With him is an attractive young elf maiden, with dark bronze skin and coppery hair. The clothing she wears do not seem to be intended for her, though, as they are oversized and ill-fitting.
"Well met, young lady, I am Alhamet, warrior of Thor, allow me!" Al says as he takes his cloak off and puts it around her shoulders. "It is not much, but can protect you from the elements and cover you up, if so desire," he says in a straight voice, looking at her face the whole time.
"Occa, I thought you were going to Wish to heal everyone, get us all together in Sandas, or wherever, and send Zanax to wherever he was going. Why didn't you do that? I am a little upset for Niko's sake. He is in awful pain and I though you were going to take care of him with the Wish you were going to use."
Occa says, "Oh, right. I need to relearn spells, but I will do it first thing tomorrow."
Robert yawns, and then makes eyes at the lady elf.
The elf lady smiles back shyly and then blushes. "My name is Ryshara. Who are you?"
"I am Robert," he says, sounding strangely lame. He clears his throat and then introduces the others.
Ryshara curtsies awkwardly to the others.
Al butts in.
"Well met, Ryshara, I am Alhamet, how did you come to find us?" he asks politely.
Ryshara blushes again "Pleased to meet you, Alhamet. Your friend Occa and I have mutual interests and he has agreed to assist me in my studies."
Bringing himself back to the matter at hand, Robert says, "We are only a few miles outside of Sandas. Let's sleep here for a few hours, then head into the city when it starts to get light. I could sure use one of your cook's breakfasts, Occa."
"Sounds good." says Occa.
"What was our take from this latest trip? I would like to go with you guys, but probably not stay in Occa's place."
Robert pulls out his abacus.
"Let me see..." he says, "Apiece, it looks like 4cp (5 left over for the 'chest), 714pp (2), 2 gems (100gp ea) (4 left over), 128ep (4). That leaves 4 gems (50gp ea.), a scroll, a potion and a longsword to dicker over."
You all settle down for the night. Occa has cast a fairly high level spell, so he must rest for over six hours before he can relearn any new spells.
February 12th dawns partly overcast. The temperature starts to struggle up towards the freezing point.
In the morning, Occa casts a wish spell. "I wish all here were healed fully."
Everyone in the party who was injured finds themselves back up to snuff. Niko is also fully restored to his former glory.
That little task taken care of, you set out for Sandas. Cutting across several fields and meadows, you soon come to the Old Dwarvish Road. Robert directs you to the right (west), and you start walking.
You were a little farther from Sandas than Robert originally estimated, and it is approaching noontime before you pass through the East Gate and into the city.
You keep walking, for Occa's home is on the far side of the city. Robert casts a longing glance as you walk past the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf. Finally, you pass through the West Gate, and move into the newer section of the city where Occa lives.
At last you arrive at the door to Occa's mansion.
You knock at the door, and Igor the hunchbacked doorman opens the door.
"Master!" he wheezes to Occa delightedly, as his glass eye pops out in surprise. "We heard that you were dead or something!"
You are ushered inside.
Jesse and Op Code are enjoying a quiet lunch in the informal dining room when suddenly they hear the servants making a commotion.
A moment later, none other than Occa, with Equinox, Niko, Robert, Gonzo, Emm and Al in tow come bustling in. With them is a newcomer: a female elf with dark bronze skin and coppery hair.
"I want lunch, then a shave, then it's off to the 'Dwarf to get drunk for me," Robert says with a grin. "Good to see you, Op Code! You too, Jesse! We rescued Occa, and we found Salaam's soul. Now, I wonder what we do next?"
"As't try to get in touch with the others that when looking for you us," Op Code remarks.
"Say what, Op Code?" Robert says with another grin. "Been into the beer already today?"
"It was quite a glorious trip. Thor was instrumental in us finding both Occa and Salaam, though there is not much left to him." Al shrugs as he exhales the clean air of Sandas.
"I wonder if we can wish him back," suggests Robert.
The female elf looks around with a mix of shyness and awe. She smiles at Jesse and Op Code. "Greetings! I'm Ryshara."
"Where is Darien and the others?" Jesse asks, concerned.
Niko chimes in. "Well, I've seen many things of horror and awe...not to mention things that probably weren't meant for mortals to see. I think I need time to relax...maybe find out where my ship is!"
He talks into his communicator "Lord Ramage, please respond."
Ryshara looks at Niko talking into his communicator with curiosity.
After a moment a metallic voice come from the communicator!
"Ramage here. Is that you, Captain?"
Niko replies "Yes, Lord Ramage, it's Niko. What's your location?"
"The City of Time. Where are you?"
"I'm in Sandas. What's your current status and next port?"
"Loading cargo. Then we return to Sincity."
"Arghh...how long before you return to Sandas?" replies Niko irritably.
"I've never been to Sandas, Captain. Isn't that some small river port in Nlad? Do you want me to sail there?"
"Where is Darien?" the woman asks again, a bit agitated.
Niko talks into his communicator again. "Darian...come in Darian..."
This time he gets no answer.
"Come in Orlon...come in Orlon..."
Again, no reply.
Niko shrugs. "Sorry, Jesse."
"They teleported here to get Gilstrock raised," says Robert. "That was yesterday. Did they go back to hell after that? Is Gilstrock alive, for that matter?"
The servants bring in more food for the newcomers, and you all have a hearty meal.
After that, you get cleaned yp.
Ryshara asks Occa, "Could I borrow a few coins to buy some clothing? What I have is hardly appropriate for an apprentice of an arch-mage."
"Of course." He hands over a sack of a few hundred gold.
"Occa, if it is alright, I would take the young lady shopping, as a beauty such as hers should have protection," Al offers to the elf maiden and Occa.
Ryshara looks at Occa expectantly.
