DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
|
Post by DrSpice on Apr 20, 2006 0:02:26 GMT -5
Job wonders how to know if Galen had indeed contacted him, and if Galen is indeed on his way. After telling Mircea to leave word for Cyrus and the Cook that we may be having a guest, Job pauses to visit Old Thungir to let the man know that we may need his room for guests.
But who can I ask about this type of communication over great distances? Valinore is some distance away, and in any case, he doesn't always seem pleased when I visit.
Job visits Fr. Donavich at the Church. After a prayer and offering, Job asks Fr. Donavich if he knows anything about the way Galen may have contacted him.
Is there any way for me to reply to him? Can I repeat my message about an escort meeting him in Cluj? And for him to contact Sir Bogdan when he draws near? And most of all, is there anyway to have him acknowledge that he hears me in return?
Return.
Caldor never returned. I camped out for over a month, as I had promised I would. When December rolled around I sadly closed the Gate. It was too dangerous to leave the gate active for too long. But he didn't return, and one by one the Caldorites ceased their meditations, and departed.
And what of Galen's parting? Didn't his soundless message to me mention The Axe? And Tharizdun? I will need to reflect on this further after I am finished with Fr. Donavich.
|
|
DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
|
Post by DrSpice on Apr 20, 2006 0:34:40 GMT -5
How I remember Galen's parting fairly well. There were gnomes. And old dwarves. And of course, Krugander, who entrusted the Key to me. But what was the relationship between the Axe and the Gate? Between the Axe and the Key? Wasn't there a slave revolt in ancient Dacia? A man named Castinus?
Job's head starts to ache. It's not the remembering he finds hard, so much as the concentration and focus. He heads to his chambers and opening a chest, pulls out several volumes of bound manuscript. His Journal.
September 14, 715. We arrive at the gnome valley. We are greeted and are told that other guests have arrived and had foretold our coming. An entourage of dwarves, heavily armed and armored. Man do they look tough. Pale eyes, Pale hair, and dark brown skin. Krugander says that he must speak to Galen.
September 15, 715. As we benefit from the gnome's hospitality, Galen comes to me. He tells me that he's going to have to leave for a while. These dwarves are Priests of his Order, and Krugander is a Senior, a Peace Warder. They had found him through divination, and they need to take Galen and take The Axe. Galen tells me that they are going to another Kingdom near Vienn to take the Axe. They need to decide what to do with the Axe. Krugander steps in to explain more about the Axe.
Krugander explains that thousands of years ago, humans were rarer and Elves lived in peace with Dwarves. The Elves undertook to build The Gate. While we have come to know the Gate as a powerful and dangerous weapon, the Elven Builder saw it not as a weapon, but as a way to travel ANYWHERE. And it was this conflict with the Elves which caused some elements among the dwarves to seek to free themselves from Elven influence. These dwarves made dark alliances with Dark Dwarves, descendants of dwarves who lived deep in the Earth. And these groups were allied in preparation for a great war against the Elves. All the while a similar happening was occurring amongst some Elf factions.
There was war and bloodshed at the site of the gate around 5,000 years ago. The Elves used the Gate to raid. The Dwarves tried to destroy it. The Axe was made by Dark Dwarves and given to "True" Dwarves. It was used to kill many many Elves. "The Old One" was himself a Dark Dwarf.
As time wound on, civilizations declined, and populations declined. Even the reason for war itself began to be shrouded in mystery. On one last attempt, a Dwarven hero sent to take the Gate used the Axe to kill all of the elves who knew of the Gate, and then he himself disappeared with the Axe. From that point on, the Gate disappeared from history.
A knock at his door rouses Job from his recollection and studies. It is Mircea with a question from Leif Leipsiege.
Always on about the poor state of finances. And I had forgotten so much of this stuff in my journal. Oh Well I guess my recollections will have to wait for later.
Yes, Yes. Tell him I am coming.
|
|
|
Post by galen on Apr 21, 2006 8:22:05 GMT -5
Galen continues on his long journey East. "How tired I am of this trek" he thinks to himself. "I should suggest the Order establish a Hold in the mountains of this wild land in the East so I do not have to cross this forsaken country"
Galen also reflects on his Sending to Job. He lets a day pass and again, the next morning, prays to be able to send a message. He felt uncertain Job received his message. He sends again:
"Job. Yes, it is I. Galen. Coming to Barovia, seeking aid. We must destroy the Axe. It is altogether evil. Will be there soon."
