Editing Volume Two: The Adask War Wizard (section)

====<big>Adledross: Expected Kobolds, Unexpected Farmstead & Findings</big>====


*'''Michael James Watson'''
As Fort and Realmer ride the great horses out toward the rd building they feel the approaching evening air begin to chill. fort comment that it strange but he isn't sure what season it is early spring he would guess but not for certain.   Coming over the hills they look down to the red barn. Its fairly dilapidated but still shows the strong bones of its frame and roof.  From a distance it looked like a lone building but up close its 5 a group of buildings. A giant red stables with two large doors. A dairy barn with one door and a side building. smoke house tucked into the forest edge of woodlands that run in the crevices of several buildings showing where a small but active water course is. A long storage building. A very long chicken coop, void of chickens but with room for several hundred nests. And lastly a large working farm house that looks like its built for a gigantic family. all of them look worn and damaged, the grounds torn up as if by many feet and years of weather.  Fort says, "It quiet...too quiet" Then looks at Realmer and shrugs, "Sometime the old cliche's are the best...From the air we only saw a couple buildings...The stables and the dairy. When the other buildings arrived I can't say."  

*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Bob is circling overhead in the form of a small buzzard, keeping on eye on things... both close at hand and fields afar.
Realmer chuckles. "Well, if you didn't say it, I would have. And I have two theories on the extra building. The first; they were always here but somehow they went unnoticed. The second; the appeared when we took an interest in them and had a need for them. Just my first thoughts."
Realmer looks around, then brings up the Pattern, walks it in his mind and looks through the Pattern Lens at the buildings and surroundings for anything out of the norm.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
No magical effect seem present in the area.
Fort-' I suspect things are taken from shadow a piece at a time"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Movement in the forest edge catches Realmer's eye. Small, lumbering, in and out of the forest line.. and fair number. Pointing them out to Fort who uses a wizard eye to get a closer look....
"really? Oh well, damn...I haven't fought a kobold since I was still dungeon running in Eldomire. If there is a dozen there is a thousand..What do you say? Think we need another guy? We could probably intercept Alex. Him fighting Kobolds would probably be worthy of a bawdie song the tavern wenches of Wall will just love."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Kobolds.... I'd forgotten how much I despise those nasty little fuckers. When I was an adventurer, a party I was with got overrun by a horde of Kobolds. At one point we were literally wading in bodies knee deep... that's when I went down and was killed. Thankfully we had a Cleric and there weren't too many left when I died. I think that was the second time I died... maybe the third."
Realmer is quiet for a few moments. "Let's draw them out and lure them towards Alex and our incoming cavalry. And let's cut as many down along the way as we can; I don't want Alex having all the fun."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Same thing for me. On Tosa there were a long series of Orc Clan War that spilled over on everyone and anybody. And every Orc Band had thousands of them, food ya know.. there were millions of them. You ask nearly any CHAD member and they will tell you about Kobolds.. I hate the fuckers. So .. lure them out with a few thrown rocks or a few lighting bolts?"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Let's save the spells for the time being and give them a false sense of security. Let them think they have the upper hand. Let's move on slowly and watch what they do. Bob is circling overhead and can give us aerial recon of their movements, positions and numbers. We should be able to stay a few steps ahead while looking like we're barely one step ahead and lure them the direction we want."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Have bob go tell Alex to stop parading here and move his big hairy freckled ass now. have bob tell him I said so and if he gets mad open a trump to bring the egomaniac here. He's a fucking line soldier now, he will take fucking orders"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer speaks aloud as well as mentally to his Familiar. "Bob, you heard Fort, I'm sure. Contact Alexandir, apprise him of our situation but hold off on Trumping him and his horse here until I tell you... I don't want to frighten them off and I want the majority of the kobold force committed to the attack before Alex makes his heroic entrance."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Bob disappears but returns in moments. " the thunder you hear is horse troops and whatever Alex is riding a few miles from here. I was there long enough to see them coming directly here at a charge. I suggest doing what you must now!!!!!! "
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer smiles at Fort and says, "Guess we better hurry." Then he turns his head towards the Kobolds in hiding and yells out in Koboldish:
"Gra MUKAHS flingren urd ELLICKS!!!
(translation: Your mothers' mated with elves)
Realmer turns back to Fort and says, "That should enrage them enough to chase us blindly."
Realmer laughs, draws his broadsword, then spurs Graso into a gallop, heading in the direction of the charging cavalry.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort yells, "Dez kiss alnej lat sma rats " (Come kiss me you small rats)
He heels the horse forward pulling two knives and rushing in toward the Kobolds. Leaping from it back and running into the Kobolds who seeing him go nuts and rush forward.
The forest gives up thousand of Kobolds in seconds. Rushing out of the barns and moving fast across the field to meet Fort, laughing as he swings knives in among them.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Alex comes over the hills riding his massive horse Orcbreaker, who getting a whiff of kobold spurs faster. The other horse warriors, riding untrained horses into battle have to fight to keep them charging but the Kobolds don't scare the horses much. 200 C irregular cavalry, becomes 200 c irregular dragoons as they start dismounting. The horse hate the Kobolds well enough to defend themselves against ht little things.
Alex jumps off his mount and uses a cudgel in each hand to bash away with great fury among the Ks. Orcbreaker dances on them, killing two each time his hoof comes down. The magnificent 8 legged beast leaves puddles behind,. Alex wades in with blinding speed and a haze of read kobold parts waits high.
Fort spins in a brutal dance like spinning rain of knife massacre.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
As the Kobolds show themselves and Fort leaps into the fray, Realmer wheels his mount back around and begins swinging his broadsword to his right side, cleaving skulls and cutting throats, if not beheading. As he clears the area around him, for the moment, and sees the thousands closing in from all sides, Realmer smiles a wicked smile and releases an Audio Blast Spell from the Sigil of Spiral of the Winds with its focus being about 30 feet over Realmer's head, but can probably be heard back at camp and the cavalry can even hear it over the thundering of the horses hooves. This particular version of Audio Blast is about 15 minutes of intense classical music, starting with Richard Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries followed by Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain.
