Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from Faerun (Fantasy United)/Issue 1

The first issue of Fantasy United's Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from Faerun.

Plot (unfinished)
In the city of Leuthilspar on the island of Evermeet, a group of elven knights accompany a female elf in a cloak, most likely worn to protect her identity. They all stand outside of a home which has several banners outside that have been attached to trees and are blank but are all different colors. The cloaked woman turns to the knights, who simply nod at her. She knocks on the door.


 * Person In The House: Who's there?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: Ammisyll, governor of Nimlith. The Council sent me.
 * Person In The House: I don't know anyone by that name.

Ammisyll is taken aback at this and turns to one of her knights.


 * Knight: You were warned that her mind was starting to go...

Ammisyll turns back to the house.


 * Ammisyll Veldann: Of course you know me. We met before Queen Moonflower's disappearance.


 * Person In The House: Amlaruil?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: Yes, Queen Amlaruil.
 * Person In The House: What brings you here, Amlaruil?
 * Knight: She thinks you're the Queen.
 * Ammisyll Veldann: So it seems...

Ammisyll takes a moment to think to herself.


 * Ammisyll Veldann: I've come to talk. I heard you were sick.
 * Person In The House: Oh my, what a surprise! Usually I'm the one who visits you, Amlaruil!
 * Knight: You're taking advantage of the poor woman's delusions?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: I don't see a point in fighting it...
 * Person In The House: Come in, the door's most likely unlocked. I've been forgetting to do that as of late, hehe.

Ammisyll enters the house alongside her knights. They look through the small hallway through the door, Ammisyll finding a photograph (most likely taken via some kind of magic) on a table, depicting a wizard woman hugging a noble-looking elf. Both of them are smiling.


 * Knight: A photo of Shialaevar and the Queen?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: It's been recently cleaned so much that the cleaner has started rotting the wooden frame. She must keep forgetting that she's already cleaned it and cleaning it again. Poor woman...

She puts the photo down and walks into the living room of the house, which only consists of a fireplace, a couch, a kitchen table, some chairs, and a bed, which a much older version of the eleven wizard girl from the photograph, Shialaevar, is lying on.


 * Shialaevar: Amlaruil? Is that you?

Ammisyll takes her hood down. Shialaevar smiles.


 * Shialaevar: Amlaruil! It feels so odd seeing you outside of the Moonstone Palace.
 * Ammisyll Veldann: S... same to you, Shialaevar.
 * Shialaevar: You look different from last we met. Are you feeling well?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: I could ask the same to you.
 * Shialaevar: Hehe, I suppose you're right. Please, take a seat. It's been so long since we last spoke!
 * Ammisyll Veldann: Y... yes it has...

Ammisyll walks over and pulls a chair up beside the bed, sitting next to Shialaevar. The knights all crowd around the two as they do.


 * Shialaevar: Do you really require so many guards?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: Of course I do. I'm... I'm royalty, after all.
 * Shialaevar: I suppose. So, what brings you here?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: I already explained, I'm here because you're sick.
 * Shialaevar: Oh, right. Hehe, there I go forgetting again!
 * Ammisyll Veldann: But, I'll admit, I am here for another reason as well.
 * Shialaevar: Of course, anything for you, Amlaruil!
 * Ammisyll Veldann: I heard that, not long ago, you had a vision. You saw my child. Probably the only child I have left who is still legitimate. That child you saw has a claim to the throne. Where are they?
 * Shialaevar: What do you mean? You're not even married, Amlaruil...
 * Knight: Her mind is in a different time than you thought.
 * Ammisyll Veldann: I can see that.
 * Knight: How do you plan to get her to remember?

Ammisyll looks around the room and sees a portrait of a tall elf with blue hair. She points at it.


 * Ammisyll Veldann: Do you remember him?
 * Shialaevar: Who?

Shialaevar looks at the portrait that Ammisyll is pointing at. Suddenly, her eyes widen and she smiles widely.

Shialaevar: Zaor! I can't believe that I managed to forget about Zaor... I was there the day that you met him, you know. Back then though, you didn't realize he'd become your husband, hehe...


