Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Agudo Archmage 04-14-06, 11:10 PM	((OOC Hello one and all ! This place is for those who wish to talk about your Chars background /NPC/Games Story they have been in It can also be about a book you have read and you wish to talk about the key parts in a (story form) Like I do below In some ways its like when your at a Tavern and some one asks who your Char is and you give a story But here its a market background with more NPC around to play off of (The rules are simple it must be kept in the format of this market (Faerun style of play and have fun with your storytelling (No major wars brake out just fun storytelling with others or NPC (Your post can be anywhere in the market far from other Real players or close by them its up to you (Example) You could be buying things when you run into an old gold ring you had lost in some cave. And you find out a greedy Hobbit has it lol or some such :P Think about all the games you have been in perhaps there is something you always wanted to talk about in story form for others to read O' well enjoy :cool: ))) Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Sitting in the heart of a busy marketplace with hucksters and hecklers alike All selling wears and tares of all sorts be it camels, horses, elephants rare birds and so on Those with finer tastes were haggling over embroidered rugs, jewelry, pottery and the likes Even the simple daily needs of nourishments could be had here such as meats, fish fruits and the more exotic spices from far off lands Some where in the middle of all this commerce, standing on a soapbox wooden crate is the well known much beloved pillar of the community That’s right......... Agudo! Lets listen in shall we and hear the pearls of wisdom he offers to the masses Just as the wind picks up slightly causing his bluish white cloak to flutter; in turn adding to the dramatics of the moment For this not so humble follower of the Light clears his throat lifting his hands in the air causing his overly bejeweled rings to sparkle bringing ever more attention to himself Agudo bellowed in his fatherly voice Hear ye, Hear ye.....One and all! Come and gather around for moment and allow your ears to be astounded Rare tomes started to float about him leaving sparkly dust in there wake Come and hear of grand fabled tales of long ago inspiring moments in history That will set your hearts a flutter and your minds anew Not far off in a small tent covered stall a one eyed female fishmonger seller of Halfling bent Becames one of those hecklers mentioned before Aye! And ye wants to educates us ignoramuses I see Looking downs on us on your high soapbox horse Waving a several fish heads about she mimicked the Clerical, Wizardly fellow I be with my fancy cloths and me fine speech Looky me all ye wee folks! Slapping down a rather overly rip halibut that most likely had been sitting out in the noon day sun far to long The crusty Halfling wench continued her rant I knows I may nots be as perfumed as thee...smelling like and dandy ye be! Buts I makes an honest living selling me fish and all Even if it does leave my calices hands smelling like the very trout about me A few of her customers offered hearty support by clapping there hands and hooting in agreement With an impeccable smile and unflappable nerve this tall blond hair fellow took off his hat and gave a small bow to the uppity Halfling lass My dear Lady of the market I Agudo your dedicated follower of the Light would never be smudge your good name For far be it from me to look down upon one vertically challenged as thee. Crossing her arms the Halfling lass raised and less than bemused eyebrow But Agudo continued on as if all was well Yet! Lady who shows us wisdom like any sage of yon ages lost in time For even if you do have the enchanting smell of the salty sea, I for one find it invigorating like the sunset on sandy beach in spring An old Dwarvin bricklayer elbows his long time fishmonger seller friend Mabel yer nots going to falls for that pile of....craaa.......Umph! Elbowing the Dwarf back the one eyed Halfling showed a toothy smile Ya heards the man I be a Lady! The crowd laughs And if..... Standing on her tipy toes to add needed height to her words And if the Blondie boy with his gaudily sparkly rings wants to sugar me ears with his sly Bardic words then.... So be it! Leaning against her stall Mabel winked at them all Besides I nots as wild-eyed as ye all thinks I am I knows when a mans trying butter me up Blushing she adds Its just ...weeeell......I likes it Even the Dwarf laughs at that Ok ya heard Mabel Now tell us yer tale.... ye long winded Human
Agudo Archmage 04-14-06, 11:11 PM	Agudo’s Book Corner Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley With that less than ringing endorsement Agudo returned his hat to it rightful place atop his head and began his tale Ignoring the jests at his expense of his pointy hat that lacked a pointy head and brushed his blue and white robes absentmindedly as he gathered his thoughts It was then that one of the tomes came to halt before him The pages turning quickly then once more Agudo cleared his throat Those who ignore History are doomed to repeat it Let these words I bestow before your deserving ears Aid you in stopping this folly so that it does not befall you as so easily as it has others Over the small crowd of people a vision of an ancient city floated out of the pages and with a deep resonating voice Agudo bellowed out In a time when cities fell from the sky and Arcanists screamed in fear Where the greatest of wealth power came to naught for the nation of Netheril For it could not save them from the folly that was there own undoing I have come to tell you of one such city that rang with the name Nhalloth That now lays at the deep, deep waters off the Shores of the Sea of Fallen Stars A young lad Gnomish boy sitting at Agudo feet stopped in mid chew of his sugary treat He seem to frown and Agudo words, speaking up with some shyness the boy asked Excuse me Sir. But how could a city be underwater? What of the people? Did they swim around down there? Kneeling down to better eye the youngster the Light bringer spoke kindly to the wee Gnome Its a sad ending to a once might city my boy For few if any survived such fall and fewer I’m sure could swim Of on the side a dirty teenager human boy who was clearly street urchin Couldn’t resist to ask a question if his own What of all that wealth you spoke of ...What came of it? Surely it aint sitting down...you know a whole city worth of treasure just waiting for someone to come along and take it Grabbing the young street urchin by the collar the one eyed Halfling woman even as she stood on a barrel of fishbone Not ye boy! How many times I has to tells ya thieving urchin Stops pick pocketing me customers She said this as the boy drops a small yet bulging coin purse on the ground Hey that’s mine Yelled tall Barbarian looking Half org. Ripping his shirt leaving Mabel to stare at the rotten peace of cloth the lad made a run for it With the now very angry Half-Org woman chasing close behind him Standing once more chuckling as he did A good question! For you see many have tried and failed for one reason or another to find the vast treasures I personally believe that before seafaring land races stumbled upon the submerged city around the Year of the Creeping Doom 1305 DR Races such as Mer folks and others living within those cold waters over the many, many centuries have attempted to loot Nhalloth A flower girl of mixed heritage looking like a cross between a Gnome and an Elf called out her own question Heheh come to think of it....If its underwater how is it found by us topside folks? Before the Historian could respond a Minatare bullish man who was bidding on a particularly large War Hammer from a weapons smith spoke up You mouthy one....How could flying city be in water? Nodding his head at both inquisitive questioners Agudo ran his finger through his short blond chin beard Over the last hundred years the Sea if Fallen Stars has...for lack of a better word become less murky.... if you will Allowing some of the tops of the buildings to be seen You can clearly see farther down in the water than ever before The Clerical Mage didn’t want to worry folks about the world weather cooling and the ice sheets growing larger up north Besides he was here to talk about his latest books Now for the second question Nearly seventeen hundred years ago a terrible event took place that changed Magic forever This event was called Karsus folly It took place around -339 Dr the Year of the Sundered Webs Pausing for effect A time when False gods did battle with mortals People looked at each other knowing this was getting good But before I continue I am rather parched Agudo smiled at the fruit drink vendor O’ I see You tells us a story and gets to the good part and now as all my friends looks at me to hurry it up....Soooo I have to give ya a free drinks is that it? Rolling his eyes and grabbing a clay cup of sweeten lemon juice he hurried up to the soapbox to hand it the wordy storyteller Agudo playfully winks all along planning to pay the plump boy hobbit
MaskedOne 04-14-06, 11:31 PM	I'll be good, no demonic outings this time around and freed of the demon, the character is a bit more thoughtful. Magic use, while constrained typically is still as natural to this character as walking. I don't intend needless dramatics but can we avoid warding the marketplace against ALL high level tricks. The character would either contest them which I can't really do here or leave once his mantle (I do not mean the 3.5 game version here, just a web of protective magic) starts getting potshots taken at it. A young man in a grey cloak clasped by Mystra's symbol and holding a plain (seemingly) staff walks around the corner and halts suddenly seeing Agudo. He's still as theatrical as last time. The young mage, who Agudo may remember as the Ellaran, nods politely to the talespinner and leans back against a nearby pole. His holy symbol flickers with an inner light before returning to normal though the young one doesn't seem to notice.
Agudo Archmage 04-21-06, 12:46 AM	Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Holding the refreshing drink from the Hobbit the tale-spinner took a well earned brake It was then a familiar face in the crowd pop up waving a warm hello the follower of Light makes his way over Just before reaching the grey cloak gentlemen a sweet flower of a maiden walks in between them speaking shyly Forgive me my lord but will you give me the honor of autographing this book Looking down at her adorable face the storyteller put his free hand over his heart, speaking with his well known warm fatherly voice he replied Why my dear how could I do other wise! For it would be a crime to turn down one as delightful as you The now blushing maiden held up the leather bound book clearly titled Agudo Travel Guide to the Realm Volume 1-3 His bejeweled ringed fingers sparked as he took hold of the book Ahh a classic if I do say so myself Then playfully laughing And I do! She let lose with a delightful giggle At that moment a feather quill came floating out of Agudo bluish white robe pocket It began writing the words that he happily spoke Like a Lighthouse on the edge of the stormy seas, your lovely smile is forever a welcoming beacon to good friends and strangers; be they all like ships in the night To my number one fan ..... Agudo stops and waits for the answer he seeks Swooning at the tall blond writer words she almost didn’t catch his subtle hint O....’ my name! She giggles again I am called Melody of the High forest clan Tilting his head winking at Melody with his emerald green eyes To my number one fan..... Melody Who’s clan must be blessed by the Light to have one as charming as her. Returning the autographed book to the waiting hands of Melody he added Can this humble servant of Light offer aid in any other matter my dear? Blinking for a moment as she thought, her brow came together concentrating then her brown eyes fluttered as it came to her Agudo you spoke of so many places to travel Yet witch would you recommend first? Swirling his drink about the Clerical Mage looked up as seagull flew over the market Hmm so many fine places.... all are good Yet! For the young at heart I would highly recommend ..... Leaving her hands suddenly Agudo Travel guide open up and as he spoke places and things began to appear above, like some dreamy ever changing painting The city of Baldurs Gate It was started by a famous pirate of the same name who adventures took him far and wide Once you make your way in this somewhat civilized city (If I stretch the truth.) You will see a city port that is hustling and bustling with commerce and people alike Coming through the east gate, you will see one of my favorite places to stay. That being the *Elf Song Tavern & Inn.* (Some say you can hear the Ghost like voice of a haunting female Elf singing) A large and clean place, yet with plenty of intrigue and adventures taking place for those who hunger for such For your magical shopping needs stop by the *Sorceress Sundries* Plenty of magical items to be had such as scrolls, rings, necklaces, staffs hats and to numerous to mention potions. There is even an upstairs meeting room and laboratory for the magically incline. (But be careful for old man Ordulinian is not too particular on whom he rents it out to) For those who seek the rough and tumble then go no further than the *Blushing Mermaid Tavern* Not for the faint of heart, nor the good folk of the Realms. I had the misfortune of going in there and naively believing the woman I met at the door who said she wanted to show me a good time. I assumed she was a tour-guide! Well let’s just say after jumping out the second story window, with barely my virtue and good name intact. …well…um… Put it this way! Is not called the Blushing Mermaid for nothing! If you’re a spiritually high-minded person such as I then a short travel to the northern part of the city will do you good. You will come upon the *Shrine of the Suffering* Many people have been refreshed by giving to the needy at that humble temple. I for one enjoy the culture of any city and the best place to see that in Baldurs Gate is *Hall of Wonders* Full of Gnomish inventions and other Gond like things. A lovely girl named Alora, will be happy to guide you around. She may be one of the happiest Gnomes you’ll ever meet. But keep an eye on your coin purse, she has sticky fingers. Yet if you get the chance to go to Baldur’s Gate, please stop off at an old collogues house of mine. Ragefast is his name, and he had this infatuation with Abela, the Nymph. I want to find out if he got my letters, recommending that he set free the poor girl from his tower. As quickly as it open the leather bound book returned once more to Melody arms Saluting her with his drinking goblet A hint if I ever heard one dear Lady. Twirling about as if already lost in adventure Melody ran off stoping just long enough to thank him Turning to Ellaran with a whimsical smile and a slightly overly dramatic bow Hail and well met good friend Ellaran I see the Light has brought you safely in my sight once more Pray tell what grand adventures have you been up to all this time?
MaskedOne 04-21-06, 08:21 AM	Ellaran raises an eye and almost grins at Agudo's theatrics. Finishing off a fiend lord, mostly. It held a grudge. Hmm, technically it still holds a grudge but the bonds on it stronger than most and it's currently drifting in the space between worlds. If I were being truly thorough, destruction would be better but as far as I know that would involve both it and I on its home plane and I object to that idea for some reason. Other than that, well, convincing Halruuan priests of Mystra to let me spend time in their library. A process that makes getting into Candlekeep illegally look relatively easy since I'm not native to that land and have few allies there. I was in some luck though, they had recently dealt with a mage who had far too much fondness for fiends and had spells surprisingly similar to mine. I've forgotten more weaknesses inherent in that system than most mages ever learn and writing down what I knew for them provided a very good start. It just took 6 months. I just want to know where the mage they faced off with got those tricks. The tradition that I modified to make them is dead and buried and not all of the lore books and writings that I used when researching still exist.
Agudo Archmage 04-23-06, 10:41 PM	Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Being the busy market that it was Agudo wasn’t the only one listening in on the two Clerics tale of past deeds A wide eyed Halfling lass deck out in pigtails looked up from her cart full of turnips Lions and Tigers and Fiends O’ my! You never catch me doing such foolery I tells ya Nodding her head at the little black doggy barking in the cart Wells Im off She said this as if all the impotence of the Realm was in those words Mustn’t be late back at the farm There be a storm brew’en in And the last time a tornado hit I sure don’t want to be late for the lollypop guild Scratching his head Agudo watched as the Halfling disappear in the crowd Returning his attention to the gray cloak fellow Ellaran you do stay busy I will give you that I take it you have come to share grand adventures of CandleKeep and Fiend slaying with the towns folks? With a whimsical spark in his eye Agudo added If so....I hope you haven’t come to knock me off my soapbox For this be my jesting spot! Laughing he quickly added Now run off you young heros and find your own spot to blow long winded yarns! Winking at the other Cleric the follower of Light shook his head No really what brings you this day? A simple act of shopping or something with more audacity and bravery?
MaskedOne 04-23-06, 11:12 PM	Ellaran shrugs. I was just passing through. I came across this gathering by accident. I'm actually free of overarching concerns for a little while and was taking time to travel by foot and see things instead simply scrying and teleporting. Teleportation is a joy when you're in a hurry but you don't see much that way and I've missed way too much of civilization in the past decade not to take my time traveling through various towns and cities. Ellaran shakes his head. There's never enough time and what time there is slips away so quickly. So you're on the tales of Karsus and Netheril? There are some more recent and somewhat unsettling events that have links to that period.
Agudo Archmage 04-25-06, 01:53 AM	:embarrass Ellaran I'm actually free of overarching concerns for a little while and was taking time to travel by foot Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Ahh it does my heart proud to hear you say that Like I always say... Holding up his hand in a dramatic pose Getting there is half the fun! Then as if remembering something he slowly put his finger on his lip This reminds me of that time when I was walking to a small parish with Gandalf the Gray In truth Gandalf could barely go down into his own tower basement and backup without using magic And on top of it he would still gets a stubbed toe even with all his magic Let alone trying to get the Gray to make a trek by foot several hours away Agudo rolled his eyes And how the Gray would complain in mortal anguish of his calices, making it sound like some Realm stopping moment Brushing his bluish white robes trying to refocusing on his point Now where was I? O yes! Gandalf and I were halfway to the parish, when I spotted a refreshing spring near by It seem like a good time to take an uneventful rest and quench my parch throat Agudo holds up the last of the juice he was drinking and finishes it off Or so I thought! For little did I know what would take place by doing so. I bend down to scoop up some cool water When I spot a golden ring laying at the bottom of the shallow pool Thinking what a lucky find! Ill show it to my friend the Gray Looking about You would think he would be happy for me? Blinking for a moment letting the words state the obvious But noooo..... Gandalf starts babbling about the gold ring being evil this! And death that! And the doom of us all....Blaa ....Blaa Agudo had this perplexed look about his face as if he still trying to see what the big deal was I tried to explain to him that it was a simple ring! No different than any other wide-eyed first year adventure would find in any bar room barrel, chest or what have you. Snickering Most likely do to some clumsy Lady Noble getting her pudgy fingers all sweaty; while having a heated tryst with a barhand on any dockside or some such. Sighing But Gandalf would hear none of it! He become more agitated at the rings sight The Gray demanded that we magically transport ourselves to some Light forsaken volcano Grimacing As if I was going to go prancing about some desolate, rock splattered volcano getting my hat all singed and such Besides I even offered the ring to him But Gandalf acted like by touching it he would become even more raving mad ......if that was even possible! Crossing his arms Agudo blew a stray strand of blond hair from his face Fortunately there was a Hobbit hovel next to us Just send one of them along on your misguided quest I said flatly I pointed out how any hairy-foot Hobbit could handle such a simple task Glancing at Ellaran, Agudo frowned Now if you thought Clerics could be discriminatory Wait until you hear a Wizard like Gandalf I swear he made the Hobbits sound like nothing more than a bunch of plump butterballs; waiting to be eaten by the first Kobold to come along Putting his hand on his hip the Light Mage continued In this day of age ...Imagine! Asuming that all Races were tipical backroom slander, not even giving someone a chance to show other wise. I did my best to show what they lack in size, they more than make up for it with a brave heart and flare for dramatics and good cooking Shaking his head at what came next Gray scorned me. Me! Of all people...Me the pillar community! Proclaiming I was simple minded, for anyone could see that Hobbit houses were dug in the ground like scared rabbits Eating bread all day scared to come out there houses. Gray even said Hobbits could barely hold a butter Knife let alone something important like his precious ring Leaning closer to Ellaran whispering In fact the more Gandalf looked at that ring the more his eyes would pop out of his head all along mumbling the words.... Precious ring.... precious ring ....over and over Speaking up Agudo continued I was beginning to think the noon day sun was frying the old mans brain So I grabbed Gandalf by the elbow and dragged him over to the before mentioned butterballs house Not waiting for his protests to stop I began knocking on the door and wouldn’t you know... Pausing for dramatics the follower of Light cracked a smile Low and behold was a tubby male Hobbit with of all things, freshly baked buttered bread. The Wee fellow had an even more surprised look than me. My guess was he thought we were his friends coming to enjoy lunch or something Shruging Agudo smiled The Gray tried to turn around but I held him firm I kindly introduced myself and my raving friend hoping to gain shelter Happily this innocent Hobbit opens his door allowing us to sit within his humble but cozy home I could only imagine latter how this trusting hairy-foot would regret such hospitality in the coming days After awhile with a bight to eat my Wizardly friend seem to settle down a bit Slaming his hand on a tent pole the Clerical Mage bit his lip before leting lose with his words What by the Light possess me to show that cursed gold ring I don’t know!?!?! Never the less not wanting to get a third degree burn in an active volcano I thought this would be a good time beguile are charming Host into this questionable adventure Agudo stared at his hands for a few seconds with the look of someone daydreaming But then suddenly he spoke You know Ellaran.... I have heard of mass hysteria before but never witness it until then. Almost as soon as I showed the ring once more my addlebrained friend the Gray Began to sputter his nonsense..... my precious ring! It will temp you.... give you powers..... Its the source of all evil! The Hobbit practicality jumps out of his seat stuttering as Gandalf point at me like I have the plague! Letting out a long breath Agudo nodded his head as if he was finally getting to the point Well by then I had more than enough! I stood up making clear my intent of getting rid of this thing once and for all Just so I wouldn’t hear those cursed words.... Precious.... rinnnng! BAH! Others in the market close by stop and watch as he rants and raves Agudo went on louder than before enjoying the attention from the market crowd It was then I realized that are Host was no naive of a tubby Hobbit, cooking his life away! For with just as much passion as my addled brained friend Gandalf He grabs hold my hand with his wee half-man dog like mouth and begins bighting into my flesh. As I scream out in pain ...and I do mean pain Whoowee those sharp teeth! I can hear the wee freak grunting something about burglary jobs, the ring and the power of never getting cuaght again This in turn makes the Gray more upset and starts screaming louder and louder Thats when Gandalf started hitting me with his gnarled staff all along yelling Dont hurt my preciouse ring The follower of Light begins to reenact this grand struggle I hold on to it for dear life fearing what would become of me if I didn’t This not.... so lazy butter ball of a Host still feeding on my writing hand lifts his feet off the ground and begins jabbing those wee stubby cat like toes into my stomach. Stopping for breath Agudo makes a clarification Let it be know despite rumors to the contrary I do not condone the latest fad accidentally started by me of.... Hobbit-Whacking! Anyway.... It was then I started using this greedy hairy-foot for a shield against my now completely insane friend the Gray. Who was batting me and the cannibalistic butter-ball around like some bizarre piñata I decided then after several brain rattling hits to try a new tactic Leting go of the ring and that nasty Hobbit inturn sending them both flying into his china-cabinet The impact made such a loud noise that it distracted Gandalf Allowing me time to grab hold of his gnarled staff Agudo huffed You know I always admired the Gray for his use of non flashy power None of that sparks and Pixie dust going about as most Wizards use Pure mental power was his style I just wished I had held onto the Hobbit for extra wait For Gandalf lifts me into the air spinning me around and around Leaving me feeling once more like that before mentioned piñata Laughing he added Ironically it may have been the slick buttered bread that saved me For I could feel my hands slipping as I spun around like some cheap carnival ride I flew out the window landing head first in a troughs pig stall The crowd giggles at the thought of Agudo predicament with pigs Agudo folded his arms giving a silly face to the crowd laughing as he did When I finally dug myself out of the muck all I could see was Gandalf playing Peek-a-boo with the Thieving Hobbit It seems Gandalf had spun around so much he couldn’t see straight And can you believe that hairy-foot thought he was now invisible? I just left them to there own silly quest not even bothering to say good by At that moment the boy who had heard Agudo earlier tale, still eating his sweets tugged on Agudo long robe Did you say your in that grand Bards play The Ring and The Two Towers? Snapping his fingers the follower of Light slowly floated a few feet off the ground, folding his legs beneath his robes Im glad you asked lad The little Gnomish boy smiled feeling all proud of his insightfulness as Agudo talked For you see as luck would have it... Agudo leans down and whispers to the boy Or bad depending on how you look at it Then speaking clearly for all to hear I was passing by one of those fancy outdoor concert halls when I heard to my chagrin Precious.... Ring! Flabbergasted I took a peek and saw what must have been several hundred people all clapping at the antics taking place on stage Well ...I thought I would take a look Peefsh! What a mistake that was! For low and behold on stage was that sneaky Hobbit and Gandalf Sucking it up as the crowd gave them a standing ovation I of course walked up to the stage waving at Gandalf Trying to show him that I held no hard feelings of his past crazed behavior. When all of a sudden that hairy-foot yells out There be Agudo.....The Hobbit Basher! Scratching his head the Clerical Mage seem bemused by it all Well of course half the crowd is made up of those touchy tubby butter balls Who all start screaming for thier wee wacky lives This brings less than friendly Guards who try to arrest me As they drag me away I turn to Gandalf hoping for his aid Waving his empty cup about Agudo seem more at a loss than ever I guess I should not have been surprised by what happen next But I was! The Gray points a gnarly finger at me spewing his nonsense once more Ye of little faith! Trust in my ever so precious ring! And on the end of that finger is that cursed gold ring! BAH! So much for throwing it away in some volcano. By then I am being manhandled like some common bum And thrown out on my ......well....my.... Bum! The market crowd laughs very loud Do you know the Gray didn’t even give me credit for finding the ring! Laughing the Gnomish boy tugs on Agudo robe again So will ya finish your other story now about the underwater city Fanning himself with one of Mabel the Halfling fishes Agudo begins panting in an overly dramatic way So soon? Jumping up an down the wee Gnome lad stuttered But... but ...the other long winded fellow said he knew something Ellaran So you're on the tales of Karsus and Netheril? There are some more recent and somewhat unsettling events that have links to that period. Waving the fish at Ellaran playfully Agudo noded his head You heard the Gnome Ellaran....Start blowing!
