Forgotten Realms Part 3: Legions of Iron and Bone

lazerus · Post by **lazerus** » 2004-03-31 10:15pm

may the gods have mercy upon you.

"I'm a cleric who defied the will of his god. I act knowing that i'm going to the abyss when I die."

And with that, I stalk off.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-03-31 10:25pm

++We kind of utterly obliterated the mage guild, remember?++

Gaheris rushed down the street, wand-bearing Tyrran clerics on his heels, healing the wounded. He had been discussing the results of Khazar's communion with Tyr when the guards raised a clamor outside. They had both rushed out, to find nothing other than Jax's replicators... Only some of them looked different. And they were busily trying to steal the guards' weapons and armor, and attacking the ones that resisted. Which was all of them.

They had been desperately fighting the apparently crazed constructs, which just kept coming endlessly, when suddenly there was a dull flash and the replicators all fell to the courtyard, motionless.

They could hear what could only be the cries of wounded outside the walls. Gaheris quickly roused the clerics and split them up into teams to scour the city and heal those hurt. He had five with him, and he was beginning to feel the limits of his healing power. He'd have to leave it to the wands soon...

Then he saw Jax and Astinius arguing in the street. Looking back, he saw no injuries that would threaten the lives of those bearing them if not healed immediately, so he signaled his men to follow him. He jogged up to Jax as Astinius stormed off, apparently angry at something. Gaheris stopped.

"Jax, what happened? The replicators, did they break free of your control? This is..." He trailed off. Something was different about Jax...

The aura of holy energy that usually surrounded him had vanished. Jax's back was still to him. He signaled for the clerics following him to stand by for trouble with a Tyrran military gesture.

"Jax? What's happened," he asked in a low voice, slowly approaching the cleric from behind.

++Tycho, we are going to finish that meeting. I need to know what Abbot Khazar can tell me. But I was falling too far behind events. I needed to catch up, so I went ahead. But we're going back.++

lazerus · Post by **lazerus** » 2004-03-31 10:28pm

Jax keeps walking.
"Torma started attacking them, they.......responded poorly."
Jax turns a corner, headed for a stable.

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-03-31 10:34pm

lazerus wrote:Jax keeps walking.
"Torma started attacking them, they.......responded poorly."
Jax turns a corner, headed for a stable.

"So I see. Are you all right? I know you wouldn't turn them loose intentionally to hurt the people in your charge, so how did they escape? I thought they were programmed to obey you completely." Gaheris followed and the clerics came behind at a discreet distance, checking wounded as they went, but their eyes were on Jax and Gaheris behind their helmets as they did so.

lazerus · Post by **lazerus** » 2004-03-31 10:53pm

Jax reaches the stable, and starts putting the barding on his warhorse.

"You right, they WERE programmed to obey me completly. Emphasis on the past tense. When I saw that torma was hurt, I ordered the bugs to get off her and asked if she was ok. Apprantly when the bugs saw that I was on the same side as one of their enimies, I became the enimey."
Jax reaches over and starts ajusting some of the straps on his saddle.
"The wizards managed to use the mythllar to distroy them, some kind of Bane spell I think. And of course I wouldn't let them loose, but...."

Jax starts emptying come supplies from his backpack into the saddlebags.

"...this isn't my charge anymore."
Jax laughs.
"You know it's funny, really it is, I was just standing there, trying to heal some people and warn me that the Thayen army is coming. And it just hit me, they don't care."

He grabbed the reins and starts leadeing the horse outside.
"The Triad, the Red Wizards, Aly, Malkamar, they really don't give a shit. So what if 25 thousand plus people die here? Or another hundred thousand try to stop the thayan army? It's all justified in the name of protecting that goddammed Mythllar. You see this city?"

Jax waves.

"Everysingle person here is going to die, most likely in this fight. But if not, sooner or later, from goblins, desease, old age. To them, death has meaning. Hell, with the replicators most of them have just experenced Death first hand. But to people on this power level, Death is just an inconvience till the next ressurect. They don't care how much damage their quests are causing. And their current one is going to distroy this city."

Jax mounts on the Warhorse, and his speach turns really haunting.

"Everypereson here is going to die very very soon and there is nothing I could do about it if I cared. I'm leaving while I still can."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-03-31 11:01pm

"You know, it'd be nice if someone would get to know me before judging me. But no, that'd be a little too much effort. I'm Netherese; obviously I'm incredibly cavalier with people's lives." Malkamar spoke, having caught half of the rant as he dropped by the Abby with some of his purchases. "Because, of course, when I decided to remain here and fight off the hordes that are coming, I didn't care. When I destroy the Replicators because I saw one ripping at one man's neck to get his necklace, I didn't care. You, sir, are a pretentious little ass. I'm staying to try and protect these people. You can ram your tail between your legs and run if you want."

lazerus · Post by **lazerus** » 2004-03-31 11:05pm

"Actually, my assuming your Netherese had a bit more to do with the fact that you value the mythllar over these peoples lives, but sure.

