The Exodus: Day Two, At the Gates, The Sunmaster's Decision
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; Darkness falls
"You're right. They may have additional information that could be useful to the Sunmaster as well."
Farron doesn't know what sort of information that could possibly be, but at this point he just wants to know that his friends are back safely.
(OOC - don't hold your breath, weasel-boy! /OOC)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Exodus; Darkness falls
Pensive is ready to get the camp moving.
From: Scott
Subject: Bookeeping Details
Ty:
How is everyone doing for HP?
How close are our characters to levelling up?
When are we going to find out what Sunmaster Fellus found out?
We really do need to find a way to get the mages back with us. . . maybe Farron can summon a couple of hippogriffs to carry them over to the exodus. . .
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Bookeeping Details
I think most of us are doing well for hit points. Melani just leveled so I am not expecting anything anytime soon.
Mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Bookeeping Details
More or less everyone levelled in the jungle or thereabouts, IIRC, so I dunno that we'd be terribly close. But those fourth-level spells are so very enticing...
We'll see what Farron and I can learn at the city gate.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Bookeeping Details
Point of order: I think you misspelled "bookkeeping."
Also, Karl, are you still having trouble with the list? I'm sorry I haven't been able to look into it thorougly yet. :(
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Exodus; Darkness falls
The darkness is unnatural; Garyth can feel it like an icy touch against his skin. He shudders involuntarily. If the demon can already reach so far... He shakes his head, clearing it of the thought. No room for despair, and no time to waste. He sets about getting the camp on the move again.
From: Ty
Subject: The Exodus; Second day
The second day of travel is far worse than the first. The aches of the forced march, plus a night of sleeping on the cold ground begin to catch up with the less fit townsfolk. More and more, the old, the overweight, and the weak begin to fall behind. Garyth directs the guards that bring up the rear to help as much as they can, but there is only so much they can do. At noon, the exhausted column stops for a short break. Osred begins rounding up mounts and wagons to put the weakest into. Even so, when the carts are filled, there are still many who will not make it two more days who are forced to move on foot.
Melani and Rennik do a fine job of trail finding. Once the column leaves the road and begins moving due east, the two trackers continue finding the easiest ground to cross, and no matter when the town stops to rest, the Halflings always seem to find a stream nearby. Garyth, munching a bit of jerky at one such stop, thinks on the coincidence that they need to move a vast number of people across the island and into the camp of the Kalama. And what do they have? They happen to have two Halfling scouts, knowledgeable on the land they will be passing through. One of them is even a high ranking Kalama hunter. And Garyth and his group have just made that journey in the other direction. He remembers how the insane priest and the monk hunting his son just happened to show up at the town of Overlook at the same time. Just in time to save the boy from Kor Garesh. The priest wearing the ring that let him walk through the temple untouched.
Garyth looks up at the blue sky above. He can't help but say, "Is this what you want? Are we doing the right thing here?" He hates feeling like a marionette, but there is a certain comfort in the idea that Kor Garesh is not the only power at work on the island.
Garyth keeps the column marching until well after nightfall. Though, under the new heavy cloud cover, the transition from day to night is more subtle. The air seems to just grow dimmer and dimmer, and then suddenly it is pitch black. Once the town stops and begins setting up camp, Garyth rides to the rear to check in with the corporal leading the rear guard.
"How many did we lose today?" He asks.
The corporal grins at him. "None sir, though the stragglers found themselves a might uncomfortable." He points at a large wagon drawn by two heavy draft horses. An astonishing number of people have been piled on the wagon. "We had to lose the supplies, but we made enough room. When someone dropped, we just picked 'em up and tossed 'em in."
Once again, Osred and Pensive begin moving through the camp, offering what aid they may. Pensive runs out of supplies, but when he lets Osred know about this, the big sergeant "appropriates" the supplies from one of the wagons. The complaints of the owner are quickly stifled.
Garyth gathers Rennik, Melani, Osred and Pensive together. "We are two days from the Kalama camp at this pace. Though, we will be in their hunting grounds by tomorrow night. What is the plan if we run into Kalama scouts? What is our plan when we reach the camp?"
