Kulman smiles a bit, remembering the words of his truest
friend, "the world is grey"......
"Ty'wina, you make some great observations, and some
poor ones. I am no longer simply a
squire, I am a Dragon Knight. These, my
companions are the Dragon Knights of Belhaim.
You are correct we watched the Tower of the Ten fall from inside the
Grand Lodge. We made entry into the
famed vaults of the Deceimverate. We
witnessed grand-masters fall all to complete a task. This task, which we still are upon today, has
a payment that is immeasurable. Gold,
Gems, Lands, Titles, they are nothing without Power.
There are those in this land that are shaking the balance of
power across the land, and if you are not already one of their kind; then they
will subjugate you, me, and everyone. No
longer will there be coin to be made; no longer will there be bounties to be
collected. What I offer you is your way
of life. Your life's work could cease,
as could mine, as could my companions.
A secretive and deeply religious group is claiming Magic for
themselves; they are taking Power from others and keeping it for
themselves. Their God is not as noble as
the Great Gorum, but a primeavil abomination that thrives on destruction and
chaos. Once this group, who call
themselves the Children, have accumulated all of the Magic in the world their
Dark God will be released and no longer will profits flow like the blood of
your enemies. No longer will rich men
have coin to spend on their desires. No
longer will the world need groups like ours.
Subjugation, Slavery, Chains, that is all that will be left for all of
us. You and I will be able to stand
against them for some time, but they will control all Magic – Divine and
Arcane. They will have stripped Innaris
of her destructive forces, they will have removed Echean’s power over time and
space. For those like you and I, we will
be able to fight, but we will not heal, we will not be able to move freely
throughout the world, and eventually we will fall, not only our way of life,
but our very being. My companions and I
are on their trail, we know what it is they seek, and we will stop them. I have requested your help, as an equal, to
help us save this world. To save our way
of life. To be heroes, even though the
world may not see it, may not thank us, it is what we will be… and did I
mention they are rich??
So what do you say, do you have a desire to help in some
way? It is in your best interest, as
well as mine… But I would humbly ask you to not call me a Squire. It is true, once, I was your Squire. You gave me knowledge, harsh lessons, and
protected me and for that I will always be grateful. I will always call you a friend. But I am no longer a Squire. I am a Knight…… Azuzu”
With that single word a Winged Dragon leaps from Kulman’s
Chest Piece and Kulman in a swift motion mounts Azuzu with his shield gleaming
in the candle light of the small cave..
“ A Dragon Knight. One that is asking for old friends to
become new companions… Are you with me?”…
"Before I agree to even consider agreeing to listening to these people, I need to know if this Darthiir has killed many of my race lately. Or ever," Tala says, still with anger in her voice, gesturing to the Elf.
ReplyDelete"Tala, we are not here to review the past, but to forge a new future. One where the Drow are strong, the wealthy can maintain their way of life, and that we all continue to live the life we have dreamed of... If we spiral now into chaos, so does the world. The World is won or saved in this cave, I for one wish to save it.... Who is with me?"
ReplyDeleteWong nods, even as he slides away from Thorbjorn. "Tala, what would you do to save your people? More importantly, would you now spend their lives as coin to be able to speak a few sharp words? Let us use whatever we may to free your people and the Magik." Wong glances at Thorbjorn as well. "He's taken some blows to the head recently, self-medicated with copious amounts of alcohol. I would pray ask that you not allow him to distract from the matters at hand."
