You've been out in the park with your buddies playing with wooden staves and light armor, and enjoying beating each other up according to the knightly courtesies of your re-enactment group.  You clump on over to the laptop set up on a stump the city left after they cut down an infected tree to see who is scheduled for you to fight next.

You smile at the girl sitting on the ground in her full dress as she takes the time to do needlepoint and watch her boyfriend, one of your pals, get slammed around on the field.  She smiles back gently.  Its a far different scene than going to a party, and trying to yell over the radio you think as you hear the tweet of some bird in the trees, and the ruffle of wind across the branches.

The new laptop says "Scriff enabled", and it belongs to another of your friends.  Someone has left a full bottle of Gatorade open next to it.  You start to put your sword down, but the exercise has tired you out more than you expected, and it slips through your fingers.

It hits the bottle knocks it into the keyboard.

*Oh, great, now I gotta buy...* is the last words you think before an arc of white light lances from the keyboard and into you.

===========================================================================

You wake, the clatter of wooden wheels on stone familiar to you from the History Channel, but the stench of manure in the air makes you gag for a second.  Under your head, you feel stone.

Your eyes are closed, and you're laying apparently, on your back.

Whattya' do?

PT

I open my eyes and get up, looking at what is around me.

Where am I? and what happened?

In front of you is your feet, and beyond them is an alley bottomed with cobble stones, and draped with some dark, slightly wet matter.  The alley drifts into dimness with no lights brightening it.

A window opens down the alley a bit.  Its a wooden hole, and a woman with a cap, and a significant mole on her face sticks a pot out, and her head as well.

She pauses in the middle of pouring what has to be manure out of the pot.

"Ah, my lord knight. I was not after seeing you there. Come around front. My Hugo will get you a nice fresh stein of beer to make the pain of waking go away."  She gives you a bright smile with her four teeth.  Then she finishes pouring out the pot into the alley.  The reek almost knocks you flat again.

PT

This is wierd... I seem to be dreaming, or perhaps that surge made me feel like I'm in a run of the mill DnD game.. I'll have to figure this out later, since I'm being treated as a knight, perhaps I should act like one until I can figure out what is going on.

I get up and check my posessions, grabbing anything that belongs to me and promptly head inside stepping over the manure.  Once getting inside I speak to both of them.

"I thank you for your hospitality, it is much appreciated.  Might I inquire where we might be, and what is the general nature of things going on around here? I seem to have forgotten, after a rough awakening. No ill intentions toward you, I assure you. Things...simply aren't as I recall."

I hope this does it.  If it does, I am going to be ever more happy that I'm a geek.

"Ye, be in the Blackened Pot, my lord knight.  In the town of Erlingsford which is ruled by the House of Danover." The bald pubowner says as he plunks down a not-very clean metal stein of beer in front of you on the rough-hewn, and unsteady table.

The bench looks like it will probably hold your weight.

There are several others in the room.  One is a drunk passed out on a table, and two very stout-armed men with burned aprons chow down heartily on a subway like sandwhich.  In the corner, a man with a velvet coat, holds a hankerchief in front of his face when he is not eating.

There is a wall-eyed tavern waitress who looks like her mother twenty years ago.

You know you're the tallest by a foot in the room since everyone stands to attention when you walk in.

The drunk, the innkeep begins to drag out the door apologizing to you for the drunk's presence.


PT

I walk over to the beer, and pick it up, tilt my head back and pour some into my mouth, noting that it is rather dirty, and being careful for it not to touch my lips.  Then I lower it and swallow the swig of beer, comparing it to the others I've had back home.

"What might I inquire about the surrounding area, the layout of this town, and any temples or places of worship if there are any."

The beer is definitely watery, but quite tasty like a good homebrew, and its warm.

"My lord, Erlingsford is on the River High, a goodly road, the Road of the High Lords from the Second Age, comes through this land, and crosses at our ford, and we are not more than a week from the coast of the Pearl Ocean where the Waterlord reigns.  Our wall is stout enough I suppose, although I am not a soldier.  And the Danover Castle is strong.  As to temples, we are a gods-fearing people, Dame Fortune, the Storm Queen, and the Mother as well as the Warrior, and the Black Hand, and mightiest of all, the Aged Man all have their shrines here, although we particularly worship the Dame and the Warrior having cults of each."

"And fools they are." You hear from the doorway as a man in a black robe staggers in.  He's canted off to the left, permanently it seems.

"Get out of here!" The Innkeeper yells. "Madman begone!"

"I was sent here, to speak to the Tall Man."  The words come out slow, and with effort.  The 'madman' doesn't look to be in that fit of a condition.  He points a crooked finger at you.  "You there."  He wheezes.  "The Silent God sent..." And the Innkeep knocks him down with a punch ...



PT

"If he needs to speak to me he can do so, and we won't trouble you and shall speak outside.  I will atleast hear him out, for I will not so treat anyone poorly without cause to do so."

I go over to the man and pick him up, then walk with him outside, taking a look around as I do so.  Then I walk over and gently lay him on the ground, and tap on his face with the back of my hand a couple times to help wake him up.  If he does eventually wake up, then I ask what he needed to speak to me about.

"My lord, he is a madman. A follower of the heretical and banned Silent God.  Which is a joke upon a tomfoolery.  For the Gods do speak to us in voices clear, and they decry this madness of his.  How can you look upon his ill-favored face, and not know him for something to be pitied at best.  I thought but to spare you his evil rants."  The innkeeper tries to convince you as you head out the door.

Once outside, you lay the man against a wall of a house, and wake him.
He blinks several times.

"Ow." He moves his jaw with his hand. "I really need to learn to duck." And then he looks up at you.  "My lord knight, I only know that I was at prayer this morning, and I felt driven from the house, and wandered the city until the intuition of my heart that is the voice of the Silent One came clear to me. I was to seek out the Tallest Man at the pub I ate at two weeks ago.  I don't know why.  Now, you may consider me mad, my lord, most do, but please believe me, I was sent to you.  So I must think that somehow you figure into the Silent God's plan for this world in the Sixth Age of Man in the 412th year since the Last Incarnation.  I do sense, as do many, that the world is spinning out of order yet again.  Perhaps you are here to right it."

He's very ernest, and humble, and more than a little confused.

PT

He seems honest enough, and I have no place to go, and perhaps they can tell me what is going on.  If this is the adventure that has been laid out before me, then perhaps I need to finish the adventure and that will return me to where I was... Or atleast explain how to get back.

"Take me then, perhaps I was sent here to right it.  Is there a way to get in contact with this Silent God, and could you tell me what happened the last time things spun out of order."

"Each of the Ages of Man ends in chaos, and disorder.  And thus the Age dies in the Great War of the Age, and the Hero bears the Talisman to the Place of Choosing, and the Gods are appeased, and the Cycle of Life continues.  Or so the Gods who Speak say, and the singers of songs say.  Myself, I know that the nations and the races grow testy with one another, and that the rise of the ones called Barbarians, and the sun turns white at dawn as foretold means the Time grows short.  And it is said at this time that the word goes out to every lord and every temple to find contestants for a Party of Heroes to essay the Great Quest."

He pauses and looks at you.

"Every child knows this.  But it seems I speak new words to you."

He then holds up a hand, and bows with his hands held high over his head, and muttering asks for the guidance of the Silent One.  It goes on for some time, and you see people passing on the street giving him a disdainful look, but you confuse the issue.  They want to bow to you, and spit on him, and it just leaves them perplexed.

He raises his head.

"I recieve no guidance. Or perhaps I am too full of myself.  I do not know.  Often times the Silent One is truly silent.  And at such times I wonder if I really am mad like my neighbours say."

PT

"If you truly are mad as your neighbours say, then I shall see it first hand.  Until that time however, I shall not deem you so.  Rise up, with confidence, for if I am here to take part in something then I shall have you as my guide to lead me there."

You two wander about the town.  Its densely packed, and not really all that large, perhaps ten thousand people in a rather confined area.

The stocks are in use, and so is the gallows from which a man hangs with ravens sitting upon his head.

"Demonspawn." Your guide mutters making a warding symbol with his hand.

The blacksmith and the barrelmaker are welcome stores after those harsh sights.  And it is with some surprise that you see your companion launch out a hand, and grab a youngster.  He twists the perhaps ten year olds arm, and forces him to hand over one of your items.

The kid pales and trembles.

"My lord knight, you may have this one hung if you like, but the Silent One forbids this."

"Yes, I'm a follower of the Silent One." The kid says enthusiastically.  Your guide uses his other hand to backhand the kid across the face.

"Don't add lying and sacrilege to your other crimes."

PT

"No, we shall not have him hung.  However, know that this is a warning, you shouldn't try something of the sort, lying isn't something you should do either.  Perhaps you should go atone for your past crimes and protect others rather than harm them by robbing them."

I thank the man, and continue to walk with him.

The kid stares at you in surprise, and then runs off.

Another corner, and you enter the riverside where fishmongers hawk 'fresh fish', and nets are strung as hardpressed wives fix holes, and four men with long polearms and leather armor are led by a man with a long black and white striped pole.

He spots you, and points.

"You there, in the name of the Count. Halt."

He's pointing right at you from forty feet away.

PT

Alright might as well...

I stop and give a bow.

"Is there something wrong sir?"

They hurry up to you, and the man with the pole gives a short bow to you.

