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Author Topic: Fire of Algir Mountain  (Read 5223 times)

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Fire of Algir Mountain
« on: March 08, 2013, 07:19:38 am »



The wind whipped against the Tippled Top, blasting the surroundings into a bleak grey, stalked by the swaying of weathered trees and locked in a bitter chill. Locked and trapped in gloom. Waiting. The old dwarven stonework and sturdy log of the inn held back the world, and in it's shadowed clutches sat three of dwarven kin.

Beneath tattered furs and borrowed silks they sat in silence, tears upon their cheeks, the drinks between them untouched. Could not be touched. Their faces locked in melancholy, just as their spirits could bear no comfort, in their eyes sore and red spoke something of devestation...




It was the year 1 when Algir Mountain erupted, blackening the skies to the north. The kingdoms had been at war with one another over Ine, the Capitol of the Divine in Eyrin, in what had been a ten year ordeal. By the end, Sovereign Maldir of Enzar far to the east had claimed the city, and taking the Eyrinian crown declared himself Emperor of a new age.

Given the total of the war, the remaining kingdoms three decided not to dispute the victory, instead setting the lands back into an uneasy and altogether too familiar truce.



You are Iorodar Semti and it was along side Maldir that you fought, and for those ten years you battled against the kingdoms, an invader. You struggled and rose through every challenge to this point, standing amongst doomeded soldiers and burning fortifications, as armsman, knight and finally royal guard.

In the last battle you shattered the Blade of Eyrith and sealed the fate of the city, and among your other honours were anointed Lord Champion to the Emperor and Hero of Enzar.



As of late there have been far too many formalities, and as is frequent you have been summoned to consult with Maldir. The fact that you have been called to the former inner palace makes the audience somewhat unusual, and the shadow cast by Algir certainly marks the occaision.

You arrive early and are granted access. Maldir supposedly awaits you in the room directly ahead, at your leisure.


>_
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Fire of Algir Mountain - A quest that doesn't involve getting a crown.

Dariush

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2013, 07:36:14 am »

> Search through your possessions for a means to set fire to the door.

Ghazkull

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2013, 09:05:19 am »

NOPE

> check what you have on you but don't burn anything.
>go into the King's or Sovereigns or Emperors Study.
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Xantalos

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2013, 10:23:09 am »

PTW
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miauw62

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2013, 10:57:44 am »

>Examine pillars.
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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2013, 04:21:22 pm »

Quote
> Search through your possessions for a means to set fire to the door.
Quote
> check what you have on you but don't burn anything.
>go into the King's or Sovereigns or Emperors Study.
Quote
>Examine pillars.

Checking your person, you have nothing on you besides a sword of darkened steel given to you upon your anointment, a symbol of your position. Underneath your chain shirt, the heavy fabrics of your garb are currently free of equipment.

You consider picking up something flammable after your business here. Alchemical fire or grenades should not be difficult to acquire, though you question using them in blowing up the palace. There are more appropriate means of enjoying pyromania.



As for the palace architecture, the structure itself is a splendid white marble and remains in fair condition-- the same can not be said for a lot of the furnishings, which had to be cleared out with the bodies after the assault that took place here.



Stepping into the main chamber of the inner palace you're met with a sight of general disorganisation. Stacks of books make their home upon the floor among tables strewn with maps and documents, tables you're fairly sure don't belong in here. Bookshelves for that matter.

Maldir in regal suit paces back and forth on the far side of the room, parchment in hand. He looks up when you enter.

"Ah, Iorodar."

Despite the firmness of his tone, the lines of his face betray a weariness echoed by his surroundings. The banners of Enzar hung from the columns of the great domed room seem not to convey a sense of victory. You notice the Eyrinian crown is resting not upon Maldir's head, but upon the great table.


>_
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GreatWyrmGold

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2013, 09:39:02 pm »

Get Crown
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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2013, 01:02:44 pm »

Quote
Get Crown



You close the door behind you and make way to the table, soft carpet under foot. Maldir sets aside his papers and does the same, but the crown steals away your attention. You pick it up and turn it over into your hands, the soft white metal shining from the candelabrum hanging above the table. It's little more than an intricately carved band, but thick, heavy.

For a second you wonder if Maldir called you here to claim the crown, till after watching you for a moment he speaks.

"I'd let you have it, but we've set in motion something that cannot be undone, I cannot be rid of the crown after such public declaration."

Politics. It occurs to you that this isn't the kind of crown that comes with power and riches. Not anymore. This is the kind of crown that binds you in a diplomatic web where little stands between you and the hungry spider that is continued war.

Maldir gives you a deliberate look.

"I grow fearful Iorodar. I have a task for you. The eruption. You must make way for a place called Algirack, upon the slopes of Algir. You may take whatever you deem necessary to make the journey, scour the area and return with your findings. Algir has been dormant through records going far back, that it burns the skies now can be no coincidence!"

The sudden agitation apparent in Maldir comes unexpectedly, as though after years of calculated warfare in his quest to claim Eyrin, whatever reward he deemed to come had been withheld against his knowing.


