"Do you wish to return to the world?"
Two of the party are dead. The other two are being entertained (captive?) by a childhood friend of Venmir and Nyvan who is now a member of the Cult of the Dragon.
Starring, in order they sit around the table:
Nyvan, (played by Jason) a elven knight, deceased.
Venmir, (played by Brett) an elven clergyman, who likes cursing and being grumpy - he is especially touchy about death.
Sigurd, (played by Iain) a travelling swordsman, deceased.
Rodin, (played by Lorne) the sullen dwarven axeman (absent this week).
Nandrin, (played by Hilton), the elven mage, who likes flames, property damage and the phrase "OOC: WTF just happened?".
and The DM, (played by Alex), who loves to comment in blue. And writes this blog. He's also a bit of a git and likes to make life difficult for his players.
In the second part of this session, the two remaining party members are a little confused. WTF do they do next? I suggest a canoe, as they're riding a river of blood... (muwuhahaha!)
Venmir and Nandrin tried to relax, but failed. Sigurd and Nyvan were dead, they were "guests" of the dragon cult and their options were looking slim. They waited in silence.
After a short while, Talis entered the room and stood before them.
"I cannot tell you how sorry I am that this happened. Had I known who it was, we would not be where we are now. All I saw was my guards in battle with strangers and my home burning. I did what I had to do to protect my property. In any case, we must move forward. I take it you had something to do with Rezmir and Azbara Jos flying through the portal and heading out of here like their underpants were on fire?"
"Perhaps." replied Venmir.
"Then "perhaps" we do not need to be at odds, and "perhaps" we can be of use to one another. While I regret the deaths of Sigurd and Nyvan, we must move forward. I require your help. In return, I will help you. What say you?"
"I say tell me what you want, and tell me how you can help those of us that are left?"
"Very well. Tell me what you want, and we can negotiate. Why are you here and what are your intentions?"
Venmir spoke slowly, with great menace. "We are here to stop your friends in the cult from bringing Tiamat back. And we are here to slay Rezmir and her pet mage. And we are here to recover the riches stolen from Greenest."
"Well, the former you cannot stop, so you are welcome to do what you want. The latter two, however, I can and will happily help you with. The death of Rezmir and her failure to provide the riches in the latest caravan would benefit me greatly." she smiled at the two elves, "In return, I will give you the password to Skyreach Castle, and means to access it if it has already left..."
"Already left? What do you mean?" asked Nandrin.
"The cult is transporting these goods to Skyreach Castle, where it will taken to it's final destination. The Castle belongs to a cloud giant and flies. At present it is moored near Parnast, a small village half a days travel from here. You need a password to bypass the guards, and if it has already left, I will provide you with wyvern mounts. In return, you will travel to a manor house near here, and recover a book which belongs to me. It is called the Book of Illusion and it's previous owner stole it from me. He has warded his home, and I cannot enter, nor can most of my guards. Those who could, were not seen again. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes...but one last point. Where are our friends' bodies?" asked Venmir, unhappily.
"I am taking care of them. You need no more. My guards will see you to your quarters. Goodbye, Venmir." she stepped forward to kiss the cleric on the cheek, but stopped at a glare. She turned and left the room.
Wessic, Talis' manservant and bodyguard, lead them to a room, where they rested.
---------------------------------
Sigurd ran across a green field. The sun shone down, and birds sang in the air. He could smell grass, and from a distance, a wood fire and something being roasted. He could faintly hear singing. Ahead was a small hill. Beyond that, glory. Ahead lay Valhalla! He had died gloriously, in battle and would join his ancestors who had also died with honour. This was what it meant to be a man!
As he approached the summit, the wind died, the sun disappeared behind a cloud and the air grew dark and heavy. A female voice broke the silence.
"Sigurd! Your time on Faerun is not done. Do you wish to return?"
"Will I have a chance to find glory in battle and continue my quest?" he replied.
"Yes."
"Then send me back."
He felt a strange pull between his shoulders, which turned into an unstoppable force, and he slipped into unconsciousness at the force.
---------------------------------
Nyvan walked along an ivory hallway. It lead to the eternal throne room of Corellon Larethian. He would pay homage, and then take his place among his god's celestial guardians.
A voice broke his silent reverie. It seemed strangely familiar.
"Nyvan! Your time on Faerun is not done. Do you wish to return and continue your quest?"
"Yes! I want to....."
His reply was cut short and he felt himself rushing backwards through the tunnel. He faded to black.
---------------------------------
Sigurd and Nyvan awoke at the same time, startled by a door slamming shut near them. They tried to sit up, but found themselves so weak, they could barely lift their heads. They were in a well-appointed room, and lay in beds opposite one another. In between them stood a manservant. He glanced from one to the other, and simply said, "Rest." before leaving the room. They both fell asleep almost instantly.
Wessic walked to the room where Venmir and Nandrin rested. They were awake and he walked in. Nandrin was red-faced and Venmir hurriedly tucked in his tunic.
"Please, come with me." he said.
They stood and followed.
After a short while, Talis entered the room and stood before them.