"Sir Knight. We had received reports of an unknown knight wandering our city, and feared for trouble with an unknown sword, and feared that we might be lacking in courtesy as well so my lord the Count sent me to fetch you at once.  He wishes to inquire of you what you are doing in his town, and if the answer pleases him, then he will surely grant you a feast, and every courtesy due to your exalted station."

It comes clear to you as you look around that you're way better armed than anyone else on the street.  No one else has steel armor or a sword, not even the marshall or the men at arms.  Most of the men have a short knife, but thats it.  In a way, you've been wandering around Times Square with a loaded M-16 and a flak jacket, and the local cops are politely inquiring why an Army Ranger is doing that.

PT

"Of course, let us go answer his call.  Lead on, however, I do ask that my guide in the city go along with us, he has aided me and so until I can repay the debt I intend to travel with him for a while.  So I only request that he also come along."
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:39, Wed 17 Jan 2007.

The marshall gives the heretic priest a distasteful glance, but then looks back at you, and bows his head.

"Of course, a debt of honor must be repaid.  Sir Knight, if you would follow me?"

He leads you through town, and up to a white stone castle.  Its not overlarge, with walls perhaps twenty-five feet high, and no moat, and at most a half-acre in size for the entirety of the outer wall.  But it has plentiful arrow slits, and workmen are repairing a lion figure on the top of the wall.

"With the rise in barbarians, we think it prudent to add to our defenses." The marshall says soberly.

Once inside, he leads you into the main hall, and then off to the right down a corkscrewing flight of stairs that due to their left hand spiral would be very hard to attack down.

PT

"The rise of the Barbarians is partly related to the reason I am here.  I see that this place is well defended for many types of attacks.  But are your men trained to fight on the stairs, even though they would otherwise provide a disadvantage?  If not, these stairs are a double edged blade and should be weilded carefully.

A question though, how well is the basement prepared?  It isn't unknown for an opponent or group to attack from below and bypass most of the defenses.  In which case they would be fighting up the stairs giving an advantage to them, or atleast providing equal ground.  But I'm sure this is all covered and well protected.  Please, lead on."

The marshall stares at you, a bit dismayed.

"My lord touches on some troublesome points.  The stairs are indeed designed to withstand an attack from above, but our men have not trained in fighting on them.  They train in the sal d' armes.

As to attack from below, there are scant legends from the times just before the end of the last cycle that the Dwarves rose up against the other nations, and joined the Barbarian tribes.  It is uncertain if this is true, and our wine cellar is not well situated to resist attack, and the stairs would then benefit the attacker."

He stops on the stairs.

"Sir Knight, the House takes it responsibilities seriously.  Our Captain of the Guard, Mastork is a formidable knight, and the Count himself is wellschooled in war.  But...it has been a time of peace and plenty.  Only in the last two years does the white sun rise at dawn, and your pardon my lord, but heretics such as your friend hear do not help to calm the people to make prepartion.  And now the Razor Sword is passed from noble to noble, seeking candidates for the Quest."

PT

"I believe I've been chosen for the Quest.  Part of the reason why I have showed up here.

As is foretold, with the white sun rising at dawn, and the Barbarian tribes starting to rise again. The Sixth Age of Man is about, and so the Heroes for the Great Quest are to be gathered.  I have been guided here, and have been instructed by many, that among the Heroes gathered for the great quest, I am to be among them.

Also, as for fighting on the stairs, I think it'd be wise, to have a dagger or shortsword wielded by the men.  If they do have to fight on the stairs, smaller weapons provide more room to fight, and regardless as to whether they are fighting upwards or down, they shall have the room nessecary to not be at so much of a disadvantage.  I also might suggest, as foul times are approaching, that you enlist in aid, or gather some allies, for what chaos is to approach will surely be a problem for many, and so allies will be helpful."

You walk down the stairs and into a brightly lit room where a young man with a rapier at his waist, and clad in smooth silks and bright velvets grins at you.

"Master, this Knight wishes to ...."

"I heard, Gregory.  This castle keeps no secrets with its echoes.  And I am greatly impressed to meet one so certain that he is to be a Hero.  Myself I am rarely certain of anything, well almost anything.  I am in love, again, as usual. The woman is divine.  I only lack the knowledge of her name, and I shall be enraptured. I like wine, and my father, while acknowledging me as a 'very intelligent fellow' finds me utterly useless.  So how could I not join this Hero in his Quest?  It will win fame, renown, and if not, then we go out in a blaze of glory which is almost as good."

He bows gracefully, and then bounces as he walks up to you, and extends a hand.

"My name is Caprician.  I'm the useless second son of the Count here.  Just in case serious and dutiful Landers gets a dreaded fever the priests can't cure in five minutes, I'm here.  And you are?"

PT

"I am Shikamaru, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I shake his hand as I speak.

"Marshall, tell my father that I have verified this knight is a friend of the realm."  He turns to you.  "We were a bit worried.  An unknown knight shows up.  Made us wonder if we were being invaded or something, but going on Quest explains it.  Better than my brother's theory--that you were teleported here magically.  Your feet are not scuffed and beaten like someone teleported would be."

He leans back, and back, and then flips in the air.

"Shall we spar? And while we spar, we can plan our glorious victory." He draws his sharp-pointed rapier.  "Have you other members of your party to go seek the Tournameant of Heroes? A wizard, a priest of the, err, normal Gods?  Someone with skill at evading restrictions on free movement like doors and locks?"

PT

"Sure, we can spar.  As to your other question. Presently I am alone, during my travels I've sought others, but none have joined me thus far.  Well, enough of this talking, after a long journey it'd be nice to warm up a bit."

Ok, parry is first attack and follow it up with a knee to the stomach, then if he doubles over, I slam down on his upper back, which should send him to thr ground, point my sword at his neck, and since that would leave him open, I should win this match. Then again, I haven't any idea how well trained he is...

He spins the blade in a flashy circle, and lunges, and wraps his blade seemingly about yours, so fast his move is.  You feel your blade being wrenched from your fingers as you follow through and knee him in the chest which was not quite your target.

He sprawls to the ground, winded, and your blade clatters against the wall before dropping down to hit the ground.

"Lets...try that again." He grunts out with an attempt at a smile.  "You don't bore me."

PT

"Alright, we can try that one more time."

I should change my tactic.  This time, if he starts to pull my blade away, I should move forward, pressing my blade towards him and using it to get closer.  If my blade does start to fly to either side, I should let go with the hand farthest away from that side and bring it upward and forward, taking a step if needed to  punch him in the chest.  This time I should gauge it and bring it lower or higher as needed, as a punch to the chest won't do much, and I wouldn't want to leave any serious damage if I hit too low, since we are only sparring.

I prepare myself and grab my sword.

He waits a bit for you to attack, and then impatience gets the better of him.  He tries with a feint to lure your blade to the outside, so that he can step close and put his blade at your neck, but you refuse to be lured, and instead try to punch him.

He ducks, and his blade flicks, and you have a half-inch deep jab that slid in between your armor plates on your off shoulder.  It stings and burns, but the others in the room seem unconcerned.

"First blood to Lord Caprician." A gray-haired but still muscular man with a silver circlet on his forehead says from a doorway.  Behind him is a man with a mass of mangled scars over his right eye, and a chilling look in his flat, black eyes.  On him, the heavy armor sits naturally.  "Well done, son. You finally 'used the point' instead of trying to be fancy.  And I shall call the match there as I see no need to task the healers too greatly."  He then turns to you.  "Do you need a healer to attend to that wound, sir knight?"

PT
OOC: The dice did not like you with a bad failure for you, and a weak success for Caprician.

"If it isn't too much trouble it would be appreciated."

I then turn to Caprecian.

"Very nice, that was enjoyable.  As with what you said before, others need to be gathered for the quest, will you join me in my travels?"

The Count nods at the marshall who hurries off to get a healer.  And then when Caprician looks at him for permission, the Count turns to the knight behind him who whispers in his ear.  A few words back and forth are exchanged, and then the Count comes forward.

"My son, this will bring great honor to our house.  You have my blessing.  May all the gods protect you."

"Indeed." You hear from the door.  A deep resonant voice is held by a man clothed in black velvet and a fine linen robe held around his ample belly by a gold chain.  He holds a staff encrusted with gold upon which a glittering ruby sits at its peak.

He passes by you.

"Sir Knight, in the name of the Warrior you have served, be healed."  There is a glittering light around the ruby, and you feel itching, and then the pain is gone.  "I call the attention of the Gods to these two who set out on Holy Quest."  Brilliant light flames from every surface in the room, dazzling and you hear a woman's voice echo in the air.

"We hear and record.  May Luck and Fortune favor them."

PT

"A woman's voice...? Interesting, that was slightly unexpected..." I say in a low voice, more talking to myself than to anyone. "Hmmm, I wonder which God it was... and which realm I'm in.  Perhaps it Mystra.. or Sune.. or perhaps it was one of the others...well whichever it was..."

I then say a relatively silent prayer to the Gods and Godesses of this realm.

"Thank you...may we be forever guided and walk the path of Rightousness, repaying eternally the gifts that the Gods and/or Goddesses, whichever grant us something, may we live long enough to repay the enormous dept that we would owe, and should we die, may we repay it in death. For the glory of those that watch us, guide us, and protect us, we shall serve you well with our lives on the line."

Then speaking in a louder more audible voice.

"Well, we should set out from here in a couple days after searching for other allies.  You can never have too many allies.  The more you have, the less that can stand in your way, and the more likely that you shall complete the quest you set out to do."

The priest looks at you, and smiles slightly.

"Hero, that was the Voice of Dame Fortune. I know not Sune or this Mystra."

