|
Meanwhile 11:23 Souriin approaches Sepyt Niam and asks for some Holy Water from Rotan's Temple. Sepyt warns the Raven Mage that he travels a treacherous path, but he also says he is thankful that Souriin has a good heart. He gives him the Holy Water. After returning to Deathwatch Isle, Souriin calls the members of Project Deathwatch together to prepared for a summoning. Belimirar meets with representatives from the Temple of Rotan and the Church of Artafor to discuss how best to co-ordinate Rotan's clergy during the coming invasion. 11:24 After sleeping late and recovering from the battles in Miris, Euvgeni questions Artak about his time in the elven capital. Because of his ill treatment, Artak's memories of his captivity are sketchy. However, he does know that the elves attached to the blight crystal, and those forced inside it had all exhibited some sort of mental powers. Jorune had been forcing Artak to work on alchemical methods for boosting the capability of these individuals. Just twelve days after construction began, wizards at the University of Craft and Thought complete work on Sanctuary Hall. Refugees begin to trickle in, almost as soon as it opens. Dozens of priests from many faiths congregate in major buildings throughout Ivrea -- at City Hall in Simipia, in the Hall of Records in Feroll, at the University of Craft and Thought, and at the College of Wizardry in Pirs. They pledge to work together to make these places of refuge during the coming conflict. Souriin casts Contact Other Plane and attempts to contact Wiobra, God of Death. Upon completing the spell, the mage enters a trance-like state. He sees a bright portal ahead of him, and Muspell, his raven familiar, leads him towards the portal. Standing on on the other side of the portal is a tall, impassive figure dressed in dark velvet. His jet black hair frames his pale and ageless face. He holds a twinkling crystal sphere between his velvet gloves. As Souriin approaches, he releases the orb, which bobs gently in the air by his side. He reaches out, and Muspell alights gently on his forearm. Souriin hears a voice in his mind...Belimirar meets with Fengar the Grey to find out if there is a possibility of people fleeing into the passages underneath Rotan and Nedgari, as a last resort to escape the trolls. Bel thinks that this will provide some additional defense, since it is harder to teleport underground. Although Fengar agrees that the tunnels could be used as a last resort, he makes it clear that the underground area is very dangerous. At Griffon Keep, Damalanthas casts Identify on the magic items recovered from Miris. After completing the spell, he knows the following information:
Flash invites bowmakers and fletchers from Nedgari, Rotan and New Ivrea to meet him at the Archery College on the last day of the month. Owen casts Awaken on a great oak tree in the newly sanctified grove. He then takes three of the awakened tree's acorns and plants them in portable containers. He plans to nurture the seeds for a month with his spellcraft and then awaken the new trees too. He wants to take one seed to each of Miris, Rotan and New Ivrea. Harmony spends the day visiting some of the more remote halfling farmsteads around New Ivrea, to check that everything is okay. During her travels she starts to compose a song called "Rolling Troll Heads". The halfling spends the night in a haystack. The Pride of Ivrea completes its maiden voyage from Pirs to Feroll in just four days, setting a new record for the journey. Part of the ships cargo is a large consignment of tools, nets and weapons belonging to the RMA. These goods are intended as a gift for the sea elves, and are accompanied by a proposed treaty for diplomatic and trade relations. Late in the night, Damalanthas is visiting one of his many paramours. She asks him about a tattoo on his lower back, but the bard has no recollection of it. She describes the design as "two uneven circles linked by parallel lines". 11:25 Euvgeni prepares an away team for a return to Miris. He meets with the Veros Paithen and Iluria Shenil; both are eager to return with him as part of the away team. Veros is weak, but recovering. Euvgeni meets with Sepyt Niam and Lurik Mien and they agree to assign healers to the recovery team. He also sends a message to Flash, letting the elf know that the team leaves the next day. On Deathwatch Isle, the gnome Enyaki prepares a magic circle. The circle is set in dark basalt rock and is to be inlaid with an admixture of silver and iron. Souriin plans to make the symbols themselves of platinum. The other members of the Project concentrate on making Protection from Evil scrolls. Belimirar directs the formation of special "quad" units within the Rotan Town Guard. The quads consist of three fighters and one mage. The fighters are trained to protect the mage from physical attack while the mage helps them with aid and support spells. Damus inspects and enhances the defenses at Griffon Keep. Together with Burr Lockfoot, he leads a public debate about the coming invasion. The young adventurers gathered at the Keep are excited by the discussion and morale at the Keep is high. Flash meets with builders to discuss the ongoing construction of the Archery College. Seeing that a fair crowd of prospective young archers has already gathered at the site, Flash holds a shooting competition. He puts up a purse of 250 gold coins and offers free admission to the College to the winner of the contest. A young female half-elven archer narrowly beats a human warrior for the prize. Afterwards, Flash entertains the crowd with some spectacular trick-shot displays. Owen leaves the Sacred Grove and, in his eagle form, begins a journey towards the Druid's Conclave northwest of Rotan. The druid takes with him Oorak, the same deep-red coloured bird-man he sent to the Runic Lake. He leaves Kaaven at the Sacred Grove, to welcome any new arrivals. Harmony makes her way back to New Ivrea early in the day. She composes a letter to her family, wishing them well and explaining that chances are that she will not be in contact for a while. The rest of the day is spent in meetings with the HPC checking food storage records. The evening is spent performing at an inn. Harmony tests out "Rolling Troll Heads" on the crowd. Interlude He has been here forever and yet for no time at all. The voices are familiar now, always whispering at the edge of his consciousness. "We know who you are," they murmur, "we know..." The voices retreat, leaving Damalanthas alone with his thoughts. Then... |