Please Note: This thread is directly associated with <this topic> and you need to read it first! Also, Ornell is still the Avatar of the Goddess of Flames through out the entire quest... though it will not effect the way I play her. It's simply for sanity sake and to keep my time line (and how this quest related to the main plot of the site).

On Posting: I will be posting either once a week, or every 2-3 posts depending on how fast or slow this topic is moving. Any person can post ONCE between every time I post! If you don't post and you wanted to be there, you can pretend you were in the area before hand. AKA you can be there without being there! In D&D it's called Purple Mist! ^_^

If you want to have come with Ornell here from Istan City you have to post before I post again. What happened to you can be different then what happened with Ornell, but not gorssely different please! Thanks.

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The way to the mountain itself had been rather uneventful and very quiet. She had felt on edge the entire time as she flew with Valen above the group. She had been debating offering a ride to someone, but she feared that they would think she was playing favorites. So she managed to make herself feel only more away from them. Part of that was no doubt caution. She didn't know how many of them knew she was the Avatar of the Goddess of Fire. With what Lady Era was dealing with she didn't know if she would even still exist after all of this. She wished to, no doubt about that, but whether she would be able to was an entirely different question.

Valen landed on a spire of stone near the path he had scouted out a week ago. His head swiveled from the group to the path and then back to the group. Were they powerful enough? She had been hoping for more numbers. Even a few more allies would be nice. She didn't wish to have her mind clouded with doubt though. She still had promises to keep and things to do. Time felt as if it was pressing in on her. Something didn't feel right and she felt that this quest of hers, this quest she was making all of theirs, was really worth what it seemed to be. She felt heavy in her armor and with her blades too. She felt the weight of so much right now that she was extremely grateful to Valen’s strength. The once little dragon she had cared for as a young thing was now a steadfast protector and a dear friend. She wished she could do more for him and sometimes she wondered if she was somehow keeping him away from others of his own kind. She would have to question him about that later.

Rith had been unable to help with the caravan or even to join it; there were more pressing matters to attend to first. There were critical meetings of which Rith cold not postpone. The wariness of the Mindflayers had mad things take longer than expected. The Brain Elders were probably on to him, though even if that were the case it would only prove a small hindrance to his plans. Rith didn’t send one of his creations or even his shadow in his stead because there was more than enough there already helping out the caravan. Rith wondered why the Goddess hadn’t thought to fortify the caravan better, though the foes they faced were unusual. Either they were unlucky or the caravan carried something strange amongst its cargo which attracted its assailants. Rith would have to investigate this later. It wasn’t of grave importance.

Rith and Misery flew out of the shadow of the Mountains, making sure he was unseen by Ornell’s caravan as well as Ornell herself. He wanted to avoid certain questions which needn’t be asked. Rith appeared in the form of his human alias in which he had already met Ornell, Sarro. His clothes were little different from the day he had met her; they were still dark and more fitting of an aristocrat than an adventurer, but not so much that it would be foolishto go adventuring in them. Rith guided his flying steed over the path and it wasn’t long until he caught sight of the caravan and further along Ornell and Valen. “My apologies for not appearing sooner, Ornell. Its better late then never, is it not?” Rith smiled as the large black bird flew towards the pair and perched upon a nearby spire.

Eliel rode atop Gwen, a smile upon his face. Both were fairly calm, taking joy in the uneventfulness so far. They kept quiet, save for the slight rattling of Eliel’s many weapons. The umbra yawned, giving a slight shiver. Eliel felt a boredom seep into his mind through her link, chuckling. “I know, dear. As am I.” He clicked his tongue as the umbra rolled her eyes.

Eliel wove his fingers together, feeling the cool metal of his gauntlet under his scarred palm. He raised them above his head, leaning his head back to look into the sky. His back arched like a bow, crimson eyes catching sight of something approaching Ornell. Frowning, he came from his position and watched as a human approached and spoke to her. Eliel’s sharp ears picked up a chunk of what he said.

