Post by Dungeon Master on Oct 23, 2007 23:12:33 GMT -5
DRAGONLANCE
Rebellion
Winter Deep
2/15/2004
Part 1
By the DM
Palainess awakes and after a half an hour, he rolls out of bed and gets moving with the day. Your wounds have healed as much as possible and after you wash up, you dress in clothing from the Qualinesti that does not irritate your skin, then you put on the rest of your usual clothing overtop. It is First Watch* in the morning, and you get fire going to make a pot of coffee to start the day.
Taking your mug, you leave your house and walk to where the crews are building on the 2nd level of the Roaring Griffon. You talk with the foreman for a while, and go inside with a mask on; (it doesn’t take much for your lungs to send you into a coughing fit,) and take in the sights, imagining how things will look when the damn thing gets done.
Palainess, you get done with the tour, and then head over to the Sea Gem where you find Scamp’s crew starting the morning with a bit of breakfast. Sheila the conman/spy, M the Box-man, Slick Willy the pickpocket, Marv the Thug, and Cleo the Black skinned Assassin.
In the last few months you have sort of adopted this ragtag bunch since you got here to New Ports. It seems the Leader of Scamp’s crew sent them from Qualinost because they stood out. Looking at Marv, you understood why. New Ports is hardly the way it was way back when, the Dark Knights and Minotaurs ran most of the local inhabitance out when they invaded during the Summer of Chaos. With no one else visiting, Scamp’s crew is sort of the only stable thing you have, which ain’t saying much.
The Wolverines have pretty much pulled out, leaving only a token force at the Dark Knight garrison that they left behind. It’s ugly as sin and built just as well.
You sit down with them for breakfast and listen in to what Cleo and Sheila have to say from their excursions to the boarder.
“Elves are turning up dead on the White Rage River. Word is being spread that Wolverines are responsible.”
After discussing the situation, talk turns to the Crew possibly leaving New Ports and heading to Pax Tharkus.
A Ship pulls in that day and passengers disembark. One dressed in dark robes descends the gangplank and heads into Newports proper and enters the Sea Gem and pays for a room. He speaks no more then he has to and spends most of his time up in his room. Before dusk and buys a horse. He walks with a limp speaks broken common. At Last Watch**, he mounts the horse and they sets off out of the Port City toward The Elven Forest. The Wolverines never see or hear him as he passes thru their picket lines.
*First Watch is 7am
**Last Watch is 8pm
In Qualinost proper,
Balyne makes his way thru the streets of the Qualinesti capital. He has integrated into the society, gathering information smartly and trying hard not to arouse suspicion. He arrives to his house where he finds Pirie reading over a letter that has arrived today.
“Maize says the Queen Mother has been out all night and that she just got in this morning. The Marshall called on her last night, and the brothers covered for her.” Balyne says.
“She’s going to get caught one of these days, and we won’t be able to anything about it. She needs to trust somebody or it’s going to cost her head.”
Bayne looks over her shoulder, “What’s Garrick have to say?”
“He’s being trusted more, he’s closer to finding out where she is.”
“When that day comes . . .”
“It might not be so simple, he says she sleeps in a different place as often as possible, but that she does have a central location that is the bastion of her power. Garrick has heard of a Totem made of Dragon Skulls that serves as a power source for her.”
“So we’ll be real patient. When we make our move, it will have to be all or nothing.”
The two look at each other. It has been months now since they have seen their leader. The Crew spilt to better their chances at helping in the rebellion, but the task set before them is nigh insurmountable. The Dark Knights hold Qualinost in a iron grip of which it seems impossible to break free.
“Deacon says word has reached the Dark Knight Headquarter and Tower of the Suns about the Wolverines on the White Rage. Apparently there have been deaths in some villages up there and the Wolverines are being implicated. The Senate has convened to hear what the Speaker intends to do which is laughable. What can he do?” Balyne reports.
“I just don’t understand, how can the senate fall into line like this? If the Speaker asks the Knights to help, then it’s all over. If the Wolverines are attacked, they will have no choice but to counter strike, but what can they do? If they push into Qualinesti, then Beryl will undoubtedly crush them and then we have lost a powerful ally.” Pirie says.
“The Wolverines will have to be smart about this. They have a lot of manpower and skill, but what are they going to do? I think we need to consider sending someone to the Wolverine lines and tell them what to expect here. If they come in they will be destroyed. We can’t let that happen. At the same time, Garrick has said all along that Beryl tires of the Elves and that the Qualinesti lives at her whim, that’s unacceptable as well. We are going to half to figure something out here, we are just living on barrowed time and she is going to come and collect sometime.” Balyne concludes.
