Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Darren]

Dec 23, 2015 15:26:32 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Dec 22, 2015 22:50:07 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

"Some light would be welcome. But, that would probably bring all the spirits of this realm right to us. Yet, I don't see a choice, if we want to be able to see where we are going. Not to mention the disadvantage we'll be at in this gloom." Shorak says with a slight frown. He continues to follow Condign, keeping a lookout for their enemies and making sure the swirling vortices are still in sight.

"I can create light as well if that is desired." Adamant says touching the Delver's Light on mounted on his shoulder, "Either full daylight or torchlight."

---

Not sure that Adamant is aware of the figure on the bridge, what with being at the end of a 6+dog line.

"No light," Kal says. "Not yet." Noticing that Shorak has stopped, Kal steps forward to stand next to the drow. "What is it?"

[Brian]

"There is a stony ledge that overhangs a bridge to the north," Condign whispers to Kal. "Somebody is standing on it. He appears to be wearing a robe, and he is carrying a staff. He is not moving. If I had to guess, I would say he is guarding."

[Darren]

"Let's try to avoid any fights if we can," Kal responds. "Can we go around?"

[Dave B.]

Dec 23, 2015 17:07:37 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Let's try to avoid any fights if we can," Kal responds. "Can we go around?"

"i agree with avoiding fights." Shorak says. Pointing to the west, where the wider path is, Shorak adds. "That way looks easier to traverse, but my gut says it also has the most potential for an ambush. Just what the Nycaloth would plan." He frowns and looks to the north. "That way isn't any better in my mind. The question is, 'do we take the path of unknown danger or the one where we can see the danger ahead?' Considering this realm, either way is probably equally deadly. Does it really matter. For all we know, we're already dead and just going through the motions of living."

Shorak stares at the distant figure. "Is there any chance that could be Histra?"

[Jeff]

To Condign, the shape is too indistinct to tell, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that it is Histra. It's just that it's not moving at all.

[Darren]

"It seems too convenient," Kal says, "but you are right that it may be better to face the seen than the unknown. Let's head for the bridge."

[Brian]

"I believe the lady world make herself known," adds Condign, and approaches the bridge. He continues to stare at the figure, hoping to discern more about it as he gets closer.

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[Dave W.]

"Perhaps we could send someone forward to quietly see if it is Histra or a statue? I would be happy to do so but I'm less a quiet scout and more a crashing about sort of fellow."

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks over at Belarin. "What do you think Belarin. Can you tell if that is Histra?"

[Ken]

Belarin has been paying partial attention to the conversation. “If it is a guard,” he volunteers, “then there’s likely a guard at every other avenue leading to that section. Otherwise, why post a guard? Let’s see if we can talk our way through.”

Dec 24, 2015 11:28:23 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak looks over at Belarin. "What do you think Belarin. Can you tell if that is Histra?"

The warlock gives Shorak a confused look. “Who’s Histra?”

He turns to Kal and Condign and says, “I’ll talk to whoever that is. What’s he going to do, kill me?” He offers a dark chuckle and starts to advance, his hands empty and open.

_____________________

Belarin slowly walks toward the guard, unless someone tells him otherwise.

[Darren]

"Go ahead," Kal agrees. "I'll go with you. Condign, please join us. Adamant, keep watch with Streko and Shorak."

[Brian]

Dec 24, 2015 14:04:25 GMT -4 Ken said:

Dec 24, 2015 11:28:23 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak looks over at Belarin. "What do you think Belarin. Can you tell if that is Histra?"

The warlock gives Shorak a confused look. “Who’s Histra?”

Condign raises his arm, halting Belarin's advance. He gives the warlock a level stare.

"The lady Histra," he says. "Tell me how you met. The exact conditions."

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[Ken]

Belarin stares back at Condign. "What game is this, Condign?" he says with obvious frustration. "Fine. Give me a hint, at least, if you expect me to play. Was she at the Coin Lords' party?"

[Brian]

Dec 25, 2015 0:13:14 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin stares back at Condign. "What game is this, Condign?" he says with obvious frustration. "Fine. Give me a hint, at least, if you expect me to play. Was she at the Coin Lords' party?"

"I play no game," Condign replies. "The memory of lady Histra ir'Serell should be burned into you as deeply as Jyoti is in me." He points to the pendent hanging around Belarin's neck, the silver eye they found in the chest. "Remove that."

[Ken]

Belarin nonchalantly removes the pendant and hands it to Condign. "Perhaps you can get it to work," he says dejectedly. "It will do nothing for..."

He pauses, as though only now considering the rest of what Condign has said. "Jyoti...," he says. "That's whom you loved. The ir'Serells... yes, I did fall in love with a woman from that family, but..." He looks at Condign with fear and bafflement. "Are you saying that's her name? Histra? Why... why don't I remember that... that's something I should remember, yes?"

[Brian]

Dec 26, 2015 1:25:22 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin nonchalantly removes the pendant and hands it to Condign. "Perhaps you can get it to work," he says dejectedly. "It will do nothing for..."

He pauses, as though only now considering the rest of what Condign has said. "Jyoti...," he says. "That's whom you loved. The ir'Serells... yes, I did fall in love with a woman from that family, but..." He looks at Condign with fear and bafflement. "Are you saying that's her name? Histra? Why... why don't I remember that... that's something I should remember, yes?"

