The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

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Barra
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Barra »

Suddenly Barra stopped when his pet reminded him of his brother, who was still sleeping in the nook on the roof of the cave.
As he turned he saw the guard that was chasing him. Zahanzon prompty told Barra " she can't harm you. "
" OK " he said to his pet . " You, get my brother and met me by the temple. " he told the drowess.
" Come on Zahanzon, " lets go find that giant.
Barra and Zahanzon turned to track down Veraka and Neriah.
''
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Tarlyn »

[quote:26p51ic7]Akor'ace looked a bit startled. She had to readjust her perspective a bit in light of this new information.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Your accent led me to think...well you know what they say about assumptions, as they say in common. I was not aware that there were kin who chose to serve the Morninglord, or of a population in Berdusk. We shall have to contact them at some point soon.

"This is the single largest storeroom," she continued. "And the one with the most variety. The others are smaller and mostly contain food, basic supplies, and more of what you see here. As for other places of interest, I will be happy to take you on a...what is the word...tour."[/quote:26p51ic7]


[color=purple:26p51ic7]"Well this is how father taught us how to speak. Mother does too. We also speak the sign language. Though we live on the surface, father has never forgotten his roots in Ched Nessad. Our house there, from what I know, was destroyed the same year father was born. As for those who serve the Morninglord, well I know that Father is
the Sentire of the temple in Berdusk. Some of our brethren there follow Lathander but most actually follow the Dancing Maiden Eilistraee. I know that in Waterdeep, father owns a bakery there and several drow run it. From what I understand, they also are an elite squad of warriors and mages who prevent the insurgence of evil drow into the city and below it. AS for coming into contact, you might want to wait as our home was under attack before I was teleported here, Akor'Ace."[/color:26p51ic7]

She looks again at the items and smiles. [color=purple:26p51ic7]"I would like some items later, mostly clothing and believe it or not, art. I seem to have a penchant for that type of thing. And seeing as they are from the Underdark, it makes it for me even the more precious. Now, if you are still willing, I would like to accept your offer of chaperoning me around."[/color:26p51ic7]
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Rainbow Prism »

"[color=#FF80BF:3cr4sna2]Terrific. Just rothe dung terrific.[/color:3cr4sna2]" Immersed in her own thoughts, Maid tried to gather all will and take it well. Closing her face with both palms, she could feel blood rush to her face, pulsing with loud thuds in her head.
Almost as pleasing as pounding the nearest empty head. Tempting like feeling of sticky gore on her fingers.
Shaking her head, drow put hands down, putting table and all dishes on it in little tremor. Leaning closer to eye level, Eo smirked with something passing for wolf's sneer. And deep crimson eyes filled with lust for mayhem.
"[color=#FF80BF:3cr4sna2]Well, I think now you have something to do for me. You are familiar with two words I am going to say?[/color:3cr4sna2]"
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by veraka »

Veraka followed the high priestess toward the destination she had in mind, carrying Neriah all of the way, and not minding any of the looks he got along the way. He knew that the drow around him veiwed such acts as odd, even loathesome, however, he was not a drow; he was a son of the high heavens, of the most powerful angels in existence, and he refused to stoop to such levels of depravity as to let his pregnant wife walk all of the way towards a restful spot when she had trekked all of the way from their last portal point outside Waterdeep to the Promenade. No, he was an aasimar, and despite the fear that went along with one as such, and their heritage, Veraka did not bow to fear, or to hostilities, but rather let his fiery temper and rock-solid disposition guide him in dealing with such dissidents, if they openly expressed their opinions of him or his bride.

So he did, carrying his bueatiful wife to their quarters that Lady Veladorn was seeing to. The aasimar did take note of how fast the buildings were being restored, with the majority of them already within the finishing stages. The paladin followed Qilue into one of the newly refurbished buildings, having to lower himself a good six inches in order to get in, however, he still bumped his head lightly on the door frame, letting a few noticeable grunts off as a result. Neriah giggled at her husband and his huge stature.

"I think I can see to myself from here, my dear," Neriah put in, placing a slender hand on her husband's dragon-scaled chest plate. Veraka set his wife down gently and then followed her upstairs.
He followed his wife into the room and found himself pleasantly surprised by the preparations that Lady Veladorn had made for Neriah. They fey'ri set down on the thick blankets, bending down and unlacing her thigh-high boots. When her feet were bare, she rested them on the pillows, and rested her head down, letting her wings unfurl and her tail to just limp down to the side.

