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#Post#: 133--------------------------------------------------
429 AC The Knight of the Skull Book One: The Mission to Khur
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 20, 2023, 1:51 am
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[center]Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter One: The Knight of the Skull
Part One: Ravenheart [/center]
East Central Ansalon
Taman Busuk
Neraka, Capital City
Raining this morning under grey clouds. The cloaked Guardian of
the Skull walks past the parade grounds as new recruits are
being drilled relentlessly.
Lydia Ravenheart shudders and tries not to think of her first
days with the Dark Knighthood. She walks into command.
Not sure if she is in trouble, she doesn’t think she’s done
anything wrong in her duties. Her commander did not seem unhappy
with her work. Baffled, and a little bit afraid, the Half-Elf
Guardian waits while an aide checks and sees if the Lord of
Night is ready for her.
The aide waves you in, and after an exhale of a quiet breath,
she walks in.
#Post#: 138--------------------------------------------------
Knight of the Skull Part Two: Orders
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 20, 2023, 6:39 pm
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[center]Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter One: The Knight of the Skull
Part Two: Orders[/center]
[center]"Independence breeds chaos. Submit and be
strong."[/center]
East Central Ansalon
Taman Busuk Region
Neraka, Capital City
The Lord of Night, Baltasar Rennold, looks at a very large wall
map of the region. Rennold is hailed for endeavoring to bring
Honor back to the Knighthood of Ariakan. (Behind the scenes, the
Skull Adjudicator manipulates Rennold and the Knighthood to his
ends.)
He hears her come in, but makes her wait for a few moments while
he considers a plan. “At ease, Guardian. “He hears her movement
to a relaxed stance. “I’m told by your Wing’s Warder that your
work has been very impressive.” He turns to Lydia and continues,
“He recommends that I employ you for special operations, and the
Adjudicator agrees. Do you think you are ready?
Lydia is semi-shocked. She didn’t know what to expect, but
certainly not this: “Yes, sir, I am, Sir.”
The Lord of Night looks at her, as if deciding, “Very well, you
and your Talon will report to Lord Hengriff, attached to Khurish
Garrison. He needs assistance after his last Inquisitor was
assassinated. You are so ordered to take over the information
gathering in Khur. Lord Hengriff’s orders are twofold.
Controlling Khur and assembling a host to eliminate the elvish
survivors once and for all."
"I’m putting a lot of faith in you, do not fail me. I want to
know what interactions they are having with the Elves and the
Dwarves. Pay attention to everything. Don’t get yourself killed
down there. See this mission completed to my satisfaction, there
will be others… I’m making myself crystal clear?”
The implication of his words was clear as it could be. Screw up,
and its over. “Everything, sir.”
“Very well, take your aide, and this letter, these are your
orders.”
Lydia sees the seal of the Lord of Night affixed to her orders.
She takes her orders and salutes
He salutes back, “Dismissed, and Good Hunting.”
The Knight of the Skull turns on her heel and exits the Lord of
Night Office and Command and reenters the rain and heads back to
her Talon’s barracks.
Lydia is filled with conflicting emotions. This is going to be
dangerous.
She is mixed about the genocide of the Elven race. Is this
really happening? Is this my destiny?
#Post#: 175--------------------------------------------------
Knight of the Skull Chapter Two: Talon
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 26, 2023, 2:00 am
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[center]Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Two: Talon [/center]
East Central Ansalon
Taman Busuk Region
Neraka, the Capital City
Skull Gaudian Lydia Ravenheart enters the barracks of her Talon
and immediately her talon is at attention. All Knights of the
Lilly. Her talon are Dragonriders of a mixed group of Blacks and
Blues. Its not ideal, but Blue Dragon numbers plummeted during
the Summer of Flame, the Dragon Purge, and the War of Souls.
“At ease and listen up. All eyes and ears on me. She walks
among them, you have all served the Wing well, and we have been
noticed by on high. The Lord of Night himself has assigned this
Talon to Khur aid in the collect of information that will lead
to the annihilation of the last of the Elves. “
She gauges their enthusiasm and looks for any doubters. Two. Two
have given the slightest indications that they may be able to be
used later somehow. She notes name and faces. New blood. Not
been with us very long.
