Home again, the meeting, Mund and Quarion, Lothnar's last act
Subject Turn
I will write something up at lunch today. If any one wants to add anything let me know.
From: Karl
Subject Home again
Salix is surprised to find himself back in the garden but is pleased to see that it is incredibly lush and beautiful. The grace he had asked of Obad-Hai had really worked it's blessings on this place. As the others make arrangements to meet with Angelwing, Salix says to Harp, "I will meet you there shortly. I need a few minutes alone here in the garden."
Salix takes his leave of the group and walks to a secluded part of the garden and says a prayer of thanks to Obad-Hai for his help on the Battlegrounds.
At first opportunity he will send a message to Stormfather Acer, reporting all that has happened and asking if there are further instructions.
From: Kevin
Subject Home again
As Harp heads to the Chapter Room, his heart fills with conflicting emotions. His life here had been so hard at times but now it seemed like home. He had seen so much these past months, yet he had the feeling that there was much more to come.Would he be up to the task? He was just a simple soldier, with some religious training thrown in. Some of what Lothnar had said started to sink into his head, and as normal, his head started to hurt. Well, there was one sure way to stop that from happening - report what had happened, convey what he had been told to convey, let others make the decisions, and then do his best to carry out his instructions. But, what he had been told. The offspring of an ancient enemy come back to destroy the world. His superior, Anglewing, in danger even here in the Chapterhouse. How could that be?? Even if Anglewing were not an excellent fighter and paladin of the Order, he still had his unusual background giving him even more strength and grace. How could he be in danger here??
As all these thoughts cross Harp's mind, he winds his way through the hallways to the meeting room they had been in not that long ago. He decides he will tall Anglewing about Lothnar's warning in private.
From: Mark
Subject The meeting
As Harp commands the party to go to the meeting room, Ragnar pulls him to the side. "Harp, it has been a long and tiring journey. Let's get cleaned up a bit first. It will take Angelwing and Goodheart a while to meet with us. Give the others 20 minutes to freshen up" the dwarf whispers to him. Harp hangs his head. He should have known. He turns back to the others. "20 minutes, then we meet in the same room as we did when we got the mission. Clean up if you want. See you there."
Salix nods thanks and heads off to the local grove. Ragnar pulls Harp along to get a quick bath and for a quick stop at the chaple for a prayer of thanksgiving. The others head off to their rooms to change out of clothes worn for too long with out a washing.
25 minutes later Mund is the last to arrive. Sauntering in he sees that Quarion is there, next to a big fella with wings. Mund does a double take at that and moves over to stand by his brother. The party looks partially refreshed by the few minutes given to them. Harp and the other fighters, except Mund, are out of their armor and in more casual clothes. With Mund's arrival Angelwing calls the meeting to order.
"I must tell you, that when I first got word of your return my heart feel. I was sure that you had failed. You had only been gone a few weeks and there was no way you could have made it to your destination and back. Then I heard that you just showed up in the courtyard, that no watch had seen you approach. Then my heart soared. So I ask. Did you find the gem?"
Harp stands forward and pulls out the small pouch. He pulls open the drawstring and empties the contents onto his palm. "Behold, a gem of the Crown of Valorshield. According to Lothnar, this gem is effective against Illusions when placed in the Crown and the others are also in place. I hand it over to you." The 1/2 orc gives Anglewing the gem and steps back. Allistair then also steps forward. "Lothnar actually paid me to deliver this to you." The mage hands over the bag with the note still attached. Anglewing is not sure what to do.
Finally making a decision, the paladin speaks. "You will all need to be debriefed. We will take the rest of the afternoon doing that and tonight we will have a celebration. You are all invited." The party is broken up, each member being taken aside by some high member of the order and questioned about the mission. Quarion Smith takes Mund aside and questions him. Salix asks for a message to be sent to the Stormfather and is told that a message was sent before the meeting had even been started.
OODM: I will write more tonight. If anyone wants to make comments before this meeting breaks up let me know.
From: Karl
Subject The meeting
No comments from Salix at this time.
From: Jason
Subject The meeting
Angelwing actually has wings?? Wow, you learn something new every day.
From: Kevin
Subject The meeting
Harp tries to find a time to meet with Anglewind to deliver the message about the danger Lothnar foretold.
Otherwise, Harp will report on the journey, including his continual run ins with Mund and his concern over Kal'a actions against the Grimlocks.
He will be very complimentary of the skill Surin showed in the last section of the Testing Grounds, Ragnar's steadfastness, especially against the trolls, Allistair contributions and Salix's and Ran's consistent support and guidance. He will express that he is torn in his feelings toward Kal - both appreciative of the support Kal showed him toward the end and concern over the elf's unwavering commitment to attack all evil when it is encountered. He will be very complimentary of Mund's fighting ability (and will make sure to keep his promise to request an enchanted weapon for Mund) but will express his doubts of Mund as a travelling companion.
