Portal to Adventure

[SpectreT]

Kyle

"That's the second time I've heard of treachery, and I can certainly understand confusion, and not wanting to be in a sitation you did not ask for. This morning I was a man contemplating his coming honeymoon, and a vacation from righting the world's ills. Frankly, I'm getting too old for this. By afternoon, my beloved had to rescue me from a drow priestess who'd already managed to make a woman out of me. I doubt any of you can imagine what it's like to be stuck in the body of the opposite gender. I don't have a clue where Midnight gets her information from, but she's never steered me wrong. And if *SHE* can't make me her husband again, I'm probably stuck for it.. Maybe The Sage, but He's got other things to worry about, and this doesn't really affect my usefulness, so I'll save my troubles until after we've fixed yours. I have no idea who wronged you so badly that you greet all offers of aid with drawn sword, but I'll see them in the pits of hell for it!" The last of that was loud, and echoed in the hall, along with the dull thud of my fist on the table. A sharp crack, and my fist had splintered a small portion of the Ironwood table. My face was hot, and I knew it was red. I looked at the destroyed portion of table and went white.

"My apologies, lady, for the damage to your table, and the disruption of your supper. The events of the day, it seems, have affected me more greatly than I had thought."

*Great Tyr!* I thought. *I shattered Ironwood! With a fist! I cannot allow myself to truly lose my temper now...*

I shuddered at that thought and left the dining hall.

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

Alyar had just inhaled to respond to my question when an angry voice came from the other end of the table, where some of our party had been chatting with the female paladin we'd met earlier. Seems we may have wronged this fair lady... Then Kyle said: I doubt any of you can imagine what it's like to be stuck in the body of the opposite gender.

I widened my eyes at that remark, and burst out with laughter, barely stifled in my napkin. A moment later, however, my laughter ceased with shock, as Kyle actually managed to chip ironwood with his fist. Suddenly it all became clear to me: he/she was wearing a cursed belt of giant strength. Strangely, though, the strength was still active, even after the curse was triggered. An unusual effect, to be sure.

Perhaps our new friend and I had something in common, after all, despite our theological and philosophical differences. After all, we were sisters... sigh.

 

[HotStuff101]

OOC:

Hi soryr i ahevnt poste dina hwile. been busy. oh what tiem int he day is it? it it around dinner time? IF so my charcters is goign for a walk in a garden or sumthing ^_^.

 

[Alaric]

Alyar

As I turn to speak to the young elf beside me, there is a crack of splitting wood from down the table. I glance that direction as my left hand raises, ready to gesture for a spell...as I see the paladin rise and turn toward the door.

As my attention returns to Alia, my hand instead reaches for a small jewelled decanter to my right. "No, my lady, I was raised in Evereska, though my family traces its heritage back to Cormanthor. Most of my life, though, I have wandered western Faerun as my calling dictates, seeing to the needs of our people." As I raise the decanter to fill two small crystal cordial glasses, a pale amber liquid flows forth, almost seeming to glow itself in the candlelight. "The High Lady has provided an excellent vintage of evermead. A taste of home for you." Alyar makes a small seated bow as he presents the glass.

He lifts his own to her as she takes the one presented. "To Evermeet."

 

[Isolde]

OOC: Sorry its been dragging. Imoen is going to post for the lady tomorrow..she promises and then we can get this going again. The poor girl has been working twelve hour shifts IRL and is pretty much dead when she gets home.

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

I accept the glass from Alyar, and sip carefully. Oh, this is GOOD! Weird, though... it brings back memories for Alia... Maybe I better be careful, though. 'I' seem to remember that this stuff has a hell of an alcohol content...

"So, tell me, friend Alyar. What is it like, serving as a bladesinger? I'd thought of following that path myself, for a time, but our Great Lord Carrelon Latherian called me to serve him and our people as a priest and feywarden. Isn't this a wonderful evermead? Alustriel has some very good friends in Evermeet who supply it to her..."

Definitely a high alcohol content. Looks like this body handles it differently than I'm used to. Maybe I should be more careful... Ah, screw it! I've had a shitty day, this is the safest time and place for a little liquid recuperation!

