At the Royal Court

[ Tavarak/Veneron]

Ven looks to Tav who certainly would be better at communicating their needs to the Captain of the Princess' personal guard. Ven notices the captain's strong build and steely glare boring into him and Tav questioningly and he shifts his feet uncomfortably under his gaze.

Tav approaches the knight.  "Good day to you sir.  I am looking for Captain Dennar."

"I am he," says the knight.  His eyes are black as ebony and stare intently at the bard.

Tav looks around quickly and sees that there is no one who might overhear.  "I am Tavarak and this is Veneron.  I have something for the Princess, given to my care by Kalban Nightwalker.  I cannot give it to any hand but hers.  Is there some way we could see her alone for just a few minutes."

Dennar looks at the two from head to toe.  "Alone? No.  Privately, perhaps…. Wait here."  He opens the large door and enters.  A few minutes later her returns.  "She will see you.  Go around the corner and wait in the sitting room.  Use this key to enter the door you will find."

Tav and Ven do as instructed and find themselves opening a door in the side of the building.  Inside is a room appointed with several chairs and a table.  Capt. Dennar stands in front of the door leading from this room further into the building.  In just a few moments, Princess Talis enter the room.  She is a short halfelf at 5'3" and appears to be about 30 years old.  That elven blood is very strong in her, however, is clear, for her eyes have the characteristic common to so many elves.  They are green but flecked with gold, and seem to change color as the light shifts.  She is beautiful and Veneron is thunderstruck. 

He jerks alert after a sharp elbow in the ribs from Tav.  The bard drops to one knee and bows his head.  Veneron does likewise -- she is someone he thought he'd never meet.  The daughter of the king of the land in which he was born.

"Arise, Sir Tavarak and Sir Veneron."  Her voice is a soft soprano.  "You have done us a great favor by returning the son of our Uncle, King Basalt."

"Uncle?!"  thinks Tav.  "Surely this must be a term of affection, not an indication of blood relationship!"

"The Captain tells us you have word from our mentor, Kalban Nightwalker."  Dennar stands to the side of the room and looks to be poised to leap on either Tav or Ven, should they make any threatening move.

"Yes your Highness,"  Tav begins.  He tells her of Kalban's decision to take his family to the Isle of View, but that before he left, he had promised to teach Tavarak how he might use a new level of magic skill, and that Tav had hoped also to use the Royal library to research some things he had found.  He finishes by extending his hand with the gold ring Kalban had given him.

"It is good to hear that he and his are well, and we thank you again for this news.  Of course we shall redeem the pledge of our teacher, Master Nightwalker.  You shall have access to our Library and may use our laboratory.  Captain Dennar will see that you meet Karnak, one of our assistants in the arcane arts.  He can teach you what you need."

Tav is amazed that one so young and beautiful and softspoken could be the powerful mage who also led the MDF, and ruled the country.  But then he thinks of the force of the personality he felt, and he understands.

She turns her gaze to Veneron, whose knees feel rubbery and whose stomach is doing flip-flops.  "And you, Sir Veneron.  Is there some way that we can thank you?"

Oh great gods in Heaven, she's speaking to me!  Ven thinks, panic closing in on him.  "Um, well, but, thank me?" he begins awkwardly.  Settle down!!!! he mentally screams to himself and takes a deep breath before continuing with a bit more composure, though still awed by the princess' beauty.  "I was only too happy to help rescue Prince Gideon.  Actually, I'd rather not have even met the Prince at all, but I am glad to have been of service to you and the throne.  I need no special thanks, you highness, though I would be very excited to have access to your lab and libraries."  And bedchamber! he thinks and shakes his head before continuing.  "You see, I desire to call a familiar before we set out again.  I've known the spell for some time, but the components are hard to come by and very expensive.  Your reputation implies that your labs are well stocked.  I have my share of our reward to offer as payment for the components I need for the casting.  However, I fear that I shall either have to kill all of my friends for their shares or be forced into your debt,"  a few interesting thoughts of how repayment could be worked out cross his mind and Ven struggles to push them aside and continue, "for I don't think my gold will completely cover the cost.  Perhaps we can work out a payment plan?"  Ven is almost overwhelmed by the flurry of salty thoughts that occur to him as potential forms of payment. 

She laughs and Ven thinks about tiny ice crystals falling from trees on a sunny winter day.  Then she looks at him for about 3 seconds.  During that time, Veneron blushes 4 different shades of red.  "We are sorry, but we are not moneylenders.  What we can give, we give.  You may use our laboratory, and we can readily provide almost all of the components for that spell, and the brazier, and the solitude you will need, and some guidance so you do not explode yourself ... But the most important component, you must obtain yourself.  You must find a gem that will be consumed in the calling.  You must find the right gem, and to do that you must have a wide selection."

"You'll probably wind up spending anything from 100 to 1000 gold for it, depending on what you select.  Nobody can tell you what type of gem to pick... you just need to find one that feels right to you.  A gem that you trust to find the right familiar for you.  Do you know a gem merchant you trust?"  Veneron shakes his head 'no'.  "Well then, go and see  Gorlak the Thief.  He's not a real thief, but he is a very good dwarven gem merchant, which is pretty near the same thing.  He is over near their embassy, are you familiar with it?"  Finally Ven gets to say 'yes'.  "Make sure you call him Gorlak the Thief and tell him it's for the Palace.  Then he'll only overcharge you a little."

"As to money...we pay well for special services."  Then she continues before Ven can even form the licentious thought.  "The mage-warriors in our army are paid well.  Captain Dennar can give you information about enrolling in our service, if you are interested."

