Vlar dropped Hans and I in Trinsic and sailed north to take Lady Marjo home. We purchased mounts at the Trinsic Stablery to speed our arrival to the Eternal Realm. "Not being able to use the moongates safely sure is inconvenient, isn't it Oni." stated Hans. "Aye," I replied as we rode away from the stable and headed for the city gate. "I am so glad to have friends like Vlar and Stormhold Guild. His ship was very providential and his friendship priceless," I said joyfully. "Indeed, having Vlar as a friend is very beneficial," replied Hans. Once we reached the gate, we headed full bore to the Sanctuary of the Glade. We rode down any undesirables that got in our way. Nothing was going to stop us or stand in our way. Hans, I knew,could sense the importance of the scrolls Xander had found, as did I. We both felt they held the key to the unlocking of our quest to find Jupiter, but more importantly, what or who we would be facing when we did find Ol' Jupe. *Hans is hiding behind the ostard searching for tax money* We made it to the Sanctuary just before dusk. A single candle was visible in the window. A solitary figure was seated at a small table reading some scrolls. We hurriedly dismounted and knocked on the door. I heard the scraping of a chair, and a voice cried out, "Who dares to interrupt my studies?" "It is Hans and Oni," I replied softly. "Oh! Come in. The door is unlocked."I heard something strike the door. It sounded magical. The door opened up, but Xander still sat in his chair. "Grab a chair and have a seat," he said still looking at the scrolls. "Your knees still bend, Heh? "Still the same Xander," I chuckled.Hans grabbed a couple of chairs, and we sat down. "What brings you to my humble abode?" "Why else would we come!" It was more of a statement than a question out of Hans. "Is the realm so out of funds as to tax an Ol' man like me.?"We all broke out laughing. No, No, my wise old friend," I said. "We have come to garner some of your infinite wisdom." "Always the flatterer you are, Oni," Xander chuckled with a twinkle in his eye. "We have come to ask of a book called "Star Finder'. Hans said you have come across it." "Ah yes, indeed I have found such a book. I was just finishing translating it when you came to my door. Why do you ask of it?" As briefly as I could, I related the tale of our quest to him. "Oh! Then the book is of great importance." "It surely is ," stated Hans. "What is the book about?" I asked. "Well, it is a definitive detail of how to correctly place the runes from the 'Book to the Stars', and also the consequences of erroneously placing or using the runes. I fear the consequences are quite grave and devastating."I noticed his face had taken on a much more solemn look. "Are you sure of this?" asked Hans. I am quite certain, Hans," he said confidently but soberly. These scrolls are not hard to translate. They are from the 'Book of Books', The 'Star Finder is just a part of the 'Book of Books', and it tells of a dark prophecy. These scrolls I have found are the original writings of the "Star Finder' and have never been opened. See, look here at this seal. It is the seal of the Master of Time. No one has ever read these scrolls." "Let me see the book," I said softly, very softly.I did not know if I really wanted to see the book at all. I had never seen my old mentor's face so solemn. I opened the book cautiously, as if the book itself could harm me. "Do not be afraid, Oni. The book will not hurt you, nor the information written therein. "But the look on your face," I stammered. "Oh that!" "Yes that!" exclaimed Hans. "It is just that I now know what you will have to do to save Ol' Jupe." "What do you mean by that?" asked Hans. He was now sitting straight up in his chair. "Well, as you two have said, Ol' Jupe has the book 'Path to the Stars', but there is no way he knows of the book you hold in your hands. Of this I am quite sure." "You mentioned grave and devastating. What has happened or going to happen?" I asked. "Well, without the knowledge from the 'Star Finder', the chances of Jupiter guessing how to place the runes correctly will be practically zero, zip, nada. He will bring about much destruction and anguish. Go ahead, Oni. Open the book and read. See why you have been called to this realm for such a time as this. Your great devotion to your friend will be necessary to save him." I opened the book and began to read the part that Xander had marked. "For the 'Path to the Stars' to be used correctly to open the Portal of Time, the runes must be placed in this order from top to bottom in a straight line: Hyperion, Aschelon, Pheres and Soljurn with Traukus left of Aschelon and Venturo to the right of Aschelon. Only in this order will the rune to the Portal of Time appear, and allow the Portal of Time to be opened." I paused for a moment to ponder that which I had read. I was about to continue reading when Hans spoke my thoughts. "Sounds pretty easy and without much devastation." "That is not all," interrupted Xander. "Read on, Oni" "But beware O' reader. For if the runes be placed wrongly, the Portal of Oblivion will be opened, and the Unholy Trinity will be revealed and all manner of evil will be unleashed on the realm as well. Desolation by abominations will come. The habitations of men shall be laid waste. The once glorious realm will be corrupted by the unliving." "O Jupiter, what have you done?" The book fell from my hands as I realized that the Portal of Oblivion had already been opened. Once again Hans spoke my thoughts. "Jupiter has unleashed the undead horde on the realm, and has opened the Portal of Oblivion, GREAT! Him and his let's just see what happens attitude. He has really screwed up the realm now." "Can anything be done to save the realm and Jupiter?" I interrupted. "Of course, Oni," replied Xander. There is always hope for those who uphold goodness and right. Finish reading the book. It will bring you great joy. Once again I tell you. You have been called to the realm for just such a time as this. You can save your friend with the help of others. Call out to them. They will come. They will be found worthy to restore the realm as you lead them to the Portal of Oblivion. It is located in the land that forgot about time. You will know the place. It can be entered but if you leave you cannot go back from whence you went. Take the book with you. You will need it. Now I must rest and so must you two. A long journey awaits you. We said goodnight to our old friend and mentor and stepped out the door to ride to the Southern Bastion. "Where are we going to find enough good and right warriors for this, Oni?" Hans asked as we mounted up to leave. "Most are away fighting the undead horde now." "Aye," I replied. Then it hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Marjo's party," I blurted out my thoughts. "Good idea. Perhaps some valiant ones will be there." "To the party we go, Oni." Now, what to wear..... Author's note: TO ALL THAT READ THIS: You are hereby invited to the saving of a friend of us all, Jupiter, and quite possibly the realm itself. Anyone interested it taking on this monumental challenge, please let me know. The Portal of Oblivion awaits the valiant and strong of heart. Prove your worth, warriors. Come be named in this legendary quest. We set out on Sunday 10\26\14. Be ready to ride at 9-9:30 pm CST.
For such a noble cause I will do my utmost to have my finest warrior join you to assist with this quest. *sends messengers to all the local taverns and brothels to find and retrieve Valentine*
I truly hope Valentine can be found...and useful Truly I am grateful that you are making the supreme sacrifice to aid a friend. A dispatch will be sent to inform you of the assembly area.
I suppose I'll have to come along as well. Aren't particularly fond of the grey wizard or anything, but we'll have to pull his arse out of hot water first, if I plan on kicking it all over a chess board later. I shouldn't have taken his offer to smoke his pipe before the game. That was some mighty strong herb.
It would't be the first time (intentional or otherwise) that Valentine rushed into battle head on drawing the enemy focus. Some say the only thing stronger than his fortitude towards Ale is his drunken luck in battle.
Count Rex in M'Lady. You'll be needin a pirate if ya plan on bilging that wiley old wizard out of the mess he's created. Leave it to Pluto wizard of the grey to misalign a few runes and open a portal to oblivion. Why I bet a wee pirate child could line up 6 runes in a straight line in a drunken slumber! No matter, what is done is done. I would be more then happy to come along, if not just to force Pluto to accept a pirate's help.
