Chapter #1224
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+ THE ADVENTURERS +
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+ Epic VI +
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+ 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 +
+ 1991-2026 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! +
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+ THE BRIGHT ALLIANCE +
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+ Alindyar 18th level dark elven wizard, illusionist +
+ Belphanior 18th/18th/18th level elven fighter/wizard/thief +
+ Neera 12th level female human wizard (sage/savant) +
+ Dexitheseus 17th level human wizard, enchanter/generalist +
+ Kronos 22nd level lich wizard, necromancer/generalist +
+ Lyra 14th level female drow wizard, invoker/evoker +
+ Pallin 18th level grey elven wizard, teleporter +
+ Parekh 18th level female human wizard, innovator +
+ Shemeya 19th level human sorceress from ancient Sulm +
+ Wu 18th level human wizard, alterer/generalist +
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+ Date: 4/21/587 C.Y. (Common Year) +
+ Time: late morning +
+ Place: the Brass Hills, within the Bright Lands +
+ Climate: hot and dry +
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+ "Success, real success, is being willing to do the things that +
+ other people are not." +
+ - Conrad Stonebanks, from _The Expendables 3_ +
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MCCXXIV. Hoard of the Hidden Citadel
A day after the successful expedition to the Rakers, the slain wizard
Chargrim's treasures have been taken to the Bright Lands...specifically
to the hidden, highly-secure underground vaults of the nine powerful magi
who control and direct various matters of the region.
Belphanior: I took the liberty of having Neera catalog and analyze this
trove...or at least as best as she could in less than a day. It will
be faster and easier if she reports on this. (he turns to the thin
astrologer-sage, who has joined the group as they stand around a large
stone table upon which the bulk of Chargrim's trove now rests) Please
proceed.
Neera: (her long black hair flowing freely behind her back, she regards
the others before clearing her throat) Aside from the black coffin and
its occupant in stasis, which is not really my area of expertise, the
single most significant item we found in that citadel is likely this
map and its associated paraphernalia.
She gestured to a rectangular iron frame, about seven feet by five feet
in size, which held two thin panes of transparent crystal. Between these
sheets was an ancient, well-creased piece of parchment...a map depicting
not only the known Flanaess but significant portions of the surrounding
world. Resting atop the framed map was a smaller item, a thin disc of
clear glass four inches in diameter and mounted within a mithril frame.
Neera: (gesturing with her hands as she briefs the group) This map,
while extremely old and likely also unique, is not magical in and of
itself...but the case that protects it is. Aside from being incredibly
strong and resistant to damage, it is unusually lightweight and easy to
carry or transport. The smaller lens appears to be a powerful focusing
mechanism. It doesn't let one seek out people or objects, but it does
allow scrying of a particular location when moved over that area on the
map, as long as one is sufficiently intelligent and versed in the ways
of magic. (she looks around the room, her green eyes blazing with the
sheer joy of being able to study such wonders) Naturally, all in this
room would have no challenges utilizing this device.
Parekh: (nods) Excellent. It will certainly be useful.
Belphanior: (nods) We already possess the Eye of Celestian and the
Seeking Scroll, and also a mirror...but we can never have enough ways
to scry and search for things.
Neera: Or analyze things. (wielding the thin, gnarled wooden wand known
as the Finger of Boccob as she eyes Chargrim's hoard laid out upon the
massive stone table) This was possibly the most useful thing we found
in the vault of the purple dragon. It has greatly...elevated my skills
and simplified my work.
Belphanior: (notes that she is also wearing the equally-potent Crown of
Zagyg, likely to increase the accuracy and efficiency of her work here
today, and makes a note to remind her not to make a habit of wearing
it too long or often due to the potentially-harmful side effects)
Kronos: Fine work indeed. (he gazes upon all the other things on the
table) What of the rest?
Neera: (begins pointing out items, one at a time, the small green stone
at the end of the wand glowing brightly) That large brass cauldron is
for mixing and creating potions; given the proper ingredients and the
necessary knowledge, it greatly hastens the process and can churn out
various useful draughts. All those hundreds of sealed bottles next to
it contain a variety of ingredients - some of them quite rare. All of
that will go a long way toward equipping the laboratory in the citadel
above.
