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| − | <pre>Shielded Bank of the Hyloth River
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| − | Spreading from the western ridge to the rapids to the east, this small
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| − | sliver of snow-covered earth is shielded from the erosive waters of the
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| − | Hyloth by a raised bank made of hard rock. The high grey ridge-face is
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| − | dotted with small ledges, each covered with fresh, white snow, almost
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| − | appearing as a giant staircase. A collection of arranged sticks and
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| − | branches pokes out over a ledge high on the ridge-face.
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| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south]
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| − | A shimmering black gate rises from the ground, leading to parts unknown.
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| − | A large eagle's nest sits precariously balanced on a stone ledge.
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| − | Padraic the Hero of the Shadows is here.
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| − | Shasarik the Thane of Battle is here.
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| − | A weak, newly hatched eagle sits warm within the nest, squeaking piteously.
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| − | Using the nest as insulation against the winds, an eagle preens herself.
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| − | Your passage through the void maims you!
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| − | A raven has arrived through a shimmering gate.
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| − | A raven's passage through the void decimates it!
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| − | Shasarik lowers his gaze from the sky.
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| − | The sun slowly disappears in the west.
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| − | Clouds move into the area, obscuring the sky.
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| − | Shasarik peers about his surroundings quietly before resting his gaze on the river.
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| − | Vaeshir touches his mouth in rememberance.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I have been here before.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Yes. Only by your... gates... this may not even be Avendar from what I know.'
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| − | Vaeshir whispers 'Isn't it wonderful?'
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| − | Shasarik looks at an eagle hatchling.
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| − | Padraic rolls his eyes diffidently.
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| − | Shasarik looks at the eagle.
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| − | Shasarik turns to face Padraic.
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| − | Shasarik lowers himself to his knees, tucking his tail under himself.
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| − | Shasarik sits down on the ground.
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| − | Shasarik swiftly sheathes his weapons with the grace of a student swordmaster.
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| − | Shasarik stops using an axe made from tempered steel.
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| − | Shasarik stops using a long steel foil.
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| − | A mask of indifference settles itself upon Padraic's face.
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| − | Padraic says 'Such trust.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Trust has little to do with it.'
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| − | Shasarik nods, a saddened trace to his expressions.
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| − | With a flip of the wrist, Padraic slides a jewel-encrusted dagger up his sleeve.
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| − | Padraic stops using a jewel-encrusted dagger.
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| − | Padraic says 'Perhaps.'
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| − | Padraic says 'But we have yet to cease our bush beating.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Enough is clear.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Avendar is a stage, yes? And we are players... some with a house and some that travel for the clinking of coins... but in these plays all wear their masks. Only those who feel they have a mastery of this artform are empowered to hide their masks aw'
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| − | Shasarik says 'away behind a thin veil of shadow.'
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| − | Chill winds dance about, assailing you from all directions.
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| − | Padraic says 'Eloquently spoken, dear boy.'
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| − | Padraic applauds slowly.
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| − | Shasarik draws his cloak more tightly around himself in vain attempt to shield his body from the winds.
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| − | Padraic says 'But you still wonder at my involvement. And I still wonder about yours.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Indeed.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Until this time I... knew not... of your involvement.'
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| − | Shasarik turns slightly to Vaeshir.
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| − | Padraic reaches into a satchel, pulling out a sheet of withered parchment, folded neatly into quarters.
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| − | Shasarik restores his northward gaze.
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| − | Padraic says 'I suppose that I should take that as a compliment.'
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| − | Vaeshir's lips part slowly.
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| − | Shasarik smiles thinly.
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| − | Shasarik blinks and his face is emotionless.
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| − | Padraic slowly unfolds the sheet, slowly reading it over.
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| − | Vaeshir, moving nothing more than his arm, holds it out towards the sheet of parchment calmly.
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| − | Shasarik watches this actively.
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| − | Padraic smiles grimly.
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| − | Vaeshir gasps with mock surprise.
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| − | Shasarik drinks water from a large leather water skin.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Would you prefer to wear the mask longer?'
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| − | Shasarik chuckles darkly.
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| − | The winds lessen to a brisk breeze, sending fingers of chill air curling about you.
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| − | Padraic quietly folds the sheet again.
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| − | Shasarik whispers 'So...'
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| − | Padraic says 'I have seen no undonning from your camp.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'The questions are not clear.'
