 |
|
Letters Home
See the older letters.
- Yes they can
- Dear Pen,
I think I understand it now though I am loath to write it in this mail. We can talk in private. Suffice it to say that our quest for the ring of time was unsuccessful in that we don't have the ring, but quite successful in terms of revealing Truths about my companions.- Your brother,
The Toad.- Can anyone know?
- Dear Pen,
So it's like this. Now that we have the ring of planes, we're after the ring of time. Of course fighting a guy who has dominion over time isn't exactly easy. He keeps resetting things to be more to his liking and I think he's trying to kill poor Gussmer.
Speaking of killing, things are getting pretty weird. When we went after the ring of planes, Ferrol died (kinda served him right what with releasing an evil god and all). Anyhow, I'd have brought him back, but it seems Shane and I were the only ones. Gussmer, Malik, and Morduke all wanted him to remain dead for his blasphemy. Kind of funny since Gusmer is just as likely to profane Gramlock as any of us. Turned out it didn't matter, someone at the tower brought him back anyhow.
So now we're here, I'm separated from the group again (on purpose and my fault) trying to find the timelord on my own. Meanwhile, the others are taking their sweet time trying to catch up. Of course we already got sent back in time once, I'm guessing it's happening again.
I'm not sure what we'll do if we find the guy. Everyone seems to think they should have the ring. Hearing that it's more powerful than the ring of planes started them on the path, then seeing what this guy is doing with it has sealed it.
Me, I'm not too sure anyone should have it. Time was the only truth that was sort of left. Every plane we'd been to had time and it always went forward (maybe at different speeds). Now suddenly even that's not true. the ring violates even that truth and leaves me with great doubt if there is any truth at all. Of course, I'm not being plucked and maybe part of that is my belief that time can't work the way this guy seems to make it work.
I guess we'll know soon or later (or yesterday or something).- Time is fleeting,
The Toad.- Today
- Dear Pen,
Well, I guess they had figured out something about the Ring of the Planes and its owner. He turned off our ability to travel the planes which, of course, got Gussmer's nipples all twisty.
The gang of 'em set out to even the score and take the ring, but it didn't go very well for them. Between Val Jean and the ring's owner and his 15 high level wizard henchmen and a dozen or so dragons they were definitely in over their heads. Luckily Gussmer called me in and I was able to lend a hand at the right moment.
A few big fire spells later, things were looking a lot more to our liking. We wound up killing pretty much anything that dared to oppose us and we took the ring. The only survivor that was on the wrong side was Beltsos and we're not sure Gramlock didn't waste his ass.
Gussmer took the ring leaving the rest of us with hind titty (of course).- Your brother
the Toad.- Fewer Days Ago
- Dear Pen,
We headed off to the lands of the undead, thinking to force them back with the staff of necromancy. It seemed like a good idea and many undead died. To be honest, I liked our plan and I'm not sure why it changed.
Perhaps one of the priests had a vision, perhaps it was more of their twice cursed curiouslty. I should try to remember to ask them sometime.- Your brother,
Toglard- PS: made it back to the tower of course. No one seemed to know what or who we should do next.
- Several Days Ago
- Dear Pen,
Well we escaped well enough and left a lot of dead Amazons in our wake. It felt like old times. I felt kind of good.
I began flying south to get a better idea of our location while the others used magic to return to Atreyu quickly. My way home was mostly south and I soon realized I'd have to fly over the Timor Plains where I could, perhaps, find Malik, the flamer of the east, and settle once and for all which of us is the true master.
It was quite a fight him and a few hundred of his most loyal followers died bravely for the most part. I almost regret having killed them all.- Your brother,
Toglard- PS: made it back to the tower of course. No one seemed to know what or who we should do next.
- Now.
- Dear Pen
I've been searching for Truth for a long time. Sometimes I think I'll never find it, other times, it slaps me in the face when I least expect it. That's what happened today. Here's what I learned:
Curiousity Sucks.