LadyDwin 04-28-06, 12:21 PM	As Agudo stands there and gives his story while an older woman, with vibrant golden oak hair and wearing a tattered, mud-staind robe, pushed her way to through the growing crowd. Her silky and rich voice reached Agudo's ears. "Agudo!! Why don't you tell a far more interesting story! Something that is real! I know I could pull this crowd away from you very quickly."
Agudo Archmage 04-28-06, 07:49 PM	Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Sitting in mid air only a few feet off the ground, somewhat reclining as he did Agudo was still comically fanning himself with the fish waiting for Ellaran to tell his story When he suddenly heard a rather silky familiar voice Lady Dwin pushed her way to through the growing crowd. Her silky and rich voice reached Agudo's ears. "Agudo!! Why don't you tell a far more interesting story! Something that is real! I know I could pull this crowd away from you very quickly." As he turned to look at the jester who dared to claim Agudo's talents were anything but great in the art of storytelling The Clerical mage, nearly fell of his invisible perch as his eyes fixed on the sassy lass The follower of Light barely grabs hold of the Halfing market stand, saving him from embarrassing flop on the ground Once steadied on solid dirt, Agudo puts his hands on his hips offering a sly smile Why If I didn’t know better .....I could swear we have met before! If my aging memory doesn’t shame me.....I would think it was....... Snapping his fingers he added A tavern! In fact didn’t a bottle of your favorite angelic wine or two pass between us? With a wink he added As we shared night away of daring anecdotes and grand readings from our two respected and very much beloved tomes. Then squinting his eyes to geta better look at her laughing as he did Or was that another lovely lass who so reminds me of you my dear? Ahhh adventures long gone by It was then that same ever helpful Gnome boy spoke up tugging on Agudo robe once more Mr. Blow Heart....Oopps I mean Agudo Is it true what she says ? That she is a better storyteller than you? You know without all the hot...air..... Agudo eyed the boy with a look only a fanatically religious Mage could give Then with a light hearted huff and wink The follower of Light turns to the sultry older woman with the vibrant golden oak hair, wearing a tattered, mud-stained robe I may sound childish ...but I double dare you! No! I tipple dare you! O’ lovely lady To attempt to out shine me before my loyal ...if somewhat drunken market fans
LadyDwin 04-29-06, 02:19 PM	The woman laughed and did a deep and flamboyent bow to Agudo and the crowd. "You should know the name of the woman from whom you got some of your stories to fill in some of the holes that you had. Also do not foget I know about you more than you think. Do not forget that I am one of the Fallen. Also, dear Agudo I never once shared any of my bottles with you, but telling a tale or two...Aye we did do that. I also remember once that you were in my company when someone tried taking my knife away from me. Now there is a story. Oh the stories I could tell...but what kind of tale to tell..." Reaching into her robe she fumbled around until she pulled out a veyr old and gross looking book. Those standing next to her though would notice the shining gold lettering and those who could read saw a name, D'win. Several gasp and took a step back while whispering very quickly to their neighbor. "Ahhh! One of these two will do, would you guys like to hear the story of a silly young wizard or how I got my first story from the Malicious Angel?"
Agudo Archmage 04-29-06, 06:43 PM	Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley LadyDwin "You should know the name of the woman from whom you got some of your stories to fill in some of the holes that you had. With a playful mock indignation on his bearded face, the follower of Light put his hands on his hips Are you insinuating lovely lady of the angelic writings That I...the great Agudo ...pillar of the community ....Headmaster of the School of Light and Magic The crowd yells out in unison and giggling at the merriment about them GET TO THE POINT Flipping his blond ponytail over his shoulder, without missing a beat of this comedic moment That I would pilfer another’s stories? As if on queue that same young Gnomish lad spoke up oncemore Agudo almost thought someone was paying him to say stuff Well ya did pinch the Gold Ring story ...hehehe...Yooouuuu found the ring Right! Blushing with a wide smile on his face, Agudo offers a helpless shrug Yes...well...I may have exaggerated a little. The mischievous lady went on relishing Agudo discomfort LadyDwin ...Also do not forget I know about you more than you think. Do not forget that I am one of the Fallen.... Eyes of the crowd turned, all gossiping about just what that could mean Waving a finger in the air Agudo yelled All good I assure you! Seeing that they didn’t believe it he quickly added Well mostly.....I hope! Like a tiger prancing on a wounded beast This playful woman of Agudo past kept the verbal jabs coming LadyDwin ....Also, dear Agudo I never once shared any of my bottles with you.... Regaining some momentum gladly interrupting her Perhaps if you did share that bottle lass.... You wouldn’t have.... Fallen so much.... earning that beguiling nickname Playfully tossing her golden oak hair about as if teasing Agudo She decided to finish him off LadyDwin ....But telling a tale or two...Aye we did do that. I also remember once that you were in my company when someone tried taking my knife away from me. Now there is a story. Oh the stories I could tell...but what kind of tale to tell..." Reaching into her robe she fumbled around until she pulled out a veyr old and gross looking book. Those standing next to her though would notice the shining gold lettering and those who could read saw a name, D'win. Several gasp and took a step back while whispering very quickly to their neighbor Many jumped up and down in excitement, recognizing the famous adventure and storyteller Dwin! Tis Dwin! They said over and over happily She has returned! Rubbing his face Agudo mumbled trying not to smile despite himslef Lucky me LadyDwin "Ahhh! One of these two will do, would you guys like to hear the story of a silly young wizard or how I got my first story from the Malicious Angel?" Hands went up all over the market, people of all kinds pushing past Agudo The not so humble tall blond storyteller, had to hold on once more to the market stand So as to not fall on his rump or bruise his beloved ego Ohoo, ohhooo me I know ...No me .......wiz....angel...wizard ...no...angel... Flabbergasted by the rush Agudo stammered Come now! Stop pushing I say....ggaaag A fat merchant woman calls out pushing by Agudo Causing Clerical Mage to scream Whhhat thhee.... as he falls face first into a bucket of fish heads The Malicious Angel Man sounds grand.... Spiting out the bad tasting fish, brushing his bluish and white robes trying to find his dignity Malicious Angel !!! That mans sour puss face...... could depress a gaggle of laughing Halflings Why he was the grumpiest ...meanest ... SPLAT Mabel the fishmonger one eyed Halfling woman, slapped a fresh trout into Agudo mouth; causing the crowd roar in laughter I say we hear both tales! For it seems we can’t get enough of Silly Wizards She thumped her hand at Agudo to make the point Shaking his head in deafest Agudo spit out the fish letting out a bellowing laugh Welcome O’ sweet Dwin Your return has brought true joy to the masses and to me as well Smiling from ear to ear Despite my bruised ego Never the less.... It looks like they want both fine stories Gnomes, Dwarfs, Halflings and many others jump up and down claping as they do for Dwin Yet no matter what you choose dear Dwin I know it shall be a grand story indeed. With that they all happily waited
LadyDwin 04-30-06, 06:05 PM	D'win laughed as the crowd surgged around her. Everyone was calling out for one of the stories and that made her smile. "I've not been forgotten!" Seeing that Agudo was attempting to pull himself away from the fish smell she pushed her way through the crowd. Reaching him she embraced him. "Agudo, dear friend I told you that I could pull this crowd away from you." Laughing, a rich warm sound filled the area, she pulled away from him and turned back to the crowd. "Dear Crowd! Do not worry about me being one of the Fallen Ones, it was a choice that I made and has nothing to do with your beloved Agudo. So enought of that, do you want to hear a story? Well as I listened to you all calling out stories I decided to start out with the Malicious Angel...Since Agudo here seems to remember that kind and noble man. Don't forget Agudo that even though he is no longer here he could still come back and kick your butt." Settling down on the edge of the fishmongers stall D'win flipped through her book to about half way in. As she began reading those around her would notice that there were no words on the pages before or after she said them, only when she spoke. "Now it was a pretty cold and chilly night, I was soaked to the skin and my wings were all mud splattered." At this she ruffed them, many had not noticed them to start with, while more than one child stared at them. "And I saw a tavern or inn, I was not sure which it was so I went toward it. As I got closer I could hear music, laughter, and just general noise that would come from a tavern or inn. I climbed the steps to get inside and I finally saw what I was entering 'The CrossRoads Tavern'. Now if you get Agudo drunk enough or when he is asleep he will both remember this fabulous tavern and could tell you a true story or two about it. Now this was the first time I had ever been to this tavern in all my travels and I am very very old, even though I don't look like it." D'win paused and pulled a leather flask from her bag and took a long drink, then looked to the crowd.
Agudo Archmage 05-01-06, 05:10 PM	D'win laughed as the crowd surgged around her. Everyone was calling out for one of the stories and that made her smile. "I've not been forgotten!" Seeing that Agudo was attempting to pull himself away from the fish smell she pushed her way through the crowd. Reaching him she embraced him. Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Agudo rosy cheeks became that much more florescent, even turning a bright shade of red Yet when Dwin tried to pull away he seem to be less inclined to do so Her tattered mud stained robes nearly rip even more so from his pawing touch Only by slapping the frisky hands away, did this angelic being escape the mortal’s needy grasp Mabel the one eyed Halfling lets her voice be heard If ya be lonely Agudo, then bring yer manly self over to me and sit by my side for awhile Catcalls rang out from the market patrons Blushing some more for loosing control at the soft touch of Dwin The follower of Light quickly takes out his corncob pipe and with a simple wave of his hand causes it to flare up After a few puffs the smoky residue filed the air with the sweet smell of Apple cinnamon That’s quite alright...My bardic antics; as silly as they maybe. Are all part of the show.....mostly! Dwin "Agudo, dear friend I told you that I could pull this crowd away from you." Laughing, a rich warm sound filled the area, she pulled away from him and turned back to the crowd. Mabel winks at Agudo seeing his discomfort grow she blows a kiss as he rolls his eyes It was then her friend the Dwarvin bricklayer yells out Come now ye colorful dressed parrot. Don’t be shy ...once ya have a Halfling ye never go back. More laughter spread through the growing crowd Agudo chuckles but pulls his hat over his face, motioning for Dwin to continue Thankful that she was here to distract the hecklers Dwin "Dear Crowd! Do not worry about me being one of the Fallen Ones, it was a choice that I made and has nothing to do with your beloved Agudo. So enough of that, do you want to hear a story? Well as I listened to you all calling out stories I decided to start out with the Malicious Angel... Turning to the long blond hair storyteller, with her own malicious look in her eye Dwin Since Agudo here seems to remember that kind and noble man. Don't forget Agudo that even though he is no longer here he could still come back and kick your butt." More than a few onlookers joined the cackle at that thought Some were more that to kind to add their own take on such matters So is that why ye wear those gaudy rings Agudo? Trying to get a man to.... Blowing a stray blond hair away Agudo quickly interupts That enough! We can all see where your misguided lowbrow joke will go Cracking a smile he colrofull human storyteller, began to walk a make believe model like catwalk Ill have you know that all the finest Clerics and Mages dress as I do Standing in a dignified pose with a self mocking expression Real men ...manly men... wear sparkly rings! The fishmonger saleswoman could not resist the opening Ahh ye caught me Agudo I always wanted a colorful peacock to hold me Good-naturedly slapping of his own face and slowly pulling his chin beard The Cleric of Light turns to the lovely Dwin Save me my dear Dwin from my so called loyal fans.... and begin your titillating saga With mercy in her eyes she happily does The people settle down for fun adventure ahead Dwin Settling down on the edge of the fishmongers stall D'win flipped through her book to about half way in. As she began reading those around her would notice that there were no words on the pages before or after she said them, only when she spoke. "Now it was a pretty cold and chilly night, I was soaked to the skin and my wings were all mud splattered." At this she ruffed them, many had not noticed them to start with, while more than one child stared at them. Agudo favorite commentator the young boy Gnome, tugs on the Clerics cape Did you see that? She has wings! With a wide grin Agudo patted the boy on the back and whispered I wasn’t just being cute when I said she was a lovely angelic being The boy nodded his head in disbelief at seeing an angel So now that you see I have been telling the truth! Do you now believe me when I say that I found the gold ring? Looking up the young lad huffed Ha! And I be Eliminster! Crossing his arms Agudo whimsically grimaced With all your heckling I wouldn’t be surprised Dwin "And I saw a tavern or inn, I was not sure which it was so I went toward it. As I got closer I could hear music, laughter, and just general noise that would come from a tavern or inn. I climbed the steps to get inside and I finally saw what I was entering 'The CrossRoads Tavern'. Now if you get Agudo drunk enough or when he is asleep he will both remember this fabulous tavern and could tell you a true story or two about it. With a small bow Agudo gladly proclaims to all A tavern like no other a place where dreams can be made tru! But...... despite the rumors spread by adorable friend Dwin I am teetotaler at best, the strongest thing to pass my lips has been Elvin Sweet Water A gruff voice rang out that being the Dwarvin Bricklayer What about speaking in yer asleep! Is that where ye get thy long winded stories? By getting drunker than a talkative Org? Shaking his head in amazement, returning his attention to Dwin as he spoke And just think their all sober! What if we were in a tavern..... I dare not think of how you would beguile me with their jests Dwin Now this was the first time I had ever been to this tavern in all my travels and I am very very old, even though I don't look like it." D'win paused and pulled a leather flask from her bag and took a long drink, then looked to the crowd. They began to clap heartily and whistle Yer a lovely young angel....don’t be shy! More ...we want more! At that moment a food vender rolled his cart by Get thy fresh hot nuts, popcorn, and spiced corn on the cob Agudo waved over the chubby man Ill take some garlic popcorn Glancing about I need to get rid of this fish breath ...you know just incase a lovely lass wants to kiss me Then sitting with the rest of the folks Agudo setteled in for her grand story
MaskedOne 05-01-06, 10:50 PM	Ellaran smiles slightly at the interruption. Thank Mystra for small favors. Leaning heavily against the pole at his back, Ellaran's cloak seems to fall forward a touch and the cleric-mage adopts a still innocuous pose, quickly becoming a very easy to forget figure.
Cloaked Figure 05-02-06, 09:01 PM	I need to get rid of this fish breath ...you know just incase a lovely lass wants to kiss me."I think your best chances are with the fishmonger, you ought to keep your breath the way it is!" A lean fellow cloaked in black from head to toe made his way through the crowd towards Agudo. Despite his hood covering the top half of his face his mocking grin exclaimed exactly who he was. "I heard the rumors of an Angel telling stories, is that who I think it is?" The man lifted his hood long enough to get a good look at D'win with his inquisitive green eyes. Both of them lit up! Sure enough it was her! His smile grew an inch wider. "Oh but why would she want to tell a story about that stuffy, arrogant snob Malicious Angel?" he protested, "Him kind and noble?! Pah. Now if she were to tell a tale about the kind and noble rogue Kheldar Devaentar, why, that I would understand!"
LadyDwin 05-02-06, 10:19 PM	D'win closed her eyes, sighed and opened them back up, looking at the man standing before her. "Kheldar...why would I want to tell a story about you!? You have almost gotten me hurt, you are in my book several times because of your near death and yeah...You Stole My Knife!!" Quickly she checked her bag, her knife was still in it. Looking around at the crowd she laughed again. "Guys I think I got a story that you will all like. It includes the beloved Agudo, my kind and noble Malicious Angel, and Kheldar...a headache giver. This story is very good, Kheldar gets hurt...by me and Agudo just sits there. Also you will learn of a very good mortal friend of mine, Silxa. Do any of you know of her, for she is long gone."
