Disclaimer: I do not own Everquest or any of it's names,
affiliations, ect.
The Wayfarer of Are-Amon-Ando
Copyright © ALSSGJO 2002- 2003 and beyond
In the early stages of Velious' formation a young wood elf named Cormare was
sailing the seas south of Antonica. She had sailed from Kaladim at first,
renting a boat from the dwarves who didn't care, mainly because of their
constant obsession with the jewels hidden under their mountain's rocks.
She was in search, like many young headstrong elves, for land to claim in her
name but what she found and how she got there was much more than a quest.
Cormare was on her great ship Cormallen, and sailed easily through what is now
the Iceclad Ocean. She had not seen a rock, dragon, or merperson for weeks and
was beginning to be worried for her and her crew's safety.
That is when she caught sight of white land. Many of her ignorant crew thought
they were near docking the shores of heaven but Cormare knew better. She knew
that heaven was within the shores of the clouds and that it could never be an
island here on Iceclad Ocean. But despite her warnings from the crew of
heavenly sorceresses that guard the gates of heaven with ultra wisdom spells
and how they would smite her for bringing a body with her soul, she persisted
to dock the Cormallen and go onto the shore.
It was a cold and windy day when she finally reached its shore. Because of her
terrified crew, Cormare would have to persist on the exploration alone, with
the exception of a small, yet brave gnome named Aduial the Jade. He was brave
and persistent, and though he was a caster he was skilled in two-handed sword
usage. The only reason Cormare let Aduial join her is because of his expertise
in Clerical matters.
They hesitantly walked off the boat ramp and onto the dry, icy land. Aduial
held his hands over his eyes to block the snow from shivering his eyeballs.
"I don't think that we'll survive this extremity of cold Madame", Aduial
chocked out.
"It will take more than a couple of snowflakes to make me retreat, Aduial. You
should have more a sense of self-confidence, control, and optimism. Don't let
it rain on your parade", Cormare shouted.
They headed on through the snow and ice and made their way toward what they
could find. They kept heading southwest since the boat was northeast. Finally,
after 6 long hours of walking and pausing they began to see a gray object
reflect against the snowy winds.
"Is it a mirage? ", asked the doubting Aduial.
"Of course not you silly gnome", Cormare replied with a roll of the eye and a
slight chuckle.
"Don't laugh at me! ", shouted Aduial, "You wouldn't have half the guts of a
dark elf in Freeport if you didn't have that sword at your side and all that
combat training. Why, I've had some combat training in my life too, so you just
watch your words, headstrong elf".
Cormare couldn't utter a word. All she could do was laugh at the audacity of
this small creature that in turn looked at her with burning rage in his eyes.
"Now, I mean it... you, you... elf! " hesitated the young gnome.
She just headed on and decided not to play games with a gnome who has had quite
too much amber ale. They headed on to the gray wall and noticed a sign that
said:
Welcome travelers to the peaceful, integrated city of
Are-Amon-Ando (Elvish for Sunlight- Mountain- Gate). If you are against
integration please try the next city of Ry'gorr Keep, or if you need rations
badly please enter but keep the peace. Even amongst enemies we still keep
peace. All races welcome. Please come again to:
Are-Amon-Ando.
Utmost Sincerely,
Adan Wayfarer
"Well isn't that somethin'?" asked Aduial.
"Yeah, I guess so", said Cormare slowly, "But something is definitely fishy".
"What's fishy about that?" asked Aduial, "Maybe we'll finally get some warm
lodgings".
"You wouldn't be worried about toasting your toes if your father fought along
side this man named Wayfarer", said Cormare.
"You mean he's a tough cookie? Big deal! He sounds nice!" said Aduial tired of
the detainment of warmth.
"I wouldn't exactly call him a 'tough cookie' per say. More like 'booby trap
master of the seven seas' type", said Cormare.
"Oh", stated Aduial.
Despite Adan Wayfarer's grim and barbaric past Cormare decided to give him a
chance. She walked into the gates with her head held high and sword sheathed.
Though she was bathed with fear inside she pretended as though she was a
frequent visitor to this strange new land.
In the past Adan Wayfarer had been known as a hateful, deceitful, enemy of all
lands. His growing hatred for every race of Norrath, even his own, was untimely
cast upon many casualties in Antonica and Faydower. Erudin had yet to see the
harmful ways of this horrible man. His heart was cruel and he showed very
little pity on hungry travelers and poor peasants.
