving is the borrderr. That's the news to us they told.
News that fast the Edge advances, Eating all in vast expanses!
Then thought I, wrrapped in the vision, That the futurre now is prresent! This must be the stunning futurre. That the Chosen saw beforre.
So the futurre now advances. And the Edges of crreation. Arre contrracting, inwarrd falling. Nothingness we all abhorr.
Now we see the sad conclusion. Fasterr now the Void's intrrusion. Coming fasterr to the corre.
That's the news I came to brring you. News that loathe was I to sing you, News we can't ignorre.
Zeoll ends his chanted story and answers any questions in his normal voice. [OOC: I suggest that interested people read the Red Wyrm Inn board to get the details of what Zeoll relates.]
After a time, when he finally regains enough presence of mind to really look around at where he is, Zeoll the Lesser looks sadly at the bodies. "It grrieves me," he says, "to see the fallen serrvants of Domi lying carrelessly all about. Can't we do something?" He asks Leets and Kenisha for permission to treat the bodies with respect, in a way that centuar folk would find appropriate. Maybe to bury the bodies, or to place them reverently nearby. Crinkling his nose, he works to pay his respects.
He is sad that he is not yet a priest, and knows no funeral prayer -- it boosts his determination to honor the gods as Zeoll the Greater did. He asks Leets to say a few words, and he listens very closely.
Kalon the Wemic d20+5=23 d20+5=25 d20+5=13 Thursday May 9th, 2002 12:33:15 AM
Kalon still unsteady from the flying notes the sad condition of the temple. He settles in close to Kenisha as she begins her meditation he does as well. In his head envisioning the temple as it must have looked instead of the way it does now.
OOC: If any of the Will saves are versus enchantment I have a further +2
Leets Thursday May 9th, 2002 4:59:09 AM
"By all the Gods of Light..." Says Leets as the group approaches the tree, "What kind of magic could change such a holy place in...such a thing?!?"
He then considers the skeletons lying.
"You are right Zeoll, those would need to be buried. However, perhaps it's not the right place to bury one's body...Their souls could be traped by the evil power now ruling this place. Instead of burying them, we should burn their remains and bring the ashes to the surface..."
Kale d20+1=4 d20+1=3 d20+1=6 Thursday May 9th, 2002 10:03:59 AM
grimly silent, Kale looks at one of the skeletons closely. "I wonder who it was?" he says to himself(managed to fail all my will saves)
DM Carl: The Abyss gazes Also Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:10:47 AM
As the long night wears on each of you are plagued by dark thoughts, worrisome fears engendered by this unholy location. The taint of Marteaus is strong here. Only the proximity of your companions, the HeartStone atop the lit altar and the righteous power of your paladin, Leets, are able to keep the night terrors at bay.
Regardless, as the night wears on, each of you succumbs to some degree to your fears, which turn swiftly to full blown visions!
Leet's Vision (Kakorraphiophobia) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:12:42 AM
Leets becomes increasingly aware of the insurmountable odds that face the Chosen. It seems as if only they and a handful of other adventurers stand between the Dark Lord and the destruction of the Wold. They are nothing, how can they stand against a God? And yet what price failure?
Suddenly you are seized with a powerful vision. You see the whole of the Wold, as if from high above. It is indescribably beautiful, beneath wisps of could, the sunlight shimmering over the oceans. But it is shrinking; the edges of the Wold are falling off into the void and the disk is getting smaller and smaller, until soon only the Taur Islands remain. Then it is only Bridge Isle. Then only Hearthold keep. Relentlessly the horizon grows smaller and smaller, people are clinging desperately to the shrinking rim, then tumbling screaming into the endless void... and then there is nothing, only darkness, eternal darkness.
Kalon's Vision (Bathophobia) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:14:51 AM
Kalon feels crushed by the impossible mass of earth and rock above him. The weight seems to be crushing him, enclosing him. He feels entombed, deep in the dark, so far from the sky and the light.
And then all that is gone, and Kalon is floating high over an idyllic Centaur Isle. The mighty whistal tree that was Clearspring Temple stands fully 900 feet tall, enormous even amongst the titanic trees of Centaur Isle. The sun plays over her beautiful foliage, birds sing, and all is at peace... and then without warning a God dies, and the sky turns black.
