Wintermoor

A/N – If you have any questions regarding the creatures/races/etc involved in this story feel free to Email me, or find another D&D geek and ask him. With luck you will find one with books handy to show you, or at least explain things.

Shouts go out to Wolfman182 and PyRo for having the honor of being my first reviews, Thank you both for reviewing and letting me know what you thought. To anyone else that reads these chapters, toss a review up or at least email me; I need feedback to improve and positive remarks to keep me going. Yep, I am that insecure.

The First Day on the Town.

The first day that Destin and the others met was spent mainly getting to know each other; stories were told, pasts relived, and many an embellished tale was tossed about the room. The heroes seemed to be getting along well; even Inixyllia and Equifax told a tale or two. Later that day, Destin decided to see the sites that Wintermoor had to offer. He and the others were led about by Inixyllia, Equifax took leave on account of Council duties, who showed them the amazing city of Wintermoor. They spent hours trolling the cities Merchant Bazaar, mostly seeking items to aid them if anything went wrong, and afterward they went to a few taverns. Bramin, of course, got into a bar fight with some ruffians who were attempting to cheat him at a game of dice. Myrten and Everard split up from the group to seek out more shadowy havens, and the others just followed Inixyllia to a quit pub ran by, of all things, a pit fiend.
Soay bay became dusk and the group worked their way across the city back to their domicile. Each hero chose a room, and each slept, but none knew what the future held for them.

The next day began as what would pass for normal for the heroes, Myrten annoyed Bramin by hiding and stealing things from him, Bramin attempted to as he worded it ‘Smash Shadowman!’ and the others laughed and ate. Some time around noon a knock sounded upon their door.
“Bramin get!” with that simple statement the minotaur Bramin literalosseossed Myrten and Everard aside and took two long strides to the door. Bramin yanked the door open, nearly sundering its iron hinges, and asked “Who You?”
A small quivering man in pale azure robes stood before the now opened door, he looked up at the huge beast before him and slowly swallowed. “Um… I … er… am…” was all the startled man could manage before the blood fled from his face and he fainted in fear.
Bramin turned back towards the others, “Bramin no kill. He like that when Bramin find.” Bramin walked back to the table and began to devour another mutton leg.
Alaric quickly got to his feet and rushed to the downed man. “Everard, make yourself useful for once… get me some water, two rags, and my healers kit.” Oddly enough his twin complied, quickly gathering the items and appearing at Alaric’s side. Alaric wetted one of the two rags and placed it upon the fallen mans brow, he then opened a leather bag and put his hand into it. His face screwed up as his arm disappeared up to the shoulder in the odd bag, after about a minute of digging he pulled out a small glass vial. “Mental note” Alaric said, “need to buy another bag of holding just for potions, it’s damn hard to find anything quickly in that one…”
“Yeah I remember the last time, dear brother,” Everard glared at Alaric, “it took you what, half an hour to find the potion I needed? I could have died, and then what would do edo eh?”
“Mourn your loss for thirty days as is our custom, have you buried as befitting your station, and then spend the rest of my life in solitude and serenity.” Alaric dryly replied.
“I’m hurt…” Everard mocked, “you wouldn’t commit some insane form of ritual suicide, or at least miss my wonderful wit and charm?”
Alaric heeded not his brother’s words as he uncorked the vial and waved it under the man’s nose. A few seconds later the man gagged at the terrible smell in his nose, he quickly sat upright and looked about. “Wha… happened?”
Alaric replaced the cork into the vial and replied, “Well you fainted, but that doesn’t matter now. Might we inquire as to why you are here? Lost perhaps?”
“Nay, are you not Destin?”
“Not the last time I checked,” Alaric replied “Destin did some vile magic you cast transform me into you?”
Destin looked up from his food and spoke, “Nope, not that I am aware of. Which Destin are you seeking courier?”
The courier stood up, taking the rag off his forehead, “I am seeking Destin Fireflinger, recent arrival to Wintermoor, and his comrades. I have a message from the High Priestess Akara of the Prime Temple to Isis.”
“Then you have found who you sought. What message must be delivered?”
“The Holy and Benign High Priestess Akara, Lady of the Prime Temple of Isis, beacon of Beauty, and Lady of…” the courier spoke majestically, until he was interrupted.
“Yeah, we get the point, now can you?” Myrten quipped.
“Uh,” the courier looked hurt, “Wishes to invite you, newcomers of Wintermoor, to a formal dinner in the Prime Temple of Isis.”
Alaric spoke before any other could attempt, “It would be our pleasure to acquiesce to the Lady’s invitation. We shall attend forthwith.”
“Thank you Mi’lord, I shall return your acceptance to the Priestess immediately.” The courier did a hurried bow then quickly disappeared down the stairs.
Alaric closed the door and walked back into the room, ignoring the look of displeasure upon his brother’s face. Destin shrugged and went back to eating his lunch much like Myrten and Erin. Bramin however lifted his head from the mutton leg, “Wait… Bramin no want go temple.”
Heads turned to the minotaur, but Myrten was the first to speak “Why that Bramin? Myrten think you need Temple.” Myrten laughed as he mimicked the minotaur’s speech.
Bramin eyed Myrten incredulously, “You make fun Bramin now, Bramin smash you later. Now Bramin eat.” With that the minotaur resumed chomping large portions of the mutton leg, soon he sat the bone down upon the plate and began on another leg. Destin stared at the pile of six clean bones upon the bull-man’s plate, as he looked at what was left of his food he suddenly no longer felt the want to continue eating.

