The Order of the Silver Rose rp

[LISA100595]

*Lady Elvina sends a copy of the ingredients list to Councilor Rhys after he offered his aid in figuring out the riddles and helping with the reagents. Also earlier Lillith asked if she could be of some help and Elvina directed her to speak with Hoihe who is working dilligently on the matter*

[LISA100595]

*Lady Elvina writes a response*

Sir Haeman,
Please, we need to know where this rite came from... Who gave you this letter detailing this process? We are not questioning you by any means we are doing our best to help you at the detriment of all risking their lives to retrieve these ingredients... more information is what we seek?? We will not fail you.
Respectfully,
Lady Elvina

The eyes were everywhere hidden in the darkness in the room, yet Uriel knew they were there, watching, ever watching. The tentacles had backed him into a corner. They were coming at his again, his blade of his ancestors long gone he swings his fists with everything he has...

Uriel swings violently in his sleep, rolling over and falling off the bed, smashing his head on the stand next to his bed. It takes a few moments as the blood begins to pool on the floor before he pushes himself up to his feet. He wearily makes his way down to the infirmary for bandages.

Uriel frowns deeply as he enters, blood still dripping down his face. He listens to the reports as he uses a towel to stop the bleeding.

''This is madness'' Uriel states flatly. ''I want to help Haeman as much as any of you, I've assigned three of our Knights to him and check in myself whenever I can. Yet something about this does not seem right. I'm ordering a halt to this until we can better understand this ritual, where it comes from and it will not promote evil ends. Help those who need help, given that the help does not promote evil ends.'' Uriel quotes the code. ''I have never experienced a goodly ritual utilizing hellfire at the Halls of Everlasting Justice back in Sundabar. Until we determine integrity of this ritual, it's authenticity and legitamacy, these orders will stand. We will have to find another way. '' Uriel finishes, reapplying his towel as blood drips into his eyes.

*Haeman reads the order and frowns "The only thing evil needs to succeed is for good people to do nothing" he thinks to himself. He writes a brief response:*

The rite is not evil, but a combining spell. I would never ask or keep such a thing if I beleive it to be evil. I hope that your faith in me has not waivered. I can not ask more then you have done and shall not. I will seek out what I can.

Haeman

*Coughing to himself he nods knowing that he is on his own, that it is too dangerous for his friends and then visits Angelina in the infirmary kissing her sweetly on the head. He whispers to her:* "The danger to you all is too great, I will do it." *He then heads out seeking Hoihe.*

[Tempist]

Cyrus comes down and reads the post Sir Haeman wrote and frowns. Calling forth a messenger, and hands him the pouch with the Vampire teeth and dust.

"Deliver this to Master Hoihe in Candlekeep, and no one else. He will know what needs to be done. I am under orders not to act myself, but that does not mean I cannot still help. Now go, quickly"

The rite is not evil, but a combining spell. I would never ask or keep such a thing if I beleive it to be evil. I hope that your faith in me has not waivered. I can not ask more then you have done and shall not. I will seek out what I can.

Haeman

[gfya1369]

*Haeman in his delerium having forgot that he needs armor, his shield and hammer comes back to the keep, seeing the post he writes back before gathering his gear.*

M'lady,

It is alright, the letter comes from a holy source one which I will not question. It asks to vanquish evil so it might be used for a goodly purpose. I am sorry so many have been injured in this and seeing the order to stop I can not ask you to continue. I understand my word is in question as the Order to stop would not have been given if it were not. I am sorry that anyone would think I would give you a rite that was evil. I am indeed sorry if I have shaken any of you to not trust in my good faith. Thank you for all you have done, I shall continue on from here the best I can. Please ensure Lady Angelina is well taken care of in my absense.

ith a heavy heart,

Haeman.

[LISA100595]

Dear Sir Haeman,
We had no way of knowing this letter came from a holy source, being it uses all evil ingredients to complete the rune. Claiming we have lost faith in you or your word is nonsence as we give our lives to aid you... to this we have sworn in our Oath

"Do you swear allegiance to the Order of The Silver Rose; to defend it's standard against usurpation and desecration; to uphold the Code of Honour the Order reveres; to support and stand up for your brothers and sisters in arms and to be worthy of their faith; until your last breath, while your body and your spirit are united?"

To our last breath we shall find a cure for you!

*with much sadness and a heavy heart she hopes he reads these words before departing*

*Haeman in his delerium having forgot that he needs armor, his shield and hammer comes back to the keep, seeing the post he writes back before gathering his gear.*

M'lady,

It is alright, the letter comes from a holy source one which I will not question. It asks to vanquish evil so it might be used for a goodly purpose. I am sorry so many have been injured in this and seeing the order to stop I can not ask you to continue. I understand my word is in question as the Order to stop would not have been given if it were not. I am sorry that anyone would think I would give you a rite that was evil. I am indeed sorry if I have shaken any of you to not trust in my good faith. Thank you for all you have done, I shall continue on from here the best I can. Please ensure Lady Angelina is well taken care of in my absense.

ith a heavy heart,

Haeman.

