Play by E-Mail

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="11200500dvldtc.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Soaring Blade</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Soaring Blade"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id183.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dinian 3E"><U>Dinian 3E</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aspects"><U>Aspects</U></A>   |   <B>Play by E-Mail</B>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dinian ONell"><U>Dinian O'Nell</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="30fd2c00dvldtc.gif"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> Play by E-Mail's Play by E-Mail Adventures</div> <bR> <div>  This section of the Soaring Blade web-site is meant to allow the players to keep up with what has been happening with thier e-mails without having to search the Egroups database. I have compiled all e-mails from the list here.</div> <div>   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0099FF" FACE="Arial" >I am working on highlighting the player's messages in blue</FONT>. The DM's messages will be in grey. </div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="527" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Current DM mail will be highlighted in yellow and placed in an outline. </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div>   Note that this is a repost of all the avalible e-mails, not written as a story. Details may be a little choppy. Hopefully everything will be understandable. If you have any questions, please e-mail me!</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="24b6c5f0.jpg" border=0 width="108" height="95" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Dinian left Llorkth with mixed feelings after the battle for the Crown of the First Gods. (see http://www.tsixroads.com/~joespitt/finarwar.htm ). He had met death at the hands of Malicor, Artaylium's son who bears Dinian's own name. It was....  disturbing. Luckily the Soaring Blade had retreived the crown and Novid had decided to return the Blade's members that had perished with the powers of the crown.</div> <div>   At the same time, he had destroyed Lolth forever, slaying her with the mighty sword Demonbane. </div> <div>   just before leaving the kingdom, Dinian had learned that the church had fallen on disaster, it's great cathedral in Waterdeep buring into nothingness. He gave most of his wealth to Inamsu in hopes of rebuliding that grand place.</div> <div>   Now riding his warhorse to the south, Dinian hoped to find others in need, and to fins a squire fitting enough to weild his sword in the future before he retired for good. His travels had led him to Hill's Edge after traveling through the marshes and plains south of Llorkth. </div> <div>   Hill's Edge is a freewheeling town where mercenaries were as common as traders, and often they could not be distinguished apart from each other. The most disturbing fact was that Dinian had spotted a temple to Cyric, god of evil and death, in the town that seems to be thriving. The town seems to have no guards or police force.</div> <div> __________</div> <bR> <div>   "Well Met," smiled the large innkeeper who had not given his name. "I see you travel brandishing the name of Tyr. It might be wise to keep such faith hidden while in Hill's Edge."</div> <bR> <div> Before continuing with his travels, Dinian needs to decide whether he will openly display his religion here or hide the fact that he serves Tyr, which could, obviously, cause unrest and trouble.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1 (due to his actions in the Fonal War)</B></div> <div> <B>Works +1 (giving riches to the church of waterdeep)</B></div> <div> <B>Riches -2 (see above)</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1 </B></div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <div> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Though overwhelmed with the feeling/need to spread the precepts of Tyr to this city of </div> <div> lost souls, Dinian realizes that it would be wise to temporarily conceal his zeal for his </div> <div> God until he has more time to assess the situation. Over the years it has become evident </div> <div> that populations are easier to sway toward the right choices when they are presented in </div> <div> a respectful manner and not thrust upon people in a confrontational way. </div> <div> "Well met kind Sir. I appreciate your forthrightness and advice. If there is more information </div> <div> that you have to share with me, it would be greatly appreciated."</div> <div> ----------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>  Although some of the city might follow the path of Cyric, all do not, and it would be unjust to them to act in a way that might cause a battle. Innocent people could be harmed. Tyr looks neutral on this action.</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>  Although you tried to give gold to the church, you recieve a letter that states that your wealth is being held by the church to be returned to you at your convienience. </B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 (see above)</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 2</B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>It is honorable not to force your views upon others in their own "home".</B></div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>    The bartender grinned slightly. "Aye, now that ye have bought a meal from me, I will tell ye of a few things so that ye 'member my fine establishment in th' future. It's bein' said that a local man named Jerath is going to be hanged today for stealin', if you want to see. Noon, at the square."</div> <div>   "What did he steal?" Asked Dinian.</div> <div>   "He was caught in the market palming some fruit or somethin for his rats."</div> <div>   "Rats?"</div> <div>   "His clildren, I fergot you ain't from around these parts."</div> <bR> <div>   Although Tyr preaches that law is law in a land, the Book of Justice also teaches that there are exceptions to every rule. Stealing for need is to be punished, but not by death.</div> <div>   It could be dishonorble to a cavalier to go against the law here, but obviously rescuing the man would be a good work. Dinian could ignore the situation, but that is not the way of the cavalier.</div> <div>   Could Dinian think of a way to handle the situation as not to cause dishonor, or outright violence?</div> <div> ------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Dinian asks for more information:</div> <bR> <div> "Hah!, the man was a thief. He deserves whatever he gets. He should have been thinkin' bout' laws when he stole that food. Let me catch someone stealin' from The Nest and they won't have to wait long before Balack sends them to the town magistrates," the barkeep bellowed out as he pointed to the large half-orc standing in the shadows near the door. "But the law does say that if you can git the man he stole from to drop the charges then he's free. If you're takin' a notion to helping the lad go see Dura the trader, he's the one who got taken. You can find him at the Square." </div> <bR> <div> Dinian tips the barkeep and tries to secure a room for the night at the Nest. "Your </div> <div> information is most appreciated. There are apparently many things I need to learn </div> <div> about this area. Should you think of anything else that may aid me in my understandings," </div> <div> Dinian tips him well, "they would also be appreciated." </div> <div> Dinian heads out to find Dura and learn more about the situation.</div> <div> -------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Aspects (No change)</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 (see above)</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 2</B></div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian headed toward the Square, the local town market, hoping to quickly find Dura the trader. His magical armor was not very heavy, and his steps were sure and strong even after days of travel. Dinian found that after the magics bestowed upon them by the gods during the Soaring Bladfes travels that he could walk for weeks before tiring, as long as he had enough rest. "Enough rest" seemed to be very little, only about 2 hours sleep a night, although he still prefered to get six to seven. Old habits died hard.</div> <div>   The city of Hill's Edge was brimming with all sorts of people. Dinian spotted a man selling very basic pecies of armor, a shop that specialized in tiny wooden carvings, and a fish market, which made sense because the town was so close to The River Reaching. All were crammed with customers, even the shop selling the carvings.</div> <div>   Traveling on, Dinian reached the end of the road, which connected to the Square, a large clearing in the center of the town that was much brighter and cheerful than the rest of the drab areas. Here there were scores of bright stands that were selling various goods, many of them food for travelersheading down the path that would lead out of the east of the town, then south past the Sunset Mountains, a great distance before reaching the Lake of Dragons, north of which held the grand kingdom of Cormyr. He assumed, however, that most of the travelers would stop after reaching the southern part of the Lake of Dragons, visiting Ilipur, Pros or Westagate, all of which were much more "free" when it came to trading. Some cities on the south side of the Lake of dragons even had a slave market.</div> <div>   All of these thoughts danced in Dinian's head as he headed into the Square, looking for someone who was only a name to him. </div> <div>   Dinian stopped by an older man who was selling some type of yellow, round fruit. The man seemed pleasent enough, smiling with a missing front tooth and offering Dinian a "goldmelon", which the cavalier bought. The taste was delecious, like an apple but with more of a crunchy, solid taste.</div> <div>   "I was looking for the trader that goes by the name of Dura, I heard I could find him here at the Square." Dinian said matter-of-factly. "Prehaps you could direct me to him?"</div> <div>   "Of course, said the aged trader. He trades just past Verathan's candles, there." and pointed with a long finger ahead.</div> <div>   Dinian waded through the crowd, passing by a wagon being drawn by two powerful horses. The man driving the wagon eyed Dinian as he passed. Traveling on, Dinian came to the stand he was looking for, and approached the trader there.</div> <div>   "Excuse me, sir. I am looking for the trader they call Dura."</div> <div> The man was old, but not past prehaps 45 summers, with silver growing in his black hair and beard, and paused before answering. "I am Dura. Are you with the magistrate? I thought I had answered your questions reguarding the theif."</div> <bR> <div> "Good Sir, I am not with the magistrate." Dinian proffered his had to Dura, "I am Dinian O'Nell. </div> <div> I am a traveller in search of many things, and now my journeys have brought me to you." </div> <div> Dinian looks the trader over carefully and searches for the right words that Tyr will surely </div> <div> provide in such a situation. </div> <div> "I have heard that a man by the name Jerath has stolen from you, and I would like to have </div> <div> a word with you on the subject should you allow it."