429 AC Las in Ergoth

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Las created by DCR
Story One
Chapter One: Las in Ergoth

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Kenderhome
Hylo




Captain Mikal Vardan is on a mission. He’s already been to Trip’s House and no dice. He doesn’t have time to go on a Kender hunt, he pulls out the stone Las gave him and says “Trippleknot Spellcracker.” The stone starts pulling him along in a direction. Swimming. Great. “Tripp! We are leaving!” The Kender known to his friends as Tripp, swings one last time into the water and then swims back to Mikal. Mikal explains on the way to Trip’s house what they are doing.


“So, we’re flying to the Dragon Isles?” The Kender asks excitedly.


“Shush, yes, keep it quiet or we will be swarmed,” Mikal says quietly to the Kender.


"It sounds incredible. I hope we don’t wreck as often as we did the last time . I almost drowned when that Sea Monster attacked the Ship .” The Kender first mate says.


“I remember, yeah that was bad. Hopefully this will be an in-and-out gig. The Elves are counting on us.”


“Weren’t they counting on us the last time?” Trip asks.


“It’s a vicious cycle, is it not?” Mikal observes


The Kender just nods his head in agreement.


Twenty minutes later they are out the door and walking back to Las who is looking at the Maps. She observes “The maps are getting better.”
Mikal looks at an example and agrees. “I will have to pick a few of these up next time I’m in Town. We’re ready. “

“Hi Trip,” Las says beaming.

“Hello, Lady Las. Are you coming with us?” Tripp asks.

“Not this time, is everyone ready? Las pulls Mikal to her and she casts Teleportation Spell and the three of them travel the roads of magic to Gwynned,the Imperial City, Las’s House.

They appear inside Las’s Laboratory on the Third Floor inside a circle drawn on the floor with chalk. The Runes light fades away.
Trip looks at Las and says “I love you Las.”

They all laugh and walk downstairs where Marilee s watching over the fort. She is keeping the kids entertained with stories.

Mikal and Las take over baby duties while Marilee takes the opportunity to be free of baby duty, and is glad she can just hand them off.

Trip is only too happy to play with Kirea and hangs out with the Daera and Sator. They are acquainted by a visit from Trip many moons ago to the Forest of Merwellyn.

Marilee tells Las she received a letter back from Wydara, she says she her time is occupied for the next two weeks, but she will make time to come over and assign some guards this evening.

Las nods in understanding. “Must have a fight coming up.” She looks at her younger sister Daera and her brother Sator, deciding if it’s the best judgment or not to let the kids go to the games, if just once. She is 45 and he is 40. Not exactly kids, but elven maturity is at Eighty traditionally. Las thinks it's hard because she and her sister were out adventuring well before they turned eighty. It scares her a little bit of losing either one of them. This is why is getting her nanny back that she used before and hiring some tutors to occupy some of their time. She also has a mind to ask Wydara to get Sator a Sword fighting instructor. May as well take every opportunity Ergoth has to give while the Kids are here. She decides she won’t ask them about the Games.

Marilee tells Las and Mikal
” The supplies are being loaded and a few new crew members that me and Mikal hired yesterday will be at the docks tomorrow. Lashia and Damara will be here in the morning. All we can do is make sure we are loaded and ready to take off.”

Mikal, Tripp, and Marilee hire a wagon to pick up the final supplies they will need for the trip, in case something should go wrong, which in Mikal’s case, he always tries to be prepared.

They pack the goods into the Navigator and she is ready to set out. Mikal bribes the Dock Night Watchman to keep an extra eye on their ship.

The Twin’s aunt Wydara arrives at Las’s House with a couple of burly built large men. Wydara is Talidaar’s older sister and the only surviving member of Talidaar’s family from Qualinesti. Wydara tells Las “The guys are here to stand watch and go with you everywhere you go while you are in Town.” She indicates to one “This is Cormac of Kharolis and the other is Pollux of Taris. Best not to get friendly with them, and treat them like furniture, not that they are slaves, they owe some money, and they are paying it off. I’ll send another two in a couple of days; I will bring these back to keep them in shape.”

She asks about her brother and Lashia. Marilee and Las go into a little more detail than was provided in Marilee’s letter.

