This can be either an email process or slotted into the next session. Faros will gather his students (the NPCs including Schrodiger's Student) plus Rosa and Ariana and address them as follows.
"As some of you may be aware by now, Rosa and I are members of a new breed of vampire. Among the Rosen, the symbiosis of vampire and human has been integral to the culture for a thousand years, living side-by-side in harmony and prosperity. I am Rosen, and restoring this balance is our goal. Malakar polluted my homeland with demons and half-demons and subjugated it to his priesthood and I intend to restore the peace and glory Rosen knew under Archibald, whose symbol I wear." [flourishes ring]
"The gift of the abilities of the new breed can be shared. We have none of the vulnerabilities of the vampires of old; I walk in the sunlight, I rather like garlic, and we do not need to feed to live. None of you have any reason to fear us. Andur and Ingas have been granted the dark gift for political reasons, and I reserve the right to that, but no student or master of the academy will ever be granted it against their will. Though my plans and love for Rosen are key to me I am no less a Dragon Master, and my loyalty and commitment to the Academy are unabated. I swear this on my dragon."
"Look at Ingas, Rosa, Andur, myself. We are not shambling thirsting monsters, we are not dead - nor even undead - and we are not mindless slaves. My dragon Zander does not turn from me. Membership of the new breed is a skill, a benefit that can be bestowed to willing students. It has significant benefits - not least lifespan. To you, my students, I will offer this gift - but only if you ask me for it. You are all, and will remain as long as you wish to train, my students, all equal and valued."
"It seemed best to lay this out in the open rather than to keep divisive secrets. If you want to discuss it privately please do. Training will resume tomorrow morning as usual; I will see you there."
------------------
[Allan] If am there the responce is a follows, if I am not - you know my feeling...
Symbisis (she knows that word) implied a mutual beneift - I see it as a curse to all those that are not at the top of the food chain.
Not mindless slaves - look at the poor bastards (a more orcish word) - they are not the men they once were.
Political reasons - Bollocks (As you can see my charactor is no lady) self gain, come on admit it...
As to me doing you in - one word - HOW
Allan
PS - Just cos the orc can't spell, does give you the write to speeel my name wong....there's a d in my name, like doom and death
PSS - Good charactor interaction starting here - I will keep this us until someone does me in.
------------------
A few days after Faros’s address the young Orc sort out the Dragon Lord and asked if they could speak privately. Once they were alone Adriana, with some difficulty, tried to apologize for her rather outspoken words during his address to his students. Adriana, they most Black Orc didn’t do sorry very well.
“Sooo, sooor, soooorrrr, Oh fuck it, what I am trying to say is, I should not have spoken the way I did Master. But I still don’t agree with you enslaving, sorry turning, Andur and Ingas. Nor do I wish to take you up on your offer.”
She continued, “You and the other Masters should run this academy as you see fit and it is not my place to question that. But my very nature, from time to time, will and you will just have to except me as I am or ask me to leave. I am here to learn and I wish to learn many things. Please would you allow me to study your vampirism and if I chose to accept your gifts later on so be it.”
“Also I would like to study the Dragon Staff, would you ask the other Masters if they have any objections.”
“And one more thing, when are you going to teach me to use a bloody sword….”
------------------------
"The offer is just that, my student - an offer," says Faros, "I don't force anyone to take my sword class, or my running-the-fuck-away class, either. It's there for those who wish it. Likewise, question away - I prefer to hear about it when my students disagree with me. It's only one step from 'afraid to mention it' to 'plotting revolt against the tyrant. He grins. "That's the other guy; the one we did away with."
"I think we would all welcome an arcanist's input on the dragonstaff; the better we understand it, the better we can utilize its' power. It should remain in place, though. Likewise, you're welcome to study me, though I draw the line at dissection... One word, though. If you distrust me enough to be considering researching my - our - weaknesses, if any, please just say so. Finding out later would be messier for both of us!"
"As to your sword training; I can only apologize for the length of the training. It didn't take that long for me - but then, I'm not the Master of the Ishtarian Technique that Ariel was. I am, however, all we have. We must persevere until the lessons settle in. In time, of course, if you live, you will doubtless surpass me. As I understand, the Art of Ishtar is only truly mastered by the female of the species - whatever the species is."