“We’ll send Mox, he’ll slip thru the lines and get word to the Wolverines. He can do it, I know it.”
“You want to trust our lives to that blasted Kender . . . Paladine help us!!”
“Half-Kender and yes, do you know anyone luckier?” Pirie responds with a smile and a wink.
Elsewhere in the capital,
The elf-girl known as Lauran is homeless and wondering the streets of Qualinost. Your house was ordered possessed by the Knights of Neraka weeks ago. Since then you have foraged for food, and sated your urges for revenge on the Dark Knights for what they have wrought in your life. A scare comes when you are detained for a short while by Knights of Neraka who ask for your identification papers. You are trying to think of something to say when the knight holds his throat and you see an arrow sticking in. You step backwards as the man tries to gurgle incoherent words and his fellow Knight gets one in the head.
You are startled and suddenly scared. You hear movement in the wood, but see nothing, but you are sure the arrows were shot from there.
The time is now to make your choice; stay in the area until you are picked up again by the Dark Knights or run into the woods and pray the Dark Knights do not find you again.
Deep in the south woods,
Wydara you stop for a much-needed breather. Suddenly you fear you are alone and are the only one that made it. You listen for anything that could be a friend or foe and grip the sword handle tight.
Eventually you are awarded signs of life and they are elves. Aridu, Kuren, Devyn and Eloise all make it to the rally point and you hug them tightly. The last four days have been nothing but blood-filled killing of anything that you came across. Ogre, Goblin, Hobgoblin, Kobold, Draconian, Human Bandit . . . . you encountered them all and they all died at your blade. You just sit with the other and let your shoulders droop and your mind wonders what has come of the others?”
Thul-Chek? Atenete' and Eteneta you know are dead . . . your friend Tolan . . . and what of Xietuar? All Dead? Why? So you could live and grieve them all?
You are drained physically and emotionally and just want to be safe. It was like being in the games and facing hundreds at once.
Everyone tends each other’s wounds and you notice Aridu. He lost all of his Wildrunners . . . and he mourns. At least Kuren and Devyn have each other you think as you glance over to them to see them holding each other tight. Who do you have?
Over the next few days you make it to the Windsrun River*** and finally get fresh water. The fallen group avoids Wind Keep proper as it has been taken over as a Dark Knight garrison. You have not calmed down, you are mad with grief and as the group travels north, you find yourself weeping with the careful step you take.
It is 109 miles to Qualinesti and perhaps 4 days of walking. Soon you will reach Wayreth Forest, home of the elusive Tower of High Sorcery, and tread north to the Ahlanlas River
At one point, while camped in the dead of night, the wind howls and blows all round, Wydara you are freezing, trying to get to sleep. The group doesn’t dare light a fire for warmth for fear that it will give away your position. Aridu comes over and shares his blanket of warmth with you. You lost yours when you ditched equipment on the way out of that hell. His touch does not trouble you . . . you want to be held. His touch is tender and gentle and soothing and soon, you fall to sleep while the others stand watch this night.
Another watches this night, his body does not give off heat and thus the Elven Infravision does not betray his stealth. Xietuar silently watches over his friend from the trees above to make sure she is all right. His senses are attuned, and he stands sentinel over his charges.
***Refer to map www.adamensinger.com/gaming/ab-sol.jpg
Part 2
by David
Rising with first light, Wydara slips out from under Aridu's magical blanket and looks better after a full six hours of sleep than she has in days. Aridu stirs, and she looks down at him
"Thank you, my friend," she says, her voice warm. "I am going to sneak off to the stream. I'll be back in a few minutes."
She walks down to the stream, and peels off her dirty, sweat and blood encrusted clothes. Naked, she slips into the icy water. She pulls some soap from her pouch, and begins to lather her hair and body. She slips under the water, swimming a short distance away, turning and swimming back. When she came up above water, Xietaur was waiting on the bank next to her clothes. She walks up out of the water, unmindful of her nakedness in front of the Thri-Kreen.
"You're alive. I am so glad to see you, my friend. I feared you had been slain in that last major skirmish."
"I was only minorly injured, and required a short time to regenerate my wounds. I was a day behind you at first, but caught up with the party by the time you made camp the second night."
Xietaur cocks his head watching Wydara wash her clothes in the stream. "I decided not to approach the camp, for the others are on a ragged edge. They are jumpy, and more apt to shoot first and ask questions later."
