Magic And Light (VIRIBUS: The Seekers Of Kai Lotay) – Chapter V

Magic And Light

by DarkJade

(Campaigns, 1-3 Can Be Found HERE On My ‘Magic And Light’ Page!)

CAMPAIGN 4

‘Viribus’

(The Seekers Of Kai Lotay)

CHAPTER I – The Shade Isles – CHAPTER II – Eye On The Prize – CHAPTER III – Pantheros – CHAPTER IV – The Honorable Thief

CHAPTER V – Session 17

Session 16 ran a bit long, as we all parted and went our separate ways late into the night.

Some of our Mom’s were upset, some weren’t, after all, it was the first time any of our Dungeons And Dragons Sessions had ever gone that late.

A week later we came together for Session 17, where Lisa told us she wouldn’t be playing with us anymore.

She said she had too much homework, but Stacy made it known later that the real reason was that Lisa had got a Boyfriend, and wanted to spend her nights talking to him on the phone…

…teenage girls, what were you to do.

This worked well, as Stryke, her Barbarian Character, wasn’t really fitting in all that well with our Group, Lisa explained.

And this final decision by our Rogue Z to steal back the Sunblade from our First Client, would be the final blow.

“Lets begin, you don’t have to play tonight Lisa,” spoke Johnny…

…and so Lisa said her goodbyes, and left.

“I can no longer be part of Viribus,” spoke Stryke as she, Laris, Kinner, Kayen and myself sat in the ‘Ye Old Tankard’ Tavern in Dwarfport.

“I respect what you did for Lara X (The Silver Dragon Ren and a few of the others went back to Tru to stand up for), and what Z’s doing, they’re both Honorable Acts… But I am no Knight,” she concluded.

And so we parted ways with our Great Barbarian.

Meanwhile Z and Thalo were shocked when they caught up to Adis, and found she was camping alone… We thought for sure she’d hire some Mercenaries to escort her back to Tru, especially with the Sunblade on her person.

It all seemed to easy…

When she went to sleep, Z and Thalo STEALTHED into her camp, and captured the Black Case holding the Sunblade seemingly without waking her…

“Well played,” suddenly came the voice of Saya from the darkness.

She stepped out into the Firelight, and Adis, who wasn’t really sleeping, sat up.

Z pulled down his hood, and removed the Disguise he was wearing on his face.

“And the ‘Shadow Monk’ as well,” Saya spoke as she glanced at Thalo, who then pulled down his hood as well.

“I know why you’re here Z…” she spoke.

“Then you know I can’t let you keep the Blade…” Z replied.

“The Blade was never intended for me… It was intended for you…” she spoke.

Saya went on to tell Z, that she saw a bit of herself in him.

Before she had created The Underlay Thieve’s Guild of Tru, there was an Evil Thief called RADEN who ran a Thieves Guild/Assassin Ring called SUM RIGHT.

Killing people on the streets of Tru, Saya decided she would put an end to him…

But to do this, she first approached the Temple of the Light Monks in the City, and spoke to one of its Members about the situation.

He told her of The Sunblade, which would serve as a beacon of inspiration as she confronted Raden.

She seeked out her own Sunblade, and was able to retrieve it because of her worthiness, and worthy intentions.

She then took the blade, and with it, crushed Raden…

..and created, The Underlay.

Sure they were still Thieves, but they were not Assassins.

This was her contribution to the City she loved.

“How do I deserve this Blade… I’ve done no honorable act?” Z questioned.

“But you will… Though I admit, at first I wanted you at my side in the Underlay… I’ve come to determine that you’re meant for something else… What I do not know… But I meant what I said before about you being an ‘Honorable Thief’…” she explained.

“Take the Blade…” she added.

“Earn it,” she concluded.

“And that’s all… I wish you well,” she spoke as she began to walk away.

“Wait… I will come with you,” spoke Thalo to Z’s surprise.

“I will seek solace in the Temple of Light… I was an Assassin, and have chosen another path… But I have yet to find ‘light’… Perhaps I will find it there,” concluded Thalo.

Z looks at his friend… “Alright friend… But should you find it…”

“I will return to Viribus, and tell you,” replied Thalo.

