18th Eleint

Bazza had kept the Mage Hall clean, tidying up the mess in the Hall of Mirrors. He made a light supper for Sarathien, Milla and 'Lassael and had their beds warmed.

The next day dawned bright and clear, giving everyone new hope. Iztar was hoping for the emerald necklace she had seen in the jewellers.

Waking up, Hayden rollS over and yells in Jakob's direction, "TEMPUS BE PRAISED, A GLORIUS MORNING, WOULDN'T YOU AGREE JAKOB!!"

Hayden gets out of bed and offers his morning prayers to Tempus. "I wish the rest would come back through. I want to go get that armor.."

Garacaius woke up from a pleasent night in the company of Iztar. Lieing and observing her sleep as he usually did due to elven resting habits. After awhile he got up and was reminded of the gold he had won the other night.

Hmm.. perhaps I can afford some magic gadgets with this amount of money, or an elven cloak.

He dresses up, packs his gear and then wakes up Iztar with a kiss.

"Morning my precious, you said there was something you wanted to show me?" He says with a smile.

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited January 31, 2002).]

Jakob rolled over and groaned. Clutching his head, he sat up. "Already..?" he asked, "It must be a good few hours until cock-crow yet. I certainly could do with some more sleep. Uhhhhhhhh - what exactly happened - I know I don't want to cross any of you guys, but I feel like I've been through a round in the pit myself. Now lemme sleep." With that he curled into a ball and pulled the blanket over his head.

Once through to the other side, Sarathien turns to `Lassael.

"It is perhaps not my place to do so, but let me welcome you to Bazza's Hall, at the edge of the Lurkwood north of Nesme. This mirror provides us with instant travel across half of Faerûn. I trust you will not speak of this to anyone."

The ranger then smiles and says, "Come, let us go see Bazza, if I know him right he is probably dying to make us supper. We will talk more later."

During supper, Sarathien tries to sum up the situation, (ooc hopefully :)) aided by Milla.

"We have stumbled upon a plot that if it comes to fruitition could very well threaten the entire world.
It seems some people of evil disposition have come across a way to release an ancient guardian spirit, created by the Netheril. Its original purpose was to guard the Netheril against their enemies, some strange race called the Phaerimm or something similar. In any case, it seems this spirit went amok and so the Netheril imprisoned it somehow.

Some years ago, an old Netherese scroll surfaced somewhere in the Moonsea region, a scroll that supposedly tells of a way to heave this imprisonment and let the spirit loose once again. The scroll was kept in an abbey close to where we are now, but when we went there to see it, it was discovered to be a fake, the original had been stolen.
We believe the man who now has the scroll is one General Zog, a high-ranking Zhent, head of their "external affairs" or something equally vague.
We know that there are several parties involved in this, the once we first came across were a band of Mori'Quessir. We have also encountered a priest of Bane, and then this Zog and the Zhents.

We knew Zog had taken the scroll to the Moonsea region, and we were very fortunate to find this mirror portal. It was a mere coincidence, but it could not have come more conveniently. We went through and started searching for clues, but when we found out Zog had become a Zhentish high-up, we almost despaired. No way we could get the scroll back from Zhentil Keep.
Then we heard from the Bishop of Tyr of a wise druidess, Elaine of the Quivering Forest, who might be able to shed light on the situation. We went to see her, but we came back with more questions than answers I fear. She did give us a riddle though, currently our only clue as to what we should do next. The riddle goes:

Those that ye seek are the last of their line
They sleep their long sleep, hidden by time
So seek the hidden channels that run
East of the Moon and West of the Sun.

We had just returned from her as we met you, so that would be all of it I think. What do you think of it all?"

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As the next day dawns, Sarathien gets ready to return, hurrying Milla and `Lassael along.

"We should get back to the others as soon as possible, then be off to see Uto. Are you coming?


OOC: Tiamat, if you haven't already go read http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000093.html
and http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000095.html


[This message has been edited by Vanadin (edited February 01, 2002).]

'Lassael nods.

"I hope I may be of some help. The defeat of evil is a paladin's goal...perhaps my travels were guided to Phlan for a purpose...."

She pauses, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

"Yes, I am coming...."

Through her mind are run the lines of the druidess's riddle....

Hayden was just finishing doning his armor as the group came through the mirror. "Ahhh... was wondering when you all would get back..."

Walking over to Jakob, Hayden nudges him with his boot. "You going to get up today or do you want to stay?"

After getting Jakob's answer, Hayden heads out the door. "Lets go, we need to catch up with Garac, and Iztar. We have much to do today."

Jakob rose muttering curses, and hurriedly bundled up all his possessions. Still only half awake, and shooting dark looks at the paladin and cleric he stumbled out of the door.