[gfya1369]

*Haeman thinks of this part of the Oath as he stumbles a bit heading out the door* "Faith: Above all else, a Knight has true Faith in himself, in this Code, in ideals those he swore to protect and in his brother in arms." *So many had been hurt trying to help and they began to think the rite was evil, that he would give an evil rite to them? He shakes his befuddled head, trying to clear it as his eyes focus and unfocus as he shuffles forward not in the correct frame of mind as the sickness has begun wearing on him*

[gfya1369]

*Haeman stumbles into the daylight as he leaves the Keep. His armor feeling much heavier then he remembered and he could barely hold up his shield. Taking his trusted holy symbol of Lathander in his hand he closes his eyes, tilting his face to allow the sun to shine down on him as he prays for strength and fortitude to continue and do what is needed. He prays for the Order, for quick recovery of those who were hurt. The spell bull’s strength, bear’s endurance and aid wash over him as he takes a steady breath in and the world becomes a bit fuzzy. The use of magic is causing incredible strain upon him.

He heads north following the road, his hammer at his side causing him to drift a bit to the right as its weight pulls at him. His journey north to the farmlands is uneventful. His only contact is a few guards on the way which give him a brief nod as he passes but don’t seem overly interested in his passing. Before he enters the Bugbear territory he looks over and notices a long fallen tree branch. He pulls a knife and whittles away the smaller branches until it makes for a good walking stick or cane. He prays once again enchanting himself and then casting greater sanctuary upon himself. With his cane to support him he begins his walk farther north as darkness begins to fall. Finding a spot just south of the bridge where bandits like to roam he seeks out a large tree. Slipping out of his armor he pulls a rope out of his pack and tosses it high up over a thick branch and then ties the other end to his armor, hammer and shield. Taking a deep breath and some considerable time he hoists the gear up into the air. Then tying the rope around his waist he begins to climb the tree using the armor on the other end as a counter weight to make the climb easier in his weakened state. Once up high on the tree he unties the rope around his waist and tosses the free end up over the branch above the one he is sitting on and pulls up his armor with some effort and a few prayers. Once everything is in place he leans back against the trunk of the tree being able to see far and up out of eyesight of possible bandits. He then ties the free end of the rope around his legs to secure himself and closes his eyes as sleep finally takes him.

As the sun warms his face he wakes up. After finally getting down from the tree, getting his armor he begins heading towards the bridge. Again he casts greater sanctuary upon himself as he presses his weight upon the cane to support him. Soon he begins entering the High Moors, also hobgoblin territory. He holds his head thinking to himself his mind fuzzy and some things unclear. As he moves on he drinks an invisibility potion just in case. Some things are just ingrained in him with years of training as its probably the only things that have allowed him to get as far as he has his own mind fuddled with dark thoughts and at least a few times within the High Moors he stands there not able to remember why he was there, or in some cases where he was. He thinks of the Order and how his word was suspect, on how many had been hurt. Many thoughts in his mind some noble, some not, but all unsure and effected by his sickness. He hears a roar and then a cry of shock. He moves slower trying to remain as silent as someone in full plate can which is impossible for him due to lack of training but he tries to get by. A Manticore had attacked a Hobgoblin on the trail and he passes. When the danger is past him he continues until he is before a cave where he knows some rather dark trolls reside.

He kneels, prays and then latches his shield to his arm. Using a cloth he wraps it around his wrist and then puts it over his neck so his arm is up and he can have help holding the shield up. He pulls out his hammer and tests its weight, and grunts as he lowers it. It is simply too heavy for him to swing so he reloops it back to his belt and pulls out his old mace which he had not used for a long time. A mace he first found the day he met Lady Angelina for the first time. The happy memories of that moment when he first saw her as she was stumbling over her words speaking to him and he his own words; fills him with strength and purpose burning a bit of the cloud around his mind away. He holds the mace and after casting enchantments upon himself he enters the cave. Light going to total darkness within as he whispers a prayer, the word of command for his shield of the sun and a bright yellow light emits from it lighting the cavern. He shuffles ahead having tied his new walking cane to his back and continues deeper into the caverns. Rocks echo as something had disturbed them and he turns. A large shadowy mass lumbers forward, a Troll engulfed n shadows it huge weapon held high and its stink overpowering his nose. He prepares for the inevitable attack to come…….

