As Nym and Darvin made their way to the Inn Darvin was slightly distracted by the thought of pirate stories. However, he was hoping that the evenings activities would make up for the loss in story time.
Nym on the other hand was just glad to be away from the village woman. She seemed to have too much of an interest in Darvin and wasn't about to let the silly boy be distracted by the random harlots of Faerun.
The Inn and Tavern shared the same slightly ramschakled building. The sign hanging over the door read "Taberna Morta." Neither Darvin or Nym are able to translate the odd language, but can sound out the words.
Mind you, it doesn't actually say "Taberna Morta" I am using latin as a stand-in.
The inside of the tavern turned out to be nothing special. There were a number of patrons at the bar and at surrounding tables. The general mood seemed to be rather languid.
After a brief moment a man from behind the bar took notice of them. "Can I help you two?"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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Because you haven't responded...
ReplyDeleteNym and Darvin looked at each other and then blushed softly before requesting a room. The innkeeper, with a knowing glance, gave them the key to the best room in the inn. Nym found Nesme a nice spot in the stable while Darvin made the room ready.
Once they had settled in Darvin turned to her.
"Where did those marks come from... I meant to ask last time, but I was a little preoccupied."
I did post a response but it magically went away!
ReplyDeleteodd... I was wondering why no one had posted.
ReplyDeleteSo now we're posting about posts that went away but not actually continuing with the storyline?
ReplyDeleteScrew you, Dan!
ReplyDeleteNym shrugged, "I have no idea." She smiled at Darvin as she lay down dramatically on the bed and giggled.
Ignore my previous post - that was a Darvin from another universe.
ReplyDeleteDeciding that Nym's silence meant she didn't want to talk about it, Darvin decided not to force that particular issue and focus on another one. He looked at her, and even though she looked tired from all the traveling and the events of the last few days, to Darvin she looked fantastic. He walked over to her and kissed her on the forehead, "Let's go to bed." He said as he led her over to the bed and laid down beside her.
ReplyDeleteCommence raucous lovemaking!
Nym smiled at Darvin and brushed his hair away from his eyes.
ReplyDeleteFor the sake of propriety, and to get the story moving, I am going to assume some kissing commenced.
ReplyDeleteAs Darvin and Nym kissed it felt like the world was moving for them. When they finally broke free of their kiss they discovered that the world had indeed moved! Instead of the nice room they had been in, their bed now rested in a large cavern. In the ceiling above them, a large set of doors, roughly in the same size and shape of the bed was closing rapidly.
naturally, this means you can finish whatever acts you like - I am just presenting the next part of your tavern experience in case you wanted to act upon it.
Nym hopped up and looked around.
ReplyDeletePerception 1d20+7
19+7
26
"What the hell just happened?!"
"Who cares!? We can worry about it later. Now come back to bed."
ReplyDeleteThe cavern is dimly lit and quite large. It feels airy due to the high ceiling. The ground is covered in a light soft sand. The walls are fairly smooth and there are two small alcoves on each side of the cavern. About twenty or so feet from the bed is what appears to be the beginning of a large tunnel.
ReplyDeleteNym sighed and looked at Darvin sideways before summoning her will-o-wisp lights and beginning down the tunnel. "I'd rather not spend the evening in a mysterious cave with who-knows-what watching us..." responded Nym when she was almost out of Darvin's sight. Her voice echoed slightly in the cavern as she silently walked on.
ReplyDeleteThe tunnel's floor is remarkably smooth, and there is no sign of dampness or plant growth. As Nym examines the wall she sees that it is covered in a series of figures and shapes that very much resemble the obelisk in the village square.
ReplyDeleteNym stops for a moment to look at the carvings before muttering, "Stupid obelisk..." and continuing down the tunnel.
ReplyDeleteSo... I suspect Darvin is sitting in bed with "blue balls" about now. That is OK, he spent most of the game with them after all...
ReplyDeleteAfter another few minutes of walking through the tunnel it starts to slope downward. After another few minutes of walking Nym found herself in a very large chamber. The walls were of polished marble and there was a small pool of water. In the center of the room was the shape of a large obelisk. It stretched over fifteen feet and ran from the base of the chamber up through the room.