"Sure, that is fine." Occa says. "I have some studying and resting to do anyway. When do you all wish to get back together?"
"I don't think it should take that long, perhaps a few hours?" Al replies, looking to Ryshara for conformation. Once she agrees to a time, he opens the door and says to the elf lass. "After you!"
Soon thereafter, Robert and Niko head out to the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf for some serious drinking.
Occa wanders off.
The rest of you are relaxing this afternoon in one of the living rooms, when Igor ushers Darian, Gilstrock, Orlon and a stranger in. They are rather surprised to see Equinox, Gonzo and Emm here. Also present are Op Code and Jesse.
At this point Al enters the living room of Occa's mansion, where the others are. With him is an attractive female elf...who does not look too well at the moment. He also carries several bulky packages.
The latest arrivals see that Equinox, Gonzo, Emm and Jesse are here. Also, to their surprise, they see that Orlon, Gilstrock and Darian have returned.
Also present is another newcomer, who entered with Orlon, Gilstrock and Darian. A warrior, obviously, he has pale skin and freckles.
Jesse runs over to Darian and gives him a big hug, almost tackling him. "When Occa and the others returned without you, I was afraid you were lost too. What happened?"
Darian gives her a big kiss and a hug.
"Well, when we got there, they weren't where we'd left them. So, we wandered around for a while and ran into a pack of wraiths. We dispatched them, but Gil and I got touched. We need Orlon to restore us, at his earliest convenience."
"Hey, how's it hanging!?!" Gilstrock says, warmly greeting the others. "We've been to Hell and back looking for you."
Darian laughs. "I bet you've been dying for the chance to say that to someone."
Gilstrock's hands instinctively go to his neck. "Oof, don't remind me," he says.
"Oh, sorry about that, Gil. Poor choice of words."
"So, how did you guys get back and where are the others? Did you find Occa?"
"We found Occa when we left the room where we were waiting for you guys. Occa was only a door or two away, in the same room as the remains of Salaam, guarded by only a couple of easy troglodytes or something. We killed them, untied Occa and we then left hell on a teleport scroll we found. We used that because Occa had no teleport spells left but we did not know where it would teleport us to. I remember having reservations about its use. In any event, it teleported us to this planet, only a few miles from Sandas, right in front of Zanax. Zanax wanted to be teleported somewhere so Occa teleported him and then, after a while returned with a new apprentice. Occa and the others are now around town, training, socializing, etc."
Darian shakes his head in confusion. "Where did he want to teleport to? And how did Occa teleport anyone when you just said he didn't have any teleport spells?"
"I am sorry, let me explain further," Equinox pauses and then continues, "As I recall, Zanax met us on this planet, near Sandas, I think. He asked Occa to teleport him somewhere, I don't recall where. I suggested that Occa rest and study for the night and then Wish Zanax to wherever he wanted to go, heal the entire party and get us all to here, Occa's home. Occa said that was a good idea but then got up in the morning and teleported with Zanax rather than using the Wish spell."
"And you rescued Salaam? That's great! Where is he?"
"To tell the truth, I am not sure that anyone has resurrected Salaam or even tried to, I guess. We found what we believe to be his soul and someone took them."
Equinox pauses. "Just between you guys and me, I remain suspicious as to how easy it was to rescue Occa. It was suggested that he was really an imposter but Occa noted that not too many imposters can cast 9th level spells."
Emm raises an eyebrow. "I thought he might be a doppleganger, but Occa pointed out dopplegangers do not cast such spells. I have no way of knowing and assume that the rest of the group knew this to be true."
"It does sound strange. When we got back to where we left you, we ran into a bunch of wraiths and Gil and I got zapped. I'm glad you folks were okay. We looked around and couldn't figure out where you'd gone. If we hadn't gotten those two teleport without error scrolls from Ray Jay's assistant, Ming, we would've been in trouble."
"Oh, Geez, that's right," Gilstrock says. "Orlon, now that we're back in town, is there anything you can do to help us?"
"What do you suggest we do to test whether Occa is really Occa? Such stuff is not really in my department," asks Equinox.
At this point you hear noises on the verandah outside and the servants letting someone in.
A moment later Al and Ryshara enter.
"Hello." Ryshara says quietly, "Has anyone seen Occa?"
The tall, pale (and quiet) warrior speaks up. "I am Drinor, paladin of Tyr."
He bows humbly to all assembled.
"Well met, brother, I am Alhamet, cavalier of our lord Thor. How long have you been in Tyr's service?" Al asks as he extends a gauntleted hand to the newcomer.
"And are you a powerful paladin of Tyr?" Ryshara asks quietly.
The druid speaks.
"Ryshara, please tell me how, where and when you met Occa."
Ryshara looks up at the druid with a puzzled look "I did already...when we first met...didn't I?"
"No, you didn't. You just said that Occa had agreed to take you on as an apprentice. Please tell me, for the first time, or for the second time if you continue to insist that you told me before, how, where and when you met Occa."
Ryshara starts to tremble. "Occa...Occa rescued me...just before we teleported to near your camp..."
She then looks to Al and grasps his arm. "Why is he asking me all these questions?"
Then you hear more noises from the entrance, and a moment later Igor ushers another person into the room. This one is a high elf, and an attractive one. He is slender but wiry, with hair a dirty blond in colour. His eyes are an intense blue in colour. He wears leathers, carries a pack, a quiver (but strangely enough, no bow), and several sheathed swords.
Gonzo, Orlon, Jesse, Darian, Gilstrock and Al recognise him to be none other than Vardui, an occasional member of this party.
"Mind if I join you?" he asks, then, before you can answer, he sets his pack and quiver down and goes over to the fireplace to warm up.
Drinor grins and shakes Al's hand. "Not so many years. But many yet to come."
Drinor looks humbly at his boots. "My power is growing, but pales before most. I am barely worthy to be called a Guardian at the temple of our Lord."
