Griznuq Gaming

As the beat up party enters the Zyrithian Temple, they see a large sanctuary that is enshrouded in dust.   Their booted footsteps echo and reverberate endlessly.  

Looking straight ahead, the party can't help but notice the remains of an altar, formerly devoted to Azyrith.   Above the altar is a large stained glass window, remarkably intact.  

The scene depicted in the stained glass is of Azyrith with his armored boot on the chest of Karthos, the former god of fire, taking his Essence.  The sunlight streaming through the western facing window highlights the silver and maroon bolt of power that is emanating from Karthos and flowing towards Azyrith.   It seems as if the combatants are alive, eternally trapped within the glass, acting out Azyrith's greatest triumph in perpetuity.

Awestruck by the beauty and power of the window, the party can't help but feel the presence of greatness within the temple.   As they stare at the stained glass, they hear the sound of stone sliding on stone.   Soon they notice the altar begin to move to the side.

As the party scrambles for cover, they notice a small human like figure, seemingly rise from the floor where the altar once stood.   As the mysterious figure reaches the top of the staircase, it turns to face the adventurers.   "Long have we awaited your presence, son of Brendan."  The voice is raspy and not much louder than a whisper, but it is distinctly female.   "It has been foretold that you would seek the path through darkness to find the light....

"Come, you and your friends need assistance.   We shall aid you..."

At that moment, the companions notice many more figures surrounding them.  These beings are all of diminutive stature, wearing rags and random pieces of armor, that look to be hundreds of years old.   Many have cloaks with deep cowels, a few wear ancient helmets, others have their faces wrapped in veils, but none of them show their faces.

In a non threatening way, the little people herd the party towards the altar and the woman standing in front of it.

Despite her tiny size, the woman carries herself with the bearing of a great one.   She looks at Quinton and says, "My name is Elsyra.  I am the Great Mother of these people.   What is your name, son of Brendan?"

It seems to me that Himo has an excellent point.   Gathering arms and equipment in preperation for an attack seems like it might be a good idea.
Maybe we can train a few locals to help out.  Although they would need to stay in the back.  Maybe extra archers?

Furthermore, looking at the layout of Threshold, we should start patrolling the high ground above the town.  Hopefully we won't give away the tactical advantage to the dark cloaks like we did last time. (i.e no arrows raining down from above.)  

It may not be possible, but maybe we could build some small outposts on the hill to ward off attacks.

We definitely need to keep pushing the council to let the keep be reopened.

Just some thoughts.  Let me know what you think.

[color=green:1d2fb65dbb]Dale will be stunned.    "Another follower of Takhisis? Wjat's wrong with these people?!!!"

Well played Fraz! :wink:[/color]

Dale starts to pick at the cloth around the arrow shaft protruding from his left shoulder.  Despite the pain he feels very lucky.  A little lower and the arrow would have killed him...

"Its a good thing Ashe is willing to tend to our wounds.  Mine looks like it might fester."

"Its also good that the entire protectorate was ready for that attack.   Those bastards might have burned the whole town down if we hadn't stopped them....

Dale stood off to the side and watched the conversation between Severen and his friends.   Unconsciously, Dale kept patting his club into the palm of his hand as he coldly stared at Severen.    

Almost as if waking from a dream, Dale snapped back into the present and began marching towards Ashe's house.  "Come on Maal.  Let's get on our way..."

After a 6 day journey :lol:  Dale and Maal arrive at Ashe's home.  Exhausted from the battle, Dale wearily knocks on the druid's door.  Each rap sends a shock through the wound in his opposite shoulder.   "Hello, Ashe.  You home?  We could use some help."

Dale opens the door to Julius' home and steps through the threshold.  He curiously peers ahead to see what Ashe might be up to with Kit.  At another time, he might have made a snide remark, but the arrowhead buried in his shoulder was far too painful.

"Hi Ashe... Kit.   Maal and I could use some help too... when you get a chance."  In a lower voice he whispers to Ashe, "I think Maal might need your attentions before I do.  She took some nasty shots in the skirmish."

Dale takes a snif of the green brew and curls his nose up at the concoction.   Without thinking about it he tips the cup and drains the potion.   Choking a little on the foul taste, Dale smiles and says, "That'll clear a headache!"

He then lies back and prepares for a good night's sleep.   As he waits to drift into unconciousness, Dale wonders if having Ashe digging out the arrowhead will be more amenable to a restful sleep than listening to the smelly dwarf snore away at the in.  If he wakes better rested in the morning, Dale might just go get himself shot again!

[color=green:7721761af6]Dale gasps in shock as Maal pulls a large chunk of flesh out of her body.