Parekh: Which is where, in the future, discussions like this one will
likely take place.
Neera: (turns to something else) That small, gilded brass cage holds a
rather unusual construct, a large hawk fashioned of mithril. It seems
intelligent, and also seems to have been a captive. Further study and
perhaps some careful conversation will likely be necessary to determine
its true nature and its motivations, if any. (she signs) I just didn't
have the time-
Belphanior: Don't worry about it. No one could do a deep scrying of all
this in less than a single day - not even you. We'll deal with the odd
bird later.
mithril hawk in cage: (studies the elf with its tiny silver eyes)
Neera: (nods) Thanks for reminding me. Sometimes I push myself too
hard, and forget the larger scale of things. (she turns her attention
to the pair of thin metal hands whose wrists end in bases, such that
all their fingers point upward, with each finger bearing a different
magical ring) Those hands aren't magical - although they are made of
solid silver - but all ten of the rings are. Most are fairly common...
blinking, feather falling, human influence, protection, water walking.
One of them holds three wishes-
Dexitheseus: That'll come in handy as we continue to build the Bright
Lands.
Neera: -while the other four are less common. The ring of faerie, made
by the wood elves and given only to those they hold in the highest
regard, grants its wearer the benefits of both a cloak and boots of
elvenkind, while also conferring the ability to see in the dark. The
thin black ring next to it renders its wearer nearly immune to poisons
and venoms. The dull gray one is infused with a bit of essence from
the plane of shadow, and as such it allows its bearer to see not only
invisible creatures and things but also those that are ethereal. (she
points to the tenth of the silver fingers) And, while you can't see
it because it's invisible, the last ring renders the wearer virtually
undetectable by scrying and other magic.
Kronos: (smiles thinly) That would be worth testing.
Alindyar: (ESPing to Lyra) I can actually see the invisible ring, due
to my mastery of-
Lyra: (ESPing to Alindyar) That's great, but you shouldn't interrupt
Neera. She's doing a great job here.
Alindyar: (ESPing to Lyra) Of course. I was merely pointing it out.
Neera: There were also about a dozen wand-cases, most of which actually
contained wands. Thankfully, their former owner left notes about their
functions and command words, which saved me a little time. The wands
have these functions: conjuration, enemy detection, fear, fire, frost,
lightning, metal and mineral detection...that's one wand...
Wu: Heh.
Neera: The last one is a sort I've never heard of. It channels the
wielder, such that you can project an image of your face onto a nearby
object and can see, hear, speak, and even cast spells through it. Odd
but undoubtedly useful.
Shemeya: (nods, impressed with the ability and style of this young but
highly-competent wizard)
Alindyar: (ESPing to Lyra) It occurs to me that, bolstered by the rod
and crown she is currently using, Neera may very well qualify as an
archmage.
Lyra: (ESPing to Alindyar) Agreed, but remember that she can't keep the
crown on for long.
Next, Neera turned her attention to a series of six other wands that
were all lined up atop a scrap of velvet.
Neera: These are unfinished, but with a little time and effort most of
us could complete the work and make them functional. They came with
all the necessary notes, tools, inks, and such.
Parekh: We'll put that on the list of non-urgent things.
Neera: (smirks) I figured you might. They're nothing major - just
basic powers like magic detection, magic missiles, and such - but a
magic wand is a magic wand, and some of these could perhaps be given
to lesser wizards across the region to boost their capabilities.
Pallin: Indeed.
Neera: There are some other items that, like much of the rest, could be
quite useful for others if no one here needs or can use them...a rod of
rulership, staves of curing and power, another staff that projects both
barriers and bolts of magical force, a pair of bracers of defense, a
bag of holding, a brazier of sleep smoke, a candle that greatly boosts
the thinking and clarity of the one who lights it. (she frowns as she
regards a drum of some exotic wood and rare monster hide) And that...
which seems to offer some potent effects to any army or force allied
with the one who beats the drum.
