Post by K Man on Jul 13, 2005 9:29:49 GMT -5
All - {Holy crap, do you know how long it's been since I could use that header? 
}
Some time ago - apparently the better half of a decade thanks to some strange occurences - you would have never thought it possible to do things you have done. Sail into hell on an archmage's boat...meet women that ride giant eagles into the night sky...see a vampire become a good soul...riding the veins of ore in the earth - things that will undoubtedly be disbelieved by nearly all who hear them.
For a moment you're taken back to your childhood, when you first heard of epic legends and how wide your eyes became when you heard of dragonslayers, fights between gods and duels with epic villains. Then you remember becoming an adolescent, your disbelief in such fairy tales fading as quickly as you grew, pushing these childish tales behind you.
You suddenly feel sheepish, like the little child you were when you first heard the legends. Compared to what you have been through, they now seem so real...
You now stand, returned from hell and frozen cities, atop a hill over-looking a huge siege force about to attack the home you've all come to love. When Romar emerges from the woods, a contingent of clerics in tow, a sense of hope begins to fill you. So many good-aligned clerics, their symbols of faith gleaming in the midday sun - the sight is one for sore eyes indeed. And Allessia, this stunningly beautiful druid-maiden capable of such power...as evident by the gargantuan beasts you've been riding. Surely her power alone is enough to turn this tide of evil!
Tales are traded, faiths are restored in each other and old trespasses are forgiven. Now is not the time for battle amongst each other, but against a greater foe...against 'The Master'...
[Spot Checks, Romar, Girud, Mordrock, Krysta and Galdren Successes] As talks are laid out, people are introduced and the clerics go about checking for wounded or offering healing, you notice a few figures atop the ramparts in Ravenshead. One if heavily armored un full plate, some others are your standard faire in guardsmen and the last, unmistakable even from this distance, is King Sturmguard. The brilliant, fist-sized crimson ruby about his neck shines like a low setting sun. He points to your party and to a few of the figures and they duck back down behind the ramparts. Minutes later, nearly a dozen giant winged birds leap into the air, their impressive wingspan like an eclipse.
Veya's Rocs!
The birds take seconds to reach you, each one bearing but a single rider. In the lead, an armored figure in full plate and behind him, a dozen of the women from Rocroost Bay...or at least what was left of it. The lead bird lands and the figure dismounts, approaching catiously. It's the 'Faceless Knight', the trusted ally of Sturmguard and protectorate of all within Ravenshead.
"By all that I hold dear and holy..." He continues to approach, as though plagued by disbelief. "Can it be? You're not dead? We'd thought you lost!"
Ignorant of the dire elephants stamping their feet, the 'Faceless Knight' approaches and shakes each and every persons hand present. He is giddy like a schoolgirl in summer, elated to see you have survived.
You begin to relate your story... {We'll just assume everything necessary is repeated for ease}
When you finally get to where you are, the 'Faceless Knight' grows solem about current affairs. He lowers his head, visored helm looking straight to the ground.
"Ravenshead is not how you left it...the King weeps daily in his chambers, feeling powerless to stop the 'The Master' and his vile existence. The shards still remain, though the attacks on them grow braver each passing day. Morale is low, food is short and water even shorter..."
"And now this..."
He turns and sweeps his hand over the invading force.
"Near as we can tell, they are a Kuo-Toan raiding force. Why they have come this far inland we do not know, but we know they are blaming us for the death of their leader and vow revenge this deed."
"They crawl about in crabs and devices built to sustain their watery life on land. They seem intent on reducing the city to ruin."
The 'Faceless Knight' raises his head.
"The sight of your return will surely do wonders for morale. Come, we must get you into the city at once!"
He motions to the birds, Allessia nods.
"A good idea. I will ensure our companions here..." She pats a dire elephant on the head lightly. "Will remain outside as part of the defense. They will aid us when needed."
Returning to Ravenshead...you never thought of such a thing...