As the intensely loud music begins, and Alex and cavalry arrive, Realmer leaps from Graso's back, laughing maniacally he cleaves a skull and draws his fighting knife and fights with two weapons, slashing, hacking, cleaving... moving, dodging, evading, parrying... still laughing maniacally as the bodies pile up and the thick blood of the Kobolds covers everything.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
bob disappears and a few moments later returns as the dragon riders take wing grabbing Amberites. The flight of 200 dragons, riders and 400 Amberites are on the way.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Good job, Bob!" Realmer calls out mentally to his Familiar. Then screams "DIE YOU LITTLE FUCKERS!!! DIE!!!!!" While stabbing and slashing his way though the fray, his body Shape Shifting automatically into his Chaos Form, his Nosferatu Form... the form best suited for combat. He uses his wings to pop himself into the air, assisting his leaps but not full on flight, as he leaps and dives into group after group, hacking and slashing his way closer to Fort. Realmer yells:
"YOU WANTED A BATTLE WORTHY OF SONG! WELL HERE IT IS!!!" And his maniac laugh continues, as does his slaughter of the Kobolds.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort laughs, "you want your battle song about killing Kobolds? Your funeral!"
Swinging in about, dancing out and over, the fearless kobold rush forward on instinct to die in droves.
The dragons fly low and the riders leap off, helping the pair of Amberites each land on their feet running. Carston leads his wedge quickly to form up and advance at the ordered run to contact the side of the Kobold, pushing in the edge of the forest to push the battle into the open.
Realmer looks over the 400 who came and they are clearly a smattering of all cohorts as if the dragons and riders had flown over the Amber camp grabbing people at random on the way north east. Still, they form into ordered fireteams, filling in spots, and wade into the sea of 'bolds.
Time goes on in a tide of crimson.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer continues to fight the bloody fight, leaping and slashing, sword and knife and clawed feet, the blood flying everywhere, coating everything, including himself. At times, he even rips at their throats with his fangs, blood flowing from his mouth, a wild look in his eyes... a lust for battle and blood... attacks becoming less skilled warfare and more savage butchery... Realmer has lost all track of time and he cares not as the battle rages on.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
IN time the battle fades as the last of the Kobolds die to be returned to the world they were stolen from. Yet their corpses remain. A casual count is 10k. waist deep all around the buildings, into the scrub forest and in the creek flowing through the small farmstead of unmatched buildings.
Alex kicks his way through the mess to Fort.. "Reminds me of the battle on the Fairhand lands..We were... younger then 40 then, weren't we?"
Fort nods, "Our first life... We seemed harder pressed then.." He starts using Clean Cantrips on himself Laughing Alex follows suit.
Alex says as he cleans, "Well Commander, your cavalry is here but I can't say much for the quality of the horseflesh. Malnourished and wild. It will take some doing to get them serviceable. If I might be so bold, Sir Ranatal over there is a fine cavalryman. We have spoken a great deal over the years. He is Kashfan, born in the addle of a military family. I recommend you appoint him your cavalry commander, and with the permission of the other cohort commanders, you detach the 200 and make it a separate operating force. Broken into 10 stands of 20 horse, it will be flexible in supporting all the cohort actions. In the meantime, we rode through a fairly rich grassland east of here. We should get the horse there to fatten them up some while we make them bridlewise"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer begins using Clean Cantrips as well as he Shape Shifts back to his Adask Form before speaking.
"Alex, excellent suggestions, all; thank you."
He turns towards Sir Ranatal and calls him over. Once he arrives, Realmer says, "Sir Ranatal; Alex speaks highly of you and your skills with horses. You are hereby appointed the Cavalry Commander. I am sure you and Alex have conferred about the plan he suggested, so let me add, that the cavalry may increase by up to 600 horses... IF the Treba Cursis show up and still want to trade. Plus plate barding for 600 and armor for 600. While you are out feeding, strengthening and training the horses, hunt and gather as much as you can... we will need to replenish our food supplies if the Trade occurs."
Realmer turns to Fort, "I didn't mean for you to write a song about me and Kobolds, I just thought it an extra humorous bit to add to your song that the battle was fought to music. And I thought you were writing it about Alex, not me." Realmer gives Fort a wink.
"Let the dragons eat their fill of the Kobolds, if they will, but let's try to save some of their hides; makes fairly decent leather for belts and sheaths... should also serve for horse tacking. Alex, what about those Lizardmen you laid waste to? Did you happen to bring back any meat or hides?"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"I know Lizardmen is worth eating, but I don't know if kobold is... I've never been hungry enough to try. But let's try to use what we can while we have it."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Alex shows a still face,"I did not bring back the corpses of people for us to eat. Lizardmen are more then alligator and less then dragon. Dragons generally prefer to know their foes will eat them but in general I don't eat anything that I might have discussed philosophy with.. I'm sure the Reen will fetch you some if you have a hankering. Nor is it likely I will make tack of any kind from kobold, nor allow it used on horses in my cavalry, thank you. . Again, should that be your preference I'm sure someone will stitch it for you. I have horses to see to, Commander," He turns to walk with Ranatal to the new cavalry.
Fort looks after Alex, then to Realmer, " You should hear some of the songs I wrote about him that were not suitable for his court... So..shall we examine the buildings? CARSTON!!! Take over clearing the dead. Make a pyre over in that pasture..."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Well, I guess Lizardmen are less intelligent where I come from; barely have their own language and not very good conversationalists let alone philosophers. And I love how he is already referring to it as 'his cavalry'." Realmer says and nudges Fort then heads with him to investigate the buildings.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort-"Make no doubt about it, they are his. He can hand the leadership over to Ranatal, a good choice by the way, and sincerely mean to let him take the lead in the unit. But in the end his power of leadership is not a thing of magic, or godhead, or experience, or title gained by intrigue, grant, or conquest. His power of leadership is the nature of the beast. He has been right vastly more often then he has been wrong and those decisions saved billions of lives. And in the realms of the Empire of Tosa and the shadows of York, they know that. There has never been a successful rebellion because if there are grievances peoples have against him he will go and sit with them over kavas or tequila till they iron the matters out. People become better for having worked with him, fought with him, wenched with him. I've seen it. I've also seen him strangle a Raver with one hand while 4 of us cut its limbs off. He s arrogant but if one can do it, it isn't a boast. And this is him without his Aspect or raising his Attribute. They can tell him not to take any leadership role, but they can not stop him from being a leader and other people following him."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer nods his head, thinking about what Fort has said about Alex. While looking over the buildings.
"I have no doubt as to his abilities, none at all. And I have heeded and will continue to heed his, and your, advice. I was just commenting on how is really isn't trying to hide it." Realmer chuckles.
