Portal to Adventure

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I heard the thump and then footsteps behind me. They were faint and someone without warrior skills would not have heard but everyone of Valencia's nerves begin to tingle and I whirled around, my sword almost jumping into my hands.

I sighed in relief as I saw it was Kiai and resheathed my sword. Greeting him with a smile, I said,"You really shouldnt sneak up on someone, you know. It could be dangerous in this world." My tone was light however and I knew from our sparring last night that he was capable of taking care of himself.

Thoughts of last night flited through my mind and I could feel a spot of crimson tinging my cheeks so I turned and buried my face in my horse's neck, hoping that he wouldnt see.

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

Entering reverie took forever, since the damned room wouldn't stop spinning... Once I was settled down enough to slip into the elven altered state of consciousness that passes for sleep, I was brought to full consciousness very abruptly:

I seemed to leave my body, and fly at unimaginable speeds to a place of trees that would dwarf even the California redwoods I'd seen once. Something within me knew that this was Arvandor... the home of the elven pantheon of gods! My spirit(?) flew down, through the trees, and came to a magnificently Elven palace. Straight through the open gates, into a quiet indoor garden, I flew, stopping before an androgynous figure of truly unearthly beauty and grace. S/He wore clothing of unmistakably fine Elvish make, with a sky-blue cloak, fastened with a large amulet with a crescent moon motif within a large circle.

I automatically performed the motions of deepest respect and love towards this entity, for, with every fibre of my being, I knew that this was Corellen Latherian, chief of the Elven pantheon of gods, and Father to the entire Elven race. "My Lord!" The words simply bubbled up from within me... I didn't fully understand why I was reacting so to this so-called god, but I had no more control over it than the wind.

S/He spoke, and I felt the words reverberate throughout the very core of my being... "Child, you are most welcome... Your return to the world of your birth has been some time coming, but all is ready."

What? Has this guy... uh, whatever... gotten me confused with someone else? I was born in Virginia! Not La-la-land!

"Your confusion is plain to me, daughter. Yes, I meant daughter. You must know your history and role, if the forces of darkness are to be thwarted. The full details of your role can wait until another time, though. Heed my words:"

S/He waved his hand, and an image formed in the air between us. Kinda like a really top-notch hologram, but with a MUCH higher resolution. I watched as a woman who looked a hell of a lot like Alia fought alongside some other people, against what were obviously the forces of evil. Over and over, I watched as she was attacked by assassins in the night, evil adventurers in the day, and summoned creatures at all hours. Finally, she appeared to be consulting a group of elven magi, and they cast a major, major spell on her. Then, I saw my mother giving birth to me in a hospital in Virginia. The segue was pretty obvious... I was that woman?

"Aye, daughter... the forces of evil had a prophecy concerning you, and bent all their will to destroying you. Your friends were falling like wheat before the scythe in their defense of you, and you sought the elven High Mage's assistance, as I had guided you to. They stripped your spirit from your body, and caused it, with help from me, to be reborn in the world of Earth. My reasons for this remain my own, for now. All you need to know at this time is that you are certainly worthy to be a priestess of mine, that I will gladly hear your prayers, and that, no matter what your friends may decide, your place is here in this world of Toril."

I wanted to protest, tell him he'd definitely gotten the wrong guy... GUY, dammit!, but I couldn't. The truth of this, of my god's words were etched upon my very soul, well... spirit, actually.

S/He spoke to me once more, "Your path has never been an easy one, Alia... Your time away from here has prepared you for what lies ahead, and I say to you that it was necessary. Know that your god is quite proud of you, daughter. Take that pride with you, for your adjustment will likely not be an easy one... and adjust you must, 'ere darkness falls upon all of Toril."

With a start, I came out of reverie, back in my body. My body. My seriously hungover body... Almost wish I could dismiss all that as the evermead talking... but I'd be a pisspoor priestess if I didn't know better than that.

Alyson popped her head inside the door, smiling at me, evidently amazed to see me up. She came over, bearing a mug of what smelled like coffee, but my 'other' self identified as bitter-root tea. She, quietly, said "So, how's the head this morning, Neale?"

