It is a cool day, several days after the rain but still the air was moist. Winter is not quite over yet, although in Elendell rains can come in most times of the year. The morning has begun, and as usual people are living their lives normally. However, a recent attack upon the city library and its envrions has caused some concern among the populace; the attack killed nobody, but the culprit was not caught. Likely, it was meant to cause anxiety, and at that it certainly succeeded.

The group, soon to be the Company, will assemble in a conference room in on the University of Elendell campus. The room itself is fairly unremarkable, with a large oval table with many chairs around it. The most remarkable thing of all is the large circle of inlayed stone that had been put into the wooden table when it was made, which, together with the table's outline, forms a distinctive eye-like shape if one viewed the room from above. The room itself has two main doors, one east and one west, which both came to the sharper ends of the oval table, and both of these doors lead out to the hallways that themselves quickly emptied into the University Quadrangle. But there is a small door to the north, up two steps, which leads to some unknown recess or passageway deeper into the building, and few if any of the students, let alone the common folk, know whither it goes. Those who have seen it open know that there are stairs behind it, but where they lead, well, the faculty know. Only the faculty know.

Who has scheduled the conference room had kept it fairly quiet, but it is obvious that there is to be a meeting in there this morning. In front of each of the chairs and on various places in the table, symmetrically arranged, but not inside of the circle of polished stones, there are bowls of food: fruits, nuts, bread, and honey, all very common and favorite foods of the predominantly Elven population of Elendell. Also in front of every chair sits a small brown cloth bag with strings tying it tight and shut, each bag obviously containing something.

Only the five people invited to the meeting know what it would be about - or so it was hoped by those who have organized it.

GM: You are assumed to have found the University and the conference room without difficulty. The meeting was set to begin at 8:00.

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 12-19-2006 @ 01:30 AM).]

IC: Telpenar carelessly shoved open the eastern door of the conference room at about 7:45, metal armor clanking as he stepped inside. An irritated frown had colored his features on his way to the meeting place, dissuading the few students about from casting more than a curious glance at the steel-clad figure stomping past with the sheathed sword across his back.

Of all the places in the mortal city, Telpenar held this 'University' in the greatest contempt. It was something about how it reminded him vaguely of an alchemists' den he'd visited once in a far distant time and place. The sages of that place had done terrible things in the name of their sacred idol, Science, but at least the other mortals had had enough sense to fear and shun it. There was a chilling sense of an absurd threat in such places for the Maia - so many mortal minds at work reclassifying the world according to mortal philosophies. They thought so much of the physical and material, they ignored or outright spited what was infinitely more powerful and important, and it made Telpenar seethe. Things like their misuse of the power of resurrection.

It was the lot of mortals to die, not to be called back again and again, shrugging off the death that was the essence of their existence. The mortals of the Empire made a hideous mistake, compounded daily, in assuming that magic and the power of reshaping fate were tools, to be used like a pickaxe or a sword. The more they twisted things into what they thought was their favor, the more terrible their ultimate downfall would be. This place was the ultimate expression of the self-glorifying nonsense the mortals fatted themselves on, about exaltation of the physical world and the greatness of sensate life. They revelled in mere earthly sensations and experiences, trusting that such empty things had worth in a cosmos far vaster than mere thought or sensation. What was most hateful to Telpenar was the joy with which the mortals suffused everything they did. If it was born of ignorance, he would understand. But the more they thought they learned of the world, the more they seemed convinced that there was something to be happy about. Their blind arrogance staggered him. No doubt even if the Empire erupted with war and plagues and horrors from outside space and time tomorrow, they would embrace it as a new experience. It disgusted him in a way even the predations and decadences of the great Enemy could not, because it was wrong in a way that what the mortals called evil was not.

When the Empire fell, Telpenar believed, it would be a quiet thing. They lived loudly, boldly, joyously, idiotically, like a countryside of capering jesters. It was only fitting that the end of it all would be a great silencing.

The Ainu gazed at the table for a moment before stepping towards the southern wall, to the left of the door he'd entered through, and instead leaning back against that, remaining standing. He wanted to get moving, he wanted to see what this was about. He hated that he would be kept waiting on a mortal's convenience and could do nothing about it.

"Brooding again?"

The Maia made no sign that he'd heard the voice emanating from the sheath across his back. The sword was quiet for a moment before continuing.

"You would find it easier to get along with people if you tried to look on the bright side of a situation once in a while."

Telpenar did not answer, but he did wonder at times if Irmo would be terribly upset if he melted down the sword and poured the resulting liquid metal into the nearest sea.

"Well, let me know if the situation changes."

OOC: I am assuming it was Corim who told me about the meeting,as that fact was not indicated,and do we know the other characters??also have we been told of the jade warrior yet??I'll post but there are a few other details that have not been given.

IC:

Ammeen was deep in thought as he walked to the university as Corim had said.He had donned his armor and cloak along with the rest of his equipment,ready to leave at a moments notice if need be for Corim had told him to be ready.

