Well of Souls

Chapter 1 - First Light of the Morning

Images of the past swirl through your mind as you wait. The brightening pale sky stands in sharp contrast to the silhouetted leaves of the tree that arches around the vast opening in the church wall. The temple hosts only two stone walls, one at the back with a massive round circle open within it and a matching one in the front but without the round opening. The roof is made up of cleverly intertwined tree branches that have slowly been grown and molded to cover the inside of the church. Outside the temple, through the massive round hole is a view from the forest hillside that looks out across the expansive forest and beyond to the distant low hills that the sun will eventually climb over. You wait, in the twilight of morning for the sun to rise, for Lathanders power to warm your face and soul.

Behind you, a regular group of a couple dozen of your elven folk also kneel in prayer along with the other acolytes, awaiting the first light of the day. But your thoughts during prayer run rampant through your memories and frequently those of the Gyshin from worlds long gone. You allow them to stray, wondering if you are simply unfocused, or if Lathandar is guiding your mind You rather doubt the latter, but the rank of high priestess does allow you some leniency in thought, and you let your mind wander anyway.

Your thoughts go back to the last days of the chaos wars and the quest for the staff. By then, you had gained and destroyed the staff, ending the struggle and the curse laid upon you by the general of the Chaos forces, Miska. It is after your sojourn into Grazzt's realm when you rescued a goddess. Though your memories of speaking to a goddess are burned into your mind, and although your request for her to help destroy Lathosios, and then your request for her to help Cormyr from the invading forces are moments that you can recall with crystal clarity, it is of the time after where your thoughts wander.

The group of you returned to Faerun to find the land unhealed and Cormyr a mess. Though Aquestran the Vaati assured you that the world would heal, like so much wrinkled clothing smoothing from an iron, it apparently was not a simple afternoon of work. The land would take months to revert to it's natural order and for the lives of Faerun to turn to it's normal order.

Cormyr, you surmised, would also heal, though it would take considerably longer. It has barely survived the orc and dragon onslaught and would have been taken by the claimed in it's weakened state by the country of Sembia had not your words to the goddess Alundria spurred your to influence your very own people, the elves of Cormanthyr, to come to Cormyr's aid and deter the Sembians from taking over.

A goodly number of your folk had stayed in Cormyr for the next three years helping them cleanes the land and recover themselves from the ashes of the war. That might not have mattered however, as the people were broken, their royal family gone, and hero's having been no shows for the invasion of their country. It did end up mattering however. Galaghard II, Stamp's son, who everyone thought had been assassinated, had only been captured, the assassination a ruse. He was imprisoned by the orcs for 9 long months before fighting free and returning home to his broken country. He returned much as a conquering hero might, and the people treated him as such, their spirit revived.

Their spirits were also revived when the commander of the elves revealed the reason they had come was at the behest of the Keepers who had been working hard behind the scenes disarming the very source of the threat against Cormyr, too busy in fact to take a more direct role against the enemy. In fact, the king of Chondath, once an untrusted neighbour to Cormyr, came forth and made peace with Galaghard, and informed if your involvement and your success. Galaghard immediately made known that the Keepers had been pivitol in saving them yet again.

And then you had all gone your own ways, you for your own reasons. You were starting to show your pregnancy. Eight years gone so quickly. You hear quiet regular breathing behind you. You sigh and turn, expecting to have to wake Kier again, a typical occurance during morning mass, but are surprised to see him awake, eyes closed, simply relaxed and praying peacefully. Sometimes your children surprise even you.

Your heart skips a beat and your memories wander back to when they were five. A seemingly innocent offer, a huge unseen impact on your daughters heart. You had been seeking after a magical tattoo that would allow you to sense if your children were in danger. Such a thing existed you soon found out but one of the elder elves, Tiana Goldenwater, sought you out and over a lunch of warm tea and honey bread she explained to you that such a thing was inherently linked to their emotions and you would always feel their strong emotions. This would make it difficult for you to let them grow into themselves. Everytime they got scared or their heart was broken you would feel it and, being a mother, would be unable to not go to comfort them. They would never grow into adults if they always knew their mother came when anything was wrong.

Tiana did offer for your daughter a bracelet that could mask her appearance. It would make her look "normal" and conceal her father's gifts. You offered it to your daughter and amid self doubt and shock that her mother would ask such a thing, she rejected it. "Should I hide myself? Should I want to look like the others? Is it wrong, the way I look?" She had telepathically spoken with her brother, the two were so linked, and he had quickly come asking for his own magical gift to make him be able to beat up another boy elf who had been bullying him. "Find another way Keir, magic will not solve everything."

