The Damn Forum mkIII

Warning: strong, sensitive subject matter ahead. Consider this Chapter M/A Rated R










Summer Home 278 AC



It is the Day of the Summer Home Festival in the elven kingdom of Qualinesti. Specially crafted kites soar through the air in a great open field, with dozens of elven children around watching in wonder. The festivals celebrated have been more of a solemn traditional affair since the cataclysm, but some joy is starting to return to the people and young people who were born on this side of the cataclysmic event more than three hundred years ago. Poetry contests and food competitions bring forth amazing delights to be sampled after they are judged for taste and presentation.

Archery tournaments for different age brackets are held. Kira Silverleaf participates but gets 5th place. Kira and Lashia Ambrodel get together after the match, and after Kira has changed into her summer dress for tonight. Lashia asks her friend, “What happened?”

Kira hedges and says she has a lot on her mind. "I was very distracted."

Lashia arches her eyebrow and says, "I'm not nobody, it's me. What is it really? no more hedging."   

“I am a little worried about meeting Talidaar in a while. My father is being completely unreasonable.”

“He has gone off the deep end, even before this. I am beginning to think only your father’s chosen suitor is the only one he is going to accept, which naturally means to him that he is your only choice as well.”

“He can’t really believe that.” Kira scoffs.

Lashia gives her best friend her honest assessment,  “He believes it.”

Later,

Soon, the lightning bugs come out and their bioluminescence flashes as they fly amongst the dancing elves.

Luminaires are lit at night and add to the ambiance of the moment.

Kira meets up with Talidaar and guides him in a direction away from the main thoroughfare of festival revelers, and the only people they see are people who are heading towards the festival excitedly, away from them. Kira is wearing her hair slightly differently; it is braided with baby's breath woven into her braid,  and it is up, revealing more of her face and her neck. She is wearing a summer light blue dress with puffed sleeves, starting from her puffed shoulders. She is a vision of beauty.

Talidaar and Kira walk amongst the luminaires, under the stars and the trees. It is a perfect visit. They talk about everything, and their future plans, their hopes. Kira plans to serve her tours in the military and then get out, and adventure around, find a good man that I have chosen, get married, and have babies.

Talidaar laughs good-naturedly and says he plans to work to become a druid and will have to work his way up through their archaic and complex Hierarchy, and someday, perhaps meet a pretty and good woman, and marry her, have several children, and grow old together in a place of our own.

“That sounds wonderfully nice and cozy,” Kira says after a few moments of imagining such an idyllic setting for the ever after…“Where is this place you describe as our own?” Kira asks after a few moments.

Talidaar was lost in thought as well, and came out of it, but he heard her, he says, “I do not know, I dream of it sometimes. It is not too far from here; it is in Abanasinia somewhere. I can tell because of the trees, they are local, but that way a ways.” Talidaar points in a direction to the northeast, as if he can vaguely see it. “I plan to look for it in the coming years and build a home. Maybe you could visit me when you take your leave from the service.”

Kira wonders if that would be possible, knowing her father, he would put a stop to it if he knew. She had cast her eyes down in thought, but she brought them back up to his eyes. Kira says, "I would like that very much. We will plan for it, but it might be some time until that happens, but know that that is what I want." She looks at his beautiful face and his solemn expression, and Kira hooks her arms around Talidaar’s neck and pulls him down enough to kiss him. Talidaar is completely surprised, but more willing to accept her willing advance. Their lips touch, and they meet each other with want and desire. Fireworks go off in the open meadow where they were flying the kits earlier. It is the kind of kiss that you remember. They come up for air, and he holds her in his arms in a hug as she rests her head on his shoulder.

Distantly, they can hear a more popular song from recent years, and it turns out to have a special meaning to Kira, so Talidaar does not miss the opportunity to ask her to dance, and she accepts, and they begin dancing together. It is so moving to the little fey that have been watching the elven couple, and they decide to add to the ambiance with fey magic and glow globes that float with the dancing pair.

She wants to warn him, but she sees that he is having such a good time, she cannot bring herself to tell him her father forbids her to see him; she wants to spare him, but in doing so, seals his fate. 