"Stupider Obelisk." Nym mutters.
"We agree." A voice said. Then, to her suprise, a hundred green shapes appeared in the room. At first they were undefined, but eventually they settled into various human shapes.
"Welcome." A woman said as she stood in her ghostly shape. "We mean you no harm - we seek your help."
LMAO!! That's exactly what I would have written.
ReplyDeleteNym found the green people more than a little creepy. They reminded her of boogers in a way. "Ah..." she began, finding her voice. "...ok?"
Darvin eventually got out of bed and walked down the tunnel Nym had disappeared into. He walked into a big chamber just in time to see Nym talking to a bunch of green wispy people.
ReplyDeleteAs they shapes settled the green faded from their ghostly forms and they almost gained some sense of solidity.
ReplyDelete"Naturally, this must seem rather awkward to you. We apologize for stealing you away from any earthly pleasures you might have attended." The ghost said nodding toward Darvin who had just entered the room. "However, you are the first person to visit this village in eons who can help free us."
Nym looked at Darvin and shrugged. "And how is that?"
ReplyDelete"Oh... nothing too big." Another ghost said piping up. "Long ago we lived lives of happiness in this reg..."
ReplyDelete"Silence." A man called from across the room. "They obviously do not want to hear the history, just tell them what they need to do!"
"Patience. I can give them the quick version." The lead woman said. "In time long since forgotten a wizard came to our village and demanded something we could not give. He stole away in anger, but that night crept back to our village and bound our souls into a blade and into this obelisk. He used this blade to become ruler of much of this region until he was betrayed by his wife. His wife, a good spirit, returned the blade to this village in the hopes of freeing us." She turned grim. "But was slaughtered by the guardian that the wizard had summoned. Since that time, it has rested waiting another to free us."
Nym was feeling impatient with the kidnappy ghost boogers. "Go on," she said, trying to hide her annoyance. They could have asked without kidnapping us she thought.
ReplyDelete"So... we just need you to go through this doorway into the chamber where the guardian sits. Kill it, bring the sword back and strike down this obelisk..." Another said in a hopeful voice. "Then we can finally stop haunting these ruins."
ReplyDeleteNym looked to the doorway. "And what is the guardian, exactly?" she asked.
ReplyDeleteThey looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. "Its probably a series of test and some creature like a minotaur or something. I am sure you can handle it. You two look like powerful adventurers."
ReplyDelete"He looks like a pirate." One of the women in the back said.
Nym was not convinced by flattery from the kidnappy ghosts. "What did you do to be cursed like this? I don't suppose you smothered babies or clubbed fox kits, did you?" she asked, crossing her arms.
ReplyDelete"No... the evil wizard asked us to give him things that we were unwilling to give. He then cursed the entire village out of spite. Wizards are often prone to such behavior."
ReplyDelete"Who was this wizard and what did he want?" pressed Nym.
ReplyDelete"His name was [odd combination of really foreign sounds]. He lived long before any of your were born and he wanted all of our first born children for a dark rite."
ReplyDeleteInsight check: 1d20+???
ReplyDelete20+???
"Nym looked to Darvin and said, "That does sound pretty evil. Want to go for an adventure?"
sense motive for Nym is +1)
ReplyDeleteWell what do I sense with a 21?
ReplyDeleteThe ghosts seem fairly open and honest to you. They seem nervous, flightly, and rather strange. That could easily be years and years of being stuck in a boring ruin.
ReplyDelete"Well, ghosts, are you able to check out what's behind the door for us so we don't end up dying horribly?" asked Nym.
ReplyDelete"There is nothing behind that door. Just a cooridor. I think the next door is where the tests start. Then you will face the guardian."
ReplyDelete"At least as far as we can tell. We can only vaguely sense what is out there."
"But you will be initially safe."
Nym sighed loudly and rolled her eyes dramatically as she pushed open the door and entered the room. "Stupidest ghosts..." she muttered. Darvin chuckled at this and followed Nym into the room.
ReplyDeletePost for Nick....
ReplyDeleteDarvin had been quite excited about being called a pirate. He puffed up his chest and tried to affect the swagger he associated with pirateness.
"Don't worry ghosts! I am Darvin Amblecromb, and I am a mighty pirate!"