I grimaced, "Nothing a critical with a Vorpal sword couldn't cure..." "Gimme a second." I had memorized a Neutralize Poison spell for this morning. Quickly and correctly, I performed the actions needed to call upon my god's power to neutralize the poisons within my body. A blue and purple glow manifested about me, and I felt a wave pass through me, washing my system clean of foreign toxins.

"Much better!" I smiled at the new figure of the girl... no, the woman, who had come to mean so much to me in the other world. I couldn't help to wonder about what would, could, or should happen in this one. "Aly... we need to talk, but now isn't really the time. I bet our fearless leader is champing at the bit to get us gone. Well," I paused, to sip the delicious bitterroot tea. "I think I can get my armor back on without you... but could you hang out, just in case?"

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

Awakened early by a srevant bearing breakfast, I barely had time for my morning rituals. I poured a cold basin of water and began stropping my razor before I forgot shaving was not a problem I had any longer. As I began my morning prayer, I felt a kind of warmth and peace surround and fill me, and the strange, edgy feeling of ill will somewhere nearby, but I couldn't quite nail it down. I basically renewed my commitment to fight the good fight, and prepared to save the world one more time. My neck and back made all kinds of interesting sounds as I stretched. Maybe I *am* getting too old for this.

Nah.

I hopped and skipped my way through the halls, rolling my arms and shoulders to loosen them up. If I was going riding today, I'd need my spine ready for any jarring. Valencia was already there and had a big red horse with white "socks"; she seemed ready to go. Kiai was nearby, a strange look of peace on his face. I still wasn't too sure about this trip to see The Sage; last time I'd been in Elminster's tower, Jhaele had pretty much studiously ignored me and the crew I was with for the better part of a day before so much as admitting that the scroll we were looking for was, indeed, part of Elminster's library and allowing us to copy the relevant passages. I only hoped the sort of thing these folks were involved in was big enough for Elminster to get involved with, otherwise they might just fall completely apart.

While I contemplated this, a large black horse shook off its stable hand and walked right up to me, nudging my shoulder then dipping into the horse equivalent of a curtsy. I got a sense of impatience from the animal as it nickered and tossed its head; it clearly wanted me in the saddle.

"If you don't already have a name, I'll call you Blaze, for this big white blaze you've got on your nose," I remarked.

Blaze nickered again and rolled his eyes.

[Edited by SpectreT on 04-06-2001 at 08:43 PM]

 

[Alaric]

Alyar

I rise from reverie in my room just before dawn, dress, and stroll down to the kitchen to find some fruit for breakfast. While there, I arrange for trail rations for the group to be packed and delivered to the stables.

That detail ataken care of, I grab a passing understeward and bring him with me to the stable to arrange any last-minute needs we might have in packing.

I arrive in the stable yard just after Kyle. As I walk out of the hall with the understeward in tow, I signal to a stablehand I know to bring my horse out.

Then I approach Valeria. "Good morning, my lady. I trust the day finds you better rested. Did the High Lady's accomodations suit you?"

I shift slightly to face the assembled members of the group. "I see you are eager to be on your way. Let us speak for a bit of the roads, then. It is a long journey from here to your chosen destination. There are several paths we might take from here.

"The easiest would be to travel by river from here down to Waterdeep, then by the caravan roads. This path offers least hardship, though it is not the shortest. It offers well-travelled pathways, with many other travellers on them this time of year. There can be a certain anonymity in being just another group on the main roads.

"The second path is cross-country, through the wilderness skirting Anauroch, the great desert to our east. This way is shorter, though it may take just as long due to the lack of roads.

"The third way is through the desert itself. It is the most direct path, though the land itself may offer the most hazards in that direction.

" I have travelled all of these routes before, so I can guide you along whichever you choose. The two questions you need to ask yourselves are 'How important is speed in reaching your destination?' and 'How concerned are you about being intercepted by the Zhentarim?'"

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

At the mention of the Zhentarim, I let out a low growl, and Blaze nudged me again.