“There’s one other thing Z,” spoke Saya as she turned back to face him, and drew her Sunblade from her side, “With your thoughts, you can make the Blade retract,” as she says this the glowing yellow blade disappears into the golden handle, “And come forth again,” and with this it came out again.

“You can also strengthen its’ glow,” with this the glow of the blade’s golden light doubles, “or dim it,” and with this she dims it way down low.

Z nods, and Saya, Adis and Thalo are off to Tru.

Z Returned to Dwarfport before our ship to Jor had even arrived to the Port, with the Sunblade at his side, I was shocked to hear about Thalo’s departure, as well as Saya’s intention for Z to have the Blade.

“One mission, and we lost two of Viribus’s Members…” I spoke as I drowned my sorrows in ale.

“I think we have yet to define Viribus…” spoke Laris profoundly, as she too drank ale.

“This is all your fault Laris… Traveling with a Paladin is rubbing off on Ren and I,” spoke Z jokingly, as they all laughed and drank the night away.

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Magic And Light (VIRIBUS: The Seekers Of Kai Lotay) – Chapter IV

Magic And Light

by DarkJade

(Campaigns, 1-3 Can Be Found HERE On My ‘Magic And Light’ Page!)

CAMPAIGN 4

‘Viribus’

(The Seekers Of Kai Lotay)

CHAPTER I – The Shade Isles – CHAPTER II – Eye On The Prize – CHAPTER III – Pantheros

CHAPTER IV – The Honorable Thief

When Z got his senses back, he recalled the battle which took place.

“I was doing well… Getting a lot of hits… But he was Raging, like a Barbarian, so many of my hits weren’t doing as much damage as normal,” explained Z.

“He was tough,” added Stryke.

As Z rested by the Pool by the Waterfall, Pantheros suddenly appeared from behind the waterfall…

…Glowing light blue, he walked atop the Pool of water carrying a black wooden case 3 Feet or so long.

When he arrived at the shore, several of us had our hands on our weapons.

“Stand,” he spoke to Z.

Z stood up.

“You have proven yourself worthy…” Pantheros spoke.

“But I lost…” replied Z.

Pantheros opens the black case, and reveals the SUNBLADE.

A glowing yellow sword.

Z looks at Pantheros, then closes the case, and takes the blade.

Pantheros then dissolves into a flash of light blue light.

Soon we were on the ship, but Z was extremely quiet…

…sometimes he’d remove the blade from the case, and just look at it.

I left him alone.

We headed to Dwarfport, as it was closer to Tru than Avador, where Adis was waiting for us.

Z gave it to her, and in exchange she gave him the second 1,500 Gold for retrieving it.

As we sat in the ‘Ye Old Tankard’ tavern in Dwarfport, where we had originally met Z, Z held a daggers point against the table, and would spin it.

“I’m going to steal back the blade…” he suddenly spoke.

The Party was shocked.

“Not exactly the best way to start, and or create a name for VIRIBRUS…” spoke Kayen.

“What is it Z,” I spoke.

He shook his head, “That creature I battled was a truly honorable being… And though Saya may be likable enough to have found, and convinced me to retrieve it for her, I can’t truly say that she desires it for any other reason than strength in battle,” he explained.

He looked up at me, “And what battle would that be… The battle for stealing purses from Tru inhabitants… No… Unless she had some hidden honorable reason for retrieving it, I don’t think it’s right that she have it.”

All of us just sat there for a moment…

…”Ahh,” proclaimed Stryke, who made her way to the bar.

“So you enter a Hobgoblin’s Lair for treasure and the pursuit of magical knowledge… Then return in the name of the honorable creature Lara X, to protect her… And now you want to, out of honor, take back the prize we retrieved for our first customer… Are you sure that you two are Adventures? Or Mercenaries for hire? You’re sounding more like Knights,” spoke Kayen to both Z and I.

“Whatever the case, I’m stealing back that blade, in disguise… If they determine it’s ‘Viribus’, well then, I’ll turn myself over to Saya,” speaks Z, who stands.

“I’m coming with you… A ‘Shadow Monk’ could be useful in such an endeavor,” spoke Thalo who also stood.

“Very well… But we can’t stay here in Dwarfport… Where should we meet?” I asked.

“In Jor…” replied Z.

