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darken |
Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) |
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Sitting in the sewer, the Halfling spends his sleepless night contemplates the rumor that is flying across the streets everyday. Ancient magic, age-old secrets, power spells that can defeat the gods, artifacts of endless power... these all sounds like fairy tale stories yet deepdown Darvi just feels that these are indeed the truth.
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi smiles, the purple glow of the phosphorescent fungus that lines the walls of his slimy home gives him comfort. Quietly, he begins talking to himself.
"Are they true? Do you think the rumors are true?" "I don't know. It's possible, somehow I believe that they are." "Me too. But...they're so unbelievable." "I know. But if they are true, we can make so much money, get so much treasure, and bring it back here. To our home." "Yes...but should we risk leaving? It's risky. Very very risky." "I don't know. When day breaks, I am going to the surface to see what else I can find out from the local wizards and loremasters. You can come too, if you like." "No, no. I like it here, I'll hold down the fort. Watch the ooze, make sure no one tries to steal it. Be careful. You know there are people after you." "I know. The police. Thieves. Everyone wants a piece of me. I've become fairly famous, against my will." "Well...watch your back up there. I think there's a reward." Darvi nods to himself, and begins studying his spellbook. He'd already gotten his sleep for the night, and he just waited for morning to come. The noise from the busy city above can be heard echoing throughout the slimy sewers of Athkatla. Darvi smiles as he listens to the conversations and arguments of merchants, police, and street hustlers. This place is his home. The halfling begins disguising himself for the day, using his magic hat (surprising what people throw into the sewers) and his magical ability to create the illusion that he is an old halfling. He looks at his reflection in the slimy water, and smiles, satisfied. Slowly and cautiously, he begins climbing up the ladder towards the city. He uses a manhole in an abandoned alley, where no one would be. Hunching his body over and walking slowly, he tries to act as he looks. He walks to a nearby store that sells magical products. "Hello, son, what have you got for me today? Potions, scrolls, yes yes. But I was wonderin' if you'd been travelin' lately. I'd really be interested in hearin' some rumors of the road, get the news of the day. Got anythin' to tell?" |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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"Where have you been?" The clerk looks at Darvi with a funny look, "Everyone is talking about that Karsus guy and his old spells, and how if they can get their hands on a Mythal, they are gonna be gods. Ignorant people, they all conviently forgot what happens after Karsus cast it?"
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi looks up at the man curiously, "What, exactly happened, to him?"
You could be a god. What's that man doing? Is he walking up behind you? Watch him...no, no, he's buying food. Be a God... Darvi tries to think of who exactly Karsus was and what a Mythos is. (Knowledge Magic or History) |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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The man shakes his head, "Poor guy thought he was powerful enough to create a spell that can draw upon the very essence of deityhood... he liked magic, so he picked the god of magic, Mystral. The spell worked... perfect, by the way. He was the god of magic for a brief instant, before his mortal body is filled with overwhelming divine energy and disintegrated him fully, and destroyed the weave that all spells draw on... he destroyed not only himself, but a good part of the world, as well as all magic during that time."
(OOC: Your knowledge Arcana and History did not reveal anymore than what he told you) |
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi listens intently, "Interestin'. Where did this all take place?"
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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"It's all around Cormyr and the Dalelands or something like that," The man shrugs, "That's why half the folks in Faerun are probably heading there now. Crazy people, thinking they can actually get their hands on those things? If they don't perish from the ancient magicks and warths of gods, they'll surely die in the hands of each other fighting for what they will never get."
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi nods absently as the man finishes speaking, I could get it. I am greater than all of the others. Dalelands....it will be a long journey. After he is finished, Darvi hands the man five gold and thanks him for the information. His mind is made up, he wants to find that spell, consequences be damned.
He stares up at the sun for a moment, it's still early. Silently he heads back into the alley he came from and back down into the sewers. He begins talking to himself again. "Hello? Where are you? Oh, you're sleeping. Wake up wake up! It's getting late. I've heard news, and I'm going to travel to the Dalelands to search for magic." He smiles. "What? The Dalelands?! Why?" "There are powerful spells there. Many people are already leaving to find them. But we'll get them before anyone else, we'll be gods!" "Hm...don't be too hasty in leaving. You don't even know where it is." "The merchant I spoke to said near Cormyr and the Dalelands, we'll start there. Get things, you'll be coming with me." "Ok, ok. But we must go up again, to the tavern. We'll hear more news there, and possibly find a group of travelers we can follow." Darvi nods to himself. He gathers as much gold as he can carry and, still wearing the disguise, travels up to the surface again. He'll go to the nearest tavern and sit at the bar, ordering an ale but not drinking it, and listening to the conversations of those around him." |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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The tavern is surprisingly empty, even for a sunny morning. Other than the barkeep and a few drunks in the corner, it's mostly empty... come to think of it, while you travel here, the streets seem somewhat empty as well.
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi looks around and frowns. Could they all be heading the same way I am?
He walks up to the bar, "Bartender, where is everyone?" |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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"You need to ask? Have you been living in the sewers, boy?" The bartender laughs, then adds, "They are all going for that magical, ancient and oh, so powerful things that can make them gods. Bunch of idiots."
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi, despite himself, looks amazed, "All of them!? The whole city?"
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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"Obvious not the whole city, I am still here, you are not blind are you?" The barkeep waves his hand in front of Dravi mockingly. "But most young ones who deem themselves 'advanturers' are not here anymore."
