The Quest for Consent
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:12 am
The Quest For Consent
Chapter 1: The Meeting
The Silver-haired Koada`Dal Lady stood outside the throne room waiting to be announced and given permission to enter. She checked herself in the mirror and straightened her ponytail. She silently commanded her companion to stay in the hall. It was not usual for the Lady to seek audience with King Thex but this was a matter that she needed to address with him. Lady Marial had been at the king’s ear for weeks trying to get him to see what an asset her stepson has been to him and his kingdom.
Gilliadson had been fighting the Crushbone Orcs for some time and it was getting to the point where there was no challenge in the fights. Gilliadson had on the previous day fought his way into the citadel of the Crushbone Clan and slaughtered all within. He had found D`Vinn and Emperor Crush in the top of the tower and engaged them both there. Emperor Crush fled the tower, leaving behind the Dwarven ringmail tunic that he usually wore. Gilliadson and D`Vinn fought for several minutes before the Teir`Dal Ambassador fell to the knight’s blade. Gilliadson took D`Vinn’s black heart to take to his family’s crypt to end the curse upon the Shadowbanes. Now faced with the task of scalping two-hundred Orcs, Gilliadson felt that this part of the task set before him was an insult to his beloved for surely she was worth much more than a mere handmade backpack full of Orc Scalps. The more scalps he collected the more his anger and resentment toward the Koada`Dal Monarch grew. After collecting over fifty scalps, Gilliadson returned to the home he shared with Lady Marial. The two of them had a lengthy discussion after which, Gilliadson retired to his room and Lady Marial sent a messenger to the king requesting an audience with him the next day.
“You may enter now Lady Shadowbane.” Said one of the palace guards as he opened the door for her.
“Salutations Lady Marial.” Said the king as she approached the throne.
“Salutations your Majesty.” Replied the Elementalist as she knelt before the king.
“What troubles you that you seek an audience with me?”
“It is my stepson, Gilliadson, your Majesty.”
“Is the task I set before him too difficult?”
“No my Lord, actually quite the opposite. He feels that the task is so trivial to be insulting to my niece and… I personally think he may be right. I know I had asked you to come to realize what a loyal subject he has been to you and to at least accord him that respect. I did not mean to give him such an easy task. He knows that you have just tolerated his presence among our people partly because of me and also partly because of his growing reputation among your subjects as a champion of the Koada`Dal and the Fier`Dal.”
“Say no more Lady Marial. Come, sit beside me and let us discuss this.” Marial rose and took the seat next to the Koada`Dal monarch. “Things here are not always as they appear. I am not Sir Gilliadson’s enemy. I have noticed his deeds and he truly has garnered my respect however, there are still those on the Council who are not convinced and seek to have him deported from our lands. I can ill afford to let these see me give him any leeway. They actually thought it amusing that I gave him such a menial task to perform and hoped that he would leave because of it. I must either give him a task as menial as the one he is on or give him one that may send him to his doom in order to keep these Council members from trying to turn the people against me. Believe me, these people are very high ranking in our kingdom and quite influential with those of the Temple. If I lose the support of the Temple, it does not matter how many of our enemies he has slain. The temple has the power to bend the people toward their view. Gilliadson has done much to sway most of the members of the Council to respect him. There are three key people that seek his departure. The three know of your connection to the Human and perhaps if you meet with them, you may help to come up with a task worthy of him without putting him into more peril than he can handle. I must appear to remain neutral in this encounter.”
“That sounds like an equitable solution, your Majesty.”
“Marial, you have served me faithfully for over one hundred and fifty years. I do consider you to not only be my closest counselor but also my only friend. Now before I call the three in please take your former position before the throne. I do not want them to know how much you are favored. Now you know where I stand and I need you to be my voice without these Councilors knowing my heart.”
“I understand, my Lord.” Marial stood in front of the throne while the three Councilors were called in.
“Welcome Councilors, I am sure you all know Lady Marial.”
“Ahh Yes. She who keeps Humans for pets.” A silver-haired male in priestly garb spoke up first.
“Lord Lindien,” Marial bowed politely to the Koada`Dal that had spoken, “Salutations to you.” Lindien did not acknowledge the respect given to him but took his seat. Lindien was followed by Feltis, a red-haired male Koada`Dal and Trinia, a female Koada`Dal with black hair. The latter two wore the light blue robes that all Council members wore to their meetings with the king. Marial greeted each of them respectfully but was disdained by them all. Their treatment of Marial displeased King Thex greatly and he chastised them for it.”
“Regardless of how you feel about Lady Marial and her beliefs, she is one of my counselors and a great ambassador for our people. In my throne room you will accord her the respect that she is due.” The king said quite sternly. All three Councilors rose and bowed politely to Marial and offered apologies.
“Councilors I know how you feel toward my stepson.” Started Marial. “Especially you, Lord Lindien, since it was your son that Gilliadson killed while defending my niece’s honor. Please put your self in her father’s place for a moment. How would you feel if it were your daughter who was about to be raped by his son? Can you honestly say that you would not have been relieved to have one defend her honor no matter what race he was? Would you not also have screamed for the head of one that tried to do such evil to her?” Lindien thought for a moment before replying.