"I was once a Paladin for Horus-Re and he granted me the ability to view a person's soul and see if there is a taint for evil. The Western Gods, such as Thor and Tyr, grant their Paladins the same ability. Can you do so?" he asks, frowning, with Ry bounded in his arms.
Jesse moves over to Ryshara. "Hello, my name is Jesse, I used to run with Occa, but am now retired, staying here to learn Sandas. If you need anything, anything at all, that only a woman can assist with, please let me know."
"Its ok, Ry, I am here for you," Al whispers to her. "Equinox, Back off!" he says with a glare to the druid. "What is your problem?"
Those near enough to Gilstrock may hear him mutter under his breath the words "walking gland" as he glances in the direction of Al.
Equinox presses on.
"Oh cut it out. Rescued you from where? And from what? These questions should not be that difficult for you to answer."
"Cool it, Equinox, she has been through a lot. If Occa vouches for her, she is alright. She will tell you when she is ready !" Al replies before Ry does.
Gilstrock says, "So where is Occa?"
After only the faintest of pauses, he adds, "And when's dinner? Occa's got a great cooking staff!"
"The point, Al, is that Occa might not be who he said he is."
"How is that possible? I have been with Occa ever since.. ah, ok.. oh my!" Al says with a sheepish grin, realizing that Occa was kidnapped and then rescued.
"All I want is for Ryshara to answer the questions. They are not difficult questions, nor are they difficult to answer. If it turns out that Occa is not who he says he is, you are going to feel pretty stupid for allowing Ms. Ryshara not to answer the questions."
"Now Ryshara," Equinox turns to Ryshara, "where were you when you met Occa? When did you meet Occa? What were the circumstances of your meeting?"
"Where is Brother Orlon or even our new friend, the Paladin?" Al asks, "perhaps they can divine the truth without harassing Ry!"
Drinor clears his throat. "Alas, I am not yet powerful enough to cast spells. Tyr willing, someday...."
"Having Orlon figure out the truth will hopefully work just fine. Until then, I do not understand why Ryshara will not tell me when and how she met Occa."
"She has gone through alot over the past few hours. She was verbally abused by some witch named Rage and now the hammering by you. Give her a few minutes to regain her composure and she can answer your questions," Al replies.
"Al, for us newcomers, could you back up and start from the beginning? I'm a little confused..."
"Who is this lady and how did Occa save her?"
Ryshara unsteadily pushes herself away from Al and begins to angrily storm towards with Equinox with her finger pointed accusingly. "Probably because I don't really like remembering that Occa rescued me from years of being tortured by demonic creatures!"
She then swiftly kicks Equinox in the crotch.
He swings back.
Equinox is still off guard, and his swing is wide.
"Bets, anyone?" asks Vardui.
Equinox is taken off guard, but still manages to turn away and protect his most vulnerable area from Ryshara's attack. Instead, her foot strikes him in the thigh.
Jesse quickly comes to Ryshara's defense. She slaps Equinox hard across the face before dressing him down.
As she swings her hand a glowing sword suddenly appears in it.
Equinox has his face slashed open by Jesse for 2 hit points.
"Equinox, I do not know what rock, or log or belly of a slug you crawled out from under, but you better learn some manners really quick!" the woman says, her temper raging. "Your questioning was better left to another time, and the fact that you are so stupid to not understand that is baffling to me. You never raise a hand to a woman, and you deserved what you got. Did you not hear Al about her morning, and add to that the fact that she is having a hard time adjusting to being free. Geez, I have known trees that were less dense."
She steps back and speaks. "Gilstrock, Darien, please escort this man to someplace where he can think about his actions and do not allow him back here until he is calm and willing to apologize to Ryshara for his ill manners. A woodshed would be appropriate, or a log or something."
"You still have not answered my question, missy. Are you saying that you were rescued by Occa from Hell?"
Al picks her up and pulls her from harm's way.
"Paladin brother of mine, please use your powerand look deeply into Ry to prove that she is fine!" Al asks of his fellow holy warrior.
Drinor nods gravely, and attempts to detect evil on or in the person of Ryshara.
Gonzo (the really ugly dwarf [for the newcomers]) disappears into the kitchen and returns shortly with something to eat. "Mfph ookin pfor 'opmforn, bfot dis will do" he says waving it around a bit and chewing on a bite.
Darian nods and looks at Gil. "Equinox, maybe we should go outside and let the tension in here cool down."
"This is a good situation," Equinox remarks sarcastically, fending off Darian, "Ryshara appears with Occa immediately after Occa was captured by devils and released, unharmed and guarded by practically nothing. An intelligent person might question the provident circumstances surrounding that event. Then Zanax disappears with Occa, not to return, and Ryshara appears with Occa, supposedly after being rescued by Occa from devils, perhaps in Hell and perhaps not. If she was rescued in Hell, what in Hell was Occa doing in Hell? That is not where Zanax asked him to take them. Then, after Ryshara refuses to answer the simple questions regarding when and where she met Occa, genuine concerns raised by the circumstances of her arrival, she physically attacks me. The reactions are mixed: at least one person is OUTRAGED at my treatment of Ryshara and others think she should be tested to determine if she is evil. At this point, I think that it would be very humorous if Ryshara and Occa turned out to be other than what they appear. In that event at least one person here would owe me an apology which I would enjoy receiving. Therefore my position remains unchanged: until someone can magically determine whether Occa and Ryshara are true party members, Ryshara should explain when and where she met Occa."
"WE were there, searching for Salaam. In fact we found, err, part of him. I guess the only thing that will truly bring him back would be a wish of some sort. So, THAT'S what he and we were doing there!!!" Al replies.
