The trip to the elven village known in the common tongue as heartsglade is a slow one, with Kelem up the front chatting to the mage rarely and the other elf Sylvestra walking alongside Neliwen.

The group travelled up river to a point where Kelem knew a shallow ford, crossing with ease, all the while Rivka keeping an eye behind

It is almost dusk when you come to a slight clearing where the tree's, though natural looking, are further apart. The area is quite a sight, with natral looking huts in tree's made of wood that looks like it has grown out, to make natural abodes. Upon the center of the village are three huge trees, with staircases, separated by about 20 feet each making a triangle. The natural stairs assend up the tree into the branches.

Both Kelem and Sylvestra say their goodbye's, the male nodding to the made and even smiling at Newlian, while Sylvestra hugs the woman and skips after the surly ranger, the two talking as they disappear. Zarmatan stands at the base of the stairs to the main three tree's. "As Newlian knows, this is Heartsglade to most, a elven village that has seen some hard times. My old friend called me here, as you have been led here. We will meet him soon, but first we must pay respects to Princess Almeseria."

Zarmatan glares at you all. "Show her respect or so help me, i'll turn ye into a mouse and feed ya to the owls." He then starts up the stairs.

The group follow, the only person having been here (Newilen), more sure than the others. Even then, she knew this led to the formal area of the courts, private chambers of the leaders of Heartsglade and meeting places.

It was perhaps 10 minutes of climbing when you came to a central platform, connected to all three trees like a giant viewing platform, but all that could be seen was lights, leaves and trees. The platform was clear of clutter, only holding two thrones, several seats and a table, holding refreshments. Upon the smaller of the two thrones sat a elven woman, hair golden like the sun, and eyes equally as golden. her hair was drawn back by a circlet of silver with a blue stone at the forehead. She wore a beautiful robe of silver with green, orange and blue accents.

Other than her, there were two other people. One was a male with elven blood, in light elven chainmail and a sward at his side. The other was one of the oldest eleven men you had ever seen, with grey hair, wrinkles and a warm smile. He held a staff of oak with a pink stone in it's top, and wore white robes with lavender and green.

The old man walked up with a smile, and the woman held her hand up as she saw him. "Great one....it does my heart joy to see you again."

The wizard visibly winced as he looked at her, but bowed. "Princess Almeseria....it has been far too long since we have seen each other."

The woman chuckled. "Indeed....i was but a girl back home then, bothering a human with questions of magic."

Zarmatan smiled. "You were never a bother Highness...and remember what i told you then? 'Never apologise for having questions.'"

The woman nodded, then looked at Neliwen. "It is also good to see you back Neliwen."

While She addressed her and looked at the group, Zarmatan approached the old elf and hugged him, whispering in his ear. He turned and again addressed the woman. "These, highness, are the group i told you may come.....not what i thought, but here none the less." He looked at the group. ""This is Almeseria....High princess of Evermeet, fourth in line and second cousin to the king, and ruler of Heartsglade"

Quinn bowed deeply in respect, a courtly bow as best he could do.

 "Yacob Stoneveins 5th in line to the Stoneveins Clan. Well formerly 5th in line. Probably removed after this. Also mage by profession." he manages to say without his normal surly growl. He is leaning on his staff not heavily but enough to tell it is not an affection.

Sonori bows, as she sees most of the others doing. It is clearly not practiced, but it is, at least, respectful.

Nym smiles and bows very respectfully and speaks in Elven.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:49, Tue 22 Dec 2020.

Nino saw the food and went to the table, totally oblivious that people were introducing themselves. His beef jerky was good, but the new stuff made Nino curious and he helped himself.

Kell bows as best he can. He introduces himself, "Kell Steelvein of Stone Mountain, at your service Your Majesty."

Staying close to Zell, Rivka gave a polite and courteous bow to the queen, not trusting herself to speak.

Zell stepped forward with Rivka's hand in his, bowing like his mother taught him to do,

"Zell Mellivor, son of Captain Corvus Mellivor and Aranel. The lady next to me is Rivka, my queen, and the Dwarf gobbling your food is Nino. Please excuse him. He doesn't know any better."

Neliwen curtseyed deeply as she spoke [Language unknown: "N fi t virome-ortous si pa ar, om ngolelal."] The pale elf straightened herself again before explaining in more detail. [Language unknown: "Hoofre astca vor fomoit ounkornti outnderut on acwi al io nehe eau osfi ionessect itan ureintess. Ponahi allvensan nce m ic siatpa thionsous, atwe iondayithsan. Wa illtheereund ouensa ev on butou esnde si paitwh ourherugh his."] she told the royal elf, clutching the magical bag that held the medical supplies.

She then bowed to the older, male elf [Language unknown: "Thseul Ekparo-esca, houhouson wa he arun yinhoufor io p."]

The princess sat with a neutral expression for most of the introductions, other than Nino (which she seemed slightly ammuse) and Neliwen, which she had a genuine smile. The elf looked at Nym with a half smile. [Language unknown: "M ai thoer din teet p ilame ntne pona si ter allortate il t trleou rathaslat Sheich-theconund"] She nods her head and speaks in common. "Welcome everyone. In certain ways i know some of you by reputation, some moreso."

She looks around at the group. "Word has come to me of a group fabled to have found the ancient hold of the dwarves, but it seems some facts were misleading." She looked at Zell. "Master Melivor....I know your mother, and aunt..." at the mention of teh later, her face takes a almost pained look for a moment. "...those of your line are always welcome, despite your father's influence. Word has also come of the huntress Rivka and her skills."


She smiles at Neliwen. "You, my dear, i am happynto see safe." the old elf nodded in agreement, a smile on his lips.

She looks at Quinn. "...and word of the paladin of the god of death....may his calming embrace guide you" And to Sonori and Kell. "..even the most recent travellers. MAster Kell, word has come of your time working with the smiths within the dwarven home. I have no doubt your strength and skill helps guide tEhm all. And Sonori....friend of Sister Katala....she speaks of you and your skill. Welcome..

She looks at the group with a frown. "I was told of two dwarven cousins...Your wayward friend a warrior if power unmatched, but i can't see the magic user stonevein."

Her eyes locked on the dragonform, and they widened as she looked at Zarmatan, who nodded with a grim, stoic look on his face. "It seems much has befallen them, Mistress Almeseria....i will need a word or two with them before we gain some answers."

The elven woman nodded, but looked again regal and calm. "I welcome all to the heart. You are safe here as any. Take some rest, and we will dine privatly tonight to discuss what has befallen everyone and what is to come next."

the woman stands and looks at the rest. "there are some things i must attend to before we all talk, but please, speak amongst yourselves."

The princess bows and walks to a arch to the left, some of the elves following, leaving the group, Zarmatan and the elderly elf on the platform. He walks over with a smile and clasps Zarmatan's shoulder. "You always make things interesting old friend." Zarmatan smiles with a snort. "Trouble follows me like that damn wyrm."

The elf chuckled as he looked at Newilen "It is good to see you safe child. I heard of the others and the fall of our brethren" He closed his eyes, a look on his face making him look truely old. He then looked at the others. "If you have not already guessed, i am  Kalthranath Winterglade. Welcome to Heartsglade."

Kell turns to Zell. "I think I picked up maybe one word in four when you and the others here speak in Elvish. Do you think you can tutor me in the language when you have time? I'd love to learn what I can from the elvish weaponmakers and armorsmiths while I'm here. Wasn't the first mithral armor forged by the elves?"

In reply to Kell (msg # 12):

"I thought the dwarves did that Kell. I could stand to learn a few languages too, but I find it difficult to pick up."

Zell chuckled, "I'd have to agree with Quinn, Kell. But don't mention that to the Elves. While we're here, the Elves did it first. While with Dwarves, they did it first.

My mother taught me how to speak elvish, but I always thought it was a foofy language. That's why I really prefer the Common tongue of man. It's a mix of everything. But Yes, Kell, I can teach it to you. It might take awhile, but it can be done."

  "But what do you do when you are with dwarves and elves? Hmmmm....... Generally Kell the Armors were dwarves as were axes and hammers. Most of the good Swords were elfwork. And before any Tel-Quessir get big heads credit where credit is due is why I said it." he catches himself before saying some sort of off putting remark about superior spirits.

"So your the bloke with the stone. And it's good to finally meet you Zarmantan Anthel speaks highly of your skills in her journal." he looks at them both. "And if you want the story of the staff Old Man it's tit for tat. I give you new knowledge for new knowledge for me. We are both long lived mages we know how the game is played." he says with a chuckle.

Kell adds "if we are seeking knowledge, I add my own inquiry. Zamartan, do you know anything about the Earth Stone and its abilities?"

Nym replies in kind still in Elven.

[Language unknown: Sonughand oerpo Niro'wiad.  Stathesom ughun untoit oerst out ollat aros.  Ntiingyin hisanyday an liame letrthme intil werrutainstienc o k asha p str has icev hatecttio und ivplte resticbut intineiou.]

Nym continues in common and smiles at Rivka.

Zell, Elven in not a foofy language as you call it in common.  It is a very musical and very poetic language.  Most humans, and some other races have a hard time with it because they do not understand music and poetry and how they work together to describe beauty.  I would suggest you learn some more so as to impress your own queen.

Nino continued to gobble food, but he did watch the elven lady walk away and figured that the party was to follow, so Nino followed the princess.

