Order of the Dark Flame: The Adventures Continue (no spam-story)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Oct 23, 2001 12:32 pm

Struggling to her feet, the dragon momentarily forgotten, Dragon Wench regarded their situation in horrified disbelief. Checking to ensure that Gwally was none the worse for wear, she grasped her sword and stepped back slightly from the fray.

Breathing deeply, she began to focus on her spells, and in doing so, she felt a sense of heightened perception within herself. The fog-inducing properties of the mushrooms had dissipated, leaving her with a profound feeling of clarity. She grinned.

Deciding that this particular dragon had caused far too much trouble, she turned towards it and several Drow, and began to weave a coma inducing spell. The dragon started as the spell swept over it's body; a bellow emerged from it's cavernous jaws. Just as the fireball started to escape, the Dragon slumped sideways, becoming a crumpled, scaly heap on the floor.

Such was the intense focus of the spell, that several Drow, despite their high magic resistance, also dropped to the ground. Feeling pleased with herself, Dragon Wench stepped backwards once again. To her surprise something bit her on the ankle. In some shock, she tripped on the edge of her trailing robe and landed on the floor beside the decidedly disgruntled broom. She glared at it and stood up again. The broom, still incensed by its recent treatment
rustled its bristles indignantly and appeared to glower at several advancing Drow.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Tue Oct 23, 2001 1:37 pm

Yshania was stunned by the sudden unexpected activities. The dragon and the druid taken care of, she adjusted her apples defiantly and stormed towards the party of drow that was now spilling through the gape in the wall. She was steaming and single minded as she raised her scimitars to strike the first abomination that approached...

Suddenly they started to fall...every other one. Harry was taking them out from the shadows...this gave Yshania time. Almost deftly, and with reason, she side stepped the horn dagger aimed at her chest. She grinned - no-one would core her apples without consent. She brought the hilt of her off-hand scimitar down on the back of the head of the offending marauder, sending her sprawling into the frenzied whipping broom. She grinned, fired up.

Yshania ran forward swinging madly, pausing only briefly to tug her sunken scimitar out of the stone work. She was going to spill some black blood...

Suddenly she became acutely aware of the mass of approaching drow, then there was a cry from behind....

[ 10-23-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 7:16 am

Loner, Kramor, Nippy and Loromo stood in shocked silence at the scene. The most dangerous creature in the entire Realm had been hung up like something in a butchers window, but as of course with any carcass there are dangers. Carrion Crawlers burst from the massive chest of the Tarrasque along with massive Vultures, the kind no one had seen before. Nippy, the first to react, vaulted from his saddle. He charged at the crawlers and flipped over their bodies. He jumped on the back of one and severed it's head. The thick black blood sprayed over Nippy's hands with this fresh smell of blood the Vultures became attracted to the carcass and they began to hungrily devour the flesh. Kramor, Loner and Loromo had now faced down a Crawler each, with six still approaching the fray. Nippy called on one of his spells, he flicked quickly through his mind, he found Torm's Cleansing Fire and began to weave the strands of the spell. He completed the chant and roared Torm's name as the scorching white heat flew from his hands. It crashed into the first of the the approaching Crawlers, it burned with Relegious fury and melted three of the Crawlers, the three left were still charging hard and approaching very quickly, Nippy set himself, he felt secure and powerful, the Crawlers would not fase him. As the first came within striking distance Nippy roared a cry to his God.

"Torm's Glory!"

He slashed into the first of the Crawlers neck and severed a major artery unleashing a thick black ichor to the ground, Nippy grinned. The battle was met and he was in his element...

OOC: Sorry for the made up spell but it looked good.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 10:27 am

Glancing at Yshania's efforts to secure her apples, Dragon Wench laughed quietly to herself.
Deciding that spell casting against the Drow was too uncertain a tactic, she unsheathed her sword and moved towards the dark mass behind Yshania. Dragon Wench had again forgotten that she was attired in a very revealing gown instead of armour, and she was rather surprised to see several of the Drow drop their weapons before she even reached them. Taking advantage of their apparent lack of fighting skill, she rapidly plunged her lethal weapon into the first Drow she reached. He fell soundlessly.
It was at this point that Dragon Wench recalled her fragile state of undress, and in some panic she hastily retreated to where Gwally was laying.
He seemed dazed, but otherwise entirely healthy. In a brief moment of inspiration, she knelt down and kissed him lightly. His eyes flickered and she observed that that he had suddenly become much more alert.