"Let's see what mess the Kobolds left in these buildings."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Entering the buildings they look more deserted then ravaged. They are mostly empty though both barns are stocked with hay. The dwelling looks like it was shut up and unlived in but is full of furniture covered with sheets. The shelves have tools, cooking equipment and the like but no food. As if whoever shut the place up let it empty of perishables. The smokehouse however have thousands of hanging pigs slowly turning into ham. The chicken coop looks somewhat industrial with spaces for hundreds of egg-laying chickens.
Fort pulls a sheet off a rocking chair, sits an rocks a bit. "Except for the sea of dead kobold, this place is a far better transport point then the one we have. Plenty of open space for troop, Amberite and Reen...Forest for wood. I bet there is food in these forest crevices. The river isn't huge.. Probably not much fish in it.. This building looks like it had a family of 50 living here.. Make you wonder. I don't see a library but there is probably one"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"I agree that this is a better transport point, but for now I want to leave most of our forces at the forest camp with the Drtida... at least until the Treba Cursis come and go. And you're right about the library... I can smell the paper."
Realmer winks at Fort and continues to look about the house, including upstairs and a basement or cellar if it has one. He will also search for hidden doors and rooms; knocking on walls lightly, looking for odd scratches on walls, floor or ceiling, mapping in his head and looking for spacial discrepancies that might indicate a hidden room.... all that stuff he learned as an adventurer. He will, however, not open anything until Fort looks things over first; no more triggering traps for this fellow.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Wandering among the room there is an office, a desk, chair all covered.. file cabinets. stacks of books and several book cases.. One case is filled with law books, specifically tax and property law. the other catches Forts eye as he looks over the title.
"Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám Lives of the Necromancers,Steganographia,The Magical Revival,Cosmic Trigger,Book of Saint Cyprian, The Booke of the Dead, dictionnaire Infernal, Daemonologie, origin of Species..
Alister Crowley, Ambrose Bierce..,Divine Comedy,House of Usher...Lovecraft..Hermetica.....Ancient philosophy....ah lovely...
Necronomicon. o whoever's office this was was a tax and property attorney and an occultist....Look at this stuff....hmmmm this is bad.....its a tome of the Dufiro....Non-summoning but it sure has a good listing of them... Damn...The Book of the Serpent....ah...that's bad......"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"What do you mean, 'this is bad'? There are some great titles here... most of them in fact..." he says slowly, looking at title after title. "If ONLY I had my Robe with me... or could Trump these out of here to one of my personal libraries. Perhaps we should search the house and other building before we begin our plundering or reading time. Fifty people you said.... could live here.... we should be searching for basements and root cellars and sub-levels... and maybe even tunnels or caves...."
"Any traps on the desk drawers?" Realmer asks Fort before moving towards it. He also brings up the Pattern and looks through its Lens at all things in this office.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Nothing a tyro couldn't bypass." he brushes the lock and opens the drawers. Looking through he pulls out a stack of papers, "legal documents.. court findings...hmm will and testament..Dr. Hector Stall. 33 degree master mason....Freemason..This building is listed as a monastery of sorts...a home for retired Freemasons.. Hmm.. sympathetic magic... Symbolic.. Explains why its so huge but outside looks like a country farm house. Yes, it almost certainly has basements.. This doesn't seem like a military target... Why did Adledross summon it here?"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Good question. Based on the reading materials, I would say they chose it for me specifically. And the size and amenities... plus location... might have been brought just for our Armies. Whatever the case, let us take advantage of it and use it to its fullest. And let's keep searching the place.... I'm sure we'll find even more interesting things the more we look."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"It might be.....too specific....Its intriguing to me as well in a way that nothing has been in a very long time. Since before I became a crowned bard the first time...That makes it...a trap...They can't do things like this for every class through here. Bleys? Roger, Alec, all the elites for 2 thousand years? From everything I read, and admittedly Arlo says what happens in Rasak isn't part of people's memoirs for a reason, but they speak of warfare here. Line battles, cavalry charges, Sieges.. warbands,....and 12 realms that send troops here including Amber... Yet, none are Gold Circle kingdoms... They talk of straightforward combat of the type Alex adores, not complicated magical problems.. I'm suspicious."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Huh" Realmer says, his mouth hanging slightly open, his tongue moving about his mouth, his eyes distant. "I was wondering what that itch in the back of my head was... a trap; makes sense. But maybe not... this might be the first time Adledross has had someone like me here... and you... and Alex. You have to admit... the three of us are quite different than the types that normally attend this place. Something tells me I am probably one of the very few, if not only, 'pure wizards' they have had attend here. I mean, sure, other before have possessed Magic and Powers... Bleys as an example, and Arlo, but both of them were warriors as well, even before coming here... but not me. And maybe I shouldn't include Alex in my considerations... he is not a Wizard or Sorcerer... but you and I are."
Realmer pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful. "Maybe this was put here for us; you and me. Perhaps a gift from my new admirer? Let's say you're right about the things here on Adledross being pulled from Shadow, just like the people. And a farm was supposed to be brought here from Shadow. Who's to say that someone didn't specifically choose this farm just for us."
"Or perhaps it's a part of a puzzle for us to solve? Again, making the same assumptions about things from Shadow being brought here and for specific purposes or people. Another possibility to consider. And what better way to draw me in, than to pique my interest with these specific books."
"Of course, it could most certainly be a trap of some kind. Maybe we should get out of this house and continue this conversation outside. I'm suddenly getting a sick feeling that this whole house is a gigantic mimic... come on, let's go outside."
Realmer heads for the doorway of the office, then back the way they came to get back outside the house.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Ya... Outside...". He follow s you out.
"None of the titles I saw were strictly speaking magical. Occultism, pretend magic. Wishful thinking wizardry. Wiccan. I was more of a thief wizard then a warrior in my youth. I treated my clerical skills as another type of magic till I was in the presence of the World Stone. Then I did a buddy a favor becoming his high priest. Those books are middle realm stuff. Not even low order, but extensive and clearly well read. A 33 Mason...That would be an instructor of the occult if his lodge did that kind of stuff
Secret society kind of stuff. Hmmm. Your point about being a wizard, not a warrior.
.Maybe Adledross is summoning challenges suitable to attendees. Kobolds and a master occultist.....
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer seems slightly distracted; lost in thought. His response sounds as if it is coming from far away.
