Anachronism

Chapter 15 - The Shadow of the Golden City

The party arrived in Chondath during a dark cool night. As they approach the city, with the ship skimming softly across the water, they were stopped by the port captain, and asked as to their business in Arrabar, the great capital of Chondath. "We must deliver a letter to the king, it is from the Chancellor of Sembia." The captain explains that a trading house is in charge of all matters to do with Sembia, and that the party would have to bring the letter there, first. They agreed and continued on, though the chilly greeting of the port captain made them all feel somewhat worried. Once docked, they set off for a tavern, where they bought rounds of drinks and got the latest dirt on Arrabar. Apparently about 3 months ago, the king fell ill, and has not emerged from his room in the palace at all. In his absense of ruling, the trading houses and nobles have been at heach others throats, all attempting to get the upper hand, should the king die, for he has no heir.

It was later that evening, when things were dying down, that a mystery dark stranger entered, and confronted the party. "I am the Demi-god X. You will all come with me." After some arguing, and some threatening to bring down the power of a demi-god on the PC's heads, they grudginly agreed to go, though most were highly skeptical of the persons true nature. He led them through Arrabar, to a walled garden behind a winery (a twisting confusing route to get there, through alleys and such). Inside they were introduced to a man name Migley, who tells them that he knows a little about the PC's, (Wolanin being recognized), and would like them to help him. See, the priests of Fate have taken a hold on the king, and he believes that they are the ones keeping him sick, though why not just kill him, or let him rule but use him as a puppet, he does not know. The current state of things seem only destructive. The PC's enlighten him as the Gyshin, and their mode of operations, that includes causing internal strife before attacking.

Migley, his men, and the PC's then all went to the castle, via secret tunnels that Migley knew of, and attempted to rescue the king. They successfully freed him from the priests of fate grasp, and caught the leader of the priests of fate, but as the king was writing letters to various generals to advise them of the situation, a priest appeared in the doorway, and through a packet of something that struck the king (thorlin leaping across the room with his shield trying to stop it, but falling short) that struck the king, and disintegrated him. They attacked and killed the priests a moment later. But then all havoc broke loose as someone in the castle shouts, "Intruders! They've killed the king!!" Grabbing the letters, and the king's signet ring (which was sitting on his desk while he wrote), they fled the castle. Somehow, during the rucus, Zaaj was captured.

Migley, using what the king had written of the notes, took the PC's to various generals, and told them of the nature of the priests of fate. With a large number of troops, they set forth for the castle, to end the priests of Fate. In the castle, a priest of Fate that held a dark rod, and who appeared all shadowy and blurry, confronted the troops, and used the rod to cause an earthquake, that caused the part of the castle to collapse, killing many of the troops, and horribly injuring most of the PC's. Then Janayus lept upon him, trying to strike the shadowy priest unconsious. But the priest struck back and Janayus's body crumbled, and a shadowy form that rose in his place appeared. With thorlin's powerful strikes, and wolanin's masterful disarmed, the priest and shadow were both quickly killed. Wolanin put the rod into a bag, using his sword. (it shocked him when he touched it)

After a couple days for the city to calm down, the PC's were called to the new ruling council of Chondath. Since there was no heir, and noone could decide upon a new king, the noble families all decided that, until the crisis of the Gyshin passed, they would form a council. It would make it more difficult for the Gyshin to disrupt the ruling members of Chondath. They also commend the PC's, and inform them that a letter has arrived from Cormyr, inviting them to send a representative to a war council of Toril. This war council, being headed by Lyorn, is being brought together to try to form everyone interested, into a force capable of defending themselves from the Gyshin. The PC's announce that they will return to Cormyr with the representatives.

Gorvagio sighs in relief, soon his quest may be over. He has lost one of the people he was to protect, but most of them shall be returned, so he considers himself, thus successful.

Chapter 16 - The Council of Toril

December 4^th. Suzail is a veritable carnival. Bards quote it as Myth Drannor's ugly sister, while many just sit back and gawk in amazement. The Inns are full, many flying the flags of foreign creatures. But the emotion on the streets is nothing closely related to a carnival. Fear is visible on almost every face, and the faces on any one of the legion of guards is dark and threatening. Lyorn has decreed that there will be no squabbling, no fighting, and no problems in his city, while this council is held. The guards have their orders, and they are strict. If any problems break out, the offenders will be jailed. No matter the person, the race, or the rank. If a representative is jailed, then he will need to pick someone else from his party to represent their race. The jail term will last until the council has been disbanded.

Lyorn begins to bring everyone up to date on the current problems that have been introduced, "Well, first of all, I'd like to say that we've made the first steps on a very important road. Without everyone here, your patience, your trust, your trust in each other, and the threat of the Gyshin to bring us all together. I would like to thank everyone that brought us early warning, pointed out the real threat, and gave us this chance against the storm to come. I will first summarize the problems that were introduced last day, and then after a break, we will hear new information that people who are here for the first time, are bringing. After lunch, we will debate on our goals, and what's the most important to us…"

"Our survival", mutters an old looking man halfway down the table.