PICTURE CREDIT – Sword

Magic And Light (VIRIBUS: The Seekers Of Kai Lotay) – Chapter III

Magic And Light

by DarkJade

(Campaigns, 1-3 Can Be Found HERE On My ‘Magic And Light’ Page!)

CAMPAIGN 4

‘Viribus’

(The Seekers Of Kai Lotay)

CHAPTER I – The Shade Isles – CHAPTER II – Eye On The Prize

CHAPTER III – Pantheros

As Z and Stryke stood on the one side of the small arena, they watched as the Ice which surrounded the Shade Isle Tigron Warrior melted…

“This is crazy,” spoke Stryke.

“Tell me about it…” replied Z.

Meanwhile I (Ren) and the others are waiting by the Pool and Waterfall.

“Do you think they went through?” asked Kinner.

“I’m going to find out,” I reply, then swim over to the waterfall.

I go through the stream of water, and see the wall with the hand prints on it, but no sign of Z or Stryke.

I make my way back, and tell them what I found.

“All we can do is wait… I guess,” replies Laris.

Back at the arena, the black furred Tigron Warrior is free.

He stands 5’8″ tall, and looks like a blend of a Black Panther and a Man.

His eyes are bright green, and he’s holding a Halberd, and on his back is a Longbow and Arrows.

He looks our way, then leaps down to the arena in a single bound.

Z looks at Stryke, then lowers his way down to the arena using a rope.

He now stands 50′ from the Tigron Warrior.

“Pantheros, I assume,” speaks Z.

Pantheros nods.

Suddenly Z starts running towards him, drawing, and shooting an arrow from his Short Bow, but Pantheros avoids it, and also moves at Z.

Pantheros too releases an arrow using his Longbow, but Z avoids it.

The two then reach the middle of the arena…

…Z draws his First Rapier, and strikes Pantheros in the stomach, taking him off guard…

Before Pantheros can react, Z sticks his second Rapier into his arm.

Pantheros then cocks his head back, growling, and goes into a RAGE.

He then swings his Halberd down at Z, but he avoids the blow…

Pantheros tries again, striking the ground instead.

Pantheros then leaps up into the air and tries to kick Z twice, hitting him in the arm once.

Z then strikes him with a Rapier, Pantheros skin has become harder to penetrate, but it still damages him a bit.

And again with his second Rapier.

Pantheros swings his Halberd twice more at Z, who tumbles out of the way.

Z comes up lashing Pantheros twice, once with each of his Rapiers.

Pantheros then runs 40′ back, and takes two shots with his Longbow, missing both times as Z avoids the arrows.

Z shoots his Short Bow, missing as well.

Pantheros tucks, rolls and comes up shooting two more arrows, hitting Z’s arm with one.

Z then shoots an arrow right into Pantheros chest.

Pantheros tears it out of his chest, then leaps unnaturally through the air, coming down at Z with his Halberd, missing…

Then tries to kick him twice, missing both times.

Z tries to strike him with his First Rapier, and misses, but hits him with the Second one.

Pantheros enraged, finally sweeps his Halberd upward striking Z in the side…

…then kicks him twice in the face, knocking him back.

Z retaliates with his Rapiers hitting him once.

Pantheros then strikes Z cleanly across the side, knocking him down, then tries to kick him twice on the ground, unsuccessfully.

Z weakening, stabs Pantheros in the leg with one Rapier, then loses his second by accident.

Pantheros’s RAGE ends, and he runs 40′ away again, and shoots Z in the chest as he stands up.

Stryke suddenly jumps down into the Arena, and stands before the staggering Z.

“No Strkye,” Z speaks as he steps out from behind him, barely avoiding Panthero’s second shot.

Z takes a shot with his Short Bow, striking Pantheros in the chest.

“DO NOT INTERFERE, OR HE LOSES,” proclaims Pantheros.

Stryke looks at Z, who gestures for her to step aside…

…which she does.

Pantheros then takes his first shot, hitting Z in the shoulder…

…followed by a second shot, which knocks Z unconscious.

Stryke runs to Z’s side as he bleeds terribly…

…She tries to stop the bleeding, but is unable…

She looks over at Pantheros who is putting away his bow, then throws Z over her shoulder, and moves back to where they Teleported in…

…suddenly Stryke and Z are teleported back under the Waterfall.