With that, he and Purpose continue their journey.
|
|
|
Post by TerraDave on Apr 21, 2006 9:24:06 GMT -5
Caldor: Your talk with the manling has brought back more memories…
The strange, long journey through the Gate. You arrive with your “followers” in the palace. In the legendary City of Brass. Demanding to see Pallifax. And you meet him, but he is weak, and worried. The “protection” of the Sultan of this place has sustained him, but the Sultan does not trust him, and leaves Pallifax at the mercy of the Mad Emir, who has dark plans of his own.
Your “followers” Evolan and Althonon, so aggressive...there is much fighting and many elves and others die, though some are brought back…your “followers” take over part of the palace. Needless to say, the Emir is angered. His plans are delayed? Pallifax is unsure. He thinks more help is needed. Something else is needed.
More intrigue, the Sultan intervenes. Pallifax worries, some kind of “lord” of fire, of elemental evil (what was that name?), is planning to do something very bad. But he urges patience, you are on the inside, still “protected” by the Sultan. Then Althonon and Evolan make a break, and almost all follow, leaving you behind. The fire and screaming, the sense of slaughter. None return and no sign that any survived.
Pallifax is brought under “special protection” in the inner court. They don’t even bother to execute you. Months pass as you wander the outer court, waiting for Pallifax…or something.
|
|
|
Post by TerraDave on Apr 21, 2006 9:30:13 GMT -5
Galen: Your Order has a presence in all Dwarven kingdoms and most holds. And if your knowledge of geography was better, you may have staid at more. But you have some luck. You find a hold of the Kingdom of Godamor in the foothills of the eastern Alps. It is a pleasure to be back amongst your own kind under the earth. You know as you leave that it may be last time you have such pleasure for a great while.
It is true that further east, there are practically no Dwarven holds, in-spite of hills and mountains and certainly mineral riches. Only the surface dwelling sundered dwarves who live in some towns.
You think you were told why there are no kingdoms east of Godamar, but history is another weak subject. You try to remember as you enter the plains ruled by the King of the Magyars (it is good you are not much for talking, since you cannot talk too many here). One thing you do remember, Transylvania is also ruled by that King, and the highlands on eastern horizon indicate that you are getting close.
Hmm, yes, a hold. Why leave it all to the gnomes?
Three weeks have passed from the time you left Dussleberg.
Job: The good father lets you know that many things are possible with divine power. He is short on the details. You think you hear Galen’s voice again (above), and are less shocked. (you can reply retroactively). But there is no sign of the dwarf. Bogdon remains in Cluj, the finances are strained just a bit more. Weeks pass.
Viator: Caldor seems uncertain…it could be the dramatic events he describes, or is it something else?
Caldor and Viator: you drift back towards the windows as you continue your conversation. What is that sound. The beggar again? How much time has passed, could it be a full day (you both feel tired and hungry) since you last heard his call. His voice drifts back to you, as if it is seeking you out.
Next turn due 8:00 AM Tuesday EST
|
|
DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
|
Post by DrSpice on Apr 21, 2006 12:17:08 GMT -5
Job quickly thinks out a reply.
Galen. Message received. Will provide escort. Meet Sir Bogdan and Andrei in Cluj. Lord's Manor. Will escort to Barovia. Contact Sir Bogdan when you draw near. Do you understand?
Job awaits a word of acknowledgement, and leaves out the part about the mule. That can be a surprise for Galen when he gets to Cluj.
|
|
|
Post by Andric on Apr 23, 2006 5:16:52 GMT -5
[elven] Viator, elementalism is a topic worthy of great discussion, but there is more information surrounding my presence on this plane that you need to understand. I search for a place to find us a meal, and I continue my exposition.
