Blessing and Counsel

Over the days that followed, Hildraft felt a growing conviction, rooted deep in the part of him that was ever linked to Kord - that he and his comrades should visit the Kordasa before embarking on their next quest. Somewhat reluctantly, then, the three of them set out.

A quick step across the miles took them from Reital to Karennal, after which they started the walk across the city to the new temple. As they went, some of the citizens approached them, diffidently trying to see if the dwarf was indeed Hildraft, but the companions walked steadfastly on, refusing conversation, and arrived very quickly at the doors of the Kordasa.

The building was even more impressive close up, soaring marble towers and glittering stained-glass windows, all decorated with the sword and axe symbol of the Church of Kord Triumphant. The guards on the doors recognized Hildraft without any trouble, and dropped to one knee, hilts proffered in fealty. Hildraft waved a hand awkwardly, ushering them up, and Surya - driven by some inner demon - in turn offered his hilt mockingly to the guards, grinning as they recoiled in horror. They clearly were considering drawing on him, but at a gesture from Hildraft were still.

Sack declined to go further, and lurked on the steps as the others entered, surreptitiously trying to deface the doorpost when he thought he wasn't being watched.

Surya and Hildraft strode through the mighty temple, gazing around as they did so. The place was alive with song and prayer, people bustling hither and yon, paladins, priests and monks going about their business. Both expected to be mobbed at any moment, but strangely nobody appeared to notice them at all.

Abruptly, the sounds of the temple cut off into silence, and a tall figure stepped from behind a pillar to meet them. It needed no glance at Hildraft for Surya to realize that this was Kord himself.

The god was not a dwarf to look at, nor a man precisely, but something of both; strong and wild and powerful and joyous. His shoulders and arms were bare and powerful, and his mighty sword Kalmar rested across his shoulders. He turned to face Hildraft, and the latter quailed, unsure if he was to be blamed for High Priest Rasmussen's unexpected demise.

Kord, however, smiled at his priest, and spoke warmly to him. "I am pleased with you, my son. You are not a praying priest, nor a missionary; but my Hand in the world, and my fist in the dark places. Your service is acceptable in my eyes." Hildraft felt a wash of wellbeing as his master praised him in this fashion.

Turning to Surya, Kord continued. As he did so, Sack, standing outside, found that he could hear the God's voice as well. "You two are not my children," he said, "but your deeds in my name have been mighty, and I would be glad to count you as my friends. When the day of your death comes upon you, call on me; your souls will be welcome and honoured in the Hall of the Valiant."

Kord turned his attention to the matter in hand. He confirmed what the group's researches had uncovered; that the First Vampire was imprisoned on Arnora a distant plane in the realm of Law. This plane was sealed against intrusion, but certain primal powers could breach the seals; principal of these powers were Ancorir and Zero-One, the Mace and Sword from before time and gods.

The Mace was still sequestered where it had been lodged by the departing Lords of Chaos; on the plane Kareth, an antimagical plane deep in the Outlands. Access to Kareth was possible through the Vintares Gate, now forgotten of purpose and standing outside the Imperial Palace in Thornal; annointing with royal blood was the only way to open that gate.

Zero-One had been looted from its' storage place a thousand years ago, and was held by a cambion half-devil named Zahral Avara, a hero fighting in the Blood Wars on the ninth level of the plane Avernus, uppermost of the Nine Hells.

The Blood Wars were the eternal conflict that raged between the devils of the Nine Hells and the demons of the Abyss. Spilling across dozens of planes between the two realms, with vast reeking battlefields beyond the belief of mere human mortals covered as far as the eye could see with terrible creatures fighting without let or quarter. Human mercenaries with the ability to travel the planes - and few scruples - had been known to enlist with one side or the other and fight in the Blood Wars. Some even returned.

If the vampires currently seeking the Mace Ancorir secured it, and with it breached the plane Kareth, not only would it free Cain the First Vampire, with it he could unmake parts of the fabric of reality itself, destroying the Positive Energy Plane. This would annhiliate the Good Gods, and plunge the whole multiverse into perpetual Darkness and Desecration; the vampires would naturally rise to the top in such circumstances, and all mortal races would be reduced to mere food.

Once it was clear that the companions were ready to attempt the quest to prevent this, Kord bestowed his blessing on them. For a few seconds all three glowed with a beatific blue light (identical to that emitted by the Axe of Glass). Surya's aura was fringed by a sizzling red crackle. Then it - and Kord - were gone, and the inhabitants of the Kordasa were moving again, though none appeared to perceive the two visitors.