….. His head pounds and he can’t open one eye as his one good eye tries to focus. He tries to move but can’t. He calms his mind trying to remember what happened. The trolls came in force, invisible stalkers as well. He fought them all but his strength was too sapped by his sickness and eventually one got a hit in to his head. He looks down; sure enough his wig is there on the ground with blood on it. He shakes his head remembering how he ended up wearing the wig. Having taken donations to help the struggling farmers during the economic crisis he had stated he would wear the wig another day for every 100 gold donated. If he remembered correctly he still had 96 days left. He laughs a bit at the thought and a gravelly voice with horrible broken common speaks, “Why do yous laugh uman? You is caught and now will be a great prize for us.”

Haeman looks at where the voice is coming from and from the shadows steps a rather large troll with horns, fangs, its body shifting in and out of the shadows and a magical aura around it. He can’t tell if he is seeing things wrong due to the blow to the head or his sickness but this was not a normal Troll. There is a large throne and pillars around the area and two smaller trolls near a fire and a large cooking pot. Haeman sighs, stew he thinks. The large demon Troll or at least it reminds him of a what a Troll and a Demon together would look like as he blinks his good eye to try to see better. He notices his hammer and mace are far off but his shield is still tied to his arm and around his neck. The Trolls with their large fingers and horrible manual dexterity must have been unable to remove it. He tries to shift a bit and realizes there is a bit of room to move. He needs to stall until he can figure something out. “So am I the meal or you having something else in mind?” he asks while running through ideas in his head.

“You will be a sacrifice for us, and then u will be eaten. So yes.” the large DemonTroll replies.

“You know I’m really sick, I might give you a stomach ache,” Haeman tells him.

The large DemonTroll laughs loudly and it echoes through the cavern. Some rocks fall from one of the pillars and Haeman then sees the cracks and erosion within it. He had been sliding his shoulder back and forth slowly as they talked, using the broken jagged edges of his busted armor to cut the rope to free his arm and to cut the cloth holding his arm up. The large DemonTroll seeing his movements looks at him and Haeman forms a plan knowing that the tribe structure of Trolls is based off power and strength. A Troll leader would not trust his minions to do something without themselves checking. He asks, “Are you sure the pot is hot enough? I am sick after all. If the water is not as hot as possible who knows what might befall you after eating me.”

The DemonTroll pauses a moment and then walks over to the cooking pot pushing one of the smaller trolls out of the way and sticking his hand into the pot all the way to its elbow. The skin on its arm sizzling as he pulls it out, the skin bubbling with burn marks as the DemonTroll turns to Haeman with a wicked smile and says triumphantly, “Its hot enough uman.”

Haeman nods and smiles saying, “Thank you for getting into position.”

The DemonTroll and the lesser trolls tilt their heads curious as to his meaning. With his now free arm Haeman prays and with all the strength his augmented strength can muster he slings the shield like a disk at the crack in the pillar. It hits and bounces off and in midflight the DemonTroll catches it and laughs, “Puny uman little disks will not help you, we are unstoppable! You cannot hope….”

The DemonTroll’s words are cut short as the pillars splits in two and crashes upon the Trolls with a heavy and earthshaking thud. Haeman says a short prayer to Lathander for thanks and then thinks of Angelina and the memory that helped clear his mind a bit before entering the cave. He works on removing the ropes and when free gathers his mace, hammer, shield and wig. Pulling a bottle out of his pack he takes some of the blood pooling on the ground. Knowing that the Trolls were more than likely not dead and would regenerate, he corks the bottle and rushes in a stumble through the cave until he finds an exit filled with light…………

……….. “But I love him”, Angelina says worriedly to Hoihe outside the OSR keep as Haeman stumbles up his head bobbing as he begins to crash to the ground but landing softly as Angelina rushes forward to try to catch him slowing his fall.

Angelina prays and lays hands upon Haeman trying to heal his wounds, his armor dented and torn with blood stains all over it. Cuts and blood coat his face and his wig is a mess. In his delirium he holds up the bottle of the Trolls blood not speaking. Hoihe takes it and nods and pulls out a magic staff and speaks in broken Celestial casting. Between Angelina’s healing and Hoihe’s staff Haeman sits up with Angelina’s aid and begins to speak incoherently. “I got the blood..” he says rather weakly.

“You should not have gone in your condition you are not well.”, Angelina says with worry in her voice.

“I read the Order Sir Uriel posted stating that the Order was to stop searching, so I went myself so no one else would be hurt.”, Haeman replies.

“But we don’t know what the ritual was about, we thought it vile.”, Angelina admits.

Haeman’s head spins and he tries to think but it comes out sounding accusatory his sickness weighing upon his mind even unknown to him, “But I gave you the letter, it is a matter of faith in me. I can’t believe I read the Order and the Commander did not rebuttal it as she is the one who commands the Order.”

