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[Dwarmin]

Other than the fact my parents and sister are buried there? Not much else. It's fairly large, and composed of extensive catacombs, and traditionally guarded by an order of acolytes rumored to be descended from a Kai Grand Master, who built it, to house his remains after his death, along with his most powerful weapons and artifacts-also, he was rumored to have stored a great treasure underneath his tomb, and to guard it against any intruders he built it like a deadly maze, filled with traps. Needless to say, many a foolish young man has gone to his death trying to explore within-the acolytes are unfriendly, and will kill those that trespass with no remorse.

Last I knew, it was unspoiled. I heard they investigated and found no overt sign of evil-odd, what with the undead roaming around everywhere else...the acolytes claimed to have killed many intruders, Giaks and Humans alike, but no undead has dared to step upon the grounds. It's clear whatever power that is housed there has protected the inhabitants from rising to harry us. We have taken it as a sign of providence and let it go at that-one less thing to worry about.


You all have the basic knowledge of Kai historical figures-you believe he may be talking about "Dusk Runner"-a Kai Warrior was known as a tireless hunter of the undead and those who practiced Necromancy. In his long life, he gathered an abundance of lore, weapons and artifacts pertaining to their destruction...at the end of his life, he left the order for reasons that remain unwritten, and took them with him. Many places were theorized to have been his burial place-the catacombs of Keening Willow were one of them, but the acolytes have forbade anyone to search.

Of the great treasure Bronson speaks of, none of you can guess-it was likely the catalyst for his split with the order-he may have not trusted such a treasure to none other but himself if it was powerful enough.

An investigation may reveal the fate of the Kai scouts-there may even be remnants of Dusk Runners treasures to be found, a sure advantage against the undead. Then again, it may all be naught but rumors...long spun tales of power and glory that have led to deaths of many other young men such as yourselves.

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I do not wish to pillage a brother's final resting place, whether or not he left the order," Leaf said, looking unsure. "On the other hand it is the only solid lead we have. Thank you, Bronson." He turned to his brothers. "What do you think? Should we proceed to Veyar, and should we go to the cemetery?" he asked. For his own part, he was quite curious as to why the undead would leave the cemetery alone. That hinted quite heavily that it perhaps truly was Dusk Runner's final home, and this knowledge would be welcomed by the Order, he was sure.

Also, if they went, it wasn't like they HAD to take anything. They could merely talk to the acolytes and then resume their journey. "Personally I'm for it," he said after a moment to think it over.

[Frelock]

"I agree.  What I find truly interesting is that out intelligence said that Keening Willow Cemetery was indeed tainted, yet here we have evidence to the contrary.  I believe that it would be best to investigate it.  We lose naught but time, and have the possibility to gain much."

[Dwarmin]

Your deliberations are interrupted by sounds coming from the camp below you-loud voices and the baying of hounds. It's clear they have begun to search for the missing soldiers. Bronson speaks quickly...

I wouldn't get captured if I were you. You probably heard me talk about what happened to Elfric earlier...

You've only got a little time left.

((Well, that's two votes for the cemetary. I'll give Darvi/Taricus a chance to weigh in before updating.))

[Taricus]

"I say we slip inside the city while they're searching for us"

[Frelock]

"I say we slip inside the city while they're searching for us"

((What city?  We're "Smack dab in the crossroads" between the three major cities.))

[Taricus]

We slip away to get to the city then.

[Darvi]

"If the cemetery is indeed tainted, then I might just have the tools for it..."

[Dwarmin]

You want to go off by yourself Taricus? Clarify your actions, and where you would go.

I wouldn't go to Veyar by yourself though...

Those who managed to escape said the city had been overrun with undead

[Taricus]

Oh, disreguard that then.

"Let's go to the cemetary then."

[Dwarmin]

disreguard

lol

Running turn now...say your goodbyes to Lone Wanderer...

[Dwarmin]

Turn 13

The team deliberates swiftly, as the soldiers scour the area for them...War Wind objects at first, but is eventually brought to reason when he realizes that Veyar will likely take all the combined skills of the Kai warriors to survive.