Corim had mentioned something about retrieving a statue and he asked Ammeen to come along.Ammeen was more than willing as the daily millitary duties were becoming a bit boring.Although Ammeen had made many new friends during his stay in Elendell,He missed the drier air of the desert and its open spaces and the sand under his feet,he didn't think that he would miss his desert home and strong hold that much.....but he longed now to return to see his brothers and sisters and the rest of his family soon.

But that could wait.......walking down some hallways and around a few corners he finally came to the doors of the conference room.He opened the door wide to accommodate his 7ft. muscular frame as he stooped down just alittle to enter.Ammeen noticed the armor clad person standing next to the wall and nodded a courteous acknowledgement in his direction and looked around.

There was food set on the large table and a brown cloth bag in front of the chairs.Ammeen rolled the small thin cinnamon stick he had in his mouth to the opposite side with his tongue enjoying the taste,moved a bag to one side,pulled the chair back at the end of the row and sat down.Ammeen eyed the fruit and bread but did not take anything at the moment.He folded his arms across his broad chest,leaned back alittle in his chair,and waited for Corim and any others who had been invited to arrive, as he bit down gently on the cinnamon stick forcing the tastey juices onto his tongue.

[This message has been edited by Accusync72 (edited 12-22-2006 @ 09:47 PM).]

Muldro thought about this new opportunity set before him. Though he knew very little about the reason for the gathering he had a few educated guesses. It was obviously to be kept very private, though all the adventuring jobs he had ever gotten were. He suspected it would be something quite dangerous, as it was with any other time Corim was involved.

Muldro walked at a brisk pace, especially for his short little legs, into the university. He quickly found the conference room and cautiously entered around 7:50 AM. There were bowls of fruit laid out on the table with a brown bag sitting in front of each chair. He decided not to sit yet, someone had taken a decent amount of time organizing this, and may have assigned seating, though he saw no direct indication of that yet. Muldro looked around and saw at least one semi-familiar face. Ammeen was a enormous brute, but good natured. While they had not spent much time together, they knew each other from work through the guild and the city guard. Ammeen was a skilled fighter who Corim recruited to the guard. Muldro nodded his acknowledgement to Ammeen and went to stand to the right of the towering fighter. ”Good morning Ammeen.” Muldro also noticed Telpenar and nodded to him. Muldro knew of him, but had never worked or even talked with him before.

[This message has been edited by Trogg (edited 12-30-2006 @ 07:38 AM).]

A broad smile appeared across Ammeen's face when he saw Muldro come through the confrence doors.Ammeen suppressed a silent chuckle,not out of ridicual but out of fondness for the Gnome Sorcerer.Ammeen did not and would never look down on the races of smaller stature,they just were interesting to Ammeen and he enjoyed getting to know them and Muldro was no exception. Ammeen had met Muldro through the Adventurers guild and knew he was a skilled Sorcerer.Muldro's head just cleared the top of the table as he walked over to where Ammeen was seated,Ammeen unfolded his arms and put one arm on the table,turning his chair alittle while looking at Muldro with a smile.Ammeen spoke in a quiet tone of voice

"Muldro....good to see you,hello.So they asked you to accompany the rest of us on this quest also."

Ammeen followed Muldro's glance over to Telpenar and noticed the raw scar on his cheek that ran down his neck which dissappeared under Telpenar's armor

"The gentleman standing next to the wall is the only other one that has arrived as yet.It will be interesting to see who else Corim has invited."

OOC: Black Hound....I assume i can see Telpenar's scar on his cheek and neck.If not i'll edit it out.

[This message has been edited by Accusync72 (edited 12-30-2006 @ 12:48 PM).]

Muldro had expected the response from Ammeen. They did seem to have a good connection on thier first meeting. Muldro responded, "Indeed it's good to see a familiar face here. I was asked to attend this meeting, though I know very little of why. I assume Corim will be here shortly? He may might be able to give a little more information. Do you have any knowledge of why we are gathering?" and as Muldro pointed to the brown bag sitting directly infront of his friend, "or what are in the bags?"

Muldro didn't expect any new information from Ammeen. He was a skilled fighter, he would have to be to have been recruited by Corim, but he was just a guard/soldier type here. Not the type to organize something such as this.

[This message has been edited by Trogg (edited 12-30-2006 @ 02:04 PM).]

The message Iona had received from had just said:

“Meet me in conference room 2 at the University of Elendell campus, if you want to participate in a great and important quest that is also a great theft.
Be there at 8:00 tomorrow If you are interested.