With a terrible rumbling, and then an almighty crack like the death knell of the very planet, the entire Temple crashes down, down, into the bowels of the Wold, branches old as glaciers shorn off like so much kindling. It plummets deeper and deeper, down into the eternal dark, down into a grave deeper than the UnderWold itself, until it lands, in total silence, on an endless grey plain, where it stands surrounded by the limitless, eternal ranks of the dead...
Kale's Vision (Sciophobia) (Panicked) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:17:26 AM
Traditional ally of the Rogue, the shadows down here seem filled with terrible potential, a malevolence that promises untold evil. The unrelenting pressure builds and builds, and Kale is not sure if he can bear the terror.
In his mind's eye a great shadow spreads across the Wold like a dark bloodstain, blotting out city after city until the whole Wold lies beneath its deathly thrall. And that shadow is a living, breathing thing, a vast army, radiating primal evil, led by one overwhelmingly malignant presence. And as the last drop of light is bled from the Wold, Marteaus looks upon his works, and laughs and laughs and laughs...
Kenisha's Vision (Monophobia) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:18:33 AM
Slowly the terrible oppressive atmosphere of this place brings home to Kenisha how truly alone they are. She is. For what value are companions, loved ones, in the face of peril such as this? If she draws close to them and they die, she will be more alone than ever. She grows increasingly isolated from her companions, and barely hears them or registers their presence. She is alone and remote, forever alone...
Beneath a boiling sky of bruised purple cloud, Kenisha stands alone atop a hill. Looking down she sees her companions the Chosen fighting for their lives, but can do nothing to reach them. Though they fight bravely, one by one they are cut down, until at last they are all dead. Only she stands atop the hill, alone for all eternity...
Zeoll's Vision (Septophobia) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:20:25 AM
The stench of the fetid air and rotting tree sicken the Wemic to his stomach. All around the once mighty temple collapses into putrefaction, and the sight of such an ancient glory becoming corrupted and loathsome is almost more than Zeoll can bear.
And then Zeoll, your pupil, your greatest success, stands before you, proud and strong. He smiles at you, beckoning you towards him and into the darkness beyond. But as you step forward he begins to undergo a hideous transformation. Before your eyes his flesh begins to bubble and rot, stinking necrotic tissue falling away from his bones as maggots writhe through his putrefied flesh. His smile turns into a terrible death's head rictus, and when he speaks you know it is the voice of death; "You will join me master. This is the end that awaits us all..."
Flat Top's Vision (Pathophobia) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:22:33 AM
As Flat Top looks around and sees the foul corruption of this once great temple, he is struck with a terrible certainty; amidst this decay and filth, disease must be rife. What untold ailments lie, invisible and deadly, waiting to strike them down? A foe no warrior can fight, an insidious, creeping death that threatens them all, against which there can be no defense!
Before the centaur can understand what is happening he sees a Dark Figure sitting alone within a Dark Tower. Green mists spread from him in all directions, mists laden with infection and death. These tendrils of affliction blight everything they touch. Plants, animals, people, all grow sick and die as the Wold is engulfed in dread disease, all of it emanating from that lone, Dark figure, which seems perversely to feed on the death and misery it sows...
Brahmah's Vision (Entomophobia) (Shaken) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:26:20 AM
The rotting Temple is alive with crawling, flying, buzzing creatures. Brahmah feels them all around him, crawling over him, and their limitless number and dark, alien intelligence fills the warrior with an irrational dread.
As you huddle down, trying to brush invisible creatures from your fur, you suddenly feel a presence in front of you. The Minotaur High Priest Raakis stands before Brahmah, hands outstretched in supplication. He whispers "It cannot be!" as the blood pours from the wounds inflicted by Brahmah's blades. And then the blood is not blood at all, but a stream of insects, pouring from his every wound, his eyes, his mouth... The swarm covers him completely, devouring him alive, until nothing is left but an empty shrunken husk which crumbles to dust before your eyes...
Roarr's Vision (Asthenophobia) Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:28:55 AM
Roarr has the most awful feeling that his great strength is draining away. In this dark and Gods-forsaken place, far from the vitality of the sun, he suddenly feels as weak as a newborn calf. How can he fight like this? What good is he to the Chosen if his strength is gone?