Agudo Archmage 05-03-06, 02:47 AM	Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Originally Posted by Agudo Archmage I need to get rid of this fish breath ...you know just incase a lovely lass wants to kiss me. Cloaked Figure may 2nd 2006 "I think your best chances are with the fishmonger, you ought to keep your breath the way it is!" A lean fellow cloaked in black from head to toe made his way through the crowd towards Agudo. Despite his hood covering the top half of his face his mocking grin exclaimed exactly who he was. Spiting out a mouth full of popcorn Agudo stammers Khe....Kheldar!?!?!?! Cloaked Figure May 2nd 2006 "I heard the rumors of an Angel telling stories, is that who I think it is?" The man lifted his hood long enough to get a good look at D'win with his inquisitive green eyes. Both of them lit up! Sure enough it was her! His smile grew an inch wider. "Oh but why would she want to tell a story about that stuffy, arrogant snob Malicious Angel?" he protested, "Him kind and noble?! Pah. Now if she were to tell a tale about the kind and noble rogue Kheldar Devaentar, why, that I would understand!" Trying to stand as he snags his cape under his boot causing himself to gag (Cough) Watch yourself Dwin! That dastardly man is a wanted criminal Dwin May 2nd 2006 "Kheldar...why would I want to tell a story about you!? You have almost gotten me hurt, you are in my book several times because of your near death and yeah...You Stole My Knife!!" Nodding his head That’s not the only knife he likes to play with! He tryed to kill me! Huffing Agudo contiuned waging a finger at him That naughty Rogue trapped me in a magical knife Do you know Dwin..... That Kheldar kept singing the same song over and over, while I was his prisoner! Shaking his head To this day I wake up screaming ....nooooo not the chicken dance! Dwin May 2nd 2006 Quickly she checked her bag, her knife was still in it. Looking around at the crowd she laughed again. "Guys I think I got a story that you will all like. It includes the beloved Agudo, my kind and noble Malicious Angel, and Kheldar...a headache giver. The crowd laughed and cheered as well with Dwin, seeing that this was getting better and better Dwin May 2nd 2006 This story is very good, Kheldar gets hurt...by me and Agudo just sits there. Also you will learn of a very good mortal friend of mine, Silxa. Do any of you know of her, for she is long gone." The young Gnome boy sitting by Agudo raises his hand rather shyly My ma would tell me bedtime tales of a young girl called Silxa who traveled the land with her animal friend the..... Trying to remember he put he scratched his head Eagle?....hawk....Uh’ho... hehehe I can’t remember Agudo smiled a little despite seeing Kheldar the Assasin, The Murderer...The lol Headache giver! Knowing that Dwin seem to have the situation under control As I remember Silxa she was a sweet young lass who seem far from home. Please tell us the story Lady Dwin For we would all love to hear the tale where Kheldar gets what’s coming to him A loud cheer rang with clapping from the crowd for the lovely Dwin to dazzle them with her enchanting saga
Kheldar 05-04-06, 12:34 AM	"T-The headache giver?!" Kheldar stammered. That wasn't exactly the warm welcome he had been looking for. "HEY! I thought you were concerned about me!. From what little scraps of information I could find about you had been asking people about my whereabouts in the Cross Road Tavern. I was gone for so long because this guy just about got me killed in some ludicrous mission to retrieve some artifact for his personal collection! The Soul-Reaper!" Kheldar jabbed a pointy finger towards the humble Archmage of Light. In truth Agudo had wanted the retrieve the stolen artifact for a much more noble cause, but Kheldar was so upset with the man right now he wasn't about to make Agudo look like a saint. "Ha! What am I talking about, Just about killed? I was bloody killed! I was hit with a sphere of annihilation and destroyed completely when I tried to get Kat out of the way!" "...I never believe someone's gone until I can feel their heart no longer beating, their lungs stopped moving, and their head removed from their body with Mortu smeared on their eyes. But, th'rules change when a bit of anti-existence is brought into play."Kheldar to this day still didn't know why he was alive. Perhaps to Agudo's amazement this was the first time Kheldar had ever recalled the event. Before he had always complained that the memories were too hazy or that he didn't remember the event at all. Surely he hadn't remember his friend Agudo during his next encounter with the archmage after that. "After that I woke up in a freezing glass tube filled with awful smelling goo. I was at an old academy where I used to train a few rouge classes. During my time there I had made arrangements with a Gnomish professor who specialized in creating chimaeras to clone my body incase I ever got. . . Well. . . You know what back-up bodies are for." Kheldar ran his thumb across his neck. "But the cloned body was old, and back then a clone's memories were only as up to date as the when the clone was made. So I had a gaping hole in my memory. I knew who I was, and everything up to arranging my body to be cloned - but that was it! I didn't know who Agudo Archmage was, who D'win was. . . I didn't even have the first idea where or what the Crossroad Tavern was! So, I went back to doing the things I did prior meeting all you people. And that's when I met Messianica! Agudo's rival in a great war that had spread across the realms. Messianica demanded that people be liberated from the oppression of gods while Agudo argued people had a right to follow and trust in their faith. Messianica's fanatics and Agudo's Army of Light had fought many bloody battles before the dispute had been resolved. "Messianica's sour opinion about the gods really matched my own, so I entered a contract with her to assassinate the leader of her opposition, which turned out to be Agudo, the Archmage of Light and Magic!" "So I met with Agudo, when I learned we had been acquaintances in the past I used that knowledge to arrange a friendly get-together far away from the protection of his guards. He fell right into my trap!" Kheldar didn't look particularly proud of it though, he was actually biting his lip. "A contract is a contract, and I'd never backed out of one! - You can't! Do that just once and no one will hire you anymore! Who wants an unreliable assassin? . . But as I talked more with Agudo I began having regrets about the whole situation. . . Clearly we had been good friends! . . He was so relieved to see I was alright. . ." Kheldar looked at his old friend Agudo. Last time he had tried to repair the damage to their friendship Agudo had chased him away and publicly humiliated him. "But then the fighting started, and just as I tried to call a truce I. . . I fumbled with my Darwin's Instant Fortress. I dropped the small enchanted cube onto the floor and it immediately expanded into a fortified tower! In tore our meeting room in two and squished Agudo flat against one of the walls!" Kheldar smacked his hands together to show everyone how quickly it had happened. "With Agudo helpless and dying I decided to finish him off. I killed him with a knife designed to seal in his soul inside of it - and therefore stop any attempts to resurrect him." "But Agudo's Army of Light eventually plowed through Messianica's forces and eventually the knife was recaptured ~ and me along with it! I was thrown in jail and left to stew in my own juices. Friends would come to visit me, many of them I didn't recognize at all, eventually Khaira began to feel sympathy for me helped me escape. But as we tried to escape that prison the Army of Light descended upon us like upset bees! I escaped but Khaira hadn't been so fortunate! I didn't know what to do. At this point the world was making very little sense to me so I ran back to my old place of teaching and had to fight tooth and claw just to get inside the safe haven! I was an escaped criminal after all the academy wanted nothing to do with me! But I weaseled my way in and talked to the professor who had originally cloned me." At this Kheldar did sigh of relief, he could remember how relieved he was when his Gnomish friend had shared the good news with him. "My friend had explained that he had upgraded all his equipment to 3.5! With his new machine he could make a clone that retained all of it memories, not like the old 3.0 clones." Kheldar shivered. "So I had the joy of dying all over again! But this time when I woke up in that awful glass tube I was myself again. And just in time! Agudo had sent his soldiers to the academy and was closing it for good! The master of the school didn't put up much of a fight, he greatly respected Agudo and knew it was coming the moment I forced myself through his doors. . . I believe he's still in jail, actually." Kheldar gave Agudo a sour look. "That just about puts me back here! Since then Kharia has survived though her trial and Agudo publicly made a fool of me when I tried to set things right! Just like he's gawking at me right now!" Agudo had a some sort of peculiar look on his face. Kheldar didn't know what to make of it. Heh. . . I think I stole the spotlight there for a moment. Kheldar scratched the back of his head uneasily as he turned to face D'win. "So that's where I've been at any rate. . . Sorry I never really got back to you after that event with Trand. I would still have those pages I stole from your story but I think Agudo ransacked my house while I was hiding at the academy and auctioned off or burned what he didn't stash in his school's coffers."
Kheldar 05-05-06, 04:13 AM	http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif Kheldar looked around. Agudo wasn't the only one staring at him. Everyone in the crowd looked astonished and speechless. . . Well, he was a wanted criminal after all. . . at least this time they weren't laughing at him. Nonetheless, this quiet unnerved Kheldar to the core! He took a few weary steps back and stuffed both hands into his cloak. Dammit! I knew coming here would be a big mistake. Agudo's done nothing but preach to these people how evil I am since I left. And I was hoping to straighten things out for good this time too.
Khaira 05-05-06, 11:59 AM	From the back of the room, another cloaked and hooded figure watched as Kheldar made his way to the front and revealed himself to be who he was. A cynical smile alit on her lips as Kheldar both revealed himself and then began to look nervous. Walking forward, the cloaked and hooded figure threw her head around, causing the hood to come down, long, flowing red hair cascading down her shoulders. With a mischevious smile, Khaira called out to the gathering crowd. "Kheldar, despite common misconceptions, is a great person, who sees everything he does to the end, and he does everything well." Continuing to walk forwards, Khaira ducked a thrown punch and with a leisurely shove, send the offender flying. "Now mind you, Kheldar's jobs may not always be in agreeance with law ... but what is "law" and "justice" anyhow? We all saw how fair law and justice were at the trial in the hands of Keldorn..." She paused, glaring to Agudo. "Didn't we, Archmage? No, Kheldorn keeps his word, no matter whom his word or contract is with. I would put my trust in no better of a person or assassin!"
Agudo Archmage 05-07-06, 07:15 AM	Kheldar "T-The headache giver?!" Kheldar stammered. That wasn't exactly the warm welcome he had been looking for. "HEY! I thought you were concerned about me!. From what little scraps of information I could find about you had been asking people about my whereabouts in the Cross Road Tavern. I was gone for so long because this guy just about got me killed in some ludicrous mission to retrieve some artifact for his personal collection! The Soul-Reaper!" Kheldar jabbed a pointy finger towards the humble Archmage of Light. In truth Agudo had wanted the retrieve the stolen artifact for a much more noble cause, but Kheldar was so upset with the man right now he wasn't about to make Agudo look like a saint. "Ha! What am I talking about, Just about killed? I was bloody killed! I was hit with a sphere of annihilation and destroyed completely when I tried to get Kat out of the way!" Kheldar to this day still didn't know why he was alive. Originally Posted by Gene Kynes describing Kheldar's disappearance to D'win "...I never believe someone's gone until I can feel their heart no longer beating, their lungs stopped moving, and their head removed from their body with Mortu smeared on their eyes. But, th'rules change when a bit of anti-existence is brought into play." Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley At first the follower of Light just tried to ignore the sneaky Rogue Pretending to watch the seagulls fly over the market Yet he did listen with clench teeth Kheldar After that I woke up in a freezing glass tube filled with awful smelling goo. I was at an old academy where I used to train a few rouge classes. During my time there I had made arrangements with a Gnomish professor who specialized in creating chimaeras to clone my body incase I ever got. . . Well. . . You know what back-up bodies are for." Kheldar ran his thumb across his neck. "But the cloned body was old, and back then a clone's memories were only as up to date as the when the clone was made. So I had a gaping hole in my memory. I knew who I was, and everything up to arranging my body to be cloned - but that was it! I didn't know who Agudo Archmage was, who D'win was. . . I didn't even have the first idea where or what the Crossroad Tavern was! So, I went back to doing the things I did prior meeting all you people. And that's when I met Messianica! Agudo blinked for a moment What did he say? He didn’t know me? Turning with shock on his face listening all the more Kheldar Agudo's rival in a great war that had spread across the realms. Messianica demanded that people be liberated from the oppression of gods while Agudo argued people had a right to follow and trust in their faith. Messianica's fanatics and Agudo's Army of Light had fought many bloody battles before the dispute had been resolved. Messianica's sour opinion about the gods really matched my own, so I entered a contract with her to assassinate the leader of her opposition, which turned out to be Agudo, the Archmage of Light and Magic!" "So I met with Agudo, when I learned we had been acquaintances in the past I used that knowledge to arrange a friendly get-together far away from the protection of his guards. He fell right into my trap!" Kheldar didn't look particularly proud of it though, he was actually biting his lip. "A contract is a contract, and I'd never backed out of one! - You can't! Do that just once and no one will hire you anymore! Who wants an unreliable assassin? . . But as I talked more with Agudo I began having regrets about the whole situation. . . Clearly we had been good friends! . . He was so relieved to see I was alright Memories came back of that tragic day in the abandon town tavern Truly he was happy to see Kheldar alive back then Agudo couldn’t wait to tell Leetah when he brought her the good news How hard it was for everyone in the party when Kheldar died during that fateful adventure The sweet young Cleric Leetah was devastated by the loss; blaming herself at what she perceived as her own feeble Clerical skills to aid her Rogue friend Even though many others including Lady Hoot and Agudo had tried to bring back Kheldar without any success Yet the young lass would have none of it Leetah saw it as her own failure. Such a powerful dedicated Cleric, so good and kind, nearly brought down by the loss of the man she loved Kheldar Agudo and Hoot both had comforted her back at the school for it had taken her months to recover All the while Agudo spent looking for ways to bring the boy back to life The research the experiments so many attempts and failures Shaking his long blond hair about his head trying to sort through the rush of emotions Yet what a wonderful surprise it was to see Kheldar just walk back into their lives Or at least for a moment Kheldar "But then the fighting started, and just as I tried to call a truce I. . . I fumbled with my Darwin's Instant Fortress. I dropped the small enchanted cube onto the floor and it immediately expanded into a fortified tower! In tore our meeting room in two and squished Agudo flat against one of the walls!" Kheldar smacked his hands together to show everyone how quickly it had happened. With those gruesome words and sound effect the Clerical Mage needed once more to hold onto the market stall Then mumbling as if the words didnt sound right eyeing the assassin Tried to call a truce? Kheldar With Agudo helpless and dying I decided to finish him off. I killed him with a knife designed to seal in his soul inside of it - and therefore stop any attempts to resurrect him." It wasnt often Agudo felt anger so easily Yet those last cold words made him narrow his eyes with disgust Kheldar "But Agudo's Army of Light eventually plowed through Messianica's forces and eventually the knife was recaptured ~ and me along with it! I was thrown in jail and left to stew in my own juices. Friends would come to visit me, many of them I didn't recognize at all, eventually Khaira began to feel sympathy for me helped me escape. But as we tried to escape that prison the Army of Light descended upon us like upset bees! I escaped but Khaira hadn't been so fortunate! I didn't know what to do. At this point the world was making very little sense to me so I ran back to my old place of teaching and had to fight tooth and claw just to get inside the safe haven! I was an escaped criminal after all the academy wanted nothing to do with me! But I weaseled my way in and talked to the professor who had originally cloned me Frowning with suspicion at his old nemeses Clone? Kheldar New and Improved 3.5 At this Kheldar did sigh of relief, he could remember how relieved he was when his Gnomish friend had shared the good news with him. "My friend had explained that he had upgraded all his equipment to 3.5! With his new machine he could make a clone that retained all of it memories, not like the old 3.0 clones." Kheldar shivered. No longer frowning Agudo was once again shocked But this time with the clarity it brought That is why we could not raise you....for you were already alive! Kheldar So I had the joy of dying all over again! But this time when I woke up in that awful glass tube I was myself again. And just in time! Agudo had sent his soldiers to the academy and was closing it for good! The master of the school didn't put up much of a fight, he greatly respected Agudo and knew it was coming the moment I forced myself through his doors. . . I believe he's still in jail, actually." Kheldar gave Agudo a sour look. "That just about puts me back here! Since then Kharia has survived though her trial and Agudo publicly made a fool of me when I tried to set things right! Just like he's gawking at me right now!" Agudo had a some sort of peculiar look on his face. Kheldar didn't know what to make of it. Heh. . . I think I stole the spotlight there for a moment. A tear ran down his cheek fortunately Kheldar had turned away Kheldar scratched the back of his head uneasily as he turned to face D'win. "So that's where I've been at any rate. . . Sorry I never really got back to you after that event with Trand. I would still have those pages I stole from your story but I think Agudo ransacked my house while I was hiding at the academy and auctioned off or burned what he didn't stash in his school's coffers." Kheldar looked around. Agudo wasn't the only one staring at him. Everyone in the crowd looked astonished and speechless. . . Well, he was a wanted criminal after all. . . at least this time they weren't laughing at him. Nonetheless, this quiet unnerved Kheldar to the core! He took a few weary steps back and stuffed both hands into his cloak. Dammit! I knew coming here would be a big mistake. Agudo's done nothing but preach to these people how evil I am since I left. And I was hoping to straighten things out for good this time too. Clerics and Mages both had any number of Truth spells and Clairvoyance’s at their disposal Yet none was needed here, for it all made since Barley audible at first the follower of Light cleared his throat and spoke louder Your Doctor friend isn’t in jail... The Gnome has made pittance by aiding the young orphans that now harbor your former home in Waterdeep. Breathing deeply Agudo was truly moved by this revelation about Kheldar It held so many quandaries as to what to do next and to say Moving closer Agudo spoke warmly to Kheldar, attempting to smile; even though it was still a shock at what he had just learned If the...your clone?... The one who attacked me back at the tavern not knowing me is dead ....then his crime is paid for. Stopping not sure if was all that clear But then finding the courage to continue Agudo clearly smiled at Kheldar this time Then you the real Kheldar have returned with all your memories ....my friend Kheldar? It was stated in a question for even though the Rogue had comeback Agudo could only hope that was the reason why Then a noise in the market shuffling through the crowd an all to familiar voice rang out Turning to see fearing a trap Agudo prepared himself for a fight Khaira "Now mind you, Kheldar's jobs may not always be in agreeance with law ... but what is "law" and "justice" anyhow? We all saw how fair law and justice were at the trial in the hands of Keldorn..." She paused, glaring to Agudo. "Didn't we, Archmage? No, Kheldorn keeps his word, no matter whom his word or contract is with. I would put my trust in no better of a person or assassin!" Yet from the corner of his eye the follower of Light could see Kheldar was just as surprised at seeing Khaira here Causing Agudo to relax some With all do respect Khaira! Lord Keldorn wasn’t the one who tried to sacrifice your fair trial It was your own lawyer Myranthor who abandoned you throwing the whole trial in disarray Then sighing I don’t know why both of you have returned to me this day But by the Light I am happy that I have ...I hope and pray... regained one old friend Glancing at Kheldar then eyeing the Bardess Kheldar has proven his innocence to me and I plan to have the charges drop against him Looking at the Rogue Kheldar the Clerical Mage beamed with true pleasure in his emerald green eyes The Deeds to your lands and belongings will be returned to you shortly that I assure you But! Agudo chuckled I doubt the Lords of Waterdeep will look kindly on you Kheldar, if you evict the poor children at the new Agudo Orphanage. That being your former home and all In other words you will be expected to help in their care and upkeep This in turn will allow the Lords of Waterdeep to see you in a new light as it would be Shrugging You know working for them and being paid by The Lords to use your powers as a Rogue, for good instead of greed Besides it not like they want someone with your skills Kheldar running about waterdeep unchecked. And its just as economical for you. Winking at Kheldar playfully Think about Breathing deeply Agudo returned his attention to Khaira a mix of emotions running over him Your return Khaira I doubt has such a happy ending No matter how I will it to be such You knew what you where doing when you freed the clone Kheldar and my murderer Letting out a deep breath Yet here you are
MaskedOne 05-07-06, 02:52 PM	Ellaran glances over the crowd during everyone's conversation, looking for the guardsmen who are sure to have aquired an interest a self professed assassin. Sure enough, a handful of people paid by the city are moving quietly within the crowd. They probably can't do to much here, jurisdictional boundaries and all but best not to take chances. I know Waterdeep punishes admitted thieves regardless of if they've actually taken anything inside the city. Let's not find out if this place has a similar policy. The air around Ellaran stirs lightly and the top of his staff glows for just an instant as he gathers and shapes power. An instant later, half a dozen city officials are sleeping inside a local temple of Ilmater halfway across town and Ellaran is leaning more heavily on his staff then usual.
Khaira 05-07-06, 07:20 PM	Breathing deeply Agudo returned his attention to Khaira a mix of emotions running over him Your return Khaira I doubt has such a happy ending No matter how I will it to be such You knew what you where doing when you freed the clone Kheldar and my murderer Letting out a deep breath Yet here you are Khaira chuckled, her expression unworrried and her tone almost ... amused. "Oh, Agudo ... your still as haughty and self-absorbed as ever, I see. Time hasn't changed you much. And yes, I most definitely did know what I was doing. I was completing my mission." She smirked and shrugged at the gasps that arose around her at those words. "Come, come now. You didn't think I was attending a school of holier-than-thou's and I-know-it-all's sheerly by my free will, did you? From day one, I was conducting my mission, though you may not have known it. It turns out that law-abiding individuals such as you, whom are blinded by their own black-and-white morality, are very trusting ... too trusting, sometimes. Those Who Harp were always interested in what manner of tyranny you were administering at your school. In fact, Agudo, you had no grounds to judge me. I never worked for you ... and thus your claims that I betrayed the Army of Light was never valid. I never worked for the Army of Light or your rag-tag school. I was working for the Harpers the whole time. It must be nice to be able to put somebody on trial solely on personal reasons, eh?" With a sly smile, she leaned forward. "It's a good thing your buddy Keldorn's assassination never succeeded. I'd hate to hear of multitudes of Agents of the Harp coming around to seek your retribution. And if you still think I came here seeking your approval and blessings, you're still as big of a fool as I remember."
Kheldar 05-07-06, 09:00 PM	http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif Kheldar glanced at Ellaran. The man had done something, cast a spell, he was sure of it! But he didn't know enough about magic to know what spell it had been. And then there was Khaira. Kheldar nearly wanted to jump out of his skin when he saw her! He had more or less left her for dead when she had helped him escape from the Army of Light - and he wasn't entirely sure how she had taken it. Surprisingly she didn't seem upset with him at all, she was even complementing him! That was a load of his chest, Agudo seemed to be very forgiving as well! He would have hugged both of them laughing with merriment if they weren't in a crowd of so many people. And there was D'win. Kheldar didn't want her to think he had completely lost it. Nonetheless A smirked appeared on Kheldar's roguish face. All this time he had been hiding from both Agudo and Khaira thinking they would skin him alive if he showed his face. And yet they were so mad at each other maybe he wasn't in as much of a boiling pot as he thought! He laughed in merriment despite himself. "Khaira, Agudo has every right to be furious with you. You helped the man who murdered him escape! Could you imagine if I helped Savael steal your harp? You'd want to send me packing to the nine as quick as possible I bet! . . . And Agudo, you!" Kheldar turned on his heels to face the Archmage of Light. "Can't you see the wisdom Khaira had in freeing me? She was the only one who believed in me enough to know something must be wrong and actually did something about it! While the Army of Light was excited about watching me hang she risked everything trying to set me free! I wouldn't be here explaining things to you if I was dead! I wouldn't have arranged for another clone to be built and I bet no one would have revived me, the Killer of Agudo, after I was dead! I'd be gone! If our friendship means anything to you you ought to be thankful for her. . !" Kheldar stopped and considered, he hated saying "thank you," especially when it was important! Saying "thank you" after a barmaid served you wine was different than saying "thank you" after someone saved your life. He sighed and turned to Kharia. "Khaira Amastacia, I am indebted to you. . . Thank you for risking your life to save me when no one else believed in me." There, he said it. It was genuine, not a lie which he was so practiced at telling. But it hurt to say more than anything he had ever said in his life! He tried to relax a little after that. "I don't want you two be at each other's throats. . . What's this about corruption in the School of Light? I think the most corrupt thing in that school is Agudo's ego and surely that doesn't deserve the Harper's attention." Khaira was a Harper? Kheldar didn't know that.
