Quest to Heal The Blade

Tis the tradition of Marrach Faol to have our members undertake a quest as part of their advancement within the guild.  Below is an account of our most recent quest, penned by Martin Longbow, one of the quest participants.  Enjoy!

Part One:

The Ascension Quest started with some very encouraging words from our Guildmaster. He then informed us that the Abbott of Empath Abbey had requested help for a quest. Aedilwulf charged our group with fulfilling this quest. Our group consisted of Mav, Madrezin, Brian Wilson, Malek, Soltan, Serene Heart, Seven and myself, Martin Longbow.

We set out overland and eventually made it to the Abbey. We found the Abbott in the chapel and explained that we were there to offer our services. The Abbott informed us that he feared for the safety of his order with the recent uprising of orcs in these lands. He introduced us to Brother Caspius of his order. Brother Caspius was a scholar and had studied the history and legend of Brother Aeganius and the fabled OrcBlade. With this weapon, the Abbey would be well protected from the orcs. Our quest was to escort Brother Caspius to retrieve the OrcBlade.

Brother Caspius had found in his studies a map to the whereabouts of Brother Aeganius` tomb. After studying the map, we determined it was a map of the Crypts southeast of Yew. We escorted the Brother to the crypts and after some battle with the undead, found the sword deep inside. Brother Caspius examined the sword and found it was incomplete and damaged. He informed us no ordinary smith could repair the blade but knew of a master weapon smith that possibly could – Kendal Ironforge of Jhelom.

We traveled north to the shore and boarded a ship. We sailed to the main Jhelom island and found Ironforge in the smithy there. After paying Ironforge for his services, he examined the OrcBlade and informed us several components would be needed before he would be able to mend the sword. The first component needed was a magical wood called Wormwood in order to make a new hilt. The only source of this wood he knew of was from the staves carried by the dreaded Lich Lords. He told us to return one week with a staff of a Lich Lord and he would continue his work.

We formed up at the local Inn to confer. We decided to strike out right away for Deceit, where Lich Lords are known to live on the lowest level. We used the public moongate system to travel to the docks at Moonglow. There we boarded ship and sailed to Ice Island. After stopping at the Shrine of Honesty for a prayer, we entered the dungeon. We convinced Brother Caspius to await our return at the dungeon entrance. The good Brother was certainly willing and eager, but his inexperience in battle would have assured his death in this dungeon. In fact, Brother Caspius seemed inexperienced in just about everything except his duties as a monk and scholar. I often found myself smiling at his wide-eyed innocence and amazement during our travels together.

What can I say about our trip into the depths of Deceit? It was successful in that we did retrieve several Lich Lord staves. They were turned over to Brother Caspius for safekeeping. However, it was at great cost and pain. The Lich Lords and Silver Serpents took a heavy toll on our party. I think we all fell at lest once. Some were struck down several times. Most personal property was recovered with the help of our mates and all did eventually make it safely back to the surface.

The party, including Brother Caspius, then boarded ship and sailed back to Moonglow where we disbanded for the time being. We would continue our quest the next week to mend the magical sword OrcBlade.

Part Two:

We started in Jhelom at the Inn where we meet with Brother Caspius. Our numbers had dwindled somewhat. Serene Heart, Mav, Soltan, Malek and I accompanied the Brother back to the Jhelom forge and met again with Kendal Ironforge. Brother Caspius gave the Lich Lord staves, which had been in his safe keeping, to the Master Smith. He informed us that the magical wormwood from these staves would suffice and he would be able to recreate the sword hilt of the OrcBlade of Brother Aeganius. However, he had some bad news. He told us that further inspection revealed a missing gem from the sword. Further, the gem had a unique magical and spiritual nature and gave the sword much of its power. Brother Caspius knew of what gem he spoke from his studies of the sword. The Brother said it was the Ruby of Valor. Our next task was clear — retrieve the gem.

We deduced that the Ruby of Valor was most likely pried from the sword by a grave robber. Such a gem would not be easy to fence or find a buyer for. Kendal knew of a fence that lived in Buccaneer’s Den named Katriana Fey that was known to deal in rare gems and jewelry. She is known to have a weakness and love of jewelry, he said. We used the public moongates to take us to Britain. After a stop at the bank, we bought several pieces of jewelry at a nearby shop and then boarded ship. I really got a kick out of Brother Caspius. He had never been to the “big city” and was like an innocent child in many ways, commenting and asking questions on all the sights of our travels. Through his eyes, I felt as if I were seeing Britannia for the first time again. We sailed to Buc’s Den.

In Buc’s Den, we joined with Seven who had been taking care of other business. We then found Katriana Fey. She was hostile towards us at first. It seems she had recently been robbed and lost a lot of Jewelry. Courteous behavior, flattery and jewelry won the day here. She was finally persuaded to tell us what information she had. She had indeed been approached by a man with the Ruby of Valor. She said it had been set into a ring for a man named Talimar Haas of Serpents Hold. We boarded ship again and sailed to the island. We fought a few water elementals during the voyage and again, I was amused by Brother Caspius reaction.

We found Haas, a one armed man, at a tavern in the town. After some conversation and a few ales he informed us that he did have the ring we sought at one time but had lost it … when a dragon named Takyth’nar had bitten off his arm! He had a map of the area where he encountered the dragon inside a cave. We recognized the area as being north of the Britain/Yew/Skara Brae crossroads. We traveled to the area and searched for the cave.