“In that you are correct Lady Marial. But the Human is an outsider he is not Koada`Dal. Our blood should not be mixed with lesser races.”
“What makes him any less than we are? I have see great nobility in some of his kind even to the point of rivaling the nobility of our own Knights. His father was a man of great integrity, valor and honor. He fought our enemies as if they were his own. Now his son has stepped up and taken his place in the same tradition. Gilliadson is quite a noble man indeed. What will it take to prove that to you three?” The three Councilors conferred amongst themselves for several minutes before Lindien spoke again.
“The three of us have come to an agreement amongst ourselves. We have decided that there is a way for this Human to prove his nobility to us and therefore be worthy of our respect. There are Holy Swords called Ghoulbanes. Many of our most noble Knights carry them. It takes four special items and an enchanted bag to fashion one. If Gilliadson will come before us with the four items and the bag and fashion a Ghoulbane then we shall deem him worthy to be considered a friend of the Koada`Dal. For only one who has a noble spirit may fashion such a blade.”
“I have heard of the blade and he may not yet be quite powerful enough to accomplish this task but he is not far off. I will set the task before him and let him decide when he will undertake it.”
“That is acceptable to us.” Lindien turned toward King Thex. “Your Majesty, does this task also meet with your approval?”
“If the four of you are in agreement then I approve. If the Human can complete this task then I shall give him my consent to Lifebond with Lady Sineliniel and I will order that the High Paladin knight him as an Honorary Soldier of Tunare. I cannot have one such as Lady Sineliniel Lifebonded to one who is not numbered amongst the Blessed Mother’s Knights.” The Councilors rose and bowed to the king and Marial before departing the throne room.
“Thank you, My Lord.” Said Marial as she bowed to King Thex. “Is there anything you require of me this day?”
“Yes there is one thing. When it is just you and I in here you may call me by my given name as long as we are not conducting official business. Like I said before I do consider you to be my only friend.”
“As you wish Tearis.” Marial smiled warmly and departed the throne room.
Chapter 2: The Quest Begins
Sir Gilliadson gathered the information he needed from some of the Paladins in Felwithe who had already acquired their Ghoulbanes. The next day he rode out to House Illumine to see Lady Sineliniel before starting his task. The two of them spent the following day together. It was Gilliadson’s plan to do this task without her assistance but she would not have it that way. Sineliniel suggested that it might be beneficial to see if any of their new friends and allies would like to assist him with the task at hand. Gilliadson posted a note on the bulletin board in the kitchen next to the cookies.
“If anyone is available and willing to assist with the quest for a Ghoulbane, please meet with us at the entrance to High Hold Pass at sunrise. We start by seeking one of Amstaf’s Scrolls in High Keep.
The Blessings of Marr and Tunare be upon you all.
Sir Gilliadson Shadowbane and Lady Sineliniel Eledhwen.”
Sunrise found Gilliadson and Sineliniel at the entrance to High Hold Pass but they were alone.
“It appears that our friends have not seen the note.” Said Gilliadson.
“It would seem so.” Commented Sineliniel. “If they had, I am sure they would have come.”
“Very well then we do this together. Come Beloved, let us begin.” Gilliadson held his hand out and Sineliniel put hers in it. The two of them walked into the Pass together.
The couple arrived at High Keep with little difficulty and went to the mine below the fortress. The two started searching the mine for one of Amstaf’s scrolls. The Human and Koada`Dal were jumped by several Goblins and the battle was rough. At one point, Sineliniel had fallen unconscious and was almost dead. Gilliadson quickly laid his hands on her healing her wounds and restoring her strength. Fluffy kept the Goblins busy while the two of them retreated to the guards. Sineliniel recalled her companion to her and several Goblins followed. The Guards jumped on the Goblins and killed them. While the couple rested, Gilliadson got an idea.
“Let us return to the house for tonight.” Said Gilliadson. “Tomorrow we begin anew and I have a plan in mind. You go to Najena’s Lair and see if you can get a skeleton to give up one of the hilts. And if you are successful there, you may even find some items you mentioned that you needed. I will continue the search in High Keep and if I run into more Goblins than I can handle, then I will take them to the guards here. I cannot use my lay of hands again until tomorrow. After I am done here I will meet you at the Estate of Unrest where we will try to get the heart of a ghoul. We will also need to get a blade from one of the Goblins in Butcherblock Mountains.”
“That sounds reasonable to me.” Said Sineliniel.
The couple returned to House Illumine for the night. The two of them spent the evening together watching the sunset over the plains. Sineliniel snuggled into Gilliadson’s shoulder as they sat on the swing. The Koada`Dal laid her arm across the Knight’s chest and rested her hand on his other shoulder.
“I thank Tunare, daily for bringing you into my life, Gill.” Sineliniel said as Gilliadson’s fingers gently caressed her ear. “Even if you had not fallen in love with me, I am still glad to have had the opportunity to get to know you.”