From: Ty
Subject: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
Sa'id and Farron follow the rush of townsfolk to the main gate of Nesalin. They have difficulty moving forward through the crowd until Adon climbs onto his master's turban and begins hissing at the people in their way. Sa'id is able to quickly clear a path.
At the gate there is chaos. Soldiers continue to straggle in, many of them bloody, all of them vacant eyed and white with fear. Some of them are babbling and insane in their terror. One bedraggled young man in a pikeman's uniform begins screaming when he's touched, and finally has to be clubbed unconscious. "These men have looked on the demon." Sa'id says. Farron remembers the black pillar, and the blood red voice that almost overwhelmed him when standing in its presence. To actually have looked on the thing that is imprisoned there? the idea makes him shudder. To distract himself, he says, "Let's find our friends."
At first, it is impossible to find out anything. The soldiers they see are confused and terrified. They respond to questions with curses or blank expressions of fear. The wizards begin to despair of learning anything, when Farron notices someone coming in the gate. "That officer. He wears the insignia of the Blood Falcons. Garyth was rejoining that unit."
He leads Sa'id to the officer, who is just dismounting when they arrive. Farron says, "Sir, we are looking for our companions. Captain Garyth, and two Halflings. They left with you yesterday. Do you have any news?"
The officer stares at Farron blankly for a second, then seems to compose himself. "No, I'm sorry but I do not. I sent them away before the battle, to attack a small group nearby. They had not returned by the time the main battle began. I have not seen them since."
The soldier stands staring at Farron. He is more composed than many of his men, but still appears dazed.
[Any further questions for him before you go see the Sunmaster?]
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
"I sent them away before the battle, to attack a small group nearby. They had not returned by the time the main battle began. I have not seen them since."
Have not seen them since. Not seen them. Since before the battle. Not seen. Seen...
Dead. They're all dead.
...not necessarily. Sa'id's mind latches desperately onto this one pathetically weak ray of hope. Their companions had disappeared but their deaths were not confirmed. No one had seen their bodies. The wizard's mind begins to work.
We can't go looking for them, not alone, and even if we could, assisting the Sunmaster is more important. If the others are not coming back, for whatever reason, then we must find a new guide to take us back to the mountain. Ask at the palace ...but how openly can we speak of this at the palace? There are still traitors. Cadfael was murdered. I would tell this soldier where to find us if I trusted him. In case there's a message. But only Farron and the Sunmaster can be trusted here, only those two. The Sunmaster? Hasn't his god just let our hopes die? No! They aren't dead. We can find another guide. A trustworthy guide? No, just trust those two. Yes, those two. Trust them. Trust...
Sa'id blinks. The soldier is still staring at him. He takes a deep breath, murmurs a prayer. "Pelor guide their steps, then, be they living or dead." He turns to leave.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
The soldier's face twists at Sa'id's words. He spits on the ground.
"Pelor turned his face from all of us. Look up." He points at the gray cloud cover. "Pelor is lost to us. The demon is all, now." His face takes on an odd blank expression, and his words an odd cadence. "We are kindling for his fire, and all will burn in the furnace of his rage."
He seems to shake himself awake. He looks at the two wizards with a puzzled expression. "Who are you, again?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
Can someone forward the turn to which Raja is replying? I did not get it. (Please forward to me directly at [address removed by editor] as I'm not getting everything sent to the group email.)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
Done.
I don't understand why this is happening. As far as I can tell there is nothing wrong with the list.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Exodus; Second day
OOC: I am assuming that no one else around speaks halfling
IC: "Rennik, one of us should go ahead to warn my people of the mob that is coming. I think it best if it is me, since I know the people and have the best chance of convincing the Belneth and Nukaru. What are we going to do with these humans? We will not be able to feed them for long. We will not have places for them to live? The forest will get a large portion of them, unless the warriors of my spend all their time guarding them.
