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D&D Campaigns => Forest Keep => In Character Discussions => Topic started by: Wildfire on January 02, 2006, 10:57:41 AM

Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 02, 2006, 10:57:41 AM
After escorting Belwar and Himo to the Keep's chapel Valen and Zurn stepped through the door into the night spring air. It was still early in the season and only a few days ago there was a dusting of snow on the ground. The breeze coming off of the hips of the mountains still had winters chill and one could still see his breath flowing forth in a dissipating fog.

The warmth that the chapel offered could not only be felt on the skin but in one's spirit as it was comforting to be in a place that was finally familiar. Zurn felt as he was starting to come into his own taking an active roll in something larger in himself. He wondered if Valen, a devotee to Ehlonna, also felt the same way. Although the two were learned in differing doctrines they were still bound by the the same divine grace. Zurn felt as if he was becoming more familiar with Valen because of that or because of the recent trials of the wild. Maybe it was both.

As the two walk into the courtyard Zurn says, "Aye, Valen it'n be a good thing dat Belwar and Himo be findin' peace in th' arms of Ehlonna and be right in the head. I hafta admit, afta being da wild like we were those cots that those two be sleepin' on look fit for a king in me eyes!" Zurn laughed.

"Anyway, do y'thinkin' we should be findin' Arlen and the kitty cat or head back to the capn's to be completin' the report? I get the sense dat Arlen is a touch scatty but not much dangerous and dat the cap'n is twitchin' to be hearin' news from our travels. Waddya think?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on March 02, 2006, 08:51:29 AM
[color=green:cab9ecc27d](OOC: This thread continued in "The Report") (http://www.griznuq.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=706)[/color]
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on February 08, 2006, 10:04:15 AM
Lady Corryn looked up at Valen and smiled. "It should be all right, brother." She answered him. "I have Ehlonna's shield to protect me, and this book, while clearly evil, is not an active evil, but is passive. I would have to read it carefully to unlock its powers, and I am not so much the fool as to do that." She smiled fondly at Valen, the way an older sister would to a beloved little brother. Somewhere deep inside of him, Valen had the conviction that he had known this lithe woman for most of his life.

Coris, from his seat on the far side of the desk, chuckled slightly. "No." He said. "We do not have a way to suss out shapechangers, but I will meet in the morning with my lieutenants and we will begin this address. In the meantime, should you wish, I'm sure that Lady Corryn can arrange for you to sleep guard over Belwar and Himo."

"Of course." Lady Corryn agreed smoothly.

"But we are far off course now." Coris continued. "You have half asked many questions this night, but answered none, truly." He didn't seem angry as he spoke, but merely trying to steer the discussion in the direction that he wanted it to go. "There are naturally many questions that you might have, but you've mentioned a...what...winnergo? You have flashed a symbol that I barely saw, and you say that you let a criminal go? Please, gentlemen, start from the start, and move slowly. What has happened?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on February 08, 2006, 08:41:05 AM
Zurn gets up, grips his flail and says, "We gotn' to be puttin' this Keep in lockdown lest the spy get away or kill another! Do ye have any way o' detectin' sumthin' like tha' Cap'n?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on February 08, 2006, 06:20:02 AM
Lady Corryn and the open book, with the flip of one page to another, had Valen's complete and undivided attention.

So much so that he had missed everything said since she had it slid over to her. [color=green:a1513d4e15][Well, everything except the 50xp part anyway.][/color]

"Um...should you be doing that?" He asked.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on February 07, 2006, 01:58:33 PM
Zurn blinks once, twice, thrice and says robustly, "Well alright then! You're not a shifter. Now, my guess is that someone here very well could be. That be a danger that's too close to home wouldn't you agree? As a matter of fact...are there guards in the chapel? Belwar and Himo are there as vulnerable as an open sore! Excuse my frustation sir but we gotta find that shapeshifter! No one is safe while it's here!"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on February 07, 2006, 01:20:34 PM
"Gorna." Coris answered pointedly, then smiled and awaited Zurn's response.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on February 07, 2006, 11:57:28 AM
Zurn's eyes squint a bit more and says, "Well that's where I'm confused 'bout this situation. I don't know what them shapers can do and what they can't aside from shapechange. I realize that ye jus' healed me friends but now how do I know that the real Coris didn't step out only to have the faker step in? Hmm...now what would I know as the truth to a question that only Coris would know but a stinkin' shaper wouldn't? Aha! Do I come from Derkenwold, Gorna, Greyhawk, or Veluna?"

