Trinsic: Quest for the Paladins [aka, What a Night!, Part One]

Myra made her way quickly through the sandstone streets of Trinsic. Since The Shadow had resigned as Mayor, it seemed the streets were a little more crowded than she first remembered. But she supposed that was for the best; afterall, this was a human city, and she'd always been told that most of them were bustling places.

Stepping into the Keg and Anchor, at least thirty minutes before the meeting was set to begin, Myra was greeted by the sight of a rather sizable gathering. But she wasn't late, much to her relief, and people continued to file in here and there.

Soon enough a stately looking, older man entered and Galahad moved forward to greet him.

"William!"

"Galahad! How are things?"

"How was the trip Councillor?"

"A fantastic fishing trip."

"Things are better now that you're here."

"Was I missed?"

Galahad motioned to a table and the two of them had a seat. "Truth be told, we didn't know you were gone until recently... when you were needed."

"Needed?"

Galahad only nodded.

William was obviously growing more and more uneasy. "My family is in danger?"

"No... Have you heard any news..."

William shook his head just the slightest. "I just got in."

Myra was flirting and being 'herself' a few tables away, but was listening quite intently, though as inconspicuously as possible.

William continued. "In fact, I almost forgot I said I would come here tonight."

"Well, I have news to sadden you." Galahad hesitated.

"Yes? What is it lad?"

"I am told you were acquainted with the Paladin, Sir Pralor?"

"Aye, a good man."

With mention of the paladin's name, Myra decided it was time for her to go and pay better attention. She hopped onto the bench next to the man known as William, as he continued to speak to Galahad.

"Afraid he had to leave town thanks to your mayor here."

"He is dead. Killed by The Shadow."

A look of pure shock came to William's face.

Galahad nodded. "I'm sorry William."

"And the other paladins? Did he get them too?"

"We have no idea. We gathered tonight to find the other 'renegades'. Truthfully, we were hoping you might point us in the right direction."

"Oh dear." William frowned. "I would hardly call them renegades for wanting to stop evil. But that is the name they were given..."

"That is what The Shadow called them."

"Pralor told me where he was going to hide out."

Galahad interjected, after catching sight of Derfel's confused look at William's comments about the mayor... "We have a new Mayor now, and they would be welcomed to return."

"Well that is good news at least."

A barmaid whispered to one of the cooks "Lord Blackthorn has betrayed humanity and is raising an army!" She just happened to say it at a moment of dead silence in the Keg and Anchor... so all could hear.

Murmurs swept across the room.

William looked at Galahad. "And that is bad news."

"Yes, but that is not a matter for tonight..."

William agreed. "Well, Pralor took the paladins to the outpost near the Shrine of Spirituality. He felt its proximity to a Shrine would keep them safe. And they were guarding it in case The Shadow tried anything there. Quite dreadful. Could you go check on them?"

Galahad nodded. "We shall mount and go to them tonight."

William was looking rather distressed. "Thank you."

Myra quipped in, "Let's hope they aren't as messy as the last one." She wrinkled her nose in disgust, remembering the body of the first paladin.

William looked at her, "Messy?"

Too late, Myra realized she shouldn't have said anything, as Galahad made a 'shh' gesture at her. "Um... oops." She pursed her lips shut.

William looked back at Galahad. "How... badly did he kill Pralor?"

Galahad lowered his eyes and his voice. "Sir Pralor had his spirit ripped from his body."

"Ripped? That is horrible news."

Myra just couldn't keep her lips shut. "Daemons like doing that, I hear." She quickly put a hand over her mouth.

William nodded sadly. "I imagine so. Then go out and make sure the others are safe. I trust you don't need me for that?"

"No..." Galahad confirmed that they did not need William to attend them.

Derfel spoke up, stepping forward as everyone rose from their seats. "Lord William."

William turned to face Derfel, finishing a thought. "I want to go see his wife. She must be devestated."

Derfel stepped forward, offering out a paladin's sword and shield. "Perhaps Sire Pralor would wish you to have these."

"Thank you. I shall make certain his family receives those."

Galahad nodded. "Thank you William."

"Good luck." William recalled away.

The group was set and shortly after headed off toward the guard post, nearest the Shrine of Spirtuality. The going was pretty steady and one could almost feel the anticipation in the air. Soon enough, the post rose above the canopy of the surrounding forest and into view. No birds could be heard chirping, and the wildlife was... particularly absent. Something Myra noticed right away. With a slight shrug, she attributed that to the clamoring cavalry behind her.

The group moved around to the doors. Myra's eyes caught sight of something, but before she could investigate, the troupe of horsed riders rode over the head and into the now open doors of the outpost.

Myra eyed the trampled head. "I hope that wasn't anyone important..."

Gasps resounded from those who'd entered the outpost. Myra carefully stepped over the mangled head and into the doorway. The scene was horrific. Dismembered, torn bodies littered the area. Pieces of what used to be armor were scattered throughout the room, covered in gore and blood. Myra thought she caught the faint scent of sulfur and brimstone in the air...