</div> <div> ------------------------------------------</div> <div>   Aspects (No change)</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 (see above)</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 2</B></div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   The man pondered Dinian for a moment, looking at him. Suddenly, the man pulled a long blade from a hidden area behind his counter.  Most other men would be in a very difficult position physicaly; dinian had no real concern. he knew the man would pull the blade simply from his very first movement. </div> <div>   Dinian did not move. The man was fast, but Dinian knew he was faster. Even as the man placed the blade quickly to his throat, the cavalier knew that he could deflect the blade and even kill this man with little effort, even though his own blade had not yet been drawn. people around the two began to look at both of them, wondering what would happen next.</div> <div>   "If yer not with the magistrate, then your a family member or a friend. I'm not going to die because some fool stole from me."</div> <bR> <div> ----------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <div> "Good Dura, if indeed you have no wish to meet your end, I recommend that you retract </div> <div> your blade and speak with me civilly. Certainly if the magistrate would put a man to death </div> <div> for theft, he would have no qualms about executing another for killing an unarmed traveller." </div> <div> Dinian held his hands in plain sight for all to see that he made no move to threaten the </div> <div> elder assailant. </div> <div> "I am in no way related to the man who has wronged you, nor do I have any intention </div> <div> of performing some act of retribution in his honor. I merely am curious about the </div> <div> situation and would like to ask of you a few harmless questions. Certainly this would </div> <div> pose no threat to your well being." </div> <div> Dinian, during this encounter, has come to realize that this place is indeed in need </div> <div> of some serious intervention in the name of Tyr.</div> <bR> <div> -------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 </B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 3</B></div> <div> <B>  </B>Dinian refuses to harm the merchant (as of yet), and receives a minor increase in Honor</div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div> "Wait... Dinian O'Nell, of the Soaring Blade? Ha! he's been dead for years. I certainly hope you have proof of such an outlandish claim, sir." Dura took his blade away quickly, looking around at the merchants, who quickly began minding their own business again, obviously unable to hear the conversation Dinian and Dura were having. </div> <div> --------------------</div> <bR> <div> "Indeed, Dura, I am Dinian O'Nell. If you think me dead, then you</div> <div> must make one of two choices. Either rethink your concept of my </div> <div> current state of well-being, or rethink your mental disposition. </div> <div> For either I am alive and talking to you as solid as the blade </div> <div> that was in your hand, or you are having a conversation with a</div> <div> spectre in your own mind. Either way, the purpose for my appearance </div> <div> to you remains simple. I ask that you reconsider the charges against </div> <div> the man who you say stole from you. I do not doubt his guilt, but</div> <div> I fear that the punishment does not fit the crime. I implore</div> <div> you to ask the magistrate to let the man work off his debt to you</div> <div> through labor. A lesson will be learned and the punishment is </div> <div> just. ... so, either consider it a request from a living member</div> <div> of the Soaring Blade, or assume it is your conscience wanting you</div> <div> to do the right thing."</div> <bR> <div> Dinian reaches into his pouch and retrieves a gold piece.</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you for your time, Sir. Perhaps someday a favor</div> <div> will be returned."</div> <div> -------------------</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 </B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 3</B></div> <div> <B>  </B>Dinian refuses to harm the merchant (as of yet), and receives a minor increase in Honor</div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   The trader looked at a moment at Dinian's pouch. "Yes indeed, a favor might require a return."</div> <div> Obviously, this man wanted a bribe from Dinian. In his youth, Dinian might have offered such a bribe without little thought. A little gold to solve the problem. However, he now tried to live the life of a cavalier, and an honorable one of Tyr at that. Bribing the man was not justified; he should be willing to set the man free of his own accord. But would Tyr think that the man being set free was more justified than the loss of a few gold pecies? Dinian wished Inamsu were here to guide him in the complex laws of justice. </div> <div>   "Come, my friend, surly you think that this man's life must be <I>worth </I>something or you would not have come today. I'd bet a <I>hundred gold </I>that a man as famous as yourself can be much more convincing."</div> <div> ----------</div> <div> "I offer you this gold piece as my payment for your precious time. I am </div> <div> grateful that you would speak to me on this difficult matter. However, </div> <div> I am not offering you payment to heed my advice, I would not disrespect </div> <div> you in that manner. For to offer you a bribe against your conscience </div> <div> would be an insult to a good man, and I speculate that you are indeed </div> <div> a good man. I apologize if you misunderstood my intent. I merely wished </div> <div> to assure you that each just deed will always be reciprocated. Pay it </div> <div> forward, and when your time of need comes, help will be there."</div> <div> ----------</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 </B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 35</B></div> <div> <B>  </B>Dinian has refused to attempt to bribe the trader.</div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   "Excellent. I would never think to ask for a bribe from ah honoranble man such as yourself. If you will excuse me, I need to close shop so I may go speak to the magistrate to see if they require any rope." Dura was obviously agitated that Dinian had not stepped up with an offer of gold to solve this problem, although he did not hesitate to snatch up the gold piece "for his time."</div> <div>   Dinian was unsure of what to do. This man had let himself become a tool of hate and bitterness, and a man would die because of it. He watched as the man closed the flap to his stand and disappear from view, and with it all hope of talking Dura into forgiving the man of his crimes. </div> <div>   Dinian looked around in thought, when he saw a hooded, shadowy figure lurking in a nearby alley. He could make out that the being was human, accompinied by a halfing. The human wore dark blue leather, similar to Kinias Aban of Newhope Keep, one of Dinian's old companions. He might be from the same original theives' guild, Dinian thought. the halfling wore black leather and a dark blue cape. The human was looking about, making sure that only Dinian had spotted the duo. The halfling was waving Dinian toward the two rather anxiously. </div> <div>   Dinian was quite sure he had never seen the two before. </div> <bR> <div> DM: Will Dinian approach the two? How will he do so if he does - straight to them? he has some people still watching him, and obviously the two do not want to be seen. They are unaware that Dinian has onlookers, as the onlookers are out of view of the two. </div> <bR> <div> Dinian looks around for a tavern, alley, or an inn to duck into. He makes sure the men see that </div> <div> he has noticed them by giving a barely perceptable nod. He assumes that if they are overly </div> <div> anxious to speak with him, they will follow. However, considering this town is full of </div> <div> uncertainty and violent tendencies, Dinian will keep on his guard with the strangers.</div> <div> ----------</div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches +0 </B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 35</B></div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian ducked into a nearby building, an inn called the Dancing Dragon. As he entered, he realised that the name came from the dancing girls, completely nude, on the stage in the center of the taven-like area here on the first floor. </div> <div>   The two figures entered the tavern after Dinian as he would have hoped, the human first, then the halfling. they approached a table in a darkend corner and nodded ever so slightly to Dinian as he had done to them. Cautiously, Dinian walked to the table and had a seat. It was still hard to make out the faces of these individuals. It was dark. </div> <div>   The human spoke. "Greetings, Dinian O'Nell. I recognized you when I saw you enter the city. Or shall I say, I recognized your blade and then you after it, no offense. I could not help but overhear your conversation with Dura. He can be a stubbon man, no?" The cloaked figure let out a little chuckle.</div> <div>   "My name is Rupart, and I am a member of an orginization here in the city that gathers various things... such as information. I have some for you, Dinian. I offer you information on how to save the man you saw Dura about, and legally at that. And it will only cost you 500 gold pecies."</div> <bR> <div> How does Dinian respond? (500 gp will place Dinian at  - . 5 riches)</div> <bR> <div> "It seems, my friend, that you have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know a brief </div> <div> bit about me and my posessions. However, all you have given me is your name. </div> <div> Perhaps before we do business, you tell me a little more about you and your </div> <div> companion."</div> <div> ------------------------------</div> <div>   "Please forgive me! I do have the habit of being all business.  How <I>greeeedy </I>of me." Rupart waved for the wine girl. "Shall I buy you a drink?" Rupart gave Dinian a warm smile that seemed very genuine.</div> <div>   "As I said, my name is Rupart, Rupart Goldensword, and this small fellow is Nek Nekkers of the Nekkers family." The halfling raised his hand in a wave to Dinian, and smiled so wide it seemed that his teeth would burst from their gums. "You must forgive him for not speaking, he had... an unfourtunate encounter with the justice system in Westgate. A misunderstanding I assure you, but that does poor Nek little good."</div> <div>   "Both of us have been companions for quite some time. Five years is it Nek?" The big-eyed halfling nodded in agreement, barely noticing the conversation that was going on as he watched the dancing girls. Or so it would seem. Dinian had seen Kinias in action too many times. This halfling was very much aware of every sound made and movement taken in this place. He was the Lookout.</div> <div>   "I come from Amn to the south. I used to work for a theives guild there, I won't lie to you about that. However, I now work for a group that seems to have more of my own best interests in mind, as well as others. I have read in the works of Ocillious Peanior that you hail from Cormyr? or was that Novid? I forget. Anyway, I have always enjoyed the tales of the Blade. Too bad your group disbanded. I heard that one of your members died in battle with The Red Wizards and you had to. What a shame."</div> <div>   "Nek here is from Westgate. He was a crack theif if there ever was one, but he only stole from the evil Night Masks that rule that city." Dinian had heard of the Night Masks of Westgate. They were feared even outside the city. "Needless to say, Nek had bitten off a little more than he could chew, no pun intended. He wound up with his tounge removed, but managed to escape with everything else intact."