"I'm not going to argue with you, Nym. I'm a half breed. The elvish side of me learned it and the human side of me tolerated it. Is it foofy? Yes. Is it musical and poetic? Yes. Will I learn more of it to impress Rivka? I doubt it. I use the language to communicate, not impress."

  "Someone want to get Nino? I'd call him back but well...."he gestures to himself.

 he says.

"All of that aside fact is you don't have to learn anything you don't want to."

Neliwen smiled in return, when Master Winterglade looked upon her with gentle eyes, she admired the man truly for his skill but also his devotion to the healing arts. The pale elf smirked while listening to the various demands and requests for information and different points of view regarding languages and their values. It seemed fitting that a dwarf was looking at it from a practical point of view, while an elf would admire a language's beauty and role in creating poetry. She'd be most happy to join this group if only to get the opportunity to study the dynamics of their diverse cultures interacting.

[Language unknown: "Forbleera Strdinicaoerher, redoreund st hibe tin et n est riwil undainlesrom?"] she asked the older elf, holding out the magical bag.

Nym smiles at Zell.

My friend in this case it is a matter of both communicating and impressing, not to make an impression, but to impress the importance of what is being communicated.

Nym looks over at Kell.

Kell, I'd be happy to help you learn Elvish.  In return you can teach me what you know about making armor and weapons.  It might be that I will need such skills in the future.

Nym turns to Zarmatan but doesn't say anything as he awaits his reply to the questions already voiced by others.

Zell chuckled and gave Rivka a hug and pointed to Nym, Kell and Yacob,

"See my queen? It's not important that we learn everything. It's important that we surround ourselves with the ones who do. That's why they're called subjects."

Zell tried holding back a smile, but was having some difficulty...

Zarmatan looks at the group, snorting at Yacob as he sopke in the different languages. "No one likes a show off boy. Your skills in language aren't bad, but your trying too hard with the grunts in the orcish, and your draconic is a bit rusty."  Kalthranath Winterglade smiled at the behavour of the human as he spoke, shaking his head.

Zarmatan looked at them with a sigh. "...but i can't deny your words. You've earnt some explination." The wizard turned and started walking on a bough to the right, leqading to an arch. He shopped part way, and looked back with a furrowed brow. "Well, what ya waiting for....a written invitatiojn?" He started walking, mumbling to himself.

Kalthranath chuckled as he started walking, looking at the group, his gaze finishing on Yacob. "He's been that way for close to four centuries now.....sounds more dwarf than human at times. I suspect you will get on well if you don't kill each other."

As the group follows, you walk through the arch to an open  roofed room, holding a table, on it drinks of wine, water and ale and platters of cheese, fruit and bread. Zarmatan is already sitting at the head of the table.  Kalthranath walks and sits beside him.

Zarmatan looks atr them all as they sit, looking at Nino, then back at Yacob. "Tell the big guy if he wants some meat, it can be arranged. Now....what do you want toi know?"

Kell rumbles " 'what is the purpose of the Stones, and how are they utilized' might be a good start."
He waits for Yacob and the others to chime in.

In reply to Kell (msg # 25):

Quinn takes a seat with deference to Yacob and Nym and Zell so they could sit closer to their hosts.

Nym takes a seat beside Neliwen, but lets her sit closer to the Princess and Kalthranath.

No, we would rather spend the energy and effort helping those who need it for the betterment of the world than killing each other.  Even as we tease each other about various things.

  "Nothing wrong with being dwarvish. We are pragmatic and far to calculating at times. So yeah if we don't kill.each other I tend to think you are right. That being said you do hold one of Zarmantan's stones." he says with a chuckle. "And before you ask the staff did this." he motions towards himself.

   "I would bet my life that he has ideas on how the stones are used but no concrete facts on that. Single stones sure not the set. But first let's give him some stuff to mull over." he proceeds to tell the story of their journey so far.  When he finishes he says "And that is when you told me I speak rusty draconic and crappy orc. Kell has a good question. And we can talk about the staff later just you and me."

With a roll of her eyes and a soft sigh at the antics of the wizards, Nerissa followed them to the next room, where she took a seat close to Kaltranath. Politely she kept quiet and did her best to keep a straight face at the exchanges at the table. The pale sun elf was glad the elves in the village had accepted her this far and she'd do her best to keep it that way.

With the topic being stones of relic status and magical items that the sage knew little to nothing about, she listened intently on what was being said.

Rivka chuckled as she hugged her handsome man.
"These fellows make for a more than adequate privy council, my love"

Zarmatan looks at the group, listening to the tale of the dwarf-turned-dragonling. Even the elf, Kalthranath listened in silence. When  Yacob was finished with the tale, Zarmatan looked at Kell, then Kalthranath with raised eyebrows. The elf sighed and was the first to speak.

"What council you had from the lady of waterdeep was wise...I have known Zarmatan a very long time, despite him being human and myself an elf - but he will go over that. The stone of life is indeed here..." He indicated the stone on the top of his staff.

"I found the stone a long time ago, when i was a little younger than you Nym. I was but a humble cleric then. I didn't fully know what i had, but knew it was special. When i spent time with it, i realised it's power was close to my heart - one that wanted to heal the sick and injured."

"It was a few months later when The mistress in red and Zarmatan found me....within hours of each other. The mistress and her minions had cornered me, and i had used all my skills to hide from her. It was then that Zarmatan came and saved me."

Zarmatan chimed in. "No need for your life story Kalthranath!" He shook his head, but even then Kalthranath  smiled at him. "To answer your question Yacob, yes I know some things of teh stnes, and who follows you, but if you want to know what it is, you need to understand."

He placed his hand s on the table, leaning forward. "You want the full story, and your all in....the whole hog! The bitch queen and her cronies will hunt you down and kill you on the spot. Your life will be dedicated to these items. Now is the time to turnback, because if you don't, you will face peril, danger, death and destruction at every turn....But you survive, and you will have save existance itself, and be privy to a power that even Elminster can't fathom. You will have power, and a tale of the ages, but it will cost you all."

Nym speaks softly and in common for his friends to understand.  His tone is one of fear and dread and hope.

I don't know that we have that choice.  If we turn back there is no guarantee that she won't find the stones first.  Even if we continue forward there is no guarantee that she won't find them first.  The only thing I see that is guaranteed is that if she does find them first all of Faerun and possibly all of Toril could fall under her control.

Nym continues in elven.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Fri 01 Jan 2021.

"I was chosen by these fine folks to lead. Not because I'm the smartest, strongest, or most powerful. I was chosen because I will always put the needs of the many above my own. I did this so we didn't lose knowledge or so I hope. Regardless this form is an improvement on my original form so it should keep me alive longer. Which means I can help more. I am way past the whole hog here. And I don't think the botch queen is going to let us walk away anyway or at least not myself."

"Hmm, because we thwarted her and opposed her, she will make an example of us. Or try."

That's exactly right Quinn.

Neliwen kept quiet during the conversation, while she was thankful for the group's support in bringing the much needed supplies to the village, she didn't consider herself attached to them. She was sure Yacob would agree to that assessment. So, rather than comment, the pale sun elf contemplated the consequences of this new information for herself. Neliwen knew little about the dragon queen and she knew only slightly more about Zarmatan, but she knew what was important about Kalthranath. Based on the serious but warm-hearted elf, she was concerned with the repercussions a victory of the dragon queen could mean.

Of course, being of the Nenuial family meant they would welcome her at the eternal isle and she could probably live out her life in peace and harmony. Until the forces of evil would eventually show up at their doorstep, and wouldn't that mean they would become a threat to the sons and daughters of the elves? She sighed, how could she shrug off this kind of responsibility?

Kell rumbles "saving reality is no mean feat. I have always done my utmost to preserve those I treasure. As for costs, I was built for shouldering burdens, be they physical or of the soul. So say on, I am prepared to commit to this."

Sonori had been quiet, listening to everything, but not speaking. The feeling she had, she was trying to pinpoint it, turning her head a bit this way and that.  She followed, waiting to hear answers before adding her own questions. "I do not think I could turn back even if I tried or wanted. Nor am I sure she would spare us even if I, or really any of us other than perhaps Nino, did."

Nino heard his name and looked, but that was about it. He enjoyed the new snacks and stuck some of them in his pockets for later.

Zarmatan, we know she's got minions looking for the other stones already.  However, are there others like us looking for them as well to oppose her?

"Of course I'm in. This is the stuff of legends. This is how Kings and Queens are made. If we succeed, they will write and sing songs about us. We will be the envy of everyone we pass. People will want to be our friends just to say they have a hero as a friend. The gods will look down upon us and smile."

Zell then got real quiet for a second,

"If I said No, my mother would kill me."

Zarmatan looked at the group with a shrug. "Truth be told, I dunno what that bitch of a gecko will do...She's single-minded in her hunger for them, ruthless and willing to step over anyone to get them. If she gets them, she may just leave you be....or kill you all just for fun."

He looked at Kell. "You, my boy, have no say...it seems the earth stone has chosen you, so weather you want to or not, you are coming.." He looked at the rest. "It's true the stones can align to another person, but that is rare. Even so, they seem to know that the time is upon them....and no, they aren't sentinent. It's just the power they represent....know"

The man sighed, scratching his head. "Damn me....centuries hasn't made this easier." He muttered.

He again looked at them. "Yacob...the staff has nothing to do with the stones, nor has the gauntlet with your cousin, so you are not obligated yet....but believe me when i say that you and him may prove to be the pieces that help turn things if you do. But, No one is forcing this against you....as i said, she may leave you be, or kill you anyway."