"The Captain will see that you find those who can help you in the library and the laboratory...But for now, you must excuse us.  As enjoyable as it has been to meet you, we do have other duties which call to us."

Tavarak bows as she turns to leave, elbowing Veneron to break into his reverie, to remind him to do the same.  After the departure of the Princess, the bard turns to the knight, "Sir, I am at your disposal.  If I could, I would go to the laboratory first.  Ven? Are you coming, too -- or do you want to go to the gem merchant first?  Or the libarary?"

[Ven] "Hmmm? Oh, yes, the library. Yes, I'll come with you. I don't have the thousand gold to buy the gem I need. Besides, I think I'd take Avon and Sandros with me to deal with the gem dealer just to make sure I don't get too swindled. So then, Tav, let's go see what we can learn in the royal libraries."

After a few seconds, the Captain laughs and motions for Tav & Ven to follow him. He leads them down one hall after another, until finally they emerge on the other side of the building.  He crosses a green and enters a low building made of stone, with no windows.  There is not another building within 100 ft.  He knocks at the door and motions for them to enter.

Inside is a man wearing a turban with a gold star above his forehead.  The room is full of shelves and on each shelf are bottles and jars and boxes.  One entire wall is lined with large, thick books.  Tav and Ven each explain what they seek.  Tav's goal is to learn a new spell [OOC unfortunately, he didn't say which one before he left ... so we'll leave it vague at this point.]  and Veneron wants the wherewithall to cast Find Familiar.

"You first," the strange wizard points at Veneron.  He scribbles some notes on a piece of paper, folds it carefully and holds it to his forehead.  "In about 2 minutes, a lad named Funken Wagnels will appear at that door.  Go with him and he will help you collect the components you need.  When you have them all and when you have 12 hours to spend on the project, come back."

He turns his attention to the Bard.  He opens a large book.  It is perhaps 4 inches thick and he turns to a page very near the beginning -- "CHAPTER 2, page 21" is written on the bottom corner.  "You have several hours of reading to do.  And then do the exercises at  the end of the chapter.  Come back tomorrow and we will start teaching you to control the spell you want to use.  The next day, you can start to memorize it.  If you haven't killed yourself before then, your learning will be complete.  -- And mark you... DRINK NO WINE OR SPIRITS until then.  One fuzzy headed moment will be your undoing."

Tav bends to his task, and begins to read the book.  Only when he reaches for the book does he think to look where the light came from.  There is a stone cat sitting on the desk, and it's eyes give off light bright enough to illuminate the whole workshop.

All this sounds pretty familiar to Veneron, except the book that HE learned from was not nearly this thick.  His teacher's book only  included 5th level spells.  Ven smiled at the warning.  Typical , he thought, trying to scare the student.  Well.. he wasn't going to tell Tavarak.  There were SOME secrets of the Mage Guild that he'd keep, he chuckled to himself.

In the appointed few minutes, a young boy of perhaps 15 comes to the door.  Karnak gives Veneron the scrap of paper and motions for him to go with the boy.  Ven looks at the paper... indecipherable scribblings -- and gives it to the boy as they walk toward a large storage building.  "Oh," says the boy as he looks at the paper, "Find Familiar eh? ... Well, I can collect all the herbs and such.  Do you have your gem?"

At Veneron's startled expression, he explains.  "You're going to need a gem .."

Ven interrupts.  "I know, I know… the Princess told me and said to see Gorlak the Thief."

"Oh.. well… I will have everything you need when you return."

Well, Veneron thinks, it looks like I'm off to see the thief anyhow. So he sets off toward where the Dwarven bank is, hoping to either withdraw his funds or bump into his companions there. He really would feel more comfortable having Avon with him to make sure he wasn't getting a raw deal.

The bard spends several hours reading the musty old book, finally reaching the end of the section that Karnak had indicated.  This doesnt seem so very hard,  he thought.  I wonder if there's some sort of trick.

He goes over to the wizard and they talk about the material in the tome for a while.  Satisfied, Karnak says, "Come back tomorrow -- early! -- and you'll be able to learn the spell by noon.  Assuming you dont blow yourself up, that is."  And he issues a hearty guffaw.

Going outside, Tav ignores his hunger and leaves to find the weaponmaster.  He wants to learn those agility drills that he'd heard about.  Anything that could improve his footwork in combat was sure to be a plus.  He found the man easily.  The sound of swords pounding on shields was a familiar one to the one-time jousting champion.  Tavarak and the weaponmaster and soon enough Tav was introduced to his "agility teacher."  Before him stood a halfling named Astaire. 

Astaire took the bard thru a series of exercises.  Stepping rapidly in hoops placed on the ground, dancing barefoot on the spaces between closely-spaced swords, and so on.  Then he fenced with Tav with no weapons.  Tav's goal was simply to touch the small fellow.  This proved impossible as Astaire was amazingly nimble.  But then, Tav thought, that's probably why he's the agility instructor.

After working Tavarak until he was too weary to stand, Astaire simply said.  "That's it for today.  You need to do this every day for a week, and then you might have a chance of catching my grandmother."  He pointed the weary bard at the washup rooms where there was a bath with hot water and one with cold.  "And dont forget to eat.  Lots of bread and potatoes and meat -- AND vegetables."  He added, pointing to the mess hall.

Tav fumbled out of his clothes, and nearly fell asleep in the warm bath.  But he managed to get into the cold, and then redressed.  Shambling over to the barracks, he was upset to see that all the items in his pack had been dumped out onto a bed and gone thru.  As far as he could tell, nothing was missing.  Nothing to do about it now, he shrugged to himself.  He put on his spare clean clothes and went out in search of food.  He felt as if he could eat a small ox.

