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Post by homeskillet on Feb 25, 2008 16:03:00 GMT -5
Stone pulls his Naginata out of the dead beast and sheathes it. Stone concentrates for a moment and then waves his arms, stopping the Hopping Stones from swarming an longer. He looks around. The young will grow into more menacing Gruunor if they don't do something now. Stone looks over toward Briggs," Briggs! Are you able to continue?" Stone asks as he makes his way to where Shyar lay. Stone touches the clay wall surrounding the gnome. The clay instantly dries, becoming brittle, so much so it can't hold it's form. The clay wall crumbles into dust. He looks upon the gnome to see if she is alive.
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Post by Game Master on Feb 25, 2008 18:19:06 GMT -5
"Don't worry about me Brother Aiko. My leg is tingly is all, sort of like I was bit by a swarm of ants. I'll be fine."
Aiko knealt down beside the motionless gnome to find her skin discolored and cold to the touch. The huge shadow of Par-Nax enveloped the two as he stood over Aiko and spoke.
"She was a good and loyal companion. We will miss her skill and her laughter. The poison must have been to much for her tiny form. Your friend Briggs is lucky his greater mass seems to be protecting him. Still we should get him medical treatment incase the poison spreads or gets worse over time. What say you Aiko?"
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Post by homeskillet on Feb 26, 2008 2:52:03 GMT -5
Aiko closes the eyes of the lifeless gnome, with a gentle touch," I think you should call me Stone Par-Nax," Aiko states with dire seriousness," Briggs and I recently were victims to a madman's mission that nearly cost one of our lives, simply because he knew our "true names." Did you forget this Briggs?" Stone rose. The look of displeasure and anger on his his face is not a welcoming sight and not like him at all. Stone turns toward the the still timid elf, with a fire in his eyes. " Leknora, it was your command which killed Shyar!" Stone accused," Our "spreading out" left her unprotected! What good did you do for us, when the fight was here? You did nothing!" Tears welled up in Stone's eyes. Aiko has been able to protect everyone he had been able to call ally, but Shyar. He did not only leave her to die, but he let her down. She died alone, without anyone to help. Stone turns his back on Leknora and tries to center himself. He picks Shyar up and holds her limp form in his arms. " We need to clean these tunnels out of the Gruunor cubs, so they can't do anymore damage. Par-Nax! We should get Briggs up to see someone about his wound and make arrangements to bury your friend above. Maybe we can gain support in the cleaning process." With this Stone looks to Briggs to follow and begins to take Shyar above to make the necessary arrangements needed to put her to rest. He doesn't wait for Par-Nax, but he sure hopes the big man will follow.
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Post by Game Master on Feb 26, 2008 22:21:30 GMT -5
The trek back to the surface was long and quiet. No one spoke a word. Upon exiting the tunnels the party was greeted with enthusiasm by all they encountered. The Captain insisted on a proper funeral for the fallen gnome Shyar and a small yet wonderful feast for the heroes. The Caravan was convinced to stay an extra day. The feast was cheerful and somber at the same time with many toasts offered to Shyar. Leknora had not been seen all day and Stone later found out that the elf had left the fort in shame without a word to anyone. Briggs was sitting across from Aiko with his now treated and bandaged leg propped on a cushioned stool between two serving maids. He told the story of the battle with the Grunnor and to Stones approval he did not embellish or cheapen the fight at all. Par-Nax found himself without comrades and attempted to smooth the relations with Stone during the feast. "I overheard that the garrison here will mop up the hatchlings and the eggs if we would provide a map to the lair."
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Post by homeskillet on Feb 27, 2008 20:59:48 GMT -5
" The tunnels need to be fortified Par-Nax," Stone replies Somberly, " I am concerned." Stone was not eating. He was feeling a little more saddened since he heard of Leknora's diappearance. " Where do you think Leknora went, Par-Nax?" Stone asks.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 2, 2008 2:24:47 GMT -5
"I just don't know Stone. I've never seen him freeze up that way. Have you ever seen an elf ashamed of anything? They are usually so superior and arrogant." The ebony warrior took a long pull from his mug. "So do you want to tell Captain Carter that his Fort is about to collapse before or after he pays us?" Par-Nax lets out a booming, bark of a laugh and takes another gulp of his beer. Aiko could see the good Captain at the head of the table conversing in a low voice with Aiko's Caravan Captain.
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 2, 2008 23:02:13 GMT -5
Aiko approaches Captain Carter and bows. " Captain Carter, the Gruunor has caused much damage to the mines below. The fort is on unstable ground. You may have my earnings to aide in the fortification. The work should be taken up first thing in the morning. Now I must go. I have much to think about," Stone bows at the Captains and Par-Nax and vacates the party. To get some fresh air and try to think where Leknora could have left to.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 3, 2008 4:07:38 GMT -5
The fort was basic. Walls, towers, gate house, storage building, outhouses, barracks, keep, church, well and stables. Outside the walls were roads and wilderness. Now all Stone had to do was think like a shamed wood elf.
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 7, 2008 0:12:47 GMT -5
Stone slumps to the ground, defeated. He rubs his bald, stubble. He is growing hair. Stone sits on the ground shaking his head. This is bad. The gnome was dead, the elf was gone and it was all Stone's fault. Stone was not in a happy way right now.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 7, 2008 4:19:17 GMT -5
"Everything all right Stone?" Aiko heard spoken in hushed tones off to the left of him. Glancing up he saw his friend Mason sitting on the wagon they were assigned to protect looking at him with concern. Some of the other wagons had a couple soldiers guarding them as well but they were further off conversing with themselves. Aiko had almost forgotten about his good friend Mason Grey. While Tull had whole heartedly taken part in the festivities within, Mason had volunteered to once again stay with the wagon. The Ranger preferred wide open spaces compared to buildings full of people any day.
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 8, 2008 23:17:39 GMT -5
" Mason," Aiko smiled," Oh I am just broken over Shyar's passing and now Leknora disappearance." Stone stands and faces his oldest friend. " Everything has changed. This burden of being a hero is too much and then I have lost a sister to quick thought. Leknora left because I was angry and now could be in danger. Where would he go?"
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Post by Game Master on Mar 9, 2008 1:22:09 GMT -5
"I have no idea." Mason stated as he hopped off the wagon. "I am a ranger though. Lets track him down. Where was the last place you saw him?"
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 10, 2008 23:10:34 GMT -5
" Will the wagons be safe?" Stones asks.
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Post by Game Master on Mar 11, 2008 23:08:04 GMT -5
"Well I can track him on my own if you like and bring him to you or at least make sure he's alright. Your in charge."
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Post by homeskillet on Mar 12, 2008 9:00:42 GMT -5
Aiko stopped and pondered this. " You would be better suited to do this on your own wouldn't you?" Stone asks," I would just get in the way." Stone looks back toward the wagons," Alright Mason, Bring back Leknora to the safety of the group so he can fulfill his honor. I will stay and watch the wagons, I have much to meditate on." With that Stone gives his farewells and goes over to wagons. He sits in one and begins his meditation.
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