The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Ruiduari or Rory as hes referred to, has been at Lapis for almost as long as anyone can remember. Everyone that knows him seems to have a different opinion among them are Thief, knave, Friend, Enemy, Savior, Brothel owner, whimsical, Insane, protector, con man, general pain in the tuck-us. In fact he is all these things and more, from what records have shown or have been dug up from the distant past. Along with these notes are various excerpts of what we know about him. He is in fact a living ancestor of many of our people both here and in dandelion dale. His descendants can be seen as tall halflings or short humans usually with violet hair and an easy smirk. When ever I see any such I keep my hands in my pockets and my lips to myself.

The first except we find comes from an unknown source. Unknown is the important word here for misdirection always seems to surround the young elf. This excerpt seems to be verifiable since there is much known of bauldur's gate of that time. There was a beggars guild mistress named Sorilla in bauldur's gate that disappeared (Some think the current head of the beggars guild, a Medusa by the name of Misty, murdered and replaced this Sorrilla shortly after the time of the dates of this letter. Also known is the fact that when Ruduari came to our shores, he worshiped Tymora, which seems to be supported in the letter.



The Two Kissed Each others cheeks on the Docks of Baldur's Gate as workers loaded the ship. The Woman looked slightly older than the young elf; the two faces similar in build denoting kinship.

As they speak to each other quietly, two men playing dice look up occasionally scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary. The guards patroling the dock give the area plenty of room. Heavy bags of gold hanging off their belts as they pace up and down the avenue.

The young elf speaks, " Good-bye Sorilla I'll try to remember what you taught me occasionally".

The Woman chuckles, "Don't worry my brother your a natural. What I do worry about is you keeping things safe and tucked away. Only Tymora knows how many times I've had to pay angry fathers off because of you".

The young elf smiles and flips a coin up in the air, " What can you say sis when you got it....you got it". The coin falls in his hand as though it was guided by magic.

"Well I can't get you out of this one. A Paladins daughter! You should have been smarter".

The Elf laughs, " Hey sis this new place is just right. It's newly discovered, less people and militia breathing down good Old's neck...he laughs".

She replies, "Well off you go before we're noticed. I have things to do and people to graft".

"Bye sis, You take care and.......well....remember what I said about misty"

She waves and smiles. As he blinks his eyes she disappears as if an illusion. The workers playing dice get up, purchase some fruit, and watch him board. He flips the coin again, catches it and looks. He frowns a moment and boards the ship



Ruiduari quickly made a name for himself as a grafter and general con man on the streets of Lapis. He made a merge living conning the populace with short schemes to make money. He had a bent for any female particularly for halflings. He also became known as a wild and unruly adventurer always coming up with schemes to make coinage though the use of the people around him. One of those schemes being trying to convince the halfling general store to start a brothel. This particular scheme never took hold however many did.

[Winterhawk99]

This next except was given to us by a Mage named Whitewind. Who earlier in her adventuring days ran with the Knave Ruiduari. This particular piece shows well the whimsical nature of the Guild master and his penchant for trouble in one form or another.

The young group of adventurers crashes though the gates of the Amphiel school thinking on plundering its rich library. As they cut across the courtyard the ghosts that haunt the place surround and attack them. They are all thrown in fear and scramble around away from the ghosts Whitewind cannot concentrate and runs. Vastane a good head on his shoulders stays calm long enough to loose some arrows most in vain before he runs. Kevin Shortbow keeps his distance but the ghost close in and he too runs in fear. A young elf runs in circles screaming HELP! HELP! THEY'RE ALL OUT TO GET ME! as the ghosts chase him.

All of the sudden the Elf stops flat on his feet. He takes out a notepad and feather. He carefully licks the feather and speaks while he writes.

"Rory.......you handsome devil you. Elves...." He looks up at a ghost attacking him and takes his hand as to push it away. He says, " Go away bub can't you see I'm writing here. Now where was I oh yes........Rory you most magnificent handsome devil you. You are an Elf. Elves are not afraid of ghosts."

He finishes and looks around for some reason everyone stares at him a moment some mutter and they head into the school. Rory says "hey, wait up why don't ya" and heads in behind them.