And then he blinks in surprise. Gone is the rotting temple and his companions. Instead he stands atop a verdant hill, feeling the power within him, confident and sure. Then, without warning, the sky goes black. The twin moons turn blood red, bathing the entire landscape in a deathly scarlet glow. And before his eyes Roarr's great muscles begin to wither, like rotting fruit on the vine. He is shrinking; so weak now he cannot stand. He falls to his knees, and all around the vitality is being drained from every living thing, leeched out, being sucked into an enormous dark figure that dominates the skyline, and bestrides the Wold like a Colossus. And as the skeletal Roarr pitches forward onto his face, to weak even to hold himself upright, he knows the name of that terrible figure; it is Marteaus, Dark Lord, Slayer of Gods.
DM Carl: Repercussions Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:39:05 AM
The visions subside, leaving you disturbed and frightened. Brahmah is profoundly shaken by his experience, but Kale simply cannot bear it. He snaps, and runs screaming, desperate to get out. Every shadow scares him more than the last, and you begin to fear that he may have lost his mind entirely.
You struggle to keep him from doing himself or anyone else an injury, and finally it requires Kenisha casting a Sleep spell on him to pacify him.
The incident leaves everyone upset and troubled, and the night drags on and on.
Finally, towards the end of the night all present hear a voice that echoes through the vastness of the dead and rotting temple;
"Even a God may die at the Hand of a Mortal. You must find the way, or face the End for a final time." And that voice somehow helps calm tattered nerves, and soothe troubled hearts. Kale awakes, and though he remains fearful, he is at least calm. The HeartStone seems imbued with a subtle new radiance, and comfort can be drawn from it.
And now morning light filters down; from high up above you spy Hollhocks descending accompanied by a bitterly complaining Thardius, and it is not long before the Chosen are able to fly back out into the new day's sun, with new dark terrors lurking in their souls, but with the knowledge that they have gazed into the abyss, and lived to walk away.
Leets Thursday May 9th, 2002 12:11:04 PM
Breathless and astonished, Leets must concentrate during a couple of minutes to realize it was just an illusion, a pure product of his frightened mind...But was it really, he is not even sure...
"It is too late to do anything for the bodies of those porr centaurs. The powers at work in this place are simply too great...I'll pray for their souls, but there is nothing to do anymore for the flesh..."
Quickly, but toughtful and looking behind him carefuly, Leets will come to the surface, worried...
Flat-top Thursday May 9th, 2002 1:18:19 PM
Flat-top is wet from perspiration, he yells "THE WOLD IS FULL OF DECAY, DISEASE AND DEADLY GREEN MIST. LOOK IT'S COMING FROM THAT DARK FIGURE, HE'S . . . he's . . ."
Then Flat-top realizes where he is, now turn to Kenisha "We better hurry with the Heart, before this place drives us mad.
Flat-top will go into a prayer and keep one fearful eye open.
Kale Thursday May 9th, 2002 7:51:46 PM
struggling to overcome the fear he feels, Kale pulls out his sword and grips it with two hands. "I need to leave. I need to leave." whispers Kale over and over as he moves along with the others, his head moving back and forth franticly, waiting for the horrors that are hiding from him to reveal themselves
Zeoll the Lesser d20+2=6 Thursday May 9th, 2002 8:33:59 PM
[OOC: Made Fortitude save to gauge reaction to vision. Failed badly!]
Zeoll, although normally one to embrace visions, has evidently had enough of them for one day! What with the drenching and the edges of the Wold collapsing in the place of the Crimson Wyrm, compounded with a scene of incomparable and disgusting horror, Zeoll's body and mind fail him utterly. After the vision of Zeoll the Greatly Rotten speaks, Zeoll the Lesser faints away.
When he comes to, Zeoll is uncharacteristicly subdued, and just sits quietly. He seems buoyed, though, by the sacred voice.
