Mokpo

On Tuesday, February 12, Lord Magnus Grey assembled the Royal Spies in a continued effort to investigate the strange, frozen world of Anodunos. The first order of business was to interview the person rescued from Anodunos the week before. Returning to the Inn near their headquarters, it was readily apparent than enemy forces from within the Spies’ own ranks were out to throw a kink in the plans. Several people, Dirty Underwear, Mr. Bubbles, Jerry Blotter, Anorexorcist-, Artimis Fowl, DontsmokeCigs, A-S-H-E-R-D, and more were witnessed casting multiple spells in an attempt to slow the progress of the Royal Spies. However, their efforts were for naught.

Mokpo, as the person from Anodunos later became known, awoke with a scream. “I must wake up!” Mokpo yelled, pinching himself in apparent disbelief. Attempts by members of the Spies to comfort him went unnoticed as Mokpo continued on in confusion. A loud explosion issued from the main room of the inn, and Mokpo himself ran outside. A couple of more explosions occurred, and in the confusion, Mokpo continued to run around outside of the inn. Both Galen and Ra’Dian Fl’Gith of the Spies tried further to calm Mokpo, but he suddenly called out, “Kal Hur Ort Por!” and disappeared in a strange vortex of wind.

Michael’s Detector

Before long, Michael of Moonglow appeared on the scene, noting, “I heard the rumble from the castle.” The Spies quickly filled him in on what had transpired, and immediately plans were set in motion to determine where Mokpo had gone. To that end, Michael placed a strange device on the ground. “It is based on the blackrock detector,” Michael explained. Martyna Z’muir responded with sarcasm, “Right… since that worked so well,” refering to the original blackrock detector that ripped a hole in Moonglow and opened up a transdimensional gateway to an alternate Moonglow where the Shadowlords reigned supreme. Michael quickly explained that this new detector would not echo magic off of blackrock like the previous detector had, but instead, would use “a small spell that is connected to the gate Mors Gotha cast.” Activating the device, it was quickly discovered that Mokpo was south of Luna, near the first bridge.

At the bridge, the Royal Spies encountered fallen paladins, and also witnessed Lucienne of the Bastion of Light attempting to lure Mokpo into his confidence. “We’re the good guys,” Lucienne told Mokpo, “the heroes of the land, the voice of the people!” Yet, Mokpo continued on in confusion, insistant that he was still dreaming and needed to wake up. As quickly as he was found, he vanished in another vortex of wind.

Xenve Anamolem

Returning to Britain, the Spies reported what had occurred to Michael, and again, Mokpo was tracked, this time to Xenve Anamolem, the gargish fortress on Fire Island. Rushing through the hallways of the ancient dungeon, Mokpo was quickly found, and this time was more talkative. “I came here because I saw a way back to the Void,” Mokpo explained, “But it doesn’t work. I can’t seem to wake up.” Trying to convince Mokpo that he was indeed awake, Martyna Z’muir noted, “We are the ones who Hawkwind said you should lead.” Mokpo paused at the mention of Hawkwind’s name, but before more could be learned, the Bastion of Light errupted onto the scene and a massive battle began. After the battle was won, Mokpo cried out, “What is wrong with you people? Killing each other? If this is real… why do you hurt each other?” Several of the Spies explained that they fought only in defense, but as they spoke, Mokpo’s hands errupted in flame, another explosion occurring. A gate opened to a desert northeast of the Royal City in Ter Mur, as Mokpo noted that he needed to get home.

Shrine of Spirituality

In the desert, Mokpo noticed a growth of dream spice, and indicated that he would need more of it in order to get home. The spies immediately set about helping him to do so, and quickly encountered Void Dreamers, strange beasts that seemed almost unreal. With the dream spice recovered, it became important to find a way into the Void. “How about the Shrine of Spirituality?” Martyna Z’muir suggested, indicating the Shrine in Ilshenar where Mondain’s Skull was being kept. “I remember that place…” Mokpo noted, “Hawkwind took me there. We should go there.”