Zurn stares with a raised eyebrow at Coris for his answer.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on February 07, 2006, 11:41:12 AM
Both Coris and Lady Corryn perked up as Zurn spoke.

"Shapechanger?" In unison, they both echoed the dwarf's word.

"I was a shapechanger?" Coris asked with some incredulity. "Zurn, I've only just before your own eyes cured our friends of a foul disease. Surely you're not saying that I'm the enemy?"

"What are you thinking?" Lady Corryn softly asked Zurn, the book that Valen had produced lay open in her lap. "Do you believe that Coris and I are spies in our own camp?" She smiled kindly at the dwarven priest. "You've the mind of a survivor." She said amicably. "How shall we assuage your concerns?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on February 06, 2006, 08:58:35 PM
Zurn comes to a realization and squints his eyes. He tightens his hand around his flail and says, "Y'know, now that I be thinkin' harder on the past events I seem to remember coming across you and Brescht in the forest...and you attacked us...at night. Brescht dinna survive but you did...he turned out to be a shapchanger. Now, either your the same changer or it's among us in this keep methinks...as a spy...either way this Keep isn't as safe as I thought. Valen, something is terribly amiss right now...somewhere."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on February 03, 2006, 01:24:30 PM
Zurn says, "Lady Corryn, Ye might be knowing such things...the Wendergoes that attacked us Valen says come aboot when tha forest is angry and hassled. Could it'n be that tha stinkoes in the mountain stronghold be doin' tha? Also," Zurn takes out the Circle of Squares medallion, "Does this mean anything to ye?" Zurn hands it to the Captain.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on February 03, 2006, 01:00:20 PM
Come on, guys! This was a nicely flowing thread!
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on February 01, 2006, 03:35:47 PM
Come on, kids...
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 25, 2006, 11:02:52 AM
[color=green:5abcc8a6ad]Three! Three wonderful pages!

hahahahahaaaa....lightning stikes and thunder peals[/color]
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 24, 2006, 01:31:11 PM
[color=green:c8a0542cee]Thanks for picking up on that, Valen. 50XP[/color]

Coris looked briefly at the book that Valen dropped upon the desk as he answered, saying "Well, I did once upon a time know a young scoundrel gnome that went by that name, but that was a long time ago, and a long way from here. That Melzak was a priest to a self-styled demi-god named Vorntoque the vulture king. Vorntoque was destroyed by...well, he was destroyed and Melzak was killed." His eyebrows raised and his eyes rolled, as though he was looking off to the left. "That was well over a decade ago."

Coris fixed the book with his piercing stare for a moment, then his brow furrowed and his face frowned. He slid the book towards Lady Corryn. "This is more along your expertise, sister." He said.

Lady Corryn turned the heavy tome about and began leafing through it's pages, studying them closely.

"What else happened?" Coris pressed as Corryn studied the book, her mouth pursed and working from one side to the other.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 24, 2006, 12:58:47 PM
"Well Melzak was travelin' with Dannobar I be figurin' that it'd be only natural tha' Cap'n would know him...but I could be wrong." Zurn says. Then he asks, "Cap'n do ye know the gnome Melzak? I was sent from Gorna in his company. Looks like he waited for the right time to strike methinks.."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 24, 2006, 12:45:43 PM
"I am not sure Captain Coris is aware of who Melzak is my brother."

Valen reached around his chair to pick up his backpack he had placed on the floor behind it. From the top of it, he procurred the book that had been the thorn in the parties side since they stole it from him.

"He had this book in his sleeping quarters."

Valen dropped with a thud onto the Captain's desk.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 23, 2006, 04:55:07 PM
"er...Oh yeah, Melzack the backstabber is still on the loose. We las' saw him in the forest but we...ah...[size=9:1543954502]let him go[/size]."Zurn said somewhat under his breath.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 23, 2006, 12:14:59 PM
Coris and Corryn shared a questioning glance.

"I've known Dannobar a long time." Coris started.

"As have I." Corryn chimed in quietly.