[ 10-24-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 10:59 am

Girty and the other Spider Scouts turned in time to see a small dragon come toward them, gouts of smoke flying from its mouth. All four girls fell down, dead and burnt to a crisp. A few moments passed, and Grity wondered when her soul would be transported to the afterlife. She could hear the sounds of battle all around her, and in a brief attack of panic, she wondered if all the lore she had learned about the afterlife was just a big lie. Steeling herself, she opened one eye to see where death had brought her. To her surprise, she was still exactly where she had been a few minutes before. She looked at herself, and found that instead of being burnt to a crisp, she was just covered with soot. She heard Mouse, Pickly, and Mavin gasping as they realized that they, too, were not dead. One close look at the unconscious dragon answered their question: The dragon was just a baby, barely a few years out of its shell. It hadn’t developed its breath weapon yet.

The girls looked around, and saw a hoard of Drow in a fierce battle with several others. The others could be none other than the Dark Flames themselves. A handsome rogue was slipping in and out of the shadows, dispatching one Drow after another. A beautiful mage dressed in a leaf-covered tunic (torn in a most fetching way high on one leg) was worrying over the dragon while a broom (a broom!) was defending her valiantly. A warrior woman with two scimitars was a strange contradiction of deadly skill with her weapons while at the same time tripping and stumbling over every pebble, rock, and dead body at her feet. She made her clumsiness appear as a fierce dance, and every move caused a rip in her tunic to gape open, revealing two, large, well-rounded apples. A tall, half-elven cleric stood amid a dozen fallen foes, her gleaming mace appeared like a deadly scepter in the hand of the most regal woman they had ever seen. Finally, a frighteningly powerful warrior-mage leaned over and kissed the man whom the Scouts had captured, her extremely short skirt hiking up high on her long, shapely legs, and her diaphanous gown revealing much of the rest of her body.

As transfixed as the girls were by the sight of the Dark Flames, they were distracted by seven gnomes wielding diamond-encrusted picks who suddenly appeared. They began picking at the walls of the damaged cavern singing some dirge-like song about working. Then, a large pumpkin rolled into the fray, and out stepped a blond half-orc woman wearing a blue gown and with her large feet encased in glass. Two large black rats walked up, one wearing a red and white polka dot dress and a large bow, the other in red pants. An alligator and a hippo began a strange dance involving the hippo leaping high into the air and squashing the alligator. A series of laughing bluebirds flittered around the heads of many of the Drow warriors.

Then, a low rumble was felt through the ground where the girls were sitting. They looked up and saw the cracks in the roof of the cavern getting larger. The seven gnomes seemed to be exacerbating the situation. In unison, the girls shouted “Look out! The cavern is collapsing!”

[ 10-24-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 11:43 am

Edit

[ 11-01-2001: Message edited by: Darkpoet ]

