Chapter #1138
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+ THE ADVENTURERS +
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+ Epic VI +
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+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and other +
+ terms used in these stories are the property of Wizards of the Coast +
+ which has in no way endorsed or authorized their use. Any such +
+ property contained within these stories are not representative of +
+ Wizards of the Coast in any fashion. +
+ The player characters depicted in these stories are copyright +
+ 1991-2024 by Thomas A. Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these stories is permissible under +
+ the sole condition that no money is made in the process. In that +
+ case, I hope you enjoy them! +
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+ Dexitheseus 17th level human wizard, jack of all trades +
+ Lord Marcus 19th level human warrior and general +
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+ Date: 6/10/586 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: late morning +
+ Place: Fort Whiterock, within the Bright Desert +
+ Climate: hot and dry +
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+ "We need allies. We need more like us." +
+ "There aren't any more like us." +
+ "Not yet. But there will be." +
+ - Superman, Wonder Woman, and Lex Luthor, from _Injustice_ +
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MCXXXVIII. Last Bastion
Lord Marcus, fifty of his mercenaries, and the wizard Dexitheseus have
arrived at Fort Whiterock. This relatively isolated but stout stronghold
in the middle northeastern reaches of the Bright Desert represents the
only significant collection of Rary's troops that the alliance of wizards
has not yet dealt with.
Dexitheseus: (eyeing the pale-walled fortress from a safe distance, more
than twice the range of the most powerful longbow) I doubt this will be
as simple as some of the other fortifications that we or the others have
encountered.
Lord Marcus: It's formidable, no doubt about that. Without your magic,
I'd need a force of several hundred troops, and some siege equipment...
and probably a lot of time.
Dexitheseus: None of which we have. Except the magic. (he eyes the
fort, which stands out against the slightly-darker desert sand around
it) Certainly they can see us. I wonder if they'll send out an envoy.
Lord Marcus: They may not. Fifty of us, without any heavy weapons, pose
no threat to them. If I were in there, I'd sit and watch and wait.
Dexitheseus: (sighs) Let's speed things up, then.
In short order, the wizard had crafted and sent a magical message; in
the form of a spectral blue bird, it flew up and toward the fort's walls.
Before it drew near the place, arrows were launched - first a few, then
an entire volley. None of them touched the magical creation; its purpose
was benign and it carried no attack or other effect, nor did it have any
material form. It could be dispelled by a wizard of sufficient power -
which was its alternate purpose (revealing the presence of such a foe)
should its primary one fail. However, the mystical creation successfully
crested the fort's walls, descending before it would eventually transform
into a series of floating, disembodied letters. In this way, the message
was delivered, although those outside the fort couldn't see it.
Lord Marcus: Not the first time I've seen you employ this method, old
friend. What words did your spell carry forth into the fort?
Dexitheseus: I offered them the chance to parley, as an alternative to
a series of fireballs and lightning bolts. (he eyes the fort's walls,
atop which people are now scrambling) Let's see if they understand.
It soon became apparent that they did. The sturdy door and gate that
offered ground-level entrance to the fort's southern wall opened, emitting
a half-dozen riders. Unlike Kalki's Leap, this fort's greeting party did
not seem to include any spellcasters; all six of those who now approached
were clad in armor and bore weapons. One of them carried a makeshift
white flag atop a long, sharp spear.
Lord Marcus: It must sorely vex that one to have to use such a weapon
as a flag of truce. (he realizes that, once he builds a new army, he
will need to create and bear a standard, as all generals do)
Dexitheseus: They certainly do look serious.
Lord Marcus: By their bearing, I make these to be experienced fighters,
one and all.
Dexitheseus: Does that change how we deal with them?
Lord Marcus: Maybe. That depends on their discipline. (he nods to his
companion) And their understanding of, and respect for, magic. I trust
that your protections are in place?
Dexitheseus: (smiles thinly, a barely-visible transparent field in effect
all around himself and his mount) Naturally.
Lord Marcus: Very well, then. Let us see what they have to say.
They remained in place, although the two of them had already spurred
their horses forward, moving perhaps thirty feet ahead of the main force
so as to appear less threatening. As the fort's envoy drew nearer, Lord
Marcus' assertions were confirmed. All six warriors were outfitted in
high-quality chain mail armor that had seen plenty of action yet was well
cared-for. The same could be said for their assorted weapons, and not a
single member of the party was slight of build or under six feet in height.
envoy leader: (removes an ornate helm to reveal a tangled mane of dark
brown hair, which now cascades down behind her head as she holds the
helm on one hand while placing her other atop the pommel of the curved
scimitar at her side) I am Captain Zhora, currently in command of Fort
Whiterock.
