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[GnomeKin]

Terrance O’Nasse walks into a dark chamber made of living wood. Runes have been shaped, not carved, into the walls of the room, glowing dimly. Apart from the runes, there is no light in the room.

Those gifted in the magical arts, both divine and arcane, have ensured that what would be said in the room would be heard by no other ears. Terrance did not truly understand magic but he had faith in the powers that served Skeyewode. Terrance was not even sure if the room truly was a place or if it was simply a dream that could be shared.

His lord Arwin stood in the room, tall and powerful, almost a part of the shadows around him.

“M’lord, I have spoken with Rary.”

“The betrayer of the Circle of Eight.”

“The same.”

“What was his purpose in contacting you?”

“He wishes to become allied with Skeyewode.”

“To what end?”

“To end the old one. He seems driven, heart and soul, to destroy the old one’s power.”

“The old one is a great danger, Terrance. This is true. And yet?”

“To destroy Skeyewode is too great a price for destroying the old one.”

“Correct. Allying with Rary could well destroy this land. This requires much thought.”

[Mikill]

Maltorc awaits the arrival of the paige from the lords court. The message of their decision regarding Gawain Blacksilvers involvment in the attack upon his holdings and the slaying of his servants. The Tower of Glory falls within Greyhawks jurisdiction and therefore is subject to its laws. Greyhawk also has been very expansionistic the past year. Taking territories that were considered without a country after the war. The Shield landers that were displaced from their home were more than happy to act as guardians of the new realm. Patrolling its borders and making sure the laws were obeyed.
The young boy enters, the eyes of Diane and Maltorc on him. She nods as the silent words are spoken between them.
"Your delivery sir." The boy says swallowing hard in the presence of the immense bakluni man.
Diane hands the boy a silver coin and he runs out.
Maltorc opens the envelope and reads it to himself. His face is stern and he nods in expectance.
"They arent going to do anything are they?" Diane says.
"No." he replies
"You look as though you expected that." she says
"I did." he says standing and walking to the fireplace throwing the letter in it,"I do not expect them to rise up against the Tower of Glory, a place of such reknown over this. And especially for a half-fiend shop owner who just happens to be a Hierarch. No, they will let this go. The rogue we gave them will be punished and the others are dead already. The priest will most likely never be caught as he is an elf and humans have a hard enough time telling their men from their women. An edict will be passed that shall outlaw adventurers from commiting acts against any person or creature within the walls of the city without a writ from the high court."
"I see," Diane says,"so any adventurers acting like adventurers within the city will be arrested if they dont have the cities approval first."
"Exactly." Maltorc replies.

[Mikill]

Maltorc stares out across the parapets of Darkhound. His mind filled with intangible plots. He smiles as he snaps his fingers a sending spell penetrates the mind of Terrance O'Nasse, "There will be an attempt on the prince of Furyoundy's life. The king is in ill health, the death of his only son could be enough."
"Thats what I would do if I were Iuz." Maltorc thinks to himself.

[Mikill]

Maltorc moves into the World Serpent Inn unsure who it is that wants an audience with him. A sending spell was sent to him by an indavidual that knows him. He didnt recognize the person whose name entered his mind. Intrigued by this he agreed to meet her. The inn was busy as always, Mitchifer tending to his bar and his halfing maids with their star filled gowns moved about like graceful dancers.
"Milord Wulfram, the usual?" Mitchifer shouts as he cleans the glasses.
"That will do thank you." Maltorc responds as he moves towards the table where a drow woman is signalling to him.
"You called me milady. I hope we have business to discuss." Maltorc looms over the woman.
"We might Lord Wulfram. It concerns a mutual acquaintance." the drow female smiles.

