Date: Thursday, 24 Sep 1992 13:17:44 EDT From: Mike Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Message-ID: <92268.131745344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [DQ] Week 9: Mysterious Meeting [ADMIN: Thanks to Cameron and Stephen for adding to and helping with this post, and to The Dreamer for the interesting if all-too-brief crossover!] When last we left the DQers, ShockWave had calmed down from seeing Alita as some sort of demon in time to see one Lifilis Kloots unable to help them. ShockWave watched Kloote leave, disheartened at the failed attempt and realizing that trying to convince Kloot to wait a bit longer for a better picture would be worthless. After a brief period of heavy silence, 'Raelf proclaimed "Well, I'll go fetch Alita, and we can talk about what to do today." He then walked out the door and jumped onto his board. Valgar: "In the meanwhile, we can distribute the wealth. Starting with the money. I say to split it into a share for each of us, including one for Kadrys in case he returns." The others complied after a time. All attempts at self-deprivation and guesses at how much money the currently missing members might want and/or need were denied in favor of the strong bond between the group that equal shares well represented. ShockWave: "But what about the sword and the ring? I'm definitely covered for the former, and 'Raelf obviously didn't want them, but how about the rest of you?" Lancos: "I want nothing to do with either of them. I'd prefer to stick with my own blades, partially due to familiarity. And even though being invisible might diminish 'Raelf's needless worries about me, I also don't want him to think I'm a hoarder. Therefore, I think they should go to Valgar and William. It was quickly and unanimously agreed to. After the distribution was complete, the conversation died down until... 'Raelf returned to the Inn, strangely alone. "Dudes, she's not there. She left a note." There was a collective groan after what the last note had held. "It's not bad. She just mentioned something about trying to prove her worth to the party. She said she'd meet us tonight at the cave Valgar's book mentioned." ShockWave: "The cave? Can we get there?" "Sure, by now. Let me get out the map.", Valgar said as he began taking his backpack off and preparing to dig through it. Lancos: "Don't bother. Even if 'Raelf somehow didn't make a copy, I've got our route memorized." 'Raelf grinned - of course he had. But he had recorded appropriate parts from the Book anyway - noting, in passing, that it had some kind of vestigal dweomer on it. Maybe because of the contact with more magical tomes in the bookstore? 'Interesting,' William thought to himself. "if Fate is kind, the cave will contain clay I can use, and that will be my SECOND prize today. I'm glad I'm around them right now.' Then aloud, "But TONIGHT! That gives us some time." 'Raelf shrugged. "Not as much as I'd hoped. I wanted to go there ASAP. See, despite Kadrys' very valid objections, I dislike going into the place controlled by a Wamp-Ire AT NIGHT. Even Kadrys has some discomfort in the daytime. A lesser Vamp is likely to have problems. 'Course, since the book talks about a gateway to a shadow realm, it might be impossible to get there by the usual routes in daytime. But I bet I could do it." Lancos pondered for a moment. "So do you think you could get US there? Is there any advantage to going there early, if it's in a shadow realm anyway? And if we do go early, will we miss Alita?" 'Raelf pondered in turn. "I don't know if I could get the rest of you there, but I think so - it might be harder to get OUT, but I think we could use the Gateway effect to accomplish it. I'd like to scope out the real-world side of the place out, before going into the shadow-side. And Alita said she'd meet us there, she didn't say to wait until she was there and then go. How long do y'all expect it to take, getting there on foot?" "Hard to pinpoint. I guess it's good to follow the Bulletin Board's advice about leaving early for our appointment. But first things first, and it looks like that first thing is coming now..." Lancos concludes as: >Luthor picked up his Catamount Gold and walked to Lancos and some >other gentlemen that he did not know. Luthor questioned Lancos about Kadrys, and Lancos told about the vampire's strange disappearance. >Luthor: "...Well, at least I can settle things with SunStorm. What say you >SunStorm, I have been away for two months by my counting. At this time I >offer to return you to your normal size if you wish... as long as you >promise not to yell so much in the future..." Valgar thought to himself 'Two MONTHS? Two days is more like it.' Lancos corrected Luthor about the current controller of SunStorm's body, briefly recapping recent events. >"Well, it seems that I went adventuring and all of you at the Inn had all >the excitement" Luthor chuckled light-heartedly. Akward stares from the group showed Luthor that "excitement" was not necessarily a good thing in the DQers' eyes. >Luthor : "Well, the offer still stands SunStorm or whoever you are, I >will return you to normal size if you wish." ShockWave: "Well, I can't truly speak for SunStorm. I can only guess and give my opinion." [ADMIN: Note the ambiguity here. It's Patrick's character, and up to him whether SunStorm (and, indirectly, ShockWave) return to their normal size.] After the situation was dealt with, the DQers wished Luthor well. They watched as he helped up another man and closed a dimensional portal. ShockWave: "That man's magics are intriguing, even if nothing else. That reminds me, William, I meant to ask how you turned the sculpture silver." William: "Well, ... ummmm ... I get a little bit ... *charged* in the morning around here, .. there's something strange about this place. It's a simple enough spell, .." He mutters briefly and the sculpture turns, green, then red, ... he chuckles slightly ... then pink with blue stripes and green polka dots ... 'Raelf groans at the completely fashion statement ... then back to the silver grey. "It's just gone off a bit recently ... A few days ago I woke up with purple eys! Hahaa .. o! hmmm. The laughter stops abruptly as he realizes no one else thought it funny. "I can do much more interesting things than that!". Another few words and the dragon takes off, flaps its wings, and charges off wailing at Kloote, who doesn't notice it, burning small holes in his clothing with its fearsome, albeit miniature, breath. [ADMIN from Cameron: This is of course illusionary, WIlliam wouldn't dare to actually _damage_ Kloote's clothing. ADMIN from me: This obviously occurs before Kloote leaves.] "Pity I can't do anything _useful_ with it!" Valgar chuckled: "What, you're like Lancos except not really an illusionist?" Lancos: "Instead of reacting to that, I'll try to handle 'Raelf's concerns. To tell you the truth, I'm torn between being appreciate at the attention --albeit basically unnecessary-- and mildly angered that you don't seem to think I can take care of my own problems. It's ture that I don't know the full story behind the medallion. But I know enough to confidently handle what I feel is solely my situation. I prefer to keep it a relatively private matter, but there ARE those that know more and seem to worry less. 'Raelf: "But why do you wear it all the time now?" There was a noticable pause, as Lancos appeared to have a bit of trouble responding to the query. "Why now? Well, it's a bit embarrassing. Two times recently I've been attacked by Krastin without it originally on. It was only through a combination of being lucky enough to find time to use its powers added to my own skill and luck that's kept me alive. I'm not going to take a third chance at disappointing my side by not being able to give my best effort at any time." Soon afterwards the party agreed to leave. The trip to the cave was a relatively quiet one, considering most of the useful conversation had previously occurred. Lancos lived up to his words by leading the group as quickly as possible to the meeting place. The party was eager to find what the cave --and Alita-- had in store for them. However, they never expected to see what they saw... [ADMIN: To be continued, hopefully (?) by a returning Patrick.] ======================================================================== Michael Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu AKA Lancos Erredan SAQ: "Don't you hate when they say 'To be continued'?"-Seinfield, (paraphased?) from last night's show.