Gala rejoined the group and prayed for healing for Lasiar. The now familiar rosy glow of Lathander's healing grace flowed from the morninglord. As she healed the wounded man and the others greeted her with varying degrees of exuberance, Arachne made her decision that she was going to go find Azrun to at least give him their general direction. She made the not quite as familiar transformation into a large bird and departed in the direction of Kuiper's farm.
The rest of the group contiued on until they reached the river, traveling the south bank. The pace they set was slow, to ensure that they had as much chance as possible of finding traces of Ranchefus and his ruffians. The unusual calm of the forest did not subside, but they eventually left the Thornwood behind with no further incident.
A look of pain flashed across Lasiar's face at Gala's touch to be replaced with a blank visage, calm but emotionless. "You have my thanks, Priestess of the Morn," said the youth in a cracked, low voice. His eyes met Gala's for a moment, then he turned away, walking to the fore of the party, and veered to the nearest tree on the right, and placed his left hand on the trunk, his head down, eyes closed in deep thought. He rejoined his companions as they resumed their journey.
"What is wrong, Lasiar? Did I hurt you?" Gala asked, voice full of concern. "I am sorry if I caused you pain."
"Priestess, to the contrary, your touch provided comfort, not pain. Please, do not worry yourself. I just... need to sort out some thoughts."
Gala nodded. "I will leave you be then."
Once Blacky saw the familiar rosy glow, he relaxed. "I'm sorry Gala, it's just that I've heard tell of people and strange creatures that can change to look like other people. We already know this priest can grow wings with which to fly, I know not what other tricks he might have. Being over cautious has kept me alive thus far."
Gala nodded at Blacky. "I don't know what kind of reassurance my healing is though. I mean, if someone could look like me and know what I know--surely they could imitate my healing." She sighed. "Maybe you guys should watch me or something to make sure I'm not some creature in disguise." She slumped. "I can't think of anything else."
Kaileer shook his head. "Gala be more in danger now than if she go Milborne. If not Gala, then be even more in danger if we find."
The ranger, having said his piece, busied himself at making new shafts for the arrows he had broken or damaged in the last few battles.
By the end of the day, they had made it to another wood, the Redwood that they remembered from various maps of the area that they had seen. Kaileer found a campsite, and they settled in for the night.
After helping set up camp and getting her horse settled down, groomed and fed, Jana stripped off her armor and began to clean off the blood that had oozed up through her clothing. She moved rather more slowly than she normally did.
"Aloysius," she said while she groomed the horse, "I may have to beg off showing you how to ride. Unless you want to hang around for awhile at Thurmaster, that is." She smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid neither of us," she explained, patting her horse, "are feeling particularly wonderful right now." She excused herself and finished with the horse.
Jana ate trail rations from her pack with a considerable lack of enthusiasm. Despite her earlier banter with the mage, the longest conversation she'd yet had with anyone in the group, she'd returned to her usual quiet self that evening.
Aloysius seemed puzzled for a moment. "No need have I of thee to beg, Janathell. If there be anything I can do to aid thee, let me know." The mage then flashed Jana a mini version of the PSF.
Aloysius set his pack on the ground and removed his bandolier. He absent-mindedly munched on a piece of beef jerky and drank from his waterskin. As the sky darkened with the approaching night, he settled back and looked with quiet fascination at the stars in the sky.
Aloysius slowly moved over next to Lasiar and sat down cross-legged on the ground. After staring quietly at the stars for a moment, he said "The Celestial River doth run deeply this night, eh Brightmantle?"
Without looking at Aloysius, Lasiar nodded slightly, too preoccupied with his inner turmoil to give a verbal response.
As Aloysius sat with Lasiar looking at the stars, he chewed on a blade of grass and seemed to be thinking out loud.
"That someone be gathering spell users be beyond doubt. 'Tis their motive that remains in the shadows. The riddle of the Mire doth nag at me constantly. Be it a coincidence that such a strange event occurs at the same time that these people disappear and the gnolls travel by day? Methinks the answer be nay, but to what good doth swampy ground serve to kidnappers of arcane personages?"
