<font color=skyblue>Turin

Turin ran over to Kalam and helped him get to his feet.

He shouted back at the old woman as he did so.

"Is this it? Is that all you had to do? I cannot believe this!"

He looked at Kalam and smiled.

"But lo! You have been recovered, young lord! This woman has removed from you a curse that had tainted your family for a long time. I have promised her that upon so doing, you would help her...for it seems that an ancestor of your's laid a vile curse upon this old mother that she may suffer for eternity in the flesh, never knowing the release of passing on. As I have promised her, will you now make things right and help out this woman who has been most generous to you? Then we can return to your city and take care of urgent business there."

Turin looked about at his comrades who had helped him get this far, saving the young Kalam's life. That is when he noticed Therlion on the ground.

"...Th...Therlion?...?"</font>

OOC>>>I will allow some others to catch up to the moment.

[ 01-11-2005, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color=orchid>Kalam Easthome

Still weak and barely out of unconsciousness Kalam could barely keep up with Turin's words. As he tried to get the meaning of them sorted out in his head he did not even hear or see Turin noticing Therlion on the ground. As he finally understood the meaning of Turin's words he fixed his eyes on the woman.

"So you are the one, because of whom our family has suffered for generations. Yet..."

But he was cut short by the woman.

</font>"I knew I couldn't trust the young human! I knew you wouldn't do it!" - she then turned to Turin and spoke a few words in a language unknown to everyone.

<font color=orchid>"As I was saying, you lifted your curse. For this I release you from the curse my ancestor laid upon you. May you rest..." - he had no chance to finish the phrase as with a terrible shreak the woman doubled over and started shaking. Less than ten seconds later she was dead, the curse which had held her alive gone.

"...in peace."

Kalam turned to Turin.

"My father is dead." - he pronounced simply.

"Were he still alive I would not have been able to withdraw the curse from this woman. Do you know how he died?"

Kalam still seemed not to notice Therlion's condition.</font>

<font color=skyblue>Turin

He had no idea what the old woman was babbling about just before she died after the curse had been lifted from her. At least she was gone now.

He felt a flush in his face when he heard Kalam ask the question. Yet, he was more concerned now with Therlion.

"We need to speak Kalam, but...but first I must see to Therlion."

He ran over to Therlion's body...

"He was poisoned as you were, and I fear that he may be in bad shape for it now."

He scooped up Therlion's head in his hand and raised it a little.

"Therlion? Are you able to speak? How bad is it? What can we do?"

He looked to the others...

"What can we do?"</font>

ooc>>sorry about my absence, life just took over. Re the knocking on the door thing, I would have been the one with the arrow nothced, if I had posted. Also, just assume that Adohorn has been tagging along and I will try and express some of his feelings.

<font color=#3300FF>Adohorn

Adohorn smiled as the old lady released the curse and Kalam awoke. He was glad this trek had been worthwhile, even though it only represented a fragment of his life, he knew it was important to others. She seemed interesting, and he may have had a talk with her about past times, but alas, she died too. The others seemed quite relieved of this though.

Turning, the ever observant Adohorn saw Therlion fall, saw him sweat, saw him grunt. He had seen something similar before, in a time long forgotten; a time when he was young, and the burdens of the world beared no weight upon him. Walking swiftly over, he bent down, kneeled before Therlion, blocking out the others' cries he motioned a hand Turin's way, asking for silence. He then put a hand on Therlion's chest and, closing his eyes, began to chant softly in his mother tongue - a soft soothing chant - while gently seeking out Therlion in his mind, trying to establish a link with the elf and guide him back to conciousness...

Through the swirling mist, the blackness, the emptiness, with only the lifeless darts of souls fleeing here and there, he searched. It was a dangerous place, forboding to the unsuspecting, and most deadly to all but the experienced among earth - a dabbler's nightmare. Adohorn saw a shimmer of light in the blackness, a tiny glimmer of hope. He pulled towards it, trying to grasp it, gently yet firmly.

Catching it he scooped it up, and sent a brief message into Therlions head, a thought, which he would sublimanally hear, not knowing from where it came, yet not recognizing it enough to challenge it. Return, you must return. You are needed. Do not linger, for you shall loose yourself within, a wasted soul...a wasted life. COME BACK. This last thought was stronger, and with that Therlion pulled himself out of the empty hole, for it was a dangerous place.

He looked up, althewhile keeping his hand on Therlion, waiting for him to recover, waiting for him to open his eyes.</font>

<font color=skyblue>Turin

Turin waited impatiently, hoping Adohorn could pull Therlion free from this illness. He remained silent and prayerful that the elf could make it back. </font>

For Turin:

As he stood there impatiently he could not help, but think about the woman's words directed at him. He could not comprehend their meaning, but he did not feel good about them. He had a feeling that the words contained great danger, but that he was not the one in danger. A feeling of unease slowly crept over Turin.