Khaira 05-07-06, 09:38 PM	http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif "Khaira, Agudo has every right to be furious with you. You helped the man who murdered him escape! Could you imagine if I helped Savael steal your harp? You'd want to send me packing to the nine as quick as possible I bet! . . . And Agudo, you!" "Khaira Amastacia, I am indebted to you. . . Thank you for risking your life to save me when no one else believed in me." "I don't want you two be at each other's throats. . . What's this about corruption in the School of Light? I think the most corrupt thing in that school is Agudo's ego and surely that doesn't deserve the Harper's attention." Khaira shook her head and crossed her arms. "I did what I did because of two things: my mission called for me to use my judgement to conduct affairs as I saw fit. Following my heart - yes, Agudo, MY heart and MY conscience - was the best task I could've conducted. If you decided to side with Savael, that would be your choice, Kheldar. Not mine. Not Savael's. Not Agudo's. Not the gods. Yours. Agudo can be furious with me if he so desires to continue to do so. By the Gods of Fury, he can even keep putting bounty after bounty on me if he wants. That's his choice to make me his enemy. Agudo's choice, Kheldar." Khaira mused then, recalling the events of her capture. "I'm glad you've come out ahead in the end, Kheldar. It's always been what you do best. Besides, it was my goal, after all. It's a good thing for Agudo, too..." She sneered venomously, her voice dripping with spite. "...I'd hate to hear him die from a cup of poisoned tea." Khaira looked to Kheldar, her emerald green eyes shining either with anger or passion - or both. "There was concern about a school, out in the middle of nowhere...and there was concern about the actions of the Archmage, throwing his weight around where it didn't belong. And there were rumors of brewing conflicts and battles and wars. My mission is complete and is history. So, soon, shall I be to the both of you. Naught but a history, a fading memory." Her voice and her eyes both, simultaneously, seemed to soften to a whisper and a soft glimmer. "...but it is not up to me to decide whether the memory will be a pleasant dream or a fading nightmare. That is not my choice."
MaskedOne 05-08-06, 12:55 AM	Ellaran nods slightly to Kheldar and then makes his way over to Agudo, Khaira and Kheldar, memorizing the faces of a handful of beings who are far too interested in the concept of Harper Agent. Certain confessions, when made publicly attract very irritating attention. The city's finest may or may not be looking for you Kheldar when about a half dozen of them wake up in an hour or three. Ellaran comments to the assassin. Ellaran is leaning heavily on his staff but his eyes have an almost supernatural gleam to them and if one looks closely there is a point light present on his holy symbol that does not appear normally.
Khaira 05-08-06, 10:05 AM	Khaira nodded to the mysterious figure who still had not revealed his name. He was mysterious and yet holding secrets ... like all of them. "You speak wise words, friend. It seems odd to me that a stranger such as yourself would bear such a heartfelt care for the fates of others." As much as I oft do ... my, how that often gets me into conflicts I'd rather not get involved in... "Still, perhaps I can take heart in knowing that such courageous, giving individuals yet exist in wondrous, wide Faerun. It seems there are all too few these days..." Khaira's voice held an aged nostalgia to it when she spoke those words and, even now, her eyes looked ancient, worn, and weary. Her next words were not directed to anybody in particular, but merely a soft mutter to herself, half under her breath. "...these days when I feel ... old ... Corellon preserve..."
LadyDwin 05-08-06, 10:15 AM	Everyone had totally forgotten about the red robed D'win as she sat there, but she really didn't mind. As the three of her old friends sat arguing D'win sat and wrote all that they said and did. It had been a long time since she had heard and seen a story this good. "Oh to write for the old crowd again." she sighed and ruffled her wings. Sitting back she kept writing, using her raven black feather. It was her favorite, it had recorded many, many stories. Some of them were good and others...well were not. One of them had been about Kheldar, that was the night that he got into Trand's crowd and had lost, taking with him a page from her book. She had disliked him since then. "Hey Kheldar! Get over here!"
MaskedOne 05-08-06, 10:19 AM	Ellaran grins wryly. Most beings do not grant me credit for wisdom. My history argues against it. Shrugging to himself and commenting to no one in particular Then again containing that fiend was necessary and my options were limited. Glancing around and giving a glare to one or two less than pleasant wizards who've taken an interest in events. The identity of a Harper also attracts attention but that is less likely to bring overt action at the moment and I do not meddle in the affairs of Those Who Harp without an invitation. Hmm, where are my manners? At the moment, I use the name Ellaran. It is no longer as fitting as it once was but I'm used to it and haven't gotten around to choosing a new one.
Khaira 05-08-06, 01:36 PM	((An "Oops" note - I just realized that in the above post I referred to Kheldar as Kheldorn. Ack! :embarrass Sorry! Wasn't intentional, really it wasn't!)) Another person who used separate identities? Was this out of necessity or by choice of survival? One could never necessarily tell. With a soft smile and a sleight bow to Ellaran - consequently turning her back to both Agudo and Kheldar - Khaira nodded, her emerald green eyes conveying ... understanding, or so it seemed. Bending low to Ellaran, those emerald green eyes staring into his with sympathy and empathy, Khaira reached down and, providfing Ellaran does not pull away, lightly brushes her lips against his hand. "Necessity, friend Ellaran, oft times does drive us to deal with demons as we see fit. Sometimes those demons are a physical malady to us and sometimes they are naught but a manifestation of a culmination of our experiences..." She paused a moment, looking off into the crowd again before looking to Ellaran again. "In this form, sir Ellaran, they call me Khaira. It has become my most known and comfortable name and lifestyle." "The identity of a Harper also attracts attention but that is less likely to bring overt action at the moment and I do not meddle in the affairs of Those Who Harp without an invitation." She chuckled at his words. It was a great, merry chuckle, bubbling up from her heart, causing her form to shake with mirth. Attract attention? That was the very story of her life. "You humor me this day, friend. Attract attention? Why ... my very presence attracts attention. You may not meddle in the affairs of Those Who Harp, but that does not necessitate that they will not, someday, meddle with your affairs. 'Tis their way, after all." She paused again, spreading wide her arms. "Still, I call you friend. And besides ... whatever foes of the Singing Harp may be out there, I have undoubtedly met before and if, by now, they do not know what I am, they are relatively sore in their professions. The music of the Harp, I fear for them, yet plays strongly."
Seran 05-08-06, 03:15 PM	A chuckle is heard close to those in the center bantering back and forth about past histories and past foes or friends. Out of the gathered crowd walks a cloaked figure, standing roughly 5'11" in height. The hood of his non discript brown cloak is pulled up in such a way that none can see his face. He chuckles slightly as he moves closer to the group of people that he knows, yet none of them may know him....yet. In a soft voice that seems to give away nothing of the speaker he finally voices his amusement. "All talk of past deeds and foes, yet here you all stand in the same area. And not one of you has yet tried to kill or maim the other. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or disappointed. Though I am happy to see my sources weren't wrong about you. Agudo and Kheldar have Ego issues and Khaira crazy red haired elf. Nice to know some things I was taught weren't wrong...." He smircks to himself and stands his ground, knowing the reactions to his words may or may not be intresting.....
MaskedOne 05-08-06, 07:01 PM	Ellaran tenses slightly at the contact but does not pull away. He responds with a salute of old Cormanthyr that he is most definitely too young to remember first hand. Fiends of all types, are things I have too much experience with. I chose the name Ellaran years ago to remind myself of an obligation that I had taken up in regard to the fate of a courtier of the Hells but that obligation is past and the time is approaching to choose a new name. Shrugging slightly, That will come with time, however. As for the meddling of the Harp, my affairs do not currently run into the areas that Harpers typically take great interest in. I have a great deal of catching up to do and meddling on any grand scale would hinder that. In the future, well, who am I to say what the future holds? I have yet to catch up as much as I'd like with the present. Ellaran finishes with a slight grin. A chuckle is heard close to those in the center bantering back and forth about past histories and past foes or friends. Out of the gathered crowd walks a cloaked figure, standing roughly 5'11" in height. The hood of his non discript brown cloak is pulled up in such a way that none can see his face. He chuckles slightly as he moves closer to the group of people that he knows, yet none of them may know him....yet. In a soft voice that seems to give away nothing of the speaker he finally voices his amusement. "All talk of past deeds and foes, yet here you all stand in the same area. And not one of you has yet tried to kill or maim the other. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or disappointed. Though I am happy to see my sources weren't wrong about you. Agudo and Kheldar have Ego issues and Khaira crazy red haired elf. Nice to know some things I was taught weren't wrong...." He smircks to himself and stands his ground, knowing the reactions to his words may or may not be intresting..... Ellaran grips his staff a bit harder and his eyes gleam more noticeably at the interruption but other than that he remains still, facing away from the speaker while he waits to see how others react.
LadyDwin 05-09-06, 03:06 PM	Kheldar had not heard D'win so she sat back and kept writing. She was amazed at the amount of people still standing in the area listening to the heated argument between the lot of them. Smiling she reached for her knife she fixed the tip on her pen and then looked down, there was a small child still standing next to her watching her wings and her pen. "Hey there Little One. What's your name?" To the child D'win's voice sounded as soft as a kitten's fur coat. While the child watched D'win smilied gently and from her bag produced a bag of suger treats. "Here try one of these. They are really good." The child reached in and pulled out a sugery treat, smiling the little one popped it their mouth. "Yum! Can I have another?" The child turned out to be a little girl dressed in boys clothes. "Must have been an older brother's." "Sure you can Little One." D'win held out the bag again and the little girl pulled out a couple. "You're a nice lady. Nicer than that wizard." She then popped the treats into her mouth and watched D'win write. "Do you know any stories about princesses or knights? What the boys are talking about is kinda scary. Smiling D'win stopped writing and looked at the little girl, it had been a long time since she had told a fairy tale. "Yes I do Little One, do you have any other friends who might want to hear one?" The little girls eyes lit up and off she was, apperently she had friends who wanted a story just as badly as she did. While D'win waited for the little girl to return she continued to write about what was going on in the square and with her old friends.
Kheldar 05-09-06, 09:41 PM	Kheldar had turned on his heel again to ask D'win what she wanted then stopped. A group of excited children were assembling around her, one boy with clothes too big for him was sucking on something inside his mouth. Well Kheldar couldn't very well go storming over to D'win with an assembly like that in front of her! He wondered if she thought he hadn't heard her calling for him. Well if D'win was going to be occupied for a while he could turn his attention back to all the people crowding around Agudo. "Ellaran, thanks for the spell, but I really couldn't be worse off if I confessed I was Asmodean in a public place! Still, I appreciate it. Hopefully Agudo here will announce I'm not a wanted criminal one day and I can relax without every neighborhood town guard after my bounty." Elleran really did look tired after he had cast the spell. He probably deserved a better thank-you than he got but Kheldar could only hand out so many good ones in one day. Speaking of which. . . "Khaira is it women who are crazy or just Elves?!" The Elven bardess had just explained choices to him as if he were one of the young children D'win was amusing! "Take more responsibility for yourself! Darn right Agudo has the choice to be mad at you right now! But you can make bloody choices too ya know? You've got the chance to make things better between the two of you, or to go on ahead making both your lives miserable. Just try explaining things from your perspective without making a riddle out of it and I'm sure Agudo would get rid of the bounty on your head. If you wont I will, then maybe we'll be even." Kheldar huffed. Why wasn't Khaira trying to make things better with Agudo. Did she want to hold a grudge forever like some silly dwarf? "Don't go blaming us if you're remembered as a nightmare instead of a dream when all along you had the chance to make things right again." Kheldar truly was wise, wiser than anyone else gave him credit for that's for sure! And who had the guff to tell someone as great as him that he had ego issues?!? "Who the heck are you?" Kheldar looked at Seran.
Seran 05-10-06, 01:00 AM	He looks at Kheldar from the deepths of his hood, an unseen grin on his face. He studies each of these people carefully, memorizing details he has been drilled on since birth. Finally he looks back to Kheldar and smircks. "One would think a great assasin such as yourself would have kept a better eye on your friends and your enemies, since one never knows when their offspring will grow up to find you." Looking at the group as a whole he smircks again. "Though I suppose it would not hurt to introduce myself. My mother and my aunt would think so poorly of my manners today. I am the son of an enemy or a friend, though I guess who she is to each of you would depend on how you last parted company with her. Seran Turan, at your service." He smircks and lowers his hood now, revealing two rather familiar features to all. Stark white hair tied up neatly with a simple leather strap, and startling icey blue eyes that seems to send cold chills right through you if you stare at them for to long. His calm facial expression as he looks at each in turn makes him seem eeriely older then he is. He looks to Khaira and bows politely saying "I am sorry Aunt Khaira for interupting, but I could not help but over hear this intresting conversation as I walked about. Oh, and Mother sends her best wishes. She also states you needed to take your pointy ears to her house sometime and visit her before she hunts you down again...."
Khaira 05-10-06, 01:20 AM	Khaira crazy red haired elf. Nice to know some things I was taught weren't wrong...." Khaira regarded this new-comer quizzically. Another estranged relative? Some assassin meant to taunt her into a doomed battle? Or another queer friend from the past. "...and just who in the Hells are you, to assume that you know me so well?" "I am sorry Aunt Khaira for interupting, but I could not help but over hear this intresting conversation as I walked about. Oh, and Mother sends her best wishes. She also states you needed to take your pointy ears to her house sometime and visit her before she hunts you down again...." Khaira nodded solemnly to Seran as he revealed himself. Here was a face she'd not yet seen;, sure enough. "Oh, she'll see me soon enough, I'm sure. I dare say it's about time to visit someone who gives a damn anyway ... after all, it'd be a shame for all these people to die of dragonfire all because of me. A crying shame. It's nice to see the family coming back again, though, now that..." In that moment, her attention was again diverted to Kheldar as he went on a barrage of a lecture that was undoubtedly cause her to feel remorse, guilt, and shame for being so dishonorably argumentative. Unfortunately, Kheldar's words created exactly the opposite effect... "Khaira is it women who are crazy or just Elves?!" The Elven bardess had just explained choices to him as if he were one of the young children D'win was amusing! "Take more responsibility for yourself! Darn right Agudo has the choice to be mad at you right now! But you can make bloody choices too ya know? You've got the chance to make things better between the two of you, or to go on ahead making both your lives miserable. Just try explaining things from your perspective without making a riddle out of it and I'm sure Agudo would get rid of the bounty on your head. If you wont I will, then maybe we'll be even." "Don't go blaming us if you're remembered as a nightmare instead of a dream when all along you had the chance to make things right again." Khaira whirled on Kheldar as he treated with yet another lecture on making things right and trying to explain to Agudo the justification of her actions. Fires of rage alit in her emerald green eyes as she regarded Kheldar. The air seemed tense, then, as if the elven bardess would reach out and simply snatch the assassin's life away. "You think yourself wise while your eyes are yet closed, fugitive and assassin! Do you honestly think I have not tried, countless times in the past, to explain to the blind and deaf Archmage? He does not listen! You do not listen! My explanations have been refused, refuted, and mocked time and time again! I tried to explain, at the trial, and elsewhere. Didn't you know? All that matters throughout all of Faerun is his black-and-white morality and perverted "justice". No, foolish Kheldar, I will not waste my breath trying to explain, yet AGAIN, why I took the actions I did that day. If you desire to waste your breath AND your time, you may feel free to do so." She stepped close to Kheldar, her face marred with that of an ugly, spiteful sneer, blazing emerald eyes glaring down into his own. "Do not think me a fool, Kheldar. That would be most unfortunate for you to do. I'm not even sure, now, why I came here. Turns out, 'twas a waste of my time, energy, and breath." She turned around then, and began walking away from the two of them. She paused, a moment, and turned around to glare at them again, her tone chillingly cold and detached "I've made my choices, Kheldar. I've explained myself countless times. It's Agudo's turn to decide what to do with that. ...and Kheldar - I will be remembered. I will be remembered by those that give a whit for my life and who do not close both eyes and ears to my words. If I fade out of memory with you and with Agudo ... that's not my problem." With those words, she continued to make her way through the crowd, seeming to dissapear within its depths. Somewhere within the crowd, her voice called out to the both of them. "We'll meet again, I'm sure ... and you'd best hope that it's not on any kind of battlefield."
Kheldar 05-10-06, 03:02 AM	Kheldar sighed as Khaira turned her back on him and walked away. He would have made another crack about women had D'win not been but a few paces away with her special knife. ". . .Bloody foolish drama queen. . ." Kheldar said between clenched teeth after Khaira was long gone. He looked at Agudo and gave him a friendly, knowing smile. "If that's what you had to put with up during the trial I can't blame you for being so upset with her. Still. . . it's not entirely her fault, she seems to be as furious as an orc right now so I doubt she's thinking very clearly." She had only threatened him, what, once? Twice? "I do owe it to her to clear up her name though. You must understand that there's no reason for making her look like a criminal. Declare her innocence and I'm sure she'll be on friendlier terms with you. But who knows, she might get mad about not being an outlaw anymore." Kheldar shrugged. He didn't know how Khaira's mind worked. How had she explained her side of the story during the trial? Had she spun her words in such a way that nobody understood what she was saying? Ha! If Myranthor had been her attorney undoubtedly the court didn't understand a single word that had been said! That man spoke on a level that rivaled gods! Nevertheless, if Khedlar could convince Agudo into not executing him, he could do the same for Khaira." "Maybe we can talk about it more at the School of Light and Magic? That and my new Orphanage?" Kheldar wasn't entirely sure how he was going to weasel himself away from that commitment, but he would find a way, somehow. "Seran I'm tried of hearing everyone proclaim everything I do is an error. You can indeed tell Ruthia she should have taught you better manners." Kheldar was only guessing but Seran's description and appearance seemed to fit. Speaking of Ruthia and her kin, Kheldar would have to apologize to Branth if he wanted to set things right with him. "Actually I wouldn't mind talking to Ruthia or Branth, could you let them know I'm looking for them?" That would hopefully save him the hassle of having to find Ruthia's house.
