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Awakenings - Chapter 1

A tall man in green, with eyes that pierced her into her soul. Many faceless in red and black. Her... taken by them, for a theft she did not truly commit. Her... among them, as one of them. Training, gruelling effort, which she performed without hesitation or complaint. A plan, where she would lure one who she called friend into a trap. This she also did, without hesitation. Faces she knew once, opposing her and her master's purpose. Conflict. Darkness.

Darian awoke with a start. "Wierd dreams," she thought. "Ah, you are awake. That is well," said a dry voice near her. It turned out to belong to Raskus Stromus, the scholar with bizarre mental powers Darian only vaguely understood. Raskus was a medium sized man with a lean build. He dressed conservatively, in a white tunic over a dark grey shirt with a high collar. His head was totally bald, which made him seem distinguished, rather than detracting from his appearance.

"How do you feel?" he asked, concern faintly touching his even tones. Darian felt lethargic, as though she had abruptly awoken from a deep sleep. She told the scholar as much. "Hmmm, that is to be expected. You have endured much," he replied, touching his finger to his chin.

Darian said the first thing that came to mind. "Huh? What're you talking about?"

Raskus sighed, and replied, "You have a right to know. Listen well." He went on to tell her of how she had been stolen away in the night two weeks ago by the shadowy Brotherhood of the Demon, seemingly in retribution for her "theft" of their master's prized diamond, the Eye of Samarkand. She was subdued and taken before Ra's al Ghul himself. Here her memory cleared. She remembered him leaning toward her, saying, "I should have you killed for this insult, child. Alas, that would be such a waste of ability... of potential. I have something else in mind..." Rakus stopped, sighed, and continued his narrative.

According to Raskus, Ra's al Ghul had done... something... to her mind. He blocked off her emotions, and "conditionned" her to be unswervingly loyal to him. He had her trained extensively in use of her weapons, and then made use of her in one of his plans. She had been sent to Nyrond, where she lured Calidor into a meeting. She drugged his drink, making him lethargic and open to suggestion. Ra's al Ghul crept in, and placed several hypnotic sugestions into his head.

Later, she was ordered to aid in the "termination" of some of her old companions, Lenear and Elpi. After a difficult battle, she was subdued. "You struggled at first, then became completely passive. You were dressed in that," Raskus said, pointing to something draped over a chair. It reminded her of the "nightsuit" Rannik had given her some time ago, but at a glance seemed to be made of finer materials. It looked to be a sort dark green long-sleeved leotard with a high neck, which Darian suspected would cling to her form very closely. Unlike her old suit, this one had no leggings, with two holes for her presumably bare legs to pass through. A short pair of black gloves also sat on the chair, and a pair of black boots of soft leather were on the ground next to it.

"We, were uncertain as to whether these clothes were yours or were supplied to you. In any case, I have been in the process of removing Ra's al Ghul's behaviour modifications and restoring you to your old self. I must confess, it was difficult. Ra's is a brilliant mentallist, and his handiwork ran deep. In addition, such work is at all times a delicate process. Fortunately, you seem fully recovered."

Darian hesitated. She remembered these things, but only vaguely, as tough it was some sort of dream. She remembered doing these things, but it was like watching someone else. She was surprised at her lack of emotional reaction to these events.

"I took the liberty," Raskus said, responding to her unspoken thoughts in that infuriating way of his, "of causing these events to be vague in your memory, 'dreamlike' I suppose. More acute memories would likely be damaging to your mental state. A surface probe seems to indicate you are your usual self. Do you have any inquiries?"

Darian stood abruptly. She picked up her sword, Balisarda. "That domineering bastard. I'll slit his throat for what he did to --" A sneaky smile crossed her face as she noticed how naturally the sword moved in her hands. "...me?"

She casually glanced around the room (to see if Raskus had absent-mindedly left that "stick" anywhere within borrowing grasp). She sleepily tousled her hair.

Alas, the stick was leaning on the wall within Raskus' view. A five-foot long staff is unfortunately hard to miss... especially when it could whine in an obnoxious voice.

"Son-of-a-bitch got my diamond..." pouted Darian, fumbling around through her stuff, making sure everything else was there. She prodded at the new clothes, "Are these safe to put on?".