She worked her way around body parts, and through the crowd, to stand next to Galahad. Apparently someone had survived this... massacre. A young paladin stood in the corner, holding everyone at bay with his halberd.

Through some patient questioning, it was revealed that The Shadow himself had come here, with a 'horde' of daemons, during one of the paladins' training sessions. The only survivor, by the name of Clyde, hid himself from The Shadow when the attack began.

"He found me. Hiding in the corner. He said he would let me live because I represented Shame. He made me watch. He ripped their souls out of their bodies. He had a book. Said he would sent their souls into Shame. He... He turned them into Blood Elementals."

"How...how many?" Galahad hesitated to ask.

"Six of them. He created six elementals and then the Daemon gated them away. Laughing about how Honor would be forever weakened while they fought in Shame."

"And he said he would sent them to Shame?"

"Yes. He worships the Sins."

"What is your name, Sir Paladin?"

"I am Clyde. I did listen to his plans, and how to foil them. I think he wanted me to hear them just so I would know how impossible it would be. If you can find the blood elementals and retrieve their blood... then take the blood to one of the Shrines and release them."

"Any shrine?" Galahad asked.

"He did not say which."

Myra stepped closer to Galahad's side and said quietly "I'd suggest Honor."

Grokken also spoke up from within the crowd. "Honor."

Galahad nodded, as did Clyde.

And so it was decided that this troupe would delve into the depths of Shame to retrieve and set free the spirits of 6 slain paladins. The fight was long and hard. Many wounds were taken along the way, but finally Galahad held in his hands 6 delicate vials of blood.

They returned to the Keg and Anchor, and from there, travelled to the Shrine of Honor. The vials were placed very carefully upon the dias leading up to the ankh, and Galahad spoke the mantra. The air veritbly tingled with energy and Myra thought she could almost feel the spirits being left free of the vials.

With their task accomplished, and everyone feeling much more at ease, the group travelled back to the Keg and Anchor once more, to celebrate!

After a few drinks and resting her feet, from all the walking that evening, Myra decided to head back to the Glade. She had to be sure the Drow weren't causing too much trouble back at the Silver Arrow...

[And the afterhours quote of the evening? Made by Eric the Red to his adjutant, Melody. Given, it's only a really good quote when taken out of context *grins* And so here it is:

"There's this creepy house where I know we can get some."]