Neriah looked up to Qilue and smiled, her crimson eyes beaming; "my thanks, Lady Veladorn. I carry my husbands twin prodigy." With that said, she waved her hand over her belly and undid the illusion spell, revealing a swollen red abdomen. "Not easy to carry twins inside of onself, let alone two of [b:1ug4q3ex]his[/b:1ug4q3ex] lineage," Neriah pointed a finger at her giant of a husband, smirking all the while.

Veraka stood firm, and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention; "while I'm sure my wife could spend the better part of the afternoon telling of her feat in taming my fiery heart, I still do need to talk with you, Lady Veladorn."

Neriah nodded her agreement; "Yes, my husband did come all this way to tell you in person, Lady Veladorn, and I am accomadated for now; please see to him."

With that said, Veraka waited for Qilue.
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Adian Novar »

Iljrene, of course, had not given up. She was scouting the building Cinder had been taken to.

"Go for help," she told one of her bodyguards. "We shall await their arrival unless something happens to her. If we must, we will go in."

She found a good, hidden vantage point to watch from, examining weaknesses and mentally drawing up attack plans.

* * *

The drowess glared at the presumptuous little male.

"I am to be an escort for you," she said from between clenched teeth. "Not a servant. I strongly suggest you remember that, child."


* * *

"By all means," Akor'ace said. "Obviously you are familiar with the common hall and now the temple area. The temple was at one time dedicated to Tyr..."

She began going through the history of the temple as she led her guest about, going through a rough thumbnail sketch of what little they knew about its corruption more than a thousand winters ago and the dream that had drawn Qilue Veladorn as a child and her playmates to these caverns and armed with weapons the goddess personally handed them. How they defeated the oozing, slithering, and creeping creatures that were worshiping a great, bloated, tentacled thing. How Qilue nearly sacrificed herself by taking on the Dark Maiden's silver flames and threw herself at the monster, forcing it back to the nightmare world from which it came. How the Dark Maiden herself appeared before them after their battle.

")ne defeat was simply that," the goddess had told them. "And it will attempt to strike back in revenge if they allowed it to return to this place.

"You must take a stand here close to the surface world," Akor'ace quoted. "For a mighty human city of humans shall rise above and you must be ever vigilant against the return of Ghaunadaur. If you are to make peace witth humankind and your surface kin, this place is best suited for you."

"The Chosen's first act was to seal off the unholy place, collapsing the pit from which it had come. Qilue awoke with the fires gone but replaced with great magic and wisdom, and becoming the first high Priestess of the Chosen.

"Since then we have grown to what you see now," she finished. "Though we have endured assaults by all manner of creatures including wretched worshipers of That Which Lurks. Two years ago we were finally able to complete the restoration of the temple and we have begun to gain more followers of the Dark maiden every season. Our light shines brightly, but we never forget that it is also fragile and must be carefully guarded."

* * *

"You have but to say it, my lady," G'eldfryn said, oblivious to the increasing likelihood of mayhem.

* * *

"Rest then," Qilue said, turning her attention fully to the giant paladin. "Should we give her peace while we speak or would you prefer to speak now? Your very presence tells me that the matter is most urgent"
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Rainbow Prism »

"[color=#FF80BF:24l7shq7]No.[/color:24l7shq7]" Fingers clenched at the wrist of G'eldfryn, maintaining iron grip. "[color=#FF80BF:24l7shq7]Choice.[/color:24l7shq7]"
Instantly she moved away from tables, determined to drag poor guy with her, ignorant of any discomfort she could bring him in any way. Strong steps were thundering towards the exit.
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by CinderSuru »

" Where am i " Cinder demanded " and why have you brought me here "

Suru's instincts were flaring she could feel the danger her granddaughter was in, she stopped what she was doing and prepared to leave for the Promenade.
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by veraka »

Veraka waved Qilue to follow him out the door, giving Neriah some space, and some peace to rest. After the two of them had left Neriah in peace, Veraka went downstairs, and turned to face Qilue, his face stern and hard.