Agudo Archmage 05-10-06, 04:43 PM	OOC lol they should close down the MOP more often! I havent seen so many posts since the early days of MOP :D Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Staying silent while the famously hot tempered Bardess Khaira, self-destructed with her O’ so normal threats and tirades; wasn’t that hard. And it was some how entertaining to watch with the crowd at the market Then as she walked away allowing the hot air to subside, Agudo turned to Kheldar as he mumbled about Khaira Kheldar Sighed as Khaira turned her back on him and walked away. He would have made another crack about women had D'win not been but a few paces away with her special knife. ". . .Bloody foolish drama queen. . ." Kheldar said between clenched teeth after Khaira was long gone. He looked at Agudo and gave him a friendly, knowing smile. "If that's what you had to put with up during the trial I can't blame you for being so upset with her. Still. . . it's not entirely her fault, she seems to be as furious as an orc right now so I doubt she's thinking very clearly." She had only threatened him, what, once? Twice? Glancing at Kheldar he could not help but crack a smile Drama Queen? Hahhaha Patting Rogue on the back Well she is a Bard after all Granted that wasn’t one of her finest performances The best she could come up with was that simplistic mission by the Harpers Grining ear to ear Imagine my school dedicated to free education, helping the poor and sick Some how needing to be infiltrated by Harpers dedicated to stopping evil. No wonder that organization has been so fractured as of late Even Elminster and Blackstaff have parted ways on working with the Harpers together. Scratching his long blond hair In truth she was reacting in her own way of ..... Now what was that phrase this new gentleman Seran Turan said? Seran ......I am happy to see my sources weren't wrong about you. Agudo and Kheldar have Ego issues and Khaira crazy red haired elf. Nice to know some things I was taught weren't wrong...." Slightly chuckling Hmm I would have said.... emotionally off balance highly sensitive schizophrenic at times But! Crazy will fit Khaira for now. Did you see how fast she went from complimenting to threatening you? It was like you two were married or something Don’t feel bad though look how she treats me! Laughing Agudo added with a sly wink Us have Egos? How the market gossip spreads those silly half truths! Kheldar "I do owe it to her to clear up her name though. You must understand that there's no reason for making her look like a criminal. Declare her innocence and I'm sure she'll be on friendlier terms with you. But who knows, she might get mad about not being an outlaw anymore." Nodding his head with a whimsical look in his eye Are you trying to say the Khaira one of those people who gets upset no matter what you do? Waving his hand as if dismissing the obvious question, then answering Kheldar own words According to Khaira the real reason she freed you my nine life Rogue, was an emotional sympathy to your plight in jail Something about people miss understanding you just like in her own life Frowning the follower of Light continued Paradoxically Khaira may have been right like you said Granted no one knew that your Clone had taken your place; never the less she may have since something A pain look cam across Agudo face with what he said next Forgiving others is something I teach and isnt all that hard once you know how freeing it can be Yet friendship isnt easily lost but can be hard to keep. Still I do care for Khaira no matter her past dealing with me....I care deeply Pondering his next words Agudo spoke slowly Sadly the highly sensitive schizophrenic personality of Khaira Has more to do with her harp that Saveal took from my office than you or me put together. Her own dark past and inner demons seem tied to that rather unusual harp Shrugging How or why isn’t known by me Is it just a symbol? Or something bound to her like a soul stone. Whatever it seems she will not rest until Saveal is hunted down for his treachery Maybe then we will both know what makes Khaira act the way she does Throwing away friendship when its convenient or just gets in the way; for the sake of an ideal that no one can see but her Kheldar He didn't know how Khaira's mind worked. How had she explained her side of the story during the trial? Had she spun her words in such a way that nobody understood what she was saying? Ha! If Myranthor had been her attorney undoubtedly the court didn't understand a single word that had been said! That man spoke on a level that rivaled gods! Nevertheless, if Khedlar could convince Agudo into not executing him, he could do the same for Khaira." "Maybe we can talk about it more at the School of Light and Magic? That and my new Orphanage?" With another pat on the back Agudo nodded his head happily That my friend ... would be wonderful Your always welcome at the Agudo school of Light and Magic and I cant wait to see you at the Orphange taking care of the kids Hmmm you know Kheldar im trusting you not to turn those Orphans into the next Oliver twist saga Dwin "Hey Kheldar! Get over here!" Kheldar had not heard D'win so she sat back and kept writing. She was amazed at the amount of people still standing in the area listening to the heated argument between the lot of them. Smiling she reached for her knife she fixed the tip on her pen and then looked down, there was a small child still standing next to her watching her wings and her pen. "Hey there Little One. What's your name?" To the child D'win's voice sounded as soft as a kitten's fur coat. While the child watched D'win smilied gently and from her bag produced a bag of suger treats. "Here try one of these. They are really good." The child reached in and pulled out a sugery treat, smiling the little one popped it their mouth. "Yum! Can I have another?" The child turned out to be a little girl dressed in boys clothes. "Must have been an older brother's." "Sure you can Little One." D'win held out the bag again and the little girl pulled out a couple. "You're a nice lady. Nicer than that wizard." She then popped the treats into her mouth and watched D'win write. "Do you know any stories about princesses or knights? What the boys are talking about is kinda scary. Smiling D'win stopped writing and looked at the little girl, it had been a long time since she had told a fairy tale. "Yes I do Little One, do you have any other friends who might want to hear one?" The little girls eyes lit up and off she was, apperently she had friends who wanted a story just as badly as she did. While D'win waited for the little girl to return she continued to write about what was going on in the square and with her old friends. With a laugh that was warm and friendly Agudo turned from Kheldar to Lady ((Dwin)) Ahh the Angel of the lovely tales Sorry for the drama that took place Yet as you can see all is now well I hope we havent miss to much of your saga and of course if I do have any pages of yours that Kheldar some how came upon.... I shall have them returned With a small bow to Dwin he then saw ((Ellaran)) giving Kheldar a chance to speak to Dwin he turned to offer his thanks I must express gratitude to you good sir Ellaran Your magical help in protecting Kheldar was most kind Putting his hands on his hips the Clerical Mage playfully chastised Don’t think your getting out of your story though! For the crowd about us still awaits your grand account as well. It was then he spoke with ((Seran)) Hail and well met Sir Seran may your family be welcome in all our sights this day Lady Ruthia had sent word of the tragic loss of Malendor my former student My heart is still heavy laden over such untimely demise I can only hope and pray that he has found peace Lowering his head at the thought, Agudo took a moment before looking back up and speaking on a more hapy note What has brought you to this humble market? Perhaps not by chance....do you bring good news of from Pern?
MaskedOne 05-10-06, 10:39 PM	Ellaran turns toward the crowd as Khaira heads off and catches the gaze of two nondescript figures in the shadows. The air in close proximity to him shimmers faintly and a trader passing by decides he has sudden business elsewhere. Ellaran's stance and expression don't seem much different from a few moments ago but there is an air of silent menace for a moment before the two figures he's glaring at both decide that whatever other business they had isn't worth it and rush through spells to teleport out. Once they leave, the air calms to normal and Ellaran turns back to catch Agudo's comments to him, the air of menace gone as swiftly as it had been summoned. It was about to be a public matter and you weren't reacting too harshly on the matter so I delayed it. They will remember everything. I do not extend blanket protection quickly and I haven't here. The matter is delayed only. Shrugging slightly, The crowd seems to be content with other tales at the moment. I may tell mine or at least one that is known to me eventually but for now I'm content to listen to others. Glancing back in the direction Khaira left, She's going to aquire unique problems with such a high profile. The two magelings who left aren't the only people in the area that dislike Harpers, merely the ones I can identify at a glance and intimidate without taking sufficiently direct action to risk blatantly meddling in Harper affairs. Who am I kidding, intimidating them did constitute meddling. Oh well, if the Harpers have a problem with it, they'll come calling eventually.
Khaira 05-11-06, 01:07 AM	As various members of the crowd moved here and there, attentive individuals caught a glimpse of flowing red hair, attached to a head, simply standing there, paused, as if the individual contained therein were paused, considering something ... or another. There was a yell from within the crowd and then an all too familiar voice cursing first in Elvish, and then in common. "You dare?!" Instants later, a cracking of bone and the pained scream of some human within the crowd was heard as the body attached to the flowing red hair moved quickly and efficiently to dispatch someone holding a slipping dagger. That same someone, in quick moments, was losing consciousness. She was, at last, moving back towards the trio that was Kheldar, Agudo, and Ellaran. With a subtle smirk, she regarded Ellaran. "After a century of working for the Harpers, I am constantly in danger, friend and, rest be assured, I am more than capable of the fools that so vehemently seek me out. There is a reason, you know, why I most often take to the skies." Forgiving others is something I teach and isnt all that hard once you know how freeing it can be Yet friendship isnt easily lost but can be hard to keep. Still I do care for Khaira no matter her past dealing with me....I care deeply Maybe then we will both know what makes Khaira act the way she does Throwing away friendship when its convenient or just gets in the way; for the sake of an ideal that no one can see but her Moving past Ellaran quickly, she moved over to Agudo, the overzealous Archmage, and leveled a finger at him, barely inches away from his face. If she were of the arcane sort, such an action could be deadly. But, then again, so could her words be... Though she was not as furious as she was before when she spoke, that passion was still as evident in her voice and in her tone. "All right, Agudo, you want your explanation ... you've got one coming right now! If there is ever a time when you have opened your ears, let that time be NOW!" She paused, glaring at him for to say something to deny that, but she didn't wait for a response, continuing only a half of a second later. "Do you know WHY I released Kheldar? If you want the long, drawn-out explanations ... just ask Tyrion or Rayek, my two main confidants during the trial. But I doubt you do, so I will give you the short answer, right here and right now!" She pointed at Kheldar, who was only a few feet away right now. "Do you know what he is? Do you know that Kheldar is my friend, and do you know that I have considered Kheldar friend AND ally, since day one, since BEFORE I even came to your school? You are aware of that aren't you?" Khaira paused, momentarily, looking from Kheldar to Agudo. She didn't know if she was going to get through to the Archmage at all. For a moment, despair was in her eyes as she knew, undoubtedly, that her explanations would likely fall on deaf ears. After only another few seconds, though she began again. "I never throw away friendships, Agudo. NEVER! I did not throw away your friendship, no matter what you may think! Kheldar is my friend, and I stick by my friends, Agudo. To the end, to whatever end!" "Kheldar had escaped. . . he abandoned Hillsfar. . . As far as we can tell, the last thing he did in the city before leaving was steal as much of his reward money for killing Agudo as he could. A vast amount his reported reward has been unaccounted for." Khaira became somber for a moment, as she turned to regard Kheldar. How did they know he wasn't simply another clone deception? For all she knew, this could all be a clever set up meant to take her to the executioner's block. AFter a long moment, she turned to regard Agudo again. "No, I did not know it was a clone of Kheldar. I didn't believe - I wouldn't believe it. I believed that he was still a friend, still a good person. I believed that he was innocent ... and I believed that it was all a misunderstanding, this assassination business." Her voice got soft, then, which seemed rather uncharacteristic. She was facing neither Agudo nor Kheldar as she spoke the next words, nihilism in her eyes. "...and who knows ... I may have been wrong ... " At last she turned back to Agudo again, her eyes momentarily closed in thought and consideration. "I risked everything for the person whom I perceived to be my friend. I followed my heart and my morality in freeing Kheldar ... I was making a sacrifice for him. Not because of my harp. Not because of Savael. For my friend, though my judgement may have been clouded by sentimental foolishness ... but I never threw away yours. It was all for a friend. Everything. That's what i " She turned away from Agudo to hide that self doubt and the fact that she had, in fact, made a mistake that day ... had she? Her voice was still soft and, now, not so full of confidence when she next spoke. "That's what I have to say ... that's it. If you, Agudo, still feel a necessity to keep a bounty on my head ... regretably so ... that's your call and not mine..." It was a long time before she spoke, with her back to Agudo still. In her mind, the events of that day replayed over and over. Had she made a mistake? Would this renewed Kheldar be here today if she hadn't helped the previous scheming one escape? Neither Agudo nor Kheldar could see the moist, emerald green eyes of Khaira as she softly spoke those last two words. "....old friend."
MaskedOne 05-11-06, 02:42 AM	Ellaran shakes his head slightly as Khaira moves past him. Harpers, what fun. "I never throw away friendships, Agudo. NEVER! I did not throw away your friendship, no matter what you may think! Kheldar is my friend, and I stick by my friends, Agudo. To the end, to whatever end!" Ellaran frowns for a moment, watching the rant but has schooled his features to a careful neutrality by the time Khaira finishes speaking. Dependent on if Khaira's turn leaves her facing him, Khaira may catch a brief flare of sympathy and understanding in his eyes before he looks past her to see Agudo's response. By the time, Ellaran focuses attention on Agudo, his expression conveys only mild curiousity at how the archmage will respond.
LadyDwin 05-11-06, 03:36 PM	D'win noticed Kheldar's approch and smiled, he wouldn't try anything with all of these young ears and eyes around. Scratching her chin with the end of her pen and ruffling her wings she settled back and took a deep breath. She also smiled and shook her head, the little girl was right the men in the area were on the scary side. "Alright crowd, D'win smiled at all the little ones that had gathered. "Better make sure I keep this un-scary." Taking out her bag of suger treats she settled down once more. "Now hold up your hand if you like knights. About seven little hands shot up into the air. And elf princesses? Even more hands went into the air, "And finally how many of you like stories about love?" D'win smiled broadly as she heard many 'ewws' and saw every little girl put her and up. "Alright then, Once upon a time there was a very noble and caring young man, his name was Tristan. Now Tristan was not quite a knight, he still had to go through the Trials, but he always wore his great-grandfather's armour. One day on his was to his trials Tristan met up with some of his friends who were on a great quest. That story though is for another day and would be better told by a campfire or in an Inn." Here D'win paused and tool a sip from her flask. Taking a quick peek at what the rest of the group was doing. Then even more quickly she wrote two pagesin her book. This movement caused many of the children to star wide eyed with their mouths open. "Now would you little ones believe that I actually wrote this story, after I had heard it from Tristan's mouth? Many, many years ago before your grandparents were even born."
Seran 05-11-06, 06:21 PM	"I never throw away friendships, Agudo. NEVER! I did not throw away your friendship, no matter what you may think! Kheldar is my friend, and I stick by my friends, Agudo. To the end, to whatever end!" Neither Agudo nor Kheldar could see the moist, emerald green eyes of Khaira as she softly spoke those last two words.[/I] "....old friend." Listening to the woman he calls his Aunt talk, Seran could only look upon her with sympathy in his eyes and his heart. He new first hand how much Khaira was willing to do for a friend. Khaira had proven that over and over again for his mother, at times even foresaking her duties to others in order to pull Ruthia from the path of destruction in the nick of time. One particular moment in time comes to mind for him, when he was but a lad of one. ....... *Flashback* it started with one evil man. Of course isn't how it always starts? One Evil man trying to corrupt an otherwise good person? Thats how this story starts. Ruthia had run into a man named Chen Li. He was a black dragon...looking for females to have his way with. And Ruthia? Well Ruthia was an easy target, falling prey to him and his charm. He went around her human side, speaking directly to the dragon in her, bypassing all common sense as he slowly pulled the dragon to the fore front of Ruthia's mind. He managed to have a control over her dragon side that no one could explain or reason away...and then the killings started. One here, one there, then one day Ruthia went hunting with him killing ten humans in one day. Seran remembers that day well. Something in her mind forced her to go home before he convinced her to do more. Seran found out many years Later that Khaira had dominated Ruthia some how and had pulled Ruthia home. She came home that day covered from head to foot in blood and other nasty stuff. Seran remembers the smell of death following her in the door. He gathered his siblings to him and called his Uncle Strife to come get them. He convinced Uncle Strife to let them stay untill Ruthia was more stable.... He found out years later that in the days that followed Ruthia went on a killing spree, Chen's influnce on her fighting with Khaira and Imreis'... In the days that followed it is rumored Ruthia killed over one hundred humans, though the only one who really knows that information is Chen. In an epic battle of wills Khaira put her own mind and body at risk to pull her friend from that path, eventually winning out at the cost of Ruthia's own free will for many weeks afterwards. For the longest tiem Ruthia didn't trust herself alone, refusing to go anywhere without someone else near her. But oddly after Chen had achieved in getting Ruthia to kill so much..he faded out of her life...... ********** Seran sighs a bit as he watches Khaira and the others. No one really knows exactly what happened in those painfilled days and weeks. Truely the three who did, Ruthia, Imreis, and Khaira wer not saying anything about it. Though to this day Ruthia carries the ruby incrusted dagger that has her name engraved on it in draconic. He heard the dagger is cursed, even once catching his mother arguing with it like it was alive. One time when she wasn't feeling well and he had tried to tak it she warned him off, saying it was a piece of her now...and it was the dagger she committed att those murders with. Seran can only assume she carries it still to remind herself that she does not want to travel that path again. But one thing Seran has learned, without Khaira Ruthia would not be Ruthia. And here she was now, defeanding her views in front of those who seem to believe her not, standing as if alone against the world. Frowning slightly Seran moves closer to the woman he calls Aunt, placing a handon her shoulder and offering a friendly smile, something rarely seen on this grim teenagers lips. He looks at Agudo and says in a cold, calm voice "No I have no news from Pern. I was not raised there, and Ruthia talks of it very little now. As for bringing happiness? My life has been trouble after trouble since birth old man, I doubt I could find a ray of happiness to shine one you with." He turns to peer at Kheldar "yes my manners are poor, I'll sdmitt it. But then again, Ruthia gave birth to me..not raised me." He smircks coldly at the group before turning and looking at Khaira again. He squeezes her shoulder one last time then dissappears into the crowd.
Agudo Archmage 05-11-06, 08:37 PM	As Agudo talked with Ellaran and Seran the Bardess could be heard oncemore Khaira There was a yell from within the crowd and then an all too familiar voice cursing first in Elvish, and then in common. "You dare?!" Instants later, a cracking of bone and the pained scream of some human within the crowd was heard as the body attached to the flowing red hair moved quickly and efficiently to dispatch someone holding a slipping dagger. That same someone, in quick moments, was losing consciousness. Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley So much for a happy ending the follower of Light thought Khaira She was, at last, moving back towards the trio that was Kheldar, Agudo, and Ellaran. With a subtle smirk, she regarded Ellaran Mumbling to Kheldar who was not to far off Did I say no matter what you do..... Khaira still gets upset? Khaira Moving past Ellaran quickly, she moved over to Agudo, the overzealous Archmage, and leveled a finger at him, barely inches away from his face. If she were of the arcane sort, such an action could be deadly. But, then again, so could her words be... "All right, Agudo, you want your explanation ... you've got one coming right now! If there is ever a time when you have opened your ears, let that time be NOW!" Crossing his arms and raising a blond eyebrow, taking note at how close her un-manicured fingernails were pointed at his face Making it look like the Bardess would poke him in the eye But then she seem to regain some control Khaira She paused, glaring at him for to say something to deny that, but she didn't wait for a response, continuing only a half of a second later. "Do you know WHY I released Kheldar? If you want the long, drawn-out explanations ... just ask Tyrion or Rayek, my two main confidants during the trial. But I doubt you do, so I will give you the short answer, right here and right now!" Not wishing to interrupt this dramatic moment the Clerical Mage unfolded his arms; offering a posture of relaxed waiting Khaira She pointed at Kheldar, who was only a few feet away right now. "Do you know what he is? Do you know that Kheldar is my friend, and do you know that I have considered Kheldar friend AND ally, since day one, since BEFORE I even came to your school? You are aware of that aren't you?" Khaira paused, momentarily, looking from Kheldar to Agudo. She didn't know if she was going to get through to the Archmage at all. For a moment, despair was in her eyes as she knew, undoubtedly, that her explanations would likely fall on deaf ears. After only another few seconds, though she began again Perhaps not many heard the strain in Khaira voice as she continued Yet for Agudo it was clear that the Bardess was trying to find the words to she felt Khaira "I never throw away friendships, Agudo. NEVER! I did not throw away your friendship, no matter what you may think! Kheldar is my friend, and I stick by my friends, Agudo. To the end, to whatever end!" (FLASHBACK) "Kheldar had escaped. . . he abandoned Hillsfar. . . As far as we can tell, the last thing he did in the city before leaving was steal as much of his reward money for killing Agudo as he could. A vast amount his reported reward has been unaccounted for." Despite her simi hostile stance, Agudo wanted to reach out to her However he restrained himself not sure as what to do at the moment Khaira Khaira became somber for a moment, as she turned to regard Kheldar. How did they know he wasn't simply another clone deception? For all she knew, this could all be a clever set up meant to take her to the executioner's block. After a long moment, she turned to regard Agudo again. "No, I did not know it was a clone of Kheldar. I didn't believe - I wouldn't believe it. I believed that he was still a friend, still a good person. I believed that he was innocent ... and I believed that it was all a misunderstanding, this assassination business." Her voice got soft, then, which seemed rather uncharacteristic. She was facing neither Agudo nor Kheldar as she spoke the next words, nihilism in her eyes. "...and who knows ... I may have been wrong ... Breathing heavily rubbing the back of his neck, some what relived to hear those words For the betrayal had been very personal and painful, at having a close friend like Khaira free the man who murdered him. Khaira At last she turned back to Agudo again, her eyes momentarily closed in thought and consideration. "I risked everything for the person whom I perceived to be my friend. I followed my heart and my morality in freeing Kheldar ... I was making a sacrifice for him. Not because of my harp. Not because of Savael. For my friend, though my judgement may have been clouded by sentimental foolishness.. but I never threw away yours. It was all for a friend. Everything. That's what i...... " Feeling somewhat emotional at the moment trying to keep his composure He was glad to hear Lady Dwin telling her story the children in the background D’win Alright crowd, D'win smiled at all the little ones that had gathered. "Better make sure I keep this un-scary." Taking out her bag of suger treats she settled down once more. "Now hold up your hand if you like knights. About seven little hands shot up into the air. And elf princesses? Even more hands went into the air, "And finally how many of you like stories about love?" D'win smiled broadly as she heard many 'ewws' and saw every little girl put her and up. "Alright then, Once upon a time there was a very noble and caring young man, his name was Tristan. Now Tristan was not quite a knight, he still had to go through the Trials, but he always wore his great-grandfather's armour. One day on his was to his trials Tristan met up with some of his friends who were on a great quest. That story though is for another day and would be better told by a campfire or in an Inn." Here D'win paused and tool a sip from her flask. Taking a quick peek at what the rest of the group was doing. Then even more quickly she wrote two pagesin her book. This movement caused many of the children to star wide eyed with their mouths open. "Now would you little ones believe that I actually wrote this story, after I had heard it from Tristan's mouth? Many, many years ago before your grandparents were even born." Agudo heart was warmed at the children’s happy response to her talented storytelling At least some are happy this day eyeing Khaira as he listend to them For many of the kids laughed and giggled As well as gasping with delight at the thought of D'win being so old even older than their grandparents All waiting excitedly for more of this saga and tasty treats to be handed out by D’win Khaira It was an awkward moment despite the happy laughter from behind She turned away from Agudo to hide that self doubt and the fact that she had, in fact, made a mistake that day ... had she? Her voice was still soft and, now, not so full of confidence when she next spoke. "That's what I have to say ... that's it. If you, Agudo, still feel a necessity to keep a bounty on my head ... regrettably so ... that's your call and not mine..." It was a long time before she spoke, with her back to Agudo still. In her mind, the events of that day replayed over and over. Had she made a mistake? Would this renewed Kheldar be here today if she hadn't helped the previous scheming one escape? Neither Agudo nor Kheldar could see the moist, emerald green eyes of Khaira as she softly spoke those last two words. "....old friend." Ellaran By the time, Ellaran focuses attention on Agudo, his expression conveys only mild curiousity at how the archmage will respond Putting his hands together raising them to his lips he was moved by her words It was then that the young lad Seran came to Khaira defense Seran No I have no news from Pern. I was not raised there, and Ruthia talks of it very little now. As for bringing happiness? My life has been trouble after trouble since birth old man, I doubt I could find a ray of happiness to shine one you with." He turns to peer at Kheldar "yes my manners are poor, I'll sdmitt it. But then again, Ruthia gave birth to me..not raised me." He smircks coldly at the group before turning and looking at Khaira again. He squeezes her shoulder one last time then dissappears into the crowd. Watching the boy walk away the Clerical Mage shakes his head With a light hearted jest that seem much happier than he felt Me thinks as his Aunt... his manners come from you With a small chuckle that faded to sadness The Bounty is real on your head....but not by me I never put a bounty on you Khaira others did. The military wanted justice and I could not show favorites by protecting you If I did then others would not trust me to protect them from harm Eyeing Khaira wearily If I was truly seeking you out for the pain you caused me I would have done it myself with my own resources. Stammering I just never wanted revenge Yes I was hurt by your lack of confidence in me After all we had been through! Agudo voice cracked If Kheldar had killed you or even tried, would you have not felt betrayed if I gave him aid to escape you? Pausing to regain some emotional control Why didn’t you come to me and tell me how you felt about Kheldar plight? Agudo emerald eyes lit up a bit with the words Why .....why old friend?