Alyar notices that my glass is empty, and kindly refills it. I turn to Alyson, "A.. Callie, you really have to try some of this! Fantastic stuff."

[Edited by Neale on 03-30-2001 at 09:28 AM]

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

I wandered the halls for a while, calming myself and gathering my thoughts. This whole day had gotten under my skin, and a simple gesture of frustration had cost me a little more of the one thing I needed to help these adventurers: Trust. Someone had abused them badly, and recently. I didn't need to be a mindreader to see that. In my wanderings, I'd come to a beautiful garden, with an ornate marble fountain serving as a host to a creeping vine, whose white and pink flowers fairly glowed. The sound of the running water calmed me, and slowly I overcame the embarrasment of losing my temper in the Lady's dining hall; still, I'd better go back and face the music.

I get back just as Alustriel is about to speak...

 

[Imoen]

Alustriel

"I know of your plight, my dear, and that of your friends." Alustriel replied quietly to Valencia's impassioned plea. "There is little that goes on near or around Silverymoon that I am not aware of."

"You nor any of your party is disturbing this world in the least - in fact, your presence is more than welcome here. Given the oppourtunity I would love to question and explore your situation further." She admitted with a slight smile.

"The solution to your... dilemma, sadly, I am unable to provide. Although..." Her brow creased thoughtfully, "I do know of one that may be able to assist you."

"Elminster." She said simply.

She glanced around the table, taking note of the spark of recognition the name brought to many of the group.

"I see some of you know the name." She smiled widely. "A Mage of great renound. He could most certainly assist in your cause."

"It will be quite a journey - wroght with danger and peril. With the combination of my trusted friend and fellow Harper, Alaric, and that of Kyle, should she be able to hold the reigns on her temper," She said with a teasing smile, her glance lighting on the Paladin briefly before turning back to Valencia, "should prove as ample enough guides, as well as a measure of protection on your journey to Elminster's tower."

"I shall of course be happy to provide the supplies and mounts that will be needed for your journey. They will be ready for you on the morrow. I have had a room prepared for each of you for tonight, which my stewards will be more than happy to guide you to when you wish to retire."

"My wish for you all of you at the moment is to have a restful sleep after the rigors you have been subjected to today. And for myself.. Perhaps a song from the bard before the night weighs to heavily upon him?" The luster of her pale blue eyes gleam as she glances to Taran with a hopeful smile.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I sighed a bit of relief. "Both the paladin and bladesinger are welcome to join us. We could use all the help and guidance we can get." I dont know how I...or Val I should say...knew that the elf at the lady's side as a bladesinger but she did and I simply accepted that.

Pushing my barely touched plate away, I stood and gave a bow to the lady. "I am sure you shall enjoy Taran's song and I cannot tell you how much we appreciate your assistance. However alot has happened and I feel the need for a walk in your lovely gardens. If you will excuse me...."

She gave a slight nod of her head and a smile and I left the dining area and made my way to the garden. It was as if she knew the turmoil that was going through me and understood my need to get away from my new position as leader even for just a little while.

As I entered the beautiful gardens that surrounded the palace, I drew in a deep breath and my eyes gazed about in wonder. It was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen. Flowers and shrubs of all shapes, sizes and colors intermingled together in a pattern pleasing to the eye while the aroma they gave off gave her the feeling of floating on a cloud of the sweetest purfume.

Wondering through the breathtaking foliage, she almost forgot all her problems and the hardships she was still to face and she felt herself begin to relax. Coming to a particularly tall and colorful tree, she leaned against it and gazed up at the unfamiliar moon which, somehow, did not seem that unfamiliar. Taran's song floated out to her on the still breeze and she closed her eyes and allowed the tension to leave her.

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

I watched Valencia leave, and I prepared to follow her, my mind brimming with questions. Alustriel glanced at me and shook her head. Valencia needed some time away from everyone, it seemed, and given the way we'd locked horns earlier, I was going to give her that space. Alia was my next choice, but the Bladesinger seemed to have her attention, so I turned to the Sorcerer, Jothal. "If I'm going to help you folks, I'll need as much information as possible. Valencia mentioned something about you not being from this world, yet Alia seems to have friends here. Also, what of this betrayal? You all seemed far beyond what I would consider a normal adventurers' mental state when I arrived at the inn. One would think no one had ever tried to kill you before." I put a light smile into that one, to show I was joking.