Upon my arrival, I actually met Pallifax! More than anything else in this heated realm, memories of that encounter truly warmed my heart. I was accompanied here by two complementary groups of elven followers. One group was called the Caldorites, and the other was a Caldorite subset called the Heng'wë, or 'Children of the Tempest'. Both groups learned of my visions of Pallifax and joined me as I crossed into this place, by way of a gate in Magyaria. Tangentially, Pallifax is not only one of the most prestigious and accomplished elementalists, he co-founded an elven enclave near the human city of Paris called Numque, an enclave known to the Heng'wë. By incestuous coincidence, I befriended a Numquean elf mage named Boson, and we experienced much together, as members of an interracial group of adventurers called the Fire Wolves.
But I digress...when we arrived here, we joined Pallifax in his captivity under the rule of the Mad Emir. Led by fellow elves Althonon and Evolan, my followers tried to escape our subjugation, but to my knowledge all were slain. Pallifax was moved to the inner court of the Emir's palace, and I was banished to the outer court, to patiently wait.
Another detail, I have learned that Pallifax has 'special protection' from the Sultan of the City of Brass himself, and to a lesser extent, I somehow share in this protection. The Mad Emir does not recognize (or is not aware of) this 'special protection', but he appears to be distracted by dark plans of his own. Whispers and rumors alight upon the subject of a 'fire lord of elemental evil'...
Do you hear that beggar? Something about the beggar attracts my attention. Perhaps we should seek him out. After our meal (if we find one), I encourage Viator to join me in seeking out the beggar.
|
|
|
Post by Bingo on Apr 24, 2006 21:53:35 GMT -5
(Note to DM - I don't need to eat, as I wear a ring of sustenance. Viator is somewhat single-minded, tending to forget important things like eating and sleeping when in the pursuit of knowledge. He acquired the ring to remove the interruption of his studies for food and to limit the interruption caused by sleep, now requiring only 2 hours instead of 8.)
I idly nibble at the food Caldor finds for us as I continue to listen to his tale.
(Eldar) This Mad Emir does indeed have something afoot. I have found myself unwanted by the Emir and in fact I do believe he desires me dead. Unfortunately I do don't believe the Sultan is even aware of my existence, and as such I bear no special protection. However, much to my good fortune, the Emir has been easily distracted of late. I suspect that his plans, which I fear are bode ill for Terra Viejo, are the source of this distraction.
(Knowledge - cosmology, do I know anything of a 'fire lord of elemental evil')
Indeed this beggar also caught my interest. I watched as he spoke with the efreeti guards at the gate, they turned him away, but far less harshly than I would have expected of them. Even if he can provide us with no information, his tenacity should certainly be rewarded. I suspect it takes a brave man to beg at these gates and an even braver one to try more than once.
|
|
|
Post by TerraDave on Apr 25, 2006 10:55:50 GMT -5
Job: Yes, it seems Bogdon has left for Cluj. Perhaps it is for the better, the ways of Galen’s divine power are mysterious, weeks pass and you hear nothing from him…Bogdon won’t leave Cluj unless he meets Galen, or hears from you.
Finally, Mircea makes the announcement: “M’lord, you have a visitor”.
Caldor: The smell of scorched flesh leads you to food, but the sound of the beggars call starts to pull in the other direction.
Viator: Numque, you thought this place a myth! This was said to be a group of elves that denied the existence of magic, to all evidence to the contrary. Again, deranged quasi-deity. (the fire lord: see reply #16)
The beggar’s call. You both head towards the front of the palace (the part by the main gate), burnt but spicy kabobs in hand (what is this meat?). You can take stairs down toward the courtyard and head to the gate, or do something else (again, the top of the courtyard and all the outer windows are covered with this elaborate metalwork). But you probably have to act quickly.
Next post due before Friday, 8:00 AM EST
|
|
|
Post by Andric on Apr 26, 2006 17:38:27 GMT -5
Are you going to eat that? Caldor finishes his serving and trades plates with Viator. Caldor does a [knowledge: cosmology] on the meat he is eating.
He picks up the kabob and heads in the direction of the beggar with Viator. Viator, I have a few coins I can give to the beggar, let's head down the stairs to the courtyard in an attempt to intercept him. Caldor takes in the view from the upper floor, down the stairs, and around the courtyard, in search of the beggar by the front gates.
|
|
|
Post by Bingo on Apr 26, 2006 20:38:19 GMT -5
Viator barely notices Caldor switching plates, Oh, yes, not at all, take it.
