Session XI - An Evil Temple

Organiser's Comment

Rather interesting session which featured what I like about a lot of role-playing (no, not my main character being knocked out): choices. The group voted to go north.

Why is this important, you ask? Well, North could mean hundreds of troops that want to kill the group, or it could mean salvation. Who knows? Well, me, obviously, but when will you know? The 'Quest''s Next session: Saturday 31st May.

Plot Summary

The 'train is moving sluggishly along on a rather nondescript day. Maifln is briefing Faelnon, Shandor and Ariea on an idea while a few others are eavesdropping. Maifln suggests the group head to a temple near mostly Troll territory, he talks about how it worshiped the End and could be of use, only, the two bands of gnomes who were sent there, only one gnome returned. The 'train heads there and the temple looks rather odd, everything around it is dead and it looks half-collapsed.

They investigate the temple and avoid a few traps. Varadrion is contacted by Faelnon's daughter, who warns that an army is closing in on the group and they have to go north to avoid them, or they'll die.

Shandor, meanwhile, gets himself knocked out. When he comes around, he says Faelnon's daughter also contacted him, and told him to go south to avoid the troops, that it was the only exit. There is a brief discussion on who is right before they vote, they decide to go north, into the hands of death? Or free? Only time will tell.

Full Log (See Below for 'The Best of the Rest')

<@Narrator> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< The 'Quest' III - Erm.. er... WITTY COMMENT! - What, you think I put effort into this? >>>>>>>>>>

<@Narrator> The 'train is continuing sluggishly along an old dirt track, blissfully unaware of the events that they left in Loldar. The sky is blanketed in grey clouds that block all but the strongest beams of sunlight. There is a chill in the air this morning.

øùú Maifln says, 'I'm positive.'

øùú Faelnon sighs and looks about, 'It takes us about a day off course.'

øùú Shandor looks up at this, 'We have a course?'

<@Narrator> The trio (and Ariea) are in Shandor's cabin. Shandor is leaning against a chest of drawers, Ariea is sitting on the bed, Faelnon is standing at the door way and Maifln has found a seat for himself. The door was locked a few minutes ago when they began to discuss matters, however, they left the window open for any eavesdroppers.

øùú Faelnon frowns, 'Of course, we are going to A'lure.'

øùú Tengu opens his eyes, still lying on his bed and examining the ceiling.

øùú Shandor , knowing better than to ask anything further, merely nods.

øùú Calaryn sits in her cabin thinking for herself

øùú Ariea repeats the question that has been stated too many times before, 'Are you sure?'

øùú Varadrion climbs to the roof of his cabin and looks at the surrounding area

øùú Maifln sighs, becoming rather bored, 'Yes, absolutely positive, one-hundred percent.'

øùú Cyria walks over to Varadrion's cabin, looking for someone to talk to, only to find it empty

øùú Shandor goes to ask if he is sure again, but is interrupted by Faelnon-

øùú Faelnon says, 'Alright. It takes us through the swamps though, the 'train could have some trouble. And lets not forget, there's a band of Trolls that took a blood oath to kill us, they live down that way.'

øùú Varadrion begins walking towards the front of the ‘train, making audible footsteps in his cabin

øùú Tengu eventually stands up and gets out from his cabin.

øùú Maifln turns to Faelnon, 'You caused the Trolls to swear a blood oath to kill you?'

øùú Ariea grins, 'Well, not the entire race, some Trolls even really like us. Just Faelnon, Shandor and I slightly angered a few of them...'

øùú Maifln nods, 'Ah, I see.' He pauses for a moment to change topic, 'I know of a safe route there.'

øùú Varadrion hears faint talking from the train behind the drivers and tip-toes on top of it, trying to find a window

øùú Faelnon says, 'If you knew about this place all along, why didn't you visit it?'

øùú Maifln says, 'Oh we did, at least twice. Unfortunately, the first band that went never returned, and the one member of the second band who came back said it was both cursed and haunted.'

øùú Tengu performs a usual morning job - climbing on the roof.

øùú Varadrion peeks over a side and sees an open window

øùú Shandor says, 'What a lovely pair.'

øùú Ariea asks, 'What type of things happened there?'

øùú Calaryn is still sitting in her room

øùú Varadrion sees Tengu and waves him over, but makes a 'quiet' motion

øùú Tengu is intrigued with Varadrion's silent gesture and moves closer as silently as he can.

øùú Maifln explains, 'The temple worshiped the End, there was ritual sacrifices, the spirits of which are believed to haunt the place. Also, the temple itself was built on a battle ground several millennia ago, one of the first skirmishes of the Race Wars, there, a group, their name has been lost, assassinated one of the human kings, forcing his troops to charge into this area to fight... the Trolls I think it was.'

øùú Maifln says, 'In either case, a lot of blood, innocent blood, was spilt, causing the area to become... tainted. It is believed that was why the temple was set up there. Make no mistake, that temple is a place of evil.'

øùú Varadrion points down towards the window

øùú Faelnon swears he has read a book along these lines.

øùú Ariea grins and turns to Shandor, 'You take me to all the romantic places.'

øùú Varadrion says to Tengu quietly "Aren't they all"

øùú Shandor smiles back.

øùú Maifln looks at Faelnon and says, 'I've noticed that you people really take this business very light-heartedly for what is at stake.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Trust me, we take everything seriously. So, on to this "evil temple" then.'

øùú Tengu nods and listens.

øùú Maifln says, 'I think I should warn you about the troubles the last band encountered.'

øùú Shandor smiles, 'Aw, don't take the surprise away.'

øùú Calaryn finds an apple in her bag and starts eating it

øùú Varadrion lowers his head and listens more intently

øùú Maifln says, 'Ignoring that, you have your standard traps that have been put in over the years, and mental traps, ones that drive any man insane.'

øùú Ariea grins, 'I'd better go then.'

øùú Varadrion laughs quietly and says "Thos won't work on Shandor, its too late" and smiles

øùú Faelnon smiles while trying to silently scold Ariea for speaking during the great trap lecture.

øùú Tengu whispers to Varadrion, 'Probably leading us in the heart of some apocalypse, as usual. Nothing interesting to listen to here.'

øùú Ariea tries to look innocent.