You can tell a lot about this small piece the nature of the elf and the way he tends to use misdirection.


Ruiduari stayed small for a long while in Lapis. He seemed the average adventurer until the First really large event to show that the thief was going larger and larger. Most of this is rumor and not all of it dependable though if you ask Shar's temple if they would let Ruiduari into their presence they would flatly refuse or perhaps tell you they would pay for his death. There was at the time a crises at the Mage store. Lomeland was heavily involved and so was Rory at the time a sword and trap maker for a group of adventurers helping Lomeland on some quest. It was rumored during this time Rory had found a mirror in Shar's temple that looked to him magical. He supposedly set off to steal and blackmail Shar's temple into paying him money for the Mirror back. During the time he was working with Lomeland he was stealing away to the mirror and pouring acid on its floor bolts to loose it for the thievery. This is how the collective story goes. True or not you will have to decide for yourself


Ruiduari went up to the mirror as he did many nights with vials of acid. While working the acid upon the bolts he heard a clink as the mounting fell of the bolt. Carefully twisting the Mirror he hurt the snap, snap of more mounts and knew he had done it. The only problem being that the mirror itself was too heavy to lift. after many hours sitting there he came up with a plan. sneaking downstairs and out the door he was immediately spotted by one Celebrant. Celebrant was a fellow thief that adventured with Ruiduari on several occasions. Ruiduari told Celebrant he needed help. Celebrants being a friend agreed. They found an large window curtain, workman's clothes , and sneaked back into temple unseen. There they went to the second floor wrapped the mirror in it then simply walked out the front door. If this story is true it was the first brilliant heist of Ruiduari's career. As they moved the mirror to a safe place Ruiduari shook Celebrant's hand and they agreed to a ransom. Somehow it seems Celebrant's glove came off while they shook and Ruiduari ended up with his glove. Next Ruiduari wrote a letter to the temple for a ransom of some amount of gold. He then left the letter upon Shar's alter and it seems Celebrant's glove.

Shar's went to war with the thieves guild demanding to know who did it. No one really knows what happened. From the consensus it seems the eventually Ruiduari was found out but a consensus between him and Shar's seems to have occurred. Why do I say that.....Because he still lives and ever afterward Ruiduari seemed to have a bit of a darker aspect to him. It is also known that celebrant never traveled with Ruiduari again.

[Winterhawk99]

After the Shar's Temple incident Ruiduari seems to have quieted down. Whether he got paid off enough to satisfy his tastes of something happened we don't know. He became a trap salesman and lady's man for several years. Known lovers were Whitewind, Calia the pirate, Pansy Hill, Rosie NiceBottle, Pearl Pennywise, Cadre servant of Yondalla and Meram. Ruiduari sired at least 20 children in Dandelion dale during these years and an unknown number in Lapis port. It looked like he would retire and go fade away into the night, until at least when Shaia and Kevin Shortbow came to him with a most promising proposition. It seemed to a large party of famous people that Cyrics had acquired a Void crystal for some unknown purpose. The Group consisting of some of the more famous adventurers at the time wanted Rory for his special thieving skills to break into the temple and destroy the crystal. Needless to say Ruiduari by this time had stolen from almost every temple and government building in Lapis not once being caught. He was known as a shrewd set up man, achieving almost impossible burglaries including it is said one at the bank of Lapis port the most safe guarded of places.

the group went up to cyrics armed to the teeth. they battled their way to the second floor and sneaked into the library. there they quietly looked for answers on what cyrics had in store for this giant crystal. Guards came several times but the group avoided them until of course someone knocked over a book. That's when Ruiduari took the person threw them out into the hall and locked the door behind him while the others searched, such is the rumor. they eventually found the void crystal and shattered it. It is rumored that Ruiduari stole a small chunk as a sovereign. The group came back hurt but triumphant and that was the last we heard form Cyric's and their Crystal.

The next rumor to happen to Ruiduari is a meeting with the God Mask in the farmlands. Some deal was struck and ever after not only did Ruiduari worship mask, but it seems Mask could in some way possess Ruiduari in the form of a fire elemental, as an avatar. Ruiduari seems to have full control over the ability and has used it often whether on whim or threat.

