Post by Invoker on Jan 25, 2010 14:38:31 GMT -5
Thayn stood amongst the crowd gathered in the town square of Luthcheq, as several robed figures pulled two elves towards a large pyre in the square. The elves cried out for help, but the crowd only watched. After they were tied to the wood, one of the robed men spoke; the crowd immediately hushed to hear the man’s words.
“You’ve been found guilty of practicing foul magics. What have you to say in your defense?” The shaken elf struggled against his bonds, “I’ve never cast a spell in my life! I’m just a visitor here, a warrior! I’m no mage!” The figure interrupted him, yelling out, “Lies! You are born of magic itself! Your foul race is infamous for it!” The elves pleaded as the figures lit the pyre with torches, their pleas quickly transforming into screams of pain.
The figures called out to Entropy, blessing the sky with the foul smoke of mages. Some of the crowd began cheering. Thayn, dressed in commoner’s clothes, watched from the front of the crowd, blending in. Within the hour, the flames subsided and the charred corpses of the elves were thrown into the river. The robed figures departed, and the crowd soon after. By the end of the afternoon, no sign of the event remained save for a few charred pieces of wood in the middle of the square.
“Seems a good time to leave,” Thayn thought to himself. He quickly departed and left the town, making haste to find a boat out of Chessenta. Within a tenday, he found himself aboard a ship crossing the Sea of Fallen Stars. One evening, as the winds calmed, the captain found him standing at the bow of the ship, gazing westward.
“You paid quite a price to get on this ship. What brings you here?” Thayn spoke, his gaze not straying from the sun as it set below the ocean. “I received a rude welcome in Luthcheq. Decided to leave before they went on another witch hunt.” The captain laughed, “Yes, those people are strange and cling to some strange religion. So you’re a mage then?” Thayn took a moment to formulate his reply, “I study many things, magic being one of them. How long until we get to our destination?”
“Well, we’re on a long course to Cormyr. Should be a long voyage. Hopefully we’ll not run into any trouble.” Thayn turned to look at the captain, “I’m sure we won’t. And if we do, I’ve heard about your crew. You are not mere merchants, don’t try to say otherwise. I’m sure you will drag me into some piracy or something to that effect.” The captain seemed dumbfounded and tried to speak before Thayn continued. “Your reputation precedes you. Just get me to Cormyr, and try not to get us killed.”
The captain curtly replied, “Yeah, sure we’ll get there. Get you there in good time. We’ll even split you in. So what’s in Cormyr that you’re so interested in?”
“Nothing in particular. Just some old friends I need to pay a visit to.” Thayn replied, watching the last bit of light disappear below the horizon.
“You’ve been found guilty of practicing foul magics. What have you to say in your defense?” The shaken elf struggled against his bonds, “I’ve never cast a spell in my life! I’m just a visitor here, a warrior! I’m no mage!” The figure interrupted him, yelling out, “Lies! You are born of magic itself! Your foul race is infamous for it!” The elves pleaded as the figures lit the pyre with torches, their pleas quickly transforming into screams of pain.
The figures called out to Entropy, blessing the sky with the foul smoke of mages. Some of the crowd began cheering. Thayn, dressed in commoner’s clothes, watched from the front of the crowd, blending in. Within the hour, the flames subsided and the charred corpses of the elves were thrown into the river. The robed figures departed, and the crowd soon after. By the end of the afternoon, no sign of the event remained save for a few charred pieces of wood in the middle of the square.
“Seems a good time to leave,” Thayn thought to himself. He quickly departed and left the town, making haste to find a boat out of Chessenta. Within a tenday, he found himself aboard a ship crossing the Sea of Fallen Stars. One evening, as the winds calmed, the captain found him standing at the bow of the ship, gazing westward.
“You paid quite a price to get on this ship. What brings you here?” Thayn spoke, his gaze not straying from the sun as it set below the ocean. “I received a rude welcome in Luthcheq. Decided to leave before they went on another witch hunt.” The captain laughed, “Yes, those people are strange and cling to some strange religion. So you’re a mage then?” Thayn took a moment to formulate his reply, “I study many things, magic being one of them. How long until we get to our destination?”
“Well, we’re on a long course to Cormyr. Should be a long voyage. Hopefully we’ll not run into any trouble.” Thayn turned to look at the captain, “I’m sure we won’t. And if we do, I’ve heard about your crew. You are not mere merchants, don’t try to say otherwise. I’m sure you will drag me into some piracy or something to that effect.” The captain seemed dumbfounded and tried to speak before Thayn continued. “Your reputation precedes you. Just get me to Cormyr, and try not to get us killed.”
The captain curtly replied, “Yeah, sure we’ll get there. Get you there in good time. We’ll even split you in. So what’s in Cormyr that you’re so interested in?”
“Nothing in particular. Just some old friends I need to pay a visit to.” Thayn replied, watching the last bit of light disappear below the horizon.