Once the music dies down and they have gazed into each other's eyes and have found such balance with each other, it is painful for Kira to go, but she promises they will see each other again: “It might be a few years before I can see you again, do not forget about me.”

“How could I? I don’t think you have to worry about that, Miss Silverleaf.” Talidaar answers sweetly. They share a last kiss, and a last embrace, and Talidaar lets her go, and they watch each other for a few moments as she leaves, and then she is gone… 

Talidaar is lost in the fleeting moments of serenity. Whatever happens next cannot dim for what becomes years from now a memory of a perfect night with Kira.
 
Talidaar is suddenly set upon by a few elves. When Talidaar becomes sure he can not run or talk his way out of things, he fights for his life, punching, kicking, anything, but he is finally knocked unconscious. Talidaar later awakens in the extensive basement. Soon, the bag is ripped off of Talidaar’s head, forcefully taking some of Talidaar’s hair with it.

Talidaar tries to focus, but he is having trouble doing so. It is dark in this room, except for a few candles flickering. People are standing around him, males, dressed alike. Military? Figures comes down the stairs and into the room. One of them is carrying a lantern. One of them bends down and forcefully grabs Talidaar’s chin to see all of the damage done to the Half-Human already. Talidaar does not like this feeling, and he pulls away, which brings a backhand across Talidaar’s face.

“You were given an opportunity to wizen up and you came back again, but your natural thought was to think if you shaved, you could fit in with the people.”

“You of all people have captured my daughter’s interest… You, a half-breed half-human thought that you were going to take my daughter away from me? To go live in the woods like hermits?”

“Your kind should have wiped out hundreds of years ago.

“Just looking at you makes me sick to think you and Kira could have anything together!”

Kira’s father gets down on one knee and gets in Talidaar’s face, while another holds up Talidaar’s head by his hair.  “You will never see her again! You will go from Qualinesti and never come back or we will finish what we started,  maybe we will give your Grandfather the same treatment.”

Talidaar’s face grows stern, matching his thoughts.

The Father attacks Talidaar, whose hands are restrained behind him, and cannot defend himself from his wild attacks and kicks.

The Father steps back as Kira’s older brother comes in and he bashes Talidaar about his head and face.

Then, he follows up with kicking Talidaar, the others join in… and then, everything goes dark for Talidaar as he blacks out.



Later, 


At Talidaar’s Grandfather’s House, Tevarith has been watching the march of the moons and the dance of the stars, and still, his grandson has not come back yet. He puts off his nagging worry for a while longer, believing he should give Talidaar the benefit of his patience, maybe Talidaar had an incredibly good night…

Soon, the nagging worry he was feeling won out. Tevarith sets out into the predawn morning. He does not have to travel far. He sees a body has just been dumped just outside the city limits. The prone body worries the Grandfather, and he bends down on old knees and feels to find if there is a pulse… A weak one!

Tevarith stands and looks around to see what nature might make available to help. He calls out in a strange horse-like sound, and eventually, a horse runs up and through some considerable effort, Tevarith gets Talidaar up and laying on the horse, and Tevarith walks the horse carrying Talidaar back to the house.

Tevarith does everything he can to bring comfort to his grandson and healing. It absolutely breaks his Grandfather’s heart that this happened; he had his concerns, but even he did not think they would go this far. This is beyond normal hatred. Tears roll down Tevarith's face as he looks out into the distance. Talidaar will mend in time, but seeing him like this just tears at the old elf.

Such vile hatred for one so young, and for what? He cries all over as he takes care of Talidaar, helping him eat, helping him walk again. It took time, and the Old Elf was patient. It brought him back to the first days of caring for the young boy who is now a young man. He remembers how small Talidaar was. He thinks back fondly on the years they have spent together, and as time goes on, and it moves into the fall and winter months, things that the young man Talidaar did, the Old elf was forced to do with Talidaar still mending in bed. He had to take care of things through the winter months.

Soon, it became too much for Tevarith, and though he did not want to admit it, it was burning his candle brighter and tiring him out more often. Tevarith kept this fact from Talidaar and continued to care for him, bringing him back from the brink of isolating himself in a prison of depression that gripped Talidaar when he was conscious, and so he spent as much time medicated as he could be.

