Dark cloudes cover the magical kingdom of Faerl Rhal'ndiy Imladris since the dissapearance of the Noble queen Lioness and her court.
But the spirit of the court lived on in its noble members and one of them is just now entering the small town of Rilynt'tar.

Slowely the door of the Inn swings open and a lightly armored Paladin enters the room.
Innkeeper: Another traveler? This must be my lucky day! I mean, welcome M'lord. What can I get you?
Dreamer: I take it you still have a room available?
Innkeeper: I have a dozen rooms available, I don't get much travelers these days.
Dreamer: I know, the roads arent as safe as they once where.
Innkeeper: *Painfull smile, I know all to well. I used to get dozens of travelers each day, merchants and adventurers. That was when the Queens knights still guarded the countryside.
'Sir Dreamer', a cold voice comming from the other side of the room turns the head of both the Innkeeper and the Paladin.
At a table in the corner of the room sits a small man with a skin so pale you can almost see through it. He wears simple clothes, a dark blue cloak and a plain tunic. Yet it is obvious that this man is no ordinary traveler.
Dreamer: Neb?! I certainly wasnt expecting to see you in a place like this!
Neb: Bah, does it matter anymore? This place is as good as any other.
Dreamer: I havent seen you since the day you transported us out of that ambush.
Neb: The day the queen died...
Dreamer: How can you be so sure that she is dead? You should have taken her with us anyway!
Neb: Even my power is limited, I transported as many persons out of there as possible.
Dreamer: You did all you could I suppose.
Neb:But it didnt really matter did it. We might as well have died there.
Dreamer: Don't be ridiculas, why do you say that?
Neb: There is nothing left to fight for, didnt you see what happened to the lands?
Innkeeper: He is right m'lord. I still remember the days when you could travel from east to west withoud an armed escort. It seems far away however. These days, brigands and undead roam the woods and no traveler is safe anymore. And then there are the rumors about the dark horde. Word is they have left the mountains and are looting the lands west of here. Its only a matter of time before they reach our lands. And who will protect us? The Queen is gone, the court is gone, and the knights are gone. We are doomed.
Neb: Listen to the man Dreamer, he is right. Come, sit down and have a drink with me. There is no hope.
Dreamer: Hope didnt die with the queen Neb, there is still time!
Neb: What do you propose we do then?
Dreamer: There are still many good man and woman out there who are willing to fight for this land. All we have to do is find them. We shall restore the court, and restore law and order to the lands.
Neb: I suppose we could try, for old times sake then?
Dreamer: No my friend, for the future.
Neb: Very well then! Where shall we start?
Dreamer: In the capital, we shall ask the dwarven builder guild to rebuild Castle Kerhelm.
Neb: Lets do it then!
*Start walking towards to door.
Innkeeper: Where are you going? The roads arent safe at night!
Dreamer: Don't worry, we can handle ourselves.

A journey of a thousand mile starts with a single step, can two man really change the future of Faerl Rhal'ndiy Imladris? Perhaps you are the savior of the lands. Just write yourself in [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]</p>

Neb, mightiest Psionic in the kingdom, capable of bending reality with his thoughts, travelling in time, frying his opponents minds or send them flying.

Wielder of the Valkyrie Blade, a mighty two-handed Great Scimitar with a limited intelligence and carved with runes of the greatest arcane power.

He has been described as both evil and good, cold in his actions yet loyal to his friends.

Appearing to have no other purpose than to rebuild Castle Kerhelm and reassemble it's court, does this person have another agenda? A secret purpose? Only the future will tell....

(OOC: Just a quick description of my char [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

*Goignar! Have are ye comin with dem planks? You have to hurry, boyo, else we won't finish in time!*
Regin went back to plaining the planks he did have..
It was a dull job, but it was the only one he could get..
He looked up at the sun..
Perhaps if he told the town that he was one of the old Knights, then he might get a more worthy job!
But no..those times were gone..he didn't want to revive them again..
And the leaders of the dwarven building guild were kind and generous employers..
He picked up a bunch of planks and started walking towards the construction-site..
It was going to be a house for the mayor..
He knew that just thinking of the times of Castle Kerhelm would ruin his sleep that night..he would lie and remember, just like he always did..
But he couldn't stop himself, where had all the old knights gone?
He knew Neb was somewhere in the area, but no one had seen him for years..
But the rest, only the gods knew..
He missed those days, they were happy days, filled with adventure and friends..
But that was a long time ago..he shaked his head, trying to shake the thought out as well..
Goignar grabbed his shoulder
*Do ye wanna come to the pub tonigh, Regin, and have an ale with us?*
*Aye..sure*
He'd much rather have one with the old knights though..and the queen..