-------------------------
“Your mastery of my language is excellent my lord and I would relish the running-the-fuck-away class. With my utter failure to learn a single martial skill so far, this would be a most useful talent. Know this master, I am only here to learn and grow. I will study the staff and the vampires, if I find a weakness I will report my finding to you. This study will give me a valuable insight into the magic that gives you your exception powers and you will be forewarned if you have an exploitable weakens. I hope to one day to master the dragons and the all the skills on offer here, but I do not expect to ever surpass the current lords of this place.
The orc paused for a moment before continuing smiling, “Afraid to mention it is not in my vocabulary, I think I shall be a constant vocal throne in your side and as to dissecting you, you will have to teach me to use a fucking weapon first.”
---------------------------
Faros laughs and claps his student on the shoulder, stretching slightly to reach. "Then let's go and work up a sweat, my friend," he chuckles. [and resumes nagging the dm about success rolls.]
-------------------------------
Faros’s speech is the only topic of conversation in the academy, and not just amongst the students in the young thief’s classes. Everyone; priest, paladin, acolyte and master discuss the words and their implications. But Faros is a grandmaster, easily able to gauge the mood in the camp, easily able to shape that mood and steer it on a single path.
But Faros and Rosa remain apart from these discussions, even though the orc called Adriana is most vocal in her suspicions about the new doctrine, they watch and they listen as every student has their say.
It is one student in particular that polarises the opinion of all the others. A man every being in the academy avoids; not for any reasons of danger, not for any great evil – they avoid him because he is called Andur Jarikstar; the man whose grief no-one can console. One morning with the training at its height he walks to the centre of the academy and calls for silence.
Dragon, student, priest and master turn to the dark eyed man called Andur, a man who wears his grief like armour, sorrow that has made him a loner in the camp.
“Hear me students of the Academy of the Dragon! Hear my words and put an end to these discussions. A few days ago a man saved my life…not out of evil, not out of political gain, not out of the need to control or dominate – no, this man saved my very existence.
“Faros – my master…your master – is being kind. What he offers is not a choice, nor is it a gift…it is a necessity! Look upon me, Andur Jarikstar, the man you all avoid, the man you shun in embarrassment. In my veins flows the blood of gods but that is as nothing compared to what strength I possess now! Who amongst you will stand in front of a god in combat? Anyone?
“Our master did just that and it was not the power of the blade, or sorcery, or treachery that overcame Malakar – it was the strength of an indomitable spirit, strength that lives in me now. Strength that flows through Morik, Rosa and our master. Only when you feel the power of it will you understand; only when you walk down the hidden paths of the spirit wanderers will you truly understand what gift we have at our disposal.
“Faros is from the realm of Archibald – a man whose foresightedness allowed the noble houses to flourish; noble houses that secured Rosen’s future for centuries right up until the Dark Lord himself overthrew them. Archibald’s grandfather has walked amongst you sharing his wisdom and power, a spirit so powerful that it can interact beyond the grave.
“Don’t you get it? This very academy is built on the spiritual forces of the universe; each one of you here is a product of it. The vampiric houses are the exact polar opposites to the demonic power of the Abyss, as lawful as they are chaotic, but just as powerful. The time of Malakar is passed, but we all here stand at the pinnacle of the universe – top of the food chain if you like – able to achieve things no mortal men can even dream of. The Age of the Dragon is upon us, that is why we are here, but what is a dragon if it not a creature who truly masters and harnesses the power of the spirit.
“Which is why this is not a choice. At first this gift drew me back from despair and destruction; then I realised the true nature of it. Vampires, Daywalkers, Shadow Ones; call them what you like – they are conduits of spiritual energy, shapers of the invisible pathways able to use these paths to learn and to teach. Trust me in this; I have been labelled one of the greatest sorcerers on Grayhawk – archmage, master of Five of the Nine Arts. I know what I’m talking about. This gift will enhance your learning. How many of you have seen a stupid vampire? Adversity makes them stronger. In some cases,” Andur looks directly at Morik, “this power allows the vampire to drain the very abilities and skills from the victim.
“We are on the brink of a new age ladies and gentlemen, and as in every society there will be winners and losers. Think carefully before you do anything; caution is a virtue not an obstacle – but in the current climate ask yourself this; can I afford not to?”