</div> <div>   "Now, as the people I work for, well, they are in the business of keeping and selling secrets. To give their name away would be to break their trust. Their personal information is not for the giving or selling, although we consider other such information to be, shall we say, a commodity."</div> <div>   "Now before you take me and my friend for a couple of simple rouges, let me tell you that the people I work for would never sell information that would be the kind to cause political trouble or put innocent lives in danger. Quite the opposite. As a matter of fact, we have to announce what information we are selling for approval. Most of the time, as now, our information could lead to the saving of innocent lives. I most often have the urge to give such information away, but alas, this is how I make my living, and I don't want to return to the evils of stealing. I'm sue Nek feels the same."</div> <div>   "I think it safe to assume that my employers and Tyr have guided me here to allow you to know more about what is going on, don't you think?"</div> <div>   </div> <div> How does Dinian respond? (500 gp will place Dinian at  - . 5 riches)</div> <div> As Rupert finished his dialog, the serving girl approached the table. She was uncommonly </div> <div> beautiful for such drab surroundings. Since he had entered the town, Dinian had noticed </div> <div> an almost gray shroud seemed to envelope everything. It was not a tangible fog, but one </div> <div> that permeated the very fabric of everything nonetheless. The people seemed almost </div> <div> soulless and dejected. Dinian had not seen one single, solitary child playing gleefully in </div> <div> the streets of this Tyr-forsaken city. It was beginning to wear on him already. However, </div> <div> here was a simple serving girl, more beautiful than anything else this town had to offer. </div> <div> Somehow, she didn't seem to belong. But it was not the business at hand ... </div> <div> Dinian stood to meet the girl. He offered her 3 silver and asked for a bottle of the wine </div> <div> that he preferred on most occasions. </div> <div> As he returned to his seat, he was met again with its cold, harshness. Dinian leaned </div> <div> forward across the table and leveled his eyes on the human that purported himself to </div> <div> be Rupert. </div> <div> "Your intentions, sir, appear most amiable and magnanimous. If your words hold true, </div> <div> and you give me no reason (yet) to disbelieve you are earnest, then you are one of </div> <div> the more fiducial rogues that I have encountered in my travels. This town is indeed </div> <div> in dire straits, and it does seem fortuitous that we just happen to all be here together </div> <div> at this time. I do believe that Tyr has brought me here for a purpose, and I intend on </div> <div> seeing it through. Since you have mentioned that you are also intent on doing the </div> <div> work of Tyr, I will agree to your terms." </div> <div> Dinian leaned back in his chair, but maintained his gaze on the thief. He was now </div> <div> ready to see this hand play out. </div> <div> --------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches - . 5</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 35</B></div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div> "Your intentions, sir, appear most amiable and magnanimous.."</div> <div> "Ah, thank you for those kind words, thank you, indeed," said the rouge as he took the gold from Dinian. "Now for my end of the bargin."</div> <div>   Nek looked as if he wanted to say something to his friend, but rolled his eyes instead.</div> <div>   Dinian could not help but to glance again at the serving girl, such a wonderous being in the mists of this bleak place. He noticed she was looking at him, and quickly, shyly, turned her head away. Her eyes looked pleadingly at him again for just a moment.</div> <div>   "Hey, are you even listning? I was saying, the Night Masks have your friend Jerath." Dinian snapped back to attention at this. "They buy the people who are supposed to be put to death, and the magistrates use <I>Animate Dead </I>spells to make dead bodies, completely covered, go to their "hangings". Beats me how they keep em' from falling apart. Anyway, Jerath and a few others were taken by the Night Mask's men down the Dusk Road to Iriaebor, and there the prisinors will be sold to secret slave caravan. The prisinors are hidden on a wagon, and the captors are disguised as traders. I'm sure they will be using potions or magic to keep the prisinors captive. The wagon will have a red covering, and a sign on it's side that reads "Ralgar's Ropes." They don't actually trade in ropes, I don't think, so more than likely they will claim to have none, which may be true. Although they may have some on the prisinors, but in wich case I am sure they would not be for sale. Where was I? Ah, the prisinors. No. Wait. The caravan. I don't have any information on the slave caravan in Iriebor or where they are supposed to meet, so you had better catch them before then or you'd be hard pressed to ever see the men at all. The way I see it, the man is dead according to the law here. If you rescue him from the caravan, he is free and you've broken no laws." </div> <div>   Nek nodded in agreement. </div> <div> ------------------------------------------</div> <div> Dinian stood from his chair and glanced over to where the barmaid stood. He then turned </div> <div> back, placed his right hand on the table and leaned into the human's face. </div> <div> "Then it seems that I have business to tend. There is a room already paid for at the inn just </div> <div> inside the gates. Since I will be leaving immediately, help yourself to a good nights sleep. </div> <div> I will find you in the morning ... I am sure that we will have more to discuss." </div> <div> The human smiled slyly, "Of course," he replied, and his breath reminded Dinian </div> <div> again of the town ... harsh. </div> <div> Dinian turned and walked swiftly over to the girl with the wine. </div> <div> Alea was busy trying to get the tab cleared with a group of drunken, local </div> <div> businessmen when she noticed someone standing directly behind her. </div> <div> She turned. </div> <div> Dinian was immediately drawn into the azure eyes of the young, human. She </div> <div> was dressed charactisterically like a barmaid, but yet somehow she added another </div> <div> level of elegance to the unexceptional garb. Their eyes locked in an instant, and </div> <div> Dinian almost lost his train of thought. </div> <div> "Excuse me, fair one, but I must introduce myself. I am Dinian O'Nell, and I need </div> <div> your help." </div> <div> "I have your wine, Sir, I will be there in a moment. Things are busy around here, </div> <div> and I am already working past my hours." </div> <div> Dinian could not decide which part of her aroused his interest the most. Her blue </div> <div> eyes seemed limitless as the skies over Llorkth. Her lips were the color of the most </div> <div> vibrant rubies in Novid's shop. Her skin was soft and smooth as any of the children </div> <div> blessed into this world by Inamsu. And yet, the fact that all that beauty was unrequited </div> <div> by these bleak surroundings indicated a contrariness that was also exciting. There </div> <div> was much Dinian wished to learn about this woman, but for now there was little </div> <div> time, and he hoped that she could be persuaded to trust him. </div> <div> Dinian relayed the information about feeling compelled to help the doomed </div> <div> Jerath. He told Alea about his encounter with Rupert and the information that </div> <div> he now possessed. </div> <div> "I have told you all of this out of a trust that has no foundation. I have </div> <div> relinquished this vital information based on only a feeling that I have about you. </div> <div> I believe what Rupert has told me, I trust that we will find them in time, </div> <div> and I am asking you to trust me. This is a mission of faith if ever there </div> <div> was one." </div> <div> Dinian steadied his gaze on her innocent looking face. He tried to get a </div> <div> read from her about what he had already said, but it was almost impossible </div> <div> since he had no idea what evil could possibly look like behind such a </div> <div> visage of beauty. The fact that she was still looking back intently </div> <div> at him and ignoring the calls from the patrons around her inspired him </div> <div> to articulate his coup de grâce. </div> <div> The plan he envisioned would require the wine ... and more of it. He </div> <div> would lace it with a sleeping agent. But Dinian knew he could not </div> <div> get the men to take the wine from him. That was where Alea came </div> <div> in. They would try to get ahead of the caravan using Dinian's steed. </div> <div> They would then pose as travellers who would be willing to share </div> <div> some drink with the men if they could assist them in getting safely </div> <div> to Iriaebor. Her beauty and comforting disposition would play </div> <div> greatly in gaining the confidence of the Night Mask's men. </div> <div> As he finished his soliloquy, Dinian stepped forward slightly encroaching </div> <div> her personal space. Another foot, and her chin would be resting on the </div> <div> neckline of his breastplate. He reached his right hand out and placed </div> <div> it on her left shoulder and gently embraced it. "The only thing that I </div> <div> can guarantee is that they will meet their own fates before any harm </div> <div> would come to you." </div> <div> Now all he could do was await the answer. </div> <div> --------------------------------------</div> <div> <B>EXPERIENCE</B>:</div> <div> <B>LL</B>: 671 words (34 exp x 20) = 680 exp x2(roleplaying) = 1360</div> <div> <B>OTD</B>: level 8 (x100) = 800 (x2RP) = 1600</div> <div> <B>Bonus Awards</B>: Clever Idea: +75</div> <div> <B>DM </B>Delay Bonus: None</div> <div> <B>Total Experience for the turn</B>: 1675</div> <div>  The turn was fantastic. While there was no idea that blew me away, it involved romance, good planning, and excellent role-playing. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Dinian O'Nell</B></div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1</B></div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches - . 5</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor +1. 4</B></div> <div> <B>  </B>(up from last turn since Dinian readily planned to attempt to save the people who would be sold into slavery)</div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   "I am Alea , Dinian O'nell." The sound of her voice repeating his name was like music. Her large blue eyes and dark hair struck the cavalier's mind more than any spell ever cast upon him. Dinian could not explain his facination with this woman. "I do not have a family name", she continued, "I was -"</div> <div>   "Excuse me!" Yelled the large figure behind her. It was one of the businessmen, still anxious to receive a decision about how much he owed the bar. Dinian understood that he did not agree with the amount of drinks he supposedly had. "I demand to speak to the owner!" Alea jumped, dropping a bottle of wine on the floor.