"To answer your question, yes. The, er, garment appears to be magical, at least according to Kayla. It seems to be as hard as iron, but is as lightweight as the cloth which it appears to be. The boots and gloves are normal. The gloves do contain comparments, which I am told were used to store your... tools. As for the diamond, well, technically it is Ra's al Ghul's property, so it is not surprising that he wanted it back. I will not attempt to stop you from attempting to confront said individual, but I will caution against it. He has mental powers which frankly dwarf my own. A lone confrontation would be... unadvisable."

Raskus nodded, and stated, "You appear to be fine. I do not believe further observation will be necessary. Ah, yes. Two days ago, a message was delivered to you." Reaching into his tunic, he pulls out a sealed envelope. "In respect of your privacy, I have not opened it. If that is all, I shall be going."

Raskus reached for his staff, obviously preparing to leave.

{The garment is made of Cloth of Iron. It provides a base AC of 4, but allows for spellcasting, and is treated as "No Armor" for purposes of thief skills. This should improve most of your present values considerably should you choose to make use of it.}

Darian stripped and changed into the new clothes. She easily slid her elven chain over her shapely form. She then hastily opened the message.

"Errm, um, aheh, I'll be, uh, going now, yes, now... goodbye!" the obviously flustered Raskus stammered. Normally cool and in control, the somewhat repressed scholar seemed to have no idea how to act in the presence of a naked woman. Snatching his staff to his chest, he quickly stumbled out the door, nearly tripping on the way out.

Paying him no mind, Darian went over the letter. Written in a fine, spidery hand, it read:

	Miss Silverstone,

	It is hoped that this letter finds you in good health.  I am
 	Vanestin, a mage.  I have a business proposal for one with your
 	unique talents as an adventurer.  While the risk is great, the 
	reward is, I think, equal to the task.  If you are interested in
 	discussing this further, meet me in my room in the Duke's Repose
 	Inn.  I shall remain in the city until the week is out.

					Yours,
					Vanestin of Moonshade

Putting business matters aside for a moment, Darian examined herself in the mirror. The new outfit clung to her like a second skin, showing off all of her best features. Stretching, she was pleased to find it easier to move in than her elven chain. If the bald guy was right, this outfit was as good as armor. Her lightly tanned legs were bare, and the lines of the outfit showed off her hips nicely in a seductive curve. Posing, she decided that she could certainly go out in public in this as it was, drawing just enough attention to make things interesting, especially of the male variety. Swinging Balisarda experimentally, she looked every inch the adventuring warrior-woman.

She folded the letter, and shoved it in with her stuff. "Hmm.. 'Vanestin'. I wonder if Kayla or Starlimus have heard of this one." Darian left the room, intent on finding Kayla. "She's probably praying again.." thought Darian, momentarily wondering how anyone could spend so much time in meditation without becoming permanently brain-dead. Darian headed toward the Chapel. She paused. "I think it was this way...?"

Darian wandered for a while... was there one chapel or two in this place? As she walked the halls, she mused about how someday she would get a REAL castle, rather than some guardhouse. The castle she called home, Gryphon Castle, was actually a medium-small sized castle, but unfortunately exposure to several much larger (and less common) castles had instilled an image of what a "proper" castle should be.

Hawkwind Castle was a very tall structure, with many floors and twisting staircases. Eventually, she found her way to the meditation chapel. Unfortunately, it was vacant at the time. Looking around at the modest furnishings, Darian wasted no more time there.

Cornering a servant, Darian asked where Kayla might be, and was told she was most likely in her room. Asking where it was, she found it was where Soren used to live!

Darian stalked down the stairs to Soren's... Kayla's room. Finding the door open, she saw that the room had changed considerably. Gone was the clutter... replaced by very little. Bare walls save for a Pelorian sun-symbol hanging from a hook. A small desk, with an open book on it, and two wooden chairs. A set of shelves, with a small number of vases, bottles, and urns; obviously spell components, all neatly ordered. A bed large enough to accomodate one person... not particularly comfortable looking. A small chest at the foot of the bed for clothes. That was it.