“I have always loved you in some form for as long as I have known you.” Said Gilliadson. “You have been quite special to me as has your Aunt, though in different ways.” Gilliadson raised her chin up with his free hand and gently kissed her. The two of them were engulfed in flames as her flame shield spell went off. After the effects of the spell wore off the two of them went to their rooms and to their beds. Things have been very quiet at the house lately. None of the other members had been around other than Amentet on two occasions and Jetamio from time to time. It was like the two had the Guild House to themselves. Sometimes one of their friends from the allied guilds would drop in for a visit but overall it was pretty quiet around House Illumine.
Chapter 3: The Quest Continues (Sineliniel)
The next morning, the couple ate breakfast together and made ready to depart on their separate missions. Sineliniel kissed Gilliadson and left for Najena’s Lair.
Najena’s Lair is the home of a Teir`Dal Elementalist named Najena, who carved out these caverns in the Lavastorm Mountains in which to carry out her experiments, as well as those of her allies. The caverns are patrolled by Ogre Guards. There are many Elementals, Undead creatures of various types as well as Elementalists and Necromancers living in these caverns. Najena herself comes and goes there as she pleases. Some of the skeletons there carry the hilts to make the Ghoulbane swords. It was not a healthy place for a child of the light to visit but Sineliniel was powerful enough at this time to take on most of the creatures of the lair. Sineliniel made her way to the Nexus Spires in North Karana and awaited the next transport to Luclin. She took the portal there to New Tanaan and proceeded to the portal to Nektulos Forrest. The Koada`Dal avoided the Teir`Dal patrols and cast her invisibility spell on herself to get passed the guard that stood at the pass to Lavastorm Mountains. Sineliniel could have easily dispatched the guard but she was not one to just kill for no reason.
Lavastorm Mountains was one of the most inhospitable environments on the face of Norrath. The air itself was dry and hot. There was a large molten lake from which several rivers of lava flowed into the surrounding mountains. Sineliniel knew where Najena’s lair was and made her way to it. The entrance had two large doors at one time and one of them was now off of it’s hinges and lying on the ground as if from some explosion from within the lair. The Koada`Dal and her elemental companion entered the lair.
The two of them walked past several skeletons that paid them no notice before they came to where the first Ogre guard sat. Sineliniel knew that he was not going to just let her stroll past him so she sent Fluffy to attack. A couple of the skeletons in the room came around the corner after the Koada`Dal but she quickly reduced them to ash. Fluffy had defeated the guard so the two of them walked into the next room. Nothing in the room seemed to mind their presence after the display of power they had just put on. Sineliniel and Fluffy continued to a room where they found two Tentacle Terrors. They had not seen Sineliniel yet so they just stood where they were. Sineliniel sent Fluffy to attack one of them. As soon as Fluffy engaged, the other one moved to assist its companion. Sineliniel alternated between her Fire bolt spell on the Terrors and the spell that renewed her companion’s energy. Once both were down Sineliniel moved closer to the broken gate at the other end of the room. Sineliniel saw a Teir`Dal mistress along with an elemental companion. There were a couple more Elementals at the passageway there as well. The Koada`Dal sent her companion to engage the Teir`Dal. The other two Elementals moved to attack Sineliniel. A few well-placed Fire bolts ended that fight quickly. Sineliniel cast one more Fire bolt and the Teir`Dal went down. Sineliniel searched the body but did not find anything she needed. The Elementalist continued down the passageway to another room where she saw another Teir`Dal Elementalist and another Elemental. Sineliniel cast her Fire bolt spell at the Teir`Dal and she dropped along with her companion. She then sent Fluffy to take on the Elemental. Another one appeared from around the corner and joined in the fight against Fluffy. The first Elemental, being quite weakened, took off down the passageway away from Sineliniel. Fluffy turned his attention to the second Elemental and with the help of his mistress it went down quickly. Sineliniel then saw a skeleton coming toward her with a hilt in one hand. She quickly sent Fluffy to engage it. Just as it went down several other creatures started heading her way. Apparently the Elemental that got away sent some friends. Sineliniel sent Fluffy to intercept the group while she picked up the hilt. Fluffy was going down fast so Sineliniel cast a couple of renewals on him before casting her gate spell and creating the portal for their escape. The two of them stepped through the portal and appeared in New Tanaan.
Sisters Elianeth and Erianaiel were sitting at the Blessing Tree when Sineliniel walked up to them.
“Greetings Sisters!” Sineliniel greeted them joyfully. “How fare you this day?”
“Sineliniel!” Exclaimed Elianeth. “You look like you just came out of a battle!”
“I did.”
“I sincerely hope your opponents fared worse than you did. Please have a seat and tell us about it.” Sineliniel related the tale to the Sisters. “I am certainly glad that you are well. I take it that you have had no word from your Beloved as yet.”
“Not yet. I must dispatch a bard to High Keep to let him know I have the hilt for him now. I wonder if I can handle the Goblins in Butcherblock Mountains.”
“If you like we will go with you. Just in case you need a little extra help.”
“Would you? That would be most appreciated!”
“Of course! Are we not all Sisters?”
“You two are wonderful!” Sineliniel found a bard and sent the message to Gilliadson before heading to Butcherblock Mountains.
