I will admit it did not compare to the marvels of which the Elves are capable it was a work to be admired. For it seemed that a literal village had sprung up around what amounted to a massive dig site. For the record it was at least a mile wide and clearly more than a mile long. It appeared we had arrived at the dig site of the tombs which were had been told contained the Amulet of Light. Before we entered I said a silent prayer to all Seldarine for we were entering the High Moor former sight of the once great Elven Empire of Miyeritar former home of Dark and Wood Elves before the descent of the Drow became a reality. I will speak no more of the events that transpired that reduced a once great Empire into the ruin that it remains today but suffice to say I was not filled with pride.
As we had approached we were met by riders form the village and Donavan told them that we came seeking an audience with Mavel. We seemed to be expected and they soon escorted us in to center of the village. There was an Inn and standards of Mystra, Tyr, and Torm in abundance and could tell they were here with a purpose. Perhaps not the same one that we were dealing with but with the site being the former resting grounds of an ancient battle of which I was not speaking almost anything was possible. We were brought before Mavel who seemed to be a priest of Mystra and he was attended by a Paladin of Torm and a Paladin of Tyr and for the record I was pleased to be in the company of those who stood for the light. It reminded me of my older brother Vashar Durothil the Paladin of Corellon Larethian who was a Shanduriak or Major in the Elven Army who had literally taught me everything I knew about the code. Part of me was sad for I wondered with all that had happened to Caspian if a Paladin or for that matter my brother Vashar were to look at us would we appear pure and good.
I thankfully did not have time to dwell on such things for after Donavan had introduced us Mavel began to tell a tale of the four tombs and four keys or scarabs needed to unlock a final tomb. His tale included vile undead which included Mummies, Ghouls, and Wights. He spoke of powerful guardians which resided within each tomb perhaps loyal to the New Bane or now Cyric other evil Human deities as if Shar was not enough. Of course he had continued speaking of a possible Cult of unknown origin and perhaps even connections with the Underdark which might very well eventually involve the Drow. He had concluded with letting us know that they were staying at the site to be able to act as a backup which would be prepared to aid us with curses and diseases of which the Undead he had spoken of were known.
Mavel continued on speaking of the first tome of four that might be the easiest to begin our task after being prodded by Donavan. He had then let us know of another adventuring group that had entered the tomb recently which had barely escaped with their lives who had not been able to get past a door which had been coded in a obscure mystical language. Not only that but the runes had it seemed been carved upon the skulls of Giants. It would also seem that this adventuring group had been no match for the swarm of Undead that had literally overran them.
I have to admit as I looked back at my companions they did not look as eager as they once had before Mavel had started his little pep talk. I knew it was time to step up before everyone perhaps acquired the idea that perhaps it was time to step out. It was the type of thing for which I had been trained but that Caspian rarely cared enough to even mention. He preferred to live for the moment which sadly I knew could also it not watched carefully also lead to ruin.
So began a rousing session of pep talks regarding how we needed to approach the coming mission. I eventually after speaking with Donavan alone and letting him know that we would commit to this mission. I then invited the others and stated to them that I was a military veteran and I had been trained in the ways of war and I was prepared to work with everyone of the Associates to bring our group into a cohesive unit that would be able to endure the campaign ahead in order to eventually retrieve the Amulet of Light.
Of course I had spoken about the generations it might take to complete the campaign if necessary and advised the group to prepare any letters of intent as well as meeting at the Inn in the evening for a toast and a fine dinner which I knew could very well be our last. Don’t get me wrong I was not preparing to die just facing the facts and coming from a race who knew how to wage war over centuries I knew we needed to be prepared which meant that we could hold nothing back from each other if we planned to prevail.
This lead to me revealing the items of magic I had in my possession which we would be using to our missions benefit and me finding out the strengths and weaknesses of the Associates that I knew would be of value in setting up or formations. That’s right formations for every conceivable type of terrain a dungeon might offer as well as plans for situations involving being surrounded or cut off from each other. I reviewed the languages known by each member of our group as well devised names for our various formations. Everyone had someone they were to keep watch for and anyone who did not possess a healing potion was issued one from my own inventory in order to be in position to save someone if they fell and either of our two Clerics were unavailable or it they themselves were the ones that had fallen. We spend the entire day drilling and comparing notes on spells that might be necessary or that might aid us the best on what had now become our quest.
Our only setback I soon found dealt with the lack of magical weapons on the possession of my Associates. I agreed to memorize to spell to aid two of my companions who lacked magical weapons as Naiem and Arrol at times would be in the front ranks or in the back serving as front line combatants. We of course with the aid of my magic and the Paladins on site that neither of the swords in Naiem’s possession were magical and that one of the Longbows was actually evil which a friendly Priest of Mystra destroyed for us. Naiem was upset and still seemed sadly obsessed with the loss of what he called his Tyr sword. It was at that time I realized that it was time to start our preparations and training in earnest.
After the long day I realize that as I knew many of the Associates were chaotic we could still find a way for it to work. For I truly understood chaos and while I will admit I have paid the price I understand that sometime even chaos can be organized if one follows a code of honor, conduct or possess loyalty to ones faith or House. I am fortunate to possess all four although I will admit it is often difficult for Caspian to completely trust anyone which is something that I hope will one day change. So the day ended at the Inn where everyone could relax, sing, dance and be merry in order to remember why we sought the Amulet of Light by enjoying life.
That night was a restful one and I knew that we had an impressive task laid out for us but we were not alone we had the support of others and we merely needed to somehow gain trust in each other in order to not give the darkness a chance to find any weakness that it might try to use to break us. I was excited and eager and remembered the words of Bolora yet again as I entered my trance “Neither Beauty nor Vanity has bearing in the eye of the enemy.” I knew that she would be the rock upon which the foundation of our quest would stand. For I also realized if my other Associates realized it or not we were going to War against the darkness on the side of the Light.
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