The others are committed warriors.
“Start packing gear that you don’t need on the ride. Sgt.”
“Yes Inquisitor,”
Lydia gives him his orders “to see to the packing. I’m going to
inform the Dragons. I plan for us to set out in five hours.
Have them back and grab some rack time. I’ll be back. “
Lydia heads back out into the rain. She heads to the Dragon
assembly area and mentally calls to her Dragon. It’s not
instantaneous. Its not a command. Its if they want to. She
tells her Dragon that they will be leaving in five hours. We are
going to Khur.
All right, not going to acknowledge me” Lydia pouts. Looking
around. All right. I’ll see you five hours.
She walks back her barracks so she can pack.
#Post#: 185--------------------------------------------------
The Knight of the Skull Chapter 3 Dragonriders
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 28, 2023, 2:23 am
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Three: Dragonriders[/center]
East Central Ansalon
Taman Busuk Region
Neraka, the Capital City
Assembly Area
Under the cloak of darkness, off to a corner of the Assembly
area, the Talon greet their Dragons and begin saddling their
mounts, packing their gear in saddlebags
Three Blues, two Blacks
Lydia Ravenheart is going through final checks that everything
is secure. Her Dragon Mount, Terrex, snakes his head around and
considers her.
“So Half-Elf, I’ve been thinking about this. We are going to
Khur.”
“That’s right.” This Blue has always had a disrespectful streak
in him, Lydia thinks with a smile. It doesn’t bother her.
“Going to kill off your own kind?” The Dragon pushes.
“Those are my orders,” Lydia confirms.
“You won’t carry it out, you won’t let your people die. Why did
they send you? Was there no one else to carry out this Mission
besides you, Half-Elf?
“I don’t know, you’ll have to ask the Lord of Night.” Lydia
counters.
“Are they blind? They can’t see you are a Half-Elf.”
“I’m pretty sure they noticed by now,” Lydia says.
“Ah, they are testing you.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised to find out you are right.” Lydia
agrees.
“Hmm, what will you do? what will you do? How interesting, it
will be like a guessing game, don’t worry, I’m ready for the
fun.”
Lydia checks with her Talon is good to go. They are ready.
Lydia mounts Terrex's back, seats herself in place, and gets
comfortable. She gives the signal and mentally tells her Dragon
to take off and head for Khur. “Fly over the Elven Refuge
first, I want to see it.”
#Post#: 189--------------------------------------------------
Knight of the Skull Chapter Four: Flight Plan
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 29, 2023, 7:06 pm
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Four: Flight Plan
[/center]
Now leaving Taman Busuk, and now entering Northern Khur
airspace.
“There, beyond the Skyfire Mountains,” Terrex tells his
Dragonrider.
“I didn’t realize how close it was to Nearka,” Lydia says,
looking down.
“Their mistake.” The Blue Dragon observes. “Now where to?”
“The elves will have flyers up, Let's head south and follow the
road to Khuri-Khan.” The Skull Knight answers.
The Blue dragon looks around for elven riders while he takes a
southern course to Khuri-Khan, his thoughts aswirl. Terrex has
been paired with the Half-Elf for three years. In that time, she
has proven to be a capable leader and instinctive rider. It will
be a shame to have to cut her life short. He would not put a
single coin on a bet against her flipping. He might even do the
same if it were his people. He feels he must allow her to make
the mistake, so he will keep watching her as best as he can.
Skull Knight Lydia Ravenheart looks around at her Talon in
flight. A lot is on her mind, but she is not sharing. Her orders
still gnaw at her. Terrex was right, they must be testing her.
But what is she going to do? Any toe out of line, anything
amiss, somebody is sure to pick up on it. What if the Skull
Knight in Khur is not dead, and this is a large ruse? Will have
to keep my thoughts guarded and eliminate mistakes. Her dragon
is onto her. He could get the other Dragons to give watch when
he is able. It is now a matter of life and death. She does not
want to commit betrayal. Just having these thoughts was
betraying the order. This will require walking on a razor's
edge, one slip, and it's over.
The Talon passes over the Sierra Khur Mountains, soon they will
arrive at Khuri-Khan, and the Lion’s den of Lord Hengriff.