"I cannot tell you how sorry I am that this happened. Had I known who it was, we would not be where we are now. All I saw was my guards in battle with strangers and my home burning. I did what I had to do to protect my property. In any case, we must move forward. I take it you had something to do with Rezmir and Azbara Jos flying through the portal and heading out of here like their underpants were on fire?"
"Perhaps." replied Venmir.
"Then "perhaps" we do not need to be at odds, and "perhaps" we can be of use to one another. While I regret the deaths of Sigurd and Nyvan, we must move forward. I require your help. In return, I will help you. What say you?"
"I say tell me what you want, and tell me how you can help those of us that are left?"
"Very well. Tell me what you want, and we can negotiate. Why are you here and what are your intentions?"
Venmir spoke slowly, with great menace. "We are here to stop your friends in the cult from bringing Tiamat back. And we are here to slay Rezmir and her pet mage. And we are here to recover the riches stolen from Greenest."
"Well, the former you cannot stop, so you are welcome to do what you want. The latter two, however, I can and will happily help you with. The death of Rezmir and her failure to provide the riches in the latest caravan would benefit me greatly." she smiled at the two elves, "In return, I will give you the password to Skyreach Castle, and means to access it if it has already left..."
"Already left? What do you mean?" asked Nandrin.
"The cult is transporting these goods to Skyreach Castle, where it will taken to it's final destination. The Castle belongs to a cloud giant and flies. At present it is moored near Parnast, a small village half a days travel from here. You need a password to bypass the guards, and if it has already left, I will provide you with wyvern mounts. In return, you will travel to a manor house near here, and recover a book which belongs to me. It is called the Book of Illusion and it's previous owner stole it from me. He has warded his home, and I cannot enter, nor can most of my guards. Those who could, were not seen again. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes...but one last point. Where are our friends' bodies?" asked Venmir, unhappily.
"I am taking care of them. You need no more. My guards will see you to your quarters. Goodbye, Venmir." she stepped forward to kiss the cleric on the cheek, but stopped at a glare. She turned and left the room.
Wessic, Talis' manservant and bodyguard, lead them to a room, where they rested.
---------------------------------
Sigurd ran across a green field. The sun shone down, and birds sang in the air. He could smell grass, and from a distance, a wood fire and something being roasted. He could faintly hear singing. Ahead was a small hill. Beyond that, glory. Ahead lay Valhalla! He had died gloriously, in battle and would join his ancestors who had also died with honour. This was what it meant to be a man!
As he approached the summit, the wind died, the sun disappeared behind a cloud and the air grew dark and heavy. A female voice broke the silence.
"Sigurd! Your time on Faerun is not done. Do you wish to return?"
"Will I have a chance to find glory in battle and continue my quest?" he replied.
"Yes."
"Then send me back."
He felt a strange pull between his shoulders, which turned into an unstoppable force, and he slipped into unconsciousness at the force.
---------------------------------
Nyvan walked along an ivory hallway. It lead to the eternal throne room of Corellon Larethian. He would pay homage, and then take his place among his god's celestial guardians.
A voice broke his silent reverie. It seemed strangely familiar.
"Nyvan! Your time on Faerun is not done. Do you wish to return and continue your quest?"
"Yes! I want to....."
His reply was cut short and he felt himself rushing backwards through the tunnel. He faded to black.
---------------------------------
Sigurd and Nyvan awoke at the same time, startled by a door slamming shut near them. They tried to sit up, but found themselves so weak, they could barely lift their heads. They were in a well-appointed room, and lay in beds opposite one another. In between them stood a manservant. He glanced from one to the other, and simply said, "Rest." before leaving the room. They both fell asleep almost instantly.
Wessic walked to the room where Venmir and Nandrin rested. They were awake and he walked in. Nandrin was red-faced and Venmir hurriedly tucked in his tunic.
"Please, come with me." he said.
They stood and followed.
He lead them to a room. To their amazement, Sigurd and Nyvan were asleep, peacefully.
"What is this?" asked Venmir. "And how?"
"What is this?" asked Venmir. "And how?"
"My mistress has summoned them back. However, it has depleted her immensely, and she will need to rest for at least two days. As will your friends. Then, she says, you are to recover the book for her. I will direct you on how to get to the Van Galuss Homestead. I will leave you with your friends."
As he left, he pretended not to notice a single tear rolling down Venmir's cheek. Nandrin patted his friend on his shoulder.
---------------------------------
The reunion was bittersweet, and Nyvan and Sigurd were somewhat disappointed to find that they had been drafted into assisting the person who killed them, but somewhat mollified by the fact they were alive and had a way to move forward. It took several days for them to recover and as soon as they were fit, they took Wessic's directions and hit the road to the Van Galuss Manor.
As he left, he pretended not to notice a single tear rolling down Venmir's cheek. Nandrin patted his friend on his shoulder.
---------------------------------
The reunion was bittersweet, and Nyvan and Sigurd were somewhat disappointed to find that they had been drafted into assisting the person who killed them, but somewhat mollified by the fact they were alive and had a way to move forward. It took several days for them to recover and as soon as they were fit, they took Wessic's directions and hit the road to the Van Galuss Manor.