Brahmah d20=5 Thursday May 9th, 2002 9:54:18 PM
Brahmah awakes in a horrified yelp, brushing and clawing at himself, drawing blood. He stands up and strips off his armor (which no one has seen him do, EVER) and begins shaking it out. He empties his pack and then realizes he is among friends, then calms greatly, no longer frantic. Donning his armor again, he begins repacking his bag, a moment later he screams and cowers at a spider climbing the wall. "Kill it! Kill it!" He yells clutching his Falchion, but not drawing it. "Imod help me!! Raakis, I'm sorry!"
OOC: Brahmah's mind starts running at the sight of the spider, thinking of ways to kill it without going near it. Knowledge (nature) check of 5. :)
Kenisha Thursday May 9th, 2002 11:22:05 PM
Kenisha's body shakes as her vision unfolds before her. As she watches the Chosen die, she bites down on the heel of her hand to keep from screaming.
In a perverse way, she is glad when Kale goes nuts as it forces her mind to dwell on the here and now and not the nightmarish vision. Even afterwards, she stays close to Kalon's side.
She wants to ask him to promise not to leave her, but does want the negativity of the vision to spread.
On the way back, she does speak up about her vision. Her voice trembles as she speaks, "Down there, I was struck with the fear of losing everyone I hold near and dear to me. I watched from a hill as all of you were killed in battle and I could do nothing about it. Nothing."
She takes a deep breath before continuing. "I do believe this vision was sent by Marteaus to turn me from our path. Given the reactions from several of you, I must assume that each of us had a vision last night, yes? While they are disturbing and evil, if we each face our fear and talk about it, we might be able to overcome them and maybe even learn something useful to use against our enemies."
Raorr Friday May 10th, 2002 12:35:09 AM
Raorr shrugs and slumps after the vision. "How can we continue fighting that which can take everything we hold important and take it away at a whim." he looks around "What good will I be when he takes away my ability to fight him, I'm nothing without my strength, i'm a walking corpse. We won't suceed, we won't ever suceed." says the barbarian minotaur. an obvious look that he's beleiving his own words.
DM Carl: Aftermath Friday May 10th, 2002 6:22:36 PM
The Chosen rise once more into the light, but their night of terrors has left its mark. Hollyhocks can see at once that you are troubled, but keeps a respectful silence. Your demons are not his to pry into.
The Chosen make their way back to Bridge Isle with much to consider.
Zeoll the Lesser d20+4=5 Friday May 10th, 2002 11:56:06 PM
Thinking ahead, Zeoll tries to think about where the next destination for the Chosen might be. What temple is there on Wemic Island. [OOC: bardic Lore check is a roll of 1!]
But recent events -- visions, nightmares, and terrors indeed -- prevent the bard from concentrating. Surely he's heard of something in his native land ...
But he tries to remain upbeat as he declares, "Let's not dilly dally as the Wold crrumbles! On to Liontaurr Ilse!"
Kale Saturday May 11th, 2002 9:48:50 AM
glad to be out of the darkness, Kale sheaths his weapon and travels with the others in silence, lost in his thoughts
Brahmah Saturday May 11th, 2002 5:29:07 PM
Happy to be out the darkness and occassionally checking his armor for vermin, Brahmah travels to Wemic Island entirely in silence.
His mind wanders often drifting to the horrifying sight of Raakis and his infested corpse. Getting any sleep is noticably difficult, for when he lays down, he tosses and turns for hours.
Flat-top Saturday May 11th, 2002 6:24:37 PM
Flat-top feel ashamed and fearful, unable to help his companions. He prayers for the rest of the night. Day light brakes and he is so glad to leave, But tells himself that this fear is not natural and wonders if there was some magic going on. He is carrying his end of the Arc, and was never so glad to see Heartkeep. "Ahh! Yes! Zeoll, Weimic Island next, I wonder what to expect there?"
Kenisha Saturday May 11th, 2002 11:37:24 PM
"Yes, one last island to visit." Kenisha says with a weary voice.
"Where is the temple located there?" she asks a few minutes later.
Kalon the Wemic Monday May 13th, 2002 1:07:54 AM
When faced with the dreams he tried hard to put on a stoic face breathing deeply telling himself "It was only a dream. It has no power, it has no power." When the voice calms the group again he once again thought they are missing something.
