the sorceror's staff

[poohlive]

There was a reason why kids weren't supposed to talk. He didn't fully understand it until now.
"Ok, Elanor. You and Arthur were in a land where no one was able to get to until now," he ignored her request of the apple.
"I was just wondering how you "two" got there? It isn't safe for women and invisible men to be out all alone."
He wouldn't have even bothered, but she did pose much interest. Perhaps she held some magic of her own. A young woman with magic could be useful... for many things.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Manticore

The monster looked at the two, and started for town. "I am not a horse, human-creature, I am a Manticore."


The Wizard

After a moment, he noticed a Manticore near the edge of town. "Oh, my! Quite unexpected! But, useful nonetheless!"

He gathered himself up, and ran out to meet the hero. He stopped, looking at the three creatures. This was not his 'hero.' But, perhaps instead of being the hero himself, the man mentioned in the prophecy, the dwarven man he had brought here, was merely a way to collect a group of true heros.

It seemed likely. He stroked his beard thoughtfully before asking, "Would you happen to have the scroll?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Phaedures

It's amazing how easy information is to pick up...Once I reached the town, all I had to do was sit in the tavern and drink ale while I listened to the old people talk. THey spoke of the object of my interest quite often, although nothing was necessarily flattering of the person.
I listened for a few hours before I found what I needed to know.
I started west, traveling until I came across another town, almost eight hours later. I again went to sit in a tavern, following the common way of doing these things...listen, don't ask...NEVER ask. Showing interest evokes suspicious behavior. Act as a happy traveler to anyone who talks to you...basic answers: Yes, no, you don't say! THings of the sort. Never tell anyong anything true about yourself, and when you lie, do it with little detail. More detail leaves more information to contradict...especially if your lie involves an area or a person that your audience is familiar with. Eventually, in a small town, something will be said about anybody. Ina large town, anybody of importance will eventually mentioned.
I sat near the bar, waving for the bartender to get me an ale. He handed me a mug and collected the payment, then leaned on the bar and asked, "Are you one of the people with the mage over there?"
I glanced over at a table near the window and saw the old mage, drinking heavily from a mug of cider.
I looked back to the bartender and shook my head. "Is he someone important?" I asked.
The bartender shrugged, "I dunno. He's just with a few others, and he's been watching that window, as if he's expecting someone else. Thought maybe that was you."
I shook my head again.
"Just as well," the bartender said, "If you ask me, the guy drinks too much..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Phaedures

I sat down, sipping at my ale, looking around for the elders and finding none. I glanced back at the Mage, thinking, 'Why not? You've got to start somewhere, and he's not exactly a spring chicken...'
I stood to approach the man, but hadn't the time. He caught sight of something outside the window. The man stood, and hurried out the tavern door.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

"Oh, but where are my manners? I am Sorian. Please, come, have a drink at the tavern." He turned, stopped, and touched two fingers to the Manticore's forehead. "Traltiriac."

He smiled, and waved them after him. "Come now, come! Much to do, much to do! Please, have a drink, introduce yourselves, I'm just so happy to meet you! Where's Guildor?"

 

[silverwolf]

guildor/laren

"we seem to have misplaced ourselves and lost the group."guildor said "let's go to the tavern i know they'll show up there sooner or later"as we walk into the bar i see sorian in the far corner and we go over to join them."sorry we're late."i said as we sat down.

 

[poohlive]

Garret paused, noticing that the Manticore was arousing a lot of suspicion from town. He knelt down beside the creature, taking off his knapsack full of gold and the scroll.
"Larlairian, I shouldn't be more than a few hours. Wait at the edge of town, and try to stay hidden from travellers."
He tossed it over on shoulder, helping the young woman walk inside, and sit down at the table. He took a seat opposite of the wizard, looking at him contempulously.
The other two came in, sitting down later.
"Ok," he cocked his head slightly, "You sent a bumbling mage out to grab this scroll, who failed miserably. I got this thing, risking my own life and saving theirs. I want to know why? Why was this so important, what is it?"
A mug of ale was placed before him, and he drank deeply.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

OOC: Er...Oops. Okay, I was going to do something, but I made a mistake. Note to Self: Always explain what a spell is supposed to do...