He then looked at Nym. "As for minions, yes, she has. But that is for a conversation when i know if you all are in or not...so speak up yea or nay." He points at Zell. "...and stop living through your mother boy....put on your big boy pants and decide for your own reasons."

"I'm in."

She won't leave us be.  We have already eliminated some of her minions.  I don't think Nino and I have a choice after that last battle.  She's going to know about Nino and myself at a minimum.  I would bet she knows about all of us by the time morning arrives if not before.

Nym pauses for a moment before continuing.  The look on his face is peaceful calm.

I don't have that choice. I'm in.  We shall see going forward if it cost me my life or my dream or both.

Rivka shrugged
"I'm a ranger, and my party needs me.  It doesn't get simpler than that. "
Then she looked at Zell impishly, but affectionately.
"Well, there are some complications, but they don't change the answer."

"She knows a lot but not all. She has had her agents shadowing us since Waterdeep. Two dwarves remember and one is a mage. But she didn't know I had become this." he gestures to himself.

"I don't get to walk away. Not today not ever. No it isn't being forced on me, but to do the things I need and want to do well I don't have much of a choice."

Neliwen bit her lip, considering what the people were saying. This diverse group that had defiantly stood against an enemy that could have wiped them out. The elf thought about the task and what it would mean for her, after all she wasn't as short-lived as them - with the exception of Nym. Zarmatan and Kaltranath had said it, if they agreed to take the responsibility, it would be for the rest of their lives. For herself that could mean more than half a millennium, maybe longer. The sage looked at Zarmatan, for him it meant an extension of his lifespan, multiple times over, but when it came to the wizened elf... The young sage wondered if she should commit herself to centuries on the run, if she could handle it.

Then her mind tinkered with the consequences of what could happen if nobody heeded the call. "If we stand for nothing then we fall for everything." The thought echoed through her mind as she resolved to not stand idly by, before she spoke up. "This is too important to just be a spectator, I shall lend my aid to the best of my ability." she sage announced.

Zarmatan looks at the group, but has a slight smile on his face underneath his gruff demeanour. "I can tell you now, your lives are gonna be a damn sight more interesting." He sighs and reaches into his robe, pulling out a pouch. He pours the sack on the table revealing several gems.

"What is said here stays between us. Kalthranath is already a part of this being a stone-bearer himself. No one else knows the full scope of what i'm about to tell you all."

He grabs the biggest gem, a red ruby the size of a small plum. "You know something of what you face....the mistress, but you don't know the whole story." He looks at the stone and his features soften, making him look old. "before i start on what you face, i'll tell you all what you seek. The stones, as you have no doubt figured out, are elemental, raw magical manifestations of the elements. There are eight in all....Fire, water, Earth, Air, Life, Death, Light and darkness. Each stone taps into it's own elements. The power of the stone is incredible when fully realised, but that comes in time. But the stones are actually part of a relic known as the pestle of creation."

He looks at Kell. "You will know this, but when you....i guess you could say, bonded with the stone, you gained access to its power. As your bond grows, so too will the power."

He again looks at the group. "Before life, before time, two fates came into being, the essence of good and evil. They wrested for dominance, always even. In times, other beings came to be....Gods, dragons, mortals. Before anyone could remember, the fates influences a great evil, and the gods needed to step in. Each put in a part of their life to create a powerful weapon, even Ao.....the pestle was created. It was used to banish the evil in a place beyond time."

Time went on, and the gods fought about who should use the pestle and why. Ao became angry at his children, knowing the fates' words. He destroyed the artefact, scattering the essence over the lands."

He shook his head. "These essences of the gods, are teh stones....Pieces of godhood in the form of elements. The were lost to all, even the gods. It was that time that Ao became distant from men and gods alike."

The human sighed. "Centuries ago, the Fates became aware of the stones and their destint.y with the stones was intertwined., so a champion was chosen by each side. The darkness chose a cruel and melovent being, a intelligent red dragon...the mistress. The other chose someone not of this world....a man beyond this time and place."

Zarmatan sighed again as he looked up. "I don't even remember my other name, or my home....thats how long i've been here. All i knw is i came from a place that had no magic....it created things to move great distances, even to fly. They had towers as tall as a bird could fly."

His vision misted over, then he returned, his usual gruff demeanour. "We soon found that with our choosing came power, but at a cost. Each had equal amount of power, but we are limited by what the other uses." His gaze again went distant. "in the earlier days, we did not hold back, using the full force of our power. I'm not proud to say that we were the cause of much death and destruction because of our single-minded hatred."

He quickly snapped out of his thoughts. "When i learnt patience, it was then that she began to try test the limits, causing her much pain."

He looked around. "our last altercation was when i gave the stone of earth to Anthel, but she found us. By then she had learnt the value of minions, and they swept over the place like a plague. in the end, it was me and her, and we fought. The result was we were both gravely injured....in fact we both were near death"

"When I woke I found I had a fraction of power that I had, more human than ever, so I wandered." He narrowed his eyes. "It's in the last 10 years that my powers have returned...and i suspect hers have too."

He sighed, holding the ruby, placing it on the table, and tapping it. A illusion of two figures manifested....that of a scarred red dragon, and that of a middle aged drow woman with platinum hair, red eyes and a cruel gaze. Both had a scar down their left cheek.

He held several gems. "in the years since, she has learnt the value of subordinates. So much so that she has gathered people to her of exceptional skill. Some she has groomed as her generals, she has aptly named her dauhters of darkness.....you have met one of them."

He placed a yellow topaz down and an image came of the woman that you fought at the river. Her hard gaze equalled that of the red queen, and though human in look, her frame lithe as you remember, you remember her skill and the sword she wielded. "This is Madryana, known by most as commander. She is single handedly the one who keeps the vast army in check. Her skill with a sword is devastating, and given her blade, known as 'swifttooth' is highly enchanted. The army of men and monsters respect and fear her...for good reason. She is a expert tactician. Believe me when I say that you will only ever underestimate her once, and if you live to tell the tale, you'll be luckier than most."

Next he placed down a purple amethyst. The image of a drow elfcame up with a slender but hard features, a silver and purple robe and a staff. She had long flowing silver hair with an undercut and deep blue eyes that had a hard edge. "This is Kyn'Armaina....a high ranking and well favored priestess of Lloth, the spider god. Her thirst for torture and death is only surpassed by the wyrm herself. She is her most trusted advisor and right hand....even most of the daughters bow to her 'wisdom'."

Next stone was a black onyx, where no image came up. "Her former assassin was known as Trieani, a devious human who was as skilled at stealth as death. She diedtrying to finish me a few years back, but rumor has it she has another assassin/spy in her ranks. No one knows what she looks like as she has only been recruited recently."

Next was a Pink sapphire where the image of a woman came up. her features were one of beauty, unnatural by human standards...even by elven standards she was striking. "Kendall" Zarmatan snorted. "This woman is skilled with magic in her blood, using her looks, skills and magic to manipulate people. This bitch turned one of my oldest friends against me as easily as a smile and a flutter of her eyelashes. She doesn't like getting her hands dirty, so she makes others do it."

He looked them all over. "the 'sisters' are loyal to a tee...swaying them from their path isn't an option, so don't try. These women are lethal on their own, and all command respect and loyalty"

He took out several smaller gems. "Not as influential as the daughters, she also has several advisors."

A smooth white opal, devoid of color was placed down, where a gaunt elf appeared, his hair silver, his skin pale. "Krennith is a necromancer of unusually great skill. Of them all, he is trusted the least...his dealings with death and necromancy has given him some tolerance by the wyrm though. You find a place with lots of undead, odds are it's him."

Next a red garnet, where a dark skinned gnome, bald head and a burn scar on the left side of his face. "Karanyth, of the lesser, has the most respect....even by the drow witch. He is a potent spellcaster, specialising in offensive magic. He thrives on destruction, and does it well."

Next an emerald, where a slender half orc. "Gyrn is the wyrm's tracker and huntmaster. Skilled with the bow and with several animals at her side. You won't see her before her arrow hits you." He looks at Rivka and Zell. "If you know she's tracking you, keep your eyes sharp, or you will be dead."

The final stone is clear, where a dark haired human appeared. "...and finally Trent. He was once a follower of truth and balance, and my old friend. A druid of great skill, he was captured and...." His tone dropped off as he grimaced, but looked up. This was obviously the hardest of the lot to talk about. "He has perverted his calling and order.....he believes destruction brings renewal and balance. What most druids would call the darker side of nature. I call it an anti-druid."

He sighed and looked at them all. "then there are the armies they have mustered. Trolls, orcs, humans, goblins and more. This is what stands between us and the stones, and what chases after them should we get them. I know that they have at least one stone in their possession....the fire stone with the wyrm. They may also have a lead on the death stone, but that's rumor."

"Now....you have any questions for me?"

Sonori looked on quietly, soaking in the information. "Your powers, they are balanced. Does she have information like this on us? And do you have generals, advisors, and armies like she does?"

Nino belches and chuckles to himself. He had no clue what the old man was talking about, but he liked the stones and stared at them.