</div> <div>   "Of couse, sir." Alea said as she bent down to pick up the drink. </div> <div>   "Well go get him!" The large man said, as he pushed Alea into the bar behind her. She fell with a crash, and the man grinned a drunken smile, until he noticed Dinian looking his way. "What are you looking at, knight?" The man pulled out a large knife, trying to intimidate Dinian. He was drunk enough to use it. His companions came behind him, grinning. Dinian could not see clearly to tell if they also had weapons drawn.</div> <div>   The bartender looked on without concern, and the girls on stage kept dancing as if nothing was happening, almost as if this was a common occurance. </div> <div> ---------------------------</div> <bR> <div> Nek poked Rupart in the side, and he looked back from the girls to the knight that he just sold information to. "Oh this <I>is </I>getting interesting, Nek, <I>very </I>interesting."</div> <div> ----------------------------</div> <div> Dinian was accustomed to money. All his life, he had aspired to the finer things. </div> <div> Even as a child, his taste ran toward the elegant ... heraldry. Dinian wasn't a </div> <div> snob in any sense ... he was a Cavalier. It was his thought that a fine cloak, </div> <div> shining, stately armor, and an exceptional steed were key components to </div> <div> an outward appearance of dignity and honor. Dirty breastplates and tattered </div> <div> garb were indicitive of a fighter who was lazy, idle, and had little respect for </div> <div> themselves and others. </div> <div> Dinian let his head bow down momentarily and looked at his boots ... clean. </div> <div> Always clean. He reached his hand and felt the weight of his coin purse. </div> <div> Not heavy ... but there had always been enough when he had to reach into </div> <div> it to solve a situation. And Dinian had learned over the years (the decades ... </div> <div> was he getting that old now?) that most situations could always boil down </div> <div> to gold. It was never a question of fear. That was a word that had long left </div> <div> his vocabulary. Somewhere in the frays with Great Wyrms, Liches, </div> <div> or Demons, Dinian had discovered that fear had no place in his body, and he </div> <div> had banished it forever. But he had also learned that honor did not always </div> <div> involve swords. Sometimes it even prohibited them. Tyr was a God of Justice, </div> <div> and justice did not always end in death (an ideology which had led him to </div> <div> this encounter in the quest to save a guilty man ... astounding!). </div> <div> Now it was decision time again ... and time was the one luxury that Dinian </div> <div> had little of and gold could not purchase (save for a few dangerous spells). </div> <div> In an instant, Dinian summed up his choices: </div> <div> 1. Diplomacy. Pay the tab, forgive/forget the incredulous attack on the beautiful Alea. </div> <div> This was a win/lose/lose situation. </div> <div> Win: Quick resolution. </div> <div> Lose: Affront to Alea. </div> <div> Lose: Self respect and possibly that of Alea and others. </div> <div> 2. Fight. There were 4 of them altogether. It wouldn't be fair ... to them. </div> <div> This was a lose/win/unknown situation. </div> <div> Lose: Time would be wasted. Especially if local officials became involved. </div> <div> Win: Alea would be vindicated. </div> <div> Unknown: Though Dinian may feel good about revenge, Alea may think him brash, and he needed her trust. </div> <div> The choices always seemed black and white. Neither was preferrable to the </div> <div> other, but it was time to move. </div> <div> Dinian looked back up and levelled a stare at the assailant. He had only taken milliseconds to </div> <div> assess the situation. He moved with agility and speed that contradicted the presumable weight </div> <div> of the armor he wore. In a light he was by the girl's side on the floor. </div> <div> Dinian took her hand in his as he knelt beside Alea. </div> <div> "Are you alright?" </div> <div> "Yes. I believe so," she replied, "I'm afraid your wine has suffered more than I in this case." </div> <div> "The wine can be replaced with silver," Dinain began, "but you, my lady, could not be replaced with a King's ransom." </div> <div> Again their eyes met, but only for a second (yet in that second Dinian could feel himself falling for </div> <div> an eternity into those eyes). Alea's eyes darted quickly over Dinian's left shoulder, and he knew </div> <div> that his decision had been made for him. A fight would have been a brash move, but self-defense </div> <div> was a forgivable necessity of life. </div> <div> However, death was still not an issue. Dinian (and most Blade members in general) had come </div> <div> unscathed through fights with foes that would have decimated this braggadocio and his friends. </div> <div> ... </div> <div> Morath couldn't recall completely what had happened. He had shoved the insolent serving wench into </div> <div> the bar, and she had deserved it. She was trying to rob them and he wasn't going to put up with it. He </div> <div> was a respected member of the town council and she needed a lesson in business. The fighter didn't </div> <div> register visually until after he had pushed the girl aside. He thought it might become an issue, but then </div> <div> he remembered he had friends, and this was a pretty boy anyway. Too neat and clean to have been </div> <div> in any real tussles. When the stranger turned his back on them, it became even easier ... </div> <div> He remembers going directly for the fighter. What happened next would only become clear to him </div> <div> days later when his friends laughed at him and told the story. </div> <div> Apparently, the stranger whirled on him and removed his cloak in one inhuman motion. The knight </div> <div> made a quick move to the left to dodge the attack and wrapped the cloak around Morath's head. </div> <div> With a quick yank, the fighter opposed Morath's momentum and the feet went out from under the </div> <div> drunken businessman. The knight released his cloak from Morath's head as he sailed through the </div> <div> air inverted. As Morath's head met the barroom floor, it took his drunken stupor to the inevitable </div> <div> next level; unconsciousness. None of his friends contested the battles outcome as they all reached </div> <div> to square their tabs. </div> <div> Dinian helped Alea to her feet and placed his cloak back around his shoulders. </div> <bR> <div> "If you are alright, then please come with me. Our time grows short." </div> <div> Her only words were, "Thank you," as she followed Dinian through the door and into the night. </div> <div> They travelled. </div> <div> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </div> <div> <B>Author's note</B>: You know, I really don't know where to end my turn, and what to take for granted. In </div> <div> my above "turn" I actually feel like I took quite a bit of DM-ing away. You may have had more in </div> <div> mind from the drunk "businessman", but if we go back and forth on every issue, there will be little </div> <div> room for me (or you) to elaborate such illustrated stories. Do you want to give us some sort of </div> <div> guidelines for dealing with encounters that seem fairly easy to dispatch? Can you give us some </div> <div> indication of when we will need to break it down turn by turn without giving away some of your </div> <div> own surprises?</div> <div> -----------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <div> <B>EXPERIENCE</B>:</div> <div> <B>LL</B>: 877 words (44 exp x 20) = 880 exp x2 (roleplaying) = 1760</div> <div> <B>OTD</B>: level 8 (x100) = 800 (x2RP) = 1600</div> <div> <B>Bonus Awards</B>: Clever Idea: +75</div> <div> <B>DM </B>Delay Bonus: None</div> <div> <B>Total Experience for the turn</B>: 1835</div> <div>  I think this turn shows well how a longer response can lead to some extra experience points. Dinian's response, through pure length, is worth +160 over his regular award. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Dinian O'Nell</B></div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) +1 . 5</B></div> <div> <B>  </B>Tyr favors this action for reasons I shall not revel at this time. Dinian has a "feeling" that he has done the right thing. </div> <div> <B>Works +0</B></div> <div> <B>Riches - . 5</B></div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor + 2</B></div> <div> <B>  </B>Up to full +2; Dinian refused to kill the businessmen although he had every reason and chance. </div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian and Alea traveled quickly from the town of Hill's Edge, south toward Corm Orp. Corm Orp was a home to many haflings, although they were hid in home-burrows in the hills. The human population lived in about fifteen main buildings in the area. Being versed with Heldary as a skill, Dinian also knew that the guard there would wear bright green ribbons on their right arm to signify their station.</div> <div>   Dinian looked to Alea, the woman who he had never expected to meet in the city of Hill's Edge. It was almost a shame to have taken her from the place; she seemed to be it's only redeeming quality. </div> <div>   Dinian cleared his throat. "In the Dragon's Nest, you began to tell me that you did not have a family name. Why is that, if you still feel like talking about such things."</div> <div>   "I do not have a family name because I do not have a family, Dinian. They... my parents left me with my uncle at the Dragon's Nest."</div> <div>   "Your uncle? Why did we not meet him before we left Hill's Edge?"</div> <div>   "My uncle passed into the realms of the gods when I was only four years. He died of the blue chills. I don't remember any of it, and not really my father either. I gre up as part of the property of the Dragon's Nest."</div> <div>   "Property? You mean you were a slave?" Dinian was shocked. "I thought that slavery was forbidden in Hill's Edge."</div> <div>   "Oh, it's not considered slavery. I have rights as a citizen. More if I were married, but I did have rights. I was protected by the magistrates. After all, the many owners of the Dragon's Nest have all had to pay heavy taxes to the city to keep me at the location."</div> <div>   "Were you ever...  mistreated?"</div> <div>   "Oh no, most of the men that owned the tavern never even spoke to me. I don't know why, but most people would not speak to me."</div> <div>   Dinian thought that was strange. A woman with the beauty of this woman should have had men racing after her like fevered wolves. </div> <div>   "I have heard the stories of your travels with the Soaring Blade from the bards who have visited the tavern.   Will you tell me some of them on our travel?"</div> <div>   "Of course. Lets see. There was one time, I remember, when we did not realise that soon we would again be facing Blackmeir, an evil mage that had dogged our heels for quite some time. It all started when we received an invitation to an old castle out in the hills north of Cormyr, which everyone knew was occupied but from which no one ever saw a soul come or go...</div> <div> --------------------</div> <bR> <div>   The travelers came, without much more of a encounter than a chilly night's ride, to the tiny village of Corm Orp. Dinian decided that although they had not caught the caravan yet, they should get at least a few hours of sleep. He discovered, acting as a merchant who had gone to Hill's Edge and sold everything he had, including his wagon, that the caravan they sought had been through Corm orp only a half day or so ago, leaving about mid-morning. That was good. If they kept making this kind of progress, they might catch the caravan before it ever reached Hluthvar.