It was not until he learned that his Grandfather had come down with a respiratory illness that brought Talidaar back to life and mobile enough, though he still ached and was in pain from mending ribs and bones, he cared for his Grandfather with all of his might and skill.

The first indications of spring, and the old elf and Talidaar walk out into the yard and have a seat, and take in the spring air. They ended up saving each other and got each other through the winter months.

Warning: strong, sensitive subject matter ahead. Consider this Thread M/A Rated R





















349 AC
Late Spring Dawning 


Spring storms roll through the forest one night, a few nights after Selene and Seraphelle had decided to commit to their plot to get closer to Dalamar to learn where he has gained power from. Inari has watched the pair for weeks and decides to add what she thinks to the proceedings. So, Inari approaches the conspirators and asks to join in with their conversation. The girls are alarmed that they have been noticed and concerned that the young one might not fully understand what they are doing. Inari adds her pieces of information she has been considering these past nights and has concluded that they should let her join their circle.

The Information Inari offers is that she heard Selene and Seraphelle a couple of nights ago talk about their musings about Dalamar, and so she had done her own thinking on the subject and has concluded that Dalamar has opened himself to the black moon.

Selene and Seraphelle look at each other and back at Inari, and they nod with understanding, and a recognition that they now share a possible dark truth that they must keep between them at all costs.

With Inari fully on board in their circle, they were given access to her exceptional intelligence. She had been thinking about this as well, deciding on which ruin to set the stage to make contact with Dalamar.   

Although Inari knew what the other two girls knew, that one of them would have to get close, only it was not clear which would go forward with being the point of contact with Dalamar. Inari analyzed who the best candidate would potentially be. She had also accounted for Kalana to be factored into the equation because it is inevitable that she will eventually be added to the circle.

In the end, Selene's volunteering was something Inari always thought was going to happen, but Inari needed Selene to arrive at this point on her own, and without Inari’s interference. 

Seraphelle understood this choice and braced herself for the feelings that she was going to feel soon. They try to move past this as a means to an end, but they all know it is much more than that.     

Selene had begun making eyes with Dalamar for a few days before he found a note that had been passed inside his pocket. It is a short note from Selene with her signature that reads that he should join her and her friends as they visit the Ruins of Solune the coming weekend.

He does not answer her until the first day of the weekend. He looks like he has packed for a trek in the woods, complete with a walking stick. Selene approaches: she walks with a certain confidence that she has enticed him in.

She approaches him and asks if he is going to the Ruins, and Dalamar answers and just says, “Yes, I will accompany you on this field trip. Where are your fellow sisters?”

Selene answers, “They will be along, I’m sure, any moment now. Have you been to this ruin site before?”

“I have not, that is part of the reason I acquiesced to come on this walk.”

Selene and Dalamar are quiet for a few moments (contemplating the other part), waiting …. 

Just now, Inari and Seraphelle are being confronted with the inconvenience of Kalana inviting herself to the outing.  The girls isolate Kalana and give her the lowdown of the circle’s intentions. Kalana understands and acts accordingly and gets with the program.


They all walk out and meet Selene and Dalamar, and the group sets out and heads into the woods, following the path. They are traveling southwest, away from Silvanost. The girls hang back from Dalmar and Selene, and they travel together to the dock.

The girls who are hanging back, Inari, Seraphelle, and Kalana, are talking quietly amongst themselves, as Inari has only shared enough that was necessary for Kalana. Having observed Selene observing Kalana, Inari discovered that Selene was very wise for doing so. Observing Kalana’s change of moods was the key to understanding Kalana and her dark moods. Inari had been working on Kalana for weeks now to have this conversation with Kalana. Trying to gauge her ability to fully embrace the darkness that the others have committed to embracing. Kalana has been held back as well. It has been stifling and redundant. She is very resentful of House Mystic.

Seraphelle listens and only puts in a word or two during the exchange during the long walk. She tries to regulate her feelings, knowing what might have to do, all in an effort to win him to our circle. Seraphelle had deeply questioned herself to see if she was willing, and something held her back.

They leave the Island of Fallon and cross over the Thon-Thalas on the ferry to the other side.