When Cormare walked into the city it was strangely silent. Not a peasant nor
kinsfolk nor child was roaming the streets. The mercantiles were empty, shops
abandoned, and castles retreated… or so it seemed. Aduial stayed close behind
her, hiding himself in her long hooded cape. She stood at the center of the
city waiting to be ambushed, but no sound came from any building or house.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hello?" Aduial stated.
They waited around. More silenced coveted them.
"Well", said Aduial, "It seems as though this city has been conquer-"
At that precise moment, a dark elf hopped onto Aduial's back. He drew his
dagger and said, "Don't move you filthy gnome!"
"Hey!" shouted Cormare, "Don't talk to him like that!"
"And who might I ask are you?" asked the dark elf.
"I am Cormare, from the treetop, beautiful, wood elf land of Kelethin. I am an
Emerald Warrior, given my title by the head warrior Regren. What business do
you have in this integrated, 'peaceful' city?" she asked.
"I am Jjhornam, from the beautiful, silent caves of Neirak, the dark elf city.
I am not an offical Shadow Night; I have little need of formalities; but I am
very skilled in the ways and beliefs of its countries. Cazic Thule has business
in any city, elf, for he sees all though he lacks a face. Soon you and this
gnome will come under the full wrath of the Faceless", said Jjhornam
"I thought you didn't like formalities", said Aduial.
"I don't"
"Well isn't it a formality that you are a follower of the Faceless? Isn't his
reign proclamation formal? I always thought a proclamation was a formality",
said Aduial.
Cormare snickered.
"Save the small smart talk gnome and prepare to face thy doom", said Jjhornam.
Cormare began to unsheathe her sword but then a dark hand grabbed the tunic of
the dark elf. It was an older dark elf woman.
"Jjhornam! Young man! What may I ask are you doing!?" she screamed.
"Aww mom… I was just playing with them", he said.
"Playing huh? It don't look like playing! Put that dagger up young man! You are
too young to be playing with that. Imagine! Your audacity! Attacking helpless
travelers on Praise Day. You are supposed to be in praise of Cazic today; if
that's the kind of nonsense you want to believe in. Oh how ridiculous! Anyways,
you get back in there young man. A teenager dark elf doesn't play! You should
be concentrating on your studies!" she replied.
With that Jjhornam was set down and grudgingly sheathed his dagger and went
toward an adobe, brick house in the east.
"So sorry about that. Jjhornam's always been the creative one in he family…
Heh, heh….", she replied
"It's quite alright", said Aduial getting up dusting himself off.
"So… where have you travelers come from?" she asked.
"Well, I've come from Kelethin", said Cormare
"And I'm from Ak'anon", said Aduial.
"Well then. I'm sorry you had to come on Praise Day. It was an official decree
passed by King Wayfarer himself two years ago. Every person must spend today
praising his or her own god. My ignorant son has gone to the Faceless Praise
Center. I, myself, have come from the Peace Child Assembly. What gods are do ye
praise?" she asked.
"Oh… uh we're both agnostic", said Cormare
"Actually", said Aduial, "Ye of little knowing, I am an offical follower of the
Peace Child and have been since I was a wee lad".
"Well I am agnostic", said Cormare.
"There is an Agnostic Center down the road", said the lady, "It is
yellowish-brown. As for you Sir, if you don't mind will you accompany me to the
Peace Child Assembly?" she asked.
"Why yes!" said Aduial quite happy.
"By the way," said Cormare, "What is your name?"
"Oh! My manners! Save me! My name is Paijin Treble. My family and me moved to
Are-Amon-Ando to escape the Cazic Thule followers of Neirak. We were under
siege for many days. The Cazic Thule people of here are strictly forbidden in a
code of silence that each person is wished in before they become a citizen
here. If they break it they will be executed. Luckily for us, the Faceless
Followers are strict on rules and regulations of any kind, so they follow the
rule and we are safe and finally peaceful here. And what about you? Where are
you from and what might be your names?" she asked.
"I am Cormare, from the treetop, beautiful, wood elf land of Kelethin. I am an
Emerald Warrior, given my title by the head warrior Regren. I have come here to
claim and explore new lands. This land isn't on our map. We do not know where
we are and have been lost for days. We need rations and a direction home to
continue our journey in this world", she said.
"Ahh, well, I am sure you can find all these things here. We have an abundance
of these. As for where you are I believe I can answer that for you. This is the
continent of Velious. We are peaceful in this city, but the country is very
harsh. Only experts explore and know these lands and they bring us rations a
lot as quests to get armor they wish to have. The city that is further is
Ry'gorr Keep, which is a very cruel city. The gossip of the city says that King
Wayfarer rules that city with a cruel heart behind our backs but I doubt that,
for I have met him myself and he is very nice.