"We did not meet Ryshara in Hell, Al. If Occa met Ryshara in Hell it means that he went back to Hell after he took Zanax away. Zanax did not ask him to take him to Hell, so why did Occa go to Hell?"
"Who said we did ?" Al replies, "I said Occa and I were in Hell looking for Salaam. Get your head out of your ass and listen!"
"OCCA DIDN'T MEET ME IN HELL! WHAT ARE YOU, THICKHEADED???!!!" Ryshara shouts at the druid.
"After all the abuse she has been through over the past few hours, I would have kicked you too! Not like you need 'em, you tree hugger!" Al lashes out verbally. "Don't they teach you in Druid school when to learn to shut up? Drinor is scanning her as we speak so shut up and give him some room. Or do you not trust me either, since he just 'showed up', as well !!"
"Wait." Jesse says sarcastically. "How do we know you are the real Equinox and not some imitation that has his head full of marshmallow fluff. And how you do know that this man is really a paladin and he can detect evil. It seems to convenient hat he walks in and suddenly he is being asked to test someone for their 'evilness' because you have an itch that you can't quite scratch?" Jesse begins to pace, her voice deepens and she begins to mimic holding a pipe.
"You see, Watson, the game's afoot and when all other ideas have been eliminated, that which remains, no matter how improbable, is the truth." Turning on her heel, she points to Equinox, "And it is the druid, who did it in the forest, with poison ivy.
"Get a grip Equinox." the woman says, turning to Darien and Gilstrock again, "Are you two going to do anything or am I going to have to do the honors? Or perhaps Al, you might want to toss this rapscallion out with yesterday's trash."
Darian shrugs. "I'm waiting for Gil to help me. However, I'm completely lost. I don't know what's happened since we've been gone and Equinox has got me confused with the story he told. I don't know who did what to whom where or how."
"But not as lost as Nature Boy," Jesse replies. "You went to rescue Occa, and shortly after you left, he returned with others in tow. What Equinox is suggesting is that it was too easy for Occa to escape, and when this woman came with him, he is insinuating that they are fiends or worse, and with no proof to back up his claim begins to verbally assult the poor child," the bard says, casting a glance to Al's charge.
"Ah. Well, I wasn't there, but we can settle this when Occa and Niko and whomever else is with him returns. For now, we can let Equinox here cool off."
"Occa has powerful friends and from what I hear in the streets, there is a lot going on and that his friends would be interested in having him free," the woman says, cryptically.
"I thought we were his friends that we're getting him free..."
"Darling, you're confusing me."
Ryshara wipes away her tears and looks at the others. "Does Occa always go adventuring with paranoid morons?"
Taking a deep breath, she continues, "Firstly, I never said Occa rescued me from devils, in Hell or otherwise, but from demonic creatures. Secondly, this Zanax guy went to Hork and didn't accompany Occa and I back to your camp. Thirdly, Occa used a Wish to heal that other companion of yours, Niko? Fourthly...YOU'RE A REAL ASSH*LE!"
Ryshara begins crying again softly, rocking back and forth.
Jesse kneels down next to Ryshara. Glancing up at Darien, Al and Gilstrock she speaks in a low tone, "Get him out of here NOW!"
"Ryshara, can I help you?" the woman asks, softly. "Occa has in his time dealt with some paranoid morons, but this one seems to take the cake. Speaking of cake, I think that there is some in the pantry. Want to come with me and we'll get something to eat and I can talk you ear off," the bard says smiling and offering her hands to Ryshara.
Ryshara blinks a few tears from her eyes as she looks up toward Jesse. Swallowing, she takes Jesse's hands and stands up. "I...I think I should find Occa and tell him I'm leaving. I...I don't think I'm very wanted here..."
She gathers her recently bought packages and asks the others, "Does anyone know where Occa is?"
Jesse shakes her head, "Occa will be mad it me if I let you leave. Do not judge everyone on one persons, notably an unstable druid, actions. Let's have some tea and talk."
"Equinox, GET OUT! " Al roars as he puts his arms around Ry.
He whispers to her, "It's ok, I won't let him touch you again !
"If you're still here by the time I tirne around, Druid, by Thor, they'll carry you out! You don't hit a woman, especially when you are being dishonorable and all around bastard!" Al says with his back turned, comforting Ryshara.
Jesse turns to Al, softly, "Perhaps you should escort Equinox out and discuss his manners with him. We'll be in the kitchen, and you can join us there," the woman says, touching Al's hand for a moment, looking into his eyes, with determination.
"Thank you, Jesse!" Al says as he turns on Equinox. "We can do this the easy way and you can go out for a few minutes or we can do it the hard way and I can throw you out. Please pick the hard way!" Al says with a savage grin.
Gilstrock roars with absolutely as loud a warrior's voice as he can muster.
"EVERYBODY SHUT UP!"
Once the walls have stopped ringing, he continues in a more reasonable tone of voice. "First off, we don't bicker and fight hereabouts. If that start happening, I personally will forcibly eject the people responsible. This fine group of ours gets along just fine without that element. Just because y'all met Rage and that other party of over-adrenalined high strung folks doesn't mean we all get to begin acting like a bunch of idiots."
When Al comes to help eject Equinox, Gilstrock holds his hand out flat and says, "Nope, Al, you stay here, let your head cool off."
"Gil!!" Al says and then when he stares into the man's face, he regains his composure. "Keep him away!" he tells him andthen goes to comfort Ry.
To the newcomer Ryshara, Gilstrock says, "Sorry for the greeting ma'am. Please try to remain calm and not hit or kick anybody for a little while."
With that, he grabs the arm of Equinox that Darian hasn't already grabbed, and says, "The three of us are going for a walk. The rest of you stay here and make nice. When we get back, it'll be dinner time, and then for anybody who wants to go on a run in plate armor, I'll be leading an exercise session."
Gilstrock, with Darian's help escort Equinox out.