They walk a short way before they cross under the ancient, elevated King’s Road. This part is one of the last remaining sections, which was supported by large pillars thirty feet in the air running on pillars for 600 miles from Thon-Thalas in the east to Purstal in the west. Originally molded from stone by House Mason of the Silvanesti Elves as a means to travel from Silvanost, through the Plains of Dust, and into Qualinesti, it was widely used by merchants and travelers. However, during the Cataclysm, the highway collapsed near Purstal and lies in ruins further west of that point.

Soon, they are setting out on the old pathways into the Forest. Ahead of the girls, Selene and Dalamar maintain a conversation about the potential hostilities with the Dragonarmies soon.

Dalamar reveals it has been weighing heavily on his mind, trying to come up with some way to impede forward movement. “It is almost inevitable they will overtake our defenses, and House Protector will fall. It is so hard to think about retreating, and yet, how else can we survive?”

Selene had heard a well-sourced rumor and decided to pass it along to Dalamar. “It’s my understanding that House Mystic will play a part in the defense of Silvanesti, in concert with House Protecter.” 

Dalamar shrugs and says, “Unfortunately, as powerful as some of us are among House Mystic, it is my estimation we will be rolled over by the Dragonarmies. It has been hard to contemplate the very idea that Dragons have leapt from our bedtime stories into the sky as creatures of terror, destroying everything in their path. I am not hopeful, but I have formulated a possible strategy, if I’m allowed to try to cast the necessary spells for the gambit to work.”       

Selene considers for a moment, then ventures, “What would be the impediments as you see them if you don’t mind my asking?

Dalamar considers this enigma of an elf talking to him. He stalls for a few moments while he considers how to answer. “You know of the Moon Cousins, you know who we only venerate Solinari and have access to, these spells are outside his spheres of control. We would have to draw on the magic of Lunatari and access the spheres of Illusion. You understand my hesitancy to bring forward under the nose of Ylle Savath and her ultra conservative orthodoxy, I hardly see reason to explain any further.”

Selene notices he actually seems defeated, just a slight sign of disappointment. “I’m sure Ylle Savath will be open to just about anything before this is all over with.”

Dalamar actually smiles slightly, chasing away his gloom. “That's very perceptive, thank you dear lady, you have succeeded getting me to consider things in its proper context.”           

Slightly surprised by this, she is quiet for a time, causing Dalamar to be quiet. 

Dalamar breaks the relative silence after a while and asks Selene if she knows the history of the ruin they are headed to.

Selene recalls what she knows about the Ancient Ruins of Solune, and of what Inari told her about what she learned about the site, for this very purpose: “When one of them, Parys Dayl, quit the trio, Kayn Wynstal decided to study on his own as well. Fayal Parran, the remaining elf, left for another part of the forest. The White Mage, Parys Dayl, established a tower he called Solune. After some time, the three mages were summoned to help defeat the dragons in the Second Dragon War. Solune was left empty and fell into ruin.

Dalamar nods and is impressed that Selene knew of it. Dalamar decides then and there that this one is worth pursuing. He has been confused this whole way. Others may not have noticed, but Dalamar has. He has seen the looks between Selene and Seraphelle, so he cannot understand what is at work. He plays along to learn the truth of it.   

Selene notices they have gotten closer in the last few moments as they have knocked hips more than a couple of times now…   

Seraphelle, Inari, and Kalana are back a ways, but close enough to see the recent events up ahead. They share a look between the three of them, and though Seraphelle looks braced to handle what seems all but inevitable now, the three share a look of solidarity and nod to each other that all is going according to plan.


The Day Passes,

The group has walked all day and has had a few breaks. None of them had ever been so deep into the forest before. The group really takes in this rare moment, surrounded by the life of the forest and the chirping of the birds and scattering of the chipmunks and red squirrels, (Which fly via their thin membrane between their arms and legs.) in other parts of the forest, the fey are more prevalent, so far there has been little indication they have attracted their attention, yet.       

The elves soak in this rare opportunity to be so deep into the forest without the people being on top of each other in Silvanost. There is forest in every direction. 

They witness a small herd of deer jumping through a meadow, but stop long enough to take a look at the elves before they dart off. 

