The Memoirs of Constantine Darkstar
The next morning I get up and prepare my spells as we get ready to go searching for this mysterious flower that buy us passage off Sancrist Isle. After a quick breakfast we leave and follow a track through the nearby forest. After around two hours Theodoria says to Viktor and I that it is ‘this way’; we did not see the sign that read ‘To the Purple Glade’.
The track we ended up following is more of a goat track than a path!
Theodoria says ‘I hear something’ and I agree that there is something out there to the south of us, and that the language was draconic and it was coming from at least two voices.
I told the others what I heard as it might be important; besides Kobolds might speak in Draconic! It could be their native tongue. Research required for this!
Viktor and I stealth forward with Ralf close behind; Theodoria disappeared into the shadows so I have no idea where she is. Eventually Viktor charges forward at one of the kobolds and it says ‘You no take flower – I take to boss.’ Though Viktor has no idea what the creature said.
The battle is quick and we kill 3 kobolds and 1 winged-kobold; I manage to collect two flowers from the ground around the lake and Viktor takes one from a dead kobold that was already sealed in a jar; 3 flowers collected!
I realised that there was something strange about ground – Is the ground magically imbued or it is druidic magic? I decide to take a sample for later study.
I tell Viktor what the kobold and then we follow Ralf as it seems Throdoria has called him with the dog whistle. Ralf leads us to a cavern entrance and find Theodoria here.
I am certain she is half elf (though Half Dark Elf comes to mind). More to investigate!
Theodoria explains that she killed two more kobolds inside the cavern as we slowly start to explore – I tie a torch on to the end of my quarter staff so that Viktor and I can see in the darkness. Eventually we find 4 flowers in jars near a wall and nothing else… this is not good. As Viktor starts to more north (Theodoria comes back from the south and says there is nothing there) a creature appears and I realise it is called a ‘Spectator’ – think of it as a baby version of a real Beholder – it does have telepathy and speaks into our minds and says that we will die now. I do believe we found the boss of the kobolds.
The battle is quick again, but we are victorious! Theodoria shot the creature before a ray attack hits her and she collapses. I touch Viktor as I move past him and give him ‘Protection’ from the creature – it is not much but it is something. Ralf attacks and hits as does Viktor, while I cast Magic Missile and pick up a jar. I pick up another jars and cast Fire Bolt at the creature; the bolt goes straight through the creatues defences and hits! The creatures falls to the ground dead.
Ralf then pisses on the Spectator and we bring Theodoria round from her slumber. I collect the last of the flowers and we go north through the caves system and find the kobold sleeping area which is really disgusting.
I cast prestidigitation around the kobold area in case there is anything hidden. Nothing here…
Theodoria says there is nothing to the south and we now have a total of 6 flowers. During the conversation Theodoria reveals that she does not like mages and knights.
Could I be correct in my assumption? Mages and Knights were involved in the death of her parents? More investigation required!
The trip back to the inn is uneventfully and we spilt up the flowers; William gets one, 2 flowers each for Viktor and I and the last one as payment to get us off the Sancrist. As we leave the area on the goat track I realise there is a point where the magical ground stops and changes to normal.
We make it back without any problems and the bar is quiet; Derek motions us over and takes us into the kitchen. He explains that Knights turned up not long after we left and took William up to the castle! He gave a note to Derek for Theodoria so she opens it and visibly slumps and then throws it into the fire. We are told to load the wagon and head then we will head to the castle to get William – in William’s room (which is bare?!?) Theodoria goes to a draw in the table and pulls out a key. She then closes the door to the room and reopens it and the room is full or all the gear!
Nice spell – much learn that one!
10 mins later we have the wagon packed and ready to go and Theodoria then comes downstairs dressed to the nines – seems there is a plan to get us into the castle. We head to the castle, reach the fork in the road and head towards the castle.
At the gate Theodoria says ‘I am Lady Theodoria Garnot. I am here to see my Uncle.’ We manage to get in to the castle square and leave the wagon – the Knight we spoke to even guards it for Lady Garnot. The knight has a boner for Theodoria.
We then follow a seneschal to the meeting room William is in and stop as there are two Knights of Solamnia and two Wizards – one White and one Red on the door. Some magic is cast (that I am unfortunately not powerful enough to understand… for now) and we can hear inside before finally getting let in. Williams seems to have a reputation and it is not exactly a good one.
Palin Majere is inside – Jenna the Red Robe High Mage – Dalamar the Black – they are discussing the three dead leaders – Lukan Darkwood is one of them, and now a fourth – Storm Mistress Lelandra is also dead in the south. No attack in the south though like the one here at the Whitestone, then a chair moves (more comments) and then a voice says – No you dickhead – my niece and her friends are here and we are let in. Inside are more Mages around the walls – 2 Red, 2 Black and 2 White. Then I see Quinn Goldenscale is sitting down at the other end of the table listening patiently.
The conversation moves to the ‘Shadow Assassin’ that got the others in. The Black Wizard Garan escaped to the Black provinces and is hiding. Jenna asks if anyone knows about the assassin and William says it is Belatrix – black mage that has been located away for the last 15 years. Jenna and Dalamar are not happy with William, but Palin stops the ‘arguing’.
