Chapter #1170
previous chapter (#1169)
next chapter (#1171)
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ THE ADVENTURERS +
+ +
+ Epic VI +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ 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! +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ +
+ Cespedes 19th level human wizard, elementalist +
+ Dexitheseus 17th level human wizard, jack of all trades +
+ Pallin 18th level grey elven wizard of Celestian, teleporter +
+ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Date: 7/8/586 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: late morning +
+ Place: the Brass Hills, within the Bright Desert +
+ Climate: hot and dry +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ "The word 'impossible'...is only found in the dictionary of fools." +
+ - Dr. Reinhardt, from _the Black Hole_ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MCLXX. Favors and Costs
Three of the Bright Alliance - the wizards Pallin, Dexitheseus, and
Cespedes - have gathered after a week of continued efforts in multiple
endeavors.
Pallin: Are we always going to gather up here in the sky to have these
conversations?
Cespedes: It is easier to coordinate work and view progress from above.
Dexitheseus: Point.
They floated several hundred feet above the wide, flat hilltop that
had been chosen as the site of the fortress-city (though when complete
it would extend down the hillside and into the area below.) The entire
place would be protected by the massive wall, on whose base construction
had now fully begun. Along its entire length - which was substantial,
given the size of the area it would one day contain - the height of the
wall varied from five or ten feet up to twenty or thirty depending upon
progress in that section at the given time. And that progress continued
on a daily, even hourly basis.
Dexitheseus: That's a hell of a wall, even in this early stage.
Cespedes: (proudly) Indeed. The wall will be even stronger than it
looks, for the earth elementals have used their powers to fuse it with
the rock beneath.
Pallin: Lucky we have them. (he eyes two other large forms which gleam
even through the dirt and dust which coat their metal bodies) And it's
also lucky that Alindyar and Lyra brought us those two golems from the
mines, after wresting control of from the beholder.
Cespedes: Yes. While they lack the earthen powers of the elementals,
the golems are just as strong and tireless. Lending them to some of
the lifting and moving work will help.
Dexitheseus: And from what they said, the mines will soon add even more
gold and silver to our funds. And we no longer have to negotiate with
a beholder, which is always good.
A large, round area some three hundred feet across had been marked as
the site of the future lake, which would be artificially created later,
after the outer wall and other core structures were further along. The
material excavated to create that basin would, of course, be re-used in
the construction of buildings and connecting walls.
As for the temporary domicile of the miners and other laborers, it had
grown from a small cluster of a hundred tents to a veritable tent city.
This was in large part to a greater-than-estimated influx of Sterish to
this region. Dexitheseus' initial guess of "several hundred" had ended
up being more like a thousand - which included women, children, and the
elderly. Getting them all from there to here had been a great deal of
work for Pallin, taxed his power considerably, and taken several days
overall. For now, those who could not work were lived within the site
of construction...but that was a short-term solution, and would need to
be addressed before issues of supplies as well as sanitation arose.
Dexitheseus: I'm working on that...and I'm also still looking into a
solution to the issue of provisions and supplies. Thus far, all the
marketplaces we've visited in other countries have been happy to take
our coin for what we need...never knowing what we're doing here.
Pallin: I'd imagine that some kingdoms, if they knew, would embargo
us in order to keep us from growing and flourishing.
Dexitheseus: (nods) This is my main focus now, after dealing with the
influx of refugees.
Pallin: And there are more coming from Tenh, at some point?
Dexitheseus: Yes. He is still in Nyrond to the north, gathering what
exiled Tenh folk he can. That was and is a more trying effort than
collecting Sterish. (he frowns) The Tenh had something of a...poor
reputation even before the wars, and they have fallen far indeed.
We saw it in Urnst and Nyrond - many of them have taken to drink and
crime, and have little or no pride or self-esteem left. Those who
were rich nobles with no skills or training now find themselves poor
and starving. Even those among the fled who do know a trade or have
skills are suffering. (he frowns) I hope we can help as many of
those people as possible here, but we will see. They have to make a
decision to venture here and change their fortune. I imagine it's
a fairly big leap of faith for most of them, too.
Cespedes: What of the possibility of Lord Marcus assuming a permanent
role over - and responsibility for building - a military force here?
Dexitheseus: He is considering it, but advised that we had best speak
with our entire group first to make sure they are in agreement. He
mentioned something about a warrior not always fitting in with the
plans of wizards. (he frowns) Which brings up another question we
will someday have to answer.
Pallin: Religion and priests.
