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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: A lament for lost comrades
A numbed silence fell over Aelistae. She had only held herself together through the events of the night before by hoping that, whatever trials she was facing, her companions were safe. To learn that two of them had fallen, ate through her resolve, and unleashed the tears that she had long held back.
“I…I had hoped…” she began, but never finished. Her mind was full of the kindnesses Loriel had shown her and the harsh words she had spoken to Kas. And now it was too late to either thank or apologize to them.
She brushed the tears away, willed them to stop, but they wouldn’t. And they didn’t, until Aelistae rose from the table and went outside. Both to be alone with her grief, and to be alone with her guilt.
---
[A short while later:]
“There’s something I need to confess,” Aelistae remarked, after she returned to the table in the inn. “Something I should have told you before…but…well I don’t think there’s any use in keeping secrets any more.”
Aelistae looked up at her assembled comrades, her eyes still raw from the tears she had shed.
“Last night, Linnix and I were taken to be sold as slaves. Before you ask we’re fine, and the slavers are dead. We had help: from a woman called Sheva, and by a man that I know. His name is Nash. Loriel suspected that I had been with this man and I assured her that no harm would come from me seeing him. But she was right, and I…I was wrong. As we fought something came over him, some demonic presence or…well I don’t know what it was. The humans that found us called him the Cardinal, said he was evil, but I know he isn’t.”
“So I lied to those that wanted to hunt him, because I believe that I can help him. I just…I just don’t know how.”
Posted on 2008-06-12 at 13:33:43.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Introductions
Aelistae’s fork hovered nervously above her bowl of stew, until Artanis appeared and dispelled any thoughts of the man by the bar being dangerous. The fork finally slipped into the depths of the bowl, skewered a morsel of the meat that floated within it, and brought it to her mouth.
Aelistae screwed up her face as she quickly swallowed the mouthful. It was not that the food was bad, but for a drow palate most surface meals were bland and tasteless unless they were liberally sprinkled with salt or garnished with spices.
Most of the meal still lay uneaten by the time that Artanis and her human friend made their way over to the table she shared with Linnix. The warrior-women greeted them both warmly, but her voice cracked and betrayed the sadness and unease that afflicted her.
“Sadly, although we were asleep last night it was not by our design. But…well we can talk about that later. There’s something I need to tell all of you.”
Aelistae bowed her head slightly in the direction of the human Artanis had introduced as Talus. “It’s good to meet you. But before you ask Bart if you can join us, you should know of what it is we seek. Please, both of you, join us,” she added with a wave towards the empty chairs that surrounded the table. “And I don’t suppose either of you want a barely eaten bowl of stew?”
Posted on 2008-06-11 at 14:06:52.
Edited on 2008-06-11 at 16:20:55 by Ginafae
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
Well I don't think our characters will be doing anything too dramatic for a while. So you have a bit of time Jozan.
The alternative is that you let Kaelyn do it, since there's not much to levelling a 4th level barbarian to a 5th level one.
Posted on 2008-06-11 at 08:41:59.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Unfriendly eyes
“Sometimes I think you’re the lucky one,” Aelistae replied thoughtfully, after Linnix had joined her at her table. “We’ve seen so much on this journey that I wish I could drift away into unconsciousness and forget it for a time. V’dri is more like a waking dream, where your mind replays events from your past even if you would avoid them. No, I don’t think you’d want to envy me for that.”
The drow priestess sighed before shaking her head apologetically. “I’m sorry Linnix, I’m not in the best of moods. I…”
Whatever she was about to say next was left unsaid. The barmaid returned with the stew Aelistae had requested, and her presence stilled her tongue. “Thank you,” she muttered to the woman, before prodding at the meal with a fork.
She had little intention, however, of tucking into the stew just yet. As the barmaid had sauntered away she had caught the unfriendly eyes of a human man upon her. He did not look as if he possessed a warrior’s physique, but, given what had happened the night before, Aelistae did not wish to take any chances.
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but there’s a male by the bar who hasn’t taken his eyes off of us,” she confided conspiratorially to Linnix.
Posted on 2008-06-11 at 08:38:22.
Edited on 2008-06-11 at 12:26:06 by Ginafae
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Topic: D&D 4.0 Discussion
Subject: ...
I don't agree it's a minor change. From what I see of things, the 'feel' of D&D has been lost, as has the 'feel' of the old classes.
But anyhow, for all those who wish to stay with 3.5 edition there is hope! Paizo (the people that used to publish Dragon magazine) have launched a project called 'Pathfinder'. Basically it's a slightly revised version of the 3.5 rules, which they're going to continue to support.