If asked, he will express his feeling that he is not a great leader of people. He is an OK sergant, but not one who has the calling to lead.
From: Porter
Subject Mund and Quarion
When Quarion asks, Mund tells him an overview of what happened.
Mund met up with the party fine, and had a surprisingly happy reunion with his brother. He guided them up to the falls and helped them fight through that damned dungeon. Harp sure was pissed off at Mund a lot, and Mund's afraid that he's made an enemy of Harp and his whole order. Maybe it's a good idea if Mund leaves soon. Mund has definitely made an enemy of that elf-whore Kal, and Mund wouldn't be surprised if that idiot tries to call Mund out for a duel. Mund isn't too worried about Mr. Glass Jaw, but he's afraid that if Kal comes after him here in "civilized" lands, they'll hang Mund for murder.
From: Mark
Subject Mund and Quarion
Quarion is concerned about Kal's behavior in the Testing grounds. "I will speak with Anglewing and Goodheart, as well as the Elven court representative. I will also talk to Kal. I will let him know in no uncertain terms that dueling now is out of bounds. Do not worry about Harp. I have worked with him before and I am sure it was the stress of command. He is a pretty good guy."
From: Porter
Subject Mund and Quarion
"You might be right about Harp. He's probably a decent guy when he's not trying to do things against his nature. Poor guy. Out of all the people that could have raised him, he had to be raised thy these godfolk nutjobs."
From: Mark
Subject Mund and Quarion
Quarion punches Mund in the arm. "Hey, I work for these nutjobs, as you call them. When all this is done, come get me and I'll take you to the poor district. There are a couple of good bars there. And when I say good, I don't mean the booze." Quarion turns serious for a second. "Mund, I know you are not a big fan of cities, but this party is not going to be in the cities much. I have a basic idea of what is going on and they are going to need your help. Your brother is going to need your help."
From: Porter
Subject Mund and Quarion
"Yeah, it's interesting about my brother. He's spent all this time in cities and with elves, but he's still a man from the Bear Clan, even if he doesn't realize it. Oh, you should have seen him -- we were fighting these giant hippoglyphs and they filled him with spikes, and he didn't go down. I've never seen a magicker as tough as him. You know, I could take every single one of the rest of them, but I don't know if I could take my Alley. Can you imagine him as a warchief of the Bear Clan? Our enemies wouldn't know what hit them." Mund's vision grows distant as he imagines fields of glory smoking from his brother's fireballs.
"Speaking of enemies, I wouldn't trust Kal even if he says he won't duel. That elf's more a hot-head than the craziest orc warriors. And if he does come after me, I won't let him go with a broken nose like last time."
From: Mark
Subject Mund and Quarion
"Let me give you one piece of advice. If he comes after you, make sure there are witnesses and make sure he draws first. No way a Paladin is going to find you guilty if he starts it. Also, if he pleads for mercy, you had better give it. I know that the last one will be hard for you, but these guys are all about mercy when asked for."
"Ok lets go see what the others have put together."
From: Porter
Subject Mund and Quarion
Mund growls in frustration and understanding, and follows Quarion back to the rest of the group.
From: Karl
Subject Mund and Quarion
I'm glad I wasn't in the room for that one (Me, not Salix) 'cause I would have had a terrible time stifling a loud snort.
From: Porter
Subject Mund and Quarion
You big apostate, you. :)
From: Mark
Subject Lothnar's last act
After the debriefings everyone has a quick late lunch and they are all called together again. However, this time it is in a bit larger room and there are more people there. The new people are introduced as leaders of the order, both religious and military. Ragnar's superior is there as well as many of the commanders of the Shining Swords, the elite guard of the Order. Angelwing enters last, Ranthir's father following. The old man still looks weak but no longer on his death bed. A young knight helps the old man to his seat and Angelwing takes his place at the front of the room, on a small raised area. The party sits in the front row.
"My friends" the paladin speaks in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "We are here today to mark a wonderful occasion. Sergeant Harp's mission to retrieve the Gem of Valorshield has been a success." He pulls out the Aquamarine. There is a gasp from the crowd and the gem sparkles in the sunlight. "Brother Orlpar, I commend this gem to your safekeeping. Please place it with the Crown in the most guarded vaults of the Order." Orlpar gently takes the gem, and bowing deeply, leaves the room with a full squad of guards.
"Now on to other things" Angelwing continues. "I want to recognize all of those who were involved in this mission. First I have to tell Harp and his companions something. Lothnar was under strict rules as to what he could and could not do in the final test. However, he was under no obligation as to what he could hire someone to do. So he hired Allistair to complete a task. This did not violate the rules of the Testing Grounds. Lothnar spent many days watching you as your party negotiated the challenges. He has sent gifts."