Wydara tells the assembled Adults that she has a few matches in the Games coming up in Two Weeks.
“I have my Gladiators on an intense workout schedule and training. I want to win. But if you need anything, let me know.”

Las tells Wydara that she is getting Daera and Sator tutors, and would like to “show them around and take in the culture. I want to bring them to the Theater.”
Wydara tells Las “If you go to the Theater, let her know and she will get seats and join them.”

Las thanks her aunt. Then asks “How possible would be if we could hire a Sword fighting instructor for Sator while he is here?”
Wydara looks at her nephew with an appraising eye.

“Stand up for me Nephew, let me see how tall you have gotten.” He is already taller than Las, which isn’t hard. But he’s just shy of Wydara’s height.

“Thank you, Nephew, yes, I think I know someone. He is highly respected in the city. I’ll get him over this week. And Sator, I’ll bring you over to the house and you can watch the men train a while.” Sator smile big, and Las groans.

The Adults all have a drink for their reunion and Wydara talks shop with her Gladiators then She says her goodbyes to everyone with affectionate hugs and departs Las’s House to travel back to her school.

Las shows where everyone is sleeping and puts the little one to sleep. Las tells her sister and Trip good night, then she takes her man upstairs, as she won’t have him to herself for a little while.


This is one couple that keeps it hot every day, and they adore each other every minute.


She takes his shirt off and gets on the bed.



Fade to Black

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Two: Goodbyes

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth



It is Night as the sisters Damara and Lashia, and Damra’s Griffon Sovereign Teleport to Gwynned in Park near Las’s house, and make their way to her residence.

They arrive at two large men guarding the entryway. The elves agree they must be from Wydara.

“Excuse me, Did the girls tell you to expect anyone? “Lashia asks the Guards.

“Two elven she-elves and a griffon looks like you fit the bill.” The guard knocks on the door, and Marilee answers and comes out and helps get Sovereign situated in the backyard. It’s not much, but they are leaving the next day.

They come inside; most everyone is asleep. Marilee shows them their room. Not very big, but it has a bed.

Everyone gets some sleep and in the morning Las and Mikal make everyone breakfast and then everyone and the Griffons that are going head down to the docks. Las and Mik said their goodbyes last night so they wouldn’t cause a scene on the ship. Mik gives Las a hug and a kiss and tells her he will be back. Trip boards the Navigator and meets the rest of the new crew, who groan that it’s a Kender.

They get Sovereign below into the hold. And they are ready to be off.
Lashia says goodbye to her children with Talidaar. He tells them that their Father will be coming for them when all of the mess back home is cleaned up. She kisses them in turn and tells them to listen to Las. She then hugs Las and tells her to watch her babies for her. Las assures her that she will.

Soon the Navigator is pulling away and the last waves tell them goodbye, and that they are loved.

Las and the kids walk back to the House and plan their day. Las wishes more than anything that she was going, but she has responsibilities now. The new guards have come from Wydara. Las tells them they are going to walk around the city and can take in the sights and She will show her siblings around the city. She readies Kira in the baby carriage and informs the guards they are going for a walk. The Gladiators guard them on their excursion.

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Three: Daera

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth



The sword-fighting instructor named Horter arrives at Las’s house.

Sator and Horter go into the backyard and begin training


Daera feels completely overwhelmed. She had never been to such a large City before. Her first real trip out of the Forest was to Inath Wakenti in Northern Khur. On the way back they went through Sanction. She never imagined such places existed. Daera and Sator were a bit more sheltered after the chaotic upbringings the Twins and Nebris had. They were lost in the past for a time with the Kender Longshot and they came back nearly adults. The last two were raised in safety and securely at the Keep. The furthest away from the Forest they got was to go to New Ports, Digfel, Haven, or the Solace festivals. One could forgive Talidaar for not taking them around in the time of the Dragon Overlords.

So, while Daera is overwhelmed, she is not complaining. There is too much to see and do. Seeing the different people, their clothes, and different styles. She mostly felt like she was on a different planet.

She loves the Forest, she, of all the kids is pathless. She has not found her place yet; she doesn’t know which direction to take. She hopes for some sort of sign on this trip to help her figure it all out.