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| − | A triumphant screech echos from afar, as a predatory bird finds a meal.
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| − | Padraic says 'An answer can be provided without a question to induce it.'
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| − | Shasarik moves his mouth quickly, no words coming forth.
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| − | Padraic places a finger upon Shasarik's lips.
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| − | Vaeshir tilts his head slightly 'You showed no surprise at my appearance.'
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| − | Shasarik closes his mouth.
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| − | Padraic drinks water from an everfull chalice.
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| − | Padraic stops using a string of dragon-bone hair beads.
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| − | Padraic wears a pair of runed spectacles on his head.
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| − | Padraic stops using a pair of runed spectacles.
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| − | Padraic wears a string of dragon-bone hair beads on his head.
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| − | Padraic says 'I haven't, have I.'
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| − | Vaeshir shifts his gaze towards the parchment 'You protest that you are in contact with the Gods, or a God, yet my question has gone, thusfar, unaswered.'
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| − | Shasarik looks at Padraic.
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| − | Vaeshir licks his lips gingerly.
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| − | Shasarik stares at Padraic's pendant intently.
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| − | Padraic tilts his head slightly to the side.
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| − | Vaeshir raises an arm slowly, leveling it with Padraic's face.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'You are not the first to call for Shasarik's freedom.'
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| − | Padraic says 'I have not made that call, I am afraid.'
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| − | Shasarik gasps quickly but catches himself.
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| − | Padraic says 'I merely asked about his wishes.'
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| − | Padraic turns his eyes towards the sky.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'The nature of the questioning combined with the unusual timing have made your intent clear enough.'
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| − | Shasarik draws his hands behind his back to keep them from shaking.
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| − | Shasarik flexes his tail off the ground before letting it drop with a loud echo.
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| − | Padraic stifles a smirk.
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| − | OOC to Padraic: 'have made' --> 'has made'
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| − | OOC to Shasarik: 'have made' --> 'has made'
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| − | [OOC] Shasarik: noted.
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| − | Padraic says 'The nature of your answers is providing me with a clearer picture than I could have hoped for.'
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| − | [OOC] Shasarik: if that's the worst slip that happens tonight consider yourself lucky... look at me...
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| − | Padraic says 'Something is unravelling about you, Vaeshir, that you do not fully understand.'
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| − | [OOC] Shasarik: esays instead of emotes... heh
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| − | Padraic says 'Shadows are coming to life, and you are not sure which ones will remain still, and which ones will pounce.'
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| − | Vaeshir shrugs his shoulders indifferently 'I have been the first to begin removing my mask.'
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| − | Padraic suddenly turns his attention to the raven.
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| − | Shasarik whispers to himself 'the light... to what end?'
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| − | Padraic says 'A pretty specimen.'
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| − | Vaeshir holds his arm level with his shoulder.
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| − | Shasarik chants 'There were three....'
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| − | A raven shifts to pirch on your shoulder.
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| − | Shasarik continues 'and now... there are two...'
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| − | Padraic says '... And then there were none.'
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| − | Padraic says 'That's how the poem finishes, you know.'
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| − | You are thirsty.
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| − | You are feeling extremely dehydrated!
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| − | You DISEMBOWEL yourself!
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| − | Shasarik nods, understanding.
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| − | Padraic says 'Another drink, Vaeshir?'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Yes.'
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| − | Padraic gives you an everfull chalice.
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| − | You drink water from an everfull chalice.
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| − | You drink water from an everfull chalice.
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| − | You give an everfull chalice to Padraic.
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| − | Shasarik says 'But... there shall be those... those who remain...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Those who need not trouble themselves with meat and drink.'
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| − | Clouds move into the area, obscuring the sky.
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| − | Padraic says 'Or those who need not worry about the ravages of time, or those who need not ponder over the blades of mortal men...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Those whose minds alone suspend countless strings.'
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| − | Padraic holds up the folded parchment.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Those whose masks entwine with skin entwine with soul.'
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| − | Padraic says 'This letter was sent to me by my superior.'
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| − | Padraic says 'Mind you, there is but one who can claim such a thing upon me.'
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| − | Vaeshir makes a quick gesture.
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| − | Shasarik offers a quick nod.
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| − | A raven flies quickly over to land on Padraic's shoulder.
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| − | Shasarik grazes himself.
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| − | Chill winds whip about your body, tearing at loose accoutrements.
