"This is by far the most horrid place you have ever dragged me Malco… By far!" Azifar struggled to say between reluctant gasps of the putrid air.
"Oh come on this place is not…" Began as the Halfling stepping in a pool of bile slipped landing with a large splash into one of the many green stagnate pools.
For the first time since the group arrived in the depths of the horrid home of the Frogglocks, Guk, was there a burst of laughter. Covered in gray ooze, greenish slime and smelling a horrible stench the small druid slowly crawled his way out of the pool with a deep scowl on his face. The sight only intensified the laughter until even Malco reluctantly gave in as well but just as quickly ended.
Though the mood was momentarily lightened the weight of the task at hand again laid heavily on the shoulders of the group. Why did Dragons send us to such a terrible place? Again the hearts of the heroes began to sink while the stagnate stench assaulted their smell, the burning stings of the uncountable insect bites continued to torture their bodies and the thick hot humid air weighted heavily on their spirits.
Suddenly the sound of music broke the silence. A wonderful sense of well being filled the souls of the adventurers as Kellan, the Bard, began one of his many masterful ballads. The strings of the mandolin began to dance with a life as only a bard could give sending waves of energy through the air. Suddenly the stagnant stench and humid thickness began to wash away while the millions of constant aches and pains were lifted. For what seems forever the group was held spellbound while the Bard performed filling each of them with hope, washing away all of the fear and pain and leaving only bliss. Then just as suddenly the music ended but the energy of the song remained within each of us.
"That was beautiful!" Baile said with a hug smile as the Bard lowered his Mandolin.
Even Azifar had to admit that the Bard's skills have continued to amaze and stun his listeners and he himself recalled not so long ago or was it he wondered... Suddenly Azifar realized just how far all of them have come over the years. To an Elf the span of ten years or even one hundred was not such a long time in the greater scheme of things, but to his constant amazement not every race of Norrath was blessed with such longevity. Even Kellan though of half Elven blood was already beginning to show signs of maturity. Azifar sighed softly knowing that someday his closest friends may not be able to share with him the many adventures of his long life.
"That is if we live through this mess." Azifar said out loud with a chuckle suddenly amazed to hear his own thoughts and burst into a heart-filled laugh at the looks at him from around the room.
His gaze quickly surveyed the gathering of friends and he could not help but be proud of the many journeys he had taken with these brave brother and sister of the Syndicate. With a smirk his gaze turned on the newest member of their group Baile the Gnome Enchantress. Though barely two feet in height her courage and strength quickly dwarfed her physical stature. Baile was just one of them individuals you could not help but enjoy being around and for good reason. Though her smiles and good humor filled all around her hearts with joy she was a very accomplished sorceress with enchantments to even accelerate time itself. Already she could bestow the ability to hasten one beyond any normal ability a favorite of Azifar but by far not the last of her many talents. Azifar offered her a quick smile that of course was returned one hundred fold by the enthusiastic and charismatic gnome.
The small band of Syndicate continued down the tunnel leading them deeper into the depths of Guk. If the group thought the air could not be filled with a more putrid stench they were corrected as waves of nauseating air came to meet them. Not even the powerful magic of the Bard's ballad could protect them from such a horrible stench. The walls of the cavern were covered in a thick gray slime that seemed to cover everything in the Frogglock domain. Again the will and strength of the Syndicate's band was tested as one foot in front of the other brought them deeper into this horrible place.
"We need to get the Manastone, the Manastone and we can leave…" The audible whisper of Sygil could be heard as if talking himself further down the dark tunnel.
Azifar himself began reflecting on the events that brought them to this place, which seemed years ago and many miles away… It began with a summons by Lord Dragons. A report from the sly but very unpredictable rogue, Thral, hinted that there was yet another Manastone left in the depths of Guk. Thought to be near extinct these gems were rumored to have the ability to siphon the very life force of its host and focus it into raw Mana.
Though Azifar disdained from the thought of ever himself or anyone using such a horrid thing he could quickly understand none the less the importance of such items staying out of reach of potential adversaries of the Syndicate and thus "volunteered" for this mission. Details were discussed though Thral had a habit of never explaining just "how" he came across such information though Dragons always quelled off such inquiries quickly and it was decided that the Syndicate must claim this gem at any cost. Oh had he known just exactly where such a mission would lead him, Azifar thought, would he had been so enthusiastic to agree to partake in the adventure?
A sudden crash returned the Wood Elf from his memories as a wall of bloated Frogglocks thundered down the tunnel. The deafening thunder of the croaks and splashes of the of the approaching horde of creatures made Azifar's heart leap into his throat as he tightened his grip on this Ebony Blades.
"Long live the Syndicate and pity our enemies!" Azifar beckoned over other the thunder as the Ranger leaped into the seemingly endless waves of Frogglocks.
Long Live the Syndicate!
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