Leading the way, Hayden heads back to the inn that Garac and Iztar stayed at. Entering the inn, Hayden looks around for Garac.

After hearing a great deal about some emerald necklace at the jeweler's, Garacaius and Iztar walks downstairs to have breakfast. After awhile Hayden comes in.
"Hayden, over here champ!" Garacaius calls across the inn and start thinking where the road might lead this day.

"There you are, Garac" Hayden approaches the table and takes a seat. "Well, we have a busy day. Lets get some breakfast first. How about a nice greasy strip of pork, Jakob?" Hayden smiles and orders some breakfast.

"I know the first stop I want is the Matteo's Arms and Armour and then maybe to check on those maps. What say you, Garac?"

"Sounds good to me Hayden, though I need to go with Iztar to the jeweler's place first. But after that, sure. We might figure some more of those mountains from Uto, if we're going there that is."

Garacaius finishes his breakfast and makes ready to go.

"Sure thing, Garac."

Hayden eats and pays for his breakfast also. Once finished he makes ready.

"First to the jewlers, then to Matteo's, then to the mapmaker. Anywhere else?"

After looking to the group, Hayden follows Garac. "You lead the way, Garac."

[This message has been edited by Ksiel (edited February 02, 2002).]

Garacaius let Iztar show them the way to jewelers. Entering the shop he looks around, wondering what exactly it is Iztar had in mind.

"What did you have in mind my dear?"

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited February 02, 2002).]

Entering the jewellers Iztar was quick to point out an exquisite emerald necklace.
"Aha, I see madam has good taste" said Kardovarian, the jeweller: "a bargain at only 500gp"

"500!?" Garacaius clearly looks surprised, but then continues in a more controlled voice; "Let's say 400 and you will be able to sell it as well as I will be able to buy it."

"Very well sir, 400gp it is. I ask only this, when people ask your beauteous friend where she got the necklace - tell them Kardovarian of Phlan!"
Iztar seemed delighted with the gift and gave Garacius a hefty *smooch* right there in the shop.

"Don't think you get that from me for buying that armour, Garac."
Hayden walks out of the store wondering why females find value in such trifle things as necklaces.

"To the Arms and Armor?"

Matteo greeted them as they entered:
"Still interested in the Banded armour? you couldn't spend your 250gp any more wisely. Do you want to trade in your old armour?"

After Iztar's "assualt" he says goodbye to the Jeweler; "Aye, indeed I will good sir."

"Yes Hayden, we will go there and you shall have your armor. You've deserved it." Garacaius then finds 250gp and hands them to Hayden.

ooc: argh! my gold! my gold! where is it! argh!


[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited February 02, 2002).]

Sat night online:

Hayden bought his banded armour and Jakob sold the rat-tails. They learned about the pirate Veris who had a 5000gp price on his head. Next they then went to see Uto, the map maker. After some discussion where Jakob noted that channels had to do with a river or the sea, he sold them a sea chart of the Stormy Bay area showing 2 rocks called 'Amanautor' and 'Selune' - the sun and moon! They then went down to the harbour and hired the services of Fynn, a fisherman and his boat.
They sailed along the coast and came to the rocks. Garacaius insisted that they should sail between them, despite Fynn's misgivings.
He took down the sail and used the oars. As they passed the rocks Milla noticed that they had once been statues. However they were now so weathered it was impossible to tell who or what they had been. Garacaius spotted the entrance to a sea cave in the cliffs dead ahead. They made for that and entered. Inside there were stone jetties on the far side, covered in rubble from landslips. Fynn landed them but would not stay as it was clear the cave mouth would be submerged as the tide rose. He promised to return the next day at high tide. 'Lassael was the first ashore on the weed covered jetty. Garacaius noticed the rotted remains of another craft in the water. The others lit lanterns and began to explore the rubble. 'Lassael noticed some steps leading up to collapsed doors to their left.

50xp to Hayden
100xp to Garacaius, Milla, 'Lassael & Jakob.

OOC: To be fair, that observation was mainly on Hayden's part. I just commented on it.

Missing Hayden's visit to the armor dealer, Sarathien decided to make a tour there on his own, meeting up with the others after finishing his business. Leather gives sufficient protection at most times, but the ranger feared there'd be more trouble ahead than his normal armor could take.

Entering Matteo's shop, the elf looks around inspecting some suits of chain armor.
"I would be interested in aquiring one of these chain mails, which one would you recommend and how much is it?"