Temple of Illuvitar

[Daggda/Sandros/Avon/Moongloom/JessJazza]

Sandros has still been uncharacteristically quiet all morning, as if he's really concentrating hard at something. Either that, or the halfling's tiriade of words has overloaded his brain, and he's still trying to recover.

Either way, he *does* finally speak up when the blue fellow is seen before them all. "Check THAT out..." he says with a chuckle. "Bet he hasn't been laid in centuries, being THAT blue!" He snickers wildly, then glances at Daggda a moment. "Oops. Sorry." He shrugs apoligetically. "Forgot there was a woman present."  Shrinking back into himself again, apparently he's decided it's best to let the others do any more talking, before he gets into more trouble.

Daggda steps forward, skipping her normally formal tone and sliding into a distinctly dwarven one.  "Well met, Priest of Illuvitar.  I am Daggda Trueforger, Acolyte of Moradin.  We know when the Ceremony starts.  Our friend is ill, and he needs help soon.  I am not close enough to the All-Forger to help him.  Is there anyone in the public chapel or elsewhere here who can help him?"  She stands uncomfortably close to the  cleric, awaiting his response.

The priest opens the door for Moongloom and points him down toward the public chapel, then turns to answer Daggda.  "Welcome, Acolyte of Moradin.  We are always pleased to see our brothers and sisters of the Gods of Men.  I hope you can stay for the Ceremony of Return, for Moradin is among those whose return we anticipate."  He passes over Sandros, who seems healthy if a bit quiet, and looks quickly at Avon, who is dispirited and has a glassy-eyed look.  "Yes, I can see that he is in need indeed.  It would surprise me not if he could find help in the Public Chapel, for there are many of Illuvitar's Clerics there."

Daggda looks at Avon and sees how the Illuvitarian could have come to the conclusion that he was ill.  Instead of going into a long explanation, she simply herds both Avon and Sandros into the Temple and in the direction indicated.  She goes down a short hallway, just a few steps behind Moongloom, the fellow with the powder-blue skin.

JessJazza's grip on her swords handle tightens. She had just been about to whip it out and start practicing, having once again found no peace in meditation. With Illuvitar missing she really needed to lash out and hurt something just to prove that she could do it alone. But the priests words interrupted her violent thoughts. She inhaled sharply at his words and let go of her sword. "Of course Thaert." She replies in what she tries to make a nice voice, but comes out mean and gravelly.

She heads to the public chapel, wondering what exactly the priest meant by 'normal' priests. 'I know I'm different' she thinks 'but I think thats what makes me dangerous. He shouldn't push me.' She tries to smile as she goes to greet the visitors to the chapel. She steps outside and is happy to see Moongloom there. "Hello Moongloom nice to see you here, can I help you find anything?" She asks him with a neutral face.  "I'm JessJazza from the Iron Fist, remember?"

There is a small commotion as a few of the others in the chapel turn to stare at the man with the blue skin.  One child of perhaps 8 squirms out of his mother's grasp and runs over to Moongloom.  "Hey mister... Is that your real skin?"  Then his mother comes over and grabs him.  She apologizes to the mage and drags the squirming boy over to the bench where they had been sitting.

JessJazza turns slightly and greets the 3 who are standing just behind Moongloom.  "Welcome to the Temple of Illuvitar, travelers.  How may we be of help?" 

Moongloom turns to watch as Daggda repeats her greeting, this time indicating that both Avon and Sandros need attention.  As she draws JessJazza aside, she pitches her voice low.  "The halfelf has been charmed by an evil priestess, and our other friend…well, he was infected nearly a week ago by a fell vampire beast."

JessJazza looks concerned,  "I myself cannot cure them, but perhaps…." She looks around the chapel quickly, then crosses to the other side, speaks with another cleric and returns with him.  She stands in front of Avon, looking at his dispirited face, and begins to engage him in small talk to draw his attention away from the other priest.  From behind him, another cleric quickly chants a few words, and then places his hand on Avon's shoulder.  A shudder runs through the thief's body as the charm is dispelled.  As JessJazza sees the light of a clear and normal mind return to Avon's eyes, she interrupts herself.  "… And this is Deacon Jones."  She introduces the cleric behind Avon.  He is a tall man with very dark brown skin.  His head is shaved bald and his face radiates calm and peace.

"I am pleased that I could be of service," he says in a very deep voice.  "But I am less sure that  your other friend's problem can be resolved as easily…. I am well versed in the healing skills and spells, but I have never seen a case of vampirism cured here.  Perhaps if it had happened only a day ago… but after so much time.  I am afraid that I can offer little hope."

He speaks to Daggda, as if Sandros were inanimate, "Is he dangerous in any way?  Do you have difficulty controlling him?’

"But I am less sure that your other friend's problem can be resolved as easily…. I am well versed in the healing skills and spells, but I have never seen a case of vampirism cured here. Perhaps if it had happened only a day ago… but after so much time. I am afraid that I can offer little hope."

He speaks to Daggda, as if Sandros were inanimate, "Is he dangerous in any way? Do you have difficulty controlling him?’

JessJazza is a bit surprised at the ease with which Jones casts the spell.  She had not tried any spells since she felt the absence of Illuvitar, and seeing how calm Jones was with tapping into that reservoir of energy makes her feel a lot better about the "Return" that the Temple Lords have predicted.

[Daggda]
The dwarf opens her mouth to attempt an earnest answer, but is drowned out by the semi-hysterical Sandros and the strange blue man. She stares in wonder at them, then draws the priest aside as they introduce one another. Maintaining her formal tone, she addresses him.