<FONT COLOR = dark grey>Janni

"An army of that size, and i'm supposed to kill one sole being? I'll need a good line of sight, a tower, maybe, or a window onlooking a street, when they next reach a town. Or, if they camp in a forest, a near by tree could do it. Come, let us move on, this journey is nearing it's end."

OOC: I'll try to roleplay Salphur quite evilly, to fit in character.

Salphur

The elf looked at Glurg with contempt in his eyes. This pathetic orc had messed up all his plans. Instead of easily slaughtering everyone in the city now he had to go after them. His master had made it clear that he wanted all of the inhabitants of the city dead and especially the adventurers. Salphur had been practicing his newly gained powers all during the dozens of miles his army had come and now he used them. Fear penetrated Glurg's heart although no visible source of it was available. Salphur was still looking at him with the same intense stare.

"You failed your mission orc. Suffer!"

Salphur's eyes suddenly turned red and Glurg collapsed to the ground in fear and then his heart just simply stopped. Himself amazed by the power he had just demonstrated Salphur looked around at the other orcs.

"Call the army! We march now!"

For Janni:

As you continue on down the hillside you see half a dozen orcs come from around the town and intersect the army's path. A minute later the army turns north and goes around the ruins of the town heading towards a forest, barely visible in the distance.

From the Silmarillion:

<font color=lightgrey>"But at the last the might of Valinor came out of the West, and the challenge of the trumpets of Eönwë filled the sky...and all the North was aflamed with war....The Balrogs were destroyed, save some few that fled and hid themselves in caverns inaccessible at the roots of the earth; and the uncounted legions of the orcs perished like straw in a great fire, or were swept like shrivelled leaves before a burning wind...Then, seeing that his hosts were overthrown and his power dispersed, Morgoth quailed, and he did not dare come forth himself. But he loosed upn his foes the last desperate assault he had prepared, and out of the pits of Angband there issued the winged dragons...But Eärendil came...and there was a battle in the air...The pits of Morgoth were broken and unroofed and the might of the Valar descended into the deeps of the Earth...There Morgoth stood at last at bay...Then he was bound with the chain Angainor...And the two Silmarils were taken from his crown."</font>

<u>How this affects the game:</u>

For Salphur:

You fall to your knees as inside your head you feel the death-shriek of your master, the balrog who had commanded the stronghold. He had been summoned by Morgoth and had died defending him. As soon as the assault of Angband started your army as if obeying a greater command stopped reacting to your will and they fled at all speeds. Most of them returned to help against the Valar, but some just fled for their lives. With the death of the one who gave you your power, most of your power is gone and it shall take time for it to come back.

For Janni:

You watch amazed as the army ahead of you disperses and after less than an hour only a solitary figure on horseback can be seen about three miles away.

For Roland and Hurlon:

You notice nothing of what is happening.

For Turin, Adohorn and Therlion:

You also do not notice anything of what has happened.

<font color=lightgreen>Roland

Roland came up to Harmeth, and looked around the fort and the sorrounding terrain to get a feel of the area. "Offcourse, I will help in any way I can." He waved for a man who obviously had a rank to come over, and started making suggestions for both him and Harmeth "Fifty archers on those two opposing cliffs would do well against a force in an approach this thin. Have them unhinge some boulders, to have them ready to be thrown at the enemy if they come in numbers." He looked into Harmeth's eyes, seeking approval of his recommendation, then continued to surmise the area. He remembered the path he took to get here, with a single rocky cliff at one side all the way. "I would post a look-out with a warning horn on a cliff three hours from here." Again, he turned to look around, sending a glance at Robyn and her hurt leg. Without a word of advice for the time being, he big his excuse to inspect the rest of the fort.</font>

<font color=skyblue>Turin

A doom tried to seep into the man's heart, and he pondered over the words of unknown meaning from the woman's heated outrage when she thought that Kalam was going back on the word to release her. Had she cursed him as she had promised? Would it really work, not that she was dead and not around to enforce it? He did not know how curses worked, but from seeing Kalam recover, he had become at least a believer.

He could do nothing for Therlion as he lay there, being healed or maybe not. He realized that he needed to confront the young lord about his father's passing.

He steadied himself and then turned to Kalam.