Andur takes a knife from his belt and opens a line down the inside of his forearm, the crowd gasps at the deep cut but the skin opens to a dry redness, no blood oozes, no life force leaks from the wound. He holds aloft the arm and the entire academy watch – in amazement – as the wound knits itself together, after a few minutes there is no mark on the skin, no sign that he was ever damaged.
As Andur walks away to be alone all the students, and many priests and paladins, clamour around Rosa and Faros…
Grand Mastery and the Three Vampires of the Apocalypse
There is a place where only vampires can tread. An inner plane invisible to all other creatures, invisible to any sorcerous detection spells, and a place that Rosa has made her own for the last few months. An inner plane that only vampiric creatures of a certain skill level (grand mastery – 18th level) can even find.
When Rosa embraced Morik after the death of Malakar all three of them were now grand masters – the only grand masters in the entire academy. Rosa places a comforting arm around the two men in her life; Faros Evereach and Morik Hargath and eases them into the plane that only a handful of beings on Grayhawk can find.
“It was Vanyar who told me of this place,” she says, “knowing that he could not reach it but seeing in me the ability to use it for his own ends. It was how I went unchecked into the academy. In fact there is no place on Grayhawk – save perhaps a temple – that we can be detected. Now you two have the power of the soulless ones and are free to go wherever you please! It is a very liberating feeling!”
Faros and Morik stand in the middle of the academy but realise that none of the dragons, students, or even their own companions (with their highly tuned dragon-like senses) can spot them. The implications of this new ability dawn quickly on both men.
“Vanyar called it the Shadow Plane,” she says, “but that is not correct. It is a pathway; similar to the Ethereal Plane but one where only soulless ones of extraordinary power can reach. In all my time using it I have never encountered any creature that could find me; nor did I find any other creature able to use it…until now.
“We are members of a very exclusive club, my friends, and as you will discover there are no secrets that we cannot find, no hidden treasure we cannot steal, and no enemy we cannot surprise…”
Grandmaster thief. Now at the pinnacle of his skill Faros feels that nothing is beyond his ability to filch, or climb – no pocket or lock is denied him. But Faros Evereach feels something else; at the moment he took the head from Malakar’s shoulders he became a true master of the blade. Now, in his hands, Ishtar’s technique can take a different direction. He feels able to instigate new skills, new abilities with the blade and create a whole new way of fighting with the slightly elongated blade.
Dragon Master
Grandmaster Thief
Grandmaster of the Blade
Godslayer
Grandmaster Assassin. Even without the ability to wander the shadow planes Morik is a half Bretonian, half Jezharrain killer who moves as silently as night itself. At one with the shadows he is able to kill from near or far, every muscle in his body honed for the dealing of death. Now Morik is able to experiment with new poisons, with new ways to create explosions; or even the amalgamation of both skills. Grandmastery opens such doorways for his skills, gives him opportunities to take the Art of Death in new directions, create new skills and abilities within his growing sphere of influence.
But Morik Hargath has another talent. He stands on the cusp of the world of the soulless ones; able to feed like vampires yet maintain the power of the living. A fitting position for a half breed! His ability to steal the power from a victim is now augmented – a skill learnt from the dead grandfather of King Archibald himself.
Dragon Master
Grandmaster Assassin
Facedancer
Godslayer
In the midst of the celebrations the three vampires sit and enjoy the calm after the turbulent events of the last few days. Rosa toasts them with a suspiciously dark red liquid. “It’s wine,” she says with a grin, “you need not fear the hunger, you will not succumb to the bloodlust of our kind. In a way that is a shame – it certainly focuses your attention and skills when you have to drink blood to survive.”
With the Dragonstaff in situ the ability to teach, to experiment and to create new things is maximised. There is nowhere else on Grayhawk where training and learning can produce better results. Morik and Faros realise that this is only the start. Other great teachers will soon realise that their only hope of achieving their life’s ambitions and creations is to come here.
In a rare moment of prescience they see hundreds of schools and academies within the Order of the Dragon, a huge centre of learning guarded by the most feared and fearsome creatures in the universe.
As if reading their minds Rosa lifts her glass once more. “A toast then…to the Order of the Dragon…”
It is just hours after the death of Ariel and even now the academy feels different, as though a gaping wound has been opened, a wound that will never heal. The jubilation at the death of Vanyar is overshadowed by the loss of Ariel, the Blade Maiden. Faros is alone in his room and the realisation that he is now the only exponent of the Ishtarrian technique on Grayhawk feels like a heavy burden. But Faros knows that Rosa is close; in fact even as he thinks of her the vampiric disciple of their greatest enemy stands in the doorway.