I've only had a quick look, but I think it looks very, very cool. And its designed to be compatible with all the old 3.5 ed. material.
The link is: http://paizo.com/pathfinder/pathfinderRPG
Posted on 2008-06-10 at 15:52:03.
Edited on 2008-06-11 at 08:32:21 by Ginafae
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Topic: 4th edition FR Information (not for the feint hearted)
Subject: (spoiler warning)
Well although I don't mind this becoming a general thread about 4th ed, it was originally supposed to be about the 4th edition version of the Forgotten Realms campaign. 
So on that topic, I do have something to say. Unfortunately it does contain a spoiler for anyone that is reading or intends to read The Lady Penitent trilogy (a series of FR novels). So I'll leave a spoiler space.
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
Okies, well the news is that Eilistraee is dead too, so all drow now only have one deity and that is Lolth. The justification by the likes of Rich Baker (one of the 4th. ed. FR campaign designers) is that they wanted drow to be a villainous race.
But somehow I don't buy that.
If that's the case why have a picture of Drizzt on the cover of the new FR campaign setting? Why kill off every NPC in the whole campaign (or very nearly so) except for a certain drow ranger? And more to the point, why have drow as a core race in the 4th edition PHB if they're supposed to be a villainous race?
The way I see it, 4th edition is all about stripping away any complexities or subtleties that may have been there in the D&D universe. You're supposed to be either good or evil. Play a stereotypically evil drow with a big leather whip, or a stereotypically good drow with a big panther companion.
It's all an effort take the roleplaying out of D&D. In future a session will look like this:
DM: Ok you see a room..
Player: I search it!
DM: Wait I hadn't finished. You see a room and in it there is...
Player: I draw my crossbow and shoot it!
DM: Let me finish! You see a room and in it there is a person wearing..
Player: I press the 'talk' button!
...or something like that. 
Posted on 2008-06-10 at 15:45:52.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Awake in the morning
The whole world took on a sepia tint from the grimy window that Aelistae was looking through. She had been up for hours, and the covers of her bed had barely been disturbed. Instead she had chosen to sit upon a small stool and look out at the streets of Castle Tethyr as night gave way to day.
At first it had been quiet. There were only a few lone women in the streets below, discretely plying their trade. But as murky, distilled sunlight fell upon the narrow lanes of the town, its citizens awoke. Peddlers began touting their wares. Richer nobles or merchants began to appear in elaborate palanquins. And currently a herd of large four-legged beasts, that Aelistae did not recognize, meandered sullenly along the road.
Ordinarily Aelistae would have been fascinated to catch a glimpse of everyday human life, but her mind and her thoughts were elsewhere. And the reflective, yellowy tint that the window in the inn gave to the world suited her mood perfectly.
‘That look he gave me,’ she thought, her mind replaying the events of the previous night. ‘I know in my heart that he is not evil. That even when he was ‘the Cardinal’, the man I loved was still there, pleading with me to help him.’
‘But,’ she thought with a sigh, ‘what can I do against such evil? How do I fight what I can’t see or touch?’
She had no answer, even as the hours wore on and a knock on her door told her it was time to make her way downstairs.
---
In the common room of the inn, Aelistae appeared once more as she had upon the road. Her hair was tied back, and she wore the same form-fitting leathers and silk shirt. The only difference to how she had looked before was that she wore a fine coat of mithril over her clothing, that hugged her curves like a second skin.
“We have some stew, if you’d like some Miss.”
Aelistae lifted her eyes from the small tankard of water she had ordered, and towards the barmaid who had served her, before nodding her head quietly.
"Yes, thank you."
Posted on 2008-06-10 at 15:30:13.
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Topic: RDINN Feature Updates/ Suggestions/ Bugs
Subject: Site issue
Actually the site was down for me on Sunday too and was down most of this morning (European time) as well.
Do you know what's going on Olan?
Posted on 2008-06-10 at 14:49:22.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
I don't think I'll post before the update. I might do a reply from Aelistae to Sheva as a backpost though.
Posted on 2008-06-09 at 21:18:45.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Betrayal?
Aelistae stood slumped against the wood-paneled wall. Her long hair fell across her face like a silvery veil that masked her features. Which was just as well, because the doubt and confusion written over them was not something she wished to share.