The Count raises a hand for quiet.

"Perhaps you could find others who wish to go on the tourney with you in Erlingsford?  What skills do you seek in your companions?  What man do you wish to join?  Speak, and I will seek to aid you in this manner.  And since you are a knight, it is fitting that you have charge of this group of companions."

PT

"We will definitely be needing a cleric, or two depending on how large we decide on having our party be.  We will definitely need a wizard or a sorcerer, someone that can cast spells.  We will need other well trained fighters as it seems that it would be essential for the nature of the quest.  We will definitely need one of the more... sneaky and silent of people, skilled with the hands and not of the most honorable ways of life, as much as I do not wish to associate myself with one of that nature, the skills that they posess are very well needed.  Someone that can track, or is very skilled with a bow, or both.  Someone that can attack from a distance and aid in keeping potential enemies at bay up to a certain distance. There are others of essential skills that we may need but those are a few.  Any number of them would be needed, as this is no ordinary quest and we will need many if we plan to succeed with little to no casualties, however I do fear that there will be quite a few as this is definitely a quest of epic proportions..."

"By tradition, the maximum number is six.  I will go with you." The Cleric says. "With Caprician, that is four more, and ...."

"Please, sir knight, I must go." The priest of the Silent One runs up to you from his corner of the room where he had been hoping to escape notice.

"You!" The Cleric rounds on him, raising his staff.  "I ought to curse you with boils, heretic! No, we cannot take this madman."

"Fool. I ought to paste you in the nose, follower of the false gods!"  The priest hollers back, but you can see his fists which he holds up are trembling.

PT

"Ok, first off, put your differences aside right now, and we need to decide on who else we need.  Typically speaking the way I see it, we need a cleric, of which we have, we need two fighters, we need a ranger, we need a sorcerer, and a rogue.

Caprician, what are you skilled at doing?  What talents do you have that would be essential to the quest?  I need to know, so I can figure out what we still need."

After I get an answer then I turn to my guide.

"Same question as I asked Caprician."

If he needs the questions reiterated I reiterate them.

Caprician steps forward quickly, getting between you and the Cleric.

"I am a swordsman, a user of the rapier, and skilled at tumbling, horsemanship, the ruling of an estate, the dance, the composing of love songs, and I am a noble which gives me the right of Low Justice."

The Cleric pushes him aside. "No. He is a madman.  He is useless. I will not have the heretic."

The Priest glares back at him, but cringes a bit.  "I have no such skills as you describe.  I am not a magician, nor do I fight well, nor do shoot the arrow well.  However, I will be glad to cook, and perhaps if you come across Demonspawn, you will be glad for my presence."

The Cleric raises his staff and lightning flings from it to smack the priest in the chest, and fling him twitching down to the ground with his eyes rolling about out of control.

"Demonspawn. This is Heresy.  They do not exist. The Gods have said so.  I want this madman thrust into your dungeon, my lord count."

PT
OOC: Your 'lets all be friends' attempt didn't have enough oomph to convince them.

Well, the quest first, finishing this epic quest can save many, I should save many than the life of one, and should I survive I can save him later.

"Fine put him in the dungeon if you so desire, but he shall not be killed.

We need 3 more besides you, caprician and myself.  We will need a Rogue, a Ranger, and a Sorcerer.  Those 3 positions are vital, what or who do you know that may be able to fill one of the positions? If none of us know of any then we must travel and find some."

"I know a wizard." Caprician says.

"And I have more than a few rogues in the dungeon."  The Count adds.  He takes you down into the dungeon which is a damp, slimy room with a clump of metal cages in the midst of it.

"Steven the Hand. Pickpocket."
"Carl the Club. Back alley robber, saps his victims with a club. Takes their stuff."
"Mack the Knife. Pure crazy."

Suddenly you feel fingers digging into the unprotected part of your elbow.  You had been trying to stay out of arm's reach of this crowd of ne'er do wells and thugs, and somehow that hadn't worked.

The grip is iron strong, and painful.  The face is bearded, and the man unannounced as yet, with shaggy eyebrows, and yellowing teeth.  But to look into those eyes makes you swallow, and your breath pant.  There's something wrong, very wrong with this person.  The hair on the back of your neck stands up as you look into the mad, hungering, laughing eyes of this man.

A rod slams down on his arm holding yours, and he doesn't flinch, although you feel blood trickling down your arm, and that suddenly snaps you fully awake.  You feel as if you'd been sleepwalking.

"I'll eat you, walker, eat you a thousand times."

PT

I turn around shaking myself free fully of the grasp and angrily stare and ask the man.

"Explain yourself... now.  What are you talking about?  Walker?? Explain.. NOW!"

People that do something like that, and threaten me piss me off immensely, so I sort of lost it.. I know I did, but what he was saying makes no sense, and I try to recall something of a walker in all my DnD experiences....

Horizon Walker?? Nah that can't be as I am not one.  What is this person referring to..?

After I get a reply from the man, if any, and if nothing else is occurring immediately.

"Let's leave, no petty thief would be able to help us.  If they were such an amature to get caught and still be in here, then they wouldn't serve well on the quest.  We need someone that does it for a living, a professional in the field... If anything we need a raider of Olidammara, or something. My suggestion is we talk to your Wizard friend first, then deal with getting a rogue. Agreed?"

You try to shake yourself free, but the effort fails.  His hand is clenched on you like an iron vise.

He laughs madly.

"You don't know, do you? Oh, walker that makes this so much more amusing. I and my brethren will have much sport with you.  And who are you play knight to command such as me who was born in the depths of time?"

You try to wrench free again as the cleric flashes the man with a bolt of electricity.  Instead of damaging him, it merely makes him laugh, and you catch some of the back blast, enough to daze you for a second.

"Oooh, scary..." He laughs. "Walker, what will you give me for my knowledge?"

"Be silent." Rasps the priest.  "Be still. Let him go."

"Fine. Remember my offer, walker.  I know what you are."  He lets you go, and the cleric hammers him with a power bolt that thunders off the walls, and flings him across the cage to tumble bonelessly to the ground.  With your skin crawling, you hear him laughing as he lays on the ground, even as he spits out teeth and blood.

"Afraid? Your tinkertoy gods will not save you, mighty cleric."  And then he dies from the damage he's taken.

Once outside, the group agrees to go talk to the wizard after they put the priest into his cell.  It takes an hour, but you are standing in front of a man who, well, nerd would do as a description.  Even though he wears robes, but they are ill-fitting, and stained with food and other substances.

He has a number of jeweled rings on his fingers.  He also looks at you a bit awkwardly, like he's not sure what to say in a social setting.

PT

"Greetings I am Shikamaru, and you are?"

After I get a reply I intend to ask him the same question I asked Caprician.  He may be a friend or an aquaintance of Caprician, but if he isn't skilled then bringing him along would be pointless.

I also ask the Cleric what his name is, as I don't recall finding out.  I ask politley, but with the intent of finding out.

I also ask him if he knows of any skilled Rangers or Rogues, knowing that Wizards typically don't associate with either, I figure I might as well ask, since he isn't the run of the mill wizard, and worse comes to worse, I can throw around a few names from the Forgotten Realms series and see if anything comes up.  If not, and I tell myself that they wont, I might aswell inquire what type of Deities are in this realm, and see if any ring a bell....
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:30, Tue 23 Jan 2007.

"I am Stefan of Clan MacIntosh. In my clan, we have great warriors, and great wizards.  I'm obviously not the first, and well, maybe I'm the second.  I have a twelvehand of Ready Spells, and my greatest Constructed Spell that I have formed in the language of magic is the Grand Evaporation of Stone.  I've done in a block of stone one Erlingsford yard cubed."

He swallows nervously, and wets his lips.  Now that he's finished his prepared 'resume' speech, he's not sure what to say.

The Cleric smiles.

"I, am but a humble servant of the gods, and I do not keep a name. If there be many of us, then we name ourselves after colors.  I have been many colors, but you may call me 'White' if you like."

You throw around a few names from the Forgotten Realms, and get really, really blank looks. Its not just that they haven't heard of thieves with those names; its that they haven't heard of people with those names.

"Perhaps I can help, my lord knight, in return for the privilege of a private moment, and some coin."  You turn and see an absolutely ancient woman with her skin darker than brass.  You hadn't heard her come up behind you, or open the door to enter the tower.

"Mother Magpie.  My trading woman.  She brings me all sorts of wizardly odds and ends."

"For good silver, master wizard, for good silver."  She smiles as she says this, and the wizard fumbles for his bag of coins.

"Alright Stefan, you're in, but first, I'm going to need you tive her some silver, as she requested in return that she provide the forementioned information.  I seem to have lost a bit of my silver, so I can't do so myself."

Once that is taken care of..

I head over to the woman, but as I pass by the cleric...I quietly tell him, "I don't trust her, watch her, in case something happens, I'm sure nothing will, but if it does.  This woman knows more than she appears to know, so it's best to stay cautious... I haven't met her before and she walks quieter than most rogues, so I'm sure that she's got her own agenda..."

When I reach the woman, "Ok, what information do you have that would be able to help.  And who are you anyway? Not what others say you are, but what, and who are you?"

"People in town and up and down the river call me Mother Magpie.  You pardoned my great-grandson this morning, and did not send him to the gallows.  For this I thank you.  He should never have been so foolish as to try to steal from a knight."  She smiles at you, hoping that you understand all the subtext of what she is saying.