~ Later that day

The group traversed the city and arrived at the temple district, locating the temple with ease they walked up the alabaster stairs leading to the large pyramid shaped building. The apex of the temple was crafted of solid gold and embled wed with a series of symbols unknown to most of the adventurers; Destin recognized them as deities which shared the temple grounds. At the top of the stairs they were greeted by three portly men in white robes, each man had an odd ointment upon his skin making him seem to be made of bronze. “Greetings, Oh sons of Prophecy.” The first monk proclaimed, “The High Priestess will see you now.”
Myrten glared incredulously at the attendant’s words, and then followed with the others as they entered into the grand temple. After a minute or so of navigating the convoluted hallways they arrived at a lavishly decorated dining room. Everything in the room seemed to be made of precious or expensive materials. Silk tapestries adorned the walls, lush velvet rugs crumpled under foot, and the massive ebonwood table glittered with finery.
Myrten leaned in close to Everard, his newest friend much to Alaric’s chagrin, and signed swiftly; “Man, Oh man, all this would fetch a pretty penny. Not enough to retire, but damn close.”
Everard looked at him and signed quietly back; “And desecration of a holy temple is number one-nineteen of the Thieves-don’t-fucking-do-if-you-would-like-to-live-list.” Myrten merely grinned at his comrade’s remembrance of an obscure publication from their home plane.
A delicate cough brought both of the thieves out of their silent discussion. “I, Akara Silstandé, High Priestess of Isis, Mother of Beauty, welcome you to our glorious temple. Please sirs, sit and I will call for the servants to bring out the aperitifs.” The group carefully sat around the massive black wooden table.
In mere moments, several servants, whom were barely clothed and looked rather gaunt, brought out several large trays of food which were immediately set upon by the voracious minotaur. After two more courses of food the beautiful woman spoke, “I am pleasured that you joined me here this eve, but I am afraid I do have ulterior motive to this dinner.”
“Why else invite adventurers, hell two thieves to eat at your place eh? I mean it’s not something I would suggest doing, and I am a thief.” Myrten smirked and followed up, “So let me have a go at this…” he cleared his voice and continued in his best ‘scholarly’ voice, “I have seen a dream, You,” he quickly tallies the number of people using fingertips, “seven warriors, nay Heroes, shall venture forth into the face of unimaginable, yet all to real, dangers and threats to save the world from the aforementioned unimaginable, yet all to real threats. Am I in the vicinity on this one?”
A flush traveled up from her neck to her face, a single vein on Akara’s face stood out, “Do you have no sense of common decency or etiquette, or are you just a slack-jawed buffoon?”
Myrten smiled fully and grasped his hands before his hear in a mock swoon, “Why, my Lady, I have never heard such wonderful words bespoke of myself. I am so very flattered that you would think of me as such, and yet I have yet to comment upon you…”
“Enough.” A stern voice rumbled from across the table, “Look, Myrten, this lady is a very respected head of one of the most prominent temples to Isis in all of Winter. Insulting her is to invite the ire of her patron, which as I am sure you have learned is never a good thing. If you have yet to learn that lesson, ask my brother, he can share a few stories.” Alaric nodded his head to the priestess, “Forgive him, his razor wit seems to have severed his tongue from his senses.”
“Thank you,” she nodded back to Alaric, “Yes in some ways Myrten, I need you to save the world, but not from unimaginable terrors… nay this terror is a group of monsters who have desecrated a holy temple to Isis. I have full backing of the Wintermoor Council on my chosen course of action; in fact it was discussed this last meeting. I need you to be Isis’ blade, and strike true in the hearts of these callous blasphemers.”
“I’m not going to apologize for my previous comments Lady Akara, because I have a firm belief if you cannot take a joke, you need to calm down. Anyway, being who, and what, I am; I must ask, What’s in it for me?” Myrten stated.
“The temple will reward those of you who go, according to what you face in the temple proper. If our scout reports are correct, and the temple only houses the goblin shaman and his followers, then we shall pay you accordingly. However, if there are unforeseen problems that arise we s adj adjust pay accordingly.”
Myrten’s face took a dry and serious look for a moment, before shifting to a grin, “For a man of my skills, I request a payment upfront. Nothing less than seven-hundred thousand gold coins will make me go on such a mission, since I personally could care less about your temple out in some forsaken waste.”
Once again Akara’s face flushed with anger. “Very well thief.” She spat. “You, and any others who wish, will receive seven-hundred thousand upfront. This will be counted against whatever payment you would have received at the completion of our contract. So who else wishes payment upfront?”
All but Alaric swiftly raised their hands, and then Everard pushed Alaric’s hand up into the air. “Very well then, all of you shall receive prepayment…” She called for a servant then waited impatiently for the money’s arrival. As soon as it arrived she dispersed it and dropped a satchel containing maps and information they would need. “Now if you sirs will excuse me, I must retire early tonight, as I have a busy schedule tomorrow.”
After she had left the room, the three portly men returned to escort them out of the temple. The return walk home was completely uneventful; each one of the heroes was more worried about the upcoming mission.