“Z’S UNCONSCIOUS!” Stryke yells as she exits the waterfall with him in her arms.

Laris tears off her Armour, then swims out to them…

…when she reaches them, she lays her hands upon Z, and they glow brightly green (LAY ON HANDS), causing some of Z’s wounds to heal, he awakes.

“Did I lose…” he mumbled, and Laris and Stryke just smile.

Magic And Light (VIRIBUS: The Seekers Of Kai Lotay) – Chapter II

Magic And Light

by DarkJade

(Campaigns, 1-3 Can Be Found HERE On My ‘Magic And Light’ Page!)

CAMPAIGN 4

‘Viribus’

(The Seekers Of Kai Lotay)

CHAPTER I – The Shade Isles

CHAPTER II – Eye On The Prize

We’d decided to accept Saya’s offer to retrieve the SUNBLADE from the Shade Isles…

Adis gave Z the first 1,500 Gold, which would go directly towards our Groups Guildhall, or Keep, whichever we decide to build.

Laris did some research while we began our 2 weeks plus Ship Journey to the Shade isles…

…more specifically the middle, and/or 5th Island.

“The Champion who protects the Sunblade is named/called ‘PANTHEROS’…” she explained.

“Panatheros, makes sense, probably because they were ‘Tigron/Cat People’ who inhabited the Shade Isles…” spoke Kinner.

“Pantheros, like… Panther,” he added.

“Chances are you won’t be able to defeat him alone Z,” interjected Theros.

“If I have to, I will,” replied Z.

“It’s going to be a long time on a ship,” added Stryke, who has already begun drinking.

“Indeed,” replied Kayen.

And it was, but without incident.

15 days later we had reached the Shade Isles.

The Island itself was likely 8 days travel from one end to the other…

But we were heading straight for the middle…

Which meant it would be 4 days travel.

It was basically a jungle, and their were many tropical birds upon it, but not much more.

No Wild Cats, no, Gorillas…

Other than the birds, it truly felt abandoned.

After 4 days of incident free travel, we at last reached 4 large marble pillars, which surrounded a pool of water leading to a great waterfall.

“What now,” spoke Z.

“Perhaps the entrance is behind the waterfall… Cliche’ I know… But still possible,” spoke Kinner.

“He’s probably right,” added Stryke.

“My Animal Spirit definitely senses something from that waterfall,” she concluded.

“Alright… I’ll swim to it,” spoke Z.

As Z started towards the pool of water before him, Thalo put a hand on his shoulder, “Alone?”

Z began to feel a little hostile towards Thalo’s constant protectiveness, “Yes,” with this he removed Thalo’s hand, “Alone.”

Z then began swimming toward the waterfall.

Once he reached it, he swam behind it where there was a wall of rock, with two hand prints on it.

Stryke instinctively stepped forward, “I think he needs me,” she spoke.

Z placed both hands on the hand prints, but nothing happened.

He then placed just one hand on the left one, and a light blue light glowed around his hand…

…but he could not remove his hand.

Suddenly Stryke dived into the water, and made her way to him.

Once there, instinctively, Stryke placed one of her hands on the second hand print, and in a flash of light blue light, they were teleported upward, and beyond the top of the waterfall.

Before them was some sort of 70′ by 70′ circular arena, some 30′ below them.

On the other side of the Arena, across from them, on the left side, there was a Statue of a Female Tigron (Cat Person) holding a baby…

…on the right another Statue, this one of a Tigron Warrior.

And between them, there was what looked to be an actual Tigron Warrior frozen inside a 12′ by 12′ cube of ice, filled with light blue light.

PICTURE CREDIT – Tabaxi

Magic And Light (VIRIBUS: The Seekers Of Kai Lotay) – Chapter I

‘Magic And Light’ Is A Story About A Group Of Friends Who Got Together To Play Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, And The Campaigns They Play

(Campaigns, 1-3 Can Be Found HERE On My ‘Magic And Light’ Page!)

***********************************************

Magic And Light

by DarkJade

CAMPAIGN 4

‘Viribus’

(The Seekers Of Kai Lotay)

CHAPTER I – The Shade Isles

And so after much debate/deliberation, we came up with a name for our now Official Adventuring Group.