Maybe we can use them as bait in a trap for the evil one's army?
Mark
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Exodus; Second day
All of that was done in halfling.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
"We are friends of Garyth and his companions," Farron explains again. "Do not lose hope. If you give up the evil one has already won." He hopes that his expression helps give the words more force than his heart actually feels.
"There is nothing more we can do here now, Sa'id. Let us quickly go to the Sunmaster. He is all the hope we have at this point."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; At the gate
Yes, let's go see the Sunmaster.
From: Ty
Subject: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
The wizards thread their way back through the crowd around the main gate, Sa'id once again forced to use Adon to make a path. Both are quiet on the walk back to temple row. Is it possible their friends could have survived whatever calamity left the Nesalin army so broken? The eerie voice and vacant stare of the Blood Falcon officer remain with Farron as he walks. It reminds him Cadfael. The way the priest would sometimes speak like something large and frightening was using his voice. If the reports of the returning soldiers are true, then those men look into the demon's eyes on the battlefield. Who knows what was left behind in their minds?
Sa'id is thinking similar thoughts. How to find those that can be trusted here in the city? If the task of returning to the temple and sealing the black pillar is left to just himself and Farron, is there any chance? He does not see how. Without Mission and Garyth and Rennik, the wizards would have died many times. Sa'id rubs his throat. Even Cadfael had pulled him back from the brink once. And now the hornets nest was aroused. The demon sent his soldiers openly into the field. They would not be caught unaware this time. He looks over at Farron, who stares at the road in front of him, and holds Jack on one arm, stroking him with the other hand. "We must know the fate of our friends, agreed?"
Farron nods. "I've been thinking the same thing. We will not make it without them."
The temple of Pelor, so shining and beautiful in the sunlight, now just looms like a gray wall in the dim air. It is easy to believe the Falcon's words. Perhaps Pelor has turned his back on Huss and its people. The guards out front look alert and grim, clearly the priests are as disturbed by the unnatural darkness as the citizens. A word with one of the clerics out front, and a page leads Farron and Sa'id into the temple and up to the Sunmaster's quarters.
The old man waits for them, sitting in his heavy oak chair. Maps and books are strewn across a table at his side. One the other side of the table stand two large and powerful looking men in half armor and armed with heavy warhammers. The Fellus smiles at the two wizards, and points to his companions. "Colin and Dominic, two of my better pupils. They have stayed the night with me, for my protection. You see, I took your warnings seriously my friends. And it seems I was right to do so. Have you heard the news?"
Sa'id replies, "If you speak of the defeat of the army, then yes, we have."
The Sunmaster says, "That is not all. I have been told that the lighthouse at Overlook no longer shines. Smoke was seen on the clifftops, and it is assumed that the city was sacked. The harbormaster called on me early this morning to ask for prayers that the sun might shine again. It seems all traffic into and out of the harbor is halted until either the lighthouse is restored, or this unnatural darkness is lifted. Somehow, I think that is exactly what was intended.
"You were right my friends. Something black wakes on this isle, and moves to cut us of from the world. Our army is routed and in retreat. If I know the Duke, then he will order the city sealed and prepped for siege. His is a cautious man. Usually a good trait in a leader, but possibly the wrong choice now. I think if we wait now, we merely seal the lids on our own coffins, and wait to be buried. Do you agree?"
Farron nods emphatically, "I do, Sunmaster. What then is your decision?"
Fellus leans back in his chair. "I have studied the maps, and ancient texts. There is no simple answer, no cantrip, orison, spell or prayer written to seal this demon's prison. But I think that God may work through us anyway. I have prayed this morning for the mightiest benediction I know. A prayer to gain direct access to Pelor, and make a single request. I think that if I can stand in the presence of the pillar and make supplication, perhaps Pelor will then act in our behalf. And if he does not, then we are all lost anyway, and dying in the temple of the demon will matter very little."
The wizards surprise themselves with a deep sigh. They hadn't known they were holding their breath. The Sunmaster had just given them their next quest, and had perhaps pronounced their doom as well. But at least they know, now.
