MDIGIACO@TUFTS.BITNET The Harlequin's Legacy: Chapter 1 In ancient times, long since forgotten by all but a few, the Emperior sought new sources of power. A young apprentice, whose name is not recorded, discovered a new source of power in life itself. He realized that the use of this "flame of life" was inherent in a few members of the population. By mystic means, he merged himself with the flames of life, and became the Harlequin. After the Emperior died, the Harlequin attracted several disciples, and founded the Eternal Order. It's purpose, to locate those in whom the Heartfire runs high, train them in its use, and protect the Hearth. The sun rose, as suns tend to do, spreading its golden radiance across the Vale of Jampa'all, deep in the Forest of Pannox. Two figures ran across the fields,a nd yet neither were touching the ground. "Come on Tellin, or we'll be late." The speaker was a youth of medium height, just gaining the fuzz of adulthood. His compainion was younger, but not as concerned. "Don't worry, Belkar. Mugaro is guarding the gate today, and he promised to keep it open so we won't miss the ceremony." Today was a big day for both of the boys. Today they found out whether or not they'd passed the tests to become full-fledged Adepts, or remain Prentices for another year. Tellin was proud, for he had heard one of the Proctors say that he was the youngest person to take the tests. A peculiar shifting occured up ahead, and what appeared to be a wall of fog appeared in front of them. <<> The voice echoed in their heads. Mugaro had kept his promise. The Gate was still open. As they rushed through the fog, a large collection of buildings appeared in the mists. Soon the fog lifted altogether, and the boys headed for the largest structure. Once inside, the put on shimmering white robes, and entered the Grand Conclave. A group of similarily garbed youths stood in the center of the large chamber exchanging quips, both vocally and otherwise. Sitting on benches on the sides of the hall were several more ecletically dressed individuals. All grew silent as a "voice" announced, <<> ======================================================================== Chapter 2 All eyes turned to the front of the Chamber. There on a high platform stood several chairs. As the crowd watched, the chairs were occupied, in some cases by people floating onto them, in others just by a "presence". The Most ornate chair stood in the center, and was soon occupied by Marixa, First Proctor, and Protector of the Hearth. She motioned her hand and a largish scroll wafted into it from the hands of her assistant. <<> An almost visible wave of emotion passed through the assembled candidates. In fact, several Adepts in the audience were able to see it. Marixa continued. <<< I invite all assembled here today to join me in affirming our loyalties to the Order.>> All of the minds in the room focused onto a large white disc, centered in the floor just in front of the platform. Soon the stone lifted away from the pit it covered, and slid beneath the Councils dais. The pit beneath it was lined with several small crystals, and as the focus grew stronger, a pure white flame rose out of the pit, and the Oath began. <<< Here, joined with my brethren in the sight of the Hearth, I swear by the fire within to protect the Hearth from all who may quench it, and further to preserve Life, in all it's forms, so long as my HeartFire Burns>> At this point, the flames grew, seeminlgy encompassing ther whole world. As the fire subsided, the cover of the pit reappeared on the Hearth. Oddly enough, as the records have always agreed upon, no one in the room remembered replacing the Hearthstone. The next stage of the ceremony was the assigning of posts. Most were placed under various masters. Belkar, for example, was assigned to Proctor Albertus, for graduate work in the Path of Earth. As the list droned on, Tellin grew anxious, for the plum assignments were being snatched up, and his name had yet to be called. Finally, he stood alone, like the weakling at a game of leatherball. Marixa turned to him and said, with lips no less, "Tellin, every Proctor here tried to get you assigned under them. frankly, your potential has astonished quite a few people. But you must walk a different path. Recently, a great threat to the Hearth was destroyed at StoneGrip Keep. I speak of the Deathknight Draxon. Although he was destroyed, those Masters who peered into the void to see his fate have all agreed. You must be at StoneGrip, for more crises will arise. I have assigned Finder Barim to accompany you, and further your training." The news came as quite a shock to the youth. Not only was he assigned outside of the Vale, but he was traveling in