From the trees in front of Belgrius stepped a beautiful female drow backed by 11 others, all famliar faces. All combat halted for a moment as even the follower of Asmodeus looked at the drow awaiting something. "Halt ! I told you we would meet again," she spoke in a seductive elven toned voice. "Should I want to kill you, I would have done so already. I simply showed you my capabilities and that is only a small part of what we can do. You have something I want, the Scepter I believe? Hand it over and we will let you all live to fight each other. Should you keep it, then I will help these soldiers destroy you anyway. It's up to you." She waited patiently for anyone who wished to speak.
Feeling the pain of several wounds, Belgrius was unsure just what to do. He found himself in a battle with one group and another group threatened to kill everyone. Drow on the surface. Something was not right here. He felt confused and weary. With the female drow standing in front of him he knew he was in a serious position. Among the enemy of the new group and cut off from the other enemy and his party at a distance, he tried to think what to do. Praying internally for strength and guidance, Belgrius tried to coil his muscles and map out every future move in his head. If he could lunge forward, just right, grab the female drow and bury his fingers into her eyeballs, maybe he could take her out by destroying her brain. But if he díd, would he be killed by her companions or would they be demoralized by her death and retreat ? Was it possible just to grab her and hold her captive and hold the others off by threat to her life ? Not being a fighter, he felt his chances were slim but what else was there to do. His friends seemed so committed to recovering what they had that he felt those items must be important. If he sacrificed his life, he knew his god would welcome him but would he also be chastised by the church for not protecting himself enough to live and fight another day ? How could he find out about the evil in the land and report it to the church if he was dead, even if it might be a hero's death ? Torn with confusion, he simply tried to bandage the new wound so it would not bleed and then started making his body ready to jump if that decision seemed best. He continued to pray and ask for guidance.
Being struck blind by some unknown reason sent Humus into a semi-panic attack - until he heard that seductive voice. His mind instantly registered drow. Scowling, he was genuinely angry that they should be facing those blasted drow again. Remembering how close the Black Knight was, Humus turned his head in the direction the Knight. In a quiet voice that he hoped the drow could not hear, he said, "Hear me warrior of Asmodeus. I doubt that either group alone can take on the drow and survive and I seriously doubt that they will let any of us walk away with the scepter." Knowing that he was flirting with disaster but seeing no other option, he continued, "I propose a temporary truce. On my honor, we will not attack any of your warriors if you and yours will not attack us. After the drow have been dispatched, we will then settle who is going to take the scepter. What say you ?" As he waited for the answer, he started thinking of the possible mess that they will have to get themselves out of later if the warrior accepted.
Being engrossed in casting a spell Jardel's voice abrubtly came to a halt once he was engulfed in complete darkness. His mind raced with fear to the cause of this harm. Could it have been an adverse effect of a magical item or an attack on his eyesight. Finally he heard a female voice and recalled the encounter of the previous day with some drows. Yes it had to be her. Again valuable time elapsed before he put one and one together to understand the cause of his blindness. But of course ! From his studies he remembered the drow elves and their strengths. They were known for being ruthless and thoroughly evil. Combined with some magic resistance and almost sure spell casting abilities due respect was also warranted from their poisons - rending their oponents unconsious or even dead. Right now he believed himself to be in the area of effect of a darkness spell - the most notorius ability these creatures of the underdark possessed. Quietly he nudged Aistlin sideways, slowly trying to move his mount out of the spell area. Aistlin relied more on his smell now than any sight could have given. Snorting he obeyed. In a confident, yet submissive, voice Jardel spoke from the darkness to the elf. "So, it seems our paths do meet again, only this time you are at an advantage. As you are in a decisive bargaining position I must concede my defeat. Regarding the present situation I value my life aswell as the lives of my comrades higher than the scepter. If you keep your word and promise us freedom then I will hand over the object. It pains me greatly to accept defeat, but to live another day grants me the power and possibility to track you and perhaps turn the tide of events against you. Who of your kind seeks this item anyway, is it Lolth or do you too serve the minions of Asmodeus ?" Speaking loud enough to be heard by his friends he continued. "I am sorry my friends, but I cannot place your lives in any more danger than they are already. Were I alone then perhaps I would handle the situation differently." He hoped to escape the unnatural darkness to at least catch a glimpse of his assailants - the ones he avenged to track and assault to regain the scepter. Oh, how right he was to know that success had been yet so far away ... He kept Caliburn poised to strike and the sceptre tight in his grip. "Elf, come forward and recede this darkness if you value the exchange here and today. I wish to see who foolishly adds himself to my most wanted list of dead foes ..."