"Actually," Wydara responds "I'm glad you didn't. You are right about the elves, and" She lays the freshly scrubbed clothes out on a sunny rock, and begins to dress. "Now we have an advantage again. You should remain hidden for now. I think it will be better for all of us, if you stay close but apart. If the party comes against an enemy, you should stand aside, unless you can attack without being noticed."
She faces the Thri-Kreen as she braids her hair back. "That way, hopefully we'll keep your presence secret from Beryl's spies, and we can call you back in when the time is right. You and I will continue to communicate every other morning like this, okay?"
"It is a logical plan, and a sound one at that." Xietaur nods his anguler head, and jumps back into the trees, at once disappearing. Wydara picks up her things, and returns to camp.
Part 3
By Kaitlin
Cause and Effect
Part 4
By the DM
2/22/04
Loyalist Wildrunner Kalin Windtalker moves gracefully thru the eastern wood, near the boarder of Qualinesti. His mission, observe and relay the numbers of troops currently on the boarder. His compatriots could have taken many out when the Dark Knights journeyed from Qualinost on the roads leader to the boarder, but the puppet Gilthas has forbid that. Inside, he feels there may some reason for Gilthas holding back, but it tears Kalin up to know what has been taken from his people.
Trees have been cut here recently, your soul mourns their loss, but he steels himself and moves forward in the tress above the Dark Knight’s heads.
He finds the tents of the Knights and he moves slowly nearer.
“Report.” The grizzled and older knight says to his subordinate.
“Lord, there are one thousand and sixty Compgroups consisting 350 men all totaling 44,100 men.”
DM Information:
Table 1. Knight of Neraka breakdowns
7 Wings in a Compgroup (350 knights)
5 Talons in a Wing (45 knights)
Talons (9 knights of various types)
The subordinate continues, while pointing to a beautiful map of Qualinesti make, “ The Compgroups are spread apart on the flanks, patrolling and controlling their sectors. The Bulk of our Infantry and Calvary forces are here and here with the Flanking force up here.
Groupcommander Sutherland studies the map, “The Wolverines marked here on the White Rage, any changes?”
“The forces deployed to the north side of the river are unchanged, except my moving their camp every few days to keep the men from getting stagnant and slow.” His J-2 says.
“Intentions?” The Groupcommander asks.
“It was a bold move to put the troops on the north side of the River. It is a natural boarder and they have certainly drawn the line. I wish I could land some troops at New Ports right now and I would say this cake, but we can’t unless we want to. This Wolverine General has his supply lines very well defended. His army is spread out and not bunched up and too easily kill.
I would say he wishes he had a road all the way to the capital. His Battle Wagons are good, but he can make little use of them in this battle. The opposition wants Qualinost does not want to fight this fight. They want Abanasinia and want to deny it from us. I am familiar with the treaty them and we signed; we would have to attack them for them to enter into the War. We should be ready to attack, and wait. We have the advantage and it will be all uphill for them.”
“Bring my messenger in.” Sutherland orders.
“Yes my lord.” The rider says.
“Take this letter straight to The Marshall.” The Groupcommander orders, and the rider is off.
“I want Wings up in the air patrolling the river and between here and New Ports. Bring the 5th Wing up here I’ve got a job for him and his boys.”
The elf backs up having heard something near. He falls back to a safer spot.
South of Pax Tharkus
Wydara is traveling along with the other survivors and she rejoices that they are almost home. You have been worried about Xietuar today as he and you did not meet before the others woke up and you have yet to see him all day. The first part of that is strange but for the latter you are not surprised that you haven’t detected him, he’s that damn good.
A wave of Dragonfear falls down you as a massive dragon passes overhead. . You try to see what it was; but you are in the woods and it is night.
In the Capital of Qualinesti
Lauranathana Solostarin returns from Pax Tharkus and dismounts a fair distance away. She sneaks in the back way to her estate/prison. As she starts to go in she is grabbed and a hand cups her mouth. Twin Kagonesti brother armed with short swords confronts the attacker, but as they move to attack the hilts burn red hit and they are forced to drop them.
Laurana spins away from the intruder ready to kick the shit out of someone when she sees him in the light.
“Palin? What in the Abyss are you doing?”
At the Grub and Suds Inn,
Major Garret in standing on the porch getting some air and looking out at the beautiful site outside.
He hears flapping and the first effects of Dragonfear start to wash over him. He turns and runs into the Inn and tells everyone to get below NOW!
People start to move. They want to react, but fear overcomes them and most of them just sit there.
Some do get below, knocking over some people in the process, even as chorine gas fills the Bar.
Beryllinthranox pulls back and flies up a little.
Garret crawls on the ground, sword drawn, to move to the door and tries to stand.
