Chapter #1179
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ 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! +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ +
+ Alindyar 18th level dark elven wizard +
+ Lyra 14th level female drow wizard +
+ Belphanior 18th/18th/18th level elven fighter/wizard/thief +
+ Otto 12th/14th level dwarven fighter/thief +
+ Skektek 14th level human wizard +
+ Ys 14th level reptilian fighter +
+ Kronos ancient lich wizard +
+ Nuzaanth a summoned dracolich +
+ Parekh 18th level female human wizard, innovator +
+ Drak 15th level human barbarian +
+ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Date: 7/28/586 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: midday +
+ Place: the sky over the Hellfurnaces mountain range +
+ Climate: hot and dry +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ "Knowledge is power. If you understand something, it can never +
+ truly control you." +
+ - from _Terminator Zero_ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MCLXXIX. No Easy Task
After a week of planning and travel, a contingent of the Bright Alliance
has arrived at the edge of the Hellfurnaces. That immense mountain range
in the most southwestern reaches of the Oerik continent - in addition to
being a natural and formidable barrier between the fertile lands and the
mysterious wasteland known as the Sea of Dust - was the purported means of
destruction for the Scorpion Crown.
Belphanior: (eyeing the vast array of volcanic peaks ahead, many of which
are actively belching smoke and ash into the sky) Well, here we are.
Parekh: (nods)
Otto: So do you just pick the nearest volcano? Or maybe find the biggest
one?
Parekh: I don't rightly know. I've never done this before.
Belphanior: None of us have.
Kronos: I suggest we choose our peak based on three factors. First and
most important, it has to have a place where we can set the skyship down
safely...a flat ledge of some sort, near the top. Second, it must be
reasonably close, meaning that we will ideally find it soon rather than
venture deep into this mountain range. Third, it must be fully active,
such that there is an appropriately destructive place into which we can
drop the crown.
Belphanior: Seems reasonable to me. (he turns to Otto) Fly us slowly
and carefully amongst the mountain range. You focus on keeping us out
of harm's way, and we'll check the environs for an appropriate volcano.
Otto: (gazing quietly at the plethora of active volcanos ahead of them,
he marvels at both the enormity and absurdity of that task) Right.
The skyship moved into the sky over the Hellfurnaces, while the three
archmagi moved out onto its deck and began using every magical means they
had available to scan the burning peaks that now surrounded them, albeit
many hundreds of feet below the vessel. Surprisingly (or perhaps not so
surprisingly given their significant powers of seeking and detection) it
didn't take very long before they located exactly what they needed. The
volcanic mountain was fairly large compared to those around it, yet had a
thick ring of solid rock all the way up to its top - and to one side of
that rim was a sizable area that appeared to be fairly level and free of
boulders and such.
Lyra: (now on deck as well) It's an ideal landing site.
Alindyar: We shall see.
Drak and Ys were in the process of carrying the heavy metal box - using
thick metal poles that slotted through large, sturdy rings built into the
thing - out of the hold and up onto the main deck. Skektek accompanied
them, although he was of course not doing any of the heavy lifting.
Skektek: (looks around at the Hellfurnaces, whistling) Wow.
Drak: (grunts with the effort as he and Ys finally get the box onto the
main deck and set it down carefully)
Ys: (folds his massive, scaly arms and looks around, his gaze settling
on the dark form of the dracolich that is still circling the skyship in
slow, wide arcs)
Skektek: Yeah, I know. That thing creeps me out. (he frowns) I wonder
if it burns.
Kronos: She does not. Being a former red dragon, she would laugh at any
flames that came her way...and then wreak terrible vengeance upon the
source of such flames.
Skektek: Err...right. It was just a theoretical question, you know.
Kronos: Of course.
Parekh: If anyone actually did track and follow us here, hopefully the
dragon will help deter them.
Belphanior: "Deter"...? No. I'm hoping for "destroy" myself.
Skektek: You really think someone cares enough about that crown to come
here and try and stop us from destroying it?
Belphanior: At first I didn't. The only groups strong enough to try are
the Circle of Eight - who I doubt would want the crown kept intact - or
maybe the Crimson Blades when they were still around. Aside from those,
I'm not sure who else we should watch out for.
Kronos: The Old One. The Overking, or whatever he has now become. (he
frowns) It would also be unwise to discount the desires of any devil
kings or demon lords that might have designs upon this world.
Belphanior: (thinking of Orcus, but also of the manner in which that one
was supposedly discouraged by other deities from further meddling in the
affairs of Oerth) Hmm.
Otto: (to no one in particular) I'm going to try and land the ship on
that ledge-like area now.
Alindyar: Hold. (eyeing the potential landing site, he frowns and then
begins spellcasting)
While the area in question was definitely large enough to provide a
stable landing place, it did have spots of rubble and was not perfectly
flat. Alindyar promptly corrected those issues, magically reshaping the
solidified lava into a place well suited for landing and walking around.
The dark elf next turned his attention to the volcano's rim, altering the
stone of the crater to create a path leading up to the edge, well below
which lay a lake of fiery lava.
Alindyar: Better. (he leans on the ship's railing, momentarily fatigued
by the mighty magic he just worked)
Lyra: (ESPing to Alindyar) Nice work. Rest now...the others can land
the ship and carry the containment receptacle onto land.
Alindyar: (ESPing to Lyra) Aye.
Kronos: (silently wonders to himself exactly how the dark elf transmutes
reality like this)
Parekh: (thinking to herself about how each of the archmagi in the group
brings his or her own unique specialty to the table)
In short order, Otto set the skyship down upon the newly-flat space and
the others disembarked. The thick metal box was unloaded but not opened,
as the latter action would - if only briefly - render all of the wizards
powerless. None of the magi wanted to experience a short cancellation of
their magical powers, but it was a necessary tradeoff for transporting the
crown safely. The dracolich, of course, would be in the air far above at
the time of the box's opening, and would remain unaffected by the rays of
the anti-magic sphere.
Belphanior: I suggest that I be the one to open the box and remove the
crown. Among all of us wizards here, I alone have other abilities...
and I've previously experienced the anti-magic sphere's rays up close.
It will take me less time to fully recover from those effects.
Parekh and Kronos were both about to state their opinions on the matter,
but were interrupted by the alarm from a magical ward.
Belphanior: What now...?
Alindyar: We have visitors. (he gestures to the direction from which
the skyship sailed here)
There were at least two dozen airborne individuals scattered across the
sky nearby and above. Most appeared to be flying under their own power,
which likely made them wizards; a few appeared to be warriors or priests
and had other means of flight; one rode a griffon, and a flying carpet
bore four others.
Parekh: I wonder what they want.
Belphanior: (wearily) I think it's safe to assume they're not here to
sit down with us and have a merry feast.
next: the fate of the Scorpion Crown
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: 12/6/2024
notes: Random thought about the Hellfurnaces: a range of huge and
active volcanoes would eventually destroy the atmosphere of a planet in
the real (non-magical) world.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++