To Hell and back.

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Fionn
Ancient Red Dragon
Posts: 2942
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 7:07 am
Location: Seattle, WA

To Hell and back.

Post by Fionn »

Sitting down to finally read the thin leatherbound page you found on the dead Halfling, you see penned in a graceful Elven hand:

Another night spent relaxing in the Dripping Dagger was interrupted by fantastic visions and spirit possessions. How I hate the 'elder' citizens of the Deep!

Investigation into the source led Mashan and I deep within the old crypts, eventually coming face to face with a messenger. A very powerful being calling himself a 'Doom Knight'. Even Mashan was unusually cautious.

The being demanded that we undertake to retrieve an artifact from the great desert; else they would rise up and wage war in the streets of Waterdeep until the crimes of grave robbers were atoned. As we still had plans in the Deep, we decided to help him. He demanded we seek a 'Source Stone' from the Anauroch, and return it to his skeletal hands.

We called for any friend of Waterdeep to aid us in this quest. Setting out in a large party, we left for the Desert via the magic portal in Silverymoon. Our path through the desert was plagued with dark skinned Orc, Giants, Ogres, Ettins and even a giant Scorpion. We managed to make it to an ancient fortress without losses, but it had taken its toll. We were weary and footsore. Many of our supplies were depleted. We arrived at a lush valley hidden in the desert with Jacho Send, Aszune Wisperwind, Brand Aesgir, Miranda Ravenswings, Falling-Leaf, the Lady Mary, Surin, and myself.

Upon entering the fortress, we discovered it had been founded by an ancient Ranger. Shortly thereafter, we found that he still stalked it, though he no longer breathed. Thrice we fought him, and twice he fled. The third time, he told us where the Stone lay - through a portal at the top of his keep.

Stepping through, we found that the portal lead us to the Stygian marshes of the prison Plane of Cercarci! The very air was wrong. There were /things/ in the water - we fought them without ever a good look at what they were, and sought dry land.

Eventually making it to a large hill, we found a castle atop it. Cautiously we entered to see the strangest sight in all my decades. Seated at the many tables and booths of a large bar were Titans, Illithids, Beholders, even a Balor! None of them seemed interested in us, so we eventually sent some of our party to gather information about the area.

We met a blue skinned planes traveler named Anen. He was involved in some sort of local revolution, and promised to help us find what we sought in exchange for our aid. Following him behind the castle-bar we were shocked to the core. There stood Sarav Thorn - an old comrade lost to us many months earlier. 'Twas a sad reunion indeed, for we could do nothing to help our friend.

We followed Anen to the revolution's lair, but his brethren or their allies were considerably less helpful, and soon they were attacked - confusion reigned. The battle was swift and fierce, but in the end we were victorious and without casualties. We never understood why they would betray us during the battle....when in Cercarci I suppose.

Exploring further we found a staircase floating on air. Lit by candles that seemed infinite, the place was certainly other-worldly. Descending hundreds of feet, we found another fortress and Anen waiting for us. It was there that we found what we sought, and more. An odd sort of airship seemed to offer us hope for escape, as it was designed to travel the very Planes. I was tasked with holding the Stone - never have I felt such power in such a small token. It was unusually heavy and immensely powerful. I began to think we'd made a terrible bargain.

However, before we could rig the ship, we were found by the guardians - animated behemoths. We killed one, but the other laid Mary and Miranda low. Eventually we were victorious, and with Anen's help piloted the Plane ship back to Prime. Arriving safely in the mountains of the Desert, a sudden change came over Mashan. Demanding the Stone from me, he disappeared into the Desert, stating he had to meet with the Thayans back in the Deep. A disreputable lot to be sure, but perhaps more of a friend than the Doom Knight and his master.

We delayed Mashan as long as we were able, even bribing the Portal Keeper to close the Portal for a few days, but in the end there is no stopping Mashan. We left the Thayans to deal with the menace in the crypts, and I left to seek my Kin in the East.

~ Pu'Quagie Gren of Evermeet

http://www.neurotoxin.net/~oddyseus/alf ... ercarc.erf
PC: Bot (WD)

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Grand Fromage
Goon Spy
Posts: 1838
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 9:04 am
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Post by Grand Fromage »

Carceri*

:P
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Fionn
Ancient Red Dragon
Posts: 2942
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 7:07 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by Fionn »

Grand Fromage wrote:Carceri*

:P
It's an Elven pronounciation you philistine!
PC: Bot (WD)

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Grand Fromage
Goon Spy
Posts: 1838
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 9:04 am
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Post by Grand Fromage »

Fionn wrote:
Grand Fromage wrote:Carceri*

:P
It's an Elven pronounciation you philistine!
Pfft... won't even get into all the planar mechanics that got violated, unless those are eleven pronounciations too. :P
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Lafter
Dire Badger
Posts: 143
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 4:27 pm
Location: Whatever gutter I happen to pass out in.
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Post by Lafter »

nice mate .. kepp it up eh .. lets hear all about that petite elfs storys.
......... Im sorry , I didnt think you wanted your gold the way you let it hang in that pouch

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Vilandor
Skeleton's Knuckle
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 7:05 pm
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Post by Vilandor »

I want to play Sarav Again...*does the Jedi Mind Trick on all players*

"Sarav is your friend, Sarav is a nice guy, Trust Sarav with your life and possessions"
Current PC: Zorastryl Dedreghost

Past PCs: Keira Redwyne(BG), Forthal Firehand(NU), Birk Forestwalker(TLR), Aidan Ferrer(TPI), Villi -Archie Mage, Adlea Colds(TFN), Gwynneth Bequerel(NC), Farlakki(WD), Sarav Thorn(WD), Gaboran SkyPony(WD)
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Evro
Brown Bear
Posts: 280
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 4:54 am
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, US
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Post by Evro »

That damnable stone! :x
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