They decide that the Keening Willow Cemetary would be the wisest approach, for now-but, as they are about to depart into the nigh, they hear the shouts of the hunters-they have been found! At least 100 soldiers walking in staggered formation approach from from all sides, pinning them between the forest and the cliff side...the Kai know they cannot escape without killing many innocent soldiers of Esteros. There is no discussion now. Your training has always emphasized the needs of the many, over the needs of the few...one of you must make a path for the others to escape.

Lone Wanderer is the one to volunteer. There are no tearful goodbyes, nor long winded speeches. He merely walks forward to do what he must in silence. In the hail of rain and wind and crash of thunder, he carves a path through the soldiers, every blow the glaive shaft or flat of his blade, so as to not kill. The remaining Kai ride through the hole created and vanish into the night.

Then, with a sigh, he raises his hands and drops his weapon, allowing the soldiers to take him prisoner. The soldiers bind his hands-and take him back to the camp. Bronson and his brother are also taken for questioning...

Lone Wanderer is led into the center of the camp. Some of the soldiers are respectfully silent, others jeer rudely, or curse him and all of Sommerlund. He is led to an audience with General Billon...they roughly throw him to the floor of the tent. Billon, an aging, yet handsome man of about 45 with a full grey beard and thick glass spectacles, kneels down and places a hand on his shoulder. Lone Wanderer feels his life force being rapidly drained by an unseen force. The General then says...

Welcome to my camp...Lone Wanderer. I know your name. I think my masters will be very interested in meeting you...and soon, the rest of your friends, as well.

*Lone Wanderer has been captured by the enemy. For now, at least, his quest has come to an end.*

-------------------

Time:Midnight
Place:Outside the Keening Willow Cemetary

The other Kai are blissfully unaware of these developments. They ride through the night, knowing that the storm will erase all trace of their passage. At last, they arrive at the outskirts of the Cemetary. It must stretch for miles, row after row of carefully maintained headstones and crypts...and it is utterly silent-no birds, nor insects.

To the eye, it looks untainted, but the Kai can feel a pulsing evil underneath the land they cannot help but feel compelled to seek out and destroy. Located in the center, a single two story building with a bell tower-the home of the Acolytes-a few lonely lights shine through the windows, indicating someone is awake at this hour. They are burdened with grief, and weary of a long nights travel, but cautious of what may await them within...

-------------------

Spoiler: Inventory (click to show/hide)

Silent Fox (Darvi)

Str: 3     End: 3
Agi: 4     Int: 5
Cha: 6     HP: 13/13
Equipment
Iron shod Battle Staff, wielded, +1 to damage, +1 to defense
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense
Food Rations for 4 days
Karma Cards
5xElemental Spheres
1xEmpty Glass Bottle
Prayer Book, A book of prayers to the Gods Kai and Ishtar. A noble soul who reads certain passages can pacify wayward souls, calm the dead and dying and may be able to repel evil.
Folding Shovel, Can be used for digging, or a weapon in extreme circumstance, +0 to damage

Abilities:Swift as the Wind/Using his ability to manipulate the air, Silent Fox can dodge up to 3 damaging attacks a battle with a successful agility roll. His running speed is dramatically increased.

Omens
1. "Be steadfast...and do not show fear. When it is presented, do not take the low road, for it will be your doom"

Known Elemental Spells
-Hungry Earth: Entombs and crushes an enemy under the ground. Easier on smaller enemies.
-Earth buckshot: Summon a sphere of shrapnel, damaging all enemies in front of you in an arc-useful for piercing armor.
-Air Shield: Used to hamper enemies, increasing defense for whole party-needs a good breeze to work with.