Dexitheseus: Yes. Any sizable center of population will need centers
of faith and healing. And most cities have many, worshipping dozens
of different deities both good and evil. We may have to...shape such
events to prevent them from shaping themselves.
Cespedes: True.
Dexitheseus: Anyway, that's all I have to share. As I said, I'll now
be focusing on the provision and supply challenge.
Later that day, the old wizard found himself in a far different (and
more pleasant) place than the desert: the sprawling Vesve Forest, more
specifically the secluded grove that was home to Oakly Greenleaf, Great
Druid of the Flanaess. In contrast to the thin, shorter-than-average
mage of greater years, Oakly was a robust, imposing, wild-bearded fellow
who had spent more than half his life in the service of the forest god
Obad-Hai. Across those decades, he had labored hard and eventually risen
to the highest rank and authority possible for any worldly druid.
Fortunately, he also happened to an old adventuring companion of his
visitor today (as well as Lord Marcus, the dwarven king Yod Ironbeard,
the noble high priest Relmar, the gigantic barbarian warrior Tarl, the
wandering elf Eyer, and others.)
Oakly Greenleaf: How can I help you?
Dexitheseus: When you were in the Bright Desert, months ago after you
lent your aid to the effort against Rary...we talked of the arid and
bleak nature of the desert and the possibility that one day it could
harbor plant life, perhaps even crops. You told me then that as the
place is now - a wasteland - it was not natural and should not exist,
and that you would support the restoration of the region to a better
state.
Oakly Greenleaf: (nods, picking a twig from his unkempt gray beard)
And I have since advised you regarding several locations within the
desert where crops are more likely to grow. Kalundi and the valley
bordering it are one such place, and we discussed five functional
oases that would be good places to try. (he stares intently at the
other) So all of that must not be enough. What do you want from me,
old friend?
Dexitheseus: Firstly, we need some sort of way to grow crops, not in
the desert but rather in the Brass Hills above. We need to make the
land fertile, then plant and grow crops...and we need it now, today,
not in the near or far future.
Oakly Greenleaf: (frowns)
Dexitheseus: We have the people to tend, farm, and harvest; workers
aren't the problem. The problem is getting crops to grow. (he nods
to the other) And I don't know who else to ask. At least not who
else is more knowledgeable on the subject.
Oakly Greenleaf: What is the second thing?
Dexitheseus: Secondly, we intend to use magic to create a small lake
amidst the hills atop the desert, and channel its waters down into
the sands. I want to know if such a water source can begin to alter
the region from a desert wasteland to an easier place to live and
prosper...or will the Scorpion Crown's powerful curse prevent this?
(he frowns) it seemed prudent to consider before we went to all the
trouble to artificially construct a lake and fill it with water.
Oakly Greenleaf: (ponders all of this, stroking his immense beard)
Your lake will likely survive, although it will require constant
replenishment of its water by some source; I assume you will employ
magical means for that. But the curse of that region is too strong
and the rivers you create with diverted and drained water will not
be enough. (he frowns) The only way to achieve what you want is
to destroy the crown...which means you must first find it.
Dexitheseus: (considers this, nodding) That is our intention.
Oakly Greenleaf: And so that answer ties into the one for your first
question. I can channel Obad-Hai's power to help make the hills'
land fertile and grow some crops, but success in this will require
constant effort both on your part and mine, else the curse's power
will halt progress and then destroy it. Again, the final solution
here is to rid the region of the crown, permanently. (he regards
the older man with a stern gaze) I trust that is what will happen,
should you succeed in finding the damned thing? No sudden wizards'
urges to keep it and try to use it for good, or any of that crap?
Dexitheseus: Certainly not. Not as long as I'm involved.
Oakly Greenleaf: (nods) Good. Now about this assistance with your
farmland in the hills...this is not an easy task by any means, and
very few people in the world could achieve it, and I am a busy man.
So. (he crosses his arms) There will be a price for this boon...
one that you will have to discuss with the rest of your alliance of
wizards to see if they are willing to pay it.
Dexitheseus: I see. What is the price?
Oakly Greenleaf: When - if - the Scorpion Crown is found and destroyed,
and the wasteland freed from its ancient curse, and the land is once
more fertile and able to help you build your new kingdom...there will
be a temple of Obad-Hai in your capital city, that his ways and his
knowledge can be shared.
next: we diverge again and see what Kronos has been up to
map: http://www.peldor.com/world/atlas/bright_desert_1156.jpg
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 10/4/2024
notes: I don't want to give away the upcoming events, but rest
assured there's a plan - and it's moving toward a big episode 1175.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
previous chapter (#1169)
next chapter (#1171)