They approached an old manor house in the woods. A road lead up to it, and a creaky looking house stood behind a half-destroyed wagon. Shutters lay on the floor below broken windows. As they got closer, it seemed as if their first impressions had been affected by the fog which covered the ground. The wagon seemed to be in good condition, and the manor house was in decent condition, the metal fixings looked well-polished and the windows were just smokey, not broken. The shutters swung freely on their hinges.
The party quickly surveyed the area. behind the house was herb and vegetable garden with a few citrus trees. They walked back to the front door.
Nandrin stepped forward to ring the bell. To his surprise, as he pulled the dinger, the entire bell fell from the wall and crashed to the floor. He looked down to see a rotten metal bell, with a broken clanger and a pitted outer shell. So different from what he had tried to pull.
"I think this is a place full of illusion!" said Venmir.
"Be wary of where you step." said Sigurd.
They pushed the door open and found themselves in a large hallway, Stairs went up to the right, and a cloakroom was underneath it, empty. They approached the door to the left. Over it was an elaborate chandelier with multiple flaming lights illuminating the area. When Nyvan reached the door and pushed it open, it was almost no surprise when the lights burst into mini-fireballs, catching most of them in their area of effect. There was some cursing.
Behind the door was a living room, with some couches. They quickly checked the room, then moved on.
The next door lead to a dining room. The air was cold. Sat at the table were a number of apparitions. Well-dressed people, apparently waiting for their dinner. They turned to look at the party as they walked in.
"Where is our food?" demanded one man angrily. "The service here is shocking. You servants should hurry up! I'm almost starving!"
The others mumbled agreement.
"Freaky ghosts!" exclaimed Venmir as he stomped through the room. "Disgusting!"
The others followed, somewhat surprised and amused by his outburst.
The next room was dominated by two long tables, covered in foodstuffs. There was no steam from the cooked foods, or smells in the room.
"Ghost food!" said Sigurd. "Perhaps we should feed the ghosts?"
Everyone but Venmir agreed. "I'm not feeding any filthy phantasms!"
"What are you, scared?" asked Nandrin.
"I ain't afraid of no ghosts!" he countered.
The others took the food back into the other room, and lay it on the table before the ghosts, who dived into the food voraciously, thanking the party as they did. The food turned to ash the moment it touched their ghostly lips, but they still ate. The party smiled and turned to leave. Just as they got to the door, one of the ghosts called them back.
"If you're to have any hope of finding the secret, you'll need this..." and handed Sigurd a V-shaped piece of metal. He gave the party a crooked smile and the rest of the ghosts began to laugh, before quickly fading to nothing.
"Yes!" exclaimed Sigurd, "Now it's getting interesting!"
And they turned to leave the room.
The party quickly surveyed the area. behind the house was herb and vegetable garden with a few citrus trees. They walked back to the front door.
Nandrin stepped forward to ring the bell. To his surprise, as he pulled the dinger, the entire bell fell from the wall and crashed to the floor. He looked down to see a rotten metal bell, with a broken clanger and a pitted outer shell. So different from what he had tried to pull.
"I think this is a place full of illusion!" said Venmir.
"Be wary of where you step." said Sigurd.
They pushed the door open and found themselves in a large hallway, Stairs went up to the right, and a cloakroom was underneath it, empty. They approached the door to the left. Over it was an elaborate chandelier with multiple flaming lights illuminating the area. When Nyvan reached the door and pushed it open, it was almost no surprise when the lights burst into mini-fireballs, catching most of them in their area of effect. There was some cursing.
Behind the door was a living room, with some couches. They quickly checked the room, then moved on.
The next door lead to a dining room. The air was cold. Sat at the table were a number of apparitions. Well-dressed people, apparently waiting for their dinner. They turned to look at the party as they walked in.
"Where is our food?" demanded one man angrily. "The service here is shocking. You servants should hurry up! I'm almost starving!"
The others mumbled agreement.
"Freaky ghosts!" exclaimed Venmir as he stomped through the room. "Disgusting!"
The others followed, somewhat surprised and amused by his outburst.
The next room was dominated by two long tables, covered in foodstuffs. There was no steam from the cooked foods, or smells in the room.
"Ghost food!" said Sigurd. "Perhaps we should feed the ghosts?"
Everyone but Venmir agreed. "I'm not feeding any filthy phantasms!"
"What are you, scared?" asked Nandrin.
"I ain't afraid of no ghosts!" he countered.
The others took the food back into the other room, and lay it on the table before the ghosts, who dived into the food voraciously, thanking the party as they did. The food turned to ash the moment it touched their ghostly lips, but they still ate. The party smiled and turned to leave. Just as they got to the door, one of the ghosts called them back.
"If you're to have any hope of finding the secret, you'll need this..." and handed Sigurd a V-shaped piece of metal. He gave the party a crooked smile and the rest of the ghosts began to laugh, before quickly fading to nothing.
"Yes!" exclaimed Sigurd, "Now it's getting interesting!"
And they turned to leave the room.
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