Aimienna”

That of course made Iona very curious about what the quest was about, so at about 7:45 she walked into the university. It took her about 6 minutes to find the right room so she arrived just in time to see a gnome walk into the room in front of her.
“It seems that other people than me will be invited along on this quest” she thought to herself, then walked to the door and entered the room. She walked into the room with an attitude like she owned the place, moved up to the table and made an elegant jump turning herself in the air so she ended up sitting on the table. She then grabbed a fruit and began eating it while she studied the others in the room. She guessed that they were adventures that were going to be invited on the same quest as her, but she could not be entirely sure of that, so she decided to avoid speaking about the quest for now.
“Hi, I am Iona” she said to nobody in particular, and then because Ammeen was the first one to catch her interest she looked at him and said.
“Wow you are big! You are not a normal human are you? ”

talking to Muldro,Ammeen just shook his head indicating that he didn't know much really

"Corim said a statue of some kind of importance is what they are wanting to retrieve. If you ask me,seeing how he has asked you to come along it nodoubt won't be easy."

Ammeen took the cinnamon stick out of his mouth between his thumb and first finger and pointed it toward the bags and shrugged his shoulders slightly

"I haven't looked in the bags yet.I thought i might wait untill Corim or whoever is in charge to mention them.The Princess might have something to do with this,but I'm not sure about that.I heard about some trouble a few days ago,I think Corim might be dealing with that.Who knows..?..that might have something to do with this meeting."

Ammeen sat back and placed the cinnamon stick back in his mouth,and took some nuts and tossed them into his mouth

OOC: Beren i assume the nuts do not have the shells on them?

[This message has been edited by Accusync72 (edited 12-30-2006 @ 09:11 PM).]

talking to Iona

about the same time as Muldro entered the room a female Halfling confidently entered and proceeded to jump on the table landing perfectly in a seated position.

Ammeen couldn't help but smile as he took note of her.
her black hair and brown eyes,her high black boots and those cute little short legs.Ammeen did like brown eyes,and that black hair.Ammeen could tell she was a Rogue of sorts as her clothing was well suited for that line of work.Ammeen was going to hold out his hand for a hand shake,but thought better of it and just nodded and swallowed the nuts in his mouth

"Hello Iona,my name is Ammeen-Addab,pleased to meet you."

Ammeen's smile got wider and he chuckled slightly at her comment about his size

"And yes you are right,I am half giant.I do hope that you do not find that unpleasant."

Ammeen held her gaze looking into her brown eyes as he hoped she would see his human side more so than his giant heritage,as he was more human looking than giant

[This message has been edited by Accusync72 (edited 12-30-2006 @ 05:27 PM).]

IC: Telpenar averted his gaze irritably from the other arrivals, crossing his arms over his chest and shifting his position against the wall with a quiet rattle of metal. It wouldn't be much longer until the princess got here. Whatever she wanted them to do would likely be dirty, tricky business, and he didn't really grudge the others for taking the opportunity to be cheerful about it while they could.

About five minutes before the hour, there are some sounds of footsteps behind the doorway on the north side of the room. Then there is a loud click as some unseen locking mechanism sets itself into some new state, irrespective of the lack of an obvious keyhole or anything of the sort on this side of the door. Suddenly, the doorway swings open, and out walk three elves, first two women and then one man. The women both look very much alike, as if they could be twins, even: they both have round faces with pointed chins and finely-chisled noses, clear and bright blue eyes, straight, golden-blonde hair move with an eagle-like grace and perfect control of their elegant and shapely bodies. By either their bodies or their faces, the two women would be hardly distinguishable save for one of them, the second to exit the doorway has her hair cut to shoulder-length, while the other wears hers long, flowing down her back.

Their clothing could not be more different, however. The first woman wears a slender lavendar dress, although with a slit up the front, presumably so that she can still sprint at full speed if she so wished. Around her torso she wears a loose bodice of a darker purple or majenta, but the fabric is obviously not tight, since it clearly does not restrict her breathing. But in a deep red the symbol of the Phoenix covers her chest, centered over her heart, and decorated with the symbols of the Imperial family and the treasures handed down to them supposedly by the Gods so long ago. Everybody in the room immediately recognizes this first woman as Princess Aimienna, the daughter of the Emperor, by her clothing alone. Some, Iona at least, would recognize her by her face - except for the identical face of the woman behind her.

The second woman, in stark contrast to her Imperial look-alike, wears simple brown pants and a slightly more complicated tan tunic, with stripes of green fabric running down her sides. The tunic has draw-strings all of the way down the woman's front, and the gap in the fabric reveals a white undershirt beneath. In contrast to the Princess, who carries her rapier on her belt as the Hylarin nobility usually do, this second woman has two daggers in her belt, but no other obvious weapons. Indeed, she looks far better equipped for a journey than Aimienna herself - except that she carries no pack, cloak, and no weapon heavier than two daggers on her person either.

Finally, there is the man - who looks Elven enough, although creases on his face denote either the wearing of care or perhaps a splash of Human blood in his distant ancestral past. But his bright green eyes show a sharp mind, and dark hair tied back, cut short among Elves, falls into the back of the hood of his robe. Obviously, the man is a wizard, or one styling himself as such, in the long red robes of a Master, and not of the Silver School that Aimienna herself has studied in, so say the bards. But he is vigorous, his robes open, showing a more casual suit of clothing underneath.