The mage turned his attention over to a bright, pulsing light that had appeared every night the group had been together. "Damn you Shaundral, you taunt us with thy accursed beam. Methinks that thou workest thy evil ways 'pon this land."
The aspiring wizard then stared at the fire. "One of the men in the tavern did speak of a rising of lizard men in the Shrieken Mire. Such creatures would greatly prefer the soft, damp earth that encroacheth 'pon the western farms. Perchance be there some connection betwixt the goblins azure and the lizard men of old? And what connection, if any, be there between the rising swamp and the disappearing spell casters? Mayhap there be but one puzzle, or mayhap there be two. Few pieces have we, but fewer still that fit together."
Aloysius frowned grimly and then returned back to his pack. He layed his head on the ground and tried to fall asleep. Echo settled in for the night with the others. She took off her tattered gray cloak to reveal equally tattered clothing underneath. She looked around at the various members of the group apparently lost in thoughts of their own. While she looked like she had questions for them, she also looked like she could not quite get up the courage to interupt their melancholy moods. She studied everyone's faces as though she were trying to memorize them. Once, she stood up to go sit by Jana, but a glance at Aloysius made her sit back down. After several false starts speaking, she finally settled to ask, "What do you do about watches and guards for the camp at night?"
Lasiar observed the young woman, wondering why he hasn't introduced himself to her yet, and glanced at his more tactically-inclined companions for the answers.
Jana looked up blankly for a moment, then grinned. "My, what an uncommonly common-sense thing to ask." She stood up and walked around, working out the stiffness. "I feel like shit," she noted. "When I stand watch won't make much difference. I'll take whatever shift's left after those who need uninterrupted sleep decide." Jana walked over to her horse and checked on him one last time.
"Common sense?" Echo squeaked. Both of her cheeks turned as red as if she'd been slapped. She watched Jana walk around until she finally decided that maybe Jana wasn't making fun of her. "I'll take whatever watch you need me to. I need to sleep uninterupted tonight, I guess, if I'm going to have any spell capability tomorrow, but if that won't work out, I don't really care if I can't cast.
Jana smiled apologetically when she noticed Echo's blush. "Common sense isn't something we've had an over-abundance of recently," she explained. "I'm finding it rather refreshing." She grinned and started back toward the others, her check of her horse complete. "Not," she added, still grinning, "that I've been a bastion of good sense myself."
Jana walked over to Echo, kneeling if Echo was seated, and said quietly, a friendly smile on her face, "I can still swing a sword even if I miss a little sleep. So, I'd much rather you get all the sleep you need in order to do your magic."
Gala blushed. "I, um, usually take first watch. I need more sleep."
"I also prefer first watch... My faith requires that I practice my priestly duties under the night sky and moon. When else can a Silverstar gaze upon the beauty of his Goddess?" Lasiar piped in with a hint of excitement in his voice.
Aloysius cocked a concerned eyebrow at Echo. "I take the last watch. You may care not if thou hast no magics to wield, but care do I about myself. Hopefully, the rest of you do too."
Echo's face turned red again. "I only meant...that's a difference between a wizard and someone who knows some spells, I guess. I'm not a wizard. While I would prefer to be able to cast, I didn't want to disrupt things if you have a system. I was trying to be considerate."
Jana shrugged, an almost-pained smile on her face. "It's not a problem, really. But, your consideration," she added, looking over at Aloysius, "is certainly appreciated."
Aloysius frowned and looked at the ground briefly. "My apologies, I meant not to snap like that. All of these recent events have placed me on edge, I fear. Stargazer be not a wizard himself, although one day doth he aspire so." The skinny, purple-haired man looked at Echo. "We are trying to be a team, so thy consideration be appreciated. If perhaps some evening thou wouldst like to discuss matters arcane, I would like that. 'Tis something I have missed since good Pug did pass."