We found the cave and prepared for battle. We entered the cave and were immediately attacked by the Dragon Takyth’nar. Half our numbers were felled by the great beast, but we managed to bring it down. After healing the wounded we found a key on the corpse of the dragon. Further searching found a locked chest in the cave that held the dragon’s treasure. Inside the chest was a ring. Brother Caspius, after recovering from the shock of seeing the dragon, was able to identify the gem set into the ring as the Ruby of Valor. I noticed a strange look come over the good Brother as he examined the ring. With our search complete we traveled back to Jhelom.

Kendal Ironforge was given the ring. He informed us that with the wormwood and the Ruby of Valor he could now complete the mending of the OrcBlade, but it would take much work. We agreed to return in one weeks time.

It appeared that our quest was nearly complete. If all went well, Kendal would be able to complete his work. Then we could return the OrcBlade to Empath Abbey where it protected the monks from orc invasions so many years ago. With the recent orc uprising, I prayed we would not be too late.

Part Three:

The party had dwindled even further. Soltan and I were the only members of the original party left to meet with Brother Caspius. Perhaps the others sensed what was to come. We had fought Lich Lords and a Dragon. We had traveled the world finding the people and items needed. But tonight’s quest would be the hardest yet no matter the number of our party.

We went to see Kendal Ironforge one last time. He had completed his work. The OrcBlade was whole once more. He had done all he could, but he said that something was missing. Some spiritual property was once a part of the sword had been lost due to the prolonged separation of the Ruby of Valor from the blade. We thanked the master smith for his efforts and left the forge.

Outside we stopped to confer how to proceed. I asked Brother Caspius what more was needed to complete the OrcBlade. The Brother was silent and his eyes moist. When at last he spoke, he said we were to accompany him to the Shrine of Sacrifice. We pressed him for what was to be done there. He was reluctant to tell us, but at last he spoke with choking words. Brother Caspius, our friend and companion, told us he would die at the shrine. He told us that we were charged with taking his blood and the OrcBlade to the Abbott at Empath Abbey where his immortal soul would be bound to the Ruby of Valor and the OrcBlade thereby bringing it back to it’s full power so that it might once again protect the Abbey from it’s enemies.

Soltan and I were dumbstruck. We pleaded with the Brother to find another way. He said there was no other way and that this was his destiny. He talked of his studies of the sword and his duty. I became angry accusing the Brother of knowing this would happen all along. He asked me if I knew this was to be, would I still have come. I almost shouted at him that I would not have let myself become friends with him had I known, that I would not have begun to care — but looking into Brother Caspius’ innocent eyes, I swallowed the words. I agreed to help him with this final and hard task, as did Soltan.

Brother Caspius talked of these last weeks; how wonderful a time he had had, of the world and the amazing sights he had seen but only read about before, about the friendships he had made within our party, about sailing and traveling and fighting, about the fun and excitement he had experienced. He said he was ready to fulfill his destiny. We asked him if there was something, anything, left he would like to do before he were to make this sacrifice. He thought a minute, and then said he had always wanted to see the Chamber of Virtues in Britain.

We boarded ship and sailed towards Britain. I was glad for the long voyage. I didn’t want to say goodbye to the good Brother. We fought more water elementals and a sea serpent during the voyage. I doubt if Soltan or I will soon forget Brother Caspius shouting “I will save you Soltan!” when the monsters attacked. Brother Caspius seemed more alive than anyone I had ever seen. He fought the creatures valiantly. He marveled at the dolphins. He stood at the bow of the ship, wind whipping his robe about, not wanting to miss a single thing. I pointed out Vesper as we sailed close to the city. Brother Caspius peered across the waters at the city. He said he had heard that Trolls lived under the bridges in that town. I smiled as once again I was struck by the thought that the goodly Brother was like a child in many ways.

We went ashore at the outskirts of Britain and traveled to the Chamber of Virtues. Brother Caspius asked for eight candles from the local provisioner, which I fetched for him. The Brother lit the candles at each Virtues’ symbol and meditated. Soltan and I respectfully watched. When he came to the symbol of the virtue Sacrifice, I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

We sailed to the peninsula north of Vesper and traveled overland towards the Shrine of Sacrifice. All I will say about what happened at the shrine is – we said goodbye to the brave Brother Caspius, and he fulfilled his destiny — His is a truly noble soul —

Soltan and I traveled overland to Vesper with the OrcBlade and the blood of Brother Caspius. As we crossed a bridge, we both stopped and looked underneath for Trolls. We smiled at each other and I said that I wish Brother Caspius were here. Soltan said that he was indeed here with us and I knew Solton was right. We traveled to the moongate and then to the Empath Abbey at Yew.

We found Abbott Baclurio in the chapel of the Abbey. We told him all that had transpired including Brother Caspius’ sacrifice. Although saddened, he did not seem surprised. We presented the Abbott with the newly mended OrcBlade and the blood of Brother Caspius. The Abbott said he knew what to do. He thanked us for completing this difficult task he had set us upon and said the Abbey would once again be safe from the orc menace. He produced two golden necklaces and poured one drop of Brother Caspius’ blood upon each. The blood formed into a ruby and the Abbott presented one to each of us saying this was in remembrance of Brother Caspius. The spirit of the good Brother will always be with us —