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| − | A forceful gust of freezing air bites into your exposed flesh!
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| − | Shasarik chokes a moment as few drops of blood fly from his mouth.
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| − | Shasarik wounds himself.
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| − | Shasarik sways slightly on his feet and then is well.
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| − | Shasarik looks from Padraic to Vaeshir.
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| − | Padraic says 'Why I have chosen to reveal myself at this time, is now clear to you, I assume.'
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| − | Vaeshir inclines his head slightly.
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| − | Padraic taps the note lightly.
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| − | Shasarik says 'P-padraic... might I... petition you for a loaf?'
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| − | Shasarik injures himself.
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| − | Padraic says 'I'm afraid I'm fresh out.'
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| − | Shasarik shakes his head.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Very well.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'Continue.'
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| − | You get a cake of Nendorian waybread from a large hide bag.
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| − | Shasarik grazes himself.
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| − | You give a cake of Nendorian waybread to Shasarik.
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| − | Shasarik turns the bread over in his hands.
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| − | Shasarik gives you a cake of Nendorian waybread.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Continue, Padraic.'
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| − | Shasarik misses himself.
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| − | Vaeshir turns his gaze sharply to Shasarik.
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| − | Shasarik locks his eyes with Padraic's.
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| − | Shasarik grazes himself.
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| − | Padraic says 'I am stepping in, for others who have bungled, and for others that may have shifted their positions.'
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| − | Shasarik maims himself!
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| − | Shasarik mauls himself.
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| − | Padraic says 'A portion of my mask has been revealed. It is your turn again.'
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| − | Shasarik sways slightly.
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| − | The sun slowly disappears in the west.
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| − | Shasarik scratches himself.
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| − | Shasarik looks up at Padraic.
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| − | The sun slowly disappears in the west.
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| − | Shasarik injures himself.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I have either been chosen. Or I have been marked as a slave.'
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| − | Padraic eyes you with a slight smirk.
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| − | Shasarik says 'At this time it matters little.'
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| − | Vaeshir purses his lips 'Or both.'
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| − | Shasarik hits himself.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I... have found a way that I can be free from my bondage to Lor-Archmage Vaeshir.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And at the same time no blood will touch blade nor earth.'
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| − | Shasarik decimates himself!
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| − | Vaeshir taps a finger against his cheek idly.
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| − | Shasarik closes his eyes, lost in a brief dream.
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| − | Shasarik mauls himself.
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| − | Vaeshir turns his gaze toward Padraic.
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| − | Shasarik says 'Father... he has promised my... release.'
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| − | Shasarik devastates himself!
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| − | Shasarik says 'It has been written in the dust of the stars, in the essense of the dreams, in the notation of the spheres.'
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| − | Vaeshir holds up a hand before Shasarik.
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| − | Padraic drinks water from an everfull chalice.
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| − | Shasarik closes his mouth.
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| − | Shasarik hits himself.
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| − | Shasarik whispers ''tis true, My Lord, 'tis true this not yet Is. This that shall be.'
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| − | Shasarik hits himself.
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| − | Shasarik says 'I shall still close my mouth at the wave of your hand... my blood runs with the taint of the Bindings...'
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| − | Shasarik closes his mouth.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I believe you will find it is in your best interest.'
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| − | Shasarik hits himself.
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| − | Shasarik bursts from closed lips 'ssssssoon.'
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| − | Shasarik grazes himself.
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| − | Shasarik says 'There, the mask that is a smiling frown is half-revealed.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'I have, Padraic of the shades, paid my ante.'
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| − | Shasarik wounds himself.
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| − | Shasarik looks at an eagle hatchling.
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| − | Shasarik wields an axe made from tempered steel.
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| − | Shasarik dual wields a long steel foil.
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| − | Shasarik stands up.
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| − | Shasarik's mighty cleave *** DEMOLISHES *** an eagle hatchling!
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| − | An eagle hatchling is DEAD!!
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| − | An eagle hatchling's leg is sliced from his dead body.
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| − | Shasarik sacrifices the corpse of an eagle hatchling to the gods.
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| − | Shasarik gets the leg of an eagle hatchling.
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| − | Shasarik skins the leg quietly with his axe as he listens.
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| − | Shasarik scratches himself.
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| − | Shasarik eats the leg of an eagle hatchling.
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| − | Padraic smiles lightly.
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| − | Shasarik sits down on the ground.