Jana shifted and said a bit louder, "Am I correct that we have three who need uninterrupted sleep, Echo, Aloysius and Gala, and three who don't, myself, Blacky and Kaileer?" Assuming an affirmative answer, she continued, "Okay, how about Echo takes first watch, Gala and Aloysius take last watch together, and Blacky, Kaileer and I divide up the time in between? Or, whatever you guys think is best for first and last. As far as myself, like I said, doesn't matter to me."
Gala sighed. "I have to have first watch, Jana. I must make my devotions to Lathander at sunrise. Otherwise, last watch would be fine."
"Whichever," Jana said with a shrug. "However you four want to work out first and last watch. So long as someone wakes me up at the appropriate time and I know who to wake up when I'm done, that's all I really care about."
Aloysius looked away from the stars and smiled at Lasiar. "Perhaps Brightmantle could join . . . ." he looked over at Echo and thought for a moment . . ."her . . .during the first watch. Stargazaer, for one, doth greatly anticipate greeting the dawn with Galaret again."
Gala sighed. "If you want me to take last watch, I will. I just won't be able to cast spells then, since I will not be able to make my morning devotions."
"The Morninglord said she had first watch. If you need me there, I'll sit with her. If not, put me wherever you want me," Echo replied.
"Before, the spellcasters took first or last watch, Echo. I have to take first watch, because I make my morning devotions at dawn. I think we can work something out here. I hope so anyway." replied Gala.
"I will stand wherever we need an extra body." Blacky said with a yawn. "I will take a small nap now, since it appears Lasiar and Echo have the first and iI didn't sleep last eve. Jana please wake me when I'm needed." After removing his mail, Blacky stretches out on the ground a short distance from the fire and stares at the stars until his eyelids become heavy with sleep. His hand never leaves hold of his axe, however.
"Sure," Jana agreed. "I'd just as soon get it over with and take second watch, if Kaileer doesn't mind taking fourth after Blacky."
"Uhm, Lasiar," Jana asked hesitantly, "how can you stand watch if you're, you know, gazing at the moon?" She winced and continued in an apologetic tone. "I mean, maybe you ought to do whatever your god requires of you during first watch, then actually, you know, watch first thing in the morning? Would that work? We could have the first and last watches shorter than the middle three, too, so you guys could get enough rest..." Jana turned her questioning gaze to Gala.
Echo winced at the various replies and exasperated voices that resulted from her question. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just...which watches did the two that aren't here have? Did the gnome or the guy that...was upset about the one who died take? What about the one that died? I'll just fill one of their spots if that's easiest. I'm not asking anyone to change or trying to take anything away from anybody. From what I've heard, it sounds like the priests take first watch. It is more important for the priests to do there duty to their gods than for me to study a blasted book. I can sit last watch with the wizard which would allow me to cast spells or I can take one in the middle with the fighters. I would prefer to take last, but I'm flexible." She started to giggle about something, very girlish laughter that had no discernable cause.
Aloysius looked over at Echo with a poker-face. "Thou should share last watch with Stargazer, girl. Galaret and the Silverstar can take first watch, and then the others can spread themselves throughout the night as they see fit. Once we rejoin Azrun and Arachne, we can determine a new schedule if need be."
A look of concern crossed the mage's face. "How didst thou knowest that a gnome did once journey with us? I recall not that coming up in conversation afore, although I could be mistaken."
Echo looked at Aloysius with a dumbfounded expression on her face, "Mistaken? Why would it have to come up in conversation? I camped with all of you last night, and she only left in the middle of the day today to go find the one who beat the tied-up bandit to death. She told a drawn out story about sapphires or something right before Gala came back. Then she changed into a bird and flew away." She looked Aloysius over carefully, but before he could read anything on her face, she looked away.
Aloysius blushed for a moment. "Oh yes, thou speakest of Arachne. She is a gnome, at least so far as I can tell. I thought that thou spoke of another gnomish companion we did lose to the goblins afore. His name was Pug, and he was a delight."
He looked at Echo almost pleadingly. "Again, I must ask thy forgiveness. All of these recent events have caused me to be overly suspicious. For a moment, I even questioned the return of. . . . ." he looked over towards Gala, "the morning sun itself." Aloysius sighed deeply and looked once agin at the star-filled sky, a look of worry etched on his brow.
