Trail Number 4
Agreement
A look of relief comes over Bask’s face. “Thank you, Staff-holder. It is a great honor to have a magic-user in our midst. Hana, Mandor, Kelina - come meet the newest member to join our ranks.”
From behind a door emerge three glass statues, shiny and red, reflecting Bask’s evil persona yet somehow trustworthy. “Lletherial, let me introduce you to my three top advisors.” You stand and are amazed at their warm grasp as each living statue shakes your hand firmly in welcome.
After the formal introductions, Bask motions for everyone to sit at the table in order to discuss the upcoming raid on the king’s palace. As the four experienced warriors exchange strategies and tactics, you glean from their conversation that the city you are in is a fortress called Navoltar. It is ruled by Voltar IX, an evil king holding captive several scores of Crystallites who have not yet turned evil.
If Bask’s small underground army can release the prisoners, the search for his brother and the remaining half crystal should proceed much more quickly. As it is, only a handful of the scarlet creatures are on Hostil’s trail and more continue to turn against Purity each day, adding credence to the claim that Bask’s brother is in control of half of the Pure Crystal.
Reflecting on the plight of this crystalline race, you become aware that Bask has just asked you a question. “I’m sorry, could you repeat what you said. Something about my staff?”
“Yes. I want to know if you have complete control over it yet.”
Thinking back to when you, by chance, discovered your new clothes and commanded breakfast, you confess that you are still learning the powers within the staff.
“Well,” says Bask, pushing his chair back from the table, “we shall see how quickly you learn.”
Your new commander gets up and reviews a map of the city posted on the wall between shelves of jars and bottles. You wonder what so many liquids and chemicals could be used for and decide to ask Bask about it as soon as it is appropriate.
Pointing to a spot near the fortress wall, Bask says, “Here is our position, and this is the palace.” He points with the index finger of his other hand to a building at the center of the map. “The dungeon is below the surrounding courtyard and extends beyond the palace walls underneath these streets. We have two options. One is to fight our way through the main gates and into the prison. The other, to which I am partial, is to utilize the sewer system and pass unnoticed into the dungeon. Each cell has a porthole through which our people can escape.”
Examining the map yourself, you ask, “Aren’t the passageways within the sewer blocked so that the prisoners can’t escape?”
“Without a doubt,” says Bask. “That is why we need a magic-user. The powers within your staff more than meet the task.”
You start to protest. “But I’m not sure how to control those powers completely. What if I’m not strong enough yet?”
“My objection exactly,” says Hana. “Bask, we can not entrust ourselves to an untrained magic-user, even one with a staff. Our numbers are sufficient to take the main gate, create enough diversion for six to ten of us to enter the prison, and then fight our way to freedom with over sixty living statues by our side.”
“Yes, Hana, I know that is what you suggest.” You hear an emphasis on the last word. “I also know that we will lose valuable soldiers in every skirmish. Our people in the dungeon will be weak from captivity. They may not be capable of fighting upon their release. By escaping through the sewage tunnels we save strength and numbers. In order to search for Hostil and the other half of the crystal,” reminds Bask, “we need living crystallites.”
Mandor interrupts his leader who is ready to make another point of strategy. “I agree, Bask, both options are hazardous. Both have strengths and weaknesses. However, since one plan leans heavily on Lletherial’s powers, of which even Lletherial is not sure, I suggest,” Mandor winks at Hana, “that the staff-holder choose. After all, it is a magic-user who will use the magic.”
“Oh no you don’t. I’m not going to lead an attack. I know little enough about the staff; I know even less about commanding a battle.”
“First of all,” says Kelina, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, “you will not be leading any attacks. You are only choosing how we will enter the prison. If you feel that you would be of help underground, then say so. If not, we will attack the main gate and you need not be in the skirmish.”
You look at Bask who is nodding in agreement. “It is a fair choice. I have faith in you and your staff. You must decide how we are to proceed.”
Travel Trail Number 13 if you choose the sewer.
Travel Trail Number 14 if you choose the main gate.
