Tales of the Heroes

[Asinjin]

I laughed so much Mrs. Asinjin came to see what was wrong.

[Asinjin]

Montaron Mountainmagic (Terrorshard, Port Springs)

When he returned from he other planar adventure with the wizards, Montaron found a world that was marvelous.  Back in the dwarven kingdom, magic have proven its high position in the world and allies with Iott, they had made the world a better place.  Organized with great magic, rules and order had been established.  Those that opposed it; from Borkondof to the Shellshe to the evil forces of western Icefia to Nomagrok to Hertoplowis, were in check and weakening.  The Grean Republic was an ally, as were the nation of the Destroytian Peninsula and Yellowia.  Before the Day of Broken Magic, things were moving in the right direction.

Montaron learned of all this just after he had failed to prevent it from starting to unravel.  No one was exactly sure what the stones being broken would mean in the long term, but it couldn't be good.  An expert in arcane studies, Montaron took only a little time to see family and friends before beginning to study.  The best way forward, to maintain the rule of magic, was to understand this new reality faster and better than their enemies.  For years, he spent time in both the temples of Smofarf and the towers of Iott.  He was a leading researcher in how divine magic might help to bridge the gap left by the destruction of the stones.  The solution came to him and his collogues thankfully before the collapse of the structures Iott and the dwarven kingdom and built.  A cult deity of magic allied with them, channeling power from the planes.  Kallark's hierarchy was called in to discuss the plan with the leaders of Iott and the kingdom.  The plan was agreed upon, Kallark transcended to the planes.

The situation was so dire, Montaron and others looked passed the dangers of the plan.  That it worked and the balance was soon restored was evidence enough that it was the right path.  After that, Montaron went on to be the Master of Healing Magics for all the Arcane Alliance.  There were none other in his class, a cleric of Smofarf Master Healer.  He trained casters and was highly lauded by all.  He was not the target of the rebels, as he was a healer and considered protected.

When the plagues came, Montaron's notoriety became even greater.  Lyla herself spoke and dined with him.  The high cleric of Smofarf and the king of the dwarves hosted him.  He was even allowed to meet with the high cleric of Quan Yin to discuss healing the sick, a rare time he traveled outside of Iott or the mountains.  He never saw any of his old friends, or traveled to Port Springs, or saw any of the people that had gone to the strange world with him.  But he was saving the world.  He could see those that were healed because of his research, witness the spells that were able to be cast because of his research.

Late in 813, as winter set in around the world, he was enjoying a keg in the mountains.  All seemed well.  It had taken more than a decade, but the Alliance was nearing the point it had been on the tragic day.  Thinking of it always gave Montaron a guilty feeling, he could have stopped it, he could have done more.  Something caught his eye down a hallway.  A feather?  He gave it chase, as fast as any dwarf gives chase.  Down several halls and turns he went.  He feared nothing in the mountain.  Finally, he turned a corner to see familiar face, although dressed very differently.  "Daane!  By Smofarf its been a long time!" He hugged his old friend.

The moment was brief.  "They will be here shortly, I have to get out quickly."  Montaron looked puzzled, but quickly surmised, "You not on our side, are you you foolish dwarf.  Long shots were more your style."  Montaron chuckled.  "Hey, that is true...but no, I don't have time.  Get your self out of here and see the world.  Go to some places you haven't been to and see what's happening.  Half of the world is fabulous, some of it is okay, but the rest is suffering and getting worse and if this doesn't end soon..." he paused.  "Gotta go, please, as a favor, take a trip."  Daane tipped his head and dashed off.

Montaron didn't mention the meeting to anyone.  When the new year arrived, he did as his old friend asked and without telling anyone went to Port Springs, to Palumbton, to Northut, to the Clandom, to Port Phiam.  He reached out to Pacyr, to Solaris, to those he had gone to the other planet with even though they weren't available.  What he found was nothing he wanted to see.  It was as Daane has said.  His research told him more, that Kallark's existence in the plane's would eventually change the deity.

Returning to the mountains, Montaron was despondent.  Again, he had failed when it seemed most important.  He went to the basics and traveled to the poorest areas of the kingdom, healing.  Every time he would go out, he would be brought back by the powers that be.  On his fourth trip to the valleys, he heard voices coming and he again expected to be dragged back to research.

"Ack, darned fool of a cleric, you can't bring me here!  If they realize who I am, we're in for it!"

"Quiet down then.  I'm the human, I'm the one that's going to be seen."

"But you made yourself look like a dwarf."