Meanwhile, The Nanny has been here and Las has spent part of the day in her Laboratory, coming out to breastfeed Kira, and then returning to the Laboratory.

Daera helped the Nanny with Kira, then watched some of Sator’s lesson, laughing a few times to herself, seeing Sator get disarmed over and over.

She does not like the male-dominant societal rules of the Empire. Las calls this her house. But it is in Mikal’s Name. And Wydara had to get special dispensation to be allowed to own a Gladiator School. She is afforded some rank and privilege, and it is a step in the right direction, but there is so far to go.

Tonight, they are joining Wydra on a trip to the Amphitheatre to see a show. The Gladiator guards have been reclaimed by Wydara and replaced with a detail of guards from the Ludus.

Sator and Horter went through the basic principles of Sword fighting. Horter was pleased to see the boy had some prior training, but it was not refined. They go over the sword stances. Blocks, thrusts, sword swings. Just basic things today, gauging his skill and capabilities.

In the early evening, Wydara arrives in a carriage and picks up her nieces and nephew -Kira for the night.

On the way over, Wydara asks about Sator’s sword Lesson. Asks if he enjoyed his teacher. Sator did like him. “He was very knowledgeable, and I feel like I have learned things already. Thank you, Aunt Wydara.”

They take their seats. The torches are lit in the front of the stage by a stagehand.

The narrator comes out to Center Stage. He is wearing a three-quarter mask, and dressed in a grey robe.

He raises his hands and the quiet voices from the audience fall to silence.


What follows is an old play about the Gods of Krynn and the folly of the Kingpriest.

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Four: Sator

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth



The tutors have arrived at the house and each of the young elves is given a lesson in the parameters that Las set for them. Some Ergothian language, geography, and a little bit of history for today. They are up on arithmetic.

When that’s over Daera, checks if Las needs anything, then goes outside for some air.

Yes, she learned, but it was tedious, but she is grateful to learn some things she had questions about.

She thinks about the play they saw the other night. It was grander than anything she had experienced before. She had been transfixed by the spectacle and hung on every word. The message of hubris stuck with her.

Sator comes out with his training sword and asks her if he can have the space to train. While it is a backyard, it is not any kind of view to speak of. A couple of tall walls, and a little bit of sky. Some plants, possibly spell components. She says “Sure. I think we are going to the market district tomorrow.” Then Daera goes inside to give him some space.

Sator is now thinking about the market, and what he might find there. He runs down the list of his armaments thus far and the state of the various pieces of armor he has been piecing together back home. If it hasn’t been sacked yet.

He thinks about his parents and the missions they are on and how he could be more help than “stuck” here and really not being in a position to help at all.

He is grateful for the new experience, but there are too many people, and the smells are horrendous at times, depending on the direction of the wind.

Certainly, the largest city he has ever been in. He knew some of the history, well, parts of it. The Parts where they were the enemy during the Kinslayer War. He can’t say he has experienced any outright racism or strange or odd looks thus far.
Perhaps there is some progressivism here.

He tries to filter all the noise out and tries to think about what he was taught the other day by his new sword master Horter.

Through lessons with Marille, he gained many underhanded tricks to gain the advantage. This training was much more martially refined. But he always finds he coming back to the underhanded tricks. They are effective because they work.

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Five Spark

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth

Merchant District


The majority of the businesses of Gwynned are located here in the Merchant district. jewelers, Clothiers, toys, weapons, just about everything. Las has some items to sell and potions to deliver. Daera and Sator are accompanying her. Both of the young elves have brought their money bags and have intentions to pick up a few items. They have two guards with them as well.

Las points out a Landmark to go to if we should be separated. “Do not go anywhere with anyone else.”

Las is her Red Wizard’s robe, marking her as a follower of Lunitari. The guards stand outside every business they go in. Las delivers the potions she made and earns a profit. She takes the items she wishes to sell to the right shop. These items were procured on Mikal and Las’s last trip. With her money bag a little heavier. Las takes her siblings shopping. First to get new clothes for Daera and Sator. Sator is not enjoying himself but does not mope or complain. Daera purchases a shoulder satchel bag at another store. With that out of the way, they make their way to the Arms and Armorer row. This takes Sator a while because he never seen so much variety. Las and Daera not paying close attention to him, but glance his way every little bit to keep tabs on him. He picks up a Bow for his sister Daera and some arrows, for himself, he picks up a medium shield of excellent quality.
His Sword instructor suggested that they will practice with Shield work as well, the defensive and offensive capabilities.
The bow and arrows he decided to buy for his sister because he had seen her shoot before and she was good. He had not seen her follow up with it, but maybe she will connect with it.