Olowniuk died because he had to know what would happen if he broke the staff. We all nearly died because Malik just had to blow the horn. In mid-Amazon killing. While we were doing well.
Next thing you know there's a 200 foot demon there. Luckily Shane Lee called on powers beyond the ken of even the gods and dispatched the beast. Our fight with the amazons continues- Thank god I'm not a pussy,
Tog- PS: cuz you know, curiousity killed the cat.
- A few minutes ago
- Dear Pen,
Not sure what's going on really. We escaped the clutches of the Amazons only to find the wreckage of a ship. We pulled survivors out of the water. Most of them were Palleg sent to find Malik. Not sure what their original mission was.
Turned out they'd been attacked by Amazons who were sailing out of amazon waters to the east. I lost it. All their diplomatic crap had already put me in a bad mood and I just wished myself aboard their deck so I could cut loose on them and make them know what it would be like to be powerless.
The boys joined me as spells ripped from ship-to-ship, killing hundreds of Amazons. They added their firepower to mine and the waters of the cave were soon red with blood and the walls echoed with the screams of a hundred dykes suddenly long-dicked by the magic of Toglard and the sheer ferocity of Ulrich's men.
That's right, I said cave. We're in some sort of underground harbor and there are literally dozens of Amazon ships here including the three biggest ships I've ever seen in my life. It's hard to believe their intentions could possibly be peaceful. More likely this cave is a staging area for the next step of their attack.
Unfortunately for them, it will probably be their tomb. Even as we were killing them and destroying their ships, Morduke had his elemental friends hard at work sealing the cave so that none of the Amazons could leave...- More when I know it,
Toglard.- Yesterday
- Dear Pen,
Yeah, so we parlayed anyways, not sure why. The head of the local delegation of dykes offered us free passage to Kryll if we'd surrender to the amazons to be taken to justice. After carefully considering it (for about 2.6 seconds) we said "No." We brought their stupid general back to life so our crime was gone.
They made some more noise about the four that had been guarding us and diplomatic incidents and crap like that but we didn't much care. In the end the local baronness asked us not to fight with her people and they wouldn't attack us. We said "whatever" and she dropped a bag of gems as she left.
Rather than fight them all, we teleported to our ship and made sail. Bitches did NOT like that. They attacked, we defended aggressively, a few of them died and we made it outta there. Life was looking pretty good.- Ever the diplomat,
Tog- PS: Can't we all just get along?
- A few days ago
- Dear Pen,
Well, we wreaked havok on some serious undead and a dragon (that's what Gusmer said they were called - big flying two-headed lizards) or two and retrieved the staff. We did have to defeat some mummies and some other crap along the way. Luckily it turns out being made of dust and wrapped in dry cloth is a bad idea if you want to fight Toglard.
Once the guardians were gone, Gusmer helped himself to the staff. I didn't much care since I didn't want it. Nobody got too mad, probably because it immediately made him even weaker. Things got a little tense later when the staff possessed him (or so he says) and made him attack Ulrich. Luckily Ulrich and Farrol disarmed him and put the staff away before any real harm was done.
We exited the cave system and headed for our ship. Things went pretty well until we found a brigade of amazons and a half dozen ships blockading our little island. We put an arrow through one of their generals to let them know we weren't very eager to parlay.- Dyke bitches!
Tog- PS: I bet ya they know Dianna.
- A day or so later
- Dear Pen
So we finally beat our way past the demon and found a big pit. We've had to fight a lot of undead in the last few hours, so I'm guessing the staff of necromany can't be too far away.
I think the real fight may start then. No one's really talked about what we're going to do with the staff once we find it. I mean there's some talk of using it in the wastelands, but the last guys who did that all died. I'm all for killing stuff (you know that), but not if it turns out to be the last thing I ever get to kill. There are still a lot of people who piss me off. I suppose if we stopped and did the four lackeys of evil, a couple of temples of shitforbrains Dicksbeus, and maybe Malik or Dianna (who am I kidding? both!) then I might think about it.