"Yes... summoning challenges suitable to attendees... challenges... Master Occultist.... wishful thinking wizardry... tomes on Demonology, Necromancy... Hmmmm.... What IF, those types of 'almost magics' work here? Think about it... every type of Low Order and High Order Magic works here... from Cantrips and Power Words on up. You said that your Clerical Magic is being restricted or blocked in some way.... which means to probably would naturally work here if not for those who run this place hindering it. So, again I ask; what IF those types of 'almost magics' work here? If that is the case and the Master Occultist that owned this house shows up... we could have a serious problem and a massive fight on our hands. When those who attend this place die and are resurrected, the bodies are left behind... and more and more Foes are being summoned here to fight the Armies that come here to train and test... plenty of bodies for a Master Occultist, and possibly his followers, to raise an Undead Army the likes of which few have seen or survived... the kind of Undead Army I have been 'dreaming' about for decades... a true force on unnatural destruction that could wipe out a world... or many...."
Realmer's words trail off as his mind begins working out the possibilities and consequences of the arrival of an Undead Army and the tactics and strategies for fighting against such.
"Maybe we should get those books out of there and give them a look over... it would be good to know what a potential enemy knows. And if these 'wishful thinking wizardries' work here... perhaps we should know some of them ourselves. Unless you feel the books themselves are protected or cursed... though, I didn't detect any magic on anything in that office."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
'There wasn't one book there I hadn't read except the Dufiro primer and its far below what I have read having been summoning Dufiro for centuries. I have a bunch on call. And the book of the Serpent..That one is curious because while I saw a bunch of religious books;bibles, Korans, Calasat, Torahs, and All Seeing Eye stuff, all things id expect a master mason to have, a tome of the Serpent has traveled. Its not impossible the volume was printed in the world this place came from but its a stretch. Also, on your theory of Almost Magics working here....We don't know for certain those books don't work where he came from. I'm all for standing on the porch here till reinforcements come and start setting up things before going back in. Haste makes wasted, after all. Haste..damn I could us a does of Melange... 9 years and change without it and my eyes feel like they are losing their blue...So... shall we wait? Maybe get some back up. Carston has had some tricky adventures. Maybe Dan or Traxton? "
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Carston is already here, so.... give me a minute."
Realmer looks to the sky to see Bob still circling overhead. He speaks aloud to Fort can hear his orders as well.
"Bob; message relay to all Commanders: 'Commanders. We are establishing a second camp and we may have a potential issue here. Send all of 1st and 5th Cohorts to the closest cluster of buildings with all of their gear immediately; tell those troops to get here quickly. Kablin, you're in charge of the Forest Camp; keep Tesa on task with the Drtida and keep them within the camp there until further notice. We now have a Cavalry of 200 horses; I have assigned Sir Ranatal as the Cavalry Commander and have separated the Cavalry out as its own Cohort, which means all Cohorts will lose some soldiers; we will reassign troops when time permits to even out the 5 primary Cohorts. If any of you need me or if anything happens, you know how to contact me or each other through our Communications Master; Bob.'"
"Yes, the Book of the Serpent does concern me as well" Realmer says to Fort as the sky darkens further and the light of the kobold pyre lights up the buildings around them with orange flickering light. "Fort... as a Cleric... could you Turn Undead? Was that within your Spheres of Influence?"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
“Turn undead? hehe, sure. I'm not a fan as you seem to be. My clerical side is what one would call a favor to a friend these days though being a high priest does have a few lovely benefits normally. . I'm not supposed to use my clerical magic here though..Im not bound to ot use them, just what the Adledross requested. Its like boney-He can say don't give Alex a leadership role but there is nothing magical about it. "
Troops start sorting out and marching from the Forest Camp.
"In the end, I'm pretty sure Alex, or well, Ranatal, will break the 200 hundred down into 5 groups of 40, giving each cohort a cavalry element. As we gain more cavalry those groups could advance in number. Eventually Alex will draw around him elite cavalry specialists, his Knights. you watch, little that they learned at Rasak will make them better horsemen then riding with Alex. Just my memory of things but I'm betting 2000 of the 5000 Amberites here have a history as horseman.. We could eventually have a sizable forces of them. I was thinking too...we don't know what kind of woods we will find. It might be a good plan to get some artillery volunteers to start cutting down trees and shaving them for later use."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Well, if we ARE faced with Undead at any point while here, consider this an Order to use your Clerical Abilities to Turn or Dispel them; I will deal with the consequences and punishments from those that administer this place for breaking the rules."
Realmer thinks a moment... "Yes, siege engines..." he says with a smile and gleam in his eyes. "Yes, absolutely, let's get some troops to work on the materials needed. Bob. Message Relay to Dandilar: 'Commander; I'm putting you in charge of gathering soldiers qualified in artillery and engineering and assigning whomever is best qualified as the Artillery Commander. Then have them get teams felling trees and cutting and shaving lumber for what will be needed. If the new Artillery Commander has any questions you know how to contact me.' End Relay."
"Since we're talking about staying long enough to establish a base and pre-carve all the parts for the siege engines... perhaps a Laboratory will be in order to help create some specialized ammunition, fire oils, explosive potions... you know, Alchemist stuff... hmmmm, might want Drishti for that... I'll think on that later... still have this place to investigate and clear."
"CARSTON!" Realmer gestures for him to join Fort and him, and once he does, Realmer brings him up to speed on the contents of the house so far, and their speculations, so far.
"When the reinforcements arrive, Fort and I would like you to join us when we re-enter the buildings to investigate. We should hand pick some of the soldiers with dungeon delving and city delving experience... those who would know what to look for and watch out for... those with a sense for when things are... 'off' or 'weird'... adventurers. So, what's your take on all of this, Carston?"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Carston looks around, "It seems unreal. Like a stage play with props. But a lot of things here have seemed like that. This whole place seems like that, not just these buildings. It reminds me of the Eldimior place. You could burn the buildings down and the next day they would be back..I don't recognize the style of these places but they look like they are from different shadows. the Barns are very different. A smoke house with thousands of hogs? its all too artificial"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Agreed. This place is too idyllic; buildings enough to draw our interest, foes to challenge us, facilities and accommodations for many people, books to entice me, mostly ready smoked meats... yeah, this definitely feels like a trap. But I have checked the place over with the Pattern Lens and everything looks normal; not magical or illusionary... but it certainly looks and feels staged. But I would hate to miss something helpful or useful here, so I feel inclined to investigate further, even though my gut and my logical mind and experiences tell me it is most likely a trap of some sort and that we should leave it be. Advice? Anyone?"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Carston-"I used to travel with a thief whose best answer to opening a trap was to throw a rock at it. The traps usually opened."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort "Ya, but that way leads to cat sausage...OK. Pick two troopers and lets go take a look"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Carston comes back in a few with two troops and Fort leads off.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Entering the house again the place has a musty smell of long disuse. Fort opens a window and goes from window to window checking for traps, wires and wandering monsters. Finding none the first floor is opened to the outside breeze. The many rooms hold no surprises except having a mostly masculine decor and some spots on the walls where frames once hung as the walls discolored around them.