You looked out for Kier though and were happily surprised when he walked away from a fight. He got his favourite thing for dinner that night. But it had occurred to you that he might have an unknown "gift" from his father that could let him very seriously hurt another person. You warned him seriously to be careful with his unknown powers. During this same period, Kerry had been without friends. You spoke to her about it and got the typical responses, "The other girls are mean." "They talk about me behind my back and say mean things." "Boys are stupid.". You coached her to try and make friends anyway, and it was then that she agreed to take the bracelet to illusion herself.

Kerry made friends, but it always seemed she was pretending to be someone else when she was around them, never being herself except at home when no one but you and Kier were around. It was like the bracelet of illusion had come with an alter ego as well. It made her into a tyical little girl elf who liked to be with the other girls and play their games. Though you didn't see it so clearly until you looked back at it just now. This would require some attention.

Kier meanwhile had finally been in his fight. He had had his nose bloodied by the bully but not fought back. The bully had been taken out of the class for good. Kier gained some respect from the other boys and in their way became his friends as well. They respected him for taking a punch, but also for his confidence and maturity that was growing quickly already. On other days however, it wasn't quickly enough.

Their entire childhood had been and would continue to be daily struggles like this. Coaxing them from the wayward path, fighting against their blood and nature and helping them become good people.

After seven years there are still no easy answers for you. Magical rings mask their inherent aura and you continue to teach them daily what it means to be good and pure but no matter what you do the holy water still hurts their skin and the golden light of the temple still flickers when they pass through the doorway. Seven years, seven quests, no success. The acolyts no longer come to you for quests to prove themselves. Too many others have failed trying the task you assign them. Most believe it's simply impossible. There is no way to change a creatures inherent nature without also destroying the person.

No, your kids were who they were. They would always face the struggle of their souls, good souls, fighting against the evil nature of their flesh and blood. And you wouldn't always be there to help them win, you can only guide them. Then the first rays of light lance over the hills and shine full onto your face. The warmth spreads into your heart and you smile. Behind you, two seven year old children flinch at the brightness.

Chapter 2 - Uncle Xej

The stalky dwarven man splutters again at your latest offer. Spluttering seemed to be his only bargaining method now that you thought about it. He would splutter and then slightly lower his previous asking price. You look down at the rough jewels scattered across the cloth, exaggerating your critical glance. You flip over one of the emeralds. "I only really need the diamonds. If you want me to take the whole lot, I'd be getting some gems I don't really need right now. I'll pay you 6500, but anything more and it's really just better for me to go elsewhere." He looks about ready to splutter again.but then a thoughtful glance takes over instead and he sighs, thinking. Behind him the other dwarves from the dwarven caravan sit quietly, their fretful glances falling on their leaders back as they whisper quietly amongst themselves.

You occupy yourself by looking at the dwarves faintly shimmering silver aura. Neutral.and a very orderly person, follows the laws, follows patterns, likes routine. He is only slightly perturbed, his aura jumping slightly. You're pretty sure he'll take the deal. Behind you your assistant Z, husband to Galaghard's sister Pria, coughs quietly. The cloud cover above you grows steadily darker and the water of the river Tesh beside you grows choppy in the increased wind. Your cloak whips and flaps at your sides. There will be rain in less than an hour. By then you'll be hundreds of kilometres away. Thunder rolls across the land. The dwarf slowly nods in agreement.

A few hours of the suns steady journey towards night finds you and Z in a drinking hall in the city of Waterdeep. The city has grown massive in the last few years, so much that it's difficult to recognize the small township of a few years back. The deep inlet and mild weather has drawn many and the land around has grown safe under the watchful eyes of Waterdeep's lords. Though Cormyr and Sembia are the true heartlands, Waterdeep seemed both more interesting, and to hold more opportunity for you and your mage school.

The Inn is called the Scarlet Flower, owned by Lady Dara, one of the self proclaimed lords of Waterdeep. Dara, the daughter of a previous lady of Waterdeep is a fetching half-elven woman. She is a fierce one. You've met her more than once in council meetings where they challenged the codes of conduct at your school to be. Balancing the positives and negatives, it was still preferable to be in the city, despite always being under the council's watchful eye.