Of course, if we don't die, who's going to carry the stick around? I don't want the f'n thing. Necromancy is stupid magic. Don't get me wrong, the spells where you can kill lots of people are cool, but all that healing, raising and animating (the hra) just isn't for me.- Your bro,
Tog- PS. Yeah, I said HRA ain't for me and I meant it on both counts.
- Sometime
- Dear Pen
Yeah, I know it's been a while. We managed to work our way across the island through a veritable storm of bizarre cats and dogs. We killed them, but it wasn't easy. They were tough and magic resistant. Luckily, they were no match for the toad and his magic ring.
Inside things seemed a little odd. The building kept shifting but some of the contents didn't. We eventually made our way into a library where there was a very helpful librarian. He was the guardian of a library that held all the known history of Aredel. I think if I had time I could have found out a great many things. As it was I learned a few secrets that will be useful for our adventure and something very important.
Remember that bitch Diana that stood me up for the Wizard's Cotillion? She said she was sick? Well, it turns out she was, but she wasn't ill. The sick bitch was making time with her FEMALE roomate. Fuckin' lesbo, why did she even accept my offer. I also found out that the other Malik, the flamer (<- not a typo) of the east is in Timor Plains, so I may have to do some more horseback riding.
Anyhow, we finally had to use a spell to find the Staff cuz Mr. Planar Ranger couldn't find a needle in a haystack (he could find the haystack from three planes away though). We dealt with more of the tricky walls and wound up outside where we were attacked by a flaming demon lizard or something. It died.- Your brother
Toglard- PS: You'd better believe I know where that Diana lives now. Maybe I'll tell the Weekly Wizard's News about her dyke ass.
- Dear Pen,
God! I hate these bitches. Amazons must be the most abominable creatures on Aredel. We went to all the trouble to secure the necessary permits and visas for our trip only to find ourselves blocked at the cursed gates of this accursed place.
They had twisted elementals of earth and water at the narrow entrance to their atoll. We couldn't convince them to do otherwise, so we were forced to kill them all. Many of our magics failed us shortly after that. Luckily, the effect seems the same as the black stones they carry, so I am able to circumvent it.
We made our way past the defile and to their islands. As we got closer Gusmer proved his worth by being able to pick out the location of the staff more clearly. In this case, it was a seemingly uninhabited island a stone's throw from a more inhabited one.
We went to the populated one hoping to learn more about the other. The Amazons were bitchy, several of us stayed below deck to avoid dealing with them, and in the end we learned very little and were assigned a group of guards to go with us.- So how was your day,
Tog.- Unimportant
- Dear Pen
Now that we're beginning to understand the nature of time and how to exploit it, the date really doesn't seem to matter. While only a few days have elapsed on Aredel, Malik and I have been off researching new spells and history in the tower.
It's kind of sad, I've got a bunch of cool new spells and it looks like we're headed for the one place on Aredel where they won't help me. I'm sure something will come up and I'll get to use them. Some of the new spells will certainly draw out the Flame of the East and his cronies. I'll be looking forward to their deaths...- Your subject,
Toglard- PS: Those pinheads give fire a bad name.
- SOH
- Dear Pen
Honey, I'm home!
We thought we were gone a day. It turned out it was a year. I hope things are going well with your kingdom. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you.
We've joined the war against the vile ogres and their pals in Syvkur. In our own inimitable style, we've opted to take the war to them.
We blew out a few hundred on the pallegan border and now we're in the thick of things. Malik's got his tower set up in the middle of a force of 75,000. Ferrol made a wish that made the tower a monster magnet and they're just coming at us in waves. So far we've killed a few hundred. I don't think we'll count ourselves successful unless we kill at least a few thousand. I think we can do it - we really haven't started to blast 'em yet. I'm holding back because sooner or later the leader will come and I think we need to be ready.