the company of Barim, greatest of the Finders, who searched for those with the Talent, who brought Tellin to the Vale, and who hadn't been seen for years! <<< I wouldn't have put it so dramatically, Kid. I'm just good at my job>> Tellin turned around with a jerk. There stood Barim, with a smilke dancing in his eyes. Barim laughed out loud, and rermarked, "Mugaro told me you almost missed the ceremony. Don't feel too bad, because I did miss it. Anyway, it's time to go. Your gear is already packed." Head still spinning from the news, Tellin followed Barim outside of the chamber. Marixa quenched the lamps with a gesture, and left by her own means. In the darkness of the chamber, an eldritch light played on the Hearthstone, and a figure detached itself from the shadows. ======================================================================== The Harlequin's Legacy: Chapter 3 When we last saw our intrepid pair they had just left the Vale, heading toward Stonegrip. Several weeks have passed, and Barim has continued training the new Adept. "Barim, why do you carry a sword, if our powers are so strong?" The elder Adept stopped his exercise and turned to Tellin. "There are times when a few feet of steel are more helpful than a psychic attack" "Like when?" "Like when the other guy knows more about mind powers than you do. Wait a minute... someone's coming!! Prepare your sheilds!" "I don't hear anything." "It's minds you should listen for, not footsteps. This guy is quiet, but he hasn't sheilded his thoughts." At that moment, a gaudily dressed figure entered the clearing. His jerkin was trimmed with ribbons of every color in the rainbow, as well as a few that aren't. "Greetings, fellow travelers," the stranger called,"I am Arkaan, King of Bards, and Bard to Kings!" <<> "Greetings sir! I am Barim, a wandering tinker. This is my son Tellin. Won't you sup with us?" "Most kind of you to offer! I do believe I'll join you!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later that night, Barim attempted to probe Arkaan, to discover his purpose. A direct reading discovered little, as Arkaan appeared to be composing a new song , and his mind was focused on this endeavour. Barim focused his mind on Arkaan's possessions, but again they great variety of experiences imprinted upon them drowned out any useful information. "Where are you two headed, Tinker?" Although a more ribald response popped into his head, Barim resisted his baser instincts and replied, "We head North. Rumor has it that the lands there recently sufferred the ravages of an Undead army. There may be need of a tinker's skills." "I've heard those rumors as well. I've also heard tale of a pirate ship sailing among the clouds, and a blue dragon attacking the countryside. There have also been tales of goblins, and of the Company defending the passes. Perhaps it would not be safe to travel north at this time." "We travel north. My sword is not for show alone, and Tellin shows promise with a sling." "Then I shall accompany you. The songs I'll write of this voyage will be epic! " <<> <<> The fire sputtered out, and the motley crew settled into sleep. The polestar turned the heavens, and near midnight, a "thought" awoke Barim. As he came to, he checked the area with his second sight. A band of Goblins was sneaking up to the campsite. Barim prepared to muster a psychic attack, but as he readied his thrust, Arkaan threw off his blanket and "stung" the lead goblins with a projection of pure fear. Arkaan began a low chanting, and the goblins' armor began to smoke. Finally, Arkaan let out a piercing whistle, so high that Barim almost didn't here him. The goblins dropped their daggers,turned tail, and ran. Arkaan hummed a ditty to himself, as he collected the daggers, and tossed them into the woods. Finally, he went back to his bedroll, wrappped his blakets around him, and drifted to sleep. Barim kept an "eye" on Arkaan until he could be sure he was asleep. He changed the focus of his mind, and called: <<> <<> <<> <<> <<> <<> <<> By using their powers they were able to pack quickly and silently. As they left the clearing, Barim explained how some Adepts do forbidden acts, such as draining life force directly from a person, or long term manipulation of someone's mind. These are cast from the Order, and branded renegade. Soon they had vanished into the woods. At that moment, Arkaan stood up, and began to clear the camp, by growing a thicket in the clearing. In the few moments this took, he remarked,"Those two have a lot of potential, but I think they'll need me again." Chuckling to himself, Arkaan swirled his blanket around his shoulders. A white flame arose, and he vanished from sight, leaving only the echoes of his laughter behind.