"Surin, come forward." The halfling stands and moves next to Angelwing. One of the knights brings a chair for Surin to stand on. "Surin, Lothnar sends this." Angelwing pulls out a small axe and hands it to the halfling. Surin looks at in in awe. Testing the edge and the balance, he has never seen finer. "This axe is called Trestle's Hatchet. It is balanced so that it will fly farther than a normal hand axe." Surin's face breaks into a wide smile and everyone can see him look for a way out so that he can test his new axe. (OODM: +1 distance throwing axe.)
"Kal come forward." The elf stands and moves with elven grace to the podium. "While we have other things to talk about dealing with what happened in the Testing Grounds, Lothnar saw nothing wrong with your behavior. He sends this." The paladin pulls out a small gold ring. "This is Bel-Ril's Guard. It will protect you from harm." Kal recognizes the name from elven history, and bows as he accepts the ring. (OODM: +2 ring of protection).
"Salix, come forward." The druid comes forward, uncomfortable in front of a crowd like this. "Your actions during this mission were an example anyone could be proud of. We of the Order are proud to call you friend. Lothnar sends this." He pulls out a scimitar and hands it to the 1/2 elf. As Salix pulls it from its scabbard, he sees that lightning bolts are etched into the blade. "This weapon is called Natures Bolt. Lothnar said that he thought you might like it." Salix bows and returns to his seat. (OODM: +1 Shock Scimitar).
"Mund come forward." The barbarian strides from his spot, looking defiant, but hopeful. "We thank you for your service above and beyond the original contract. Lothnar sends this to our brother from the north." Angelwing holds up a battle axe and hands it to Mund. "This is the Axe of the North Wind. It will freeze your foes with the power of the frozen wastes." Mund hefts the axe and the balance is like nothing he has used before. He makes a short bow and returns to his seat. (OODM: +1 frost battleaxe).
"Ranthir you're next." Ran comes forward and stands next to his childhood friend. "I am still in your debt for saving Rochelle, and the Order is even further in your debt for getting the gem. But there is still much more to do and I hope we can count on you. Here is Lothnar's gift for you. It is called Spirit Spike. With it you can strike at those between the planes." Ran looks at the sword and sees that images of wispy creatures have been worked into the metal. He bows and returns to his seat. (OODM: +1 ghost touch longsword.)
"Ragnar, come forward." The dwarf stumps to the front of the room and turns, facing his brothers in arms. "Word of your steadfastness has been told. But in the challenges to come you will need to strike as well as stand fast. And strike hard against evil you shall. This is Demon Bane. Use it well, for when the evil ones from the outer plane assail you, then will the sword respond at its best." Ragnar bows almost until his head touches the ground and returns to his seat. (OODM: +1 Bane longsword-evil outsiders).
"Allistair come forward." The mage comes forward, slightly embarrassed to be the only mage in a room of fighters. "Lothnar said that he felt a sense of kinship with you. He said you are still not going to get his spell books, but he has some things that might help out." The paladin holds up the bag that Lothnar and told him to deliver to Angelwing. "This bag will hold up to 500 lbs of weight but never weigh more that 25 lbs. Perfect for taking spell books on long trips he says. He also has this for you." The paladin holds up a small prism that is dusty rose in color. "This is the Stone of Insight. When it is in flight, you will notice attacks more easily and be able to avoid them more often. Always a good thing for a mage." Allistair takes the two items and goes back to his seat. (OODM: Bag of Holding Type 2, Dusty Rose Ioun stone(+1 insight bonus to AC).
"And finally Sergeant Harp." The 1/2 orc steps forward smartly and snaps off a perfect salute. "At ease Sergeant. Or should I say Sword Sergeant? Yes you have been promoted again. We felt it was only just since a regular Sergeant should not be wearing something like this." Angelwing pulls out a breast plate. It shines like silver and is obviously made of the same material as Mund's breast plate. "This is StoutArm's Ward. It was worn by one of the most famous of our knights in the time of Valorshield. It had been thought lost, but now we know that Lothnar had it. Wear it with honor." Harp takes the armor, surprised at how light it is. (OODM: +2 Mithral breast plate.)
"Each of you will also be given a bag with 1000 gold pieces. This is to cover your living expenses and to express our gratitude for a job well done." Anglewing calls everyone assembled to attention and leads the crowd in a round of thundering applause.
OODM: I will write more later, but if you guys want to do or say anything go ahead.
From: Mark
Subject Chapter end
Just to let every one know that was the end of the Chapter.
The next week or two will be spent around town. I have to check the numbers, but I expect most everyone will advance to 7th level.
Just like last time, you can each write you own leveling up stories. Get with me if you need any help with details. This applies mainly to spell casting types. If you go up a level I will also roll your HP for you and e-mail them to you.
I will be contacting each of you about the leveling.
Thanks for a great year.