"I do not know if I am wrong for presenting this to you now, for I cannot judge your readiness to hear it. You only just recovered from a deadly vexation and are probably still too weak to have anything else handed to you. However, I must confess that it was I that laid your father in his grave. My dword brought him down, for he would have seen you and I both murdered. What I am saying is...I have taken your father's life that you may begin a new one as leader of your people."

Turin could think of nothing more appropriate to do than to kneel down in front of this man and humble himself before him.</font>

from when we reach the house:
<font color=orange>Keal gets in the bushes and waits, until he sees that Therloin has passed out out of nowhere, "Its the poison," Keal thinks, when he sees Kalam wake up, release the spell, and hear about his father's death. "So now all we have to do is return Kalam to the palace safely, right?"</font>

OOC: I wasn't expecting you back before the game ended Keal. The game ends in less than a week now (that is if Ross posts) and I haven't planned anything for your character. I'll try to think of something he has to do in the finale.

For Adohorn:

You sense that Therlion is somewhat less in his coma, yet he still needs your help to come out of it.

For Turin and Keal (Adohorn does not see any of this as he is too busy helping Therlion for the moment):

Kalam looked on silently at the kneeling Turin. Tears started to flow down his cheeks slowly. His voice was weak as he spoke.

<font color=orchid>"You did what you saw fit to be done. The people shall surely be relieved by the news. Yet..."</font>

His voice faded away and grief became visible in his eyes. Kalam fell to his knees and a pained shout came from his trembling mouth.

<font color=orchid>"Father! I loved you so much!"</font>

Kalam fell face forward to the ground and his body was shaken by sobs.

OOC: I'll control Skye's characters for the moment. I have no idea how she would have roleplayed them, so their actions shall not be too spectacular.

For Roland:

The fort is in between two rock faces, which form a V. The fort seals off most of the way, but there is an about ten foot hole in the outer wall where age and weather had damaged it. The intact parts of the outer wall are twelve feet high The outer wall is one hundred feet before the inner wall, which rises to a height of fifteen meters and a large gate leads into it and into the tower. The outer wall has no gate in it, but the ruins of a gate can be seen in a place where the wall has evidently been rebuilt. The hole in the outer wall is now used to enter it. The tower is four storeys high. At its base it is forty meters wide and at the top thirty-two. The lower level contains the armory and the soldiers mess hall. The second and third levels contain accomodations for three hundred soldiers, yet only two hundred and fifty are in the tower or on the walls at this time. The top level contains the officers accomodations as well as a room for the lord and his family.

Harmeth gives Roland, Robyn and Hurlon and the two silent ones (Skye's characters) accomodations in the officers rooms and herself after ordering a sentry with a horn to go out along the road withdraws to the room reserved for the Lord.

Deoradhain deposits his stuff in his room and then goes after the sentry to help him.

Layna after resting for about an hour remembers that Robyn is injured and goes to see her. Using her special healing abilities she fixes the wound so that Robyn is able to walk. Her leg will still be much weaker, but she is now able to walk.

<FONT COLOR= darkgrey> Janni

"One lone rider. That has to be him, and i suspect he's expecting me, why else would he be stood alone? Come, let's finesh this!" Janni starts to sprint off.

[ 01-16-2005, 07:12 AM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]

<font color=#3300FF>Adohorn

After waiting several minutes Adohorn knew that he hadn't managed to pull Therlion out of his coma, but he had stirred him somewhat. Channeling all his thoughts Therlion's way, Adohorn prepared for another attempt, putting his barriers back up - his only guard against his life's thoughts, he plunged back into that lifeless dangerzone in which any souls in time could be visited. He willed himself straight through the maze of empty thoughts, lost lives, and personal opinions and rattled against his new friends soul. Clinging to
it as if his life depended on such a thing he pulled it, sending loud thoughts to Therlion such as "Awake" and "Open your eyes, before you lose yourself in this deadly place." Putting one last final burst of his rapidly evaporating strength into one big pull, he shouted, COME BACK!!

With that Adohorn slumped over, hitting the ground aparently dead to the world. He had used his most precious strength on this one, never before had he dug so deep in himself for such a powerful shout. It would take him some hours to recover most likely, but it was apparent to the others that he wasn't dead, but very very weak.

If this didn't work, there was nothing else the great old elf could do. </font>

<font color=orange> Keal watches as Kalam begins to cry, not knowing what to say.</font>

<font color=skyblue>Turin

He kneels there, feeling terrible, yet knowing at the same time he did what had to be done for the benefit of all. Kalam's father had been an important strategic ally of Morgoth, and that alliance had to be shattered.

Just then, Turin heard something fall, and turned to see Adohorn collapse to the ground. Therlion was unchanged in his condition.