Stepping up stairs the large house is clearly divided into wings with narrow hallways and small rooms. Bedrooms as small as 8x8 are common. there maybe as many as a dozen so sized. The third floor is similar though the rooms are a bit bigger. Fort checks each window before opening. The rooms on both floors are utilitarian furnished and some show greater years of disuse.
Heading downward to the basements the first level has many rooms filled with canned fruit and vegetable. Several thousands of bottles.
Trooper Candle says-"These are old. It takes a long time for foods canned this well to spoil. But I wouldn't risk feeding these to the hogs. "
Fort nods, "Probably true. But we'll empty them anyway. We have fresh food to refill them.
Going to the second level of basements the room is one large sectioned off room. filled with wine racks. Thousands and thousands of bottles. Fort pulls several and nod with appreciation. "If we have not said it before, the basements are off limit to the general soldiery...We might have a riot if they knew this was all here."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"This can't be it. There has to be more. Where is the ceremonial chamber with the runic circle for rituals and sacrifices? There should be such a room here. It could be housed in one of the other building, but it is more likely it would be hidden here under the main house. We need to look for hidden and secret doors... and be very wary of traps.
Realmer brings up the Pattern and looks through its Lens, looking at all shelves, racks, walls, ceiling and floor. If he find nothing via the Pattern Lens, he will help search the old fashioned way.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort looks around and stops suddenly. Looks around the large room. Walks back to another spot. walks in a square back to the original place.
"Carston, stand here. Candle, stand here. Realmer, stand here. and Renton, stand here. "
As everyone takes a place he walks to the center. Looking down curiously..
He walks to the bottles and looks around among the clutter finding a piece of chalk. Walking back he draws on the ground.


*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
He does the next one then steps top the center and makes and eye.


*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort nods, "For the Sake of the widow's Son"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
the symbol glows briefly then the interior of the symbol starts dropping sections making a staircase descending..The walls gt further apart as the stair cuts into the wall
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer grins ear to ear. "Now THAT is more like it! A secret entrance with a ritual to open it. Fort, put yourself down for a bonus." Realmer winks at Fort and chuckles.
"Bob. Front and center. Go down there and take a look and show me what you see." Realmer links his mind to Bob's.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort "there is a very slight wear in the stone floor. just enough to show where they made marks. But once I understood the symbol it was just a matter of remembering the rituals and how they don't vary too much shadow to shadow."
Bob hovers, looks down, hovers...looks down... Looks back up.
"It...smells bad down there......."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer glares at Bob, then looks to Fort. "I'll go first. The first few steps should be safe as they were part of the floor. But stay close. Bob, left shoulder, you wimp."
Realmer Shifts his eyes to something better suited to underground darkness and proceeds down the stairs carefully; testing each step as he goes.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
The steps are solid and wide enough if a slightly odd height. After a time he realizes each step is slightly different then the one above and below it. The tunnel widens each revolution but it is going very deep.
Fort stops, rubs the wall. "Lead, layers of zinc, silver, and other metals I don't recognize right off; Sheets of it.. thin. with stone in between...Interesting effort at symbolic magic. Not sure they intended it but I think it blocked your pattern lens... I wonder how many we passed"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"The thin sheets of metal also effectively block Passwall Spells. Hmm... let me see if it blocks all of my Sigils."
Realmer drops the Pattern and brings up the Spiral of the Four Winds first, and uses it like a lens to look around. If there appears to be no difference to what he was seeing with the Pattern Lens, Realmer will drop the Spiral Sigil and bring up the Sigil of Paragon and looks though its center like a lens.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
they all now identify there the level of metals are. They continue down as far as the light shows.
Fort casts Werelight and a few continual light spells for general and specific light.
Realmer figures in time the stairs go down several hundred meters.. The room expands greatly.
In time the stairs leave the wall and spiral unconnected into a vast open chamber.
Reaching the bottom the room seems a couple hundred meter per side and 5 sided. Around the room are various symbols on the ground marking different rituals. The con Lights work poorly in this space.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer looks about the great chamber through the Lens of each Sigil he bears; looking to see anything that stands out, and looking for discrepancies between them, if any. He also looks at each group of symbols on the floor through each Sigil Lens as well.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort and Realmer see the power source through their own methods almost at once. In the far reaches of the great hall.
Walking to it there seems to me table and alter. Tall candle stick holders, hanging lanterns. Getting closer the power is not Amber based, chaos based, or any other high order that either recognize but the area detects as a receptacle of High Order Magic..
Fort-"High Church....Ritual Magic for certain...The symbols in the ground would be guides to the magical working and not magic themselves.. But....you see it.. something is magical there. Suggestions on approaching before we get within a hundred meters?"
 · 40w
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Yes; I see it and feel it. My first suggestion is to stay away from it for now. My second suggestion is to 'read the instruction manual'. Let's translate and read the symbols contained in this room. Fort, with your prior knowledge of these rituals and symbology, we should be able to figure out how to access and use this Magic Power Source and maybe even figure out what, exactly, it is. Let's take a look at those symbols, shall we."
Realmer leads Fort over to the first set of symbols on the floor closest to the entrance/exit and begins looking them over and deciphering them, with Fort's help.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort lists numerous rituals and a lot of them Realmer recognizes as well. Most are non-magical and would require vast amounts of study to even figure out what they were hoping.
"Most of these are Masonic in nature. Scottish rite, York Rite. German Rite. Even a couple Jewish Rite. Others are masonic in general appearance but not being a mason myself I don't know what these ones particularly mean. Some of these like the German Rite and Jewish Rite use clear Masonic Symbology but they are not in most of the universes I've seen. Tolknor would know more about these then I do. I wasn't part of the Masonic Movement in York. Elevation in rank. Signs of the Cross. Path of the Rosary. There are 35 clear ritual spaces in this hall as far as I can tell. Only that one in the corner has any residual magical imprint and from what I can tell its not the imprint itself but something involving it. Till we look at it... We won't know more"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Carston-" This one here is Vandalian. I had a great, great, grandfather in it. We had his medallions in the house growing up"
Fort looks over at it, "Reversed and with a lot of symbology variations... But yes. Vandalain Rite. Though its probably a shadow of this world's symbol. Vanadala was a god of good fortune in the Old Faith before Jeremey unsealed the World Stone. It interesting to find it here"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Very interesting, and perhaps here to draw our attention. Very well, there is nothing left for it now, we have to go investigate that magic source. I think it might be a Construct of some sort, drawing its Power from that Imprint you mentioned, Fort."
