Weave Master Role Play

[merctroop]

Paranoia sets into Zolf. He no longer wear his street cloths in Istari tower. Nor does he sleep inside the tower, preferring to stay at back ally taverns west of Baldur Gate. A slight increase in clothes moths can be seen around Istari tower.

Two letters are sent by messenger to Captain William and Elias.

To our esteemed leaders.

Recently I have heard many disturbing things about the Weave Masters. In order to clear my confusion I would like to be given access to records of the Weave Masters along with questions anwered. Records I wish to access are those the Weave Masters hand and dealing with Ramset family? Why did the Weave master Consort with and empower a Demon Princess? What is a shade? What do you know about Aeon and her life?

Guardian Zolf.

[osadam]

The number of mages in red grows everyday, Foggy feels a bit paranoid and preoccupied. It has been a few weeks since he had seen Hendal last, and to see him again made him happy. "Hendal ma friend how ya been!" he says enthusiastically. Hendal is a friend and the best scout he's ever seen, Foggy feels like there is no one better for the task he needs done.

"Tha ones in red are makin me nervous Hendal, there's one that claims not ta be one but somethin about him ain't right, could ya do me tha favor and watch his movements closely?" He describes the man and gives him his name, assured that Hendal would do what is needed of him.

"Tha scouts sure are busy lately with all tha necros and reds walkin around unchecked..."

[DM cort]

Elias stands behind the podium in the lectern at Istari Tower looking out over his peers. Not as nervous as the first time he stood here Elias seems more confident, if not a bit older than before. As the dim light falls across his features, it is noticed by all the serious tone on his face.

"Thank you all for attending this hastily called gathering. This is something that should have been done weeks ago, and the delay is something of my fault unfortunately."

Elias paces back and forth with his new hands folded behind his back. Not once does he attempt to smile in light of seeing all of his friends gathered.

"As you all would know, ill murmurings can be said against us now from all corners of the city. Despite our open door policy, and our recent works for good here, these rumors persist. Lies! Every one of them!"

For those that are looking closely they can see small fires burning in Elias's eyes.

"Many of you were not here to see how the Ramsets plagued our fair land. They were an evil of immense power! It drained our strength on a daily basis in our dealings with them, giving others opportunity to take advantage. The teifling princess was one of these that took advantage with her ill threats against us in the end! People think we would knowingly put the fate of our fair city in the hands of one such as her! The mere thought is appalling!"

The mage takes a deep breath and turns his back to the others only briefly. He closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. When he turns back to face his friends he is once again calm.

"Know you this, here and now. The Weavemasters make no pacts with those of evil intent! Analeese took advantage of our weakness that day, and threatened return to the land. She threatened to use the power of the phylacteries against us! The true threat we face in the matter is not the actual undead family, but a teifling princess of Cania, daughter to Mephistopheles himself! You have been made aware, now it is your duty as well to dispel the lies surrounding this tale."

He stops for a moment and drains a glass of water sitting on the pedestal before continuing.

"There is another threat that has been brought to light by an old and trusted friend to our order. This threat is possibly greater than the Ramsets, and will be difficult for the land as a whole to face. This new threat I speak of is an agent of the Zhentarim. The shade of one who was once a drow wizard known as Onyxium. Some of you already know of this threat firsthand. I too have suffered at the hands of this attacker only recently."

Elias looks down to his hands, sighs heavily, and continues his speech.

"We are to rally all of the support we can in this matter my friends. These are dark times for not only us, but all who live here on the Sword Coast. Only together, as we once fought threats before, can we stand against the evils plaguing us. I beseech you all to rally what support you can in this matter from those that would not see our land imperiled. I have pledged full support of our order to the good Sir Justin Crownsilver in the cause of removing the Zhents from our land. This pledge takes precedence over all others currently active, and will be upheld. If you have any questions of me, I will be in the library."

Unceremoniously Elias steps down from the podium and exits the room, staring at the floor as he makes his way to the library.

[merctroop]

Shortly after his meeting with Elias, Zolf vanishes. Pantries are fuller then they have ever been. Routine feeding frenzies cease, no longer showing up on his carefully planned feeding route. None of the city bakers have seen him.

Moths flying around inside Istari tower slowly decrease in numbers.