Turin hurried over to Adohorn and checked him, ensuring he was alright. He supposed that the poor elf had worked hard for Therlion's sake, and had exausted himself. He stood up and looked down at his two friends, then over at Kalam who was still down, mourning his father.

The evil of Morgoth held so much power over so many people's lives...sometimes not even directly.

He did not know what else to do for anyone. He looked over at Keal who was at least on his feet, for no calamnity had befallen everyone just yet. He wondered if anyone one would make it forward from here. Afterall, so much work was yet to be done. Now that the human settlement had been secured, it was now the job of this team to get Kalam back to his city and finalize everything there...and then start out toward Morgoth's lair again...this time wiht the knowledge that they had to assist in its breaching. His elves had done a magnificient job at locating secrets of that place, and now it was time to get back to work. Yet he could do nothing with half his team on the ground.

It would get dark soon, so Turin set out to locate some firewood and sent Keal into the old woman's house to clean it up a little. With her now gone, he figured that there would be no problem camping out in her house this night. When the firewood was gathered, he and Keal carried the bodies of the two elves into the house and found soft bedding for each of them.</font>

OOC>>>I don't even know who else is with me anymore. Keal is back, so I referenced him. Is that all there were?

OOC: there is also one guard, who is loyal to Kalam.

The guard knelt down and comforted his lord, who after about ten minutes got up and wiped his tears, he then went into the house and together with the guard carried the body of Therlion in.

[ 01-16-2005, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

<font color=orange> Keal sets down Adohorn, and notices the guard and Kalam walk in, "Are you alright? Do you need anything?"</font>

<font color=orchid>Kalam Easthome

"All I need at the moment is privacy." - he said. He then motioned to the guard to take care of the two unconscious elves.

During several minutes Kalam sat silently staring intently at the wall. He then motioned to Turin to sit down next to him.

"If my father is dead, the people then need me. I have to leave now for the town. Will you come with me? The others could follow once the elves can be moved."</font>

<font color=skyblue>Turin

"Of course, sir. It has been my mission from the start to make your city a safe place again, and I have not yet finished this task until you are sitting in your rightful place. I am ready to go when you are. My companions can follow when they recover. We all still have so much work to do, but I need them well rested before we begin." </font>

For Turin:

<font color=orchid>"I have to go as soon as possible. Yet we shall have to take one of the elves with us, since Jerran </font>(OOC: the guard)<font color=orchid> and Keal would not manage the two elves alone. I'd ask you to carry Therlion first, since my strength is but returning. Later in the journey I shall share the burden with you if the elf does not regain consciousness. The others are free to come with us, or to follow at some later tim if they need rest."</font>

Jerran stepped forward.

"I shall do whatever you order my lord, yet I am tired from having brought you up here. I need rest. Therefore I think it would be better if I and Keal remain behind with Adohorn and move out in the morning."

<font color=orchid>"Very well Jerran. Rest then. Turin I'm ready when you're ready."</font>

<font color=orange> "Alright then, good luck." Keal turns to Jerran and says,"You can rest, I'll stay up and keep watch."</font>

OOC: let's make this a bit more indicative for Salphur and Janni.

Salphur did not move as he awaited the two elves who were running at him. About two hundred meters away from him the elves slowed and regained their breath walking the rest of the distance.

The elf next to Janni turned to Janni upon clearly seeing Salphur.

"He is the one. I wish you luck in this combat. Should you need help call me."

He then left Janni to walk alone forward to confront Salphur himself staying about ten meters behind Janni.

<font color=silver>Therlion

A quiet call for his name echoed through the endless black void. Therlion tried to hear it better, to open himself up to the call, but it muffled and was no more. A moment later, the call cme louder, a shout. Therlion focused on it, and let it be his guide, but something was happening. Trying to free himself of the void, Therlion pulled the callr inside as well. A flash of emotions and images swept over Therlion, untill he finally realised who called him. It was Adohorn. Adohorn also suffered the images that were traded, but what Adohorn saw were the visions Therlion had in this black expanse. Yet the visions were too fast, changed chaotically. Turin fell off a cliff, and in the air turned into Keal, who turned into Therlion to recieve a ring, then to Harmeth, and to Turin's heir, sitting in a chair. Through active effort, both Therlion and Adohorn escaped the blackness of Therlion's torpor. Therlion violently shook for a moment and opened his eyes wide, as if waking from a nightmare. Too weak to speak, he just turned to Adohorn still unconcious, and made a look saying thank you</font>

[ 01-17-2005, 11:49 AM: Message edited by: Bozos of Bones ]

<font color=skyblue>Turin

"Very well, Lord Kalam."

Turin noted that Therlion had roused from his tormented unconsciousness, and was grateful.