"Zhentarim? Let the scum come. I'll personally send them to the hell that has waited too long to claim them." I paused, then looked at Valencia. "But that's not my decision to make. Valencia?"

Blaze stamped and whinnied, then shook his head at me.

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Looking to Valencia for her decision, he places hsi hand on her shoulder and softly smiles at. he nods his head slightly, and turns away, to find a good horse.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I looked over to Kiai and gave him a grateful smile for the encouragement. Turning to Alyar, I said,"Time is not my concern. Safety is. We may have bodies that are used to the way the world is but our minds have yet to adjust. We take the well traveled paths and simply try to keep up a good pace."

Looking around I added, "As soon as everyone arrives, we leave."

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Kiai walks over to a bench, and sits down... He looks around the peaceful area, and casually looks at Michelle/Valanecia...

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

I sigh and look at Blaze.

"If you plan to stick around me," I was interrupted by the horse nudging me again, "If you plan to stick around me, you're going to have to learn patience, Blaze."

Blaze snorted.

I looked around, wondering what could be keeping the others...

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

Without too much difficulty, now that I was sober, I got my armor on, and gear together. Together, Alyson and I walked by the kitchens to grab a bite for breakfast and some more of that lovely tea, and headed out to where the party was to meet this morning. Some of the others were already there, waiting with a large group of horses. I allowed my intuition to lead me to the one I was to ride, a fine bay mare with white socks. Lightly, I leapt into the elven-styled saddle, and held a hand down to Alyson to help her up to a spot in front of me. Since we were, by far, the lightest two members of the party, it made sense for us to share a horse. The elven-style saddle made it easy for her to sit in front of me, as well.

"So, Val, Alyar... which way do we go first?"

 

[Celestiale]

Sutashi

I guess that I had been more tired than I'd thought...the last thing I remembered was sitting on the settee with my over-sized tome of spells open in my lap. Lothius had joined me in my chambers and was nonchalantly juggling three small, glowing orbs in one hand, as he sat listening to me chant. The orbs were mesmerizing...and I was just so exhausted...

I awoke in my bed, the coverlet tucked snugly around me, and I sat up startled, looking around the darkened room. My feline-like eyes quickly adjusted to the dim, morning light and I found Lothius still fully dressed and curled up on the small sofa.

I smiled softly as I eased out of bed and went to kneel before his angelic form. He was truly beautiful laying there, his face composed in slumber. Even without his winning smile, his face was quite handsome, and I studied it's slopes and angles, my fingertips reaching up unconsciously, readying to brush against his unshaven cheek.
That is, until his eyes popped open suddenly...

I leapt back in embarrassment, hoping he hadn't noticed that I had been studying him with such infatuation, and tugged gently at my gauzy gown.

"I hear the other's readying themselves near the stables." I spoke, almost purring. My newly acquired senses were already proving useful. "We should hurry..."

I bit my lower lip hesitantly then turned and went to the basin, splashing my face with the cool water. "Please forgive me for falling asleep on you last night, I guess I was more exhausted than I'd thought."

I turned back to face him, averting my shy eyes as I packed my things. "...and thank you for putting me in bed..."

I smiled, locking my gaze with his for a moment, then glided out the door and down to the stables.

 

[Ask For More]

Taran

I awoke early and refreshed, the sky just beginning to dawn. After washing and dressing, I headed down to the kitchen to get something to eat. Even though it was early, there were already people preparing breakfast, and it was easy for me to get some food. I went out onto the roof and settled down to eat my breakfast.

After eating I lay back and closed my eyes, letting the light creep over me as the sun rose. The heat was comfortable, and before I knew it I had dozed off.

When I woke up the sounds of the city filled the air. The air was still slight chilly so it must still be early morning. Standing up, I walked around and noticed the rest of my company gathering at the stables. Guess it's time to leave then. Rushing down to my room, I collected the remainder of my stuff and made my way to the stables.

Just as I arrived Val was laying out the situation. To me the safest route seemed like the best option, although something troubled me.