The non-spellcaster watch order more or less established, Jana excused herself and walked around for awhile. "I'm not really familiar with this area," she said eventually, to no one in particular. "Anyone know how far out we are from Thurmaster?" As she waited to see if anyone cared to answer, she looked over at her horse, her expression oddly melancholy.
Jana walked around for a while, removing herself from any further discussion of watches. "Just keep your mouth shut, Jana," she muttered to herself. A few moments later, she inquired about Thurmaster.
"Not far at all I should think," replied Aloysius. "There be little of interest in Thurmaster, save mage Tauster. Howe'er, he be on our way to Parlfray's Keep, and I have need to speak with him. The scroll I have is well beyond my capabilities, and I doubt we would have much use for its powers anyway. Hopefully, Tauster will be inclined to make a trade and I can obtain something else that is more valuable to us."
Jana smiled in thanks. "I don't think what I'm looking for would qualify as interesting. Perhaps that bodes well." She brushed a few stray hairs out of her face. "Do you think we'll get there tomorrow?" Jana asked anxiously.
Gala's face became shuttered. "He is Evil. The god of murder and of lies. All of Lathander oppose him and always will. He was raised to godhood when Midnight took on Mystra's duties and Kelemvor became lord of the dead."
"Aye, 'tis not far at all. We journeyed there afore thee didst join our group. It doth seem like an eon ago." Aloysius looked eagerly at Jana. "What be it that thou seeks in Thurmaster, Janathell? It be smaller than Milborn, so I fear that thou may seekest in vain."
The mage's brow tensed as Gala spoke. "Aye," he replied, "and no doubt he be the source of the shadow that doth spread across this land. Stargazer be unfamiliar with the story of Midnight, and Mystra, and Kelemvor. Recall that I didst spend the greater portion of my life charting stars and watching beakers boil. Would you share this tale with me?"
"Employment," Jana replied. "This wandering-around-hoping-to-find-something thing isn't really working out for me."
The purple-haired man looked at Jana quizically. "If memory serves me correctly, mage Tauster did offer a reward for the return of his student, Jelleneth. Other than that, I know not of any prospective employers, unless perhaps one of the taverns there needs a barmaid." Aloysius looked at the lithe fighter. "Or mayhap a bouncer," he added sheepishly.
"Like I said," Jana replied with a sigh, "this wandering around crap isn't working for me." She smiled slightly. "I'd probably make a good bouncer. I'm big enough to kick butt, and what man is going to risk having his butt kicked by a woman?" Jana shrugged again, her new favorite non-verbal expression. "And, for that matter, I doubt I'd get much harrssment as a barmaid." Yet another shrug. "Seems a waste not to be using all that expensive weapons training my parents arranged for me, but then, bouncers and barmaids hardly ever have to kill anyone, so I guess that's an up side."
Sometime before the group crashed out for the night, Aloysius approached Gala. "Galaret, I am pleased that thou hast returned. Howe'er, I thought not less of thee for thy earlier decision to go. In fact, there be naught that thee could do to cause me to think less of thee." The scrawny man smiled fondly at the Morninglord.
Gala smiled warmly at the mage. "My thanks, Aloysius. You have ever been kind to me and I should not have left."
"Earlier, thou didst mention that the dark priest was a missionary of a god called 'Cyric'. What dost thou know of this dark god?"
Gala told Aloysius the following story: Midnight was a mysterious young woman with raven tresses that served Mystra, goddess of magic. She had friends, Kelemvor, Cyric, and Adon who adventured with her. She lived in the Time of Troubles, that happened around 15 years ago.
The gods had gotten too proud and had begun to cause trouble in the lands of men. They had acquired much power and were envious of each others areas of effect-many times coming into direct conflict. And Ao, the mysterious one, watched the gods forget what their duties were and decided to act.
The tablets of fate, of which there are 2, list each god's name and their duties. These were taken to Faerun and hidden for mortals to find. The gods were kicked from their realms and their avatars walked the earth. Helm was chosen to guard the Celestial Stairway, as he was most faithful.