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 11:54 am

T’lainya wielded her flail ferociously. The weapon smashed through the drow armor, breaking through the enchantment and crumbling it. T’lainya took a deep breath and cast a variant of Sol’s Searing Orb at the entrance to the cavern. The drow disliked light and noise spells since they disrupted the drow spell casting and battle tactics. She called to Viv to cast a wall of force across the cavern entrance. She ducked a blow from a drow priestess and struck back. The force of the blow knocked the drow backwards. The drow fired a bolt from her hand crossbow. The dart glanced off T’lainyas armor and fell to the floor. The drow started to cast a spell, but slumped forward, one of Harry’s blades had pierced her back.
As the cavern shook, a strange wizened humanoid appeared. He looked around, a wistful smile on his face. “So much energy and so much wild magic.” His voice was happy.
T’lainya saw the brudergrimm and fought her way to him.
DW was trying to rouse Gwally from his stupor, and the others were finishing the other drow in the cavern. Viv was trying to rouse the dragon; T’lainya tossed a vial of liquid to Viv. “Try this.” T’lainya turned her attention to the brudergrimm. ”This has to end you know. The warp is disrupting too much.” She pulled the Syrup of D’snay from her pouch and pulled the cork. The liquid billowed out in an iridescent fountain, spraying everything in the area. The liquids scent was pervasive, filling everyone’s nostrils with a heavy, cloying perfume. Yshania put a drop to her tongue and cringed at the taste, sweeter than sugar she gasped. The strange figures started fading, drawn to the column of liquid. The Fountain shimmered and swirled, becoming a vortex that pulled the brudergrimm in. The strange creature smiled and waved happily at them, disappearing with a flash. The cavern held only the Dark Flame and their allies and a few remaining drow. The ceiling rumbled some more, and everyone started for the tunnel to the surface.

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 12:51 pm

The four Spider Drow Scouts ran ahead of the group. Squinting as they ran out of the cave, they fell to the ground without saying a word. As Yshania came, she noticed that the Drow women’s bodies were bristled with arrows. As she looked up, Yshania watched a Menidar approached the cave.
“Check the bodies, make sure that they don’t have the amulet on them.” Menidar ordered, looking at Yshania. “Are there others coming out also?” he asked her. As Yshania shook her head, the rest of them came out. He looked for Kerlin, but did not see her. He walk over and hug T’lainya, his cousin, glad that she and her friends were safe. That is when he notices the amulet on Gwally’s chest, Menidar paled and he felt sick inside. “Kerlin didn’t make it. What am I going to say to Darkpoet?” He thought to himself. He walked over to Wally, ripping the amulet from his neck.
“Where did you get this??? And why are you wearing it? Where is Kerlin, what happened to her??” Menidar, squeezed the amulet until it cut his hand, he turned and walked away. He handed T’lainya, Darkpoet’s letter to her.
“I have to go and tell Darkpoet, his cousin is dead. He is on his way to Pal’lith, Caladriewien is with him also.” Menidar quietly told T’lainya. He gently squeezed T’lainya’s shoulder and left with his men.

[ 10-26-2001: Message edited by: Darkpoet ]

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 1:48 pm

As the rock began to crumble around them Yshania ran, headed for the surface with the others with the sweet taste of the liquour still on her tongue. The remaining drow had turned and fled before them, grimly she set her jaw - determined to take out one more before the day was out.

Her scimitars now sheathed, she was able to swing her arms and leap free of the rubble and drow waste. Silently she felt impressed by her athleticism, maybe it was her instinctive reactions that gave her some element of grace. She wondered briefly if the others had noticed, then smiled. She was sure that, even in this mayhem, they may accept that she had inherited at least a little of her mother's elven refinement.

She yelped as a boulder suddenly caught her shoulder and knocked her sideways, scrambling desperately she managed to stay somewhat upright, then gasped with horror as one of her apples had become dislodged and was bouncing down the tunnel before her.

Completely distracted now, from the group and her own safety she leapt after the errant apple, taking a detour down a previously unnoticed tunnel. Scrambling desperately she was suddenly outside and squinting painfully in the sun as she recovered her bruised apple from it's stoney resting place.

She brushed of the dust and flotsam and placed it back in it's rightful place. Glancing around she suddenly caught sight of the four drow scouts they had been following, their bodies broken and bleeding. She looked up to see Menadir approach...she smiled, relieved to see his firm but friendly face

“Check the bodies, make sure that they don’t have the amulet on them.”

Yshania quickly frisked the corpses, finding nothing of value to Menadir. As she confirmed this to Menadir, her friends appeared behind her.

'Nice tracking' offered dragon wench 'you found a short cut'. Yshania blushed, not wanting to admit that it in fact an errant apple that had lead the way...

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 2:06 pm

“We have to get out of here!” Yshania had shouted, just as several hundred Drow shouted the same thing at the same time.