"So, first off; Carston, Candle, Renton: stay back and keep watch. Also, I hope you have all been practicing your Power Words... Magic Negation could be useful if things go awry with Fort and I over there. As could Psychic Disrupt."
"Bob, I want you to stay overhead but at a slight distance. Watch the chamber, but watch us too. If everything starts to turn to Troll Shite, Trump all of us to the surface, if you can. If not, Trump us all as far out of this chamber as you can."
"Fort, I suggest a Bodily Defense Spell or other Spell of Protection from Magic and Powers BEFORE we approach."
Realmer releases the spell Bodily Defense upon himself that is Racked in his Familiar, Bob.
"Fort, are you ready?"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Realmer notices Bob did not come down the stairs. Such a constant presence that his presence was simply
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort casts his protections. and starts to edge closer.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"What the...." he says out loud. "Bob, can you hear me?" Realmer asks aloud but also extends his Psyche outward to find Bob's Psychic Presence.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Reaching closer the far inscription fort says-"Its not magical in itself but someone tried very powerful magic here. Look, 6 attendants, all dead..rotted.. There are two alters.. both with Tomes on them."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort nods, " pick an alter. Don't read aloud. "
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer nods and says, "I'll take the one on the left" then heads towards that altar. He uses a Werelight Cantrip which he holds in his left hand as he stops to carefully look over the rotted bodies along the way. He Shifts his whole head into his Avatar/Animal Form; a Vulture (Andean Condor, actually. lol) and takes a deep whiff of the bodies with his now increased olfactory senses... one can learn a lot about a dead body by its smells. (What does he smell? Anything notable besides decay?)
Once he has done this, he will Shift his head back to normal and move to the altar and look over the tome, holding his Werelight close to the altar. If it is not open, he will read the title, not aloud, then carefully open it using an Unseen Hand Cantrip so as to not make physical contact with the tome or altar. He will read each page, not aloud, and use the Unseen Hand to turn the pages.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort whistles in surprise. "OK, this changes things..There is a stack of books here, three Elementals, and two spirit tomes. I won't know what till I open them. But this one on the alter is a Summoning Tome for a Ava Dufiro of Knowledge.. Tough.. and it looks like they were trying to summon using it.
Realmer looks at the first few pages and it appears to be a Dufiro summoning tome. The first few pages show how to set up the alter and the setting, and looking around it appears that they may have been trying to summon using this tome as well.
On the fourth page he find the summoning name, a long guttural, musical sounding name, and its spoken or conversational name.
The name of the Dufiro they were trying to summon is
Fortunadas of Tosa
Below it is his picture.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Yeah, looks like the same over here" Realmer says as he reads over the Dufiro named Fortunadas' Attributes once again. Since Realmer still has the Pattern Lens up before him, he looks at Fort, passingly at first, then back at his Tome. Then he looks at the place where the residual magic is emanating from, then he looks to Fort again, taking a longer look, but not too long; he will not look directly at Fort, but more like he is look past him or through him. If Fort sees Realmer looking at him, Realmer will try to look as if he is 'staring into space' and 'lost in thought'.
(What are Fort's listed Attributes? What does Realmer see thru the Lens? Both the residual magic and Fort?)
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
The tome speaks of his abilities with languages, vast quantities of lore. It says he can tell when lies are told to him. That he is incapable of being forced to forget things. It says he can change True Names. He can write summoning books up to Ava Dufiro. He can copy tomes up to Masoja Dufiro. Can conduct Race Rituals for Elementals and Spirits. He can sanctify binding rituals.
It claims he has held the Spirit Races of Cleanliness, Combat, Song and Paper, and is a Raised member of the Ava Dufiro of Knowledge, Combat, and Truth, and lastly, the book is a Summoning book of him as a Masoja of Knowledge. As Masoja he can summon and control elemental of Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. It claims his intended next evolution is to the Masoja of Combat.
Born a Human on the world of Tosa he was admitted to the Dufirosim during the battles against the Ravers of Paradox. It tells of his great love of the Dufiro and how many of them fell enthralled at his song and his tales, his bravery, wit, and cutting sarcasm.
In the later portions of the book there is something fairly curious about how its worded, and the glowing, almost loving way he is described. Its cloying. approaching, if not a little bit erotic.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Well dip me in buttermilk and roll me in bread crumbs! I think we just hit the frying pan. Fort...? You might want to come over here and take a look at something I found. I believe I figured out something quite vital... perhaps several things... including why this place is here and why we... well you definitely, are so interested in this place."
Realmer waits til Fort joins him, moving over a little to afford him a better view of the tome on the altar... leaving it open to the fourth page. Once Fort see the page and realization hits his face, Realmer will say:
"See what I mean? I think this house, this property, came HERE because the one being summoned could not be taken from Adledross. And the amount of Energy needed killed these poor fellows... perhaps. And also perhaps... brought the Master Occultist here as well. I have a feeling he... or she... may still be about somewhere here... hiding, perhaps recovering from the summoning gone awry."
(BTW, what DID Realmer see when he looked at Fort through the Pattern Lens? Or is that Power blocked down here because of the layers of metal in the walls and above?)
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
He looks, curling his lip. "That bitch..she and I are going to have a long conversation...well, I'm not sure how much of this is actually true...but I have had these dufiro bound to me at one point or another. I didn't know I could write Dufiro tomes but I have copied them...never ran a race ritual but I think if called on I probably could.. So...I'm a masoja of Knowledge? And I never got a key to the executive washroom.. When we fought the Ravers of Paradox we had dufiro bound to us to keep the Ravers from taking over our bodies. They have extraordinary powers of possession. My main one was a masoja of Knowledge. She was a bit....possessive. She and I...may... have engaged in some dufiro hanky panky. Hell we did. She was considering a transition of a Dufiro of sensuality-a very rare breed.. Around the end she was quite jealous. This book can only work if she somehow managed to elevate me while she was bound to me....damn....Nur would know for sure and I fuckng can't call him here.. the Adledross would crap pumpkins".
He closed the book. "The funny thing is I'm really looking forward to some summoning me. Working with the Dufiro is a matter of insane levels of linguistic detail that appeals to me. I think you're right. The forces found them and brought them here....why don't we ask. Fuck the Adledrossians. They let this place come here."