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| − | Shasarik stops using an axe made from tempered steel.
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| − | Shasarik stops using a long steel foil.
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| − | Padraic says 'Nothing is unbreakable, is it.'
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| − | The clouds begin to disperse, clearing the sky.
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| − | Shasarik drinks water from a large leather water skin.
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| − | Padraic muses 'Not the strongest of men, the strongest of gods, nor the strongest of bonds...'
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| − | Shasarik says 'If my body pulsed with water or wine such ease would be my toil.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'But not so, on the contrary, my heart beats the constant drumming of bloodflow.'
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| − | A raven shifts, stretching its wings.
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| − | Padraic says 'And yet, Vaeshir watches on contentedly?'
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| − | A triumphant screech echos from afar, as a predatory bird finds a meal.
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| − | Shasarik says 'He has what he wishes. Soon he will have more.'
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| − | Vaeshir inclines his head slightly.
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| − | Padraic says 'He sits at the trade table then.'
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| − | Shasarik says 'And yet expects that to elude us.'
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| − | Padraic's gaze falls lightly upon your neck, then moves on.
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| − | The dull roar of the wind abates a moment, the ensuing quietude unusual to the ear.
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| − | Padraic says 'I must consult with my... superior.'
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| − | Vaeshir opens his mouth as if to speak, then shuts it.
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| − | Padraic smiles craftily.
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| − | Shasarik ponders this silently.
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| − | Padraic says 'When the time comes, we will speak again. Make no mention of me to the others.'
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| − | Shasarik nods.
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| − | Padraic says 'They are not to know of my appearance yet.'
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| − | The sun rises in the east.
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| − | Shasarik says 'It shall be as you wish.'
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| − | Shasarik stands up.
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'I desire the note.'
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| − | Vaeshir says softly 'Just payment for silence.'
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| − | Padraic says 'In good time, Vaeshir.'
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| − | Shasarik eyes Vaeshir caustiously.
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| − | Padraic says 'You will get your payment, soon enough.'
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| − | Shasarik looks at Padraic.
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| − | Padraic quaffs a potion of transportation.
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| − | Padraic disappears.
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| − | Shasarik quaffs a potion of transportation.
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| − | Shasarik disappears.
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| − | You step into the void, crossing space with your magics.
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| − | The magical winds of the void tear at you!
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| − | Your passage through the void mauls you.
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| − | Near a Rocky Peak
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| − | A thin path of fragments of white stone winds its way upward and westward
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| − | around the side of a high, round hill, whose rocky peak looms just to the
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| − | north. The path drops away quickly to the east, into a narrow valley
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| − | between the arms of the hills. Far to the east, beyond the valley and
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| − | beyond yet more hills, a wide, grey plain stretches away into the distance.
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| − | To the west the path winds deeper into the hill country, whose craggy peaks
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| − | rise high above the southern forest.
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| − | [Exits: west down]
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| − | A shaggy mountain goat picks its way along the stony ground.
| + | |
| − | A raven follows right behind, through the opaque portal.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Rising Valley
| + | |
| − | A narrow valley, which winds southward between the out-flung arms of two
| + | |
| − | hills, ends its northward climb at the face of an outcrop of sheer granite.
| + | |
| − | A narrow path, nothing more than a twisting line of whitish pebbles, winds
| + | |
| − | upward to the west, criss-crossing its way toward the peak of that hill.
| + | |
| − | Far to the south a broad forested valley is visible, stretching away into
| + | |
| − | greyness.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south up]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Near a Rocky Peak
| + | |
| − | A thin path of fragments of white stone winds its way upward and westward
| + | |
| − | around the side of a high, round hill, whose rocky peak looms just to the
| + | |
| − | north. The path drops away quickly to the east, into a narrow valley
| + | |
| − | between the arms of the hills. Far to the east, beyond the valley and
| + | |
| − | beyond yet more hills, a wide, grey plain stretches away into the distance.
| + | |
| − | To the west the path winds deeper into the hill country, whose craggy peaks
| + | |
| − | rise high above the southern forest.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: west down]
| + | |
| − | A shaggy mountain goat picks its way along the stony ground.