"I managed to hear, shall we say, by a little bird, that you were in need of those who walk on the left hand side of the street.  It just so happens that I know a number of these young gents and young ladies.  I might even be related to them.  As a way of repaying your kindness this morning, I would be willing to take you, and you alone to a quiet little bar, and you could meet a few of these paragons of pilfering.  I give you my word you will return safe."

She smiles again, but you strongly suspect she could smile while she was sticking a dagger into someone's heart.

PT

"Very well, I'll take your word for it, should something happen, and you betray your honour and your word that nothing shall happen, some of my companions, would I'm sure be more than glad to see somethng happen to others.  WHile I do not enjoy violence, or condone it.  It is nessecary at times, and some people need it to make a living. So, if you'll bring me after I speak to my friends temporarily, I shall come... alone."

I give a polite bow to her and rejoin my allies.

"I'm going to go and find ourselves a rogue.  In a secluded spot, she wishes that I come alone, while I do not trust the area, and the fact that I am coming alone. I do not wish to be followed there.  Sure, if you can get there un noticed, by even the most skilled assassins, or scry without being noticed, then by all means do so without my knowledge of it.  But I shall go alone, we should reconvene here in a couple hours.  So in that time do as you wish, prepare, pack your things, study up on spells, pray, whichever, if I should return with a rogue, then we'll need to find a ranger, and should we not then we should probably go and find some."

If there are no objections I join the old woman.

I'm sure the cleric isn't going to trust her, however this can prove to have some advantages.  Hell, if they manage to follow me or track me without me knowing of it, and without letting others know, then there is nothing I can do about it.

When I get back to the woman...

"I have informed them not to follow me, however I'm sure one might, try.  If they don't then it'll be fine, but I'm sure there are those in the shadows right now watching us, and will be watching where we travel.  In my past I had traveled with a good friend of mine, in another realm, after an unfortunate incident, we were sperated and I ended up here.  My friend was the best rogue I've ever known.  So perhaps we can find one with equal or better skill.  Yep, Avahur best I've known, but enough of that, shall we go?"

OoC: Avahur is, also the name Av uses in the DnD Campaign we are in.  I do have armor similar to that which my dop is wearing, and a sword like it, as I tried to do me...  And Av, in the campaign is the sneakiest rogue I've ever played with.  So, its interesting.

PM

The ancient lady leads you into the darker side of Erlingsford, which isn't really all that dark, and then into an alley about two feet wide.  She does a little tap-dance, and then a trapdoor in the roadway opens up.

"Caprician knows about this, so I figure no harm if you do as well.  Its not our most secret hidey-hole, but it is a place where you can do....business....without undue distractions."

A ladder down into the ground is lit by a lamp held by a man at the bottom of the ladder.

Once down, and around a corner you see a snug basement with a low ceiling that is well-lit by a half-dozen lanterns.  Everyone in the room looks like they belong in a police line-up, and a couple look like they belong in a max security prison.

They start to stir to their feet.

"Please, children. Mother Magpie brings a guest.  The same that extended life today to my foolish child."  The room settles.  And on the far side of the room, you see your friend Avahur.

He's dressed different.  A plain brown tunic with a belt, and leggins, and soft leather boots.  He's sitting at a table playing cards.

PT

Avahur?  No way, it can't be... but it is... Different though...

I walk over to Avahur who is playing cards at the moment.  When I reach him..  "Avahur?"

If he looks up in response I ask to speak to him aside and, knowing from the Avahur I partied with along with Virtius and Jerod, I explain to him the quest we've got and how I need his help and how its another quest from Himo, after we returned the Reality Gauntlet.

If he doesn't respond, I start telling him Jerod, Virtius, and Reoch, and Lord Himo have sent me to retrieve him and that if he doesn't come or atleast answer, Lord Himo is willing to empty the metroplois of dwarves that he is king of and rush them over to drag him out.  Then I explain to him how I need his help and how its another quest from Himo, after we returned the Reality Gauntlet.

OoC: Yep, the Reality Gauntlet... if it's the Avahur I know, then he'd know of it.

He stands up, backing up a bit as he does, but not obviously so.

"My lord knight.  I fear you have me confused with someone else.  I am indeed Avahur, but this other you speak of....no.  I am but a gatherer of firewood for sale.  It brings me to many places in the city, but no Reality Gauntlet have I seen."

He pauses, and you see a glint of money hunger in his eyes.

"Now if you were to tell me where such an item was, I probably could retrieve it for you.  Purely aboveboard, as a sales representative."

PT
OOC: And feel free to chat both of ya'll....

"Baka, of course you haven't seen it, if you think Virtius, Jerod and I, as members of Holy Thunderforce, subsect of Defenders of Eternal Glory, would allow our rogue to see an item, that could make you invincible, and live forever, then you are mistaken, of course we wouldn't let you see it, you could buy several metropolis's with the cash you could get from selling it.  But of course its back safely with Lord Himo.  Anyway, come over to the corner we must speak."

When we reach the corner, away from others..

"I know you are a rogue, Avahur.  Don't get me wrong, I don't normally associate myself with Rogues, unless the need arises, but considering we need one, since we are going to be the ones out the complete The Quest, we will need your skills, as a Rogue and as a Thief.

Now, I don't condone Thievery at all, but considering its nessecary at times, and since I'm not a Paladin, I'm sure you can find some nice Items on this quest.  So what say you? Will you join us?  You were also a member of the subsect of the Mercenary Guild, that we all declared we would, our group of adventurers, that is, be called Defenders of Eternal Glory.  Granted only Jerod, Virtius and I, made another subsect, Holy Thunderforce, but you needn't fret, we figured something with 'Holy' in the title wouldn't suit you.  So what say, will you join up with us to go and finish this Quest?"

"Interesting, I think there is potential here for something very valuable at the end, I'll join you all.."

Worse comes to worse I can just take some of their stuff while they sleep and get away nice and dandy... It'll put me in some nice and valuable places.

Smiling I continue...

"So, who else do we need? Or am I the last one?"

That smile...its like the old woman's...probably thinking something of ill intention, I'm sure they could kill with a similar smile... that's irritating..

"We still need a ranger, I figured Elves make the best, since back when we...I traveled with some friends we had a ranger who was an elf, best ranger I've ever seen.

So lets return, there are other waiting, and I'm sure you'll be perfect for the partyt...oh and don't mind the Cleric..or the wizard as I know how rogues and wizards aren't the best of chums..."

"Wizards...eh, whatever, while I haven't any idea of what REality Gauntlet, or any sects of any mercenary guilds you are talking about, or much of anything you said.  I'll be going along, and so lets proceed, I'll lead us out, since I might as well cover your back, while you're in here.  Once we get back we can head back toward's the center of town, as that is where I assume you left your friends.  Mother Magpie probably ran into you there, as I can't see you hanging around the alleys in any of the other areas.  SO lets go..."

"Ok, lead the way, and yeah you are right thats where I left them... I'm tursting you here, so I request you don't do something foolish and betray that trust."

I head back with Avahur to meet the rest of the party.  Introduce him and get everyone aquainted, but not before thanking mother magpie as I left.

Mother Magpie accepts your thanks, and cheerily calls out as you leave.

"Go save the world, boys."  Of course to her, everyone below the age of sixty is a boy.

Avahur, you see several of your buds making hand signals to you.  They are joking that they could become rich by rolling the knight into an alley,a nd relieving him of his wealth.  But no one seems serious,a nd the knight doesn't seem to notice.

Once the introductions are made, and the Cleric delivers himself of a short sermon (five minutes worth) on the vice of stealing, you are led by Caprician to the stables.

"Pick a horse except for one of the two at the end as those are my father and brother's favorites.  Or, Avahur, if you like, you can ride a mule."

PT
OOC: Shikamaru, how much experience, if any, do you have horseriding?

"I'll take a horse, I'm not that fond of Mules..."

OoC: I've got a little experience, profficient with it, but not extremely good or anything of the sort.

I go over to one of the other horses, look at which one would be a decent choice and I choose it.

"I'll use this one, if there are no objections."

Avahur and Shikamaru:

You both mount your horses under the eyes of Caprician who watches a bit, and then smiles.

"Well, good thing its about a week's ride to the Great Forest.  It will give me time to give you both lessons."

With that he vaults into his saddle, and settles like a feather.

The Cleric struggles onto the back of his mule, and the wizard chooses a very gentle mare for himself.  And then he waves his hand, says a long line of words in some foreign language, and speaks to the horse.  It whinnies back at him.  It sounds like they are negotiating a deal.  And after that, the wizard gives the horse an apple and falls asleep in the saddle while his horse very politely follows Shikamaru's horse.

You all ride out of the city, accompanied by cheers and thrown flowers.  Avahur, you see your brethren using th epublic celebration as a chance to lighten some purses.

PT

I accept the applause figure that its natural since we are going on a quest of epic proprtions.

This will be nice... what are the chances I would meet Avahur here... too bad he's full rogue and not as he was in the campaign... but oh well.  He's a bit less mischievous this way.  This will be nice..

I continue to ride along out of the city.

I give my typical smile, as I see them do so, and continue to stare out towards the path out of town.

Things probably won't change much while I'm out here... Perhaps it will be good, so I can increase my rank, and therefore profit...

Staring out, feeling contented that this is the right path to aid these people on the Quest, I sit back and relax a bit.

On your first day, the weather is fine, and you catch the ferry right as he's about to leave for the other side of the Mayvon River.  Once on the other side, Caprician gives you both riding lessons.