Once Gilstrock and Darian get Equinox out the door, Gilstrock says, "So, I was thinkin' that the three of us go hit some tavern in one of the seedier parts of town and get roarin' drunk, whaddayasay?"
"I'll have a drink or two, but no more than that. I want to get back and spend some time with Jesse."
"That sounds like a very good idea. I just want to first visit Thor's temple to see if I can get a Priest to help me figure out whether Occa and Ryshara are with us or not. Will you come with me? I don't think that it should take very long."
"Can you explain to me what's got you worried about Occa? And I still don't understand the order of events after you folks Occa. Maybe if you went through the sequence step by step, I'd understand. Right now, I don't share your concern."
"Well, I have a concern about Occa," Gilstrock says. "We were in his house at least TEN MINUTES and dinner wasn't served."
Shaking his head sadly, Gilstrock says, "I just don't know any more."
Darian gives Gil a big grin. "Well, with all the arguing and shouting, I bet the servants were scared to serve it. Besides, they probably hadn't had a chance to restock the larder from the last time you ate."
"If you recall, when we were in Hell, during the same battle in which Gilstrock got his head bitten off ... sorry Gil," says Equinox, glancing at Gil with a grin, "Occa was seemingly killed and carried off by a Devil or Demon of some sort. You should recall the discussions we all had and the concerns that perhaps we, without Occa, would not be able to get out of Hell."
Equinox pauses to see if Darian recalls the situation.
"Yes."
"Well, in any event, it was determined that someone, I believe Orlon, was able to go with a couple of party members, including Gilstrock's body, back to Earth where apparently Gil was healed. The remaining party, including myself, were left behind in Hell and agreed to stay put until the people who went topside returned."
Equinox pauses again to make sure he gets the facts straight.
"Yes, Orlon and I left with Gil."
"But, instead of remaining put, the remaining party decided to adventure on alone. Underpowered as we were, it turns out not to have mattered because we had not gone more than a few rooms when, lo and behold, there was Occa tied to an altar, apparently alive and mostly healthy, guarded not by the demon or devil-thing that killed him and took him, but by troglodytes or some sort. You can imagine the ease with which Occa's 'guardians' were dispatched. In the process, Niko jumped into a pool of green slime and was mutilated.
"As soon as he was freed, Occa partially healed Niko with a Limited Wish spell that was worded, accidently or not, not to include regeneration of bones. Niko was healed so that he could survive but only barely and he remained in terrible pain. Occa then informed everyone that he was out of teleportation spells and, I think it was Occa, reminded us that there was a teleportation spell on a scroll we had found that we could use but he did not know where it would take us. I objected to the use of the scroll that might take us directly into trouble we could not handle as underpowered as we were, but the scroll was read and away we went. We ended up on this planet, right in front of Zanax. That seemed to me to be a little curious but no one else thought anything of it. Zanax asked Occa for a teleport to Hork and Occa agreed to take him there as soon as he rested and studied for the night. I suggested that, instead of memorizing teleport, Occa memorize Wish, Wish Zanax to Hork safely, heal the entire party and Wish the entire party to Occa's house. Occa agreed that that was a good idea and studied his spell book for the night."
Equinox pauses again, looks as Darian to make sure he is following the facts, and continues.
Darian nods. "Go on."
"The next morning, before anyone says anything, Occa casts teleport, I guess, and he and Zanax disappear, leaving Niko in terrible pain and all the party in the woods, waiting for Occa's return. When Occa returned, he returned with Ryshara, Zanax was no where to be seen and, when I remind Occa about the Wish, my recollection is that he Wished everyone healed and to his house.
"The facts raise concerns to me mostly about Occa and not so much about Ryshara, until I asked her where she met Occa and she refused to tell me. The questions about Occa is what happened when the devils or demons took him? Why is he still alive? Why did they not just eat him? Is Occa really Occa? Perhaps the most sinister question is: has Occa somehow been turned or a part of him captured and forced to act as another?"
"Occa is likely alive because he wears a ring of regeneration. So, after a period of time, he would be completely healed. The only way to prevent that would be to remove the ring or perhaps his head. So, that's likely why he was healed. I can't answer why only troglodytes, unless the devils thought he was dead.
"And since I haven't seen Occa since we returned, I can't answer any of your other questions. You haven't been with us long, Equinox, but the events you related don't sound out of character for Occa. He's usually scatter-brained. He is a chaotic arch-mage, after all. The others in the party, namely Gil, Orlon and myself, help keep Occa going on the right path. Otherwise, we'd rarely make progress."
Equinox pauses again, "I am sorry that things got out of hand back there, but when Ryshara went so far as to kick me in the groin rather than tell us where and when she met Occa, alarms went off ... At least they did for me."
"Well, I'll give you some friendly advice and I hope you'll take it. If a woman attacks you again like that, just defend yourself, don't take any offensive action. Just protecting yourself would've been enough. The woman was obviously distraught and not showing good judgment. You should have by backing off."
"I would like you to come with me to the Temple of Thor to see if a Priest of my God can help me determine whether Occa is still Occa. I fear I have little credibility with the party that remains in Occa's house and might not be believed if I return with news that Occa is not Occa.
"Please come to the temple with me. It will not take much time. I will buy the first round, if you like, afterwards."
Darian shrugs and looks at Gil. "Why not? Can't hurt. I presume you're paying for this Equinox?"
You pass through the West Gate and back into the inner city. Equinox recalls from previous visits with Kadlian's party that there are no temples devoted to Thor in Sandas, but that his followers tend to worship at the temple of Thor's father, Odin.
You head there instead.
For a temple of the All-Father, Sandas' temple of Odin is surprisingly humble. An acolyte greets you at the door, and after a moment the high priest Navan comes out to meet you.