After a while, Dalamar and Selene realize they are not going to make it there tonight, so they hang back to tell the others that they should establish camp. Selene quietly reminds the girls to maintain noise discipline to a minimum, as she embraces her Dark-haired beauty, Seraphelle, with a deep, meaningful hug, and Seraphelle steals a quick kiss.

Selene moves on to Kalana, whom Selene embraces while looking over Kalana’s shoulder at Inari. Kalana and Selene separate, and Selene moves over to Inari. They hug, and Selene finds Inari hugging tightly with deep affection. Selene is moved by this outpouring of feeling that Selene never knew Inari had within her, that feeling of sisterly love for Selene. It could be many things, all rolled up, but either way, Selene whispers in Inari’s ear that “Things are moving apace…”

Inari turns to her and nods. Inari decides then and there they will be implementing somatic hand talk, but code it in a way only we know what is being said in the future, as soon as possible. Inari insists that Selene “Return to Dalamar and make use of this time with him.”

Selene walks back over to the area Dalamar has chosen. She notices a large camp blanket has been laid out over bedrolls. Selene gazes at the sky and the grey clouds moving in begin to worry her. She comments on the sky to Dalamar while she makes her way over to a Honey leather tarp. She sees where he has poles and posts to secure the tarp to the ground. Dalamar looks back at the sky and tells Selene, “I have been monitoring the developments.” He comes over and helps her erect the tarp over their dwelling place. She goes out and picks up sticks and other starter materials, along with many sticks that have fallen in the last storm that rolled through here.

Dalamar comes back with enough wood to add to the girl’s pile and for Selene and himself.  Soon, small campfires illuminate the night that has fallen while they have been making their arrangements to bed down for the night.

He returns to his and Selene’s campsite and deposits the wood he has collected to last the night. He sees Selene watching him from across the fire. She has changed into a light blue, almost sheer night gown. The outlines of Selene’s shapely figure are revealed to his eyes, of which he cannot look away from her. She looks incredible. He steps around the fire and removes his White Robe and reveals himself to be naked, and he folds his robe and places it inside his bag and takes out trousers that he puts on. Selene looks away but finds she is drawn to him as well.

He knows she saw him; he comes to her side and kneels down and slides onto his bedroll onto his side to look at her, while she lies back and moves her side looking at Dalamar. So many things are going through her mind. What now? I don’t know what he thinks is going to happen. What if I ask to talk and it makes him mad and turns him off and away? Time is going past, and she gets up on her knees, pulls him up on his knees, turns to him, and they come together and kiss passionately. She says to him, interlaced with kisses, “I really need to talk to you, but now is clearly not the time.” This whole time, they are getting hotter, and the scene fades to black…

Good Morning,

I am going to crash in a little while. I have needed a couple of days away from Chapter Six of the Path to Schallsea. There are some minor things I need to add to the story. For instance, I did not cover them getting off the Island of, and I misplaced the King's road, so it is going to take a little bit of work to fill in that gap and make the alteration. I would say the main point of the story was accomplished, but they still have to travel to the Ruin. I will get this done and up as soon as possible. I was also looking at Lords of Neraka II, and I am a good way into the next part of the Return to Storm's Keep.

The Gladiator games are still going on.

I am on 262 AC A Druid's Tale: The Story of Talidaar vol. I, The World of Elves, Chapter Seven: The Summer Home Festival is a big, important chapter, and it marks a memorable moment that Talidaar and Kira will always cherish, but it will lead to Talidaar's first brush with death.

The Tales of the Knights of Solamnia is coming... Tick...


The player of Aravis and Karnea sent me what will be the next two stories will be about: Aravis and Lucius at the beginning of their meeting. I had stepped away from the game for a little while, and I have come back, and I am reading the Aravis and Lucius stuff, and reading the latest stories in the Tales of Karnea, and lining up dates with The Timeline of the Conquest of Soreel Space, and finding discrepancies. Some structural changes are coming to the Timeline of Conquest.

This includes Lucius and Aravis meeting much sooner than it is listed in the Conquest Timeline. There would be ramifications to this, I argued. So, I voiced my thoughts to Robbi and Adam, saying there is no way that Lucius pulls the stuff he does in 391 AC 21 ST if he meets Aravis in 383 AC 13 ST. I knew it was provocative, but I did not expect they would both to get back to me within moments.