His antics and self-deprecating humor and his genuine skill as a horseman make the lessons flow smoothly.  And at the end of the day, the Cleric knows a spell to make blisters heal rapidly.

------------------------------------------------

The next day is hot and humid, and so people are cranky and out of sorts, but you still press on with the riding lessons, and show slight improvements.

------------------------------------------------

Its a bit cooler, and some rain helps for a bit, but afterwards the sun comes out, and you feel like a steamed lobster in your armor.

----------------------------------------------------

On the fourth day out, you are riding up toward the crest of a grass bedecked hill with it waving stirrup high.  Its hot, and the flash of white light in the sky this morning was twice as long as the previous night.

"Ah, the Holy Panels of the Sky have fallen.  They do go from purity to imperfection, and why, why, when the goodness of the Gods themselves shines upon them without let?"

This was your clerics moan this morning.

But now you hear another moan.

Ten men on foot, most without more than rags, and perhaps half with wooden spears reveal themselves above you on the hillridge.  These men are dirty, and blood-stained, and they caper about.  Many of them seem dreadfully thin as if they had not eaten in a long while.

"Kill them all, drink their blood, and eat their souls so that when they reincarnate they come back with light screaming inside them."  The leader or spokesperson speaks casually, but even from horse, you can feel the hatred in his heart.

PT

"Looks like they are out for blood.  While I don't enjoy fighting, it looks like this one is being forced upon us.  Shall we speed off and lose them by riding, or shall we face them here? I'd say we leave now, and if they persist we fight them on our terms, in a more formidable area."

If they choose to flee and fight on better terms if the enemy persists, then we flee, if they choose to fight, I hop down and prepare myself to fight.

Avahur is a rogue, rogues aren't the fighting type, so I'm sure he'd rather not fight, Caprician probably doesn't care either way, and the Cleric probably wants to vent his anger on someone.  We don't have a ranger yet, so we don't have anyone that can attack from afar, and our wizard... wizards don't fight in melee, so I think we will flee for this one...

"Among thieves and rogues, we go by the motto, only amatures fight, the best can do their business without fighting.  Don't get me wrong, I can fight as surely as most people can, its just not where my main skills lie, and I'd prefer to flee from this enemy."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Sun 28 Jan 2007.

"I figured as much... then we should flee, find ourselves an elven ranger, and continue on, they probably can't catch us on foot, and I'd rather not fight if I don't have to."

You circle about, and they yell a great profusion of insults at you, and promise to murder many villagers in your name.

And then just as you are about to get out of range, they stop, and one clear voice yells out to you.

"Walker, wouldn't you like to know what you are?"

PT

I slowly stop and bring my horse around.

"Perhaps, what do you think I am, and why do you call me a walker?"

Hmm... I might as well go by my name that I used in the campaign... so I can act... a bit more in character... and who are these guys.. and whats a walker?

"The name is Reoch Ensiferium, not Walker, Who are you and what do you mean?"

"Well, Reoch, we are many, and so I cannot give you a name.  Call us the Many Hands if you will.  I propose a truce, and you and I meet in the middle between our forces.  There I will discuss with you the price for my knowledge.  To tantalize you, one of my many brethren saw you arrive, and we conferred with each other over the vastnesses of our secret knowledges until we determined what you must be."

Caprician mutters in your ear.

"No good can come of this.  The country folk have legends...."

"Legends. Pah. The Gods have spoken. Such legends are false.  You may speak and deal with this man as you will with the blessing of the Gods."  The Cleric says tracing a glowing symbol in the air with his staff.

Talking to my party..

"Ok, I'm going to talk with him, be on your guard."

Then to the man..

"Ok, we shall meet between our forces then."

When he starts going to the center, I slowly go towards the center, off my horse though, I leave it about 30 feet away, so I can hop on if needed.

"Well, go talk to him, legends are an interesting thing, some believe them to be false, and other say they are true, so until you experience it first hand, you will never know, go meet with him."

Avahur:

After Shikamaru rides off a bit, the cleric turns to you.

"It would be amusing would it not if you were to come down with a case of boils on your skin as a result of your impiety?"

Shikamaru:

You ride close up to him, and dismount.  Even from ten feet away, he stinks.  Yellowing teeth, a worm crawling through his beard, and a manner that makes you instinctively want to reach for your sword.

"Walker.  One of the Many saw you when you arrived, and the Many Hands made council together in our Great Hall as to what you were, and finally we decided what category you fit into after much comparison, voyages of logic, and studies of ancient knowledges.  Of course, you wouldn't want to rob us of our just due, would you?  So how much is it worth for you to know your names, your nature, your powers, and your purpose?  We know what you are.  That cleric and his tinkertoy gods know not."

He leers at you.

PT

"I wouldn't try anything if I were you, I'm going to help this group as much as I can.  I am sure you and the others don't so much as approve of my lifestyle, but my skills are very helpful as you will see in the future.  Besides, I don't think our knightly ally would agree with something of the sort.  Surely you've made threats like that to others while he was in your presence, so I'm sure he'd know where to go if you did, and ask that I be cured.  I'm just saying you shouldn't try anything.  We've talked enough for now, we should see how things play out..

The best method to doing things sometimes is wait and see, and that is what we need to do."

"Well, my name is Reoch Ensiferium, while I don't have any 'powers' as you put it, surely my brother back home, Virtius, a Paladin, could do some healing, in the name of Heironius, God of Valor.  I'd say that I am of a goodly nature, and my purpose is to complete the 'Quest' that has apparently been foretold in legends and prophecies, an the like.  Atleast that's my current purpose.  So, what are you talking about, when you say, 'You know what I am?'  As far as I can tell, I'm a human..  Unless there is a different name for that around here... of which I don't think there is.

I've answered your questions, so what exactly do you think that I am?"

"Do not speak of Heironeus." He snaps out.  "No, you are not human.  Not anymore.  You've become something much more than those sacrilegious amphibians, and taken a step closer to true greatness as such as me.  But I have told you enough.  What will you pay for my knowledge?"

He smiles.

"Let me and a few of my brethren come with you on the Quest.  All the way to the Black Rock.  Or if you find this too much, you may instead sacrifice to me.  For I am more of a god than Dame Fortune and the Warrior.  Do either one, and I will bless you with knowledge and my favor which is not an inconsiderable advantage.  We will aid you on your Quest if you but do this small thing."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cleric huffs and turns aside.

"Pretty words do not make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.  Your knight will see the truth, and then you will feel the wrath of the Warrior."

PT

"I don't believe in sacrifices to such a cause.  What do you mean, no longer human? Something more than that?  Answer my questions and I will see that you are rewarded... in some way. I may be able to find a loop hole in the quest standards, and allow you to come with us... we'll see, but first I'm going to need the answers to my questions."

"I want a promise not a 'I'll think about it'.  I've given you more than I should have.  I begin to suspect you have been playing games with me."  His face darkens.  "But if you wish a loophole, that is easily done.  You may take servants who will not fight, but they may carry your goods, and cook your meals, and sing you songs at night."

PT

"That also works, I was thinking along the lines of traveling companions, not here to participate in the quest, but to lend aid when needed, be it in battle or otherwise.

Also, I am not playing games with you, Should you come along, how many people would be going with you?  Also, I need to confer with the cleric in the group, he's...got issues against just about everyone, since from what I can tell, he looks down on everyone and is a bit arrogant.  Since you have brought us no harm though, I have no reason not to accept aid.  Can you, or any of your men cook well?  And explain what a walker is.  I intend to have you come along, but an amount of men this size, I don't think would be possible.  They told me traditions say that 6 people in the party is standard to participate in the Quest.  We are off to find an elven ranger.  If you won't be a hindrance, as I intend to have this quest finished, and on your word and your honor, that you shall not betray my trust in any way, I am pretty sure we can allow a couple traveling companions.  Know that if you betray my trust, I'd be more than willing to let the cleric do something...

Alas, I hope it doesn't come to that.."

He bows.

"My lord knight, you are uncommonly wise.  I would be glad to aid you in battle, but if I did, your wizard and your cleric would rise against you, I fear.  I think it might be worse than that.  I fear it would be more trouble than its worth, but if at any moment you decide to do so, you have but to say the word."

He rises from his bow.

"Would four suit your needs? Counting me, of course.  And I have an excellent cook."

He listens with a small, knowing smile on his face.

"The cleric will see nothing to alarm him. We shall give him all the respect he deserves. But you desire your payment.  Know this...."

He pauses melodramatically.

"You are a Worldwalker.  That is someone who was born in one universe, and through the intersection of lightning and scriff, what some think is the oil that separates the universes, you became a dead man.  And yet you live.  In time by accident, or by sword you may verse out again.  But old age will not touch you, and when you do verse out, you will merely find yourself in another one of the plenitude of worlds in teh Multiverse which was created by my kind.  As to why this happened, it is simple.  You are here to overturn existing orders, to change things, to make things new.  Cast out the old, and make things new.  You bring a different perspective, more valuable than that of the mayfly lives who only dream of one universe.  You are a cosmopolitan prince of the universe, and even kings are but peasants compared to you."

He bows again.

"You have my word to never betray you."

PT

"So, cleric, it seems like our knightly friend has made a new ally, I expect to have some more to our group now.  Not often does one bow as such this late into a conversation, unless a deal of some type as been made.  So looks like our party is going to increase... from what I have heard of the Quest, the typical traditional style is 6 people, looks like we intend to exceed that, unless he's got something planned...