"This city was formed when Velious was first formed by a young, exploring bard
woman named Janika OrcSlayerSpike. She found this land and gave it to the
higher levels of Kelethin as a gift for being allies back and forth. She was an
Orc Slayer ever since 10 orc centurions invaded Freeport while the guards were
gone. She fought them with her ring mail armor on given by a high level bard
who was quitting to become a hermit in the Desert of Ro.
"She fought the orcs with one sword and brought them all down at her feet. Ever
since then she has been battling orcs. She still lives but has left the city,
unknowingly leaving kingship between Are-Amon-Ando and Ry'gorr Keep to fight
over. It's hard to keep the peace and fight Ry'gorr Keep. It makes us look
hypocritical but we are constantly at war with them. That's this beautiful
city's story", said Paijin.
"Wow", said Cormare.
"And I am Aduial the Jade. I am a Cleric Priest of Ak'anon. I am also skilled
in two handed sword usage also", said Aduial smiling with pride.
"Well, Praise Day still continues my friends", said Paijin, "Cormare, you will
find those of your kind down the road in the Agnostic Center. In the meantime
Aduial will meet with me in the Peace Child Assembly. Please stay there. Aduial
and I will come and pick you up when the festivities begin. That'll be in
about… an hour and a half".
"Good Bye", said Cormare
"Farewell", said Paijin
Aduial just pointed at Paijin and smiled as they headed into the sunset toward
the Peace Child Assembly. He looked like he liked Paijin, and Cormare was glad
for that. She was so glad she smiled, and then she turned around and headed
toward the Agnostic Center.
The road there was harsh and windy. Cormare stopped and thought of something.
The city was desert-like… yet it was windy and snowy outside. This, she knew,
had something to do with Adan Wayfarer. He had been known as Norrath's
all-powerful Faceless Necromancer. He was skilled in the arts of reincarnation,
poisons, and the dead in general. He had been raised, or so the stories say, by
a family of abandoned undead pets Cazic Thule had used to kill a group of
high-level clerics.
It is said that he was raised by Cazic himself and brought up with aspirations
of world domination and carnage. So naturally, it puzzled Cormare as to why he
would be a ruler of a peaceful city. Cormare knew somehow they had to leave
soon. She knew all of these people were going to be casualties of Adan's
ferocity. But she had no way of leaving, now that Aduial had gone. And she was
sure such a vain gnome would quickly bring gossip in this town faster than fire
would spread in a dry forest.
She walked into the Agnostic Center and sat down at one of the stools at the
bar. There was a bartender there and tables all around. There were all sorts of
races. She saw wood elves, high elves, and a great many dwarves. She saw a
group of ogres in the corner and one dubious troll hiding in the shadows on the
balcony upstairs. The Agnostic Center looked closer to a bar than anything, and
the barbarian bartender didn't help decline that thought.
"Hello", she said.
"Hi", the bartender muttered.
"Perhaps you could help me. I'm kind of new to this city and I'm wondering what
it's all about"
"Did you not read the sign? This is an integrated city, as funny as that sounds
in a world like Norrath. But I guess they do their best. Now is it gossip you
are looking for, because if that's the case than I'm your man. But if you want
history and proven facts, then you should head down to the Bank of Aeries"
"Well, I guess I could use a little gossip. After all, facts can be just as
untruthful as gossip"
"Ain't that the truth? Anyways, the newest gossip around these parts is about a
fellow named Wayfarer. He's the king around here but not many people like him.
The people that have traveled here from Felwithe tell us the king of Felwithe
is telling them some not so nice things about our king-"
"Like what?"
"Like he's been killing tribes that live out in the forests and some of the
followers of Bristlebane, the prince of thieves, aren't so happy about that.
They say that he hasn't attacked Erudin yet because he's using the Erudites for
his master plan. He plans to use the Erudites to help him control both
Are-Amon-Ando and Ry'gorr Keep. They say he's trying out for world domination
of Norrath and there is going to be a big war against him. The people are
splitting, believing whether or not he's really out to get us or not and it
doesn't look good. They say that Are-Amon-Ando and Ry'gorr Keep are just the
beginnings. Then he plans to take over Norrath, one city at a time."
"Wow, that's quite a claim"
Cormare looked around at all of the people in the bar, analyzing which ones
would turn to help Wayfarer.
"I can tell you a few bits about Wayfarer, but you have to swear not to tell
anyone you heard it from me-"
The troll upstairs stirred.
"If a war goes down, I don't want anyone to hear that I was the one starting it
by coming into your city and putting bad mouth against King Wayfarer."