However, Darvin was getting a bit apprehensive at the change in direction that the conversation had taken.
"Boy... this trip to find the magic sword just keeps getting better and better doesn't it Nym?" He responded sarcastically. "Can't wait until we find out the guardian is a dragon or a mind flayer or something along those lines..."
"I'm hoping it's a giant rabbit sworn to eat all carrots it sees or something equally as harmless," Nym said, smiling.
ReplyDeleteDarvin liked the idea of a guardian Rabbit.
ReplyDelete"Or maybe a normal sized rabbit that is seeking a mate! I am sure we could find another rabbit for it."
He paused for a second.
"I wonder what is so special about the sword."
Nym frowned. "I guess we should have asked..." she carefully peeked through the next door.
ReplyDeleteStealth: 1d20+?
19+?
Perception: 1d20+7
11+7
18
Wow, this dice roller loves me today!
As Nym opens the next door she is surprised to see a young man sitting on a stool reading a book. Because of her stealthiness he has made no note of her.
ReplyDeleteNym raises her eyebrows in surprise, turns back to Darvin, and shrugs. "Man reading," she mouths to Darvin while pantomiming reading.
ReplyDeleteDarvin sees the man and makes a motion about attacking him with his cutlasses and waits for Nym's response. Darvin isn't exactly enthused about this errand he was charged with just before he was about to be intimate with Nym and if chopping this guys head off got him back into bed, he was more than willing to do it.
ReplyDeleteNym shook her head "no." For all they knew, this guy had been kidnapped by the stupid ghosts too. Nym mouthed "be ready" as she pushed open the door, prepared to attack if necessary.
ReplyDeleteHold action from surprise round: Attack if man seems threatening
"Ah, Nym, Darvin, please come in." The man said closing his book. "I am quite unimpressed with your recent behaviors."
ReplyDeleteNym simply raised an eyebrow at the man, feeling annoyed.
ReplyDeleteDoes Nym recognize the man?
The man looked up and they both saw that they looked like two small mirrors. He raised his hands and Darvin and Nym felt their mouths shut.
ReplyDelete"Darvin, Half-Elf from Seacomber. You have no evil taint, but you are lost and confused. You call yourself a mighty pirate; however you haven't even pirated once. You remain distant from others rather than embracing them. For example, you ran away from your first love Mashy and then broke her heart when she finally saw you again. More recently, you lost one of your best friends and rather than saying anything about avenging his honor you instead ran out into the fields to fornicate. If he was such a good friend, why didn't you seek healing or resurrection for him? In the dream realm you pouted and complained rather than chasing after the one you cared about. At present, rather than trying to help out the ghosts of those who have been wrong you have simmering thoughts of resentment about having a possible sexual encounter interrupted." Before Darvin could respond he he turned his eyes on Nym.
"You have made many foolish choices in your life Nym of The North and your honesty is suspect. I will credit you that one of the worst choices you made was redeemed when you brought your friends back to life. At the same time, you selfishly abandoned your friends and your quest to find the source of the earthquakes. The ship had been given to you and your companions for that purpose. Your friends who had died were in the afterlife and could have waited."
He paused momentarily. "Since then your choices have been more suspect. When you first met your current companions you lied about your intent. In the dream realm you flirted and ran off with another half-elf. In doing so, you betrayed the trust of someone you knew cared for you. Your odd and misplaced dislike and malice toward the druids is a mark on your soul in this world. In an even more dire act, at present you have been flirting with evil gods and letting anger, rage, and dislike fill your being. The damage you wrought on the Orcs might be forgiven, but the remorse you have shown is pitiful. You seem unwilling and unable to forgive and to forget. Even more recently, your callous thoughts towards these ghosts is even more of sign of the dark mark that binds your soul and your skin. The darkness that envelopes you is an unpleasant force in this already damaged world." He then dropped his hands.
"Before I decide your doom, how do you plead?" He said forcefully.
BTW, I am not picking on your two - he would say similar things to anyone who walked in and had to deal with him.
Darvin listened to the man and stool and stood there dumbfounded. Everything he had said was correct. He felt a deep pang of guilt when the man talked about Thjodolf. Darvin decided right there that when he got out of this blasted obelisk he would do something to honor his fallen friend. When the man turned his focus on Nym, Darvin was surprised and shocked all at the same time.