The four Spider Scouts picked up their skirts and made a bee-line for the Drow city, just before a good chunk of the cavern’s roof sealed the hole forever. With the disappearance of the brudergrimm, the Wild Magic also began to dissipate. The alligator became a small lizard, the two large rats became normal mice that scurried away, the pumpkin became a potato and was squashed by a chunk of falling rock, and the half-orc princess became a small bat and flew away. Oddly, the hippo remained a hippo, but was also squashed under falling rubble. The seven gnomes transformed into the likenesses of the four Spider Scouts, but three of them were crushed. The remaining four ran out of the cavern toward the Keep of the Dark Flames.

“But what about the poor dragon? T’lainya’s potion hasn’t awakened him yet!” Vivien shouted.

“Just leave it!” growled Gwalchmai.

“Try kissing it!” Dragon Wench said with a wink. Vivien gave the small dragon a gentle kiss on the nose, and its eyes fluttered open, and it beheld Vivien with a look of utter adoration.

As Gwalchmai emerged from the dust, he saw Menidar ordering his archers to search some bodies for an amulet. The men seemed a little perplexed when they turned to the four bodies that had appeared to be young Drow, but were now large, skewered, beetles. Menidar walked up to Gwalchmai and said, “Where did you get this?” indicating the amulet that he had recovered from the Drow that had intended on torturing him. Menidar pulled on the amulet, which came away easily from Gwalchmai’s neck. “This must mean that Kerlin didn’t make it,” Menidar moaned, “What am I going to say to Darkpoet?” In an amazing feat of overacting and drama, Menidar squeezed the amulet until his hand bled. “Where did you get this, and why are you wearing it? Where is Kerlin? What happened to her?” Not waiting for an answer, he turned to T’lainya and said, “I have to go and tell Darkpoet that his cousin is dead. He is on his way to Pal’lith, Caladriewien is with him also.”

Just as Menidar and his men were preparing to leave, a large yellow bear came out of the dust. Menidar whirled and leveled his bow at the creature. “Menidar!” the bear shouted, “Wait! Don’t you recognize me?”

“K-k-kerlin?” Menidar said, lowering his bow, “What happened to you?”

The bear looked at herself, “Oh no! I’m a bear! How did this happen?”

Gwalchmai leaned over to Dragon Wench and whispered, “That’s Darkpoet’s cousin? Hmmm. I see the resemblance.”

Just then, everyone was surprised to see Vivien come out of the dust, riding high on a flying dragon with a broom cuddled tightly to her breast.

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 2:37 pm

Viv tried controlling the dragon with her inner thigh muscles, as one would a horse, but she didn't think dragons were like horses, as he seemed to be going in whichever direction he wanted. The powerful form between her legs was rippled, yet silky at the same time, and she wondered how many had ever gotten to ride dragon before, had ever looked from this lofty perch.

The wind rushed through her hair and she looked down at her friends, trying to wave without dropping the broom. To fly finally! The motion set her heart on fire, sent bursts of electricity through her blood, and made her smile without end. To view like from a bird’s eye, to see the tops of trees! She almost wanted to stay, but knew her friends needed her more.

“We should go down.” She said to the dragon, but the only response was a snort, and Viv remembered how hard it had been to convince him to leave the tunnel at all. The words ‘danger’ and ‘certain death’ had seemingly no affect on its dragony worldview. Only after coaxing and a good ear tickle had he succumbed. She tightened her legs warningly and that seemed to have some affect because he aimed for the people below landing with a jolt. Her teeth rattling she noticed that he had almost knocked Yshania over during his dive down. With an apologetic smile she felt almost reluctant to leave her seat, to give up that gift she had, had for a short time.

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Wed Oct 24, 2001 5:50 pm

T’lainya studied the scene impassively. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but decided against it. Menadir walked over to her and told her that Darpoet had gone to Pal’Lith with his mother.

“Where is T’owiel?” T’lainya asked.

