Journey to Thorbardin - Qualinost

[malkav565]

Some have asked how Adamant got the tattoo of the Copper Spider on his back. That tale takes place shortly after the battle of Pax Tharkas where the great Black Dragon challenged the Companions.

It was a time of despair for the otherwise immovable monk - for he had left the Companions to find his own answers. The "ivory tower", or in this case, The Forgotten Temple, had been relatively kind to Adam. This despite challenging visits from his father, the Harvester.

So it was that an idealistic monk was broken against the unending waves of torment that passed through some of the Companions. Staggered, Adamant returned to Darken Wood before seeking wisdom at the Forgotten Temple.

Of course he never made it that far, having been ambushed by his devoted wife Cyaemil (a nymph). After a time of comfort Adam was called again to serve. Some say the god Majere appeared to him - others say a talking metallic spider, a copper spider, led him back to the path.

So in this humbled state Adamant found himself again on the road south of Que-shu, at the Crossroads of Southway and the broken Sageway.

[malkav565]

It was easier in those days to take the man-roads around the Whiterage-cut, the gorge cleaving a great pit between the Darken Wood and the forest of the Qualinesti. For those fey denizens granted the gift of flight, this gorge was a defensive wall. Other residents of the forest found the gulf impassible as the fey brooked no bridge to be built by humanoid hands.

Adam was repeatedly tormented by grigs and pixies along the way, as these mischievious beasts knew from the Forestmaster of Adam's vows of peace. While sometimes annoyed, Adam enjoyed the sometimes hidden company.

It was inevitable, however, that he would come across a feral beast in the Darken Wood before he reached the man-roads to the east. And so it was that Adam faced the great mother bear in the woods who set out to maul him. His telepathy was of limited use and without any affinity for animals, Adam was forced to defend himself and retreat.

[malkav565]

All was quiet to the Oldroad bridge over the depth of the Whiterage river. There Adam was beset upon by a group of brigands, taking advantage of the fall of the Que-Shu.

"I want no quarrel with you..." was all Adamant could say before he was beset by bolts and arrows, to no avail. No scratch marred his grey scales. It took the shattering of two, not one, blade against his supernatural skin before the robbers simply grew wise and fled. Adam had little of value to offer them, regardless.

[malkav565]

Due west, Adamant climbed the eastern foothills of the Kharolis mountains into the elven forest. It was different from his home - quieter and more civilized. These ancient fey had grown quiet in their years and with their dealings with men. Adamant wondered if he would become like them over the centuries.

Adam had the expected troubles with the remaining Qualinesti residents. For all their knowledge, they were more frightened of half-devils than were men. Finally, peace broke through and Adam was introduced to the leader of the elves in exile. Adam asked for food and water and more importantly news. The Vision of the Copper Spider was as confusing as it was informative and Adam didn't know when in the vision he was.

Adam was granted a trained horse, food and water to lead him back to the road of men and south to Pax Tharkas. The information given by the Elves had set Adam upon a swifter course, and that is where things got more interesting.

But that is a different tale...

[Andre]

(VERY nice .... you mentioned you'd be adding to this as time goes on but if a few days go by without you having a chance to add to it let me know so I can award you some much deserved XP and RP for this ... let's say Adamant runs into the Speaker of the Sun and the Qualinesti elves as they're fleeing their ancient homeland of Qualinost )

[malkav565]

This small chapter is done. I have to do some research on Pax Tharkas to add detail to the next leg. Then on to Skullcap and Thorbardin, in the footsteps of the companions (after all, Adam was gone for almost a year).

[Andre]

(Sorry I should have explained that ! A year going by in real time does not mean a year went by in game time, Adam's actually been gone a little over a week .. mind you I don't see how that would stop all his forum RP threads from working , they just took place in a shorter amount of time than what you originally thought ..

50 XP, 75 RP for Adam )