Many time Ruiduari has distinguished himself as Mask's champion. His avatar form has been seen many times on adventures and at the farmlands. Along with this status its seems Ruiduari has worked his way in to become one of the council of guild masters of the local thieves guild. From all accounts he runs the brothels of Lapis, keeping the women and men under him well fed and wealthy by Lapis standards. Ruiduari as a guild master seems to be a very different elf, From all accounts of the underworld that I have been able to acquire.It is said he is kind and fatherly to his men and women. Strange that such a violent man with whom seems to have no scruples what-so-ever would be termed a kind and generous pimp. There are many contradictions about the Elf this being one of them.

After he was set in both wealth and power, again he seems to have gone underground, at least until a half-dragon by the name of Ellisf caught his eye. Ellisf knowing his reputation drugged him with a potion and married him. She bore him twins, who by all accounts now live with the women of Ruiduari's brothels. The potion she had made was with a Riln Rose a powerful agent for sustaining love. For many years he stopped going to bed with other women and only bedded her. For some reason she left him many years ago, until today it seems memory is faded and Ruiduari is back to bedding whoever catches his eye and agrees.

There have been times when Rory fought bravely for his party and others where he has stolen the item quested for and sold it for as little as a kiss from a succubi. From sitting on a gold dragons head and taunting it, to standing off the great dragon Yoril surrounded by traps to save his family, Ruiduari is a study on how pure chaos can fit into our lives.

His last venture up to Mount Mercy also needs writing. As far as anyone knows he fought bravely and with his wits most of the time. Leading the minions of the abyss into traps and ambushes. Firing arrows of darkness blinding his parties opponents and sacrificing himself many times for the good of the party, yet , It is also rumored he stole the body of a demon maiden for some unknown purpose. Accounts by people who were among the patrons of the brothel say that he somehow raised the demon with the help of a mage and bound her to himself. An act of evil? Greed? or is this just a story. If true what purpose does the arch-thief have for this demon and what does it spell for the future. Ruiduari for all the good and spite he gets, seems neither good nor evil, but an unwitting agent for total chaos around which he exists. If ever you find yourself in a dark alley along the docks and fighting suddenly erupts all around you; know that Ruiduari is never far behind.

[Winterhawk99]

Rory and Aileen were in the farmlands when the Guards attacked the pair. Rory defending his worker killed the guard. He knew that Lathander's priestess would eventually find out and raise the guard. The pair sat in the camp and talked about how the authorities suddenly had cast their eyes in Rory's direction. Arrilin, Liria and Thorto eventually wound up with them. Rory explained to him about the guard and his recent misfortune with the authorities with the trio. Rory then started talking to Aileen. She suddenly out of the blue said that she must leave. That her other master calls. Rory a bit incensed said, "What master?" She replied, "The 10th lord of the 9 Garugath."

Rory was quite confused but Arrilin was not. Arrilin got incensed when he heard the name. The two got into an argument until Aileen disappeared. Rory immediately got scared about what the demon was doing and was about to look for her. Arrilin Explained about how the God she worshiped probably called her and that she was probably in Sanctuary city now. They were about to leave for Sanctuary when The local guard came up and talked about the unfortunate circumstances that the Radiant Sword attacked He and Aileen. The guard told him that the mayor had forgiven him but Aileen must not be found in the city proper. She had to stay either in the brothel or outside the city. Rory agreed and thought that it was a good compromise. Rory was happy and turned into the avatar but suddenly the Avatar sputtered out bringing him back to his true form. Rory was perplexed. The Avatar was a special gift from Mask given to Rory when Rory became Mask's champion. Rory tried several times. Every time the Avatar form sputtered out sending him back to his own form.

While Arrilin, Liria, and Thorto were discussing all this a man slipped in to the area and came upon them. The man told them He came directly from the Grey Ribbon of Lapis port. The Grey Ribbon being the high priest of Mask. The man explained that Rory was in trouble with Mask. Several gods and goddesses infuriated with Rory over stolen artifacts from their temples had put a death warrant on his head. Mask could no longer protect Rory from these gods unless Rory made amends to the various sects that he had stolen from. Rory infuriated by being wanted for a time, Aileen leaving him and now the Avatar not working protested mightily. He had spent almost his entire fortune building the temple of Mask, the brothel and supporting the thieves guild, and his various children throughout the realm. The Man agreed but said that Rory must do this to regain control over the avatar and to get back into Mask's good graces. Rory finally acquiesced and told the man he would see what he could do.