But she holds no fear for Faros now. The obsession is clear, the infatuation drawing her like a magnet to him. But Faros can see only fear in her eyes now; the kind of morbid, mortal fear that many in Grayhawk feel every day of their simple lives. She slumps into a chair and weeps like a child, cries like a woman who has seen death for the first time.
“He crushed my will, Faros,” she says angrily, “he dominated me beyond the point of no return and now I will be hated for my crimes. But you have no idea what he was like! His will was greater than Malakar’s…no man or woman could withstand him. But the way Andur Jarikstar looked at me…there was death in his eyes – my death.”
The young thief remains silent though he studies her closely. This is not an act; the great Rosa, mistress of death and tyrant of the seas has been cast adrift and is truly alone. Before he can speak she continues;
“What will become of me, my love? What fates have the gods in store for me? What retribution will they exact for the terrible slaughter I have perpetrated in Vanyar’s name?
“Reds has promised to protect me but is he – or anyone for that matter – capable of stopping the son of two gods? And what will Malakar do now? He is maimed and angry; his two most prominent weapons are beyond his reach…I will be hunted until the end of time!”
The gentle spirit of Dalgaert, the dead grandfather of Archibald, is in the room. Faros wonders whether there will ever be any privacy again – but the harshness of the dead shade’s words surprise him.
“Stop wallowing woman!” Dalgaert says, “it is pitiful and beneath you. You are from the noblest of vampire clans and you are alive because of your own choices.” Then he turns to Faros and inclines his head. “Well done, dragonmaster, I congratulate you on the death of Vanyar…and on your courage with my grandson’s ring. Few would even contemplate touching it, let alone wearing it.
“He was the true genius of the family but I like to think that he got a little bit of his flare from me. It is the culmination of his life’s work and a priceless item that many would overlook. But you were smart enough to steal it from Malakar – in fact the haul you took from his palace dealt him a severe blow. You effectively castrated him and took away much of his power…though many will dismiss it as a crass theft, an opportunistic manoeuvre from a chancer. They are wrong. You defeated Malakar the moment you ransacked his home.
“Archibald was one of us – yet retained his humanity through the ring you now wear. In time – with Rosa’s help – you will start to see the fruits of the power of the vampire. She is a new breed of Daywalker, think of her as a prototype of things to come; she has managed to fathom the shadows like no other. She must complete your knowledge so that you too can walk undetected in the world…only then will you enjoy the power of the soulless ones…”
Dalgaert vanishes and Rosa embraces Faros fiercely, her tears flowing as she clings to him tightly. How much she reminds me of Ariel he thinks as he tries to calm her fears.
“Protect me,” she says with the terror near the surface. She kisses him with unbridled passion and he melts in her arms…
[After he has gone]
"Reds offers to protect you, Rosa, and his word is his bond; he will keep it. In the light of day. In the dark, though, only one can protect you, only one like yourself who lives in the Darkness as you do. You are free now, and I will walk where you walk. Jarikstar is the child of Gods but I didn't notice him in there putting his life on the line to beat Vanyar, or to stand next to his lover when it counted. He is not much of a man in my opinion, and if he threatens you I will step beyond time and cut his heart out."
"Our weakness is that we can be found. This will always be my home now, the Citadel of the Dragon, but I think we should leave for a time until his anger cools. With Malakar, Vanyar and Dalmar dead, Rosen may be ready for the vampires to return. Perhaps we can go there and bring our people home."
[This is of course retirement talk and may be delayed by continued table play of the characters... Oh, yes, and shagging her ears off, obviously! :)]
Faros laughs. "Time!" he says. "Time is something we have the luxury of, dear Rosa"
> Later...much later...Rosa stirs next to a half-slumbering Faros, her face etched with unease. "Faros? I seem to have lost my ears...!!!"
Stirred from the nearest to sleep he's managed in nearly a year, Faros is mazed at first. "Could have sworn you said you'd lost your ears," he murmurs indistinctly
It is the language unspoken, the voice unheard yet it is as clear as the brightest sun, as sharp as the keenest sword. The mountains embrace the party, envelop them with their stony might, and protect them from the dangers within.
Grayhawk speaks.