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi glares at the man, and does all he can to resist the urge to melt the bar. Bite your tongue, don't give yourself away. Be smart. He simply nods, puts some gold on the bar, and leaves the tavern.
As he walks out the doors, he looks at the near empty streets. The fact that so many would go without question amazed him. "Now...should I buy a mount?" He thinks hard for a moment, If you buy one, the journey will be much shorter. But it would be harder to hide, and you would be restricted to staying on the roads for most of the way. He frowns, considering. No, it will suit me better to walk. The halfling heads toward the eastern gate of the city, trying to not be noticed if possible. Assuming he reaches the gate without conflict, he'll leave the city. He'll begin heading east, not walking on the road, but keeping within a stone's throw of it. When possible, he'll stay hidden from others on the road. He still wears his disguise. |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Your trip to the eastern gate of the city is uneventful, as well as your travel outside the city, staying carefully off the road. This is a primary trade route, naturally there are a lot of merchants travelling via this road, but you get the feeling that there are much more caravens or horses than normal, and most of them are heading east.
(OOC: Travelling mode enabled. Unless otherwise stated, you will travel 15 hours per day at casual speed and rest for 9 hours. Should nothing happen, the time line will advance at a suitable speed and you may check the Time thread for recent developments, and you can freely post in this thread as you desire for daily activities as well as the movement on the map and any change of plans.) |
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi has a map with his travel planned out. He's chosen his temporary destination (temporary only because he has very little useful information) as Arabel, in Cormyr, where he will stop for a few days and get as much news as he can. Should something unusual happen or he gain some new information along the way, however, he will not hesitate to change his destination accordingly.
Traveling East from Athkatla, he'll follow the road, though not traveling on it, through Crimmor and Keczulla. From Keczulla, he's head East Northeast through the Snakewood and Greenfields to Priapurl. This will be his first stop, where he'll attempt to get some news of the happenings. From Priapurl, he'll go North to Proskur. Once again, he'll stop to try and get news. He'll cross the bridge and follow the road through the Stormhorns. After he's crossed the mountains, he'll follow the road to Arabel, finding a way to cross the river when he reaches it. The whole way, Darvi will remain in disguise. He doesn't want anyone to know who he is unless he knows them first. |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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(OOC: Travelled mode interrupted)
You travelled for five days, and have reached the bottom of the hill of the Cloud Peaks where the trade route turns into a mountain trail for a short distance. You can't help but curse your short legs and their slow speed. In your daily travel, you notices that there are several occurances of Priests of varies religions on the road, convincing people to turn back, some by words, some by force. You were able to stay noticed pass them... until now. Just by the entrance to the mountain trail, there are three well armored man; they all bare the holy symbol of Mystra, the Lady of the Weave. Somehow, they seem to have noticed you, and your travelling along the side of the road enhances their suspicious thoughts even further, and they begin to approach you as one of them speaks up. "Sir... if you would just hold on for a minute, please... we do not wish to trouble the elderly, but perhaps you are lost? There can be robbers and bandits that enjoys taking advantage of vulnerable individuals like you, would you like us to escort you back to your home?" His words are polite, but his tone does not sound friendly. |
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi stops in his tracks, and gets back into character. He looks up at the man through squinted eyes and smiles, "No sir, that's why I'm travellin' off road, you see. As I figure, the thieves and scoundrels be the ones on the road, gonna rob the fools who be going to find the magic, I reckon." He smiles up at the man warmly.
"No sir, Lad, I be visitin' some family in Keczulla. Yep yep, be up there for about a month, I will...good lads, my grandson an' his wife and kids. Dreadful, dreadful kids. Don't know how to mind. Nope, they ignore about everything that is said to them. Don't listen at all. I myself would like to take a cane to their behinds, teach 'em a thing or two." He lets out a laugh, before continuing again. He'll talk more about his family, droning on and on until he is interupted. |
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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(OOC: Disguise check 15 + 35 = 50, opposed by NPC Spot, success, circumstance bonus to Bluff. Bluff check 16 + 9 + 4 = 29 opposed by NPC Sense Motice, success)
After getting close, the man speaking pats his own head, "Sorry to trouble you good sir, but we are here to turn away unwanted... adventurers that maybe pursuing that they shouldn't be doing. Regardless, it's dangerous that you travel along, may the Mystic Fire light your path. Kirm, escort this kind sir to Keczulla, then report back here as soon as possible. You may take the horses, we have no need for them temporarily stationed here." The one called Krim quickly prepared two horses. "Please, let me help you up. We should be able to reach Keczulla before nightfall if we ride full speed... but can you take the rough rides? Would you prefer a slower ride?" |
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ParadoxofMe |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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Darvi smiles at the man called Krim, in his head he is laughing hysterically. "Thank you so much, Lad, it does my heart good to see such caring and helpful young men out there. I can take the rough rides, Lad, I may be old, but don't count me out yet!" Laughing, he walked up to the horse and (with assistance) climbs up onto it. "Ready when you are, Son."
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darken |
Re: Chapter One, Rumor (ParadoxofMe) | ||
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The speed of these specialy trained horses are much faster than your tiny halfling legs. Before nightfall, you have already reached Keczulla. "Sorry I would not be able to see you to the hands of your relatives, but I must hurry back now. Are you going to be ok?"
After receving an answer, the man quickly races back outside the town. The other horse follows them obdiently. |
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