Prologue: The Grey Knight Arrives...

[brekkers]

[This is the prologue of Grey Blackburn, duskblade extraordinaire!]

It was a warm day, but then again, most days this time a year were warm, and Grey had gotten used to it over the weeks of travelling the countryside. He hardly ever noticed that he wore a chain shirt. In fact, he was more concerned about the insects in the air, who seemed to have followed him all the way from the village that he still called home.

There was a road running along the Gorge river, on the southern side, and Grey had been following this road for half a day now. There were trees here as well, but soon those trees would end, revealing the sight that his master had told him about - the mighty city of Crown. His master had called it some other name as well...what had it been? Ah yes, the City of the Fallen.

As he walked, Grey thought about what it meant. He knew it was related somehow to the Forgotten Gods, but the knowledge escaped him. Perhaps it would come to him at some later time. Finally, the trees ended, and there, below him, the beautiful blue river ran into the city, which parted its mighty walls before it. It was indeed a wondrous sight.

As you stand here, Grey, you can see the Tower of Last Vigil on the other side of the gorge, and of course, the fast river separating you from the tower. The Glorious Queen's banner flies high on the battlements, and if you follow this path, you will soon reach the small village outside the northeastern gate.

You remember a name your master gave you, the name of an inn, the Rowdy Goblin. Its supposed to be located inside the Old Temple Ward, but the city seem so grand that one could easily be lost there for a full month. Several buildings stand out behind the grey walls, a tall twin-spired tower to the south, where dazzling light almost blind yo for a while, and then...Crownmeet Castle, home of Queen Alayarra the Glorious!

[This thread is now open to Evil66Drizzt and Grey Blackburn!]

[Evil66Drizzt]

Grey continues on the path taking in the new sites of a city full of new adventure. He takes a moment to lap up some water like his guard dog Pup. "Pup, drink up, we are almost to the outskirt settlement of the grand city of the fallen." Grey continues on eyes forward, chin up, and chest out with his black Pup walking in stride with Grey (that is on all four legs).

[brekkers]

You have not taken many steps away from the forest behind you, when suddenly the dog seems anxious, annoyed with something behind you. But when you look, there is nothing to see, except the small road leading into the forest. You are surrounded by a soft breeze, but for a second, it gains in strength and you hear the rustling of leaves.

You get the feeling that something, or perhaps someone, is approaching from the forest path.

[Evil66Drizzt]

While walking through the forest, Grey was again absent-minded thinking about what happened right before he set off on his journey.

{Grey was in his study thinking about how his master caught him again that morning and tripped him up before he was able to ready his weapon. These thoughts continued for quite a while. When Grey came to and noticed his weapon missing, he dared not let his master know, especially since his master had previously called for a special meal with all the members of Grey's family including distant members.

At dinnertime, his master noticed him a bit fidgety. Seizing this opportunity, he stood and called for Grey to stand to attention. Grey fumbled a moment with the sides of the chair and then jolted to attention. This must have to deal with my weapon.

"Grey, time has come for you to move on to bigger and better things. I have decided you are ready to move into your own adventures. Everyone has agreed after deliberating when you were in your study." Grey's fists starts to sweat. "Now, may I see your Spiked Chain my uncle who spent along time forging it to present it to you formally in front of everyone as an initiation to allow you to move from under me as my adept to the warrior title Duskblade."

Silence...Be silent "While I was in my study, studying my studies..."

"Grey." [Silence] "Grey, your Spiked Chain is here. Now, I normally would not forgive you, but this time I will forgive you for not keeping an eye on your weapons." [His master smiles and everyone else breaks out in a good-long laughter.] "I took the liberty of taking your Spiked Chain. I wanted to present it to you correctly. I have a gift for you."

The uncle of the master brings forth the weapon which is in a box covered with black satin. The master takes the box, uncovers the satin sheet, reveals the polished weapon and a dazzling crystal connected on it's hilt.

Grey knew to stay quiet.

"Grey, this weapon is your life (whether you use it to defend yourself or to take another. I hope you use it wisely according to your knowledge from your books and training.