First it was the trees that spoke to you, now the mountains impart their spiritual presence.
Grayhawk speaks…and you can hear the words!
Few can understand the words, few realise that the universe has a voice – few realise that man and elf lost the ability to hear thousands of years ago. But one creature never lost the sound of the earth. One creature truly understood the way of spirits; truly understood the complex relationships between soul and spirit, fire and earth, water and air.
That creature was the dragon. But even the greatest beasts in the universe (in any universe) required the same conjunction to have balance. For every dragon there is a rider of equal status and equal power. So says Grayhawk.
A presence enters your mind from afar. Briefly you glimpse a line of Drenai soldiers on the towering battlements of Dros Drenai, the air is filled with black-winged shapes, the hordes of Malakar are almost upon the citadel and the smell of fear is palpable even from the great mind who speaks to you now.
Instinctively you know it is Hamroth, Lord of the Glaennyn.
“Your talent is tangible,” he says gently though his mind is weary with exertion from fortifying the defences against the Dark One. “I can feel it even here. The war is upon us. Soon the tide of darkness will fall upon the innocent and change Grayhawk forever – soon the skies will blacken with the demons and demon breeds that Malakar throws against us.
“Your pursuit of the legacy of Shadazaar takes you into the heart of dragonkind on Grayhawk; the refuge that Jarik afforded the lost races of the universe. Even there preparations are in motion for the war against Malakar. But your quest will take you in a different direction. Malakar has tried to regain the cloak – or at worst destroy it – but soon the need for Shadazaar’s cloak will be over. You will know when it is time – you will know when you must burn it and lose it forever.
“But Malakar has not cast his last dice against you, nor has interest in your quest faded in the minds of other powerful beings. The influence of the dragons is not lost on the wisest of Grayhawk’s inhabitants, nor is their unique power which you have now tasted. But there is more to come…much more.
“Only when your inner power finds an external release; only when the power of Shadazaar claims your destiny, will you be ready for the next step on your journey. For every dragon lord there is a dragon. Only when you have mastered the power from within will you have the skill and the control to bond with the greatest of beasts; a binding that will fortify and increase both your abilities.
“Head for Malag, in western Kulland, away from the prying eyes and ears of Aldegaarde, where you will find aid and shelter amongst friends. Seek a blind Darklander called Morihito – he is a good friend and will be able to guide you through the difficulties of your training.
“Remember my words dragon lords; the true strength of the dragon is revealed when you turn inward, to a place where the spirit fuels the soul and gives it power…power to achieve almost anything…”
The paladin known as Dull, Reds
Used a black mace for breaking in heads
When he altars unmaked
Then all the Gods quaked
And ascended far over our heads
The thief known as Faros went thieving
While Malakar through planes was off heaving
He stuffed the God's swag
In a nondescript bag
And said 'Think it's time we were leaving'
Pretty Arial had a Black Sword
And of suitors was getting quite bored
'Stop tryin' get in my pants
Or I'll draw with both hands
Your nasty end will just add to my record!'
The lancer on dragons known as Sklaren
Designed us a school like a dragon
With big patches of grass
To whup students' arse
And teach them the skills that we're havin'
The arnoured bloke Vagren's a bodyguard
And everyone thinks that he's ruddy 'ard
But he shows us some heart
Defending some tart
Named Ariel from swains not on her dance card
Now Morik's a poisonous killer
Which side he's on's becoming a thriller
He's not often here
Which raises some fear
That his motives may slip to the iller!
"Et tu, Rosa. We could have a great deal of fun together for a very long time. But not as Vanyar's puppets."
"I will pass the message on." [and I have]
Faros is a thief. His mastery of the art of stealing is beyond question, so when the young man finds himself alone in the Dark God’s palace he cannot help himself. Like any opportunist he acts quickly; there is no telling when Malakar will return. But unlike any other opportunist Faros lets his highly tuned spirit sense guide him – let’s instinct take over.
Amongst the jewellery and trinkets is real treasure. Not everything that sparkles takes his attention as his nimble fingers stroke, caress and seek the valuables that Malakar has around his abode.
The first item is a small egg timer, small enough to hide in the palm of his hand with glittering gold sand that draws his attention. But the sand moves upwards! It vibrates in his hand and makes his head spin when he shakes it. Faros cannot escape the tingling power of theegg timer and slips it into his sack for later inspection.
