<font color="lime"> Aye 'tis a mighty artifact, and one with great potential to destroy the unwise weilder, I have done a great deal of research on the matter and know that the stone can be used in an ancient arcane ritual long thought lost, but known to a few select priests of Oghma one of whom I studied under as a youth, he ensured my education was complete in this and many other matters.

He told me of many ways in wich it can be used and how it's power can be properly harnessed, although none have known it's location in a score milennia, I hope to unearth it, and with it use it in the holy quest to rid the ironworks of the maliscious power that is the Mod Mage, even here I dare not speak his name, for such a thing can draw his attention as well as his wrath towards the speaker. I will not speak of the rituals to be used as I know not who you ally yourself with and I've given you too much information without recieving an assurance of your good faith. </font>

"I see" came the tentative response from the Shadowed figure. "Well then I shall aid you in this venture, with 2 things. One I know the location of the lost Stone of H'rrrk A'ckm'Yh'Ead. I shall give you give you directions on how to get there and aid you in retieveing this stone, when the time comes. The only paulty thing I ask in return is that retun to me an artifact that was stolden from my possession years ago, and is currently in the same location as the stone, The Firestaff of Aunagar the Black. You will also find another item there that may be useful in the destruction of the modding mage, that being the Mithral Chain of Woe. What say you to my generous offer?"

"I'll join, just as long as it isn't a trap". Jorlon says in a firm voice.

"Aye, that sounds good enough for me" StoneRcok agrees.

"That sounds reasonable" Khadgar says.

The stone lies among the hoard of Balagos the Flying Flame. The shadowed figure crooks a finger, the end of a spell. Information on the dragon fills the party's minds. They know this will not be an easy task. But they are resolved to the completion of it.
OOC: go here for info on the dragon: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.a...r/fx20020130wn
OC:"Here take my familiar Socramedes with you."
The owl flies down and lands on a branch near the party. The shadowed figure seems to gesture towards it. "He will serve as a guide, a scout, and a link between you and me. When you are in need I will know and I will come to you. Defeating this powerful dragon has been the goals of many a band of brave adventurers. None of them have survived, that are sane. I will give you one last thing which may help you along the way. Out of the shadows seems to stretch a hand, a human hand, holding a ring, and a potion case" The adventurers walk tentatively forward and take the items, and the hand disappears back into the ball of shadows. "This ring will allow one of you to cast a blizzard at the beast, on the command work 'Noctyhur'. The potion case is filled with several potions of extra healing, and a resistance to fire potion for each of you. I must be off now, but I will come back again when you need me." The shadowed figure speaks a command word and disappears, teleported to an obscure location far away.
"But we didnt even get your name. . ." somone in the party mumbles as he disappears.
The owl hoots in a distinct fashion that sounds like laughter, then flies to a spot high up in the trees overlooking the campsite and the surrounding coutryside.

[ 04-07-2002, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

"I wonder what the strange man's name is," mumbled Rufus. Just then Socramedes the owl suddenly flew towards Rufus and perched on his shoulder. He smiled and stroked the owl.

"The owl likes you," commented Sir Morgeruat.

"There's just one thing that worries me," said Khadgar. "If there can be one eavesdropper around, there can be others -- who might have less than well-meaning intentions, unlike the one we just met."

"Perhaps we should come to my underground home to spend the night," replied Rufus. "My master surrounded our dwelling completely with a magical screen to ensure that none from outside could intrude or spy upon us by magical means. He had to do that because much of the magical knowledge contained in our tomes would simply be too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands. So once we're at my home, we'll be safe from all eavesdropping. And when we set out on the morrow, my master will also know how to screen us from all spies on our journey."

"Yup, that's Magnus all right," said Khadgar. "Always the super-cautious type."

"Dear friend," said StoneRock to Rufus, "all that sounds very well, but d'ya know what time of the night it is now? Are ya gonna ask us to travel all the way to yer place at this time?"

"We don't have to travel there," replied Rufus. "I can gate all of us there -- including the steeds. It's a very big place -- there'll be ample room for all of us."

"All right, then," said Sir Jorlon. "Let's go!"

**************************************************

In a large room with stone walls, eight figures appeared -- Sir Morgeruat, Sir Jorlon, Rufus, Khadgar, StoneRock, Socramedes the owl, and two steeds. (ooc: SecretMaster, your character has a steed too, right? [img]smile.gif[/img] )

"Welcome to my home!" said Rufus happily. "Here is -- "

All of a sudden a strange creature sprang upon Rufus from a dark corner. The two landed on the floor, all wrapped together and tumbling about. The strange creature seemed half human and half canine, with shiny black fur all over its body and strongly built like Rufus himself, wearing nothing but what appeared to be some kind of harness. Sir Morgeruat, Sir Jorlon and StoneRock all readied their weapons and Khadgar began to whisper a spell, but with the two being tangled together it was difficult to aim and they were afraid to hurt Rufus by accident instead. Then again, it seemed the beast's intention was not to hurt Rufus...