"He was a good man for a lot of years. For him to have abandoned Ehlonna would have taken some prodding." Coris continued. "Believe me, I'm sure that he didn't abandon our lady of his own initiative."

"I cannot see him making zombies." Corryn was clasping a gold pendant that clung to a thin chain about her neck. The pendant was round and bore a rampant unicorn with sun rays all around it. "There is more to this, I think Coris." Zurn and Valen could see tears welling in the tall woman's eyes.

"Whether he abandoned Ehlonna or not, She has not abandoned him, I am sure. If he is past, as you say, may She hold him close to her and remove his taint." He kissed his own pendant as he spoke this small prayer.

Coris then looked up, his handsome brow furrowed in thought. "If he was the leader of this mass of Gargun, then would they not have broken since he was killed?" He mused to himself a moment. "I'll have to find a small force to investigate the status to the west."

He then looked back to the Disciples. "What else have you to tell?" He asked, changing the subject.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 23, 2006, 10:10:43 AM
"Aye that he Cap'n. As a matter of fact those living dead that I mentioned were of his making. Stinky, dirty zombies they were. Anyway, Dannobar is dead sir." Zurn stops a second and a frown forms on his face. Angrily he says, "To think tha' he pretended to be my brother in Ehlonna! That's down right low down...and unholy it is...mocking her the way he did!" Zurn calms  down a bit and says, "Excuse me milady and Cap'n. I hate to be seein' disrespect like tha'."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 18, 2006, 03:37:36 PM
"We arrived here only a couple of days ago." Lady Corryn answered Valen's question. She had a very peacefull manner about her.

"That's not good news." Coris said softly. "We had no idea that they were there at all. Of course," he perked up a bit as he spoke. "We are now well fortified; this place can stand an onslaught very handily, now that the moles have all been cast out. And speaking of moles, whatever happened to old Dannobar? Was he in fact in league with this horde?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 18, 2006, 03:09:15 PM
"Cap'n...oh! excuse me milady I didn't mean to cut ye off in speaking but Cap'n we'd have returned sooner but we fell into some dire times trying to cure our friends. We'd not thought that the keep would've been reinforced. As a matter o' fact we thought it overrun from the bastard orcs...excuse me words milady. Anyway, the stronghold be filled with more orcs, bugbears, and kobolds than can be counted. They are of course gettin' dangerous with winter breaking and all...they could rally to war methinks. I don't have proof o' that but they are orcs afta all."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 18, 2006, 02:53:19 PM
"That's about right Zurn. Seems like we have traveled the world over in these past few days, heh. most likely due to walking the same path over and over again." Valen said.

Noting the look from the Lady to the Captain, he asked, "Lady Corryn, did you just arive here at the Keep?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 18, 2006, 02:23:57 PM
Lady Corryn poured wine into two wooden goblets that were on the desk. As Zurn spoke Coris looked up in alarm.

"Mountain stronghold?" He asked in greater volume than he had intended. "Mountain stronghold?" He repeated more quietly. Lady Corryn glided over to close the thick oaken door. "Our scouts never reported a mountain stronghold. And only two days from here?!? Who holds this stronghold? Are they friend or foe? Foe most likely..." He mused, stroking his thin beard thoughtfully. "How many are there?" He hurried on. "Why didn't you report back sooner?"

"Settle down, Coris." Lady Corryn's calm and gentle voice seemed to have an immediate impact on Coris as he looked into her eyes and calmed visibly.

Lady Corryn handed a goblet to each of the disciples then. "Tell us more about this stronghold, brothers." She suggested kindly.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 18, 2006, 02:16:39 PM
[color=green:f28b24d8f8]OOC: this is the first Forest Keep ICD to reach past 1 page![/color]
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 18, 2006, 02:11:22 PM
Zurn looked at the exchange between the two, "Uh...The hole went down inta tha' ground and over to the mount'n stronghold...took a day or two though. Sound 'bout right Valen? Mind if I help meself to some o' tha' wine?" he asked Coris.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 18, 2006, 01:56:47 PM
Coris's eyes went form confused to tired accepting. "Very well." He said. "Where did the hole go, what did you find there?" He asked. Lady Corryn looked upon Coris with large, kind sapphire eyes, almost as if the two were bound in wedlock.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 18, 2006, 01:50:39 PM
Valen chuckled.