"Thank you, Deacon Jones. You have healed one of our friends, which is more than I could do. To answer you question, no, there is no difficulty controlling him, but he is starting to feel the effects of vampirism take hold. I know nothing of this sorcerous disease. Do you know anybody in Squarento who could cure him? If not, do you know of anything I can do to make his journey easier or slow down the diease, as I would take him to see the lizard witch that he speaks of."


Sandros' face drops, his hopes at an easy solution fleeing with the priest's words. He sighs deeply, but stays quiet. At least for the
moment...

Sandros got an evil grin on his face, and holding his hands in front of his mouth with index fingers thrust forward as false fangs, he
hisses, "Controlling me? Not at all..." He hisses some more, but then can't stand it any more and breaks out laughing.

Sensing quickly that no one else is nearly as amused as he is, his laughs slowly halt, and wiping his tear-filled eyes and catching his
breath, he shrugs. "Sorry about that...I'm trying to keep good humor over the whole thing, ya know." He grins.

"Is there perhaps a way to at least slow the process? We have word that a certain Sissilsissilick or something like that can help me.
She's a lizard woman, with magical powers. At least that's how I remember it..." he frowns. "But then, maybe this vampirism has set in so deeply now that I'm completely losing my mind."

Sighing, he almost seems to lose interest in the whole thing all of a sudden, and those close by can hear him mutter something like, "I bet VEN has found himself a nice lookin' wench by now...I should have went with him after all..."

Moongloom looks at the cleric with twisted eyebrows, "Perhaps this is none of my business, but maybe, good priest, you could talk about the man as if he were here? I know Moongloom would be upset if you were to talk about him as if he were not here. I know a little about vampires, was anybody able to kill the creature that infected you good sir?" he asks, then suddenly slaps his forehead, "Forgive me! I am Moongloom, and you sir are?"

Sandros snaps out of his reverie, and replies, "My name is Sandros Bloodworth. Entertainer Extraordinaire." He bows low. "Although, of late, it's been more beating people up with blades the entertaining, I think."

Trying his best not to be intimidated by the mountain of a priest named Jones that sits nearby (man, bet that guy would be pretty good in a game of pigskins), Sandros answers Moonglum's question. "Yes, the bugbear was slain. But I don't think it helped any. Already, I find myself dreaming of blood, and I fear before long I'll be pokin' holes in necks everywhere I go." He shrugged.

"So what's up with the blue skin? You're not a vampire too, are ya?"

Avon turns to Sandros, "No, you've got it wrong.  It was the bugbear young'uns that bit your neck.  That's where you got infected, I think.  And we never did catch them, let alone kill'em.  Remember?"

"No, Vlad..err Sandros, I'm not, I'm what they call stupid." Moongloom grins widely, "I'll tell you the story sometime," he waves his fingers and a string of garlic cloves appears in a puff of smoke, he quickly puts them around his neck like a neckalce, "So a bugbear did this to you? Wow, I'd always heard it was large moving globs of gelatin that turned people into vampires, hmm, guess it just shows to go ya." He smiles again,then suddenly looks as if something just occurred to him, "Umm, my blood is blue and non-human too, just so you know."

"Hmmm...and I've heard that the blood of Illuvitars priests burns like fire when vampires try to suck it." JessJazza says quickly, wondering if there is some sort of peaceful serene thing she should be saying with all the talk of vampires and all that.

"Maybe he should try it on a Illuvitar priestess and find out," Daggda blurts out sharply. Having learned all she could from Deacon Jones, she thanks him profusely. Daggda walks over to the others using a nasty-looking pick as a walking stick. Her travel-worn cloak and clothes of dark brown and ochre red are strangely matched to the spatters of mud and dark blood on them. Atop her dirty chainmail, the symbol of an silver hammer superimposed onto a black iron anvil glitters as though new. The dwarf's ruddy-brown face is unusually fair, even somewhat beautiful, and a thin but well-groomed beard frames glittering coal-black eyes. As she rejoins the conversation, even her companions note that the acolyte of Moradin is a strangely capitivating sight. She stops halfway in front of Sandros in a decidedly defensive posture.
 
JessJazzas lips peel back from her mouth in an expression that is half a smile, half a sneer, and entirely unattractive. She doesn't say anything at first, but just stares at the dwarf and the supposed vampire. The implication is clear - 'anytime you wanna try, just let me know.' The elf is one of the shortest of her kind around, being just barely over four feet tall. She wears all black clothes and all black chain mail with Illuvitars symbol in red on her chest. The shield on her back is entirely black with the red symbol of Illuvitar once again prominently displayed. Her hair is cut roughly and is chin length, pulled back behind her ears to keep it out of her eyes

Daggda smiles calmly at the blue-skinned creature as if not the least bit surprised or curious about his race or skin color. Of course, what the others did not know was that when it came to sorcerors of any sort, which this Moongloom must obviously be, nothing surprised a dwarf. The only surprise was at her own behavior- that she did not automatically suspect this wizard of dark motives or back-handed schemes. She realized she probably had her shield-brother Veneron and his noble character to thank for that. "Well met, Moongloom. I apologize for my earlier urgency- I did not introduce myself properly, and then did not even receive your name. I am Daggda Trueforger, Daul of Grim, Blood of Hizak, Ward of Teiwaz, Acolyte of Moradin the All-Forger, Pledged to King Basalt IV, of the Underhome in the Great Rift." She takes a breath and continues. "If you know anything about vampires, we would be grateful for your help. It looks as though we must leave Squarento tomorrow to heal Sandros Bloodworth." She mentally notes the irony in her friend's last name.