"Oh yeah, well we're fine then."

And then the two dwarves were next to him.  Montaron knew immediately the sight of the prince of Nomagrok and readied for a fight.

"Oh no, we're not here for that.  We're here to talk about a mission and you can help..."

Cleric 13 / Master Healer 10

[whitesword]

Another good one, though I expected him to be on Team T’Chau.

[Asinjin]

Another good one, though I expected him to be on Team T’Chau.

Team T'chau, what's that....

[Zunder]

Team T'chau, what's that....

My money is on he's one of the - Shino Yattsuno Tsu

[Asinjin]

Keldan Windblade (Windblade, various)

After helping to defeat the coup in Baenrl, Keldan and his companion called Alberssi traveled to the Great Forest and finally back to the Rosetree Forest.  For a short time, Keldan returned to his life as a Roseguard and Bladesinger.  He kept in contact with the sons of Ennaenya who had helped guide him to Baenrl.  Alberssi would also contact him on occasion with talk of adventure.

Word came in 793 of a visit to the Court of the Rose by Lyle and Iott.  Keldan was invited in an official capacity.  What he heard shocked and appalled him.  The kingdom agreed to support Iott's reign, given some conditions.  Keldan only barely held his tongue.  Perhaps the sons words were more true than he had thought.  Perhaps the king was not deserving of the crown.  For another three years, Keldan simmered but did little.  There was little to do.  His orders were not to get involved and Iott's agents seemed unstoppable.  The brothers spoke out, but did little, knowing nothing could be done while Iott backed the king.

After the battle in the circle, on the Day Magic was Broken, Keldan had enough.    It was now time to throw off Iott's reign and stand up against them.  The king disagreed.  Patience, research, and a treaty that was not void because of the actions in the circle.  Keldan was disgusted.  Cowards, betrayal, this was not the oath he had taken.  The kingdom was more than this, the king should have higher values.  He was disciplined for speaking out of turn.

For the next five years, he stayed a Roseguard.  As Gneon's rebels grew in number and began to win victories, Keldan watched and practiced.  He relied on his elven longevity to carry him through.  The time would come.  The brothers were not able to talk to him as often, Alberssi came around little.  It was not a pleasant time.  But hope began to rise up in him.  Soon Iott would fall and the king would be free of the treaty.

In 801, his hopes were dashed.  Kallark transcended, Iott reasserted itself.  But then, he found a way to make things right.  The Suian was being held in Iott.  Keldan easily found an invitation.  If he could win, the credibility, the fame, it would give him a voice with which he could persuade the kingdom and some of the world.  He practiced and prayed.  The field was smaller than typical.  He dominated three matches, then three more.  Matches seven and eight were a challenge and he conceded one round in avoid great injury.  In his ten match, he faced Warlord Akrak.  The beast was impressive, but Keldan won the first round.  In the second, the gnoll timed Keldan's charge and broke his arm with a swing even though Keldan blocked it.  Fighting left handed, he held his defense, but knew he would be defeated and conceded.  The third round went by luck to Akrak.  A slip by Keldan gave Akrak and opening, and he did not fail to knock out the elf.

With his back against the wall, Keldan defeated Merkad Firepeak of Icefia.  The dwarf was tough and a veteran, but Keldan was simply more skilled.  His sword work impeccable and his movement unmatched, he danced around the dwarf for minutes picking his shots and eventually winning the match in two straight rounds.  Now it was round twelve, with fewer than ten combatants left, and he drew the lone remaining female, Sha'ar, the Red Guard.

[Asinjin]

Keldan part 2

The match was highly anticipated.  Keldan was seen as one of Iott's favorites remaining, as the Rosetree Kingdom was seen as mostly allied with Iott.  Sha'ar was not viewed favorably by the hosts.  Layraedia was distant and difficult to control, despite the assurances from Amatom that the nation would not be a threat.  Icefia was a constant thorn.  She represented both places.

Lyla attended the match, as she occasionally did.  The first duel was a game of cat and mouse.  Sha'ar and Keldan dancing about looking for an opportunity.  Sha'ar's reach was astounding and Keldan's defense near unbroachable.  Testing each other at every turn, not wanting to play their full hand yet, they pricked and prodded.  When it seemed as if there would finally be a call from the judge for action, Keldan sprang forward.  His strike was true, but Sha'ar's counter was more effective, knocking him to the ground.  He stood deftly, but he was now in the defensive.  With Keldan on the attack and Sha'ar on defense, the fight was a standstill; the reverse benefitted Sha'ar more than Keldan and after a minute he concedes rather than take a serious blow.