ReplyDelete"Nym, what does he mean, 'damage you wrought on the orcs'?" Darvin asked her. He was terrified of the answer. He didn't seem to care or notice that the man nonchalantly sentenced him to his doom.
"Says the jerk who has the kidnappey ghosts' sword," said Nym to Darvin.
ReplyDeleteThe man almost seemed to smile.
ReplyDelete"Surely you are more aware of your surroundings that Nym. I am but the first of the challenges before you reach the true guardian of the sword."
"How do you plead?"
Nym didn't feel like having a discussion about the orc camp when she herself wasn't sure how she was involved, and so she focused on the annoying little man who apparently knew them both very well. "Guilty," replied Nym bowing with flourish. "Although without context, anyone's actions would sound wicked." She crossed her arms and stared the man down.
ReplyDeleteThe man and his mirror eyes stared back seemingly not acknoweldging her tone. He then turned to look at Darvin.
ReplyDeleteDarvin looked back at the man and said, "I'm not pleading anything until I get some answers." He turned back to Nym, "What is he talking about? Rage, evil Gods? And what happened at the orc camp? What do you know?" Darvin was starting to become visibly upset.
ReplyDeleteTell her, Darvin! ;) You don't have to take her lip! Err, umm, I mean, you make some good points... Is this the NEW Darvin Amblecrown talking?:)
ReplyDeletehe's not starting an infamous pop and candy strike if that's what you're asking.
ReplyDeleteI think I will like this NEW Darvin. Will he show up on time to things?
ReplyDeletehas he been late before?
ReplyDeleteNym did not respond to Darvin at first. She stared darkly at the mirror man and thought, angry, "Idiot, this is not the time for having a lover's spat." She imagined all the horrible things she could do to Darvin magically. "I could set him on fire, or strangle him with vines, or..." Nym stared at her own reflection in the mirrored eyes of their opponent. She noted her reflection appeared tired and angry. There was a hint of hate in her eyes she was not used to seeing. "How different my life would be if I had never followed my friends to Thay... What does the mirrored man mean by flirting with dark gods anyway?" She felt defeated and tired. Nym turned slowly to face Darvin and sighed heavily. "I don't know the answers to your questions," she replied quietly, hesitant to meet his eyes. "I don't know of this dark god, and I don't know what happened at the orc camp." She looked up at Darvin, hoping he was willing to accept that she did not understand these things any more than he did.
ReplyDeleteDarvin looked at Nym and saw she looked tired but she still didn't answer the question. Thjodolf was fresh in Darvin's mind and so he wanted answers. "Then what is he talking about then?" He asked Nym. Before she could answer he turned to the man and said, "What are you talking about?"
ReplyDeleteThe man with the mirror eyes finally spoke.
ReplyDelete"I say only what I see in seekers. Often, the seekers are not even aware of all that resides in their hearts and souls."
Darvin just sighed realizing he wasn't going to get any information out of either of them. He figured it didn't much matter anyway, considering he was about to meet his doom. Darvin looked at the man and finally said, "Everything you say about me is the truth. I am a terrible pirate. I have a history of treating people poorly and I have virtually ignored the death of my best friend. So, yes, I plead guilty. Do to me what you will."
ReplyDeleteThe man nodded.
ReplyDelete"Honest reflection is difficult, but necessary. Darvin, I can see that in your heart you will strive toward improvement and accept your faults. Nym, I fear that your hubris will be your downfall. Let go of your hate." He paused. "But, you two have passed this challenge and maybe proceed." He sat back down and resumed reading his book. Behind him a door shimmered into view.
Nym watched the man sit, shrugged to Darvin, and opened the next door.
ReplyDeleteDarvin just shook his head in amazement and followed Nym to the door.
ReplyDeleteThe next room was starkly different. The floor was soft grass, the walls were covered in vines, and a woman sat brushing her golden hair.
ReplyDelete"Come in Darvin and Nym. Please take a seat." She said guesturing beside her and then turning to look at them.
Her hair was long and golden and her skin was pale and radiant. Darvin's breath almost caught by her beauty. However, he noticed that her eyes were the same mirror look as the mans.