"The gods are in a way dreams to us. At least until recently. Did we make them and did we banish them. Perhaps believing we can slay Marteaus is th way to defeat him." he thought to himself.
Despite his attempts to control his fears during the night he was very happy to see the morning and even happier when they were away free of the place.
After Kenisha spoke he moved to her and whispered, "Fear not for losing me because even if I die my heart and love will always be within you as long as you live" he then kissed and hugged her close to him
Leets Monday May 13th, 2002 2:53:24 PM
"I haven't been traveling much on Wemic Island...It's such a pity we have to go there in such circumstances...I have been thinking of those visions quite a lot too, and perhaps it's better it happened now rather than during a critical time. If, like I think, those were our most terrible fears, we now all have faces them once."
"I was also wondering, Kenisha, once we find the holy place on Wemic Island, and if we finally succeed in our quest, what shall we do then?"
"The Instrocctions" Asst, Dm Ceil Monday May 13th, 2002 7:32:16 PM
After a short rest and a very good meal.Tarsus in forms the Chosen that they must proceed at once to Liontaur Isle, and locate the Altar of Tomi. This used to reside in the Sacred Grove at Talsan, but since the Day of Darkness it may no longer be there. Once they have it they can bring it back to Bridge Isle. And the final ceremony for the restoration of the heart can take place.
(Sorry but DM Carl is working over time, and has ask me to fill in. CDM Jerry - I have to post a little early and cannot wait for you OK because we are having some bad storms here on the East Coast.)
Kenisha Monday May 13th, 2002 10:11:37 PM
Kenisha answers Leets' question with ferverent honesty. "Why to restore the Heart and use it to unite the Taurs to fight the evil forces bent on destroying to Wold!"
Brahmah d20+5=25 Monday May 13th, 2002 10:48:45 PM
The minotaur sailor just sits muttering to himself and watching everything, as if expecting something to happen at anytime. If you didn't know better, Brahmah MIGHT look paranoid.
OOC: Rolled a Spot check, natural 20 for a total of 25!! Yah! ~
Kalon the Wemic Tuesday May 14th, 2002 1:22:31 AM
Kalon waits for the group to depart then follows still deep in thought.
Zeoll the Lesser d20+4=24 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 6:53:01 AM
"Ah, yes, of courrse," Zeoll the Lesser muses, "the Sacrred Grrove at Talsan. That would be the place to go."
Zeoll strains to think of what he has heard of this place (Bardic Lore check = 24! Wow!).
The bard who hopes to be a priest some day listens intently to Kenisha's answer. "Rrestorre the Hearrt and unite the Taurrs ... That's an inspirring idea, worrthy Kenisha! Zeoll the Grreaterr must have thought of that -- it has the grrand ambition and insight he always exhibited."
Flat-top d20+1=15 Tuesday May 14th, 2002 8:50:45 AM
Flat-top eats the meal and slowly get ready to leave. Then ask skenisha " Do we leave the Heart here? and take the Arc to bring back the just the Alter?
So Flat-top leaves for Liontaur Isle with the others. (and is looking over everybodys shoulder. He's still a little fearful.(Spot -15))
Kale Tuesday May 14th, 2002 9:37:36 AM
"I think we take the heart with us Flat-Top." Kale says to the centaur "Though I hope this time it will be easier."
Zeoll the Lesser (breaking the rules by posting twice in one day) Tuesday May 14th, 2002 2:33:12 PM
Zeoll the Lesser is startled and upset by the news cried out by Lundy the Boomer! In case anyone has not heard, he tells everyone that the Armies of Marteus Domi-Slayer have attacked Centaur Island!
"Now we have NO time forr delay!" the bard cries! We must purrify the Hearrt herre, now! Then rrouse as many wemics as we can, go back to Brridge Island, complete the cerremony, rrouse the minotaurrs, and then lead all the Taurrs against Marrteus!"
"Hurrry!"
Leets Tuesday May 14th, 2002 3:20:38 PM
Leets hasn't been smiling for a very long time, but this is the way he answers to Kenisha's words.
"I had guessed it dear leader, but perhaps I didn't ask the right question: what I wanted to know is -how- we will do. To my eyes, the battle could be the best way to unite our peoples!"
LOG ON