The group rejoiced at Liander's return from the fiery pit. Finally the journey was over, and the task completed. After the first brief wave of emotion passed, Ravyson exclaimed, "Let's go home!"
The group nodded their heads, voiced their support for the idea. Traug, however, scratched his head. "How?"
The group turned as one to look at the troll, and then looked at each other. They hadn't quite thought that far. After all, the Weavers had taken them here. Where was the exit from this blasted plane?
The air rippled behind the party, and a trio of Weavers stepped forth. "Sorry about the delay, folks, there's something of an emergency right now because of the time differential between these two planes. Basically, we're gonna have to put you back in Phaema about the same time you left it, in time to halt the destruction of the Red Bastion. And to do it, we're gonna have to collapse this plane along the way. So everybody gather up your stuff, because you're not gonna be able to come back for it."
The remains of both Red Bastion Expeditions picked up the last of their gear. The fallen Wolfriders were brought into the middle of the group, to be returned for burial in Dantimos. With a flash and a slight disorientation, the group found themselves outside Justice Keep.
The speaker for the Weavers again addressed the group. "As for the dragon, he has been returned to the north. We would hate to see him returned to Phaema only to be attacked by the Dantimian army. Should you wish to reach him, you need only to channel into this token." The speaker placed a small metallic dragon in Ravyson's palm. "And don't worry about the elemental. If you'll give us the artifacts you've acquired, we'll make sure he ceases to bother the Bastion. And if you find yourself in need of the artifacts again, simply speak our name and they shall be at your disposal." Jerreck and Liander handed over the sword, shield, and staff. "And now, we shall take our leave of you. I suggest you return to King Rolshin and inform him of your success." The Weavers stepped back and vanished from sight.
Torlax spoke first. "I would like to extend to you my thanks, on behalf of the Wolfriders and Dantimos. I'm sure you'll hear the same from King Rolshin, but the service you have performed for us is without measure. You will each be able to name your own reward, surely. Cerolt and I will accompany you to your audience with the king. The remainder of our party must tend to our fallen."
With that, the Red Bastion Expedition proceeded into Justice Keep. Torlax led them to the main hall, where King Rolshin sat in state. Whispers went up around the assembled nobles of the court as the group entered. Torlax approached the dais and knelt. The king bid him to rise, and embraced him. Brief words were exchanged, and then Torlax turned to the waiting group. "King Rolshin, it is my honor to present to you the saviors of Loebar!"
A cheer went up around the room, armsmen and nobles alike applauding the efforts of the brave party. They approached as one to the throne.
"In our time of need, you were among the many who responded, yet you were the only ones with the strength and perserverance to succeed. For that, we are in your debt. Your names will go down in the annals of history as the Saviors of Loebar, the Heroes of the Red Bastion Expedition. And for your efforts you will be able to name your reward. Riches, titles, honors, we can offer all of these things. Ask, and if it is in our power to offer it, we shall. And you will take with you the gratitude of our nation."
King Rolshin sat and waited for the answers of the heroes.
Reeven was the first member of the party to respond. "I don't have a place to call home anymore. I tagged along with this group because of this fact. I would like to live in this fine nation, and call it my home." He smiled like a mischevious child who wanted something from his parents. "And since I'm easily bored, some new handbows and a small group of archers to defend this fine land."
Rolshin looked at the outspoken young man. "That can easily be done. Tell our weaponsmiths what to make, and they will do it. You are welcome to stay in the castle, or with the army if that is your wish. We are in constant need of good officers, and our achery units could do with some extra training. Especially now..." King Rolshin trailed off. No one noticed his distress, thinking it to be some insignificant detail.
Ravyson spoke up next. "Good sir, my request is similar to his. I need a new weapon, and I too would like to lead a force in defending this place."
"That can be done. Our blacksmiths will be happy to provide a new officer with a weapon." Rolshin looked around, waiting for the next request.
Torlax, could you note the date of this post (the date to which the expedition has returned in Phaema), for the record?
That's sorta the point. I haven't been keeping up with the whole dating policy, so I need some info as to when is the present. And when the story started (in Phaeman time). You can pretty much assume that this story has reached its conclusion whenever is "now" in Phaema.