If I were in the other guys position, I would try to join in on our group if it was beneficial to me in some way, and I would also probably bow in a similar manner... we shall see if my guess isn't far off from that."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:24, Thu 01 Feb 2007.

"Four would be fine, you, a cook, and two others.  Now, a few more questions, what do you mean your people? They created worlds? Or did they create this scriff stuff, or both?  For what purpose? Also, what do you mean that my cleric and wizard would rise against me if you aided in battle?  Now lightning and scriff? Or an effect that is similar to lightning, and the scriff...? I don't believe I was hit by lightning, but rather an electrical shock that would've been similar..."

"My lord, I beg your leave for us to go, and for me to come back with my four later tonight.  We have been living as barbarians,a nd before I inflict my company on such fine gentlefolk as you and yours, I would than mine perhaps had a bath and a change of clothes."

He waits to see if you agree.

"Now as to your question.  It is well that you seek knowledge.  But all knowledge comes with a price.  Pay mine, and then receive what you wish."

He raises a hand.

"Now as to your cleric and wizard, that question I shall answer freely.  It is such that the so-called gods have ruled that a Quest may only have six fighting members, and any number of non-fighting servants.  Since the Wizard and the Cleric both get their powers from these gods, they would not be happy about your disobeying the gods.  And you would face their wrath which, I'm afraid to tell you would be considerable."

He nods.

"Yes, similar to lightning.  I speak in terms suited to a resident of this world, and forget in my haste that you know far more , and have wider experiences than the locals.  I assume your homeworld has control of electricity?  Does it use steam powered by coal, or great dams, or nuclear fusion?"

PT

"Yes,we have electricity, we used to use coal, but that was many years ago, and so electricity is used.

Ok, we shall reconvene later tonight, and we can add 4 more non fighting members to our group.

I shall return to my group, and likewise you can return to yours."

I bow then return to my party.  After I see that he returns to his.

You return to the group, and notice that the Cleric is giving Avahur a baleful look composed of irritation and resentment at defeat.  Avahur is, of course, smiling calmly.

The Wizard asks you in his clueless way:  "Um, do you want me to kill them all?  I guess I should have asked this earlier."

PT

"No, don't kill them, everything is fine, we will meet with them later, we will be having 4 new traveling companions with us."

You travel the rest of the day, and that night the four show up with full backpacks, new clothes that doesn't quite fit, and food.

They proceed to be servants devoted to your and the others every whim.

The meal is bacon, squash, and green beans with cornbread in a skillet.  Its not that well cooked, but decently so.  And its definitely better than the night before when the Wizard took his turn and cooked.

The next day brings you in sight of a plateau with a forest of giant trees on top of it, and you see the Wizard and the Cleric gritting their teeth.  A roadway appears as you crest a small hill, and it leads down into a valley of strange buzzing, and spinning bright yellow flowers which sits below the plateau.

PT

"Is something wrong? Well, if there are no problems we should continue."

"From what I know, the Cleric and the Wizard are worried.  According to the stories, no magic, whether of wizard or cleric will work in the vicinity of the Shrieking Daffodils.  Although you can throw magic into it.  And its said that desperate men are sometimes found in such places because here they can hide from the gods.  Well that is what I know, although I've never seen them personally...  Judging by the looks of these two, the stories are correct."

"Your pet thief is right." The Cleric says sourly as he looks for a way to slip the verbal dagger in.

"I've always found them to be peculiarly fascinating.  What is it about the sound of the Daffodils that makes it so the gods cannot hear us?  Some say, its because it is the voice of demons, but we know from the gods demons don't exist."  The Wizard takes a more scholarly, curious look at the daffodils.  "Of course, the purpose of planting them here is obvious.  Any invading army would have to march through them, and while it was doing so, the wizards on the plateau above could be raining down fire and destruction unobstructed by any shield or deflection or quenching."

"It'd be a killing field.  You could lose half your army right there." Caprician says with a shudder.  "Good thing the elves like us."

PT

"They say Demons don't exist? That is interesting...  from what I've known Demons exist, but I won't be questioning the gods, if they say they don't exist.  Then I shall believe them.

We should make haste, we need an elven ranger, and it'd be best to get through here quickly if your magic won't be working.  Clerical and Wizardly magic is much needed, and if we are to be going through, we wouldn't want to have anything run into us while we go.  So we should make haste and clear it before anything comes our way."

I head off in the direction we were going.

You ride quickly through the noisy, moving flowers which are stirrup high, and are about halfway through when an arrow zips through your group and passes without harm.

Caprician yanks his horse to a halt, wanting to fight.  The Cleric and Wizard look decidedly unenthused.

PT

"An arrow? I assume we are being targeted... or perhaps it was a warning shot?"

I look around to see where it came from.

"Hmm... this is most troubling...I don't enjoy being fired at while out to find us an elven ranger..."

An arrow? This could be troublesome... I'd rather not be fighting here, especially if I don't have the wizard to to use his magic...

"Might we move along? Get out of here first then track them down, if the wizard and cleric can't use magic fighting here would not be favorable for us.  It's up to you, knight, but that is my suggestion."

Neither of you spot the archer, and the Cleric and the Wizard are trembling in fear.  Caprician is hollering something about cowards coming out and fighting him when a man steps out in front of the trail.

"Ah, my good sirs.  Noble guests.  I would invite you into our hold, but its not suited for such fine gentlemen as yourselves.  So instead, I must ask charity, perhaps a gold coin from each of you.  That will distract my menfrom the sight of all that tasty horseflesh you're riding on  They are most hungry."

PT

Speaking low enough so that only his 'allies' can hear him..


"Shall we give it to him and I steal it back later?  I would much rather not be fighting unless we absolutely have to.  Perhaps we can agree to give it to them when we leave the field then our wizard or Cleric can use some magic and either A fry him up a bit, or B just use a spell that will make him think we aren't really here or something of the sort.  I try to keep away from the magical sorts, we don't usually get along well.."

"I don't know, anyone have any other suggestions? I'd rather not have to deal with this now, and a fight would be welcomed with the casters at a disadvantage.  We should leave and go with Avahur's plan unless someone has something better to suggest?"

Caprician grimaces, but the Cleric blesses you for your wisdom.

Everyone is agreed although Caprician is unhappy, and the servants seem to be taking it as a lark.  The servants insist on paying as well which takes the highwayman by surprise.

From there its a quick gallop up out of the Daffodils, and then back and forth up a zig-zag, and one horse wide pathway.  But the horses don't seem to mind the increasing height, and never come closer than six inches to the edge.

You're almost at the top, and you see a seven foot tall man, with a very thin build, and holding a longbow of great size.  He's wearing pale green and white silks, and there is an atmosphere of Otherness about him.

"Well, I hope you come in peace.  Because otherwise this is a mighty small army."

PT

"We come in peace, and wish no trouble, we were merely passing through."

Once this business is taken care of, I head back down the trail with the others, to find ourselves an elven ranger.

You walk into the forrest which is old growth, mature forrest with a park-like lawn beneath gold and silver touched trees of several hundred feet in height and ten to twenty feet in diameter.

Occasionally you see elves walk behind trees, and not be there when you come around to the other side as you proceed down the winding path.

And you see walking toward you down the path a woman with a longbow over her shoulder.

She reaches you, and bows with solemn simplicity.

"I am the next in the rotation to help the Great Quest.  It is unfortunate that the Quest comes so soon this cycle.  I quite liked what I had done with my rose garden, and I had plans for my azalea garden."

PT

"Greetings I am Reoch Ensiferium, it is truly a pleasure to have you come along with us.  Might I inquire your name?"

I do think that using Reoch rather than Shikamaru would bode well, atleast here... For this Quest ... If what the man said is right, then when I die, I will be off to a different world that his kind created.  Perhaps there I can use my real name, but alas, we shall see.  If I can help those in need and meet wonderful people to become friends with then my name shall be given..

"I am Dutiful.  As I do what I ought without joy, but with honor."  She bows again.  "Lord Ensiferium.  I have what I need.  If you wish to leave now, we may.  Or if you wish to stay the night, and enjoy a feast with the elves, it is equal to me.  Or if you wish to test me in my skills, that would be an offense, but I would accept it since you are not from this land."

PT

"I trust in your skills, and do not need to have them tested.  I think we could all use some nice rest, and we can leave tomorrow, once everyone is ready."

I think this will work, I get to see the elves in person, and since I wake up around dawn on a normal day anyway, there shouldn't be any problems.  Besides, as far as I know, Elves don't sleep, they just have a reverie, which is their meditative equivalent to sleep.  This will definitely be an interesting night.

"Does that sound like a good judgment by all? If not please say so now and we can decide on a better course of action."

Everyone is quite agreeable.

You soon find the Elves to be rather different than the Humans you've met.  They have the Elven love of trees with treehouses, and talking to the trees, and a capacity for concentration that is inhuman.  You see some Elven art that has thousands of grass stalks, each individually drawn in great detail.

Each Elf's name is "Honor" or "Courage" or "Fighting Spirit" or "Presence of Humor" and the like.  And it seems as if they are the most staid, button-down, belt and suspender type. Everything bespeaks great wealth, and inhuman levels of care.  Each item of each elf's armor looks individually tailored, and done with exacting care.

You also see no children.

Nobody laughs.

They also show the cleric no special respect which miffs him.

The plateau is a great parkland.

PT

Seeing all that I have seen here, I meet with Dutiful alone and ask,

"Why there are no children, and why there is no joy in anything that is done, I also ask if something happened in the past? I am sure my comrades find this odd aswell.  Now, I know I don't know anything of the Elf customs, but maybe it is because I am human, but what has happened to everyone?"