He walks back to Las and Daera and tells them he is ready to leave the district. They head to the communal restrooms. They are separated by sex. Wash in the washroom then they gather back together. They get some food at the grocer and get a carriage home. Sator gives Daera the bow and arrows.

At first, she wants to ask why, then thinks back to the times she has shot in the past. She remembers the day they shot together with Marilee. She looks at him and tells him “Thank you.”
Las just questions where they can have enough room to shoot. They ride back to the House and fix dinner. They are starving considering they put off eating all day. They make enough for the guards and get them drinks.

Las goes into the backyard and thinks about where Daera could fire the bow. She sees that it isn’t going to be here, so where… She asks the nanny if she knows where archery may be practiced in the city. They get a map and she points out a long building near the armory where the local archers hone their craft.

The Next day Las and Daera go over to the Armory area and enter the long building.

This backward place has the sexes divided and the women only have a few lanes. There are no women at the moment.

Daera practices with her Bow and arrows for a couple of hours. She needs practice after a few shots she feels embarrassed and determined. But in time she gets better. She comes back over the next couple of days. She buys a quiver and gets some more arrows.

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Six: An Old Acquaintance

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth


DM Note: Time is tricky, it has just been days since The Navigator left on its trek to the Dragon Isles, a little more than a week and a couple of days since Marilee crashed with her Griffon into the Qualinesti Forest.
Waydara is off on her own until the Games conclude.
Just so we are keeping perspective of the events and timeline.
I think I needed that much as anyone-


On the with the Story.


At the house,
The tutoring sessions continue-

The Sword Practicing continues with Sator and his instructor Horter-

And Daera has been making her return to the Archery Range- Las has been accompanying her with baby Kira.
On this recent visit this day, Daera soon finds she is not the only girl at this end of the range. But what the other young woman is firing a Crossbow. It catches Daera’s attention and holds it. The young woman is also elven, but not dressed girlish.

Elf

Short black hair
Cloak dark
Shirt dark green
Pants black
Belt black
Knives
Boots (black, nice, stylish)


“Pandora?” exclaims a voice coming from behind them.

The Woman looks unsure at first and then recognizes the Red Robe.

“Las, what on Krynn are you doing here?” Pandora disarms the crossbow and slings the strap over her shoulder. And walks to her.

“I live here, off and on. What are you doing here? Is this where you went after…”

Pandora comes close, “We kind of faked his death. Taim’s here, with me, and Palianess Darkhammer is here too. Did you know he was still alive?”

“We thought he was dead, we all did. Pandora, this is my sister Daera. She’s only recently gotten into archery." Las introduces Daera to Pandora.

“I saw a few of her shots, a fast learner I’d say, have you ever fired one of these? I’ve seen you eye it practically since I started shooting it.”

“Can I?” Daera asks.

Las says sure and Pandora unslings the crossbow from her shoulder and hands it over and walks her through the steps She pulls the string back to latch and hands it over to Daera. They knock an arrow and Daera aims, feels the weight in her arms, feels the stock against her shoulder, breathes, aims, Fires-

Little off, she tries again,

Again, hits low.

Tries again

right of center.

Pandora says “Good job. I will meet you here again this time tomorrow, we will shoot more then."

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Seven: Cant

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth

Las's House


After Supper, and after the baby is down for the night. Palianess and Las sit back and have a drink together.

“I want to thank you again for agreeing to stay over for a few days. I don’t know what I was thinking of trying to do this all by myself. “Las says thankfully.

“Wait till you get a house of youngins of your own,” Palianess says wisely

“Bite your tongue, this one is it for a while.

“Then you can do it all over again.” Palianess pokes.

“Not funny,” Las says.

“And I don’t mind a bit. The kids are old enough to take care of themselves.” Palianess observes.