  "Questions are well and good. But even I need a moment to digest that tale." he walks back and forth merely four or five steps and then stops turns back walks those and repeats. He does this for a few minutes. "Well now the Pestle of Creation is the end game. Then we do as we must. We, meaning our side, has life and earth. She has to have at least one more likely two or three. So we need to gain parity. We know the location of the water stone. We go there to get it. At least brings us to a theoretical even. I'm gonna ask you this straight out and a simple yes or no will be a great answer. Do you know how to make the Pestle work? Because if you can so can she and plan b goes out the window."

Zarmatan looks at the gnome. "Your kidding, right? Half of tbe realms have heard of you by now...the heroes that found Anthel's tower. Its been a little over a month, yes, but your heard of. Luckily your descriptio
has been altered over telling. They seek Dwarven brothers, a small half mermaid, a dark elf ranger fighting for good. Most other descriptions are pretty accurate."

His expression went serious. "They would know something of you, so assume they know everything, even though I doubt they do..." looking at both Nino and Yacob.

"As for the army....no. I have learnt that a small group can do more than an army. The wyrm sees numbers as power, but I see skills. You ask if I have generals....I'm no tyrant. I seek a group, a team....and that is you. Your worry isn't the army...people will rally either at my word or yours - your consern is the stones and the wyrm and her generals...they will be your challenge."

  "The general who tried to take us told us as much. She asked where I was. Didn't for a moment suspect that I had become as I am. Good with a blade yes. Seeing anything beyond that not so much. Oh I'm sure the mind itself is quite capable but well she told me more than she wanted to in one sentence. The Mistress is good at this and at gathering info, but we traveled faster than her info. As for the Shadowhunter of hers I would wager that is who was tailing us just outside Waterdeep. Passed the info into the chain and they confirmed it in Silverymoon and that is where they tagged Kell and the Earth Stone. Anyone got reasoning that contradicts anything I have said."

  "My Uncle was over joyed at Anthel's Keep and we are going to rebuild it. Both in her honor and as a Wizard Clanhold. No matter what I would have my uncle told I died on this. Dragon's fire or some such. Nothing left to recover. I won't be going back until and unless I can see The Keep restored and Myth Drannor cleared if we survive this whole ordeal."

"The Green that imprisoned the Silver in the staff is she still alive?"

Kell says "the Stones, themselves, are 'of the Earth'. Is the Earth stone capable of detecting or attuning to other Stones?  Like a lodestone?"

Zarmatan looked at Yacob. "Shes a warrior....not a thinker boy. She may have confirmed some things, but don't take her for a grunt....she is far more than that. And as for her hunter, last I heard she was hunting something south of here. If she was hunting you, you wouldn't know short of them two..." pointing at Rivka and Zell.

"As for what will be told, that isn't on me...I'm not your messenger. Tell your friends here, but either way, I doubt you'll see him in some time, and if so, it will be in passing - You will be busy hunting the stones."

Pointing at Kell. "As to the stones finding others, there is no proof on that. You hold the earth stone, this old fool..." pointing at the old elf. "..holds the life stone. Do you sense it. No....I think the only way you may sense them if the opposites are in proximity....life and death, water and fire. I know of no way to find them, even to detect them. All I know is the stones have a presence...the death stone tends to attract undead, fire stone was holed up in a volcano, things like that."

Nym having listened to Zarmatan attentively speaks in a tone that says he is at peace with his decision to go forward.  Those who know more than just rumors about bladesingers realize Nym thinks he is not going to be one of those who survive this but is still going to try.

One major issue I see.  We will, at some point, have to confront her generals and advisors.  To get to them, we will have to, somehow, get through there armies.  That will be an almost impossible task to do without major fighting.  The major fighting is going to serve as a warning that trouble has come looking for them.  They may be very intelligent and wise to what is going on, but if Madryana is anything like the rest of them in arrogance, all of them will be arrogant with an ego to match.  The question is now, how do we move around the world without attracting more attention to ourselves.  Madryana is going to tell the others our descriptions.  You can bet your last gold piece we will be having a much harder time finding friends and help going forward.  We can hope their arrogance and ego are greater than their will for self preservation when it comes time to confront them.

Zell kept quiet and just listened. He had a ton of questions he could ask, but the thing that bothered him the most was the fact the old man said that half the realm knows who the party was now? Zell didn't like that. Zell liked being anonymous and hoped he remained that way while Nino fought the woman named Madryana. Zell was invisible the whole time, so he was sure they didn't get a description of him.

Descriptions were not what Sonori was really concerned about, but rather abilities and skills. Nonetheless, she felt she had the answer she sought.

"What more should we know of the pestle of creation?" Sonori asked. "I saw, or shared in, a vision, which I think must have been that. It looks like a wheel, with a central hub and spokes, which I believe are the stones. From what I have gathered, this central hub is another piece, and can fully harness all the stones. I assume that the overall result, what looked like a wheel, must be the pestle. You say you do not know how to find the stones - what about the hub?"

She paused, "We need to find the other stones, but there is also immediate danger here, to this community. Do you recommend we fight first to protect this community, or that we leave to find the rest of the stones? Presumably the reason they are fighting is to find the Life Stone, so if it leaves, do you think they will stop fighting?" She doubted the latter. The others were evil, so unlikely to care much about killing. And with a necromancer, well, killing provided a fresh supply of easily accessible bodies.

Rivka wanted to ask questions, but she could think of nothing that her Traveling Companions hadn't already asked.  Also, she was feeling a bit overwhelmed.
"We're....famous?"
As someone who had previously worked as a professional guide and tracker for merchants and the wannabe hunters among the nobility, her successful business had mostly depended upon word of mouth to thrive, so a certain degree of fame and/or notoriety was welcomed and even sought after.
This, however, was a bit mind boggling.   Their host spoke as if they would soon, if not already, be thought of in the same breath as the heroes and Legends of Faerun. That was definitely not what Rivka signed up for, and was actually a bit frightening.
Still, it was her job, and if being on this proverbial, and perhaps literal, world stage was tye consequence of doing it successfully, then so be it (which is something she thought to herself with considerably more confidence than she felt)

And being mentioned by name by Zarmatan only hammered the point home.
Her responsibilities were literally epic now.  It was not the time to fail.


Still, she held Zell closer, though whether to comfort him or herself she couldn't bring herself to answer

In reply to Rivka (msg # 59):

Quinn thought about the Stone of Death and whether he was meant to carry it someday. Would he be worthy?

The evil queen holds the Death Stone? I will not have to bear it long if she does, I may not survive her to do so at all."

Zarmatan listened to the comments of everyone,  first looking at Quinn. "I don't think she has the death stone....just the fire stone. But she may have leads on other stones, as have I....but we'll get to that later. The death stone doesn't take live exactly, but channels the magic of death. Its common it attracts undead to it." the wizard smiled a half smile at Quinn. "It would be fitting at follower of kelemvor held that stone....to stay the death stones power."

He then looked at Sonori, his expression one of surprise. "A vision you say, of a hub....thats new to me, but makes sence." he grasps his hands in frontnof his face in thought. "I've surmised as much but never had proof of it, and from my research, never found any information on such. Given its a conduit of the rest, its possible it could somehow find the rest."

He looks at Sonori. "When we get time we need to talk...I want to know exactly what this vision was, who was there....everything. As for the army, your guess is right - they ate here for the stone. Luckily the elves here aren't without magical skills and tactics. They have lived for centuries preparing for war against the orcs and goblins."

Finally his gaze settled on Nym. "But what Nym says is true....they are an army, but despite their power they are like the Queen. Their egos and inspiration puts them at odds against each other. Madryana is a soldier through and through, but is also a Bully...she relies on strength and intimidation. Kyn'Armainan is Drow...she looks down on all who aren't drow or women, even her sisters she holds herself above them like a dominating older sister. Even Kendall is all about her beauty and ability to manipulate others. All of them fight for favor over each other, even if it's in secret. Like any family, siblings fight, and this isn't any different. You are different because your a team...you protect and compliment each other, they see each other as a power above each. Alone they are powerful, and together moreso.....IF they work together. If they don't, then they may fight each other as much as you"
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:09, Tue 12 Jan 2021.

Zell also held Rivka close because he knew she needed it as well as he.

"Don't worry, my love, I'll always be there for you." Zell whispered

Then he looked at the old man, "I would like to see my Aunt."

"I will be happy to tell you all I saw, but... well, there isn't much more to it, really. I'm not sure that it will help." She paused, "So if we left, with the stones, there is a good chance that the army would chase us rather than continuing to fight the elves?"

One thing we can hope to use to our advantage is their distrust of each other.  If even two of them can cooperate then we could be wiped out before we knew what hit us.  I hope we can find some way to turn their egos against each other in a way that causes them to start fighting amongst themselves instead of against others in the world who just want to live their lives in relative peace.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:27, Wed 13 Jan 2021.

Quinn was out of his element among the elves, thinking upon the death stone, he wondered if it was for him or for someone like Nino, a killing machine. Quinn was not a great warrior or a great priest.

 Yacob merely listens for the moment. Thinking of ways to change this conflict of ideas. The ways this could all go wrong. He chuckles to himself. "No use poking holes in the water bucket." he mutters.

  "A wheel would make sense. That way you could keep the stones far enough apart that they don't react to each other and the center would allow the powers to mix. So really the question is do we bring the Pestle into this or destroy it? And do we then attempt to destroy the Stones. Would that set you free or kill you? Ha gotta love magic. So many possibilities. So many ways this could go badly or easy. Did your vision give you a clue where the Pestle might be Sonori?"