"As I said when I came here, Lady Veladorn, this visit wasn't one of leisure and free will, but moreover of necessity. Recently, several of my patrols discovered the remains of bands of your fellow Dark Dancers within Cormanthor Forest, many dead, others wounded severally. I ordered my men to bring back any and all bodies they found along their patrols, dead and alive." The news he knew would most likely throw Qilue off balance, but he wasn't sure what her real reaction would be.

"We've kept the wounded within our fortress within the Storm Horns until either their fully recovered or the threat has been dealt with. So far, our count of wounded is around 67, priestesses, scouts, guards, bladesingers, all drow though. Most of the non-drow that we stumbled across were not there or were killed in action. I ordered several large platoons to go on extra-length patrols far deeper into Cormanthor Forest, and that's when my [i:3d9x2cr5]Vanguards[/i:3d9x2cr5] first made contact with the unknown aggressors. Band of mercenaries, well-trained and even better equipped. They were large enough to fight against the platoon of knights that I sent out. Upon their return, with more wounded Dark Dancers, I gathered another force, and set out; two and fifty mounted paladins set out, myself included. We patrolled for a fortnight, searching up and down the slopes of the Storm Horns, and pushing deeper into Cormanthor Forest. I don't know if it was luck, our the wills or both of our deities, that my patrol stumbled upon a battle in mid-progress. It was that battle that we also found the majority of the injured that I mentioned beforehand."

The paladin exhaled, then balled an armored gauntlet and continued; "to keep this tale to its roots, we charged them, all 52 of us. If I've ever seen a drow with hope in their eyes, it was then, when your fellow priestesses looked up, and saw me and my brothers come charging down that hill, plate armored, swords drawn, atop armored warchargers." Veraka had to let himself smile at the memory; "suffice it to say, Lady Veladorn, that we routed the mercs within a few heartbeats after Marala Vharc cut down my first target. But the battle wasn't without it's losses."

Veraka dipped his head down; "Jalla, Mark, Greg, Therin, Rorn, Chad, and Leith'res, and few others whom I never got to know the names of. We set out with 52 of the finest knights and clerics I ever had the privilege to fight beside, we returned home with barely 39 of our number, not including the 31 Dark Dancers that we picked up and brought back with us. To say the least, I've never seen a dragon, especially a gold dragon, react with such anger to a sight of the dead. Our resident dragon, Lord Jormungander, took off so fast, I barely had time to say anything to him. It was only upon his return that I learned that the band of mercenaries were no more; cooked within their own tents, armor, whatever they had on at the time Jormungander flew over head and unleashed a torrent of licking flames upon them."

"Qilue, I came here to ask you if you would, order your priestesses to stay within our walls, or at least never venture far from the Storm Horns. That band of mercenaries was not a coincidental attack, and Lord Jormungander eyed a suspicious fellow, cloaked from head to toe, talking to the mercenary leader before he roasted them all. What Jormung detected around that strange figure is what has me worried. A most peculiar aura of the most unholy and sinister energies surrounded this cloaked stranger, one that I've only seen a few times before, but the [i:3d9x2cr5]Vanguards[/i:3d9x2cr5] have crossed blades with more than once in the past. [i:3d9x2cr5]The Black Blades[/i:3d9x2cr5] are a cult of Banites, led by a High Priest of Bane and his mistress, as far as I have been able to gather. Also I would mention that this mistress in question is a traitor-priestess of Lolth. I need not tell you what bunch of Banites, being secretly commanded by a traitor-priestess, are capable of, especially if they've got the wealth and power to hire third party mercenaries to do their loitering for them."

When Veraka looked up at Qilue, his eyes were radiating silver, with a hint of slitted red between them; a testament to the darkness that was within himself that he was holding down, and binding to his will, saving it for when he needed it. The Berserker dwelled just below the surface of Veraka, waiting, prowling. Any amount of divine seeing would be able to detect it. It spoke what Veraka's true feelings about this group were, and what he wanted to do to them.
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Adian Novar »

G'eldfryn was a bit surprised by the grab-and-drag. Of all the responses he usually got, this was new. Perhaps it was a good sign?

Suspavin watched this with his usual silence. Only after G'eldfryn was out of sight...and other diners were either sighing or giggling...did he stand and follow. If G'eldfryn was going to get a good lesson, then fine. But if she was going to actually hurt him then he would intervene.


Maydiira and Alexyra looked at each other. Maydiira sighed.

"Fine," she said. "The only ones who get to beat him senseless is us."