That voice… it stirred something from the back of his mind. Something from long ago. He frowned and thought over it, thinking as he watched. The man might recognize Eliel, if he hadn’t changed too much. At least it would save him time trying to figure out who it was.

Still listening, Eliel turned his attentions to his armor, smiling as he rubbed at dirt specks. The black metal shone strangely, seeming to kill off most of the light hitting it. The gold, however shone with brilliance in complete contrast. The white sleeves were a magically reinforced fabric, with very fine chain beneath. He chuckled as he admired the work of his friend in the underdark, thinking of the drow smith and his brother, who was now Eliel’s son. Nemael resided with Cordelia for the moment, until he could return.

Eliel nudged Gwen, who sped up her pace to catch up with Ornell. “Gwen is rearing for a fight, Dear. Why is it we go unbothered?” He asked curiously, looking at her with crimson eyes. Strangely enough, having healed and gotten used to the light, he was fine with the sun, no longer bothering him. He even retained the drow infravisional capabilities.

Lilith had grown tired of flying and so she had landed a short time ago stretching her legs as she walked. Her feet were sandaled, although she didn’t like the feeling. She had made sure that the sandals were fashionable, with straps that wound up and showed off her legs by criss-crossing. She made her way along silently, unsure of who she could talk to here and at the same time enjoying the solitude. She felt like a soldier marching to battle. The only difference being the riches she would gain from the trip. The sparkling of imagined diamonds echoed in her eyes. She had not thought of much else since departing.

Lilith let out a small sigh, since the first attack the trip had been rather uneventful, and although some may not mind it she found with each passing hour she grew more bored. It wasn’t that she lusted for battle or killing or anything of the sort. She wasn’t the “bloodlust” type. Instead she wished for a travelling companion but saw none who really interested her so far, and so when Eliel rode by her a smile played on her lips. She didn’t approach him yet, instead she kept her steady pace, following him towards Ornell. To run after him would seem a little too desperate, although they had been playing games with each other for awhile.

She reached them soon enough to catch the end of what Eliel said, although she missed the first it didn’t seem all that important, besides she probably could’ve guessed. ”Perhaps dearest,” Lilith slipped next to Eliel and flashed him a smile. ”We fought so well the first time they’re too scared too try again. Or… perhaps they are waiting for us to let down our guard and spring on us.” She gazed over at Ornell catching sight of Rith beside her. She smiled at the man but didn’t do much more than that. While waiting for a reply she let her eyes slip over the group once more before she gazed out at the horizon.

Things had not gone as well as Melmoth had hoped since he'd joined this little quest. The incident in Istan, while not crippling the caravan, fortold more unpleasantness on the road to whereever they were headed. He guessed he'd missed out on the part where their fearless leader explained the exact point of the quest, but the prospect of riches and possible magic items drew him like a fly to honey. For now, his sword was theirs.

He sighed, and pulled his large, floppy black hat forward to shield his eyes from the glare. It, along with his cloak were the only normal clothing he wore out in the desert. He had picked up a set of loose clothing supposedly well suited for desert travel, and while it had been white before he'd left, everything he wore was now a uniform sandy brown. The only good thing he could say about the getup, was that the long sash wrapped around his neck and face did indeed protect from blowing sand. His eyes were the only vulnerable part of him peeking out from under the sash, but thankfully sand in his eyes was not an often occurance.

If it wasn't for this infernal camel, this wouldn't be such a bad trip. He smacked it lightly on the neck and quietly urged the beast to stop lagging and catch up with the rest of the caravan. All through the journey, his mount had been a lazy one, and more often than not he was behind the others with nothing to do besides eat trail dust and wish the trip would end.

And it had, it seemed. In the desert, time had slipped away from him, and before he knew it, a line of mountains was looming on the horizon. He took a look at the things, judged their height, and sincerely hoped that climbing them was not part of the plan. Just a little more. The end is in sight.