---
Romar - Looking anxiously to the Rocs, you do not see Veya among them. However, most distressing is that this 'Faceless Knight' is riding 'Vraak' - her bird.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
{Again, nothing much to really do here Go inside or stay outside. There are enough rocs to carry all safely inside.}
}Some time ago - apparently the better half of a decade thanks to some strange occurences - you would have never thought it possible to do things you have done. Sail into hell on an archmage's boat...meet women that ride giant eagles into the night sky...see a vampire become a good soul...riding the veins of ore in the earth - things that will undoubtedly be disbelieved by nearly all who hear them.
For a moment you're taken back to your childhood, when you first heard of epic legends and how wide your eyes became when you heard of dragonslayers, fights between gods and duels with epic villains. Then you remember becoming an adolescent, your disbelief in such fairy tales fading as quickly as you grew, pushing these childish tales behind you.
You suddenly feel sheepish, like the little child you were when you first heard the legends. Compared to what you have been through, they now seem so real...
You now stand, returned from hell and frozen cities, atop a hill over-looking a huge siege force about to attack the home you've all come to love. When Romar emerges from the woods, a contingent of clerics in tow, a sense of hope begins to fill you. So many good-aligned clerics, their symbols of faith gleaming in the midday sun - the sight is one for sore eyes indeed. And Allessia, this stunningly beautiful druid-maiden capable of such power...as evident by the gargantuan beasts you've been riding. Surely her power alone is enough to turn this tide of evil!
Tales are traded, faiths are restored in each other and old trespasses are forgiven. Now is not the time for battle amongst each other, but against a greater foe...against 'The Master'...
[Spot Checks, Romar, Girud, Mordrock, Krysta and Galdren Successes] As talks are laid out, people are introduced and the clerics go about checking for wounded or offering healing, you notice a few figures atop the ramparts in Ravenshead. One if heavily armored un full plate, some others are your standard faire in guardsmen and the last, unmistakable even from this distance, is King Sturmguard. The brilliant, fist-sized crimson ruby about his neck shines like a low setting sun. He points to your party and to a few of the figures and they duck back down behind the ramparts. Minutes later, nearly a dozen giant winged birds leap into the air, their impressive wingspan like an eclipse.
Veya's Rocs!
The birds take seconds to reach you, each one bearing but a single rider. In the lead, an armored figure in full plate and behind him, a dozen of the women from Rocroost Bay...or at least what was left of it. The lead bird lands and the figure dismounts, approaching catiously. It's the 'Faceless Knight', the trusted ally of Sturmguard and protectorate of all within Ravenshead.
"By all that I hold dear and holy..." He continues to approach, as though plagued by disbelief. "Can it be? You're not dead? We'd thought you lost!"
Ignorant of the dire elephants stamping their feet, the 'Faceless Knight' approaches and shakes each and every persons hand present. He is giddy like a schoolgirl in summer, elated to see you have survived.
You begin to relate your story... {We'll just assume everything necessary is repeated for ease}
When you finally get to where you are, the 'Faceless Knight' grows solem about current affairs. He lowers his head, visored helm looking straight to the ground.
"Ravenshead is not how you left it...the King weeps daily in his chambers, feeling powerless to stop the 'The Master' and his vile existence. The shards still remain, though the attacks on them grow braver each passing day. Morale is low, food is short and water even shorter..."
"And now this..."
He turns and sweeps his hand over the invading force.
"Near as we can tell, they are a Kuo-Toan raiding force. Why they have come this far inland we do not know, but we know they are blaming us for the death of their leader and vow revenge this deed."
"They crawl about in crabs and devices built to sustain their watery life on land. They seem intent on reducing the city to ruin."
The 'Faceless Knight' raises his head.
"The sight of your return will surely do wonders for morale. Come, we must get you into the city at once!"
He motions to the birds, Allessia nods.
"A good idea. I will ensure our companions here..." She pats a dire elephant on the head lightly. "Will remain outside as part of the defense. They will aid us when needed."
Returning to Ravenshead...you never thought of such a thing...
---
Romar - Looking anxiously to the Rocs, you do not see Veya among them. However, most distressing is that this 'Faceless Knight' is riding 'Vraak' - her bird.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
{Again, nothing much to really do here Go inside or stay outside. There are enough rocs to carry all safely inside.}
