Post by kannon on May 24, 2005 15:22:29 GMT -5
The evening sun was setting across the lake. It’s last rays shown through the window of my study, making Winston’s fur gleam. Still staring at the sun I said offhandedly, “What a beautiful sunset Winston.” To which he replied, “I love the sunsets here. In some ways it is even prettier than Olympus.”
Now keep in mind my dog Winston is not your average dog. He and I had been friends for along time during my earthly life in Tokuno. There came a time a necromancer of great renown turned Winston into a dog. The thing is, Win had been a bit of a pill to swallow as a human, and he didn’t really have many friends but me. However, as a dog, he had such an agreeable disposition, and was liked by so many people he decided to make the change permanent.
I was about to pass Winston another sandwich when the wind blew the door open with a loud bang. I quickly crossed the room to shut it again. As my hand reached for the door I saw a boat drawing up on the shore of my little island. A woman whom I had never seen before stepped out of the boat and dragged it the remaining few feet up the beach to safe mooring. I watched as she crossed the small stretch between the shore and my porch. I sat down on the edge of the fountain and waited for her. As she approached me she spoke…
“Are you the Bodhisattva Kannon?” she asked with a worried look on her face.
“I am.”
“I need your help…desperately. The tense expression on her face eased a bit. My neighbor has been gone for many days and I fear for his life.”
“Why is that? Where was he going?” I asked calmly.
I motioned for her to sit beside me on the edge of the fountain. For a few moments only the soft splash of the fountain and the singing of the birds filled the air. When she gathered her composure she continued…
“Two weeks ago my neighbor Maxwell…well that’s just a nickname…set out for the Dungeon Deceit by boat. My neighbor is a carpenter by trade. When he recently finished a project, he was given a silver hammer as a gift. Two years ago his best friend was killed by a young snaga from the same dungeon. Maxwell had heard that goblins were particularly susceptible to silver and he was determined to seek his revenge…well I told him he was crazy and begged him not to go…but off he went. Is there anything you can do?”
I assured her I would help all I can, and offered her rest for the night. Showing her up to the second floor of the pagoda I sat down to discuss plans with Winston.
This, dear friends, is why I am calling for aid from those hardy souls among you who are willing to search the dungeon deceit for this “Maxwell.” If he is dead, please tell me where his remains lay. If he is alive, please escort him out of the dungeon to wherever he wishes to go. The victor of this quest will be rewarded, as always. If I am not at my pagoda then you may leave a message for me on the bulletin board by the side of my home. For those of you who may not be aware, a runebook to my home may be found in Zento town square on a table.
Give me time to verify maxwell’s true name and get a description of him. I am setting Winston to this task. I expect his return by tomorrow morning. The quest will begin upon his return.
Now keep in mind my dog Winston is not your average dog. He and I had been friends for along time during my earthly life in Tokuno. There came a time a necromancer of great renown turned Winston into a dog. The thing is, Win had been a bit of a pill to swallow as a human, and he didn’t really have many friends but me. However, as a dog, he had such an agreeable disposition, and was liked by so many people he decided to make the change permanent.
I was about to pass Winston another sandwich when the wind blew the door open with a loud bang. I quickly crossed the room to shut it again. As my hand reached for the door I saw a boat drawing up on the shore of my little island. A woman whom I had never seen before stepped out of the boat and dragged it the remaining few feet up the beach to safe mooring. I watched as she crossed the small stretch between the shore and my porch. I sat down on the edge of the fountain and waited for her. As she approached me she spoke…
“Are you the Bodhisattva Kannon?” she asked with a worried look on her face.
“I am.”
“I need your help…desperately. The tense expression on her face eased a bit. My neighbor has been gone for many days and I fear for his life.”
“Why is that? Where was he going?” I asked calmly.
I motioned for her to sit beside me on the edge of the fountain. For a few moments only the soft splash of the fountain and the singing of the birds filled the air. When she gathered her composure she continued…
“Two weeks ago my neighbor Maxwell…well that’s just a nickname…set out for the Dungeon Deceit by boat. My neighbor is a carpenter by trade. When he recently finished a project, he was given a silver hammer as a gift. Two years ago his best friend was killed by a young snaga from the same dungeon. Maxwell had heard that goblins were particularly susceptible to silver and he was determined to seek his revenge…well I told him he was crazy and begged him not to go…but off he went. Is there anything you can do?”
I assured her I would help all I can, and offered her rest for the night. Showing her up to the second floor of the pagoda I sat down to discuss plans with Winston.
This, dear friends, is why I am calling for aid from those hardy souls among you who are willing to search the dungeon deceit for this “Maxwell.” If he is dead, please tell me where his remains lay. If he is alive, please escort him out of the dungeon to wherever he wishes to go. The victor of this quest will be rewarded, as always. If I am not at my pagoda then you may leave a message for me on the bulletin board by the side of my home. For those of you who may not be aware, a runebook to my home may be found in Zento town square on a table.
Give me time to verify maxwell’s true name and get a description of him. I am setting Winston to this task. I expect his return by tomorrow morning. The quest will begin upon his return.