Kayla was standing next to a chair by the desk. Kayla was beautiful, much to Darian's chagrin, in a pristine sort of way. Her long, straight blond hair fell just past her shoulders, and her simple white robe could not conceal her fine figure. She stood very straight, with a slightly regal bearing.

Kayla smiled slightly at Darian. "Hello," she said in a soft, slightly patronizing tone of voice. "I see you are up and about. Pelor has clearly shown you his mercy. Can I help you in any way?"

Darian felt mild pangs of heart-ache as she stared into Sorin's old room. Many late nights she had spent confiding in him. He was the only man she really trusted not to hurt her. "Well, she certainly made herself at home," Darian thought bitterly to herself. She tactfully kept her distaste to herself. Big smile.

"Kayla, I was just wondering... Have you ever heard of a mage named Vanestin? He's supposedly from Moonshade (where ever that is)?", as she casually looked around the room, with a false admiration for the new setting. "Nothing interesting to tinker with in here.." she thought, as her eyes glided over the rack of common-place components. Darian could recall piles of arcane, dusty items lining Sorin's walls. Even better, they circulated regularly, with new stuff to keep things curious. She smiled (this one was genuine) and stepped over to peek out the window.

It was a fine day... clear, warm, blue sky, with a bit of a breeze. The sprawling metropolis of Auspelis was clearly visible from here. Darian thought she might be able to see the Pegasus that she once had.

"Well," Kayla mused, "this place, the Old World, is still fairly new to me, so I'm afraid the name Vanestin means nothing to me. On the other hand, I believe Moonshade is the only city on the Isle of Sorcery. If Vanestin is from there, he is quite likely to be a wizard of some sort. Most Old World wizards are from Moonshade, if I remember correctly. I'm afraid if you want to know more about that place, you would have to ask Starlimus. I think he's been there. If I could venture a guess, he might be from there. May I guide you in another way?"

"No, that's helpful. I'll try to find out more from Starlimus." Darian hesitated. "Um,... thanks," she said. Kayla was a strange one. Darian knew she had a tendency to label things either good or bad, with no in-between. Sometimes she wondered how Kayla had labelled her. Especially after this recent incident. Kayla might now have every right to suspect Darian's fealty. "She knew how close I was to Sorin," she thought. "Maybe she thinks I'm like him."

After thanking Kayla, Darian left the room. She passed down the stairwell corridor, remembering all the late nights she had spent in the laboratory, almost falling asleep listening to Sorin chant. On those late nights, she hadn't learned a thing from him. She just liked listening to the echo of his raspy voice off the walls. Maybe she loved him. "What is love?" she thought. She wondered if she ever truly felt it. Was Sorin as selfish as everyone made him sound?

Time to get dressed up, and go to Starlimus' villa. She would have to ride back to Gryphon Castle, find a nice dress or something, and then travel to his villa.

Darian waited patiently as the huge gates were opened for her. She rode out proudly, through the middle of the gate. "Some day I'll have one," she thought.

An uneventful hour passed as Darian rode to Gryphon Castle. The castle was technically still a feifdom of the Duchy, making it Calidor's property. However, its northerly location at this point made its location have no particular strategic importance based on the current situation between the lands of the Old World. Still, if someone decided to attack by sea, Gryphon may once again have found itself a major stronghold.

For now, it was the building Darian tentatively called "home". While any of the young duke's friends and companions were free to make use of it, Darian was the only one who actually did. Gryphon was less than half the size of Hawkwind castle, something which did not sit well with the adventuress.

The inhabitants of Gryphon castle consisted of a staff of servants and a small contigent of ducal guards. They had long ago become accustomed to Darian leaving for long stretches of time unannounced. Thus, as Darian passed through the main gate into the courtyard, there was little comment. Darian dismounted her horse, entered the castle, and made her way to her room upstairs.

Her room was in its usual messy state. While there were servants to clean up, Darian was very possessive of her belongings and disliked the idea of someone touching her things. A quick survey showed her gear where she left it. Her mail shirt was still there, draped over the back of a chair. Clothes lay on the floor, while a few garments still remained in the open wardrobe. Her wealth, less the diamond she had so recently aquired (easy come, easy go...), was intact. Her spellbook and reagents she had with her, as well as her lockpick set.