Robbi explained that not much would be different, and she would address it in due course. Adam was replying to me, saying, "Trust the Process," which made me laugh. It's something as DM, I might say. But it made me feel 100 % better knowing we were on the same page about that.


So I was rereading the Reign of the Saint, and seeing as I can not move forward with that until Adam can come back to the Game after School.

We have gammed Part One of Chapter Two. I am letting Adam look over what I have already written out. We still have to game Part Two. Sorry, there has been little to no movement forward anywhere on the site. I am hoping to change that. Things are getting done, and some gaming sessions are being put together.




I am looking for new players



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I have posted the next two parts of the Path to Schallsea. Warning. They are rated M/A for Mature Audiences. I had to break the Story into two parts, the First Part being the Plot, and the Second Part being the Deal.

Selene had to choose to be used instead of any of the other girls. She also used Dalamar to get what she wanted for the circle. Dalamar knew that she wanted something and took advantage of it.

As you can see, it was to be the longest chapter thus far at seven pages, but I had to break it into two parts.

It gets kind of hot in these two parts. I feel like I should have known if I put these two beautiful elves together that they were going to do was to bang.  I would say it is the most sexual chapter yet on the forum. I have known all along that this happened in Selene's past. I had been dreading it. Inari really got the spotlight in this chapter and really showed her worth. Unfortunately, two girls got the short straws; Seraphelle and Kalana were sacrificed in the development department in this chapter.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Two entries are close to being edited and posted. They are


Knights of Nerka
Lords of Nerka II
vol. I
Story Two: Dark Covenant
Chapter Three: The Return to Storm’s Keep
Part Two


And

 
A Druid's Tale: Story of Talidaar
vol. I: The World of Elves
Chapter Seven: The Summer Home Festival

Both of these are nearing completion. I would say Chapter Seven: The Summer Home Festival has a good chance of being posted in the A Druid's Tale: Story of Talidaar vol. I: The World of Elves located in The Hierophant of Chislev After Midnight.
https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/the-hierophant-of-chislev-29/   

Return to Storm's Keep Part Two is going to take a little longer. 

I have chosen the next chapter of the Path to Schallsea, entitled Chapter Six: At the Ruins of Solune, to lead off the return to the forum, at least that is where my heart is located right now. The chapter is all about Selene capturing Dalamar's attention and getting close enough to learn his secrets, but in the process, she will lead the girls of her circle to the waiting arms of the Dark God of Magic. A character we have known the name of, and her presence has popped up once or twice before now, but an exciting new character is making her voice heard and thereby solidifying their Circle as another one of the girls' fights also to be included in their new direction they are collectively deciding they want to try to attempt to learn the secrets from a dark source that could endanger all of their future's within the Elven Nations of light.

The character I have been talking about is Inari. The youngest elf of the circle that came from Silvanesti. Inari sits on the Conclave of Wizards in 422 AC, but we see her coming to the fore in this chapter. She is proving to be a stable hand at dealing with things while Selene is otherwise occupied.
           
The chapter's story has not reached the ruin, but I am getting a lot of needed dialogue done, and Selene is enticing Dalamar in with her intelligence that was provided in part by Inari, who, I am not sure if I have mentioned yet, is very intelligent, probably the smartest of all the girls, while Selene is probably the wisest up to now in this story. This is a story that is set beside the Dalamar Novel that we get to explore here. It is one of the strangest Chapters/Gaming Sessions I have ever written, but it is a tale as old as time. Girls that has been held back from knowledge, and doing whatever, however they can to learn what they want so they can become who they choose to be, it's the calm before the coming storm in the next chapter, but its filled with important moments with one of them being the formation of the Circle that holds together until they reach Karnea's Tower in Schallsea. It solidifies the dynamics between the girls. It's one of the most consequential chapters I have written for a Path to Schallsea. I am just taking a few days with this. to get it right. My friend Adam wrote back to me after I sent him my revisions               
, and he reported back that he thought "It reads really well." Which makes me feel like I am on the right path. We discussed recently about how much he has learned about the girls so far has been worth so much in adding to the richness and the fullness of the backgrounds of Karnea's students, and what we can do with them in the future.     