</div> <div> -------------------</div> <bR> <div>   Unfortuanatly, Dinian had left most of his wealth back in Llorkth, with Inamsu, and he had not told his female companion that they might be running out of gold soon. The payment for the information had taken a deep toll on his coinpouch, and the feeding of the animals (and their own hunger) was making this trip expensive. As Dinian rode into Corm Orp, he realised that he would have to find a way to get his own gold back or find work here, which would slow him down. </div> <bR> <div> DM: What will Dinian do about his money situation?</div> <div>  </div> <div> DM Notes: You can weave the story however you like unless I ask you to make a tun in a specific way. This turn makes a good example: do not assume your idea to get a job or money works in this turn, but instead let me look at how you expect to solve your problem and let me use that as part of the next turn I will send you.</div> <bR> <div> Appearances were always foremost on a cavalier's mind. Even on his deathbed, </div> <div> a true cavalier would put on his best front and don his best armor so as to </div> <div> leave a lasting impression of strength, honor, and dignity. Dinian always </div> <div> traveled well, and he always dressed well. There were times in the past </div> <div> when, due to lack of funds, the two were in direct opposition to each other. </div> <div> But there were also high times when the money was so abundant that </div> <div> Dinian could go to the ostentatious. So, here he was, short on funds, and </div> <div> in need of salvaging his appearance. </div> <div> Dinian thought quickly. He had a clasp for his cloak that would fetch a </div> <div> good price with the halflings. It would be a shame to lose it, he had </div> <div> gotten it from a good friend and it would be irreplaceable. He also </div> <div> had a dagger in his boot that was ornate and expensive ... there </div> <div> were several choices among his items. </div> <div> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> <B>EXPERIENCE</B>:</div> <div> <B>LL</B>: 162 words (8 exp x 20) = 160 exp x2 (roleplaying) = 320 exp</div> <div> <B>OTD</B>: level 6 (x100) = 600 (x2RP) = 1200</div> <div> <B>Bonus Awards</B>: Clever Idea: +75</div> <div> <B>DM </B>Delay Bonus: None</div> <div> <B>Total Experience for the turn</B>: 1275</div> <div>  The turn was slightly above average. i was impressed with the idea of selling items from Dinian's outfit, something i had not considered over work or contacting Llorkth with magic. This was clever. Also, the amount of thought put into the background of such a simple decision was impressive also (it's the little details that count). Great turn!</div> <bR> <div> <B>Dinian O'Nell</B></div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) </B>+1 . 5</div> <div> <B>  Works</B><B> </B>+0</div> <div> <B>Riches - </B>5, 000 gold</div> <div> <B>Appearance (Uniform)</B>: +8 (from 10)</div> <div> <B>Other Wealth</B>: The Church of Tyr in Llorkth holds 50,000 gold for Dinian, his life savings from all of his adventures, after his donations to the church were taken. </div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor </B>+ 2</div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   New Aspect: Appearance</div> <div>     This covers the appearance that Dinian first gives on arriving somewhere  new, involving his uniform and dress, something very important to a cavlier. Dinian begins with +10 (and it's very hard to go above this score). He is now at +8 due to selling some of his personal items of fine nature.</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian was sorry to sell his dagger and cloak clasp. The clasp had been made for him by Novid as a gift after the battle of The Gate, when he was resuced from his imprisionment in the plane of the dreaded Demogorgon. The dagger was from Myth Drannor, the most wondorous city the realms had ever seen, now long since destroyed. The two items were expensive, and both fetched a good price. Of course, Dinian had not spoken of the sales to Alea. He had made them only after she had went to sleep at the inn they purchased a room from.</div> <div>   Of course, Dinian had decided not to stay long in Corm Orp. He had business to attend to. It was a shame; there were not many halflings in Llorkth, and Dinian had a fondness of the little people. He had noticed he had not seen many of the Kin here in the city. Upon asking, he found that most of the halfling families stayed in the hills, nusstled in their borrows. Dinian forgot that most halflings were not like the few adventurers that he had met, but prefered to stay in their comfortable homes, relaxing and enjoying fine meals, and drinking their wine (which halflings would be sure to tell you is just as good, if not better, than any elven wine).</div> <div>    Hluthvar was the next stop on the path the caravan was taking (according to the shady characters they had purchased the information from). Dinian hoped to cut the caravan's trip short there.</div> <div>   The city was named after a warror that died at The Battle of Bones, a titanic struggle agaist the combined gonlinoid forces agaist humans, elves, and dwarves together, about 300 years ago. HThe warrior had protected his men to the death, and many evil creatures fell with him that day.</div> <div>   The entire city revolved around the worship of Helm, god of protectors and guardians, although the god's worship was beginning to wain after The Time of troubles, when the gods walked the face of the realms and Helm was appointed by Ao, lord of all the gods, to protect the gate that lead back to the outer planes. He did his job so well that many gods met their fate in this world, and many blamed the death of lawful deities on him. </div> <div>   The thing that troubled Dinian was that Hluthvar was in sight of Darkhold, an immense fortress to the east. Darkhold was a known base of the Zhentarim, an orginization that had been one of the Blade's arch enemies for the entire time that they had traveled. Dinian had seized Llorkth from that group, and the Blade had killed their high priest, Fzoul, and he was sure there was a price on his head that the Zhents would gladly pay. Luckily, Dinian knew that the Zhentarim was not welcome in Hluthvar, although he was sure there were agents there. </div> <div>   Stopping the caravan in this city would be tricky, but safer than letting it reach Asbravn (where they might miss the caravcan) or Iriaebor (where the trade would take place). The sooner they could stop the caravan the better.</div> <div>   The next morning, Dinian and Alea were on their way as quickly as possible, loading up their steed with supplies that Dinian was now able to purchase, including iron rashions, fresh water (so they would not have to waste time refilling their wineskins), and a few items that they would not need as well so their disguise as traders would be much more convincing. Dinian was able to purchase a large supply of bows and arrows and a few small pots and pans for almost nothing. The load would be light on the mounts, although it would look as if they were carrying a lage amount of goods.</div> <div>   As they left Corm Orp, one another thing besides the loomong Darkhold played on Dinian's mind. His armor would make him stand out. His disguise as a trader might not work if he was seen wearing a suit of full-plate amor with all the trimmings. His armor, even without it's magics, was probably one of the finest suits ever crafted. But if they encountered a group of patroling Zhents, not wearing his protection could mean real trouble. Dinian thought hard on what to do....</div> <bR> <div> DM: How will Dinian handle the situation with his armor, and will he plan to stop the caravan in Hluthvar or wait? I'd also like Dinian's personal view of the god Helm... how does he feel about Helm's actions during The Time of Troubles?</div> <bR> <div> Dinian will want to minimize the amount of detectable magic on his persons in the event </div> <div> of an encounter with the caravan. I am assuming that he is using a fairly normal horse for </div> <div> these travels. He can use Justice (did we really pick this name back in the old days?) to </div> <div> hold Demonbane and his armor, et al, during the confrontation. </div> <div> He will keep his Ring of Free Action on. If a magical detection is used, it may be easy to </div> <div> justify one item for the "travelling merchant" disguise. Six would be difficult at best ;) </div> <div> (Which unless he noticed a mage-type that might look to "know" what the item is, Dinian </div> <div> would claim it was some very weak type of magical item ... like a ring of frog calling) </div> <div> On the one hand, Dinian wished his old friend Novid were here. Illusions of his caliber would make </div> <div> this task a childish waste of the mage's skills. On the other hand, Dinian knew that he would </div> <div> undoubtedly hear a philosophical soliloquy on the subject of frugality. </div> <div> "Dinian, if you only tried to live within more moderate means when you became low on </div> <div> funds, you would not need to <I>give away </I>such priceless relics for a fool's ransom! And since </div> <div> you gave so <I>little </I>regard to my finely crafted broach, I should make you pay me for the time </div> <div> I spent creating it as well!" </div> <div> Dinian cringed at even the thought of his reproachable act being discovered and admonished </div> <div> by his dear friend. He would have to make sure and return to Corm Orp for it soon, and he </div> <div> offered the purchaser double his money back for the item if he would promise to hold it for </div> <div> him for 3 months before showing it to other buyers. Dinian knew the halflings were good </div> <div> for their word ... and he put his trust in this one. </div> <div> The matter at hand was to now work on maintaining anonymity for the remainder of this </div> <div> adventure. Dinian took relish in the fact that almost no one recognized him, to date, in </div> <div> this part of the world. It was actually Demonbane that was gaining all the recognition. </div> <div> Also, since he was thought dead by most, things should be much easier. Dinian </div> <div> decided to forgo the armor and sheath Demonbane, wrapped in a blanket. Both items </div> <div> would be hidden among the other cargo on the steeds. Since Dinian's clothes were also </div> <div> some of the finest in the land, he also made sure to buy some trappings that were a little </div> <div> more suitable to a lower ... er, upper lower class travelling merchant. He would also </div> <div> not shave his face and purchase a short sword in case things got a little more </div> <div> confrontational than he hoped. </div> <div> The information he had gathered caused him much perturbation. He was, to say the least, not </div> <div> fond of Helm. The god's followers could tend to be zealots and it would not be wise to cause </div> <div> a scene in their midst. Plus, the more Dinian thought, the less he liked this situation at all. </div> <div> He decided to talk things over with Alea as they resumed their journey. </div> <div> After explaining what he had learned, Dinian continued, "I think we should try to intercept </div> <div> them just half a day's travel outside Iriaebor. While they imbibe our special drink, we could </div> <div> get as much information as possible about their trade. Perhaps we could put a stop to </div> <div> this sort of thing once and for all. At the least we would gain some useful