"Yeah, I gets ya"
"Now my father fought in one of Norrath's horrible wars; the war between the
elven and orc folk. It was a horrible and tragic war that took many good men
and women. He fought along side this man named Wayfarer and had told me all
about him when I was little. He had told me that this man was cruel. He told me
all about Wayfarer's history and his horrible aspirations of world dominance.
He told me that Wayfarer had been born of a dark elf man and an Iksar woman.
His father was a necromancer warrior and cast a spell on Adan to make him look
half elvish so that he could survive in this world with out being killed. He
left the baby in one of Qeynos' harsh plains. Nearby Cazic had incarnated a
bunch of undead pets to kill an expert cleric group meeting that night in a
remote location in the plains.
"It turns out that the group was an anti-Thule group, meeting to stop Cazic's
plan to take over Qeynos. The pets successfully killed all of them and Cazic
abandoned them to die in the plains. But his pets had been made with Cazic's
rage, which could not just die in the desert. They all traveled in a pack, and
one day they came across a baby. By the time they did the spell had worn off
and Wayfarer had been shown, as he really was, an Iksarian Dark Elf. They
accepted this baby and raised him until he was three and then made their way
back to Neirak and gave the baby to Cazic himself. There in the pits of Neirak
Cazic raised the baby and he grew up hating all races including his own. He grew
many powers that all magic branches have. He can cast glamour like an
enchanter, bewitch like a magician, reincarnate like a necromancer, heal like a
cleric, and smite like a wizard.
"I am deeply afraid that Cazic has created an all powerful, all evil, and all
deceitful man that he will use in his master plan to take over Norrath. My
father told this to me and he told me to always remember the name: Wayfarer",
finished Cormare.
"Wow", said the bartender, "That's some heavy gossip… May I ask how much you
have had to drink today?"
"I beg your pardon"
"No one actually believes that Adan Wayfarer is a horrid king like they say,
and you expect me to believe he is a half Iksar, half dark elf bent on world
domination raised by Cazic himself. You've had way too many ales I'm afraid… a
one too many."
With that the festivity bell rang and the people began to file out of the bar.
The troll hidden in the darkness went out and never took his eyes off Cormare.
Somehow she knew she had to get out of there, and get out of there quick.
"I'm serious", the bartender said, "I don't think you should go out there for
Praise Day Festivities. You could get yourself-"
"Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you who that troll was?" Cormare interrupted.
"That troll? Ahh, I don't know. He's been here for a couple of weeks. A real
bad character, he's supposed to be. At least that's what the manager of the
Blackmoor Inn says down the street. The troll's been staying at the Inn for a
couple of weeks, getting home late at night and leaving at dawn. Don't think
he's up to much good, to tell you the truth. Humph!"
"And so your not going to tell King Wayfarer? Don't you think he could be a
potential problem?"
"No, I don't reckon. A lot of the Innoruuk followers go around here all the
time, wearing these dark robes. They're just punk teenagers trying to scare
everyone, that's all."
"What about the manager of Blackmoor? Doesn't he think he could be a problem?"
"Mikhail? Nah. He's really quiet, Mikhail is. He doesn't like to cause a lot of
ruckus, especially when we live in a city where a lot of conspiracy rumors are
going on. He has a fear of death, and he doesn't want to be killed too soon."
"Do you think if I went down to Blackmoor, Mikhail would talk to me?"
"I don't see why not-"
At that moment Aduial and Paijin came in.
"Well that was a nice assembly. I never knew that so many trolls liked the
Peace Child", said Aduial
"Yes but some of the trolls only like the Peace Child because she's small
enough for them to eat", laughed Paijin.
"We got to go", said Cormare as she pulled Paijin and Aduial out of the bar.
"Wait-", said Aduial.
Cormare pulled them out of the bar and looked around.
"I'm serious Aduial we have got to get back to Kelethin!"
"Why are you leaving so soon?" asked Paijin.
"It's a real personal matter"
"What personal matter?" asked Aduial, scoffing.
"I'll tell you on the way", said Cormare as she grabbed him.
"Whoa!"
"Wait a minute!" said Paijin
They both stopped short at the loud and cruelness of Paijin's voice
"I mean, don't you want to get rations for your ship. It would only be a few
stops, and I'm sure King Wayfarer would want to meet you."
"Yeah I'm sure he would", said Cormare
"Stop!" said Aduial as he pulled her grip off of his purple robe, "I am not
leaving without a proper farewell. We have been traveling all day and the least
we can do is get some restoration before we just head off again"
"News flash gnome! Restoration comes in an incantation form now! We have got to
go!"
