Brief Recap: Last turn, Bibi went south to visit the Prophet (via plant door) to ask about the Crown of Acererak. The Prophet did not have any useful information about the crown, but did reiterate his warning to Bibi about the Obsidian Stone. He also sent one of his Mujahideen, Abu, to accompany Bibi and protect her. The company decided to journey northwards--both to warn the Northern Kingdom of the threat Krossus' actions pose, and to check on the Stone in Dunore.

Journey Journey Journey...

The company, comprising Ghotu, Bibi, Fyona, Mog, Trenin, and now Yama Takagi and Abu, rides northwest from Trajia, into the Greenbelt, where the Sylvan Brotherhood membership is strongest.

As they prepare to ride, Ghotu asks the others, "Are we to leave Humphrey to his fate? I do not know where exactly Hell is, but he must be somewhere." He addresses Abu, for Ghotu senses an aura about the warrior, as did Bibi upon meeting him. "Southman, Abu, do you know the way to Hell?" It is apparently a serious question.

"Indeed I do sir. One need only ignore the teachings of the prophet."

Bibi adds "I have not forgotten him Ghotu. I believe that this crown I now carry, with it's great burdens will lead us to him. But I must first see to the safety of my people and the stone."

"The stone lies in Dunore?" Abu asks. "And who is this Humphrey? What role does he play amongst thee?"

Mog answers Abu's second question, "Humphrey was mage, but was taken by demon. Mog too wishes to find him, but threat to the stone must be dealt with first."

[The Greenbelt is the general name for a vast forested land between the Warring States and the Northern Kingdom--see the map on the home page http://eternalwarriors.freeservers.com.]

Trenin leads them through the Greenbelt, avoiding dangerous areas and taking them past an Arbor, one of many safe havens maintained by the Brotherhood. It appears to be a hidden shelter, made with tree boughs and vines twined together and covered with earth, climbing shrubs and vines. From the outside it appears as nothing more than a large bush on a mound of earth [About the size of an igloo]There, the party refreshes their water supply and Trenin makes an entry in a log book. In it, he makes mention of Krossus and the Crown of Acererak, warning:

"The magocracy is on teh offensic we again. Have attacked both Trajia and teh Free Cities. Trajia has been liberated but the status of teh Free Cities remains unknown. The Guild of Mages in Galay may also be under teh evil influence of a powerful artifact known as teh crown of Acerak. It has proven to drive spell users mad. Only time will tell. Spread the word, prepare for the worst and keep your eyes, ears and swords sharp. Trenin Lantharien (date)"

He also relays the message to an owl who lives nearby, who agrees to pass the message along in his flights.

[Keith please post exactly what Trenin writes--I mentioned Krossus but Trenin need not actually write about that if you don't want him to. You can also change the name "creche" if you don't like it. It means bower or nativity.]

They do not encounter anything on their trip through the Greenbelt. Trenin departs briefly from the party twice more to check on Arbors along the way. Eventually, after over two weeks journey, they come upon the southeastern frontier of the Northern Kingdom. They make camp, intending to head into the Kingdom until they find someone whom they can warn about the Magocracy.

As they make camp, Fyona worries about entering the Kingdom, and does not know if she should do it or not--having been exiled on pain of death. Her decision is unnecessary, as the next morning the party is able to signal a group of the King's trackers who are traveling past and recognize Ghotu. The party tells them about the Magocracy and Krossus. The lead tracker thanks them for the information, and tells them that the King was already aware something was amiss in the southlands, but did not know what. No word has been received from Galay in many weeks, and scouts have been reporting increased movement on the outskirts of the Magocracy. The trackers assure the party they will tell the King this important news.

The party heads northeast from there, skirting the Warring States lands and making their way after a few more weeks to the forest of Dunore. On the full moon, Bibi absences herself from the party.

They are all tired from living on the road for such a long time, and welcome the hospitality of Bibi's tribal village.

They journey the rest of the way east through the forest, toward the ancient city of Dunore. Only Bibi, a Druid, can actually find the city, and after weeks under the dense forest canopy the company finally sees the stone alters and totems of the Druids' city. Fresh earth is around the base of the two nearest stones.