“But what of the Cardinal, I know he was in here, I could sense his aura, that foul reeking stench of evil that has haunted my senses ever since I took up the hunt to bring him down,” an armoured woman bellowed at her and her companions, “That girl’s own words verify it. Where is he, I do not sense him any longer. Speak up, tell me what you know!”
It was not an unreasonable request. All the instruction Aelistae had ever received told her that there were no grey areas, no moments of doubt that should be entertained when it came to fighting the demonic servants of Lolth. Everything they said or did were designed to ensnare the souls of mortals like her. But, despite it all, Aelistae could not believe the love she had shared with Nash was a lie. Or that the time they had spent together was an affront to her Goddess.
“We…we don’t know anything,” she lied, “The man helped to free us and then disappeared before the fighting was over.”
The Tyrran raised her eyebrow in response, as if suspecting what Aelistae had told her was an untruth. But as she moved among them, and helped to heal some of their wounds, she did not comment upon it further.
Aelistae brushed her hair away from her eyes, and revealed a face now set with as much resolve as the indecision she had earlier felt. She walked over and knelt by the cloak, which belonged to her, but which Nash had worn when he had first intruded upon the slave auction.
‘The Cardinal,’ she mouthed silently as she ran her fingers over the fabric of the garment. ‘At least I have a name for what is afflicting you, my love. I will find you, and I will free you from it.’
The man Tessa had addressed as Captain Gregory mentioned that they ought to consider joining something called the Bounty Hunters’ Guild and gave her a purse by way of reward, but Aelistae’s mind was elsewhere. As they left, she withdrew one of the small gems that lay in the small leather bag, and pressed it into the hands of Tessa.
“I’m sorry for all this. I promised when I went to the inn that I posed no threat, but because of who and what I am you were still placed in danger. I hope you can forgive me.”
[OOC: Before going to bed Aelistae will heal Linnix and herself back up to maximum hp, with cure light wounds spells]
Posted on 2008-06-09 at 08:35:20.
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Topic: Innocence Proves Nothing - Warhammer 40,000
Subject: Bump in the night...
The lift shuddered to a halt, and its doors opened into a darkened hallway. Tazi drew her laspistol with practiced ease, and it responded by thrumming comfortingly to life. She had found herself in the midst of a pack of Carrigan’s undesirables – none of whom she had even begun to trust. But her faithful ‘Fury’ laspistol was something that had never let her down.
“Sure, whatever,” Tazi remarked as the one called Mkoll suggested they split up and investigate the left and right corridor.
“Just don’t get yourself killed. I hear even the servitor’s get cranky about cleaning up blood stains,” she added with a wink.
Posted on 2008-06-08 at 19:36:43.
Edited on 2008-06-25 at 10:54:57 by Ginafae
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Topic: WH 40k Q&A - Innocence Proves Nothing
Subject: ...
I've written a post, i just need to post it.
I would have done so earlier, but it's been a busy last few days.
Posted on 2008-06-08 at 19:14:03.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: Falchions etc.
Ah well, trust Tyrrans to steal our loot with a morass of legal jargon.
Aelistae will not bother trying to claim it then. It's not that big a deal for her.
Posted on 2008-06-08 at 07:04:56.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
Quick query Kaelyn. I there anything to stop Aelistae from picking up some items as she leaves the auction house? (ie. the magical falchion)
Or are the 'heroic' Tyrrans stealing all the loot?
Posted on 2008-06-07 at 19:42:02.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Little time to say hello
Aelistae had always considered herself fortunate for having left Menzoberranzen before being inducted into Arach Tinilith – the anvil upon which Lolth’s priestesses were forged. She knew that the place would have killed her, or that even if she had survived she would have emerged so broken and twisted that she may as well have died. Yet as that portal closed around Nash, until nothing remained of him but the memory, Aelistae wondered whether fate had decreed that it was time for her past to finally catch up with her.
“That voice…” she murmured, reflecting on the sickly sweet tone in which Nash had spoken and the Abyssal scene that she had glimpsed through the portal. “Jallil dormagyn udossa. Dormagyn ukta.”*
Aelistae slumped against a wall, her sword almost slipping from her hand as she did so. “We should surrender to them. I have no wish to shed more blood.”
Her eyes fell first to Linnix, Tessa, and then the woman who had joined them. “My name is Aelistae D’Vrann. I’m sorry for dragging you into this Sheva. But whoever you are, and wherever you came from, I’m glad you fought with us.”
Aelistae wiped the blood from her sword and sheathed it. “We’re coming out! We were abducted by slavers. And we just fought to obtain our freedom,” she shouted to those outside the small room.