Khaira 05-12-06, 12:09 AM	The Bounty is real on your head....but not by me I never put a bounty on you Khaira others did. The military wanted justice and I could not show favorites by protecting you If I did then others would not trust me to protect them from harm She sighed; a continuing bounty would make it incredibly, incredibly difficult to do any covert work any longer. Could she even establish a residence in Waterdeep? "We must, each of us, do only as much as we can do. And each of us must act out the best part on this never-ending stage... ...if Keldorn - or whomever - still wants my blood so sorely ... maybe one of these days, sooner or later, it will be given..." With her back to Agudo, Khaira shook her head. Only those close by could make out what she murmured next. "Running ... always ... from bounty or sword or dishonored noble ... I grow tired of running." [QUOTE=Agudo Archmage] Agudo voice cracked If Kheldar had killed you or even tried, would you have not felt betrayed if I gave him aid to escape you? For a long time, Khaira didn't turn around at all. In fact, the average onlooker could've thought her to become an expertly made statue, in color and all. The bent head and the red hair flying in the wind was the only sign that she was not, in fact, a statue. When at last the bardess turned around, her green eye were moist which, oddly enough, seemed to cause them to shine even brighter. "...no. We, each and every one of us, must walk our own path with our head held high throughout its duration, until time reaches its end." She paused as she saw the quizzical glances again. She was being philosophically obscure again...Brushing strands of red hair from the eyes that seemed now to be so blinded, she sighed exasperatedly. There was no way to say this without even sounding like wasn't just stubbornly trying to defend herself. "There have been and always will be times when I'll disagree. Sometimes I'll hate you, and feel a deep yearning to wrap that blue cloth all around your waist. ...that does not make you any less of a friend. In Harping, one of the things I learned early - very early - is the importance of freedom. Freedom to live, to die ... freedom to make choices based on a person's own moral standing. I know it's probably hard to understand ... and especially coming from my lips, even moreso. I ... don't know what I can say to help you understand... I know that probably condemns me all the more, but I do not want to prove Keldorn right but hiding behind any lies or deception..." [QUOTE=Agudo]Pausing to regain some emotional control Why didn’t you come to me and tell me how you felt about Kheldar plight? Khaira sighed, and shrugged, as if she didn't know the answer to that...then, suddenly, memory flared in her eyes. "Unlike everyone else who was so well informed, I was hardly aware that you were dead, Agudo. Even if you were alive, I didn't know where in the name of the gods to find you. Besides, if I somehow were able to find you, successfully, and tell you everything that I felt for Kheldar - that he reminded me of me, that I knew he was good, that he needed to be freed, that I pitied him, and wanted to help him - would it have availed anything ... the trial would have gone on as normal. Wouldn't it?" Agudo emerald eyes lit up a bit with the words Why .....why old friend? She struggled to find the words. Why indeed? Why couldn't it have been different? Why did have to be like this? Softly, her voice nearly broken, the elven bardess shook her head. "...I don't know why ... only the gods know ... Maybe it would have been better ... if I'd never come to your school..."
Kheldar 05-12-06, 12:38 AM	((But you posted your post before I posted mine!)) :tantrum: http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif "I don't care if you were raised by devils! Tell Ruthia I'm looking for her!" After Kheldar finished shouting after Seran he sniffed. He hated dragons just about as much as he hated Drow. No matter what kind they were they were always trouble! "As for you Khaira. . ." In two steps Kheldar was in front of the Elven bardess with both arms tightly wrapped around her, lifting her feet off the ground and spinning her in the air - the whole while laughing out loud and praying to the gods she wasn't going to beat him to death for ever trying such a thing! And he had called her a bloody drama queen. "Ha ha ha! I knew you would do the right thing!" That was a bold lie. Kheldar had himself convinced he was going to spend a whole afternoon talking to Agudo and Lady Hoot about the matter. Not that he would have minded doing it for her, but this saved him a lot of time and it was much better that Khaira herself explained things to Agudo. Kheldar planted Kharia back on her feet and surely would have jumped a mile back if he saw her go for anything sharp and pointy! She had already knocked out two bozos today. He had half a mind of drying her tears with his cloak but they made her look pretty. Some women looked awful when they cried, but Kharia wasn't one of them. What Agudo said right after put a slight frown on Kheldar's face. He wanted more explanations? Well the man had a right to know but Kheldar would have thought the answer obvious. Things were so tense back then you couldn't think about doing anything against the Army of Light without landing yourself in jail. Kheldar recalled Rayek had nearly wanted to put Leetah ~ of all people ~ in jail just because she felt sorry for him being in prison.
Agudo Archmage 05-12-06, 08:09 PM	Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Watching the rascally rogue lift the petite Elvin Bardess of the ground seem to lift his own spirits Just as Kheldar put Khaira down Agudo reaches out and raps his arms around both of them. Laughing as he does he speaks warmly to them both Yes it is good day in the Light to be together with old friends Slowly eyeing them both Even old friends who cause you as much pain as joy Glancing about the happy crowd, who were enjoying the tall tales being told by the many storytellers in the market. The follower Lights felt happier than he did in a long time Smiling at his two old friends Agudo was tickled pink to be together again Patting Khaira on the shoulder How could you say that it may have been better that you never came to my school of Light? Just think how boring my life would have been without your talented theatrics. In fact your old room still awaits you Khaira. With a bigger hug Agudo pondered the sight of Kheldar You know Kheldar I had spent months trying to reanimate you Even other great Clerics like Lady Hoot tried as well...Leetah especially She seem to take it the hardest at your death and failure to bring you back Yet none could do it! But now I know why.... it was do to your spirit being brought back already I need ask the Gnomish prophesier who created your clones; about the memory loss that you experienced Was it do to the former clone’s brain being unable to connect with your sprit own latter experiences? Or something else? Frowning slightly the blond hair Clerical Mage shrugged It seems the talented Gnome was able to improve the very, very costly process of growing new bodies Something close to a small castle could be bought with just one clone The fact that you have all your past and present memories, proves that your spirit sought out and connected with your new body Then with a sly wink to Khaira Ya know Khaira that’s assuming that the Kheldar spirit returned to his new body Maybe.... Agudo begins to laugh Maybe the Prophesier was able to find Kheldar body before it died and..... Tears of laughter start to come out of Agudo eyes he could barely contain himself And used one of those fangled diabolical Gnomish mechanical doohickeys to copy Kheldar brain over and over ....think about! Wiping the tears away We could have millions of Kheldars running about the land And who knows what trouble they could be up to?!?!?! Then putting his hands on hips with this silly look on his face throwing back his long cape for added dramatics Come to think of it! This Kheldar looks better than the last one Even his teeth are whiter, not so yellowish Snickering And by the way he picked you up, I would say he isn’t as shy around lovely women as before Crossing his arms with theatrical pride I bet Leetah will be a bit upset with that change With that Agudo gives another hug to them both Ahh its good to have you all back
Khaira 05-12-06, 10:00 PM	((Where are Tyrion and Rayek for this wonderful reunion? And Leetah ... you can't forget Leetah! Er ... sorry, Agudo, this was supposed to be your thread about books ... maybe you should rename it "Reconciliation with Agudo"? ;) )) "As for you Khaira. . ." In two steps Kheldar was in front of the Elven bardess with both arms tightly wrapped around her, lifting her feet off the ground and spinning her in the air - the whole while laughing out loud and praying to the gods she wasn't going to beat him to death for ever trying such a thing! And he had called her a bloody drama queen. "Ha ha ha! I knew you would do the right thing!" As Kheldar set her down again, she was silent for a moment. Yes, she had done the diplomatically good thing but ... would it avail her any? Or would Agudo have something to say about her treachery? Regardless, looking at Kheldar, besides the misty green eyes there was a blank expression which, as most of Faerun, either preceded admiration ... or a dragon's fury. She took a step forward, and placed a hand on his shoulder - which was frighteningly close to his neck - and then leaned close to him. "Kheldar..." Her voice looked so blank, devoid of anything, almost as the calm before the storm erupted. "...it's wonderful to have you back." Before he could move away, she embraced Kheldar in a hug of her own, soft and supple lips - whether intentional or not - brushing his cheek, like the soft brushing of fairy wings. Just beginning to release him, Khaira looked, with fearful anticipation, to Agudo the Archmage. What would he say now? Would the execution finally take place? She gasped as, no sooner did she ponder those thoughts, than she saw a great rush of blue! Watching the rascally rogue lift the petite Elvin Bardess of the ground seem to lift his own spirits Just as Kheldar put Khaira down Agudo reaches out and raps his arms around both of them. Laughing as he does he speaks warmly to them both Yes it is good day in the Light to be together with old friends Patting Khaira on the shoulder How could you say that it may have been better that you never came to my school of Light? Just think how boring my life would have been without your talented theatrics. In fact your old room still awaits you Khaira.[/I] The elven bardess was still quiet for a long time after Agudo finished speaking and longer after he'd released her. After all this time ... was that all that was necessary? With a groan, she thought of Keldorn. "I'd love to come back to the school, Agudo, but for one particular detail ... Keldorn, your overzealous friend, with a fervent passion for justice, might decide to drag me away in chains again. Like you said, there is still a bounty on my head...and my plans do not involve execution yet. I've been making the City of Splendors in Waterdeep my home these past years. Until things wind down, perhaps that is where I'll stay. But you should know ... there is a gift waiting for you in my old classroom. For the moment, the curtains will fall on Khaira the Bardic Instructor." A long time ago, she had heard those exact words, from her mother. Only, they had ended with "...and rise on you." There was a deepening sadness that seemed to envelop Khaira just then, darkening their happiness just a little bit. When she spoke next, several moments later, her voice was small and broken. "...though I shan't be surprised in the least if someday you receive a visitor with the likeness of your old bardess friend..." She had received reports from some friendly sources, associated with the Harpers, that there was another "Khaira" roaming Faerun, in search of someone ... or something. Khaira suspected it was... "...my heir. I think some people need time for my treadchery to be forgotten, Agudo. Particuarly, I think, Keldorn. I don't want to stir up any hornet's nest ... and I most certainly do not want to have to fight him, along with his whole brotherhood of knights. And gods only know what the other students feel... I'll remain in Waterdeep, Agudo and hopefully - gods willing - I will be able to return sooner rather than later."
MaskedOne 05-12-06, 11:01 PM	Ellaran watches the scene with a faint smile. Well that worked out. "I'd love to come back to the school, Agudo, but for one particular detail ... Keldorn, your overzealous friend, with a fervent passion for justice, might decide to drag me away in chains again. Like you said, there is still a bounty on my head...and my plans do not involve execution yet. Ellaran steps forward. Which knightly order does this Keldorn belong to and are you talking about Keldorn Firecam? There is an order in Amn that owes me a favor. If nothing else, a letter of introduction from them will give me grounds to argue more effectively than some before many paladin orders and I can already argue before them relatively well. It may take a month or six and I despise Cowled Wizards with a passion but I can start processes that will eventually back most paladins down. It just won't be fun. Ellaran frowns. I really HATE Cowled Wizards.
ruthia 05-13-06, 04:18 PM	tired wasn't the word for what she felt on this day as she watched the going on's in the middle of the crowd. Soul weary would better discribe it, a weariness that seemed to never go away even with all the sleep one could get. Bone tired, mind tired, soul tired. Her whole body just wanted to quit today. Her icey blue eyes take in the three familiar characters, three whom she had a long...sometimes meaningful, relationship with. Kheldar the assassin, a face she could never forget. Agudo the Archmage, then man who was responsible in some ways for changes that had befallen her family. Khaira the Bardess.....savior, protector...and yet annoyance at times, meddler. All three stood together in what seemed a joyful reunion of old friends. Part of her wanted to join them, needed the human contact. But part of her resisted. That part reminded her of the painful things, the deaths, the destructions, the lives lost. That part spoke with twisted truth, oddly dark logic. Her hand strays to a ruby encrested dagger on her waist, her eyes closing as she touches it. It hungered again, needed blood, needed death.....She opens her eyes again, this time a tinge of red mixed with the blue, causing one man to look at her and stummble back. She sneered slightly and the man paled, backing away quickly. Snarling to herself lightly she reminded herself why she was here, gripping the dagger untill it's hilt bit into her hand. It thristed.....he had said there was one here the world could do without. And that was her mission this day, to find and kill. To seeth her blade in this mans walking corspe and wallow in his blood. Then and only then could she rest peacefully again, the daggers soul sated till another time. She sneered again, turning away from this loving reunion and blending into the crowd
Wellby 05-13-06, 08:47 PM	oopsy. :(
Kheldar 05-13-06, 08:49 PM	http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif Kheldar gave Ellaran a wry smile. He wasn't very fond of Cowled wizards either. But suddenly something in his eyes light up. He could see something very familiar. . . . . . . A good idea! . . "Hey Kharia you're living in Waterdeep? Why don't you stay in my house? It's up in the North Ward right on Tarsar's Street! It's a very nice house, Kulideb's been there once, you could ask her. All that I ask is that you look after the place for me." Agudo wouldn't have a problem with that would he? It was called delegating and it was a perfectly viable way to do things! "Huh, is that Ruthia?" Kheldar squinted his eyes to try and see better. He thought it was Ruthia. That put a smile on his face. For all Seran's rudeness at least the boy was quick to send his message along. . . but maybe too quick. . . Seran didn't look very obedient to Kheldar and if Ruthia's face was any indication something was wrong. Then just as suddenly as she had appeared she turned around and was gone! Kheldar blinked. What's the matter with her? She looked like she was ready to gobble up every one gathered around here and start looking for seconds. . . Bah! That's a bloody dragon for you - I wonder if it's even worth trying to apologize to her or Branth. "Maybe I saw wrong," Kheldar said shaking his head. If Ruthia didn't want to be seen then let her be alone! Any way, he had other people he wanted to visit with more right now. "You'll have to excuse me my friends, but I think I want to hear how old Sir Tristan captures his Elven Princess."
LadyDwin 05-15-06, 12:10 AM	D'win had not noticed a thing going on, she was the perfect storyteller. She had started out in her celestial home as a Truth Tale Teller, but they eventually made her leave under very strange circumstances. She knew all the right places to pause, when to give out more sweet treats, and through the whole telling she always sat. This allowed her to do more action with her voice and her words instead of relying on body movements as less apt tellers were ought to do. When Kheldar walked over she had just gotten to the part where Tristan first sees his Elven Princess. "Tristan just could not stand the sight of men roughing up woman the way these gaurds where. 'Excuse me!' And he pushed his way through to the fallen woman. When he reached her he could not see her face, only a hand and that hand was a white as the snow. 'Allow me Miss," and he reached out his hand to help her up. The voice that came from behind the dark veil was as beautiful as the church bells and just as powerful. 'Thank you good knight, but I can mange.' With that the woman stood on her own, but quickly looked to the ground. 'Is there something missing miss?' Tristan asked as he also began searching the ground at her feet. 'A small thing, a trife really,' and she continued to look. Tristan found it before she did but said nothing, the guards were watching them. The woman then stood up and straightened herself. 'I can live without it.' And she walked on." D'win paused and finally noticed that Kheldar was making his way over. She laughed, she had always liked the man, just found him a tad annoying and always in her way. "Kheldar! My good friend, come join the little ones and have a treat. It has been too long since last we spoke."Holding out the suger treats she waved her hand at the spot next to her, the perfect little spot for a wanted man.
Kheldar 05-17-06, 05:31 AM	http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif Kheldar put on his best smirk as he watched D'win wave the treats she intended to give him. She had him caught between a rock and a hard spot. If he took the treats and sat down beside her he would look no better than a silly child running to his mother for sweets. If he didn't take the treat and sit down beside her he would upset every child gathered around her. Only women could be so cruel. Well I might as well get used to pleasing children. I could very well have an orphanage full of little brats to look after next time I'm in Waterdeep. Kheldar purposefully marched up to D'win and accepted his treat with the same protective smirk on his face. At least it was nice to be in her company. As he sat down he toyed with his treat, letting it roll from one finger to the next. "Yes it's been a very long time and we've got some catching up to do! So. . . you'll have to end this story right now, right?" Kheldar checked with D'win's audience for confirmation. Quickly they begged and protested that D'win had to carry on with her story, not a single one of them wanted to see it end just like that. Suddenly Kheldar's smirk wasn't so fake any more. "Then I guess we better let her finish." Kheldar rolled the treat onto his thumb and flicked it into the air a good four feet high. He had performed this silly trick so many times that catching it in his mouth came naturally. Nevertheless it made the children Ooooo and Aaaah. . . Kids were silly.
LadyDwin 05-17-06, 04:06 PM	D'win smiled as she watched Kheldar fight with himself. "You goof, I ain't going to eat you or hurt you." "Now Kheldar why would I stop telling the story. These little ones are in love with it and in love with me. I think you had a thing for me once, long ago."She playfully poked him in the ribs, then pulled him up from his sitting spot and gave him a hug. Whispering in his ear, he voice soft as a butterfly's wings. "I've missed you and the old crowd. I've been gone for far too long." Turning back to the little ones she smiled wide and sighed. "Now back to the story, Kheldar here was just teasing about stopping the story. Tristan still appaled at how the soliders were treating the lady walked up to her. 'Please M'am, let me help you.' and he held out his arm. The lady took it and looked at Tristan, he could see her eyes. They were a deep violet color and almond shaped, elves eyes. Those eyes smiled at him, 'Yes good knight, you can escourt me.' Finally making it to the court house the gaurds pushed Tristan and the elf lady through the doors. Once inside Tristan was able to look at the small trifle that the lady had lost. Reaching into his belt he pulled it out...Small trifle indeed, what he held in his grubby dirt and blood crusted had was the most beautiful jewel he had ever seen. What Tristan held was an Ever Jewel, a token exchanged between lovers when they were pushed apart by either great distances or because the love they shared was forbidden. This color was clear, but as Tristan moved it around it shimmered every color of hte rainbow, from the deepest red to the littlest green.Tristan quickly pused the jewel back into his belt, the lady would be very sad if she lost such a precious thing. Tristan stood in the court and waited for something to happen, anything to happen, because he had no idea why he was at the court house. All he had done was stepped in to help the lady and his friends. As he waited the court judge came in and the lady approched him without any announcment, a solider ran to stop her and spoke. 'Lord Judge, we found her on the street looking for fighters.' 'Lady Aikatherinee we have told you meany times we are not going to send you help. This is the last warning, if we catch you again we are putting you in the cells.' Tristan was shocked, a princess, he was helping an elven princess. D'win stopped and looked at the little ones. Some of the faces lit up when they heard Aikatherinee's name. D'win was about to read one when one little voice rose into the air. "That lady, Lady Aikatherinee, was my great, great, great, great....lots of greats grandmother's lady, she did her landury. The little girl blushed and hid her face. D'win smiled, she had an elven child in the bunch, that made her feel good. "Don't be ashamed of that Little One, it takes all kinds of people to make this world work. Everyoen has a purpose, don't they Kheldar." D'win smiled at him and offered him another of the suger treats, after she had put one in her own mouth.
