| Subject: Soul of Britannia Scene 2 |
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Spad of the N^W
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Date Posted: 11:06:52 05/27/02 Mon
This Saturday at 9pm Synd time we are scheduled to run scene 2 of the Soul of Britannia scenario. Basically this is a combination PvP and PvM play. The rules of TOW are in full effect and even though there will be powerful Monsters in the action. No magic weapons, armor or shields are allowed. The Kindred won scene 1 and have been given a LvL 5 t-map. For them to be successful they must decode the map, survive the monsters and loot the chest. For the N^W and allies to be successful they must defeat the Kindred and survive the Monsters stirred up by the T-hunters. There is only one run of this scenario. Last man standing wins. The chest does not have to be completely looted as it only simulates the uncovering of the Soul. At the end of the scenario, I will give the Soul to the winning guild master at Nujel'm Palace. If there is time we can have some spirited PvP but it will not effect the outcome of the scene.
Below find the continuation of the story line leading up to this weekends action. I hope you enjoy it!
The Soul of Britannia: Interlude
Deep with in Kindred Keep’s stone walls, Seth Darkmoor sits eyes closed as images of another’s life swirls in his head. He sifts through the life experience stolen from an innocent to find the secret he covets. Layer after layer he sifts until a mental picture remains. It appears like a map with the legend written in symbols of an ancient tongue. The image shimmers, fades and brightens like the tallow candle before him. Each time it brightens, the picture is dimmer and harder to discern. He reaches for pen and scroll and, in the flickering light of the torches on the walls, he begins to put that image to parchment before it is gone from his memory completely.
He thinks, “I’ll need one to translate these words, this language is not known to me or my kin. Pity I had all of the Brotherhood slain, t’would have been better to have held one. I should have expected Dalbin to see to it that only a member trained in the ways of the Orders would be able to understand these words. No matter I have people that can read a map. What need do I have for directions!“
Little could he know that the words he was seeing were not directions, but warnings………..
It has been a week since the battle on Haven Bridge, the Nights Watch and it’s allies have buried their dead and mended their wounded. Moraith has called a meeting of his advisors. Around him are seated Ronin of VKR, Raven of P^E, Olorin, Spad, Fizzleby and Karaash.
He begins, “We can be sure that Seth and his horde now have information leading to the location of the Soul. Our spies tell me that they have not yet begun the journey to that location but have been preparing for it. What we need to know is, what exactly they know, and when they will plan their move. Dalbin told me that he had planted in Elrond’s mind an image of a map that would lead to the place where the Soul rests. He also said that if anyone but him took that information from Elrond’s mind that the image would fade quickly. I can only assume that Seth had to have created a map of that image immediately after he emptied Elrond and had him killed.” He pounds his fist on the desk, saying “Gentlemen we need that map! We must find the Soul before them or intercept them at the Soul’s location!”
Moraith gets up from his seat and goes to the wall a portion of which is covered by a tapestry. He pulls it aside and reveals a map. Using his dagger as a pointer he indicates a location southwest of Yew near the coast.
“This is the location of the Keep of the Kindred. Spad, I want you to take a squad of scouts and penetrate the Keep. You must gain entry and search until you find the map that Seth created. You must leave no trace of you having been there. To do so will alert them of our intentions and cause them to move before we are ready. In the times before our recent troubles with the Juka and Blackthorn, the journey there would have been less perilous. Now the region is crawling with new dangers. An ancient race known as the Meers have, in their attempts to defeat the Juka and their Dragoon minions, cast a spell upon that land that has resulted in a horrible sickness, the land itself is decaying. Fortunately the Keep lies just south of the plague zone. Still, it is more dangerous than before and great caution is required.”
“Ronin, you and Raven will accompany me on a journey. I must know more about the Soul and how it can be used to unite Shrines, once again. Dalbin was not able to tell me that before his passing. What you all do not know is that before Danaan’s call, I was an acolyte of the Order of Virtues. I believe I know a place where I may find the information we seek. That is our quest. Olorin, you will remain here and supervise the rearming of the Guilds.
Spad indicates that Fizz and Karrash are to be part of the scouts and turns to Ronin. “I would ask the Midnight Falcon join us on this mission, his warrior skills may be needed, though I pray they will not.”