"This crystal will be your first of many crystals. I have three and now I present you with this one. It is a Least Crystal of Return. When I trained with you daily, you never had your weapon at ready quick enough to defend against me. So, to prevent this from happening, for your foe knows no mercy like I showed you in your training, I am presenting this crystal to you as a departing gift from me.

"Your family and elven relatives provide their gift: a blessing to you. You have their permission to come back and travel with the elves of my ancestors--my family. Please take these gifts as you go on your journey.

"Finally," the master bends to grab a fistful of dust "lower your head as I spread this dust on you." This so happens. "This dust from this path you leave is a resemblance of the dusk you see when the sun leaves its path in the sky. So, go now, Duskblade Grey Blackburn!"}

Grey is pulled from his thoughts as his dog and he enters the path and walks a bit. He notices his dog is quite anxious, much more attentive to his surroundings. "What," he whispers to Pup? Then he notices something is wrong with the wind. He pulls his dog to the left side of the road, kneels in the bushes and searches intently around him trying to see where his dog is looking, again relying on his dog to notice what is out of place when he is in his thoughts. I am thinking too much again, ok, where is the sound coming from?

(OOC: rolls spot, search, listen, possibly nature and geography, or arcana, psionics, or the planes checks whichever is applicable)

[brekkers]

You can hear the wind, and even feel it against your exposed skin, but as you look back at the forest behind you, you see that no leaf moves, its as if you see a picture of a beautiful forest, the details are very vivid, unusually clear and colorful.

The dog does not bark, in fact, it remains at your side, watching the forest as well, alert.

You are about to give up, calling it a trick of the imagination, when you hear a horse coming closer. From the sound of it, the horse comes with great speed, in fact, you are sure that it is mere seconds away from bursting forth from the forest path.

[OOC: If you feel like it, at any time, just roll checks as you see them approriate, I'll take them into account when I write the descriptions, possibly adding or subtracting information.]

[Evil66Drizzt]

Grey keeps his hand steady on his dog's shoulders and neck with the other hand keeping the chain tight to prevent the dog from jumping out. "Stay quiet, stay calm" Grey tells Pup. Is the horse riderless or not? Is the one who approaches friendly or not? Or the rider in danger or am I in danger as well? These thoughts run through Grey's head as he waits for a glimpse of the coming horse. He knows patience and this is a perfect time to be patient.

[OOC: rolls listen (1-1=0) and spot check (6-1=5) and nature check to see if he can recognize what type of horse is coming from the sounds of its hoof (at least possibly the weight and speed it is coming) (4+4=8) (Horrible rolls) (is there a better way to roll than using the flashchat dice?)

[brekkers]

You can still hear the horse, and soon you'll certainly be able to see it as well. Pup stays silently, but now you see that the big dog is afraid, whimpering. You have not seen the dog like this since he was a little...pup, normally your friend is afraid of nothing.

Then finally the horse burst through the forest, moving past you with a speed that seem almost incredible. There is a rider, an armored man wearing no visible coat of arms, except the black flaming sword that crest his shield. You might know this mark, but only if you dig deep into your memories, perhaps your master told you of it.

The rider is on an errand, and has soon passed you on the road, moving quickly towards the city. A big grey cloak rise into the wind, as if it was a banner high on the battlements of some city or castle. It seem tattered and worn from countless of battles.

Pup turns with you, watching the rider as he thunders towards Crown. Is this one of the famous Grey Guards that you master told you about, or perhaps one of the Queen's own Champions?

[OOC: Sorry about the bad rolls, try the invisible castle dice roller, believe I have a link somewhere, or use one of the links from the other players. You can make a History or Nobility and Royalty knowledge check, to learn more of the shield mark.]

[Evil66Drizzt]

Grey and his guard dog relaxed just a bit, but pulled out his spiked chain just in case as he continued to watch to make sure no one else was coming after the unkown rider. Now, wasn't there something his master told him about soldiers, guards, or any specific man with a crest of a black flaming sword on a shield, wearing no visible coat of arms, and carrying/wearing? a big grey cloak that may be a banner of some city or castle. (Grey is willing to wait for approximately five minutes before he would decide to put his weapon back on his side and continue down the path.)