"He won't hurt me, he only wants to play!" said Rufus to the party as he continued to grapple with the creature. "Don't hurt him."

At length Rufus broke free. "Sit!" he said to the creature in a tone of annoyance, pointing a finger at it. The creature growled and bared its fangs.

"Fenric... not sit!" defied the beast. "Fenric... play!"

"Fenric?" said Sir Morgeruat.

"My master's... experiment," replied Rufus, panting and looking very annoyed as he dusted himself. "He was once a wolf but my master is attempting by degrees to turn him eventually into a complete human being. The stupid beast always likes to wrestle with me."

"Yet another reason why you're so strong," said Sir Jorlon with a smile.

"Sure," replied Rufus, "but frankly I --"

Suddenly Fenric dashed towards Rufus again, snatching one of his boots before dashing off with the boot between its teeth, leaving Rufus with one foot bare. "Give me back my boot!" yelled Rufus angrily. He ran towards Fenric and a tug-of-war ensued with Rufus attempting to pull his boot free from the beast. Khadgar, StoneRock and Sir Jorlon giggled.

"Fenric," said a voice, "return the boot."

Everyone turned in the direction of the voice. There stood a tall, gaunt man with long, white hair and beard, dressed in blue robes with runes sewn in gold at the trimmings.

"Master Magnus!" cried Rufus.

(Here's roughly how I picture Fenric -- in case anyone's interested. :D )

[ 04-08-2002, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]

Meanwhile back in his hidden lair. Dantes sorts through spell components and magic items of all shapes sizes and varieties. Dantes think back to his last encounter with Bagalos. The one where he lost the firestaff. He remembers he was attacked by minions of Balagos, and while they distracted him. Balagos attacked from behind. Contingency spells triggered and he would have died had it not been, for his clones on standby. Well this time he would be ready, he wouldnt be attacked from behind, and this time he was twice as powerful as before. Yes, this time the outcome would be different. He hoped. . . .

[ 04-08-2002, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

<font color="lime"> Greeting good sir mage, I am Sir Morguerat I would like to thank you for your hospitality towards us this night, I appreciate your safe haven and the protection it offers from the One Who Must Not be Named.

Sir Morguerat bows deeply, stifling a chuckle brought about by the continuing tug of war match which Rufus was apparently losing an inch at a time.

{aside}to Rufus I do hope you have another pair of boots Rufus, you'll need them by the time you finish with Fenric there. I must ask Magnus, is there a location here where I might stable Clonin? He is much more to me than a simple mount, he has bound himself to me by the gods of virtue to serve me and I can do no less for him than ensure he has the best care.

And if it's possible I would greatly appreciate a chance to practice with my swords, I fear I've been neglecting my practice drills recently, altho the lack of an opponent of sufficient skill to make the challenge worth while may be to blame for that... at any rate I should like a chance to use both of my blades and feel out Spirit Burner and discover how well it will complement Crysomer.
With that the huge paladin withdrew both swords, nearly as long as he was tall and each seemingly a reflection of the other, and yet the hugely muscled (he had seemed much less impressive a few hours before) paladin carried them as if they were naught but daggers, one in each hand. giving his companions a sense that his prowess was much greater than one would assume. </font>

OOC: I'll explain his "growth" in a subsequent post.

[ 04-09-2002, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

ooc:can't wait for the growth explanation. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="lime"> The magicks he gained from his service to the mod mage have granted Sir Morguerat a strange power, as he never knowingly tapped into the vast resevoir offered him it found other ways to manifest. The only one not immediately stopped when it manifested was a temporary growth that granted the knight increased strength for a time but left him nearly helpless after it ended, usually at an unpredictable and often dangerous time. It's coming was usually heralded by a stressful event like an overcharged adrenaline rush.

Such is the nature of many dark powers though, they serve you well while you're succeeding and then flee when the going gets tough.</font>

Magnus looking at the still ongoing struggle between Rufus and Fenric, allowed himself a belly laugh before looking at Sir Morguerat and showing him to a well kept stable where Clonin and the other mounts would be well tended, He then Showed the Paladin a training arena where he could fight a few golems and other magical constructs that would keep his skills at a razors edge.

<font color="lime"> After about 20 minutes of battling a stone golem Sir Morguerat's increased size vanished, leaving him gasping for air in the dirt of the arena floor, his weapons lying on the ground next to him.

The Golem having no concept of mercy and only it's orders to provide a good workout for the paladin continued the battle. It kicked him solidly in the ribs sending the helpless knight flying to land in a crumpled heap in the center of the arena, and still the construct came on determined to make the fight a good one.</font>

"Once again I cannot thank you enough Rufus, for your kind hospitality." Says Sir Jorlon, "But i do need some rest." As he walks by the arena, he tosses Sir Morguruat a healing potion. "You may need that." he yells.