“Of course, Spad, I will instruct Falcon to join you and may the Gods protect you on your journey.” Ronin replies. With that Spad and company departs to plan their raid on the Keep.
Moraith turns to the remainder of the group, “Ronin, Raven, prepare your kit we leave immediately. I will tell you more as we go, suffice to say you will be privy to things no man knows in the realm. The secrets you are about to see and know must die with thee! I trust that you understand the gravity of our situation.”
The two warriors exchange glances and silently nod their acknowledgement to Moraith. The two men then leave to assemble what is needed. Standing alone, Moriath stares at the map and whispers, “What are you up to Seth and what do you know?”
Olorin stands upon the ramparts of Castle Black and watches as one group heads westward as the other goes to the east. The full moon casting pale blue shadows on the ground. A cold wind blows, chilling the old mage. He prays an ancient prayer to the Olde Gods that each mission will succeed.
Spad, Karaash, and Falcon stand before a shapeless lump of purple flesh, Multiple eyes and mouths protrude from an abomination of parts of different creatures. They had just completed a running battle with the creature that could spawn pieces of itself and command them to attack. Spad says, “So this is what Moraith warned us about. ‘Tis a good thing we took the more southern route to the Keep, no telling what we would have encountered had we gone closer to Yew. He wrinkles his nose at the foul air coming from the north. “Even here I can smell the decay of Yew.” The once beautiful town among ancient trees, a blighted ruin.
Fizz appears from the shadows and looks at the three standing over the creature. “I see you decided to have some sport while you waited for me to return?” He chides the warriors. Spad looks at Fizz smiles and says, “Well you took so long we had to find something to do.” Fizz shakes his head says sarcastically to no one in particular, “Warriors, they are just not happy unless they are hacking something to pieces!” He turns to Spad, “Do you want my report or do you want to keep poking that thing some more?”
“Go ahead Fizz, tell us what you found.” Spad replies. Fizz begins, “I have searched the area around the Keep. The Gods favor us with a full moon. Its brilliance has kept the Kindred in their crypts. That is not to say that we will not need stealth to make our way through the Keep on our search.” He concludes, “The home of the Kindred is only a short distance through these woods to the west.”
“Lets us be off then,” Says Spad. Two red eyes glow in the shadows of the woods. The actions and words of the scouts have not gone unnoticed. Not all of the Kindred are concerned about the brightness of the moon. As the party moves away, they are followed by a watcher on four padded feet. The wolf’s tongue lolls from its mouth as moves past the party hidden by shadows in the moonlight.
Upon reaching the Keep, the wolf stands on it hind paws and places it front feet on the oaken doors of the keep, the creature wavers and quickly morphs into a dark man-like shape. Silently, the door opens and the creature in bidden to enter by an unseen hand. Seth is standing in the shadows of the main hall, whispers, “What have you seen that you come to me at this time?” The werewolf answers. “Master, four riders come to the Keep through the woods to the East, they are good these are, for they are as silent as I. If it had not been for the plague beast, I might not have noticed them.”
“It was lucky for you that you did.” Hissed Seth, “For if you had not you would have been made part of the next beast that came through these woods!”
Ink black forms flow from the shadows around Seth as Kin materialize behind Seth. One of them asks, “what are we to do, Lord Darkmoor?”
“Nothing”, replies Seth, “nothing at all. Let them come and look about. They can do nothing to us. We bested them at the Bridge. What can they do to us in our own lair. Besides if we were to kill them, Moraith would know that I am on to his tricks. I need to know his plans. He will not sit idly by and let us attain the Soul. We’ll just see what mischief they are up to.”
He turns to the werewolf, “You are to make your way to the west, to home of the Nights Watch. There you will stay hidden and watch their every move. I must know all that they are doing and who comes and goes.” With that the man-shape dissolves into that of a wolf once again and departs.
“Return to your crypts my brethren, I will keep watch on the Watchmen.” Seth directs as he blends back into the shadows.