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> Myra made her way quickly through the sandstone streets of Trinsic. Since The Shadow had resigned as Mayor, it seemed the streets were a little more crowded than she first remembered. But she supposed that was for the best; afterall, this was a human city, and she'd always been told that most of them were bustling places. > Stepping into the Keg and Anchor, at least thirty minutes before the meeting was set to begin, Myra was greeted by the sight of a rather sizable gathering. But she wasn't late, much to her relief, and people continued to file in here and there. > Soon enough a stately looking, older man entered and Galahad moved forward to greet him. > "William!" > "Galahad! How are things?" > "How was the trip Councillor?" > "A fantastic fishing trip." > "Things are better now that you're here." > "Was I missed?" > Galahad motioned to a table and the two of them had a seat. "Truth be told, we didn't know you were gone until recently... when you were needed." > "Needed?" > Galahad only nodded. > William was obviously growing more and more uneasy. "My family is in danger?" > "No... Have you heard any news..." > William shook his head just the slightest. "I just got in." > Myra was flirting and being 'herself' a few tables away, but was listening quite intently, though as inconspicuously as possible. > William continued. "In fact, I almost forgot I said I would come here tonight." > "Well, I have news to sadden you." Galahad hesitated. > "Yes? What is it lad?" > "I am told you were acquainted with the Paladin, Sir Pralor?" > "Aye, a good man." > With mention of the paladin's name, Myra decided it was time for her to go and pay better attention. She hopped onto the bench next to the man known as William, as he continued to speak to Galahad. > "Afraid he had to leave town thanks to your mayor here." > "He is dead. Killed by The Shadow." > A look of pure shock came to William's face. > Galahad nodded. "I'm sorry William." > "And the other paladins? Did he get them too?" > "We have no idea. We gathered tonight to find the other 'renegades'. Truthfully, we were hoping you might point us in the right direction." > "Oh dear." William frowned. "I would hardly call them renegades for wanting to stop evil. But that is the name they were given..." > "That is what The Shadow called them." > "Pralor told me where he was going to hide out." > Galahad interjected, after catching sight of Derfel's confused look at William's comments about the mayor... "We have a new Mayor now, and they would be welcomed to return." > "Well that is good news at least." > A barmaid whispered to one of the cooks "Lord Blackthorn has betrayed humanity and is raising an army!" She just happened to say it at a moment of dead silence in the Keg and Anchor... so all could hear. > Murmurs swept across the room. > William looked at Galahad. "And that is bad news." > "Yes, but that is not a matter for tonight..." > William agreed. "Well, Pralor took the paladins to the outpost near the Shrine of Spirituality. He felt its proximity to a Shrine would keep them safe. And they were guarding it in case The Shadow tried anything there. Quite dreadful. Could you go check on them?" > Galahad nodded. "We shall mount and go to them tonight." > William was looking rather distressed. "Thank you." > Myra quipped in, "Let's hope they aren't as messy as the last one." She wrinkled her nose in disgust, remembering the body of the first paladin. > William looked at her, "Messy?" > Too late, Myra realized she shouldn't have said anything, as Galahad made a 'shh' gesture at her. "Um... oops." She pursed her lips shut. > William looked back at Galahad. "How... badly did he kill Pralor?" > Galahad lowered his eyes and his voice. "Sir Pralor had his spirit ripped from his body." > "Ripped? That is horrible news." > Myra just couldn't keep her lips shut. "Daemons like doing that, I hear." She quickly put a hand over her mouth. > William nodded sadly. "I imagine so. Then go out and make sure the others are safe. I trust you don't need me for that?" > "No..." Galahad confirmed that they did not need William to attend them. > Derfel spoke up, stepping forward as everyone rose from their seats. "Lord William." > William turned to face Derfel, finishing a thought. "I want to go see his wife. She must be devestated." > Derfel stepped forward, offering out a paladin's sword and shield. "Perhaps Sire Pralor would wish you to have these." > "Thank you. I shall make certain his family receives those." > Galahad nodded. "Thank you William." > "Good luck." William recalled away. > The group was set and shortly after headed off toward the guard post, nearest the Shrine of Spirtuality. The going was pretty steady and one could almost feel the anticipation in the air. Soon enough, the post rose above the canopy of the surrounding forest and into view. No birds could be heard chirping, and the wildlife was... particularly absent. Something Myra noticed right away. With a slight shrug, she attributed that to the clamoring cavalry behind her. > The group moved around to the doors. Myra's eyes caught sight of something, but before she could investigate, the troupe of horsed riders rode over the head and into the now open doors of the outpost. > Myra eyed the trampled head. "I hope that wasn't anyone important..." > Gasps resounded from those who'd entered the outpost. Myra carefully stepped over the mangled head and into the doorway. The scene was horrific. Dismembered, torn bodies littered the area. Pieces of what used to be armor were scattered throughout the room, covered in gore and blood. Myra thought she caught the faint scent of sulfur and brimstone in the air... > She worked her way around body parts, and through the crowd, to stand next to Galahad. Apparently someone had survived this... massacre. A young paladin stood in the corner, holding everyone at bay with his halberd. > Through some patient questioning, it was revealed that The Shadow himself had come here, with a 'horde' of daemons, during one of the paladins' training sessions. The only survivor, by the name of Clyde, hid himself from The Shadow when the attack began. > "He found me. Hiding in the corner. He said he would let me live because I represented Shame. He made me watch. He ripped their souls out of their bodies. He had a book. Said he would sent their souls into Shame. He... He turned them into Blood Elementals." > "How...how many?" Galahad hesitated to ask. > "Six of them. He created six elementals and then the Daemon gated them away. Laughing about how Honor would be forever weakened while they fought in Shame." > "And he said he would sent them to Shame?" > "Yes. He worships the Sins." > "What is your name, Sir Paladin?" > "I am Clyde. I did listen to his plans, and how to foil them. I think he wanted me to hear them just so I would know how impossible it would be. If you can find the blood elementals and retrieve their blood... then take the blood to one of the Shrines and release them." > "Any shrine?" Galahad asked. > "He did not say which." > Myra stepped closer to Galahad's side and said quietly "I'd suggest Honor." > Grokken also spoke up from within the crowd. "Honor." > Galahad nodded, as did Clyde. > And so it was decided that this troupe would delve into the depths of Shame to retrieve and set free the spirits of 6 slain paladins. The fight was long and hard. Many wounds were taken along the way, but finally Galahad held in his hands 6 delicate vials of blood. > They returned to the Keg and Anchor, and from there, travelled to the Shrine of Honor. The vials were placed very carefully upon the dias leading up to the ankh, and Galahad spoke the mantra. The air veritbly tingled with energy and Myra thought she could almost feel the spirits being left free of the vials. > With their task accomplished, and everyone feeling much more at ease, the group travelled back to the Keg and Anchor once more, to celebrate! > After a few drinks and resting her feet, from all the walking that evening, Myra decided to head back to the Glade. She had to be sure the Drow weren't causing too much trouble back at the Silver Arrow... > [And the afterhours quote of the evening? Made by Eric the Red to his adjutant, Melody. Given, it's only a really good quote when taken out of context grins And so here it is: > "There's this creepy house where I know we can get some."]
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