"How may I assist a follower of Thor?" he asks Equinox, seeing the symbol that the druid wears.
"Hello Father, I am Equinox, a Druid of Thor, and I need help. I have been traveling with Occa and a group of other adventurers and I believe that Occa was taken over by or killed and replaced by a devil or demon during the party's recent trip in Hell. Occa was seemingly killed and then taken by a Devil of some sort. We found him and rescued him from troglodytes. His rescue seemed a bit strange and his conduct thereafter seemed strange to me, too. I need the assistance of a Priest to determine whether Occa is still the Occa we went to Hell with in the first place.
"Requesting your assistance brings me to my second problem. I am a Druid and have paid little attention to the worldly things, including money. Therefore, I have none. I am willing to work off the payment for your efforts by tending your garden and facility, by helping with your animals or by whatever else you need."
Equinox pauses with a sly grin,."Of course, if it refers to Occa and determining whether he is not a devil of some sort, you might consider your assistance as a public service! More seriously, I have certain funds available to me when the party divides the take from the trip to Hell. I have no idea how much it is, but you can have all of my share."
"Well, we could ask the All-Father whether this Occa is indeed Occa. I would need to request a donation of 1000gp, plus an additional 500gp for each question you would ask him."
The high priest pauses.
"I am willing to accept payment in service, but as a gardener or handyman it would take a lifetime for you to pay off. I do, however, have a small task that you may perform if you cannot come up with the funds to pay."
"I do not know if I have the funds to pay, and in any event I am interested in hearing the task you need completed. However, I need my issue addressed before the task starts."
"The task is to retreive the holy symbol of a member of my order, the Holy Warrior Loran," he answers. "He was slain in the City of the Swamp some three years ago. I have no problem communing for you before you take care of this task; however I request that if I do, then you retreive the symbol within the next two months for me."
"I will do all that I can to return the symbol to you in two months. Do I need others to help me or is this a task which I might complete on my own? Are there any others of your Order who might journey with me?"
"The City of the Swamp is a ruin. Who knows what evil lurks there? So, you may need some help."
Equinox pauses, "Wait a minute. Have you resurrected the Holy Warrior Loran? I would like to speak with him, whether living or dead, before I leave so that I know what to expect on this journey."
"I have not resurrected Loran. For that I would need a portion of his body. If you could retreive such a thing as well then I could bring him back to the living."
Equinox thinks for a moment. "Do you understand what my concerns and issues are and the reasons that I am seeking your assistance now?"
"I believe I do."
"If my understanding of this 'communing' you speak of is accurate, then I would be permitted to ask a series of Yes or No questions. Is this correct, and if so, how many questions am I permitted? Please inform me as to how you will be handling these questions, so that I may phrase my questions appropriately."
"Your knowledge of the commune spell is correct. You are allowed twelve questions. Please ask the questions as if you are speaking directly to Odin, and I will relay them verbatim."
"The final question I can think of prior to asking the questions is if I must give you all my questions up front, or if I can ask additional questions after hearing some of the answers."
"No, you can ask later questions based on Odin's responses."
"Alright, then my first question is: Is the individual we rescued from the altar in Hell the same arch-mage named Occa who came to Hell with us in search of Salaam?"
Navan holds up his hand.
"I do not typically pray for commune as a matter of course. If you could return here tomorrow morning after breakfast then I shall be ready to call on the All-Father to answer your questions."
"Fair enough," says Equinox, "Gil? Darian? Are you guys still up for that drink?"
Darian, Gilstrock and Equinox walk into the common room of the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf, pause and look around. They see that the place is only moderately full this afternoon.
Then, they spot Occa, sitting at a table in a corner with a tatooed lady, whom they recognise as being none other than Rage, the ranking mage from that rather paranoid and neurotic party allegedly led by Kadlian the elf-ranger. You know, the group that Equinox used to hang out with.
Standing by the table is Robert, looking rather the worse for wear.
"Hey, it's Darian and Gilstrock!" he says, his words slurring. "'Guess we don't have to go and rescue them, Occa."
Next, Roganna enters the common room of the inn. She sees Occa and Rage at a table, with Robert standing by them. Just inside the entrance stand a male elf with funny hair, a large human warrior with a stubbly beard, and Equinox the druid, previously of Kadlian's party.
Darian the elf strides over to the table. "Occa, it's good to see you. And we went to Hell to rescue you folks, Robert. Equinox told us about your return. Pretty amazing. If we'd known it was going to be that easy, we wouldn't have rushed back without you."
"Hi, Rage. How's the gang?"
Occa says, "Welcome back! So, we don't need to go to hell again. That is great."
Darian nods. "Yes, it is. I've had enough with that place to last me a long while."
"So, how do we get Salaam back into his body? And what are we going to do after this? Go back to the pirate problem or take on Mestom?"
Occa says, "I was thinking a wish might get him back into his body. As for what to do next...I think we should help in the recovery of the other two artifacts."
Darian nods. "Another wish? Is this one going to age you, too?"
"I don't think so."
Darian does a double-take. "Other two artifacts? What are you talking about, Occa?"
"Kadlian can explain it to you."
Darian looks around. "I don't see him here, Occa. Has he just stepped out? In fact, I don't see anyone of his group except for Rage."
"I will explain in a while," Occa says.
"Sure, no problem. How are you doing, Rage?"
"BUSY!" the woman responds. "Very busy!"
Her tone is that of someone irritated at being interrupted.
"My apologies. I gather we were interrupting you, then? It's just, we've been to hell and back looking for Occa. We'll get out of your hair for now, then. Occa, we'll get a free table. Join us when you're done, please?"
"Sure, no problem."
Darian smiles at Rage. "He's all yours."
Rage just rolls her eyes and replies, "Men."
Darian grins widely. "Thanks for noticing."