Angelina frowns at his words and Hoihe begins speaking as Laitae walks up. Haeman greets her as do the others and she asks, “Your Order has said it will stop seeking the ingredients?”

Haeman nods and replies his mind still befuddled, “Yes I read it myself.”

Angelina then explains they thought the rite was evil and soon they are all talking about it and what it means or what it doesn’t mean. Haeman while his mind is spinning and not thinking clearly says things not of his nature. Angelina asks where the rite came from and Haeman tries to explain through his muddied thoughts. He tells how years ago he prayed and after he wrote down the rite not knowing why or what it was for. That is wasn’t until recently when he woke up in the infirmary and he knew it was needed. They speak of finding the final component, hellish fire or cutting a wing off a Balor. Haeman’s head swirls and he tries to think. No way had the Order just given up, but something in his head whispers to him that it had. He tries to shake it but he can’t and under the strain and sickness within him. He speaks, “I will go find a Balor and help since the Order can’t due to the Order given by Sir Uriel.”

Angelina frowns again looking at him and Hoihe speaks a moment in a whisper, “Sir Cyrus gave me quite a few of the ingredients himself, even after the order was given. Please do not be upset with him as he wishes to help.”

Haeman shakes his head trying to clear it and Angelina speaks to him softly with caring in her voice, “I too went off to find them. It is why I was wounded..”

Haeman tries to think, tries to clear his head. Angelina knowing him well and having seen the changes in his manners, his speech and how he talked casts mind blank upon him. For the first time in weeks it’s as if his mind is finally free and open to the light, a shadow of fog lifted and he smiles to Angelina. Seeing the smile and recognizing the clarity in his eyes Angelina rushes forward wrapping her arms around him in relief almost knocking both of them over. “I love you”, Haeman says knowing she had gone through a lot so far and would still as he blushes realizing Hoihe and Laitae are standing there.

Hoihe begins talking and talking and talking and talking which he is very proficient at and somehow the subject ends up on what Hoihe will be remembered for. Laitae suggests without missing a beat that it will be talking.. Haeman smiles and says that he will remember him for his faith in him and help. Laitae then casts Bless upon Haeman and speaks of Mystra. At the end of the conversation Haeman agrees to stay in the keep and rest as Angelina helps him stand. Thinking clearly Haeman feels relief that he has such friends that would aid him. Angelina looks at him with love in her eyes and he nods admitting, “Ok.. Going to the High Moors alone was a bad idea.. I’ll stay in the keep until I’m better. As for the rite of combining, it is to seek out evil in the lands to use said evil for a goodly purpose. Much like a ranger hunting a creature and using the kill as food for others. Not killing for killing’s sake. Evil ingredients would be the blood of a unicorn, or the scales of a Gold Dragon, or a sacrifice of a virgin… I don’t think such a thing would be befitting of Lathander. But rebirth and the cycle of renewal of something which would cause death being used to create and heal is befitting. I’ll make sure to write a letter to the Commander to help clarify this.”

After a while, Hoihe and Laitae head off to deal with things that they have to do. Angelina and Haeman head towards the Keep and Angelina looks at him with relief and caring in her eyes, “Thank you”.

Haeman smiles weakly, “No.. Thank you, it was thoughts of you and Lathander’s aid that helped me to even survive this poorly planned and completely foolish adventure I just went on while being so ill and not thinking clearly……. You gave me focus.”

With loving smiles between them they both enter the Keep as the sun sets over the lands…..


// Thanks to everyone who has rped both on the forums and in game. I couldn’t resist adding the bit of comedy about Hoihe pondering about what he would be known for LOL. Was a perfectly timed response that Laitae had. //

[Hoihe]

//that's quite a write-up.

[gfya1369]

// LOL thanks Hoihe isn't the only one who likes to talk

[gfya1369]

*Before heading to rest and while Angelina’s Mind Blank spell still has his mind clear he write a letter to the Commander*

Lady Elvina,

I wished to write and ease yours and anyone elses fears about the rite and its purpose. The rite is to combine peoples power into one to be powerful enough to make a spell cast more powerful. The ingredients though from evil creatures are simply that. To defeat evil is a sacred tenant within our Order and in doing so with this rite the components in the list are then used for a goodly purpose. Now, if someone was to use this rite to say combine casters to cast a banshee spell upon a town, then yes this would be an evil act. But I know the Order has no such designs but to simply use it to augment a Remove Curse spell so that it may remove the Geas cast by someone very powerful that is upon me.