Ornell let her gaze shift to Sarro as he arrives on a large bird and gave him a weak smile. She nodded and replied, "I suppose." She then turned her sight to the rest of the party. Valen shifted his weight slightly beneath her and she let her gaze travel to each person one at a time. Then she swung off Valen's shoulders and landed on the stone he had landed on, putting one foot before her and keeping the other under her, she let her weight drop so she skid down the slope of stone without loosing her footing.

She rose at the bottom of the path and looked up it. Without looking at the dragon she said, "Valen, please watch from the skies for now." She looked behind them. "You can leave the camels here."

She then motioned for the others to follow and rounded the rocks to where a rather broken paved road lead up the mountain. There was more then one place where the cobblestones were broken loose and plants used the gaps as purchase for rooting themselves to the mountain side. Still though, it was an actual road. A very well made one to still be as whole as it was and wide enough for even a wagon to travel up without any need to squeeze past anything. Ornell didn't hesitate, but walked right up the incline and followed it as it turned the corner once more, the large stones were soon noted to be more of a wall then anything else. To stop things from falling down the mountain. The stones were taller then her, but worn steps lead up them in a few places and many were flattened off at the top. Rounding one more turn she saw the cave up ahead. It was a huge opening but seemed lined with ice. The stones glistened with frost and many icicles hung from the entrance making it look like huge teeth.

The air itself was cold and she could see her breath as she came closer to the entrance. Just inside the cave she saw ice sculptures, figures of winged gargoyles make of ice and dusted, like much of the cave was, in a fine powder of snow. The Avatar lingered near the front, not wanting to be the first to enter because she was fire...

Rith followed Ornell to the ground, but unlike her did not dismount. The rest of the gang approached, each of which Rith had carefully monitored and researched. The only one he had chanced to meet before was Eliel who happened to speak first. A foolish question yet, it was little surprise. Rith had seen potential in the elf, but the creature moved on a separate path. The trappings of love snared Eliel and made the elf less useful for Rith's original designs. A pity to have such a fickle force as love stand in his way for a second time.

Lilith, a mischievous temptress, playfully replied to the arrogant nonsense. It was amusing what uneventful travels made poor souls ask for. They could only hope that irony would have the chance to manifest itself as some unwholesome beast.

"Asking for a fight in dragon territory is not the wisest of ideas. Even one as fierce as Gwen could become lunch in mere seconds," Rith warned.

"But where are my manners? For those of whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am Sarro and will be accompanying you for the remainder of this journey," Rith said as he issued a bow while tipping his hat. At the same time Misery seemed to bow of her own by lowering her head and bending her legs slightly.

After introductions were handled they approached an elaborate cavern entrance. Immediately Misery move close to one of the sculptures. He pulled out monocle form his pocket and leaned forward as he inspected the sculpture with his gaze. "Marvelous craftsmanship! I can see why it seems to take your breathe away, Ornell," Rith mused aloud as examined the gargoyle. He could guess easily the true reason why Lady Era's avatar seemed hesitant about moving forward.

Jarreth's eye began to burn as a thick bead of sweat swung in from his brow. His slightly sunburned hand rose up to clear the salty liquid from his face as he continued to watch the horizon. The desert was so haunting now that the group had arrived at the mountains. What used to be an uneventful, flat journey had developed a sinister atmosphere. It was like the desert had been cut out of the mountains by monumental claws. His mind drifted on these self-created myths as they approached closer and closer to the mountains. Soon, it was as if the peaks threatened to consume the sun itself.

Jarreth's golden armor gleamed brilliantly, partially from the reflection of the scorching sun and partially from something more mysterious. Jarreth used his left hand to loosen a waterskin from his hip and squeeze some of the precious liquid into his mouth. No amount of enchantment or magic would be able to prevent him dying from thirst, he gathered. A spare drop of water fell from the waterskin onto his armor and sizzled. Jarreth recalled wearing full plate during skirmishes in the Legion of White Souls. Armor was a necessary inconvenience even in the cold. He placed the waterskin back on his hip with one hand. He did not dare remove his grip from his loaded crossbow resting on the horn of Aina-Fae's saddle. Luckily for Jarreth, Aina-Fae was much more content than he was, even though both were wearing heavy plates. The celestial horse could easily frequent her own plane while Jarreth walked, allowing for much needed rest and nourishment. Jarreth made his jealously clear earlier in the trip. Aina gently nudged him with the side of her head in encouragement.