"News flash, elf! You aren't leaving unless I'm going with you and I'm not
going with you until I rest for at least an hour"
"Alright!! Fine! Have it your way gnome! But if we get killed then I'm going to
spend the rest of my afterlife in Purgatory making your afterlife terrible"
"Killed! What do you mean killed?" screamed Aduial
"That's enough!" screamed Paijin.
They both stopped short again.
"Come with me and I will put you in some proper lodgings. As far as your ship
goes we will send messengers to go and tell your ship to wait for you. Come
with me to Blackmoor Inn and I will get you settled", Paijin said calmly.
"Good, Blackmoor, exactly where I wanted", said Cormare staring Paijin in the
face as he passed her.
"I'm so sorry Paijin I don't know what's gotten into her", said Aduial as
Cormare walked ahead.
"It's okay, she'll be fine as soon as she meets Adan Wayfarer", smiled Paijin.
They arrived at Blackmoor and began to get settled. Paijin offered to take them
to the Praise Day Festivities. Aduial accepted, while Cormare declined; she had
to get to the bottom of this Wayfarer, and fast. As soon as Aduial and Paijin
left she went to the lobby. The innkeeper, Mikhail who was washing the front
desk was the only one present.
It was a small lobby, made of wood and with burgundy furniture it looked very
homey. The innkeeper was a halfling who looked rather uncomfortable and unsure
no matter where he looked. He hummed nervously as Cormare looked around the
lobby.
"Excuse me", said Cormare
"What?" said the innkeeper as he was clutching his rag as if it was protecting
him, while looking up with fearful eyes.
"Relax, okay I only want to ask you a few questions"
"Okay"
"You know the troll that had been coming here for the past few weeks?"
"Yeah"
"Well the bartender down at the Agnostic Center-"
"-Or Saurian Bar"
"Uh huh, well, he told me about a troll I saw there-"
"Humph! That troll being agnostic, fat chance!"
"What do you mean?"
"Well everyone knows he's one of the bad sort. No one even knows how he got
here. They think he swam through the ocean from Grobb, but I doubt that. Trolls
can't swim-"
"But they can learn"
"Yeah, well I don't know. He's probably a follower of Bertoxxulous, Innoruuk,
or Cazic. Maybe even the Tribunal, Solusek, or Veeshan, you never know. But most
likely I'd have to say he's a follower of the Plaguebringer, Bertoxxulous."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, he's a troll, and my maid has been telling me that she's seen a couple
of decaying things under his bed. She didn't want to mess with them; he might
sue us for religious bases. Any way to get platinum, I tell ya. Anyways, that
makes me think he's one of the Plaguebringer's followers."
"Has he had any meetings with Wayfarer?"
"King Wayfarer? Adan Wayfarer? What would King Wayfarer have to do with a
follower of the Plaguebringer?"
"I don't know it was just a question"
The halfling looked at her suspiciously.
"So, where do you hail from?" he asked.
"Me? Oh I am from Kelethin. I am an Emerald Warrior, given my title by Regren."
"What's your name?"
"What's yours?"
"My name is Mikhail Vultuxx. I'm a Priest of the Chapel of Mischief."
"Ahh, a rogue"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Just didn't think you'd be a rogue. You look more of the warrior
type"
"Ahh phooey. Warriors. Anyways, what is your name now?"
"My name is Cormare Cormallen".
"I see"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. You've just been the talk of the Praise Day Festivities, that's all."
"What? That can't be possible! I haven't been here but for a few hours"
"And word of mouth travels faster than fire of Solusek Ro. It's no surprise
you'd be the talk of the town"
"And this talk you speak of, is it good talk or bad talk?"
"I've heard a bit of both"
"From who? And what?"
"Well I've heard from Mrs. Paijin and her young son Jjhornam that you were
quite the curious and queer one. And I've heard from your inquired that you
were quite the fib teller"
"My inquired?"
"Yes, your own inquired"
"The troll?"
The halfling waited a moment before answering, "Why yes, the troll".
"What is his name?"
"Who?"
"The troll, what is his name?"
The halfling hesitated. Suddenly, another halfling, quite smaller than Mikhail,
barged through the door.
"Mikhail! Come quick! Madame Vultuxx's cart as just caught fire", he shouted.
"Probably some pesky human, tinkering with mother's fire wands again. Don't
move, elf. I'm not quite through with you".
Mikhail left and Cormare looked around. She walked behind the counter and
noticed a book sitting on its right side, covered in dust. She blew the dust
off of the book's cover. It read: Guests: Past and Present.
"Ah hah!"