The tower was nearly finished, as it has been for the last two years. It had taken longer than expected, plagued with problems, both construction related as well as political. Permits had taken long months and then resulted in further required permits. Construction was plagued by bad weather, supply problems, and a few ill timed accidents. Many of the final touches were still to be added such as carved frames, equipment, an anvil for the metal work area, but the tower has been in use for several months already and has seven enrolled students working within. The most experienced, a mage of the 5th order named Dabus Flockstar, was happy to take on some of the responsibility of running the place, despite this however you quickly remembed how much trouble it was having "students". They require a massive investment of time. The students do not come out of love for you. They respect you and want to learn from your experience, but they come for their own reasons and frequently leave for their own reasons. But their tuition pays for most of the school costs and payment for spell casting as well as the sale of spells makes up the rest.

You look across the table at Z. Once he had heard of your school he had asked to join. Z is a man in his mid 20's and is extremely sharp of wit and very skilled with magic. He could use some self confidence and a shot of manhood however. Thin and a little nasaly he constantly questions everything he does and is so full of self doubt that you're not sure how he manages to work magic. But when it comes to the magic, his hands, voice and mind are smooth and calm. He married Galaghard's sister Pria. At first Galaghard wasn't please about his sister marrying a snivelling little.well..anyway.when Galaghard came back from the orcish prison he was considerably more mature and accepted Pria and Z's love for each other and arranged their wedding.

Feeling some strange sense of responsibility to help Z mature you've given him more responsibility at the school and he has taken to running the day to day activities. Still however you are required to attend to students and classes and carefully mentor students on a regular basis. It's hard work.

Z returns the smile of a passing waitress, then blushes and looks away quickly. "So, you actually gave him a smoking pipe? He's only six!"

You smile to yourself. It hadn't occurred to you that being called Uncle Xej, despite the fact you were not the brother of an elf, nor were you related to a Pit Fiend, might evoke no small amount of enjoyment from you. Nor had you thought that bringing the children of a devil small devious gifts frequently that pissed off their mother might be so fun.

Kory had given birth after a regular term and been granted twins, a boy and a girl. The boy looked normal from birth, the girl however did not. She was cursed with eyes like a cat, sharpened finger nails, and greenish tinted plates that ran from her forehead, over the middle of her skull, and down her spine. As well, plates adorned her shoulders and thighs. Hair grew from the sides of her head around the plates, but she would never be normal looking. Nor would either child be truly normal, who could be when they were the offspring of a Devil?

Through the last seven years they had grown beneath Kory's parentage however into very decent elves. Their evil nature was undeniable in essence, you saw it every time you looked at them, but that did not make them evil people, in fact they had resisted their nature and become good people, for children anyway.

The boy was Kier. His body was strong and large, resistant to wounds, and he could see in darkness, as well as being telepathically linked to his sister. He no doubt had other gifts that would develop in time. The girls name was Kerry. She was immune to fire, probably some other elements, could also see in darkness, and was also stronger and taller than almost all elven women. At any rate, visits were as frequent as your work allowed and always a pleasure.

"It wasn't a normal pipe. It just puffs smoke out the end to make him look like he's smoking." You smile. Kory had not been pleased and probably had confiscated the pipe shortly after you left.

"Seems inappropriate trying to make a child think smoking is fashionable" Z replies.

You think deeply. Though only seven her children were anything but immature. With their linked minds their were frequently an insidious tag team and they were sometimes freakishly mature. During your last visit Kier had explained how he had fooled a bully into walking into a nest of fire ants. While the other boy was jumping from the pain of many small bites, Kier had sprayed him with sugar water causing the ants to frenzy further. The bully was furious and two days later (when he had recovered from the ant attack) Kier provoked him into striking him in front of the teacher. The boy was kicked out of the class. He explained that his mother had carefully explained how he wasn't to use direct violence to solve his problems, so he had found another way. He might unintentionally hurt someone with his capacious strength and developing powers he explained most seriously. Kerry snorted and called him a egotistical cretin. What did elves feed their children? Vocabulary potions?!

You shrug in reply to Z.

He sighs and looks around. "So.I think Galaghard and his wife are pregnant. Pria has been visiting her sister in-law every day for the last two weeks. She giggles and asks me about children more frequently than normal. It will be most happy news for Cormyr. The royal family is but two people and they could certainly use the security of some children in the family."

You nod in agreement.

Things were certainly working themselves out here on Toril, alarmingly smoothly in the last eight years since the Chaos wars. You remember back to the first few weeks after getting back. The land had been warped by Chaos, Cormyr had been all but entirely razed by the orcish horde and dragon flights who had settled in the surrounding lands. The elves had come to Cormyr seemingly with a mustering that took perhaps 12 hours. They helped free it from the grip of the orcs and dragons, staying three full years to help them recover. Galaghard reappeared from the ashes of the war having escaped from an orcish prison, not assassinated at all, not that you really bought that whole "disintigrated" story. The Obarskyr line continued and he quickly married giving Cormyr their first queen in decades. Lathosios the hellfire wyrm was not heard from again, not unexpected when a goddess was sicked upon him. The damage done by him on the Chaos Queen's behalf however was extensive and would always be a nasty scar in Cormyr's history.