Agudo Archmage 05-17-06, 07:04 PM	(((OOC))) Khaira ((Where are Tyrion and Rayek for this wonderful reunion? And Leetah ... you can't forget Leetah! Hmm now why would Leetah not be here? Lets see ahhh yes I know why the rogue is in no hurry to call the others I have playfully titled this quote the Angel who steals the Rogue's heart D’win She playfully poked him in the ribs, then pulled him up from his sitting spot and gave him a hug. Whispering in his ear, he voice soft as a butterfly's wings. "I've missed you........ Khaira Er ... sorry, Agudo, this was supposed to be your thread about books ... maybe you should rename it "Reconciliation with Agudo"? Or lol Title the place ...Agudo Hot Gossip In The Market! :embarrass Yet so far everything fits the idea of the place and I quote myself We all know how I love to do that > AKA Ego Agudo This place is for those who wish to talk about your Chars background /NPC/Games/ Story they have been in It can also be about a book you have read and you wish to talk about the key parts in a (story form) Yep you all found me out I started this place just to hear the sound of my voice ...or lol to at least read it! ;) Now on with the show )))) **************************************** ***************** Khaira The elven bardess was still quiet for a long time after Agudo finished speaking and longer after he'd released her. After all this time ... was that all that was necessary? With a groan, she thought of Keldorn. "I'd love to come back to the school, Agudo, but for one particular detail ... Keldorn, your overzealous friend, with a fervent passion for justice, might decide to drag me away in chains again. Like you said, there is still a bounty on my head...and my plans do not involve execution yet. I've been making the City of Splendors in Waterdeep my home these past years. Until things wind down, perhaps that is where I'll stay. But you should know ... there is a gift waiting for you in my old classroom. For the moment, the curtains will fall on Khaira the Bardic Instructor." A long time ago, she had heard those exact words, from her mother. Only, they had ended with "...and rise on you." There was a deepening sadness that seemed to envelop Khaira just then, darkening their happiness just a little bit. When she spoke next, several moments later, her voice was small and broke"...though I shan't be surprised in the least if someday you receive a visitor with the likeness of your old bardess friend..." She had received reports from some friendly sources, associated with the Harpers, that there was another "Khaira" roaming Faerun, in search of someone ... or something. Khaira suspected it was... "...my heir. I think some people need time for my treadchery to be forgotten, Agudo. Particuarly, I think, Keldorn. I don't want to stir up any hornet's nest ... and I most certainly do not want to have to fight him, along with his whole brotherhood of knights. And gods only know what the other students feel... I'll remain in Waterdeep, Agudo and hopefully - gods willing - I will be able to return sooner rather than later Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Glancing down at the ground Agudo considered her words before replying If it must be as you say then I shall wait until that joyful day comes; seeing you cross onto the school grounds once more Khaira Wondering what gift awaits him back at the school the Clerical Mage let out a long sigh Keldorn Firecam has his cryptic reasons to follow you about Faerun Cracking a smile It’s rather ironic that my old knightly friend Firecam, now speaks like a mysterious wizard when it come to you Khaira What would a Knight have to do with your colorful past? I do not know and ...well... perhaps it’s best I don’t Ellaran Which knightly order does this Keldorn belong to and are you talking about Keldorn Firecam? There is an order in Amn that owes me a favor. If nothing else, a letter of introduction from them will give me grounds to argue more effectively than some before many paladin orders and I can already argue before them relatively well. It may take a month or six and I despise Cowled Wizards with a passion but I can start processes that will eventually back most paladins down. It just won't be fun. Reaching into his breast pocket tucked away deep in the folds of his long cape Agudo took out his old corncob pipe and within moments of lighting it puffed away allowing the sweet fragrance of apple cinnamon to float about him Well my good fellow Ellaran if you could offer aid in the matter that would be most kind The Order you seek is the Radiant Heart in the merchant lands of Amn May the Light guide you along this delicate path you now take Ellaran Ruthia tired wasn't the word for what she felt on this day as she watched the going on's in the middle of the crowd. Soul weary would better discribe it, a weariness that seemed to never go away even with all the sleep one could get. Bone tired, mind tired, soul tired. Her whole body just wanted to quit today. Her icey blue eyes take in the three familiar characters, three whom she had a long...sometimes meaningful, relationship with. Kheldar the assassin, a face she could never forget. Agudo the Archmage, then man who was responsible in some ways for changes that had befallen her family. Khaira the Bardess.....savior, protector...and yet annoyance at times, meddler. All three stood together in what seemed a joyful reunion of old friends. Part of her wanted to join them, needed the human contact. But part of her resisted. That part reminded her of the painful things, the deaths, the destructions, the lives lost. That part spoke with twisted truth, oddly dark logic. Her hand strays to a ruby encrested dagger on her waist, her eyes closing as she touches it. It hungered again, needed blood, needed death.....She opens her eyes again, this time a tinge of red mixed with the blue, causing one man to look at her and stummble back. She sneered slightly and the man paled, backing away quickly. Snarling to herself lightly she reminded herself why she was here, gripping the dagger untill it's hilt bit into her hand. It thristed.....he had said there was one here the world could do without. And that was her mission this day, to find and kill. To seeth her blade in this mans walking corspe and wallow in his blood. Then and only then could she rest peacefully again, the daggers soul sated till another time. She sneered again, turning away from this loving reunion and blending into the crowd As the many people miled about he could have sworn he saw a white hair lass from his past Yet just as quickly she was gone in the crowd leaving him wondering if that was her After a moment Agudo turned to those close to him and winked at them Come Khaira and Ellaran its time to let the past be in the past and enjoy someone else’s long tales of grandeur And who knows maybe if the mood strikes.....one of you will be kind enough to spin a yarn or two for all to enjoy It was then Agudo saw the real reason why Kheldar had return For D’win hugged him closely whispering into the Rogues ears The Follower of Light could not help but grin happily at the two Sitting down with the others on the soap box that he had been using to grand stand He was most pleased to hear the wonderful tale of the Knight and the Princess that D’win was weaving before the crowd D'win ...stopped and looked at the little ones. Some of the faces lit up when they heard Aikatherinee's name. D'win was about to read one when one little voice rose into the air. "That lady, Lady Aikatherinee, was my great, great, great, great....lots of great’s grandmother's lady, she did her laundry. The little girl blushed and hid her face. D'win smiled; she had an elven child in the bunch, that made her feel good. "Don't be ashamed of that Little One, it takes all kinds of people to make this world work. Everyoen has a purpose, don't they Kheldar." D'win smiled at him and offered him another of the suger treats, after she had put one in her own mouth. Clapping his hands together and nodding his long blond haired head in agreement Hear, Hear! Well said D’win May the Realm never be without those who jobs make us longwinded heroes look good Be it the humble laundry worker, to the long suffering barmaid who must put up with our never ending Egos! Others in the crowd laughed at Agudo words Then chewing on Lady D’win sweet treats everyone waited for her to continue.
MaskedOne 05-17-06, 11:55 PM	Ellaran Reaching into his breast pocket tucked away deep in the folds of his long cape Agudo took out his old corncob pipe and within moments of lighting it puffed away allowing the sweet fragrance of apple cinnamon to float about him Well my good fellow Ellaran if you could offer aid in the matter that would be most kind The Order you seek is the Radiant Heart in the merchant lands of Amn May the Light guide you along this delicate path you now take Ellaran The Light is always welcome. At the moment, I'm hoping Lady Mystra will see fit to arrange minimal contact between the Cowled Wizards and I. My patience with Paladins is extensive normally. My patience with Cowled Wizards is finite in the extreme. Ellaran tilts his head slightly. Firecam, he switches back and forth between being a good man and an utter pain. I'll probably have to go over his head. He respects me to a degree but he doesn't trust my judgement completely or my ethics and he isn't aware of the debt that I can claim on the Order.
LadyDwin 05-20-06, 07:06 PM	*** Agudo play nice, I did not steal his heart...yet... *** D'win stood amazed as she watched people turn and listen to her fairy tale. It was a truly remarkable gift she had and she was proud she was the one that had it. Smiling she watched her bag of suger treats pass around, there was enough for everyone cause the bag never emptied. "Alright...are we ready to hear some more of the story. If you're not oh well. Tristan had no clue who is lovely woman was, all he knew was that he would do anything to help her or to protect her. 'My Lady, if there is anything that I could do to help please let me know.' Lady Akatherinee looked at him and scoffed, she was after all Elven Royalty."
eriwoj 05-24-06, 08:45 AM	"Story telling, eh?" a rough faced character with bold, dark brown eyes and smug smile whipped a chair over from seemingly no where and sat down on it backwards. At first glance, this person seemed to be a man what with a rather weathered face and dressed in a long split sleeved long green tunic with dark blue trim around the sleeve cuffs, collar, and skirting; but if one listened closely when the figure spoke it was most definatly a woman dressed as a man. Her outfit was completed by gray hose, soft leather shoes, a finely inlaid belt with a rather heavy purse and long dagger hanging from it, and a turbin style head roll that incorporated the gray and blue fabric over ear length red hair tucked back behind the ears. "Sorry to interupt, lady," she continued nodding to the previous speaker, "I shall listen to you, and then with everyone's leave, I shall relate my tale."
Agudo Archmage 05-24-06, 06:20 PM	The local dentist smiled happily at the sight of so many eating these sweet treats over and over Will be a good day for business I thinks Rubbing his hands together as he walked by D'win stood amazed as she watched people turn and listen to her fairy tale. It was a truly remarkable gift she had and she was proud she was the one that had it. Smiling she watched her bag of suger treats pass around, there was enough for everyone cause the bag never emptied. "Alright...are we ready to hear some more of the story. If you're not oh well Tristan had no clue who is lovely woman was, all he knew was that he would do anything to help her or to protect her. 'My Lady, if there is anything that I could do to help please let me know.' Lady Akatherinee looked at him and scoffed, she was after all Elven Royalty." Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Puffing away on his corncob pipe Agudo relaxed enjoying the grand storytelling going on Several of the children listened intently as Lady D’win sowed a tale of enchanted Elvin lore; mesmerizing the young and old alike. It was then that another joined the crowed of onlookers. This traveler was dressed in pleasing but uncomplicated cloths with an air of confidence. Blinking for a moment as the turban wearing person sat down, the follower of Light wondered just who this interesting person was Eriwoj "Story telling, eh?" a rough looking character with bold blue eyes and smug smile whipped a chair over from an accompanying table and sat down on it backwards. At first glance, this person seemed to be a man what with a rather weathered face and dressed in a long split sleeved long green tunic with dark blue trim around the sleeve cuffs, collar, and skirting; but if one listened closely when the figure spoke it was most defiantly a woman dressed as a man. Her outfit was completed by gray hose, soft leather shoes, a finely inlaid belt with a rather heavy purse hanging from it, and a turban style head roll over ear length red hair tucked back behind the ears. "Sorry to interrupt, lady," she continued nodding to the previous speaker, "I shall listen to you, and then with everyone's leave, I shall relate my tale." Seeing a small pause by the lovely D’win to welcome the this new person, he nodded his head with a warm smile Hail and well met good.. Si...rrr.... Agudo stopped himself as he realized by the voice he was hearing that this was a woman dressed in manly cloths Umm... yes well good Lady! I am sure the talented Lady D’win is more than happy to have another respected listener. May the Light welcome you amongst us O’ new wayward friend I am Agudo a humble servant of the Light and when every your heart wishes to bedazzle us with one your own account of splendid storytelling ..... He slowly waves his hand about the market of on lookers Please do not hesitate, for we merrily await such gifted musings! Yet if you would be so kind, who do we have the honor amongst us?
Khaira 05-24-06, 10:35 PM	http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongkheldar.gif "Hey Kharia you're living in Waterdeep? Why don't you stay in my house? It's up in the North Ward right on Tarsar's Street! It's a very nice house, Kulideb's been there once, you could ask her. All that I ask is that you look after the place for me." Agudo wouldn't have a problem with that would he? It was called delegating and it was a perfectly viable way to do things! Khaira actually turned around to Kheldar and laughed at his inquiry of her residence in Waterdeep. She lived ... everywhere, throughout all of Faerun. "I live in Waterdeep, aye Kheldar - I also live in Cormyr, Shadowdale, Berdusk, Beregost, Silverymoon, Darromar of Tethyr, Skald of Mulhorand, and a myriad of other locales too numerous to mention." With a mischevious wink, Khaira chuckled as she shrugged nonchalantly. "Of course, I am not always Khaira in all of those places, either ... being of what I am, it is a necessity to maintain several residences and have several entities residing in those residences. Having another residence in Waterdeep wouldn't be a necessarily bad thing, Kheldar ... if you don't mind. Certain individuals, I think, are getting too used to where I am now." Glancing down at the ground Agudo considered her words before replying If it must be as you say then I shall wait until that joyful day comes; seeing you cross onto the school grounds once more Khaira Wondering what gift awaits him back at the school the Clerical Mage let out a long sigh Khaira turned to regard Agudo somberly; things needed to happen that hadn't yet happened. If she walked into the school now, as she was, with things that hadn't yet happened ... some of the knights and Agudo-groupies would likely burn her at the stake. That was what happened when one meddled in political affairs. But then again ... that was her life's work, wasn't it? "Sadly, Agudo, there are things that haven't yet come to fruitation that I must, out of necessity, face and survive. If Corellon's Calling does not first fall upon my stage, I can guarantee you that sooner or later you will see me walking across the grounds of the school." She was quiet for a moment and then, in what seemed like a cryptic statement, she murmured softly to him. "...though soon, you may see one like me venturing across the grounds of the school, too." Keldorn Firecam has his cryptic reasons to follow you about Faerun Cracking a smile It’s rather ironic that my old knightly friend Firecam, now speaks like a mysterious wizard when it come to you Khaira What would a Knight have to do with your colorful past? I do not know and ...well... perhaps it’s best I don’t Khaira sighed and with a solemn, somber look, she nodded grimly to Agudo. There was a long pause before she spoke again. "My past, Agudo ... has a lot to do with everybody. It should come to you as no surprise that my life has spent largely in running and hiding. It has been my life. Unfortunately, I have not always run from enemies in physical state of condition. I've also run from my past many times ... many times. And sooner or later, as I have known all of my life, I will have to face that past which I've run from so long. Perhaps it will claim me ... and perhaps it will not. I don't know what may happen, nor do I know whether Khaira or Jhelana will emerge victorious ... but I know that what Keldorn has said is correct: I need to face my past."
eriwoj 05-25-06, 07:49 PM	"I shall answer any and all questions once the Lady D'win has finished." The oddly dressed new-comer pressed a finger to her lips and sat waiting for the story to end.
ruthia 05-27-06, 11:02 AM	After a long awhile she moves back into the ground. The dagger was silently again, for now. She sighs as she walks, it never felt good when she had to do this and give in. But if she didn;t....She shuddered at the tought of what happened the first time she fought it, the pain...the albsolute pain it caused. Sighing she licks her lips as she seethes the dagger, moving toward the middle of the gathering again. She pauses, looking at the group still. She smiles slightly, seeing Kheldar sitting among the small children. She looks toward Agudo, there was one she could only look at with mixed feelings. And then Khaira....oh the things they had been through together, the storied their lives had become. She sighs, moving to turn away again when a hand touches her shoulder, a soft voice in her ear. "your looking for forgiveness when it isn't their's to give." Ruthia sighs and places her hand ontop of the one thats on her shoulder. Without turning she says quietly. "Then who's is it?" The one behind her smiles softly and says "Only you can forgive yourself mother.....only you." Ruthia turns and looks up at Seran. The boy had grown since she last saw him, she was begining to feel ratehr short. He smiles and hugs him mother quietly, before looking at the group. He says in a soft voice "Go to them mom, I have business to finish." Ruthia nods and steps away from her son, quietly stepping towards the story telling group. She doesn't say anything, just moves to Khaira's side and stands, looking over everyone with her icey blue eyes.
MaskedOne 05-28-06, 12:36 AM	Ellaran looks at the newcomer with a faintly curious expression. His eyes flickering with a faint light. He doesn't comment, just waits patiently.
Agudo Archmage 05-28-06, 07:43 PM	Eriwoj "I shall answer any and all questions once the Lady D'win has finished." The oddly dressed new-comer pressed a finger to her lips and sat waiting for the story to end. Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Tipping his pipe at the new comer, Agudo nodded his head in understanding Ellaran ...looks at the newcomer with a faintly curious expression. His eyes flickering with a faint light. He doesn't comment, just waits patiently. The Clerical Mage smiled at Ellaran yet in truth the follower of Light was lost in thought still contemplating Khaira words Khaira I don't know what may happen, nor do I know whether Khaira or Jhelana will emerge victorious ... but I know that what Keldorn has said is correct: I need to face my past." By chance out of the corner of his emerald green eyes a familiar face pop out of the crowd Ruthia Ruthia turns and looks up at Seran. The boy had grown since she last saw him, she was begining to feel ratehr short. He smiles and hugs him mother quietly, before looking at the group. He says in a soft voice "Go to them mom, I have business to finish." Ruthia nods and steps away from her son, quietly stepping towards the story telling group. She doesn't say anything, just moves to Khaira's side and stands, looking over everyone with her icey blue eyes. Thinking to himself Hmm it seems the ghosts of the past like it here it seems With that Agudo listened to the exciting tale of D’win
LadyDwin 06-05-06, 09:31 PM	D'win stood there telling her tale of how Tristan lead Lady Akatherinee to a near by Inn, called the Harliqiunn's Rest, and helped her find a decent room. She also told of how Tristan gave the Lady Akatherinee back her Ever Jewel. She also told about how the Red Dragons attacked the town and destroyed the Harliqiunn's Rest. "It was a good thing though that neither Tristan or the Lady Akatherinee were in the Inn when the Dragons hit, but they did get caught in the streets. The streets filled with people and all a person could hear were the cries and screams of those who were caught inside burning buildings. Tristan wished to help all but knew that he couldn't. Stumbling, almost blind by the dragon fire smoke, Tristan met a figure. It was the Lady Akatherinee and she she hiding in a doorway. 'My Lady! Oh God what are you doing here!?' 'I was looking for more fighters and I saw the Inn get blasted. I was attempting to make my way over there to help people when more dragons arrived.' Lady Akatherinee was shaking so Tristan pulled her in close. 'Don't look into the streets or to the skies.' Tristan pulled her face into his breast and kissed the top of her head. 'Don't look.' If the Lady Akatherinee was listening to Tristan's voice she would have heard the quiver in his voice or she would have felt his tears on his face that dripped onto her head." D'win paused and took a drink, she noticed that everyone had been staring at her and blushed. "So how do you think this story is going to end?" She smiled at the children that were around her and then towards the adults in the crowd. They knew the story, it was a clasic. Still smiling she once again passed around her bag of suger treats and waited.
techhunter 06-06-06, 08:51 PM	Amber with her robotic companion clanking beside her (she really needed to fix that) walked to the market near her workshop. She tried to soothe her unease as she felt as a million eyes were upon her. She was far far from family, friends and home. But her duty to her country made it that this world was her home now. Her eyes darted back and forth as she took in the scenery. Noticing a well dressed woman telling a story to the local children, she stopped to listen for a bit. Interesting story....I wonder if she knows anything that be of use. If not I still have to find the metals merchant. Speaking to the robot.
Khaira 06-07-06, 12:32 PM	D'win stood there telling her tale of how Tristan lead Lady Akatherinee to a near by Inn, called the Harliqiunn's Rest, and helped her find a decent room. She also told of how Tristan gave the Lady Akatherinee back her Ever Jewel. She also told about how the Red Dragons attacked the town and destroyed the Harliqiunn's Rest. "So how do you think this story is going to end?" She smiled at the children that were around her and then towards the adults in the crowd. They knew the story, it was a clasic. Still smiling she once again passed around her bag of suger treats and waited. Khaira's facial expression was a mixture of scorn and cynicism. The story would either end two ways: either the knight would make some great sacrifice against the grand dragon overlord that was secretly controlling the dragons, and killing himself in the process ... or he would lead some great force against the offending dragons, for the great and grand and often mistaken glory of his god, routing the dragons from the town. With a hint of dark humor, Khaira stepped forward, throwing both hands to her side with an expression that seemed to say "The answer's obvious, isn't it?" "Knowing what I know of knights, there are, logistically and realistically one of two things that could happen. Either the great and grand Tristan..." Khaira's voice trailed off to nothing as she noted the multitude of innocent youth and eagerly awaiting faces that regarded, hoping that she would bring a message of hope or love. For a few long moments, she didn't speak. She remembered her own childhood, that precarious youth, seeking hold onto some grand and honorable ideal, not to mention her own actions not so long ago. Finally, after many painful moments of silence, Khaira shrugged and nodded, smiling even though her vision was becoming blurry with the tears in her eyes. When she spoke again, her voice was unstable, beginning to crack with emotion. "...the honorable knight will defend the people and save them from the tyranny that afflicts them..." Once again, the elven bardess - the vibrant sun elf with the perservering personality and the fearless courage - could not finish speaking. Instead, she turned around, her back to the children, whom now returned rapt attention to D'win. There were few who could now see the wet moisture of tears on her face.
ruthia 06-07-06, 01:05 PM	Standing silently at her friends side, Ruthia listens to the story with heavy heart. She felt she knew how this story would end, as many stories with dragons in them tended to end. With the death of as many of the dragons as possible. She sighs quietly, for here was yet another example of how missunderstood some races were. She bites her lip, not speaking up as she listens to Khaira speak up. She shakes her head slightly her hand clenching slightly at what Khaira left, though tactifully due to the children, unsaid. She didn't have to open her mind to Khaira's to know what she was thinking this time, they've both had their fair share of run ins with knights in the past. She looks at the ground momentarily, then back up as she watches all the hopeful young faces watching the story teller. Maybe...just maybe..she would tell them a story as well. But not one the potrayed dragons as the evil creatures, one that portrayed them as what they could be. Loving parents, caring friends, faithful companions, and above all...just another race that can be influenced by outside forces, by things they couldn't control. Uncounciously she grips the handle of the dagger at her side, clenching it tight as she does. Her mind fills briefly with images, past memories, past nightmares that the dagger holds. Eventually she sighs and releases it, best not to dwell on the past mistakes made. She turns her eyes to Khaira's back again briefly, taking a deep breath before looking back at those around her. Prehaps on day, she thinks to herself, I will know peace again. Just then Khaira turns away from the children. Ruthia looks up at her, the look on her own face saying she knows. Softly she says for her friends ears only. "not all dragons are bad.....just some of us get misguided along the way. But you of all people already knew that." She gives Khaira a wary smile.
eriwoj 06-07-06, 01:23 PM	"Interesting," thinks the red headed stranger as she listens to the story, "only ever met good dragons; met way more evil humans, and even one drunken elf once; used to have a really nice horse; never met a horse with a bigger heart. Ok so should I tell the one about that drunken elf or should I tell how I came to be dressed this way? Hummmmmmm, children present . . . best stick with the clothing story, less vulgar." The woman was now watching the crowd and completely lost in her own thoughts.