øùú Maifln sighs before finishing, 'Just be careful, don't believe everything. The band also reported that their sleep was tormented by figments of people telling them to do things, or showing them... dreadful pictures. Don't believe them if we end up staying the night.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Thank you for the briefing Maifln.'

øùú Varadrion says "Sleep is hard enough lately without evil dreams"

øùú Maifln smiles slightly, 'It wasn't a pleasure.'

øùú Shandor says to Ariea, 'Didn't your mother say that when I met her?'

øùú Ariea swipes playfully at Shandor.

øùú Maifln shakes his head as Faelnon unlocks the door. He steps out into the open air and returns to the cabin muttering, 'I'm not going in with those lot, I'd like to survive thank you very much.'

øùú Varadrion ducks back over the roof as Maifln leaves

øùú Faelnon says, 'Well, I'm going to get prepared for the great 'evil' temple.'

øùú Shandor says, 'He does have a flare for briefings, doesn't he?'

øùú Tengu lowers his head, waiting for the gnome to pass.

øùú Varadrion leans back over the side as the train hits a bump, knocking him over. He grabs the top of the window and hangs there, staring in.

øùú Shandor leaves the room and says, 'Hello Tengu, Varadrion. You realise you can hear laughter and speech when it is less than a metre away, right?'

øùú Varadrion looks at Shandor through the window and smiles sheepishly

øùú Ariea smiles to Varadrion before saying, 'I'd watch staring into women's cabins, you might get slapped.'

øùú Varadrion says "I've seen you fight, hardly womanly," and smiles

øùú Shandor adds, 'You might not want to stare into married women's cabins, either.'

øùú Ariea says, 'That's hardly better, is it?' She looks towards her sword purposefully so Varadrion can see it.

øùú Varadrion looks at the sword and pulls himself back onto the roof

øùú Varadrion climbs off the roof onto the walkway and looks at Shandor

øùú Shandor says, 'Who all is awake today? Calaryn?'

øùú Tengu says, 'When group of four gathers in the one cabin, they hardly need a privacy. Well, not that type.'

øùú Varadrion nods to Shandor, "I think so"

øùú Shandor looks at Tengu, choosing not to add anything.

øùú Calaryn looks out the door 'anyone called?'

øùú Varadrion turns to Calaryn and mutters, "Not me"

øùú Shandor says, 'Ah Calaryn, nice to see you. If everyone could gather here, Faelnon will probably want to tell you the plan. Although, I'm guessing these two,' he jerks a thumb at Varadrion and Tengu, 'Already know.'

øùú Varadrion smiles

øùú Faelnon returns from his cabin, his idea of preparation for evil seems suspiciously like having breakfast.

øùú Tengu says, 'Only the part that we'll probably die.'

øùú Calaryn walks over to the group

øùú Varadrion turns to Tengu and says "Not that that is any different from any other day"

øùú Tengu says, 'Yes, I am getting used to it.'

øùú Shandor turns to Faelnon, 'They are all ready for your regurgitation of the great lecture. I don't see why you couldn't have just included them when Maifln was giving it.'

øùú Varadrion says "Umm... ya.. you should have let us in on it"

øùú Shandor says, 'Oh I don't care about that, all I care about is now I have to listen to the lecture, twice.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Okay, here is the plan we are going to a temple.'

øùú Shandor interrupts with appropriately ridiculous hand motions for what he says, 'An *evil* temple, full of pixies, and bad dreams!'

øùú Faelnon turns to Shandor, eyebrow cocked, and says, 'Shandor.'

øùú Shandor moves his hands behind his back and his face goes to one of innocence, he tilts his head slightly upwards and looks towards the sky.

øùú Faelnon says, 'You are very annoying, do you know that?'

øùú Varadrion chuckles

øùú Shandor says, 'Lets see, you've told me at least once every single day since we've met. Nope, hasn't occurred to me so far.'

øùú Faelnon returns his attention to the group, 'Well, Shandor was right, it is an evil temple, or so Maifln tells us. There will, most likely, be traps. They affect the mind as well as the body.'

øùú Shandor explains, 'He means imaginary arrows.'

øùú Faelnon looks at Shandor, then thinks that Shandor could be hit by an 'imaginary arrow', 'Yes, something like that.'

øùú Calaryn smiles 'How great, each day new adventures.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Well, that's about it. It'll take us about a day to get there, we are heading into the outskirts of troll territory, no objections?'

øùú Varadrion adds "New ways to die."

øùú Varadrion looks at Faelnon and says seriously "Would it matter if we objected?"

øùú Faelnon says, 'Of course it would. If you object, we think about it seriously-'

øùú Shandor interrupts, 'Then fed you to some starving trolls.'

øùú Varadrion says "It would be the last thing they ever attempted to eat"

øùú Tengu adds, 'The trolls are going to be fed anyway.'

øùú Faelnon says 'Okay, well, you have a free day now.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Try not to get us killed.'

øùú Shandor climbs up onto the roof of his cabin and sits at the opposite end from the group down below.

øùú Ariea follows Shandor.

øùú Varadrion asks "You mean a free day on this stupid train"

øùú Calaryn mutters and goes into her cabin

øùú Faelnon nods, 'Indeed, you can... er... sharpen weapons or... fix that door on the food cabin that is always squeaking. Lots of fun.'

øùú Ariea says to Shandor, 'You seem abnormally giddy today.'

øùú Varadrion climbs onto the roof and walks to the back, leaving with a quick glance at Faelnon

øùú Shandor says, 'Why shouldn't I be? Nothing like going to visit the ol' evil temple. Might get a few memories, could kick a few evil spirit's behinds. Fun, fun, fun.'

øùú Ariea grins and says, 'Days like these remind me why I should have kept that list I prepared to give to my mother of reasons why I wanted to marry you. I really need a few now.'

øùú Varadrion sits at the back edge of the train and looks silently out

øùú Shandor grins, 'Because I'm funny?'

øùú Faelnon heads back to his cabin to lie down.

øùú Ariea says, 'How about one that isn't a lie?'

øùú Shandor smiles, 'Because I love you?'

øùú Tengu shrugs and departs.

øùú Ariea smiles, half tempted to say her last comment, says, 'How about one that isn't sickly romantic?'

øùú Shandor says, 'Because I'm am the most insane person you are ever likely to meet?'

øùú Ariea smiles, 'Yeah, that one will do nicely.'