* * *

Around Cinder, the guards remained silent but few of them could restrain slight, sadistic smiles at her plight. It wasn't often one found a female this vulnerable and they were enjoying the sight.

* * *

Banites guided by a Lolthian...or at least former Lolthian...priestess with money and resources to back them. This was grim news indeed. And they appeared to be targeting the Chosen. Perhaps the priestess was trying to buy her way into Lolth's good graces again, or maybe there was another agenda on the table. At the moment either case was irrelevant. Other gathering places of the Chosen would have to be warned as soon as possible. Fortunately the Chosen had allies among the other forces of good in the world, not the least of which were some of the Harpers and the Chosen of Mystra.

"You did well in coming here, Veraka," Qilue said, reaching out and touching his shoulder in sympathy. Her touch was like a soothing balm, warm to the touch and cooling to the heart. "But we cannot imprison ourselves when we are needed so badly in the world. We shall, however, take precautions and call upon our friends for help. I shall make an announcement immediately and alert the Protectors. From there we must do what we can to protect those who may be vulnerable. Messengers must be sent and word must spread to the others.

"This is not the first time we have been targeted, my friend," she told him, her mind already turning to solutions and precautions. "And with the aid of friends such as you we will beat them back."

A moment later a young male burst into the room, breathing hard. Silver and violet eyes turned to him, making him stop in his tracks.

"My...my Lady," he said, stumbling over his words. "Mistress Cinder and Iljrene were attacked in the market of Waterdeep. Cinder was taken. Iljrene is watching the place where Cinder was taken to and Adian..." He had to pause for breath. "...has had to be restrained."

Qilue's face became a cool calm as she looked at Veraka. Was there a connection to the threat Veraka had spoken of or was this mere coincidence? No matter now.

"Gather several Protectors for a rescue mission," Qilue told the drow runner. "I shall address them momentarily. Do [i:3f5zamtp]not[/i:3f5zamtp] let Adian go on his own under any circumstances, do you understand?"

The messenger nodded and ran back out as quickly as he had arrived.
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Barra
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Barra »

>>>>> The drowess glared at the presumptuous little male.

"I am to be an escort for you," she said from between clenched teeth. "Not a servant. I strongly suggest you remember that, child." <<<<



Barra rolled his eyes " Females " he scoffed. He had had his fill of arrogant females.
" Then you won't mind escorting my brother to the surface Temple " he said simply and disappeared into the dark tunnel his with his pet bat.

A spider followd Barra on the roof of the cave as he trailed behind Zahanzon, who listening to the distins sounds of the movements ahead. The bat cound hear Verake and his companions, but there was somthing else up there.
Zahanzon signaled Barra that he was going ahead to take a look.
The bat turnd swiftly when he spotted 2 young spiders coming their way, to warn the teen drow, as he turnd he saw the other one coming his way.
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by veraka »

Qilue's hand on the aasimar's shoulder relieved some of the tension within Veraka, giving him a chance to calm down and

[quote:20mtu0b1]"Mistress Cinder and Iljrene were attacked in the market of Waterdeep. Cinder was taken. Iljrene is watching the place where Cinder was taken to and Adian..." He had to pause for breath. "...has had to be restrained."[/quote:20mtu0b1]

Upon hearing the names of two of his good friends Veraka's temper flared; "WHAATTT!!?" he bellowed at the messenger, his entire frame turning to, his eyes burrowing down into the young man's eyes. However, before the hulking paladin could move over to the messenger, he was gone, with Qilue's instructions in his memory.
The huge titan of a warrior then turned his blazing eyes towards Lady Veladorn, and spoke; "Put me as the vanguard of your Protectors. This has gotten personal; and where is Adian; we'll need him." Aphyon'arisa thrummed its scabbard on the aasimar's back-plate, its holy energy detecting Veraka's thirst for justice and reflecting the emotion through its blade, while Marala Vharc gave off jolts of electricity. Both of the paladin's weapons seemed in tune with his emotions at that moment in time.
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Tarlyn »

[quote:159kjhzj]"By all means," Akor'ace said. "Obviously you are familiar with the common hall and now the temple area. The temple was at one time dedicated to Tyr..."