He drags Gilstrock, Robert and Equinox with him to a free table and orders a round of drinks.
After Occa finishes talking with Rage, he gets up and comes over to join Gilstrock, Darian and Equinox.
Rage departs in search of Sian.
Roganna continues on her way.
"What a night." Occa says.
"Indeed. So, how are you? We met a woman at your estate. She said something about you rescuing her, but didn't explain any further. Gil and I have gotten most of the story from Equinox, but I'd appreciate it if you could go over the parts you remember. I still don't quite get it all."
"Who, Ry? Is that who you mean?"
Darian nods. "I believe that was her name. We weren't formally introduced."
Occa blushes. "Well, she asked me not to mention it to anyone....I found her in Hork. She was trapped in a tower by a daemon...at least that is what I think it was. She was not in good shape nor treated well for a lady if you know what I mean. It is something she is very sensitive about. Why do you ask? Also, how did you get back? I thought I would have to try and find you guys."
"Ah. That is why she wouldn't answer Equinox's questions to his satisfaction. You did this while teleporting Zanax to Hork?"
"No, after I dropped him off, but it was in Hork."
"Ah. Is this daemon going to come after you or the young lady?"
"I doubt it."
"Good. I want a break from fighting those creatures."
"Orlon got Gil and me back to Sandas so that we could bring Gil back to life. Then, I went to Ray Jay and got two scrolls of teleport without error from Ming. We used them to get back and forth from Hell."
"Clever."
"Only out of necessity."
"So, what are these artifacts and where do we have to go to get them? And why is Kadlian involved?"
"There are 3 artifacts that will supposedly allow someone to create an empire. Forces have gathered to collect them. If they fall into the wrong hands, then this world will fall under a reign of evil. One is now in Hork...Zanax had it. It is in his temple. I am not sure Kadlian thinks this is a good thing or not...and I am not sure either after hearing all that I heard. Even so, at least we know the location of that artifact. We can retrieve it if needed. However, I am thinking that it is best to keep these things apart."
He sighs.
"So, where is the one we have to go after? And does this mean that Kadlian and Zanax have had a falling out?"
"I am not sure to both questions."
"We get to help out Kadlian's party, eh? Does this mean we have to adventure with them?"
"Two ways as far as I see it...we go with them or we split up and go after an artifact each group."
Darian nods. "Might be wiser to split up. We don't exactly mesh well with them. And Equinox has some history with Kadlian's group."
Occa nods.
"Hey wait a minute, Darian," Equinox protests, "Rage tried to cast a spell at me and I reacted too strongly. There is no history other than that."
"Is that what happened, Equinox? I don't think I knew that. I just knew that you had left that group. All, I said was that we didn't mesh well with them. They are a just a little bit over-paranoid, you know. Not to mention really up-tight.
"Didn't mean anymore than that."
"It is hard to argue with that description of the group. But it was still fun to travel with them for a time. I may go back some day."
"Not to mention touchy. We dropped in on them back in a room with a pool and they got pretty testy. I remember Gil making a joke and Rage getting all bent out of shape about it.
"Were you with them at that time, Equinox?"
"I am not sure, Darian. That sure sounds like Rage, though."
"Not to say that they aren't good people. Just a different flavor of a group. I don't think I'd fit in that group."
"They just need a life," comments Robert.
"They are not so bad. Different can be interesting."
Robert butts in at this point, clearly rather drunk.
"I wanna tell you, right now, that I am leaving. I haven't been this drunk in a long time, and it got me to thinking. It's been a lot of years since I last saw my old master, Garsh, and I think I wanna go see him. He retired from adventuring after we all cleared Melnar's tomb...the Wizard stronghold I was talking about earlier, and he went off to found his own empire. I think I'll go see how he's doing."
Occa says, "I will go with you, Robert. I wouldn't mind meeting him and see what he knows of the Wizards of old."
"Okay. I wanna leave tomorrow. His empire's somewhere east. Along the Mississippi River."
Robert pauses, and scratches his head. A few fleas jump out.
"Last time we stopped in on Garsh, it was on our way to Atlantia...gee...back in '69? It wasn't much of an empire back then; just a ruined castle with a big dungeon under it. Wonder if he's made any progress?"
Occa says, "I will try to read your mind tomorrow. Maybe we could teleport there instead of walking or riding."
Robert looks uncomfortable.
"I don't want my mind messed with. Had enough crap in hell. I wanna walk...or ride. Give me chance to get it together again."
"How far is it?"
"Should we all go? Will this lie in the same direction as the artifact that we're looking for?"
"Depends on how long the trip will take. As for direction...I don't know."
Robert thinks a bit.
"Probably a few weeks. Maybe a month."
"Yikes...faster to teleport."
Robert continues, "Garsh's empire is east...between here and the capitol of Saltar: Atlantia. That serious dwarf in the other party seems to think that one of the artifacts is hidden in Atlantia. I don't remember why."
"Interesting...it would seem the stars are aligning."
You stay and have a few more drinks, then head back to Occa's mansion.
It is dinnertime when Darian, Gilstrock and Equinox return. With them are Occa and Robert. Absent is Niko. Also here is a stranger to Occa: a pale-skinned, pale haired young man with freckles.
Occa and Robert notice the presence of another newcomer, as well: a high elf with dirty blond hair and intense blue eyes.
"Hey, it's Vardui!" says Robert, going and giving the elf a beery hug. "Where you been?"
"In Demon's Neck with Phil, Stiff and the gang. Stiff teleported down here with Hardboard, Woody, Arrgh! and a few others, and I hitched a ride."
"So where is Stiff? Is he here? It's been months since I last saw him."
Vardui shakes his head.
"He's gone. I think to that secret house he keeps down south. I think he's burnt out, Robert. I don't think we'll see him again."
Robert shakes his head sadly.