"Just a thought guys. I think the safest route is the best option, but what the hell are the Zhentarim?"

 

[Alaric]

Alyar

"As you wish, milady. From here we ride south, then, through Everlund and down the Evermoor Way to Yartar. Though it is the eeasiest route from here, the trail will be difficult. Do not be fooled by this pleasant morning; you are still in the mountains of the North in early spring. Tomorrow may bring us rain or sleet or snow, and so it will go for weeks yet.

"Each of you check your packs and be certain you have warm bedrolls and sufficient winter clothing. Trail rations will be brought from the kitchens presently. If anyone is lacking any other travelling gear, please inform this good steward" (I gesture to the man beside me) "and he will see to it. I recommend each of you carry flint, steel, and tinder to light half a dozen fires; torches or a lantern; and two coils of rope. For any who carry bows or crossbows, an extra saddle quiver would not be out of order. As long as we have mounts to carry the extra burden, it would be hard to pack too many arrows or bolts.

I turn to greet the stablehand who brings my horse, a long-legged dapple gray, clearly built more for speed than battle, though with a deep chest that suggests endurance as well. "Thank you, Will, for caring for him so well." I take the reins and whisper a few words in Elvish into the horse's ear.

Then I turn to Taran. "The Zhentarim are the source of your situation. As I understand it, the one who sent you to this world is--or was--one of their number who ws forced out of this plane of existence and into the one from which you came. Presumably, they will have some interest in your presence here, particularly if it might in some way help the outcast return. It is uncertain whether they know of your presence here. If they do, there will be danger no matter which way we travel: they have a widespread network of spies and informants. Their agents hold little sway in the North, but as we travel farther south along the Sword Coast, we will be more exposed should they detect us."

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

I surveyed my belongings, stowing them neatly in saddle bags. Blaze snorted, seemingly heckling my preparations.

"Just my luck," I said drily, "my mount picks me, and thinks he's a jester. Can I maybe find a brick wall to knock my head against?"

I rifle my packs again. Something I'm forgetting....

I snap my fingers. "Healer's kit! I knew I was forgetting something!" I nod to the fellow. "Might I borrow a healer's kit? Between the Feywarden and myself, it may seem superfluous, but I, for one, would be happier if we had one, just in case."

 

[Isolde]

OOC: I am going to post tomorrow. I recieved an email from lostinn and, due to RL circumstances, he is having to drop out so I need some time to write him out and get ahold of Angelius to see if he is still going to play our bad guy.

 

[Angelus]

OOC: I'll still be the bad character in the thread, just need to get back into the swing of things. Sorry I haven't posted for a while all.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I looked around at my companions. "Is everyone accounted for,"I asked."Wait a minute! Where is Justinian?"

As if on cue, a messanger came up and handed me a parchment. Opening it I begin to read. It was from Justin. He had decided to stay in this world and explore this life more. He apologized and said that, should he change his mind, he would catch up to us with the help of the lady.

I sighed and passed the parchment around for the others to see. It was his choice and I honestly couldnt blame him for wanting to stay in a world as beautiful as this. Shaking my head, I mounted my horse and turned toward the others.

"Lets ride," I called to them,"We have a long way to go and I want to get us back home before something else happens to lessen our numbers even more." Looking over to Kiai, I let my eyes send a message that I would like for him to ride beside me. He was quickly becoming a source of strength to me and I wanted him near.

 

[Angelus]

Bail

After what seemed like a year of planning everything down to the smallest detail Cyric's plan had to start with the most risky thing that Bail could do, go and meet up with the group that he had to help destroy. He walked from his room and looked at the group that was assembled there and with a smile said, "Okay, it is time for us to ride. Do you know where they are."
"They are in leaving Silverymoon at the moment my lord," one of the mages said.
Bail said nothing, he just smiled then walked to his horse and got onto it then looked around and began to ride towards the gates which opened slowly.

As soon as they were outside of the city Bail turned to the group and told them that they were riding to Shadowdale. He didn't know why he knew that they were going there it just seemed like some inner voice was telling him to go that way. They began riding hard, hoping to beat the group to Shadowdale, the home of Elminster and the only one that was surely going to help this group.