She opened the book and flipped through the pages to the present date. She read
off all of the names of the guests. No indication was given as to what race any
of the guests might be, and hearing Mikhail's voice at the door, she tore out
the whole page. Slamming the book closed as Mikhail walked in, not looking but
talking to the other halfling, she tucked the paper behind her breastplate.
Mikhail finished his conversation and slammed the door.
Looking and her he yelled, "Now… you".
"Look Mikhail Vultuxx, I think you've got it all wrong. I'm not here to
question anyone's authority, or make anyone out to be the bad guy. I just heard
some high elves talking and-"
"High Elves!"
"Yes, and they confused me. I have had too much ale to drink and-"
"Those pesky, vain, little ingrates! How dare they question Adan Wayfarer! I'll
see to it that they all come crashing down, I've just got to find… oh where is
that crystal staff my mother gave me…" he said looking in the back slots as
Cormare rushed out.
As soon as Cormare left he turned back around. Looking at his desk he sniffed
around for any changes. Finding his Guest book un- dusted he looked at the door
sharply. As he opened the book a red mist came shooting out of the book. The
book levitated and the pages flipped and turned. Blowing Mikhail nearly to his
feet the book faced him. A gust of red mist blew him to the slots in the back.
Papers where flying everywhere as the book showed him and Cormare standing in
the room just moments before.
In the mist he could see Cormare ripping out the page and dashing for the exit.
As soon as the vision was over the red mist turned white and the book slammed
shut, dropping to the floor and spinning before coming to a complete stop as
the papers fell to the ground. Mikhail moved his arm from his forehead.
He picked up the book and set it back on the right hand side of the desk. As
soon as he put it down a brown mist came from under it, swirling around,
covering the book again with dust, while in the background the papers where
flying back into their slots. As soon as the book was covered, the halfling
looked up from the book.
His eyes burned as red as Lavastorm as he said, "Cormare".
Cormare ran out of the store and bumped into Aduial, who stood with his hands
on his hips with a disapproving glance at Cormare.
"And where may I ask have you been?" he asked.
"I was just-"
A scraping sound came from below them. It sounded like two stones where being
scraped on another.
"What's that?" asked Cormare
Suddenly the stone that was holding them both dropped down and they fell in a
narrow tunnel.
"Ahh!"
Hearing the shouts the townspeople close to the Blackmoor Inn door looked up,
but the stone went back to it's original place before anyone could notice
anything. The townspeople shrugged.
Meanwhile below the stone, Aduial and Cormare where sliding down a long tunnel.
They landed, hard, in a dungeon.
"Where are we?" Cormare asked weakly.
"How am I supposed to know?" asked Aduial agitated.
They looked around and saw a big wooden door. There was a window of bars on the
door, but nothing could be seen outside, save for pitch-blackness. There were
no other windows and the only thing that provided them light was a large,
standing candle in the center of the room. At the base of the candle were a
plate of bread and a flask of water. Beside the plate there was a note. Cormare
opened it and it said:
By the order of King Adan Wayfarer, you Cormare Cormallen of Kelethin, and you
Aduial the Jade of Ak'anon, are being placed under arrest and jailed for the
alleged conspiracy and espionage against our fair King Adan Wayfarer. You both
will be fed rations twice a day and will be sentenced before the waxing moon. Your
ship has been seized, and your crew has been imprisoned. If you both survive
the sentencing then you will be given rations and sent your way home, not
permitted to stay. If you don't survive the sentencing then your ship will be
destroyed, your crew killed, and you will be imprisoned for the rest of your
days.
Signed,
Baron Wyse DuPont of Oggok
Cormare looked at the letter in disbelief.
"Aduial come read this!"
Aduial read the letter and then sulked down in the corner of the dungeon.
"We've got to get out of here Aduial".
"I know we do! Don't you think I know?"
"I know you know… look, now isn't the time for fighting"
"How are we going to get out? There aren't any windows!"
"I don't know but we've got to find some way our of here"
"I say we wait until the sentencing"
"Good idea, we can escape then"
"Hello! Did you not read the note? Our ship has been seized and our crew
imprisoned. Even if we did escape we couldn't rescue all of our crew and we
couldn't find the ship. We know nothing about this town. I say we wait until
the sentencing! Then we can claim our innocence, recover our crew, gain our
ship, and sail back to Faydower!"