The followers of Torm began to persecute other religions, though that was not what Torm intended.
And, worse, Bane and Myrkul and Nergal were set loose upon the land and began to raise the forces of the Zhents for all-out warfare.
Mystra chose Midnight and her friends to try to take the stone tables back to the Celestial stairway and return the gods to their places.
But Cyric grew jealous of Midnight's affection for Kelemvor-a mighty warrior. He betrayed them and tried to kill them, though he really wanted Midnight for herself. Mystra was killed by Bane and magic went wild. This is why we have areas of wild magic now-and the new wild mages. It is also why we have areas where no magic will work.
This was a horrible time to be a spellcaster. Many were killed or injured by their own spells. Or rended by horrible beasts when their spells failed to function.
This was a horrible time to be a spellcaster. Many were killed or injured by their own spells. Or rended by horrible beasts when their spells failed to function.
The gods themselves fought, doing much damage. Many temples were destroyed and are e'en now starting to be rebuilt. In the process gods were killed-Bane, Nergal, and Myrkul. Waukeen, merchant god-though some say she is merely missing.
Lathander and his followers strove to give hope and compassion to the peoples of Faerun. And to protect them from any evil let loose in our land.
Still, good triumphed in the end. For Midnight got a tablet, though Cyric, no more than a common thief, stole the other one. Both returned them to Ao at the same time and Ao in his wisdom made his decisions. As a reward, Cyric was given godhood and given the portfolios of murder and lies-powers left open on the deaths of Bane and his allies. Cyric thus became the god of the Zhents and is to be hated and feared.
Midnight had been carrying the small fragment of Mystra's life essence, which Ao brought forth, making Midnight into Mystra-or maybe Midnight was Mystra all along.
Kelemvor, who had been killed by Cyric's betrayal in defense of Midnight, was made the Lord of the dead. He is reputed to be a wise judge and Mystra and Kelemvor are believed to be close still. Adon serves Selune still.
And Ao set down a new law, where upon the gods must have followers to gain power-so that it is through us that the gods now get their power and the gods must now be responsible to us. And the gods went back to their homes.
Gala looked up, knowing her story was told awkwardly. "I'm sure someone else could tell you this better or in more detail. This is what I remember from when I was a child."
Aloysius had listened intently as Gala told her tale. "Aye, Moonspawn did warn me 'gainst this 'wild magic'. That be the primary reason that ne'er do I draw spells solely from memory. Magic be too powerful a force to treat carelessly." The mage thought for a moment. "Forgive my ignorance, Galaret, but what exactly is a 'Zhent'?"
Lasiar listened attentively to Gala's story and waited til her conclusion before adding to it. The young priest appeared to be in a better mood during the story, smiling often.
"The Gods were banished to the Faerun when the Tablets were stolen, and none would produce them when demanded by Ao. It was later revealed that the Doomed Trio - Bane, Bhaal and Myrkul, were responsible for the theft. How ironic that the artefacts they had hoped would grant them power would lead them to their deaths. Oh yes, Helm was only chosen to bar any attempts from the banished deities to return to their planes because ~guarding~ is part of his portfolio, not simply because he was the most faithful or dutiful."
"Yes, that was a sad moment for Torm's clergy, but they eventually atoned for their transgressions. I wish I could have witnessed the titanic battle between Bane and Torm, but alas, I was only a babe then."
"According to the tomes I've read, Mystra was destroyed by Helm, when she tried to return to her plane by ascending the Celestial Stairway located in Shadowdale. Mystra was no match for Helm who retained his godhood."
"Your recount of the Time of Troubles is superb, Gala. Even I, who had access to tomes written on this historical event, could not have told it better."
Aloysius remained silent for a moment as he attempted to digest all this new information. "So, Torm be a deity beneficent? Is not the priest, Semheis of Milborn, a servant of Torm?" The mage's eyes grew wide for a moment as he stared down at the ground. "By the Elbian Cow! 'Twould appear that Stargazer did miss much whilst Moonspawn had him mopping his floors and fetching his spell components."