The Ladies made their way through the mountain passes and found the small graveyard where Sineliniel saw one of the Goblins there with the blade. Sineliniel cast her fire bolt spell on the Goblin and he came running towards her. Fluffy was sent to intercept the Goblin. Fluffy rooted the Goblin and started attacking it. Sineliniel cast another fire bolt, which broke the roots that held the Goblin in place. The Goblin charged the Koada`Dal and started hitting her. Sineliniel was able to cast two more firebolts on the Goblin despite the beating she was taking. The Goblin finally collapsed and died. Sineliniel took the blade from it and put it in her bag with the hilt. The Sisters were impressed.
“Looks like you did not need us after all.” Said Erianaiel. “You have grown quite powerful indeed. A little more so than we had expected.”
“Thank you so much, Sisters. Now I must return to New Tanaan to await word from Gilliadson.” Sineliniel hugged the two ladies and they all returned to New Tanaan.
Chapter 4: The Quest Continues (Gilliadson)
Sineliniel departed after breakfast the next morning and Gilliadson returned to High Keep. The Knight kept searching for the scroll but with no good fortune. Whenever he would encounter more Goblins than he could handle, he took them to the guards to be killed. About Midday, a bard arrived with a message that Sineliniel had met with success in Najena and was proceeding to Butcherblock Mountains to acquire the blade. Lady Reviak came to High Keep to assist Gilliadson for a little while. While she was a Teir`Dal, she never subscribed to the ways of Hate that the rest of her people did and was even allowed to visit the Temple of Marr. She was a much more powerful Elementalist than Sineliniel and had a much stronger companion. The Goblins that attacked did not stand much of a chance against her. Still, Gilliadson had not found any of Amstaf's Scrolls by the time Lady Reviak was summoned away so he decided to meet with Sineliniel and head to the Estate of Unrest to get the heart of a Ghoul. They were careful in killing the first Ghoul they had encountered and managed to salvage an intact heart. Sineliniel was tired so she returned to the House while Gilliadson went back to High Keep to search for a scroll again. As soon as he entered the mine, a crazed Goblin jumped him but found that he was no match for the skills of the Knight. Gilliadson searched his body and found one of Amstaf's Scrolls.
Gilliadson now needed to acquire the Mystical bag in which to assemble the components. The first contact was in Western Karana near the river. Gilliadson talked to him for a few minutes and received a note to take to a Dwarf near the Docks of Kaladim. Gilliadson decided to run to Qeynos and take the portal to New Tanaan there.
The Knight had almost reached the pass to Qeynos Hills when he saw Choon. Choon was a very well known Cyclops who wandered around the Western Plains of Karana terrorizing passersby. Choon decided that he would try out some Human for a snack. The battle was tough and Gilliadson had to pray for healing quite often but in the end, Choon fell dead. He had a rune in one of his pockets, which Gilliadson kept as proof of this tale for he knew that not many would believe him otherwise. Gilliadson’s armor was dented so badly that it was uncomfortable to wear so he stopped in Qeynos at the forge to knock the dents out. He finally arrived in Butcherblock with no further incident and made his way to the Docks. Gilliadson found the Dwarf he was looking for and gave him the note. They talked for a bit and he gave Gilliadson a necklace to give to a maiden in Dagnor's Cauldron. The Human reached the woman in Dagnor's Cauldron with no problems and gave her the Necklace. They chatted for a little while and she gave him a note for a woman in Lavastorm. Gilliadson ran back through New Tanaan and took the portal to Nektulos Forrest. The Knight made his way toward Lavastorm and avoided the Teir`Dal Patrols. The guard at the pass to Lavastorm did not want to let him pass but Gilliadson persuaded the guard to let him go through. Gilliadson found the Barbarian Woman in Lavastorm and gave her the note. After they exchanged a few words, she gave him the mystical bag.
Gilliadson returned to New Tanaan and dispatched a bard to House Illumine to fetch Sineliniel. He knew that she would want to be present for this. Gilliadson then dispatched another bard to Felwithe to let Lady Marial know that he was on his way with the required items.
Sineliniel arrived rather quickly and the two of them went to Felwithe to appear before King Thex and the three Council members. They entered the throne room, knelt before King Thex, and bowed to the Council members. Sineliniel took her place beside Lady Marial and Gilliadson pulled the items out of his pack and laid them on the table prepared for him:
A Ghoul's Heart
One of Amstaf's Scrolls
A Blade of Nobility
A Hilt of the Nobleman
The Mystical Bag
Gilliadson memorized the incantation on the scroll and placed it in the bag with the rest of the items. The Knight muttered a quick prayer to Marr and then recited the incantation. The bag glowed brightly for a few moments and then faded away leaving a shining new sword on the table. Gilliadson picked up the holy sword and knelt before King Thex, holding it up before him. King Thex took the sword from the Knight’s hands and examined it before passing it on to the Council members to examine as well. All approved and passed the blade back to King Thex who then handed it back to Gilliadson. The Human rose to his feet and King Thex motioned for Sineliniel to stand beside him as he gave them his consent to Bond as well as his blessing.