When I destroy the Replicators because I saw one ripping at one man's neck to get his necklace, I didn't care.

"Feh, perhaps I misjudged you. You DO care. Just not enough to change your course and do what you have too."

I'm staying to try and protect these people.

"From somthing that is your fault."

You can ram your tail between your legs and run if you want."

"If you would prefer I can count the innocents killed."

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-03-31 11:09pm

lazerus wrote:"Actually, my assuming your Netherese had a bit more to do with the fact that you value the mythllar over these peoples lives, but sure."

Little more than a sigh and shake of head is given. "You know, there are these people called Psions. Find one before you claim to know my motivations next time, kid."

When I destroy the Replicators because I saw one ripping at one man's neck to get his necklace, I didn't care.
"Feh, perhaps I misjudged you. You DO care. Just not enough to change your course and do what you have too."

"I'm sure you're foolish enough and unschooled enough in the ways of magic to think that 'destroying' the Mythallar would do that. I'll assume you never read what actually happened when the Mythallars exploded.. Oh right. No one did. Because they all died."

I'm staying to try and protect these people.
"From somthing that is your fault."

"Indeed. That is called maturity. I take responsibility for everything my actions do."

You can ram your tail between your legs and run if you want."
"If you would prefer I can count the innocents killed."

"I would expect a follower of Helm to live up to the creed and protect them. If you prefer to run, then run. There's no room for cowards in the coming madness."

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-03-31 11:10pm

As hbe entered the main guildhall, the mages that recognized him staired in a mixture of awe and terror. A man that could wipe out the entire hall with a word and a gesture had just walked into their guild... and they had better listen.

"Greetings and good morrow young magelings. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that the legion of bone is marching toward westgate. The good news is what they are coming after, a netherese Mythallar. I am making a call to any wizard or sorcerer who is willing and able to participate in a ritual that will raise the Tower of the White Hand into the skies of Faerun without the use of a Proctives Move Mountain. The spell will take 1 week to complete. Are there 5or 6 mages here who are willing and able to help me in this task?

lazerus · Post by **lazerus** » 2004-03-31 11:13pm

"I'm sure you're foolish enough and unschooled enough in the ways of magic to think that 'destroying' the Mythallar would do that. I'll assume you never read what actually happened when the Mythallars exploded.. Oh right. No one did. Because they all died."

"Oh, I understand, so you didn't create a very powerfull magic artifact that could fall into the wrong hands and bring about an Age of Darkness. You created a very powerfull magic artifact that could fall into the wrong hands and bring about an Age of Darkness AND would distroy the world if I was ever broken. Yeah, that REALLY makes it better."

"I would expect a follower of Helm to live up to the creed and protect them. If you prefer to run, then run. There's no room for cowards in the coming madness."

"I no longer follow a so-called defender that cannot be bothered to protect the world from what is possibly the one of the greatest evil's of all time. And there is plenty of room for me in what is to come, you forget, i'm allready mad."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-03-31 11:20pm

"No, Jax. It does matter. These people deserve to live out their lives, and as of now we are the only ones who can ensure that they may do so. Helm's dogma commands that you protect those in need of protection. These people are in the most dire need of protection of any in Faerun right now. Follow Helm's example! They say he would die to defend anything he agrees to guard. He was the only deity Lord Ao trusted enough to retain his divinity in order to guard the Outer Planes during the Time of Troubles. He was even picked over Torm. Is that not an example to live up to, to protect these people's lives just as Helm protects what he is charged to guard? Isn't that worth fighting for? Isn't that worth dying for?" Gaheris's voice got quieter towards the end, but it was the calm quietness of utter conviction, the pure belief in his stand and what he was saying.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-03-31 11:25pm

"I'm starting to see how Mankind fell so far." Malkamar rolled his eyes. "Without your Gods to personally manifest and hold your hands, you can't function. Fine. Go then. I don't care. I'm responsible for this, so I'm going to defend this city with the power I wield. Where Gods fail, Men must stride."

Coaan · Post by **Coaan** » 2004-03-31 11:30pm

Erhart had watched from his stall in the stables, carefully brushing down Thunder as the argument brushed on and continued. He shook his head and turned back to thunder for a moment before calling over to Gaheris

"Let the coward go. This is his decision, if he chooses to turn his back on his faith, his friends and these people...then may the hells claim him....If not...then just maybe, Helm could atone for the actions of the replicators."

lazerus · Post by **lazerus** » 2004-03-31 11:32pm

++It's a +2 Holy Mace++

There is a short pause.
Jax picks up his Mace and holy symbol, and holds them in both hands. (In a non-threatening way).
"These were given to me when I became a cleric of Helm, part of a rite of passage. It was supposed to signify that I was a defended of the faith and my charge. Since this cause means so little to me, I suppose I dont' deserve them......"

