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Ashes to Ashe's

Started by Wildfire, July 31, 2005, 11:43:22 AM

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Blackspear

On their way to the Foot, Dale asks Ashe an important question that has been waying on his mind for quite some time.   "I am wondering if you will tell me a little bit about the history of this town and the valley.   Specifically I am interested in the mage wars and Valekai.   What do you know about that dark period of history?"  
Dale is very nervous, his heart is beginning to beat rapidly, his stomach is flipping over and spinning around all at the same time.   He prays to any god who will listen that Ashe will not persecute him for being a wizard.   As he anxiously waits for Ashe's reply, he wipes away a drop of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
Blackspear
"My first encounter with a dragon was fortuitous.  I lost my mount, had the chain torn from my chest, and was pinned to the ground by a claw that pierced my leg.   I would limp for the rest of my life, but I never felt more alive...

Wildfire

"Well, from what's been told to me the stones were originally a marker for the Valley of Mist to let travelers know that it was near...a sort of mile stone. The area south of the the ring strecthing into the valley was considered sacred and under the watchful eyes of Mahiya and the Four. This town of Threshold lies within that sacred area. When the Valley fell into darkness centuries ago, the Ring was also lost. The Ring and the Valley are linked somehow by ancient, powerful magic. When The Chosen brought back the Valley to full glory in The Great Rejuvination the Ring inexplicably remained cursed. No one, not even Druids could find it. It was as if all were blind to it. But from what you tell me the veil has been lifted and The Ring of Mists is now once again strong! The medallions of Zyxu that you spoke of must have twisted the Rings power to leech life instead of give it. That's just speculation though. I'll know more when I see for myself. Unfortunately, I have more questions than answers right now. You and the others have done well and I give to you my highest regard. Now, you said that there was a druid, Maccabeus I believe was his name, that stayed to look after the Ring. I must consult with him about the matters at hand..." Ashe begins to boot his feet. "...but right now I must go to the Circle of All and consult. I must also keep an eye on the health of the three boys and Maal...especially Maal. So, my visit to the Ring will have to wait for a time."

Ashe throws his lustrous, dark green cloak over his shoulders and latches the gold leaf clasps. He then grabs what appears to be a beautiful wooden sickle with a gold edge. "Would you care to join me in a walk to The Foot? It's on the way to the Thornhedge where you can probably get some rest."
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"We were told by Julius to go inspect a report of bandits near Coryndar fields.   When we arrived there, farmer MacDougal directed us to a large patch of brambles behind the fields.   He said that the bandits had been seen wandering through Coryndar Fields and entering into the brambles.   So we went towards the brambles where we could clearly see a path had been worn through the field leading to the the thorn patch.   As we arrived at the brambles the path became a dark trail of ash or soot.   The trail led to a break in the brambles.   After organizing our party, we entered the brambles.  It was quite dark inside, like walking through an old forest.   The trail led us through the brambles like a maze.   After a short distance, we went by some pools of foul, stinking, oily, water.   After inspecting the area that the first pool was in we were attacked by an insect like man with a nasty blade akin to a falchion.   We defended ourselves fairly easily and quickly dispatched our attacker.   Upon inspecting his person, we discovered that symbol.   Not wanting to leave it behind, I took it and placed it in my pouch.   We carried on and discovered a few more pools.    These pools were bubbling and we spent a great deal of time trying to understand why they were bubbling.   Our best guest was that there were springs in the pool.   Although we weren't positive that the bubbling wasn't caused by one of those foul creatures that had attacked us earlier.   We carried on through the maze of brambles and eventually found our way to the standing stones.   There were four of the creatures chanting and dancing around the stones.  The were in a trance that caused them to be unaware of us.   We drew up a plan and attacked them.    As before, we dispatched them all relatively easily.     After the battle, we searcged around the standing stones and found four large symbols of Zyxu Archeon placed over each of the symbols for the four elements.   Maccabeus a druid, was exttremely upset and we tried to remove the symbols from the stones.   Maal was the first to try.   She smashed one of the symbols and it exploded all around her.   It greatly weakened her and we determined to treat the remaining symbols with more caution.   Our best plan unfortunately,  was to throw the symbols like frisbees at the standing stones.   They each in turn were destroyed.   I only hope that we didn't cause any damage to the standing stones.    After that we searched the stones some more, but found nothing.    As we were leaving the maze, we noticed that the water in the pools was returning to a more clean state.   Our best guess is that the insect men had defiled the springs by living in or at least bathing in the pools.   We returned to Coryndar Fields and spoke with Farmer MacDougal.   We assured him that everything was fine for now.
At this point our party split up.   Ragnar headed to town to report to Julius, Maal and I came here, and Maccabeus stayed at Coryndar Fields to keep an eye out for any more suspicious activity.
The stones themselves seemed to be in good shape, but they are entangled in the brambles.   I would like to go back and study them.    I intend to do so tomorrow.   What can you tell me of the stones?
Blackspear
"My first encounter with a dragon was fortuitous.  I lost my mount, had the chain torn from my chest, and was pinned to the ground by a claw that pierced my leg.   I would limp for the rest of my life, but I never felt more alive...