The damage to the land of Faerun slowly undid itself over the years. Villages that had vanished beneath sand reappeared on the shores of lakes, the people remembering having dreams of desert living but otherwise none the worse for wear. You never really looked into how an entire swath of land could turn into water, with no one noticing, changing the entire history of the land so everyone expected it, and somehow displacing every living thing that lived their. Who could know everything however.

Anyway, Chondath and Cormyr (Lord Kadhar and King Galaghard II) got to talking and together agreed to honor the Keepers for their help. Galaghard lifted the decree against songs of the group and the people of Cormyr rejoiced to find out that you had been helping all along and had not deserted them. The elves coming to their rescue was done purely at the behest of one of the Keepers, or so it was said.

Kale was welcomed by Galaghard as a Keeper of the realm, Falc however declined the honor. Then things just seemed to slowly dissolve from there. Kory immediately left for the elven nation so she could birth and raise her children. Kale left to the capital of Sembia, Ordulin, where he created the first church to the goddess Alundria on Faerun. He became the head priest and followers seemed to come out of the wood work and join him. Falc left, saying he needed to take a much needed solitary journey, taking with him only the Tanarukk. You returned home to find your newly created vault, treasure and a magical necklace with a crystal tear upon it.

Time is never wasted for a wizard however and you quickly began to sketch out the next few years of work for yourself. With the tear came your ability to see aura's and see through illusions. It was not something you could seem to lose by taking off the magical tear necklace. The site was difficult to get used to. Even now the flickering of colors and movement coming off everyone in the bar is like a drug induced kilidascope. Instinctivly your memory returns to eight years ago when you met a god. The memory was as clear as the crystal tear about your neck. Every thread of hair, every detail of her is burned into your mind. And you never fail to feel sorrow at not being able to be near her again.

The years have been good, peaceful almost. You have your plans, your work, but no sendings from Vandahaur have disturbed your sleep, no strange diseases running rampant threatening to destroy all life on Faerun. No, life was quiet peaceful. You smile, tap your knuckle on the wooden table and take another swig from your beer. Z frowns at your mischevious smile but says nothing.

Chapter 3 - Leadup in (Not so) Brief

Kale and Thorlin, investigating why babies were being born without souls, followed a clue about "Dydd's Deed" and went down to the source of the rumors, far to the south, past Chondath, to an ancient forest called Thornwood. Here they found a Barbarian who was sad because his wife had recently been taken from him by a snake demon.

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Interlude I

It was a beautiful autumn morning in the forest. Leaves still clung to the branches of the trees though they were beginning to turn yellow and orange. A small nearby stream gurgled quietly, the sound creating a melody with the rustling leaves and gentle breeze. The sun shone through the party cloudy sky lighting up the forest cover and shining small rays of light through to the forest floor. Lyth sat on a large fallen tree facing the warmth of the fire. The clearing where her and Dras had built their cabin was small and nestled amongst the massive forest trees and thick undergrowth. They had enough room for their small garden and a small fire pit and that was about it. The bush had been hacked away to leave enough sitting room on a manoeuvred log.

The fire was a small one, small wet branches crackled and smoked heavily, but provided enough heat to warm up their food on. A skewer of rabbit currently lay stretched across it. Lyth twisted one tip with her fingers to turn the food. The smoke wound it�s way up into the leaves and dispersed. She watched it go, small flakes of ash carried up with it, occasionally the ash was still burning like a tiny ember. No worry about them lighting a tree on fire though, it was morning and the land was still damp with mist and dew.

Beside her sat her bow and quiver. The length of the arc of the bow was engraved with a myriad of tiny symbols, all meaningful and laced with magic. The bow itself was a powerful item, it�s own story older and more veiled in mystery than Lyth�s own story. It was rather depressing sometime to think that perhaps she was a chapter in her own weapon�s story, rather than the other way around. She pushed aside such thoughts and looked back into the dancing flames of the fire. They reach up again and again as if seeking to escape from it�s brethren�s heat, only to find that as it leaves them, it ceases to be.

She could hear Dras coming through the bushes from downstream where he had been washing himself. He was certainly much quieter moving through forest than when she had first met him, but he was still a lumbering crashing animal to her ears. She smiled at how critical she was being. Not everyone could be as silent as a wraith when moving through the trees�not like her.

