Post by Kaber on Mar 18, 2008 4:02:15 GMT -5
I will move this to our sub forum if you wish but for now.....
Max had felt good. Better than he had in years in fact. There was so much to do and he couldn't help but get involved in every small detail, which undoubtedly annoyed a few but everything had to be just right. Algorn had begun rebuilding the stone golem guards and even proved useful in suggesting ways of improving certain areas. He had already begun planning the new road that would once again allow traffic to pass through the Conclave. Of course his enthusiasm for flights of fantasy were themselves an annoyance and Algorn could try Max's patience to no end. He had tried without success to get Max to approve Zeppelin carriers to fly cargo to various destinations. Armed of course. But Max knew these would be prime targets for dragons.
Then there was the partially collapsed wall. A group of stone masons under a dwarven general had begun repairing areas of the Great Wall when a 20' section had given way and fallen on the men. The dwarf was ok but a few humans were crushed and most of the others suffered broken bones. There wasn't enough components to resurrect all seven men and healing potions took time and money. Money that was rapidly dwindling in the face of repairs, labor and such. This was a Wizards Conclave by Glittergold. You would think they'd have plenty of healing and resurrection and the like. BAH! His wizards were busy on more important matters and so spells such as levitate and feather fall were not at hand during the accident. Max scowled.
On top of that reports were coming back from the Wyst and Max did not like what he was hearing. The fallen meteor that had sent a plum of debris high into the sky had caused violent storms for a full two weeks and work had to be halted on some projects. Some of the laborers quite when they saw a column of bright light shoot up from somewhere in the midst of the Wyst, followed a bit later by a blazing ribbon of light across the horizon.
Fortunately his men must have succeeded in restoring magic to the Wyst but now rumors of Gizgaurds transformation and Orcish tribes in the north uniting had him unsettled and still Orcish raids were growing in the west under some Orc warlord.
Then the herald had arrived yesterday. The Highland Wizards Guild had sent a messenger to announce their intended visit. A delegation of 5 Wizards. The messenger, a young girl with doughy eyes who appeared all wide eyed and innocent but who had a subtleness that spoke of years of experience and a shiftiness that Max didn't trust, said the meeting was an extension of goodwill and of aid but Max suspected they were more likely sizing up a potential threat. They would be arriving in three days.
Max turned from the window in his conference chamber and brought his attention to the new arrivals. Crysthania Leera and Thane Hammercraft had arrived just a few hours before. They were here to discuss matters of the Dead Swamp and how they might make a safe passage to the conclave for future trade caravans and to discuss matters which he had already been dwelling on. Crysthania was speaking.
"My Lord Warden. If you have knowledge of these creatures banding together it would benefit us both if you would share! The king is worried that they are preparing for war and although they are on the other side of the mountain he fears they will turn their attentions to his kingdom. You hold a strategic position, one which would allow better observation of their movements. The king requests that you allow a regiment to be stationed in one of the abandoned Conclavites to observe the Orc's and that you work with his men to establish a system of communication so that our Lord be informed of events as they happen. People are getting worried. The storms, strange lights in the sky and now this! Our Clerics are running ragged trying to stamp out the doom sayers and keep the peace. His majesty has already sent guards to Seeker City and emissaries to the neighboring kingdom to assist if need be. "
Thane only nodded in ascent and laid a hand on the clerics shoulder to calm her.
Max's scowl grew deeper.
Max had felt good. Better than he had in years in fact. There was so much to do and he couldn't help but get involved in every small detail, which undoubtedly annoyed a few but everything had to be just right. Algorn had begun rebuilding the stone golem guards and even proved useful in suggesting ways of improving certain areas. He had already begun planning the new road that would once again allow traffic to pass through the Conclave. Of course his enthusiasm for flights of fantasy were themselves an annoyance and Algorn could try Max's patience to no end. He had tried without success to get Max to approve Zeppelin carriers to fly cargo to various destinations. Armed of course. But Max knew these would be prime targets for dragons.
Then there was the partially collapsed wall. A group of stone masons under a dwarven general had begun repairing areas of the Great Wall when a 20' section had given way and fallen on the men. The dwarf was ok but a few humans were crushed and most of the others suffered broken bones. There wasn't enough components to resurrect all seven men and healing potions took time and money. Money that was rapidly dwindling in the face of repairs, labor and such. This was a Wizards Conclave by Glittergold. You would think they'd have plenty of healing and resurrection and the like. BAH! His wizards were busy on more important matters and so spells such as levitate and feather fall were not at hand during the accident. Max scowled.
On top of that reports were coming back from the Wyst and Max did not like what he was hearing. The fallen meteor that had sent a plum of debris high into the sky had caused violent storms for a full two weeks and work had to be halted on some projects. Some of the laborers quite when they saw a column of bright light shoot up from somewhere in the midst of the Wyst, followed a bit later by a blazing ribbon of light across the horizon.
Fortunately his men must have succeeded in restoring magic to the Wyst but now rumors of Gizgaurds transformation and Orcish tribes in the north uniting had him unsettled and still Orcish raids were growing in the west under some Orc warlord.
Then the herald had arrived yesterday. The Highland Wizards Guild had sent a messenger to announce their intended visit. A delegation of 5 Wizards. The messenger, a young girl with doughy eyes who appeared all wide eyed and innocent but who had a subtleness that spoke of years of experience and a shiftiness that Max didn't trust, said the meeting was an extension of goodwill and of aid but Max suspected they were more likely sizing up a potential threat. They would be arriving in three days.
Max turned from the window in his conference chamber and brought his attention to the new arrivals. Crysthania Leera and Thane Hammercraft had arrived just a few hours before. They were here to discuss matters of the Dead Swamp and how they might make a safe passage to the conclave for future trade caravans and to discuss matters which he had already been dwelling on. Crysthania was speaking.
"My Lord Warden. If you have knowledge of these creatures banding together it would benefit us both if you would share! The king is worried that they are preparing for war and although they are on the other side of the mountain he fears they will turn their attentions to his kingdom. You hold a strategic position, one which would allow better observation of their movements. The king requests that you allow a regiment to be stationed in one of the abandoned Conclavites to observe the Orc's and that you work with his men to establish a system of communication so that our Lord be informed of events as they happen. People are getting worried. The storms, strange lights in the sky and now this! Our Clerics are running ragged trying to stamp out the doom sayers and keep the peace. His majesty has already sent guards to Seeker City and emissaries to the neighboring kingdom to assist if need be. "
Thane only nodded in ascent and laid a hand on the clerics shoulder to calm her.
Max's scowl grew deeper.