As the three enter the room, Aimienna herself stops and exclaims "You're here! You're early!" She gives a warm smile around the room to Iona and to the three men of various race, or one apparent man. She gives a smile to Telpenar, which to him always has that twinkle that she knows or guesses more than she seems to. Aimienna pulls out a seat and sits herself at the table on the northwest side, not far from where Iona has seated herself on the table. She looks up at Iona and smiles, and then reaches for the center of the table and taps the ring of stone inset into the table. "You might want to move," she adds cheerfully, as if something were going to come up out of the center of the table. As she says this, the red-robed wizard smiles and gives a closed-mouthed chuckle.

The second woman - whomever she is - says nothing, but looks the room up and down and at each doorway, before giving a fainter smile at the rest. She then seats herself on the other side of the table from the stone circle, on the northeast side, such that it looks like two different visions of the same woman arranged symmetrically on the north side of the conference table.

The robed man, meanwhile, sits himself at the very center of the north side of the table, and places his hands upon the outlying stones in the inlaid circle, tapping his fingers absent-mindedly.

GM:

map of the conference room. The hanging lines are doors, the brown is the table, the gray is the stone circle inlaid into the table, A is Aimienna, M and W are the still unnamed man and woman. The table is about twelve feet long on its long axis.

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 12-31-2006 @ 01:44 PM).]

Iona smiled to Ammeen
”Hi Ammeen, pleased to meet you as well. I am not sure whey you think I would find it unpleasant that you is a half –giant? I find it rather interesting… I hope we can become friends, I never had a half –giant friend before…

When Aimienna and then others arrived Iona stared surprised at the other woman. When Aimienna told her to move she absentminded moved off the table then worked over to the other woman. Iona smiled to the woman and said:
Hi, I am Iona, who are you? And whey do your face looks exactly like Aimienna’s? Are you her twin or something like that?

IC: No, not her twin. Obviously her clone, created to specialize in tasks the princess did not wish to dirty her own hands with. Another misuse of their magic. Telpenar only shook his head and deliberately looked away at Aimienna's smile. Do the mortals know how childish and vain their ruler is, to think she is great enough to warrant a copy? Where they see beauty and wisdom, I see only a girl. A girl with dangerous appetites and dangerous inclinations, really no different from any of the rest of them. She lacks gravitas because she lacks vision, and a ruler without vision is at best a tyrant or a fop.

When the princess called for them to move, Telpenar slowly detached from the wall and stepped over to where he could watch the surface of the table. He didn't feel much like sitting down. Besides, what is there to tell about this thing she wants of us? It will involve travelling, plundering, killing, more mortal sorcery... the details are only a rationalization so they don't have to admit they are only the girl's muscle, and that their cheerful acceptance of this quest seals the deaths of men and women they have never met. They believe war is an art. Disgusting little fools. War is easy. Some simple exertions, a disregard for physical risks, mindless assurance that you fight for the right cause, that is all it requires. There is no depth to it. It contributes nothing to the world.

Ammeen was about to address Aimienna but then fell silent as Iona started to speak.Ammeen had to look twice at the female Elves as they both looked almost identical

[This message has been edited by Accusync72 (edited 01-05-2007 @ 05:26 PM).]

The door swung open abruptly and a slightly disheveled elf entered. He was tallish and broad-jawed, with a pronounced brow that made his features seem bold and concentrated. He had an air of experience that was somewhat detracted from by the state of his hair, which suggested that he had rushed to arrive. He ran a gauntleted hand through it as he entered, giving it a more flat appearance and tightened the tie in his hair as he entered.

Anyone could tell that he was used to combat and he was active in the city militia. He wore a full breastplate and black cloak and had a bastard sword at his side. Furthermore, they all recognized him as Corim Nailo, the one who had recruited them as the ones to assemble here and now.

Corim had the best idea among them of what they were facing, and intended to share about it after coming upon a proper time. Only Aimienna had more information than he, and he looked forward to seeing her again. As he looked around the room, he spotted her and headed over to where she stood. "Good morning, Princess," he said with a bow, not too low as to be drastic or overdone but not too brief to be in the semblence of getting an unnecessary formality out of the way.

The strange woman smiles back at Iona and looks about to answer, when Corim enters the door. The elf woman gives the halfling a smirk, but does not say anything: the answer will become clear later.

Aimienna, who had been watching Telpenar with concern at his not sitting down quickly looks to Corim as he enters the door. She nods back to him, with a response of "Good morning, Captain." She pauses to let Corim take a seat, before continuing. "Everyone is here, then."