OOC: Further info here.
PM me if any one is investigating since I have to talk to killers first.

theswordcoast.proboards.comindex.cgi?board=theelfsongtavern&action=display&thread=3485

[kulyeh]

In recent days Boddynock has become increasingly distant, changing from a normaly warm and friendly person to a very preoccupied, hardly notices the world around him kind of person. He hardly speaks with anyone, and has even begun to take his meals in private and keep his door locked. Even people he considers close friends wonder what is going on, until, one day, his furnishings simply vanish. The room now appears to be nothing more than a small library and storage room now, with all the bookcases and chests locked of course. A small note is tacked on the door however, it reads thusly,

"I have decided to move back to Candlekeep, but I didn't want anyone to take my room, so I put a lot of my stuff in it. - Boddynock"

Shortly after these changes, large deliveries of stone and other assorted materials began arriving Istari Tower, all going directly to the quarters of one Boddynock Namfoodle. Among the more mundane goods are scattered several materials common in enchanting things on a permanant basis. And the most memorable order yet is what appears to be the keystone for an archway, the memorable part is that it is carved from solid amber. Anyone who cares to read the trail of open books that Boddynock leaves behind him find many referances to teleportation, portals, Evermeet, the Netherese Empire, a man named Krasus, and something called "The Nether Scrolls". And, strangely enough, weird noises can be heard coming through the thick stone of the walls surrounding Boddynock's room at very odd hours.

*Boddynock has not been seen in the tower in some time, regardless of the noises emanating from his room.*

[DM williamfredrickson]

“What in Faerun is that racket!”

Captain William stumbled out of his quarters sometime in the early hours of the morning. Rather annoyed at being woken up, he tossed on a pair of breeches and a shirt and sleepily wandered down the hall. For the second time in that night he had been awoken by strange sounds coming from Boddyknock’s room. Peering into the open doorway, he sighed as he saw all of the scattered stone, books, scrolls and chests.

“What is that gnome up to?” Scratching his beard, he glanced at one of the several open books on the floor. Picking up the tome carefully, he read a few lines.

“The Nether Scrolls?” Wracking his mind for an almost tossed aside memory, William recalled a tale Elias had once told him of the Netherese Empire…

Reading through the rest of the notes and scrolls, William becomes increasingly concerned. Shaking his head, and curiously studying all the materials scattered about, the Captain finally returned to his room, hoping that the rest of the night would be quiet…

Settling back into his bed, he made a mental note to head down to Candlekeep sometime soon to have a little chat with Boddyknock.

[DM williamfredrickson]

An announcement has gone out to all members of the guild to assemble in the entrance hall of the Istari Tower for an important proclamation from Captain William and Elite Magus Elias.

The two senior council members of the guild wait for the chamber to fill, and after saying a few quiet words to each other Captain William address the crowd.

“My friends!” he begins. “As you all know, much recent suspicion has fallen upon our guild. Vicious rumors have been spread about by deceitful sorts, and have been quickly been picked up by those who only fault is ignorance.”

William looks over the crowd, watching their reaction. After a quick glance at Elias, he continues. “As I trust you all know, these rumors are of course false. You have my word of honor that they are so. But despite this, there are many who do not believe us. Sadly, these accusations have caused several of our guild to leave us, though we bear them no ill will.”

“These rumors have also made it difficult for us to gain new recruits, leaving our defensives and resources to be much less than would be desired. However, Elite Magus Elias and I have recently been in discussion and negotiations with a conclave of mages to the south. They are known as the Cowled Wizards of Athkatla, and they have long been a strong organization in the lands of Amn. It is their duty to protect and uphold proper use of the Weave in their city of Athkatla and the surrounding areas. The goals of the Cowled Wizards and the Weave Masters are much of the same. We both seek to protect the Weave. We both seek to maintain peace and order. We both wish to guard our patron cities…”

The Captain gazes over the crowd again, studying them slowly. “And while it is true that the Cowls have imprisoned many rouge spellcasters over the years, it must be known that they do so for the safety of their city and the common good.”

William spots Foggy out of the crowd and smiles. “Just recently, Arcanist Foggy McGee and Elias assisted a group of Cowled Wizards in the detaining of a dangerous deviant spellcaster, and after a heroic battle of spells the combined forces of the Weave Masters and the Cowls brought the evil mage to justice.” The crowd applauds Foggy and Elias’s work, and after the noise dies down, William continues.

“Though they did great work in stopping this one dangerous spellcaster, this by no means is the last one that is running around out there. There will be more. The Cowled Wizards have asked for our aid in this matter. They have requested our assistance in tracking down these deviants in our lands, and we have agreed to aid them. In return, they have promised to provide us with aid, both in the terms of resources, and mage power.”