As she looked in the direction he was approaching from, the air beside her seemed to buckle and expand like a bubble and she could feel a thin breeze waft across the side of her neck. Even as she saw it happening she knew it for what it was, it was a creature teleporting to the spot beside her. The creature that appeared in that spot however was like nothing she had ever seen. A massive creature at least nine feet tall appears as a giant snake with green scaly coils from the waist down, and as a chain shrouded female humanoid above the waist. She has six arms, all of which wield hellishly animated loops of barbed chain. Cruel barbed chains also seem to serve as her scant clothing and armor.

Before she could leap back a host of barbed chains began slamming into her ripping through her armor and tearing her flesh. The creatures massive snake girl whipped around and grabbed onto her, squeezing the air out of her. The attack was lighting fast and overpowering. She let out a scream for help and looked to see Dras running through the trees before the darkness took her.

The creature looked towards Dras, winked, and vanished with her body. Dras proceeded to go ballistic.

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They agreed to help him out. Kale and Thorlin called Xej and explained the situation. Xej picked them up and brought them back to his place where they scryed on the Barbarian's wife Lyth. She was the descendent of Dydd that they were seeking apparently.

They found her and Xej teleported the bunch of them there. The teleport was disrupted however and only Xej made it through. He found the woman, started scrying, but a six armed snake woman was on the other side of the door and alerted to his presence so he teleported away. Meanwhile, Dras (the barbarian), Kale, and Thorlin had been dropped into a room that exploded with killing ice every 6 seconds. Beyond that, there were two arrow slits and behind that some demons. They bashed down one door, bashed down another door, fought with the demons for a while before they were forced to flee.

Xej and Lyth were safely back at his place and had to rest until the next day so Xej could scry on Thorlin, Dras, and Kale. Meanwhile, Dras had been dropped off, near death, at a church by Thorlin, and Thorlin and Kale had gotten seperated. They slept the night. The next morning Xej scryed on Thorlin, went to him, they went and got Dras, and then Kale. The bunch of them planned. They all needed healing, so the decision was made to go get Kory.

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Interlude II

Reality folds in upon you after your instantaneous journey. One at a time, each of your senses kicks in, after a short time of nothingness. They bring with them tingling, the scent of evergreen, the sound of leaves rustling and branches creaking, and finally the site of the forest. You stand upon one of the dozens of elven receiving stones, round areas a hundred feet across surrounded paved in stone bricks and surrounded by standing stones. The bricks are well tended, though sections are torn up or heavily damaged. Though cleaned and the rubble has been removed, the scars on the mosaic from the battles of days past still remain. A soft glow fills the receiving stones immediate area. Building lay nestled within trees and roots all about and rope bridges criss-cross in a maze reaching far up into the massive trees. The elven tree city stretches out in every direction from you.

It�s the middle of the night, but there are easily a dozen elven guardians facing inwards to the stone when you arrive. Their eyes watch you, but their bodies remain motionless. Xej walks calmly out of the circle and heads towards Kory�s abode, picking his way along the path he knows well. The forest city is gently lit by soft green and white lights that glow in the darkness. Small ponds and waterfalls are lit from beneath by similar magic and the effect is calming and peaceful. Elves are seen everywhere, it would seem the city does not sleep by night, and many smile and nod to Xej, others nod to Thorlin with as much deference. The Dras, ranger, and Kale are noted but that is all.

You slowly climb up a gentle hill following paths made of simple crushed stones. Near the top, looking out over a vast blanket of the forest, lit by the white moonlight, is a temple that is simply two end walls, and a cover of twined branches of the still living trees overtop forming a roof. Pews are lain out facing the end free standing wall that contains a large opening facing the open hillside and the view of the forest beyond. A few dozen feet beyond, nestled under the root of a massive tree is a structure of white stone.

The five of you walk into the doorway. Immediately inside is a large open foyer. A carpet is lain out on the floor and a boy and a girl sit playing a game of consisting of a large grid and white and black stones. They kids look up, �Uncle Xej!!� and stand, but stop short of running forward seeing the company behind him. An elven woman, looking as young as ever walks into the room from a stairway a few moments later. �Xej? Kale? Thorlin? Hey�uh�what�s going on? She walks forward to give you each a hug..�

Kory, �Thorlin, are you coming in? or will you sleep out in front of my place?�
Xej, �Kale and Kory you worship the same god right?�
Kale, " I worship Avinrel."
Kory, "I worship Lathandar. The morninglord."
Thorlin, �Doesn't sound like they do....�
Kory, �Oh....Thorlin, Xej...Ranger (of undisclosed name) and Dras I'd like you to meet my children...� Thorlin steps back. Two children approach...both appear like elvish children. �This is kerry....and this is kier.� Kory smiles.
Thorlin mumbles under his breath, �Just ad an L in there... ack... killer��
Kale sings quietly under his breath, "Thorlin's aaaafraaid, Thorlin's aaafraaid."
Thorlin, �Grrrrrrrr � Kory gives Kale and Thorlin a weird look.
Xej, � Wow for keepers of the realms you guys don�t act like heroes, show some class both of you!�
Thorlin, �Uhm... se what...Xej... ?�
Kerry stands shyly beside Kory...while Kier walks up to shake everyone's hand ...he thinks something's really funny. Xej shake his hand, as does Kale, the Ranger, and Dras.
Thorlin on the other hand does not, �Uhm.. hi kid... i didn't wash my hands.... sorry... � Thorlin moves back keeping his hand to himself. Kier gives Thorlin a weird look and wiggles his fingers in his direction. Kier then wanders back to Xej. Kier, �Uncle Xej....you got something interesting in your backpack?�
Xej, �Interesting in my backpack? Dunno lets have look.� Xej opens pack and looks through. Kerry steps closer to see too. Xej pulls out some tattoo needles. �Eh'prolly not good for children. Lets see what else.�
Kory, �No Xej...I don't think so.�
Thorlin, �You should bring out the Xej doll and have a real party with those needles...�
Xej, �Bottles of willow wisp essence? Glass eye? Where'd I get this? Chalk? Whistle? White sheet. You know this saved my life one time.�
Kory, �Kids, why don't you run in and get a snack ready for our guests. Pull out some bread, the cheese from yesterday and Kier go run and get that piece of meat we cooked last night.�
Xej, �Utility belt from Illtihid ....forgot about that.??? Did something just move in there?�
Thorlin, �Ai caramba.. we could be at this for a while...�
Kory, �Well how 'bout you continue searching your pack inside. Come in and have a bite to eat...and I�ll see to your friends as well.�
Xej, �Alright, inside we go...got any comfy chairs? Ya, and some food is good, but you lose your appetite when yer my age � As the bunch of you wander in, Kory strides ahead of you. As she does so, she non-chalantly grasps her holy symbol and speaks some words. The words seem to echo and thunder and the air seems to ripple with power as she speaks. Suddenly a golden light diffuses the room.
Thorlin, �Ah.. well.. that's tingly.. as always...�
Kory continues speaking after casting her powerful spell, continuing as normal, �I do have some comfy chairs...but..� Dras, you and the Ranger suddenly look and feel much better. You stand up straight and begins taking off bandages. All of your wounds were instantly healed and your strength seems to have completely returned as the golden power passed through you. �Um...wow...thanks....�
Xej, �I'd like to know more about these other demons you guys fought. Some weird boar with an aura? what else? Winged boar? Dogbeasts 4 arms?�
Kale, � Ape/Boar. I think they're called, "Nalfashee". And the dog guy was definitely a "Glabrezu".�
Thorlin, � boar with wings and dog like beast with 4 arms.. the boar had evil aura and confused you...�
Xej, � how many of each? did you kill any? what was there compound like?�
Kale, � 2 pig/boar/ape. 1 dog guy. killed dog guy and 1 pig/ape. um...we ended up in a room, after you teleported us, and it immediately started blasting us with killing cold. Every couple seconds, if we moved, it would blast us again.� Thorlin, � kale deduced that if you move in the room you get iced...Not sure what was behind there... � Kale, � we didn't get much farther, the next room was a demon room with human carcasses hung up all over the place, and some doors past there, but we never got past the demons....�
Kory turns to the Ranger, �what can you tell me about Dydd?
The ranger, "Errr...I didn't even know I was a descendent of someone called Dydd till yesterday...so nothing."
Kory, � tell me about yourself anyway...things you don't think are important may be more so than you think.�
Ranger, "Um,...well, grew up with the druids....liked animals...liked the forest...like gardening a lot...especially flowers...yellow ones are my favorite...and...um...I like teas...I make my own from some flowers.... Is this what you're looking for?"
Thorlin struggles to maintain composure, though seems to be chocking on his own frustration. He begins to gently thwack his head against the wall.
Kory, � sure...tell me about your parents.�
Xej, � Thorlin? you need something harder to bang your head on?�
Thorlin whispers unsubtly across the room to Xej, � don't joke about rocks on head, kale has got a problem with that...� Xej, � I see that.�
Ranger "ok....my dad was one of the druids. Not particularly high ranking or anything, did his part. My mom lived in a village but came to live with us when I was young...lived in forest...um...my dad was an elf, my mom was a human, but I'm all elf...my mom died some years ago, my dad is still in the forest, a druid."
Thorlin, � weird.. i thought that's where half-elves came from... so HE's A DSECENS Ranger, "No, I think my mom was the descendant of Dydd."
Kory, � why do you think it was your mom and not your dad?�
Thorlin, � especially since dad was druid!�
Ranger, "Because the druids said before we left that I was the only descendant of Dydd they thought was alive."
Kory, � what else did the druids tell you?�
Ranger, "Nothing."
Thorlin, � great... so painful... we rescued her too quickly.. what if we bargain with the snake s... ie.. sell her back?... then snake tells her �
Kier wanders up behind Thorlin, Thorlin notices and quickly stands up and moves away. Kier, �Want a drink mister?� He seems unperturbed about the large minotaur quickly avoiding his touch. �Mister...you want a drink?�
Thorlin, � I�m okay... thank you, now go play with kedge...�
Kier runs to uncle Xej, �Uncle Xej, uncle Xej....I brought you one of those special candies that you like!�
Thorlin, � so.. we sell woman to snake.. snake interrogates her, tells her the master plan etc.. then we rescue her again.. what do you guys think?�
Xej, � Candies? Mmmm.....I don�t remember liking candies. � Xej takes it and eats it. �Mmmm....candy�
Kory, � uncle Xej! do you want a drink?�
Thorlin, � Argh.. can we not plan without interruptions.. the little minions are running amok...�
Xej, � Uh....maybe what is it?�
Thorlin, � oh for crying out loud...�
Kerry walks up to Kory and tugs on her hand and then quietly whispers to her. Kory says, �the food is ready. do you want to go to the table or have kerry bring it out here?�
Thorlin, � uhm.. let's just go there, without disturbance from the little ..uhm.. hellions. �
Kier says, �It's your favorite uncle Xej...I don't really know what kind it is...I got it from the back of mommy's drawer. there are some other ones that are even browner than the one I gave you. do you want some more?�
Thorlin, � say no so we can plan...�
Xej, � Browner? No that�s enough for now. Uncle Xej is full of fluid. � He turns to Kory, �Lets eat at the table�
Kory, � please follow me...� Kory leads you to the next room where there is cheese, bread and meat product lying about...some vegetables as well...you recognize some peppers and tomatoes.
Xej, � How big was this compound? I think a marilith is quite huge.�
Thorlin, � no idea.. all I saw was a room before being in stupid land..�.
Kale � �first room was 30x30, second room was 30x30...roughly of course...�
Xej, � It must have high ceilings�
Thorlin, � it's a big snake.. fit's on a stick, taste like chicken...�
Kale - "yes, 20 foot ceilings..."
Thorlin, � 6 arms... etc...�
Xej, � how big were the other demons?�
Kory, � tastes like chicken eh? so that's why you want to go kill it.�
Thorlin, � bigger than me, although in all the wrong places...well.. it's a lot of meat...�
Kale � �20 feet tall they were, though the Glabrezu was only 15 feet tall�
Xej, � 20 feet, that big? We may need more help. Oh but the other was only 15? never mind then.�
Kory, � where does Dras fit...oh...your married.�
Thorlin, � yeah.. Ranger and Dras are together...Just make them stop making me stupid so i can fight...�
Kory, � Have you researched anything about dydd? �
Thorlin, � Well... only a bard song... i don't have the coin to do more than that....�
Kale - 'Bard song said that dydd fought a massive dragon and died, a long long time ago, a big red dragon, and gave it a "death wound"....that's all we really know.'
Kory, � have you tried looking harder?
Kale, -'by definition of the word harder...no.'
Thorlin, � so our choice was 1. look for once dying red dragon or find Dydd�s descendants...�
Xej, � what dragon?�
Thorlin, � red dragon that dyed fought against and mortally wounded.. that was part of Dydd�s deed...�
Xej, � Dragon prolly ain�t dead just mortally wounded....causing trouble from a far �
Kory, � how many libraries have you checked out?�
Thorlin, � what do I look like a librarian?�
Kale - 'well, none exactly...'�
Xej, �Candle keep has the biggest library on Faerun�
Kory, �Perhaps we should visit the library and see what you can find before we go after a demon woman who has already inflicted heavy damage on half of your group.�
Xej, �The ranger wants her gear back, sentimental value�
Thorlin, �One on one, she hurt kale.. who was already wounded.. it wasn't that bad...but ya, the ranger girls stuff...okay.. talk to priests and check library.. ok.. let's go... �
Kory, � how about we have a look at the library here and then head over to candlekeep.�
Thorlin, � hrumph...� Kory laughs. Thorlin continues, � well let's finish food and go.. time's ticking...�
Xej, � Alright, but what if the demon moves?�
Thorlin, � tie them up or something, and lets go...�
Kory, � i can also ask my god some questions that might help us get closer to solving this mystery. however, that will take some time and you have come at an inopportune one for my meditation.
Xej, � sigh....alright, lets prolong this....I'll go to Candlekeep while you look here.�
Thorlin, �Considering she can teleport... it's a moot point... just the location was rather weird.. and we should check it out as soon as possible...�
Kier yells in excitement � uncle Xej, uncle Xej can I come with you????!!!!!�
Xej, � You can if your mother says its ok..�
Thorlin, � yes.. you should take them...�
Kory, � I don't know kier..� and then gives a weird look at Xej as if she thinks he's crazy to suggest it.
Thorlin, � yeah.. a book could fall on his head or something...�
Kory, � maybe next time kier....wait this one out please.�
Kier, �awwww, mooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!�
Xej, � Ok maybe not such a good idea with a demon on the prowl ....prolly lookin for me .....best you stay here....I�ll leave Gexbat to play with you.�
Kory, �Go play with your sister.�
Thorlin, � yes.. in the other room, the far one... �
Kier stomps away with kerry following. Xej sends Gexbat to follow and keep an eye on them.
Thorlin, � nice knowing you Gexbat...�
Kier, �Cool...come one Gexbat...let me show you some things I can do...� Kerry rolls her eyes.
Thorlin, �Xej, so which last longer apprentices or familiars?� He smiles a vicious smile.
Xej, �Familiars live longer than there masters. Gexbat has been in far less trouble than I have.�
Thorlin, �Don't worry that will change. I think they're getting into the dissection... they did take a knife. Ok.. I�ll go to the library here then?�
Kory, �I need to meditate...how long do you think you'll be at the library Xej?�
Xej, �Depends, studying takes awhile.�
Kory, �Thorlin you going with him?�
Thorlin, �I don't want to go...�
Dras and the Ranger pipe up, �It�s probably best if we stay here for now.�
Kale, "Um...I guess Xej could use some help...I�ll go with him."
Xej, � Good, I need a dependable back up. I can get into trouble real real easy!�
Thorlin, � reading?.. by reading?... i knew it. What am I going to do at candlkeep? It's a bunch of books.�
Xej, �Thorlin you don�t want to stay with the kids anyway ...right?�
Thorlin, �Yeah.. but books.. .ugh.. besides.. I can wonder around the city as opposed to being stuck in a ... fine.. ok.. I�ll come as well. Dammit...but if I die of boredom, I�m holding you personally responsible.�
Kory, �There's a couple of places I can take Dras and the Ranger where they'll be safe from scrying. We'll go there now. If you three can accompany us until we get there that would be helpful.�
Kory, �Kids...keep Gexbat inside please until i get back.� A faint "yes, mom" is heard from the next room.
Xej, �Alright lets get the show on the road!�

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So, group went to Candlekeep, found some reference to Ashardalon, the great red dragon and it's battle with Dydd.

Chapter 4 - The Rudest Hero's on Faerun

They went back the forest with Lyth and asked the druids about it, they pointed them to the Church of Elements, and Lyth was allowed to go commune with the first tree (but noone else because they were being incredibly rude). She asked it many questions and got some answers about Ashardalon, his missing heart replaced by a living demon, and also the dreamers who might know more. Apparently she was linked to Ashardalon and if she stated that she was Dydd's descendent, Ashardalon would be affected somewhat. Anyway, they then headed off towards the original area where Dydd fought Ashardalon in search for her sword.

On the way, the met a knight that killed some innocent people and then found a town with a bard named Cuckoo, and a bunch of very poor people being attacked by a ghost knight and some elves. There they were rude to most everyone but didn't do much else.

Chapter 5 - Ahh, finally a Dungeon!

The group went to a nearby barrow, on Dyson's suggestion, in search of the source of the Horseman's source. Dyson agreed to reward them with Dydd's ancient sword if they helped with the ghost and elves. The group dug into the barrow and explored. They were harassed by dark spirits that came out of the walls from the underground barrow. Eventually the group fled the undead and went back to town to rest..or maybe go see the elves first.

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