Author:	Zog the Fishmonger
Date/Time:	11/17/2003 11:52:57 AM
Subject:	Ultimate Power Sought by Gatekeeper
Strange times, indeed, friends... Last Thor's day the stalwart adventurers of Paxlair gathered once again for a bit of hunting. Even as Linda and Minsk reviewed treasure maps to plot our journeys, Captain Monk and Harmort were busy packing healing gear and sharpening blades in anticipation of battle. Braden traded poetic quips with Harmort as he tuned his insturments. A dimness began to leech the light from the room, and a chill rapidly turned the air cold and still. A faintly glowing form began to manifest in the shadows, and very soon hushed whispers filled with anxiety were muttered back and forth among the adventurers. The Gatekeeper was visiting Paxlair once again. I attempted to communicate with the being, and though my skills indicated that I could speak with the dead, all I heard from the Gatekeeper were the usual wailings and moanings other mortals would hear. The adventurers brought forth linked communication crystals, and even these powerful magical devices could not make sense of the beings speech. After repeated attempts to communicate, some sense began to emerge from the Gatekeepers attempt to communicate - 'OoOooO BoOOw, ooOoSoOhoieldoooOo, SOooOtOoaffOoo' It evidently desired the adventurers to find these items, and emphasized that they must be magical. With that, it faded away, and the dimness disperesed. The adventurers then went treasure hunting, and after several journeys too and from the underworld, for many of us, the items were acquired from their guardians, along with many thousands of gold coin, and the journeymen returned to Paxlair. The Gatekeeper was waiting. We gathered up the items, and surrounded it with them. Magical energies were beginning to emanate from the Tower foundations, and a low humming vibration echoed in the background. 'ooOoorooesOooOcOion' it said, hovering nearby 'OoyOu OoomOousoot OoOcOaOstOo Oioot Oon 000me' The Gatekeeper was asking one of us to cast Ressurection upon it! Paladins stepped forth, and magical energies were expended, seemingly filling the Gatekeeper with power, making it appear more substantial and perceivable. I attempted to speak with the dead. To my surprise, the Gatekeeper spoke aloud! 'you no longer need such skills to hear me clearly', it spoke softly 'you have broken through the magics and increased the bond between the underworld and that of mortal men'. Everyone could hear the being speak, even though it remained a ghost! The Gatekeeper stated that it was now farther along the pathway to achieving what it referred to as 'the ultimate power'. Although the adventurers worried whether that power was for good or ill, the Gatekeeper mentioned that it could now be 'of better service to the realm'. The being vanished as the adventurers pondered perceptions - we all know that one mans good can be another mans evil, and that even in the service of many, some can be harmed. I picked up the weapons and shield, faint energies sparkling about them as I placed them in my pack. After much consideration, the adventurers headed out for their various homes and taverns. I wearily gated to Malas (once again grrrr... I don't think I'll ever get my home finished!... realizing I needed to hire that orc carpenter again). Placing the weapons near my pentagram, I once again startled hearing the Gatekeepers voice from behind me! 'You must protect these weapons, and keep them,' it spoke, drifting nearer 'There are things you need to know...' 'The Bow demonstrates power from a distance - the use of this weapons energies enables me to now project my voice' 'The Sheild protects one at close range, and grants me the power to be ever near, and to communicate' 'The Staff represents the Ultimate type of magical power for the arcane. This bound the energies together and channelled the Ressurection attempt' With that, the Gatekeeper stated that enough had been done for now, and faded slowly from my vision. Thus ends the tale of the Gatekeepers new powers, and questions to consider for the future. Zog