"Yes," Condign says. "And it is something you will remember, given enough time." Turning to Kal, he holds out the pendant. "This may be cursed. I would suggest keeping it for now. It may come in handy if we have to negotiate with our enemies."

[Darren]

Kal holds out a piece of cloth to take the pendant in, avoiding skin contact. "Better safe than sorry,"he says as he wraps it up.

"Belarin, think. Histra. She promised to end your life in some kind of strange lover's pact. She saved our lives several times in the last 24 hours. You need to remember."

[Dave B.]

Shorak stops to watch. "Now what? I'm doing my best, okay. It wasn't my fault that we all got separated. Maybe, I'm not as good a guide as I thought I was. I mean, I do seem to keep leading you into more and more dangerous situations. Maybe someone else should guide, now. It's obvious that I'm not helpful after all. I don't know how I even got us here, so how can I get us out?!"

[Joe]

Dec 26, 2015 11:46:21 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak stops to watch. "Now what? I'm doing my best, okay. It wasn't my fault that we all got separated. Maybe, I'm not as good a guide as I thought I was. I mean, I do seem to keep leading you into more and more dangerous situations. Maybe someone else should guide, now. It's obvious that I'm not helpful after all. I don't know how I even got us here, so how can I get us out?!"

"Enough with the doubts and fears! Shorak, you have kept us alive and given us the hope we need to see this through. You can do this. Guiding is instinctual and, even if you don't trust your instincts, the rest of us do. So, lead. The sooner we escape this madness, the sooner its effects will disperse. I'm sure of it."

He turns to the others. "Dwell not at this time on what you cannot remember. Focus purely on getting us out of here quickly, before we lose the information we fought so hard, and gave up so much, to attain. Hurry!!"

[Ken]

Dec 26, 2015 10:15:29 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Belarin, think. Histra. She promised to end your life in some kind of strange lover's pact. She saved our lives several times in the last 24 hours. You need to remember."

"Well, yes, HER, of course," says Belarin slowly, as though he's trying to assemble a puzzle with missing pieces. "How could I forget her? But you say her name is ... Histra? I don't recall that... but then what is her name, if NOT that? By the Host, Kal, my brain is completely useless." He looks up. "Is she dead? Is that why I can't remember her name? Lost to the void...."

After Streko's impassioned plea, he says, "He's right, I suppose."

[Brian]

Condign throws Shorak a curious look. "Your skills at guiding are unparalleled. We would have failed without your help. Never forget that. Never doubt that." He addresses everyone. "No one is going to die. We will find our way back, alive and intact. Keep fighting to preserve your memories. I think this place is finally getting to us. I am going to approach the bridge. Whoever that figure is will have to deal with me. Keep a safe distance back. I will let you know when you can come forward."

Condign walks purposefully toward the bridge and the figure standing on the ledge, all the while attempting to see more of who he will likely be addressing.

[Darren]

"Wait," says Kal to Shorak. He gives Streko and Adamant a meaningful glance that says, 'Keep an eye on him.' "Belarin, come with us." Kal moves up quickly beside Condign.

[Ken]

Belarin shrugs. "Fine. Whatever you say." He walks along with Kal and Condign.

[Dave B.]

"You're right. I should wait here." He looks dejectedly at his feet, almost like Rinti does sometimes.

[Jeff]

As the two humans and one tiefling approach the bridge, the figure on the ledge above drifts back into the fog and out of sight. The two are left standing near the edge of the rocky ground where it drops jaggedly into a dark fissure. The fissure is about twenty feet wide and forty feet across. A narrow bridge metal cables and hardwood planks spans the gap, bolted to the edge of the fissure on each side. It looks much sturdier than those rickety bridges in the labyrinth yesterday.

There is a slight stirring in the fog at the opposite end, and both humans are hard-pressed to make out what it is.

[Darren]

"That's probably not good," Kal says to Condign as the figure drifts away. He looks at the bridge, then steps close to the edge to look down. A loose rock scurries away from his boot heel and clatters down into the fissure. "One at a time across the bridge?" he asks the tiefling.

[Brian]

"Yes, my lord d'Deneith. One at a time," Condign says as he steps carefully onto the bridge and begins to cross. "I am glad you understand."

[Ken]

"One at a time," repeats Belarin unenthusiastically. "Bridges and I have not been the best of friends lately." He waits for Condign to complete his passage before moving.

________

In the event of, oh, a collapse, Belarin will teleport to the other end.

[Jeff]

Just as he steps out onto the bridge, Condign, squinting, sees that the figure that was on the ledge is now a short distance from the opposite end of the fissure.

Ken, remind me: What spell? Is it a reaction that he can teleport with?

[Dave W.]

Adamant places a hand on the dark elf's shoulder. "We will get through this place together. It seems to be taking a toll on us. We must fight through. You have lead us so far, we have faith in you."

Adamant rubs att he octogram attached to his chest, "I hope I haven't forgotten anyone... let's see, the Tavvens, of course... The professor... Old Wirtha... Oh she would never let me forget it if I forgot her... Rinit... " The warforged starts naming everyone he can think of...

---

I guess you'd have to let me know if Adamant does forget anyone, Jeff...