Ghotu makes a conscious effort to remember the location of the city, trying to keep his bearings. He wants to understand why the party must be led into the city each time, and cannot seem to find it without a druid guide.

Summer is coming to an end, nearly a year since the company was last here. Ghotu feels his age. He is getting too old for this. Somehow, he feels the weight of many lives upon him. He has been having the dreams again, dreams about different lives in different worlds. In them, he is strung out, stretched among the stars of the night sky.

One night as they camp, he tells Bibi about the dreams as they sit at the fire. He asks her, "What does it mean to be so strewn about the heavens? The dreams are real, I have lived these lives. Always a warrior. Sometimes a gladiator, sometimes a general. And always killing."

"I believe you have lived all of these lives and I fear you will not soon find any peace. Those like you will return again and again so long as they are needed upon this world. You are truly a savior to us all." As Bibi speaks this phrase she thinks of the prophet and his greatness and then of Ghotu and his selflessness. She really believes that he is as much savior as any man has ever been. "Killing is not a light matter but I know that you understand the necessity of your actions. And just as you return again and again those who die do also. As we are all connected to ground beneath us and the clouds above."

The party members are greeted by initiates and welcomed, Bibi leading everyone through broken streets to the same stone house where last they guest quartered. Within half an hour, Azrael appears at the door to greet everyone. Faces are washed, food is had, and the company sits around a large kitchen table with wine and mead.

The company notices that Azrael has a worn look to his dark features as he speaks. "It is good you have come, Bibi. Your strength will be a great help." He drinks deep from his goblet. "Some power assails the city. We do not know who or what stands against us, but it works through the very earth, moving our sacred stones and thus weakening the most elder rune patterns protecting Dunore." The party remembers seeing the fresh earth at the base of stones on the outskirts of Dunore, as well as the broken streets. Those stones, as well as the buildings and many other structures of the city itself, are part of a network of runes drawn large scale, which are part of an enchantment protecting the city. "We work both through the holy magic and physical labor to set the city straight, but I fear our labors are not sufficient. Nightly the attack comes, and nightly we gather and exert our strength against it. If the stones are moved enough, the rune patterns will be broken, and the dwoemers protecting the city will fail. Without them, other-worldly agents will no longer be kept at bay. Dunore would then only be protected by our individual magic, and our weapons," he nods to Ghotu and the other fighters, as if to enlist their aid. He pauses again, to empty his goblet.

Bibi watches Azrael as he speaks. She feel this crisis is deeply affecting him.

"I will stay until Dunore is again safe." Bibi then turns to Mog "Will you stay?" And then to the others.

Mog nods his assent. He asks Azrael, "In what manner do the druids resist the attacks?"

Azrael answers, "The druids of rank gather in the central temple, the ring of standing stones where the challenges are held. Each Druid stands upon their rune, and uses their will to reinforce the enchantments on the city. It is a great effort," he says, and the weariness in his eyes speaks volumes. "The others in the city spend their days attempting to move the stones that make up the runes back into place, though many of them are massive and cannot be moved but by magic." In a low voice, he looks soberly at Bibi. "Our strength is not enough. I believe unless we try something else, the enchantments around Dunore will fail."

Ghotu upends his goblet, whipes his mouth with the sleeve of his glove as he sets it down, and says, "He's found it. Thae-Rune Ibn. Who but a mage could be doing this to the city?"

"I will help as much as I am able." says Trenin. "The Druids of Dunore have long been friends of the Sylvan Brotherhood. Is it possible that the Magocracy is behind this? Is there no way to tell? A divination is beyond my power, but perhaps there are those in your order who could pray for similar spells."

Azrael answers Trenin, "We have tried to divine the nature of this threat, but the auguries are vague. We believe the threat is otherworldly, as though the author were not of the Wurld."

"Azrael I would like to speak with Aria and hold the obsidian stone." Bibi waits for his answer hoping that he does not have anymore bad news.

Azrael says, "I see you are of the same mind as Aria. She and others have counseled that we use the stone to resist the attacks, and to set Dunore in order once more. With the Stone behind us, it is likely we could resist these attacks. But to reveal it from its hiding place brings dangers too, for we know there are those who seek the stone for their own purposes. Aria will summon the Druids to the temple before nightfall, we may speak with her then."

Posting Instructions: Please post your actions for the round.

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