<@Narrator> The 'train has taken over a day to arrive in the swamp lands. Carefully directed by Maifln, they navigate along narrow paths until they reach a small wall, barely anything of it remains. The swamp and wildlife grow up to the worn stones, but beyond it is bare for a few metres, then small bushes, struggling to survive, dead trees. Plants black as coal gaze at the new arrivals.



øùú Varadrion asks anyone "I don't see what this wall is protecting, exactly"

øùú Shandor says, 'The wall is protecting... er.'

øùú Tengu continues, '...The surface behind it.'

øùú Ariea comments, 'This place is cheery.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Those black bushes are actually quite useful.'

øùú Varadrion says "There’s not really anything of note behind the wall"

øùú Shandor asks, 'You mean they can be used for healing?'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Oh no, they are a potent poison.'

øùú Shandor grins, 'I can see why they would be of use to you.'

øùú Tengu says, 'Useful, indeed.'

øùú Faelnon rolls his eyes, 'You know, Shandor, their taste is rumoured to be undetectable, you would never know if I slipped some into your meal..'

øùú Varadrion nods in agreement with Ariea

øùú Shandor smiles, 'Faelnon, Faelnon, Faelnon, if Ariea's cooking hasn't killed me by now, I'm pretty sure I'm invincible to all poisons.'

øùú Ariea swipes at Shandor, 'Hey!' She smiles and adds, 'I think I should go plant-picking.'

øùú Varadrion looks at Faelnon and asks "Really?"

øùú Varadrion asks Faelnon "Does it work on weapons?"

øùú Faelnon nods, 'I hear that’s how they slaughtered an army, slipped it into their food, they never stood a chance.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'No, I'm afraid not.'

øùú Varadrion goes and looks closely at the black bush

øùú Tengu asks, 'I think we should eat these herbs. To poison trolls' food.'

øùú Shandor smiles at Tengu, 'You first.'

øùú Maifln cannot believe these people.

øùú Varadrion takes some leaves off the bush and drops them in a small glass container hidden in his cloak

<@Narrator> The 'train continues along, trying to find the main structure of the temple.

øùú Maifln says grimly, 'There it is.' He points, with one stubby finger, through an archway of two, now dead, trees.

<@Narrator> First, beyond the trees, is a hundred or so metres of ruin, various walls, a few crumbled, marble, spike-like, pillars protrude from the ground. After this, there are weathered and beaten steps leading to one, more solid, wall, for the tales that have been told of this place, its walls are quite bright.

<@Narrator> The front wall has been destroyed in the top left corner, and there are gaping holes along. The door is a half-collapsed doorway.

<@Narrator> Inside, it is rather gloomy, the first area has suffered from the weather like the outside - several sections of roof have caved in. Other than the few beams of light, the area is quite dark. There are two catwalks above that seem to have survived, they run along the length of the ruin, apart from the left, which has collapsed in sections.

<@Narrator> There are two corridors that lead off from the right wall, they are quite narrow and have, like the rest, many gaping holes.

<@Narrator> The floor of the first area is sunken in a few steps, it goes along until a few steps lead up to an alter of some sort. There is still dried blood on the alter.

øùú Shandor says, 'This is the evil place? Evil could really do with a house cleaner.'

øùú Varadrion says "No.. it suits it, it looks like death"

øùú Calaryn smiles 'Maybe you need a job Shandor?'

øùú Shandor says, 'I don't recall death being this ugly.'

øùú Shandor smiles at Calaryn.

øùú Varadrion says "Anyways, why exactly are we here?"

øùú Shandor smiles, 'Don't complicate the matter.'

øùú Varadrion says "If I'm going to die, I like to know what I’m dying for"

øùú Maifln says, 'Hopefully we will find something useful in here.'

øùú Shandor grins, 'Varadrion just volunteered to go first.'

øùú Varadrion says, annoyed, "Hopefully?"

øùú Varadrion hops of the train and walks ahead "Fine, I'll lead"

øùú Shandor says, 'Dead man walking.'

øùú Shandor climbs off the 'train and nears the entrance, hand on the hilt of his sword, 'Here little pixies..., here little pixies.'

øùú Tengu says, 'I'll miss him.'

øùú Varadrion says "Better then dead man standing"

øùú Faelnon says, 'Trying to summon the evil demon pixies, Shandor, might not be the best idea.'

øùú Varadrion pulls the hood of his cloak over his head and leads the way

øùú Shandor says, 'But the cannon fodder is going first, so if they do show up, we'll have time to get away.'

øùú Faelnon grins before stating, 'Here little pixies.'

øùú Varadrion walks slowly through the ruins, brushing his hands over a pillar, and the continuing towards the temple

øùú Ariea comments, 'Varadrion, if I didn't know better, I'd say some people wouldn't be too depressed if you got mauled, stabbed or other wise slaughtered.'

øùú Shandor follows along, looking at the various ruins as he goes.

øùú Varadrion shrugs at the comment and says to Ariea "It doesn't matter"

øùú Ariea grins and says, 'Whoa, don't you come any closer, I don't want to be hit by traps meant for you.'

øùú Varadrion says softly "If I die, I did so trying to do something that would help the world, I want no more"

øùú Tengu follows, with uneasy look on his face.

øùú Varadrion pulls his sword out of his cloak and swings it in his hand

øùú Calaryn shakes her head 'I don’t want to die'

øùú Varadrion turns his head slightly while walking and says "None of us do, but do not worry, you'll be fine"

øùú Ariea smirks, 'I thought I'd let you know, we are just here for a laugh, it'll probably serve no purpose...'

øùú Varadrion continues walking, reaching the edge of the doorway

øùú Shandor , bored waiting for the appointed cannon fodder to reach the temple, speeds ahead and passes them until he reaches the temple.

øùú Shandor steps inside.

øùú Varadrion steps in behind him and looks around slowly

øùú Shandor looks towards the ceiling and the walls before crossing the floor, keeping lower than normal, and in a position to jump out of the way of any traps.

øùú Faelnon comments, standing at the doorway, 'Do you think the conditions this temple has suffered would have affected the traps?'

øùú Calaryn stays close to Ariea

øùú Maifln says, 'Probably not.'

øùú Varadrion says quietly "Not with our luck"

øùú Ariea steps carefully inside the temple, 'No death so far... or pixies.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Great.'