Neliwen was quietly listening to Zarmatan and the others exchanging facts and experiences, and while she was no novice, she had no experience dealing with artifacts. She considered pointing out that destroying the pestle, created by a god, would require the power of a god or maybe even more. However, the thought was discarded again quickly - how very unelven - and finding the other stones became the topic.

The pale elven scholar chewed on her lip while pondering the wisdom of finding the other stones. Would it not bear the risk the armies of evil found them and took the stones out of their hands? But she didn't really know these people and needed time to understand what was really driving them.

Rivka leaned her head against her man, but she steeled herself to get ready to face the adversity they were up against.

Kell says "legend or personal knowledge, you ought to know what properties each Stone carries, do you not? If we know these things, it may be possible to access those abilities through meditation."

Zarmatan listened to the dwarf speak and shook his head, holding the bridge of his nose. "You think me a fool boy? you think I haven't thought of trying to destroy these stones in hope of being free? I spent the best part of a century with one stone, trying everything from acid, fire to the most powerful of magics. These stones are not the magic...just the vessels that hold the essence of the magic. You can't destroy them as soon as destroy the air, or fire, or all life. No....they can't be destroyed and believe me....I've tried!"

He sighed as he looked at the life stone, then back again. "As for your theory of a element that enables them to work in unison, that sounds about right. I suspected something might exist but never found proof of it...." he looked at Sonori. "...until you told me your vision. I don't believe that is the pestile, I believe all the elements are the pestile itself

He looked at Kell  "And as for the stones....each is different and interacts with its user on a different level. For example the life stone felt a kinship for this joker.." indicating tbe elderly elf. "....a natural healer and preserver of life. The fire is one of raw power and destruction, but also holds an element of renewal. That stone there is of earth. Solid, dependable, strong and eternal. The fact a goliath has it is no suprise to me. From the small amount of time you have shown a strength, dependability and somewhat hard headed stubbornness that suits that stone. You want to learn more of it, then spend time with it, let your spirit and the stone merge and then you'll find answers."

He again sighed then looked at the others. Getting these things out if the bitch wyrms claws is my plan, the fact one stone has chosen you is a good sign. But there are more. One I know knows lie in the ocean off to the west, west and north of waterdeep. Bad news is its beyond your skill to retrieve it at the moment, but the good....the others can't get it either, even if they know where to look. Several I don't know where they are, but three others I do."

"As I'vetold you, the wyrm has the red stone, the heart of fire, and I believe her pet necromancer either has it or is close to finding it. He is south of here past the dales
The third is going to be even harder."

Zarmatan scratched his head. "South and east lies a desert that few have traveled, with fewer still living there, but there are none the less. In the heart of that place is an old town taken by a blight...the place is little more than a ruin, but not without danger. I believe the darkshard, the stone of darkness, lies there. So I leave the choice to you....do you seek the necromancer and face him....either take tbe stone or find where it is, goto the desert and fi d the darkshard, or die trying to retrieve the water or fire stone?"

Nym speaks quietly as he tries to think of a different way of dealing with the stones.

Doesn't sound like much of a choice.  The two we can get to mean we have to risk death.  However, we have something of a choice in that we can go south first, then attempt to tackle the dessert or we can attempt to tackle the dessert first then come back to the west to deal with the necromancer.

Nym pauses for a second as a new idea occurs to him.

Is the stone in the dessert going to be in or near the center of it, or might it be closer to one edge of it?

In reply to Nym Eveningfall (msg # 71):

Quinn listened with interest, a necromancer to be dealt with!

  Yacob let's the elf go on about dessert and thinks of a couple of lovely pastries. "Nym must be hungry. Indeed I find a nice lunch would be helpful. I'm sure I can go find something. As for which stone to chase honestly the necromancer would be my first choice. To prevent that stone from reaching his mistress. But the desert is a somewhat attractive option."

Kell says "desert climes are difficult to survive, though I think the Earth stone would help me with that. In all honesty I'd rather tackle a necromancer 'ere he bonded or benefits from a stone."

In reply to Kell (msg # 74):

"I agree with Kell, could get ugly if he bonds with it."

Rivka shrugged
"I'm good with either the necromancer or the desert.  I mean, it makes sense to try to get the stone in the desert to help with the necromancer,  but it also makes sense to go after this necromancer sooner rather than later. "

Before I commit to either choice, do we have any more intel on the desert and the necromancer?

"The one in the desert will be difficult and that's probably why it's still there waiting. The one in the ocean can stay there until I see my father again. I'm sure he knows how it can be retrieved. The red one will attract the most attention if we go after it. Necromancers command death, so I vote for the desert, but not in the summer months. That's best suited for the winter months."

Zell then turned to the old man Zarmatan,

"But, what I fear is the disappointment my mother would have in me if I didn't go visit my aunt. Do you know why, old man? Because I RESPECT my Mother and I value everything she has to say to me. So, if you'll excuse me, I would like to visit her now."

"No need to rush to death, though I would be curious why you think the water stone is beyond us. But no matter, darkness or death. I agree with the others; it seems wisest to first go after the stone the necromancer would otherwise benefit most from, either before he finds it or at least before he forms a deep bond with it." She hesitated, "Sir? Would you let me touch the life stone? When I touched the earth stone, it showed me a vision. I do not know if the life stone would do the same, but I would like to try."

Zarmatan looked at Zell with a cold glare. "Don't be putting words in my mouth boy....I've known your mother and aunt longer than youi've been born. Your mother is one of teh most talented women in her craft....why she went with your father is beyond me." He snorts, but his eyes never left Zell's. "For the record, i respect your mother, and your aunt too, and would want you to see your aunt. What i don't want is for you to live by their words....you find your own path. And the next time you try to tell me what i said is wrong, i'll show you what being a frog feels like. Now be off with you and visit your aunt."  His demeanor became softer, and even Kalthranath shifted with nervousness. "....but be warned boy, you may not totally like what you see." His last comment was no threat, just preperation for something.

Kalthranath cleared his throat and looked at Sonori. "It's an unusual request Lady Sonori, but given the reason i am more than willin...and a little curious." The elf reached up and spoke a single word. [Language unknown: "Ineoveart"]

The gem seemed to drop out as it fell into his hand.

He held it out to the nome who took it in her hand.

...It happened so fast that no one saw what happened, but she slumped her head, and looked up, her eyes teh color of the pink/purple stone, blank of all but color.


Both Kalthranath and Zarmatabn jump up, the cleric concered trying to take back teh stome which was now grasped in an iron grip of her hand. Zarmatan loojked at the others. "Was last time like this?"

Though curious about what was happening to Sonori, Rivka would accompany Zell when he left

<OOC: zell and Rivka....you were in the process of leaving as this happened. you have seen this happen but are not seated and probably near the archway exit>

Nym replies quietly as he watches Sonori.  Despite their sparring over things he shows concern about her current state as she is a part of the group.

No.  She went into a trance but it wasn't anything like this one.  It may be that the stone senses her ability as a cleric to heal others that is causing this longer and stranger trance.  I do not know enough about them to say with any certainty though.

  "Bloody Hell! You aren't getting the Stone out until this is over. Might as well pay attention just in case." the former dwarf merely looks on with curiosity. "She had an episode when she touch the Lady Silverhand as well. I think this is something inborn and is getting stronger. I would advise against her trying this again. Except perhaps with the water stone."

In reply to Yacob Stoneveins (msg # 84):

"How long should we tarry here and fight her armies? Or do we immediately set off for the desert and the necromancer?"

Nym replies to Quinn in a quiet voice as he continues to watch Sonori.

As soon as possible.  I think that once her armies realize we are the bigger threat they will chase after us.  However, we need to get as much of a lead as we can before they realize we are gone.

Quinn nods his head in response.

Nino watches Sonori with interest, chewing on some beef jerky. He hands some to Zarmatan.

Sonori…

Zarmatan looked at yacob and pointed a finger. "Explain, step by step, what happened the last time. how long she was gone, her reaction after, even her mood. leave. nothing. out"

Sonori...

 "She took The Earth Stone. Went all glassy eyed for a minute. And then started talking as if nothing happened. Then the fatigue took hold. Oh and she spouted some gibberish that none of us understood." he pauses scratches a scale that was bothering him and then continues. "It was a similar experience when she touched the Lady Silverhand."

Zarmatan shakes his head in confusion, looking at Yacob. "Wait a....gibberish!" He sighed, rubbing his head, muttering to himself. "It's like talking to children sometimes."

It was Kalthranath who frowned now. "Stop being so hard on them you grouchy old man." Zarmatan looked at him, about to retort, but thought better of it, but looked again at Yacob. "What was the gibberish she said? It may be important!"

Sonori

  "We wrote it down because we didn't understand it. Let me look for it. It's in my journal." he proceeds to rummage in his pack for his journal. When found he opens to the page where he wrote the words down and shows it to Zarmantan.

Yep I actually had Tracks write it down and I said I copied it. I knew I,myself, wasn't going to remember what was said. It's one of those times plans come together.

Zarmatan took the note and started readying, humming to himself as he read the note over and over. He was silent otherwise as you could see his mind processing what it said.


Within moments, Sonori gasps, lunging forward and relaxing her grasp on the stone, breathing like she had just run a marathon, her eyes returned to normal.

Sonori gasps, shutting her eyes, putting one hand on the ground for balance, and crouching for a minute to regain her equilibrium and her wits.

