4 - 033: The Fourth Piece

[K Man]

KMAN, are we getting the night to rest, or are we heading out now? Just wondering if the clerics had time to replenish their spells, as Garor and Adelia used theirs in the battle.

- You have all night to rest. I gave you 8 hours before you absolutely must leave the castle proper to intercept 'The Master'. The clerics need at least that much time to prepare the supa bead of force.

Very cool plot-twist, Kman.

- Thanks, and again, I' never thought you'd take it...

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Romar -

The voice coughs up another lung, barely recovering enough to speak the words in a most menacing tone...

"...they will not forget your name after this Romar Belamor."

"Rest. Tonight at midnight, listen for my signal."

You lean back against the wall, those words resting on your heart like lead weights. Will this be the legacy you want Romar Belamor to be known for? For the theft of some shards that the king holds so dearly? For defiance of a man that holds the heart of his people? For defection to the Elven Empire of Astoril?

You fume at the responses.

Sturmguard cast you aside like rubbish. He drug your good name through the dirt, undoing every good deed you had done in the last five years within seconds. And Ravenshead! Hadn't you saved these people more times than they could count? They were all too quick to join in the muckraking...Wasn't it your good deeds that brought Veya and her Rocs here to the city for protection?

Veya...

The mere thought of the name still drives ice picks into your heart. A hundred daggers in a hundred different places - all of them more painful than you could imagine. The 'Faceless Knight'...bah! That coward got what he deserved and what he should have gotten the night he left you all in Boon's Freehold to die. Hell, it's his fault you ran into Hirsuthe in the first place - if you hadn't been chasing the invisible coward down, you wouldn't have crossed paths with the vampire.

Bastard got what was coming to him...

The race of hatred in your mind almost blocks everything else out. Before you know it, you hear the man in the cell next to you whisper once again.

"Now is the time..."

Without much more thought or provocation, you look up to the uncovered tile in the ceiling. Sure enough, with a slight slide to the side, it nearly drops to the floor and you have to react quickly to catch it before it slams to the floor.

The tunnel beyond is dank and dirty, clawed through wet earth by desperate men. You lift yourself up and push your shoulders out to stay within the tight space. You squirm this way and that, shoving and pulling yourself up through the wet earth until you feel your grimy hands strike hard stone. Feeling your way around, you notice that 'Phoebus' apparently did much of the work ahead of time and the tile is almost weightless when you push on it. Gently, it slides to one side and you see torchlight dancing and playing upon glimmering tile floors...you recognize this place -

The Chamber of the Shards!

Those strange, enigmatic rocks that so many people have put their faith in lately. Each one gathered from various places and brought here to be connected with the others to form the hulking rock before your eyes now.

On one side of the chamber, the massive iron doors remain closed - the guards outside blissfully unaware of your actions behind them. Nearby, another tile shuffles this way and that, and another, and another until twelve total tiles are pushed aside and dirty figures emerge from them. You recognize one of the men when he speaks to you, eyes layered in dirt coming to rest upon you.



"Ahh...Romar" The raspy voice is unmistakable as the man in the cell next to you. "...help me up..."

You walk over and pull his hunched figure out of the earthen tube and help him to his feet. He is skinny, emaciated and unkempt. His dirty hair is layered in waves down the sides of his muddy face and his teeth nearly rotted from his skull. He looks about to the rest of the crew that are not in much better condition.

He reaches into the rags about his body and produces two items. One is a small clay figurine shaped like a man with large fists, the other is a single silvery pearl. His yellowed toothless grins breaks the dirt of his face.



"Our time is at hand brothers! Finally, we can deal a blow to the so called 'King of all Lands'! Let us embrace our Elven brothers and bring the crystal to them!"

He first takes the clay figurine and smashes it upon the floor with his foot. Within seconds, the tile and earth where the figurine was begin to wave and shake - rising up like a swelling wave. Soon, the wave sprouts arms and eyes, becoming a massive creature at least twice your height made entirely of earth.

It turns and sets glowing eyes upon the massive shards in the center of the room. Without thought or patience, it wraps earthen mitts around the crystal and begins to push the giant gem into the floor. Somewhere, you can hear a ringing bell - clearly an alarm.

By the time the guards have thrown open the massive door, you notice the ragged man has clasped your forearm with his hands. The others all quickly clasp each other and hold on tight. The ragged man produces the silver orb and holds it high, his eyes crazy and alight with the fire of revenge. He looks to you and mutters.



"Let us go meet our new family brother..."

The guards withdraw their weapons and run into the room, but they are too late. The orb flashes like a bolt of lightning and the room is awash in brilliant beams of light. The beams twist, distort and tangle until they are nothing but flashes of incoherent colors...

Then, as soon as it began, it's over.

Your eyes adjust and you realize that you're now standing in a courtyard, a cool breeze smelling of sea salt washing gently over you. Nearby, a dozen or so Elves clad entirely in ceremonial armor stand rigid, a single Elf standing before them.

