The Rescue of Kasaven

ord Owain Surrey took off his helmet before he spoke to the crowd that had assembled in Lord British's former throne room.

"Hail, Britannians, I am gladdened to see so many have answered my call. I bring you all together to free Kasaven from the manacles that bind him. For those who do not know, he was taken from this very counselors hall, on a Wednesday night where a citizens meeting was used as a distraction. Last night a vision came to me, clear and vivid, as I took refuge in Dungeon Deceit. I had stayed up for a week prior, searching for Kasaven. I documented the coordinates of every Britannian jail cell. Then my exhaust fell to slumber, and I at last I dreamt! I saw Kasaven, dragged by two robed men, he was unconscious, yet breathing. They traversed a dark and dreary dungeon. The two dark figures dragging Kasaven passed by a pair of statues. As they passed, to their shock, the statues spoke foreboding words."

At this point, it was clear to the pirate Sharkeye Pike that he was speaking of the dungeon Covetous. The pirate had only been there recently, and he knew exactly that point with the pillars where the dangerous liches were lurking. Owain Surrey continued:

"They said: 'Beware Ye Who Enter These Halls'. Yet still they walked, upon two more statues, which likewise spoke: 'Go No Farther, Lest Ye Face Thy Death'. Yet it did not deter their malicious intent. On they travelled, down, down, deeper into the darkness of the dungeon. I grimaced even in sleep as Kasavens head bashed upon each step on as they descended the stairs. They locked Kasaven into one of the jail cells and set a magic barrier outside it. Thus he could not escape, he could not cry for help. I broke into a cold sweat as I saw a guillotine in the distance. And a Rotting corpse hobbling, swaying, flesh slowly melting from its face, maggots gnawing at its eye sockets. Oh but it gets worse! The stench was grotesque, even in sleep it filled my nostrils, causing me to spew forth acidic bile upon the cavernous walls of Deceit Dungeon where I still lay. Then I came to, jumped to my feet. Kasaven! I screamed. I knew I must give word to assemble, that this day his need is most dire. So go forth to Kasavens jail cell and rescue him! I cannot accompany you. I must put forth preventative measures to ensure Casca and his council do not know of our intent. Good luck, and God speed!

The crowd immediately left for the dungeon Covetous. Sharkeye and the crew of the United Pirates proceeded downward towards the torture chamber and prison cells.

Down in the prison dungeon in the lowest level of Covetous, an Ophidian named Orisish was locked inside a cell. When being asked about Kasaven, it began to speak:

"The Emissary? I know of him. He was there when I was transformed. I am a product of the Ophidian War; a powerful spell was cast upon me. I was an experiment to give the Ophidians self awareness. A failed attempt to make us civilized, making diplomacy rather than warfare a possibility. I was deemed more malicious after gaining knowledge and human emotion. I know much. I know of this prescient Lord Surrey and what he told you. He envisioned Kasaven being physically dragged through this dungeon, but he was not. But if his dream is the very opposite of what is true. Few beings powerful enough to put Kasaven in a trance. Those she beasts surface around this time of year, could very well be. Then he was seduced into leaving. Sea-Sirens! They can cast a love spell on any man with their deadly song. I believe that is what happened to your emissary, shall we bargain? I'll tell you where to find the Sea-Sirens if you find the password that will free me from here. The man senselessly muttering about blackrock, follwers..followers of, and traitors. He'll have it."

A man senselessly muttering about blackrock and traitors? That could only be Clainin, who lay bed-ridden at the New Haven's healer. The pirate had visited him before, but didn't get much out of him. Sharkeye Pike went there immediately, and after looking closely, he discovered a parchment beneath Clainin's body which read: LUXSAMOSUD. When he returned to the Covetous dungeon and spoke the password to Orisish, the Ophidian answered:

Aah. Very good. Lastly I need the word of power that activates the moongate. You should find the word where the Inquisitor finds his resolution. Choose the correct box. AHAHA!

Sharkeye knew about a lever-puzzle in Doom, which he never had tried to solve, but had seen many times during his Doom adventures. The puzzle would lead into a room where the Inquisitor's Resolution artifact and a lamp post could be acquired. Sharkeye called his crew and they traveled to Doom in an instant.

One by one, more people arrived at the puzzle, pulling the levers without thinking and activating the deadly trap over and over again. After some time, Owain Surrey himself procured the box and gave it to the assembled people. It seems that certain people, obviously agents of the Shadowlords, were working against the people who were actually trying to solve the puzzle, and we needed a higher power in order to get that final clue. The words of power said: Fastulus.

Back at the dark cells of Covetous, the tension was growing. Indeed, the locked up Ophidian did respond to the given Words of Power:

"The moongate is open! You can find the Sirens at 111o 31'S, 117o O'E.(Serpent's Pillar West of New Haven)"

Sharkeye Pike quickly recalled to New Haven and called the crew to meet him there by the docks. He watered his vessel, and after the pirates one by one had come aboard, he raised the anchor and set sails. He knew exactly where to go. Two other pirates were called onto the ship through a moongate Sharkeye had sent to the Jolly Roger Inn. The crew of 6 pirates was ready to face whatever was awaiting them.
When they reached the Serpent's Pillar a few minutes later, they were the second or third boat to arrive, and already saw two Sea Sirens on the surface of the water. No trace of Kasaven yet. They engaged and fired spells and arrows at those vile creatures. A fierce battle began.

A short while later, Kasaven suddenly appeared on top of the Serpent's Pillar, still dizzy and sleepy. Sharkeye watched him while firing spells at the sea creatures. More and more ships arrived, and still the Sea Sirens were difficult to kill. The pirates fired all they had at those serpents, when finally the last one was slain. Then, Kasaven vanished back to the throne room in Lord British's castle. Sharkeye called the crew to abandon ship and cast a gate to Britain immediately.

The crowd had gathered again, welcoming Kasaven back. After thanking everybody, Kasaven called a few selected adventurers to him to reward them with a special item. He said:

"I managed to skin a few of the Sea Sirens before I left. I would keep the remnants for myself, for they are certainly powerful and they could be of good use. But you all saved me from my doom and thus they are yours! This skull should prove as a lovely ornament."

The lucky ones who received the reward were: Jimmy Page, Lucius Ovidius, Dahlia, Greg, Aaron StrongBow (who refused to accept the reward), Iron Boots, Kang, Mont-t, Chronicles.

Two persons named Lerth Clot and Cadida received a sash made of Sea Siren Scales.

As expected, some of the attendees began to complain about not having received a reward. Landlubbers! Their minds circle always around items! The only thing Sharkeye would've complained about is the lack of free ale. The pirates' throats sure were thirsty after this adventure...

02/2009

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