I must rest as I promised Lady Angelina, but please speak to Mr. Hoihe as he has another component which I in my delirium foolishly went and got at the risk of almost losing my life. I also spoke some rather untrue and quite hurtful things while not being in control of my facilities and do hope it was not taken to heart. Lady Angelina has cleared my mind with a Mind Blank spell which has allowed me to in some ways be relieved to think clearly and in other ways feel remorse at things that were said. Of which please thank the Knights for their hard work and dedication. I have already spoken to Lady Angelina and am thankful for her in more ways than one.

Respectfully,

Morninglord Haeman
Dawnbringer of Lathander
Honorary Member of the Order of the Silver Rose

[LISA100595]

*Lady Elvina writes back*

Dear Sir Haeman,

I am glad you are feeling better, and thank you for your kind words. We are and will do all we can to cure this geas and make you fully well again. I will post this letter on the bulletin board for all to read. In the mean time, it is imparative for you to rest and conserve your energies. Also I would like you to speak to Sir Uriel in person as soon as possible. I will seek out Mr. Hoihe and speak to him about what ingredients he currently has and what is left to be obtained.

Sincerely,
Lady Elvina

*Before heading to rest and while Angelina’s Mind Blank spell still has his mind clear he write a letter to the Commander*

Lady Elvina,

I wished to write and ease yours and anyone elses fears about the rite and its purpose. The rite is to combine peoples power into one to be powerful enough to make a spell cast more powerful. The ingredients though from evil creatures are simply that. To defeat evil is a sacred tenant within our Order and in doing so with this rite the components in the list are then used for a goodly purpose. Now, if someone was to use this rite to say combine casters to cast a banshee spell upon a town, then yes this would be an evil act. But I know the Order has no such designs but to simply use it to augment a Remove Curse spell so that it may remove the Geas cast by someone very powerful that is upon me.

I must rest as I promised Lady Angelina, but please speak to Mr. Hoihe as he has another component which I in my delirium foolishly went and got at the risk of almost losing my life. I also spoke some rather untrue and quite hurtful things while not being in control of my facilities and do hope it was not taken to heart. Lady Angelina has cleared my mind with a Mind Blank spell which has allowed me to in some ways be relieved to think clearly and in other ways feel remorse at things that were said. Of which please thank the Knights for their hard work and dedication. I have already spoken to Lady Angelina and am thankful for her in more ways than one.

Respectfully,

Morninglord Haeman
Dawnbringer of Lathander
Honorary Member of the Order of the Silver Rose

[gfya1369]

Haeman wakes up and goes to see Rand. Lady Gina had suggested that if he felt stir crazy while staying in the Keep that he should ask Rand, the Order’s Quartermaster if there was anything that could be done around the Keep. After having some food and a good conversation with his old friend Rand, Haeman heads out to the FAI to buy a few supplies needed to scrub the stone floors of the Keep. As he heads there using his cane to walk slowly and carefully while in a simple tunic and trousers he sees people standing by the Fire Pit. He walks over and due to the muddy mess around it he slips and falls with a squishy plop right into the mud //lol I got some random emote thing. No idea if a DM did it or its some new random script but I just went with it LOL//. Squire Ellene turns and hurries over leaving the lady she is talking to (Apotheosis) in order to help Haeman up. Haeman smiles, “Well that was rather embarrassing, but sometimes the Gods ensure we remember humility.” He then laughs softly and he tries to brush some of the mud off as he is helped to stand.

“Sir, why are you out of bed?”, Ellene asks with concern in her voice.

“I am off to the Inn to get some cleaning supplies to help Rand around the Keep.” He replies leaning on his cane while pulling out a cloth tucked in his belt and coughing into it.

“You really should be in bed sir.” She tries once more.

“I will after I do some old fashioned work. I find it helps to keep my mind clear of the sickness and gives me a purpose. And just Haeman please, I am retired so to speak until I get better.” He replies with a smile still looking at the lady that Ellene had been talking to.

Ellene nods and Haeman looks around the campfire as more people had begun to gather and while leaning on his cane he bows slowly so not to fall over and says, “Greetings everyone, I am Haeman a pleasure to meet all of you all and would someone mind telling me where all the benches went?”

Others reply in greetings, some remain quiet, someone tells Haeman that they were destroyed by the guards so people would not gather there due to a series of attacks and murders. Then the lady that Ellene was speaking to begins to take off her armor and then holds it up and says it is cursed. Haeman raises an eyebrow and asks her to show it to him. After looking at it he decides that the armor isn’t curse but more like a spell had become stuck within it. He said he could fix it if she wanted and she declined.