Arrilin still wanted to go to sanctuary first and deal with Garugath. Rory persuaded him that going to the local temples first would be better and they could prepare for a raid on Sanctuary. Arrilin being a logical man saw Rory's point and agreed.

The first place they went was Lathander's temple. Rory greeted the High priestess by her first name. She looked at him as if he were a festering Boil and asked what he wanted. He then asked her if he had done anything to make Lathander angry at him. She looked him over and asked, "Did you?" Rory thought this over quite a while and then said, " The only thing I can think of is impregnating a 1/2 dozen of Lathander's acolytes." He then preceded to say how much he had helped the community and that he took care of all his children that the acolytes bore. She sneered a moment and said, " Lathander accepts many gifts." Rory thinking she meant money gave her 10,000 gold. She said , " That is a good thing but Lathander also accepts non financial gifts. Will you pray to the Dawn bringer with me outside at Dawn for forgiveness?" Rory had to think this over. He was the champion of Mask a god of assassins, thieves and shadows. He worried what Mask would thing of him if he prayed with the high priestess at dawn. Finally he decided to go with it. Mask did say to make amends with the other gods and praying to Lathander at a dawn ceremony wouldn't tick him off too badly.

They went outside and prayed. Rory was joking while praying which did not help the priestess at all. They did pray together but after the ceremony the priestess threw up her hands in frustration about how the ceremony went. Rory did manage to complete it so everything turned out alright except for her frustration.

Next they moved on to Oghma's temple. Rory thought that Oghma's would go much easier. He was sorely wrong. when the group got there; Rory made some small talk with the High priest. The two men knew each other from years of trading together and were friendly. Rory during the conversation mentioned if Oghama might be angry with him at anything. The priest asked him if he knew of anything that he did that might catch Oghma's attention in a wrong way. Rory mentioned some minor things he did stealing or destroying knowledge like the Void crystal. Then mentioned that he had stolen about 1/2 the rare books in Oghama's Library. It Took a moment. The priest started counseling Rory for a few minutes and then blew his stack, " YOU! I THOUGHT THOSE WERE CHILDREN TAKING......YOU STOLE BOOKS FROM THIS LIBRARY!" Rory blinked a moment and said yea. "I WANT THEM BACK YOU NO GOOD DIRTY THIEF!" Rory thought a moment then said that might be hard. Some of those books fetched good prices at the fence. The priest's eyes almost bulged out of his head, "OUT!"

Rory pleaded with him saying that he would donate any book he found to the library. The priest burst out again, OUT! and don't come back until you have books!" The group went to the art center Liria new that they had had some rare books for sale. Rory spent a good 25,000 on all the books. The group marched back to Oghama's and presented the books to the high priest. He looked them over, told Rory that its a start and that Rory was forgiven for the moment.

That task being complete the Group started to work its way toward Sune's temple. Along the way they were attacked by Shades carrying large shields and magic swords. At first the group did well against them. When several jumped on Rory and started dragging him towards Shar's temple the battle started going against the group. Rory and several of the shades disappeared. Arrilin and Liria fought a desperate battle with the rest. Arrilin and Liria finally defeated the shades only to find Rory missing. When they got to the temple of Shar's Rory had already disappeared in it's depths.

[Winterhawk99]

The Shades brought Rory to Zachum the lesser priest of Shar where he dragged Rory by the hair downstairs hanging him in wrist shackles in front of a pentagram. Rory greeted him with his usual, " Hi Zachum ole buddy ole pal." Zachum only grunted and walked back up stairs. The Torcherer punched Rory in the ribs a few times while Rory taunted him. Rory told him that his dominatrix he hired could do much better. The Torcherer grew angry and started heating up some pokers when the High priestess walked down the stairs. Rory was the first to speak, "Hi honey I'm home." The High priestess Laughed at him, "Always the wise cracker aren't you. Don't worry you'll be in the shadow plane soon to die." Rory laughed. He looked at her bluish hair wondering before he spoke," Ah my debts already paid to Shar's so why bring me here unless you would like to play a little? But maybe not you might be one of my daughters. All hell, if your not we can play. She smirked and told him to get ready he was going to go now. He was telling her that she was pretty stupid because he could wield the shadows themselves when all of the sudden he found himself in a cell with a bunch of men, women and children.