They land at Gaheris's feat.

"You may not follow Helm, but this is your charge now. I would die without hesitiation if I thought it might save the lives of these people. But it won't, you don't seem to get it. Your power struggles, justified or not, have allreayd killed these people. They are going to die and there is NOTHING you can do to stop it."

Where Gods fail, Men must stride."

"True, but there are places man was not meant to go. And the failure to know that point was the downfall of the empire, and will be YOUR downfall if you arn't carefull."

--

"Good luck Gaheris. Goodbye."

Without waiting for a responce, Jax kicks the horse into a gallop and rides off.

Coaan · Post by **Coaan** » 2004-03-31 11:41pm

He watched after Jax's retreating back and shook his head in contempt. It was simply a betrayal against these people but there was little that could be done about that matter. Erhart set aside the brush and moved from the stable, waving over Gaheris with a hand.

"Gaheris!"

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-03-31 11:51pm

Gaheris slowly bent and picked up the mace and the symbol of the eyed gauntlet of the Vigilant One. His right hand fell away from the sap at his belt to reach for the mace. He looked up at the receding form of Jax. "Goodbye. May Torm return your heart to its true course, and may Helm take you back into the fold if you ever recover your sense of duty," he whispered.

"Gaheris!"

Gaheris turned. "Yes, Erhart, what is it?"

Coaan · Post by **Coaan** » 2004-03-31 11:54pm

Erhart crossed the small distance between them and dusted off the horsehair from his tunic lightly, looking at the helmite holy symbol in his hand for a moment before returning his gaze to look straight at him

"Any word from Lord Khazar?....we do need to get these people out of the city as soon as possible"

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-03-31 11:55pm

"Astinius and I have formed a superior alternative. We cannot, reasonably, get people out of a city this size and away from the Mythallar. So we must move the Mythallar. It's time to Raise The Keep, and I beleive the one thing we have left to get is a dragon's heart." Malkamar split his face in a grin. "You boys up for a little old fashioned dragonslaying?"

Coaan · Post by **Coaan** » 2004-03-31 11:58pm

SirNitram wrote:"Astinius and I have formed a superior alternative. We cannot, reasonably, get people out of a city this size and away from the Mythallar. So we must move the Mythallar. It's time to Raise The Keep, and I beleive the one thing we have left to get is a dragon's heart." Malkamar split his face in a grin. "You boys up for a little old fashioned dragonslaying?"

"A dragon's heart..." He ran his hand through his hair thoughtfully and grinned after a moment. "You've found a suitable Chromatic dragon?"

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-04-01 12:08am

"Astinius is researching the information as we speak. If you have the information you require, we'll head back. I think I've got enough clothes to keep Torma from smashing the doors apart."

Rogue 9 · Post by **Rogue 9** » 2004-04-01 12:15am

Alyrium Denryle wrote:As hbe entered the main guildhall, the mages that recognized him staired in a mixture of awe and terror. A man that could wipe out the entire hall with a word and a gesture had just walked into their guild... and they had better listen.

"Greetings and good morrow young magelings. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that the legion of bone is marching toward westgate. The good news is what they are coming after, a netherese Mythallar. I am making a call to any wizard or sorcerer who is willing and able to participate in a ritual that will raise the Tower of the White Hand into the skies of Faerun without the use of a Proctives Move Mountain. The spell will take 1 week to complete. Are there 5or 6 mages here who are willing and able to help me in this task?

Several of the mages in the front hall of the guildhouse look at each other in nearly blind panic at your words. A couple look at you suspiciously and retire through a door leading further into the building.

Three come up to you after a hurried and whispered exchange. "In the face of the destruction of our city, we will do whatever we may to save it. What do you require," asked the one in front.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-04-01 12:20am

"The ritual is called 'Raise the Keep' the magic will be powered by the Mythallar, so the drain on our souls will be non-existant. I simply need eight spellcasters to join in the ritual. This makes myself, Fearghal, his apprentice, and you three...we need two more... And the heart of Hoondarrh the Red Dragon... Do you know of two other mages who would be willing to help in the ritual? Dont worry, I can take care of the dragon easily enough"

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-04-01 12:22am

"I will meet you at the Tower of the White Hand in one days time.. May I ahve the pleasure of your names? I am Astinius Malakavar"

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-04-01 12:23am

"Oh my how could I forget... We have the spellcasting needs met... Our ntherese and bronze dragon friends can pick up the other two places in the circle"

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2004-04-01 12:31am

"With that, I take my leave of you, and thank you. I assume you can find the tower.. large glowing mage tower about ten minutes walk from here..."

With that, Astinius walked outside and found Malkamar and the others.

"Well I think I have found a proper dragon. His name is Hoondarrh and he lives on the sword coast"