The home crowd grew anxious.  The second duel was not attended by Lyla.  Keldan wasted not time.  Going into his most expert routine, his display was a thing of beauty unmatched in the Suian.  Sha'ar could do little but stare in amazement as her best defenses were compromised.  In less than a minute, she was beaten.  The crowd roared, at a level that was only possible with magical enhancement.

Duel three was attended again by Lyla, and every notable dignitary.  Sha'ar, realizing there was no normal counter to that display, and expecting Keldan to employ the routine again, summoned her inner strength.  The meditation was difficult, and exhausting herself with the preparation would leave her vulnerable in the next round, but it was worth the chance.  A bye was always possible next round with some luck.  Keldan went into the routine again, knowing it was his best chance.  The crowd was silent as his display of skill was mesmerizing.  He was surprised as the Red Guard held her ground.  Shocked when his attacks failed to slow her.  Deflated when his routine ended and Sha'ar stood tall in front of him.  Knowing it was over, he nonetheless carried on with the duel, hoping that a lucky shot or a slip might carry him to victory.  Thankful, the honorable Sha'ar did not want to kill Keldan.  He would not yield at any point as this was the end of his Suian journey.  Sha'ar seemed to sense this, and opted to break his sword in two instead of his body.  The cheers were muted, probably by magic.

Keldan remained and watched the Suian with only mild interest.  When he returned home, he drifted around the kingdom.  Iott would not fade soon and the kingdom would not take up arms against it.  The brothers left the stage for a while, fearing the resurging Iott would come for them.  The next year Sutyr betrayed the Counsil.  When even that did not spark the king to action, Keldan had enough.  Seeking out Alberssi, he sought a way to join the opposition.  Alberssi gave he a direction that made Keldan smile.  Despite resigning and leaving the kingdom, Keldan felt good where he was going.  Three weeks later, he knocked on a door and a smiling dwarf answered.  "Its been too long master bladesinger, welcome, come in, have a drink and let us plan our first move."  The Silversword and the Bladesinger were about to make some noise.

[Asinjin]

Keldan part 3

Daane and Keldan, along with a variety of other adventuring types that joined them, were the most significant independent group trying to stop Iott and the Arcane Alliance.  For more than a decade they planned, plotted, intervened, and meddled.  While those with no or little access to magic fared poorly, and those that relied mostly on magic were crippled, the Company of the Silverblade walked the path in between.  They were not hobbled by being part of a large nation that had rules and the worries of citizens, yet they had the connections to get help when needed so they were not totally alone.

In Port Talp, in Palumbton, in Yellowia, in Icefia, the in Great Forest; wherever they went, they found safe haven for a short time.  The two never recruited others for a long period of time, wanting to travel fast and light and not wanting to endanger other too much.  In the Great Forest, they traveled with Liam Oakenry.  On the sea, they sailed with captain Irredescent Angel.  They hid for a time in the Frozensky forest with Hipolet.  In Magenthia, they sought refuge with Raygen.  In Lynkeed, they hid under the protection of the shadow.  In Port Talp, they stayed with Claude.

Every year, they had a mission.  A town in the Great Forest was the target of Iottian settlers.  A Yellowian lord refused to yield.  Grean refugees needed an escape from the Republic.   A dwarven town wanted to secede from the kingdom.  Protesters in the Destroytian Republic were being mistreated.  The Gremlin jungles were home to Iottian experiments.  In the plague years, things changed.  Iott was not the greatest enemy, but the vile forces looking to take advantage of the diseases.  It was during those year that they encountered their greatest non-Iottian foe, the Cancer Mage Goeller.  Having determined a way to use the diseases to power his powerful spells, he travelled the world claiming treasure and slaves.  They chased him for years, never defeating him.  He vanished from the stage when the plagues were under control.

The next four years became more challenging for the Company of the Silverblades.  Iott had more power and there were fewer places to hide.  The noose tightened around the two and some of their old allies were gone when they went to see them.  The Shino Yattsuno Tsu was on their trail.  813 was harrowing and a constant race to stay ahead of their pursuers.  More than one time, they thought this would be the last stand.

Camped out in the northern Great Forest, being fed by allies at the Fellos Estate, they heard noises approaching.  Off that Iottians wouldn't be more careful, but they may not be rightfully confident.  Daane and Keldan had traded away many of their best items to survive this long, they were tired and worn out.  Drawing their blades, they stood back to back.  Feathered hat on, Daane called out, "Come now, ye fiends of Iott, ten of ye'll fall by our blades before ye have us!  Long live the Company of the Silverblades!"  Keldan began to hum a battle hymn and they waiting for a glorious end.

