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Ashes to Ashe's

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

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Wildfire

After rolling over the Wolfsong Thurgin brings the wagon to a stop and says, "Okay you guys, why don't you go back to the house and get washed up. I'm going to bring Maal, Dale, and Sayer over to Ashe's place...I won't be but a few minutes."

The farm hands jump out of the wagon and start to walk down the road to the right waving their hands and saying farewell. Thurgin turns the wagon down the road to the left. Immediately on your right you see "The Grape and Vine". Thugin says, "Ghost Eye makes a fine wine and on the rare occasion I get a glass. It's a bit pricey for my earnings so when I do get a drink there I make it last a while." Behind the the tavern you see a field full of rows and rows of grape vines. You ride further up the road and see a dark building on the right. It has a tall central tower and placed evenly aroung it are four smaller spires. Thurgin points to it, "That there is The Temple of Shadows. There's a rumor goin' 'round that a dark priest has come to replace the one that died last fall". Across the street on the left is one of the largest buildings in town. Thurgin nods to it and delightfully says, "And that there is Doubeck's festhall. On any given night there'll be a good time there...especially this time of year. If'n your looking to match a skill of sorts to a challenge that'd be the place to do it. "Just up ahead is the Killing Shot. It's owned by the Snowfire Sisters. They make a wicked bow they do. Few can match them at their skill with one. So far they're the ten time champs at Doubeck's. They share the title since they always come to a draw with each other. Many men have been humbled by them...and I laugh every single time it happens!"

A minute or more passes and Thurgin stops the wagon in front of a mid-sized common bulding. Hanging over the door you see a sign with the 'Tree of Life' carved into it. The carving is gilded with gold and copper and shimmers in the afternoon light. Above the tree is the word 'Ashe's' and below the tree is the word 'Herb's'. "Well," says Thurgin, "This is it. This is Ashe's place. I have to be goin' now...but it was great talking to ya. Sayer, did you want a ride back to the bridge? I can take you there." Sayer nods in quiet acceptance. Thurgin turns back to Dale, nods and says, "I'll see you tonight at the Thornhedge, yes?"
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

Readers note:   I began a new thread "Merriment at the Thornhedge" as Wildfire was writng the last post on this thread.  I did not see his post until long after I had posted mine.   Not intending to snub Himo and Ragnar, I modified my post to at least acknowledge Ragnar as Dale passed him in front of the inn.   Sorry for the confusion.
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

Dale passes over the Wolfsong and the Rosewalk bustling amongst the people. As he approaches the Thornhedge he sees Ragnar leaving the Inn. Dale gets closer and sees that Ragnars skin has a grey, crytaline sheen to it and he towers over most other patrons on the streets. Indeed, he is difficult to miss.
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"Well have a good evening gentleman."   Dale waves good bye and heads towards the Thornhedge for a needed bath and hopefully a fine meal.
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

"That sounds like Ragnar's report but with more detail." Julius says.

Ashe looks at Dale, "Amazingly that's what he told me...word for word..."

Julius continues, "I actually don't know much of anything about the stone circle...which is why I came to talk to Ashe...privately. Rest your feet Dale...get an ale and wink of sleep...it'll do you good."
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"Before I go, let me tell you about what we found."   Dale retells the story much in the same fashion as he had told to Ashe only a short time ago...

"When we arrived at Coryndar Fields, 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 a symbol of Zyxu Archeon. It looks like a silver or steel steer head, with one black horn.   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 guess 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, 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 you, 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 and I intend to do so tomorrow.  
After our adventure, I escorted Maal to Ashe's.   He's taken care of her and she is sleeping off her illness.  
I showed Ashe the symbol, and he told me to be wary of it.   Not wanting to take a risk like Maal did, I threw it on the ground and shattered it.
What can you tell us about the standing 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

Julius says, "Well, thanks again for your help Dale. Please, eat some food, get some rest...you've had a busy day."
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

I think she'll be fine, but you should probably inquire with Ashe.   He has taken charge of her 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...

Wildfire

"A special order of Druids kept the secret safe to stop any future madness and destruction. The Tortured Lands are the result of that madness. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to talk with Julius"  

Julius approaches, "Ashe, I need to talk with you about the goings on with some stone circle that Dale here and the others found this morning. Dale, how is Maal doing?"
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"Who kept it secret? and Why?"
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 speaks in a quieter tone, "Valakai did live here. Threshold was close to the Valley and that attracted him. It doesn't surprise me that you haven't been able to find much information on him...not only was he very secretive but what was known has been kept secret ever since...." Ashe's voice trails off.

As Ashe and Dale pass by Doubeck's Festhall a voice in the distance calls out, "Ashe, Ashe, I must speak with you!" Ahead Julius is raising his arm and dodging amongst the people on the streets.
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"Well, I've been trying to make  a study of the mage wars and nearly every thing I discover mentions him, but their is very little explanation about him.   He seemed to be the pivotal figure of the war, yet no one seems to know much about him.   His life and role in the wars is quite mysterious.  The one solid piece of info that I have discovered about him is that for a period of time, Threshold was his home.   I just can't understand how such a crucial person in the greatest war that our lands have ever known, is all but lost to history."

If this guy doesn't begin to answer my question I'm just going to switch topics.   He's way too suspicious...
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

"Oh yes, Valakai. What makes you so interested in him?"
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity

Blackspear

"Valekai.   Julius Hawkhaven told me to seek you out.  He said that you are the only person in Threshold that would know anything about him."

I hope to hell that this guy doesn't try to split me open like he did to that symbol of Zyxu Archeon.  

 As Dale is having second thoughts about discussing Valekai with Ashe, he starts trying to remember the words to that sleep spell that he memorized last night.  

A quick escape might be in order.   Bloody spell!  How does it go again?!!   AW CRAP!!!   I already used it on those bug guys back at the standing stones!   I hope I can flat run faster than this guy if he decides he doesn't like me.  

Dale starts to eye Ashe's physique to measure his chances in a foot race.
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 casts a long, sidelong glance at Dale. He breaks the uneasy look by laughing, "We-eh-el! You're just full of questions today aren't you? What makes you think that I would know anything at all about...what's his name again?"
Wildfire

One should never underestimate the stimulation of eccentricity