It was easy to become distracted by the heat. The impending death brought on by the extreme temperatures seemed more comforting than thoughts of his travel companions. He had seen auras consume most of them, and he did not like what he found. Of course, he was now bound by honor to serving Ornell on her task. She trusted them, so he would have to accomodate their presence. Fortunately, none had attempted any particularly unsavory acts, so he was not forced to hold back his blade.

Jarreth trotted up to the cave entrance where Ornell had stopped. Sarro had entered the cave first. The knight had only nodded at the brief introduction. He had become so bothered by those he was forced to travel with that he had stopped trying. Jarreth took heart in the cool air pushing out of the cave. His armor returned to a comfortable temperature rapidly. He looked down at Aina-Fae; she had a bad feeling, but refused to leave. Jarreth nodded sympathetically. He too felt something amiss.

"Be wary," Jarreth issued, "this is the first time that the terrain has not granted us forewarning of an attack."

As Jarreth and Aina-Fae stepped into the entrance of the cave, the holy knight's plate armor began to glow brilliantly. Jarreth hoped it would be sufficient to start chasing back some of the shadows so that he could assess his own concerns.

Tumnus moved through the broken terrain with ease as his long lanky arm's propelled him over the largest blockades and he soon caught up to the group of warriors and mages that had followed Ornell to the cavern. He had been waylaid within the city so he had missed the first skirmish but Tumnus was ready to pounce on the next foe that met the group. He saluted the brave looking paladin and the one he knew as Ornell before quickly passing on into the inside of the cave. He didn't move much farther as his warrior's sixth sense was already ticking in the back of his brain.

Tumnus' brain pulsed as he made his way a little farther up to where the one called Sarro was. Tumnus looked over one of the statues, seeing the immense beauty that radiated from them. While he was no craftsmen, the troll could surely see the marvelous work of the items.

"Well are we going to move in," the newcomer said allowed, hoping that the group would begin their fight sooner rather than later before Tumnus' nerves got the better of him. As he waited for the group to begin their progress down into the cavern, Tumnus flexed his covered hands and even sent the claws in and out while he waited. The gauntlets that covered his hands were the only item of quality on Tumnus but they were built in such a superb fashion that even a masterwork blade would find it hard to even scratch the black surface. While this was quite amazing, Tumnus had figured out the gauntlets were quite attached too him and almost never came off his hands. After working out his nerves, Tumnus glanced around to see if the rest of the party had moved foward.

Eliel nodded at Rith. “Well, I don't think she's dumb enough to fight a dragon. But you never know...” He moved his leg as Gwen turned her head to nip at his foot playfully. He patted Gwen's shoulder lovingly, scratching her head.

Looking at Lilith joyfully, he placed a hand on Gwen's shoulders, pushing and sliding off her. He walked next to Lilith, Gwen shaking her matted fur and walking ahead of him a bit to meet up with the others.

Eliel chuckled at her. “Maybe so.” He said, winking a golden-topaz eye at her. It was the first change of a few that had come over him since his agreement with Mathideton, a solar whom had been the owner of Luriel at one time. The angel was a fighter, enjoying battle as much if not more than most.

“By the by, I've a new friend.” He said with a wink, sliding the armored sleeve of his armor up enough to reveal the sigil on his forearm, a white mark on his black skin. His celestial infusion had marked him with Mathideton's own sigil, the same that Luriel bore.

“How has my love been?” He asked in a quiet, joyous tone as he neared the others.

Solara pulled hard on the reigns as Soote started to drift off toward a solitary bush.

"No, Soote!" she insisted with frustration. The giant lizard turned his head to look at Solara innocently before walking to the bush anyway.