IC:

He looked over. "Mage? Him? No, he's just a regular warrior. And that," he pointed at the other, "Is not someone I sent. But, onwards..."

He waved his hand. "The scroll is one of a set of five magic scrolls, each of which contains one fifth of the Way of the Wizard. They are important on the quest I have sent this bumbling one on. But, if anyone but a Wizard looks at them, they shall go blind. The Four Spires of the Creator, the Fortholds of the major religions of the land, guard they with a fervor. A friend of mine has...collected them, and waits for us in the Raga'duls mountains. That is, if you will join us?"

He looked at the man with hope in his eyes. This could be exactly what they needed. He took a deep swig of his refilled cider, and shushed the dwarf and wizard, who both looked rather upset at the unflattering talk about them. "Really, you two, let him think. This quest is very important. We need help..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Phaedures

I watched the old man leave the tavern, then moved to the window. I could see him outside, greeting a small group of people, talking briefly with them, then turning and leading them back inside. I went back to the bar and waited as they seated themselves in a corner table, beginning to talk. A few moments later, two more wandered in and went over to the group.
Their conversation wasn't my concern, but I decided I'd nothing better to do in the present, then decided to sit closer and eaves drop a little. WHo knew, I may hear the name of the one I was in search of, and if not, I may find that one of them needs a hand with something I could help them with...for a nominal fee of course.
I wandered over with my ale and sat down at a near table, listening intently to their conversation...

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: I knew you were doing something, but since I had no clue what it was I had to go with the next best thing.

Garret sighed, looking at the knapsack with the scroll. Not what he wanted to hear. Hey, let's go on a quest, come on, it'll be fun.
He gave the man a quick glance. He didn't seem evil, yet he doubted if anyone ever seemed evil. The whole purpose of evil was to not be evil until you had to be evil.
Did that make any sense?
He doubted it did.
Shaking his head, he glanced back at the Wizard, "Ok, I'll go with you. We'll make this phrophecy or whatever happen. Let's just get one thing straight, I want to get paid for my services, ok? Gold, diamonds, jewels, whatever, as long as I get a lot of it. Garret doesn't work for free."
He finished his ale, quickly asking for another. One for the road.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

Sorian smiled kindly. "Oh, I didn't explain what the quest is for, did I? Let us just say that if we succeed, you will have enough jewels and gold to rival the Emperor of the New Continent."

He didn't bother to mention that they were going against the Emperor of the New Continent. He didn't feel it was the time. These simple people from the 'Old Continent' would probably be a little stunned, and besides, he didn't want to scare them away.

Who would be crazy enough to go up against the most powerful wizard of all, who is rumored to be half demon who had plans to rule the world?

Besides, they'd never guess his intent, no matter how many clues he dropped. "Great! So, may I have the scroll?"

OOC: Okay, since I seem to be the leader of this little group, I've added a plot. If you have a problem with this, silverwolf, just pipe in and I'll change it.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Phaedures

Scrolls? Quests? Nothing that interested me.
I sat back, sipping down the ale and looking around the bar. Perhaps it was too early for the crowd that I needed to extract this information. FOr now, I thought, I'll listen to what they have to say...

 

[silverwolf]

guildor/laren

oocude,i have no problem with you leading for that was what i had planned,the wizard was to lead anyway,but i am going to pm you and tell you what is to happen with guildor and laren.should interest you very much.

 

[poohlive]

He took the scroll out, handing it to him. With that, he gave a slight nod to the rest of the group.
"Well, I don't want to be a sorry sport, but I feel the sooner we leave the better. I already have my Mantocore waiting with some supplies. We will need food and horses and things, for the long haul," he looked at the two young wizards, " That's your job. Get horses and supplies that will last at least a week."
He stood up, bowing towards the aging wizard, "I'd like to walk you out, I want to know more about this quest I'm risking my life on."

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

He smiled, and tucked the scroll up one of the sleeves of his robes, and then stood. "Oh, of course, sir."

He smiled, and walked out with Garret. "So, what would you like to know?"

 

[poohlive]

He nodded, steeping outside.
"I'm not stupid. This scroll obviously holds a great deal of power if it was guarded so heavily. Then, to get five of them, it seems like your about to start some shit..."
He paused, debating the other side,
"Or, someone else has already started some shit, and your trying to bring it back to normal."
He let his eye arch just so, not sure of which.
"I want to know what these scrolls will do, and what you are going to do with them? What is the way of the wizard?"
He paused, thinking for a moment, "Mostly, how many times is my life going to be in danger?"