She set her sword aside, and left to see what justice the Tyrrans would provide.
OOC: *“Lady save us. Save him.”
Posted on 2008-06-06 at 20:35:09.
Edited on 2008-06-06 at 20:37:42 by Ginafae
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Topic: How much are you paying for gas?
Subject: ...
Well given that he was talking about 'Qatar Riyals' I imagine he's living in Qatar.
Posted on 2008-06-06 at 17:15:28.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: Whoo!
Yay! That's great news.
And it's also good to hear that Bri and DM will also be back in the fray before long.
Posted on 2008-06-06 at 17:12:13.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Fighting for control after the fighting is done
The battle was over, or very nearly so. The Calimshite swung futilely at Linnix after the young woman opened an ugly wound across his throat, and Nash had penned the mage into a corner. Aelistae, for her part, closed in to swing her blade at the Calimshite’s back while his attentions were diverted elsewhere.
[5’ move to provide flanking bonus for herself and Linnix, and then a melee attack]
Immediately after the auctioneer fell, Aelistae focused on the woman she had seen cut down a few moments before.
“Still alive,” she whispered thankfully, after she pressed her ear to her chest and noted that her heart was still beating. “Come back to us,” she added, as she pleaded with her Goddess to heal the human’s wounds.
[Casting Cure Moderate Wounds. Aelistae will swap out Silence to cast it.]
Black flames still wreathed around Nash like a shroud as Aelistae finished her work. She was barely sure he was still Nash – or at least the same man that she had known. Bloody gore dripped from his two-bladed weapon, and his face was still contorted with maniacal glee. But, even still, Aelistae was not ready to give up on him.
“Nash, fight it. There is no one left to kill. And we need you. ...I need you.”
Posted on 2008-06-06 at 13:37:07.
Edited on 2008-06-06 at 13:38:20 by Ginafae
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
Right I'll put up a post that includes more than one combat round, since there's only the auctioneer to polish off (presuming Nash can handle the mage).
Posted on 2008-06-06 at 06:51:36.
Edited on 2008-06-06 at 11:38:07 by Ginafae
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: The Unsung Heroes
Subject: Taking a breather
Aelistae’s eyes watered in pain. The keen edge of the slaver’s sword had seared into her back and had left an inky residue behind that had burned further into her flesh. But the pain she felt was more for the young woman she had seen brutally cut down before her. She had helped them without any thought for her own welfare, and to see her still form wounded Aelistae more deeply than the auctioneer’s blade.
‘Don’t die,’ she willed, ‘I will save you. Just don’t slip away…not yet.’
The drow priestess edged back out of reach of the slaver’s weapon, and fell into the simple words and gestures of a spell.
OOC: Aelistae is taking a 5’ step back our of range of the auctioneer’s falchion and is casting cure moderate wounds on herself. She’ll cast it by substituting out cat’s grace from her spell list.
Posted on 2008-06-05 at 10:26:22.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
It's lucky it wasn't a critical, which it might have been with a role of 18.
Posted on 2008-06-05 at 06:59:05.
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Topic: How much are you paying for gas?
Subject: ...
Actually OPEC countries haven't cut production. Production now is actually higher than it ever has been.
The problem is that Wall Street is making trading on futures (ie. the future likelihood that there will be less production that there is now). That's what's driving up the price of oil from the demand side.
There's also other factors as well. The weak US dollar has made a difference given that oil is traded in that currency. And the Iraq War, while it hasn't led to a shortage of actual barrels produced, it has acted as a catalyst for futures trading.
Finally, the price of oil is being driven up by the increasing economic strength of China and India, both of whom are buying up larger and larger amounts of oil.
Ultimately there is no solution, other than for people to consume less oil (especially if they live in North America and Europe).
Posted on 2008-06-03 at 19:23:58.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
(following on from the edited version of what you wrote...)
Right, let's just leave it at that. I don't think we're talking at cross-purposes even if it may seem as such.
Posted on 2008-06-03 at 09:18:08.
Edited on 2008-06-03 at 09:19:27 by Ginafae
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
I didn't mean to cause any offense by my comments. And to be honest I don't think any of us are such bad roleplayers that we are in need of a lecture on player as opposed to character knowledge.
The comments that I made were meant as a gentle reminder of attacks of opportunity, if you hadn't taken that into account.
Posted on 2008-06-03 at 07:58:12.
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Topic: Forgotten Realms: the Unsung Heroes Q/A
Subject: ...
Well I hope she survives at any rate.
Posted on 2008-06-02 at 17:37:55.
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