#Post#: 193--------------------------------------------------
Knight of the Skull Chapter Five: It can't be this easy
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 1, 2023, 2:16 am
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Five: It can't be this easy
Hengriff created by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya C. Cook [/center]
East Central Ansalon
Khur
Khuri-Khan, the Capital of Khur
115° degrees of burning heat
The mix of differences here, the sounds of the souk bazaar
marketplace, the language is very ancient and the smells of
different spices make Khuri-Khan and Khur a completely unique
place on Ansalon.
The Talon has landed outside the city. The Black Dragons are not
happy. This is not their natural habitat and all of the Dragons
are hungry and want to hunt. They are polite enough to wait
while the Dark Knights unpack their things, and then they are
off. Terrex the Blue gives a last meaningful look to Lydia
before taking flight.
Dark Knights, shrouded in traditional khurish coverings over
their armor, and wrapped head covering to block the sun. They
help the new arrivals with their equipment and take the Knight
to the Garrison to report in.
It is a relief to get out of the Sun. Lydia gets her Knights
squared away with living arrangements and finds out where they
can get a meal. She then takes her orders from her pack and
walks to the Room Hengriff is using for his headquarters.
Description: Hengriff, forty-five years old, Nerakan Male 5’9’
230 lbs. greying short black hair. A cold Scared face that has
seen many battles. An old war injury has slowed him down a
little, but he is still a deadly swordsman. This man has a
brutal record that has a great tactical mind for combat.
An aide waves her in. Lydia stands before the commanding offer
(in this case, a Champion of the Lilly with seven wings under
his command.) She stands at attention, hands Hengriff her
orders, and gives her Name and rank. Lydia Ravenheart, Guardian
of the Skull. Hengriff reads through the orders and looks at her
and says “Welcome aboard. It says here you are replacing our
inquisitor. Well, first time to Khur?”
“No sir, I was posted here in my first-year Novice. I picked up
the language and some of the important customs, and quite a few
that are taboo in this part of the world.” Lydia answers.
“Isn’t that the bloody truth? Good, you grasp the concept of how
dangerous this place is. Do not forget, the last inquisitor was
killed in the city.’ Hengriff chuckles and then is deadly
serious.
“How much pushback is the Khan getting for allowing our garrison
and Dragons to move in,” Lydia asks
“It’s quiet as long as the Dragons are out there, I assure you.
Do not get caught in an empty ally way and watch out for
assassins. If you go out, take guards.” The Commanding officer
warns.
“Understood. What are your orders for me? How do you want my men
folded into your fighting force?
“I’m told there are elven spies in the city, they may have
contact in the city. I have a watch on the Church of Mishakal, I
can never remember their word for her.” Hengriff stops. trying
to think.
“Elir-Sana I believe is what her name is here,” Lydia says
helpfully, drawing from a recent memory. A report came in that
the head of the church of Elir-Sana was assaulted by Torghanists
(followers of Sargonnas or Torghanis) and absconded with the
Lioness and was seen in the Inath Wakenti a time later. Makes
perfect sense to keep it watched.
“Yes, that's right, that’s what was. This is our staging ground.
We are to gather information about the Elven refuge. I have
enough forces to wipe the elves in that valley out. But I’m told
there is a tunnel system in that valley. I’m sure they have a
warning to get people into the tunnels for aerial attacks. There
are a lot of unknowns. Do they have dragon allies living amongst
them?” He looks are her as if noting her elven ears for the
first time. Then says “Before this is all over, I may ask you to
infiltrate the Valley of the Blue Sands.”
#Post#: 203--------------------------------------------------
The Knight of the Skull Chapter Six: Contact
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 4, 2023, 6:34 pm
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Six Contact[/center]
East Central Ansalon,
Khur
Khuri-Khan, the Capital of Khur
113°f decrees
Lydia Ravenheart, Skull Gaudian, is speaking to her men in a
house near the garrison.
“Has anyone seen the Dragons return yet?”
“No” is the answer of the Talon.