So they waited. Five days passed slowly for the warrior and the cleric and they
were very famished when the guard came to take them to the sentencing. They
were handcuffed and roughly escorted out of the dungeon. They were led down a
long corridor to a lead door. When the guard opened the lead door, sunlight
exploded in, nearly blinding Aduial and Cormare, who had not seen the rising
sun for several days now. They were brought to the town's square where millions
of races and townspeople awaited their sentencing. On a wooden pedestal stood a
judge. He was a tall elf with a slightly disgruntled look upon his face as he
held the gavel in his immensely long black robe with a fake white wig of hair
atop his head.
Beside the disgruntled judge stood a wooden gallows. It had two nooses, prepped
and ready for a death sentence. This intimidated Aduial but had no effect on
Cormare. Next to the gallows there stood a wooden royal box holding King Adan
Wayfarer and some royal officials. Adan looked at Cormare with recognition, but
only slightly, for he had never seen his fighting partner's child before. But
the striking resemblance between Cormare and her father sent a chill up Adan's
back.
The townspeople gathered at the front of the gallows noisily while Cormare and
Aduial where lead up to the front. Before the judge spoke a word, loud trumpets
where played to quiet the crowd. It was then that the judge spoke.
"Cormare Cormallen of Kelethin and Aduial the Jade of Ak'anon, you have been
placed under arrest by the Wayfarer Militia for the alleged conspiracy and
espionage against our fair and noble king, Adan Wayfarer. It is here you will
be sentenced to death, or freedom, depending on your explanation of your
actions and your defense against the prosecutor's comments. Representing
Are-Amon-Ando will be Baron Wyse DuPont of Oggok. He will present a case
against you.
"Everyone is equal under the law and you may have your own defense representor
if you wish, or you may act as your own lawyers. What is your decision
regarding that?"
Cormare and Aduial had a small discussion.
"We'd like to act as our own attorneys", said Cormare.
"Very well. Baron DuPont bring up your first witness", said the judge.
"Me first witness be da innkeeper of da Blackmoor Inn", the ogre replied.
The crowd backed away to let Mikhail through. He stepped up to the witness
stand, which was by the judge's high seat. He looked around nervously at the
judge and then at Baron DuPont. A man dressed in a flowing black robe with
purple insets approached him. He set a book on the stand. Aduial saw that the
book was titled "Book of Discord"; because he was the only one small enough to
see past the judges stand.
The man in the black robe grabbed Mikhail's hand and placed it on the Book of
Discord.
"By the order of Discord, do you Mikhail Vultuxx, promise to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" he replied.
Mikhail looked around nervously, as he always did before finally saying, "I
do".
The black robed man picked up the Book of Discord and went back into a building
on the right of them. It was then that Baron DuPont approached Mikhail on the
bench. Before speaking, the Baron raised his arms and a powerful blue light
surrounded his hands in a circle. The Baron collected all of the blue auras and
molded them into a ball that then grew into a deep blue hue. The he ate the
ball, much to the surprise of all of the magic-folk in the audience. Then the
judge spoke.
"Let the records show that Baron DuPont has casted a language spell to better
his common speech for the judge's understanding"
It was then that Baron DuPont approached the stand to question Mikhail. His
voice was like a human's, which was strange coming from an ogre of such great
proportion.
"Mikhail Vultuxx?"
"Yes"
"You are an upstanding citizen, aren't you?"
"Yes, I have never broken a law… not once"
"And you abide King Wayfarer, don't you?"
"Of course! All of his proclamations are like sacred texts to me"
"Ah! So you would never join a conspiracy against our noblest of kings, would
you?"
"No! Never!"
"Good. Where were you this afternoon? Did you not attend the Praise Day
Festivities?"
"No, I didn't. Right after going to the Brell Serilis Congregation underground,
I returned back to my work… the Blackmoor Inn. I thought perhaps some travelers
might want to reserve a room before Praise Day Festivities, right after leaving
their place of worship, in case they were far from home and couldn't leave that
night."
"I see. What happened then?"
"Well, I had only been there but for a few minutes, maybe ten, when Ms.
Cormallen and Mr. Aduial comes in with a friend of there's. You might now her. Her
name Is Paijin Treble."
"And what did they come in to Blackmoor for?"
"Well, Paijin said that they were far from home and had lost there way on the
Iceclad Ocean and needed rations and a place to stay before she could come to
the King and ask for his help to assist them home."
"And what did they do after that, Mikhail?"
"Well Paijin and Mr. Aduial left. Ms. Cormallen stayed in her room for awhile,
maybe a couple minutes, then she came out."
"Did she talk to you?"
"Yes she did"
"And what did she say?"