“She’s already left to help rebuild.” Menadir eyed her cautiously, not sure how she would take the news.
“I see.” T’lainya muttered something under her breath and surveyed the scene. Menadir saluted T’lainya as he departed. The priestess frowned and called something to him in elvish. He replied quickly with a single sentence. T’lainya shook her head, looked at the scene again, shrugged helplessly and started walking towards the keep.
She thought she heard someone call her, but she kept to her plan. She entered the keep and saw one of the senior clerics. The whole company was preparing to move. T’lainya had a short, angry conversation with the priest. She was displeased at the strange, decidedly unelvish manner the original triage had been arranged. The priest nervously told her that was how one of the sublieutenants had ordered things to be. T’lainya resolved to have a word or two with the officer as soon as she could.She walked to her room, and saw that Darkpoet had packed her gear and taken it with him. She read the note, folded it and put it in one of the pouches on her belt. She looked around the room and sighed. She walked down the stairs and outside the doors. She cast a Wind Walk spell and headed towards the path Darkpoet had taken.

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 8:55 am

When the last crawler was dead, the little group took a moment to recover and heal their wounds. Kramor found a flask of black ale in his pack and took a long draught. He handed it to Loner, who surprisingly quaffed it. Kramor raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Motor oil," Loner said, handing the flask back to him.

Nippy was gazing in astonishment at the carcass of the tarrasque. Lomoro approached him.

"Who could have done this?" Nippy said, mostly to himself. Lomoro remained silent.

"Whoever it was," said Loner, "I'm not sure I want to meet --" She stopped, her attention fixed on a point in the distance. The other three followed her gaze. Through the trees they saw, standing on a little rise of the ground, a dark mounted figure, motionless except for the breeze that lifted his riding cloak. Apparently the rider was a man, and his face was turned toward them, but he was in silhouette and his features could not be seen. The spirited horse tossed its head. Loner took a step forward and reached out with her mind, trying to read this man's ki field; but she received a shock nearly like a psionic blast, and fell backward. Kramor steadied her. She felt the words in her mind: I resent your intrusion, sword saint. You have seen our work here. Do not merit to see it again. With that, the man swiftly turned his horse and was gone.

"Look," said Lomoro, after a moment. He was walking over to the tarrasque's carcass, to examine something more closely. The other three followed.

"Look here," he repeated, pointing to several odd carvings in the beast's armor. Loner marvelled; it must have been a powerful instrument that could make a mark in this hide...Nippy took a small book from his pack and began copying the designs.

"Do you recognize them, Nippy?" Loner asked. She was thinking they might be Templar markings, and the mysterious and powerful figure they had seen, one of the mighty Templars themselves...

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 1:16 pm

Menadir raised his bow and shot the bear in the throat. He spoke as the bear fell to the ground, as blood poured from it’s nose and mouth. “For one thing my name is Menadir, not Menidar! Second, the real Kerlin would never loose this amulet. It has been in the family too long.” Menadir’s saw that his suspicions were correct. The dead bear turned into a withered old Drow wizard, Menadir winked at Yshania and left.

[ 11-01-2001: Message edited by: Darkpoet ]

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 1:19 pm

Upon exiting the rubble-filled tunnels, Gwalchmai’s stolen clothing soon disintegrated into piles of dust. Considering the bedraggled state of his breech cloth, he hurried to find alternative coverings - much to the amusement of Dragon Wench and Vivien. Seeing their smirks, he pointedly looked at the rip in Vivien’s tunic and the translucent garments that Dragon Wench was wearing. “Oh, that reminds me. I have presents for all of you.” As he turned to open the packages he had brought, he saw Yshania standing near by, also with an amused expression. Dragon Wench made formal introductions, and Gwalchmai was about to thank this stranger for risking her life for him, when he stopped short. His eyes fixed on her chest. His mouth gaped open. His palms became sweaty, and the breath caught in his throat. Finally, he gasped, “My goodness! I have never seen such large, well-rounded, firm, perfectly-formed apples!”

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 2:15 pm

Yshania blushed deeply as Menadir winked at her...does he recall?