øùú Tengu peers in and enters.

øùú Calaryn follows

øùú Varadrion repeats "So far... hopefully it stays that way"

øùú Shandor reaches the alter and begins to look about.

øùú Varadrion picks up a small stone and tossed it ahead along the floor

øùú Shandor suddenly yelps and dives to the ground.

øùú Faelnon nearly leaps and swings his staff around, trying to see any danger.

øùú Shandor 's head comes up from behind the alter.

øùú Faelnon says, 'Shandor, what is it?'

øùú Shandor says dismissively while looking from side to side, 'Oh nothing.' He quickly stands up and moves away.

øùú Faelnon crosses to where he was to look up on a one foot tall primitive statue of a bear, 'Yes Shandor, terrifying.'

øùú Ariea grins.

øùú Tengu shrugs and proceeds at ease.

øùú Shandor mumbles, 'It looked bigger...'

øùú Faelnon grins mischievously and presses the issue, 'How?'

øùú Shandor grumbles and shuffles away to investigate the walls.

øùú Varadrion keeps walking

øùú Faelnon grins again before picking up the bear to have a closer look at it.

øùú Ariea sneaks up behind Shandor before making a loud bear-growl.

øùú Shandor spins around and gives Ariea a glare.

øùú Ariea giggles while smiling innocently and swinging her hands slowly in front of her. She then tries to see what Shandor is looking at.

øùú Shandor points to a few carvings on the wall, 'These look interesting, I wonder if they are just decoration...'

øùú Ariea says, 'Maybe they say "Beware the bear".'

øùú Faelnon grins at Ariea.

øùú Shandor turns to Ariea, 'You have to stop with the bear thing.'

øùú Varadrion says "Don't, Shandor."

øùú Ariea says, 'Aw! But I've bear-ly scratched at the surface.'

øùú Shandor moves away from Ariea holding one hand in the air saying, 'Enough!'

øùú Ariea grins and follows Shandor to taunt him.

øùú Faelnon has to ignore the antics of those two and returns to looking about the temple.

øùú Tengu shakes his head.

øùú Varadrion walks up to the foot of the steps to the altar

øùú Faelnon goes down one of the tunnels.

øùú Faelnon notices several holes in the wall that appear to have been purposely built and then blocked up by something.

øùú Faelnon steps ahead when an iron bar shoots from the first hole he investigated.

øùú Faelnon jumps away when a second one, in front of him, appears.

øùú Faelnon calls, 'Er, a little help, please.'

øùú Faelnon watches as several more appear, trapping him in one section.

øùú Ariea goes to see what is wrong with Faelnon.

øùú Tengu sees the bars and utters thoughtfully, 'Urgh...'

øùú Varadrion gets up and runs to where Faelnon is yelling from

øùú Faelnon ducks suddenly as one shoots out just above his head.

øùú Ariea says, 'Have you asked them to stop doing that?'

øùú Varadrion looks at his sword, but decides against cutting himself to save Faelnon

øùú Faelnon looks at Ariea, 'Yes, obviously it was the first thing I tried...'

øùú Shandor says, 'Did you say please?'

øùú Varadrion rest his sword on his arm and says to Faelnon "I guess you want out?"

øùú Faelnon comments, 'I really don't think that will help, Shandor.'

øùú Faelnon notices as one appears just beside his foot, 'No thanks Varadrion, I'm fine.'

øùú Faelnon leans against the wall with a hand, 'In fact, I've never been- ah.' As he spoke, the section of the wall he touched tumbles outwards, shattering to pieces.

øùú Varadrion drops his sword and sighs with relief

øùú Faelnon gets to his feet, 'They really don't build millennia old temples like they used to...'

øùú Tengu says, 'Don't like when the walls try to catch you....'

øùú Shandor shrugs, 'Or maybe you've been eating too many chocolate cakes.'

øùú Shandor returns to investigating the area.

øùú Varadrion walks back to the steps leading to the altar and looks at them

øùú Ariea follows Shandor along trying to think of another pun to annoy him with.

øùú Shandor continues along, unperturbed by Ariea. He looks up to see the sky and steps on a jut of the catwalk. It creaks and groans for a second before breaking off. He doesn't get to hear another bear pun as he falls to the ground, hitting his head off the ground.

øùú Ariea sees Shandor and dashes to the steps down.

øùú Faelnon heads over to Shandor.

øùú Tengu rushes towards Shandor, ready to help, if possible.

øùú Calaryn walks up to Ariea

øùú Faelnon announces, after a few moments, 'He's just knocked out.'

øùú Ariea arrives beside Shandor

øùú Ariea says, 'He did this just to avoid the bear puns.'

øùú Faelnon smiles, 'I would have.'

øùú Ariea prods Shandor with her foot, 'Come on, wake up, I thought up a good pun.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Oh dear, Varadrion, do you have some of that poisonous plant? I should put him out of his misery.'

øùú Varadrion smiles

øùú Varadrion moves away from the altar and heads to a tunnel, slowly moving down it

øùú Ariea leaves Shandor alone and goes to look at one of the walls.

øùú Tengu stands nearby, examining the area.

øùú Faelnon says, 'I wonder what other traps are here...'

øùú Varadrion looks down at the markings, when he looks up, someone is watching him.

øùú Calaryn stands still to avoid triggering any traps

øùú Arathus is looking around, when he sees a man looking around

øùú Maifln pokes a few slabs with his staff.

øùú Varadrion looks at the figure, recognising it from the first time he saw it. It was Faelnon's daughter.

<@Narrator> 'Hi, how are you doing?' She asks quickly and calmly. 'Before you say anything, it is the same deal with the other times, only you can see me.'

øùú Faelnon notices a candle on the alter and has a closer look at it

øùú Tengu says, 'I'm afraid of being unoriginal, but I have a bad feeling about this place.'

øùú Varadrion sputters

<@Narrator> 'Listen, you have to tell Faelnon something, it is very important. You met evil people, an army, I know, they are coming for you. They know you are here. They are surrounding this place, but they are still a few hours off. They come from the north. Their troops are stupid, and their generals are not much better.'

øùú Arathus stays hidden for he didn't know who the group of people were

øùú Faelnon grins at Tengu, 'This place knocked out Shandor, I'd say it is the best place we have ever been in.'