‘VIRIBUS’… The Seekers of Kai Lotay.

Viribus is an Archaic word for ‘STRENGTH’.

And ‘Kai Lotay’ is the name of my home land ‘Kai’ (The Kai Islands Of Galdur), combined with the place Kayen had made his home, ‘Lotay’ (The Woods of Lotai, in Polus).

Campturing the birth place of our Party, somewhere between Galdur and Polus.

But enough of all that.

Our First Goal as a Group was to build us a Home Base, where is yet to be determined, which will either be a ‘GUILDHALL’, which would run us somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000 to 7,000 Gold Pieces, and would basically be a room in a City somewhere where we would have our Group Meetings.

Or a ‘KEEP’, which would run us anywhere from 50,000 to 80,000 Gold.

Obviously the Guildhall would be much quicker (60 Days to build, give or take), and affordable…

…but in the long run, a Keep would be an actual Home (400 Days to build, give or take).

Putting that aside for the moment, our First opportunity for Vibris to generate some funds arrived in the form of a Scroll from Saya (Leader of the Underlay Thieves Guild, in Tru), ready by her disciple Adis, who had traveled with us to Avador.

“Greetings Z, And Comrades Of Z…

My Name is Saya…

I Am The Leader Of The Underlay Theives Guild of Tru, As Some Of You Already Know…

As I Discussed With Z, I Am In Need Of A Group To Seek Out The Twin Of My SUNBLADE Sword, Which Can Be Found In The ‘SHADE ISLES’, West Of Polus, Somewhere Around Two Weeks Travel Via Ship From Where You Are In AVADOR.

I Am Prepared To Pay 1,500 Gold Up Front, To Z, And 1,500 Gold More Upon Receipt Of The Blade.

My Desciple Adis Has The Initial 1,500 Gold With Her, Should You Accept My Offer.

The Shade Isles, Specifically The Middle Island Of 5, Was The Home Of A Cat People, And/Or Tigron Race Of People, But All That Remains Now Are The Ruins Of A Beautiful People, And The Soul Protector Of The Sunblade.

Perhaps You Are Wondering Why I Am Not Fetching The Blade On My Own…

The Tigron Shade Isle People Believe A ‘True Deserver’ Of The Blade, Is Not Only Individually Powerful, But Has The Ability To Find Another Worthy Enough To Seek Out The Blade In Their Behalf, And Trust That They Will Bring It To Them Once Retrieved.

Z, I Feel, Is Such A Worthy Individual, Deserving Of My Trust.

I’m Afraid This Is All I Can Tell You Of The Tigron Shade Isles People, Other Than Z Will Likely Face A, Or A Series Of, Difficult Challenges In The Retrieval Of It.

SAYA-

Magic And Light (The Redemption Of Ren) – Chapter IX

Magic And Light

(Find Campaign 1 & 2 On My Magic And Light Page HERE)

CAMPAIGN 3

The Redemption Of Ren

by DarkJade

CHAPTER I – Parting Ways – CHAPTER II – Westward – CHAPTER III – Session 15 – CHAPTER IV – Frost Giant – CHAPTER V – The Loot – CHAPTER VI – Cyclops – CHAPTER VII – Lara X – CHAPTER VIII – Session 16

CHAPTER IX – The Marquis

Once Z found us a path clear of Tru Swordsmen, we made our way to the Gates leading to the Houses of the Nobles…

…the Guards let us in, assuming we had come for our second meeting with Lord Mayor Shaymus, instead we made our way to the Home of the Marquis of Tru.

MARQUIS ESEPH.

“How may I be of service…” spoke the very Royally dressed Marquis.

We explained the situation in whole, and before responding, the Marquis paused.

“I’ll take care of this,” he finally replied.

I’d done what I felt I could for Lara X, now it was time to leave Tru once more.

I approached Z, “Time for us to find a ‘Home’…”

And so it was back to Avador for now, where Thalo (Our Shadow Monk) and Stryke (Our Wolf Spirited Barbarian), may or may not have waited for us to return.

Z sent a note to Saya with one of her Underlay Thieves, telling her he had to pass on the General Position for now… But she could send the info. about the Sun Blade Mission to him in Avador.

She did one better…

She sent Adis with us to Avador.