"and then we will hopefully get to voting. We will spend the next few days breaking up tasks, and planning. It has been suggested that perhaps details are NOT ironed out, and that as we break up tasks, those that they are given to plan by themselves. This will help us maintain security of some sort. I would urge everyone not to become too paranoid, but this is a good idea. For plans that overlap, you will need to tell whoever you need to, the exact details of where it overlaps.

Now then, last days summary. We heard first from me, the new king of Cormyr, and I described the nature of some of the infiltrators that we found, and how we dealt with them. In general, as soon as we became suspicious, a few deaths would occur, enough to wipe out any evidence, and the problem would be gone. I described why I took over Cormyr, and why I brought in Desert Claw to help. Next we heard from Mulhorand, and they told us about the nature of the horde that attacked. They told us how, due to their god, infiltrators were not really possible, and that was a supposition as to why a horde was sent against them. Also, it might have started a war, had not the Mulhorands held their hand and spoke to Unther. The Gyshin tactics have to make us turn on each other have been very clever, so I MUST again say again, how important it must be for everyone to have patience, and not let anger of the moment release. Think things through, and wonder if the people you accuse would actually do something like this. We all must have trust and faith in each other, no matter how un-natural and strange it is. We do not want to be ruled by these Gyshin. We must maintain our freedom.

Mulhorand expressed much thought, and Horus spoke through his diplomat and spoke of the powers that are at work. We all learned that these Gyshin are apparently led by some other power, whose name we recently learned to be Fate. Horus and Unther stand over this meeting and they have said that they will shield it, so that we need not be concerned with uninvited guests. For this, we are greatly in their debt. To be able to work against our foe, without worry that they will be looking in, is a great boon. Others also have said that they will do what they can for us.

So, the various leaders of their people gave us approximate numbers on forces they could summon, as well as any major supplies that may be of help, such as the 25 floating vessels that FireStorm says Halruua will be able to supply.

We heard testimony from Simbul, Sylune, Gyle, Elminster, Alustriel and Maskar about their various encounters with Gyshin or their agents. Simbul also told us of the defeat over one of the Gyshin that she had, and described how it's essence seeped from the dead form, which disintegrated in front of her, and went into a young boy who was a few hundred yards away. It then fled. And finally, Poro of the Tower of the heavens told us of some knowledge they had found at their place of learning. Legends of some Gyshin outcasts that wandered the worlds working for their own purpose. He told us that they are a type of spirit creature that when slain, would simply take over another life form with it's essence, as long as any sort of life was within a mile of it, or some such distance. Their true form, apparently, can only be killed by encasing it, and holding it for one day, and then it dies. Other suspected techniques are the magic of some weapons, such as vorpal weapons, and slaying weapons, like arrows of slaying. It is said that a holy avenger will also kill them. This is a disappointing array of weapons that we may use. So, now, let us go over new information. First, some of you may know Xej, his companions are here to discuss what they've learned of the Gyshin."

During the meeting, a man came in and said that for his sons whole life, he had been having strange dreams about wars, and about Xej, but he had always dismissed them as a young childs fancy. However, recently, when he heard about the invasion, and such he realized his sons dreams were important. His son was dreaming about fighting the Gyshin. Now his son has gone missing. His name is Dilra. He spoke often about meeting Xej one day in his white castle in the forest.

The PC's go to the forest, meet a child named Dilra (who is NOT dilra) but who has a gold dragon buddy (that only he can see, but that's real) and he will recognize Xej, and tell Xej that he knows about Xej, and Xej is one of the good, and that he must seek out the dark one. He says that the dark one is

"over the water, and across the sand, past the mountains, and into Abinncor. The path lies twisted and confused, and is perilous, but must be made. And here they must fight the dark one, and destroy his shadow, and only then can they seek out his true self in his castle, and attempt to destroy him."

For these tasks, his friends gave him some toys for them. And for him, and him, and him, and him.

The items are :

Elric - Oghma’s Yarting (guitar) - Can play any song, tone, or noise, perfectly, and can even sound like multiple instruments playing at once. Can make music that control its listener's emotions, making them so happy as to give up all hostile intent, sad enough to do nothing other than weep in despair, or angry enough to attack any target with immense ferocity (as berserkers, with a +2 to their attack rolls). (A saving throw vs. spell at a -2 penalty applies for each effect.) It also max’s out a spell singers spells and effects, and grants 1 bonus spell / level. Spells can be cast with CT 0.

Xej - Azuth’s Old Staff - has all the powers of the staff of the magi, and the staff of power, and can unleash two spells per round plus one of its two special powers. Its normal abilities include the power to shrink or enlarge itself, turn invisible, fly about and return to users hand, and plane shift or dimension door to a location at users will. Can control it from any distance, so that it can use it's own powers while a user is casting his own spells. It has two special powers, it can reflect back all magic cast at it and the user in a round 100% back at the source or sources even if the two are separated by a vast distance (as long as on same plane), or it can absorb beings into the Spirit Stone, the gem atop it. Being who have been reduced to 2 HD or less in levels or current HP's get no saving throw vs spell against this effect, others get a saving throw at a -1 per each HD worth of hit points in damage they currently are at below their normal.

