From: mcutter@gacvx2.gac.edu
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [G] Removal
Date: 25 Jan 93 17:12:27 -0600
Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota

[ADMIN]:  My apologies if I step on anybodies' toes by using the
after-effects of the Mother of All Battles.  I needed a cosmic event for
a catalyst and this provided the best one I have seen.  Enjoy......

***

A flash of light and an explosion rock the clearing.  Weapons are
quickly drawn, for the party is quite certain they are in the warriors
nightmare:  caught unaware on unknown ground by an unknown foe.  They
are only partially right.

Already, the group has started to come together.  Glystern quickly
mounts a search of the camp.  This proves futile.  Bran Pathseeker and
Traveler are gone.

The next morning sees the construction of two cairns.  Because no bodies
were found, provisions, gear, and mounts are left with them.  Perhaps
one of the lost ones will return to find this offering.  If not, someone
will venture by.  With heavy hearts, the party moves onward.

Nightfall comes at the heels of an uneventful day.  Camp is made, and a
meal is prepared.  Throughout the evening, a feeling of unease has been
spreading from one member to another.  None have a reason for it, but
all are certain that something monumental is about to happen.

***

[Miles away, a battle is climaxing.  Incredible forces have been
unleashed, and one man makes a choice that will change the face of
Generica forever.  The Great Mother has been defeated.  But the power
unleashed by her in battle has secondary effects throughout the plane.]

***

Thorr-kan's first warning is a chirp of confusion from his
pseudo-dragon companions.  Gleep grows more frantic with each passing
moment.  The White Minotaur takes stock of the situation around him. 
Nothing seems wrong but it would be wise to pass on a warning.

"Roger, I believe something is about..." Thorr-kan starts.  He never
gets the chance to finish.  The Horn of Justice begins to glow in his
hands, giving off a pale white glow. Gleep settles on his friend's
shoulder as the world comes apart.

Chaos erupts in the campsite.  People and horses are thrown in every
direction.  Lava flows through one end of the clearing while the rest freezes.
Thorr-kan has a moment's grace from Gleep's warning.  He is already
moving when a form appears in front of him.

"I do not take kindly to outside interference, man-beast.  You and your
master were not invited to this game.  This chaos presents a perfect
opportunity for me to make an example out of you to other meddlers," the
Elder sneers.  "Upstart gods should not disturb their betters.  Tell
your Kiri-Jolith this if you see him again!"

Thorr-kan snarls incoherently and charges, his halberd raised high. 
Perhaps he will be able to get in one blow before death.  Instead, the
White Minotaur feels a Power reach for him, pressing against Gleep's
shields for an instant and then crushing them mercilessly.  The chaotic
clearing disappears, consciousness fades.

***

[So, upstart, you would dare challenge me?]

{This is not my plane.  But yonder mortal is oath-sworn to me.  Such
bonds are not ignored, even by gods, except at great risk.}

[You are far from home, Kiri-Jolith.  You and you family hold no power
here.  Leave the mortal to his fate.]

{NO.  You will be stopped gamester, lest your influence spread to other
spheres.  I will alert the highgod to you manipulations.  I be nothing,
but can even you face his wrath?  Give me the mortal and limit your
games to this sphere.  I will oppose you no more.}

[Fine, the man-beast was a variable anyways.  But know that I do this
without fear of you or your puny highgod.  I will settl accounts for us
at a later time...]

{Indeed, manipulator.  Just because I have forsworn interferring with
you does not mean my companions have.  Be warned.}

***

Consciousness returns slowly.  The White Minotaur raises his head,
shaking it to clear the buzzing.  Gleep lies curled up on his chest.

"Little one, from now on, remind me not to get involved personally with gods.  
They have little taste for interference and no mercy.  Regardless of our
luck in the past two encounters, I have no want to face Kiri-Jolith
again, much less the Queen of Darkness."

Thorr-kan takes stock of his situation.  Once again, he has nothing but
the weapons he holds and the gear on his back.  That does not bother
him.  After all, nations had been forged from as little.  'I should
know;  I forged one,' he thinks with a toothy grin.

The minotaur and the pseudo-dragon set off down the path to a roadway. 
They have travelled this road once before, on an errand of mercy and
desparation.  It led them to the opening of a haven for adventurers. 
Dawn breaks over Generica as the White Minotaur turns his steps and mind
once again to the Dragon's Inn...

There, perhaps, would lie answers.  If not, then at last more
interesting questions could be found.


-Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur

********************************************************************************
Peace through strength!                            Victory through annihilation!
Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@nic.gac.edu OR mcutter@vax2.gac.edu
Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them!
********************************************************************************