At this moment, the red-robed wizard rises to his feet and spreads his arms in a gesture upon the stone circle in the center of the table, and its purpose becomes apparent as whirling lights and images come into the air over it, before settling down on a single image: a map of the central region of the Empire, although the northern extent is not shown. The wizard then sits down again. Aimienna looks at him briefly, but then continues as if to let the wizard set up his illusion, before addressing the rest of the people assembled.

"Good morning! I cannot say how much of this Corim has told you already, but I suppose you all know who I am. Just call me 'Aimienna'." She pauses, looking around the table, and down at Iona who is at the eastern end. "And you all know Corim, except for you of course," she flits her eyes toward the other elven woman. "You've met him at least," she then says, her eyes continuing to Iona. "But I suppose the question is how acquainted all of you are with each-other?"

The strange woman, then looks back at Aimienna, and speaks for the fist time. Her voice is similar to Aimienna's as is her appearance, but her tone is different, seeming perhaps slightly gruff, although not very. "I don't know everyone, so perhaps it would be well just so that I do," she says.

"Maybe so, if you wish, but I will explain you shortly." the princess responds cheerfully. The yet unnamed woman allows the beginnings of a smile to cross her face, but remains reserved.

A pause follows, in which the woman surveys the group assembled, taking obvious note of attributes of each of the adventurers. She has the eyes of a hawk - it feels like being looked over by a warrior, both up front and in the shadows. As she sizes up each one, however, it is also clear that she is not thinking of anybody as rivals - rather, she is working them out as allies. As she comes to Muldro, it is clear in her looks that she recognizes that he is far more capable than his obvious traits would indicate. Yet, at the same time, she seems to beg to know more about each one. Eventually, she says "I'm Tétirë." She then also gives a smile, the warmest smile yet from her, but not as friendly as some others routinely show.

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 01-13-2007 @ 03:59 PM).]

Muldro suspected to see an illusion on the table, it was fairly obvious the table was set up for exactly that reason. As the princess and her allies came into the room he was a bit take back by Tétirë. She looked exactly like Aimienna. She might even be a clone. Muldro knew that Great Magic could be used to do such things, though he never really came in contact with the situation before. Some considered it "evil", that only the Gods should have that ability. Muldro however, was fascinated by the whole situation.

As the situation progressed Tétirë spent a good ammount of time focused on Muldro. While he sensed she knew more of him than he knew of her, she was seeking more information. Her eyes clearly showed she was thirsting for knowledge, not just from Muldro, but from, or of, everyone gathered.

Muldro decided that Tétirë was not a threat in any way, and gave her an exagerated wink, and said "Good morning, and very nice to meet you Tétirë." He continued in a whisper, only intended for Tétirë "Maybe we can find a moment to talk later."

IC: Knowledge(religion) Check: 15 + 8 = 23

Telpenar glanced over at Corim's entrance with a slight frown. He couldn't remember if he'd ever met the captain of the guard before. He thought he recollected seeing him in the streets or somewhere innocuous about the city before, but never a conversation. Well, it's not as if it matters. No need to get 'acquainted' when the only thing common between us is doing Aimienna's bidding.

Watching the map dourly, ignoring Tétirë, the Ainu waited for Aimienna to explain what they had been summoned for.

Knowledge(religion) Check: (1d20+0) 16+0 = 16
Knowledge(arcane) Check: (1d20+12) 13+12 = 25

Tétirë looks back and Muldro, again sizing him, before whispering back "Certainly!" She continues to look around with a sharp eye.

GM:

Telpenar knows: (DC 20 Knowlege [religion])

The Music is a rather complicated thing, because it influences the shape of reality in four dimensions, rather than just three. You are broadly aware that destiny, when set, can create the person needed to fulfill a destined event. This needed person can of course still fail in his or her task; unlike fate, destiny can be thwarted. The Music can of course create people from nothingness; indeed, all people were originally created from nothingness by the Music of the Ainur. Ordinarily, however, the creation of a person for the fulfilling of destiny occurs either by way of the destined birth of the chosen one, or by the appearance of an alternate version of somebody who already exists, who is specialized or otherwise follows a path that will allow that person to fulfill it. It is likely that Tétirë is an alternate of Aimienna, but Telpenar cannot be truly certain of that because he does not understand the Music that governs the Children of Illùvitar (even if he helped to perform it)!

Anyone who knows a portion of the Music that alters a particular destiny can perform it and thereby change reality. Some of the Ainur have taught some of their followers portions of the Music that they know, and their followers can then use it. Among the Valar, some, particularly Namò, do not like others' altering fate, even other Valar. Others, such as Irmo, give mortals the tools they need to realize what their inspirations visualize, and yet others, such as Varda and Melkor, allow mortals to do what they must to realize hope or ruin, respectively.

As an Ainu himself, Telpenar is entitled to his own opinions and is not beholden to Irmo's despite that he is Irmo's messenger in more conventional, immaterial, dreams.