Marrien - Selune’s Scale Mail - +5, armor blending, armor etherealness, and elven chain mail. (Base AC 1)

Gorvagio - Helm’s Shields - a shield that, can surround an area (up to 30’ diameter) with the same shield effect provided by helm's shield. That is, they reflect back all magic, psionic, breath weapon, and gaze attacks 100% at their sources. 10 shields are produced. If one is ever destroyed, it is permanently gone, but explodes into a 100-foot-long cone of cold 20 feet in diameter directed at the being that destroyed it. This cone of cold does 6d12 points of damage. The shields are AC 0, move at MV Fl 24(A), and have 66 hps. Damaged ones repair themselves between uses. This ability can last for up to 12 turns total per day. As more shields get destroyed, things get a better chance of going through.

Wolanin - Torm’s Glove - a glove that gives complete protection from electricity and fire based attacks, and allows him to see through all illusions, see invisible 60’, and can not be affected by mind affecting abilities.

Thorlin - +5 Hammer of Thunderbolts - hurling range of 360 feet, and strikes as if wearing girdle of str 24, and gauntlets of ogre strength (+5 from hammer, +6 from gauntlets, +12 str). It returns to his hand after any attack. It strikes dead any giant it hits, along with ogres, ogre magi, trolls, ettis, and clay, flesh, and stone golems. When it hits, it stuns all creatures except user, within 90 feet for one round (save vs. spell to avoid), and does automatic double damage.

Growly - +4 vorpal great scimitar. A staggering 5d4 +4 damage, this weapon, on a 18,19, or 20 will severe a limb from an opponent. Any limb but the head allows a system shock role to survive. If it is the head, death is automatic, unless the being could normally function without a head.

Jesus - +5 holy avenger. Provides the paladin with 50% magic resistance in a 5' radius while he is weilding it. It does automatic double damage to a chaotic evil being.

Crane - +4 vorpal two-handed sword.

Zaaj - Masks dagger - +4 dagger, can twist to any weapons size, and damage. Completely silent, and black, does not reflect light. Can not be made to rust or corrode. It functions as a shortsword quickness, and sword of wounding.

Most Loyal Servants,

You must take these items, in pure heart, and be pure in deed. And you must take them, through the folds of Fate’s cape, and find his heart. Only there will he be willing to confront you, only there will he be unable to flee. Only there will you find his true being, and be able to smite him. May the light of the heavens shine down upon you during all your years.

Your Masters.

Chapter 17 - The Game

The PC's awake abruptly in forest. They are in a place known as "the game". After some time, they defeated a huge creature in the mountain that resembled a humongous liver. Unfortunately at one point, a controlled Growly chopped off Marienne's leg with his vorpal weapon, and she died. After defeating the liver (also known as "The Game"), everything around them changed into and ocean, with a boat thankfully, right there.

Chapter 18a - The Archipeligo

They traveled to a nearby island called Roke, where everyone called them strangers, and they were directed to the school of Roke. There they met the warder, and he told them that all travelers wished to find a way through this land, and that he would tell them of one, if they completed a quest for him. They also asked if he could help their friend Marienne, who was currently dead with a severed leg. He said this he could do, and before leaving, Marienne was healed and brought back to life.

A view of Earthsea from Roke :

Chapter 18b - Forests, Hills, and a Tree of Crystal

Xej appeared in a forest, the season here being fall, and the light coming from the orange and pink clouds above. Apparently here, there is no night, nor any time, as the same sunset glow covers all. After some searching, he located a path that led to a pool, where there were 3 magical portals. After spending some time, waiting, and yelling out for Xendrik, he finally gave up and went through the first portal, into a land of stretching, grassy hills. After some time walking, he came to a huge river cuttint through the land, one end stretching off to a huge mountain in the distance. Beside the river, he found a huge tree made entirely of crystal. Instead of leaves, it had small drop shaped peices of crystal. Using his staff, he hovered into the branches to take a closer look.

You hover amidst the tingling branches of the tree made, apparently completely from crystal. As the wind blows through it's branches, the small tear drop shaped nubs on the end of the branches sway gently. A constant tingling is heard, not unlike a wind chime, but all the more complex, for the thousands of crystal branches at work.

Peering into the small crystal drops, you see various images. A cavern, with strange rock tables, a deep blue world that looks like it could be the bottom of an ocean, a small, seemingly deserted town, a flat barren land of ice and snow, an orchard with some strange purple fruits growing everywhere. As you watch, a butterfly flies through the scene. You see the walls of a huge citadel, and as you watch, a wave of soldiers smashes up against it, a massive battle taking place before you eyes. You see a quiet town, surrounding a monstrous building made of black stone. You see what appears to be a small jail cell, a long river stretching through a forest, a barren grey land, blackness, a thriving city, and the view go on and on and on. There seems to be something different in nearly every one, though a few could possibly be the same.

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