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Post by DM Cyphus on Mar 17, 2006 12:59:33 GMT -5
(((Okay ladies and menfolk...if you're ready to go...we'll jump back to the uncle in the doorway. )))
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Post by delkar on Mar 17, 2006 13:00:57 GMT -5
((I'm ready.))
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Post by lawfather on Mar 17, 2006 13:08:58 GMT -5
Serol's normally placid face breaks into an honest snicker at Jack's comment of warning for the gnome. He quickly recovers, "Master Dench is a fine fellow. He is far more deadly in combat than one would ever take him for." Mentally the cleric counts the kills from the time they had met the gnome. After a moment's consideration he offers up, "Now that I think about it, he may have sent more of those who would oppose us to the after life than any one of us."
An interesting thought but one best pondered later. "He does take some getting used to however. One word of caution, he has been granted, by us, the first look at a fallen foe. It seems he is doing some research on the matter something very important to the little fellow. Enough so, the last time it was challanged he almost refrained from continueing until it was once again agreed upon."
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Post by The Ascendant on Mar 17, 2006 13:30:30 GMT -5
Arik laughed, "Well, Im sure in traveling with us he will see much more death. Death has its place in all things, especially if such death comes as the result of valor or justice. I know that the doctrines of the Firelord and the Red Knight are fairly similar in those regards, but I look forward to hearing more of your beliefs Serol. As for you mister Jack, I personally am less inclined to look on your talents with suspicion as might others. The Wolves have been in need of talents such as yours for over a year and to find scruples behind those talents is rare; I am honored to have met both of you. Let us find Kesson's uncle and see what he would have of us."
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Post by DM Cyphus on Mar 17, 2006 13:38:23 GMT -5
Serol made his way to the shrine of the Firelord. The braziers were burning brightly as always. Never was there a time that they ceased for more than a moment. Tendrils were always about to keep them lit. As Serol approached and one of the Tendrils walked about the shrine spotted Serol, he quickly made his way to a large house nearby. Serol knew that the Tendril had seen him and gone about to retrieve the Eternal Flame of Lethtar.
Serol sat and stared at the burning flames for only a few minutes before a voice interrupted his quiet contemplation of the fire. "The Wandering Flame returns to us again," came the voice Serol's superior...no wait...now Serol was an equal in the church with these men. It would take time to get used to that. "Do you still plan to return to us when the Burning Braziers will meet here in Lethtar with the Eternal Flame of Lantan?"
***
The old Elf looked the men over and asked, "May I help you gentleman?"
(((I hope this doesn't get confusing...Serol's shrine visit is actually happening BEFORE the visit to Kesson's uncle. I'm assuming that the whole group has gone with Shernof...yes?)))
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Post by jamondashwood on Mar 17, 2006 13:48:41 GMT -5
(OOC) Actually if at all possible, Jervis will take a pass on this. He has never been affected by death this way and he's not sure he wants to put such a human (or elven in this case) face upon death. Additionally he has some stuff to look up, spells to gain and ravens to kill..... I figure at least 4 or 5 for the pieces I need.
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Post by The Ascendant on Mar 17, 2006 13:48:47 GMT -5
((I think Serol, Jack, Thorgar, Shernof, and I did))
Arik looked at Shernof wondering who should speak first.
((My Diplomacy is off the charts at +11, but Shernof might be better here))
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Post by lawfather on Mar 17, 2006 13:59:03 GMT -5
Serol's boots echoed upon the streets as he walked. He still felt like Serol Kinspar, Burning Brazier. It wasn't until he saw the Tendril leap that he remembered why it was. The flame was comforting, promising life to the mindful and swift death to the arogant. At the voice he turned, it was a consious effort not to bow to the Eternal Flame as he was addressed.
Instead it seemed like a minor bob. He smiled and said, "Thre is no place I know, Eternal Flame, where I feel closer to the Firelord than within these walls. I would come here as often as my duty would allow. I will instill in the braziers the same if I have any say about it."
***
Serol stood among the gathered at the doorstep of the old elf's abode. He nodded rather solemly to the elf, but he said nothing either. For the Ranger of all of them knew Kessen best. Serol would introduce himself, of course, and tell the older man his part in his nephew's death. But greetings should be reserved for the friend over the companion, at least as Serol saw it.
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Post by DM Cyphus on Mar 17, 2006 14:12:15 GMT -5
(((ROFL...cool...Jervis is out then...)))
"And that is why you were chosen for this duty, Wandering Flame. Someday we shall have a real temple here in Lethtar...or at the very least a church," the older man smiled, "No...I should rather say that the very least it would face the appropriate direction." The man laughed. The people of Lethtar had built this shrine to Kossuth believing the fires would stop. They did eventually, but not because of the shrine...that much was obvious. They understood little of the Firelord's teachings...and that was also obvious as the shrine faced east rather than south.
"And where have you returned to us from this time, Wandering Flame?" he asked after a moment of quiet contemplation for himself regarding the flames.
***
"I am Shernof," Kesson bowed his head slightly to the man, "humble servant of the Pretens. I stand here with the companions of your nephew, Kesson Rel."
