Gron'rindul will try to make out any of the forms that wander close by.
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul raises his arms and shouts, "Lord Silverbeard, I, your servant have kept as true as able to your teachings, and now await your word!"
Gron'rindul will try to make out any of the forms that wander close by. |
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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The emptyness of the plain seems to absorb your call. None of the distant figures seem to pay any heed to it.
A few yards away, off to the right, sits a large boulder...nearly as large as you are. For some reason, you feel a strange urge to try and lift it up, despite the fact that all reason tells you it is far too large and heavy. |
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul's expression lightens slightly. "Ah, a test of strength, that I may prove myself worthy of a place in Clangeddin's hall. and a test of faith as well. Very well..."
Gron'rindul will try to find some good hand-holds about a third of the way from the bottom, and try to leverage it up on his shoulder. |
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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The boulder does not budge. Exactly as would be expected, it is far too heavy. A further effort...which likewise presents no result whatsoever.
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul scowls at the rock, and looks around for something he can use as a lever.
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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As you turn, you find an ancient-looking dwarf standing directly behind him. The elder looks at him for a moment, then asks, "Why were you trying to lift that stone?"
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul bows slightly in respect for the dwarf's age. "Sir, I thought it might be a test laid before me by my Lord Silverbeard. Though now I guess it is not, or perhaps it is a different manner of test than I had thought. Sir, if I may ask, have you been here long? I am uncertain what I must do or what is expected of me."
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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"Aye, now there's a true word. Uncertain you are...of many things. Perhaps you should not be so quick to undertake a burden larger than yourself. Even the boldest, strongest, and most faithful are still but mortal, and have their limits."
The elder Dwarf extends a hand towards you, and you see the crossed axes of Clangeddin Silverbeard inscribed upon the palm. |
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Upon seeing the symbol, Gron'rindul straightens. "Perhaps. Yet, as it seemed fate had set this task before me, I did not think the burden was so large as to be impossible for me. I also sought aid in the form of my friends, but nearly lost one again because of my short-sightedness. I would not make that mistake again, given the chance."
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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"Perhaps that chance may yet be given." The elder wanders over to a small outcropping of low stone, sitting upon one end and leaving room for Gron'rindul. "Tell me, what task so harshly drives you on, what burden is it that you tried to take up and found too heavy?"
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul sits next to the other dwarf. "In my travels, I had found that the city of Raven's Bluff was being held under the thrall of some illithid. As the mantle I took required me to protect the innocent against such monstrosities, I made it my duty to rid the city of their presence."
"I had gathered allies to my cause, and we had succeeded in eliminating the illithid's forces and had caused them to retreat back through the portal. It was only when we went on to locate the portal before reporting back that we were beset by a creature who had nothing to do with our struggle against the illithid. It was too great a challenge, both for the illithids minions and for us, but we could not escape before it downed one of my comrades. As he was still alive, I would not leave him, and got him moving again. But, the beast would have its way, and took me instead. I only hope the rest made it clear of that thing." "I feel the burden I had taken on, that of freeing the city of the illithid, was not too large for I and my companions. But the unforseen burden of the shadow creature was too much, but I still cannot see how I could have been made to expect it." Gron'rindul then stares off into the grayness, awaiting the old one's answer. |
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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"Young one, do not think that I come here to lecture and criticize...I would not do such, especially to one who so honorably strove to serve his people's cause." The elder's face is soft. "What, then, if you had found the portal unguarded? Or if you had triumphed over the creature?"
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul continues. "My apologies. It is my own internal criticism that I wage with."
"Our plan was to return to the Temple and report the location of the portal once we had found it, and then seek their advice as the our next step. After that, I knew not what we would be required to do." |
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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"Really? Did not your heart burn to continue even through the portal? Had you not already set your intended course to continue your pursuit, even if perhaps on the morrow, and only if the temple had tried to turn you aside, would you have withheld? I see that you have great courage, and great spirit...it is hard to accept one's own limits at times."
Pausing a moment, the elder considers. "Tell me, then...what message needs be passed on? I shall see it done, whether or no you, yourself, are granted the opportunity to return. It is time to leave these matters in other hands." |
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul actually begins a short laugh. "I do not deny that my desire to enter the portal and strike what blow I may was great indeed. But this was one of those rare occasions where my common sense was given voice, and my heart actually listened. In their world, on their terms, we would fall easily to them, especially in the condition we were in. Perhaps, once we had rested and healed, my heart might have stopped listening, and might have insisted I go through. But I cannot say for certain."
"But, yes, it is now time for others to fulfill their purpose. Here is what I know:" "Before it fled, the illithid taunted me with the knowledge that its companion had already left with the information they needed to bring the Rift under their dominion. They had only to decipher what secrets it held, and the deed could be done. But I believe it made an error in telling me the name of its cohort - The Creative. Perhaps the priests of the Hidden One can use this knowledge to scry upon them and learn their location and plans." "All of this is what I would ask be passed on. Time may be of the essence." |
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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"This night, then...it shall be attended to. I should go and see to this matter. If there is naught else, then, I shall bid you farewell."
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul stands. "Farewell it is then. Er...what will happen now? Do I wait for word here?"
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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"Oh. The time of waiting. You can remain here if you wish, or you may journey. Most here will do no harm to you, and many will be far more confused than you. I would bring you with me, but that was not my appointed task...another of Clangeddin's true servants will come in time."
"One word of caution...beware the infernal servants and their treacherous acts and offers. Any being of the lower planes found here is up to no good, in one way or another, and is best avoided at all costs." |
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olivar |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Gron'rindul answers, "Thank you, and farewell."
Once the servant leaves, Gron'rindul will sit back down to wait. Of course, after less than what seems like an hour, boredom drives him to stand and begin to walk around. |
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Andorax |
Re: The Fugue Plane | ||
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Aimlessly, you wander. Soon, you come to the far end of the valley, climbing steadily out through a nearby saddle between two high hills. You do not feel particularly winded, nor do you notice the least bit of hunger nor thirst in this otherwise parched land.
Topping the rise, you see a larger valley still spread out below you. This time, however, it is full of sights. Most of the valley is taken up with a massive city. Countless people are heading towards the city, and very scarce few seem to be departing from it. Fine detail yet escapes you, but something seems...out of place...about the outer wall. Somehow...it looks like it may not be stone at all. |
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