Organization: Central Michigan University
Date: Tuesday, 28 Jul 1992 16:32:51 EDT
From: Mike Sander <344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: <Repost?> [DQ]: Week 2, part one

[ADMIN: This is posted for Patrick (Rannou@info.polymtl.ca), who seems to
be having problems. This MAY be the third time YOU see it, but it's the
first for ME!]

=========================================================================
THE DRAGONQUEST: WEEK 2:  When you look at the Impossible,
                          Many Things are Possible...

Part one of three: Recap.

The "Official" DragonQuest members: (join anytime!)
    * SunStorm, a dwarven-sized giant,
    * Lancos, a fiery-red haired fighter
    * 'Raelf, a dimensional traveller,
    * Kadrys, a vampire thief,
and * Valgar, an adventurer (sorry, but your PC description
                           wasn't in the official list).

ADMIN: No need to hit the panic button if I don't seem to "be" there:
       Sometimes a few days passes and I don't have the chance or time to
       post on the newsgroup. I'll post at least once a week.

RECAP TIME:

The previous (mob fight) night:
* In the evening, the Group agreed to meet at dawn.
* In the evening, SunStorm went to see a seer.
* Lancos bought supplies and equipment for everybody.
  Among other things: a lightproof cloak for Kadrys.
  Lancos also explored the ciry.
* 'Raelf drank nearly to his death (see Zia DeathWatch thread).
* 'Raelf and Kadrys disappeared for a few seconds, while SunStorm
  was sleeping... (see Zia DeathWatch thread).

The first day: Dawn
* Lancos prepared all the arrangements (what a great guy!)
<ed: Hey, I SWEAR PATRICK put that in --REALLY!>
* SunStorm had trouble sleeping (nightmares...).
* The conversation on the riddles took place (see below).
* 'Raelf ate a lot (magic is hard work).
* Everybody knows that Kadry is a vampire thief, but since he doesn't seem
  evil, nobody has a problem accepting him.
* Valgar joined and washed (he really looked like a guy down on his luck).
  He also shaved in order to better hide from Deimos (see the Valgar thread).

The first day: Morning
* 'Raelf made magically a nice set of clothing for Valgar. What a nice guy!
* SunStorm and Lancos went to see the Watch of the City
* 'Raelf visited the city

The first day: Late Afternoon/Evening
* Lancos and SunStorm returns.
* NOW! ...and a sudden departure. (see next post)

CONVERSATIONS ON THE RIDDLES:

* Here are the riddles:

+ SunStorm waited a moment to be sure the others were listening, and then
+ started to repeat what Denriqa had "divined"...

+ "A Book, A Rook, A Crook and a Nook,
+  A Cave, A Grave, A Grief and a Thief,
+  One contains a Secret, Steals it, Binds it,
+  And the Other contains only a Promise of Fear."

+ "When you look at the Impossible, many Things are Possible.
+  The Self Is Balance, and Balance is Change.
+  And Change is a Quest in itself, so that One may See.
+  And That is the Key: To Get to the Other Side."

+ "Beware the Vampyre. Alone one can't hope to survived against him.
+  Even one such as you. Because one can't kill what *IS* Death.
+  You'll need one who knows your Enemy because he Lived his Life,
+  You'll need one who knows the Way OUt, and knows Magic also,
+  You'll need one much like you, because you'll protect each other,
+  You may need a few Others, like maybe One who Knows the Dark in Itself,
+  You'll need to Fear your Fear, and You'll be Betrayed by a Brother."

+ and finally:
+ "Time is of the Essence: Find the Presence, Lose the Balance.
+  The Dragon is There, Already in the Dark. He Need and Will Help.
+  A Dark Armor wants Revenge, and Cast Into the Dark He Will.
+  Himself, Forever. You, for a Trial, and Everything, If You Fail."

* Here is, in short, what each DragonQuestor said:

* 1st verse:
-Kadrys may be the thief mentioned, or it's the person who stole TS.
-'nook' could be inn (18 corners) or any other obscure place.
-The rest is very vague.
-'grave' and 'grief' could be linked to Zia's death (unlikely), but
 could also mean that TS is in very bad shape.
<ed: Guess that shows how much _I_ know :-(!>
-'secret' could be considered another thievery reference.
-the 'cave' will surely be visited.
-'Raelf says that part is to make one curious. This part makes him
 "bafuzled".
-'rook' could be a bird, a castle(?), a thief, or a piece from a playing
 game called 'chess'.

*2nd verse
-A wise man said "nothing is impossible", so Lancos has problems believing
 that part.
<ed: Actually, he has problems believing EITHER. Berating seers is almost fun!>
-'Raelf says that part describe the quest, and could be true of any quest.