Turning to JessJazza, she looks the elf up and down critically. "I did not receive your name either. You are strange for a priest of Illuvitar- are you a soldier or mercenary of some sort?" she asks bluntly. She glances at Moongloom, then back at JessJazza as if to telegraph some implication, then gives a light snort. "Maybe we should be going to the Ceremony of Return soon?" she asks in a less stern voice.

"JessJazza." The elf says in a voice that seems to begging the dwarf to mock it and see what happens. "The Ceremony actually hasn't begun yet you still have a little while. Mercenary I may be, but I don't think you can meet my price." She says as if referring to a private joke, making it obvious that she doesn't mean she's a mercenary in the convential sense of the word.

Khoprith, not a big fan of being awake to begin with, trudged into the public temple of Illuvitar. She began her devotions quietly enough, but her attention was drawn by the others in the building...

And there was that big blue guy again. So she hadn't been imagining him. She thought for a moment, then climbed to her feet and meandered over in their general direction, coughing a little to get their attention and calling, "Moongloom. Hey."

She was cleaner than last night, having bathed, and her hair was knotted off of her face.

Deacon Jones watching all this wrinkles his nose and takes a sniff of the air.  "Curious...very real looking but no smell." He extends a hand and reaches to touch the garlic necklace.  As he touches them...*poof*.  He laughs.  "A very clever illusion.. very clever indeed."  Then he turns to Sandros.  "I apologize for speaking to your associate about you earlier... but you seemed to be so withdrawn and quiet... To answer your question, I know of no way to halt the disease or slow its course.  I am truly sorry.  But it is obvious that, despite whatever dreams you may have, it has not begun to affect you completely, yet.  You walked here, thru the sunshine, did you not?  That will become impossible for you, when ..er.. well.. later on.  The sunlight will burn your skin like acid.   I am sorry that we cannot help you."

"I can offer you this hope, however.  You are not going to become a mindless beast who will turn on his friends.  You now eat meat, just as everyone else does, correct?  And yet, when you are hungry are your friends in danger that you will slice them up for stew?  No.  And it will be the same when you become fully infected.  Your life will change and your diet will change even more.  But you will still have the ability to choose what you do."

Sandros mulls this concept over for a moment. Would being a vampire be all so bad, then? Think of all the fun he could have...and what it would be like to use that power to kill the man he hated the most. To tear out his throat like a wild beast and make him pay for all the evil he had done to his family...that would be one hell of a way to get his revenge.

Sighing, he knew that he could never live like that. Not for long, anyway. Feeding on the living, just to gain a little more supernatural power... He shakes his head. No. Best to end things somehow, before they ever got that far.

The priest thinks a moment. "Lizard woman? OH! You mean Sessassithsuss, the witch. Yes, she is said to have some sort of skill -- mostly with potions and such. I do not think it will help you much, truth be told, but it certainly will not hurt you either. Assuming you can find her, for she lives in the middle of a great swamp, and you will have to pass thru the army outside the walls to get there. But frankly, were I in your situation.... I would go."

Sandros grumbles at the words of the priest, knowing that what he has said is probably true. Awful dangerous, going back through that army, into the swamps...all for what will probably be a false hope to begin with. But it was that, or soon change into a terrible monster that would live off the blood of the living. Even if he tried to only feed on those who were evil, it would be a horrible thing he was doing, that
was certain.

But then, Boy Blue (as Sandros was already thinking of Moongloom) mentions again the possibility of slaying those who had bitten him to begin with, after Avon pointed out that it was the younger bugbears
that had done the deed. He shuddered thinking about returning to that place; but it might be a better hope then traipsing through the swamp in search of a lizard woman. But even then it would require leaving Squarento's walls and going through those damned armys again. He sighs.

"You really think if I hunt down those that infected me...that it might end it? Truly?" He frowns. It was seeming more and more to him that he might be best just disappearing soon; leave his friends, so they
didn't have to face the dangers he knew he would have to face. They'd probably be pretty aggravated with him, but what could he do?

He would have to think this one over. A lot. For a while. And decide what he would do before the others got some crazy ideas of their own.

He had time. He hoped. Really, really hoped.

"Well, let's go see the show, eh? Not much else to talk about over my condition." About that time, Blue Boy introduces another woman to the group, and in doing so, names him as a vampire.

Grimacing, Sandros gives the newcomer a weak smile. "Uhh...hi. Yes, I'm Sandros. But I'm not quite a vampire yet. Just getting that way slowly but surely, you see." He shrugs, and gives a half-hearted chuckle. "Good to meet you, Miss."

Moongloom's eyes widen, he whispers to Sandros, "My apologies, friend, once again my tongue has gotten the best of me, we were just discussing it so openly, I did not think before I spoke. I will not slip up so again." He truly looks meek, though the expression seems to fit his face like a wrongly sized tunic.

Koprith nodded. "Call me Koprith, and after meeting him," she indicated Moongloom, "I'm not surprised by
anything anymore." She looked about the gathered group. "Nice to meet all of you."

"Uh, likewise." JessJazza says, eyeing everyone carefully and wondering what is going on with the strange little gathering. "You wouldn't need any help going to find the lizardwoman perchance, would you?" She asks, smelling a quest she can throw herself into and already working on her speech to her superiors about why she needs to go.