information. And my </div> <div> extensive travels have taught me that information can be more powerful than armies. However, </div> <div> understand that this plan will put us in greater danger. There are those in this area that would </div> <div> gladly see me dead ... along with those foolish enough to travel with me." </div> <div> Dinian took Alea's hand into his, and looked soulfully into her blue eyes. When he spoke, it </div> <div> was in a low voice and with a solemn cadence, "This is an important decision. We have </div> <div> several good hours of travel for you to make your decision. I feel this is Tyr's will that I </div> <div> see this to the very end. But I alone am bound to do this work. You haven't even spoke </div> <div> about your beliefs, and I will not take this time to thrust mine upon you. It is enough that </div> <div> you trust me and are willing to go as far as we have agreed. If you choose to do only that </div> <div> which we set forth at the beginning of this journey, I will understand and think no less of </div> <div> you." </div> <div> Her eyes were so beautiful. He continued without thought for a moment as he swam in </div> <div> their coolness, "The fact that you agreed to go with me at all commands a world of </div> <div> respect. There is something about you that I cannot wrap my mind around and your </div> <div> sheer radiance clouds me from seeing it." </div> <div> Dinian caught himself, and looked away for a moment to compose himself. He was </div> <div> sounding like an old fool to this young girl. When he looked back, he did not see </div> <div> any reproach in her eyes. There was a strength and understanding behind them, and </div> <div> seeing it in her allowed him to regain himself and continue. </div> <div> "Think about it. I will do my best to protect you, but my job will be much harder. </div> <div> As will yours." </div> <div> They resumed their travel. And as Dinian awaited her response, he wanted to </div> <div> find out more about this girl. </div> <div> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <div> Exp: 600 x 50 = 3000 </div> <bR> <div>   Dinian and Alea stopped to rest. Not that Dinian requires it, but he could see that Alea was not accoustomed to traveling so far so fast. They should still be able to catch the caravan with plenty of time, according to Dinian's calculations.</div> <div>   Alea sat across the fire from Dinian, and began to speak. "I have always looked to the god of Tyr for help" she began, "and prayed that he would bring justice to Hill's Edge as he has to other realms. The older gods seem to not be able to. I feel compasion for the people in that city. They are brutal to one another, and greedy, and do not realise how much they have to offer each other."</div> <div>   "I want to do everything I can to help you, Dinian, but I fear I may be more of a hinderance than of any help. I have no skills as a warrior, or with that of magic." Alea sighed.</div> <div>   Dinian heard Alea finish her sentence, but he was also listening to another sound, something coming toward them as it began to rain. Footsteps. He could also hear swords being drawn, the quiet slide of metal against metal as the blades exited their sheaths. Luckily, or prehaps not considering the risk to his disguise,  Dinian had not changed outfits as of yet, planning to do that upon resting.</div> <div>   Spinning around, Dinian saw the three bandits approaching him from the woods. There were also two archers behind them. The bandits could be taken care of within a few moments, he guessed, but the archers would be a problem...</div> <bR> <div> DM: Dinian is within reach of Demonbane. Will he use that weapon or his short sword?</div> <div>   Dinian can move three squares per turn. He can instruct Alea as well, and she can move two squares per turn. The bandits have their weapons drawn, but Dinian has the inititive.</div> <div> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> Dinian quickly shielded Alea with himself. He stood directly between her and the archers. </div> <div> If they were men of any skill and no scruples (which seemed likely considering their attempt </div> <div> to ambush travellers) they would find her to be an easy first target. </div> <div> "Quickly, back to those trees," Dinian commanded as he rushed them both backwards as </div> <div> quickly as he could get her to move. </div> <div> Alea ran toward the large oak and crouched behind it. Dinian stood in front of the old tree, </div> <div> short sword drawn, and shield raised. </div> <div> "Lower your weapons that you might live this night through," Dinian admonished the </div> <div> would be assailants. He held his ground. With their own men in the way, the archers </div> <div> would not get a good shot off. And let the armed rogues come and meet their own </div> <div> death if they so choose. </div> <div> Players note: Dinian will attempt to keep the 3 men with swords between him and the </div> <div> archers, while keeping himself (and the tree) between Alea and the attackers. If possible, </div> <div> he will not turn his back to the archers. If the men choose to fight, Dinian will try and make </div> <div> critical hits to quickly diminish their numbers to make it easier to protect Alea. Critical does </div> <div> not necessarily mean deadly, merely disarming or crippling would suffice. If possible, he will </div> <div> not reveal his identity. Demonbane will stay sheathed.</div> <bR> <div> ------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <div> EXP: (600 x 2 = 1200) + 50 (good role-playing) + 300 (DM response time) = 1550</div> <bR> <div>   Although Dinian had warded many opponents away with just his reputation, that would not be the case this time. These men did not know who Dinian was, and he wanted to keep it that way. Obviously, the men saw Dinian as an easy pick for gold, seeing his armor and dress. But that was not the case, either.</div> <div>   Dinian made sure to place himself so that the warriors would come to him, blocking off the sight of the archers. he would have to deal with them later. He motioned to Alea to run for the nearby forest area, where she could take cover from any possible arrows. She understood, and ran for the trees.</div> <div>   Dinian took out the short sword he had purchased in Corm Orp. It was not as easy to weild as Demonbane, but the steel felt natural to him anyway. Dinian kept up his practice, knowing he did not plan to always weild the dark sword. </div> <div>   The fighters surrounded him to his front, one directly in front of him, the others to his sides. They did not heed his words, and the battle had begun.</div> <div>   </div> <div> DM: Dinian needs only a 2 or better on d20 to attack the bandits. He can make 2 attacks per round witt the weapon, each with a damage bonus of +7. With his own AC of -10, the bandits need a 20 to strike him. </div> <bR> <div>   Dinian swung around, blocking the sword of the first bandit and striking the second in the same swing. The wounded bandit fell, his head nearly severed.  In what seemed to be a continuous motion, the short blade came about behind Dinian, who switched hands twice, bringing the weapon to strike the bandit to his right, who was totally suprised. His body arched foward slightly as the blade peirced his heart. He made a gurgling sound as he bent foward, collapsing. </div> <div>   The final bandit (not including the archers) lunged at Dinian, missing him within a few inches. He oversteped, and Dinian was easily able to sever his head, his body falling to the cavalier's feet, his head rolling a few feet away. </div> <div>   Now there were two archers left to deal with. Arrows had already begun to fly past him, and at least two bounced off his armor. </div> <div>   Dinian was not a man of distance combat. Missile weapons were cowardly. Instead, he decided to charge the nearest archer in the same manner as he had seen Kendel Moonsun do so many times, atempting to frighten the bandits away.</div> <div>   Just as he had thought, Dinian's foes had had enough.They ran asfast as they could back into the forest. Dinian decided not to give chase, instead racing back to Alea to see if she was wounded.</div> <div>   Dinian's armor clanked as he ran to the woods where he had told Alea to hide. Sure enough, she was there, hiding behind an oak. She jumped when she saw him, and then let out a sigh of relief.</div> <div>   "Are you alright?" Dinian questioned, looking her over for signs of blood.</div> <div>   "I'm fine," Alea assured, "and the bandits?"</div> <div>   "They won't be bothering anyone on this trail again. Two of them ran to wherever they came from. the others are dead."</div> <div>   "So... quickly?" Alea was stunned. "I had heard you were a great warrior Dinian, but I never thought..."</div> <div>   "A lucky strike could have taken me down. I had my armor on, as well as a ready weapon.  I was lucky." Dinian stated with hummility. Alea did not look as if she was convinced by his story.</div> <div>   "We have a long way to go, Alea. It is obvious that we are not safe in this area. Do you think you can travel on?"</div> <div>   "By blazes I'll travel out of here!" Alea jested, and the companions gathered themselves together and ventured onward...</div> <bR> <div> -------------------------------</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian was closer to Darkhold than he cared to be, as he traveled with Alea toward Hluthvar. He could see the mighty fortress in the distance. It's sheer size was incredible. No one knew where the fortress had come from, but it was rumored that in ancient times giants had built those black walls. The towers loomed over the nearby hills quite easily, and Dinian imagined that even with an incredible army that it would be nearly impossible to take the keep even if it was lightly guarded. </div> <div>   Up ahead, a group of men came closer, on horseback. They waved the flag of the Zhentarim proudly, a red "Z" sign on a feild of a yellow circle on a black flag. Dinian had feared that this might happen. Luckily, Dinian had changed into his merchant's clothing.</div> <div>   "Who goes there?" the leader asked....</div> <bR> <div> A river of disgust raged through Dinian's veins as the flag of Zhentarim came clearly into view. </div> <div> As the leader of the approaching group hailed Dinian and Alea for the first time, Dinian whispered </div> <div> to Alea, "It is very important that we have as little interaction with these men as possible. We </div> <div> must tell them only what is necessary to be on our way ..." </div> <div> "Hail good Sir," Dinian called out with his hand upraised, squelching down the part of him that </div> <div> yearned to draw Demonbane from it's sheath and put these men out of his misery (alas his </div> <div> means for dispatching their life from their bodies was safely concealed on Justice an undetectable </div> <div> distance from here). </div> <div> As the two parties approached each other closer, Dinian moved his upraised arm and open hand </div> <div> into a clenched fist upon his chest, a universal greeting. He bowed deeply and then began the </div> <div> introductions. </div> <div> "I am Bardos Oakleaf, and this is my brother's daughter Alea." </div> <div> "Well met good Sir," Alea spoke as she bowed in the same fashion which she saw Dinian. </div> <div> There was a brief silence as they waited for a response ... </div> <div> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ </div> <div>   "Ah yes," the soilder responded, "I remember her. I was passing through Hill's Edge not more than tenday ago. It's hard to forget such a face." The soilder smiled a pleasent smile to Alea, and then looked at Dinian as if he had a guilty concience. "Be on your way then, and be quick about it. There are bandits in this area."