Chapter #552
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+ THE ADVENTURERS +
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+ Epic III +
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+ Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and +
+ other terms used in these stories are the property of TSR, Inc. +
+ However, this does not mean that TSR in any way endorses or +
+ authorizes their use, and any such items contained within these +
+ stories should not be considered representative of TSR in any +
+ way, shape, or form. +
+ The player characters contained in these writings are copy- +
+ right 1991-8 by Thomas Miller. Any resemblance to any persons +
+ or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. +
+ Copying and/or distribution of these tales is permissible only +
+ under the sole condition that no part of them will be used or +
+ sold for profit. In that case, I hope you enjoy them. +
+ +
+ Thomas Miller +
+ tmiller@cimmeria.ns.gatech.edu +
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+ Deryck 10th level half-elven ranger (NG) +
+ Nenya 8th/9th level female elven fighter/wizard (NG) +
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+ Alindyar 17th level drow mage (N) +
+ Lyra 13th level female drow mage (N) +
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+ Date: 3/2/577 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: late morning +
+ Place: the Free City of Greyhawk +
+ Climate: cool +
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+ "It's not what you know, it's who you know." +
+ - common maxim +
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DLII. Friends in High Places
The sun shone on the city's streets and buildings, warming them
as morning faded into day. Nenya walked the avenues of Greyhawk,
seeking one residence in particular. She'd been there before, but
that had been some time ago, and she was concerned that she might
get lost. After all, this wasn't where she lived; both she and
Deryck preferred the peace and quiet of the countryside.
As it turned out, she had nothing to worry about. Alindyar and
Lyra's mansion stood out like a haunted house amidst a festival.
The huge, gloomy mansion practically called to Nenya, and as she
walked up its wide, worn front steps, the elven woman wondered if
the drow were even at home.
Nenya: (raps the knocker, several times)
There was no answer, but the faded metal of the knocker shifted
and folded, becoming a small mouth! This trick didn't impress
Nenya much, but she had to admit its novelty.
mouth: Those you seek are not home right now; you may find them
at the College of Magic, two streets east and six to the north.
Nenya: Oh.
mouth: Have a pleasant day! (it changes back into a knocker)
Nenya: (muttering to herself as she descends the steps) Well,
how about that?
It didn't take her long to find the College; Ged had brought her
to these hallowed halls several times. Here, in the sprawling
complex of arched ceilings and mazelike corridors, students young
and old learned - or tried to learn, in some cases - the ways of
magic. Components were gathered, tested, and used; tomes were
pored over; spells were cast, and mis-cast. Wizened scholars and
magi lectured to those who strove to someday join their ranks.
Of course, Nenya had no idea exactly where in this building
Alindyar and Lyra worked. Fortunately, Lyra found the younger
elf just as she was about to ask a passing scribe for help.
Lyra: You wish to talk to Alindyar or me?
Nenya: Yes- how did you know?!?
Lyra: You came by our home...therefore we know.
Nenya: Oh. Enchanted knockers, eh?
Lyra: That's one way to put it.
The two women walked down a long hall, took a right, walked
down a slightly shorter hall, then ascended a stairway.
Nenya: Where are we going?
Lyra: It's lunchtime. Alindyar and I were going to dine in the
High Quarter today. Care to join us?
Nenya: Sure.
They found Alindyar as he was gathering notes, while students
filtered out of the classroom.
Alindyar: (looks up before Lyra says anything) Hello.
Lyra: Hi.
Alindyar: Nenya. What brings you to these halls of learning?
Perhaps you seek to brush up on your spellcraft?
Nenya: Afraid not - my spellcraft's in top form.
Alindyar: Oh. Well, if you require anything...
Nenya: I've just got some questions, and an idea to pitch.
Lyra: Did you decide where you wanted to eat?
Alindyar: Anything but Velunan. I had that yesterday.
Lyra: Very well, then.
Alindyar: (stacking his notes) Let me just drop these off and
we shall be on our way.
Nenya: Did they give you a good office?
Alindyar: Aye, though we won't be going there this time. (he
weaves a spell, and a small dimensional portal opens in the
air beside him) Ah. (he casually tosses his stack of notes
into the dimensional pocket)
Nenya: Whoa.
Lyra: Oh, that's right - we didn't tell everyone about our new
spells. Behold, Alindyar's Closet.
Alindyar: My very own portable storage space. It comes in
handy.
Nenya: ...I'll bet.
Alindyar: A very simple principle actually...once one learns
to control dimensional rifts, it becomes a trivial matter to-
Lyra: (ESPing to Alindyar) I'm hungry. Let's get going.
Alindyar: Ah...I hear my stomach grumbling. Shall we?
They left the building, walking down Greyhawk's avenues and
mingling with its people. They chose the Roc's Egg, a fairly
new establishment that specialized in finely-cooked fowl. For
Nenya, who tended towards salads and vegetables, there was also
a wide selection of fruits and greens and such. As they dined,
they spoke of Nenya's plans...