"I am certainly no fiend, but Smofarf's ars-kisser here could be called that."  Through the trees walked an eager dwarf, a dour dwarf, and a familiar human with a dumb look on his face.  "Hello Daane, we need your help...."

Fighter 8 / Bard 2 / Wizard 2 / Lalakansakalpa 10 / High Master 4

[Zunder]

Through the trees walked an eager dwarf, a dour dwarf, and a familiar human with a dumb look on his face. "

Reik is offended you called Montoron Dour..

[Asinjin]

Reik is offended you called Montoron Dour..

In my mind, you were the eager one.

[whitesword]

Fighter 8 / Bard 2 / Wizard 2 / Lalakansakalpa 10 / High Master 4


Keldan is a baaaad man (elf).

[Windblade]

What is the high master class? I don't know that one.

[Hero]

What is the high master class? I don't know that one.

Habololy epic prestige class for a weapon expert.

[whitesword]

Ari (part 3)

After Ari’s return, he and his fellow Knights spent months searching for sign of the assassins without success.  In 800, Arion asked Ari to do him a service.  While Arion was still living in secret, Sir Bartholomew and Asic told Arion that he was to marry Samantha Goldenseas, the princess of the Kingdom of the South.  Clearly, Arion did not go along with that plan.  Samantha lost both of her parents in the Wyvern Crusade and Arion felt pity for her and shame that he had abandoned her.  By 799, she was not only the wealthiest woman in the Kingdom but perhaps the most beautiful.  Her long-time bodyguard, Darva, had reached retirement age and Arion appointed her deputy minister of security of the Kingdom.  All the lesser kings and queens were in danger, and as Samantha had no family and no heir, she was considered the most at risk.  Garret Culdown, the famous cleric who had converted from Han-Sui to Stasis, and was an apprentice of Nisoru Metakae, had been protecting her, but he too was growing older.  Ari arrived in Cape Tolya in mid fall and took up residence in the palace.

On the Day of Darkness, the assassins struck.  Ari was aware of them as soon as they entered the palace, far later than his senses should have revealed them.  They walked out of the shadows and reached Ari, Culdown and the guards within moments.  At first Ari though they were Adaptors, for his blades had little effect.  But where the Adaptors mimicked emotion, and were not fearless, these things did not react to wound or spell.  All of the guards were killed and only Ari and Culdown remained between the chamber where Uljorn protected Samantha.  As the last of the Empty Men advanced, Culdown stepped between it and Ari and laid his holy grasp upon it.  It a burst of darkness both the cleric and the assassin dissolved into smoke.  The following day Ari and Uljorn escorted Samantha to Castle Gemblade.

After Sutyr betrayed the Counsil in 802, Arion banned his cult and the church of Dresta from the Kingdom.  Ari and Nisoru, along with Lythia Greenheart, the feyalin of Arsur’anyodel, were appointed to lead the effort.  In 808, as the Knights and their allies began a major effort to root out the evil faiths in Cape Tolya.  During the battles Ari rescued many captives, including those that had been brought to Icefia as slaves from Kathow and the Islands.  Those that eventually returned to their homelands spread the stories of Icefian paladins of Horarian descent far and wide. 

[whitesword]

Shaar (part 3)

After the massacre at Cyrus’ funeral, Shaar returned to Layraedia.  Deeply affected her inability to save more of the attendees, Shaar attempted to resign from her assignment.  Ambassador Mason declined her request and informed her that she had been selected by the high cleric of Han-Sui of Layraedia as his champion in the Suian.  In fact, multiple clerics had attempted to name Shaar as their champion but the high cleric asserted his primacy. 

(Suian deailed elsewhere)

Shaar returned to Icefia in 803 to find the nation fighting on multiple fronts.  With her government’s permission she was assigned to assist Ari and the Knights in the battle against Sutyr, but with instructions to avoid actions against the Church of Dresta, as she was still a member of the Counsil.  The fight against Sutyr would span the continent and slowed only at the height of the plague years.   Throughout these years, many young guards and warriors of Layraedia made the dangerous journey to Icefia to learn from Shaar and fight beside her.  Some of these warriors would go on to great fame on their own in years to come; most notably Anaru Kai, who would become Ari’s greatest squire and Ragni U’larim, an apprentice of Shaar’s who would become a great weapon master in her own right.