Fellus struggles to his feet, Dominic moving swiftly to his side to aid him. "Unfortunately, my years of forging through the forests and jungles of the isle are well past. It will be all I can do to get there, I think. I will need the aid of those who have made the journey already. But, you already knew that, didn't you? You came here to take me to the black temple. Dominic and Colin have agreed to come with me, to protect me. I also plan to ask the Duke for aid, and perhaps he will give us men. How many will be needed? After what has happened to the army, it will be difficult to find those willing to go. Perhaps the White Harts would be willing to send men, for those noble Paladins are less affected by fear than normal men.
"What do you think?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Holee crappola, Ty-- You're going to manage what amounts to TWO campaigns?
:hail Ty:
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Are the new guys PC's or NPC's
Depending on how fast they move the MU and the Sunmaster might be able to make it to Kalama area about the same time we get there, I think. If they are mounted.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Don't be so sure...
:)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
They are Colin and Dominic, priests of Pelor, and students and friends of the Sunmaster, Fellus.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
I don't think they'd go through Kalama territory. Isn't that to the south of Kessel? If I were to strike out for this expedition, I'd head west to avoid the undead army, and then inland.
In any case, we had a rough time getting to the temple with Rennick, who knew the wilderness. None of the people Fellus suggested are rangers. . .
And here's my turn, in response to Garyth's question:
IC:
OOC: Would Garyth or Rennick remember the vision Promise gave Mission before they returned to Nesalin? About how Mission was unable to get access to Nukaro's longhouse? I think we're heading for disappointment. . .
It is a miracle that no one died this day. Pensive cannot imagine that they will be so fortunate come morning. Everyone was exhausted. And there was no cure for exhaustion but rest, and rest could not be had under this brooding, evil sky.
"If we can count on the halflings to shelter the people of Overlook for even a few days, perhaps we can send riders on to the towns on the eastern coast. If it is safe, we can move on then," he offers to Garyth.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Oh I figured out who they were. I was just responding to Scotts thougth that you might be running two campaigns. If they are NPC's then it is not that much of a problem for you to run them.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
:)
I know. I was just not answering your question.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
See, I think the first chapter of the Overlook campaign was the bright, sunny, happy portion of the story-- 'cuz it had a kid in it, and Ty had to tone down the atmosphere of gloom and doom, didn't he?
What we're going through now is Ty's REAL campaign-- the meat of the story, as it were.
We're all doomed.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
The first chapter was cheery?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Compared to the rest of the story it will be. Days we look back on as our souls burn in hell.
Mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Two Wizards about town; The Sunmaster's Decision
Sa'id broods throughout the walk, but thoughts of how his comrades had saved him from death help to calm his paranoia somewhat. Learning that Farron was thinking along the same lines -- they couldn't make it back to the mountain without Rennik or another halfling warrior as a guide -- makes the necromancer more confident in himself, more secure. The Sunmaster's words, however, do not do much for Sa'id's state of mind. The lighthouse extinguished? Overlook was lost. If Garyth and the others had somehow been unable to reunite with the main force and had made for Overlook instead, they still would have been killed there. Without Nesalin's army, Overlook wouldn't have had a hope. Sa'id doesn't know enough to speculate further, and anyway the Sunmaster's proposal demands his attention...
Sa'id hesitates visibly before replying, trying to phrase what he is about to say as delicately as possible. "Sunmaster, I have some reason to believe that there has been at least one traitor within the White Hart, and that there are possibly more in other positions in or out of the White Hart still within the walls of this city. It is my suspicion that one of these traitors murdered Brother Cadfael. I am not certain how far we should let our knowledge and purpose stray from this room. If we are to present what we know to the Duke it must be to him and him alone. No one else can be trusted. If the Duke can give us men I will not deny that they are needed, but we must be careful not to divulge our precise purpose to them in case one is a traitor." He pauses. "It sounds... paranoid, I know. At the very least overly cautious. I hope my caution is unwarranted but I fear it is not."