Paying the appointed 150 gp, Sarathien decides not to put the heavier armor on just yet. It will be handy when trouble arrives, but to cumbersome to wear normally.
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Finishing his business with the armor dealer, Sarathien walks to Uto's to find out that his companions had meant to head out to sea. Going down to the wharf, the elf asks around for the party's likeness, getting directions for Fynn's landing point. Finding the party just as the ship is about to leave, the ranger hollers "Wait for me" and jumps the few feet to land on the deck of the ship.

During the sea journey, the ranger spends an unhealthy amount of time next to the decks rail, staying out of any conversations whatsoever. As the party disembark at the tunnel entrance, Sarathien is noticably pale and spends the first minutes just walking to and fro at int he fresh air, trying to get his vigor back.

[This message has been edited by Vanadin (edited February 04, 2002).]

Milla takes a look in the same direction as 'Lasseal since she seems to have found something. Discovering the steps she starts walking upwards careful not to trip. She stops by the collapsed doors and investigates them.

[This message has been edited by Zorac (edited February 04, 2002).]

'Lassael regards the ruined doors thoughtfully, storing facts about their appearance in her mind and wondering what could have collapsed them...what could have destroyed this monument of a long-gone civilization. The earthquake...or something more?

As 'Lassael approached the collapsed doors she notices bas-relief carving around the frame. Much of it had broken away, but what remained seemed to show barges bearing bodies (?) being rowed into a cave, then being carried by bearers. The doors seemed to have fallen off their hinges through age or as a result of earth movements.

OoC: Let's not go through the doors yet ;)
Feel free to explore outside for a while.

(ooc: hehe, I wasn't planning to. This is the sort of thing you save for the session...I'd say, since we're running out of ideas outside, to keep it quiet in here ;))

Garacaius walks around eagerly in search of any text printed in the walls or pillars, or any other info left from whoever build this place and wondering who that might be too.

Last of their line... Netheril? Dragons? Some other ancient beings? Hmm...

The figures seemed human, although their style of dress was unfamiliar. The only other images were of the sun and moon.
In the middle of the cave, at the back ran a great crack. It was too narrow for even Jakob to squeeze into.
As the tide rose the strip of daylight at the mouth of the cave got narrower and narrower. Water sloshed around their ankles on the jetty.

[This message has been edited by Erran (edited February 04, 2002).]

Garacaius lifts his lantern to light into the crack and looks into the gloom to see if it might reveal something on the other side

Feeling a bit better, Sarathien walked up to `Lassael at the collapsed doors.

"I think we had better get moving before the tide claims us, do you see anything in there?"

The ranger crouches in front of the doors and tries to listen for anything beyond, if anything could possibly be heard above the sloshing water that steadily rises around the companions.

Jakob stands poking about in a pile of rubble with the toe of his boot, taking no notice of the goings on around him, when he suddenly feels the water lapping around his ankles. He starts in panic, and runs away from the jetties, towards where his companions are busying themselves investigating the stonework. "Eh - I don't mean to startle you or anything, " he gabbles, " but I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that I'm three feet tall and don't know how to swim!" Eventually realising that the water has only risen an inch or so, he begins to calm down and take an interest in what his comrades are looking at. "'Tis a pity that Comrade Khor left us, " he observes, " I have heard dwarven miners boast of being able to read stone like the pages of a book - mind you, most of them made that sort of boast after a hard afternoon of ale-drinking, make of that what you will." Going over to where Garacaius is standing, he peers into the crack. "I wonder if there's any way to get a better view," he mutters, "I've squeezed through some narrow crannies in my time (OOC: Just reminding you I have three ranks in the escape artist skill, if it makes any difference), but I don't like the look of this. Hmmm, what's Shadowfang's wingspan, d'you reckon?"

'Lassael turns to Sarathien.

"Only what is carved on the doors...and the masonry all around us. Nevertheless, the we cannot pass the doors. This way is securely closed to us.
"Do you hear anything? If not...it might be a good idea to move...."

She takes a step towards higher ground.

"Not sure Jakob, I've considered sending him in there, but I'm not too sure. I don't want him to get hurt."

Garacaius then finds a rock and casts light on it, in order to throw it inside the crack. (ooc: assuming it's long and dark still)

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited February 05, 2002).]

The crack was neither wide nor straight. Light did not penetrate to the other side. Shadowfang was not impressed with the idea of going through. Garacaius may have wished he had chosen a snake as familiar.

Before the tide closed off the entrance a horde of (normal) bats left their roosts in the cave roof and flew out.

Hayden turns and faces the rest of the group, in a harsh whisper "Think you can make more noise. You all have let everything within 200 feet know we are here. With all that we have seen, the dead walking in the graveyard, drow, do you not find this place the weirdest. Now shut your mouths and keep your eyes open! Something is not right..." Hayden turns around and faces the doors while uttering a quiet prayer. Crouching behind his shield he pulls out his axe.