The Bastion of Light must have somehow known what the next step would be, for they were awaiting in force within the Shrine, however, they were fairly quickly dispatched. Mokpo then ate the dream spice, eager to return home. “I am of the Void,” Mokpo spoke before he departed. “I was born on a world like yours. But I dreamed of the real world that connects all dreams together. So I found a way there. And now I can go back home. But I owe you a favor. When you come to the final world, I will help you find the final prism. Good luck on your journey. You are not alone.”

The Royal Spies returned to Britannia to report in to Lord Grey. An ally had been found.

My Home by Mokpo the Mighty
I am a being of the Ethereal Void.  I was born in a nightmare, but I woke into the stillness of the Void.  It is a place of immeasurable vastness.  There are many things I cannot tell you.  I do not have answers about the nature of my home.  I only know I was meant to be here.  I sometimes return to my nightmare, and it is cold and harsh and terrible.  In the Void, I am warm and happy.  Much of the Void is without shape or being.  In the beginning, the entire Void was without form, an area composed of undifferentiated ether.  Over the time, areas solidified and took the shape of the magics around them.  Moongates appeared and connected so many different dreams.  I sometimes like to stare through the gates at these imaginary places.

Gathering at Empath Abbey

Lady Louisa Clark

This year’s journey to honor the memory of Brialla of the Seven Tears began as it has in previous years by meeting up outside of the abbey in Yew, with everyone encouraged to don monk robes and tread barefoot in honor of the journey made by Brialla between Yew and Minoc.  “Today is a bit unusual,” Lady Louisa Clark, host of the festivities, informed the crowd.  “The monks are expecting one of their own, Brother Vintonio, back from Minoc today.  He will be effectively walking the journey in reverse.”  Clark went on to inform the gathering that he was carrying a golden hourglass, a relic of days past with a dark history and perhaps a curse.  With those announcements out of the way, the journey itself began.

Heading from the abbey, the group made its way through downtown Yew, and then circled out toward the Yew Cemetary.  Nearby, the spirit of Brialla stood waiting, watching the entourage as it trekked by, a faint scent of lilac filling the air, a gentle smile upon her face, and a kindly wave as everyone passed by her peaceful visage.  From there, the travellers headed down the road, and began the long walk to Minoc.

Upon reaching the first guard outpost along the trip, the group encountered Jerry the Guard, who asked about the group’s journey along Brialla’s path, revelling in the idea of living during her day, wondering if he would have had the strength to return to Yew with the information of his travels like Brialla chose to do.  Travelling on, the group met up with Paule Steele, the watcher of the second outpost along the way, and here, grim news awaited the travellers.  The presumed corpse of Brother Vintonio had been found, a ruined map in its hands.  Lady Louisa Clark took the opportunity to share more about the hourglass.  “The golden hourglass was reputed to contain a map to a great treasure.  It was said to have a hidden compartment.”  As if to answer the unspoken question of monks’ interest in the hourglass, she added, “Empath Abbey can always use more funds for their good works.”

Brialla of the Seven Tears

Deciding that the map had been destroyed beyond use, and dismayed that the hourglass had not been found with Brother Vintonio’s corpse, Lady Clark decided it was best to move on.  The entourage moved forth, getting nearer to the Yew/Britain/Minoc crossroads, but stopping first at the crossroads before the river.  There, a young guard named Trev waited to greet the group, and had an interesting tale to tell.  Originally from Cove, and a former member of the Bastion of Light, Trev hoped to one day travel Brialla’s journey.  He spoke of his decision to leave the Bastion of Light, mentioning a creepy mage, but noted he was not against Lucienne; he told too a tale of losing his mother and brother to orcs.  Trev seemed very conflicted in his thoughts, and ultimately decided to return home to Cove where he felt things might make more sense.

Brialla Watching the Pilgrims

The assembly proceeded forward, finally reaching the crossroads on the way to Minoc, passing right through the hub of the Fishing Council of Britannia.  Within the massive guard tower stretching over the road, the company met up with one Robert McFarland, who spoke of having met with Brother Vintonio who was on a journey to Yew.  As the conversation progressed it became obvious that McFarland was rather inebriated, and he began to speak of at least still being on duty, mentioning that other guards had abandoned their posts and run off to join the Bastion of Light.