"She was asking me about one of my customers. A troll. She said she saw him at
Saurian Bar, during Praise Day Worship… Which would serve then as the Agnostic
Center. I personally didn't believe her at first, saying that the troll was at
the Agnostic Center, mainly because I believed him to be a follower of the
Plaguebringer. Then she asked me if he had any meetings with King Wayfarer. I
told her that of course he didn't. What would the King have to so with a
follower of the Plaguebringer?"
"And then what happened"
"Well, and then my brother burst in and told me my mother's cart had caught on
fire and I rushed out to help him-"
"Leaving Cormare in the Inn?"
"Yes. When I got back I was about to start an argument. I don't like people
talking bad things about Adan Wayfarer, and I wanted to set her strait. Then
she told me that she didn't come here to make anyone look bad and that some
high elves where talking and she got confused and perhaps she had had too much
ale and then I just blew up… not at her… at the high elves. I was going through
one of my tempered fits. Ask my brother. He'll tell you. I have them when I get
mad. And I was looking for my staff and she rushed out"
"And then?"
"And then I noticed that my guest book was different. It turns out she had
ripped a page out of it and left"
"Thank you Mr. Vultuxx. May I present, your honor, Exhibit A?" he said as he
held up the page ripped out from Mikhail's guest book, "It is the page Cormare
Cormallen ripped out of Mikhail Vultuxx's Blackmoor Inn Guest Book."
He set down the page on the judge's stand.
"Thank you Mr. Vultuxx, you may step down", said the judge.
The judge examined the paper.
"Call your next witness, council".
"I call Xinharn Willowweaver to the stand"
Cormare and Aduial looked around curiously. The crowed made way for the huge
barbarian that stood at the stand. The robed man, also known as the Priest of
Discord, swore him in and he sat down making himself at home. Cormare suddenly
recognized him. He was the bartender of the Saurian Bar.
"Who's that guy?" whispered Aduial.
"He's the bartender at the Agnostic Center", replied Cormare.
"Oh no, what have you done?" asked Aduial angrily.
"Xinharn?" said the Baron.
"Yes", asked Xinharn.
"If I remember correctly, you are one of the head gossipers of the town. Am I
correct?"
"Well, sir I don't make up things but when I hear news from some people I pass
it along. I like to stay on top of things. I don't call it gossip. News is
news."
"I see. Do you know Ms. Cormallen?"
"Slightly. She came in my bar for awhile, before the Festivities."
"And did she talk to you?"
"Yes. She wanted to know what the town was all about. I asked her if she read
the sign in front of the Gate and I told her I don't know about stone facts
when it comes to this city but I do know quite a bit of news and I offered to
share some with her."
"Did you?"
"Yes. I told her about that silly rumor of our king against Felwithe and the
followers of Bristlebane-"
"Oh! That rumor"
The townspeople agreed.
"Yes, that one. She seemed to take it with no surprise. It thought she didn't
know who King Wayfarer was and that was why, but she told me some story about
King Wayfarer being half dark elf, half Iksar"
King Wayfarer's eyes grew wide with fear as the barbarian continued.
"And she said he was out to rule Norrath and she knew all this because her
father fought with him in the Orc Wars. She said he was abandoned in the
Karanas and was found by a bunch of incarnated Thule-pets and was then taken to
Neirak where he was raised by Cazic himself to hate all races"
The townspeople began to laugh and Xinharn began to too.
"And she said that he was an all powerful, all deceitful, all evil man who was
trying to take over Norrath one city at a time", finished the barbarian before
he bent over in a hysterical laughing fit.
The judge pounded his gavel several times, but before he could quiet the
townspeople below him, he himself, began to laugh too. King Wayfarer began to
laugh nervously and the whole town engaged in a hysterical laughing uproar.
Cormare, seizing the moment like her father had always taught her grabbed
Aduial's hand and ran off the gallows and hid in an alleyway by the Discord
building. Looking at the ceremony she could see that the questioning had
continued as the townspeople calmed down, and no one could tell her and Aduial
had ran off.
"What are you doing?" screamed Aduial pulling his hand from hers.
"Ssshhh! Be quiet gnome! Don't you see? They've forgotten us. This is the only
time we have to get out of here"
"And get ourselves killed?" he said angrily.
"No! They will be in that court ceremony for hours. I figure they are going to
question Paijin and Jjhornam too and that could take awhile. It will be hours
before they notice we're not there. We have to find a way to get off this
island, even if it means by a small rowboat. We'll sail to Fironia Vie and
catch the boat to Butcherblock Mountains. Then we'll hike through Faydark, to
Kelethin to warn Regren and my father of Adan Wayfarer."
How they would pull this off was a mystery to the gnome as they ran down the
misty alley, while sounds of the trial filled the air.