Darian looked in the wardrobe, considering what to wear. While the outfit she had on would likely go over well with the lecherous Starlimus, maybe something more formal was required...

{The benefits of the Cloth of Iron and Darian's mail shirt are not cumulative. If Darian wishes to wear the mail, her armor class will not change, but she will invoke the penalties to her thief skills the mail normally conveys. Now is an opportunity for Darian to equip herself. Please inform me exactly she will be taking with her.}

{Darian is carrying exactly what her character sheet says she's carrying. I don't know how you deal with spell components. If I have all the components I need here, I'll take them. Otherwise I'll have to buy some of that stuff in town.}

"I think I like this one," she says, then changes into a nice dress. Knowing how quickly battles can begin, she leaves the new green suit on underneath. She leaves her elven chain in her room, and checks that she has her spellbook. She packs an additional 200 gp from her stash into her backpack. After quickly touching up her face with some light colours (left over from her last "makeover"), she leaves the room. Darian grabs a bite to eat from the kitchen, then heads back out on horseback toward Starlimus' villa.

"Now you boys behave," she called flirtatiously back at the guards, and a cloud of dust rose in her wake.

Darian was still getting accustomed to riding with a staff. How did Starlimus do it without it banging his shin until it was bloody? This thought occupied her as she travelled to the villa of the eccentric mage.

Riding through the rolling hills of northern Durenor, passing farmers and the occasional merchant wagon, she eventually reached the sprawling villa of Starlimus Romnus.

The villa was essentially a large, single-story mansion. It had a Thaytian-esque style to it: white marble with fluted columns was prevalent. An exquisitely manicured garden surrounded the place. This was clearly the home of one who placed great value in luxury.

Walking up to the polished mahogany door, she lifted the brass knocker and let it fall. A short time later it was answered by the tall, lean, black-uniformed Jeeves: Starlimus' butler.

Darian smiled. It was always fun to try to get Jeeves to show emotion. She had begun to theorize that he was some sort of golem, the way he never twitched at anything.

She certainly was an interesting enough sight to cause a remark. Dressed in a fine, low-cut crushed velvet gown, she could have been a gentlewoman. The high neck of her new garment was clearly visible over the plunging neckline of the dress, however. She usually kept her sword under the skirts of such dresses, as she did now. One could not help but notice the battered leather backpack on her shoulders, let alone the oddly carved wooden staff, which was festooned with feathers on the end.

Jeeves didn't even blink. That would be... improper of a gentleman's gentleman. Asking Darian to wait a moment, Jeeves disappeared within the mansion. Several minutes passed before he returned, saying, "For your own protection, please place this ring on your finger while you are within the premeses. Walk this way." With that, he led Darian within.

The villa was finely decorated, with paintings, vases, and tapestries everywhere to be seen. More than once Darian had helped herself to an interesting knick-knack when she was here. Starlimus never seemed to notice. The butler led her to a gallery, where the object of her search stood admiring a statue.

Darian's heart always skipped a beat whenever she saw Starlimus. His fine features were without flaw. His slender body seemed to writhe sensuously with every move. His face was like that of a demigods' it was so perfect. As usual, Starlimus was extravigantly dressed, with silk and lace everywhere. His dark blue velvet cape seemed to augment his perfection.

Unsurprisingly, the statue was of Starlimus' favorite artistic subject, namely himself. This one was a white marble nude, which did the mage justice.

Starlimus turned to look at Darian, and beamed. "Ah, Darian, how splendid it is for you to come and visit me! As usual, you are simply ravishing, though I must say that the undergarment you're wearing doesn't quite accent the shade of the dress you have chosen. Ah well, we can't all be perfect, can we? Ha ha ha!" he chuckled, amused at his own comment. "What, may I ask, gives you the pleasure of my company?"

"This 'undergarment' you mentioned, is my new armour. But if it doesn't go well with this outfit, I could, of course, remove it..." Darian paused for effect. She'd had the occasional fling with Starlimus before, but lately he'd become more obscure, buried in his apparent new wealth.