"I am afraid your weary mind missed a whole bunch of detail. And judging by the confused look on the Catptain's face, I think we have thoroughly confused him without it." Valen said, still laughing.

"But that Sir Captain is the very quick rendition of our journey. Why don't we start the details by responding to your questions. Fire away good sir."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 18, 2006, 01:39:53 PM
Zurn thinks of all the events that've happened since they went down the hole. "Okay Cap'n. Please excuse me if'n I miss a few details. So, afta we went into the hole we went down a long passage. We fought some living dead and eventually found our way inta a beasty stronghold. We managed to get out. Not by our wits mind you but 'cause of these", Zurn pulls out the Circle of Squares. "Wandering through the forest we came across the bastard gnome who wanted his book back...oh yeah, we stole his book back in the stronghold."

Zurn scratches his head and continues, "Then we came across a party of kobolds and..." Zurn thought of how best to explain the time warp that Valen swears by, "we defeated them. We then came across the Wendigos, Arlen and miss kitty all about the same time. Himo got himself bit and Belwar started gettin' grumpy...er, even more grumpy. We were then persuaeded to stay with a tall mumbly guy who said that the swamp witch could help us cure our friends. so we wnent to find her, got lost in her stinky maze for a while but we did find her. She gave us some advice and we traveled south and hit the road. Now, here we are? Right now that's all I got. Please excuse me, my mind be needin' some sleep so I might not have remembered every small detail. I do hope what I've told ye helps though. Valen, can you think of anything?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 18, 2006, 01:14:40 PM
[size=24:840620778e][color=green:840620778e]Son of a...[/color][/size]
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 18, 2006, 01:12:20 PM
[color=green:3f4d4edf7e]OOC: Well ya see there cap'n I'll hafta be relookin' at the divinly written log tha' our makers be keepin'. I'll be with ya in short order tho'[/color]
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 18, 2006, 01:05:17 PM
[color=green:6c943d8dc4][OOC. "Damned if I can remember Captain, to you its been 4 days. For us? Over a YEAR! I'll get back to you though, or perhaps my Brother Zurn here could speak for both of us. Did you know he was a priest to Ehlonna? I didn't. Course, I forgot my own deity was Ehlonna as well, which may or may not fit in with my background that I haven't completed. Yeah, that being said Captain sir, you may want to indeed talk to Zurn about this matter. I can feel my experience of all matters actually diminishing with each word I now speak. As if my memory was being erased in some way. hmpm, imagine that. Now about this hole we need to go down..."][/color]
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 18, 2006, 12:58:09 PM
Lady Corryn smiled again at the pair and stepped aside, motioning to the two empty high-backed chairs as she did. "As Coris suggests," she said kindly, "please sit. Would either of you like some wine?" She asked solicitously as she held up a pewter pitcher.

"Indeed, forgive me." Coris echoed, his voice deep but obviously tired. "Please drink and tell me news of your travels. It's been near a fortnight since your two companions - the elf and the cat woman - left in search of you, and considerably more than that since you four went down that hole. What by Her Grace's name has been going on?" He sat slowly back into his chair.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 18, 2006, 12:36:18 PM
Valen, slight and a bit shorter than most men, was immediately impressed by the woman's height, grace and stature.

As she turned from Zurn he held out his hand palm up. Upon receiving her hand he cupped his other over hers and shook it warmly.

"Lady Corryn of Ehlonna. Is is a pleasure to meet you." Valen stated with a nod and a smile. He then also respectully nodded to Captain Corris. "Captain."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 17, 2006, 02:07:49 PM
Zurn clears his throat, "Ahem, It'n be a pleasure ta meet ye Lady Corryn my sister in Ehlonna. My name is Zurn Darkbrew and it be an honor to be makin' yer aquaintance." Zurn bows his head slightly as a formal body language greeting. He turns slightly to Captain Coris and bows his head again to him in similar fashion and says, "Cap'n."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Johan on January 17, 2006, 01:21:57 PM
As the two holy men walked through the keep, it was clear that spring had brought changes for the better. It was late in the night already, but the walls were manned and lit with capering watch fires and torches. Signs of life not present when last the two trod this way were now evident.