Next are four silver goblets inscribed with the four elements (air, earth, fire, and water) – placed at each corner of the altar; Faros would not expect such goblets on an altar of chaos. When he slips them in the sack he senses differences in each. The goblet of air is light whilst the fire goblet is hot to the touch. Again he stores them for later inspection.
Normally Faros would ignore anything with the symbol of Malakar inscribed upon it but a small item of clothing – a soft leather glove – catches his eye. It is made of the hide of an unknown creature and tingles to the touch. Without hesitation he takes it, deposits it in the sack.
Weaponry is everywhere but he ignores all the dark blades and Malakar-infused knives. But amongst the fallen paladins he finds a stylised dragon-hilted dagger; the blade is silver and shimmers even in the gloom of the barracks. He stores it with the rest of the treasure.
Faros’ heart hammers. At any moment Malakar could return to find him looting his house but this is an opportunity that he cannot let go. Next he finds a small buckler in the armoury next door to the barracks. It rests amongst dark armour and mail and stands out because of the symbol of a beautiful, ancient and wise elven woman. Faros suspects it might be Willowstarrian but cannot be sure – he stashes it nonetheless because it feels right.
On Malakar’s home plane Faros doubts there are any shops or markets and doubts that any of the dead will have money on them. Whilst none of the corpses have gold or silver there are many rings – some magical, some not – but Faros has to be careful. Malakar is known to use such devices to control and dominate the wearer. But to his great surprise one ring stands out; as soon as his eyes spot it the silver band takes his attention. It is inscribed with symbols, letters in his own tongue. In Rosen the letters spell out: Archibald’s Light.
Faros slips it into his pocket. The name Archibald is known to every Rosen on Grayhawk; the legendary vampiric king of his people. King before Malakar usurped his lands and polluted them with demons. He has taken enough. When he returns to the party they are already moving for their dragons and the young thief keeps tight hold on the Dark God’s Bounty.
Faros Everreach slips the silver ring onto his finger, surprised at how well it fits. He admires the ancient band that was worn almost a century ago by one of the most powerful kings in the history of Rosengrad. Faros knows it is powerful; everything he took from the chambers within Malakar’s castle was potent, the ring being no exception. But the thief is accustomed to donning magical jewellery and trinkets without ever realising their potential.
But this ring is different.
Immediately Faros senses a change within him. It gets colder, dramatically colder, as though his veins had been injected with iced water. At first it is uncomfortable but in minutes it becomes excruciating, like a thousand daggers stabbing him at once. Every nerve in his body explodes. Take it off! He thinks and grabs at his index finger. It is clamped like a vice round his slender, nimble fingers and panic sets in. I am going to die!
But Faros does not die and the pain subsides gradually. His astute mind tries to figure out what is happening to him and then it dawns on him; my blood is freezing! After almost ten minutes his heart stops beating, unable to pump solid blood through his veins. But I live he thinks, terrified by the change.
Alone in his room at the academy he realises that he is more sensitive to light; the torches on the walls like small suns to his sensitive gaze. Not only that, his hearing is amplified beyond what is normal; the smallest sounds become clear, the beating of a dragon’s wings a mile away like a clap of thunder. His flesh is cold to the touch and he can feel the warmth of other creatures – elves and men and dragons. Creatures whose heat is like an inferno to him.
Faros can sense the heat of their blood!
Out in the open the academy continues with its daily routine as normal. Students and acolytes nod to him as always, polite yet distant, and it seems to Faros that he moves like a ghost.
But it is Zandar, his dragon that notices before anyone else. The dragon frowns. “You are different,” he says.
Faros considers the temple and the high priest Kiten. Despite the snow and winter winds Faros does not feel the cold and heads towards the temple. Kiten’s eyes widen when he sees Faros, however none of the other priests or students notice any change.
Kiten raises a massive talon to the young thief and scratches the surface of his forearm. To Faros’s shock there is no blood, in fact his skin has the consistency of granite. His eyes search the high priest for answers and Kiten casts a spell.
“Most fascinating,” Kiten says, “it appears that you are transformed into one of the shadow creatures; vampiric I would say. You have no heart, no blood yet you live because of the powerful band of silver on your finger.