"You two have come quite a ways haven't you..." She said smiling as she looked at them.
Nym nodded as she took a seat. This place needs more light for the plants, she thought.
ReplyDelete"Why are you two here?"
ReplyDelete"To collect a sword for a group of ghosts that kidnapped us so they and we can be freed," replied Nym.
ReplyDeleteShe smiled.
ReplyDelete"No, I meant a bit more philosophically than that dear. Why are you here in Faerun, here in the border kingdoms, and here together?"
put in the wrong spot...
ReplyDeleteDarvin decided to take a turn at answering the ladies' questions, "Um...We have been in Faerun for most of our lives. In fact, the only time I ever left was to go to the dream realm. And that was an accident. We came to the border kingdoms looking for help and information in regards to a mysterious dark God. And...uh...we ended up here, by way of this inn, because we are...ahem...lovers." Darvin hoped that was a good enough explanation.
ReplyDelete"And where are you going?" She asked. Seemingly at least somewhat satisfied by Darvin's response.
ReplyDelete"We're returning to our ship," replied Nym, pleased this mirror person apparently could not read their minds or at least had the decency to pretend she could not.
ReplyDelete"Interseting." She said smiling faintly. "So, as I understand it, you are lovers who are looking for information on a dark god, and now are returning to your ship. What did you learn of the dark god, and where do you once you reach your ship?"
ReplyDelete"To be honest with you, we didn't learn a whole lot, but a terrible tragedy had befallen a number of our friends and we figured the best thing to do was to regroup at our ship. We would formulate a new plan of action there." Darvin answered.
ReplyDeleteShe frowned.
ReplyDelete"So..." She said slowly. "You were charged with finding the cause of the attack on Baldur's Gate. That turned out to be the work of a cult that has infiltrated the Lathanderian order. Once you learned this, you traveled from Waterdeep on down to the Shaar where you were to seek help against this cult. Once there, you learned very little and ran into some tragedy and so are now heading back to your ship without a coherent plan."
She leaned back and put her hands onto the green grass.
"What are you willing to do to stop this evil? Are you prepared to sacrifice yourself, a friend, a loved one?"
Nym looked around the room. "I suppose we'll only know the answer to that question when the time comes..." she replied.
ReplyDeleteGood god I have too many sign-ins!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is a rather silly answer Nym." She said laughing softly. "I asked about whether you are willing and prepared to do or not.We will only know the choice you make when the time comes. However, you can have some thought as far as what you are "willing and prepared" suggests some thought ahead of time." She shook her head sadly at Nym and raised her hand. Nym felt her lips seal shut.
"And you Darvin, what are you prepared to do?"
"Haven't we sacrificed enough already? My best friend has died, Nym has lost her innocence. But I suppose if saving the world or the group came down to me sacrificing myself I would have to do it. It sure would suck though." Darvin answered beleagueredly.
ReplyDeleteThe woman raised her hand and Darvin felt his lips seal shut.
ReplyDelete"Such things are rarely easy, fun, or lighthearted." She waved her hand and a gate appeared.
"The trial is complete, you may pass through the portal and see your doom*. As a word of caution, depending on your choices your doom might temporarily separate you two. Do not be alarmed, as the test will provide advice based uon your answers. Although and you might not arrive in the same spot no harm will come to you and you will soon be reunited."
Doom in this sense is not "ruin" as much as it is the OE "judgement, condemnation, decree."
A shimmery silver hole in the wall appears. As Nym and Darvin look over at it they see a single reflection in the surface.
ReplyDeleteAs Nym peers into the surface she sees an older version of herself. Her face is drawn into a grimmace and large lines underscore her eyes. Across her body intricate arcane marks cover her skin and seem to pulsate and glow. Behind her she sees a score of druids lying stretched out on a field. Many are missing limbs while others have large holes in their bodies.
Darvin's reflection shows an older and skinnier version of Darvin. His expression is tired and his robes and armor are covered in blood stains. In his hands is a large glowing blue swords. His face is contorted in an expression of shock and disbelief.
Nym kisses Darvin on the cheek and says, "See you on the other side" before passing through the portal.
ReplyDelete