OOC>Regin's a dwarven cleric, if you don't remember, and he now works at the dwarven building guild in the town, if you have trouble reading [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 01-31-2002: Message edited by: Sir ReGiN ]</p>

A few hours later, in the middle of the night.

Neb: Are you sure we are going the right way?
Dreamer: Well, its a bit too dark to look on my map isnt it?
Neb: *Puts a dead tree on fire.
Dreamer: *Looks at his map. Well, there should be a crossroad not far from here. We'd better be carefull however, its the perfect place for an.....( A loud scream interups him, followed by the sound of steel on steel)
Neb: Ambush!
Dreamer: Bandits must have attacked a merchant convoy! *Draws his blade. Lets move!

Neb unsheathes the Valkyrie and teleports directly into the fray, he slows the passage of time down for him so it appears to anyone that he's moving extremely quickly, while he is in fact moving at normal speeds.

He lashes out with the Valkyrie and cuts down a bandit, he disembowels another and gives a third a whack with the flat side of his blade, knocking him unconscious.

Dreamer arrives on the scene just after Neb and sees at least twenty bandits charging at a convoy of half a dozen cars. Most of the guards are already dead or wounded but there are still a few left. As soon as he is spotted, three bandits break off and attack him.

Dreamer: *Drinks potion of teleportation.
Bandit: A knight! Kill him fast, lest the other take all the loot!
Bandit(2): Hehehe, don't move and you will go quick and painless.
Dreamer: *Dissapears
Bandit(2):What the..?!
Dreamer: Suddenly stands behind the first attacker, *knocks him on the head with the hilt of his blade.
Bandit(3): Damn you! You'll pay for this! *Swings his bastard sword.
Dreamer: *Dodges attack and attacks with his two-handed sword.
Bandit(3): Argh!
Bandit(2): *Turns around and runs in the direction of the woods.
Dreamer: *Lifts his throwing axe. This will be the last convoy you robbed, today you meet judgement!
Dreamer: *Throws axe and splits the bandits head in two, then turns and runs towards the convoy.

As Dreamer approaches the convoy, he hears a scream echo from within. He is startled, the scream sounded feminine, but usually bandit convoys like this only took goods, not women for slaves or wives. He battles his way through more bandits hoping to reach the woman trapped within.

Suddenly a figure is knocked out of one of the cars. A bandit leaps down behind the person, his sword drawn and ready. With a quick roll, the stranger-it is cloaked too heavily to be discerned as male or female-narrowly avoids the rogue's blade. Gasping, the cloaked figure scurries back, graspiong about for a weapon, but trips and lands a few yards from Dreamer's feet.

He rushes over to the sprawled person, and as it rolls over, wide, long-lashed green eyes stare up at Dreamer. He gasps.

It can't be...she is dead...

OOC: Lady Lioness is a dexterous Kensai, with knowledge of a few simple spells as well. She is a young elf, having inherited the lands at age 13. She has a high dexterity to make up for lower strength and intelligence, and, of course, red hair. ;)

Blinded by rage Dreamer charges at the bandits. A minut later, six of them have been killed while the others are running for the woods.
Dreamer: Blasted! She is dead! Our queen was returned to us, only to be taken again. I am no longer able to heal her, but perhaps there is a cleric powerfull enough to resurect her in the city.
*Throws the corps over his shoulder.
We should leave at once. Neb, where are you?
Suddenly a barrel opens and Nebs heads commes out. Neb: Uh, I was just making sure that no bandits where hiding here. But you are right, we should head for the capital at once.

(OOC: Please don't RP my character, Neb isn't cowardly.)

"I'll scout ahead in case there are any more ambushes." Said Neb and became a blur as he headed off down the road, using his powers to move at insane speeds.

Very well, *Drinks potion of speed and runs towards the city.

Half an hour later at the south gate of Faneadar, the nations capital.