Disciplines:6th Sense, Magicka

Companion
Horse (Sonic)
HP: 20/20

War Wind (Taricus)

Str: 3     End: 3
Agi: 3     Int: 8
Cha: 5     HP: 13
Equipment
Iron Longsword, wielded, +3 to damage
+1 Exquisite Young Ironwood Light Spiked Heater Shield:+2 to defense, -1 damage, wielding in offhand, additional 1 spike damage on successful defense roll
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense =Demon Bane= +2 defense vs Demon enemies (The Term Demon is used to describe anything that comes from the evil realm-things like dragons, Shadows, and the Dark Lords themselves.)
Smithing Tools, allows crafting
Food Rations for 4 days (smoked meat, tasty)
1xLampsur Potion, refill all HP, cannot be used during battle
1x Chunk of White Iron:Weapons or armor smelted from white iron are bane to the undead, doubly so if the rites of Ishtar and Kai are spoken aloud while they are being forged.

Abilities: 1/1, not used todayFire Breathing/Three times a day and once per battle you can breath fire on your foe for 3d3+1 damage. You have to eat a full meal to use this ability, not counting what you must eat to avoid starvation, and cannot eat a sapient being to do so, such as a Giak or a Human.
Disciplines:Kai Armorer, Weapon Training/Longsword

Companion
Horse (Paladin)
HP: 20/20

Mending Moon (Frelock)

Str: 2     End: 3
Agi: 5     Int: 7
Cha: 4     HP: 13/13
Equipment
Longbow, wielded (15 arrows), +5 to damage, cannot be used in melee
Holdout Dagger, +0 to damage
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense
Food Rations for 4 days
1xLampsur Potion, refill all HP, cannot be used during battle
Healing Kit (3 Poultices left, heals 5 hitpoints)
1xMedical Bandage, heals +1 health

Abilities:Misdirection/Once per battle, Mending Moon can use his naturally small goblin size to appear less threatening.  This can either be used to make those attacking Mending Moon seek other targets, or can be used to avoid a single attack of opportunity.  Does not work if Mending Moon is the only target nearby. The enemy must fail an intelligence check for this to work.


Disciplines:Healing, Mind over Matter

Companion
Horse (Chestnut)
HP: 20/20

Sheltering Leaves (SeriousConcentrate)
Str: 4     End: 4
Agi: 5     Int: 3
Cha: 5     HP: 14/14
Equipment
Reinforced Gauntlets/Boots, +1 damage, +1 agility, mud spattered
Green Kai Cloak, worn, +2 to sneaking, mud spattered
Leather Armor, worn, +2 to defense, mud spattered
Food Rations for 4 days (Came with orange slices, so you can share with Merame)
1xLampsur Potion, refill all HP, cannot be used during battle

Abilities
-1/1, not used today Mystical Flash/Leaf gathers energy into his palm, then lunges forward and hits the target, releasing it as a bright flash in the colors of the rainbow. The release of spiritual energy is very powerful and can blow the enemy away. (Special attack that, if successful, adds Charisma to damage, can be used three times a day, and once a battle. Recharged through meditation.)

Disciplines: Animal Kinship, Weapon Training/Bare Hands

Companion
Monkey (Merame)
HP:10/10
Status: Well Fed, +1 to all rolls
Orders:Be annoying

Horse (Thunder)
HP: 20/20

OOC:

[Taricus]

Tell the damned undead (If any) to stay underground.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Sheltering Leaves sighed. It was a bad omen, being forced to leave Lone Wanderer behind, even if it was for the sake of the cause. Merame, for once, was quiet as well, clinging to his back. He folded his arms and looked at the building in the center of the graveyard. "How should we proceed?" he asked. They could sneak in, fight their way in, or try to talk their way in, and he thought about it. Most distrust draconians and goblins... He turned to Silent Fox. "Maybe the two of us should go first and try to convince the acolytes to let us look around while Mending Moon and War Wind hide nearby. If the Acolytes force a confrontation it will take all of us to fight them off..."

[Frelock]

"I agree" said Mending Moon, "though I fear the acolytes have been taken by some curse.  The evil here is nearly palpable; even the descendants of fallen Kai should be able to feel it."