øùú Varadrion asks her "What do we do?"

<@Narrator> 'You can escape because of that. They have left, by mistake, a passage open to the north, if you take it, you can escape. If you don't, you will die.'

<@Narrator> She smiles, 'That's it, good luck.' With that, she simply disappears.

øùú Arathus overhears the conversation with Faelon's daughter, a feels a little less uptight

øùú Arathus walks out into the open and says "Greetings, I am Arathus, Paladin."

øùú Faelnon sits down on the alter, 'Maifln, I don't know about you, but I'm finding nothing of use.'

øùú Varadrion turns and runs out of the tunnel to Faelnon, again sputtering "Faelnon... daughter.. army... go north.... surrounding us..."

øùú Ariea looks at Arathus for a moment before saying, 'Do paladins normally hang around evil temples?'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Be polite Ariea.'

øùú Faelnon turns to Varadrion, 'What... Varadrion... say... clear... ly.'

øùú Faelnon smiles.

øùú Arathus replies "I'm here on business, and what might you be here for, it is dangerous".

øùú Ariea points to her knocked-out husband, 'Yes, we noticed.'

øùú Varadrion composes himself and states "Your 'daughter' appeared again. There is an army surrounding us, they will be here shortly, we have to leave"

øùú Tengu says, 'What did you say about our minds endangered?'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Leave where, if they are surrounding us...'

øùú Maifln looks interested at Faelnon and Varadrion, 'This daughter has appeared before?'

øùú Calaryn looks at Arathus 'What business?'

øùú Faelnon nods, 'Several times, often foretelling destruction and death. She is always right.'

øùú Varadrion says "to the north, quickly"

øùú Ariea turns to Arathus, 'You may also wish to leave.'

øùú Shandor groans awake.

øùú Arathus looks at Calaryn and smiles "Your a nosy group aren't ya?"

øùú Varadrion looks at the gnome and says "Questions later, we need to leave now"

øùú Ariea says, 'Oh good you are awake. There's now a paladin here, and an immanent death for all of us.'

øùú Shandor sits up and turns to Faelnon, 'Your daughter is an odd person.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'What?'

øùú Calaryn looks at Arathus 'You're quite nosy yourself'

øùú Shandor says, 'She came to me while I was knocked out... and she called me a moron several times.'

øùú Ariea smiles despite the confusion of the scene, 'Like father, like daughter.'

øùú Arathus says "Alright first me then you?"

øùú Faelnon turns to Arathus and Calaryn, 'This can wait until we aren't about to be killed...'

øùú Varadrion looks at Maifln and Faelnon and says, near-yelling "We must leave!"

øùú Maifln says, 'Hush!'

øùú Faelnon , struggling to ignore Ariea's comment, says, 'What did she say?'

øùú Arathus replies "He's right."

øùú Ariea says, 'Let Shandor speak, Varadrion.'

øùú Shandor says, 'Something about forces surrounding, go... er, south?'

øùú Faelnon asks, 'Are you sure she said to go south?'

øùú Shandor nods, 'Yes, pretty sure, well mostly. I did hit my head, y'know?'

øùú Varadrion says "North!"

øùú Faelnon nods, 'Hmm, then we have a problem.'

øùú Shandor rubs his head in pain and looks at Varadrion, 'What is this? Name random directions?'

øùú Ariea smiles, 'South east south.'

øùú Maifln says to Faelnon, 'Do we? I said that the images, the tricks come at you while you sleep, it could also affect the unconscious. I say we head north.'

øùú Varadrion says "Look at him, he just bashed his head off the ground"

øùú Shandor looks around, 'What? No, north bad! North equals army, why would you head north?'

øùú Arathus says "...Because they wouldn't expect it?"

øùú Faelnon explains, 'My daughter also appeared here and told us that heading north would save us.'

øùú Varadrion says "South is where the army is"

øùú Shandor says, 'But, I was told to go south.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'I know, but I think we should trust my daughter who appeared to Varadrion. Speaking of, next time we meet her, we are going to have to find out her name.'

øùú Shandor says, 'I say we vote, south or north.'

øùú Faelnon nods, 'Okay.'

øùú Shandor says simply, 'South.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'North.'

øùú Maifln joins in the North, 'North.'

øùú Arathus says "North, if my vote counts."

øùú Varadrion crosses his arms and repeats himself "north"

øùú Ariea looks at Shandor for a long moment before saying, 'South.'

øùú Shandor turns to the others, 'Tengu? Calaryn?'

øùú Tengu says, 'So, we are going to break the encirclement. Since no one can say for sure, I'll agree with Faelnon's daughter spirit.'

øùú Shandor looks at Tengu, 'You realise Faelnon's daughter appeared to both me and Varadrion and told us to head in opposite directions, right?'

øùú Calaryn shakes her head

øùú Tengu says, 'She's a kid, she might be joking.'

øùú Shandor says, 'With two abstentions, we have two for south,' He grits his teeth before saying, 'And four for north.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'She hasn't appeared to you, so you wouldn't know, but she is a woman.'

øùú Maifln says, 'It seems settled then. North we go, and north we go quickly.'

øùú Maifln says, 'Forces of evil closing in and all that.'

øùú Faelnon nods in agreement with Maifln.

øùú Arathus says "Agreed."

øùú Shandor grits his teeth again before saying, 'If we all die, I'm not showing you the good places to go to in hell.'

øùú Arathus chuckles "I don’t plan to go to hell".

øùú Ariea holds Shandor's hand, 'It is okay, we've survived worse even if they are wrong.'

øùú Shandor says, 'Then you'll miss out on all the fun.'

øùú Shandor storms out of the temple and reaches his cabin.

øùú Tengu says, 'Death is the end and the beginning at the same time, do not be afraid of it.'

øùú Faelnon sighs before hastily returning to the 'train.

øùú Ariea jogs to the 'train and tells the drivers where they are going.

øùú Varadrion moves after Faelnon quickly

øùú Tengu sprints along

øùú Maifln shuffles back to his cabin quickly.

øùú Ariea turns, 'Oi, Paladin, if you are coming with us, move, if not, stay.'

øùú Calaryn follows

øùú Faelnon says to Ariea, 'He does have a name you know.'

øùú Ariea says, 'I'm sure he does.’

