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Told by Uxbri, who was a merchant(and a fantastic storyteller) Gwendalath had the
opportunity to meet and become friendly with him before he left. This is the story of
the Council of Ten.

[Thirsty Penguin, Parlour]

Thin muslin curtains are pulled back with twisted burgundy and gold silk cords. Chairs and
small tables cluttered with bric-a-brac make maneuvering difficult. A small, tiled
woodstove warms the room from its place in the corner.

Also in the room: Lord Sythren, Niomoon who is seated, Lord Maji who is seated,
Odiouss who is seated, Xazak who is seated, Starsus who is seated, Lord Gaale who is
lying down, Demonea who is seated, Lord Shadowpuck who is seated, Lord Praytus who
is seated, Lord Drauz who is seated, Lady Toreena who is seated, Dantrotic who is
seated, Lord Jokult who is seated, Eillion who is seated, Lord Trobevil who is seated,
Lord Zorkell who is seated, Lord Uxbri, Lord Statlon who is lying down

Obvious exits: west.

You see Lord Uxbri Foresttarts the Halfling Wizard.

He appears to be in his 120's, has short, curly sandy blond hair, hazel eyes, and
tanned skin.

He is in good shape.

He is wearing some heavy leather boots, a plaid flannel jacket, a dusty backpack, a
jam-spattered tart satchel, a glowing hatchet locket, a crystal amulet, and a plaid
flannel cap.

Uxbri says, "While the temple were being designed..."

Uxbri says, "It came to the attention of a group of wizards and sorcerers that the temple
were to be dedicated to the forces of Liabo..."

Uxbri says, "And that the Lornon pantheon was to be omitted."

Uxbri says, "Well..."

Uxbri says, "They claimed that it was the right of ALL halflings to choose their deity..."

Uxbri says, "And that hobbits, being a free peoples..."

Uxbri says, "Could choose as they saw fit. Even to whom they worship."

Uxbri says, "And so, they proposed that the temple be dedicated to the Lornon pantheon
as well."

Uxbri says, "Ma Dabbings, wife of the recently slain hero Talbot, stepped forward and
spoke:"

Uxbri recites:

""My love gave his life for the freedome of all halflings

And though I feel that my choice is clear

All halflings should have a choice as well.

It is theirs to make.

All halflings are free to choose.""

Uxbri says, "With that, the town agreed, and added the Lornon pantheon to the design."

Uxbri says, "Shortly after the temple was completed, a horrible invasion came, levelling the
entire southern half of the town."

Uxbri says, "Although the hobbits were tough, and fought hard, they were outnumbered,
and lost many."

Uxbri shrugs.

Uxbri says, "The northeast and northwest quadrants were strangely untouched,
however...."

Uxbri says, "Which is why the southern part of town is newer than the northern."

Deralin says, "Ah... interestin'."

Dantrotic says, "explains alot..."

Uxbri says, "The hobbits, a tough breed by any reckoning, rebuilt the town stronger and
better than before."

Dantrotic asks, "but I think their is more to that than meets the eye?"

Uxbri says, "Hush, boy."

Statlon cackles!

Praytus chuckles.

Dantrotic blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

Deralin begins chuckling at Dantrotic.

Sythren smirks.

Demonea cackles!

Uxbri says, "Or Alvin gonna give ya a trip to th' Landin'."

Dantrotic's face turns slightly pale.

Maji shivers.

Zorkell grins.

Gaale rubs Dantrotic gently.

Deralin snickers.

Trobevil grins.

Uxbri says, "A few years after the town were rebuilt, a scaled man, with a sibilant lisp
come to town."

Uxbri says, "He strode into TC, and spoke:"

Gaale gasps.

Gaale narrows his eyes.

A pained expression crosses Maji's face.

(Gaale whispers, "Luukos," under his breath.)

Uxbri recites:

"We came and killed you before.

We come again for your town.

Leave now, or all --

Your children, your families

--all will perish."

Uxbri says, "With that, the man turned, and walked out of town."

Uxbri says, "None tried to stop him."

Uxbri exclaims, "The town was in an uproar!"

Uxbri says, "Some preached fleeing, some fighting...all were frightened....remembering the
hordes of vicious scaled assailants who had razed the town last time."

Uxbri says, "Again, Ma Dabbings stepped forwards:"

Uxbri recites:

""My love died for the freedom of halflings

And how can I but do the same?

I will not run, as my love did not.

I will stand here, and die here, if I must.

I will run - Nowhere."

Uxbri says, "The townsfolk, many of them families who had fought alongside Talbot,
nodded in silent agreement."

Uxbri says, "If they ran, all their loss - bretheren who had died in past conflicts, and those
who died along the road on the great migration - would be for nothing."

Uxbri says, "They would stay...and, if necessary, they would fight."

Uxbri says, "Grimly, the halflings removed their armor and weapons from storage, and
prepared for the coming battle."