Suddenly Bail stopped and looked up at the sky then turned and looked back at his most powerful of mages and said, "I want you to do something for me now. I want you to teleport me to where that group is- I want to lay a trap for them."
"I can not place you right where they are but I can teleport you to where you will meet them."
"Fine fine.... just do it," Bail said.
The mage looked at him in distaste and raised his hand to start the spell. Just as he finished and Bail began to disapper he said, "Ride onto Shadowdale. I will meet you there."

As soon as Bail reappeared he saw that he was now on the road outside of Silverymoon and he knew it was the best place to wait so he found a stump of a log and sat down.

 

[Kepic]

Jamie / Jothal

"I've been thinking" I said, as I saddled up onto a black mare, which looked a sturdy enough steed for the journey. "I've played more than one character in this world, as we all have. Perhaps we could get some allies, assuming they all exist?" I said. "I - or Jothal - hasn't been to Shadowdale before, but I used to play a halfing priestess of Cyrrollalee, Lilly Merryweather, who gained a home there, after helping Randal Morn."

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Standing up Kiai walks aroudn sayign goodbye to the settigns while the others get ready for the journey. Walking by an open stable door, Kiai looks inside and sees, a Grey horse rearing as stable boys tried to take it under control. Walkign in slowly, one stable is trhown back towards Kiai. When he gets up he looks at Kiai and says, "Please sir. You mustn't be in here. this Stallion is very dangerous. " Looking down at the boy, Kiai says calmly, "Don't worry lad. It looks liek you are the one who needs to leave. those cuts should be fixed. Let me help witht he horse, I used to ride back in the re...er.. i mean Im Fimilliar with horses."

Walking over to the horse, one of its harnesses comes lose, and it rears on its hind legs. Kiai grabs the rope, and pull the horse down on all fours., and looks it deeply into the eyes. The grey stallion is eerily silent, and barely moves. It Struggles to try and back away, but slwoly calms down. Kiai pats it on the side of its head, and turns to the stable boys, "May i take this horse?" One of the Stable boys says with an unbelievinglook on his eyes, "Sure m'lord. I doubt we would be able to keep it here much longer anyways."

Saddling up on his horse quickly, Kiak starts to ride back to everyone else and has a straneg thought cross his mind. 'That was very weird. This character shouldnt be able to do thhat... yet i had a character before.. ym Ranger Van, who could tame any horse he met... Maybe thers more o this place then we even think..."

 

[Toku]

Lothius

Lothius watches as Sutashi leaves before he could say something. He gets up, which isn't easy for someone who slept on a small couch, "ouch, you and your weird habits, sleeping on that couch just to be near her," he mumbles to himself, but than realises what he had just said, "I mean to protect her....I think."

He takes off the clothes in which he slept, peaks into the hall, making sure that nobody is around, walk into the hall and runs in his underwear towards his room, where his fresh slothes should be. Luckily, it isn't very far from Sutashi's room. He quickly closes the door and sits down for a moment, thinking of last evening.

Sutashi...Ivy...had fallen asleep at one moment, after which he had admired this sleeping beauty, listening at her soft breathing. He found out it was not appearance that made someone, it was their inner beings. The beautifeul woman sleeping in that chair was as much Sutashi as she was Ivy. Lothius quickly realised what he was doing, he was almost touching her, so he quickly got back on the couch and tried to sleep, but he couldn't. He said to himself she couldn't sleep very comfortable in the chair so he lifted her up. Touching her gave him a tingling feeling in his stomach and gently but quick laid her in bed. He did not dare to undress her, not knowing how she would react the next morning. He got back on the couch, tried to memeorise some spells and slowly fell asleep, listening to her breathing.
When he awoke this morning she was standing in front of him, he did not know how to react and before he could say something she was gone. He had never been in a situation in which he did not know what to say......