The scouts, having left their mounts in the forest, crouch against the stone walls of the Keep. It’s foreboding ramparts towering above them. Making their way to the doors, Fizz firsts casts an unlock spell and with the sound of a whisper the bolt of the door slides and entrance is gained. Stepping into the darkened grand hall, the scouts are surprised to see an opulently decorated room. All the furnishings in are in the colors of blood. From deep purple-black to red. Spad whispers. “Here’s where we split up. Search each room and be quick about it”
The party separates, searching for the inner sanctum that will hold the information they are searching for. Karaash winds his way up to the south western tower, a wrath like shadow following silently behind him. Before him is a door. Trying it he finds it opens easily. He slips into Seth’s inner lair. He searches the desk and shelves finding nothing of what he seeks. Moonlight suddenly streams though the window. It’s light reveals a raised stone in the floor. So slight is the rise that if the moon light had not been just right, Karaash would not have seen it. He pries the stone and lifts out a parchment scroll. Holding it to the light he sees it’s a map. He quickly copies all that is on the paper and places the scroll back in its hiding place.
Seth sees this and at first decides to strike. If he does though he will have to kill the entire party. He thinks, “I will let this one return to Moraith. My spy will be in place before he and his party returns. I will know when they move and be there before them. Perhaps this will work to my advantage. I will plan an ambush and kill two ravens with one stone. Acquire the Soul and rid the world once and for all of those meddlesome Nights Watch and their allies of Light!” Smiling at his own cleverness, Seth watches Karrash leave.
Returning to the Hall, Karaash informs the scouts of his find. The party hastens to leave and make their way back to Castle Black. On the ramparts of the Keep, Seth watches as the party departs, confidant that no power can stop him from his goal.
To the east Moraith has told Ronin and Raven about his time with the Order and some of what he learned while a student of Dalbin. He tells the two that they are going to the Shrine of Sacrifice, the home of the Order of Virtues.
Upon reaching the Shrine, Moraith instructs the two warriors to take posts to the north and south. He directs, “Allow none to approach the Shrine until I return. Be gentle but firm with any pilgrim that approaches. Bind them if you must, but do not let them pass. What I am about to do is for me alone. Keep your backs to the Shrine. Do not look upon the shrine or me. I will have no choice but to take your life should you do so. “
With that Ronin and Raven take their posts as Moraith dismounts and makes his way to the shrine. Memories of the Order flood his mind and he can almost feel the spirits of the slaughtered bidding him onward. Standing before the alter, he first reaches into his satchel and retrieves an ring. This is the ring of Virtues given to him as an acolyte. He places the ring upon his finger, kneels and presses the ring into a small recess in the altar. A trap door slides open and reveals stairs going down. Moraith lowers himself in and closes the trap behind him. He makes his way down the stairs and enters a great room, the Hall of Virtues, true home of the Order.
The room is made of polished marble shimmering in its own magical white light. Although the room is incredibly ancient, no dust or wear can be seen. The very power of the shrines have kept this room as new, as its day of creation, ages upon ages ago. Along the walls polished wood shelves stand and upon them the ancient texts. This is the repository of the knowledge of the ancients. Moraith knows that it is here that he will find all that can be known about the Soul of Britannia.
He learns that the Soul of Britannia is housed in a magic chest of purple hue. In that chest, the Soul is surrounded by magic gems that preserve the power in the Soul. There are two scrolls, one to the right and one to the left. On the scrolls are words in the ancient language of the Order. One that Moraith knows from his studies. The right scroll will cause the Soul to permanently unite the Shrines and balance the forces. The left scroll will cause the Soul to turn the Shrines from the good of the world, allowing the one who casts control of the Shrines and their power. The texts do not tell of the exact location that the Soul is hidden. Only a warning that its resting place is guarded by a spell that will cause the Guardians of the Soul to attack anyone other than the Order, should the Soul be disturbed.
Now Moraith knows what Dalbin meant by saying let Seth find the Soul and greet the Guardians.
Moraith makes his way from the Hall and back to the surface. Upon closing the trap, he takes the ring and smashes it. Destroyed, the ring can no longer open the passage to the Hall. As there is no other in the world. Moraith is satisfied that the secrets of the Order are safe for all eternity.
He calls Ronin and Raven to him saying, “Its time we headed back. I know now what needs to be done and how to do it. Let’s hope that Spad and the scouts have done their jobs”
Back at Castle Black, Moraith finds Spad sitting in the tavern sipping ale and swapping stories with Turron. Moraith approaches him saying, “So I trust you were successful?”
“Aye, that we were.” Spad hands the map to Moraith, “They never knew we were there! Slick we were, in and out!”
Standing in the shadows of the forest a black wolf turns and heads west……
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