From: ...sage Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [KQ] ...sage : Vandal chasing Keywords: kronquesters Message-ID: <19e9ifINNcbg@huon.itd.adelaide.edu.au> Date: 19 Sep 92 04:16:15 GMT Characters : ...sage, Iglyarch, Quruuminias, [Kron Questers] -=-=-=-=-=-=- Iglyarch had set the culture produced from ...sage's spittle growing in his lab. It would take a while, but there was nothing more he could do to assist in its growth now. "Now to remove the source" mumbled the mage, and sent an imp to ring a bell in ..sage's box in the Dragon's Inn. He then gathered his robes about him and with an evil grin, stepped into his teleport chamber while checking that his wands and rings were in place. -=-=-=-=-=-=- Littlefair was tending bar and idly chatting to some patrons when he felt a 'presence' nearby. With lightening fast reflexes his arm shot out and his hand closed upon the invisible imp that was trying to sneak over the bar to get to ...sage's box. The imp turned visible and squealed. "How did you see me?" "See?" grinned Littlefair. "I smelt you!" and he laughed. "Never mess with an Innkeeper's nose!" "Now STATE YOUR BUSINESS" "I have no time for thieves practising in my establishment!" "Please, ring this bell in the little box" squeaked the imp, pointing to the box that ...sage had left in LittleFair's keep. "Excuse me" said Littlefair to the patron he had been talking to, and lifted the imp up to the box, opening it with the other hand. <> Then Littlefair unceremoniously dumped the imp on the customer side of the bar, and said "Now if you want to order something, do so. Otherwise be on your way." The imp blanched and scurried out of the Inn, dodging legs as he left. -=-=-=-=- <> It is time. ..sage checks the wards that he has cast on himself. Defenses against all known attacks, and probably quite a few unknown. In his pocket, the clay amulet picked up from a moss covered hill outside of Arkham, and by his side, Thk's Trident. He wasn't really sure why he was taking it, but the Illithid seemed scared of it and any help he could get in mustering the mind flayer's aid would be welcome. <> ..sage entered the Ethereal plane right in front of a now-more-alert Quruuminias. "Psionic probing is an area I have not yet mastered" ...sage telepathically told the Illithid as he strove against the invisible bonds that held him, "but neither am I a babe in the woods." "I would like for you to accompany me while I confront an enemy of those of us who pursue knowledge." "Probe, and you will see that you cannot dominate me, but likewise, I would be appreciative if you would assist me in determining any information that you are able about the beast I go to meet." "We will be joined by a fellow scholar in this foray, and you will be released to consider your ways when we have completed this jaunt." Quruuminias felt a small 'suggestion' lodge in the back of his mind, a 'conscience' of sorts as to the best way of using knowledge gained. "The pasty-faced drow is taking no chances, but he is no expert on Illithid mind structures either." "I'll deal with this annoyance later, but for now, I still owe him for righting my mind. I won't suck his brain out this time." Quruuminias nodded and felt the air shift around him, suddenly appearing with ..sage on the roof of the Scrappy Ram. -=-=-=-=-=- Another mage (Iglyarch) stood there and ...sage hastily introduced the two to each other, failing to notice the slight lift of Iglyarch's eyebrow, and the slight creasing of Quruuminias's brow. Signs that should he have seen, might have made ...sage query the wisdom of embarking on such a foray with two such disreputable characters. But he didn't see, his own quest for knowledge blocking out almost all else. "Are we ready?" said Iglyarch. Quruuminias set up psionic defenses, to full.