 

[Kepic]

Jamie/Jothal

"Its hard to explain... I have a hard time coming to terms with it myself, as I'm sure my friends do."

I paused, thinking of what we had gone through so far.

"You're trapped in a body not wholly your own, and we are much the same. We don't come from this world - at least, part of us doesn't... I suppose you can say we're possessed... or possessing... these bodies, and will do so apparently until we've completed the quest that was given - forced - upon us by a powerful wizard of your world, who was banished to our own... like I said, its hard to explain" I said.

I saw her - or apparently, his - eyes flicker at the mention of possession, and quickly added "I suppose possession is a strong word to use - its more of a melding of thoughts and memories."

 

[Imoen]

Alyson/Caillean

I nod my head to Alia, watching as Alaric pours the amber liquid into my upheld glass.

"Just a drop though if you please, Alairc.. Thank you."

A small sip and I realize that that is quite enough, my eyes widening and a hoarse cough escaping as the potent liquid warms my throat. Replacing the glass back upon the table, a sheepish smile and an embarrassed blush color my cheeks at Alustriel's chuckle. The High Lady had noticed my reaction and was amused by it.

"Pardon me please, I believe I need some fresh air."

At her nod, I slip from the table and make my way to the gardens, awed by their beauty. I spot a movement in the corner of my eye and spy Valencia leaning against the trunk of a tree. I quietly make my way over. Not wanting to disturb her, but just wanting to make sure all was well. It was strange.. this world, strange and barbaric in many of it ways.. but incredibly beautiful in others - and overall, despite the Dur incident - not altogether unpleasant.

 

[SpectreT]

Kyle

"Well. Have you any guesses as to why you've been placed into these bodies? What can you accomplish that the people you've... melded with cannot? It seems you've been put in the place of skilled adventurers, and, I'm sorry to say, a *lot* of killing comes in this line of work. Too many of the megalomanic world-beaters we run into aren't going to philosophize, they're just going to gut you, and if that doesn't work, they'll keep coming till they get you, or you get them. I'm guessing that all life is held sacred where you come from. People and monsters need to lose this protection you give them if you're to succeed here."

I squeeze that all out as quickly as possible; these people were good ones, and when a kill-or-be-killed situation comes up, and I know it will, these folks *can't* freeze, or we're all dead.

"That said, I don't *like* killing; the ogre situation I actually managed to solve with words. We cut a deal with the ogres, basically. They leave the town and its farms alone, and we don't kill them. Simple, but it *is* a deal with ogres..." I grin again. Have to be careful and let these people know when I'm joking.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

Suddenly my warrior senses tense up. There was someone in the garden with me. I stop my hands from reaching to my sword realizing that it had to be someone from the party. But why would they be sneaking up on me and who could be so silent....

"Come out, Ali," I said quietly,"I know your there."

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

"Elminster, huh? Oh, boy." I'd 'met' Elminster before, in character. What would it be like this time? He had always been my favorite character in the Realms... but now it would be for real...

"Alaric, as much as I would love to sit here and enjoy this evermead, the room is starting to spin. As soon as our friend, the bard, performs, I'm finding my room, and passing out. Hopefully in that order."

Wonder if any of the natives had ever even seen a Priest of my order and rank get shit-faced... Oh well! What's the use of a 19 wisdom, if you can't ignore it once in a while?

 

[Kepic]

Jamie/Jothal

"Life is different where we come from, true enough" I replied. "Its just... well, most people are far removed from the major troubles of the world where we live. There is death and famine, war and so on... fought with weapons which would probably turn you white."

I smiled, and called out to Neale - or Alia, rather. "Hey, Alia. Do you think those stories about Elminster talking with Larry in the old Dragon magazines might hold some weight after all?"