Wildfire

"This is no joke Dale! That is a symbol of Zyxu Archeon...the Life Eater! Everything that is life feeds its' hunger. Do not confuse it with death. Death is a birth to another life. Though your physical body may die your spirit takes another form to continue on. The transition from one manifestation to another, although may seem scary, is a necessary change that we all take when our spirit has nothing left to learn or teach in its' present form. Zyxu feeds on the energy...the very essence of mind, body and soul! It takes and never gives back ending any further time that is afforded to us or anything its' dark power touches."

Ashe grabs a wooden symbol hanging over the hearth and frantically paces about the room speaking in a mystical tongue. After a short time he says, "Sorry to be so sharp. This is most disturbing news and does not bear good tidings. Look at what happened to Maal. That is but small measure of the power that we will soon face. You said that the ring-temple was near Coryndar Fields? I'll have to go to see it. How does the area around the stones fair? Please, sit and tell me everything...but first let me tend to Maal"

He goes over to Maal and gently places his right hand on her head. Thumb at her temple and fingers on her forehead. He softly utters a few strange words and his hand begins to glow a dark blue. He repeats the words and his hand again glows blue. The color comes back into Maal's face and her labored, shallow breathing eases and becomes deep, full breaths. Ashe closes his eyes and barely whispers in his mysterious language. He pulls his hand away and turns to Dale saying, "Speak not of what you've just seen here. The secret of my presence must remain quiet and unseen. Now, what did you see at the Ring?"
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"I take it you're not a fan of beef, huh?"
Blackspear
"My first encounter with a dragon was fortuitous.  I lost my mount, had the chain torn from my chest, and was pinned to the ground by a claw that pierced my leg.   I would limp for the rest of my life, but I never felt more alive...

Wildfire

Ashe backs away from the symbol. "You found that in a temple to the four...near Coryndar Fields?" Ashe goes into a deep thought and starts pacing about the room. "You must have found the Ring of Mists! That hasn't been seen since the Valley fell into darkness centuries ago! That symbol is entirely evil! Leave it on the desk."

Ashe continues to sporadically dart about the room muttering in some strange language. His fingers twitch and his arms move in jerky motions. The tea that Maal has drunk is quickly taking its' effect and she sees Ashe going to a corner of the room. She drifts off into an uncontrolled slumber.

Dale sees Ashe grab his scimitar and with a fierce war cry brings the scimitar down onto the the symbol shattering it into dozens of pieces.
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

After helping Ashe tend to Maal,  Dale fishes through his pack for the bull's head symbol that he picked up earlier in the day.   He grasps the oddly shaped metal.  It is cool to the touch.   Not wanting to hold onto it  too long, Dale quickly thrusts the medallion towards Ashe and says "We slew a bunch of insect like men that were wearing this symbol.  They had desecrated an ancient temple to the four elemental gods.   It's located just past Coryndar Fields.  Do you know what it represents?"
Blackspear
"My first encounter with a dragon was fortuitous.  I lost my mount, had the chain torn from my chest, and was pinned to the ground by a claw that pierced my leg.   I would limp for the rest of my life, but I never felt more alive...

Wildfire

"Alright, well lay down and let me see what I can do to for this." Ashe quickly goes to his shelves of herbs and medicins. The shuffling of jars and the clinking of glass mixed with Ashe's under breath muttering fills the room. With excitement Ashe says, "AHA! this should do the trick! Dale could you bring that boiling kettle over here?" Ashe pulls down a jar of some dried brown herbs and dumps some of the tea like mixture into a mug. Dale brings the kettle over and Ashe begins to pour the hot water into the mug with the herbs. "Okay, Maal, this is going to make you sleepy almost right away but it should help to cure you quicker than normal. You won't wake up until tomorrow morning." He stirs the mixture in the water and brings it to Maal. "Be careful, it's very warm. It may not taste the best but it'll do what needs to be done."
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

fraz

Quote from: AsheSo, what happened to you this day? I've not seen someone in this sort of condition for a very long time."