Surya felt in need of refreshment after all this, and left the temple in search of the nearest inn, heading back towards the castle along Ale Street. Sack went straight back to the castle, and Hildraft worked his way deeper into the Kordasa, seeking Jasselan. He was reduced to asking directions, but even when he did so it was clear that the people he spoke to didn't recognize him.

Finally tracking the new High Priest to his chamber, Hildraft started to speak to him, unsure if he was going to be able to be heard, but Jasselan reacted in a more normal fashion. Alone of the devotees of the new Church, he had met Hildraft before, and knew him as a dwarf; as a result he did not prostrate himself or stammer with awe, but greeted him as a visiting superior - no more, no less. This was a relief, but the conversation was awkward nonetheless, and Hildraft was glad to get away.

Down Ale Street, Surya had found a nice-looking hostelry, and was deep into a mug of pretty good beer when a tall, armoured figure stepped up close to him - too close for politeness.

Turning, he found himself looking at a heavily-built human, armoured in meticulously-polished and Kord-emblem-blazoned full plate armour, with a stony face and a dogmatic expression. This individual leaned close to Surya, and suggested forcefully that he finish his drink and leave - the bar to start with, and preferably town and the Prime Material as well - as he and the taint he carried were unwelcome.

Surya, as might be expected, did not take kindly to this, and after a few hot words both drew their swords. "This sword is Durandana!" declaimed the paladin. "with it I slew the Lich Kaland. I am Velarn!" Brandishing his weapons, Surya responded: "This sword was the first blade in a thousand years to wound the dragon Varkar Barduric!" He tossed a purse of gold onto the bar. "That's for the damage." he said.

They set to, and the fight swayed to and fro across the bar. From the first strokes, the Tellaran knew that his opponent was no rash starry-eyed convert but a battle-hardened warrior as experienced as himself. Soon both were wounded, blood runnelling down Surya's face from a serious head wound.

Such a battle could not last long. In the swirl and clangour of blades, Surya saw his opening, and went for it. His lunge drove Tormentor neatly into Velarn's eye, and the paladin dropped with a crash. Surya grabbed his sword, faced down a younger paladin who tried to protest, and left the inn.

Meeting up with Hildraft at the castle gates, he asked the priest to heal him. This Hildraft attempted to do; but the spell left a scar, unusually, right across the Tellaran's face. Kord was clearly not pleased.

(Reital, Tellare 23^rd June, 1601)

Back in the capital, the three adventurers took thought, planning their next move in their God-given quest. Each felt that they should consult with their best sources for advice and help before they chose an approach.

Surya spent some time with the mageguild, taking some tuition in the Art Magic, and working out the specifications for a shield he planned to order the making of; the rest of the time he studied in the library, with Hansen's able assistance, making notes on what he found.

Hildraft Wind Walked to Belamir - which he noticed had expanded visibly since his last visit - and talked long with Elverandil, discussing Cain, the Primal Weapons and their histories. Elverandil related how it had taken a combination of Galoriand and a demigod, plus significant magic, to trap and bind Cain into his current prison; even Galoriand couldn't kill him. He also disagreed with Hildraft's rather hopeful suggestion that the vampires stood little chance of freeing the First Vampire; "If Kord was willing to expend the immense effort required to materialize an avatar here, he must believe there's a very good chance," he commented, not greatly improving Hildraft's mood.

Sack, Imbued with Wind Walk for the trip back, used that same spell to carry him to Vorsand to discuss matters with Skufruss. He found the Dragon's old capital much changed. Most of the ruins of the palace had been cleared away, the fighting had ceased, the fortifications were close to fully repaired, and the town was a long way towards being rebuilt. Everywhere he looked he saw order, organization, structure; the mighty brain of Skufruss was hard at work.

The Kin Dragonlord was pleased to see his old adversary, and made him welcome, listening intently to his account of the quest Kord had proposed. He suggested that the party would best look to the allies they had, whatever strange places they might be found. He also warned Sack against attempting direct access to the plane Arnora; without sufficient power to breach its' seals, who knew where they might end up. At Sack's request, he manufactured two more Arrows of Slaying, one for Sack and a shortbow arrow for Hildraft; Skufruss explained that the magic of these precluded any individual owning more than one at once.