(OOC: nobility and royalty check for crest: 18+4=22, history check on who might not wear a visible coat of arms: 19+4=23, and the meaning of the big grey cloak: 13+4=17) Link http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1653800/

[brekkers]

You know that symbol on the knight's shield. You have even seen it before, but never like this. Your master did not have a lot of books, but he did have a few, especially books of knights, weapons and even a few history books. You are reminded of a single colored page hidden deep within one of the knightly tomes. A knight on a hippogriff, wore this very symbol on his shield. You even remember the name below the beautiful illustration...Tarvellon Normithaal, a knight of the Order of the Flaming Blade.

The knight soon crosses the bridge that takes him to the northern side of the Gorge river. He is headed for the gate of Crown, and within 5 minutes, he will surely disappear from your line of sight.

You realise that pup has returned to his usual self, full of life and vigor, perhaps even more so than before seeing the grey rider.

[Evil66Drizzt]

Grey sheathes his weapon, takes the chain, and jumps into a paced run to finish the last leg of the journey. Pup barks with excitement and runs alongside Grey keeping pace. This is more than a daily routing for them, this is an exciting adventure. I have to catch up to this rider, this hippogriff rider.

[brekkers]

You set a good pace down the hill and soon you pass the old bridge as well. Its beautiful and its architecture match that of the rest of the city. Carvings of towers, castles and beautiful buildings mark the sides, but time has not been kind, and most of it is overgrown by lichen.

The road winds its way ahead of you, and soon you hear sounds as well. A hammer, a dog barking and the laughter of children. You see a hanging sign marking an inn or tavern, stables, shops and even pass a blacksmith as well. Your master told you of the Crownfolk, of their kindness, of their importance in history, and as you, a stranger, a traveller, pass into their city, they hail you, showering you with words of welcome...and you haven't even passed into the city yet.

Pup jumps around, confused by all the people, the children that want to touch it, but he is happy.

"Nice dog...dog got a name, Sir?" A young black-haired boy follows you, trying to touch pup's soft fur, his interest seem genuine.

[Evil66Drizzt]

"Pup is his name," as Grey turns around to reply. Keeping his pace in a standstill, Grey remarks to the boy, "what's your name son?" After getting his name Grey continues, "Well met. How long ago did you see a rider, an armored man wearing no visible coat of arms, except the crest of a black flaming sword on his shield?" Grey would reply with a thanks to any answer and continue on the path (unless the boy states the rider takes a different path).

[brekkers]

"Nice name Sir," the boy smiles, and it actually seems that pup is smiling as well, enjoying the attention from someone other than you. "Name's Nadder, sir, its not much, but its mine! Grey knight? Oh, yeah, I saw him, he was fast! Heading to the gate, with that speed he must surely be at the gate by now!"

You pass several more inns and taverns, and then you see a small market ahead of you. It is filled with local vendors and peddlers from afar. It would not surprise you if you saw one from your own village.

"Whats a coat of arms, sir? Never heard that...name before!" The boy keeps your pace easily, enjoying the attention you shower him with.

[Evil66Drizzt]

"Well, it's pretty simple Nadder. Have you ever seen a shield with designs on it? The designs on the shield represent different meanings for each family or knight. This knight just had a picture of a flaming black sword on his shield. That not a true coat of arms; it is just his own unique design he uses to be remembered."

Grey continues, "do you have a moment Nadder? This is my first time to Crown-the City of the Fallen." I am trying to get a room at an inn located inside the Old Temple Ward. Can you lead me to the front gate? If it's too far, don't worry.

[brekkers]

"Oh," Nadder opens his eyes wide, then continues, "I think I've seen plenty of these coats! Crown has many knights! If its knights you want to see..."

He looks at you in astonishment when you make the proposal, then says, "I will...and I do! I wont even ask for anything in return...other boys would, you know! The great gate is just over here..." With those final words, the young boy starts down the streets, passing beyond the market.

[Evil66Drizzt]

"Thanks Nadder." Grey falls in behind step. Pup yelps in cheerfulness when he sees the boy is staying with them a little longer.

"While we go to the gate, can you tell me a bit more about the local knights here in the city and where I could go if I wanted to meet the important knights--the ones in charge. Are they nice? Are there many of them?" Grey may know the answers from his studies, but the boy may know some updated information.