Nino reaches for the stone with his gauntleted fist.

After a moment, Sonori took in a great breath of air and straightened up. "Thank you," she said, handing the stone back to the elf. "How long was I out?"

Nino seemed a bit annoyed that he was being ignored. The old man didn't take his jerky and now they won't let him touch the pretty Stone. Nino slammed his gauntleted fist on the table to get everyone's attention and then he held out his hand so the stone could be placed in it.

Sonori looks over at Nino, feeling a bit confused. "It's not mine to loan you, Nino," she says.


Sonori gathers her thoughts. ”Someone, the stone I think, or rather the power behind it, asked me if I knew my full destiny.

Then Ao appeared. He said he could tell me things, but only if I asked the right questions. And that there were things that I had to find out myself. But it would be easier to understand this… gift with time.

When I asked where the stones of Light and Air are, he said that the stones are beyond the power of the gods to detect or influence. He said though, that we can look for the signs. The death stone can animate dead to undeath by it’s mere presence. Each stone can affect people or the surroundings.

And he said that the final element of the artifact, when I – or we, I assume - find what it is, we will know.”

She hesitated. She didn’t like to share this next part, because she felt like she kind of failed, ”I asked my role in all of this, that I don’t recall hearing of a vision-seer in the past.
He said that I am not asking the right questions, although they are close. That I need to reflect on what we’ve learned, what the stones are, and my role in this.”

Nino held the jerry out, which the old man looked at like a slug, then kept to ignoring them all. Nino, with a furrowed brow, slammed his fist into the table.

The blow itself was mighty, but with the gauntlet, it sounded like a crack of thunder, sundering the thick oak table in two. All faces turned to Nino, who with a serious look, held the jerry out. Zarmatan, focusing on tbe gauntlet, absently took the jerky, grabbing the gauntlet and looking at it closely.

That is when Sonori spoke up, explaining her vision. Zarmatan, torn between the experience and the gauntlet, looked at Sonori. "The stone spoke to you...and Ao, are you sure it was Ao? What is your role in...."

His voice trailed off as he took a serious look, some unknown thought in his head. "I wonder if....but, could it?"

Neliwen had been listening patiently to the back and forth between the companions and did not think she had anything to comment, her experience with this very specific kind of quest was nearly zero. Curiously, and a little surprised, she watched as Kaltranath allowed the gnome to touch the stone of life and she was more than fascinated at the young one's reaction to it. She didn't realize it until the moment had passed, that she had held her breath in anticipation.

Sonori shared what she had experienced and the scholar was a bit jealous of the unique, once-in-a-lifetime event of having the attention of a being as divine as AO, but she tried not to linger on it. She probably couldn't have anyway, since Nino slammed his fist on the table, drawing everyone's attention. Wide-eyed in shock the pale elf realized how barbaric and violent the dwarf was and for a split second she doubted if it was the right decision to go with these people.

However, the gauntlet-bearer seemed to calm down again as Zarmatan took the offered meat and examined the dwarf's armored fist. What had she gotten herself into, she wondered?

Nino still held his hand out for the stone, but he seemed a bit confused that the table broke, so he looked under it to see why it broke. When he couldn't figure it out, he crawled underneath to take a look. There was a couple bumps and the table lifted a few times and Nino crawled out from the other side and stood up.

Shrugging his shoulders, Nino spoke two words before walking off to get more food goodies,

Elf table.

Sonori was startled at Nino as well, jerking backward. "Do you think the stone could help him?" She asked, her attention diverted, at least momentarily, to him.

She blinked, think if Zarmatan's words, "Every vision seems... to be a little more clear, sticks in my mind better. Each is... exhausting, though. I would like to sit a bit, think a bit." She took a step back from others and just folded into a cross-legged sit. "I am pretty certain it was Ao, yes. I suppose it could be some powerful god pretending, but I do not think so. But... I don't even understand these visions, how could I be certain about everything in them?" She considered for a moment. "Could what?"

Nym is just as startled by Nino's action as everyone else.  Lost in thought from Sonori's and Zarmatan's words about Ao and other things he thinks back to the things he had to study as he made his transition from fighter/magic user to bladesinger.

Kell says "there is a Grand Design here. Perhaps Sonori is like the hub of a wheel,or the pestle. She is to be the center of the confluences of all the Stones once gathered and employed?"

Zell was shocked that Nino broke the table in half, but could see why the poor guy was upset. Most of the party does ignore his simple requests and tend to tolerate his presence because of Yacob. When he went under the table, Zell looked as well, wondering what Nino was doing, and when Nino came out and shrugged his shoulders and said those two words and wandered off like nothing happened, Zell chuckled to himself, especially when he saw the old man stick the jerky in his mouth.

Sonori was startled at Kell's suggestion, and looked up at him. She pondered a long moment before saying, "That might explain visions from touching the stones, but what about from Lady SilverHand? The visions have to be related..." Didn't they?

Rivka stayed alert, just in case she needed to intervene

They could be related Sonori.  It may mean that a changing of the guard could be coming.  However, everything I'm saying is speculation on my part.

In reply to Nym Eveningfall (msg # 111):

Quinn began cleaning the mess, looking for help.

 When Nino breaks the table Yacob laughs. "I'd give him the stone." When he climbs under it he knows why he is doing it. When he says elf table he laughs harder and retorts "Dwarf fist!"

"The Lady Silverhand is infused with magic. Her story is rather long and complex. So her triggering a vision makes sense. Your a prophet or a seer so the strength getting more is logical."

"I think they'll be ok. Let's go see my Aunt. I hope she even knows who I am. I've never met her before, unless she saw me when I was a baby."

Hoping that Zell is right, Rivka followed him

"So, what do you think should be our next steps?" the pale elf asked the assembled people.

In reply to Neliwen Nenuial (msg # 116):

Quinn continued to listen, not knowing what to add to the conversation.

I suspect that we need to be moving at first light if we are to keep ahead of her and her minions.  I would venture to say that our next stop will be in the dessert.

With Sonori's episode past and Nino's feat of strength proven with his new gauntlet, Zell and Rivka tale their leave, seeing Zell's aunt.

The otehrs remain, Zarmatan still holding the piece of jerky offered to him  by Nino after slamming the tablke in two. At the question, his suprised demeanor retreats back into his usually surly mood. "What am i, your babysitter? You can make decisions for yourself. What i know is this....I have to stay here with Kalthranath and the lifestone while you get one of them."

The elven priest, barely flinching at the dwarf's strength, smiled and nodded. "The stone must remain here for now." Zarmatan smiled at the fact. "...in fact that may work to your advantage. If your big friend doesn't try to use the stone much, The bitch wyrm's eye and force will focus here. They know your here now, and hopefully you'll be long gone before they realise. They will focus their efforts here and you can slip by without the fools knowing."

The man looked after the two figures who left. "I suggest you remain here for qa few days....prepare for the trip. Zell needs to sort out his family issues before he goes. And before you leave, i want to talk to you Yacob.....about the staff and gauntlet"

Kalthranath looks at Neliwen. "I know i have no place asking this of you, but I would ask you to join them....they will need your skills. Before you leave, come see me child."

  "Let me know when is a good time for you Zarmantan and I will clear my busy schedule." he says with a joke. "There isn't much to tell sadly. Well at least as far as the Gauntlet goes.  The staff I had a few theories on and were somewhat confirmed."

In reply to AO (msg # 119):

Kell chuckles. " That will be easy. I don't know how to activate any powers. The only advantages it has given me thus far are passive in nature. A resistance to environmental hardships and reduced damage from slams and bludgeoning attacks. And those I have no control over."

Sonori didn't think that going with Zell made much sense. First, she didn't speak the tongue of the elves, and second, she didn't want to intrude.

Besides, she still wanted to better understand her part. "Zarmatan? Would you be willing to tell me about the other Seers from the time of the Great Battles?"

We need to keep her distracted from us just long enough to give us a good head start towards the next stone.  The risk to the elves here needs to be balanced against that.  We don't to cause the elves here any unneeded and unwanted death and destruction when it can be avoided.

  "The army was here before us. So either we delay and stand firm here and most likely lose or we run fast to get another stone and draw some of these fools with us." he says "Best we can hope for honestly. If it wasn't so imperative that we move fast I'd say burn straight through the middle make as much noise and cause as much confusion as we can before we leave."

Normally I'd agree with you Yacob.  We just need to ensure the elves aren't left to their defeat when we leave.  However, we don't want to be on the move for an hour then find ourselves in the middle of the entire enemy army with no way to escape that.  We do need them to chase after us once we've left.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Mon 01 Mar 2021.

Neliwen looked from one speaker to the other but didn't really have anything significant to contribute, so she kept her thoughts to herself and observed what else was going on.

Raieylan smiles. "I'll be staying here....helping the elves, so they will have all the backup they need. While i have limitations, i also have a few tricks up my sleve. Besides, the elves have protected this home for longer than all of you have been alive....They can keep going after you leave."

He looked at Kalthranath, who only nodded. "We can hold this place longer than the army can fight....they need food and shelter, and when winter comes they will eitehr die of exposure, or leave. The red queen may be ruthless, but she is also clever, and she won't waste her army without reason."

Raieylan grimaced at the mention of the dragon, but continued. "We can make sure you have a head start, cover your escape for a time, but that will be a day or two at most. You will be clear of the army, but your dangers won't be any less. But an evi8l not looking for you is better than one that is."