His daydreaming suddenly stops when he realises the others must be waiting for him so he quickly gets dressed. He was glad the clothes he got were blue, they were even prettier than his former clothes. He takes his staff and his little bag with personal items and runs towards the stables, where he and his friends would meet.

On his way down he made a little stop at the kitchen where he quickly got breakfast, stuffed some food in his larger back and got some ingredients for his spells.

Everyone was waiting for him, so he puts up his most charming smile and enters the stables, "wait no more, friends, 'cause it is I who has arrived."

 

[Celestiale]

Sutashi

I found myself mounting a skittish mare and I could only assume that she was nervously sensing the feline within me. Softly I murmured to her, promising that after we were out of the city, I would take on my bi-pedal form and talk to her in the language of animals. I was hoping that my tone and sincerity would soothe her a bit, but I could tell that it was going to be a bumpy beginning.

"What is her name?" I asked a stablehand softly. He told me she was an Andalusian called "gin'iro" for her beautiful silvery-grey coloring. I smiled and pet her gently, then looked to my friends, saying a small prayer of protection for us all as we readied to depart.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I bit my lip and thought over what Jothal had said. It was an interesting thought. Mulling it over in my mind though, I shook my head,"We were picked for these forms for a reason. The professor knew what he was doing as he made each figurine. I dont think the lives of any of our other characters would do us any good. And if they exist in this world than we would meet them and our tale of being them in another world would not only be time consuming but probably not net us much gain."

"However, I do believe you have hit on something. Each of us has an alternate life here and we could tap into the resources that are available there. If we have memories of others why would they not have memories of us. For instance, I have memories of my Amazonian tribe and the 'sisters' who were a part of Valencia's life even to memories of growing up there and being trained as a warrior. I am sure I could call upon their assistance to help us in our quest as I am sure each of you could call upon those in your own pasts to assist us and it may even give us an edge in reaching our goal."

Dismounting again, I pulled one of the stewards off to the side and requested parchment and quill. When they were brought, I closed my eyes and delved into Valencia's memories of this world and her heritage and, opening my eyes, I begin to write. The writing on the parchment was strange yet familiar at the same time and flowed from the quill as if I had been reading and writing in this language from my birth.

I signed it with my name and a signature below that that I knew my queen would recognize as being from one of her own. I let the ink dry and then rolled the parchment and handed it to the man there. "Give that to your fastest female runner. I would not send a male as it may complicate things. Amazons are not known for their trust in the male gender."

Looking over at the others, I said,"I would suggest that any of you who wish to communicate to those you 'know' in this world should do it now. I do not know when we will reach the next town that can get a message off for you."

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

The fellow I'd sent off came back, lugging a good-sized box slung over one shoulder, which he handed off to me.

"Thanks. Don't think you needed to pack her Ladyship's whole apothecary in here, though" I remarked as I checked its contents. Tyr's blood, there was even a full set of dental tools in here! Smiling I packed the box into my saddle bag, right near the fifty feet of silk rope. Never knew when a bit of rope would come in handy.

"All I need now is an eleven-foot pole," I remarked to Alia.

The Feywarden regarded me from her perch atop her horse. "And why would you want an eleven-foot pole?"

"Some things we might run into that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole." I replied, all big eyes and innocence.

She did a convincing job of acting disgusted with my jest, but apparently Blaze thought it was very funny, whinnying and nodding at it. I hopped lightly into the saddle, drew my sword, took a few swipes and stabs, nodded, and sheathed my weapon again.

"Ready for action," I announced.

 

[Kepic]

Jamie / Jothal

"Hmm" I mused, "well, I think I have a favour or two I can call in."

My mind turned to a silver wyrm I had befriended in one of the adventures the professor had ran, Brightscale. I could get in touch with her easily enough. She had no love of the Zhentarim, and she had promised me aid when I needed it. This looked like a good time to call it in.

"The other question is," I said, with a frown, "can we trust the professor's motives. If he was part of the Black Network, before they banished him to our world..."

I shook my head. "He was a friendly enough guy as far as we knew him in our world. I'll stress that as far as we knew. For we obviously didn't know him at all, really."