Ashe says "OOH!  I think that's a piece of your lung!", as he points to a large section of pink tissue.

Dale responds in a bad imitation of the Wildlander's accent, "Better hope ya kin put that back where ya found it Maal!"

Maal you take 7 more poinys of damage for not letting the medic safely remove the barbed arrow!  Can you say OOOUUUUCH!!!!

Maal, tough as nails says in a wheezy voice, "its ok .... I feel...  a ....  lot ....better now..."

Thanks for watching another episode of E.R.   Michael Crichton would be proud! :lol: [/color]

Dale gasps in shock as Maal pulls a large chunk of flesh out of her body.
"What's wrong with you?  Do you like pain?"

Mental note: Don't ever ask Maal for any healing help!

Dale enters the room, wiping the tears from his eyes.   "Hey Jarmok, I've been thinking way too much and I'm sure I can crack this guy.    Matter of fact I think this guy's really suspicous and it will take a city guy like me to be able to extract information from a thug like this ashen faced bastard.  My main technique is to talk too much, thereby boring him into a deep state of depression, after a relentless monolgue of a few hundred sentences I may even get him to spill the beans on this winged snake guy, who by the way I think might be related to that idiot Juilius and that truly sinister Severen, who's presence in Threshold truly irks me, why do we need a priest of Takhisis anyway?   All they ever do is cause trouble Ya Da Ya Da Ya Da Ya Da...."
Five minutes later Dale stares blankly at the mirror and wonders if anyone is actually listening to him.  Then he thinks out loud to himself "No matter I'll just keep talking eventually someone will appreciate my efforts around here, maybe when I'm done I can go get a bronze sap,  that stuff was really good and it will warm me up as I go visit the empty fortress which by the way I can't wait to move into because of that smelly noisy dwarf that is driving me crazy every night, if I could only get a good night's sleep maybe I could complete a thought without running on and on through this never ending mainstream consciousness from hell...."
Dale gets interrupted by a pitiful moan coming from Jarmok "Stop!!!    Talk Stop!!         You Crazy...... Me Drive!!!!"  
On the other side of the mirror, Sayer tosses his stones.   In a slightly feminine voice he  profoundly exclaims, "Oooh this is very baaad.... Lions and tigers and bears Oh My ... 2+2=4... what goes up must come down...Listening to Dale ramble on makes me frown....":roll:

Dale chuckles loudly and smiles at the little fellow walking beside him.  "You have not offended me friend.   Your forthright nature has put me at great ease in your company.   My people's customs are quite different.  Every man, woman, and child fend for themselves.   The strong and cunning survive.   Friends exist only rarely and that is usually only as long as an opportunity to gain from your friend's downfall does not present itself.   Parents often try to protect and raise their children, but sometimes they do everything they can to destroy their offspring.   It is truly a vile and dangerous world.   Our traditions go something like this although its not a formal code everyone understands it:  If you can steal it, take it.   If you can gain advantage by killing your brother or son, do so.   Every opportunity to gain more for yourself must be taken.   If you show kindness, you in turn will be taken advantage of....    
Its a hard way to live.  You can never let your guard down.  You never know who will try to saw your face off when your not looking."   Dale's scar seems to jump off his face and come alive in new ways for the two companions he is walking with.   With a forlorn sigh, Dale continues.  "I am glad to be here.  This is a good place.  Everyone seems to help each other and aside from a few petty squabbles everyone seems to be in good harmony.   The evil of the area comes from outside the town, not from within.   In only two days I have met more trustworthy companions than I have encountered in the whole of my years.   The people here are good people.    Its great to be in their company.....   There is an aura about this place.   Something profoundly good and strong.  Vibrant.   I can't really describe it, but I can feel it resonating in my chest."  Dale pounds his fist over his heart to emphasize his feelings.    "I already feel drawn to this place and compelled to protect it.   It is truly a land of beauty and wonder, both physically and spiritually."  Dale's mind wanders off in thoughts, remembering some of the more darl periods of his life.....After a moment he begins to hope, to wonder if this is truly a place he will be able to call home.

"Is the stone circle an active place of worship?", asks Dale as he scratches his beard.   "Is it devoted to Mahiya?"

"I'll be joining you.   Good food and good friends is a rare combination not to be passed up."   Dale hopes that he will truly be able to call both druids friends.   Both men seem to be honest and sincere.   Something Dale highly values.   He only hopes they will accept him for who he is...

Dale's stomach begins to rumble as he catches a sniff of dinner when he enters the lodge.   Still, his curiosity proves to be more insatiable than his stomach.   "Hey Ashe?   What exactly is the Hiddenmount?"