Daggda smiles calmly at the blue-skinned creature as if not the least bit surprised or curious about his race or skin color. Of course, what the others did not know was that when it came to sorcerors of any sort, which this Moongloom must obviously be, nothing surprised a dwarf. The only surprise was at her own behavior- that she did not automatically suspect this wizard of dark motives or back-handed schemes. She realized she probably had her shield-brother Veneron and his noble character to thank for that. "Well met, Moongloom. I apologize for my earlier urgency- I did not introduce myself properly, and then did not even receive your name. I am Daggda Trueforger, Daul of Grim, Blood of Hizak, Ward of Teiwaz, Acolyte of Moradin the All-Forger, Pledged to King Basalt IV, of the Underhome in the Great Rift." She takes a breath and continues. "If you know anything about vampires, we would be grateful for your help. It looks as though we must leave Squarento tomorrow to heal Sandros Bloodworth." She mentally notes the irony in her friend's last name.

Moongloom looks at the dwarf and blinks, "Good name.....really good name." he seems lost in thought for a second and mumbles a bit under his breath, then shakes his head "I have heard that killing whatever infected you will cure vampirism--or is that mad cow disease? No, no, those are already dead--so it's worth a shot if you know where they are at."

Avon is truly embarrassed by the blue figure he has to accept as a member of the "group". When they are in public he tries to fall behind the rest of his companions so no one would actually associate him with this... freak. . A deranged woman with big breasts who undresses in public he could live with, but this is where he has to draw the line.

The news that he has to go back out again isn't making him very happy either. And if it wasn't bad enough he had to go back their with the possibility of seeing more vampires. All the heroism from some time back at the ridge is gone. He shivers at the idea of walking up to his knees in cold black ooze. And for what? To save this guy from not becoming a vampire. One of the same people that were responsible for killing Her. Why should he?

Then Avon shakes his head at himself.  "HER"… pfui!  He could see Wairith for what she was now.  The others in the group had been right about this at least.  She HAD put some sort of spell on him, and he was glad it was gone.  It frightened him that a spell like that could bend his mind so completely.

He looks at the group and sighs heavily. Than he shrugs. Bored with the conversations he wonders off to see if he can find anything of value lying around.

And there is indeed much of value here in the Temple.  There are golden plates decorating the wall, and over one of the archways, are two crossed swords.  The pommel of each of the swords is encrusted with jewels, and Avon spends many minutes looking at the jewels and thinking what he could do with that much money.

Koprith, not a big fan of being awake to begin with, trudged into the public temple of Illuvitar. She began her devotions quietly enough, but her attention was drawn by the others in the building...

And there was that big blue guy again. So she hadn't been imagining him. She thought for a moment, then climbed to her feet and meandered over in their general direction, coughing a little to get their attention and calling, "Moongloom. Hey."

She was cleaner than last night, having bathed, and her hair was knotted off of her face.

Moongloom looks up curiously and sees her, "Ahh, Koprith. Well met! Everyone, this is my good friend Koprith that I just met last night." he smiles, "Koprith this is Sandros the vampire and Daggda who's name is too long for me to remember."

They filed into the main part of the temple.  There were flowers and garlands everywhere.  Tables along the walls were covered with ripe fruits and vegetables.  Over on one side were several farm animals -- from the look of them, they were all pregnant.  There were several rows filled with only pregnant women.  Moongloom gaped at them---in all his time, he'd never seen so many ..uhh.. beings all seemingly ready to bear offspring at the same place before.  That would be the Deltaran influence, he suspected.  "Goddess of Birth and Death," he thought, "At least there are no dead bodies."

JessJazza like all the clerics who were visiting and not permanent members of the Temple's team of priests, was to stand in the main aisle and comfort the people who were coming in.  "Pat them all on the head, and say everything is just fine."  That's what old Thaert had said.  "And no matter what happens, look positive at the end." 

That thought had troubled her.. the "no matter what happens" part had made it seem that he did not believe that something good would happen.

But… perhaps something good WOULD happen.  So she stood in the aisle, next to the party she had just been talking with.  They filed in and sat.  Moongloom, then Koprith, Avon, Sandros, with Daggda sitting on the aisle.

The High Lord, Priest Gantris comes out from one side of the raised platform at the front of the temple, and First Daughter Fridan, the Deltaran enters from the left.  They face the large window at the front of the temple, and wait.   In a few minutes, a large bell at the back of the temple is struck, and everybody jumps at the sudden, deep *BONG*.   The Priest Lord and First Daughter begin to chant something… unintelligible to all except JessJazza -- and she only understands the Illuvitarian cant.  The other priests, on the platform and throughout the temple join in the familiar prayer.  It is a simple one, usually repeated mentally during one's personal morning ritual.  The Deltaran daughters were also praying out loud in their own language. 

This continues, and nearly every private prayer JessJazza was taught since she was a little girl is repeated.  Finally, after nearly half an hour, all are done, and the large bell is struck again.  The Priest Lord and First Daughter turn to face each other.  They look at each other for a second then hug each other and turn to the crowd… "THEY ARE RETURNED"  the two shout.  "THE GODS HAVE RETURNED." 

There is a beat of silence, and then all the priests and priestesses become full of smiles and begin to take up the chant.

Daggda is perplexed… she feels no change.  There is still that empty place in her soul that Moradin had filled.  JessJazza, too, has detected nothing different.  Illuvitar is still not with her personally.  JessJazza catches the eye of the dwarven Acolyte.  Daggda looks back with a blank, non-comprehending expression.  JessJazza give a tiny shake of her head "no" .. but then turns to the other common folk who are crowding around excitedly.  She cant quite bring herself to lie, but she does tell them that everything will be all right.  That's not lie… it's more of an expression of hope.