Solara dropped her head low as if she was trying to bury her chin inside of her body while letting out a loud sigh. Soote was a handful. He was affectionate and gentle, but Solara's desires were second to a meal, even as one as meager as a dry plant in the desert. She briefly compared Soote's stubborness to some of the men she had met while preforming in various taverns. This made her let out a single giggle, and her mood improved ever so slightly. She had been fairly happy throughout the journey, but she was easily worn down by the harsh conditions.

She had fallen behind for most of the trip. Soote made sure of that. The lumbering creature was very useful to carry water and supplies without the need for a wagon. Unfortunately for Solara, she was not a wagoneer, and she often felt like more of a passenger than the one in charge. Of course, she was able to at least follow the caravan. Jarreth was always easy to spot if she felt like she was becoming lost. She was silently impressed by his ease on top of Aina'fea. She felt embarrased when she thought of her own performance. For some reason, she always felt self-concious around the knight. She always laughed at herself more when he was around, as well. She recognized the torn thoughts but tried not to become distracted by them.

With another strong tug, Solara finally managed to tear Soote loose from his obsession with the now well-chewed plant. The lumbering lizard stomped forward with a clumsy-looking swagger. Solara had become used to the constant sloshing of the water containers strapped around her. She really had fallen behind this time. In the distance, she could see her companions start to move into the opening of a cave. She drummed her fingers on Soote's back as she waited for him to close some distance.

Valen stayed where he was for a moment, waiting for the tail end of their caravan to catch up before taking wing. He crouched low while waiting. That way he could easily launch himself into the air in a moment's notice.

After others passed in front of her and Sarro made a cover for her hesitation, she made her way past the entrance and deeper into the cave. Light reflected off the walls from Jarreth's armor, giving the entire place a soft glow and causing the dusting of snow to sparkle light faerie dust. Their footprints showed clearly on the frozen ground of the cavern. About halfway down the tunnel she saw what first looked like a cave-in. As she got closer she saw it wasn't. It was a ice wall and beyond it was an entire assortment of things. It looked like a caravan was on it's way towards them when it got sealed off in this cavern of ice. Ornell shivered slightly as she approached it.

"Oh my..." She said, her voice echoing softly off the walls. "This is it. Look!" She turned to point out what she had found to the others, though some may have found it about when she did. There was no people there, at least not living. Many shapes of people could be seen frozen in place though. The wagons looked like they too were frosted over and it seemed to give off the sense of something suspended in time behind glass.

Jarreth's eyes narrowed as Ornell revealed what she had found. The cave was actually very beautiful, like a clean frost in early winter. Aina'fea's footsteps crunched on the icy floor as they moved, and the glistening flakes reflected small rainbows of light. While the temperature was dropping rapidly, Jarreth was still comfortable and relieved from being out of the sun. Overall, he was washed with a sense of peace, except for the horrifying ice block that Ornell was examining. Jarreth slid off of Aina'fea and gave her a reassuring stroke across her neck before moving beside Ornell to take a closer look. Moving himself closer to the ice helped clarify objects within the block and cast a strange set of shadows back across the rest of the cave.

Resting his armored fingers on the ice, Jarreth bowed his head and mentioned, "We did not come all this way for a frozen graveyard, I pray."

Jarreth's eyes closed as he pressed more weight on the ice wall. He slowly dropped to a knee and began to pray for the unfortunate souls within the ice. He was becoming chilled in his armor but his prayer warmed him. He hoped that this act may bring peace to those that were now part of the ice. Aina'fea followed suit and bowed her head low, knowing how to behave during times of mourning and ritual. It was a quick prayer, a simple wish that within the block who had travelled the path of good have been ushered to a greater place. Jarreth moved his hand in a holy symbol across his chest before kissing his fingertips and pressing them against the ice. He then started to regain his feet and see if he could find any useful information about the cave or the eerie block of ice.

Aina'fea shook her head back and forth, tossing off a thin layer of snow from her mane. The steed still reserved a bad feeling which tugged at the back of Jarreth's mind.