LadyDwin 06-09-06, 01:45 PM	D'win smiled, her story must not be as well known as she had once thought. She shock her head and rubbed her chin, all while smiling. "You are older by far than anything here and this story is so so very old." She smiled back at the crowd. "Well those are some interesting thoughts, but sadly not right, so let us continue on......Tristan held the Akatherinee close, sheilding her eyes from the horrible sights and her delicate flesh from the heat of the flames that the Red Dragons poured onto the town. Neither had any idea how long they stood in the doorway, for them it could have been years. Eventually the sounds stopped and Tristan dared a look into the streets, the dragons were gone, but the dystruction that they had created remained behind. 'The Dragons are no longer here, but the streets are in ruin.' Tristan let go of the Lady Akatherinee, but he remained holding her hand. Lady Akatherinee stepped out from behind Tristan and looked into the streets herself. What she saw terrified her, causing her to once again bury her face into Tristan's chest. The streets were full of rubble and alot of that rubble was burnt. From where the couple stood they could make out where the Harliquinn's Rest had been and several other important buildings. But also in the street were other sadder horrors...bodies. 'Come on My Lady we have to get you out of here. And I have to get to the Knights Headquaters.' Gently taking Lady Akatherinee's hand Tristan began to pick his way through the streets."
MaskedOne 06-17-06, 12:13 AM	Ellaran glances around. Hmm, may as well get something accomplished. Reaching into his cloak, Ellaran pulls out a small book and flips it open to a blank page before saying softly in an ancient dialect of Elven. Let thought become word. Writing begins to appear in a careful, elegant script. If any manage to see it then they may recognize it as a letter to a high ranking knight within the Order of the Radiant Heart requesting an audience with the leaders of that order.
Agudo Archmage 06-17-06, 10:10 PM	D'win .....paused and took a drink, she noticed that everyone had been staring at her and blushed. "So how do you think this story is going to end?" She smiled at the children that were around her and then towards the adults in the crowd. They knew the story, it was a classic. Still smiling she once again passed around her bag of suger treats and waited. Khaira's .... facial expression was a mixture of scorn and cynicism. The story would either end two ways: either the knight would make some great sacrifice against the grand dragon overlord that was secretly controlling the dragons, and killing himself in the process ... or he would lead some great force against the offending dragons, for the great and grand and often mistaken glory of his god, routing the dragons from the town. With a hint of dark humor, Khaira stepped forward, throwing both hands to her side with an expression that seemed to say "The answer's obvious, isn't it?" "Knowing what I know of knights, there are, logistically and realistically one of two things that could happen. Either the great and grand Tristan..." Khaira's voice trailed off to nothing as she noted the multitude of innocent youth and eagerly awaiting faces that regarded, hoping that she would bring a message of hope or love. For a few long moments, she didn't speak. She remembered her own childhood, that precarious youth, seeking hold onto some grand and honorable ideal, not to mention her own actions not so long ago. Finally, after many painful moments of silence, Khaira shrugged and nodded, smiling even though her vision was becoming blurry with the tears in her eyes. When she spoke again, her voice was unstable, beginning to crack with emotion. "...the honorable knight will defend the people and save them from the tyranny that afflicts them..." Once again, the elven bardess - the vibrant sun elf with the perservering personality and the fearless courage - could not finish speaking. Instead, she turned around, her back to the children, whom now returned rapt attention to D'win. There were few who could now see the wet moisture of tears on her face. Agudo http://www.members.shaw.ca/gordquigley/pictures/portlongagudo.gif Artwork copyright © 2003, Gordon R. Quigley Sitting back on one of the stands that stood next to his soap box Agudo chuckled at the posturing taking place Thinking to himself Ahh storytellers always one upping each others Well D’win did ask Smiling all the more, happily listening to the others in the crowd It was then Agudo eyed the tears in Khaira face as she turned from the others Perhaps more than just grand fun for others A story can bring back so many wonderful and sad thoughts of long ago times. The white hair Sorceress Ruthia was as well eyeing the Bard Ruthia Standing silently at her friend’s side, Ruthia listens to the story with heavy heart. She felt she knew how this story would end, as many stories with dragons in them tended to end. With the death of as many of the dragons as possible. She sighs quietly, for here was yet another example of how missunderstood some races were. She bites her lip, not speaking up as she listens to Khaira speak up. She shakes her head slightly her hand clenching slightly at what Khaira left, though tactifully due to the children, unsaid. She didn't have to open her mind to Khaira's to know what she was thinking this time, they've both had their fair share of run ins with knights in the past. She looks at the ground momentarily, then back up as she watches all the hopeful young faces watching the story teller. Maybe...just maybe..she would tell them a story as well ......Softly she says for her friends ears only. ......."not all dragons are bad.....just some of us get misguided along the way. But you of all people already knew that." Puffing away on his clasic corn cob pipe, the follower of Light was perplexed by the sad expretions on his two old adventuring friend’s faces Mumbeling outloud he said to himslef more than others Hmm if only Ruthia or Khaira would turn a tale or two I am sure the crowd would be enthralled by those exciting escapades Eriwoj The woman was now watching the crowd and completely lost in her own thoughts. "Interesting," thinks the red headed stranger as she listens to the story, "only ever met good dragons; met way more evil humans, and even one drunken elf once; used to have a really nice horse; never met a horse with a bigger heart. Ok so should I tell the one about that drunken elf or should I tell how I came to be dressed this way? Hummmmmmm, children present . . . best stick with the clothing story, less vulgar." The woman was now watching the crowd and completely lost in her own thoughts. Taking note of the manly clothed woman happily listening to those about her Agudo smiled her way once more for just a moment. Ellaran .....glances around......Hmm, may as well get something accomplished. Reaching into his cloak, Ellaran pulls out a small book and flips it open to a blank page before saying softly in an ancient dialect of Elven. Let thought become word. Writing begins to appear in a careful, elegant script. If any manage to see it then they may recognize it as a letter to a high ranking knight within the Order of the Radiant Heart requesting an audience with the leaders of that order. Looking over his friend shoulder Agudo winked at Ellaran Busy bee are we....As I said your most kind to offer aid and I thank you May the Light guide you this day He whispered as to not interrupt the enchanting angelic D’win D'win smiled, her story must not be as well known as she had once thought. She shock her head and rubbed her chin, all while smiling. "You are older by far than anything here and this story is so so very old." She smiled back at the crowd. "Well those are some interesting thoughts, but sadly not right, so let us continue on......Tristan held the Akatherinee close, sheilding her eyes from the horrible sights and her delicate flesh from the heat of the flames that the Red Dragons poured onto the town. Neither had any idea how long they stood in the doorway, for them it could have been years. Eventually the sounds stopped and Tristan dared a look into the streets, the dragons were gone, but the dystruction that they had created remained behind. 'The Dragons are no longer here, but the streets are in ruin.' Tristan let go of the Lady Akatherinee, but he remained holding her hand. Lady Akatherinee stepped out from behind Tristan and looked into the streets herself. What she saw terrified her, causing her to once again bury her face into Tristan's chest. The streets were full of rubble and alot of that rubble was burnt. From where the couple stood they could make out where the Harliquinn's Rest had been and several other important buildings. But also in the street were other sadder horrors...bodies. 'Come on My Lady we have to get you out of here. And I have to get to the Knights Headquaters.' Gently taking Lady Akatherinee's hand Tristan began to pick his way through the streets." Seeing that the talented limerick maker had stopped for dramatics; the Clerical Mage pushed his blue and white sleeves back and began to applaud Please Lady D’win.... don’t keep us insipience. More people in the crowd began to chant for more of her fun tale.
Khaira 06-18-06, 09:07 PM	Just then Khaira turns away from the children. Ruthia looks up at her, the look on her own face saying she knows. Softly she says for her friends ears only. "not all dragons are bad.....just some of us get misguided along the way. But you of all people already knew that." She gives Khaira a wary smile. Half-heartedly, Khaira nodded her head, uncharacteristically speechless. Even as the lady storyteller's tale continued, she still didn't turn around. Even with the Archmage's mutterings, which she couldn't quite make out the words to, she still didn't turn around. After many long moments, she turned to Ruthia, the remnants of the emotion evident on her face, and in her eyes. "It's not just the story ... or the presence of any specific individuals ... and not even the dragons in the story..." She turned to look at the children again, waiting in anticipation. She wondered, now, what she looked like today ... what she'd grown into. All of a sudden, Khaira's eyes were not on the scene before her. Standing on the streets of Zakhara, holding a swaddled bundle that was perfectly calm in her arms ... she still pained from birth, pained from the experience, pained from the loss. Looking down at the face within the bundle, she sighed. She had his smile, his demeanor... Khaira looked up to the two women around her, the two women with oriental skin ... the women she had learned everything from, who had taught her so much - and not just about dancing. The women who'd introduced her to Reyvin, and taught her to love all parts of a person. ...the women who now held too many memories for her to stay. It was with a tear-choked voice thaht she next spoke "Watch over her. For me. For Reyvin. Never tell her about her mother ... until she's old enough. Let her find her own way ... away from me. Don't tell her about me or ... or ... Rey..." There were so many tears streaming down her face that she couldn't finish speaking ... but both women knew well what she wanted. They simply nodded as Khaira handed over the bundle. Then, turning, she walked away from them, from that precious bundle, from the corpse of Reyvin, the elf whom she'd loved for many years, from everything she knew. She walked away. Looking at the children, tears streaming full force down the chiseled features of her cheeks like the sudden coursing of opened floodgates, she could only whisper, in a hoarse voice, a few words before turning away. "Children ... children ... what have I done?" She drew the hood tight, up over her head then, to hide her facial features. Within the depths of the hood, she drew down what appeared to be a tightly knit, black shroud, and place it over her face. Nobody could see this weakness. Within this crowd could be many of her enemies. They would find the source of the weakness, and exploit it, use it against her. That was why she left. That was the very reason for everything...
eriwoj 07-10-06, 01:22 PM	"Well, story teller, finish weaving your tale. Can you not see the suspense is much to great to bear?" the woman in men's clothes comments. She is paying attention although still lost in her own thoughts.
Agudo Archmage 07-19-06, 07:03 PM	((OOC looks like the old MOP boards are back soooo on with the show :D )) Standing up to grab a spiced drink from a nearby purveyor, the Clerical-Mage heard the new maiden callout eriwoj Well, story teller, finish weaving your tale. Can you not see the suspense is much to great to bear?" the woman in men's clothes comments. She is paying attention although still lost in her own thoughts. She seems to be taking a brake my dear If you like we would be most honored, to hear your grand tales of the Realms Several people who had gathered around a spiced meat vendor; of roasts and glazed duck, agreed with Agudo Hear lass don’t be shy! Tis good times! Come now someone bost a story or two?
eriwoj 07-28-06, 08:02 PM	"Well now, since our other tellers have become silent, I would like to share a story of a very misguided young lord," the woman in men's garb hopped up on her chair to give herself a more commanding presence. "This young lord, and I sha'n't name names, was greedy. He taxed his people heavily and asked too much of them and their farms," she took of the air of an actress giving a one-man show as she saw several of the locals nodding in response to her comments on taxes. "I know this seems all too familiar to some if not most," she continued, "and truely thought. You see everyone in the kingdom knew of his misdeeds, yet no one was brave enough to face him, not even the king. At least everyone thought no one was brave enough to face him. "Then one day while out hunting with hawks and dogs. The lord and the two men accompanying him came upon a rather handsom, though somewhat work toughened maiden, gathering wild herbs," she paused to allow ideas to form in the minds of those present.
Agudo Archmage 07-30-06, 07:26 PM	Walking back to the Market Storytelling coner, a couple of drunkes, started teasing the dapper Priestly fellow. Heheh yer as bright a peacock! Said a human male with one eye The tipsy Dwarven woman with him laughed outloud And ye be almost as cute! Listen, you two fashion critics, of the Realms. We have traditions you know! Bards wear a size to small, overly revealing tights and flowing shirts! Knights have hot sticky armor and short cropped haircuts! Rangers dress like Robin Hood! Druids and Barbarians, wear fury, smelly, animal skins that give them rashes! Rogues have kinky leather cloths, stilettos shoes, whith whips and chains to get them through the night Monks are flip-flop wearing, brown robe chanting surfer fanatics And my favorite! The educated Priestly sorts and Arcane users.... Wear gaudy, sometimes sparkly clothing that make them look like drag queens Cracking a wide smile Agudo looked at them both It’s just the way things are! The two drunks just blinked and blinked dumbfounded A minute latter, the Follower of Light, sat back down to enjoy the new if somewhat manly looking womans story.
MaskedOne 07-31-06, 07:34 PM	Ellaran raises an eye at Agudo's unique sense of fashion and pulls out a flask from within his robes.
eriwoj 08-09-06, 09:55 PM	The current story teller chuckles to herself at the short exchange of fashion wisdom and then continues, "Well, of course, this young lord being greedy and selfish in all other aspects of his life couldn't help but want to be greedy toward women. He called the young lass, and she looked up from her work as he dismounted to make his way over to her. As he spoke with her, she did him every curtosy expected of a peasent speaking to a superior. "Then, you know what the fellow did? Instead of inviting her to come with him, he flat out called her his property and forcfully threw her up in the saddle. He got on behind, telling his men to gather the hounds because he had bagged his limit. The young woman of course protested and even struggled a bit, for she was no stranger to this lord's ways. "He returned with her to his waiting carriage with ... I suppose I should keep this clean, there are children present ... hummm, what words ... ill intent ... forming in his mind. He pushe her inside, and since his men were still busy finding the dogs, he figured they would not disturb him. "What he didn't expect was for the young woman to be ready when he, himself, climbed into the carriage. Even though she had struggled to break free of his grip before, she could not easily grab her weapon. For as soon as the door was closed, the young lord found himself looking right down the blade of a rather large cooking knife. I shan't try anything silly if I were you, dear girl, he bid. But for all the threats that shortly followed, she would not back down. He even pressed gently into the blade, figuring that she would slowly yield, but he only suceeded in procurring a small cut." The storyteller paused to clear her throat and let the suspense build.
Agudo Archmage 08-11-06, 11:59 PM	Feeling a tap on his shoulder, the follower of Light glanced up seeing a rather homely, but very tuff looking female Half-Org Umm yes? She grunted You forgot me! With a rather perplexed expiration, Agudo shook his head, truly not understanding I did? How...I mean why...or huh? Becoming annoyed, the Half-Org grabbed the Clerical-Mage by the shoulder and shook him Traditions.... You know! Rogues are kinky, and Bards be silly and like you! Mages are Drag queens ....Why not say me? Madam please.... Im not saying I’m a Drag-Queen....we just bare the responsibility of tradition of the Realms! Those magic rings and flashy robes make us look as such...not saying we are...well not all at least In other words we all have are place! You can’t have a Barbarian wearing Rogue cloths, and a Ranger wearing Clerical robes How would we tell the difference? Rolling his eyes Agudo continued People would start getting uppity Thinking they are better than they really are! What if the town Baker dresses as Mage with rings and all! Think about it....What if a tavern Winch starts acting like a Monk? She would kickbox every drunken Dwarf and grabby Halfling across the bar! It would be anarchy I say! Seeing she wasn’t going to let go, he blurted out Besides who are you then? Lifting Agudo up by the collar to bring him eye to eye, spittle from her mouth drip from the Half-Ogre’s mouth, Me fighter...how come you know say Fighters? Closing his eyes trying not to breathe, her particularly ranked breath, Agudo stammered But ..I..did madam I did mentioned Barbarians What’s the difference between a Fighter and Barbarian anyway? Frowning she shook Agudo some more Because Barbarians no as eloquent like me! It was then that the Half-Org smiled, knowing the Priestly fellow was truly shocked Hehe you know think I can use big words.... like eloquent... huh? Covering a his face with a silk hanky, Agudo nodded Impressive ...I take it that’s your word of the month? No be funny now say Fighters She grunted even louder Fine! Fighters are loudmouth, school bullies, that wear torn cloths, with cheep chain armor; who can only put three words together (Ug....Me Crush You!) Huffing he added Now put me down you big bully! That rights! And so she did flat on his back eriwoj What he didn't expect was for the young woman to be ready when he, himself, climbed into the carriage. Even though she had struggled to break free of his grip before, she could not easily grab her weapon. For as soon as the door was closed, the young lord found himself looking right down the blade of a rather large cooking knife. I shan't try anything silly if I were you, dear girl, he bid. But for all the threats that shortly followed, she would not back down. He even pressed gently into the blade, figuring that she would slowly yield, but he only suceeded in procurring a small cut." The storyteller paused to clear her throat and let the suspense build. Munching on some sugary nuts a Gnome chuckled, leaned close to Agudo as he lay there on the ground Certainly is a good story that manly dress lass gots going Tis getting warm out here yaaa know I wonder what comes next?
eriwoj 09-15-06, 05:23 PM	"Well, that young lady had that lord at her mercy. She ordered him to undress, which was actually to his liking. However, after he had stripped down to his hose, she gathered all his clothing and his money into a neat pile. She softly excused herself and stepped out of his carrige, carrying the plunder. "She set the loot on the ground near a tree and climbed into the driver's seat of the carriage. To see her stirring up the horses into a quick trot would have been the delight of many a lover of horse flesh. Once the carriage was well underway, she lept from the seat and stumbled back to retrieve her goodies before vanishing into the woods. "The young lord's friends soon returned to find him and the carriage missing. They set the dogs out at once to find him. "Now, rumor has it that when they did, he was wrapped in nothing but a blanket looking quit pale and confused, his horses had run themselves to death, and the carriage wheels were smashed. They took him home and slowly coxed the story out of him. "The next morning the lord's friends set out in search of the girl who had robbed him so outright. They wished to catch her in order to keep her from telling people what she had done. They searched the woods and the neighboring country side for a fortnight, but no trace of her could be found. "When the they returned to the manor, they found the animals had been turned loose or stolen, the stable had been ripped apart, and the house burned. In the center of the ash was the sword the young woman had taken, and on top of that a single glove. "The friends thought that their lord was dead, but he slowly came crawling out from a hidden passage not very far from where the house had once stood. He took a look at his friends and then at his destroyed residence immediatly understanding this symbolic challange. He told his men to make ready, and took three days to prepare an army of his loyal followers and set out to collect every last penny from the people of his land. "...This is where it gets ugly, the children may want to cover their ears..."
LadyDwin 10-05-06, 10:41 PM	D'win took a deep breath, like she had been underwater and getting air for the first time. Looking around she seemed lost for a moment, "Where am I?" Then it dawned on her, she was in a farmer's market telling tales and seeing old friends. She took another deep breath and relaxed, finally smiling she looked around with happiness, the little ones had not seemed to notice that she had not sad anything for quite awhile. "Alright, where did I leave off?She beamed at the faces while one little hand shot into the air. Lady, you didn't leave off, you'd just gotton to the good part. Knight Tristan climbing to the top tower." The little faces beamed at her. 'Oh Lords, I blacked out.' thought D'win, 'I'm really starting to show and act my age.' "Alright. Well Tristan, with the Ever Jewel tucked safely under his breast plate next to his heart, finished climbing the steps. It was still dark and all he could see in the moons' light was the glint of spearheads from the army. They would not attack until dawn. Tristan yawned, it was going to be a very long night, he had the gaurd duty on the Top Tower. He bagan to pace back and forth to keep from freezing."
ultranet 10-29-06, 01:52 AM	does my sign in the cards changes..?