Caladan stopped his charge and forced his horse to turn, he looked at the Drow and he realised that they were caught between two forces both wanting the scepter. Caladan heard Humus’s voice whisper, as he and Jardel were caught in a globe of darkness and was able to hear a few of the words exchanged. Caladan looked at the Drow and a plan formed in his head ... a plan he heard a long time ago that the sun weakened some of the Drows powers and he only hoped it applied to their magical resistance too. Caladan sheathed his huge sword and as silent and stealthy as possible he started to cast a spell. Da Ghiri attempted to use the warrior's horses to conceal himself and quietly began his Dispel Magic spell, planning on targeting Jardel with it, but getting Humus and Kothas in the area of effect aswell if possible.
The Black Knight answered Humus in darkness. "Sounds like a plan knight, you have my word that I nor my soldiers will attack you, but I cannot speak for the mage, he is a common ally between the drow and us, for he is drow as well. DO what you will, and I will hunt you down another day, my god tells me that I must find the scepter or face him ... my choice is simple ... I will get the scepter another day, but not this day."
Near the drowess, Belgrius asked weakly, "What value is this sceptre to you? Why would you kill so many for such an item ?" "Let's just say it is a good bargaining piece for my people, let alone my own power." The female answered. "I serve Lolth, who in turn serves Asmodeus when it suits her purpose, it is for her and myself that we seek this scepter." She smiles wryly, upon hearing Jardel’s wish to recede the darkness. "Why not, you will never find me or my people as we live in a cavern such as you have never seen, and probably will never see ..." She nodded at one of her warriors who mumbled a word in elven. Jardel as Humus were once again able to see. Kothas though, seemed to still be blind. "See your new enemy good warrior, and know the face of your murderer should you try to follow"
Just then, Caladan whispered words unheard by all, as strands of sticky webs flew from his hands towards the drow. Several drow just waved them away as if they were common spiderwebs remaining unnaffected. But a few, including the female, were caught in the sticky substance. Others jumped out of the way, either towards the group or back into the woods. Infuriated the female bellowed "Fools ! Kill them !" Several elves rushed the group with short swords, while the group in the woods were seen reloading crossbows. Culdat was run through with a short sword, still entrapped and bespelled. One elf rushed injured Belgrius, but was held in place by Da Ghiri's hold person. The Black Knight shouted to his men, "Into the woods ! Don’t let them loose those crossbows !" His remaining men ran for the woods in an attempt to meet with the bowmen. A mysterious arrow found it's way to the female drow caught in the web, piercing her back in the left shoulderblade, wounding her badly but not fatally. This arrow came from the woods a little south of the drows position.
Horrified by what has happened, and by his part in it, Da Ghiri rushes to Culdat's side, unmindful of any danger that might still be present. With trembling hands he withdrew a white silk handkerchief and some sweet smelling unguent from his pouches, all the time praying over the little "finder".
Belgrius paniced when he saw the web fly. Just as he thought there was to be cooperation he found himself in enemy territory and in a battle. With a desperate move, enhanced by the flow of adreneline, Belgrius sprang forward with his flail and attempted to bash in the head of the female drow in the web, crying aloud as he jumped, "Oh, Dianchet, guide me in the destruction of this evil !" He tried to be careful not to get caught up in it himself. As he moved he invoked the words necessary in preparing the spell lightening bolt, wanting to let it fly as soon as he recovered his balance from the attack on the drow. He noted the impaling of Culdat but there was nothing he could do about it now.