After Haeman had warmed up by the fire a rather large Half-Orc (Jughog) walks up. He asks Haeman if he has seen a lot of battle. Haeman, smiles a bit and nods speaking of a few things. In the course of the conversations the Half-Orc talks about being the shield and sword for Ellene in their travels together. Haeman thanks him for his honorable actions and the Half-Orc having heard Haeman was sickly offers to gather some healing moss. Haeman offers thanks and asks if he would like some blessings before he leaves. The Half-Orc nods and Haeman blesses him with protection magic (Magic Vestment +5, Shield of Faith +5, Spell Resistance 42, and Greater Magical Weapon +5) making him sway a bit unsteadily while thankfully using the cane to keep his balance. The Half-Orc thanks him and heads off.

Haeman looks around one last time as the lady that had been hitting on Ellene (Apotheosis) comes forward and asks for some protections as well. Haeman nods and blesses her with the same spells he gave the Half-Orc again feeling tired and a bit over exerted by the act but he doesn’t complain. He says his goodbyes to Squire Ellene and all around the campfire and shambles forward using his cane heading to the Friendly Arm Inn where he buys the cleaning supplies he needs and heads back to the Keep.

Inside the Keep Haeman kneels scrubbing the stone floors clean while humming to himself. At times he coughs into the cloth he has tucked into his belt. He’d gotten through almost half of the main floor. His back hurt a bit but it was a good hurt, and at least something not from his being sick and dying. Scrubbing the floors seems to keep him focused on a task and though some would say there was no glory in such a thing, he took pride in his work. Even the smallest things are important and should be given no less detail then the large world ending things. He smiles a bit at that, a good lesson for squires to learn. He will have to mention it to Lady Elvina if he gets a chance to talk to her. With him being sick and semi-retired to inactive duty or Honorable Member status she has had to perform all of the tasks he used to. It must be a terrible burden on her having to so suddenly perform not only her tasks but all of his. For now he has another task at hand as he scrubs a spot where someone had ground in some grass. He uses the edge of the brush to try to scratch the green stain off wondering if it was Lady Svala the Orders resident Druid who tracked it in. He laughs a bit and finally gets the stain removed and dunks the scrub brush in the bucket of soapy water next to him.

One of the Guards, Sir Frank walks up and asks, “Sir we’ve been talking and we are wondering why a Knight General…”

Haeman holds up a finger for him to wait coughing into the cloth he pulls out of his belt, a small spackle of blood on it as he folds it up and tucks it back away. The Guard pausing respectfully to allow him to finish coughing and Haeman looks up to him and corrects, “ Pardon me for the coughing, and its Former”.

The Guard Sir Frank clears his throat and changes his words, “We were wondering why a former Knight General is scrubbing the floors? Is this not a job for Squires?”

Haeman smiles at him a moment, “Well Sir, there is nothing wrong with a little hard work, but you are correct. Squires usually do this kind of job as part of building character and learning humility. Learning to take pride in all things, not just the big battles or the public displays. I’ll bring it up to the Commander as earlier while I was scrubbing I was thinking on that.”

The Guard looks at him a moment and salutes and turns, then pauses, “Sir, does this mean you will head to bed and allow a squire to finish the work?”

Haeman smiles at the Guard and says as he dunks the brush in the bucket and continues scrubbing and looking at all the floor left to finish, “Another thing that scrubbing the deck helps you learn. Always finish a task you start no matter how large or small of a task it might be.”

The Guard Sir Frank smiles and heads back down the hallways to relieve the off going Guard and take his post as Haeman begins to once again hum to himself as he scrubs the stone floors clean………

[gfya1369]

Scrubbing the floor Haeman looks up as the door to the outer hallways opens and Lady Elvina walks in. She greets him and he greets here while still scrubbing the stone floor. “Why are you scrubbing the floors, please stop.” she asks.

“It helps be clear my mind, and Sir Rand it needed to be done.” He replies pausing in his work.

“I need your help, there is a war about to start between the Drow and Zhents and the Elves of Doron Amar and the Order has offered our aid. I need your tactical advice.”

He nods a moment considering her words and asks, “Am I being reactivated M’lady?”

She replies with concern, “I would not wish to place you in jeopardy while you are still sick. But your advice is very much needed.”

He stands slowly grabbing his cane and dropping the brush in the bucket. “What are the numbers of the enemy and what do you think you will be up against? Stealth operatives? Druids? Mages?” He asks beginning to go through possible defenses in his mind.

Elvina replies, “I am not entirely sure. But I need to head to Candleekeep to get some heal potions. If I don’t go I believe Sir Seth is also gathering some supplies.”

Haeman nods and offers to go and talk as they walk, or in his case hobble. As they near the door, he begins telling her how to best deploy those of the Order who are there, how to cut off the Clerics and Mages from their spells making them useless, How to battle shape changed Druids, and how to extend the battle by using the resources at her disposal. She listens intently and nods asking what would be best for her to do. Haeman ponders a moment and offers his suggestions. Just then Sir Seth walks in with a few bags of supplies. They all greet each other as Haeman leans on his cane and Sir Seth mentions seeing Mr. Mendel heading off towards Gullykin for the meeting. Elvina looks to Haeman, “Thank you for your council. If anything happens my brush is on my nightstand with hair in it.”