</div> <div>   Dinian did not hesitate, and moved away from the guard as fast as his steed would carry him. He would have loved to have taken the guard and shown him a small fraction of Tyr's justice, but this was not the time or the place. They still needed to stop the caravan before it reached Iriabor, hopefully as it reached Asbravn.</div> <div>   Dinian and Alea rode into the gates of Hluthvar, finally safe from the Zents for now, not counting assassians, spies, and the like that the Zhents most likely had hidden throguhout the city. Still, their disguise as merchants served them well. Dinian even had to stop to sell a couple of trinkets they had bought earlier. </div> <div>   Although Dinian was not fond of the deity Helm after The Time of Troubles, he had to admit the temple to the god was impressive. Hulthvar was a city built surrounding the main temple, which was so large that it's towers could be seen from any point in the city, a constant reminder that the church ruled here. There were clergy and symbols tot he deity everywhere they went, and every road in the city could be quickly taken to reach the grand cathedral of Helm. Dinian also noticed a shrine or symbol to Tyr in this place from time to time, which brought a sense of pride to him. Still, Darkhold loomed in the background, a slap in the face to both Tyr and Helm alike.</div> <div>   The really good thing about being a merchant was people were not afraid to talk to a wandering salesman. Most common folk were hesitant to talk to those in authority, or even those that dressed above the commoner station. Dinian found that his new, less decorative appearance held less respect, but less fear from these people also. He soon found that the caravan they had been looking for had been in Hulthvar only a few hours ago, leaving for Asbravn. </div> <div>   Alea looked tired, Dinian thought, even though she claimed that she could continue foward. Although it was a difficult decision, Dinian thought it best that Alea rest for at least a few hours. They were making excellent time in catching up to the caravan, and Dinian expected to be upon them within the next 48 hours, even if they took a small break. </div> <div> -------------------------------------------------</div> <div>   After a morning of eggs and goat milk, Dinian and Alea were on their way again, crossing back out of the city and back into the wilderness of the heartlands. The Reaching Woods streched upwars toward the sky to thier right, a few miles from the main road, as far as they could see in either direction. </div> <div>   Dinian and Alea passed many caravans coming from Asbravn toward Hulthvar, the city from which they had come. Thankfully, none of them were Zhentarim soilders. Dinian only saw pleasent folk, ready to travel to the next city and sell their wares to the highest bidder. He saw one horse that was very strong looking, and a beautiful white. However, the trader was a very wealthy man, and would not even discuss selling the steed, saying it was part of the family. Dinian smiled and tossed the merchant's son a silver, and traveled on.</div> <div> -------------------------------------------------</div> <div>   Asbravn was a small town of about 50 central buildings nesteled in a shallow delve north of Iriabor where the Dusk Road and the Uldoon Trail meet. The town stood in a thriving area of farms, but the area seemed far too busy for farmers. There were armored men all about (although not nearly as well armored as Dinian), riding fine horses and clothing more expensive than most commeners could afford. Dinian recognized the men as the Riders in Red Cloaks, a group of men many considered heroes, but some thought of as only mercenaries. Dinian did not know them and had not made up his own mind.</div> <div>   This town was small, and there were lots of men who could possibly identify Dinian among these "red cloaks". Still, the caravan might be here somewhere. </div> <bR> <div> DM to Gary: Will Dinian pass by this town and head to Iriabor, or will he stop here to find out more about the caravan by asking around, or do you have other ideas?</div> <bR> <div> With the experience gained through years of travel and adventures </div> <div> with the Blade, Dinian knew the best weapon was always information. </div> <div> The more he could find out about the caravan, it's make-up, what they </div> <div> might have told some of the locals ... the better off Dinian and Alea </div> <div> would be of accomplishing their mission with little bloodshed. Dinian </div> <div> thought of his old friend Kendal. The barbarian spent little time learning </div> <div> about his enemies, and more time killing them. Though he always </div> <div> completed his quests successfully, Dinian was sure that Kendal would </div> <div> never completely get the crimson stain of blood off his hands. Dinian had </div> <div> learned much from Shalamar and Novid. Mages were generally men of </div> <div> little girth, but could fell large foes with ease. Preparation was the key </div> <div> to quick success. But if Dinian couldn't gain enough information to get </div> <div> and edge, or the information turned out to be false ... thank Tyr that </div> <div> Dinian had learned a few tricks about killing a man from Kendal. </div> <div> By his silence, Alea felt that Dinian was contemplating something </div> <div> important. "Copper for your thoughts ...," she offered. </div> <div> Dinian blinked his eyes and realized that he had been in a trance, </div> <div> thinking of his friends and what they might do in this situation. </div> <div> "Sorry, ... I believe I have an idea." </div> <div> Dinian told Alea what he knew of the Red Cloaks and advised her to </div> <div> buy them a round of drinks at the tavern and let them tell her stories </div> <div> of their adventures. If she could, try and work in questions about a </div> <div> caravan bound for Iriabor. </div> <div> In the meantime, Dinian would search out this city and try to find a mage's </div> <div> guild. He would seek council with one that looked trustworthy and reveal </div> <div> his true identity to him and their quest. Perhaps the mage would help </div> <div> them with some magical information gathering and more. </div> <div> As he walked in search of the guild, Dinian made a mental note that he </div> <div> should stop by the temple, make a small donation in the name of Tyr, and </div> <div> pray for their safety and success. </div> <div> He would also make sure she got a couple hours sleep before they departed. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Dinian O'Nell</B></div> <div> <B>Favor (Tyr) </B>+1 . 5</div> <div> <B>  Works</B><B> </B>+0</div> <div> <B>Riches - </B>5, 000 gold</div> <div> <B>Appearance (Uniform)</B>: +7. 5 (from 10)</div> <div> <B>Other Wealth</B>: The Church of Tyr in Llorkth holds 50,000 gold for Dinian, his life savings from all of his adventures, after his donations to the church were taken. </div> <div> <B>Reputation </B></div> <div> <B>  </B><B>Southeast +0 (current whereabouts)</B></div> <div> <B>  North +1 (famous, but most think Dinian is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>  East (Cormyr/Dales) +1 (famous, but most think he is dead or has disappeared)</B></div> <div> <B>Honor </B>+ 2</div> <div> <B>Squire</B> n/a</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian let out a small irritated humming sound as he walked through the village. There wasn't a temple of Tyr in sight, although there was a very small shrine erected to the deity here, a set of admantium scales fastened to a large carved stone with inscriptions from The Book of Justice carved into it. A guard stood watch over the shrine. Although this was not the right place to pay donations, it was the right place to pray. Dinian said one of the many prayers of Tyr, as he prayed for safety and success:</div> <bR> <div> Give me strength to protect the weak,</div> <div> But take away the source of my fear.</div> <div> Give me courage to face the darkest foes,</div> <div> But take away foolishness and rash actions.</div> <div> Give me honor to be an example,</div> <div> But take away the strength of my flaws.</div> <div> Give me hope when this is not enough,</div> <div> And take away nothing.</div> <div> ----------------------------</div> <div>   Dinian was glad to see that there was a wizard in this small place, a man known as Kath. Kath was a young man, but more experienced than most run-of-the-mill mages that only knew a few spells and had no real knowledge past them. He waved his hands through the air as if building something invisible, then placed his hand on his forehead as if slapping himself for some sort of mistake. It would have been laughable if it were not for the golden glow that then came from his hand and his eyes, which gleamed with a similar hue.</div> <div>   "The people you seek have stopped moving. They have set up a camp for the time being and are taking special care of some type of goods, bound in rope and metal. I see that they hide these valuable goods from others, hoping to sell them later for a great price."</div> <div>   Dinian smiled. "Good. I was hoping to catch them first and make a counter-offer. One I am sure will...  catch their attention."</div> <div>   With that, Dinian gave the young mage his necklace, a long golden chain with a few precious gems. It was valuable, but wizard spells did not come cheap. Better save the gold for other purposes.</div> <div> ---------------------------</div> <div>   Alea returned, and with similar news. The caravan was only a couple of hours out of town. She wanted to leave immediatly to save the prisinors, but Dinian would not have it.</div> <div>   "No, Alea, you must stay here and rest for at least a few hours. Even I feel fatigued. The caravan has made a camp, I am told, and so we should still catch them before they reach the next city."</div> <div>   "Oh, good." Alea seemed very releived. Dinian noticed she was very quiet until they reached the inn. She was obviously on the verge of exhaustion. </div> <div> --------------------------</div> <div>   The rest the two adventurers had was over quickly, and they traveled onward, refreshed. Soon they left the safety of the village and the Red Cloaks, all traces of them disappearing into memory.</div> <div>   They still passed the occasional group of merchants or traveling family. But as the sun began to set, the sight of others lessened slowly into none. It was just he and Alea on this road now... and the slave traders.</div> <div>   After another hour or so of traveling, Dinian spotted lights off the road. Sure enough, it was a wagon, a bit too far off the path than normal for traders. Most liked the idea of late shoppers coming into their camp to buy, sell or trade with them outside the cities, where there was no tax. Being close to the road also meant a feeling of comfort. This caravan, made of four covered wagons, was putting itself at risk of bandits being as far out as they were. It was the Slave Traders, the Night Mask.</div> <bR> <div>   Dinian's plan came back to mind...