“They are taking an extended holiday it seems. Alert me
immediately at the first sign. I will be going out for a short
time to see what I can see. I would like two of you two to
accompany me for security. The rest of you should get some rack
time. Handle security between you.” She chooses the two knights
who gave slight discomfort with their orders of Elf
annihilation**. These two must be cultivated slowly and
carefully, whilst giving the other three, nothing is amiss.
The Dark Knights, going into the city, receive light cloth
coverings for their heads and their armor. It is stifling in the
armor. The clothes are damp from the accumulation of sweat.
Stepping out into the Sun and into the throng of city-dwelling
khurish people. From everywhere danger lurks. Every masked face
may be a threat. Lydia stretches out with her Mystic powers. The
Language difference is a leap, even from Nerakese. The mood
varies in degrees of agitation. To catch a stray thought in this
magnitude of people will be a needle in a haystack. They walk
through the Bazaar and through the areas that they have been
told they can walk through. One of her guards whispers, “We are
being followed.”
Lydia scans around her, mentally looking for their stalkers.
She finds them. Just the briefest touch, she feels how different
they are, how different their thinking is from everyone else.
Elves
**As seen in Chapter Two: The Talon
#Post#: 215--------------------------------------------------
The Knight of the Skull Chapter Seven Unexpected News
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 5, 2023, 11:42 pm
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Seven Unexpected News[/center]
East Central Ansalon,
Khur
Khuri-Khan, the Capital of Khur
113°f decrees
Lydia’s goal was achieved. She has been seen by the elves of
Inath Wakenti. She has their notice. She makes it back to the
Garrison unharmed and her subordinate informs her that some of
the Dragons have returned.
She walks outside the Khuri-Khan gates with a detachment of
Knights to the One Blue Dragon that has returned. “Where is
Terrex,” Lydia asks the Dragon.
“We were hunting and got separated. I know not where he is.
Before we went hunting, he told us it may become necessary to
take a two-legged form for this mission.” The Blue Dragon known
as Durox answers
Lydia turns around and looks at the Khuri-Khan Fortress. He may
already be watching her.
#Post#: 223--------------------------------------------------
The Knight of the Skull Chapter Eight: All Hell Breaks loose
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 6, 2023, 10:00 pm
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Eight: All Hell Breaks Loose [/center]
East Central Ansalon,
Khur
Khuri-Khan, the Capital of Khur
115°f decrees
The cloud on the horizon is coming from a large army coming from
the Desert.
Inside Khuri-Kahn, a revolt has sprung up. Barred from
reentering the city. The Detachment of Dark Knights looks to the
Sull Knight for guidance. She turns to Durox, "Find out what
that army is doing out there and report back, please."
Durox looks amused as only a Dragon can, “I will comply with
your wishes. I want to know myself.” The Blue launches himself
up into the sky.
She turns and looks at the Troops. A detachment of thirty foot
soldiers.
At least they have Polearms and a sword at their side. This
might get messy.
#Post#: 224--------------------------------------------------
The Knight of the Skull
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 6, 2023, 10:28 pm
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[center]The Knight of the Skull
Story One: The Mission to Khur
Chapter Eight: A different perspective
From the perspective of the Blue Dragon Durox[/center]
East Central Ansalon,
Khur
Khuri-Khan, the Capital of Khur
115°f decrees
Durox the Blue Dragon climbs in the sky, orienting himself
towards the cloud coming from the Desert. Surely, I have free
rein to scatter the army, or would that violate some treaty? I
will restrain myself for the time being.
He flies and sees the first grouping of people, the vanguard.
He has not been briefed on all seven of the Desert tribes. He
would not know one from another.
DM Note: They are, in fact, from the Hachakee Tribe. Keja's
fourth son founded this tribe as one of the independent, proud
warriors. This tribe prides itself on its swordplay and
horsemanship and is known to be amongst some of the fiercest and
most skilled warriors in all of Khur. Their totem is the desert
fox.
The Dragon flies over the body of the Army and its supply pack
animals. He circles a few more times. The Dragonfear has caused
some chaos. The Dragon laughs to himself.
He wonders what has stirred them up, and if any others will
join. Either way, this Tribe is headed to Khuri-Khan. He flies
back to Ravenheart.
He is distracted; there is indeed another Dust cloud out there
from another direction.
Something is happening.
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