Guard: Hold! Who goes there at this hour?!
Dreamer: Sir Dreamer, knight of the crown.
guard: Hold it! Whats that over your shoulder?
guard(2): Bloody hell! Its a freak'n corpse!
Dreamer: Wait a sec, thats the queen. I'm just trying...
guard:*Grabs his crossbow
Dreamer: Sorry your highness, *throws Lioness body' towards the guard, then quickly turns around and hits the second guard in his face.
Guard: Damned! *Aims his crossbow at dreamer.
Dreamer: Hits the guard in his face with the hilt of his sword.
Guard: Ugh!
Dreamer: Those two are going to be very pissed when they wake up, *picks up Lioness and enters the city.
Dreamer: Ok, first to the nearest temple and then to the dwarven guild house. I wonder where Neb is?

*Have ye seen the new waitress?* Goignar said with a big smile and nudged Regin in the side..
*Aye she's fine* Regin said and continued staring in the table, he hadn't touched his ale..
*What's wrong Regin?* Forgir (another dwarven builder) said and put his hand on Regin's shoulder..
*Nothing, nothing! I be a bit a tired, that's all* Regin said and gave a faint smile..
The others seemed to be satisfied with this answer and continued drinking and laughing..
Regin started looking at the table again..
Why couldn't he stop thinking of the old queen??

OOC>He's in the local pub..

OOC> Regin, are we supposed to meet you in the pub or the Guild?

A few minuts later in the temple of Talos.
Dreamer: Can you help her father?
Priest: She is almost beyond saving my son! It will take at least eight hours of praying and I can't offer any garanties.
Dreamer: *Hands the priest a fist full of goldpieces.
Priest: Did I say eight hours? I meant eight seconds [img]smile.gif[/img] *Begins casting.
*Suddenly Lioness opens her eyes.
Dreamer: Your highness! Are you alright?

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dreamer128:
[QB]OOC> Regin, are we supposed to meet you in the pub or the Guild?

QB]<hr></blockquote>

That's entirely up to you [img]smile.gif[/img]
I just wanted to give you multiple options ;) [img]smile.gif[/img]

It all seemed so blurry...like a dream...faces wavered before her eyes, slipping in and out of reality. She heard voices, whispers of 'My Queen!' Slowly the world came into focus, gently settling around her. One man stood over her, his face anxious. 'Dreamer?' she whispered. 'It...you...where am I???'

Dreamer: The temple of Talos M'lady, how are you feeling?
Priest: Ahem! She is bleeding on my clean floor and there are more customers waiting, move along please.
Dreamer: *Lifts Lioness of the ground, C'mon your highness. Lets find an Inn where you can get some rest and regain some of your strenght.

A few minuts later in the 'Burning Ale Inn':

With the exception of a few drunken dwarves the room was empty, the stench of beer and vomit was almost more then he could take, but at least the place looked safe.

Dreamer: You there! Innkeeper!

The Innkeeper was a little man, he had the face of a frog but the eyes of a rat. He's clothes where dirty and he had a look that seemed to cut right through you.

Dreamer: I want a room for me a my companion as well as a hot meal.
Innkeeper: Most certainly good sir, unfortunatly we are completly full.

That was one of the oldest tricks from the book, the Inn didnt look like it had had many customers lately.

Dreamer: Full?!
Innkeeper: Indeed, but this is your lucky day, the Royal suite is still available!
Lioness: I see *cough*, and what is this suite going to cost us?
Innkeeper: Such noble company as the two of you can have it for free of course.

Of course? This guy would probably sell his mother if he could make profit out of it. Something was wrong here but I wasnt in a position to turn his offer down.

Dreamer: Very well, we accept your generous offer. Can you bring the food to our room?
Innkeeper: *Smiles. Of course M'lord, I will see to it right away.

Regin: Hey! Can I get another ale here?
Innkeeper: Shut your mouth dwarf! Can't you see I'm busy? Go bother the waitresses.

OOC> Regin, we are at the pub. Can you write yourself in?

Neb walked down the streets, weaving in and out through the crowds, he knew where Dreamer and the Lady were, but at the moment he was looking for something else....