 * Ammisyll Veldann: Do you remember the child now?
 * Shialaevar: The child... she was beautiful, you know.
 * Ammisyll Veldann: So it was a girl... Not ideal, but we can make it work...
 * Shialaevar: Make what work...?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: N-nothing. The child, where was she? Where did you see her?
 * Shialaevar: She looked just like you, you know... Hair that flowed like rivers. Eyes that shined like diamonds...
 * Ammisyll Veldann: Where is she, Shialaevar? Where is the child?
 * Shialaevar: A shame that she's in that human land and not here with us though...
 * Ammisyll Veldann: ...She's in Faerun.

At the mention of Faerun's name, the knights mumble to each other. Ammisyll stands up and puts her hood back up.


 * Ammisyll Veldann: Send word back to The Council. Tomorrow, we'll--
 * Shialaevar: Where are you going, Amlaruil...?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: Huh?
 * Shialaevar: It's been so long. Can't you just stay for a while longer...?

Ammisyll looks around the room, unsure what to do.


 * Knight: She isn't long for the world, my lady. Most predict she'll pass on tonight.

Ammisyll stares at Shialaevar, who gently smiles at her. After this, Ammisyll sits back down.


 * Shialaevar: Thank you.

Ammisyll sadly nods.


 * Shialaevar: Do you remember when we first met...?
 * Ammisyll Veldann: ...Y-yes...
 * Shialaevar: We were so young back then... I can't thank you enough for the memories, Amlaruil...

She slowly closes her eyes. The next day, a pair of elven knights, one in gold armor and the other silver, clash their weapons (a sword and a mace) against each other while a group of other elves sit on bleachers far above the warriors, cheering them on. Even farther above them sits the Council of Evermeet, who sit on a large balcony while watching the knights battle, though unlike the other elves the Council remains neutral and doesn't cheer for either side. Meanwhile in the back of this colosseum, a muscular but young-looking blacksmith carves away at a sword, sparks flying off of it as she does. Behind her is a heavily-armored man that is watching the fight through a window.


 * Man in Heavy Armor: Those two are going at it as though they're trying to kill each other...
 * Blacksmith: You going to participate?
 * Man in Heavy Armor: I'm their commander, it'd be unfair.
 * Blacksmith: Who's fighting, if you don't mind me asking?
 * Man in Heavy Armor: Antali and Qanor Poppik. They're brothers.
 * Blacksmith: In that case, no wonder they look like they're trying to kill each other, they probably are.
 * Man in Heavy Armor: If they do, I'll stop them.
 * Blacksmith: I was joking.
 * Man in Heavy Armor: Ah, yes, humor... I like humor.
 * Blacksmith: Uh-huh... Thank you for letting me in to get the chip out of this sword by the way, I'd hate to send Yin in with a chipped weapon.
 * Man in Heavy Armor: Speaking of which, is he okay?

They turn to another man standing in the room, who is wearing armor made of mostly leather and a metal helmet that completely shades out his face. His left hand is resting on the hilt of a sheathed sword.


 * Man in Heavy Armor: He hasn't spoken since putting the helmet on...
 * Blacksmith: He's fine. He's probably just thinking about how the fight will go.
 * Man in Heavy Armor: Hmph. A smart choice. You must consider all your options before a fight begins.
 * Blacksmith: You doing alright, Yin?

Yin doesn't speak.


 * Blacksmith: Acting so serious, heh.

They hear a loud thud and the man in heavy armor looks out the window, revealing that the warrior with the mace has knocked the warrior with the sword unconscious. He holds his mace in the air and the crowd cheers for him.


 * Man in Heavy Armor: That's your cue. You're facing Antali Poppik. In the academy, my students took to calling him "The Bludgeoner". You sure you're ready, soldier?

Yin remains completely silent, staring at the two, his face unreadable due to the shadow covering it. He then gives a happy thumbs up. The blacksmith smiles widely at this.


 * Blacksmith: Give 'im hell!

Outside, Antali The Bludgeoner is walking back and forth, waiting for his next opponent, while his brother Qanor is dragged out of the arena by a pair of medics. Antali slumps his mace over his shoulder and gently smacks it up and down, creating a small "tink" sound each time, while impatiently staring at the arch in front of him. Moments later, Yin enters the arena and Antali attempts to hit him with his mace but Yin kneels. Antali stops in confusion and looks up, realizing that Yin is kneeling at the Council and that Antali had forgotten to do so. He then kneels alongside Yin.