*3rd verse:
-Nearly everybody agrees that the second part means the DragonQuestors
themselves, in order: Kadrys, 'Raelf, Lancos, and Valgar since he's the
only one left.
-It is suggested that maybe the "betrayal" is one from a brother-in-arms,
and not a true brother (Valgar is a little bit paranoid, and thinks Kadrys
could be the enemy "Vampyre"). Lancos is sure the first lines don't concern
Kadrys.
-'Raelf says that part talks about opponents and allies.

*4th verse:
-very vague. Time seems to be important.
-The 'presence' could be TS's, the enemy's, or whatever.
-There seems to be a contradiction with the 2nd riddle, about "balance".
-Lots of dark (evil?) references, which some feel means the quest won't be
easy.
-The dark armor could be a haunted armor.
-'Raelf says that part is "usual warnings and sheitz".

*Other info that we gathered:
-There was no sign of any dragon in the riot/MOB battle.
-Many things in the riddles could well be not real things but only
 "images", and should be taken symbolically.

OTHER BITS OF DISCUSSIN':

Kadrys: ...He pauses, and his expressions darkens. "I find it
deeply intriguing that one of my kind appears to be your foe, SunStorm. How
have you crossed such a one in the past, that he would go to such lengths to
avenge himself upon you?" He adds quickly, "Anything you can tell us about
your enemy would help us all to help you."

SunStorm: Well, I've never met a vampire before, believe me. I've met quite
          a few (minor) demons, and faced a dragon once, but that's it.
          As for knowledge of my enemy, if I knew it, I'd tell it to you..
          of that you can be sure. I'm not one to not give useful info
          to party members... I heard legends about vampires, but only
          humans fell pray to that sickness... er, state of being.
          (SunStorm looked towards Kadrys, hoping not to have offended him)
          In Titania, Giants don't become vampires... so these monst... er,
          beings are quite rare... I know some serve the DemonMother, but
          we never managed to find any.

. . .
   "Great, a prophecy," Valgar thought to himself.  If there was one
thing Valgar hated more than slavery, it was prophecy.  After all, wasn't it
a prophecy that had led him into slavery in the first place?an extra

ADMIN: Slavery? That's *nothing* compared to what's gonna happen to you on
this quest!!! (just joking!!!).

   "Well," Valgar spoke up, momentarily startling the others, "SunStorm,
you said that you had a half-brother, but he is deceased.  The first
part mentions a grave, and later on ther is mention of a betrayal by a
brother.  What were the circumstances of his death, if I may inquire?
Since we're dealing with a vampire, death is not a certainty.

SunStorm: "Well, my half-brother was a traitor. He sided with the
          DemonHordes. Sad, really. It was him who led the demons to
          DiamondRise. My father -his father- killed him, in fact they
          killed each other. I'll always remember this day. But somehow,
          I think this has nothing to do with our present quest. I mean,
          my brother was buried in a crypt near DiamondRise, which is
          regularly patrolled. And the patrols never detected anything
          wrong, and anyway I've been here for only a few days. And he
          couldn't betray me, since I already know on which side he stands."

. . .
"The poem also mentions a suit of apparently haunted armor, perhaps another
undead minion of this vampire we seek."

SunStorm: Perhaps. I think, myself, that it could be that guy in a black
          armor, with a helm, I fought in the riot/MOB attack. Why?
          Well, he was in the nightmares I had this very night. OK,
          so it's not a good reason, but if it's not him, then I
          simply don't know.

. . .
"Maybe someone in the watch who was on-duty at the time might have
seen something." Valgar rethought his statement, realizing that he
might be recognized, "On second thought, that might not be such a good
idea... The watch certainly had their hands full, and any information
we'll get from them now would be unreliable at best. The riddle mentions a
cave. Does anyone know of any caverns near here? It would be pretty hard to
hide a dragon in the city. Maybe the dragonnappers took TrueSilver to a cave
and are hiding him there."

SunStorm: Hey, asking the watch is a very good idea! And finding nearby caves
could also be useful. So we have three avenues of actions: the watch, the
"underground" (i.e. asking for why the riot was there in the first place),
and the local maps. Still, it isn't much...

ADMIN: Week 2 part 1 is intended as a good recap of everything everybody
posted. The actually story, week 2 part 2, is in the next posting.

--
/---------------------------
| Patrick "Paradak" Rannou. |
| Rannou@info.polymtl.ca    |
---------------------------/
==========================================================================
Michael Sander 344lwkc@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu
AKA Lancos Erredan
Semi-Appropriate Quote: "A dark march lies ahead..."-Manowar