Clearly these Elves were expecting you as none of them flinch at your appearance. The lead Elf, handsome but somehow carrying the air of arrogance about him, struts forward. His cold eyes fall on Romar instantly, the only one even remotely dressed well compared to the present party. When he speaks, you get the feeling he's used to others being beneath him...



"And who is this that has come? Speak now, address me with your title and intention."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

All but Romar -

{I don't have any problems with what people are buying, all good so far.}

You all know that in a short amount of time, you will face the hand that has nearly wiped all life from these lands. You will stand face to face with the one who has cleansed kingdoms from a throne of inscrutable power...you will face 'The Master'.

Though you loathe to admit it, seeking the lord of all dead in his home does not strike you as the most tactical of choices - but it's that or let him take his fill of life here at the last bastion of humanity, Ravenshead. You each go about your various tasks seperately, agreeing to meet at dawn.

Krysta seeks the Knights of the Purest Star, learning all she can from them. Adelia wanders the streets of this foresaken city, helping where she can - hoping that if these are her last hours on this plane, they will be filled with good deeds. Girud and Galdren, ever the tacticians working in tandem, seek new weaponry and armor to combat the foe they know is coming - after that, each seeking out something to make the time pass until dawn. Mordrock, lost without his women, wanders the streets trying to find a way to make himself more flashy, more noticable - in time, all will know his name.

Whatever it is that keeps you busy, you can't help but be disrupted by cries of alarms from the castle around midnight. Lamps are light, guards are alerted and dozens of armed and armored men begin to scour the castle grounds. It doesn't take long, especially with your ranks and honorary titles to uncover what has gone wrong.

The Shards have been stolen!

Sure enough, approaching the castle, you see Kings Sturmguard and Grandil milling about, receiving various bits of information from the guards present. The little bit that does reach your ears is distressing at best. You hear things like tunneling, eathern-beasts, prisoners escaped....but most troubling of all words that reach your ears is Romar...

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{And here I though we were heading straight into battle. }

[Japic]

{Umm, not really sure what to do boss; if the diviners can tell us where to look, then great, we can go combat some enemy. If not, then we've got nothing to do but hope for damage control, keeping peoples spirits up till the battle tomorrow. Of course, if Romar is indeed gone and responsible, there will be lots of swearing and vowing of vengence and all that.}

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta's resolve falters, but then strengthens again. Her eyes narrowing, and thoughts racing, she focuses on the immediate threat. "The Master will not wait. One step at a time..." she says, with determination.

"Romar Belamor has turned his back on us, the people, the city's defense, and it's leaders. He will answer for his crimes, but in due time. He is a coward in my book, until he can prove otherwise. I am sorry Yuri, for you know him better than us, but if this is his coarse of action that he has chosen to live by, then all he has done is to replace the cowardly Mordrid we once knew, while Mordrid replaced the ever vigilant Romar we once knew. For now, let us deal with the Master. There is work to be done..." she eyes the group, concentrating intensely as she darts her eyes from one to the other.

"Are you ready?" she asks, before deciding on leaving to the fortress, intent on unleashing her anger on the Master himself.

EDIT: Krsyta then realizes something, and glances down at the single item that may shed some light on this whole situation. She unfolds the map, peering over the marked spots that show where the shards are kept. She watches, willing them to move and show her where the shards are now housed...

[VemuKhaham]

Romar knew that when he was asked to ascend to the Shard Chamber he would leave behind much, even besides his friends. Not only did all his precious equipment lay in the care of the prison's garisson, so did he have to leave Húna. Yet, for some reason, he had no real emotions at the thought of leaving the metal steed. It had been different, despite the dwarves' efforts, ever since he had turned into metal, even though it was forged out of the most valuable sorts of ore even the dwarves could gather. The new Húna, as given to him by the dwarves, was in no way a replacement for the old one, nor could he ever be, and slowly he had learned to accept that along the way. Now he mourned losing her little more than losing the other metal craftwork he had to lose; swords and armor. It was harsh, but it was reality.

Another thing of note was his loss of the arrow that was meant for one man only: Hirsuthe was his name. Magically shimmering, it held a small note attached to it. What it said, no-one would ever learn, unless one would go rummaging through his stuff. Did the loss of this arrow also mean the end of the Hunt? It was something Romar had given much thought, but only the future held the answer.

So he did what was to be done, and joined the circle as they prepared to travel by magic like he had done now once before. Firm he held the hand of his counterparts, for he still was not comfortable with this way of traveling.

Nevertheless, he arrived safely, and immediately breathed the free and fresh air again. How could he ever have missed that sweet smell for more than a day? He could only imagine too well the horror the others must've undergone in those cells.

For the haughty elf's first question however, Romar had prepared himself:

"My name is Phoebus, Master Elf, and I share many sentiments against Ravenshead and its Lord with the elven empire, I believe."