Haeman nods understanding her meaning. That if needed he could resurrect her with the use of the hair. Sir Seth as first looks confused and Haeman replies before they leave, “I will bring you back if needed M’lady.”

Seth smiles understanding and says his farewells as he too exits the keep. Haeman then begins to pace back and forth, his cane clanking on the stone floor as he does so. Only two of the Order was going, things must be must worse than he has first though. The others must be needed for other issues that are going on in the region. He stops pacing and looks down at his cane for a long hard moment. He may not be activated but there is no way he’s going to not help. He heads to the infirmary and begins donning his armor despite Sister Mary Katherine’s protests. The daily healings from Lady Angelina, and others having helped make him feel better and less crippled by sickness, but it still wasn’t stopping his slow road to dying. He grabs his hammer happily surprised he can heft it and then with the use of his cane heads out of the keep towards Gullykin.

His walk there is uneventful under the protection of greater sanctuary, and he soon enters the town. Asking a Hin where everyone is he is directed towards the tower. He walks to the door opening it and steps inside. “SIR HAEMAN!” Elvina exclaims seeing him enter.

Haeman smiles a moment looking around the room. It appears most of the meeting is over and some are off to scout. He looks to Elvina, “I couldn’t just stay in bed”, he says as he pulls out a cloth and coughs into it and then tucks it back into his belt.

Both Elvina and Seth look at him with concern but seem glad he is there. He watches the scouts leave and then talks to the others about strategy. As he is speaking Lady Elvina informs him that she and Seth had already told them the information he has said earlier at the keep and Haeman smiles and nods. After preparing they all head out into the town to patrol.

After some time of patrolling Haeman walks back to the south gate to see that a man had approached wearing red spiked armor (Arres). He begins speaking of Black Orcs and wishing to help. Laisren and Elvina take him towards the Tower to speak to him and after some time Laisren comes back speaking of a Doron scout having come from the north to tell him that Black Orcs had defeated the Flaming Fist fort north of the Forest of Sharp Teeth and that they may be heading south. Haeman nods and heads to the Tower heading inside.

Inside the man in spiked armor is speaking of his past and Helm. Soon Laisren enters and both he and Elvina ask him a series of questions to determine if he can be trusted. In the end he is and offers his aid against the Zhents and heads off to patrol as they all head back out into the town.

Everyone prepares, but soon a Doron scout comes up from the south and speaks to Laisren for a while. When the scout leaves, he turns to the others and tells them the news that the Zhents has turned back towards Amn. Everyone seems relieved when another Scout comes from the north and gives the terrible news. Black Orcs were attacking. The group quickly forms a plan to use a sending to get word to Doron Amar but when it is cast something seemed to be blocking it. They ask the Gullykin Mayor if he would lend some Hins to help sneak up on the Orcs and a few are offered to aid, the rest needed to defend the town if the Orcs should make it that far. The group forms another plan and then heads into the forest.

The Archers scout ahead already knowing from their previous scouting that the Orcs were just across the bridge and they set up upon a hill while the Clerics, mages and others wait below. With a sudden and effective volley of arrows a few of the Black Orcs fall. The rest begin moving north retreating. The Archers move Forward to keep them running as they lose their arrows and secure the bridge, and the Clerics, Mages and others move up to guard the bridge itself.

“Well this is interesting, OH There are a lot more on the other side of the bridge,”, a whisper of words hits Haeman’s ear.

Before he can even turn around there is an outcry and the lady Rai is dispatched and lays dead upon the ground near him. There is talk of her being a traitor, a spy, a Zhent, all manner of things. In the end it is decided to take her body to Doron as it appears the Orcs were retreating back north. Unfortunately the worse was coming as the forest itself shook, and trees began to fall. The Scouts rush ahead to check it out. The others wait near the bridge as the scouts are seen racing back, “DEMON!” one of them shouts..

Lady Elvina looks to Haeman, “Please get ready Sir Haeman.”

Haeman with his cane aiding him to walk, heads across the bridge north and as he does so raises his holy symbol up over his shoulder for her to see and says, “I am already ready M’lady.”

It is then he can see the Demon as some of the scouts are attacking it and it leaps and lands before them. Haeman holds out his holy symbol and with all the strength and faith in Lathander he has left within him he turns the Demon holding it back, making it unable to effectively attack. The others seeing their advantage commit to a full attack of the Demon. The battle rages at least an hour or more as everyone battles and attempts to damage the creature, to defeat it. Arrows fly, bolts from a crossbow, Dual weapon damage, and spells are cast as the Demon attempts to jump and move to get away going from one side of the gorge to another. Then somehow, someway someone shatters one of its horns and it cry’s out leaping into the air and heading north fleeing.