øùú Arathus says "I'll come along, although I do not feel to welcome"

øùú Arathus glances at Ariea

øùú Ariea says, 'Then get on the 'train already.'

øùú Varadrion says "Well.. its better then dying is it not?"

øùú Calaryn mutters 'then you can leave'

øùú Tengu jumps on the footstep of the wagon, waiting for others to embark.

øùú Arathus climbs onto the train

<@Narrator> The 'train sets into motion quickly, retracing its path through the swamps.

øùú Calaryn gets into her cabin

øùú Varadrion climbs to the roof and looks around

øùú Faelnon sighs, hoping they made the right decision before he turns to Arathus, 'Just who are you?'

øùú Ariea says, 'Oh yeah, be polite...'

øùú Arathus replies "I am Arathus, of the Paladin order, I'm here on special business. I heard that there might have been some activity in that temple, and well, we dont like that"

øùú Arathus then adds "And you?"

øùú Faelnon says, 'It hasn't been used in millennia, I strongly doubt it. However, considering the End is nearing, anything could be going on.'

øùú Calaryn looks at Arathus 'Special business.. hmmmm'

øùú Faelnon bows, 'I am Faelnon Trovo'kren, a healer from A'lure. I am co-leading this group in an attempt to thwart yet another apocalypse.'

øùú Ariea nods, 'I'm Ariea, husband of the other co-leader.'

øùú Arathus looks up and asks "Apocalypse?"

øùú Arathus adds, "Well then, I hope that we can get off on a better foot now that we are acquainted."

øùú Ariea nods, 'Oh yes. We stopped one in Tildruin a few years ago, surely you heard about the dragon? Well, there's another End that is more... End-like.'

øùú Varadrion drops off the roof and joins the group in the cabin

øùú Tengu bows to Arathus, 'I am Tengu, of Khura-Taien order.'

øùú Arathus says, "Grettings Tengu."

øùú Varadrion bows but to Arathus but leaves his hood on and says nothing

øùú Tengu says, 'Greetings, good warrior.'

øùú Arathus looks up at Varadrion "And what might be your name sir?"

øùú Calaryn nods at Arathus and walks away

øùú Varadrion says softly "Varadrion"

øùú Ariea returns to her cabin.

øùú Faelnon sighs, 'Lets just hope we made the right choice and that the enemy hasn't wised up to their slip up.'

øùú Varadrion crosses his arms "We did"

øùú Arathus says "May I ask exactly who the "enemy" is?"

øùú Faelnon says, 'If we haven't, we are using you as the official cannon fodder.'

øùú Varadrion shrugs "Wouldn't be different from any other day"

øùú Tengu says to Faelnon, 'Once the choice is made, set aside all hesitations.'

øùú Faelnon remains silent and motionless as he looks forward.

øùú Tengu says to Arathus, 'Once we cognize the nature of the Enemy, our battle will be half-won.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'I am returning to my cabin to sleep, in the morning, I hope I am still alive.'

øùú Arathus says "Think positively."

øùú Varadrion says to Faelnon "you are going to sleep, now?"

øùú Faelnon heads down the 'train to his cabin.

øùú Faelnon nods, 'Yes, Maifln came last night to tell me about the briefing that he told me about in the morning that I told you about later that morning.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'So I'm tired, and I'm locking Maifln in his room.'

øùú Arathus smiles

øùú Varadrion sighs

øùú Faelnon reaches his cabin and goes inside.

<@Narrator> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< The 'Quest' III - I get to kill Varadrion at the end, woo!





'The Best of the Rest'



øùú Ariea repeats the question that has been stated too many times before, [When is Tildruin coming out?] 'Are you sure?'



<+_Tengu> Could they speak louder, pls. Tengu is too lazy to eavesdrop.

<@Shandor> Sure, while having a quiet discussion they decide to start screaming what they say

<+Varadrion> lol

<+Varadrion> makes sense

<@Shandor> ... Just because it happened to Shandor once... jeesh, leave him alone

<+_Tengu> "MAKE SURE NONE CAN HEAR US!!! I REPEAT - NO ONE!!!"

<@Shandor> :)





øùú Shandor adds, 'You might not want to stare into married women's cabins, either.'

øùú Varadrion looks at Shandor and coughs, although the cough sounds suspiciously like the word "Rue"

øùú Varadrion looks at the sword and pulls himself back onto the roof

<@Shandor> OOC Rue's married?! Why didn't she tell me? Now she'll have to get divorced too!... Um, I mean... stop being a peeping Tom!

<+Varadrion> Lol



øùú Shandor turns to Faelnon, 'They are all ready for your regurgitation of the great lecture. I don't see why you couldn't have just included them when Maifln was giving it.'

øùú Varadrion says "Umm... ya.. you should have let us in on it"

øùú Shandor says, 'Oh I don't care about that, all I care about is now I have to listen to the lecture, twice.'

Our kind and caring leader, everybody.



øùú Shandor interrupts with appropriately ridiculous hand motions for what he says, 'An *evil* temple, full of pixies, and bad dreams!'

øùú Faelnon turns to Shandor, eyebrow cocked, and says, 'Shandor.'

øùú Shandor moves his hands behind his back and his face goes to one of innocence, he tilts his head slightly upwards and looks towards the sky.

øùú Faelnon says, 'You are very annoying, do you know that?'

øùú Varadrion chuckles

øùú Shandor says, 'Lets see, you've told me at least once every single day since we've met. Nope, hasn't occurred to me so far.'



øùú Varadrion looks at Faelnon and says seriously "Would it matter if we objected?"

øùú Faelnon says, 'Of course it would. If you object, we think about it seriously-'

øùú Shandor interrupts, 'Then fed you to some starving trolls.'



03/05/25 19:29:17 Im soooo sooooorryyyy *dog eyes*

03/05/25 19:29:31 øùú Shandor gorges out the dog eyes



03/05/25 19:33:58 <@Calaryn> *hates having an hangover*

03/05/25 19:34:05 <+Varadrion> join the club, lol

03/05/25 19:34:24 <@Shandor> I'm pretty sure joining clubs is how he got the hangover in the first place



<+Varadrion> ooc Aw isn't this cute, all we need is a sunset, lol

<@Shandor> OOC Sprinkle in a few trolls and you've got perfect date material!