"That's a loss. We could really use him right about now, too. Sounds like things are going to get interesting. I need another beer."
You gather in the dining room for dinner. Jeeves the butler and a bevy of serving maids set huge, steaming platters of roast pork, roast potatoes, tourines of hot soup, bread and rolls, boiled cabbage, parsnips, squash and carrots. Bottles of wine and jugs of beer are set down next, and you dig in.
Jesse, the good looking female bard sitting on Darien's lap smiles and speaks, "Well, what can I do? I am getting bored and it's not been that long since I stopped traveling with you."
"And another thing, Orlon, I need that remove curse spell again. I thought you had done it, but the damned longsword just does not want to let go," Jesse says.
Orlon replies that he's already tried a remove curse on that sword and it has not done the trick. Perhaps you should try something a little more potent - like a wish.
"Well then, I may have to wait for that," Jesse says with a frown.
Occa says to Jesse, "Could you do some research into the three artifacts?"
"Of course Occa.'" Jesse says, "I will get on it right away."
"What artifacts are these?" asks Vardui.
Robert wipes the pork grease away from his mouth.
"Niko and I went drinking at the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf," he says. "We met up with some of the people from that other party that Zanax is a member of. They were in quite a state...even for them. Turns out that they had just come back to Sandas from some mission with an artifact of power. As soon as they got to Sandas, Zanax stole the thing and took off with it! When we met him on the river last night he was hoofing it to Hork with the artifact. Occa, not knowing any better, teleported him there.
"While they were retreiving this artifact, they also discovered that there are two more related artifacts hidden away somewhere. They want to go after one that is somewhere in the north, and Occa offered us to go after the other one, which is hidden in a city somewhere to the east."
Robert belches and digs back into his dinner.
Ryshara smiles when she sees Occa. "Occa, when you have a moment, could I borrow a book to start copying spells?"
"Yes, I will show you my books soon."
"Hello Occa, seems Ry has made a hit amongst some friends of yours. A nasty twisted sorceress named Rage and some of her cronies. I almost flattened Equinox for harrassing her!" Al says as he stands behind her.
"Really? Do tell."
"It seems that Equinox has wax or tree sap in his ears and refuses to listen to people when they talk... he suspects you are a demon and Ry is your demon lover, or something to that effect. When Ry stood up for herself, and attempted to penetrate the thick wool in Nature Boy's ears, he pushed her back, at which point I slapped him, and discovered the cursed sword still has something for me. Darien and Gilstrock obliging took him out of harms way, but he has come back, hopefully in a better mood," Jesse says.
Ryshara nods. "I probably should have blasted him with a lightning bolt instead of kicking him."
"I only wish I had it memorized..." she adds with a grumble.
"I hope you will accept my apologies, Miss Ryshara. I react sometimes too strongly to people trying to hit or kick me. I wish we had gotten on to a better foot on your first day with the party."
"To be fair, Jesse, she attempted to knee him in the groin. Why I'll admit that's a quick way to get a man's attention, it was a lot more than what was necessary."
"Also, Equinox's questions were never answered. Granted, I couldn't follow where he was going with the questions, but I don't think he refused to listen to her."
"Thank you, Darian."
Jesse stares at Darien. "Equinox kept insisting that Occa found Ry in Hell, and that it was an evil plot, when Ry never mentioned that and did inform everyone that Occa found her outside Hork."
The woman shakes her head.
"If she did mention that, it was before Gil, Orlon and I arrived. But, you are right. Equinox was worried that recovering Occa was too easy. That perhaps he was something other than Occa. That's why he wanted to know about Miss Ry. He wanted to know where she was found. She refused to answer which is when he got angry, she got angry and tried to knee him and he slapped her."
Occa sputters as he drinks his wine. "What! Why didn't you tell me that? Is that why you were questioning me back at the inn." He seems a bit pissed. "I thought we were all supposed to be a team...and be honest with each other."
"Because I didn't put much stock in it. I was interested in Miss Ry and I just wanted to get the story straight since the bits and pieces I'd heard made little sense.
"And then, Gil and I took him outside."
Standing up, Jesse says, "I have research to do. I'll be back later."
Jesse gathers her cloak and heads off.
Darian heads out the door with her to talk privately.
Before Darian leaves the room, Equinox gets up from the table to engage him in a short private conversation.
Darian holds out a hand to Equinox. "When I come back. I won't be more than a few minutes."
"Okay," Equinox sits back down in his seat at the table. "By the way, I never got my share of the loot from our jaunt to Hell. How much gold do we each receive?"
After Jesse and Darian depart, Robert says, "I've decided I need a break from all this adventuring. I'm really sick of the hells. I've decided that I want to go visit my old master, lord Garsh. He's a ranger who retired from this party years ago to found his own empire. His empire is east of here, on the banks of the Mississippi River."
He continues, "That serious dwarf from Zanax's party seems to think that the city that the third artifact is hidden in is Atlantia, the capitol of Saltar. Portugual (that's Garsh's empire, right, Orlon?) is on the way, so Occa wants to come with me, and then continue on to Atlantia. Anyone else want to come? I'm hoping to leave in the next day or so."
"I'll go," offers Vardui. "I've never been to Atlantia, though I've heard of it."
"Cool!" Ry answers enthusiastically. "When do we leave?"
"As soon as we can," says Robert. "Give us a day to get ready. We'll need horses and supplies. Let's get them tomorrow."
Al chuckles and asks Ry, "May I join you ?"
Ryshara smiles back fondly. "Ummm...sure...it's still a free country..."
Gonzo throws his "Karumba" in a city-scape adventure... "Dis should be more ta me liken den dem hell's wuz... perhapsin some more whap and crack fer me sword arm," he says with a big grin.
"What's good enough for Gonzo is good enough for me," Emm replies. "Besides this town is a waste of time."