Uxbri says, "The group of ten again stepped forward, now calling themselves The Council
of Ten..."

Uxbri exclaims, "Flee! they cried! Don't be foolish! How can you withstand another
assault such as the last?!"

Uxbri exclaims, "We'll all perish!"

Uxbri says, "All but a few of the halflings shook their heads quietly in refusal, remembering
Talbot and his sacrifice, and made ready for war."

Uxbri says, "Finally, on a cold, cold day, filled with sleet and snow, the scaled man
returned to town, and strode directly to TC."

Uxbri says, "He spoke:"

Uxbri recites:

"We have come for your town.

If you yield, you may be spared.

What say you?"

Uxbri says, "With that, Talvon Dabbings, Ma Dabbings eldest son leapt from behind the
statue in TC, and took the man's head."

Uxbri says, "Talvon stood proudly, and spoke:"

Uxbri recites:

"We do not give in so easily.

Like my father before me, I stand ready.

If it's war they mean to have

Let it begin HERE. Now."

Uxbri says, "As the brave young halfling's words were carried by the wind, the leader of
the Council of Ten whirled, and without a word, launched a lightning bolt at Talvon,
rending a fatal hole in the man's chest."

Uxbri says, "The leader of the Council shouted:"

Statlon frowns.

Uxbri recites:

"Fools!

Do you not understand the power of these folk?"

Uxbri says, "The man looked down at the headless scaled man."

Uxbri recites:

"We could have joined with them!

Perhaps we still can!

We'll never be scorned again!

We can RULE Elanthia!"

Uxbri says, "Aghast, the hobbits stared at the Council, glancing silently from them, to
Talvon, to the headless scaled man, and back again."

Uxbri says, "The leader of the Council continued, sensing the crowd's confusion..."

Uxbri recites:

"If you will not join us

Then you oppose us!"

Uxbri says, "With that, the Council fell upon the gathered crowd, gradually gaining support
from among them..."

Uxbri says, "The halflings began to flee in horror and confusion as they found themselves
unexpectedly fighting each other in the streets..."

Uxbri says, "Friends and neighbors, who had stood together through all sorts of hardships
of the past now spilled each other's blood."

Uxbri says, "A band of hobbit warriors, fresh from the war down south regrouped a short
distance from TC..."

Uxbri says, "Regaining their courage, they hefted their claids, tightened the straps on their
plate armor, and made ready to end this fight."

Uxbri exclaims, "With a mighty cry they charged into TC, full speed!"

Uxbri says, "The Council, bracing for the charge hurled bolts, boiled earth, mana
disrupted..."

Uxbri exclaims, "But the hobbits withstood the onslaught, and kept charging!"

Uxbri exclaims, "At the last moment, the hobbits flung their claids at the Council, using it as
a distraction!"

Uxbri exclaims, "As the Council Members dodged the falling metal, the warriors burst in
and tackled each on to the ground, pinning them!"

Uxbri says, "With dead and dying hobbits all around them, the bleeding and battered
warriors tied up the Council."

Uxbri says, "With the casters captured, the rest of the halflings who had been lured to their
cause quickly surrendered."

Uxbri says, "All were rounded up, and dragged to TC, where the evil hobbits were
silenced and bound."

Uxbri says, "A discussion quickly arose regarding what to do with the traitors."

Uxbri says, "Once more, Ma Dabbings stepped forward."

Uxbri says, "Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the body of her brave, fallen son."

Uxbri says, "Her eye travelled along the bodies lying in the bloody snow, and back to her
son."

Uxbri says, "She paused, trying to calm herself..."

Uxbri says, "Then she spoke, addressing the bound halflings and the Council of Ten in a
voice quavering with emotion."

Uxbri recites:

"Have you not learned from the Elves?!

Do you not see what happens when kin fight kin?

It is YOU who are the fools!

How DARE you take from me my eldest son

Beloved of me and Talbot?"

Uxbri says, "As she sobbed in the midst of the hobbits in the square, only the wind dared
make a sound..."

Uxbri says, "Finally, she composed herself, and spoke, again addressing the assembled
bound group:"

Uxbri recites:

"Like the Dark Elves

You are BANISHED.

Come to this town no more!

Never again will you have friends or families here!

You are no longer welcome at our hearths!"

Uxbri says, "As the misguided, bound hobbits sobbed silently at this punishment, Ma
Leaftoe stepped forward..."

Uxbri recites:

"How can we risk releasing these villains on the rest of Elanthia?

They are indeed a treacherous lot

And surely will do to others what they have done here!"

Uxbri says, "This met with a murmur of general approval."

Uxbri says, "A young halfling, to this day unidentified, stepped forward and spoke in a
clear true voice."

Uxbri recites:

"Talbot Dabbings watches over us.

He will protect us, and Elanthia, from them."

Trobevil says, "Tha was you Uxbri"

Trobevil pokes Uxbri in the ribs.