A knight then appears with a message for Lord Quinn – the letter is from the Grandmaster.
The Crown Knight and Quinn look related? Interesting…
Quinn whispers to the knight and the other knights then lave leave after the mages all leave as well. Palin looks at the letter and collapses into a chair and then hands the letter to William and then they all look at ME!
Ah crap… my vision…
William explains that Master Griffindor is dead, in this city! I know the truth and say in Draconic to Quinn that it is about your brother Alexi. Seems William knows about the whole vision and he learnt it from Master Griffindor – so much for keeping secrets. No one knew about the vision and now it comes out. Palin asks “How did an apprentice get the vision – And I say Alexi gave it to me.” But he is dead. ‘No he is not’ I answer. William says to the young Knight ‘Ask your father – Quinn knows the truth.’
Quinn explains about the telepathic link and adds that he does not believe Alexi is dead either. The young Knight is shocked and then William introduces us to him – meed Sir Anakin Goldenscale (son of Quinn!).
Palin asks about the Lord of Dark and Quinn answers that the good Dragons are on high alert, but it has just been skirmishes. Can anyone contact Alexi – no says Quinn. 20 years have passed since they last spoke.
Palin asks me for my silence on the matter – ‘I say that it was only the three apprentices that could be the link to the vision, so they too will be targets.’ Palin says they will be ‘watched’ and kept safe.
William is also happy to assist with the investigation into the death of Master Griffindor.
As am I as he was a good teacher.
The son – Anakin – is not happy with his father – Quinn – and something he has discovered here and something he has to do – Anakin will be joining us with the investigation. After the others leave, I introduce Viktor to Lord Quinn and say that he is interested in becoming a Knight. I see that there is no recognition from Lord Quinn when i say Viktor’s full name, and the ring hides everything else.
The ring is hiding something… interesting indeed! Viktor is also annoyed that I introduced him to Lord Quinn but it is for the best. Mother would be proud that my diplomatic training that she ingrained into me was not wasted.
Viktor then speaks in Dwarven with Quinn – Quinn replied in the proper speech – Kaolyn – to Viktor that becoming a knight is possible for him if he proves himself.
While they chatted I realise that the mystery and investigation into Master Griffindor’s death will be very interesting and will lead us in direction we probably did not think.
After the pair finished talking, I ask after Maximillian – he is a Crown Knight – he is quite high in the Crown and might be on his way for the council meeting to choose a new High Warrior. He is just coming to make up numbers. The Grand master has been liaising with the Crown Knights to pick a new High Warrior.
I am not sure what it is but Lord Quinn is easy to talk to and for some reason I air my grievances about the mages and also my thoughts on the White Robes working closer with the knights – Quinn says that the Knights of Tahkisis and Black Robes work together and are a true threat. Alexi’s proposed something like this as well years ago but he was just too early. Steel and Magic together worked well in the fight against Udoonin and the Dark Queen.
Viktor is VERY quiet. He is looking at his maul… and nowhere else. Must research Udoonin as well.
After my vent, I actually feel better – Viktor humps as we discuss the Dragon Overlords and how 3 of their number have been killed and not only 5 remain. Belatrix was in a mage prison so how did she escape – the answer is obvious – she had help.
Viktor it seems hates Dragons – and by that he means ‘every dragon’ as all the ones he has met bring only death and destruction; they must all be killed! Quinn replies that there are good and evil dragons while keeping his anger under control – he is married to a Gold Dragon after all! He adds that William is on the right path with the investigation to me as Viktor leaves; Quinn adds to me that the people of the south are badly treated by those in power. The normal folk suffer greatly.
A fellow arrives and says that the Grand Master would like to see Lord Quinn – this person is Sir Aled – Knight of the Crown. I also discover that a Draconian visited and that there is a Draconian Enclave in the Neutral province. That would be great to see as well.
I explain the Whitestone to Quinn before he leaves and he smiles and says ‘I knew William was not saying everything and know more.’ Quinn then chuckled and left and I when outside to see Viktor.
So Viktor hates dragons and has a true dislike of magic. He has a ring that hides him from prying eyes and has a very mysterious past. William and Theodoria are hiding many secrets as well and I have been ‘chosen’ by Alexi Goldenscale to receive a vision and to discover some kind of truth (I believe). This adventure is just getting started!
And best of all, I got to talk to Lord Quinn in Draconic and got some pointers on ‘how’ it is spoken’. Practice makes perfect!
But to other thoughts – the idea of working with with a warrior (or knight) in combat makes a lot of sense to me, but that may be because i come for a Family of Knights and warriors. With all the changes over the past 60 years to the Knights and Mages, working together is still given open dislike and ridicule by both sides. The Goldenscale brothers were right that the combination of Steel and Magic is a formidable, but why have two when a one can do both? I have had military training but while i am not a true warrior or knight i could learn. A true Battle Mage would be a new path, but in the meantime i will work with Viktor and see what i can achieve. I think i am beginning to understand the barriers that Alexi faced many years ago. If you study magic, you must have an open mind, not be closed off like the fools of the past.