The next day Gilliadson was knighted as an honorary Soldier of Tunare and numbered amongst the Paladins of Felwithe
Chapter 1: The Meeting
The Silver-haired Koada`Dal Lady stood outside the throne room waiting to be announced and given permission to enter. She checked herself in the mirror and straightened her ponytail. She silently commanded her companion to stay in the hall. It was not usual for the Lady to seek audience with King Thex but this was a matter that she needed to address with him. Lady Marial had been at the king’s ear for weeks trying to get him to see what an asset her stepson has been to him and his kingdom.
Gilliadson had been fighting the Crushbone Orcs for some time and it was getting to the point where there was no challenge in the fights. Gilliadson had on the previous day fought his way into the citadel of the Crushbone Clan and slaughtered all within. He had found D`Vinn and Emperor Crush in the top of the tower and engaged them both there. Emperor Crush fled the tower, leaving behind the Dwarven ringmail tunic that he usually wore. Gilliadson and D`Vinn fought for several minutes before the Teir`Dal Ambassador fell to the knight’s blade. Gilliadson took D`Vinn’s black heart to take to his family’s crypt to end the curse upon the Shadowbanes. Now faced with the task of scalping two-hundred Orcs, Gilliadson felt that this part of the task set before him was an insult to his beloved for surely she was worth much more than a mere handmade backpack full of Orc Scalps. The more scalps he collected the more his anger and resentment toward the Koada`Dal Monarch grew. After collecting over fifty scalps, Gilliadson returned to the home he shared with Lady Marial. The two of them had a lengthy discussion after which, Gilliadson retired to his room and Lady Marial sent a messenger to the king requesting an audience with him the next day.
“You may enter now Lady Shadowbane.” Said one of the palace guards as he opened the door for her.
“Salutations Lady Marial.” Said the king as she approached the throne.
“Salutations your Majesty.” Replied the Elementalist as she knelt before the king.
“What troubles you that you seek an audience with me?”
“It is my stepson, Gilliadson, your Majesty.”
“Is the task I set before him too difficult?”
“No my Lord, actually quite the opposite. He feels that the task is so trivial to be insulting to my niece and… I personally think he may be right. I know I had asked you to come to realize what a loyal subject he has been to you and to at least accord him that respect. I did not mean to give him such an easy task. He knows that you have just tolerated his presence among our people partly because of me and also partly because of his growing reputation among your subjects as a champion of the Koada`Dal and the Fier`Dal.”
“Say no more Lady Marial. Come, sit beside me and let us discuss this.” Marial rose and took the seat next to the Koada`Dal monarch. “Things here are not always as they appear. I am not Sir Gilliadson’s enemy. I have noticed his deeds and he truly has garnered my respect however, there are still those on the Council who are not convinced and seek to have him deported from our lands. I can ill afford to let these see me give him any leeway. They actually thought it amusing that I gave him such a menial task to perform and hoped that he would leave because of it. I must either give him a task as menial as the one he is on or give him one that may send him to his doom in order to keep these Council members from trying to turn the people against me. Believe me, these people are very high ranking in our kingdom and quite influential with those of the Temple. If I lose the support of the Temple, it does not matter how many of our enemies he has slain. The temple has the power to bend the people toward their view. Gilliadson has done much to sway most of the members of the Council to respect him. There are three key people that seek his departure. The three know of your connection to the Human and perhaps if you meet with them, you may help to come up with a task worthy of him without putting him into more peril than he can handle. I must appear to remain neutral in this encounter.”
“That sounds like an equitable solution, your Majesty.”
“Marial, you have served me faithfully for over one hundred and fifty years. I do consider you to not only be my closest counselor but also my only friend. Now before I call the three in please take your former position before the throne. I do not want them to know how much you are favored. Now you know where I stand and I need you to be my voice without these Councilors knowing my heart.”
“I understand, my Lord.” Marial stood in front of the throne while the three Councilors were called in.
“Welcome Councilors, I am sure you all know Lady Marial.”
“Ahh Yes. She who keeps Humans for pets.” A silver-haired male in priestly garb spoke up first.
“Lord Lindien,” Marial bowed politely to the Koada`Dal that had spoken, “Salutations to you.” Lindien did not acknowledge the respect given to him but took his seat. Lindien was followed by Feltis, a red-haired male Koada`Dal and Trinia, a female Koada`Dal with black hair. The latter two wore the light blue robes that all Council members wore to their meetings with the king. Marial greeted each of them respectfully but was disdained by them all. Their treatment of Marial displeased King Thex greatly and he chastised them for it.”
“Regardless of how you feel about Lady Marial and her beliefs, she is one of my counselors and a great ambassador for our people. In my throne room you will accord her the respect that she is due.” The king said quite sternly. All three Councilors rose and bowed politely to Marial and offered apologies.
“Councilors I know how you feel toward my stepson.” Started Marial. “Especially you, Lord Lindien, since it was your son that Gilliadson killed while defending my niece’s honor. Please put your self in her father’s place for a moment. How would you feel if it were your daughter who was about to be raped by his son? Can you honestly say that you would not have been relieved to have one defend her honor no matter what race he was? Would you not also have screamed for the head of one that tried to do such evil to her?” Lindien thought for a moment before replying.