Muldro knows: (DC 20 Knowlege [arcana])

Great magic, when used, frequently has multiple effects for a single "spell". This is especially the case when it is used to cause events. Oftentimes these multiple effects are side-effects of one another, which are for the most part beneficial to the caster, but are unavoidable if one wishes to use the Great enchantment at all. Frequently, when Great Magic calls for an event that, under the normal laws of causality, requires the participation of a person with a particular set of characteristics or skills, the spell causes the event (in part) by creating the person necessary for the event to occur. Almost always, this creation is really the realization of a reflection of somebody already existing, often somebody closely connected to the caster and not infrequently the caster himself. Once again, this is often a side-effect of the spell's completion, possibly not even the caster's original intent to do, although a wise Great Magic user will make sure to know what his spell will do and what its numerous side-effects may be before casting it. Still, reflections of people, clones if you will, do sometimes happen unintentionally as a result of Great Magic spells, particularly enchantments.

Unless Tétirë is Aimienna's long-lost identical twin sister (which is of course a naturally occurring clone), she is probably such a reflection, created by some spell that Aimienna or somebody associated with her has cast, and who exists for some specific purpose, one probably itself associated with the quest at hand. If so, then yes, she could technically be considered a clone, although she is not a case of casual cloning. Aimienna, or another mage acting on her "behalf", could not create an army of her this way. It is of course also possible that Tétirë is a casual clone, a clone made just for the purposes of being a clone, and (theoretically; this is difficult in practice) one could make an army of them. This is less likely, however, among other reasons because more people consider casual cloning to be at best disreputable but who do not frown on the creation of reflections as causal agents of Great Magic-prescribed destiny. Of course, there are of course some who would argue that altering destiny is evil, and that casual cloning is not!

One last possibility, of course, is that Tétirë is not a clone of Aimienna at all but really just a body double, who happens to look or who is masked with an illusion to make her appear as if she were a clone of Aimienna when in fact she is not.

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 01-09-2007 @ 01:53 AM).]

After a pause, Aimienna looks around. "I guess you all know one-another? I suppose we will start, then."

The red-robed wizard leans forward and sets his hands upon the stone inset on the table, and the illusion changes, zooming in on the city of Jheridura, west of Elendell. Jheridura is a city that most everybody in Elendell knows something of, being one of the more populous cities in this part of the continent, certainly larger and more populous than Elendell itself, although less wealthy. The city is ruled by a Prince, Goldshield is the name of the family house and the current ruler is named Diarkan. Being a largely human city, there is relatively little magic in the city's basic function and wealth, unlike Elendell, which is known for its prosperity assisted by magical means.

"A few days ago," Aimienna begins, "it came to our attention that a powerful wizard in Jheridura by the name of Lord Caradge has staged what amounts to a coup de etat against Prince Goldshield. Nominally, the Prince is still in charge, but Caradge has effectively taken over the city. He has done this using an artifact that is being called the 'Jade Warrior'. Caradge now plans to bring Jheridura into league with the Mannish alliance to the south that has been fighting most of the wars against the Empire. However, I personally am more worried about what Caradge will do with the artifact itself. Master Anuminlir-" she says, turning toward the wizard.

As she speaks, the illusion changes, from a closeup map of Jheridura, to a portrait of Lord Caradge, and then to images of the fighting that is taking place in the southern reaches of the plains, north of the swamps. The large town of Nisiril, south of Elendil, has had a view of the fighting on occasion, but at the moment most of it has been confined to the open plains.

However, as she continues speaking, the image changes into that of a statue made of a deep green rock, and carven in a sitting position in a highly stylized fashion, as a king, but with an elaborate headdress instead of a crown. Sunken into the statues eye sockets are two balls as eyes, their pupils and irises carved in and somehow giving off an aura of menace. The statue's mouth is open, showing a few teeth, but they are not cut deep into the statue, a depression is all that illustrates the open mouth. Something that looks like a sword or long knife hangs from the statues left side. Its hands, however, are folded across its belly.

At the mention of his name, Anuminlir begins speaking. "Thank you, Mistriss Aimienna," he says. His voice is gravelly and seasoned, as one who has spent his life in the pursuit of history and magic, and who has endured his share of hardships. "The Jade Warrior is one of a number of artifacts made by the Elmori sect between one thousand and five hundred years ago, in honor of Vairë, the Lady of Time. These artifacts were of several kinds, and could act in several different ways. The Jade Warrior is the name of one of these artifacts that you now see in illusory form before you: it is a statue of jade, and with the proper calling, it has the power to come to life. Some might call it a golem, but it is far more powerful than a typical golem. Exactly what its powers are we do not know, save that it favors the defensive, for itself, but doubtless it has some offensive might as well, more than might be apparent merely from the form of the object." The illusion changes to an image of the members of the Elmori sect, wearing their green and purple robes, but with relatively little detail, as most of it is speculative.