At that moment, the druid Gwalchmai appeared in front of her, openly studying her. There was a sensitive uncertainty, mingled with an air of amusement...she dropped her eyes and blushed deeper.

“My goodness! I have never seen such large, well-rounded, firm, perfectly-formed apples!” he gasped.

As he held out his hand to offer friendship and allegience, Yshania misunderstood his advances. Furiously she slapped his hand away 'They are MY apples' she stammered, glaring at him and suddenly concerned he may have an ulterior motive. 'I found them!'

Haughtily, she turned on her heel and stalked away from the group back to the keep. No-one would sample this fruit before it's potency was identified.

Angrily she berated herself for not having openly admired Vivien's mastery of the dragon, or was it mistressy?...anyhow, she was impressed, if not slightly bemused by Vivien's dreamy expression....

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 3:13 pm

T’lainya laughed and threw her arms around Darkpoet. “It’s good to see you too. You wouldn’t believe what happened.” She looked back into his eyes and smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Better” Darkpoet laughed.
“You brought Oakheart!” T’lainya exclaimed delightedly. She patted the horse on his nose. Darkpoet looked ready to say something, but he just nodded and glared at the horse. Oakheart pulled his lips back in an equine grin and snorted. Hunters Moon flattened his ears and made a suspicious snorting sound. T’lainya laughed again and kissed Darkpoet. “When did T’owiel leave? And how is your mother?” They mounted the horses and rode up the trail to where Caladriewien waited.T’lainya rode up to her and embraced her. “Are you well?” T’lainya’s voice was concerned.
“As well as can be expected.” Caladriewiens voice was soft and sorrowful.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 8:52 pm

Stifling a giggle at the interchange between Gwally and Yshania, Dragon Wench looked over to Viv and winked. Together the two women followed the new member of the Dark Flames back to the keep.

Gently, Vivien laid a hand on Yshania's shoulder. "Don't worry about Gwally, he's really very sweet once you get to know him," she said shyly.

Dragon Wench glanced at Vivien and smirked. "Erm, Viv, I don't really think she wants to hear about that."

Yshania, sensing the innuendos behind the conversation, blushed crimson, and at a slight loss for words proferred the apples to the two women. "Maybe we should identify this fruit."

Smiling, Dragon Wench motioned the way to the kitchen. The three women gathered around the table and Yshania placed the apples in its centre.

Deciding that no identifying session would be complete without tea, Dragon Wench moved to the fire where she began to prepare a fragrant, minty brew. Vivien gazed at the apples and frowned, visibly perplexed.

When all was ready, the two mages resumed their examination of the apples. Viv began an incantation, the fruit glowed briefly as the spell was cast, and then returned to its scarlet hue. Puzzled, Viv turned to Dragon Wench, "I can't seem to identify them."

Wrinkling her brow, Dragon Wench forcused on the apples and gesturing with her hands, muttered the words for identify. Again they glowed, a strangely virulent shade of green, before reverting back to the startling red. Dragon Wench sighed, puzzled.

Yshania suddenly spoke, "maybe you could try weaving the spell together."

Vivien and Dragon Wench grinned at one another and dancelike, fingers weaving strands of air they concentrated on the apples.

After several moments small bluish sparks shot from the fruit, and dissipated into the air. The two women simultaneously sucked in their breath.

"Aphrodite's Nectar!" they exclaimed in delight.

[ 10-26-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Thu Oct 25, 2001 10:41 pm

While Georgi and the mad mage taunted one another, Jennabard stood frozen in place, overwhelmed by feelings and sensations too new to give them name. At first, she thought it might be some subtle form of spell. She looked at Georgi and Thantor, but neither of them seemed affected. Besides, Thantor knew this person and his demeanor suggested only irritation, not vehemence. The rippling waves of energy that poured from the mage swirled around Jennabard's body, sliding under her clothing. Of its own accord her body responded, a completely visceral feeling so intense that made it difficult for her to breath. For a moment, she resisted, uncertain... then she surrendered, melting as the irresistible energies penetrated her. She gasped and her body seemed to float in the air. A series of images flashed through her mind, none of which made any sense but still, around the edges, seemed familiar... With difficulty, she fought and successful won control of her feelings. Taking a deep breath, she took a step forward and touched Thantor's shoulder without looking at him. "Thantor.... ?" she said softly. Jennabard's tone of voice caught Thantor off guard, and he looked at her sharply. But her gaze was focused intently on the mage in front of her. Seeing the expression on her face, a small smile came to his lips. Of course...

