Chapter #1116
previous chapter (#1115)
next chapter (#1117)
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ THE ADVENTURERS +
+ +
+ Epic VI +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and other +
+ terms used in these stories are the property of Wizards of the Coast +
+ which has in no way endorsed or authorized their use. Any such +
+ property contained within these stories are not representative of +
+ Wizards of the Coast in any fashion. +
+ The player characters depicted in these stories are copyright +
+ 1991-2022 by Thomas A. Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these stories is permissible under +
+ the sole condition that no money is made in the process. In that +
+ case, I hope you enjoy them! +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Irina 14th/7th level female human priestess/warrior +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Date: 4/18/586 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: early afternoon +
+ Place: the temple of Istus, in the Free City of Greyhawk +
+ Climate: pleasant +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ "I hope this isn't a mistake." +
+ "I don't make mistakes." +
+ - from _Superman: Red Son_ +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MCXVI. The Machinations of Istus
Irina had not visited her goddess' temple in Greyhawk for a long time,
even longer for the temple than for Irina herself (due to differences in
the passing of time in Oerth versus the other places to which Irina had
recently traveled). Today would be a day of great import, the priestess
was sure of that. Not only did she need to learn whether her deeds had
pleased the Lady of Fate, but she had been tasked by Belphanior with a
significant boon to ask. The elf - with Razor Charlie, Paige, and Skektek
in tow - had just departed to seek out a number of his former adventuring
companions. Before leaving, he had told Irina what he needed from her and
her goddess, providing that the latter was willing.
Irina: (after passing through the temple's entrance and outer chambers,
she now enters the inner sanctum, where only the most worthy of Istus'
servants may tread)
This chamber lacked windows, but was brightly lit by plenty of magical
candles. Irina was relieved to see that her superior - the high priestess
of Greyhawk's temple of Istus - was alive and well after all of the recent
insanity in the world. This was the same woman who had introduced and
assigned Irina to work with Belphanior's group, just a few months ago (by
Irina's reckoning) or five years ago (by the reckoning of anyone else who
had stayed on Oerth). Her name was Fiorina, and she was in her forties,
attractive in a matronly way. She was also the direct link between the
goddess Istus and all of the other priestesses in the temple...and indeed
the entire area around the Free City.
Irina: (bows slightly) Milady. I am glad to see you, and the temple,
intact. It seems that I missed a lot.
Fiorina: (smiles gently) Only the same things that have happened for
centuries past, and will happen for centuries more. The ambition of
kings and godlings, for ever more land and power. (she gestures to a
small couch across from her own chair) Sit, please. I will hear your
tale.
Irina: (does so, clearing her throat before starting to talk)
The adventuring priestess recounted everything...the search for the
Seeking Scroll...the battles with the reclusive purple dragon Mesoloth
and the destruction of the sky castle...the finding and cataloguing of
the subterranean mountain vault and its incredible treasure hoard, the
accidental journey to the unnamed dark world where the group had been
stripped of its magical items and been forced to improvise as they took
on werewolves, zombies, and a vampire lord...the near-miraculous return
to Oerth, only shortly followed by another journey to the Center of Time
courtesy of the lich Kronos...and the second return to Oerth, only to
find that nearly five years had passed, years mostly filled with warfare
that spanned most of the continent.
Irina: ...the worst of which was being unable to contact Istus at all,
during that time.
Fiorina: Wherever your party was transported, it was beyond the reach
of even the gods. (she frowns) At least the ones we know. Which is
more than a little disturbing.
Irina: Yes. Anyway, here we are.
Fiorina: (nods) The elf's fears are true, you know. He and the others
were all manipulated, in various but interconnected ways, to remove
them from the world prior to the wars.
Irina: As suspected...but by whom? Who could succeed in duping not only
our group, but also another as powerful as the Crimson Blades?