"We do not know how many Jade Warriors the Elmori made, perhaps just the one, but we do believe that they cannot make any more of them. The Elmori sect was centered around a bloodline, and their powers tied to it, and that bloodline died out hundreds of years ago. It is unclear where Caradge found this statue, but as is usual with Great Magic, the revealing of it granted him power beyond the measure of the statue itself: he has used this power for charm or for terror, and thus he has been able to take control over Goldshield's city.

"The Jade Warrior itself presents the biggest threat, however. On a battlefield, it would be a mighty adversary, but there are more creative uses for it than that. Because it is a single foe, it could get into Elendell far more easily than an army could, and once here it could cause damage to the mages and clerics that provide the magic that gives the Empire its resilience, its prosperity. We surely could defeat it, but not without grave cost. If Caradge has a follow up to it, and we no counter for it, then he could concievably slay the heart of our people's strength. Then our wars in the south would become far more costly than they are! Fortunately, we do have a counter. I think you should explain this one, Mistress Aimienna."

The image fixes on the Jade Warrior once again, but this time set in a room against red tapestries behind it, and on a raised part of a stone floor, like the area around an altar. Around the square raised region is a semicircular band of dark stone, stone that obviously contains writing, but the writing is not legible from the image. Aimienna shifts her weight again, and Tétirë looks at her. Then Aimienna speaks again. ”In revealing the statue to us, Caradge has set himself up for a difficulty. Iunar found, and he, myself, and Mistress Laswen cast it: our own Great Spell that will facilitate the acquisition, or theft if you prefer, of the Jade Warrior from Lord Caradge. Unfortunately, the spell does not cause the artifact to miraculously appear in our possession and not in his: we still have to go and get it, and when I say ‘we’, I mean we. I will be coming on this expedition. The enchantment that myself and the others cast does for us a number of things: first, and most important, it will prevent the artifact from waking up while we attempt to nab it, provided that we don’t do something foolish to wake it up. Second, it allows for the support to us that will help us and enable us to get it. Third, because the spell invokes an event, the theft of the artifact, it created a thief to help cause the event - this is Tétirë, whom some of you have no doubt noticed is a reflection of myself, for even Great Magic can normally only create children or reflections of those who already live, and only the greatest can truly create people from nothing. Finally, the event that the spell causes is to occur without loss to those who steal the artifact: if any of us should perish along the way, clerics with the strength to do so will have no difficulty reviving the fallen.”

Aimienna sets her hands on the table, folded in front of her, and looks over the group once again. ”I suppose that’s a lot to absorb, but I don’t believe in hiding information from my comrades. I plan on leaving tomorrow at dawn. I expect that Caradge will have some inkling that we are coming, but if he has noticed the spell, it will serve as a fifth effect: it will blind him to our exact timing and location, and he is too late to simply counterspell us. We will be able to do this without facing him directly, but if he has any surprises to lie in wait for us, we may encounter some of them. Caradge is more powerful than any of us, I deem, but not greatly so: if all of us come on this journey, he will be pressed to face us all directly. Indeed, he probably would lose, without using Great Magic, and at this moment it is we, not him, who possess the advantage there. There are some allies we might encounter along the way, a tribe of centaurs in the forest to the north of the road, as well as a spy in Jheridura itself who helped alert us of the artifact. We cannot count on their help, however, or if so we may need to aid them: the centaurs in particular have had some difficulties in the past, I understand, and our lack of news from them is worrying. Yet, they may give us aid, if they can. Indeed the spell that Iunar and myself and Laswen cast may also further lend aid to them without our knowledge, if they might help us!” Although her last sentence ends with a smile, she then turns serious and grim. ”I suppose that I should pause now and ask you: of those of you who remain interested, which I hope to be all of you, have any of you any questions about the objective, the plan, or the situation? I will discuss compensation before we break up today.”

[This message has been edited by Beren V (edited 01-15-2007 @ 10:55 PM).]

Muldro stood up and looked around the room before speaking. "I had planned on riding out to see Hylaeus today, a Centaur I've become quite close with over the last couple of years. He may, and possibly his brother, guide us through the forest. They know the area well, and are two of the strongest fighters in the tribe. Should I ask him to come along?" Although the question was said to the group it was specifically pointed toward Aimienna. "Even if he decides to aid us, the mission sounds to be rather dangerous. And he will likely not be able or willing to go into a city, so we will not be able to count on his help while there."

Muldro was no longer in the playful mood that cause him to wink at Tétirë. The fact that Aimienna, in conjunction with others, had used such powerful Great Magic to create a clone didn't sit well. While it has always been possible, it is rare, and difficult. It would take quite a great effort to accomplish. Surely this, if not anything else, would prove how important this artifact is, and how dangerous the road ahead is likely to be.

Corim had heard most of this information before, but it was good to hear it again and in more detail. The people that he had chosen were balanced and mobile, and Aimienna's own contributions were well done. He had all confidence in the success of this mission, especially with the aid of Great Magic, which he had barely ventured into himself (but he had, in fact).