The old Elf held up a hand to stop the ranger from continuing on. "I know who you are, Shernof," he explained with a sad look upon his face, "and I believe I know why you are here."
Another moment of silence passed before the Elf spoke again. "Come inside. I wish to know how it happened."
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Post by lawfather on Mar 17, 2006 14:35:30 GMT -5
"The Firelord has blessed us with a powerful ally. The Pretens are a powerful voice within the city, Eternal Flame. With the reward from my last task at their behest I have already claimed the title of 'Hero' upon the whisperings of the street." There was no bosting in his voice. He did not consider himself a hero. He considered himself a devotee of the Firelord. But a hero's reputation could not go far wrong in garnering sympathy for a cause of one of the saviors of the city.
"I will be returning shortly with my donation. It is not enough to build a temple. But it would go a long way towards it."
*** Serol steped inside and spoke up, "Master Rel, I am Serol Kinspar, Wandering Flame of the Firelord Kossuth. I fear if it is answers you seek, I am the only one who might be in a possition to give them. " Jack was unconsious when Kessen fell to the bite of the Ghoul and Jervis was absent. The Wolves did not arrive until after he was taken.
"I was a companion of your nephew's. Though he was a private man, I considered him a friend and was greatly affected by his passing." His tone was somber and honest, but not fevored. He knew his attatchment to the Elf paled to that of his family.
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Post by delkar on Mar 17, 2006 14:47:33 GMT -5
"I did not see him fall. But he was brave and strong to the end. He was a good man."
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Post by DM Cyphus on Mar 17, 2006 14:53:14 GMT -5
"Keep your donation for now. Come back to us at Greengrass and donate on behalf of the Burning Braziers. They shall now give their donations to you. Half of it you should keep for yourself to finance your travels and, if need be, their needs. Though we have been trained to live with nothing, there are times when we do require things. It is your job to insure that your Braziers have those things. The other half you will split between the shrine and the church in Boetrah. The Eternal Flame of Lantan will be here to accept that,
"You must also become accustomed to living in comfort from time to time. You have served your time in poverty to the Flamelord, Wandering Flame. Kossuth now elevates you to a higher level. But as the leader of the Burning Braziers, your life will still be filled with adventure and troubles. Use your money to make those travels as successful as possible. With your success will come greater rewards...and though we receive only half of your reward to build the churches of the Flamelord, it will be as though we've receieved double,
"Go, and return to us when we all gather together as brethren. You walk with the blessings of Kossuth. Shine brightly wherever you wander."
***
"You are the Kossuthan Kesson spoke of then. He mentioned you, Shernof and two others. He regarded you as friends though he only knew you a short time. I only wish to know two things," he looked deep into the priest's eyes as he spoke slowly and calmly, "How did he pass and where is his body?"
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Post by delkar on Mar 17, 2006 15:04:00 GMT -5
"From what I was told he passed in battle. We brought his body back with us...we understand the custom the elves have..."
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Post by DM Cyphus on Mar 17, 2006 15:20:19 GMT -5
"But you did see it?" he asked Serol, "You were there as it happened, yes?"
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Post by lawfather on Mar 17, 2006 15:20:54 GMT -5
This news surprised him. He had lived his whole life in poverty. The farm of his family was enough to keep them fed but luxuries seemed an impossiblity. While in his service to Kossuth he had denied himself virtually everything not needed to keep his feet moving and his message clear. The thought of spending coin for softer bed or better clothes seemed a forign concept indeed. But he knew this was the way of the clergy. "I will endevor to try, Eternal Flame." he said his mind still struggling with the thought.
He immagined it would only become worse the first time he was forced to take the more costly choice, simply because it was so.
*** Serol nodded, "I am." he doubted very much that Kessen had spoken of any other Kossuthans.
"We were charged with clearing the trade routes between the elven lands and this very city. Recently the roads had become dangerous and many lost their lives to the goblin raids. Kessen had tracked them to the Featherdale ruins and inside we ventured. "
He paused a moment so the elf might follow rather than it coming out in one large jumble. "Inside however, we found something darker than goblins. Undead had claimed the ruins for themselves. We spent two days vanquishing them but when we thought we were free of them. They ambushed us. Kessen fought valliantly, but allas, both he and Jack fell to the beasts."
He indicated the man standing next to him. This is where the story would become hard. Hard for him to tell and harder still for the elf to hear. "The ghouls had dealt us a significant blow, but the battle was quickly becoming ours. As the third ghoul fell, the final ghoul retreated. However he took Kessen in tow."
He looked down at the armor he wore under his vestments, "In my armor, I could not give chase, not if I expected to catch him. My spells were spent in healing. If I abandoned Jack for the chase, he would die and I could not be sure I would catch the goul before Kessen himself bleed to death. I was forced to make this choice and hope simply for your understanding."
Realizing he had not addressed the second part of the question Serol said, "His body has been healed to the best of our ability, he does not live but we felt it better to do as much as we could for our friend and companion. We will of course present it to you or anyone of your choice. There is also the matter of the dog. We would like to give you Kessen's dog. It is not the same as the return of your nephew, but it was something he loved for you to remember him by."
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