He pulled out a map and opened it, looking at the broken table, he sighed, and clicked his fingers. Like a slight breeze, the table stood up and began 'healing' itself, until the table was whole again, even though it had a fist sized divot in it and the crack was visable.

He lay the map out. "We can get you a boat North to Phlan….from there you will need to travel east over the Dragonspine mountains to Anauroch...the great desert. On the plains of standing stone, you will find the gem. But, getting there, you will be close to Zhentil Keep, I don't need to tell you the evil that lurks there, and the mountains and deserts hold many perils."

He looked at Kalthranath who raised his eyebrows, then the map again. "If you make good time, You can get to the edge of the desert in a few weeks."

Sonori blinked in surprise as the table "healed." "Wow..." she said, momentarily distracted.

Apparently Zarmatan was lost deep in thought, as he didn't answer her. She hesitated - should she repeat her question? Or should she... well, find something else to do. She decided to try one more time, "Zarmatan? Would you be willing to tell me about the other Seers from the time of the Great Battles?"

Nino turned around with food in each hand and sat down at the table again. He had no clue what was going on, be he remembered that the table was broken and now it's fixed. That confused him, so he looked under the table to see who was holding it up.

Neliwen listened to the discussion and was worried what would happen if the army was going after the group. The elves had a fortified position to defend from, the group on the move would not have that kind of advantage, they would need to be swifter than their pursuers. "We would need to be constantly on the move." the elf commented. "Does the enemy have flying mounts?" she asked curiously.

In reply to Neliwen Nenuial (msg # 130):

Quinn was tired, tired of running, tired of fighting, this was going to be brutal he thought. He took out some of his own jerky and took a chew and sipped some wine.

Neliwen, it would be a good guess that they do have flying mounts of some kind.  They may be flying creatures of intelligence that don't need to carry a passenger either.  Elves have had the help of flying creatures like that for centuries.

Nym looks at Nino as he peers under the table.

The table is fixed Nino.

Nym returns to the discussion at hand and sees Quinn in deep thought.

What are you thinking about Quinn?

"About how I'm getting too old for this." he said with a smile. "My sword is still sharp though. Ready to fight when you are!" he takes another bite of jerky and a sip of beer.

Zarmatan looks at Quinn and snorts. "Come to me when your in your second millenium, then you can talk about old boy!"

He looks at Sonori and his features soften. "Thats the thing, there has been no real seers directly connected to the stones. We have had unusually gifted people, like The dwarven mistress, and her stubborn deurgar  husband you now follow after..." Indicating Nino

"There was one lad....little more than a boy, whoi had unusual insight. He somehow knew the location of All stones...could describe their location to within a foot. That boy, however, never saw a stone. He was killed by one of the Daughters. What you did lass....that was beyond anything i have seen or heard."

He looked at the group. "From what i know, none have flying mounts...The bitch queen herself can fly in her true form of course and choose to carry some of her daughters, but she has never done that. I know the drow priestess has access to a shadow steed which is fast beyond any other, but no flying."

Neliwen nodded in acknowledgement of Zarmatan's words "So that would be a viable means of escaping their grasp." she commented, turning toward master Winterglade "Do you think we could provide everyone with a potion to alter their form into something winged? The 'Alter Self' spell is rather simple and having an emergency means to evacuate could be vital to the success of the mission." the elf suggested, her hand fidgeting with the wand in her belt. She already had the magic at her disposal but was convinced others were not as fortunate.

Especially Nino who farted while looking under the table.

Nym smiles at Quinn and teases him.

Just how old are you then?  You don't look to be 20 yet.

Nym turns to Nwliwen.

I can learn the spell once I have the ability to learn and cast spells of that level of power.  I currently lack the ability to do so.

In reply to Nym Eveningfall (msg # 137):

"Heheheheheh, I'm 22."

"Oh," Sonori responded, thoughtfully. So people unusually skilled people (which was not necessarily the same as unusually powerful people), but not seers, or whatever the heck she now was. So she couldn't learn from their past experience. But nonetheless, it brought her all the more strongly to the conclusion that somehow she, like the unusually skilled people previously, was intended for this quest. "Okay. Thank you."

She wondered about the boy. Would he have had a similar ability had he touched any of the Stones? Could she maybe develop his ability?

For that matter, if she touched a stone multiple times, what would happen? Would she have another vision? Would it be a repeat of the same vision? Would it do nothing at all?

Which led her to wonder, if she touched multiple stones at the same time, what would happen? Would they interfere with each other? Would they enhance the effect, allowing her a longer vision or perhaps even one that added further clarity?

Probably it was best to start with the first idea, she decided. Find a place to spend some time meditating and concentrating and see if maybe somehow she could sense the stones. Two were nearby, so that might help, if she could somehow attune herself in that way. If her ability did potentially overlap with that boy's ability.

"I'm just assuming that the Locate Object spells wouldn't work on the Stones, or on the connecting element that completes the Pestle. Otherwise, they would long ago have been found, I would think. Can you confirm that from your past experience, Zarmatan? Or is that something we should explore?"


She also nodded to Neliwen, "Or we could escape into the water, if people have a way of breathing water. None of them followed me into the water."

The elf nodded at Nym's indication he would be able to cast the spell himself, given more time to gather the necessary experience. She gave the gnome a warm smile at her suggestion to escape through water. "Of course that would be an option, when there is water present. The mountains, and the desert even more so, lack large bodies of water. It might be more sensible to take the shape of a burrowing creature then." she clarified, not wishing to dissuade the seer, just making sure she was aware of the facts.

"It would be possible to take the form the mythical Avariel to fly away, but I don't know of any burrowing humanoids. Alter self is limited by your natural form. I have a few more options than others but not as many as a troll would for instance. And Polymorph is expensive in general. And well beyond my abilities."

Zarmatan looked at Sonori and nodded. "Finding the stones by magical means is near impossible....Locate object has no hope. The only way i have even come close is using a wish spell, and even then it was not totally accurate. Thats when i realised that if we look for the effects and not the stone, we'd have more of a hope."

Sonori nodded to Neliwen and Yacob, responding, "True, water is everywhere, so it won't work everywhere. There are plenty of races who breath water, though."

Then she looked up at AO, nodding thoughtfully. "I think I will go meditate for a while until we're close to ready to go. See if... well, if I can figure this out a bit more. Is there a good place in the area?"

"Rest as long as you wish, Sonori. I am looking forward to traveling with you." Neliwen said with a gentle smile, then turned back where Zarmatan was dicussing his thoughts with the companions.

"A group as large and diverse as this, is very likely going to attract a lot of attention. Perhaps we should stay off the roads well traveled and send only a handful of people into towns to replenish our resources. - What do you think?" she asked the group, curious if they had tried anything like that already in the past.

  "I doubt that will help. The enemy knows what we all look like. A disguise self and some basic acting might help for some of us, but Nino and I carry to much magic now. They would just follow the folks in town back out to the rest of us in a best case scenario. Worst case they would attack Nino and I while the rest were in town and kill us and set an ambush for the rest of you. Kill you all and take the Earth Stone from Kell. Either we attack their face, sneak around their back, or stay together either way. Because when they come and they will it will take the lot of us together to best them." he pauses and looks to Sonori "Yeah aquatic elves and strange little prophet gnomes. Now that would be an interesting tactic. Turn ourselves into aquatic elves. Exact replica versions so chasing the one with the stone would be harder. Not impossible mind you just harder. Kell, Nino, and I would radiate massive amounts of magic. Maybe enough to confuse them. This could be useful. If I can figure out a way to extend the duration a good bit. One casting. Hmm......."

Kell suggests "or change us to Sahuagin or Aboleths, or at least their seeming. A race they would not wish to interact with. As for flying mounts, some underground species have trained Dire Bats as riding mounts. They can handle a humanoid-sized rider, even one as large as myself."

Nodding thoughtfully the Lurue worshipper considered Kell's thoughts on the matter. "I fear, going by the words of Zarmatan, their interaction with any race is limited to an interrogation at sword point."

Neliwen sighed at Yacob's intense reply to her suggestion, clearly this one felt he had the answer to everything. "Thank you for sharing your thoughts to the issue this frankly. But are you not contradicting yourself? On the one hand side we should not separate, even for the short time to gather supplies, but in the same breath you say appearing as identical creatures would confuse the enemy. As long as we stay together it would not make a difference since we would all suffer the same fate." the elf commented Yacob's argument.

"Besides, not everyone would be able to change their appearance by magic or mundane means to make your idea a viable option. That said, who is able to use magic to change shape or appearance?" she asked the gathered companions.

I have to agree with Yacob in this case. Our best chance for survival is going to be to stay together.  Too many bad things can happen if we split up for any significant length of time.

Nym continues after a moment of thought and looks at Neliwen.

The use of magic to change one's appearance can be detected and sometimes that detection doesn't have anything to do with magic.  I can somewhat hide my true profession but at some point I will be forced to reveal it to those I don't want to know it.  Even if we were able to do so without detection something else could easily happen that forces us to abandon any such disguise or pretense.

Nym pauses for a second before continuing.

There will be times when we can and have to hide our appearances and the number of us travelling together for safety.  However, for the most part, we are going to be better off by not doing so.

"The identical thing would likely only work once. And the water stone would be the time to split up because none of us are as well acquainted with water or the area. Getting locals to be guides and pair them up would be best."

Sonori nodded politely to Neliwen, "And I look forward to traveling with you."