[Mikill]

After meeting with Terrance O'Nasse's simulacrum, the Unnameable Heirarch calls for the Eye of Ahriman. A globe that looks like giant serpent eye is brought into the room. He mutters incantations and within the eye is revealed the true Terrance. He watches intently as Terrance speaks to a Kozukuran man. They speak of going after Terrance's son in the abyss. He has been taken by agents of Demogorgon. The Unnameable One rises, his eyes flashing with anger. He projects his image to Terrance and his companion. The two men are taken by surprise by the image. Terrance puts his swords away. "What are you planning?"The Heirarch says as his image comes into view.
"I plan on getting my son out of there." Terrance replies,"He has been taken by..."
"Do nothing."The Heirarch says coldly,"Let them kill the boy. Show them that this type of tactic is useless."
"A friend of yours Terrance?" Daishi says, "I will get us some tea then if we are to have guests." he turns and enters his home.
"I cannot do that." Terrance replies, "I will not let my on die for something I did."
"Will you give them the pearl?" The Heirarch says.
"Of course not!" Terrance says defiantly.
"Then he dies regardless. Let them have him. He became a target the moment you took the mantle of Glory Knight. He is a victim of your deeds." The Heirarch says , his words sting Terrance but he doesnt cringe.
"Then it is my responsibility to get him out of this if I caused it." Terrance says.
The Unnameable One stands a moment, his eyes flickering red and green.
"Do as you must. But you risk more lives going after him, including your own." The Heirarch vanishes as Daishi returns.
"Ah, he doesnt like tea?" Daishi says.

[Mikill]

Standing amidst the wreckage, Prince Belvor VI checks to see if there are any survivors. The attack came swift and without warning. Many of his guards were killed, their names would be etched in his brain as they would each receive the highest honors at their burials for having died protecting their Prince. The bodies of the attackers melt away like slime. They were outsiders. "Loths" or something was what his fallen priest had said before they killed him. The humanoids among the dead were hobgoblins and one of them a wizard it seems. They bear the signs of the Hierarchs of the Horned Society.
One of them had mentioned a possible attack against the Prince some months ago. Of course they would have known of such an attempt, since it is apparently they who planned it.
"My father lies on his deathbed and it is at that hour that these craven cowards make their move." The Prince says, his teeth clenched in rage.
"My Prince!" more guards arrive having heard blasts of power and screams from the battle.
"I am here Horton!" Prince Belvor VI calls to his captain,"The foul beasts have been slain. But many good men died this day. See that they are buried well."
"It shall be my Prince." Horton surveys the dead, his eyes tearful as he knew these men,"After that?"
"After that my friend, we turn our eyes to the horned ones." Prince Belvor VI replies.

[Mikill]

Terrance sat in his study in Skyewolde, his mind reaching out to his fellow Glory Knight Justin.
"Justin, how goes it?"
"Eh, oh hey Terrance! You're back! How'd it go with the Earth trip?" Justin replied.
"We got her out. She is restored to her own mind and none to happy with her father." Terrance said.
"Well that family is messed up man, big time. I would suggest a mug of mead after that." Justin said, the lightness of his tone brings a smile to Terrances face.
"Done and done again. Now what is going on here? Is Mortimer still working with Tensor?" Terrance replied.
"You know I can hear you?" Mortimer said, the shadow of his mind slipping into theirs, "And yes Tensor and I are making progress into the portals here. We should be done in a month or two. The Shield Lands shall have ready access to Admunfort and a staging ground for attack into their occupied homelands."
"Good, good." Terrance said,"The three of us here on Oerth should help keep people at ease. Validon and Drannor are still in the realms. That makes us weaker, but still."
"Don't worry about that." Justin replied,"We got it covered."
"I was thinking,"Terrance said,"we should begin our attacks on the Old One immediately before he has a chance to amass another force against us. These men of wood and steel for instance in the Vesve. They are a sign of another attempt to push farther into the lands of free people. I was thinking we need to hit his Bonehearts."
"Well her has the lessers and the greaters. The lessers might be forgotten, but his greaters would be replaced the next day for sure. And the lessers would probably be replaced by someone waiting in the wings to take their place. I think it would be a wasted effort. He is a god and those are his most trusted and valued followers. He would not let them fall for very long." Justin said.
"We have to fight his forces. It was the reason we were gathered." Terrance replied.
"Yeah, to fight Iuz, not his droogs. We need to fight him. He needs to be killed, and not for some 75 year hiatus this time. We punch hos clock for good this time!" Justin said, the anger in his thoughts noticeable.
"I agree with you Justin, but without our full team, we cannot stand against the Old One on our own."Terrance replied, a calm oasis to the fueled rage of his teammate.
"I know. I know. but its a waste. I did all that already. I paid my dues killing evil minions. Now give someone a turn. Lets get some scrubs to take on the scrubs. We..." Justin stopped.
"Justin are you all right?" Terrance said concernedly.
"Yeah, I just remembered a scru...a guy who came to see me a week or so ago. Said he was my fan." Justin replied.