Belphanior: (nods, thinking of various possible uses of the drum in the
Bright Lands or even beyond) Interesting.
Parekh: Again, well-done.
Neera: It's no great challenge, really. I could have deduced all this
anyway; I was simply able to do it faster with the aid of the powerful
items I employed.
Shemeya: But still, this is most impressive work.
Neera: Thanks. (she regards the remaining items, which consist of three
stacks of books and several dozen scroll tubes) All of _that_, while
not magical, is still a valuable trove of knowledge, lore, and history.
And it interests me even more than the magical items. One of the tomes
is a history of the deities of Greyhawk and their eons-ago wars...while
another appears to be a definitive account of the life and adventures
of one Zagyg Yragerne. (she sighs happily) I could study these works
for years!
Parekh: And I have no doubt that you will.
Neera: These are great times, to be sure. (she forces herself to stop
daydreaming about all of the knowledge they just gained) But anyhow...
aside from all of that, there were some oddities. The old pentagrams
on the laboratory floor of the sub-basement, we obviously didn't and
couldn't bring back. There was a shelf full of assorted skulls, too,
which - while perhaps interesting to one who studies exotic monsters -
has no practical use for us.
Belphanior: Of course, we took them anyway. (he shrugs) You never know.
Neera: There were also five partially-completed golems...one iron, two
stone, and two clay. They're in a nearby storage chamber, waiting for
the day when someone completes them.
Dexitheseus: (frowns) We _really_ need to make a complete inventory of
all the golems we have in this place, whether functional or not. (he
sighs, shaking his head) I guess I'll volunteer for that.
Parekh: What about that creepy portrait of Chargrim, the one that wasn't
magical yet seemed to be watching us?
Belphanior: I destroyed it last night with a spell of disintegration.
There seemed to be exactly zero good reasons to keep such a thing from
a slain enemy around.
Pallin: Agreed.
Kronos: (crosses his pale, robed arms) Again, outstanding work...and a
substantial trove claimed for our land. And now I believe there is the
matter of a certain lost prisoner, trapped in magical stasis...?
Belphanior: Yes. I've already briefed all of you before this gathering,
about who Prince Thrommel is and what his return could mean - both for
Furyondy and Veluna, and also for the Bright Lands' relations with them
going forward. This is a huge political opportunity for us, provided
we can safely restore him to normal-
Shemeya: (folds her arms smugly) I already studied the magic that binds
him, and am ready to undo those enchantments and return him to life.
Kronos: (raises one eyebrow)
Belphanior: -life. (he frowns) What?
Shemeya: I took a look last night. When I heard that we had acquired
someone trapped in magical stasis, I was...intrigued. So I spent some
time working the problem.
Kronos: (regards the ancient Sulmish sorceress) How exactly did you
unravel the nature of the prince's entrapment?
Shemeya: It actually isn't much different than the magic that bound my
tower in time, and rendered unconscious everyone who approached.
Kronos: (flatly) Almost everyone.
Shemeya: No offense meant, to any of you. I simply encountered a puzzle
than I knew I was qualified to - and would be able to - solve, and then
did so. (she shrugs) So, whenever we decide we're ready, a combination
of three spells cast in the right order should bring the prince back.
Kronos: Indeed.
Shemeya: Of course, and not surprisingly, two of the necessary spells
can only be cast by wizards of the caliber found in this room. (she
produces a short scroll and puts it on the table) At any rate, here
is a complete summary of my reasoning and planned solution, for any who
wish to check it.
Lyra: (ESPing to Alindyar) She isn't afraid to take action, I'll give
her that.
Alindyar: (ESPing to Lyra) Perfectly acceptable as long as one is not
evil. She is indeed a good ally to have.
Dexitheseus: (amused, he tips his hat to Shemeya) Well-done, young lady.
Well-done.
Shemeya: Thank you...although I don't know about the "young" part.
Belphanior: (nods, slowly) Yet another instance of outstanding work.
Kronos: The great bulk of the work done by any of our number will be
outstanding. We are, after all, masters of the magical profession.