"Come on, friend. Let's get you back on the road. We have a journey to fulfil."

Turin hefted the very light elf up and made his way to the door, waiting on Kalam to open it for him.</font>

OOC>>>Where is my horse? Was it not one of the only ones to live after that attack?

OOC: Good question about the horse. Must admit it totally slipped my mind. Let's suppose it was unable to come up the last stretch of the mountain and had to be left about half a mile lower down. Therlion shall only have to be carried that distance then.

<font color=#3300FF>Adohorn

Adohorn seemed to smile back at Therlion, possibly a sign of recognition, a connotation that he could sense this through his mind? Only Therlion would know. But he was too weak to stand yet, so turning over, he grumbled and slept with the silence that only an elf could hold. It would likely be a long sleep.</font>

edit to close font tag.

[ 01-17-2005, 05:24 PM: Message edited by: RoSs_bg2_rox ]

<FONT COLOR = darkgrey>Janni

Janni said nothing to the elf, but he stopped walking. He took the bow from his back, and drew an arrow.
He pulled it back, and let it fly towards his target. He tilted his head back and spoke,
"I'm not sure if this is going to hit or not, i intend this to test my range. These aren't my favourite conditions, i would have prefered to take a shot from on high, a single arrow, he would have no idea i was even there. You chose a poor battleground for me, but he must get close to kill, i can still fire from afar. That's my advantage."
Janni stood back, and watched the arrow whizz through the air. </FONT>


[EDITE]ed for ease of reading.

[ 01-18-2005, 01:26 PM: Message edited by: TheGodThatFailed ]

Salphur

Salphur although weakened and powerless, easly moved aside as he watched the arrow fly past.
Salphur began to get angry could feel rage build up inside him, he had things to do and this measly elf was standing in his way.
Sword drawn, Salphur slowly started to walk towards his enemy. The area, although not perfect would not allow his enemy to hide easily, and it was obvious that his assailant prefered ranged combat, and this could be used to his advantage. As he moved towards him, he almost forgot that his powers had left him and this may not be as easy as he thought, though he was thirsty for a kill after travelling so long.
His master was dead, and he no longer had an objective, but this elf would make for some light entertainment he thought.

<FONT COLOR= darkgrey> Janni

Janni looked pleased. "Hmm, i'm in range." he mumbled to himself. He knew that he might not be able to take him out from a distance and it might come to a swordfight, so he stood level with his companion, ready to use him as a meat shield. Janni let another arrow fly into the wind towards Salphur. </FONT>

Kalam, Turin and Therlion set off for the town with Therlion being carried by Turin's horse. The way ahead of them was hard, but the evil, which had roamed the world was greatly weakened and no opposition hindered them.

Keal and Jerran watched over the weakened Adohorn during the whole night. In the morning Keal went outside for fire wood, and he was never again seen alive by anyone. It was half a day that Jerran found his badly broken body at the bottom of a ravine. Adohorn had by then gathered some strength and together they buried Keal under rocks, where the wolves could not reach him. Then they too set off after Kalam and the others.

Roland, Hurlon, Feldorn and the others at the small fort expected a battle, but the battle never came to them. Yet this news was going to take several days to reach them, so they continued the preparations for a defense until their last.

Salphur and Janni fought an epic battle at the end of which an arrow from Janni struck Salphur in the chest, but the quickly weakening fallen ranger managed to stab Janni in the stomach. Darkness descended on both of them and they knew no more.

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<center><font color="black" size="+2"> <u>Ending Credits</u>


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<font color=black>I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, who participated in this game (yes that even includes Xen, although I don't think I'll take him in another game). Some did not make it to the end and others joined in later, but everyone contributed in some form to the game.

The biggest thanks go to Larry and Bozos, who together helped keep this game going in its most inactive times and who are the only ones, who made it to the end and were there at the beginning.

I'd like to thank the starting out players: Mistral, Sythe, The Fallen One and Terias for trusting a starting out dm with being able to run a game, which was possibly too ambitious.

A thank you goes to Skye also for at least having made her characters. I'm looking forward to possibly having you in some of my later games.

Ross, Hivetyrant, Intrepid, Morgan_Corbesant, Keal and The God That Failed I would also like to thank as with their arrival the game managed to go on.

I learnt a lot from this first dm-ing experience and I am sure that some of the players also learnt of this game as on IW it was the first they participated in.

I am thinking about a possible sequel, but I am unsure when it will start and whether I shall have the time to run it. There is going to be an immediate sequel, but that is only for Bozos, Larry and me and shall be the finishing of unfinished business from the game, including the romances.</font>

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