Aporeu chronicles Issue 9: Diplomatic steps
Stories from the adventurers
This week
A story from a father trying to be better.Diplomatic steps
Dear Arla, my love,This letter is intended to explain my whereabouts over the last few days. These last few days have been so precious to me, so lest we forget, I write them down, for you.
Rhuarc was almost lost to me. I cannot repeat this fact to myself over and over again. After the monkey business with that evil man, Reverend Ragelson, or whatever his real name was I had vowed to myself never to let that happen again to any of my kin. I had overstepped, I'd gotten too greedy, and lost track of what was important. Not to mention flabby, my muscles big, but my strength was sapped.
I was so inspired by my son's rescuers that I inquired after the guild and stepped into the office after seeing a pamphlet detailing a Diplomatic Mission of some sorts.
The room started to fill, and I was trying to remain composure, but I was feeling more and more insecure, as these heroes stepped inside. Characters that would do very nicely in our circus. They had other-worldly names too, Elveira, Custuous, Arkkon, Gwyn and Orla. With all manner of attributes hinting at their magical abilities. My fighting days long behind me, there was no way of knowing that I could still be able to swing a sword and to hold my own.
The mission was simple. Step through a gate that would transport us somewhere and set up "First Contact" so to speak.
We stepped through the gate and gradually moved our way through an abandoned building. As we stepped out, we saw the largest eggs I have ever laid eyes upon. As we approached to investigate we heard a stomping in the woods. A woman simultaneously appeared and disappeared atop a hill. Motioning towards us to come to her, as it was unsafe.
Not everybody trusted her at first. But seeing two Triceratops coming out of the woods we hastened to meet her at the top of the hill. I was able to calm the beast, but I quickly retreated, only to find all Custuous, Orla and Arkonn gone! Zapped out of existence! You can imagine my fright my love, as I tried to maintain a brave face for Elveira and Gwyn. Luckily the woman returned taking us with her as well. Where we made our acquaintance: Dyna Thompson was her name.
We were transported to an entirely different scenery with a snap of the finger, sickening a number of us. I of course was immune to the sickness.
The world we happened upon, was part of a series of worlds, the Dyna explained. This particular world: 103298 or "Bright Hope", was one world "West" from the world where our gate took us. She showed us a box called a stepper. A little device that enabled them (and by effect us) to travel back and forth to any one of these worlds, one world at a time. Marveling at these miraculous boxes we got to talking and Dyna told us about a raiding bunch of elves.
The elves are nothing like we are used to. They're hairy and are not able to communicate with us. I'm starting to think that these elves are not elflike at all. Apparently they usually hassle the villagers, attacking them, causing a kind of sickness. In a field not far from the village the villagers found certain plants that create an antidote to the apparent poison the elves carry. They seem to have no other motive, than blood lust.
Baxter, the brother of Dyna's friend was out foraging these herbs, and hasn't returned since. They suspect the "elves". Naturally we wanted to help out.
Off we went, towards adventure, when suddenly over the hilltop in the distance we saw a dark hairy creature atop a large mound standing over something, clubbing away it. Custuous and I hurried over to get there as quick as we could. The others are stronger from range, so they remained at the foot of the mound.
We successfully freed Baxter, but the elf that was clubbing him, just vanished. It is our suspicion he stepped to another world. After making our way back down, 2 more elves appeared. We made short work of them, through the insightful magicians and our weapon expertise, as the first elf reappeared. Orla and Custuous deafened the creatures with magical bells. And Arkonn has an ability to that shoots rays of frost from his hands. Very impressive. Gwyn got a few blows in as well. Elveira scared these creatures, with her scary magic.
Luckily my fighting training was beginning to come back to me after all these years. I was able to hold one of the elves down, while the others could stab at it, take care of the first elf, and put to sleep the weakest looking one.
Dyna Thompson was so grateful, she gifted us the stepping devices. On our way back to world 103298, we managed to come at a time where the Triceratops were away from the nest. A perfect opportunity for Gwyn and myself to snatch two of the large eggs, back through the gate. Our circus will soon be the first to Dinosaur pups!
I cannot express enough my gratitude for my fellow adventurers. Be sure to write down their names for the VIP-list next Wednesday: Elveira, Custuous, Gwyn, Arkonn and Orla. Make sure they have something nice to drink as they watch the unveiling of the dino-pups.
Give my love to Rhuarc, and encourage him to practice his magic well, I have seen what it can do and Cleo seemed like a good tutor
Love,
Marvolo
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