"'Ere now, are ye deaf, man!  I jus' tol' ye what happen'd ta me!"  *cough*

Maal Brengain looks over to to her recently met companion, "Dale, did ye happen ta bring along one o' them bull's 'head symbols?  I thought ye might've pick'd one up..."  *hack* *cough*
nothing

Wildfire

"Hi Dale, look all you want but until we get more aquainted please don't touch anything", Ashe says. While escorting Maal to a bed on the other side of the room away from the boys he says, "If I wasn't wiser I'd think that you meant to get injured so as to have reason to visit. So, what happened to you this day? I've not seen someone in this sort of condition for a very long time."
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

Dale pulls out a chair and sits down in it.   As he looks around the room, he starts to make a mental note of all the stuff that Ashe owns.  After looking over Ashe's stuff, he observes the three boys lying on the bed.   When an opportunity arises, he introduces himself.  "I'm Dale.  I was just hired by Julius Hawkhaven to help protect Treshold.   He told me that you might be able to help me answer some questions that I have, but I can see you're busy.   I'll wait here until things quiet down.  Mind if I have a look around?"   If Ashe allows him to Dale will peruse his stock of herbs and potions.   Otherwise, he will sit quietly and patiently wait for Ashe to finish tending to Maal.

Player's note:   Blackspear is taveling to Montana for a few days and will be glad to pick this conversation up later.   If things progress without him, please assume that he would go to the inn to buy the drinks that he promised to the farmers.   He would also grill Thurgin about the dark priest that he alluded to and ask Ashe about Valekai.   Take care.
Blackspear
"My first encounter with a dragon was fortuitous.  I lost my mount, had the chain torn from my chest, and was pinned to the ground by a claw that pierced my leg.   I would limp for the rest of my life, but I never felt more alive...

fraz

Maal Brengain drops her shield and weapons unceremoniously upon the floor and moves to the closest empty bed to sit down.

"We were clearin' out th' ring o' brambles to th' north o' town.  It had been poisoned or sumthin'...  There were some strange humanoid creatures there an' they had covered th' elemental symbols on th' rocks with their own bull's 'ead symbol.  I took one o' their swords and smashed one o' th' dark gems in the bull's 'head.  After that I felt sick an' weak... like I 'aven't slept in a week!"  *hack*  *cough*
nothing

Wildfire

The two of you walk up to the front door. On the small walk you see that the hedges are a dark, deep green, the flowers are smiling, and the grass is a thick, velvety blanket. You see the shades are drawn shut and slight trails of smoke rise from the chimney.

You knock on the door and you hear a yell from inside, "Quit knocking so hard these kids need...." the door opens, "Quiet...shhhh". He goes wide eyed and says, "Maal, you look downright sickly....get in here!" he then turns a curious look to Dale and asks, "Who are you?"

With out waiting for an answer he spins to tend to Maal. In the room is a work table with jars and books all over it. Behind the table is a series of shelves with books and jars. The room is filled with beds, three of which are occupied by three teenage boys. In the corner of the room hanging from the ceiling is a metal brazer with a light puffy smoke gently floating out from it. The smoke smells of Lavendar.

Ashe says, "Pick any available bed, lie down, and tell me what happened. I'm going to get you some water. Oh, you there," he says looking at Dale "pick a chair if you choose to stay."
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

fraz

"I'll be fine, Dale..." *cough*  "I'm sure Ashe 'ill know how ta treat this strange sickness tha's come over me."  Maal Brengain jumps down from the cart without assistance and walks sluggishly towards the house.

"Thanks fer the ride, Thurgin."  *cough*  "I'll likely see ye at the Inn, a bit later."
nothing

Blackspear

"Most assuredly.  The first round is on me.  You'll have to tell me more about that dark priest you mentioned.   Thanks again for the ride.   Its truly appreciated!  

Come on Maal let's get you inside.  Hopefully Ashe will take care of you."

Dale hops out of the cart and waits for Maal to drag herself out as well.   He doesn't offer a hand to Maal, becasue he does not wish to offend her.  He does however keep a concerned eye on her and readies himself to aid her if she should prove to be unsteady.
Blackspear
"My first encounter with a dragon was fortuitous.  I lost my mount, had the chain torn from my chest, and was pinned to the ground by a claw that pierced my leg.   I would limp for the rest of my life, but I never felt more alive...