Haeman lets go of his enchantments and falls to a knee his strength leaving him, as Elvina and Seth come to keep him steady. He heads over to a stump and sits catching his breath as the others begin speaking of what to do about the Demon and wondering if the Black Orcs summoned it or the other way around. Haeman then takes the glowing hot holy symbol of Lathander and carefully places the chain back around his neck so he does not burn himself. Tan Jr. walks over to Haeman and says with astonishment in his voice, “That was very impressive”

Haeman nods and smiles kindly, “Thank you, Lathander heard our prayers”.

The mood is triumphant and others show up having already had an encounter with the Demon and brought reinforcements with them. One of them picks up a piece of the broken horn and Elvina calmly tries to correct her about the merit of such a thing. After everyone has been checked to make sure they are alright, some talk of heading to Doron Amar to treat the wounded, and others about going after the Demon. Haeman offers to the group that if the Demon comes back to send someone to get him at the Order’s Keep. Then Elvina helps Haeman to head back towards the keep as he uses one hand to steady himself with his cane and his other arm draped over Elvina’s shoulder. They meet up with Squire Ellene whose first question is always the question he hears lately, “Sir Haeman why are you out of bed?”

He’d laugh if it didn’t hurt so much simply to walk so he just smiles. Thankfully Elvina always having the presence of mind to think of others speaks and tells Squire Ellene and her group what happened and that she is taking Haeman back to the keep. Squire Ellene offers to aid and they head to the keep with an entire party alongside them including Sir Arkaine (a paladin halforc!), Apotheosis, Morgroth, Roland Brinson, and Mr. Buurk (the funniest halforc EVER!). Durring the conversations Apotheosis spits at the feet of Haeman and Elvina telling them to go sit in their thrones.. Haeman looks at her wondering what in the planes they even did to deserve such animosity. Elvina begins to lecture the lady about the dark path she is on. Knowing Elvina she will never allow someone to besmirch the Order nor lay a claim upon herself or Haeman that is completely unjustified. They stand there for a moment and Haeman trying to lighten the mood smiles and offers, “Can we walk and argue to the keep, I’d like to get there before I pass out.”

He thinks on that remark a moment knowing it’s a bit snippy as he is tired and his mind is becoming fuzzy again with all the exertion. They get a bit closer to the keep but not out of the forest of Sharp Teeth when Haeman has to stop and rest a moment. Buurk tries to heal Haeman and see if he is poisoned. Haeman lets him know about the Geas spell and that he just needs to get to the keep to lay down. Buurk being Buurk then picks Haeman up and carries him all the way through the forest and right up to the front of the keep and sets him down with a mighty laugh. Haeman smiles and says, “Thank you my friend”


Haeman says his farewells, and leaning on his cane he heads into the keep to get some much needed rest………….

[Hoihe]

Within Hoihe's cloak, a magical item of dimensional storage, is a vamprie's tooth, a balor's horn that serves as the Hellfire, Draconic scales of light and darkness, A troll's blood. The ritual is ready to proceed.

[LISA100595]

*After meeting with the Dukes about the suspected zhentarim leader in this area named Ambrose who was bound in shackles during the questioning, Lady Elvina goes back to the OSR Keep and writes a letter to Bentley and the other merchants to calm their fears about the suspected Zhentarim being on their property, as the OSR and Radiant Heart were directed to do by Order of the Dukes*


Dear Mr. Bentley Mirrorshade,

By order of the Dukes of Baldur's Gate I hereby respectfully ask forgiveness for the Flaming Fist Patrolman, who through dereliction of duty, brought the suspected Zhentarim Ambrose into your humble establishment, instead of bringing him directly to the jails and or the Dukes. After all of the evidence provided by the OSR, the Radiant Heart, Hoihe of Candlekeep and Elves of Endareshae and Doron Amar it is By order of the Dukes there was not enough evidence as of yet to have him hanged at this time, however they said they will be watching him closely as will all of us and he is still a suspect. We will work diligently to aquire the needed amount of evidence to support these claims and ensure the safety of your vendors and merchants as well. As always we extend our protection over the area surrounding the Friendly Arm Inn and would be happy to post Knights Inside the Inn walls If you would like? Furthermore I highly and respectfully recommend untill this man's name is cleared or he is hung for the crimes he has been accused of, that he be banned from stepping foot inside the Friendly Arm Inn walls or trading with it's vendors.

Respectfully,
Lady Elvina Aira-S'efarro
Knight Commander of the Order of the Silver Rose

*Elvina posts a copy on the board of the keep as well for all the Knights to read*