The Cell was dirty and cramped. Outside was a large stove for cooking. A Pit Fiend was watching the group. It was obviously the guard. At first Rory played along but after awhile he got bored. He tried picking the lock on the gate. That didn't work at all. Then he started yelling at the guard. The guard came to the barred door and told him that food doesn't talk. That's when Rory punched him square in the face. The guard opened the door locked it behind him and the battle ensued. The two fought amongst the other prisoners. The children staying well away from the two. Rory almost had the pit fiend down when it suddenly ran out and locked the bars behind it before he could get out with it. That plan failing Rory had to think a little bit about what to do next. A few hours past before Rory was able to come up with another plan. He hoped the Avatar would last long enough. Both Shar and Mask held power on the plane of shadow he hoped the avatar would not fail him here. He summoned the Avatar within and grabbed the bars. He concentrated on heating the bars up. When they became red hot, he changed back quickly took a magic staff and tried to pry the bars apart. The bars creaked and groaned bending slightly then they held fast. They would not bend enough for a halfling to get out.

The cook decided to take a nap. Rory then jumped on another opportunity. He called George his faithful shadow fiend servant. He was about to tell George to go threw the bars, when a high priestess came in saying, " I heard that there will be no breakouts here even if the guard is a lazy slug." She dispelled George while Rory went into hiding. She then looked around the cell and called to Rory, "Rory come out of hiding damn you!" Rory seeing her decided that would be a good idea before she started hurting anyone. He stepped out of the shadows and in front of her. She told him he had 12 hours to figure out a way to make amends to Shar. Rory heckled her in his usual manner. She smiled and walked away.

Rory paced the cell for hours looking at the people there and trying to figure out a way out before the 12 hours was up. On the 11th hour he remembered that she had told him the bars were reinforced by shadow magic. Rory was an apt shadow dancer and could cloth himself in living shadow. He suddenly figured out if he did this he might be able to simply step threw the bars. As he was calling on his power, The favorite priestess of Shar walked up to the cell. She was not like any of the other high priestesses. She was beautiful and in a simple monks smock. Rory thought she would do very well in his brothel. She greeted him and asked him if he had thought about how he was going to make amends to Shar.

Rory looked at her a moment and asked, "what do you want?" not wanting to play his cards too quickly. The Priestess smiled and said, " Shar wants you to worship her the rest of your days." Rory had to take a step back and consider that. There was no way he would give up the worship of Mask. He had struggled too long and given up Tymora for Mask after Mask himself came to Rory and asked that Rory be his champion. He looked at all the children in the cell and knew they were fated to be meals for the Pit fiend. He then turned back to the priestess, " I will worship Shar if 3 conditions are met. The first is that all the children in this cell be released back to their homes. The second is that I will not give up the worship of Mask or give up being his champion but if Mask himself agrees. Shar and Mask may share my worship. Third I get to sleep with Shar herself.

It was the high Priestess turn. She told him that the 1rst could be accomplished easily, She prayed and all the children were gone from the cell. Rory breathed a sigh of relief. She then told him that the 2nd could be negotiated perhaps. Rory then demanded the Grey Ribbon come to him. He prayed to Mask. The man from the farmlands came. They negotiated so that Rory could worship both Shar and Mask as his god and goddess. That done and agreed upon. The high Priestess and Rory fought a long battle about sleeping with the goddess. The high priestess saying that Rory being mortal could in time perhaps be granted the opportunity with service. Rory sticking to his guns about sleeping with the goddess and not budging until he did. Rory also stated he never made deals with a female until he slept with her. The High priestess suddenly collapsed in a seizure then quickly came too again. She told Rory that Shar would sleep with him using her body. Rory agreed and bent on one knee and prayed to Mask and then Shar and affirming his soul to both to share.