Numque real and Pallifax a founding member, this certainly adds to his mystique.[/color]
Lost in thought I nod in reaction to Caldor's comments. Yes, I believe I have some as well, though I wonder at the value of Imperial coin in this realm.
Contemplating a dimension door I instead try to remember the quickest way back to the courtyard, wary of what effect the metalwork may have on my magic.
|
|
DrSpice
Master of the South Wind
Posts: 467
|
Post by DrSpice on Apr 28, 2006 6:40:09 GMT -5
Job responds to Mircea.
Thank you Mircea. I will receive the visitor in the trophy room.
Job enters the trophy room and eyes the prizes which he and his fellow Fire Wolves collected with their blood, sweat and tears. For the most part, the local taxidermist has done excellent work. He sees:
The Head of Strahd Von Zarovich, the Vampire A Full Body Stuffed and Mounted Loup-Garou (in menacing pose) A Minotaur Skull Umber Hulk Head Head of Lludd, the Behir Dracolisk Head The Head of Drelzna, the Vampire Head of an Owl Bear, and Two Paws Head of a Lesser Yugoloth
Job thinks to himself
Good times. Good Times.
|
|
|
Post by galen on Apr 28, 2006 8:42:46 GMT -5
Galen continues his trek East. Galen, having received Job's message, continues to meet Sir Bogdon at Cluj. Galen continues east to Cluj. At the next opportunity, Galen sends another message to Job:
"Job, messsage received. Met Sir Bogdon at Cluj. Fare the well. It will be good to see friends soon."
With that, Galen continues winding his way East, toward Barovia and the gate, and new adventure.
|
|
|
Post by TerraDave on Apr 28, 2006 11:36:27 GMT -5
Galen: Oh, the adventures you have had on your track east! The Vikings in the Baltic ports; the near pick pocketing in Dussleberg; the bandits scared off with the flamestrike; and those wiley gypsies, how do they get that bear to dance. (None of these are challenging enough to warrant XP, or, apparently, playing out).
You reach Cluj and head to the main castle, where the new Magnate resides. They are expecting you. Sir Bogdon is ready to begin escorting you south. You head out, then think to send your message (I made a small change to your post to reflect the delay in sending). The only reply received: “Galen”.
Job: As you wait in the trophy room, you receive a message from Galen (above), so he is not the visitor. As you prepare your reply, the visitor arrives (and your chance to reply vanishes, but you get one word out). It is Valinore.
“Galen, is he hear, are you talking to him” Looks around. “Not too tasteful. But it fits the castle”.
Jumping right into things: “I thank you for receiving me, your lordship. I have received a message from far, far away that has confirmed my own suspicions. Forces are in motion again, forces with an interest in the Key and the Gate. While Father Martin has been in the West, dark forces have regrouped here. At least I suspect.
“In any case I received a kind of message known as a sending, or a few actually. Of course, you would no interest in such things. Back to the point, the message I received noted that you were in danger. But help on its way. “And isn’t Galen here”. Really looks around. “Supposed to be here”.
You may have a chance to get a word in edgewise.
Then Mircea announces: “M’lord, you have a visitor”.
Caldor and Viator: Caldor, now with a Kabob in each hand (who said anything about plates?) and Viator try to find the main stair down to the exit to the courtyard. On their way, Caldor senses a concealed something. Unable to resists its pull, he discovers a hidden stairwell that takes you both directly to the middle of the courtyard.
To the right is the gate to the outer court from the courtyard. To the left the main gate leading outside. The great doors are open to the outside. The beggars voice echoes from this direction. He has come and is now going, and survived a second time. What could it be? To show such impertinence and survive.
Each gate is about 100 feet away, and each guarded by two particularly burley and unpleasant looking Efreet. What’s your move?
Next post due before Tuesday 8:00 AM EST.
|
|
|
Post by Andric on May 1, 2006 16:54:34 GMT -5
I have discovered the hidden stairwell, which is hopefully no longer hidden, neither to me nor to the Roman. Where are we now?
I see that we have descended down into the courtyard, with the outer court gate to our right and the great doors to the outside (and to the beggar) to our left. "Viator, let us hustle to the beggar and offer alms, before he passes through the gateway and passes out of reach!"
I finish off my bonus kabob and hustle to the beggar, and I signal to Viator to join me in the pursuit.
|
|