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

"First of all, the other scrolls are going to start a stir up, of course. The four religions wouldn't give them over, of course. They've been stolen. But my friend, the one who has them, is willing to take the risk...and the blame."

He looked around. "The Way of the Wizard is a very old, and very powerful way to use magicial items. These days, one can only hope that you know what an item does before using it. The Way of the Wizard gives you more control. Each of the seperate Ways, by itself, is simply a way to use a powerful spell without using magic. That's the reason the four religions are so powerful, normal people can get powers they shouldn't have."

He sighed. "And your life, has been in danger from the moment you first went into the tunnel the Manticore was held in. Basicially, you've opened yourself up to danger. There will be situations where the danger is more, granted. But there will always be danger..."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Phaedures

THey talked for a few minutes, talk of quests and whatnot. I listened, waiting to hear names...names were important. I couldn't shake the idea that they knew of the one I was searching for. They seemed well-traveled, and this person was one that people seemed to know of, at least somewhat. Two of them, the old man and one of the younger men, exited and stood outside, talking. I could see them through the tavern window, speaking urgently, and I guessed I was missing the interesting part of the conversation. Nearby, the others talked...the girl was annoying me just being there, but I sat still, pretended they weren't there and waited....

 

[The GrandMage]

OOC: Quiet_Cool, exactly what name are you waiting to hear?

 

[Quiet_Cool]

OOC: Actually...I think I know, but I'm not really positive I want to go that route...sorry to be a tease, but I'm adding replies just to remind you that I'm here...

 

[poohlive]

He folded his hands over his shoulders, awry as to why this Wizard wouldn't ask him his question.
"Yes yes, all very nice," he interrupted, "But it still doesn't answer why you want all these scrolls or all this power? Something had to have happened for you to realize it's important to endanger a whole bunch of people, including myself."
He held himself up rather highly as a person who wasn'ts supposed to be in danger. Perish the thought.
Away from the clearing he saw the Manticore and the woman both staring at him from afar. He called them over, leaning up against the proud beast, and looking back at the wirzard.
"No more funny words or trick answers. Why do you feel my life should be put in danger?"

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

He sighed. People always wanted the answers. "Well, basicially, a very powerful magicial item has been found. One that is only a myth of a legend told in the wizarding circles. The man who has it has been killing of the wizards, and plans to take conrtol of the world."

"He is an evil man, who tortures and kills for his own twisted pleasure. If he gains control of the world, all will be plunged into darkness. The only hope is to collect enough power to go up against him..."

 

[poohlive]

"Ahhh, the old evil man with power trying to take over the world scheme. A little old, but the simplest plan is usually the best."
He smiled, looking down ath is Manticore. What more power did they need? A lion scorpion should be enough to kill an evil mastermind.
The others came with horses and weapons and supplies. He smiled, putting most of them on a carrier horse, while he divied up the others. He thought it best for him to ride his own beautiful animal.
This was so awesome. His own Manticore, it ruled! He could do anything from ride heroically into battle to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies, or just scare little kids. Either way, he would be ecstatic.
"Well then. The first step was retrieving this scroll of power, what exactly is the next step? Lead the way, oh wizard."

 

[The GrandMage]

The Wizard

He climbed aboard his own horse, the looked around. "That way," he said, pointing off into the distance. In the direction of the Raga'duls mountains. The main side of the mountains, which was opposite them, was covered in boulders, and completely unable to be climbed.

On the other side, two fett of the mountain went down around the Versi Swamp, a place known for danger and quicksand.

"In three days, we should reach the Versi. Wake me then."

The old wizard tapped his horse, which started forward. Then, he simply closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

 

[poohlive]

Garret lead them all silently, until he was sure that the wizard was asleep. From his snores, there could be no other alternative.
He went ahead quite aways, bending down to the Manticore's ear.
"You heard what the old wizard said. Is any of it true? Have you caughten wind of any man with a great power that wants to control the earth? It's not that I don't trust the old coot. It's just I know he's not telling me something."
He began scratching behind the Manticore's ears. Letting him relax for the long ride ahead of them.