Soldiers huddled close together, enjoying private conversations in the inner bailey near small fires, three of which dotted the training grounds that comprised the inner bailey.

Guards stood at the entrance to the keep mansion, but wordlessly allowed the two friends to enter without question. "Which dwarf is that?" A whisper queried behind them as they entered. "I think it's the priest." a raspy answer came.

As they neared the office of Captain Coris, the two could hear a conversation going on.

"They are coming right back to report on that." Coris's voice stated.

"Thank Ehlonna they are well." A female voice responded. "I am eager to hear what has become of our son Dannobar."

"Hmmm..." Coris answered. "A sad case that ? a heavy loss to ourselves as well as Ehlonna."

The two entered the spartan office through the open door to see Coris sitting behind his desk, and a tall human woman, who Zurn recognized by her garb as a priestess of Ehlonna, sitting in a tall-backed chair. Coris was ordinarily a commanding presence, but tonight he also seemed over tired and worn. He was sipping at a wooden goblet as the two entered.

"Gentlemen." Coris greeted the two disciples. "Please come in, and sit. I present our lady Corryn, priestess to Ehlonna of the Forests."

The tall woman rose fluidly from her chair as she was introduced. She was thin, even by human standards. Her long hair was dark blonde and pulled together behind her head in a tight leather wrapping. Her clothing was utilitarian: heavy cloth and leather. About he neck hung the pendant of a rampant unicorn ? the symbol of Ehlonna. "I am pleased to meet you, my children." She spoke smoothly and smiled as she spoke. "Ehlonna light your way."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 13, 2006, 03:29:07 PM
"I supposn' tha be true. Well if'n ya canna speak of it then I'll not be asking any more questions of ya 'bout it. I respect the ways of folk liken' yerself. If'n ya don't min' me sayin' such but judgin' by your language you seem a bit shaken with them. Maybe it's none o' me business but it everything a'right with yer kin?"

The two of them were only steps away from going inside to see the Captain.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 13, 2006, 02:57:22 PM
"Very perceptive my fellow. It is something like that..." Valen paused a moment and leaned closer to Zurn as they walked.

"...but I am not supposed to speak of it." he finished. He tapped Zurn on the shoulder to get his attention, then made a sweeping motion his forefinger over his throat.

With a roll of his eyes he said, "they are very protective of their terratory. Almost zealous in their way," he said.

"Alas, you can choose your friends, but not your family," he shook his head.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 13, 2006, 02:25:32 PM
"The livin' tower, eh? Is it a big tree? Why is it called tha'? Would I be able to go there someday? Would they let me? What be bringin' you out here away from them? I canna wait to get some beer."

Zurn takes a few more steps, "anna some food."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 13, 2006, 11:20:40 AM
"I come from an order and a community known as The Living Tower, and they are quite a journey from here. They are a pocketed village of human isolationists, with their own set of laws and culture."

Valen paused in his talking but kept walking, with a slight look of annoyed confusion on his face.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 13, 2006, 11:08:40 AM
"Well it ain't any too far. Well, seven days to tha west o' here. We got a grand temple to Ehlonna we do. I spent some good time there in me younger years I did. Where'd you be growin' up?" Zurn asks while walking to the Captain.
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 13, 2006, 10:03:04 AM
In his best dwarven accent Valen said with a smile, "I be thinkin the halls of dwarv'z be full of laf'ter and merry'mnt."

He turned to his friend. "I would very much like to see your home sir."
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Wildfire on January 12, 2006, 05:13:39 PM
"Aye, thatn' be me thinkin' as well. So let's be off to him then." The two of them march towards the Captain

Along the way Zurn says, "Me be thinkin' that afta we report ta him we fill our bellies up on some meats an' beer! Oh, I'd give anything for sip of Da's dark brew. If'n we get back to Gorna I should get some for ye. It'n be thick and makes da belly happy and warm. Whatcha say to that?"
Title: Between two Disciples
Post by: Dray on January 12, 2006, 04:07:05 PM
Valen felt odd to be more at home here in the Keep, then out in the wild, but he did. There had been many things unnatural about that swamp.

At first, Zurn's voice was lost upon him, as he was so unfamiliar with it. The dwarf was a man of few words.

"I think we should report to the captain my friend." Valen said.