“This ring once belonged to King Archibald – your countryman – and perhaps their greatest king. He was vampiric; that will not surprise you but what surprises me is that he created a ring to produce such an effect. Yet I sense no evil in you Faros and your spirit is as strong as ever. Let me pray to Jarik – the god was a personal friend of Archibalds many decades ago…perhaps he will be able to shed some light on this.”
Faros wanders outside aware that he is being watched. Not by any student or priest; this watcher has a cold heart and a menacing spirit. To his utter horror he spots Rosa, the disciple of Vanyar, standing boldly in the centre of the academy. He is aware that none of the other students can even see her. Somehow Faros can.
“Well well,” she says with an oily smile. Faros is struck by how alike she and Ariel are; Rosa possesses a savage beauty. “How you have changed Faros Everreach – and for the better I might add. It seems that you have grown since I last saw you. Don’t be too upset – I come here all the time; my master has me on reconnaissance missions all the time…I see I will have to be a little more careful now.”
Rosa saunters past the students towards him, her smile lascivious and alluring. “I quite like this new you, Faros, very becoming! Maybe after this is over we can get together…you know what I mean. Vanyar is no fun these days – too much on his mind…I bet you and I could have a right laugh together.”
Her laughter fills the academy but Faros realises he is the only one who can hear it. The young thief is calm; he knows he should attack her but he is too uncertain of his new state, and besides he allows her to talk…because that way he learns.
Rosa never gets too close but her penetrating gaze is all over him; there is lust in her eyes. “You have to hand it to these ancient wizards. That’s Archibald’s ring I see – now he was an absolute genius. I studied him for years before Vanyar unleashed me; my wager is that you have absolutely no idea how powerful the old bastard was, right? Well let me let you into a secret, Faros, he is what all vampires aspire to be; yet he was fairness personified. He counted gods and dragons as friends and was one of the foremost leaders in Grayhawk’s history.
“He is the acceptable face of vampirism. I would dearly like to see you again, young man, you see I am not here to wipe you out…oh no don’t think that. My task is to gather information then – when the time comes – take the Dark God’s blade. If the bitch dies in the process then so be it.”
Faros senses the heat within her. Rosa’s cold blood boils with desire. She blows a kiss to him and vanishes…
One of these (Schrodiger's Student) is dead but Chappie never specified which
Ignigann Deathhelm - Tilean Sorcerer
Str: 17 Dex: 12 Con: 10 Int: 16 Wis: 11 Cha: 10
Ignigann is tall and well-built, with salt'n'pepper hair and deep dark eyes. He has packs of confidence and is one of those people who is 'never wrong'. Unfortunately his judgement sucks. Setting up his dark tower and starting experiments to breed back to hobbits by keeping humans in small boxes next door to an Elenian paladin academy is a good example. A wanted criminal in Tiros Tilean, he fled north and fell in with Kapad, who convinced him to enlist at the Academy. Ignigann plans to use Kapad for his next experiment.
Brafora - Lionian Cleric of Jarik
Str: 12 Dex: 13 Con: 17 Int: 14 Wis: 15 Cha: 15
Brafora is an iconoclast who believes that most nobles - especially kings - are a positive burden to society, and that priests (of Jarik) would be a far better choice to lead the people. Priests of Jarik riding dragons are just plain naturals. Unfailingly kind and helpful to anyone without a title, he makes a special point of speaking slowly and clearly to elves, whom he believes have difficulty with the Common Tongue. He thinks Banlos is a disgrace to his armour. He has a merry, ruddy face and bright blue eyes you can't help but trust.
Kapad - Eren Fighter
Str: 10 Dex: 10 Con: 13 Int: 14 Wis: 13 Cha: 18
Kapad is always first to adopt most plans and schemes, becoming very enthusiastic... until the next idea comes along. He has a tendency to take unfortunates under his wing, hence his plan to rehabilitate Ignigann. Red-headed, big-footed, large-handed and good-natured, he tends to fall over things a lot. He really rather wishes Banlos would shut up from time to time.
Banlos - Kuldraqi Paladin of Jarik
Str: 18 Dex: 12 Con: 16 Int: 12 Wis: 10 Cha: 15
Banlos is arrogant and secretive, of noble birth and proud of it, and wastefully extravagant with money. In conversation he ranges off the subect constantly, revelling in the sound of his own voice and annoying people enormously, despite his aristocratic good looks, noble brow, courtly manners and magnificent dress sense. He regards Brafora as a dangerous subversive and Kapad as an idiot.