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Upon a Barren Hillside
| + | |
| − | Upon the western slopes of this high round hill, the great extent of the
| + | |
| − | hill country can be seen. Rampart upon rampart rise into the distance, ever
| + | |
| − | northward toward the dimly visible shadow of the Brintor Mountains. Like
| + | |
| − | rows of blackened teeth, the crests cut their way southward, ending suddenly
| + | |
| − | as a great forest begins. The narrow path here bends eastward, around the
| + | |
| − | southern face of the hill. To the north it winds toward an out-thrust
| + | |
| − | ridge.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north east]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Upon a Barren Hillside
| + | |
| − | Upon the western slopes of this high round hill, the great extent of the
| + | |
| − | hill country can be seen. Rampart upon rampart rise into the distance, ever
| + | |
| − | northward toward the dimly visible shadow of the Brintor Mountains. Like
| + | |
| − | rows of blackened teeth, the crests cut their way southward, ending suddenly
| + | |
| − | as a great forest begins. A narrow path of shattered white stone begins
| + | |
| − | here and winds southward around the western face of the hill. A pathless
| + | |
| − | ridge stretches out from the hill to the northwest.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north south west]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Spiny Ridge
| + | |
| − | A shale-covered ridge stretches to the northwest from a high, round hill
| + | |
| − | which rises in the southeast. Facing the gradually descending march of the
| + | |
| − | ridge, you can see its end some distance away, where it disappears into an
| + | |
| − | unseen precipice. In this direction the jagged granite spine of the ridge
| + | |
| − | is to your left, while to the right a slope leads down into a
| + | |
| − | northward-running valley.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south down]
| + | |
| − | A shaggy mountain goat picks its way along the stony ground.
| + | |
| − | A great red stag walks through the hills.
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Beginning of a Broad Valley
| + | |
| − | A broad valley is embraced by lines of jagged hills the the east and
| + | |
| − | west, and is cut off to the south by a diagonal ridge. The shaley slopes of
| + | |
| − | this ridge make an awkward but achievable climb. To the north the valley
| + | |
| − | opens, its wide, stony floor broken with drifts of earth, from which sprout
| + | |
| − | thickets of glossy-leaved spruce.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north up]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Broad Valley
| + | |
| − | Here a deep, rounded valley is embraced by hilltops to the east and west,
| + | |
| − | climbing into a narrower valley to the south, and stretching away to the
| + | |
| − | north. The shaley slopes of the facing hills rise to craggy peaks topped
| + | |
| − | with weather-torn growths of dark pine. Here on the stony floor drifts of
| + | |
| − | earth sprout thickets of resinous spruce. Cold wind from the higher reaches
| + | |
| − | swirls down into the valley whistling in the evergreen leaves. Like craggy
| + | |
| − | waves, the hills march to either side, their sharp peaks and curving saddles
| + | |
| − | too steep to climb.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north south west]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Broad Valley
| + | |
| − | Here a deep, rounded valley is embraced by hilltops to the east and west,
| + | |
| − | climbing into a narrower valley to the northwest, and stretching away to the
| + | |
| − | south. The shaley slopes of the facing hills rise to craggy peaks topped
| + | |
| − | with weather-torn growths of dark pine. Here on the stony floor drifts of
| + | |
| − | earth sprout thickets of resinous spruce. Cold wind from the higher reaches
| + | |
| − | swirls down into the valley whistling in the evergreen leaves. Like craggy
| + | |
| − | waves, the hills march to either side, their sharp peaks and curving saddles
| + | |
| − | too steep to climb.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south west]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Broad Valley
| + | |
| − | Here a deep, rounded valley is embraced by hilltops to the east and west,
| + | |
| − | climbing into a narrower valley to the north, and stretching away to the
| + | |
| − | south. The shaley slopes of the facing hills rise to craggy peaks topped
| + | |
| − | with weather-torn growths of dark pine. Here on the stony floor drifts of
| + | |
| − | earth sprout thickets of resinous spruce. Cold wind from the higher reaches
| + | |
| − | swirls down into the valley whistling in the evergreen leaves. Like craggy
| + | |
| − | waves, the hills march to either side, their sharp peaks and curving saddles
| + | |
| − | too steep to climb.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north east south]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Beginning of a Broad Valley
| + | |
| − | A broad valley is embraced by lines of jagged hills the the east and
| + | |
| − | west, and ends to the north where the arms of two hills are thrust together.