>_
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Spaghetti7

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2013, 01:42:08 pm »

>Crown is necessary for expedition
>Take crown
>Leave
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GreatWyrmGold

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2013, 02:07:39 pm »

Take 48 other dwarves from all ages and walks of life.

Also take a ton of food, an army of cats, two dozen turkeys, several dogs, picks, axes, arms or armor as needed, stone, ore, wood, etc.

Oh, and enough wagons and pack animals to carry all that.

...

Or some variation of that which is less extravagant.
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Adventuring Vagabond

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2013, 09:12:37 pm »

Take 48 other dwarves from all ages and walks of life.

Also take a ton of food, an army of cats, two dozen turkeys, several dogs, picks, axes, arms or armor as needed, stone, ore, wood, etc.

Oh, and enough wagons and pack animals to carry all that.

...

Or some variation of that which is less extravagant.
This,especially an army of !!cats!!
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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2013, 05:20:17 pm »

Quote
Take 48 other dwarves from all ages and walks of life.

Also take a ton of food, an army of cats, two dozen turkeys, several dogs, picks, axes, arms or armor as needed, stone, ore, wood, etc.

Oh, and enough wagons and pack animals to carry all that.

A plan for the expedition springs quick to mind and you swiftly sort through it while disregarding Maldir. You will take four dozen men and women of every variety- Enzaran soldiers, officials, council wizards, practioners of the divine, tradesmen of all sort, farmers, homeless, rogues, great artists, alchemists and mechanists, mercenaries, children--

And you'll need materials, food, tools, horses, spare weapons, a few dogs, cats--

The word cats sticks in your mind for a moment. Wasn't there a diplomat from Boldek in the city? If so that may mean you can get a hold of Boldeki desert war cats. It would mean consorting with a near enemy- but perhaps you can arrange something.


Maldir interrupts you before you can continue the thought, directing your attention to a map of Eyrin's central-northern region laid out upon the table. A series of figures are set upon it indicating troop positions and area control.

"Before you even think of leaving, you may want to take a look at this."



"To the north, between us and Algirack, Eyrin still holds forces in both Rote and Keltir. Keltir is their last bastion, where they've fortified themselves in the hills with one of their remaining generals."

"Rote is a low priority for them at this point, and would normally be the route taken to Algirack, however Ketiis are occupying the bridge into the Deadlands where their main force is somewhere located. Going around them would mean traversing the mountains past Keltir, or-"

Maldir slides his finger across the map and taps at the coast west of Ine. "If you could take a ship from Port Velk, or a smaller boat from Nel, you could simply sail around them. Both are being occupied by Mringar, who stubbornly refuse to budge, even with Ketiis placing pressure on Pir."


Right, there's more to this than arranging a caravan, you're going to need to decide how you're going to actually get to Algirack as well. Confront Ketiis directly or with Mringar in Pir, negotiate passage from Port Velk or go for the less imposing Nel, passing or avoiding Melik, or try and cross the mountains, with or without confronting the broken Eyrinians.

Trying to go by the coast will mean a longer journey and passing straight through the Deadlands, whereas going by Rote is more direct and would skirt the edge of the wastes. The mountains would be difficult to navigate, a dubious choice for someone taking wagons, but also far more subtle.

Quote
>Crown is necessary for expedition

One last thing... you mention something along the lines of perhaps the crown being necessary for the expedition, and watch as Maldir gives you a look of utter disbelief. But slowly, an expression of careful thought creeps across his face. He responds, though guarded;

"And what would you intend to do with it, should it be sent with you?"



>_
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GreatWyrmGold

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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2013, 06:49:00 pm »

"...Humor lessons, evidently.

"Um. What are those Deadlands? They sound...ominous..."
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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2013, 10:12:30 am »

Maldir quirks an eyebrow at your remark but does not comment at first.

As you mention the Deadlands he looks down at the area on the map.

"The Deadlands. According to what I've heard, the Deadlands were once the home of a race of elves, before they were exterminated in some kind of conflict over a century ago. Now? It's a bog of ash and decay, inhospitable but non-threatening."

"That is, unless you believe in nightmare tales. There are stories of a pressence in the Deadlands that consumes the souls of men, withering their bodies to dust. Hah! I suspect if it were true, Ketiis would not be so fond of hiding themselves there."

"Supposedly they were involved in the travesty that destroyed the land, around the same time that the dwarves retreated from Eyrin. Some went to Algirack, others disappeared. The Eyrinian records officially state them as 'withdrawing from the affairs of men'. Then silence, nothing."
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Re: Fire of Algir Mountain
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2013, 09:47:05 am »



You share an awkward, ironic silence with Maldir. The candles above the table dribble, the yet vaguely defined emperor grows restless, very far away a certain mountain smokes. Out in the streets beyond the palace, people wonder. Life has entered a kind of twilight.

Slowly Maldir moves away and makes towards a stand set aside with wine and teaware.

"I didn't think you'd actually be spooked. If the Deadland stories still concern you, just load yourself with charms or find a shrink--" he starts pouring himself a glass, "Care for a drink? Or was there something else you wanted to ask before you leave?"



>_
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