</div> <bR> <div>   The plan he envisioned would require the wine ... and more of it. He </div> <div> would lace it with a sleeping agent. But Dinian knew he could not </div> <div> get the men to take the wine from him. That was where Alea came </div> <div> in. They would try to get ahead of the caravan using Dinian's steed. </div> <div> They would then pose as travellers who would be willing to share </div> <div> some drink with the men if they could assist them in getting safely </div> <div> to Iriaebor. Her beauty and comforting disposition would play </div> <div> greatly in gaining the confidence of the Night Mask's men. </div> <bR> <div>   Now Dinian had questions about his plan. How would he get in front of the caravan here? If he were spotted with Alea, even at this distance, they could be recognized if they came back around any time soon, and that might make the Night Mask suspicious. They were a very professional group, according to Alea. </div> <div>   Dinian thought of his next move. Whatever it was to be, it would have to be quick.</div> <bR> <div> The sun had met the horizon an hour ago, and Dinian knew that the time </div> <div> had come to take action. The journey until now had been hurried and </div> <div> little time had been spent on enjoying the fresh, new countryside that </div> <div> Dinian had found himself wandering for the first time in his long adventuring </div> <div> years. As they had sat and waited for the last rays of the sun to disappear </div> <div> from view, Dinian noted the sweet aroma of the cedar chips that crackled </div> <div> beneath their boots (though they made quite sure not to crackle it too much!). </div> <div> As he relaxed against the trunk of an enormous ancient oak, Dinian thought </div> <div> that in all his time spent conquering evils and dispatching other-worldly foes, </div> <div> he had neglected to take the time and understand what drove the Druid to </div> <div> dedicate his life to the nature that Dinian was now immersed in. And in the </div> <div> last moments of these thought, Dinian contemplated what he still might be </div> <div> missing around him that would be obvious to his old friend Doston Oakwind. </div> <div> Dinian disseminated his new plan to Alea as they kept careful eye on the rogue </div> <div> camp. After a moment, he slapped her steed on the shank and sent it running toward </div> <div> the Night Masks' caravan. Alea followed in pursuit shortly thereafter. Once he knew </div> <div> she was more than halfway into the camp, he began his own pursuit ... looking </div> <div> as tired and out of shape as he could. The wine was on her horse, and it was </div> <div> already laced with the alchemists finest sleeping concoction. Surely they would </div> <div> be asked to drink with the caravan, so Dinian had made sure to get an anti-agent </div> <div> that they imbibed as he explained their latest approach. </div> <div> Dinian prayed to Tyr as they neared the encampment. There had been enough </div> <div> bloodshed on this adventure already. If Tyr wanted the blood of these slavers to be </div> <div> spilled tonight, then it will be done in his name. Dinian asked for protection for Alea, </div> <div> and a swift death to those who must meet their diety tonight. </div> <div> Surely there may be one or two who potentially refused to drink, and Dinian knew </div> <div> he would have to contend with those. Usually, the first on watch may choose to </div> <div> retain his high level of alertness for the task he is charged. But this is a group of </div> <div> rogues at its basist. They probably even think themselves indefeatable and their </div> <div> own pride may be their undoing tonight. But if they are wiser than that, and they </div> <div> prefer tonight to stay the course of a more seasoned fighter ... then Dinian's short </div> <div> sword (strengthened by the hand and will of Tyr) will have to be their undoing instead. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="525" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2243 WIDTH="513"><div>  Dinian approached the camp. He noticed quickly that his plan was working; Alea was sitting at the camp fire, looking tired, laughing with the eight men that at about in a circle. As he glanced about, the cavalier also noticed two guard, a total of ten men, eight of which were armed but lightly armored.</div> <div>   One of the guard stopped him. "Well met, stranger. I see you have a few goods on your steed. Prehaps you would be willing to trade with us? We just rescued a maiden who was traveling alone on this road. One more guest would not hurt."</div> <div>   "Thank you," replied Dinian, "such an offer is welcome. I have traveled far this day and could use the rest." </div> <div>   With that, Dinian dismounted, and was led to the camp, his steed placed along the side of Alea's and fed and watered. He was led into the area of the camp fire, and sat with the men.</div> <div>   "We are traders from Hill's Edge, heading to the Dragon Coast. I am Garson the Gatherer." The man spoke in a deep voice, obviously the group's leader.</div> <div>   "Really? What is it you trade?" asked Dinian.</div> <div>   "Oh, the things you see about. Fine furs, tools, adventuring supplies. This is Morena, our special guest this fine evening." Garson motioned at Alea. "Quite a beauty, no? It is good she found our camp, there are many bandits along this route."</div> <div>   "Quite so. I am Bardos Oakleaf, from Hill's edge myself. I am sorry I missed you while you were in the market." Dinian thought of how true that staement was. Had he met the traders in Hill's Edge, it would have saved him many days of travel.</div> <div>   "Have ale with us, Bardos." Garson pulled out a mug from his wagon, and poured it filled to the rim from a keg that sat on it's rear. </div> <div>   "Certainly, and I thank you." Dinian sipped at the ale, seeing that all the men here drank from the keg, assuming that there was no danger. the drink tasted normal, but then again Suron had told him before that many potions and poisons had no taste. </div> <div>   "Good sirs," Alea interrupted, "I have something for your kindness." Alea stood up, and walked to her horse with as much grace as any queen. The gathered men fell silent watching her move. they were as captivated by her beauty as Dinian. She pulled the wine from he steed's pouch and showed the men as if it were a trophy. "Elev wine from the High Forest to the north, in the Savage Frontier. Very rare."</div> <div>   "Delightful!" cried one of the guards, who quickly came to the camp. Before long, all of the men were drinking from the wine. Dinian wondered if one bottle would be enough for all ten men. the alchemist had assured Dinian that a round of the wine would cause a man to fall unconcious, but "a round" was becoming smaller and smaller as the liquid was thinned out over so may indivduals.</div> <div> ------------------------------</div> <div>   Thirty minutes had passed, and Dinian was a bit anxious about the effects of the wine. But as he began to wonder about Alea and himself making an escape from these men, one of them, the second guard, began to weave about, obviously weakened. As one of the traders stepped fourth to aid him, he grabbed his forehead, sweating, as the liquid hit him upon his movement. </div> <div>   "Powerful wine," muttered Garson, and then his eyes widened "powerful indeed! men, we are ambushed!" He jumped up, trying desperately to gain his senses. he looked about as his men began to fall into a deep sleep, some of them motioning toward their weapons as they fell. Finally, all of them were fast asleep except their leader.</div> <div>   Dinian stepped up, the antipotion working perfectly. He motioned for Alea to move to the wagons as he drew his weapon, ready for any threat. Garson looked at Dinian with narrowed eyes, gritting his teeth. Garson was a large, strong looking man, but Dinian doubted that in his condition he would pose much of a threat.</div> <div>   Alea called to Dinian. "Here they are!" she cried, as she pointed to the many large barrels that lay inside the wagon. "The men are inside these barrels!"</div> <div>   "Such cruel treatment will not go unnoticed by the Lawgivers," Dinan said coldly, referring to the priests of Tyr. "I'm sure we will find plenty ready to judge you in  Iriabor." Dinian thought of jumping Garson, but decided it better to wait for the potion to have it's effects. He wasn't going anywhere, being too weak to run. Better to simply caputre and tie him after he passed out. </div> <div>   With that, Dinian took a crowbar as Alea began rolling the huge barrels down the ramp to him.  He craked open the first lid, and sure enough, there was a man inside, tightly fit into the container. Dinian checked to see if the man was even still breathing, and he was. There were small holes drilled into the cracks of the barrels. hardly noticable, but good enough to allow air inside.</div> <div>   The second barrel held another prisinor, and the third. All of the men were unconcious; obviously, the men had access to potions of their own. Two barrels to go, and Garson began to drop. </div> <div>   Dinian cracked the lid off the first, and received a suprise. Inside the barrel, there was what appeared to be a man, but as dinian reached inside to pull him out, he discovered a stuffed scarecrow. He then noticed a strange odor coming from the barrel. </div> <div>   Dinian turned to Alea. "Run! The barrel..."</div> <div>   But it was too late. Dinian realised that he had fallen for the same trap he had set. The gas had already knocked Alea unconcious, and he was to be next. The gas was simply too powerful to resist. Dinian took his weapon, but it weighed like a dragon in his arms. He dropped his shortsword to the ground, and fell to one knee. </div> <div>   The cavalier looked as one of the traders stirred, coming from the potions effects. It was much sooner than Dinian had hoped. By now he should have been tying up the fallen men. </div> <div>   Weakly, Garson walked over to Dinian. "I see you came to rob us, fighter," he said, "but this day it is you who shall be robbed. I should kill you for this, but I have a much better plan."</div> <div>   With that, everything became blackness....</div> <div> -----------------------------------------------------</div> <div>   Dinian awoke in the back of the wagon, his hands and feet securly bound. Across from him sat Alea, still unconcious. However, there was one other prisinor awake, a blonde haired man. Dinian's weapons were gone, as well as his armor and Girdle of Storm Giant strength. He supposed that the slave traders would have gone through his belongings, and might have guessed who he was when they discovered Demonbane. He could fell the wagon moving, which meant they had not reached a city as of yet, and that more than likely his items were still with the men outside the wagon. It was unfortunate that the traders had used real rope and chain to bind Dinian. His Ring of Free Action would have allowed him to slip past spells that would attempt to bind him, and he still wore it upon his hand. The traders must have not thought it valuable, as it appeared only as a copper band. try as he might, he could not break the chains, even with his inhuman strength.</div> <div>   "Well met." Dinian said with a slight grin as he wresteled with the chains. It was bitter humor.</div> <div>   "Well met, I suppose." Said the stranger. "I am Jerath of Hill's Edge. Who are you?"</div> <bR> <div> DM: I would like to hear Dinian's thoughts, as well as how he reacts to Jerath and his question. I would also like to hear how Dinian would try to deal with this sticky situation!</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  </div> <div>   </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>