The captain listened to the gnome talk. Had Aimienna not already provisioned for his question in her speech? He answered the question himself. "The princess has already made plans to head through the forest and meet the centaurs there, Muldro," he said. "If you have friends among them, that is only advantageous, and of course we would appreciate their aid."

He didn't show it, but sometimes he just couldn't take gnomes as seriously as he should. He could respect their skills with magic and illusions, but there was just something about them.... Even elves couldn't deny that most felt as he did.

While Muldro was somewhat tolerent of Corim simply because he was the Captain of the Guard, he simply didn't want to deal with idiocy today. And responded coldly"You may want to listen more closely to what the princess has to say. We MAY incounter them, and we CAN NOT count on their help. I am offering to increase the odds of getting their help. We will likely need it!" Muldro continued to glare at Corim, and thought "Maybe I should soil that fine clean armor he has on, the spell would only take a moment."

After releasing Corim from his scolding glare, Muldro turned back toward the princess and smiled. Then bowing slightly he took his seat indicating he was done speaking.

Corim raised an eyebrow skeptically. He was no stranger to Muldro, and Muldro was no stranger to him. And yet the captain had just been addressed in such a way that was particularly demeaning and deliberately so. Now, the captain was not a particularly hot-tempered man, but anger quickly rose in him. He wanted to stand up, but resisted the urge.

He took a deep breath instead and let it out. His voice was flat when he spoke. "I did not intend to imply that their aid was beyond question, nor did I intend to imply that your idea was not a sound one. If I did in any way, I apologize," he said, keeping his voice calm. "I only mean to say that if your relations with these centaurs will increase the chance of their guiding us through the forest, there is no reason why you should not ask.

"No offense was intended, friend. But be wary to guard yourself against sowing the seeds of strife within this party, which will need nothing more than to unify against the challenges that face us," he finished. Perhaps this was a little too much, but it needed to be said.

Muldro simply ignored the elf. Although his words may have been true enough, Muldro was not going to give Corim that satisfaction. Though the appology was something you often got from the Captian of the Guard.

Muldro glanced back and nodded, though decided to keep his mouth shut. Enough had been said, and adding anything might just increase the already rising level of tension within the room.

[This message has been edited by Trogg (edited 01-14-2007 @ 01:19 PM).]

OOC: I need to add a scale bar on that map...

IC:

Aimienna's eyes flick quickly between Corim and Muldro, as the two argue over seemingly nothing. She remains seated, trying to appear calm, although she has shifted her weight slightly as if to brace for a storm between the gnome and the guardsman. "Unfortunately, riding out to see this Hylaeus of whom you speak won't work, unless either you can ride with the speed of an eagle day and night or else Hylaeus lives far closer to Elendell than I had thought. That woodland is several days away. But it is well, if you know him; I have never met him, although I believe I remember Garin mentioning the name. If you can find him when we set out, that would be good - but remember that the alliance of Men to the south that Caradge is now part of is itself allied to the Orcs of the north, with whom the centuars have been fighting for decades. This would be an ideal time for Caradge to give the centuars something more immediate than ourselves to concern them."

GM: Muldro, give me a Knowledge (arcana) check.

Leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest while he listened to Aimienna and the wizard.With his right hand Ammeen turned the cinnamon stick in his mouth between his finger and thumb,flipping it around so the fresh end was being relieved of its fresh cinnamon flavor in his mouth.

Tetire had come to be, by Great magic, and would aid the quest,which was to retrieve a green statue calld the "Jade Warrior".Ammeen looked at the attractive Elf and wondered what she must be feeling about herself and others,seeing things for the first time,learning new things,that to others was common place.Ammeen smiled and figured she must be intrigued,excited,and overwhelmed all at the same time.Aimienna surely must have explained many things to her Ammeen was sure of that.

Grabbing a piece of bread,Ammeen took small pieces and ate them while he continued to listen and observe the others as he really didn't have any questions he could think of at the moment,although he did wonder what was in the bags.

OOC: I included a local check just incase it was needed

IC: Muldro thought about going out to the Centaur tribe to find Hylaeus, but the idea didn't seem realistic. He thought about what was going on in the area, and what *could* be happening. And what influence magic had over those actions. If there was a surge of power from the orcs, Hylaeus would likely be involved.
Knowledge(arcane) Check: (1d20+12) 18+12 = 30
Knowledge(local) Check: (1d20+0) 3+0 = 3

GM: Creating a person reflected in some way from somebody else using Great Magic is not as difficult as Muldro seems to think. The Deck of Many Things, which is a well-known class of minor artifact, includes a card that creates a champion who serves the person who draws the card. There are other, less complete, ways to do it as well, such as the use of a Polymorph Any Object on something like a grain of sand into a human or elf or whatever, followed by a Permanancy, to make it stick. The difference is that the Great Magic creation cannot be dispelled by anything short of a Mage's Disjunction, whereas the polymorph-permanancy combo can be unmade with a simple Dispel Magic.