After Rory did that The Priestess stiffened her eyes turned black as onyx. She opened the cell and lead him to her bedroom. There they made love for 4 hours, Rory using every trick he knew in his long experience with women to satisfy the goddess Shar. After 4 hours he finished Shar smiled and drifted off. Rory slumped to the ground next to the bed completely used. Rory had satisfied the goddess's fire but it almost killed him. After about 2 hours with the Goddess.....priestess, he didn't know which was there, sleeping soundly he dressed and came out of the bedroom. The man was waiting for him. They left the shadow plane, Rory finding himself alone in the abandoned farmhouse near the gates of Lapis Port.

[Winterhawk99]

Walking back to the farmland camp Rory was greeted by a guard of Lapis. the guard handed him a summons to court. Rory thinking it was about some crime involving Aileen opened it browsed though it. The summons was not what he thought it would be. It said that his Workers formed a union and were suing him for unpaid work and the conditions they work in. Rory scratched his beard and wondered what in the 9 hells was going on. He looked at the time on the summons and figured he had time to go to Yolanda's temple to see if they had anything against him. He hopped the caravan to Dandelion dale and found his way to the temple.

At the temple the first person to greet him was Patty the Cadre of Yolanda. She looked at him distraught and said he had not paid child support in awhile. Rory looked down at her knowing it was a half truth and gave her 10,000 gold. He told her he had not been around in awhile due to work. Patty wanted to know when he would visit and he told her soon probably in the next month. He saw the loneliness in her eyes and felt a bit a grief that he had not visited in awhile.

Rory then looked up at the high priest and asked if Yolanda was angry at him. The priest knowing Rory well said no Yolanda wasn't but a generous donation would help the church and the community of Dandelion dale. Rory gave him 50,000 in coin. The priest counted it happily and thanked him. Rory hugged Patty before leaving and set off for court.

Back in Lapis he had a few hours so he sauntered over to the art center. Liria and Darias were there. Rory asked the two of them to be character witnesses for him. Darias almost fell off his chair laughing. Liria took a more serious approach. Nangus showed up. Rory told him of his plight and Nangus agreed to be a witness. Rory wasn't sure about that he knew Nangus well and new the dwarf was just a little light in the head. When the time came they all marched off to court together.

[Winterhawk99]

I got to Court and noticed many things. First the size of my workforce somehow mysteriously almost doubled. There were twice the number of girls there than I employed, and none of the men were there. Weenies couldn't even stand up to me in court. Aileen was there. I had finally found her. The Representative of Mask was there again. This middle man thing was getting tiresome wasn't I the champion of Mask. All well if the Man could do his job then I would be sitting gold again.

The court got under way. The prosecutor started off by saying the girls working under me had unionized and were suing me for back pay and the terrible conditions they work under. They were suing for 10billion gold! Ten billion!? where the hell did they get that number. No matter short stuff here could take care of that. My lawyer came out and did his rebuttal. He was a competent lad at least I listened in silence. The prosecutor then called his only witness. One of the real working girls. She told how she hadn't been paid in months that the conditions were harsh and how she hated working there. The prospector didn't ask a whole lot of questions. Probably because he thought he had the public behind him. All the girls were also in their work clothes the woman mentioned that was all they had to wear ever. I shouted that was a lie. The woman on the stand had more shoes than caves have orcs.

Nangus then objected stirring up the judge and the court. The judge threatened to throw him in jail. That didn't quiet him down one bit. My lawyer asked if I wanted Nangus to be my lawyer. I asked him if he was nuts. Nangus is a good guy but hes just a little light in the head. Just before my lawyer cross examined the girl I told him they work 3-6 days a week, I provide security, and the girls get to keep 80% of what they make. Armed with this the lawyer went at her and unsurprisingly Nangus joined in. After that both the prosecutor and my lawyer questioned me. I reaffirmed everything about working conditions, pay, security, adding that if any of the girls were hurt by a customer the customers legs were broken and he or she was tossed out of the club.

Next Liria and Nangus were questioned. Liria told the judge how I bravely fought in sanctuary. Nangus told the judge about his relationship with me. adding a key point. He told the judge that he believed I could never do wrong with the girls, because I loved women all women and every form of woman. Nangus said I didn't have it in myself to harm or cheat the girls. Which was true but I would never tell anyone.