“In that you are correct Lady Marial. But the Human is an outsider he is not Koada`Dal. Our blood should not be mixed with lesser races.”
“What makes him any less than we are? I have see great nobility in some of his kind even to the point of rivaling the nobility of our own Knights. His father was a man of great integrity, valor and honor. He fought our enemies as if they were his own. Now his son has stepped up and taken his place in the same tradition. Gilliadson is quite a noble man indeed. What will it take to prove that to you three?” The three Councilors conferred amongst themselves for several minutes before Lindien spoke again.
“The three of us have come to an agreement amongst ourselves. We have decided that there is a way for this Human to prove his nobility to us and therefore be worthy of our respect. There are Holy Swords called Ghoulbanes. Many of our most noble Knights carry them. It takes four special items and an enchanted bag to fashion one. If Gilliadson will come before us with the four items and the bag and fashion a Ghoulbane then we shall deem him worthy to be considered a friend of the Koada`Dal. For only one who has a noble spirit may fashion such a blade.”
“I have heard of the blade and he may not yet be quite powerful enough to accomplish this task but he is not far off. I will set the task before him and let him decide when he will undertake it.”
“That is acceptable to us.” Lindien turned toward King Thex. “Your Majesty, does this task also meet with your approval?”
“If the four of you are in agreement then I approve. If the Human can complete this task then I shall give him my consent to Lifebond with Lady Sineliniel and I will order that the High Paladin knight him as an Honorary Soldier of Tunare. I cannot have one such as Lady Sineliniel Lifebonded to one who is not numbered amongst the Blessed Mother’s Knights.” The Councilors rose and bowed to the king and Marial before departing the throne room.
“Thank you, My Lord.” Said Marial as she bowed to King Thex. “Is there anything you require of me this day?”
“Yes there is one thing. When it is just you and I in here you may call me by my given name as long as we are not conducting official business. Like I said before I do consider you to be my only friend.”
“As you wish Tearis.” Marial smiled warmly and departed the throne room.
Chapter 2: The Quest Begins
Sir Gilliadson gathered the information he needed from some of the Paladins in Felwithe who had already acquired their Ghoulbanes. The next day he rode out to House Illumine to see Lady Sineliniel before starting his task. The two of them spent the following day together. It was Gilliadson’s plan to do this task without her assistance but she would not have it that way. Sineliniel suggested that it might be beneficial to see if any of their new friends and allies would like to assist him with the task at hand. Gilliadson posted a note on the bulletin board in the kitchen next to the cookies.
“If anyone is available and willing to assist with the quest for a Ghoulbane, please meet with us at the entrance to High Hold Pass at sunrise. We start by seeking one of Amstaf’s Scrolls in High Keep.
The Blessings of Marr and Tunare be upon you all.
Sir Gilliadson Shadowbane and Lady Sineliniel Eledhwen.”
Sunrise found Gilliadson and Sineliniel at the entrance to High Hold Pass but they were alone.
“It appears that our friends have not seen the note.” Said Gilliadson.
“It would seem so.” Commented Sineliniel. “If they had, I am sure they would have come.”
“Very well then we do this together. Come Beloved, let us begin.” Gilliadson held his hand out and Sineliniel put hers in it. The two of them walked into the Pass together.
The couple arrived at High Keep with little difficulty and went to the mine below the fortress. The two started searching the mine for one of Amstaf’s scrolls. The Human and Koada`Dal were jumped by several Goblins and the battle was rough. At one point, Sineliniel had fallen unconscious and was almost dead. Gilliadson quickly laid his hands on her healing her wounds and restoring her strength. Fluffy kept the Goblins busy while the two of them retreated to the guards. Sineliniel recalled her companion to her and several Goblins followed. The Guards jumped on the Goblins and killed them. While the couple rested, Gilliadson got an idea.
“Let us return to the house for tonight.” Said Gilliadson. “Tomorrow we begin anew and I have a plan in mind. You go to Najena’s Lair and see if you can get a skeleton to give up one of the hilts. And if you are successful there, you may even find some items you mentioned that you needed. I will continue the search in High Keep and if I run into more Goblins than I can handle, then I will take them to the guards here. I cannot use my lay of hands again until tomorrow. After I am done here I will meet you at the Estate of Unrest where we will try to get the heart of a ghoul. We will also need to get a blade from one of the Goblins in Butcherblock Mountains.”
“That sounds reasonable to me.” Said Sineliniel.
The couple returned to House Illumine for the night. The two of them spent the evening together watching the sunset over the plains. Sineliniel snuggled into Gilliadson’s shoulder as they sat on the swing. The Koada`Dal laid her arm across the Knight’s chest and rested her hand on his other shoulder.
“I thank Tunare, daily for bringing you into my life, Gill.” Sineliniel said as Gilliadson’s fingers gently caressed her ear. “Even if you had not fallen in love with me, I am still glad to have had the opportunity to get to know you.”