ReplyDeleteT’wina Turncoin glances at Azuzu. “Dragon Knights of Belhaim?” She puts her hands to her eyes and shakes her head. “That’s your name? Really?” The Halfling steps forward and looks at Thorbjorn. “Relax big guy.” She begins to pace a line between her companions and most of your party. “I mean, come on. So many options. How about “Dragon’s Doom” or “The Scales’ Fates”? I mean “Dragon Knights of Belhaim” is way too…too stupid.” She for the first time looks at her former squire. “Nice Dragon.” She begins to pace again, looking at each of you. “Card’s on the table?” looking at Tala. “You won’t need a Harrower to know that we have killed a Drow or two. But to be honest, they may be the one race we have killed the least of. Shit, I’ve killed more of my own kind than probably anything else. We are equal opportunity contractors. Actually, I respect your kind quite a bit. Fury, anger, pride. In many ways your folk are the most righteous of all the races in this realm.” The look on her face is one of sad sincerity. “I am sorry for what is happening to them. I truly am.”
ReplyDeleteThe large armored woman looks huge behind the Halfling as she stops in front of her. “I can’t say that I haven’t seen what’s going on out there. Lots of makeshift groups taking up the sellsword banner, hunting dragons, or crystals, or whatever. Kinda giving our profession a bad name. Quality control.” Her voice rises in anger “Hell, even that son of a bitch dwarf went his own way. Bigger and better opportunity.” Speaking to her companions, “What ever happened to loyalty? Friendship?” Inaris grins at the comment.
She moves again. Looking up and down at each of you. “These guys? Rich?” T’wina turns to Kulman, walking behind her stone faced colleagues. “The Children, yeah, they are all over Taldor, digging here and there. Throwing bounties at anything that moves. I’ve seen it before. Sure, cults are bad news, no doubt, but my business? Why? I mean, they at least came up with a catchy name, although I think they should pay royalties” she says jokingly to no one. She moves slowly to Kulman.
The elf speaks for the first time. “T’wina, they are right, as we have discussed, the nature of magic has severely been changed. We need it back the way it was.”
“The way it was.” T’wina says mockingly shaking her head, looking dead into Kulman’s eyes. “The good old days.” She pauses, then speaks in rock solid seriousness. “Squire?” she asks, her eyes probing, as if looking into the very gnome’s soul. No, no longer a squire. A knight? I guess we will see. Tell us what you need, and then we will talk terms.”
Kulman smiles back at her, and for a moment he looks again like a child, full of hope and possibility.
ReplyDelete"We need first and foremost transportation to the coast, we must parlay with Menkare. He is the only one in the realms who will know where the Children plan to finally destroy Magik, and the races of Magik. There we will make our stand and destroy them once and for all. This will be the battle to save Magik, to save the Drow, the Gnomes, the Elves, the Giants, all of the races who have Magiks inside them."
To do so the Children first had to release the disease upon this world, which some how woke the Dragons from their slumber. The first we fought had laid dormant in his egg for centuries, until the disease was released and then he began to terrorize Belhaim. We discovered portals and Magiks that were used to connect the Dark Void to our world. This connection has something to do with a supreme Dragon of destruction. We slayed that Dragon, and shortly their after the magiks allowing practitioners to see with their Magik disappeared.. Wong, Thomas, am I telling this right???
We traveled and ended in Taldor, where we were granted entry into the famed Dragon Vault of Prince Stavian. There we saw many wondrous things, including a Crystal Orb, grey in color but said to be a Dragon Orb. Then off to Absalom, where we partook in a great battle within the Pathfiner's Lodge. There we battled a woman with a red dragon tattoo that had been hidden under her skin. We had seen a similar tattoo in Belhaim for a short encounter, yet that tattoo was of a blue dragon. Just within the last 24 hours we have seen the person with a black tattoo. Those are the Children.
After Absalom, where we saw a second orb, we traveled through one of those Pathfinder tapestries and landed here, 9 months had progressed in the world but for us it seemed like only a nights travel. Here we faced an Adult White Dragon and slew him, as he died he said, "You know not what you do"... and now we have his Horde as well..
He must have had a thing for hammers, because wow did he have a lot of them. But we were shocked to see that he had one of these Orbs, although this Orb contained something, a green essence. I am told it is the whole of Divination. The entirety of a type of Magik in one item.