After this, I may stop by and see how things are going, then again, I may have more ogres to kill.- I'll keep you informed,
Tog.- PS: Between this event and some other stuff that's happened lately, I've given up on the idea of Truth as universal. There ain't no truth.
- SOH
- Dear Pen
It was a strange battle but we won. I never realized until today how powerful Shane Lee is. He used spells I've barely mastered seemingly at will and killed our opponent nearly single-handedly. Perhaps he is due more respect than I had thought.
We survived, obviously, and have returned home. The magnitude of O's death is beginning to dawn us. Not only have we lost an able companion, but we've lost access to the Ship of Earth and Water, which was our only transportation to the Tower of the Elements. I'm not sure how we'll get back to the tower or if Morduke can recover the ship. It should be an interesting few days as we try to settle O's affairs and determine what we should do next.
I'm at something of a personal crossroads as well, I'll tell you more about it in a few days.- Doubting himself,
Toglard- PS: Forget what I said about the peas. How are the plans for the conclave coming?
- Witus 6, Hus
- Dear Pen,
Wishing is a dangerous thing in the hands of an impatient man. We've been trying to decide if we should go to Syvkur or Hikria or somewhere else. We didn't seem to get answers about what we should do, certainly not quickly enough for me or my friends. I lost my temper and wished we were where we were needed doing what we needed to do.
We're not even on Aredel anymore. Our magic barely works and something about this new place may be making people crazy. Olowniuk is dead. He attacked a group of giants in this strange new world and there was an explosion, the likes of which I haven't seen since we destroyed all those amazon crystals at once.
Luckily, it was only O, so the others haven't complained much, but in the back of my mind I know I was partly at fault for his death. After all, I did give him the wish and the staff that were the source of his undoing, plus I wished him here to this ungodly place. I only hope we can survive and find someway home.- Your brother,
Toglard.- PS: If I don't make it back, make sure that "buttered peas" is recognized as our national dish.
- Witus 3, Hus
- Dear Pen,
I spoke angrily and in great haste with the King of Minneva and declared our countries at war. Obviously, I did not have the right to do so and I will apologize and attempt to find peace.
Our mission there went well though and many slaves who had been wrongfully taken by the Minnevans were set free. I believe that slavery is evil, but I have not yet come to a decision on the Truth of that yet. It is strange for most Minnevans, slave or citizen, would disagree with me. I would say they have lived the lie so long they no longer question it, but I am not sure. I believe Truth is universal, but perhaps not even that is a Truth. More thought is in order. I will let you know how I make out with Arthang the Overlord III- Your brother,
Toglard.- PS How are the Conclave plans going?
- Pious 6, Hus
- Dear Pen
It's hard to believe less than 24 hours has passed since last I wrote. We have defeated the lich and taken his treasures but at great cost to those who relied on magical gadgets to provide a competitive edge. I am now faced with a hard decision. Wishing could fix their items, but I never thought much of those things to begin with and I'm not sure what I should do. I shall look for more guidance. If you have any advice, I'd gladly heed it.- Your brother,
Toglard- PS: I'm sure it's too soon, but have you begun plans for our Conclave yet?
- Pious 5, Hus
- Dear Pen
As the seasons come to an end here things remain strange. We have attacked and the undead seem to have retreated allowing us entry to an ancient temple fortress. We found almost no resistance inside the fortress itself and eventually found yet another well-preserved corpse.
This one was different though, somehow he was still alive and we sensed we could save him. Using a spell, we discovered that his soul was held captive in a gem nearby. Using a second spell, we were able to find the path to the gem. The path and the gem were well guarded, but the guardians were no match for us and were slain.
Deep underground beneath the surface of a marsh we found a large gem which held the soul of this slumbering hero. Soon we hope to restore his soul.