“I have always loved you in some form for as long as I have known you.” Said Gilliadson. “You have been quite special to me as has your Aunt, though in different ways.” Gilliadson raised her chin up with his free hand and gently kissed her. The two of them were engulfed in flames as her flame shield spell went off. After the effects of the spell wore off the two of them went to their rooms and to their beds. Things have been very quiet at the house lately. None of the other members had been around other than Amentet on two occasions and Jetamio from time to time. It was like the two had the Guild House to themselves. Sometimes one of their friends from the allied guilds would drop in for a visit but overall it was pretty quiet around House Illumine.
Chapter 3: The Quest Continues (Sineliniel)
The next morning, the couple ate breakfast together and made ready to depart on their separate missions. Sineliniel kissed Gilliadson and left for Najena’s Lair.
Najena’s Lair is the home of a Teir`Dal Elementalist named Najena, who carved out these caverns in the Lavastorm Mountains in which to carry out her experiments, as well as those of her allies. The caverns are patrolled by Ogre Guards. There are many Elementals, Undead creatures of various types as well as Elementalists and Necromancers living in these caverns. Najena herself comes and goes there as she pleases. Some of the skeletons there carry the hilts to make the Ghoulbane swords. It was not a healthy place for a child of the light to visit but Sineliniel was powerful enough at this time to take on most of the creatures of the lair. Sineliniel made her way to the Nexus Spires in North Karana and awaited the next transport to Luclin. She took the portal there to New Tanaan and proceeded to the portal to Nektulos Forrest. The Koada`Dal avoided the Teir`Dal patrols and cast her invisibility spell on herself to get passed the guard that stood at the pass to Lavastorm Mountains. Sineliniel could have easily dispatched the guard but she was not one to just kill for no reason.
Lavastorm Mountains was one of the most inhospitable environments on the face of Norrath. The air itself was dry and hot. There was a large molten lake from which several rivers of lava flowed into the surrounding mountains. Sineliniel knew where Najena’s lair was and made her way to it. The entrance had two large doors at one time and one of them was now off of it’s hinges and lying on the ground as if from some explosion from within the lair. The Koada`Dal and her elemental companion entered the lair.
The two of them walked past several skeletons that paid them no notice before they came to where the first Ogre guard sat. Sineliniel knew that he was not going to just let her stroll past him so she sent Fluffy to attack. A couple of the skeletons in the room came around the corner after the Koada`Dal but she quickly reduced them to ash. Fluffy had defeated the guard so the two of them walked into the next room. Nothing in the room seemed to mind their presence after the display of power they had just put on. Sineliniel and Fluffy continued to a room where they found two Tentacle Terrors. They had not seen Sineliniel yet so they just stood where they were. Sineliniel sent Fluffy to attack one of them. As soon as Fluffy engaged, the other one moved to assist its companion. Sineliniel alternated between her Fire bolt spell on the Terrors and the spell that renewed her companion’s energy. Once both were down Sineliniel moved closer to the broken gate at the other end of the room. Sineliniel saw a Teir`Dal mistress along with an elemental companion. There were a couple more Elementals at the passageway there as well. The Koada`Dal sent her companion to engage the Teir`Dal. The other two Elementals moved to attack Sineliniel. A few well-placed Fire bolts ended that fight quickly. Sineliniel cast one more Fire bolt and the Teir`Dal went down. Sineliniel searched the body but did not find anything she needed. The Elementalist continued down the passageway to another room where she saw another Teir`Dal Elementalist and another Elemental. Sineliniel cast her Fire bolt spell at the Teir`Dal and she dropped along with her companion. She then sent Fluffy to take on the Elemental. Another one appeared from around the corner and joined in the fight against Fluffy. The first Elemental, being quite weakened, took off down the passageway away from Sineliniel. Fluffy turned his attention to the second Elemental and with the help of his mistress it went down quickly. Sineliniel then saw a skeleton coming toward her with a hilt in one hand. She quickly sent Fluffy to engage it. Just as it went down several other creatures started heading her way. Apparently the Elemental that got away sent some friends. Sineliniel sent Fluffy to intercept the group while she picked up the hilt. Fluffy was going down fast so Sineliniel cast a couple of renewals on him before casting her gate spell and creating the portal for their escape. The two of them stepped through the portal and appeared in New Tanaan.
Sisters Elianeth and Erianaiel were sitting at the Blessing Tree when Sineliniel walked up to them.
“Greetings Sisters!” Sineliniel greeted them joyfully. “How fare you this day?”
“Sineliniel!” Exclaimed Elianeth. “You look like you just came out of a battle!”
“I did.”
“I sincerely hope your opponents fared worse than you did. Please have a seat and tell us about it.” Sineliniel related the tale to the Sisters. “I am certainly glad that you are well. I take it that you have had no word from your Beloved as yet.”
“Not yet. I must dispatch a bard to High Keep to let him know I have the hilt for him now. I wonder if I can handle the Goblins in Butcherblock Mountains.”
“If you like we will go with you. Just in case you need a little extra help.”
“Would you? That would be most appreciated!”
“Of course! Are we not all Sisters?”
“You two are wonderful!” Sineliniel found a bard and sent the message to Gilliadson before heading to Butcherblock Mountains.