Romar bows low. He was lucky Irinys did not recognize him, for he himself did recall the elf. He met him only briefly though, at the entrance to the digging pit, where he left to find his own path along with Sehanine and Yuri.

Phoebus... that would be his new name, if all went well in the next few minutes. After all, where-ever the name Romar Belamor would travel, would travel the bounty hunters after him. His fame had been a strangling force ever since he found it, and he wished it to end. This was his opportunity. And what better name to end the life of Romar Belamor than the name of the person who gave him his freedom, and as such indirectly his new life, even after the poor man's death?

From now on, indeed, Romar was no more. Phoebus had left him in the dungeons to rot.

[GeneralMHB]

(OOC: I was gonna chat with Romar, but oh well. Yuri just made a new enemy )

Yuri unfortunately has little time to think though about Romar's actions and to discuss why he would show such unreasonable behavior. He may have found a way to get inside the fortress though a few psionic powers he manages to find while researching. It is when he decides to speek with Romar that he hears the alarm sound.

What he finds is chilling: Romar has betrayed us.

His eyes show that of fury at Romar's choice. A mental discussion with Sindri soon follows.

The bastards left us here to rot! They will surely pay for this trechary.

This is highly peculiar, why would Romar turn his back on us?

He sighs, recollecting his thoughts and remembering Romar's past.

All that was is gone in Romar's eyes. He has nothing left. I cannot blame his trechary, but it is surely uncalled for!

What of Huna?

Let us see if she is still here. Krysta will surely need her help.

With this conversation finished, he addresses Krysta.

Romar has lost much in this war: his family, his lover, his friends, even his King and country. It does not surprise me that Romar would grow insane. I thought he was much stronger than that, stronger than I was. It was Romar who pushed me to the cleansing light of the Undying. If he had not been with me, I would have surely ended the suffering I was experiencing myself. Romar died with Veya. I tried to give him a second chance, hoping the jail time would see the error in his ways. Apparently, I was wrong. Veya's death was the killing blow, the final straw. I mourn his loss, but I am angry at what he has become. Romar must be stopped and justice must be done. I must search for answers later, even if I must speak with Veya herself. Also I must ask what of his mechanical horse Huna. If it is still here, I will pass the horse to you Krysta. You deserve her companionship.

However, we have more to worry about than that. I may have found a way inside the fortress. More research must be done into the power, but I believe it may work. The spell itself can alter the fabric of reality. It may give us an opening inside the fortress for us to walk in. If that does not work, I know of a way at least myself can enter. It requires another power stone which will have my form go into the Ethereal plane of existance to walk past the very walls itself. I can aquire both these stones, but they are one time uses. Let me complete my research and see if such a thing is possible

With this, he goes back to his room to complete his research, rummaging though books and texts of past psions and their abilities to find a way to make these power stones.

Although, Romar is always present in the back of his mind, and it will never go away unless answers can be found.

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta turns to Yuri, simply saying in a calm voice. "We have all lost that which we held dear. He is not the only one that has lost his love, his family, his way. It simply shows that others have found the strength to continue, while he has chosen to fall. He will answer, in due time, to his crimes..."

When confronted with the steed, Krysta is a little nervous. "I am not sure that his steed will allow me to use it. It is not a mere construct. It will choose its own path."

OOC - Not sure if she could even use an animal companion of another character. KMAN's choice.

Krysta will purchase the following:
Gauntlets of Ogre Power - 4000 gp
Amulet of Health +2 - 4000 gp
Shortsword is upgraded to add Flaming Surge - 2000 gp

Mordrock will purchase:
Elixir of Fire Breath - 1100 gp

Adelia will purchase:
Pearl of Power Type I - 1000 gp
Scroll of Bless x2 - 50 gp


12,150 gp spent, 137 gp left

[VemuKhaham]

Húna isn't yet officially my Animal Companion (as by the rules), so if it were to be an issue it won't apply. (I planned to make it so but I still couldn't take the feat Kman once presented to allow me to take a construct as An. Comp.) Kman though must decide the awareness of Húna to its old master, I think.

(OOC: I was gonna chat with Romar, but oh well. Yuri just made a new enemy )

I would've loved to do that conversation, but the conversation we might have now if we do ever meet again will be all the more interesting.

a slight slide to the side

Forgot to say it in my first post, but what a great combination of words Kman.

[Jevva]

When Galdren hears about Romar, he swears. "We have no time for this! Perhaps we can search for Romar after the battle, but all we know for certain is that he didn't take the shards to the Master, because he surely wouldn't stoop so far as to do that. So we must still do all we can to deal with the Master on our doorstep, and deal with future potential threats later."

[BluSpecs]

"Aye, let's deal with the master now and the traitor later"

Garor uneasily perpares to leave on what could very well be their last battle