"Also, if I may, why is everyone named after things like Duty, Honor, Courage, and similar things?   I don't mean to offend you or your customs but this just seems...odd, and the elves back where I am from, typically had names like this one that I met, good friend of mine at one point, Feanaro Calafalas.  Good Elf at that, but this is just...different from what I had expected."

"Fearno? There have been no elves with that name in the history of all the ages."  She raises an eyebrow. "I know all the names of all the elves that have ever lived, and nonesuch or even close to that has been."

Once you explain, she leans back against a tree.

"Elves are not like other races.  We are all born on the first day of a new age in the Field of Rebirth.  We have no children.  And we laugh not because what is there to laugh at?  We have no gods so we remind ourselves of our duties even as we must because the pain of living is so much that without the reminders we would sleep and never wake."

She talks more and you begin to see under her double careful exterior a heart of nihilistic despair that would make a Goth envious.  And unlike many Goths it doesn't seem to be a pose.  She seems completely serious about despair.

"We live because there doesn't seem to be anything better to do.  And it preserves our options."

PT

"No children? Is that because no one has dared to produce any? Or what?  What exactly can you tell me about the past and culture of the elves?"

"Other peoples can summon the stork, and go to the places of birthing, but not elves.  We have never had children."

She pauses.

"I remember details of the First Age, and each succeeding age up till now.  What do you wish to ask of me?"

"What happens at the place of birthing? Why can't elves have children? Has anyone in history ever tried? Why can't elves summon the stork? And what about rituals of the elves, can you tell me of anything? Answer them one at a time, please.."

She takes you to a grove of trees.  Most are healthy, but a few have been chopped down and are being converted into lumber.  And a few are dead and rotting in the spot.

She takes you to a particular tree, and she touches it with a tender expression.

"My mother tree.  I was born inside her, and then when I was old enough, she let me out."

The tree rustles and seems to react to her touch.

"We elves do not go to other races places of birthing.  Although I understand it is somewhat different. And yes, many have tried.  I tried in my fourth incarnation, but nothing happened.  Elves have not parents nor children except for the mother tree and the roots of the tree at the end.  We do not know why other races can have children, and why we are born from trees, and humans are born in the houses on their beds, but have children thereafter."

She thinks.

"We mark the New Year, and we mark passings, and we mark the planting of trees.  Our most common ritual is the Feast which we hold at night, and there we let the inner madness out.  But you will be safe as long as you stick to lighted ways.  Whatever you do, do not venture into the shadows."

"That is...interesting.  Then you probably wouldn't have any of my other friends kind...  He is half elf, the other half is human.  Since all elves come from trees, and those that have tried have been unsuccessful, does that mean other have tried with other races?  Or is that forbidden on such a high level that no one has dared to try?

What do you mean you let your inner madness out? And what would happen if we went into the shadows? What awaits those that do? Has death occurred to those that have strayed previously?

Do Elves sleep? Or do they have something similar to a reverie?"

She stares at you with her mouth hanging open, and you startle your first laugh out of her.  Its clear and melodius.

"I assure you, that is impossible."  She smiles and shakes her head.  "Oh, yes, I personally have tried.  With each and every race.  Its true what people say, elves are terrible people, we have no morals."

And then you ask about the shadows, and her face goes still and sad.

"We do not believe in gods, or in love, or truth, or any of the lies humans and dwarves and the other races tell to comfort themselves.  But we know that being responsible and dutiful is helpful to the society.  But at the same time, the loneliness, the sadness gets too much for us at tiems, and we have to let it out.  So, we Feast.  On that night, there are few rules in the light, and in the dark, the shadows, there are no rules, no consequences.  One may murder or steal as one would like.  We elves are terrible people.  We have looked into the abyss, and seen ourselves. But yes, we sleep, four hours a night, although I can go for a week without sleeping if I need too."

PT

"Elves are terrible people? Surely no more terrible than some of the humans that I have met.  Each race is terrible in their own way. I myself, while born to a race of good and terrible people, I do what I can to help the people of all races, to help atone for the wrongs of my people.

First time I've heard you laugh, would there be an elf named Joy here? Or is that still against what elves believe in?"

"Humans cling to their outdated belief structures which perhaps have the benefit of shielding them from their own worst natures.  We have no such shield.  And 'Joy'? Have you not been listening? What is there to joy about?"

You get the feeling she's unhappy that you caught her being happy.

PT

"There are plenty of things to be joyous about, and I'm sure you know it, considering the fact that you were just laughing.  Surely you enjoy something, something that makes you laugh, and enjoy life, however much longer it may be than my own.  You say we shield ourselves with beliefs and that the elves don't? You cling to a shield in every way similar to that the humans cling to as you say.  The belief that there is nothing else, no gods, love, or anything else.

That within itself is a shield of lies, one that, if you took it down and lowered that shield to the truth, you would be able to be joyous about many things, and surely you could enjoy life rahter than think of everything you do as a duty and such.  Be glad you are around, and be joyous that you have been able to meet the family and friends that you have, be joyous that you can be among your kin and that of allies.  There are many things to be joyous about, perhaps you should try sometime and not have so many personal shields up to shield yourself from the truth, the lies aren't the way to get through your life all the time.  So try letting them down a bit, and not be angry to show your emotions... love, hate, anger, joy, whichever."

"This." She waves her hands about to mean the manicured parkland, and the crisp, clean air. "Is not enough. We hold duty as a shield against emotions, against one emotion--despair.  All these other emotions are the products of what we would regard as naivete."

You can see that you've pierced her placid acceptance of her doctrine of life's meaninglessness, and now she's angry.  Her fingers are clenched into small fists, and her mouth is set in a firm line.  But she's trying to hide it because being angry about something means something is worth getting angry about, and that would be against her doctrine, at least somewhat.

"So...shall I..." Deep breath. "Show you to your bath, and treehouse for the day?"

PT

"Yes, please do so, and I apologize for getting you angry. As far as elves go... nah I'll tell ya that later.  I look forward to having you on this journey, Duty."

I go with her to the Tree house and get some rest, and when that ceremony comes later get up and get ready.

The treehouse is pleasant, if a bit impersonal, and once you clamber into the hammock, you're dead to the world for many hours.  Only the sound of rhythmic musical instruments wakes you, and you find its full dark outside.

Lanterns hanging in trees guide you to the pavillion which is filled with intense elves.  Some are repressing happiness, others gloom, or angry, but you can see the emotion shining through their masks.

There is also a lesser number than the several hundred elves of adventurer parties.  Some seem like nice guys who range from politely aristocratic to happy-go-lucky to another team who wear all black with talons and face masks...

The tables are excessively decked out with a very heavy weight of food.

Your team is on the far side of the pavillion...

PT

I head over to Shikamaru, who recently arrived.

"Well, glad to see you are up, last I checked you were still resting.  Anyway things seem to be going well, I've never seen elves this...emotional to say the least, before.  From what I've seen, this is a rare occasion."

"It is indeed Avahur, now I suggest that we see when things are going to occur.  Have you seen Duty around?  There is something I'd like to speak to her about. (Assuming she isn't with the others.)  Also, how fares everyone else, did you enjoy the stay here amongst these elves?"

I take a look around and see who else I spot.

"Things simply are different than I'm used to living in the city.  It's nice and all, but I prefer my city life rather than being here amongst all these elves.  However, I'll be with you here as this is definitely going to be interesting if things work out well."

I turn around and walk back towards our group.

Duty is with your group.

The two of you carefully make your way across the pavillion, and then suddenly you see an elf leap to his feet, throw his goblet of wine down, and sprint into the darkness.

Thirty seconds later a dozen more elves follow, although not all as flamboyantly as the first.

PT

I look over to Dutiful for a moment, then over to where the elves were before they left.

I assume this is what she meant, alas I would like to know more about the elves.  I got her to laugh, that alone proves my theory that they have things to laugh about they just hide it very well.  Which brings me to another thought, I was told I'm no longer human, but above a normal human.  Does that mean my offspring will also be above humans?  Does this mean that if I mated with an elf that perhaps they could reproduce?  This is troublesome.  In all the DnD games I've played in, nothing comes close to this, elves that don't show emotion, some Quest..  This is definitely an interesting place... perhaps this is truly what it's like to be a person in a campaign, rather than sitting around a table discussing what our characters are doing.  If those elves are out to kill each other as is their own custom, I shouldn't interfere.  However killing when not necessary shouldn't be done.  This puts me in a touch spot... I should not interfere, that would be disrespectful, and I have more I wish to do in this world than to risk my life interfering with the custom of the elves.  Still I should really talk to to Dutiful and see how she fares.

"Dutiful, this is what you meant with what you said earlier?  This troubles me, to see something like this, knowing what they are probably going to do.  If we are going to travel together, I am going to need to be able to trust those I travel with and have them trust me.  We will speak later, there is much I wish to learn and discuss with you."

I look around to those in my group.

"So, what shall we do from here? Any suggestions?"

Some of your group is a bit unnerved by the weird atmosphere, and both the clergymen are angry.

You see several humans get caught by the infectious madness, and sprint into the darkness.  Less than a minute later, a dozen elves leave the table to hunt them.

"This is wickedness." The prophet of the Silent One says sadly.

"This is what comes when a people forgets the Five Gods." The Clergyman says.

"There are no gods, you dolt!" Dutiful snaps, and then flushes red at showing her anger.