Lord Marcus: I am Lord Marcus, and this is the good wizard Dexitheseus.
Well meant, and we thank you for granting our request to parley.
Captain Zhora: (looks over the two adventurers, then at the fifty men
behind them, and then again at them, more closely) I can only assume
that you are not here to relieve us, so that we can get back to the
Brass Hills and a better assignment?
Lord Marcus: We're here to relieve you, but not in the way that you may
think.
Captain Zhora: (keeps her hand steady on the pommel of her blade) That
would not seem to be good news.
Lord Marcus: You seem remarkably calm and composed, given the situation.
Have you seen service in an army? The Greyhawk Wars? You were an
officer, perhaps?
Captain Zhora: I was once a city guardsman, in Greyhawk.
Lord Marcus: (nods) That explains it. The Free City offers some of the
finest training in the land.
Captain Zhora: (frowns) But that was a long time ago.
Dexitheseus: Allow us to bring you up to date on the sit-
Captain Zhora: Rary was overthrown, a little more than a month ago. The
scuttlebutt is that a band of powerful wizards pulled that stunt off.
(she studies the old wizard) No doubt you're one of them.
Lord Marcus: You must have a wizard in there after all.
Captain Zhora: Or I'm simply well-informed. (she smiles thinly) Just
because you people are riding around the desert trying to make nice with
all of Rary's former troops doesn't mean that we don't send messengers
back and forth to update each other.
Dexitheseus: (turns to Lord Marcus) Chukai.
Captain Zhora: Actually, by the time the scout he sent reached us, I'd
already heard from two others. But don't be upset with him. He wasn't
warning me so that I could devise a better battle plan. (she gestures
back toward the fort, then fixes them with a serious gaze) We have no
intention of fighting. You've probably heard this tale already, but we
have been cooped up in there for more than a month. There's been no
resupply...no fresh food, no fresh water, no fresh wine. And no payday
a week ago. My troops are tired and bored. _I'm_ tired and bored. As
you ride around this damned desert, you'll find that very, very few of
the soldiers formerly employed by Rary are - were - actually loyal to
him or his aims.
Lord Marcus: (crosses his arms) That is...fortunate.
Captain Zhora: You're damn right it is. Almost all of us are doing a
job, in return for food, drink, lodging, and coin. It doesn't mean
we're cowards, or incompetent, or even pissed off...as long as things
run the way they're supposed to run, and the way we were told they
would. (she sighs) Which they haven't for more than five weeks now.
It's not that damn complicated, really. And you can probably see where
I'm going with this line of talk.
Lord Marcus: (nods) I can make this simple: we need troops. We're in
the process of getting more, but first we had to have visits like this
one, to get the lay of the land, so to speak. And so in the weeks to
come, the military strength in this area will grow significantly. But
until then - for a very short time - we've got to man the forts and keep
the peace with a small number of forces. (he raises one hand) However,
you should know a few things. First: those who do their part now, in
the early stages, will likely have more standing and opportunity later.
Second: you will be paid, fairly and on time. Third: you have not
seen the evidence first hand, not yet, but know that you have an immense
amount of magical power backing you up, in the form of numerous wizards
and other allies.
Captain Zhora: (nods, slowly)
Dexitheseus: We are building a kingdom here, but it's early yet. There's
still plenty to be done.
Lord Marcus: This is a rare and unique opportunity, no matter what one's
profession. So...Captain Zhora, formerly of Greyhawk's City Guard...
what say you?
next: part 3 of 3, as they actually go find new soldiers
map: http://www.peldor.com/world/atlas/bright_desert.jpg
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 2/23/2024
notes: I did the same thing for Captain Zhora that I did for the
sorceress Shemeya, in the tower. I took a bare-bones description from
the original accessory and fleshed it out myself. That's what dungeon
masters do, and that's what writers do sometimes too. I tried to put
myself in her shoes...left in charge of a bunch of solid but underpaid
workers who've had no meaningful communication from above, and are now
bored and agitated. I mean, why the hell would Zhora or any of them
even lift a finger to fight the new rulers of their region? I wouldn't
do it either; I'd join them and take the new gold and the likely better
quality of life.
I'm sure there's an analogy in here somewhere.
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