Based on what we learned in the Mud Sorceror's lair we believe these orbs, when filled with the souls of slain dragons, if all of the chromatic colors are brought together, not only will they take away all Magik in the world, they can be used to bring back the Gray Dragon from the Void who will control all Magik, and destroy the world and rebuild it so that he is exalted above all others.
We have been given, through divine sources, that if we can bring the orbs together we can release the Magik back into the world. We also know that the Children need these orbs as a focus item to bring back their God of Destruction, which will then contain the entire essence of Magik inside of him.
So what do we need, transportation to Hermia’s Port City, for that service we of course are willing to pay you. Also I offer you knowledge, for two reasons, one as a sign of friendship. That I care for each of you, and want you to have all that you need to combat the darkness coming, and two, so that if we are unable to succeed that someone else in the world knows the truth of what is happening. Ty’wina, you know I am not a user of magic so I do not know anything about going rates, but if you would allow my companions Wong and Thomas to discuss costs I am sure we can come to terms. Also we have product to move and would happily find a way to benefit both of our groups through mutual trade yet I am not sure with my companions contracts and yours as the Children of Steel how we wish to handle that, I am always open to discuss.”
At Kulman's mention of Gorum, Thorbjörn gives Inarris a closer look. Relaxing his stance, he says to her, "Apologies, battle-mistress. I did not recognize you for who you are. Perhaps the scrawny wizard is right and I have taken a few too many blows to the head."
ReplyDeleteThorbjörn then gives Wong an annoyed look and says quietly, "But don't make excuses for me again. I fight my own battles, be it with weapons or words."
T'wina puts here hand on Kulman's shoulder. Looking deep into his yes she speaks. "So all you need is a boat ride?"
ReplyDeleteKulman takes a deep breathe, knowing the cost of travel in priceless... "Yes, we are in need of transportation to the Island of Hermea, which I'm told must be by boat. Of course others in my party might desire to trade goods if you and yours are willing, but out focus is travel..."
ReplyDelete"Hermea?" The Halfling looks to the elf, who seemingly doesn't move and inch. As if receiving some sort of silent and motionless communique, T'wina looks back at Kulman. "Well, you know, we are a democracy in the Children of Steel, one vote each. If I may have a moment to talk with my comrades. T'wina whistles and both the Elf and the Human step outside the cave for a moment. Then, the human steps back in. "Ser Kulman, your presence is requested. Only you." With that, she steps back out, into the cold, now dark, air.
ReplyDeleteKulman turns to his companions.... He smiles at them, a smile they have not seen in him, maybe ever. An acceptance in his stance... "Do not worry friends, we will reach Hermea, and we will prevail, we will live long happy lives filled with Magic. The Realm will be safe. Choice, it is the one thing that cannot be taken. We shall complete this quest together.." Kulman's smile disappears and he walks out into the darkness, calling Azuzu into his breastplate with a whisper to parlay for our future.
ReplyDeleteThorbjörn eyes Kulman warily as he departs. "Are all gnomes so... naive, or is it just him?"
ReplyDeleteWong shrugs. "We could ask him once he gets back. He is presumably describing all of our capabilities and tactics at the moment."
ReplyDeleteYou hear muffled voices for a moment outside...then silence.
ReplyDelete15 minutes pass. No sound from outside.
ReplyDeleteAt that point, having discussed wands previously, Wong and Tala settle in, each making use of the group's last Infernal Healing wand to start crafting their own. Wong will attempt to finish his in half the normal time, or about four hours. He'll keep whittling and chatting with the group until such time as Kulman returns.
ReplyDeleteEarly on, during the chit chat, Wong turns to Thomas. "Have you been able to determine the exact magical attributes of that orb? Can it be used to perform any magic, based on the magic trapped within?"
ReplyDeleteDitto on the wand making for Tala. (OCC - Marc, I will get you my craft but I think it is ranked out),
ReplyDelete