OOC>Sorry, haven't been on alot lately [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

IC>*'Bout time*, Regin said as the waitress gave him his beer..
He drank up, grabbed his friend Giror and said:
*I think I'm going home!*, he then fell to the ground..
The dwarves laughed at him for his lack of alcohol-tolerance (he had ONLY had ten pints ;) and then helped him up..
Giror, who was a bit more concerned, said; *Can ye make it home, regin?*, since Regin lived a long way from the bar..
*Dunnae know..*, then he fell asleep on the floor..
*Barkeep, can I put my friend in one of the rooms? He'll pay in the morning!)
*Aye, sure..just make sure he does!*, the barkeep replied..
And so Giror carried Regin up the stairs to one of the room..
*There ya go, see ya next week!*
And then he left, leaving Regin sleeping on the bed...

A few hours later, Regin woke up, to the sound of some drunks fighting downstairs..
He decided to go check it out, and noticed a door down the hall was open..
He went to check it out, since he was still a bit fussy after the beer..
He peered inside, inside the room was an armed man staring out the window, and on the bed was a beatiful woman, snoring like a drunk wood-cutter..
He decided it was best to walk away, but as he did thee floor creaked, and the paladin rose immiediatly with his sword half drawn..
It was then it struck the dwarf..
*D-D..Dreamer?*, he said with a faint voice..
He look at the woman on the bed..
*It can't be true!*, he said and then turned to Dreamer.
*What are ye doing here?*

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Sir ReGiN ]</p>

Dreamer: Regin?! What a pleasant suprise!
Regin: Indeed it is, I thought.....

Before the dwarf could finish his sentance however, the door bursted open. Before me stood two of the most horrible creatures I had ever layed eyes on. They wore black cloaks and where of about the same size as me.
These figurs however had no eyes,nose, mouth or any other facial features. They didnt say anything but the swords in their hands spoke for themselves. Not to my suprise, the Innkeeper was standing behind them.

Innkeeper: Remember, you must keep at least 51% of their body's intact for me to claim the reward!

Reward? What was going on here?

Faceless one: *Turns around and plants his blade in the Innkeepers chest, then turns around and attacks the party.
Dreamer: At them Regin! I'll take the one on the left, you take the one on the right!

[ 02-06-2002: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]</p>

Regin, who was unarmed, ran into the room and grabbed a chair, which he then used to throw at one of the creatures..
It didn't seem to have any effect..
*Do ye have a knife, Dreamer?* Regin shouted, and Dreamer threw him a short sword..
*Now we're talking!*
He ran at the creature with full strentgh and ran his sword in it's stomach..
But the creature just laughed and managed a great blow on the poor dwarf's head (lucky thing that dwarves always sleep with their helmets on ;) ), Reegin backed up..
The creature followed him into the room, still laughing..
Regin hands started sparkling...the creature looked in terror as Regin's hands started moving faster and faster..
Then it shot out a lightning bolt which hit the creature with tremendous power..
It fell to the ground, gasping for air..
Soon, it didn't have to..it had a short sword stuck in it's eye..

OOC>gotta go..can't write more [img]smile.gif[/img]

These creatures where both tough and fast, not my favorite combination. Since Regins attacks didnt have much effect I was basicly on my own against these two fighting machines. I realised our greatest hope was probably that Neb would find us in time, I was just thinking of a way to warn him when I heard a voice in my head.
'Give us the female, Paladin, and you and the dwarf may live'.
Psychic powers, scary, but perhaps there was a change that Neb would pick this up. I decided to take a gamble and direct all my iner power to my hands.

Dreamer: Eat this, creep!
Dreamer: Holy bolt: Faceless one.

The more evil they are, the more damage the bolt does. The effect however, suprised even me. The creature I hit exploded before my eyes, and the remains vanished into thin air. Now it was two against one.

Neb walked calmly into the room where Dreamer and Regin were fighting the last Faceless One, Neb stood calmly in the doorway while the two distracted it, a minute or two later Neb moved towards it.

Everyone in the room could feel the static electrical charge which made their hair stand on end, a faint aura could be seen around Neb's hand as he brushed it across the creatures back.

The static discharge and the resulting thunderclap knocked everyone besides Neb away from the Faceless One which became a charred corpse.

Neb winced as he looked at his fingers which had become blistered and burnt.

"So, what's been happening?" he asked Dreamer.