After a few minutes of this, music begins, and the sinuous dancing of the Deltaran Maidens fills the stage.   Everyone sits and watches the performance, and certainly most of the men are not thinking any sort of holy thought at all.  Moongloom, Sandros and Avon are pretty sure how this particular dance relates to birth and death.  It is very suggestive.  Then the music stops, and the dancers run off stage.

After the dance, the music continues, and the side doors are thrown open.  Outside on the Temple grounds are several large tables filled with food and drink of all types. 

The bells sounds a final time, and the senior priests and priestesses indicate that the Ceremony of Return is finished. 

The common folk are pleased and happy.  They are reassured, to judge by their overheard comments.  And the throng moves outdoors to begin enjoying the feast.

JessJazza grabs one of the senior priests as he moves by.  She has a concerned look, but he is all smiles.  "All in good time, sister," he says in the private language of Illuvitarians.  "He has not left fully, and we must not alarm His children."

"Bullshit." JessJazza says in Common, as there is no such word in Illuvitars holy language. She shakes her head at the older priest and walks back to find the vampire Sandros.

Although the idea of some one messing with his mind frightened him, after a while the fear transformed to anger. He was mad at this woman that she messed around with his thoughts. He was mad at himself for letting himself be charmed, mad because he was not able to resist the spell. He was mad at the group for not helping him, although he knew that indeed they tried to help him. But most
of all he was mad because it took away the fear.

Then he starts concentrating on the treasures that surround him. That was always a good way to relax. He could dream away, filled with the illusion of what could be.

Avon has a hard time controling himself during the prayers. After a few minutes of silence he tries to whisper something Sandros but comes to the conclusion it is better to not say anything. Carefully he examines the people surrounding him but ends up pulling funny faces in the general direction of Sandros and Daggda. But during the meal he amuses himself. And wonders what all the confusion about the gods is about, but ignores it all the same.

Koprith watched the proceedings with a mixture of interest and incredulity. It had truly been a long time since she had been to any kind of religious service, and those she was used to were either quick prayers over the heads of soldiers, or lengthy bouts of meditation. Temple dancers and lengthy public prayers were a new addition to the regimen.

She glanced about as the common folk left, one hand resting on her sword, then muttered a quick prayer to Illuvitar in elven. It was a soldiers prayer, and there were a few questionable words, but the intent was clear. She dedicated herself to Illuvitar's cause, and to the protection of the people.

She looked about at her newfound companions again. "So...what now?"

The dwarf chuckles. "Now we get ready to leave Squarento, probably  tomorrow night if we can gather the others. Then we just have to face Velluth's army, vampiric bugbears, and slog through a swamp, all without the watchful eye of the gods-" Daggda stops herself.
She eyes JessJazza sternly. "If you'd like to help our friend Sandros, ask him. These are my samman, and I promised Sandros to cure him before he was my shield-brother." She spins around towards the others. "I must be off to the dwarven embassy- I believe the bank is on the way there, Avon. Where is that amusing little halfling anyway, when one needs a proper guide?" Daggda shakes her head. "Ah, no matter. If anyone would like to go with me to the embassy, fine. If not, I shall see you in the barracks by the morn."

Making a quick holy gesture with her right fist, she spins on her heel and marches out of the Temple of Illuvitar.

Avon shrugs and follows the dwarf.

Moongloom smiles and says to Sandros, "I for one, will be happy to help you in any way I can. I've wanted to travel for quite some time now, and would be honored if you'd allow me along. If for no other reason than to help you get your mind on more than the blood running through those dancer's veins, if you get my meaning. " He winks conspiratorily at Sandros.

[JessJazza]
The short elf walks up to the one called Sandros she glances back from him, Moongloom, the dancers, then back at him. "Yeah, this really isn't the place for me. I love Illuvitar and all that, but I'm not a person who likes sitting around praying." She shrugs. "You'll probably hate me after a couple weeks but I think I can help you. If you'll have me along." She lets the unspoken question hang in the air.

[Koprith]
The other elf glances about, then touches her army tattoo lightly. She frowns a little, then nods in the direction of the priests. Shuffling over a little, she slung an arm about Moongloom's shoulders. "If you need an extra sword, I'm in. Never got a shot at a vampiric bugbear before..."

Sandros eyes all three of them, a bit stunned that any of them would even suggest tagging along for such an insane excursion. Hells, he wasn't even sure HE wanted to go, yet.

But he is touched by the determination his dwarven comrade was showing, and how she seemed very sincere in calling him one of her Shield- brothers, or whatever term it was she liked to use. Maybe he wasn't quite so worthless after all. And if these people could help him, he'd do everything in his power to help them in return. Especially if that meant bringing Velluth down from his lofty perch to be fed on by the rest of the wolves.

It would be good to have some company, someone other then Ven to talk to. Tav was too...too noble, perhaps? He was hard to approach. And Andrew was an elf, and a druid elf even more. Nobody could understand what they were thinking, ever. Daggda was an amazing woman, especially for a dwarf...but he still felt like he was beneath her worth, and he couldn't see being best buddies with her, either.

And Avon...he was Avon, pure and simple. No one could truly be that fellow's friend. Just another step on the ladder leading to gold and glory, is all Sandros would be for him. Or, if you listened to Avon's rants, Sandros was just another rut in the road to go around.
So, a blue mage, and two women, both who seemed friendly enough. Sure, neither one had the looks of Myr. But they WERE women...and women that didn't have beards, even. Could be entertaining, if they didn't kill him first.