Fire erupts and Garret gets the blunt of it, but the fiery breath also the barroom fills with fire.
Infernus finishes his part in the destruction of this rebel base.
The Grub and Suds burns to the ground that night.
Hours later Afterwatch,
They see the smoke well before the group get here; the Rebel force consisting of Wydara Arbagon, Aridu Farchaser and Kuran and Devyn Ambrodel have run for days to get here, only here isn’t the way you left it. It is well Afterwatch and the group sneaks closer to the Inn known as the Grub and Suds. What they find is a broken shell that has been razzed to the ground.
Major Garret of the Legionnaires was here, and all the members of the rebellion.
Wydara you collapse out of exhaustion, but keep your eyes open for adversaries.
The group starts digging to find the underground shafts that was built here but they are all collapsed.
Kerianseray says, “There is another Tavern up the way, more hidden. The rebellion is based there too and there were tunnels to the Grub and Suds, maybe some of them survived.”
You hear horses. A horse group comes across you on patrol; they are the Dark Knight mop up squad and they have seen you as well.
They start to ride up on the weary Wildrunners and yet they stand and face yet another test of will and blade.
You are picking your target when comes running out of the woods is the minotaur Thul-Chek wielding his massive two-handed Battle axe and takes out the left flank Dark Knight.
You are overwhelmed with joy and are further energized when you see the thi-kreen Xietuar leap from the shadows and lands on the back of another Knight and drives long blades thru his back.
Three arrows fire and once, each hitting their intended targets as another two Knights are felled.
Another Knight goes down a half seconded later.
Leaving only one. Wydara you are the closest.
When all is said and done, Jenna Farchaser enters the clearing and now you know where the arrows came from. Jenna is a master archer, proven to be one of the best in Qualinesti’s history.
The other arrow came from Jaxa Odan who is exhausted too and gone is his normal bravado.
Aridu rejoices and hugs Jenna tightly. It comes out that Jenna is cousin of the Bladesinger Aridu.
New Ports
Mox makes it to New Ports after walking thru two armies to get here. He goes straight to the Sea Gem and sees all his friends and then meets a really neat dwarf that becomes his best friend-not.
The next day, Palainess and Mox go to the old Dark Knight base now taken over by Wolverines.
Over the next few hours, Mox tells the Wolverines everything he knows about the Dark Knights in Qualinesti.
Course the Wolverines searched the Half-Kender and found a scroll case (among other things) with lots of information inside from “friends in the forest” of this Kender, Half-Kender, whatever. The information is taken upstairs while Mox is detained, (As well as a Kender can be) and a report is drafted and the scroll case is sent via the air force to COMAEF at Gateway.
The Passion
Part 5
By David
Once the Knights are hauled away from the remains of the Inn, Wydara - quite uncharacteristically - rushes Thul-Chek and gives him a hug.
She is exhausted and emotional and quite out of sorts, Thul-Chek can see that, and he returns her hug even though he has never touched a non-Minotaur so intimately before.
Once Wydara regains a veneer of clearheaded calmness, she says "Now it seems we must talk about our next step."
"Should we not remove ourselves from this place first?" Xietaur interjects.
"Yes" Wydara says, slumping down into a sitting position with her back up against a slender tree trunk "We certainly should. That is the smart thing to do." She makes no move to get up. "First, though, we're going to talk. We need to take stock of our current resources. There are eight of us here. There may be survivors at this other tavern. They will be in shock, disorganized and in disarray". She closes her eyes, pushing away the wash of painful emotions threatening to overcome.
Opening her eyes again, she looks at each of the others, taking note of their mental and emotional states. No one looks good, at all. Everyone seems to feel the weight of this latest blow almost physically.
Then she looks at Xietaur. The Thri-Kreen is so alien, he seems impassive no matter what the situation. His face being insect-like, no emotions can be detected. He stands now, head cocked to one side, watching and not speaking, as usual. Wydara draws strength from this sight. She stands up, again looking from one member to the next, making eye contact with each one, gaze once again firm and clear.
"We are at an all-time low here, no question about it. It would be so easy to say 'Well, we gave it our best shot. The Rebellion has been demolished; we've been beaten, let's go home.'”
“But there is no home. None that we can safely live in, certainly not the one we've known and loved. Beryl has struck a telling blow it is true. But her reign of terror cannot be tolerated. If not at the Grub 'n Suds, then elsewhere. If we are lucky, Beryl may think she has succeeded in crushing us. We need to gather more forces to us. We must again reach out, and ask others to stand with us. And we must strike back, and soon. Beryl will never believe she has stamped out all resistance, but she may think we are too weak to do anything, and hopefully she will be lax in her security."