As darkness lifted, the Paladin looked across the field to see who actually was assaulting the party. Prepared to have bargained for his life and the lives of his friends, he was surprised at their fierce determination to succeed in protecting the Sceptre of Power from any evil. He had tried to buy some time for himself to evaluate the strengths of the drow troop and then determine his actions, but the right to choose had been taken away, as Caladan, Belgrius and Humus started an offensive. Were they really that confident in conquering any foe or did they not know the dangers of facing dark elves. Fortunately the evil warriors seemed more interested in saving their lives, be it from the powers of Lolth or various good adventurers. What was there to do now ? He was far away from the dark elves and he dared not use ranged spell weapons in these turbulent seconds. Spurring Aistlin, who whinnied loud and reared his front hooves high into the air, the proud stallion charged into the frey of battle. Tearing through the magical webs, Aistlin drove his powerful legs into the dirt road and manuevered towards the female drow elf (and the barrel), who had spoken with him. Any unfortunate drow elves crossing his path were slashed at with Caliburn. As the tide of battle seemed to turn in favour of the defendants, Jardel bellowed into the field. "Nay, elf follower of Lolth. Dost thou think us to relinquish such artefact so quickly and without a fight. It seems my choice has been amended and your life is deemed forfeit. Heimdall, grant me strength again to bannish all fear of dying for a greater cause ! Belgrius, Caladan, Humus, Kethas, make sure any and all drow elves are killed. There must be no survivors to report back to Lolth !" Barely unnoticed went the actions of Culdat and Da Ghiri, the latter he trusted was well in command of the situation. As for the unknown archer, his intervention was not percieved by Jardel in all of the action happening.
Kethas yelled at Belgrius, "Don't use your last Magic Missile scroll. I'll need it." Kethas then scanned his spellbook for the Magic Missile incantation, and prepared to read it from his book like a scroll. Undaunted, he practiced the syllables required to unleash the spell's potency. Aiming his hands at the nearest Drow mage, he recited the syllables as quietly as he could, as not to be noted as a spellcaster. Finishing the spell, he seemed saddened as the page lost its magical potency.
Too busy to reply, what with charging the female drow and trying to prepare a spell in his mind, Belgrius did not reply to Kethas. He was vaguly aware of someone saying all the drow must die so they could not report back to Lollth but he thought, "Lollth is a god. That means all our actions are being seen at this very moment." He had ultimate faith in his god and was sure of a strong enough blessing of his god as he fought the evil represented by the drow. With it being so rare to see Drow on the surface and in the daylight, he wondered if the party was able to contain the evil here or would have to continue to fight another day. It had to be strong to inspire these creatures to wander around the surface world.
Finally able to see, Humus looked around to see how many drow the group faces, as he agreed upon the momentary alliance. Ignoring the soldiers' charge at those drow in the woods for now, Humus spurred Valor on towards the drow that were attacking with short swords - shield raised to ward off any crossbow bolt that might come his way from the woods. Since most everyone else was going for the female drow, Humus charged the drow that felled Culdat. From there he was poised to attack the nearest drow that presented himself.
Da Ghiri rushed to the halfling's aid, pulling out required prayer icons to help in the hinderance of Culdat's untimely demise. All bleeding ultimately stopped, but now Da Ghiri was in mortal danger as now Culdat's foe became the priest's foe. Humus was there quickly to protect the healer, but the drow saw him coming, but too late. The drow swung his blade to meet Humus, but it missed due to lack of time before Humus was upon him. The Cavalier brought his enchanted blade down hard on the skull of the unfortunate elf, splitting it through the bone and into grey matter.
Jardel spurred Aistlin into the crowd to meet with another elf. The drow deftly ducked under the mighty swing of Caliburn, but was not as lucky for the second blow, which pierced through elven chain, killing the drow instantly. Kothas suprised the group as he charged a foe, as everyone thought he was still blind ! But he rushed this single drow. Kothas was there quickly, striking the killing blow. Now the only enemies left were the ones in the webs, and the ones in the woods.
The fight in the woods sounded as if the drow elves were losing, from the cries of pain and agonies of death, but little could be seen of the progress. Belgrius pulled his mace and swung at the female drow, cracking her skull but not killing her. She fell to the ground holding her head. She began mumbling unheard words, out of panic, Belgrius pulled forth an amber rod from his pouch , shouting the words of arcane loudly above the din of battle. A lightning bolt arced towards the female, exploding on her, and sending jolts of deadly energy through her and into her comrades in the webbing. Not only did this bolt fry her and seriously injure the entrapped drow, but now the web caught on fire, burning the helpless drow to death. Kethas' words went quiet as there was no longer any targets for his magic missile, much to his relief as he didn’t want to have to rescribe the spell from a scroll.
The followers of Asmodeus had pursued the dark elves into the forrest, leaving the party members amongst themselves once more. The smell of burnt flesh rippled through the air and everyone's stomache. Something familiar to this smell...
You can e-mail me at
mauldinl@hotmail.com