Approaching the next guard post outside of Cove, the group came to the quick realization that it was abandoned.  “There should be at least one guard manning this outpost,” Lady Clark noted, adding, “It seems… dusty.”  Moving on from the abandoned outpost, the group quickly met up with a strange orc just off the road who told of humans, elves, and gargoyles trying to kill him while he was hunting for squirrels and rats for food.  The assembled group figured from his description that the Bastion of Light was responsible for this too, and after Lady Clark provided the hungry orc with some travel bread, the crowd began the final leg into Minoc.

Mayor Dave of Minoc

Finally under the protection of Minoc’s guards, the group made their way to the north end of town where Mayor Dave met them outside of The Barnacle.  “Happy Brialla Day!” Dave cried out.  “Good to have visitors in Minoc.  Won’t you all come and share a drink at the tavern?”  Everyone made their way inside, whereupon Lady Clark revealed the golden hourglass had been handed to her during the journey.  “So, anyone want to guess who handed that to me?”  Martyna Z’muir guessed, “The ex-Bastion member?”  Nodding, Clark stated, “Trev handed that to me when I have him the travel bread.”  Placing a note on the table, Clark added, “He also handed me this note.”

The note, titled “Monk, Map, Hourglass,” and penned by an unknown author, read:  Monks of Empath Abbey, Here is your hour glass.  I am very sorry to say that the monk carrying it is dead.  Please, please, please don’t wear orc armor anymore.  It is not safe for humans to wear such things in the woods now!  Guards are abandoning their posts and joining our, my former cause.  Be careful!  My friends, my former friends, killed your monk before I could stop them.  When they hit him, a map popped out of the hourglass he was holding.  After they all went to sleep, I put his body out to see [sic], along with the map.  Whatever treasure it led to could not fall into their hands!  I have brought your hourglass back.  I recognized it from when my parents brought me to Empath Abbey as a child.  I wish my return today had been different.  I am truly sorry and will try to make amends.

The Golden Hourglass

With discussions about the journey settled down, Lady Clark invited others to speak and share any tales they had.  Ra’Dian Fl’Gith was the first to speak to the assembly to share a tale, telling of a trip from the days of Minax’s assault on Trinsic, speaking of the lich Juo’nar and a boat journey he and another named Edguardo had shared, suggesting that perhaps the non-violent trip with the lich had perhaps in someway altered the outcome of the greater battle.  After his tale finished, a blind traveller, L’loura, spoke briefly about how she used to live in Minoc, and now spends her days among the wonders of nature, she and her animal companions helping each other to get by.

The evening drew to a close in celebration of Brialla’s travels, but also on the grim note that Lady Clark would have to return to the abbey in Yew to inform them of Brother Vintonio’s murder.  What more might arise from the affairs of the day are difficult to guess, but certainly one must wonder what treasures the hourglass kept hidden, and whether the ruined map is beyond use.

Damon the Necromancer

Jeremy the Jeweler

Last evening, Royal Spymaster Magnus Grey summoned the Royal Spies in order to continue working with Damion the Necromancer on the issue concerning the blackrock prism.  For the safety of Britain, King Blackthorn ordered the experiment be conducted in the nearby graveyard to prevent any unexpected and undue casualties.  Meeting with Damion in the graveyard, the Spies were quickly greeted by his usual “cheerful” countenance.  “I can’t work under these conditions,” Damion spouted off to the nearby spies.  He then revealed, “This prism isn’t the right shape.”  With a little prompting from the nearby Spies, Damion suggested heading to a jeweler at Britain’s own A Girl’s Best Friend, and Martyna Z’muir, one of the Assistant Royal Spymasters, picked up the blackrock prism and headed off to do just that.

Upon arrival, Z’muir and the remainder of the Royal Spies herded into the east Britain jewelery shop, but were quickly asked outside by Jeremey the Jeweler, who was most certainly finding it difficult to breathe with so many people suddenly inside.  Z’muir revealed that the prism needed to be cut, and while surprised, Jeremy did not seem to be beyond the task.  “May I ask what it is for?” Jeremy inquired.  “Um… It’s something special,” was Z’muir’s response.  Several others had various answers, but Jeremy seemed satisfied as he inspected the prism further.  “This piece hasn’t been cut,” he noted, “Like it was a single crystal.”  Looking it over carefully, Jeremy agreed that he could make it into a perfect diamond shape, but asked for the sum of 5,000 gold coins to cover his time and expenses in doing so.  Several of the Royal Spies rushed off to return and pay him — likely paying him more than he had asked for.  Once paid, he instructed the Royal Spies to give him a half-hour to complete the work.