Rebellion
Winter Deep
2/15/2004
Part 1
By the DM
Palainess awakes and after a half an hour, he rolls out of bed and gets moving with the day. Your wounds have healed as much as possible and after you wash up, you dress in clothing from the Qualinesti that does not irritate your skin, then you put on the rest of your usual clothing overtop. It is First Watch* in the morning, and you get fire going to make a pot of coffee to start the day.
Taking your mug, you leave your house and walk to where the crews are building on the 2nd level of the Roaring Griffon. You talk with the foreman for a while, and go inside with a mask on; (it doesn’t take much for your lungs to send you into a coughing fit,) and take in the sights, imagining how things will look when the damn thing gets done.
Palainess, you get done with the tour, and then head over to the Sea Gem where you find Scamp’s crew starting the morning with a bit of breakfast. Sheila the conman/spy, M the Box-man, Slick Willy the pickpocket, Marv the Thug, and Cleo the Black skinned Assassin.
In the last few months you have sort of adopted this ragtag bunch since you got here to New Ports. It seems the Leader of Scamp’s crew sent them from Qualinost because they stood out. Looking at Marv, you understood why. New Ports is hardly the way it was way back when, the Dark Knights and Minotaurs ran most of the local inhabitance out when they invaded during the Summer of Chaos. With no one else visiting, Scamp’s crew is sort of the only stable thing you have, which ain’t saying much.
The Wolverines have pretty much pulled out, leaving only a token force at the Dark Knight garrison that they left behind. It’s ugly as sin and built just as well.
You sit down with them for breakfast and listen in to what Cleo and Sheila have to say from their excursions to the boarder.
“Elves are turning up dead on the White Rage River. Word is being spread that Wolverines are responsible.”
After discussing the situation, talk turns to the Crew possibly leaving New Ports and heading to Pax Tharkus.
A Ship pulls in that day and passengers disembark. One dressed in dark robes descends the gangplank and heads into Newports proper and enters the Sea Gem and pays for a room. He speaks no more then he has to and spends most of his time up in his room. Before dusk and buys a horse. He walks with a limp speaks broken common. At Last Watch**, he mounts the horse and they sets off out of the Port City toward The Elven Forest. The Wolverines never see or hear him as he passes thru their picket lines.
*First Watch is 7am
**Last Watch is 8pm
In Qualinost proper,
Balyne makes his way thru the streets of the Qualinesti capital. He has integrated into the society, gathering information smartly and trying hard not to arouse suspicion. He arrives to his house where he finds Pirie reading over a letter that has arrived today.
“Maize says the Queen Mother has been out all night and that she just got in this morning. The Marshall called on her last night, and the brothers covered for her.” Balyne says.
“She’s going to get caught one of these days, and we won’t be able to anything about it. She needs to trust somebody or it’s going to cost her head.”
Bayne looks over her shoulder, “What’s Garrick have to say?”
“He’s being trusted more, he’s closer to finding out where she is.”
“When that day comes . . .”
“It might not be so simple, he says she sleeps in a different place as often as possible, but that she does have a central location that is the bastion of her power. Garrick has heard of a Totem made of Dragon Skulls that serves as a power source for her.”
“So we’ll be real patient. When we make our move, it will have to be all or nothing.”
The two look at each other. It has been months now since they have seen their leader. The Crew spilt to better their chances at helping in the rebellion, but the task set before them is nigh insurmountable. The Dark Knights hold Qualinost in a iron grip of which it seems impossible to break free.
“Deacon says word has reached the Dark Knight Headquarter and Tower of the Suns about the Wolverines on the White Rage. Apparently there have been deaths in some villages up there and the Wolverines are being implicated. The Senate has convened to hear what the Speaker intends to do which is laughable. What can he do?” Balyne reports.
“I just don’t understand, how can the senate fall into line like this? If the Speaker asks the Knights to help, then it’s all over. If the Wolverines are attacked, they will have no choice but to counter strike, but what can they do? If they push into Qualinesti, then Beryl will undoubtedly crush them and then we have lost a powerful ally.” Pirie says.
“The Wolverines will have to be smart about this. They have a lot of manpower and skill, but what are they going to do? I think we need to consider sending someone to the Wolverine lines and tell them what to expect here. If they come in they will be destroyed. We can’t let that happen. At the same time, Garrick has said all along that Beryl tires of the Elves and that the Qualinesti lives at her whim, that’s unacceptable as well. We are going to half to figure something out here, we are just living on barrowed time and she is going to come and collect sometime.” Balyne concludes.