A look of relief comes over Bask’s face. “Thank you, Staff-holder. It is a great honor to have a magic-user in our midst. Hana, Mandor, Kelina - come meet the newest member to join our ranks.”
From behind a door emerge three glass statues, shiny and red, reflecting Bask’s evil persona yet somehow trustworthy. “Lletherial, let me introduce you to my three top advisors.” You stand and are amazed at their warm grasp as each living statue shakes your hand firmly in welcome.
After the formal introductions, Bask motions for everyone to sit at the table in order to discuss the upcoming raid on the king’s palace. As the four experienced warriors exchange strategies and tactics, you glean from their conversation that the city you are in is a fortress called Navoltar. It is ruled by Voltar IX, an evil king holding captive several scores of Crystallites who have not yet turned evil.
If Bask’s small underground army can release the prisoners, the search for his brother and the remaining half crystal should proceed much more quickly. As it is, only a handful of the scarlet creatures are on Hostil’s trail and more continue to turn against Purity each day, adding credence to the claim that Bask’s brother is in control of half of the Pure Crystal.
Reflecting on the plight of this crystalline race, you become aware that Bask has just asked you a question. “I’m sorry, could you repeat what you said. Something about my staff?”
“Yes. I want to know if you have complete control over it yet.”
Thinking back to when you, by chance, discovered your new clothes and commanded breakfast, you confess that you are still learning the powers within the staff.
“Well,” says Bask, pushing his chair back from the table, “we shall see how quickly you learn.”
Your new commander gets up and reviews a map of the city posted on the wall between shelves of jars and bottles. You wonder what so many liquids and chemicals could be used for and decide to ask Bask about it as soon as it is appropriate.
Pointing to a spot near the fortress wall, Bask says, “Here is our position, and this is the palace.” He points with the index finger of his other hand to a building at the center of the map. “The dungeon is below the surrounding courtyard and extends beyond the palace walls underneath these streets. We have two options. One is to fight our way through the main gates and into the prison. The other, to which I am partial, is to utilize the sewer system and pass unnoticed into the dungeon. Each cell has a porthole through which our people can escape.”
Examining the map yourself, you ask, “Aren’t the passageways within the sewer blocked so that the prisoners can’t escape?”
“Without a doubt,” says Bask. “That is why we need a magic-user. The powers within your staff more than meet the task.”
You start to protest. “But I’m not sure how to control those powers completely. What if I’m not strong enough yet?”
“My objection exactly,” says Hana. “Bask, we can not entrust ourselves to an untrained magic-user, even one with a staff. Our numbers are sufficient to take the main gate, create enough diversion for six to ten of us to enter the prison, and then fight our way to freedom with over sixty living statues by our side.”
“Yes, Hana, I know that is what you suggest.” You hear an emphasis on the last word. “I also know that we will lose valuable soldiers in every skirmish. Our people in the dungeon will be weak from captivity. They may not be capable of fighting upon their release. By escaping through the sewage tunnels we save strength and numbers. In order to search for Hostil and the other half of the crystal,” reminds Bask, “we need living crystallites.”
Mandor interrupts his leader who is ready to make another point of strategy. “I agree, Bask, both options are hazardous. Both have strengths and weaknesses. However, since one plan leans heavily on Lletherial’s powers, of which even Lletherial is not sure, I suggest,” Mandor winks at Hana, “that the staff-holder choose. After all, it is a magic-user who will use the magic.”
“Oh no you don’t. I’m not going to lead an attack. I know little enough about the staff; I know even less about commanding a battle.”
“First of all,” says Kelina, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, “you will not be leading any attacks. You are only choosing how we will enter the prison. If you feel that you would be of help underground, then say so. If not, we will attack the main gate and you need not be in the skirmish.”
You look at Bask who is nodding in agreement. “It is a fair choice. I have faith in you and your staff. You must decide how we are to proceed.”
Travel Trail Number 13 if you choose the sewer.
Travel Trail Number 14 if you choose the main gate.
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