In other news I have given some thought to our Kingdom and I have realized we are going about it wrong. I have more money than I know what to do with and so I will do something with some of it. I want you to hold a convention, probably on the mainland. I will not attend. I want you to pay honorariums to famous thinkers of all different philosophies and religions, even those normally thought of as evil and I want them to all come to this congress. There they will name our kingdom and draft it's laws. Pay them 5,000 gold each with a bonus of 1,000 for each week they spend less than 10 on the project. They have to agree to the laws and all must be willing to abide by them at the end.
While you're at it, I want three historians there to record the event. One who thinks it is a great idea, one who hates it and one who does't care. I will pay 5,000 for each of their notes on the event. When we are done, this iwll be an interesting experiment and our kingdom will be the new kingdom of peace and prosperity.- Your brother,
Tog.- Still not sure.
- Dear Pen
Strange things are still afoot. We decided to head back to Ambroe Isle to see if we could barter some of the items we've recovered and can't use into better or more useful items. For some reason Shane decided he could continue without some special gloves he was having built and we were on a month layoff.
After only four days, we found ourselves back in the thick of it on the Pelleg border. I'm not sure why, since we were taking 30 days off, but that's not important. The dead walk here and, worse yet, they're organized. We've slain many, but it's hard to know if it will be enough or how long they'll be down.
The scene on the Isle was bizarre. The warriors were overcome with greed and traded for item after time to enhance their already extreme combat prowess. Shane was about the same. I'm certain we were taken by both the trader and our partner Olowniuk. If I cared even a little about the money and the magic, I'd probably have to kill one or both of them.- Sincerely,
Toglard- PS: Hopefully things are going well on the island. I may trade for some crap from this trader. I know even weak magic items can be a powerful inducement when hiring guards. Let me know.
- Uncertain
- Dear Pen,
It is hard to remember the date here in the waste. We have travelled underground for several days and have fought creatures that were unimaginably foul. For the first time in many months I have felt that my magics might not be quite what I needed them to be. Part of this is my divestiture, but more of it is the power of these creatures.
I do not know what lurks at the heart of the waste, but something has awakened it and I think it hungers. We have found a map that shows the waste was much smaller 1500 years ago. We do not know if it is still expanding, but it may be. I hope that if we make it to the heart of the waste, we can find the secret of this expansion and, if possible, halt it.
If we do not, I fear our war with the amazons will have been in vain, for it seems the waste will swallow up all of Aredel one day.
Hopefully things are going well on the island. I've learned some new spells recently, a few of which will probably be helpful when I return. I've also earned some coins, which will probably be helpful as well. I haven't been as aggressive about acquiring things as perhaps I should be. We could use some of the things we've found to outfit the army. Still, beginning soldiers with powerful magic might prove too tempting a target. I suppose a balance must be struck.- Your King,
Toglard.- PS: Admit it, I'm King of the household now!
- Dwarus 4, Ril
- Dear King Yukroon,
I am writing to you in hopes that you will lend your support to my recent founding of a new kingdom off the coast of Paruv. I know we have worked well together in the past and hope we can continue our friendly relationship.
My plans are only beginning, so I am probably a year or more away from realizing my dream, but I would like to know who I can count on before I pursue what could become a fool's errand.
I look forward to your answer and your advice.- Yours,
Toglard- Dwarus 4, Ril
- Dear Prince Gremoore
- I am writing to you in hopes that you will lend your support to my recent founding of a new kingdom off the coast of Paruv. I know we have worked well together in the past and hope we can continue our friendly relationship.
My plans are only beginning, so I am probably a year or more away from realizing my dream, but I would like to know who I can count on before I pursue what could become a fool's errand.
I look forward to your answer and your advice. - Yours,
Toglard- Dwarus 4, Ril
- Dear King Hikral Von Hameskin ,
I am writing to you in hopes that you will lend your support to my recent founding of a new kingdom off the coast of Paruv. I know we have worked well together in the past and hope we can continue our friendly relationship.