03/05/25 19:54:34 <+Varadrion> Are we taking bets that this "free day" ends up with a fight and trolls?

03/05/25 19:54:45 øùú Shandor whistles.

03/05/25 19:55:05 <+Varadrion> Even money on that one, lol\

03/05/25 19:58:33 <@Shandor> Oh and Varadrion, pay up. The free day went and there were no trolls

03/05/25 20:00:19 <+Varadrion> So? lol

03/05/25 20:00:28 <+Varadrion> Besides its less fun, so I'm keeping the money, lol

03/05/25 20:00:53 øùú Shandor sends the lubbies and newly formed troll-turkey hybrids to get the money

03/05/25 20:03:20 <+Varadrion> id still bet the turkey-troll deal will be in the BotR somewhere, lol

03/05/25 20:04:00 <@Shandor> Hell yeah





<@Shandor> OOC Is everyone ready to do the time-warp?

<+Varadrion> ooc na-na-na-na.. i mean, yes

<+Tengu> yep

<@Shandor> OOC Then let the song begin!

<@Shandor> OOC na na na na na na Timewarp!

<+Varadrion> ooc how bout time-warp with no song?

<@Shandor> OOC Spoil sport.

<+Varadrion> ooc: I prefer to call it good taste :)



<@Shandor> The 'train has taken over a day to arrive in the swamp lands. Carefully directed by Maifln, they navigate along narrow paths until they reach a small wall, barely anything of it remains. The swamp and wildlife grow up to the worn stones, but beyond it is bare for a few metres, then small bushes, struggling to survive, dead trees. Plants black as coal gaze at the new arrivals.

[os] kick(#Tildruin) Shandor (Never will understand that guy) by Calaryn [Note: that’s a script if you are curious – Ed.]

[os] join (#tildruin) Shandor

<+Varadrion> ooc Lol!

<@Shandor> OOC You'd better run, Jim.

<@Calaryn> ooc lmao

<@Shandor> OOC The trolls are coming for you.

<+Tengu> OOC nice!

<@Calaryn> ooc fixed now

<@Calaryn> ooc once again LMAO

<+Varadrion> ooc all talk, go Jim

<+Varadrion> ooc Ya, but technically they're comin for you too

<@Shandor> The Trolls have come for you, Jim of Jimania. Gobble gobble gobble.

<+Varadrion> ooc turkey-troll crossbreeding

<@Shandor> OOC Don't ask about that, one of my English essays actually explained one of the characters in the comprehension using the phrase 'Gobble gobble gobble'.



øùú Faelnon says, 'Those black bushes are actually quite useful.'

øùú Shandor asks, 'You mean they can be used for healing?'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Oh no, they are a potent poison.'

øùú Shandor grins, 'I can see why they would be of use to you.'

øùú Faelnon rolls his eyes, 'You know, Shandor, their taste is rumoured to be undetectable, you would never know if I slipped some into your meal..'

øùú Shandor smiles, 'Faelnon, Faelnon, Faelnon, if Ariea's cooking hasn't killed me by now, I'm pretty sure I'm invincible to all poisons.'

øùú Ariea swipes at Shandor, 'Hey!' She smiles and adds, 'I think I should go plant-picking.'



øùú Tengu asks, 'I think we should eat these herbs. To poison trolls' food.'



øùú Varadrion says "Anyways, why exactly are we here?"

øùú Shandor smiles, 'Don't complicate the matter.'

øùú Varadrion says "If I'm going to die, I like to know what I’m dying for"

øùú Maifln says, 'Hopefully we will find something useful in here.'

øùú Shandor grins, 'Varadrion just volunteered to go first.'

øùú Varadrion says annoyedly "Hopefully?"

<+Varadrion> ooc /me hopes annoyedly is a word

<@Shandor> OOC /me hopes Varadrion put another bet on it. :D



øùú Varadrion hops of the train and walks ahead "Fine, I'll lead"

øùú Shandor says, 'Dead man walking.'

øùú Tengu says, 'I'll miss him.'



øùú Shandor climbs off the 'train and nears the entrance, hand on the hilt of his sword, 'Here little pixies..., here little pixies.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Trying to summon the evil demon pixies, Shandor, might not be the best idea.'

øùú Shandor says, 'But the cannon fodder is going first, so if they do show up, we'll have time to get away.'

øùú Faelnon grins before stating, 'Here little pixies.'



øùú Ariea comments, 'Varadrion, if I didn't know better, I'd say some people wouldn't be too depressed if you got mauled, stabbed or other wise slaughtered.'

øùú Varadrion shrugs at the comment and says to Ariea "It doesn't matter"

øùú Ariea grins and says, 'Whoa, don't you come any closer, I don't want to be hit by traps meant for you.'

øùú Varadrion says softly "If I die, I did so trying to do something that would help the world, I want no more"

øùú Ariea smirks, 'I thought I'd let you know, we are just here for a laugh, it'll probably serve no purpose...'



<@Shandor> OOC The cannon fodder isn't paid to talk, y'know. Well, he isn't even paid, but still.



øùú Shandor suddenly yelps and dives to the ground.

øùú Faelnon nearly leaps and swings his staff around, trying to see any danger.

øùú Shandor 's head comes up from behind the alter.

øùú Faelnon says, 'Shandor, what is it?'

øùú Shandor says dismissively while looking from side to side, 'Oh nothing.' He quickly stands up and moves away.

øùú Faelnon crosses to where he was to look up on a one foot tall primitive statue of a bear, 'Yes Shandor, terrifying.'

øùú Ariea grins.

øùú Tengu shrugs and proceeds at ease.

øùú Shandor mumbles, 'It looked bigger...'

øùú Faelnon grins mischievously and presses the issue, 'How?'

øùú Shandor grumbles and shuffles away to investigate the walls.

03/05/25 20:26:29 <@Shandor> Ah Shandor, always brave and fearless...

03/05/25 20:27:26 <+Varadrion> nice dive

03/05/25 20:27:48 <@Shandor> ... It was bigger... and scarey... and... bear-like

03/05/25 20:28:01 <@Calaryn> :p

03/05/25 20:28:32 <+Varadrion> and about a foot tall

03/05/25 20:28:43 <@Shandor> Oh just watch Ariea torment him and be happy



øùú Ariea sneaks up behind Shandor before making a loud bear-growl.