Las expresses her fears. “Maybe in Merwellyn, but not in the Imperial city. I’m scared to death one of them is going to turn up missing or dead. I would never be forgiven or able to forgive myself.”

Palianess looks at Las, “I’ll keep my eye on them,” (Palianess is missing an eye, and wears an eye patch).



The next morning, after feeding Kira, the kids, and her house guest. Las does something she has been wanting to do for weeks. She goes flying with her griffon mount Adami. Partnered from a young age. From the same clutch that Marilee’s was from.

They soar into the sky, the wind beats on her face, into her hair, all over her. This one small act purifies all of the anxieties that she has been feeling. She has a pang of guilt that her sister cannot do the same anymore.

They fly high to not disrupt trade or cause the horses to run in fear, they fly around the city once and climb and then dive and feel the freedom and soar on the winds.

She returns home and they land on the roof, where Las has built a deck and a house for Adami to sleep in.

Las takes back over the homestead and tends to Kira. The tutors have come and gone and Sator’s sword instructor Horter has arrived for Sator’s lesson.
Sator is making quick progress. And has greatly impressed Horter. Sator feels he has learned much from this instructor. The dedicated instruction has also his skills to advance markedly. They begin work on feints and parries this lesson.

Palianess and Daera set out to her Archery practice. There they meet Pandora and they spend time together while target practicing. Daera overhears some words spoken by Pandora and Palianess are saying to each other. She can’t figure out what they are saying. Some of it is like gibberish. So Daera asks them about it. Palianess and Pandora look at each other, and then Palianess answers her very quietly. “It’s called the thieves cant. Allows us to speak in code without the civilians knowing any better. I question whether your father would approve if I taught any of it to you.”
Daera looks defeated for moments, and then she smiles. “I’ll just tell him Taim taught it to me.”

Palianess thinks it over and says “As good of a reason as any I suppose. But this does not come back to me, I will deny ever having this conversation.”

Pandora puts in “If you ask Taim before you leave, he will tell you without compunction, He has very few morals. He’s a good scapegoat.”

Palianess prepares himself, “Let the corruption begin. Now an Abbess is the mistress of a brothel.
An Abram just means naked

So, an Abram’s cove is…

And so, it goes. Through target practice, Palianess relates the Basic Thieves Cant to Daera, no need to get all advanced yet. Sometime during F, they say goodbye to Pandora and make their way back to Las’s House for Supper, and he continues From F on until they get to L when they get to the house.
Daera’s mind is blown. It’s the secret language of the thieves and rogues. Utterly Fascinating. They wash their hands and join Las and Sator for Supper. Daera’s mind is a whirl of knowing secret words and their meanings.

[Dungeon Master]

Las in Ergoth
Story One
Chapter Eight: Surprise

Western Ansalon
Northern Ergoth
Gwynned The Imperial Capital City of Ergoth



It was very much a surprise when Las received a post that turned out to be an invitation to Wydara’s victory party at Wydara’s Training school. The post includes a little money to get kids some clothes.

Also, some suggestions for attire. What the heck?

Las takes her siblings to get to get gowns and a nice toga for Sator. She gets them and herself set and begins to head back to the house to find Palianess entertaining guests in the sitting room. She finds her father Talidaar holding baby Kira sitting on her divan.

“Dad” Las exclaims.

“Daddy” coming from a shocked Daera.

“Father” Sator is shocked but happy to see him

“Hi,” He gets up and hugs his children with Baby Kira in his arms. “So, what this I hear about a Party?”

Las says Wydara inviting us to a quasi-symposium victory party at her Training School. There are supposed to be dancers, a dinner, there is supposed to be an exhibition. of her gladiators. I don’t fully know why we were invited, except that we are family.”

Talidaar looks at his younger children. “You two want to go to this?”

“At first, I didn’t want to, but I sort of want to see what her school is like, I haven’t been there before,” Daera says.

Sator says “I don’t love the idea of wearing a toga, but I very much wish to go and see these Gladiators fight in exhibition.”

Talidaar considers this and decides. “Well, it looks like I’m going off to get a toga.”




Will Continue on in the coming Chapters of Wydara Blood and the Arena