William paused for a moment, and motions to a group of grey robed wizards standing near the edge of the crowd. “The Cowls have offered leave some of their number at our tower as ambassadors, and to see to the protection of those within. Know that these mages will give their lives to protect our tower, and will assist us by an means needed if we require their aid when danger strikes.”

The grey robed Cowled Wizards nod politely to the assembled crowd as William clears his throat and continues speaking.

“The Cowled Wizards have also requested our help in the study of a powerful magical artifact… it origins and powers are unknown at this time, but with study, Master Elias should be able to come up with some knowledge about it.”

William scratches his beard for a moment before finishing his announcement. “I have the highest hopes that our new alliance with the Cowled Wizards will be of great benefit to both of our guilds. I urge you to treat our new allies with the utmost respect and courtesy. They are here to help us, and we are here to help them.”

William bows to the crowd as he finishes his speech, and steps down off the podium. He shakes hands with Elias, and the two of them remain in the chamber for some time, answering any questions asked of them about the new alliance.


The Weave Masters are now allied for the time being with the Cowled Wizards of Athkatla. A small group of Cowls are have also taken up residence in the Istari Tower to both protect the tower itself, and lend aid to the Weave Masters when they need it.

[kulyeh]

Shortly after the Captain's visit to Boddynock's room, as if someone were aware of a book being moved, things were tidied up a bit. The room is still a mess, but books and scrolls are no longer left open or marked as to which page was being read last.

The noises have stoped and anyone who cares to open the door now will notice only that the stone on one wall of the room has been heavily inscribed with black runes that translate to gibberish and constantly move. One of the stones in this wall has been removed, having been replaced with the amber archstone at about the same height as the tops of the doors in the tower. A semicircle, resembling a summoning circle or a circle of protection, has been drawn on the floor in front of the wall in the same, black, moving runes.

The room positively hums with magical energies, reverberating with conjuration and illusion magics in equal measure. The shadows cast by candles and sconces on the walls dance wildly, as if by thier own will. And everyone who enters can't help but feel like someone is watching them from the shadows that seem to gather around the rune inscribed wall.

Should anyone dare to cross the semicircle and approach the wall they are greated by a recording of Boddynock's voice, "Don't touch anything!!!!"

[DM cort]

In the weeks following alliance with the Cowled Wizards few have seen Elias. Some have had brief conversations with him, though he has been very direct and distracted, seemingly anxious to return and lock himself inside Istari's spell chamber. Any who ask what he is up to are told that he is studying possibly the most interesting artifact he has ever seen.

[ri762]

"ASSSAAASIN!"
Bernard shouts, but the door to Elias room is closed and the next Weaveguardian is too far away.

The killer tries to hit Bernard with a poisoned arrow but the mixture of staggering and quick reaction of the bearded one-eye make it impossible to hit him. He draws his flail, breathing heavily - he swings it up in the air before hammering it down on the assassin

"CLONK".

The flail hits nothing but the armor of a gigantic Umberhulk, but Bernard fought hundreds of Beasts like this before and he knows how to pass an enormous armor. He grabs an arrow from his back - with a swift shift to the left he dodges the beast trying to hit him, he rams the arrow right into a soft spot of the Umberhulks throat pushing it deep into the beasts head.

Before he falls the killer shapeshifts back to his human form, hitting the ground with a cracking sound......blood leaks out of his open throat, the mouth and a small wound on the top of his head - inflected by the arrow-tip which went right through his brain,penetrating his skull.

"What a great day to move in!"..Bernard sighs. On his way out of the tower he grabs the nearest Weaveguardian:"Could someone warn Elias before he enters his room?...or better...send someone to clean that mess up...an assassin seemed to prepare a warm welcome for him."

"I need a drink"...Bernard hastes to the Elfsong

[DM Cephas]

The Passing of the Staff

A man, warmed by a grey worn cloak, walks through the city streets at dusk. His faded cowl conveniently hides his well-tanned face but a glimpse of his blonde beard can be seen by the few perceptive ones that pass him. He walks around with a staff wrapped with worn leather strips seemingly to keep a worn staff from falling apart. Many dismiss him as just another beggar wandering the streets and the man does not nothing to reveal otherwise. He seems to wander aimlessly through the city but any who might be following him would have been discovered through the man's purposeful travel.