Zahn and Dreyha on the other hand, requested the use of Tru’s Mage Tower Teleportation Portal, to return to the Teleportation Circle in Green Tower, Galdur.

The Marquis granted their request.

So it was Z, Laris, Kayen, Kinner, Adis and myself heading to Avador.

It was a 9 day journey back to Avador, and beside a few Orcs, Bug Bear and Goblins along the way, we made it back without a hitch.

Thalo and Stryke were still in Avador, waiting for us.

…it was good to see them.

Thalo still had things that might come our way from his previous life…

…but we’d be there to back him up.

I told Stryke how we nearly lost Laris to a Frost Giant without her Wolf Spirit to inspire our Melee in battle…

She was jealous that she’d missed the fight.

I also told them how we were going to make our Group ‘Official’, and find our selves a home base to operate from.

All were very excited…

PICTURE CREDIT – Marquis

Magic And Light (The Redemption Of Ren) – Chapter VIII

Magic And Light

(Find Campaign 1 & 2 On My Magic And Light Page HERE)

CAMPAIGN 3

The Redemption Of Ren

by DarkJade

CHAPTER I – Parting Ways – CHAPTER II – Westward – CHAPTER III – Session 15 – CHAPTER IV – Frost Giant – CHAPTER V – The Loot – CHAPTER VI – Cyclops – CHAPTER VII – Lara X

CHAPTER VIII – Session 16

We gathered for our 16th Session…

The overall feeling of our 3rd Dungeons And Dragons Campaign so far has been somewhat Political.

By the Party entering the Hobgoblin Lair originally, we stirred the pot with Warlord Torbaloy, and the Hobgoblins…

…but by entering it the second time, and approaching the Lord Mayor of the City Tru, we’ve stirred the Political pot of Tru.

We all had our food, and were ready to begin playing once more.

“Lets begin,” spoke Johnny.

“The Duke is ill,” spoke Lord Mayor Shaymus.

“Currently it’s the MARQUISE DENANEN that I’m reporting to,” he added.

He looks at Zahn, “I’m assuming since your friend here is a ‘Cleric of Apollo’, you won’t consider receiving a portion of the Lair’s Silver Mine in order to buy your silence, an option…” he spoke.

We all just stared at him.

“Right… Well… Give me a day to think on this than…” he added.

“Alright…” I replied, and we left.

It was back to ‘The Gnoll’s Leg’ tavern for us, where Z was waiting.

“Here’s our coin… Adis converted it to Gold,” he handed me all but his portion of the Gold in two sacks.

I gave each of us a portion.

“I need to talk to you,” spoke Z to me.

So we got some rooms at the Inn portion of the tavern, and the two of us met in one of them.

He told me what Saya had offered him.

“Are yo going to do it?” I asked.

“I don’t know…” he replied.

“It’s an interesting opportunity, but…” he added.

“But…” I replied.

“What’s next for you Ren… After Lara X,” Z asked.

“I’m not sure…” I replied.

“Have you thought of finding a ‘home base’… Somewhere for us to be, between Adventures, Crusades, or whatever,” he asked.

“You know… Forming a Group?” he added.

…”Truthfully, I haven’t…” I replied.

Z gets up and walks towards the door, “I think you should… And if you do… I’ll join it.”

As Z left, Laris entered.

“What was that about…” she spoke, then sat in a chair near me.

“Complicated,” I replied, rubbing my head.

“I don’t think we can trust Shaymus…” Laris spoke.

“Yeah… I know,” I replied.

“No, I mean, I don’t think we’re safe here in the City…” she added.

With this I looked out the window of the room…

…several groups of Tru Swordsmen were standing around near the Inn.

I looked at Laris, “Perhaps you’re right.”

Deciding the Inn wasn’t necessarily the best place to be, Z took us to the secret entrance of  the Underlay Thieves Guild, after losing the trailing Tru Swordsman that is.

Lets just say, Saya was a bit surprised to see all of us…

…but when Z explained, she showed us to some quarters for our Party to spend the night, prior to meeting again with Lord Mayor Shaymus.

“You can’t trust Shaymus… No matter what he says,” spoke Saya before parting our company.

I looked at Laris, “This is a growing theme I think… Maybe we should go right to the Marquise tomorrow.”

Laris simply nodded.