| + | |
| − | A rising crevice is formed between these spurs, down which trickles a tiny
| + | |
| − | stream of water. To the south the broad valley opens up, its wide, stony
| + | |
| − | floor broken with drifts of earth, from which sprout thickets of
| + | |
| − | glossy-leaved spruce.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south up]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Spiny, Fir-Clad Ridge
| + | |
| − | Formed by the out-thrust spurs of two southward hills, this jagged, rocky
| + | |
| − | ridge extends northward, deep into the rugged hill country. Interspersed
| + | |
| − | with the knife-like granite outthrusts, thickets of dark-leaved fir bend in
| + | |
| − | the bitter wind. The weather-torn branches of these mishappen trees are
| + | |
| − | clad in weeping veils of dark needles, and their shallow roots cling to the
| + | |
| − | tenuous soil. To the south the ridge ends, and a cleft between the hills
| + | |
| − | drops away into a broad valley.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north down]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Spiny, Fir-Clad Ridge
| + | |
| − | Formed by the out-thrust spurs of two distant southward hills, this
| + | |
| − | jagged, rocky ridge extends to the northwest, deep into the rugged hill
| + | |
| − | country. Interspersed with the knife-like granite outthrusts, thickets of
| + | |
| − | dark-leaved fir bend in the bitter wind. The weather-torn branches of these
| + | |
| − | mishappen trees are clad in weeping veils of dark needles, and their shallow
| + | |
| − | roots cling to the tenuous soil. A kink in the northward march of the ridge
| + | |
| − | sends it in a westward arc around the shore of a wide, still lake. A cleft
| + | |
| − | in the side of the ridge channels a trickle of water into lake, and provides
| + | |
| − | a means of descent.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south down]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Narrow Cleft
| + | |
| − | Cutting a straight passage down the side of a northwest-running ridge, a
| + | |
| − | narrow cleft channels a trickling stream from the craggy, fir-clad heights
| + | |
| − | into a wide, still lake to the north. As the ground levels the cleft
| + | |
| − | widens, only to meet the steep, shear walls of the cliffs bounding the lake.
| + | |
| − | Here the tumbled rocks from the crags above choke the stream, and mosses and
| + | |
| − | tiny ferns grow amongst the crevices.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north up]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | By the Shore of a Still Lake
| + | |
| − | A narrow shelf of pebbly ground forms the shore of a wide, still lake.
| + | |
| − | The lake stretches away to the northeast, surrounded in all directions by
| + | |
| − | high, grey cliffs whose serrated peaks are reflected in the still waters
| + | |
| − | against a dim sky. In the very center of the lake is reflected the highest
| + | |
| − | crag, a lofty bluff over the eastern shore whose spiney peak of jumbled
| + | |
| − | black stone floats serenely in the lightless deep. Here at the southwest
| + | |
| − | corner of the lake a tiny stream trickles across the pebbly shore from a
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | narrow cleft in the southern cliff.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north east south]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | By the Shore of a Still Lake
| + | |
| − | A narrow shelf of pebbly ground forms the shore of a wide, still lake.
| + | |
| − | The lake stretches away to the north, surrounded in all directions by high,
| + | |
| − | grey cliffs whose serrated peaks are reflected in the still waters against a
| + | |
| − | dim sky. In the very center of the lake is reflected the highest crag, a
| + | |
| − | lofty bluff over the eastern shore whose spiney peak of jumbled black stone
| + | |
| − | floats serenely in the lightless deep. The shelf continues along the
| + | |
| − | southern shore beneath an eroding granite face.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: east west]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | By the Shore of a Still Lake
| + | |
| − | A narrow shelf of pebbly ground forms the shore of a wide, still lake.
| + | |
| − | The lake stretches away to the north, surrounded in all directions by high,
| + | |
| − | grey cliffs whose serrated peaks are reflected in the still waters against a
| + | |
| − | dim sky. In the very center of the lake is reflected the highest crag, a
| + | |
| − | lofty bluff over the eastern shore whose spiney peak of jumbled black stone
| + | |
| − | floats serenely in the lightless deep. The shelf continues along the
| + | |
| − | southern shore to the west, but directly to the east the shore is blocked by
| + | |
| − | great toppled splints of stone, which rise, step-like, to the cliffs above.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: west up]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Stair of Toppled Granite
| + | |
| − | A natural stair is formed here of great pillars of granite, eroded and
| + | |
| − | toppled from the cliff face to the south. The stair overlooks a wide, still
| + | |
| − | lake, which stretches away to the north. At the base of the stair a narrow
| + | |
| − | shore stretches eastward around the lake, while upward the stair meets the
| + | |
| − | craggy cliff-tops.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: up down]
| + | |
| − | A large hawk circles in the cold winds above the hills.