She looked for a good spot to meditate, and when she found it, sat down cross-legged. She closed her eyes, first trying to focus on just calmly breathing. Then she tried to think of the stones near her, earth and heart. How they were similar, and how they were different. Then she tried to see if she could focus on just one, hoping perhaps she could sense it, perhaps even sense the direction it was in, or even the location. If someone else had been able to do that in the past, then she felt she should at least try, as she had some sort of weird interaction with the stones when she touched them.

Zarmatan listened to the group in silence, absently looking at the group, his gaze occasionally lingering on Sonori. When there was a pause, he spoke. "I respect you think that seperation may be able to fool them, but these generals are no fools. Now that one has seen you, they will know what to look for. And no offence, but a silver dragon shaped humanoid, a dwarf with a big black glove and a goliath...even on your own you will stick out. No, you'll be safer together. Smaller groups, if even one of the daughters find you, your as good as dead. As a group, you have a chance. My advice....pick which stone, don't dwell on the decision and go."

Neliwen was quietly waiting for the senior members of the group to come to a decision.

Coming into the room, only hearing the last few comments,  Rivka nevertheless spoke up

"We weren't here for most of this discussion,  I'd wager, but judging from what was just said, I'll vote to stick together.   As a professional guide, I'd never let a team I'm escorting divide up their group,  especially in unknown territory.   And I've heard to old bardic tavern song "Never Split The Party" so often that i could probably sing it myself.  If my vote counts, I'll vote to stick together. "

Nym smiles at Rivka and then looks at Neliwen.

Neliwen, your vote counts just as much as mine or Yacob's or Rivka's.  For what it is worth I don't think we should split up at all.  We are going to need each other's knowledge, skill, expertise, and even each other's company before this is over with.

Neliwen looked at the different people at the table, each of them strong-headed. "My point was not to split up in general, but to stay away from towns and settlements unless necessary to replenish supplies. That would be the only occasion when a smaller group would go shopping." she clarified, feeling misunderstood. "A group this diverse _will_ be recognized the second we walk through a city gate. Some of us can change our appearance, which is an advantage we could have made use of, if we do not split up, then that option is not viable." the elf explained.

"I suggest we go to the Anauroch, at least their troops will face the same problems that we do, but we are the smaller group and easier to sustain."

"I can get into towns and get supplies." Zell said with a smile as he and Rivka came back to the group "Has it been decided where we're going? Did I hear something about Anauroch? We're not going there, are we?"

"Yes Zell the Great Desert is our current destination. We think we need more prep time for the Water Stone." is all he says and goes back to eating and pondering.

Sonori was meditating.

Rivka shrugged
"Deserts aren't my area of expertise,  but I've listened to enough tavern stories told by other rangers that i should be able to help us survive there quite well"

Kell nods. "Haven't experienced a desert before, but I hear they are best faced with multiple skins and canteens of water."

In reply to Kell (msg # 160):

Rivka chuckled
"That's definitely a step in the right direction "

"I've heard of a magical bottle that has endless water. I wonder if we can get one of those for our trip?"

In reply to Zell (msg # 162):

"That would be very beneficial, water is the problem in the desert."

"Well, I'm sure we can find one here, but do we have enough coin to pay for it? I heard it's pretty expensive. I can trade in my magical suit of elven chain to help pay for it. I'm getting tired of it anyways. Too heavy for my tastes."

"I would not worry about water, Lurue will bless us with enough." the elf stated confidently, trusting her goddess would not let them down on such an important mission.

  "That's why I like clerics. Almost always positive. Besides if push comes to shove can't you all create water?" he asks.

Neliwen blushed at the praise for clerics. "Yes, the Unicorn Queen grants the power to create water, even in the desert." she replied.

Kell jokes "anyone can make water in the desert.....after drinking enough beer."

Both Zarmatan and Kalthranath stand up, the human speaking. "Well, it seems you have made a decision....to you long enough!' he muttered. Looking at them he actually smiled. "You live through this and you may learn something."

The elf smiles, shaking his head, and bows. "I will take my leave. I will be notified when you are to go and meet you as you leave." With a bow, he looks at you all, finishing on Neliwen. [Language unknown: No linas nc, hoolpa n m comhi intortect,pr chnise an rea....ckhe thect powi a."]

He walked out leaving you all, where Zarmatan spoke. "No vision!. Anyway, if your going to the desert, you will need to stock up. You will find the queen will have told her people that any food or general supplies are to be given to you at no cost....anything more, it's out of your pocket."

He looks at Yacob. Come see me before you go...and if you can, bring your cousin." He also looks at Sonori "You too.

He sighs. I suggest you prepare quickly....a few days, tops. The journey to the desert will be hard enough without the bitch queens minions following. They find you, and moreso."

He stood there, looking at you all.

"Well, what ya waiting for....a written invitation. Get out of here and give an old man some peace."

He turned around, muttering as he went, but those sharp of eye could see a smile on his face.

<OOC: Yacob and Sonori (And Nino, if he goes with Yacob), we will have private posts with Zarmatan over the next few days about what you talk about privately. Anyone else, any preparation, shipping or requests, let me know.

The next stage of the journey will start posting as of next week, so you have about 4 days to decide how you want to prepare.>

Rivka gave Zell's hand an affectionate squeeze,  and spoke
"How about we check out the magic shops?  I'd like something to help with storage, like a bag of holding or something like a magic Haversack.  It'll help me keep up with arrows,  and we could use it for other supplies as well."

Kell will accept what rations and waterskins that are proferred. He asks to be granted access to a forge, where he will labor 3 days to craft a shield sconce to affix to his shield. He knew that many in the group required torches to see at night, and providing a light source that required no extra hands would be a welcome advantage at some point.

Nym looks for a bone scroll case.  Upon finding one he shows Kell the advantage of it with a light spell cast inside to make a flash light that can easily be covered up to hide the light when not needed.

I've just never found anyone or anything to make the this permanent.

Neliwen watched the group prepare for the journey, Nym in particular. When he mused about making the light permanent, the white-haired smiled in amusement. "Oh, that is a rather simple: You use a spell of the second circle, called 'Continual Flame', it is permanent. However, you need ruby dust worth 50 gold pieces or more in order to activate the magic." she told him.

ooc: 2nd level wiz/3rd level cleric, material component ruby dust worth 50gp.

Nym looks at Neliwen and asks her seriously and politely.

If I can get the material, will you make it for me?

In reply to Nym Eveningfall (msg # 174):

"I only have 1 sapphire worth about 80gp, this hasn't been a very wealth inducing adventure."

Nym turns to Quinn.

I only have the sword and armor I picked up.  I suppose I could sell them for some money, but to me they are more valuable than money.  So I'm not going to sell them.

In reply to Nym Eveningfall (msg # 176):

"I agree, they are more valuable than money. What about the magic we have that we don't use? Should we sell some of it for a little coin, not much of it mind you, we may find a better use for it ourselves." He says with a grin.

Sonori makes sure to stock up on food while here, taking about four weeks of rations, which for a gnome wasn't nearly as much as it would be for a larger humanoid.

Knowing that when they traveled, she would likely not have much time, she mediated while the others shopped, still trying to figure out more about her connection with the stones and the right questions to ask next time she has a vision.

She is happy to talk to Zarmatan.

Neliwen blushed at Nym's request "I am sorry, Nym, I never had need for that spell, so I do not have it in my book and I do not have access to third circle divine spells." she lowered her gaze to the ground, feeling utterly useless at the moment.

Nym smiles at Neliwen and replies to her in a sincere and friendly tone.

Don't worry about it.  It was something my mother made for father a long time ago, but he would never part with it.  If one of us ever does learn the spell I will be happy to show you how useful such a device could be.

Nym turns look for Zell and Rivka.

When everyone gets up to go do what they wish to do, Nino follows Kalthranath, wanting to know where the elf was going.

"Nino won't be joining us for our conversation. He believes quite rightly that I am a monster. Other than that I am at your service so name a time and I will be there wherever there is." he says to Zarmantan before he leaves.

"If we want the spell I am sure it can be found. Either as a spell cast for hire or any number of ways. I would guess it could be done fairly easily in an elven settlement."

"That sounds like a plan. I'd also like to find someone with some kind of map so I can pin-point where my Aunt was when she was a prisoner. And I think Nino is following the right person I want to talk with." Zell said as he kissed Rivka's hand "Let's follow."

Rivka joined Zell in his travels

Not having much to pack was a bonus, Lurue would provide water in the desert, it was only a question of how to find nourishment if they ran out of food. Neliwen's eyes went to Rivka, it seemed Zell trusted her with his life, then again she could not deny that he was biased. Allowing herself a faint smile the pale elf went to her room.

 At some point in the next several days Yacob meets with everyone and asks for a list of most wanted items. He doesn't explain particulars or anything just asks for the list. Also within that time period he finds Zarmantan to speak with him.

OOC: Yacob has some shall we say option on getting funds or items so he is willing to bargain that for the party. Hence the need for a list. He isn't going to beggar himself, but he can and will do what he can to get what we need. Being a spellcaster is great sometimes. Being a spellcaster with weather spells more so. Often over looked, but quite useful. So lists when and if you have the time guys. That includes you Neliwen.

Nym spends his time helping the elves as much as he can standing guard over the town.  He also looks for a couple of spells to learn.  When not doing those things he works on some new songs to perform and sing in battle.