“We’ll send Mox, he’ll slip thru the lines and get word to the Wolverines. He can do it, I know it.”
“You want to trust our lives to that blasted Kender . . . Paladine help us!!”
“Half-Kender and yes, do you know anyone luckier?” Pirie responds with a smile and a wink.
Elsewhere in the capital,
The elf-girl known as Lauran is homeless and wondering the streets of Qualinost. Your house was ordered possessed by the Knights of Neraka weeks ago. Since then you have foraged for food, and sated your urges for revenge on the Dark Knights for what they have wrought in your life. A scare comes when you are detained for a short while by Knights of Neraka who ask for your identification papers. You are trying to think of something to say when the knight holds his throat and you see an arrow sticking in. You step backwards as the man tries to gurgle incoherent words and his fellow Knight gets one in the head.
You are startled and suddenly scared. You hear movement in the wood, but see nothing, but you are sure the arrows were shot from there.
The time is now to make your choice; stay in the area until you are picked up again by the Dark Knights or run into the woods and pray the Dark Knights do not find you again.
Deep in the south woods,
Wydara you stop for a much-needed breather. Suddenly you fear you are alone and are the only one that made it. You listen for anything that could be a friend or foe and grip the sword handle tight.
Eventually you are awarded signs of life and they are elves. Aridu, Kuren, Devyn and Eloise all make it to the rally point and you hug them tightly. The last four days have been nothing but blood-filled killing of anything that you came across. Ogre, Goblin, Hobgoblin, Kobold, Draconian, Human Bandit . . . . you encountered them all and they all died at your blade. You just sit with the other and let your shoulders droop and your mind wonders what has come of the others?”
Thul-Chek? Atenete' and Eteneta you know are dead . . . your friend Tolan . . . and what of Xietuar? All Dead? Why? So you could live and grieve them all?
You are drained physically and emotionally and just want to be safe. It was like being in the games and facing hundreds at once.
Everyone tends each other’s wounds and you notice Aridu. He lost all of his Wildrunners . . . and he mourns. At least Kuren and Devyn have each other you think as you glance over to them to see them holding each other tight. Who do you have?
Over the next few days you make it to the Windsrun River*** and finally get fresh water. The fallen group avoids Wind Keep proper as it has been taken over as a Dark Knight garrison. You have not calmed down, you are mad with grief and as the group travels north, you find yourself weeping with the careful step you take.
It is 109 miles to Qualinesti and perhaps 4 days of walking. Soon you will reach Wayreth Forest, home of the elusive Tower of High Sorcery, and tread north to the Ahlanlas River
At one point, while camped in the dead of night, the wind howls and blows all round, Wydara you are freezing, trying to get to sleep. The group doesn’t dare light a fire for warmth for fear that it will give away your position. Aridu comes over and shares his blanket of warmth with you. You lost yours when you ditched equipment on the way out of that hell. His touch does not trouble you . . . you want to be held. His touch is tender and gentle and soothing and soon, you fall to sleep while the others stand watch this night.
Another watches this night, his body does not give off heat and thus the Elven Infravision does not betray his stealth. Xietuar silently watches over his friend from the trees above to make sure she is all right. His senses are attuned, and he stands sentinel over his charges.
***Refer to map www.adamensinger.com/gaming/ab-sol.jpg
Part 2
by David
Rising with first light, Wydara slips out from under Aridu's magical blanket and looks better after a full six hours of sleep than she has in days. Aridu stirs, and she looks down at him
"Thank you, my friend," she says, her voice warm. "I am going to sneak off to the stream. I'll be back in a few minutes."
She walks down to the stream, and peels off her dirty, sweat and blood encrusted clothes. Naked, she slips into the icy water. She pulls some soap from her pouch, and begins to lather her hair and body. She slips under the water, swimming a short distance away, turning and swimming back. When she came up above water, Xietaur was waiting on the bank next to her clothes. She walks up out of the water, unmindful of her nakedness in front of the Thri-Kreen.
"You're alive. I am so glad to see you, my friend. I feared you had been slain in that last major skirmish."
"I was only minorly injured, and required a short time to regenerate my wounds. I was a day behind you at first, but caught up with the party by the time you made camp the second night."
Xietaur cocks his head watching Wydara wash her clothes in the stream. "I decided not to approach the camp, for the others are on a ragged edge. They are jumpy, and more apt to shoot first and ask questions later."
"Actually," Wydara responds "I'm glad you didn't. You are right about the elves, and" She lays the freshly scrubbed clothes out on a sunny rock, and begins to dress. "Now we have an advantage again. You should remain hidden for now. I think it will be better for all of us, if you stay close but apart. If the party comes against an enemy, you should stand aside, unless you can attack without being noticed."