After that Aileen was questioned by the defense. Aileen thankfully blew the doors off herself and told the court how she conned and misguided the women to form a union and file suit and how she had stolen all the money from the club.

The Judge called the trial to an end and ordered me to release the demon from the body near sanctuary city. I was somewhat pleased with the judgment, and left quickly before the judge could put any other charges on me that may have been true. Once again I got thrown in the sewers and sauntered up smelling like roses.

[Winterhawk99]

Rory knew it was time. He packed his gear and headed for the farmlands to camp. He met some old friends and some new acquaintances. Liria was there along with Thorto, Shaia, and Arrilin. They too knew where he was going. To Mt. Mercy; where he was to confront Gargauth and decide whether to release Aileen or do something unexpected.

The group decided to take the long way. They brushed by lizard folk, wolves, Ogres and other things finding themselves in the forests along the mountain. Rory himself did really well ducking in and out of shadows finishing off many that Shaia, Arrilin, Liria and Thorto had wounded. They went back to the place Rory had picked up the body. When the fighting died down and there was no other in the valley accept the group, Rory spoke to Shaia. He wanted to know if there was a way to trap the demon once he released it from the body. Rory wanted to make sure the Demon inside her could not cause havoc in the lands of Anchorome any more. Shaia did not have a spell for this but she did have a scroll. Rory nodded. He called Aileen. When Aileen appeared, Rory put the control crystal on the ground and crushed it under his boot. The Balor was released from its shell attacking the group. Rory laughed at it. He hit it with arrows while Shaia placed a hold spell upon it. She then read the scroll pinning it to the area. "Hopefully forever", Rory quietly thought to himself. The demon disappeared then reappeared with friends. He brought with him 4 Mariliths. This was a tough battle many in the group were hurt. They eventually destroyed the Mariliths and the demon making the valley quiet again.

The Job was complete. The group flirted around a bit wondering what to do next. Arrilin went into the cave shortly followed by Rory. The cave was the entrance to the Mt. Mercy compound a refuge of demons, devils and other lower planes creatures. How they came upon this place and why they still haunt the mountain no one really knows. Inside they found the normal type of fiend gathering with the shock troops of Garguath. Shaia commented to Rory, "looks like your job isn't done". Rory laughed, "Never is". They fought their way in fighting fiend and minion alike. About halfway into the compound Arrilin stopped the group. They discussed going further. Gargauth was a powerful Devil. They were a small group. The Group itself was quite powerful, An archmage of tremendous power, A ranger with no peer with a bow, A bard who could sing the birds to sleep, a dwarven lord regaining his honor, and a master thief known for never getting caught. As powerful as they were they were a very small group and not enough to take on the Arch-devil along with his minions. They were tired and ill prepared for a showdown in such tight quarters. They hatched a plan to draw the Arch-fiend out alone into the forest.

they went back to the valley, found a spot where they could spread out. shaia en-spelled them with protective spells, Rory laid down several traps. Everyone readied themselves and waited. Nothing happened. After some time Rory got bored waiting so shouted to the air. He Taunted Gargauth to come out talking about his escapades with Aileen. Rory disappeared from the group.

Rory found himself in front of Garguath on some plane of existence. It certainly wasn't Fearun. The place was dark and gave Rory the willies with its orderly design and evil bent. Garguath first talked with Rory. They taunted each other. The conversation got a little rough Garguath sent his pet dragon after Rory. The Dragon attacked Rory while he ran around waiting for the dragons protective spells to dissipate. The dragon bit and clawed Rory each scratch and mauling doing little damage, the wounds regenerating as fast as the dragon hit him. Gargauth seeing this told his pet to stop. It was futile for it to take on a living avatar of a god, especially a god of assassins and cutthroats.

Gargauth used a different method. He had sent his minions to where Rory's companions were while Rory was playing with the dragon. The minions defeated the group and afterward Gargauth teleported them to the area. The pair negotiated while his companions lay unconscious on the ground. For a copy of Aileen and Gargauth leaving his companions alone Rory was to steal a shadow mythral from Shar's on the plane of shadow. They made and agreement to such both pleased by the results. Rory had manipulated in giving up almost nothing and getting the benefit of all he wanted in the first place. Rory placed Aileen's body on the ground. The Arch-devil made a copy and teleported it to the pretty peacock. He then teleported Rory and the group to the plane of shadow where they promptly got lost.