The Ladies made their way through the mountain passes and found the small graveyard where Sineliniel saw one of the Goblins there with the blade. Sineliniel cast her fire bolt spell on the Goblin and he came running towards her. Fluffy was sent to intercept the Goblin. Fluffy rooted the Goblin and started attacking it. Sineliniel cast another fire bolt, which broke the roots that held the Goblin in place. The Goblin charged the Koada`Dal and started hitting her. Sineliniel was able to cast two more firebolts on the Goblin despite the beating she was taking. The Goblin finally collapsed and died. Sineliniel took the blade from it and put it in her bag with the hilt. The Sisters were impressed.
“Looks like you did not need us after all.” Said Erianaiel. “You have grown quite powerful indeed. A little more so than we had expected.”
“Thank you so much, Sisters. Now I must return to New Tanaan to await word from Gilliadson.” Sineliniel hugged the two ladies and they all returned to New Tanaan.
Chapter 4: The Quest Continues (Gilliadson)
Sineliniel departed after breakfast the next morning and Gilliadson returned to High Keep. The Knight kept searching for the scroll but with no good fortune. Whenever he would encounter more Goblins than he could handle, he took them to the guards to be killed. About Midday, a bard arrived with a message that Sineliniel had met with success in Najena and was proceeding to Butcherblock Mountains to acquire the blade. Lady Reviak came to High Keep to assist Gilliadson for a little while. While she was a Teir`Dal, she never subscribed to the ways of Hate that the rest of her people did and was even allowed to visit the Temple of Marr. She was a much more powerful Elementalist than Sineliniel and had a much stronger companion. The Goblins that attacked did not stand much of a chance against her. Still, Gilliadson had not found any of Amstaf's Scrolls by the time Lady Reviak was summoned away so he decided to meet with Sineliniel and head to the Estate of Unrest to get the heart of a Ghoul. They were careful in killing the first Ghoul they had encountered and managed to salvage an intact heart. Sineliniel was tired so she returned to the House while Gilliadson went back to High Keep to search for a scroll again. As soon as he entered the mine, a crazed Goblin jumped him but found that he was no match for the skills of the Knight. Gilliadson searched his body and found one of Amstaf's Scrolls.
Gilliadson now needed to acquire the Mystical bag in which to assemble the components. The first contact was in Western Karana near the river. Gilliadson talked to him for a few minutes and received a note to take to a Dwarf near the Docks of Kaladim. Gilliadson decided to run to Qeynos and take the portal to New Tanaan there.
The Knight had almost reached the pass to Qeynos Hills when he saw Choon. Choon was a very well known Cyclops who wandered around the Western Plains of Karana terrorizing passersby. Choon decided that he would try out some Human for a snack. The battle was tough and Gilliadson had to pray for healing quite often but in the end, Choon fell dead. He had a rune in one of his pockets, which Gilliadson kept as proof of this tale for he knew that not many would believe him otherwise. Gilliadson’s armor was dented so badly that it was uncomfortable to wear so he stopped in Qeynos at the forge to knock the dents out. He finally arrived in Butcherblock with no further incident and made his way to the Docks. Gilliadson found the Dwarf he was looking for and gave him the note. They talked for a bit and he gave Gilliadson a necklace to give to a maiden in Dagnor's Cauldron. The Human reached the woman in Dagnor's Cauldron with no problems and gave her the Necklace. They chatted for a little while and she gave him a note for a woman in Lavastorm. Gilliadson ran back through New Tanaan and took the portal to Nektulos Forrest. The Knight made his way toward Lavastorm and avoided the Teir`Dal Patrols. The guard at the pass to Lavastorm did not want to let him pass but Gilliadson persuaded the guard to let him go through. Gilliadson found the Barbarian Woman in Lavastorm and gave her the note. After they exchanged a few words, she gave him the mystical bag.
Gilliadson returned to New Tanaan and dispatched a bard to House Illumine to fetch Sineliniel. He knew that she would want to be present for this. Gilliadson then dispatched another bard to Felwithe to let Lady Marial know that he was on his way with the required items.
Sineliniel arrived rather quickly and the two of them went to Felwithe to appear before King Thex and the three Council members. They entered the throne room, knelt before King Thex, and bowed to the Council members. Sineliniel took her place beside Lady Marial and Gilliadson pulled the items out of his pack and laid them on the table prepared for him:
A Ghoul's Heart
One of Amstaf's Scrolls
A Blade of Nobility
A Hilt of the Nobleman
The Mystical Bag
Gilliadson memorized the incantation on the scroll and placed it in the bag with the rest of the items. The Knight muttered a quick prayer to Marr and then recited the incantation. The bag glowed brightly for a few moments and then faded away leaving a shining new sword on the table. Gilliadson picked up the holy sword and knelt before King Thex, holding it up before him. King Thex took the sword from the Knight’s hands and examined it before passing it on to the Council members to examine as well. All approved and passed the blade back to King Thex who then handed it back to Gilliadson. The Human rose to his feet and King Thex motioned for Sineliniel to stand beside him as he gave them his consent to Bond as well as his blessing.
The next day Gilliadson was knighted as an honorary Soldier of Tunare and numbered amongst the Paladins of Felwithe