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

I turned and grinned at Jamie, "Of course not! All that magic stuff was just bullshit, y'know?" After sharing a chuckle with him, I stood up and walked over to where our friendly neighborhood bard was warming up for his command performance. "So, what will you be gracing us with tonight? Gonna be the first person in this world to play 'Stairway to Heaven'?" Whatever he chose to play, I knew, somehow, that we were all in for a real treat... his character was a master Bard, and that ability was now enhanced by a repertoir that was -literally- out-of-this-world!

 

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

Finishing his meal, Kiai Rises form hsi seat. "Thank you very much for your generous hospitality M'lady." HE says bowing. "Please exucse me, but it is time for my meditations. Would u mind dearly if I went into your lovely garden?"


After gainign premission, Kiai, makes his way to the garden, feeling the cold night air rush against him. Scanning the Area Kiai lookos for a quiet place to practice his sword techniques.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

Realizing that Ali is either not there any longer or has decided to use her theivery techniques to stay in the background and give me time to be by myself, I begin to walk around the garden. A motion from the corner of my eye tells me I am no longer alone and I turn to see Kiai entering.

I smile and say,"It seems the garden is attracting everyone this evening. I shall not disturb you if you need privacy. Just put me out of your mind. I am just trying to come to grips with everything that has happened since that stupid game."

Sitting down on a nearby bench, I begin to undo the braid in my hair. In all of the fighting and choas it had almost come undone. Starting to braid it back once again, I added,"It's just totally crazy. I still cant believe it really real."

 

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

Re-Sheathing his Katana, Kiai slowly wlaks over to Valencia. Kiai says, "I know how you feel. I jjust think the best thign we can do is to become part of our roles and learn to use the ksills we have to get ourselves back..home." he looks down a bit, Seeing a flower that he some how reckognizes near him. He kneels down and picks the flower, and hands it to Valencia. "I remember this flower some how. It only blooms at night when the darkness it at its greatest. We must be like this flower, and show who we are in this darkest of times..."

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I took the flower and held it under my nose, breathing the scent of it in deeply. It was sweet and pungent and oh so familiar in that back-of-the-mind kind of way. Giving him a crooked smile, I shook my head and placed the flower in my hair before beginning to finish the braiding.

"Quite the philosopher, arent you," I said with a small laugh, though his words had helped to ease my mind. "Speaking of which I just want to be back in a world where the biggest worry I have is that philosophy test that I didnt study for."

With a sigh, I fastened the braid and drew my sword which still had the blood of the men that I had slain on it. Laying it on my lap, I begin to clean and sharpen it as I talked.

"Look at me," I said,"The ultimate party girl with nothing on her mind except what she is going to wear to the next social event and suddenly here I am appointed to lead a quest that could end in death for all of us. Has ended in death for one of us. My character may be one of the most powerful of the group but inside," I tapped my chest just above my heart,"Is Michelle...lost and afraid and feeling very alone. I just dont want to fail anyone. I cant afford to fail anyone."

 

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

Kiai smiles a little bit, and says calmly, "IT's important that you keep ahold of that real person inside of you. Thats what i think, is the key here. the only way for us to survive is to hold accept what has hapened and bring the best of both ourselves, and our characters together. And don't worry about leading us. You are quite capable, and I fo rone won't let anythign else happen to anyone. You have my word I'll try and make your job as stressfree as possible!" he says winking at her.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I laughed and it felt good. I had not laughed since this whole thing had started. Impulsively, I leaned forward and places a soft kiss upon his cheek and gave him a heartfelt hug.

Sitting back I said,"Thank you. That means more to me than you will ever know. And I will try to do my best, I promise. I still dont like the fact that we are going to be forced to kill at times but I wont let any of you down. When we get home, though I am going to have a heart to heart talk with a certain professor and show him just what I have learned over here."

Shaking my head I cleared the frown from my face that had formed there. "No, I wont stoop to that but I dont appreciate the way we were trapped to coming in here and I only hope that Dur is back home and safe."

Gazing at Kiai, I said,"But I am keeping you from something. I saw that you had your katanas drawn and I assume you were going to practice. Dont let me stop you. In fact I may just join you. If I am going to lead than I should be ready both physically and mentally."

 

[lostinn]

Disk Crash

Delete

 

[Neale]

[Edited by Neale on 04-01-2001 at 11:34 AM]