[Mikill]

"Hey Terry!" Justins voice filling Terrance O'Nasses' mind,"Some time ago, maybe a week or so, a guy by the name of Ikovian..Itkovian...or something like that. He said he and his gang were taking on the Hierarchs. I think we should lend our support. Said it was he, a paladin and a priestess of Hieronieous. Also a couple of others, a mage I think and a ranger elf maybe? We as examples of light and justice should give them a hand up. Maybe in the way of info? Or maybe some hand me downs?"

[Mikill]

[Mikill]

The Cathazar stands in the foyer of the safe house. She clutches Lars in her coils. Earlier that day as she was escorting the guests of the Lord-Mayor Glyphimor, she spied an unusual sight just down the block from them. A silver dragon. A large silver dragon in the guise of a human male. She saw it due to her ability to pierce illusions and magical disguises, a gift from her mother. The group looked odd, out of place even. And one of them shook visibly as the entourage passed. Given that the escort was a priority she would not act upon this now. She would find them later. A dragon will fetch a good price from those she escorts even now. The Hierarchs have issued a reward for the knowledge and whereabouts of any dragons. This can help her gain status with the Shadowbourne. Perhaps he will give her new duties instead of watching over this putrescent town. As she thinks to herself, the battle upstairs rages on. The thugs she sent followed by the monks of dire hunger should slow them down, perhaps kill one or two. If not they will be considerably weakened. She watches as two of the thugs rush down the stairs, the monks take that as their cue to rush up to feast on any dead, or devour those still standing. The voice of the Cathazar in their heads, "The dragon is not to be harmed by you. I will make any suffer that harms its flesh."
The battle can be heard as blasts of energy light up the stairwell. The screams of death and dying rip through the air. The monks pulling at flesh and feasting on any that come away from their victims. And then silence. The battle ends and now the sounds of hurried footfalls. Coming down the stairs with knapsack in hand is one of the males. Not the dragon. The Cathazar looks him up and down, she estimates he is a formidable foe, if he were at advantage, her intuition tells her he might even be able to stand up to her for more than a few seconds. But he is bloody, bruised and half naked. Clutching his sword as he sees her she says to him coldly,"Give me the dragon and I will let you walk out of here alive."

[Mikill]

Maltorc awaits the arrival of Terrance O'Nasse at the Worlds Serpent Inn. A usual meeting place for people of power. It makes them feel more secure in knowing that all around them are folks as tough as them quite possibly so a random act of violence could result in devastating anarchy. A perfect middle ground.
Terrance enters and a slight tingle rushes over him, a flash from Mitchifirs eyes signal him that he is watching Terrance closely even though his eyes never fall on him.
"Maltorc." Terrance says sitting across from the devilkin.
"Terrance, glad you could make it. And rest assured this is the real me." Maltorc replies.
"I know." Says Terrance as the gnomish waitress sets his favorite drink before him, "What do you want?"
"I have been given authorization to propose to you an alliance between us. The Glory Knights and the Hierarchs. The Unnameable One feels it is time we set aside our viewpoints and deal with the real evil here. The Old One."