"Say, do you want to buy a staff? It's a Staff of Oobengbo... oobongbu.... uh, it's a Staff of Oblongness! Does lots of weird stuff, and it's in good condish," as Darian casually tries to wipe some of her blood off the lower portion of the staff. "You could probably call it a Staff of Starlimus. Sounds better. Definitely a unique item." She paused with a bright 'saleslady' smile in full force. "I could definitely let it go for 150." She posed with it.

Starlimus was one of nature's constant beings. Born into wealth, he had never known a life that was not filled with luxury. He would happily state that he had never done an honest day's work in his life. And, most importantly, Starlimus' world revolved around Starlimus. He wasn't mean, or cruel, but he was totally incapable of seeing any person's point of view other than his own. For instance, he had had the occasional fling with Darian, and would easily do so again, but it would never have any lasting meaning to him.

"Well, my dear, if you wish to remove your clothes, as a gentleman I cannot refuse your wishes," he said. "But before that, the staff, let's see it." The only thing that held more interest to Starlimus than a daliance with an attractive lady was the prospect of getting a new magical toy.

He looked at the staff pensively. "Ah, it IS magical!" he exclaimed. Somehow, Starlimus' long exposure to magical things had given him the inate ability to detect magic. Darian had once asked him how to do it, and he replied 'Well, you sort of look at it, and you concentrate on seeing magical things, and voila!'

Taking the staff, he went to one of the full length mirrors that occupied every room of his villa. He posed with it. Image was even more important to Starlimus than it was to Darian. "Hmmmm... those feathers truly must go... and polish, yes, definitely a good varnish. Still, I do look striking with it, in a rustic sort of way. I'll take it. Jeeves will pay you at the door," making a small waving motion with his hand. Worrying about money was something that happened to other people. "Ah, yes. What does it do, exactly?"

"'Oobungbelee'! That's it.. Let's see, Magic Missile, Feeblemind, and, oh yeah, I think it does Fear too, if you whirl it above your head. It's not your everyday staff. Definitely you," she stated with an admiring smile. Then it dawned on her that he was somewhat more interested in the staff than her.

"Hey, you're a master of colours. Why don't you just change my dress to match this green thing? I really hate to clash," she remarked, with a trademark pout.

"Anyway, my main purpose for seeing you is about this mage, named Vanestin. He's apparently from Moonshade, on the Isle of Sorcery. Have you heard of him, or his like? I'm wondering if this is someone I can trust."

"Oh, I almost forgot. I got this little vial of expensive cologne just for you. See? I do think of you when I'm busy adventuring!"

Starlimus studied her for a moment. He mumbled a cantrip, snapped his fingers, and her dress was changed to a shade of green slightly lighter than her bodysuit's.

Starlimus paused, sniffing the cologne. Seemingly satisfied, he summoned Jeeves, and told him to place it with his other bottles of expensive cologne. "You just can never have too much, in my opinion!"

That done, he finally addressed Darian again. "The name Vanestin doesn't ring a bell for me. Moonshade, however, now that's an interesting place. It's basically a city where sorcerers rule everything. They have a magic school there, which teaches the basics of magic to those who have the ability. One interesting thing there is that there's a big line between people who can use magic, and those who can't. If you have no magic, you're called a 'mundane' and you just don't matter. As for the rest, well, I do have a few aquaintances there: Gustacios, Fedabiblios, and ah, Frigidazzi," he smiled at that last one, "Anyway, while there are a few there who are alright, you have to watch yourself when dealing with people from Moonshade. They're always looking for ways to increase their own power, and never share it with others. In that, they'll lie, cheat, and steal to get their way. Always watch yourself when dealing with someone from there is what I say. While it is a good place to be a mage, I'm much too sociable to stay there. Besides, sitting on some island all day would rob the world of my magnificence!"

"Thanks, Starlimus. And perhaps later, when I have more time, we can discover if that marble statue is as accurate as you think it is..." as she casted a flirtatious glance back toward him, and turned to leave.

Darian remembered, of course, to collect her money from Jeeves. That staff was getting annoying anyway. She would have liked to keep the feathers though. They might come in handy as a spell component. She was contented that, as usual, she was leaving the villa looking much better than when she entered.