It has been among my many goals to make sure Dalamar is handled with the story with the dignity and grace he should be afforded, and to feel a great sense of responsibility in doing him right.   

I have also been shaping the chapter that comes after, it entitled Chapter Seven: War comes to Silvanesti, in which literally all hell breaks loose. The invasion by the Dragonarmies, the battles that play out on the different fronts, the fall of House Protector and House Mystic, and they were just run over by the Dragonarmies. Cities and towns all fall, and the civilians in all the affected areas migrate south, and the southern cities' populations swell as holding actions try to hold against the incoming invasion. A series of holding actions led by brave elven warriors and wizards fight to give the civilians enough time to escape in the ships that will take them away from the fighting. The speaker is said to have a secret plan that will destroy the Dragon Army, so the mass exodus begins. The girls have been fighting with the holding actions, but they too eventually escape to the last ships, just as King Lorac takes hold of the Dragon Orb. Yes, Chapter Seven is going to be an amazing blast to game the character's participation right into the thick of things and depict this epic event.


Putting everything towards getting Chapter Six of Path to Schallsea out. Speaking to my friend Adam this evening, I am not sure if he means he is done done, or just done for now, but we might be closer to gaming chapter two of Karnea III Power Moves, so that is exciting.


I will throw this out there again: I am looking for players for a new Knight game coming soon. We game over on Discord. We game 2e AD&D.   The Knight Story is set after the Half Giant War in the Age of Mortals, after 429 AC.

I will be picking up the other stories and see where I am exactly and get things going, just easing into things.                           

429 AC
Eleventhmonth
Late Autumn Dark

Western Ansalon
Southern Ergoth
Just South Last Gaard Mountains
North of the Elder Wood


Talidaar steps into a nearby suitable-sized tree and type, and steps inside of it, passing through the root systems. 


The beast rushes through the woods, searching for its prey. It is not making noise now; Its other senses compensate. It runs through the area, following where the scent ends and where else it could be. It is through in its search. The Arctic Owlbear starts digging at places he has been, and Talidaar starts to hurry through the wooden tunnel that he is passing through. It is getting closer. The creature looks like a cross between a snowy owl and a polar bear. Both the creature’s fur and feathers are a snowy-white, while the claws and beak are both black. Yellow, glowing eyes look forward from the rounded head.

An arctic owlbear’s coat ranges in color from pure white to a dirty white/grey. A fully grown male can stand as tall as 12 feet and weigh 2,500 lbs. Arctic owlbears, as with normal owlbears, attack prey — any creature bigger than a mouse — on sight, always fighting to the death. They slash with claws and beak, trying to grab their prey and rip it apart.

Suddenly, the Arctic Owlbear stops, rears up, and listens. Talidaar listens too. He once again reaches out ahead in the wood root system and hears several approaching from two miles away. They are running this way. Talidaar recognizes his son’s steps. The Arctic Owlbear sniffs the air and goes back down on all fours. It calls out in the night air that eerie abyssal screeching, and then is off on its way toward the incoming prey.

It passes overhead and is off into the woods, and Talidaar sighs. He cannot let it attack Nebris and the Grand Druid. Once he reaches the next tree and steps out in wolf form, Talidaar chases after the Arctic Owlbear, now afraid for his son.  Talidaar turns back into his half-elf form and yells at the Arctic Owlbear. It stops and turns, and looks at the half-elf.  Ravens fly overhead. The beast bounds towards the lone figure; the ravens are circling.  Talidaar shapeshifts into a large grizzly bear and meets the beast in battle. Talidaar's claws rip into its hide, and black, corrupted blood spills forth. The Arctic Owlbear is larger and shrieks its abyssal scream of hate.


A scream that echoes through the woods brings Grand Druid Wren Darkfeather and the others of her party to a stop and assess. A brutal fight is going on, a grizzly bear by the sound of it. Wren says, “There are no grizzly bears in the Elderwood.”                       

Nebris gets a bad feeling and starts running toward the fray. “It’s my father.”


The Grand Druid Wren and her ghost tribe follow Nebris in the woods.