Wu: (nods, grinning)
Parekh: So, how do we proceed from here?
Belphanior: I'd suggest that we review Shemeya's plan - as much to learn
as to check her work - and then restore the prince tonight or tomorrow
and explain to him what's what. He'll need to get his mind right before
we bring him back to his father and his bride-to-be, which is the very
first thing he'll likely demand. (his brow furrows in thought) Hmmmm.
We'll also have to get an audience with King Belvor, but we can't tell
him why until we have his son safely restored to life. I should see if
I can get Halbarad to help out with this.
Dexitheseus: Don't forget finding a way to get Mistress Jolene there too.
Lyra: Mistress?
Dexitheseus: Well, she's actually the Supreme Mistress of the Celestial
Order of the Moons, Jolene of Samprastadar. The Order is a congress of
representatives from the seven noble houses within Veluna. They, along
with the College of Bishops, serve to advise Canon Hazen of Veluna on
all things.
Lyra: Oh. Of course.
Dexitheseus: (shrugs, smiling cannily) I may have spent a bit of time
in Veluna in the past.
Belphanior: That could be helpful.
Parekh: So when will we journey to Furyondy to do all this?
Pallin: And who is "we" ? Obviously the entire Alliance cannot go.
Belphanior: I've actually met the king, so I will go.
Dexitheseus: As have I...and my good friend Sir Drexel is quite well-
acquainted with King Belvor. (he smirks again) As well as your past
adventuring party. (he pauses) But who knows where in the world Sir
Drexel is right now? (he frowns) Yes, all of this coordination will
certainly take some doing. (he bangs his staff on the stone floor)
What an adventure!
Parekh: (nods) I'm feeling diplomatic. I'll come along as well.
Kronos: I suggest we cap it there - three of us is enough.
Shemeya: Fine by me. I am not yet ready to parley with the rulers of
nearby kingdoms.
Belphanior: So it's settled then. We'll see to the various things that
need to be done, and when everything is ready and lined up...we'll be
in Furyondy soon, likely the next day or two.
next: an unexpected and miraculous reunion
map: http://www.peldor.com/world/atlas/Bright-Desert_1203.jpg
www: http://www.peldor.com/download.html
homepage: http://www.peldor.com/
email: tmiller@peldor.com
released: 8/28/2026
notes: While this magical treasure hoard was sizable, I really
tried to minimize the ultra-powerful items. In my opinion, the map
and the anti-detection ring, plus the ring of three wishes, are the
most powerful of the items. And maybe those drums too. All is those
were my own invention, and a couple had been on my list of ideas for
a while.
I got some of the unusual items from an amazing resource which I
actually paid for: the Greyhawk Magic Item Compendium, put together
by Rick Miller (no relation). This guy basically went through every
single Greyhawk module, accessory, and article and gathered a complete
list, then turned it into a rulebook in PDF format. Well worth the
cost! Of note, someone official introduced the ring of recall but the
one I had Victoria wearing many years ago was my own creation, so that
was just coincidence.
As for King Belvor IV of Furyondy, ruler of what is essentially the
Gondor of the Greyhawk setting...my stories have actually mentioned him
a number of times:
- episode 103, where 16 years ago Belphanior and Peldor foolishly
decided to kidnap a princess from Dyvers, then later took credit
for rescuing her...which resulted in, among other things, the two
of them becoming dinner guests of King Belvor in Furyondy; the king
was apparently rather amused by the whole affair (understandable,
as those were happier times)
- episode 160, listed in a very early "who's who" effort
- episode 362, mentioned as knowing and praising the paladin Drexel
- episode 1101, referenced by Kronos in the summary of the wars
- episode 1111, referenced by Halbarad in his own tales of the wars
- episodes 1201 and 1211, not explicitly named but Belphanior's past
donation to Furyondy and the resulting goodwill were referenced
Needless to say, we'll finally be meeting King Belvor IV of Furyondy
in the next episode...which means I'll have to come up with a complete
profile (appearance and personality) for him...yet another NPC for the
Rogues' Gallery section of the website!
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