øùú Shandor spins around and gives Ariea a glare.

øùú Ariea giggles while smiling innocently and swinging her hands slowly in front of her. She then tries to see what Shandor is looking at.

øùú Shandor points to a few carvings on the wall, 'These look interesting, I wonder if they are just decoration...'

øùú Ariea says, 'Maybe they say "Beware the bear".'

øùú Faelnon grins at Ariea.

øùú Shandor turns to Ariea, 'You have to stop with the bear thing.'

øùú Varadrion says "don't Shandor"

øùú Ariea says, 'Aw! But I've bear-ly scratched at the surface.'

øùú Shandor moves away from Ariea holding one hand in the air saying, 'Enough!'

øùú Ariea grins and follows Shandor to taunt him.

03/05/25 20:29:16 <@Shandor> Come on! I had to use that pun

03/05/25 20:29:28 <@Shandor> She got it from the Cheap pun store.

03/05/25 20:29:35 <@Shandor> Someone stop me... please god, someone...

03/05/25 20:30:13 øùú Varadrion slaps Shandor around a bit with a large trout

03/05/25 20:30:24 <@Shandor> Thank you

03/05/25 20:30:36 <@Shandor> The puns must be stopped!



øùú Varadrion looks at his sword, but decides against cutting himself to save Faelnon

<+Varadrion> ooc There’s how important you are, lol

03/05/25 20:38:51 <@Shandor> I have sworn an oath that my characters would rather die than owe you anything :P

03/05/25 20:39:03 <+Varadrion> Lol

03/05/25 20:39:25 <+Varadrion> I'll remember that

(And yet he is probably still curious as to why I will kill him at the end of this ‘Quest’)



03/05/25 20:30:47 øùú Varadrion slaps Shandor around a bit with a large trout

03/05/25 20:31:00 <@Shandor> Okay, next time and it'll end with you meeting the lubbies.

03/05/25 20:31:19 <@Shandor> ... Because you've won a trip to visit LubbieLand!

03/05/25 20:31:22 <@Shandor> Congratulations

03/05/25 20:31:50 <+Varadrion> Lol



øùú Faelnon announces, after a few moments, 'He's just knocked out.'

øùú Ariea arrives beside Shandor

øùú Ariea says, 'He did this just to avoid the bear puns.'

øùú Faelnon smiles, 'I would have.'

øùú Ariea prods Shandor with her foot, 'Come on, wake up, I thought up a good pun.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Oh dear, Varadrion, do you have some of that poisonous plant? I should put him out of his misery.'



øùú Arathus walks out into the open and says "Greetings, I am Arathus, Paladin."

øùú Ariea looks at Arathus for a moment before saying, 'Do paladins normally hang around evil temples?'

øùú Faelnon says, 'Be polite Ariea.'



øùú Faelnon smiles.



øùú Varadrion turns and runs out of the tunnel to Faelnon, again sputtering "Faelnon... daughter.. army... go north.... surrounding us..."

øùú Faelnon turns to Varadrion, 'What... Varadrion... say... clear... ly.'



øùú Shandor sits up and turns to Faelnon, 'Your daughter is an odd person.'

øùú Faelnon says, 'What?'

øùú Shandor says, 'She came to me while I was knocked out... and she called me a moron several times.'

øùú Ariea smiles despite the confusion of the scene, 'Like father, like daughter.'



03/05/25 21:26:26 <+Varadrion> Dying is easy

03/05/25 21:26:45 <@Shandor> Then why haven't you died yet?

03/05/25 21:26:50 <@Shandor> I made a dragon fling you into a wall!



The ‘Quest’ IV Debate



03/05/25 21:29:08 <+Varadrion> Think there will be a quest after this?

03/05/25 21:29:33 <@Shandor> A 'Quest' IV?

03/05/25 21:29:53 <+Varadrion> wait, has any character died for good in the quest? Like a player chrater?

03/05/25 21:30:00 <+Varadrion> character*

03/05/25 21:30:11 <@Shandor> Strongly doubt it, for at least 2 weeks after the 'Quest' III ends :). Although, if I was to do any other one, I'd forget the third one ever happened due to most of the world being dead.

03/05/25 21:30:17 <@Shandor> Borwin - destroyed

03/05/25 21:30:21 <@Shandor> Ograkk -everyone missing

03/05/25 21:30:31 <@Shandor> Loldar and Viirnial - Kawhamy.

03/05/25 21:31:18 <+Varadrion> But player controlled characters

03/05/25 21:31:33 <@Shandor> Well, I might kill a few between now and the end :D

03/05/25 21:31:50 <+Varadrion> Vara will likely die at some point

03/05/25 21:32:23 <@Shandor> The only player character I have killed is Dramicus, but that was 'cause Cyria wanted to bring in Cyria. I don't think it is fair to kill player characters and it would be....

03/05/25 21:32:28 øùú Shandor slips some of the plant into Varadrion's food.



03/05/25 21:33:17 <+Varadrion> you can kill me in the last episode of this if you want

03/05/25 21:33:28 <@Shandor> I'll hold you to that.

03/05/25 21:34:03 <+Arathus> heh

03/05/25 21:34:17 <+Varadrion> Go for it

03/05/25 21:34:20 <+_Tengu> Dying from heart attack after the victory (?) over the Enemy.

03/05/25 21:34:29 <+Varadrion> If there’s another one I'll get a new guy

03/05/25 21:34:31 <+_Tengu> or from hangover

03/05/25 21:34:45 <@Shandor> Nah, I'm going to have him die pointlessly. I'm going to make him trip on his magic sword and be sat on by a horse.

03/05/25 21:35:30 <+Arathus> lmao

03/05/25 21:35:36 <+Arathus> how pathetic would that be

03/05/25 21:35:46 <+Varadrion> i'm the only person with a magic weapon.. scary

03/05/25 21:36:11 <+Arathus> not fair :-P

03/05/25 21:36:13 <@DrCBVI> What about the mages? Aren't their weapons magic? :D

03/05/25 21:36:17 <+Varadrion> Lol.. he'd do it to

03/05/25 21:36:18 <+Arathus> lol

03/05/25 21:36:21 <@DrCBVI> I will, hell yeah.

03/05/25 21:36:29 øùú DrCBVI goes to get the best (read: fattest) horse.