Fiorina: It wasn't a matter of duplicity, but simple trickery based on
knowing what was important to each party. The Blades were allowed to
take possession of an item that would eventually lead them to a place
and situation that even Kronos could not ignore. In turn, he gathered
enough power to ensure victory in that inevitable conflict. It would
not surprise me if the time-artifact that the wizard Chargrim possessed
had already been damaged in some way. At any rate, from the point of
view of whoever planned all this...two potent artifacts and two mighty
groups were, worst case, removed from the playing field. Best case,
they destroyed each other, or otherwise failed to return to Oerth.
Irina: Devious.
Fiorina: Brilliant, at least from their perspective. A well-thought-
out plan, with a few risks...but one that worked out better than its
instigator could have ever hoped for, I'd say.
Irina: Belphanior has pretty much deduced all of this...except for the
unknown party behind the scheme. (she eyes the other expectantly)
Fiorina: (holds up her hands, shaking her head) There are things to
which, despite my position, even I am not privy. Whatever Istus knows
about the matter, she has not seen fit to share.
Irina: Damn.
Fiorina: So, as you said...here you are. Here and now, in Greyhawk.
Irina: Yes. Everyone is resting and resupplying before the elf leads
the group to take revenge upon whoever invaded the hidden vault years
ago, driving those left behind into hiding. (she frowns) It doesn't
take a follower of Our Lady of Fate to know that he's serious...quite
serious.
Fiorina: As I told you quite some time ago, before you joined the elf
at our behest...he has accomplished much in a relatively short time.
And while his path, and its eventual outcome, are not set in stone, it
is likely that he yet has important things to do in the world.
Irina: If he survives.
Fiorina: (nods) If he survives. And to that end, it is Istus' will
that you continue to be part of the elf's thread, as it runs through
the tapestry of fate. You cannot singlehandedly save him if his fate
is to perish, but you can aid him as he continues on his path.
Irina: Right. (she frowns) Speaking of his path...he has asked me for
a boon...almost certainly knowing that is essentially asking Istus for
it.
Fiorina: (frowns, concentrating) He wishes to know who was responsible
for the attack on his home, while most of you were away.
Irina: Yes. He once would have used his mighty Loom for such a task,
but as I mentioned, it was damaged in the battle at the Center of Time.
Fiorina: Which is perhaps for the best. The item's ability to peer into
the past, to thus know all secrets...would be dangerous in the hands of
a god. But in the possession of a mortal, especially one with the pure
will and unbridled ambition of the elf...(she trails off, shaking her
head) It would be best if the lich Kronos were to never mend the broken
Loom.
Irina: (not sure what to say, she simply remains silent)
Fiorina: And yet, we must grant Belphanior's request.
Irina: (taken aback) We must?
Fiorina: Istus has foreseen his plans, and already advised me about what
must be done next. In fact, I already know who planned and carried out
the raid on the elf's home. As much as I hate to do this...as much as
even I fear what will now be set in motion...I will now share that name
with you, as you will soon share it with the elf. (she pauses, sighs,
then finally speaks the name)
Irina: (her jaw drops)
Fiorina: Yes.
Irina: Er...maybe we should provide Belphanior a different name? One
that won't be the key to a great deal of battle and bloodshed?
Fiorina: (crosses her arms, sighing)
Irina: I'm serious. Going up against...well, we may not survive that.
We could find another name, or better yet, just tell the elf we weren't
able to learn what he wants to know. Something else...anything else.
Fiorina: We cannot. What is fated...must happen. However it turns out.
Irina: That's what I'm afraid of.
next: the revelation
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 7/15/2022
notes: You didn't read anything wrong - Belphanior went after the
same thing two different ways, by asking Kronos and also asking Irina
(to ask Istus). From his point of view, worst case (aside from getting
two completely different answers, which is unlikely) is only one of them
comes through and the other fails...and best case, they both come back
with the same identical answer, confirming it.
At any rate, we're on the verge here...it's taken me weeks to ponder
the identity of whoever raided the vault. I literally considered dozens
of possible guilty parties, and worked through what the story arc would
look like for each of them. But then I had an epiphany - one which I'll
share with you when you (and Belphanior) learn precisely who it was. It
will happen in the next episode.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
previous chapter (#1115)
next chapter (#1117)