She faces the Thri-Kreen as she braids her hair back. "That way, hopefully we'll keep your presence secret from Beryl's spies, and we can call you back in when the time is right. You and I will continue to communicate every other morning like this, okay?"
"It is a logical plan, and a sound one at that." Xietaur nods his anguler head, and jumps back into the trees, at once disappearing. Wydara picks up her things, and returns to camp.
Part 3
By Kaitlin
Cause and Effect
Part 4
By the DM
2/22/04
Loyalist Wildrunner Kalin Windtalker moves gracefully thru the eastern wood, near the boarder of Qualinesti. His mission, observe and relay the numbers of troops currently on the boarder. His compatriots could have taken many out when the Dark Knights journeyed from Qualinost on the roads leader to the boarder, but the puppet Gilthas has forbid that. Inside, he feels there may some reason for Gilthas holding back, but it tears Kalin up to know what has been taken from his people.
Trees have been cut here recently, your soul mourns their loss, but he steels himself and moves forward in the tress above the Dark Knight’s heads.
He finds the tents of the Knights and he moves slowly nearer.
“Report.” The grizzled and older knight says to his subordinate.
“Lord, there are one thousand and sixty Compgroups consisting 350 men all totaling 44,100 men.”
DM Information:
Table 1. Knight of Neraka breakdowns
7 Wings in a Compgroup (350 knights)
5 Talons in a Wing (45 knights)
Talons (9 knights of various types)
The subordinate continues, while pointing to a beautiful map of Qualinesti make, “ The Compgroups are spread apart on the flanks, patrolling and controlling their sectors. The Bulk of our Infantry and Calvary forces are here and here with the Flanking force up here.
Groupcommander Sutherland studies the map, “The Wolverines marked here on the White Rage, any changes?”
“The forces deployed to the north side of the river are unchanged, except my moving their camp every few days to keep the men from getting stagnant and slow.” His J-2 says.
“Intentions?” The Groupcommander asks.
“It was a bold move to put the troops on the north side of the River. It is a natural boarder and they have certainly drawn the line. I wish I could land some troops at New Ports right now and I would say this cake, but we can’t unless we want to. This Wolverine General has his supply lines very well defended. His army is spread out and not bunched up and too easily kill.
I would say he wishes he had a road all the way to the capital. His Battle Wagons are good, but he can make little use of them in this battle. The opposition wants Qualinost does not want to fight this fight. They want Abanasinia and want to deny it from us. I am familiar with the treaty them and we signed; we would have to attack them for them to enter into the War. We should be ready to attack, and wait. We have the advantage and it will be all uphill for them.”
“Bring my messenger in.” Sutherland orders.
“Yes my lord.” The rider says.
“Take this letter straight to The Marshall.” The Groupcommander orders, and the rider is off.
“I want Wings up in the air patrolling the river and between here and New Ports. Bring the 5th Wing up here I’ve got a job for him and his boys.”
The elf backs up having heard something near. He falls back to a safer spot.
South of Pax Tharkus
Wydara is traveling along with the other survivors and she rejoices that they are almost home. You have been worried about Xietuar today as he and you did not meet before the others woke up and you have yet to see him all day. The first part of that is strange but for the latter you are not surprised that you haven’t detected him, he’s that damn good.
A wave of Dragonfear falls down you as a massive dragon passes overhead. . You try to see what it was; but you are in the woods and it is night.
In the Capital of Qualinesti
Lauranathana Solostarin returns from Pax Tharkus and dismounts a fair distance away. She sneaks in the back way to her estate/prison. As she starts to go in she is grabbed and a hand cups her mouth. Twin Kagonesti brother armed with short swords confronts the attacker, but as they move to attack the hilts burn red hit and they are forced to drop them.
Laurana spins away from the intruder ready to kick the shit out of someone when she sees him in the light.
“Palin? What in the Abyss are you doing?”
At the Grub and Suds Inn,
Major Garret in standing on the porch getting some air and looking out at the beautiful site outside.
He hears flapping and the first effects of Dragonfear start to wash over him. He turns and runs into the Inn and tells everyone to get below NOW!
People start to move. They want to react, but fear overcomes them and most of them just sit there.
Some do get below, knocking over some people in the process, even as chorine gas fills the Bar.
Beryllinthranox pulls back and flies up a little.
Garret crawls on the ground, sword drawn, to move to the door and tries to stand.
Fire erupts and Garret gets the blunt of it, but the fiery breath also the barroom fills with fire.