He looks at the corpses, walking to one, rolling him enchants
"Great Venki, whose song is the air birds fly in and the earth men lay in, Grant me your blessing to restore this unjustly slain being to new life.".
The body fills with life shakes and opens its eyes in terror
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer interjects, after Fort mentions Nur and as he is closing the tome.
"Well, that makes a lot more sense than you being an actual Dufiro... though... the title of Masoja of Knowledge does fit you well."
As Fort rolls the body over and begins his incantation, Realmer tries to stop him, by saying:
"Fort. I don't think that is such a good idea. You have still to be punished for your last infringement...."
He sighs heavily as the body begins to fill with life energies and regenerate.
"I could have seen his death with a spell..." another sigh, "and perhaps got us some answers without you having to risk further punishment by the Adledrossians."
Realmer shakes his head and sighs yet again... then looks to the reconstituted and revived person on the floor.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Ask those dead before I get to them. let them know helpful answers makes me get to them faster.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"I can't Speak with the Dead, Fort; I don't have a spell for that and it would take a little time to Weave a new spell. But I can see the last few minutes of a person's life and how they died. You will have to Revive them to speak with them.... unless you can somehow use your Clerical Spells to Speak with Dead..."
Realmer moves to the furthest corpse and casts a High Order Spell hung on the Sigil of Paragon: Recall Death; it is a High Order version of a Low Order spell which allows the caster to see the last few minutes of life and the death of any corpse within visual range.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
A fast flash hits of the man Fort raised standing at the alter with his summoning tome. He is encanting as the others stand in the circle chanting. There is a sudden flash and it looks as if they are trying to maintain a crumbling ritual. one man breaks the circle and starts to run. Then the image appears as if they were accelerated at a great speed, all crashing to the ground hard, dead or dying. The candles look as if they burned fast as if time passed. Then the scene goes dark.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
After the flashes of images, Realmer looks around the room and counts and places bodies. Based on the Vision he saw, are all the bodies present and in the correct places? Was there any person shown in the Vision that is not accounted for by a body in this chamber?
Then Realmer moves over to Fort and using Hand Signs, says: 'I know what happened to them.'
Then he says aloud, "So, what has you told you? Or is he still trying to come to terms with what has happened?"
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Admin
The man looks up at fort with near adoration. "Great Fortunadas....am I in the land of the dead? " Looking around "I'm in the Ritual Hall. Did, the summoning work? '
Fort growls, "did you intend to bind me to something or bargain with me? Either one would have been dangerous.. That book is not correct. How did you come by it?"
The man looks over at the piles of his friends.."Oh... poor Carl, and Dan.. and Lloyd...The women will be furious and crushed.. We told them your wisdom and kindness would bring us enlightenment and riches. We had intended to offer service, oh Great Fortunadas. "
Shake his head, "Well, I have no need for your service but I suppose I'll find something to do with you till I can get you all home. I'll wake up your friends in a minute. First, how did you get this book? And that one, the Dufiro of Knowledge. "
He looks at Realmer, eyes widening in fear. Fort chuckles. "Be glad he isn't hungry. Now give."
"Our lodge, The Eureka Great Wisdom Lodge of North Dakota, has had a lot of people over the years interested in our private services. We don't allow anyone into the Secret Lodge till they are 20 degree at least.. Then we studied the mystics of the Ancient Egyptian Lodge and the Ancient Greek Temple, At 30th they are entered into the Deep Discordian Erisian Lodge. There we learn from the Ancient One...A Dufiro bound to the summoning stone there" he points at the center of the symbol the dead are around. Just a few weeks ago it taught us how to summon those books. They aren't devils!!!!!!I Not demons!!! They are elemental of water and Fire..and earth, great spirits of the craft..finally it taught us how to call these two books. The Dufiro of Knowledge Gratdalas and the Dufiro of Knowledge Fortunadas. He said you would be grateful and would free him and would teach u great secrets if we summoned you.''
Turning to Realmer-"Amateur mystics, Cultists,, listening to a bound Dufiro, willing to tell them anything it could think of to get someone to come break it free. And these putzes tried summoning me while I was someplace I could not be called from. So the Adledross brought them here..Swell. Lets wake up these other idiots while I have time still"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
As Fort move towards the other bodies, Realmer tells him what he saw in his Recall Death Vision of these men.
"I think you are right that you should hurry. And perhaps you should stop using those powers of yours that 'upset' the Adledross... the punishments for you will only keep getting worse, Fort."
He gives Fort a raised eyebrow then continues. "And what of the bound Dufiro? Is it your intent to free them? For if not, then perhaps I shall... I could use some 'good karma' with the Dufiro Race... I do have an upcoming Mating/Blending Ritual to participate in...." Realmer wonders if Kala Kala has tried to contact him while he has been incommunicado.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Without knowing what kind of Dufiro it is its risky to just bust him loose. I don't sense ti, which is curious. But if its bound in the symbol, breaking the syymbol ought to let him free"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer goes to examine the Symbol. He will look it over visually, then through each Sigil Lens, to learn what he can. If he learns nothing... then he will carefully extend his Psyche towards the Symbol, tentatively reaching for the Psyche of the Dufiro that is supposedly there.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
There is a sudden intense pleading for release. It was clearly bound against its will. It offers riches and wisdom and powers for its freedom but in a sense of understanding, not in spoken words.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer barely turns his head towards Fort as he speaks, still focusing on the Symbol and the bound Dufiro within.
"This Dufiro was bound unwillingly; I do not like that. It offers much for me to set it free. I am going to set it free, but I will make it promise not to harm those here upon its exit."
Realmer communicates via his Psyche that he WILL release the Dufiro within, but it must NOT harm those present, including those outside this structure. And it must always remember who freed it, asking almost nothing in return, and it must speak favorably about the one who freed it to all Dufiro. I am Relmopator Barimen of Amber, and I will free you if you agree to my conditions.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
It whimpers helplessly and gives what seems like agreement.
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer thinks to the Dufiro: You have agreed to my conditions, so that makes this a Binding Contract that I expect you to hold to. I will now set you free.
Realmer looks over the Symbol and begins by simply trying to scrub it away... if it is 'marked' upon the stone floor. If this does not work, or it is carved into the stone floor, he will try to a Power Word (gesture): Magic Negation to destroy it or temporarily disrupt the magic long enough to free the bound Dufiro within.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
The symbol seems to be mosiacied into the ground. Power Word does not effect it or the binding. Magic Negation doesn't effect it either though he feels it shimmer a bit magically.