Shaia stayed with Rory while others moved in different directions. Thunk had come upon the group exploring and joined up with them back in the forest. He and Thorto wandered about. No one had found any mythral. They met together at the gate to the farmhouse. With everyone there Rory explained to them that he had a choice. He was to find the mythral or everyone in the group would be hunted down. It was a bold faced lie, To Rory however that didn't matter he wanted his maiden and wanted to protect his friends. They asked him why he wanted it. Rory explained that, Gargauth wanted it to create some 10th plane and become more powerful. Arrilin was incensed and said he would not help. Not only that Arrilin said that he would not let Rory complete his mission threatening the thief. Everyone left but the two of them to the farmlands. Rory reminded Arrilin of the fate that awaited the group unless this task was complete but if everyone agreed to take the risk together he would not complete the mission. The two went back to the farmlands to find the others.

[Winterhawk99]

The group conferred in the farmlands. Rory again explained the 'situation'. He lifts a shadow mythral from Shar or Gargauth will hunt them down and kill them all. Arrilin was adamant that they not help Gargauth. Shaia on the other hand liked the idea. She explained that although Gargauth would have more power: the devil will be working with the shadow mythral giving them enough time to build up a force to defeat him. She convinced the group that by giving him what he wanted it would give them time enough to prepare his demise. They all agreed. Since the task was a task that called on Rory's particular talents alone; they decided to let Rory work his magic.

Rory first went to the shadow plane and looked around. After awhile he encountered Shar's shadow guard. He spoke with them telling them he was looking for shadow mythral for a sword he wanted made. You see he found a dwarven smith who could work the strange metal and had some ideas for a blade. One of the guard told him that he could only find it in Shar's inner sanctum. Rory laughed he could get there now that he was officially a worshiper of Shar.

He went back into the farmlands and traveled to Shar's temple. Zachum sneered at him but sent him to the outer sanctum where he bought some stuff from the merchant to make it look good and appeared to leave back out the door. Rory then hid and used the mirror to teleport to the inner sanctum on the plane of shadows. He tip toed around the guardians finding the locked vault. Easily disabling the trap and picking the lock he walked in quietly. He saw three guards and plenty of traps. He carefully looked at the traps deciding in his current form they would not effect him as much as the guards. He then purposely set off the traps. One guard died and several were wounded. He found the Shadow mythral and carefully swiped it. A guard saw moment and took a swing at him then resumed its guard duty. Rory breathed a sigh of relief. He made his way back to the portal and into Shar's temple on Toril.

Once out he was teleported to Gargauth. Gargauth was pleased and started talking about more work ahead. Rory considered the offer then Told Gargauth he didn't want to do anything else right now. Rory also told him the place made him queezy. Gargauth sent him back disappointed. As Rory left he called out, " You know I'm going to come back to kill you". Gargauth just smiled as Rory was teleported back home. Rory didn't wind up back home.

Rory appeared in a weird castle with soft glowing lights and other things all around. There he encountered Mask in the form of Gods bane. Rory called out, "DAD!". Mask told him not to call him that name. He then congratulated Rory on all his conniving and twisting to not only stay alive but also about coming up with the upper hand against Shar, Gargauth and his friends. Rory told him that he did worry about his friends. Mask at once admonished him for being weak also saying that soon Rory wouldn't have to worry about his friends and family. Rory would be able to protect them like no other. Mask seemed very proud of Rory warning him that what happened at Shar's 'stealing the mythral' must remain a secret for his own protection. Rory agreed and agreed to other things about the adventure. With that Mask told him that he would make the avatar more powerful for Rory so that Rory could protect his people better. Rory was delighted and a bit scared. If the Avatar was more powerful that would mean that more of Mask would possess his body in avatar form. Who was master and who was the shell then. It had always been a shared experience. Rory privately wondered if this was a good idea. He would have more power at his command but what was the price. There is always a price when dealing with Mask.