The man finally stops and he finds himself in an alley behind Istari tower. He says a few words in Draconic and his eyes begin to glow as he looks all around him. His head moves right and left as if to give his ears ample opportunity to hear anything that may be nearby. Satisfied, he turns towards the tower and his hands scan the building. The magical force that protects it seems to pay no mind to the man -- in fact, it almost seems to welcome him. With a few words in Celestial and his hands pressed against two vine-hidden symbols
in the wall, a soft blue portal opens and the man walks through as the portal closes behind him.

Behind a false wall, the man peers through with magical eyes. He seems to smile a little as he recognizes two familiar faces in on of the chambers. William, the Weave Captain, and Elite Magus Elias Goodmane are sitting, intent on chatting the evening away. As if a ghost, the man walks through the wall and stands before the two. The Weave Captain, surprised but without skipping a beat, pulls out his blade and is on his feet as if ready to cleave the ethereal figure into two.

"Now, now, William. Is that any way to greet me?" The man pulls his cowl back and reveals the smiling face of Nahum Ithilduin, the Weave Master Exarch. Heartfelt greetings are shared all around but in a strangely hushed tone. Nahum's face then turns from joy to seriousness. "William, Elias... I have missed you both as well as all the others, but my return unfortunately is not permanent. I first want to apologize for my sudden disappearance. I wish I could tell you all the details but we do not have the time for it. My presence here threatens all of Baldur's Gate. If you recall, I was doing much research on the cube of Mystra and on the Nisharuu, the Weave-eaters. Though the two were unrelated research at first, it soon began apparent that the two were intertwined. With the counsel of my master, Elminster, I fled with the cube. It is currently guarded with the elves of the Deep Woods but our work is not yet done. There is much for me to do to safeguard the cube and it will take me to the ends of Faerun to do it. I only pass to make sure things are in order before my long journey.

We must make this fast however. I am being followed and it will not take them long to know that I am passing through Baldur's Gate. Elias, my faithful apprentice and friend. It is with great confidence that I pass on the leadership of the Weave Masters upon your shoulders. I had hoped to this with much more ceremony but necessity demands this. Should anyone contest your position, you need only show them this." With a a few words, the leathers straps that covered his staff fall to the ground to reveal the Staff of the Weave Exarch. It's glow and energy crackle in the hands of Nahum. "While I am away, care for my staff. It will not only display the authority given unto you but it will augment your mastery of the Weave once it proves you worthy."

Nahum suddenly straightens up and looks around. "Damnations, I have been found! I must leave you. Elias, care for the fellowship. William, protect your new Exarch! Stay strong and should Mystra and Ilmater be willing, I will be able to return to you soon!" Ethereal once more, Nahum disappears into the wall and he is not heard from again.


(((Sorry guys, things are just too busy in real life right now. This should tie up some loose ends for now until I figure out what to do in the long term))

[DM cort]

Nahum's swift arrival, and even more swift departure brought a whirlwind of emotions through his long time student and friend. After discussing the future of the Weave Masters, among many other things with Captain William the new Exarch said his farewell with a firm handshake and retired to his study.

Once alone the mage's mind raced with questions he wished to ask his master. As he stared into the fire in the hearth, a solitary tear streamed down his stony face, the only betrayal of his true emotion.

//You'll always be our Exarch Cephas. Best wishes in your real life adventure!

[DM williamfredrickson]

After Nahum’s departure, Captain William wandered the halls of the Istari Tower, alone with his thoughts…

For a long time now, Nahum had been one of William’s closest friends, and he was at a loss at his Exarch departed once again for unknown lands for an unknown, and probably long duration…

Nahum had been willing to give William a chance to prove himself, all that time ago… smiling slightly, the Captain recalled how before he had come to the Weave Masters he had been a wander, a rouge, a brawler… and a bit of a coward… but Nahum’s friendship, and that of the other members of the guild had struck a cord in the Captain’s soul, driving him to achieve and succeed more than he ever had before. He had perfected his skills at warfare, learned several more things about history, magic, and lore than he had ever hoped to know, made a respected name for himself, and had become a figure that people looked to for leadership, loyalty, and determination… under Nahum’s leadership, William had become a better, more honorable person…

Sighing to himself, Captain William returned to his quarters, greatly saddened over the departure of his Exarch, but also resolved and determined to help lead the Weave Masters as nobly as he could, and give his friend Elias, now Exarch Elias, as much aid as he could…

/// You've really made a big impact on the server, Cephas! Good luck with everything going on in RL, and we all hope to see you back when you can manage!