(Gaale smirks, wondering just who that halfling actually was.)

Fariel grins.

Maji grins.

Chevren peers quizzically at Uxbri.

Ralchion grins.

Uxbri says, "There was another murmur of general agreement and nodding. Ma Dabbings
pondered the arguments for a moment, then nodded and spoke:"

Uxbri recites:

"Yes. I believe this is a good plan.

My love died to deliver us from the likes of these murderers.

He will guard us in death, as he did in life."

Uxbri says, "They dragged the evil hobbits into the Pioneer's Graveyard to the South of
town..."

Uxbri says, "And reverently opened the tomb."

Uxbri says, "They forced the evil hobbits inside, and sealed it tightly."

Uxbri says, "To this day, the spirit of Talbot watches over this town."

Uxbri says, "But it's been a long time..."

Uxbri says, "And magic weakens with age."

Uxbri asks, "The half-eaten corpses were hobbits, were they not?"

Uxbri says, "The guards must be weakening."

Maji says, "saw hair on dere feet too.."

Fariel says, "then we in danger"

Maji furrows his brow.

Statlon says, "the hobbits will break loose"

Kayame asks, "So, we were fighting the corpses of those 10?"

Kayame blinks.

Elsmondkerr gasps.

Uxbri says, "It must still be holding, or there'd be much worse than those petty Zombies
and Wights."

Uxbri says, "Much worse."

Dantrotic says, "Uxbri you scaring me..."

Gaale says, "Sir Uxbri? What are we to do against them? Certainly we are powerful but,
as is evidenced by this invasion, we aren't enought o truly stop them if the seal gives way
further."

Uxbri says, "The Council of Ten were thought to be the most powerful hobbit mages and
sorcerers in Elanthia at that time..."

(Dantrotic fidgits and glances at uxbri, scared.)

Demonea shivers.

Uxbri says, "Picture 10 ancient Dartaghans..."

Uxbri says, "And there's no way that they're still alive..."

Uxbri says, "I mean...not living."

Uxbri says, "Hobbit liches, friends."

Deralin glances at Gaale and begins to wail!

Uxbri says, "OLD hobbit liches."

Uxbri says, "We sit...and we pray that the wards hold..."

Uxbri says, "And that Talbot can keep them at bay."

Gaale says, "Surely their must be something. I refuse to believe that we are defenseless."

Uxbri asks, "Defenseless?"

Ralchion points at Gaale.

Uxbri says, "Well, the wards have held a long time..."

Gaale asks, "Can we strengthen the seal?"

Dantrotic says, "aye strenghten the seal and keep em in."

Fariel asks, "Uxbri...ye know of a way to restrength these wards perhaps?"

Uxbri says, "And ancient plans of the mausoleum, long lost, were said to have contained
rumors of hundreds of traps, tricks, and doors..."

Uxbri says, "Shifting corridors and guardians unknown..."

Uxbri says, "There is said to be TWENTY levels."

Uxbri says, "Each level successively harder than the next."

Deralin asks, "And at the bottom?"

Uxbri says, "The liches are said to be at the very bottom..."

Uxbri says, "Where they make items of the darkest evil..."

Uxbri says, "And use them in the defense of their domain..."

Satrn says, "Aww jees we gonna be overun by Fortune huntin Landiners"

Ralchion asks, "Uxbri, since the seal was weakened, and some got out, can we get in?"

Uxbri says, "A dead Landinger ain't a bad thing."

Uxbri says, "I don't know, Ralchion..."

Gaale asks, "Uxbri. Ralchion had a good point. If they can get out with the seal
weakening. Can a few of us get in?"

Uxbri says, "I would doubt it..."

Uxbri says, "I would tend to guess that the Liches have figured a way to poke a brief hole
in the wards..."

Uxbri says, "But only briefly."

Kayame asks, "I assume that during the recent invasion, they managed to poke a bit of a
hole?"

Uxbri says, "Small hole. Must be resealed, or we wouldn't be sitting here, I reckon."

Deralin says, "Hmmm... this be a very bad matter..."

Uxbri sighs.

Zorkell asks, "What do you think Icemule should do Uxbri? Prepare itself? Find a way to
seal that thar tomb better?"

Uxbri says, "I'd wait. See."

Uxbri says, "You have time, I think."

Uxbri says, "No threats were made."

Uxbri says, "I think that was more a probe."

Uxbri says, "To see if we're still here."

Uxbri says, "We are."

Uxbri asks, "Evil hobbit?"

Gaale asks, "Icemule hears of impending doom... what do we do to help?"

Uxbri smiles.

Uxbri says, "Anyway..."

Uxbri says, "That's my story."

Uxbri shrugs.

Kayame says, "And a good story it was,"

Deralin says, "This is frightening news indedd. Tankas much fer telling, Uxbri."

Uxbri says, "You all have a good night."

Uxbri smiles.