Torlax
I don't think there's anyway to tell when the story actually started.
One current problem is that "now" posts seem to range anywhere from October to December of the year 794. There was some jumping ahead, due to uncertainty about the RBS or something like that. I dunno. I suppose things will even out into closer synchronization now.
I would suggest dating this event mid-November, 794. That seems to be the median for the stories that as of yet involve other people.
Well, if we return to the point that we entered the fireplane, then we'll go back to August 24, 794, if my memory serves me correctly.
Ok then. If you do that, you will probably want to skip ahead a few months when you again use the characters, because everything else is ahead.
Yeah, the best idea is to send it backwards to when we entered, because there's no downside to characters resting for months of gametime. On the other hand, if they had to go backwards to catch other stories, it might cause problems.
Torlax
(OOC: Yeah, the way I understand it, it's currently early January in Phaema, and it was about October or so (give or take a month) I think when the second RBE entered Apyrel's plane. *Shrug* End OOC.)
Traug finished staring in wonder at the Keep just in time to hear King Rolshin's question, and was delighted that he would get a reward for helping out. Unfortunately, he couldn't think of anything he wanted. He already had made some new friends outside of his village, and now he was being offered a gift from a human king! He had found acceptance in the human lands and hopefully could travel them peacefully now, so what could he ask for? He thought about it some more until something passed his mind.... Didn't they have magical colleges or something in Dantimos....?
The troll managed to mutter out a request despite his overwhelming awe at the Keep and its ruler. "M-m-me-me's would likeses t-to learned s-some magickses from o-one of da Green m-mageses in D-Dantimos, s-sir....."
King Rolshin lifted an eyebrow at this, then smiled and replied, "Of course, I can send someone to escort you to New Avalon, where you may learn of magic if you wish."
The troll sat down on the floor, grinning, trying to contain his joy while he waited for the others to make their requests.
(OOC: I'm going to retire Traug for a few weeks or so, maybe a month or two. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with him after this, so I decided to send him off to study for a little while. I have some other stuff planned for my other characters in the near future, so I'll still be more active with them while Traug's off studying. End OOC.)
(OOC: Let me amend this post a bit. Instead of sending Traug to New Avalon, he can head to the mage academy at Planarth, in the Western Territory. The group visited it near the beginning of the journey, many moons ago.)
...
King Rolshin lifted an eyebrow at this, then smiled and replied, "Of course. We can find a place for you in Planarth, at the Mage Academy. Study what you wish, the libraries and teachers will be made available to you."
The troll sat down on the floor, grinning, trying to contain his joy while he waited for the others to make their requests.
OOC: That's fine, I forgot about that place for a moment...
The half demon stood among the blazes of Apyrel's world...alone.
The others marched forward with the wolfriders to be returned to their home, but Levin has no home.
Not even a home plane.
As he stood among the flames, troves of fire demons began to assemble around him threateningly. He looked among the forming masses with contempt. He hadn't returned to finish it... alone.
His head of flame burned with a raging force of hate, and prepared for battle as the hordes closed in.
But then, as they were about to descend upon him, unexpected help came. Finally, after all were gone, the corpse of Apyrel appeared at his feet, ooing up from the ground to take form, laying motionless. Gasps and growls were heard as the demons stood back in fear.
On Phaema, the RBS troupe would get to name their own prize, but on ASpyrel's world, Levin would forge his own. Lifting the body into the air, Levin unleashed his most powerful scream.
The ground shook, flames shot out from the "earth" and the demons were rattled. The air itself seemed to waver among them. With a burst of light radiating from Apyrel, the surge ended.
"Listen, beasts, I hold the dead carcass of your leader, your most powerful. He is gone, and now, so is your world. This place has now become a small portion of the raging flames of the elemental plane of fire.... my world." The earth rose beneath him to form a stone thrown, with which he crowned using the body of Apyrel. Sitting upon it, the flames of his body and plane grew and the demons bowed.
"I am not Levin, Lord of the Plane of Fire. And now, you will all do my bidding. Let us begin, my lackeys." He sat villanously as the subserviant demons assembled before him.