Infernus finishes his part in the destruction of this rebel base.
The Grub and Suds burns to the ground that night.
Hours later Afterwatch,
They see the smoke well before the group get here; the Rebel force consisting of Wydara Arbagon, Aridu Farchaser and Kuran and Devyn Ambrodel have run for days to get here, only here isn’t the way you left it. It is well Afterwatch and the group sneaks closer to the Inn known as the Grub and Suds. What they find is a broken shell that has been razzed to the ground.
Major Garret of the Legionnaires was here, and all the members of the rebellion.
Wydara you collapse out of exhaustion, but keep your eyes open for adversaries.
The group starts digging to find the underground shafts that was built here but they are all collapsed.
Kerianseray says, “There is another Tavern up the way, more hidden. The rebellion is based there too and there were tunnels to the Grub and Suds, maybe some of them survived.”
You hear horses. A horse group comes across you on patrol; they are the Dark Knight mop up squad and they have seen you as well.
They start to ride up on the weary Wildrunners and yet they stand and face yet another test of will and blade.
You are picking your target when comes running out of the woods is the minotaur Thul-Chek wielding his massive two-handed Battle axe and takes out the left flank Dark Knight.
You are overwhelmed with joy and are further energized when you see the thi-kreen Xietuar leap from the shadows and lands on the back of another Knight and drives long blades thru his back.
Three arrows fire and once, each hitting their intended targets as another two Knights are felled.
Another Knight goes down a half seconded later.
Leaving only one. Wydara you are the closest.
When all is said and done, Jenna Farchaser enters the clearing and now you know where the arrows came from. Jenna is a master archer, proven to be one of the best in Qualinesti’s history.
The other arrow came from Jaxa Odan who is exhausted too and gone is his normal bravado.
Aridu rejoices and hugs Jenna tightly. It comes out that Jenna is cousin of the Bladesinger Aridu.
New Ports
Mox makes it to New Ports after walking thru two armies to get here. He goes straight to the Sea Gem and sees all his friends and then meets a really neat dwarf that becomes his best friend-not.
The next day, Palainess and Mox go to the old Dark Knight base now taken over by Wolverines.
Over the next few hours, Mox tells the Wolverines everything he knows about the Dark Knights in Qualinesti.
Course the Wolverines searched the Half-Kender and found a scroll case (among other things) with lots of information inside from “friends in the forest” of this Kender, Half-Kender, whatever. The information is taken upstairs while Mox is detained, (As well as a Kender can be) and a report is drafted and the scroll case is sent via the air force to COMAEF at Gateway.
The Passion
Part 5
By David
Once the Knights are hauled away from the remains of the Inn, Wydara - quite uncharacteristically - rushes Thul-Chek and gives him a hug.
She is exhausted and emotional and quite out of sorts, Thul-Chek can see that, and he returns her hug even though he has never touched a non-Minotaur so intimately before.
Once Wydara regains a veneer of clearheaded calmness, she says "Now it seems we must talk about our next step."
"Should we not remove ourselves from this place first?" Xietaur interjects.
"Yes" Wydara says, slumping down into a sitting position with her back up against a slender tree trunk "We certainly should. That is the smart thing to do." She makes no move to get up. "First, though, we're going to talk. We need to take stock of our current resources. There are eight of us here. There may be survivors at this other tavern. They will be in shock, disorganized and in disarray". She closes her eyes, pushing away the wash of painful emotions threatening to overcome.
Opening her eyes again, she looks at each of the others, taking note of their mental and emotional states. No one looks good, at all. Everyone seems to feel the weight of this latest blow almost physically.
Then she looks at Xietaur. The Thri-Kreen is so alien, he seems impassive no matter what the situation. His face being insect-like, no emotions can be detected. He stands now, head cocked to one side, watching and not speaking, as usual. Wydara draws strength from this sight. She stands up, again looking from one member to the next, making eye contact with each one, gaze once again firm and clear.
"We are at an all-time low here, no question about it. It would be so easy to say 'Well, we gave it our best shot. The Rebellion has been demolished; we've been beaten, let's go home.'”
“But there is no home. None that we can safely live in, certainly not the one we've known and loved. Beryl has struck a telling blow it is true. But her reign of terror cannot be tolerated. If not at the Grub 'n Suds, then elsewhere. If we are lucky, Beryl may think she has succeeded in crushing us. We need to gather more forces to us. We must again reach out, and ask others to stand with us. And we must strike back, and soon. Beryl will never believe she has stamped out all resistance, but she may think we are too weak to do anything, and hopefully she will be lax in her security."