Returning to Damion, the Royal Spies informed him that the piece was being worked on.  “I guess we should do the other missing piece then,” Damion announced, and then revealed that he needed a book from a dead person of “great power” that had conveniently left a book that would have instructions on “transfering world-shaking magics around.”  This required a journey into the bowels of Malas’s dungeon Doom.  Wading through the usual habitants of the vile place, Damion and the Spies worked their way to the southwest corner of Doom, passing through unusual guardians that seemed to indicate the group was nearing the tomb of the powerful mage, Unthar.  Once the Tomb of Unthar was secured, Damion removed the lid from the sarcophagus.  Unthar, now a lich, asked, “Who dares trspass in my tomb?” but quickly caught sight of Damion and called out, “Traitor!”  While the Spies were quick to dispatch Unthar, Damion warned they should quickly leave, as Unthar would mend himself in short time.  Tome in hand, Damion and the Spies returned to Britain, there, Damion sending the Spies back to collect the prism.

Unthar’s Tomb

Martyna Z’muir led the charge back to A Girl’s Best Friend, where a rather angry jeweler awaited them.  “How dare you use me for your king’s foul magic!” Jeremy the Jeweler cried out.  “The king’s blackrock prisms.  Everyone must have heard about them but me.  Another trick by ‘king’ Blackthorn.”  Though some gathered tried to diffuse the situation, others served to press the issue, and Jeremy finally yelled, “We won’t allow Britannia to fall into Chaos!”  Members of the Bastion of Light then appeared and a skirmish quickly broke outside of the jewelers.  Once dispatched, Damion showed up, and was immediately accused of setting the Spies up for a fall.  “I want an apology,” Damion demanded.  Entering the jeweler’s, the prism was found by Damion, who, giving up on an apology, said, “I don’t like you.  You don’t like me.  But we need to finish this stupid ritual so we can be apart.”

Prism Ritual

Returning to Britain’s graveyard, the ritual involving the prisms finally began, with Damion and some of the braver Royal Spies chanting, “Vas Ex Por Ort In Ylem Por.”  Swirling vortices of unleashed void energy ripped through the area, interrupting the casting of the spell, but again, the Royal Spies held fast.  Another casting of the spell, more void energies, and then a gigantic explosion wrapped up the ritual, a gate appearing in the center of the blackrock pieces, and there, standing, looking quite shocked, stood a myserious woman who regained her bearings, and then immediately fled.  Clad in chain and plate armors, donning a violet cloak, no more was seen of her as the Royal Spies lost her in a frantic chase throughout the graveyard.  When asked who she was, Damion responded, “I don’t know… but she isn’t from here,” but as the Royal Spies were chasing her, he cast a spell to dispel the gate through which she had come.

Mysterious Woman

Lord Blackthorn appeared shortly after, and gathered the pieces of the blackrock prisms, asking the Royal Spies to escort him and the pieces back to the hidden vault. “I will look into these prisms more,” Blackthorn announced as the pieces were again secure, “and the stranger who entered Britannia.” King Blackthorn then returned the Spies to their normal duties, asking them to report in to the Royal Spymaster.

The debriefing wrapped up the eve’s mission with the assembled spies reporting on what had transpired throughout the night. Before dismissal, Lady Sarah Paumera had an announcement of her own to make: On Saturday at 8:00pm CST, Lady Louisa Clark will lead the annual celebration of the journey of the great explorer, Brialla of the Seven Tears. Meet in front of Empath Abbey and be sure to wear a monk robe. You can purchase a monk’s robe for a nominal sum from the monks at the Yew Winery. At the end of the walk, anyone who would like to may read a story they have written. The best stories will be placed in the Award Hall.

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (near the bridge leading to King Blackthorn’s Castle). Everyone is invited to attend these events. The next meeting of the Royal Spies will be on 29 January 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).