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Overlooking a Still Lake
| + | |
| − | This craggy cliff-top forms a high stone girdle about a wide, still lake.
| + | |
| − | Jutting upward from a narrow shore, the cliff's serrated peaks are framed
| + | |
| − | against the sky above, and against the deeper blue of the reflective depths
| + | |
| − | far below. Just to the west the face of the cliff has fallen in a series of
| + | |
| − | jumbled pillers, eroded by the harsh, cold wind of the heights. Eastward
| + | |
| − | the cliff continues about the southern edge of the lake.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: east down]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Overlooking a Still Lake
| + | |
| − | This craggy cliff-top forms a high stone girdle about a wide, still lake.
| + | |
| − | Jutting upward from a narrow shore, the cliff's serrated peaks are framed
| + | |
| − | against the sky above, and against the deeper blue of the reflective depths
| + | |
| − | far below. Here the brink curves northward, around the southeastern edge of
| + | |
| − | the lake, and marches eastward, where the cliff-face is scored and broken
| + | |
| − | with erosion.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north west]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Overlooking a Still Lake
| + | |
| − | This craggy cliff-top forms a high stone girdle about a wide, still lake.
| + | |
| − | Jutting upward from a narrow shore, the cliff's serrated peaks are framed
| + | |
| − | against the sky above, and against the deeper blue of the reflective depths
| + | |
| − | far below. To the south the precipice bends around the southeastern edge of
| + | |
| − | the lake, while to the north the ground rises. At the peak of the rise,
| + | |
| − | mounted upon the highest spire, a jumble of ruined black stone squats
| + | |
| − | darkly. Some ancient work of men, the remnants of its toppled towers thrust
| + | |
| − | like crooked fingers against the sky.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south up]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Before the Ruined Gates
| + | |
| − | The jumbled ruin of an ancient fortress sits atop the high peak of this
| + | |
| − | ridge. Its once-lofty towers are now shattered and in ruins, with only
| + | |
| − | hollow shards of wood and stone left to recall their splendour. The wall of
| + | |
| − | the fortress is broken in many places, and the collapsed arch of a gaping
| + | |
| − | gateway lies directly to the north. To the west a sudden brink overlooks a
| + | |
| − | wide, still lake far below. The reflective, blue waters stretch to the
| + | |
| − | north and south, and above the looming cliffs of the western shore the
| + | |
| − | rising ridges of the hill country can be seen marching, spine upon jagged
| + | |
| − | spine, into the distance. Just to the south the edge of the cliff drops
| + | |
| − | steeply.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north down]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Blackened Courtyard
| + | |
| − | Wracked by some great violence of fire and force, the wide courtyard of
| + | |
| − | this fortress lies in blackened desolation. Scorched flagstones have been
| + | |
| − | heaved from their places, and lie strewn amongst the scattered fragments of
| + | |
| − | the broken walls. A few small buildings line the courtyard - a smithy, a
| + | |
| − | stable, a servant's quarters - all now roofless and tumbled. To the north
| + | |
| − | lies the main keep of the fortress, its towers and high halls cast into
| + | |
| − | ruin.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: north south]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | A Ruined Hall
| + | |
| − | The broken walls of an ancient hall of men surround a fire-blasted and
| + | |
| − | desolate space, now open to the bleak sky above. Charred beams of wood and
| + | |
| − | fragments of the stone walls still pierce sky with harsh angles, and in the
| + | |
| − | center of the room a once-great spiral staircase lies crumbled. Its
| + | |
| − | blackened marble steps rise several feet above the ground still, before
| + | |
| − | dropping into a jumbled mass of broken stone and shattered wood. The steps
| + | |
| − | do, however, continue downward, through the floor of the hall and into a
| + | |
| − | gaping hole whose bottom is beyond the blackness of its depth. To the south
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [Exits: south down]
| + | |
| − | A raven has arrived.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Vaeshir casts a glance downward into the abyss.</pre>
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_1 1][http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_2 2][http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_3 3][http://www.ender.com/~jolinn/avendarbible/wiki.pl?Road_to_Revolution_4 4][5]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Return to: [[The Apocrypha]] See also: [[Vaeshir]], [[Shasarik]], [[Padraic]]
| + | |