All these things flash through Sandros mind in a blink of an eye, and bowing his head meekly, he says, "I thank all three of you for such kind offers. I hope you realize just how dangerous it may be traveling with us; frankly, I'm surprised any of us survived this long." He grins. "But I would be glad to have any one of you with us when we DO head out on our journey...that is, as long as the rest of my friends don't mind, of course. Not like I'm the leader of this group, ya know..." he shrugs, looking a bit sheepish.

Sandros reaches up to scratch absently at his tattooed cheek, and sighs. "Hope none of you regret this offer, later. I truly do." After speaking to them, and when Daggda declares she is leaving, Sandros declines going with her. It was time to go find Ven, or maybe
just get some sleep. He felt so tired, for some strange reason...

"Hey, I thought you were going to find a cure for your...umm....a cure." JessJazza says. "So isn't it your call if anyone else comes along? Anyways thanks, I'm ready for craziness, you can find me here when you guys leave."

Sandros chuckles, and says, "You make it sound like I have crotchrot or something." He grins.

JessJazza holds a hand up in Sandros direction. "Woah there, buddy! I know it can get lonely on the trail but I don't need to know these things."

She's right, though, Sandros thinks to himself. It's my butt on the line, so I should be able to take whoever I want to with me. Heck, for that
matter, maybe I could leave Avon here so I don't have to listen to his constant whining...

Avon is already heading towards the exit and turns around with a bewildered look on his face. "Listen," he says, "don't get any funny
ideas. You are right when you say you are not our leader." His posture becomes aggressive. "And you are certainly not my leader. I haven't even a clue why I am doing this. Joining you on this doomed quest." He sighs and takes a more friendly approach, "And please stop being so insecure, stand for what you believe in, that's the least you can do."

He mumbles some curses as he turns around again and starts heading for the exit, throwing his arms in the air in disbelieve and
frustration. "Hey, where is that stupid dwarf gone to?"

Sandros grins weakly feeling a bit guilty for thinking such thoughts just when Avon made it so clear that he had no real power over him anyway. "Don't worry Avon, I won't try and boss YOU around."

Once the thief had wandered off, he added with a whisper, "Not like you ever listen to ANY of us anyway..."

Moongloom clears his throat and says, "Well, hopefully your other friends are a little more welcoming, or I may have to cast spells on them all just so we can travel with you" he looks very grim and serious about the whole thing,then suddenly bursts into a wide grin. "Come Sandros, I would not cast a spell on anybody I called friend, unless it was a beneficial one.
Besdies, it's against the wizard's code." he says, putting an arm around Sandros' shoulder, "So, where to next? I'm fairly new to the town and have nothing to do until we leave..."

[Daggda]
"Good day, Sandros. We'll see you this evening in the barracks, after you've rested a bit." Daggda turns and walks down the street, Avon and JessJazza following behind. 

Sandros, Moongloom and Koprith are still standing a few feet behind the group headed toward the bank/embassy.

City Streets

[Andrew]

 Andrew's tiredness and sick looks disappear in the rush of words Bartriba delivers. What wonderous news!!! And to actually cast a spell and feel the magic ofthe godess flowing through his veins again(and put a bee in velluth's bonnet LOL haha). Giving Bartriba a solid hug and a kiss on the cheek Andrew feels as though he could fly at the moment. "I should have known better and don't worry all I'll tell anyone isthat I know for a fact that the god's haven't left."

Nodding at the logic of Featherbrain's words Andrew agrees with the need for a balance between good and evil and not a dominance of one. He also agrees that those words might cause an unrest between everyone else and the druids.

"You can imagine the weight that you've lifted with your words. If there is anything more I can do to help while we are in town just say the word. And say hello to Bubbles for me, I'm not too sure how long we'll be in town or when I'll get the chance to see him. As for your questions: One - The prince isn't an imbecile but it's easy to see how he comes off that way. He's a pompous, overblown, high and mighty noble who thinks he's better than everyone else.

"Don't know if being a fool is better or worse than being an imbecile,"  mutters Bartriba

"Two - The son of autumnleaf or Avon as we know him and this key.....If he knows himself he's not saying so I know about as much as you. The first I heard of it was just yesterday. By the Godess I've been up for sooo long. I think I can sleep easy now that I know the truth."

All the energy seems to run its course at one time and Andrew looks tired once more - but not nearly so haggard. "If you're headed back that way would you share the walk back to the barracks with me and tell me of the seige so far?" Huge yawn...."With all this excitement I seem to have forgotten to sleep last night and it sure is catching up."

They begin to walk back to the Palace grounds in the hours just after sunrise.  "Seige?"  Bartriba laughs.  "It is hardly that, although there is a large army camped out there, it only blocks the eastern exit to the city.  He is unable to cross the Rangithael to the north and so just sits there.  Roads to the North and West are still open and so are the sea-lanes.  It is puzzling, however.  There seems to be no point to it, save to keep the MDF, Princess Talis and her allies occupied here.  If that is its goal, it succeeds. -- But it provides only a minimal bother to the city.

"The King's cousin, the Duke of Tirion is loyal and is being reinforced by  men from the Westron Hills.  They are half-giants, you know, and are powerful fighters.  Everyone feels that is where the real danger lies… from the Mark of Maendir to the North… Not from his witless pawn Velluth."

"Your group came in with the Prince, did you not?  Do you plan to travel with them again?"
They talk back and forth and soon find themselves in front of the large gate to the Palace Courtyard.

"Do you have other business in the city?  Where will you be going next ?  For if you plan to venture out to the east, I would ask that you visit some of the paths I would normally take -- I have been too long away, and it will be some time yet before I can return to the woods and swamps I love."