Fort looks over-"That kind of thing doesn't effect Dufiro. If it did it would be the most common spell in worlds where bound Dufiro are common armor and weapons. destruction is the way. Its a pretty symbol but blast it to pieces if you are determined.. but bear in mind, thee things can be tricky"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer brings up the Pattern in his mind, walks it to its center, then projects it at the mosaic tiled Symbol in the floor like at attack, attempting to destroy the Magic with a greater Power of Pattern.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
There is a shiver in the ground but the binding remains.
Fort-"That's tough, I really thought that would do it. But again, that attacking the magic, not the structure. I recommended a large hammer or a earth eruption spell. Ignore the magic, damage the construct. Dufiro are rarely bound to glass or easily breakable things for that reason"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer looks over his shoulder, dropping the Sigil of the Pattern and says, "That was next on my list. I was sure that would work as well. Double Tough, as they say."
Realmer refocuses his attention on the Symbol on the floor and releases a Spell hung on the Sigil of Paragon: Transmute Stone to Mud. He focuses the Spell on the stone of the floor that encompasses the Symbol and the surrounding area.
If the Mud does not 'disrupt' the Symbol, then Realmer will fly over the muddy area and disturb the tiles that make up the symbol with his feet, if needed.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Stone to mud disrupts the structure enough for the creature to come rushing out, howling in Rage, filling the room with light and noise.
Fort looks up from the third raised man and moans, "ah hell."
Th creature takes the shape of a large horned Minotaur, calling a great two handed double bit axe to hand, swinging it about like to fell sequoias. It howls in Anger.
Fort stands and walks by Relmopator. He shimmers suddenly with magical protections.
The Minotaur Steps forward, lowering the axe to place at the ground..He inhales deeply.. Looking Angrily down at Fort.
"Fortunadas of Tosa, I shall name you n time. I shall claim the price on your head from the Lord of the Death. Fear me.
Fort draws his daggers, "Fight me now or Fuck off. I know the Masoja you speak of and you can tell him I said he could fuck off too. As for fearing you, I've killed your kind before. "
he looks at Realmer, "Opener, I abide our agreement, for 20 days. I shall not harm anyone here or above for 20 days. Then I shall return and slay all who keep me from my prey, my Rage binds me, my war is just. You however, I shall not slay unless you draw weapon or spell upon me. In 20 days I shall give you my calling name that we may trade. Now, I go to the realms of death to sanctify my war."
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"Wait! 20 days by whose reckoning? Yours? Mine? No. Neither. 20 days by the time of Amber; the only true and steady time flow in the multiverse. That is agreeable."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
He laughs, "You did not free me in Amber. Nor it seems did you free me in North Dakota. Whatever realm this is, is where you freed me. 20 day in this realm."
He looks at Fort, "You know, correct? That his release of me and my agreement with him does not bind me? I hold to the agreement out of honor. Something you could learn from, little rat-man. If you bow before me I shall depart this realm and tell the Lord of death whose name you know that you have done so and I shall seek you beyond this realm, leaving all here unharmed."
Fort laughs, "If you are unbound, I can fix that. " He steps to the Alter and pulls a book up on the stand.
"WAIT!!! Lord Relmopator, would you have this creature step on an agreement we have made? I am A Dufiro of Rage and War and I'll have my prize in time but now he threatens your honor as well as mine"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer steps up to the altar and slams his hand down on the book in Fort's hands so he cannot open it or read it if it is already opened.
"No, Fortunadas! You will not do this! Stop now! You will not damage my honor or my agreement! Do you understand me?! Our honorable agreement has bought you 20 days that you would not have had otherwise. I am sure this is what I was forewarned of... take the time you have been given. Don't force me to be your Commander right now... I don't want to have to Order you to do this."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort nods angrily, "No order you give me could slow me if I chose. "Picking up the tome and slipping it into his shirt. The newly arisen have the looks of those who suddenly realize how foolish they have been dealing with forces beyond their ken.
"Dufiro of Rage and War. Your attempt to sway my captain here is desperate and pathetic. I would not wield a butter knife you were bound into and once I have read this tome I shall know your secret name and shall scrawl it on subway walls so drunks can whisper your name and disturb your rest. flee to the Dufirosim and pray to the Lords of Wisher you never feel my wrath. So if you will not fight now Dufiro of Rage and War then go before I start reading aloud!"
The creature rises fast up the spiral and the rattling of his passage is clearly heard.
Fort takes out the tome and places it on the alter.
"ah, I don't suppose you have that bottle of brandy handy, do you?"
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
"You think I'm going to leave it lying around where someone can find it? Of course I have it handy."
Realmer rummages in his makeshift satchel and pulls out the bottle of Napoleon Brandy with the Percy bottle stopper atop it. He pulls the stopper and hands the open bottle to Fort.
"Well, that was fun. He's going to be a barrel of laughs at our next party." Realmer jokes as Fort drinks.
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
"Damn shame I didn't have his binding book. For all I know this Dufiro of Knowledge tome might summon a guy that knows every one liner joke in the universe.. Worse thing is if he had attacked, I'm sure we could kill him but he would just wake up in the east, pissed."
He chugs the bottle and passes it back.
"Thing is that if he really chose to he could start summoning his underlings.. We have 20 days for me to drag every detail these Shriners have on the Rage & warfare Dufiro they have been having a love affair with for a generation and see if I can suss out his binding name. otherwise we have to kill him every other day or so."\
*'''*'''Daniel Eric Van Campen Sr.''''''
Realmer clears his throat quietly and looks away for a moment. "Actually..." he looks Fort in the eyes, "YOU will have to kill him every day or so... I'm pretty sure this is your 'punishment' from the Adledross for breaking their rules here. But I'm sure I can help you research what you need... as long as you do the actual 'battle' with the 'monster' when the time comes."
Realmer takes the bottle of brandy, takes a swig, corks it and puts it away then goes over to the other altar and grabs the book on Fortunadas and the other tomes stacked there.
"Get busy with the Raising of the Dead, Fort. Carston, Candle, come help gather up these tomes. Leave none behind and be careful with them. Renton, head upstairs and let those outside know we are all well. Also, keep everyone out of the wine cellar; again, no riots wanted or needed here."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
Fort nod and moves to the next guy.
"the damnable misery is that once I get out of here, I'm going to have to go find out which bitch put a price on my head and why?. Probably a song I wrote. Dufiro can be such critics."
*'''*'''Michael James Watson''''''
and SCENE