Dreamer: My thanks for your timely intervention Neb. It would seem these unfresh figurs where looking for the queen. Are you alright Regin?
Regin: Aye, I'm fine. Now what?
Dreamer: We will continue as planned. We will head for the dwarven builders guild as soon as the queen has recovered. I just hope they'll be prepared to rebuild castle Kerhelm.

*So that's what you two have in mind, aye? Re-building the castle?
Well, as a matter of fact, I be a worker at the builder's guild..
And I think everybody will volunteer with the building, trust me!*
He suddenly started blinking, and then he sat down hard on the floor..
*Phew, guess I still haven't gotten that ale out of me systems, aye!*, he said with a smile..
*How about we seek out a place to sleep and get some rest, we'll probarbly have a busy day tomorrow..*

Dreamer: Sounds like a plan, I'm sure the Innkeeper wont object to us taking some extra rooms to compensate for the discomfort.
Regin: Hehehe *To the Innkeepers corpse: You don't have a problem with that do you?
Dreamer: Go get some rest, I'll be here to guard the Queen in case you need me.

"I'll be around..." Said Neb and disappeared out through the door and into the streets of the city.

A day later...

"I'm ready to go, Dreamer, really." Lioness said, as she went through basic drills with her light sword. Her movements were sure, if a bit slow, and she managed to keep her balance the whole time. "We must hurry to begin work on the castle. If there's some type of reward out for me, or us...speed is imperative."

I'm glad you are feeling better. *Walks up to the sleeping Regin.
Dreamer: REGIN!
Regin: Aaagghhh *falls out of his bed.
Dreamer: Sorry, I just coudnt resist.
Regin: Hahaha, very funny. NOT!
Dreamer: ok, ok, lets just get going shall we.
Regin: Wheretoo?
Dreamer: The builders guild of course, please lead the way.

OOC> Regin, your turn.

Tiamat shapeshifts from a dragon to a black robed sorceror, clad in skulls and bone armors, he seems to have an aura of weirdness and a slight touch of vileness...... He seems to want to help with things..... but a character that dresses like death itself.... will always rouse suspicion. Now, as Tianul...... he walks near the gatehouse of Kernhelm...

Uh, Tiamat. Perhaps you should read the other posts first. There isnt any gatehouse left ;) We are still waiting for Regin to take us into the Dwarven Guild, perhaps you can write yourself in there?

When the dawn broke and everybody had packed up their equipment, Regin showed them the way to the guild..
When the got their he told the rest of the company to stay put, as he went and spoke to a senior dwarf with a long beard, obviously the guild leader..
He then returned to Dreamer, *He agrees to do the job, and for free to! Evryone is glad to see the old castle re-built..they'll get to work immiediatly after you've chosen good spot!*

Great, Regin! [img]smile.gif[/img]

*to the guildmaster* We thank you for your cooperation, sir. As soon as you can begin building, we would appreciate it. The best place would likely be over the ruins of teh former castle, I'm sure you can still use some of the foundations. It would be best if you place the east wall along the forest, we can make use of the cover and wood.

Tianul, riding on his shadow steed, quickly catches up to the Queen's party.At Last! I have found you Tianul said with a raspy voice.

Half a year has past, withoud anything unusual happining. We spend our days in the inn, making plans for the future.
This morning however, a dwarven messenger came to our door. The castle is finished and even larger and greater then before!
The day has come, to bring the lands back under the rule of the queen. Unfortunatly, there are still only four of us.
The castle is only a short walk from the city, we grab our equipment and set off to the south gate.

As they walked out of the castle Regin halted and turned to Dreamer and Lioness (is Neb back? [img]graemlins/saywhat.gif[/img] )..
*So where to now?*

Tianul cunjures an Iron Golem........ PSSSX! Now u have 5 peeps wit you my Queen/

Neb materialized scant inches above Tianul's head and landed with both of his feet planted solidly on it, "What's been going on while I've been away?" he asked, "I apologize for my absence, but I've had things to do."

The psionic then looked down and noticed Tianul, "And who is this, whose head I have my feet placed on?"

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sir ReGiN:
As they walked out of the castle Regin halted and turned to Dreamer and Lioness (is Neb back? [img]graemlins/saywhat.gif[/img] )..
*So where to now?*<hr></blockquote>OOC> Were not leaving the castle, we are heading to the castle.