She began going through the history of the temple as she led her guest about, going through a rough thumbnail sketch of what little they knew about its corruption more than a thousand winters ago and the dream that had drawn Qilue Veladorn as a child and her playmates to these caverns and armed with weapons the goddess personally handed them. How they defeated the oozing, slithering, and creeping creatures that were worshiping a great, bloated, tentacled thing. How Qilue nearly sacrificed herself by taking on the Dark Maiden's silver flames and threw herself at the monster, forcing it back to the nightmare world from which it came. How the Dark Maiden herself appeared before them after their battle.

")ne defeat was simply that," the goddess had told them. "And it will attempt to strike back in revenge if they allowed it to return to this place.

"You must take a stand here close to the surface world," Akor'ace quoted. "For a mighty human city of humans shall rise above and you must be ever vigilant against the return of Ghaunadaur. If you are to make peace witth humankind and your surface kin, this place is best suited for you."

"The Chosen's first act was to seal off the unholy place, collapsing the pit from which it had come. Qilue awoke with the fires gone but replaced with great magic and wisdom, and becoming the first high Priestess of the Chosen.

"Since then we have grown to what you see now," she finished. "Though we have endured assaults by all manner of creatures including wretched worshipers of That Which Lurks. Two years ago we were finally able to complete the restoration of the temple and we have begun to gain more followers of the Dark maiden every season. Our light shines brightly, but we never forget that it is also fragile and must be carefully guarded."[/quote:159kjhzj]


[color=purple:159kjhzj]"Interesting. So how long have you been here?"[/color:159kjhzj]
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Adian Novar »

[i:1126e3y1]You little...[/i:1126e3y1]

Vharess glared after the boy but followed along, her fear of hte paladin greater than her annoyance at the child. That might not last long, however, depending on how long this went on.

Something warned the scout...her sharp senses and greater experience warned her of what was coming. Daggers flashed and the paired sounds of metal on stone rang out. Moments later the two spiders dropped to the floor, impaled.

[i:1126e3y1]I'm really in for it now,[/i:1126e3y1] Vharess thought as she stared at the dead arachnids.

"We need to go," she said sharply. "Both of you get moving. Those were eyes of the Spider Queen. Someone will be after all three of us now. Go!"

* * *

"I would not dream of trying to stop you," Qilue said. "Come with me."

She led the way back to the temple, taking long strides...and still only just keeping ahead of the angry aasimar.

The messenger had been very efficient. Five Protectors had been gathered, armed and armored in fine chain mail, along with Adian. The young elf looked furious and slightly battered and was hurridly putting on his armor. He was fuming with barely restrained impatience. The moment Qilue stepped into view, however, he stood at attention.

The high priestess outlined the situation quickly, confining herself to only what she knew and adding no speculation.

"We do not know who they are or what they want," she said. "Caution is called for until we can determine how much danger she is in. Remember your training and keep yourselves focused on what you must do. Veraka will be going with you to serve as the spearhead of the attack should a fight become needed. My friend, if you would stand with them, please."

* * *

"Ever since I was a child," she said with a modest shrug. "I and six others were guided here as small children. The Promenade took us in and sort of collectively raised us all. You could say that we are the children of the temple."
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Tarlyn »

[quote:2f62fbe2] "Ever since I was a child," she said with a modest shrug. "I and six others were guided here as small children. The Promenade took us in and sort of collectively raised us all. You could say that we are the children of the temple." [/quote:2f62fbe2]

Delsenora nods. [color=purple:2f62fbe2]"Where is this, exactly? Seeing as my brother didn't take the time to explain to me where he was sending me, I am rather curious as to where I am. Have you any family here?"[/color:2f62fbe2]
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Re: The Promenade: Shelter, Church, Home

Post by Adian Novar »

"We are the the caverns of a place called "Undermountain," she explained. "The third level below the surface. It is remarkable that he was able to send you here: The entire cave system of Undermountain is heavily protected by magics that existed before even we came to be here. On the surface Undermountian is known as 'The Deepest Dungeon'. You may know it by that name. Supposedly created more than a thousand years ago by a mage named Halaster, filled with traps and monsters of all kinds. If there is a more dangerous place in all the world, I do not know it.

"As for my family, those six that I came here with are my brothers and sisters...though not by blood," she admitted. "And the rest of my family is the Promenade. Who my original parents were...or of any of my siblings...remains unknown. In fact only one among us has a known House, and even then we do not know what hisposition in that house would have been. It is not relevant, though. Our home is here as surely as if we had been born here."
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