PT

"Didn't you say emotions were pointless?  If that's true then you wouldn't have gotten angry.  TO get angry you need to have something to be angry about.  That is something, because it goes against your belief.  Your belief which you use as a shield against emotions, which as I said before is a shield of lies.  You said elves aren't joyous because there is nothing to be joyous about, surely there is, for with every positive there is a negative.  The opposite of joy is despair, which is what you elves put up a shield to protect against.  To be happy you also must get angry, which you just got.  So, why don't you lighten up a bit and show that you're happy when amongst friends and allies.  Celebrate while you've still got something to be happy about.  Elves appear to shun having friends, because they put up a shield of lies to protect themselves from despair.  Dutiful maybe you don't know this, but there is more than one thing that can shield you from despair, or at least help you through it if you should so reach such a state of emotion, and that is friends.  I've gotten through my life and to be where I'm at now due to some very good friends, one of which was an elf.

You say that you know of all the names of all the elves ever?  I find that to be false.  This shield of lies that you and your kind put up is hiding you from the truth about everything.  About other elves that show their emotions and are amongst the greatest allies of nature.  The truth about emotions and the wonderful things they can bring about.  I think you need to express your emotions, as emotions can help you mature, and they can aid you in battle in the most desperate of situations.  Anger, can get you through situations where you are outnumbered and the odds don't bode well.  Joy can help you enjoy the time you have left with your friends, and can make traveling go by a lot quicker on long journeys.  Despair at the loss of a loved one, can bring about strength when downing the strongest of foes even if logically they are your better.  Emotions can help you through life. Belief in the deities aid you and your allies, in this life and the next. Friends make this life all the more enjoyable.  You need to let your emotions run wild instead of keeping them bottled up behind a shield of lies.  If you need help, surely I can help you overcome this obstacle, I'm not a normal human.  So why don't trust your companions and show some emotion on this Quest.

"I-I-I...wish I had your gloriously foolish naivete.  But I know too much. Friendship is merely another illusion we try to drap over ourselves against the howling winds of the Abyss.  And I, an elf, am too honest to lie to myself."  She juts her jaw out.

And then a puzzled look crosses her face.

"You say you know other elves.  How can this be? Explain."

PT

"Like I said, I'm not a normal human, and as such where I come from there are a great many elves, likewise in another realm, there are the elves in Shilmista Forest, west of the snowflake mountains."

Looks like the many hours of Dungeons and Dragons came in handy.

"Also, you say you're too honest to lie to yourself?  Perhaps you are to used to lying that what you think is true is actually false and so the rubbish you've been learned is false and these honest remarks you say are actually lies that have been fed to you since you were born.  The problem with many elves is that they live too long and that leads them to become arrogant and then blind to the truth of humans.  Humans that can achieve so much in one lifetime, that it would take an elf a couple centuries to do.

As a Knight I would not lie.  So, I am telling you what I know to be true.

Now, did you yourself say that elves are an evil race as you do many things and such?  Now, from what I can understand, many evil races spout lies, lies to justify their actions so that they can feel better about what they do.

Friendship is NOT an illusion, feigned ignorance however, is something people try to drape over themselves.  THAT is something I think elves are taught to do since they come into existence.  So why don't you trust me and accept my friendship as we partake in this Quest."

She stares at you looking thoroughly unsettled, and shaken in her mind.

"Let her chew on the meat you've given her, Knight." The priest of the Silent One says as he puts his hand on your shoulder to draw you away.

"For once, I agree with the Madman. You have reached deep into her heart with your powerful words.  Now she must think on it, for above all else, the Elves are a deliberate race." The priest of the Five Gods says.

The night passes with many sounds of horror drifting in from the dark.  A number of the other questing teams use this as a chance to meet and greet, to try to ferret out info on the others, to speculate on the The End of the World Cycle, and to play poker.

PT

I heed the words of my allies and take this time to rest, and let Dutiful think over what I have said.  During this time period, I simply close my eyes and go over all that has happened.

Well this is surely different than what I had thought.  To think, if I'm not dreaming and this is real, what that guy said, if it was entirely true, that I did die, and I am some ascended being, then I wonder what I will encounter.  Still, this is some weird stuff.

The next day has many small signs of violence, and hungover Questers.  But your team has neither, and so leaves ahead of most of the rest of the crowd.

"Now we go to the City of Tournameants and Temples.  The place the Five Gods blessed." The Priest says with a sonorous and self-important voice.

"False gods." Dutiful and the Madman murmur together, and then stare at each other in surprise.

The trip down the plateu is much easier than up it, and with Dutiful showing a secret path away, there are no bandits to bother you.

There is some question of the best path to take to Tourney City.  So the Mage casts a SpyEye spell.  He retrieves his eyeball,and looks troubled.

"Knight, there are two good bridges ahead of us over Kooler Canyon.  However, one of the Questing Parties has already arrived at the closer, southern one. They are five miles ahead of us. They crossed over, and are cutting the bridge.  The other bridge is seven miles from us, and only three from them."

PT

"Then we must make haste.  Let's head for the other one, could you keep an eye on them?  If not it's fine."

I make haste towards the other bridge.

To think some people would go so far as to do this.  These people are almost as bad as the people back home.  Even then, I would think some humans back home are nice enough to not cut the bridge.  Still, I've got an idea...maybe, if we can shoot an arrow...yeah, that might.. *rambles on in head as he makes haste*


"I may have an answer to this issue if the issue is still there, but for now we have a lot of ground to cover, so let us make quick travel to the other bridge."

"I cannot. Mages have few, but very powerful spells.  And once they end, they end.  But perhaps the gods can whisper a secret to the cleric."

The Mage says.  The Cleric shrugs.

"What he speaks of is at the pleasure of the gods. We do have powers, mostly healing,a nd the striking of the wicked, and blessing of crops which are easier to use than the Mage spells.  Other than that, sometimes the gods use us as they wish."

The Madman speaks.

"The Silent One urges me with the feeling that we must make haste with all the energy we possess."

The Mage and the Cleric openly sneer at this.

"Your 'god' that does not exist, that does not speak, and yet you have a message from him."  The Mage laughs.

PT

*Stares unblinking at them*

*Silence*

It looks like I was going to say several different things, stopping before I said anything.  Several times this occurs... then I merely turn around and start walking towards where the bridges would be.

Its well over an hour before anyone speaks again.

Gradually the subdued mood passes, but you can see that they are treating each other with more outward respect at the least.

Another hour passes, and you crest a hill short of the bridge.  A hundred feet ahead is the bridge.  On the other side is the rival team, and they are busy hacking the thick ropes of the forty foot long rope bridge.  In at most two minutes, the bridge is going to be useless.

Cries of dismay and outrage erupt from your group.

PT

"Come, we must make haste towards the other bridge...  I'm not for trying to rush,only to have someone fall.  Even if it takes longer, we WILL make it to the other on.  Let's go."

I go as quickly as I can in armor towards the other bridge.

They race you on the far side, obviously intending the same goal as you.  Unfortunately, they have two 'runners'.  They send the two of them ahead.

These are light warriors armed with spear and shield, and having tremendous endurance. They wear no armor, and little clothes. Both are over seven feet tall, and whipcord thin with muscles that stand out like cables.  It is said that a 'runner' can outrun a horse over long distances, and do as many as fifty miles in one day.

"Not to say, I told you so, but I did." The priest of the Silent One mutters quietly to you as he paces up next to you.  "Now I fear you must consider other methods, or they will surely cut the bridge before us, and we will have to go many, many miles out of the way. That is not a message from the Silent One, but merely logic."

PT

"I said I had a plan, didn't I?"

Once we get a little bit out of sight of the other bridge and the two runners are long gone... I stop.

"Anyone here have some rope?"

The Elf has a hundred feet of spider silk rope. The others each have fifty feet of rope.

"Its traditional." The Cleric says. "For did not the great prophet Sam say...if you take, you might not need it, but surely if you don't, then you will."

"Here is the plan then.  Now that those guys are heading towards the other bridge.  We'll head back, and take some rope an attach it to an arrow.  Dutiful, I'm going to need you to fire an arrow with the rope attached to it, into the post that was holding the bridge up.  We'll have one end of the rope attached to the post on our side of it.  We're going to need it in the post pretty hard.  My plan, is that from the other side, we'll have someone throw a rope over.  That end of the rope needs to be applied and attached the the bridge that is cut on one end.  We'll attach it to the cut end, so that the person on the other side can pull it up.  From there, they can reattach it, so that we can cross.

Assuming of course that its possible.  It may take a little bit of time and a bit of rope, but I do think that it could be possible.  If we could accomplish it, it would also help any future travelers, and it will severely lessen the time it takes us to get to our destination.  Does that sound possible?"

There is some discussion, but they think the plan sounds doable.

Dutiful gets out her longbow, and pulls out of her quiver a barbed monstrosity of an arrow.  The longbow creaks as she pulls back on it, and then it creaks some more as she begins panting and beads of sweat start popping off her body even as she stands still enough to mimic a statue.

You're pretty sure she has stopped breathing.

TWUNGGGGGGG! SNAAAAPPPPPP.

The arrow flies, and seems to be instantly in its target before you hear the reverbration of the bowstring.

The bridge is worked on, and thirty minutes later you're crossing over to the other side.  And since your rivals are wasting their time to get to the next bridge, your team is ahead of them in the race to the City of Tourneys.

Another team of questers comes up as you cross over, and they study what your team has done, and then give you a respectful nod as they pass over.

PT