~ Late that Night.

Lui Bei sat quietly in the living area of their housing. Everyone else was asleep and he made sure of this before quietly sneaking here. He picked up an object from the table, one that no one had explained to the newcomers, and spoke calmly into it. “Yes, I need to speak with Councilor Inixyllia, this is Lui Bei.”
A few moments passed, and then a voice spoke softly from the device, “Yes, what happened?”
“We have a problem, they have agreed to a contract to clean out a supposed temple to Isis in a remote region of the Brokenridge Mountains. Akara claims that Goblins have overrun the temple and desecrated it, she wishes us to cleanse it.” Lui Bei sighed and awaited the response.
“Did she inform them that they would be acting against council law?”
“No, she claimed to have council backing, they are not aware yet.”
“Look, Lui we placed you with them because you are experienced here and can keep in touch with us. Follow with them on this, I am curious as to why a Priestess of Isis would ask for sa tha thing… I’ll look into the details tonight, you meanwhile need to rest.”
“I don’t want to break the law, even for the will of the Council. I am sworn to uphold the laws, I cannot do what you ask.”
“Lui, who makes the laws? The Council, you are a servant of the Council, and your mission has the support of the High Council. Do what you must to stay with them, that is a High Council order and therefore law. Now, get some sleep. I will send by a portable transmission globe tomorrow, please make sure they don’t figure out what it is.”
“Very well Councilor, I will do as you order. I just want to ask one thing, why are these six so important?”
“Because Elidorn says they are, and believe me my young friend, that is all that matters.”
The device went silent and the light inside the globe flickered out of existence.

“Ancestors, I beseech you. Give me the strength to do what I must do, and guide my hand so that I may Honor your memory.” Lui whispered as he stood to return to his room.