My plans are only beginning, so I am probably a year or more away from realizing my dream, but I would like to know who I can count on before I pursue what could become a fool's errand.
I look forward to your answer and your advice.- Yours,
Toglard- Dwarus 4, Ril
- Dear Junik,
I am writing to you in hopes that you will lend the support of the temples of Gramlock to my recent founding of a new kingdom off the coast of Paruv. As you know, I am a believer in Gramlock, though he is not my primary god. I would certainly welcome the construction of temples to Gramlock in my Kingdom and would be willing to issue land grants for both temple construction and private homes for worshippers as you see fit.
My plans are only beginning, so I am probably a year or more away from realizing my dream, but I would like to know who I can count on before I pursue what could become a fool's errand.
I look forward to your answer and your advice.- Yours,
Toglard- Ogius 3, Ril
- Esteemed Colleagues,
Fellow wizards, I greet you and I come to you asking a favor. My brother, long a loyal and useful citizen of Ambroe Isle, has been kidnapped by my enemies and is currently being used in a plot to lure me to the Shadow Plane. However my duties here preclude such a trip and, realistically, I might not prevail against Xavier on his home terrain in a trap he's already made for me.
Respected Elders, I was of you a boon. Send men to return my brother to his rightful place. He deserves it as a loyal citizen. He does not deserve to be punished just because of who his brother is. He has been punished for that merely by knowing me for all these years.
Even though we've had our differences, I'm sure we can agree that the kingdom has a responsibilty to protect its citizens, even if they are related to me. If you will not do it for that reason, then please do it knowing that I will repay your kindness ten-fold.
Even as I write this letter I sit aboard a ship with a hold full of gold amid literally dozens of magical items. When I receive word of his release, I will happily arrange an honorarium to the college in the name of those who have done me this great boon.
Help me and so help yourselves for you have power that I do not and would place me in your debt. I know that I am not your equal, but I believe I have been useful in advancing the council's interests thus far and will continue to do so even if you do not restore him to his beloved family.
I need your help. I have not the time nor skill to defeat Xavier and I believe he has set traps against me specifically. By having someone else retrieve my brother, many of his plans will doubtless be ruined.
My need is great and I have included two magical rings in token of my good faith in this matter. You may rest assured I speak the truth when I say that without your help, I do not think my brother will be restored to me while Xavier lives.- Your Student,
Toglard the Toad.- Ogius 3, Ril
- Dear Pen
Sadly, I have no idea if you'll see this or not. I know you're being held on the shadow plane by Xavier, one of my enemies, but I don't know if he's showing you your mail. Though I know you'll be disappointed, I'm not coming to rescue you.
Of course, this will be a strange decision, but it is the only one tha makes sense for me right now. I believe he has taken you to draw me to him. When he sees that having you won't make me come there, I think he'll let you go. After all, it ill suits him to murder someone I won't come to rescue.
Really, I believe that he will come after me now. I think he took you because he couldn't find me. He couldn't find me because I've been living a lie. Now that the lying is over, he should be able to find me easily. At any rate, here's the news:
Recently we wiped out three temples of Daesious and then got our asses handed to us, by Daesious himself and a few of his minions, including the once loyal Gramlock priest Cordova. We managed to wound him and drive him off, but he managed to escape with both his minions and the Sword of Gramlock. Needless to say, Morduke was not happy - both his mentor and his god seemed to abandon him in one day.
You'll probably be thinking I acquitted myself well, but that would be a lie. I did manage to wound Daesious, but I was unable to overcome my awe at his beauty. The good news is that my failure is what led me to the Truth.- Your Brother,
Toglard- PS: I hope this letter will reach you back home on the Island. If it doesn't, then perhaps the Truth has not served as well as I had hoped. Of course, I haven't served the Truth very long either, so perhaps this is all the reward I've earned.
|
|