Lyra: A museum? Dedicated to displaying all things Suel?
Alindyar: Interesting idea...and a good one. My congratulations.
Nenya: It was Deryck's idea, actually. The real issues we need
to solve are location and security.
Lyra: Don't forget permission and financing and political backing.
Nenya: Eh?
Alindyar: You will need approval from the Guild of Wizards to have
magical paraphernalia on public display. And the Exchequer will
have to set taxes on any fees charged for your museum.
Lyra: Don't forget the Thieves' Guild. Arrangements will have to
be made there as well.
Alindyar: (he frowns) Best to simply present your case to the
Oligarchy.
Nenya: How can I do that? They don't even know me.
Alindyar: They know you as a student and beneficiary of Ged, and
that may be enough.
Lyra: (nodding) Ravel Disander knows her...Peldor knows her...
Alindyar: I will have a talk with Kieren Jalucian, the Guildmaster
of Wizards. Your idea is a good one, and I have no doubt that
he would back the idea.
Nenya: Uh...so you're going to take it from here?
Alindyar: To a point. Prepare your plans, your inventory, your
requirements. Someone will get back with you.
Nenya: (nods) I owe you much for this assistance.
Alindyar: When this museum is operational, _we_ will owe _you_.
Lyra: And Ged.
Alindyar: Aye...and Ged.
After the lunch, the drow returned to the College. Nenya, after
thanking them again for their help, returned to her castle. Ideas
and visions filled her head, and she was more excited than she'd
been in a long while. Deryck caught the fever too...
Deryck: That's great!
Nenya: I told you.
Deryck: So when will we hear back from them?
Nenya: I'm not sure...we'll have to bide our time.
With most people, a verbal commitment was a thing to get lost
in the daily shuffle and eventually be delayed weeks or months.
This was not the case with Alindyar. Two days after Nenya had
approached the dark elf, he appeared at her castle with favorable
news.
Alindyar: (floating through the air) Greetings!
Deryck: (on his feet, sword in hand before he even realizes who
it is) Yaa!
Nenya: (eyes wide) Don't _do_ that!
Alindyar: My apologies...I did not mean to startle you.
Nenya: How'd you get in here?
Alindyar: This is merely a projection of sorts...it saves me the
trouble of having to journey all about.
Deryck: (muttering as he sheaths his sword) I can see where that
would come in handy.
Alindyar: Anyhow. I am here to inform you that Kieran is highly
pleased with the idea of a Suel exhibit/museum. In fact, he made
space within the Guildhall specifically for the Suel items. (he
unfurls a rolled map, showing them the planned layout) Will this
be enough space?
Nenya: (taps the map, but her fingers pass through it) Whoa.
Alindyar: (smiles, shrugging) To me, now, this map is tangible,
but you can only look at it.
Deryck: Good enough. (he gazes at the intangible but precise map)
What's the story here?
Nenya: This should be more than enough room...three large halls,
one entry point, little to worry about.
Alindyar: It does help that we all know the Guildmaster of Thieves
on a personal basis. He can guarantee the exhibit's safety from
any official, sanctioned activity...and at a most reasonable cost.
Nenya: This looks great! What's the next step?
Alindyar: The inner council of the Guild of Wizardry wishes to
discuss this with you, tomorrow, at midday. Then, the clearing
and cleaning of the three halls will require a week or two.
Things will progress smoothly after that point. (he nods) I
trust you have all the necessary documentation, lists, and such?
Nenya: I do - and if I don't, I will.
Alindyar: Excellent. We will see you tomorrow, then. (he fades
out)
Deryck: "We?"
Nenya: I guess that means he's one of the inner council of the
Guild of Wizardry.
Deryck: He's come far.
Nenya: That he has. (she frowns) So they want to put it within
their own building.
Deryck: Space within the Guildhall...probably so the Guild can
control access to the museum.
Nenya: True, but if you think about it, that's probably the
safest place for it anyway.
Deryck: (nods)
Nenya: Fear not, I'll put together a written contract specifying
that the items are Ged's - our - property and are not to leave
the exhibit for any reason.
Deryck: That would be a good idea.
Nenya: (puts an arm around her husband's shoulder) It's coming
along, and well. This is an outstanding realization of an
outstanding idea.
Deryck: (shrugs) It just seemed like what Ged would have wanted.
next: this story arc wraps up, as the exhibit gets underway
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homepage: http://www.gatech.edu/oit/oe/design/thomas/adv/adv.html
email: tmiller@cimmeria.ns.gatech.edu (preferred)
thomas.miller@oit.gatech.edu (emergency)
notes: Thanks to Matt Hurd and Tom Vallow for additional ideas
concerning this storyline and its sub-storylines. Next episode,
we'll see the exhibit, as well as tie up some loose ends from
Ged, Nenya, and Deryck's lives.
On 7/6/98 I had a little adventure; I was live at this event:
http://www.wcwwrestling.com/news/nitro/980707n/
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