"But where are my manners?" Thantor said heartily. "Georgi, Jennabard, may I present... the Simbul." Both women gasped. A jumble of thoughts and emotions ran through Jennabard's mind. The Simbul?! The Witch Queen of Aglarond, chosen of Mystra, one of the Seven Sisters that holds the power of the Weave within her being... here, in the keep? The Simbul ignored Georgi and walked over to Jennabard, her deep amethyst eyes alight with curiosity. "What company you keep, Thantor," she teased lightly. She stopped a scant two paces from Jenna. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jennabard," she said, subtly emphasizing the word pleasure. Just as Jennabard thought her heart would stop, the Simbul reached out and touched her cheek. Suddenly the jumbled confusion vanished and Jennabard understood. Her cherished spellfire.... the Simbul had it too.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Fri Oct 26, 2001 7:17 am

At Dragon Wench and Vivien's exclamation, Yshania shivered excitedly. She pulled her shirt sleeve over her hand and dug it in her pocket to fish out the truffles - careful not to allow them contact with her skin.

She dropped the truffles beside the apples 'can we take a look at these too? and the herbs?' she said, reaching into her other pocket and placing the large bunch of herbs on the table.

Dragon Wench and Vivien grinned at each other then set to work on the herbs...

'I have not encountered some of these herbs before, I am only receiving names when I cast Identify’ said Dragon Wench disappointedly ‘but this one is Moon Balm’ she picked up one of the bunches ‘and that one is Horror Weed’

‘This one is Seer’s Bow’ offered Vivien ‘that one is Thyme’ I am having similar problems getting any more information than that’ she said.

‘Thyme?’ asked Yshania, raising her eyebrows ‘I thought it looked familiar, just seemed a little out of place. Do we have any idea at all on the properties?’

Vivien smiled ‘all preparations need a little Thyme’ she said giggling. The others laughed easily with the mage.

‘What about the journal you picked up Dragon Wench?’ asked Yshania – does that offer any insight. She sipped gratefully at her mint tea, watching over the rim of her cup as DW dug into her bag and pulled out the book.

Dragon Wench was silent for a while as she ran her finger down the pages of the old hag’s book. ‘Here we are!’ she exclaimed…. ‘I can just about decipher the scrawl…

‘Moon Balm – Used alone has neutralising properties, effective against plant poison and creature venom. When mixed it will actually stabilise more reactive elements. In short a balance.

‘Horror Weed – This herb is highly reactive and should be handled with care. Used alone it can cause hallucinations, panic attacks and uncontrollable and violent muscle spasms. Should be mixed with care as its properties are cumulative. In short volatile.

‘Seer’s Bow – though not dangerous, this herb causes a heightened sensitivity and, in the more aware of tasters, premonitions. Used with others, its resulting effect is unpredictable. Much is unknown about the reactive properties of this herb. This herb has proven to be more of a catalyst – causing unpredictable changes in the properties of other ingredients, whilst its own effects remain unchanged.’

DW mentioned that the witch goes on to note further experiments are necessary in order to exploit the full potential of Seer’s Bow.

The girls turned their attention to the mushrooms. ‘Mourning Cap’ said Dragon Wench, solemnly. Vivien and Yshania listened with interest as Dragon Wench resumed her study of the book.

‘Mourning Cap – highly volatile. Even after picking, the gills go on to produce potent and practically invisible spores that can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The effects vary from mild distraction and hallucinations to debilitating depression and morbid fascinations, and are dependent on whether the spores are inhaled, absorbed or ingested.

As Dragon Wench finished reading, the girls all looked up at one another. Slowly, grins spread across their faces as the same thought occurred to each of them…