 * Blacksmith: Now that they're so close to each other, you can really tell that how much bigger Antali is than him... Do you think Yin will be okay?
 * Man in Heavy Armor: We'll have to wait and see.

The blacksmith stares at the two, worried, as the oldest member of the Council stands up.


 * Elder Council Member: May this be a most honorable fight. In the name of the king, the queen, and the Seldarine above, I grant you permission to shed blood here and now. Begin!

Antali quickly stands up and raises his mace, bringing it down so hard that the thud is heard even through the cheering of the crowd. However, it's revealed Yin has very quickly rolled out of the way and stands up. Antali pulls his mace back up and runs towards Yin, swinging his mace at Yin's head but Yin quickly ducks down, avoiding the attack. Antali then swings his mace down towards Yin, who slides through Antali's legs and to the back of him, avoiding the attack once again. Antali is temporarily knocked off-balance due to the strength of his swing but manages to regain his composure and turns around to Yin.


 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Draw your weapon, you cowardly bastard!

Yin looks around the area and then points at himself.


 * Yin DuPho: Oh, you're talking to me?
 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Wha-- There's no one else here!
 * Yin DuPho: Well, sorry mate, but I can't. I was told only to draw my sword when I'm in danger!

Antali tightens his grip on his mace, enraged at Yin's insult. He then runs towards Yin, swinging his mace repeatedly as Yin continues to simply lean, hop, and duck out of the way of the attacks.


 * Man in Heavy Armor: He's cocky. Might cost him the fight...
 * Blacksmith: He's just trying to make an impression. He really wants the people watching to remember him.

The man in heavy armor doesn't say anything. Meanwhile, Yin continues to dodge Antali's attacks before delivering one of his own, kicking Antali in the stomach hard enough to make Antali grip it in pain and take a few steps back. Antali grits his teeth and charges at Yin with a clenched fist, seemingly about to punch him. Yin instinctively dodges out of the way of the attack, only for Antali to reveal his true plan as he swings his mace upwards, causing Yin to dodge straight into it as Antali bashes him in the head hard enough to knock Yin's helmet off and sending him flying a few feet away. Yin hits the ground and his helmet crashes beside him. The blacksmith covers her mouth in shock while Antali slowly walks towards Yin.


 * Blacksmith: He's going to kill him!

The man in heavy armor grabs the hilt of the blade on his back. However, Antali instead gently kicks Yin in the side.


 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Are you conscious?
 * Yin DuPho: Y-yes...
 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Then either forfeit or get up so I can fix that...

The man in heavy armor takes his hand off of his sword. Meanwhile, Yin lies on the ground and doesn't move for some time. However, he then slowly sits up, rubbing the back of his head as he does. As Yin's full face is revealed to the crowd, gasps and mumbles are heard amongst them. Antali himself's eyes widen.


 * Antali The Bludgeoner: You... you're a Cha'Tel'Quessir...

Yin, whose face is bruised and nose is bleeding from Antali's hit, looks up at Antali and smiles as it's revealed he is, indeed, a Cha'Tel'Quessir. Or a Half-Elf. He then stands up and draws his longsword, which he taps against the ground.


 * Yin DuPho: Good to meet you. I'm Doyinik DuPho. My friends call me Yin. You can call me Doyinik...

Antali smiles and gently taps his mace in the palm of his hand. The two warriors once again charge at each other, Yin clashing his sword against the hilt of Antali's mace. They struggle for a bit before Antali very quickly backs away and kicks Yin in the chest, knocking him a few feet away and causing Yin to drop on one knee. Antali then swings his mace at Yin's head, but Yin very quickly leans backwards, dodging the attack. He then very quickly tosses his sword in the air and cartwheels to get back on his feet, catching his sword as it falls. This display causes the crowd to erupt in cheers. Meanwhile, the Council watches with no emotion.


 * Council Member #1: He's a tad show off-y, isn't he...?
 * Council Member #2: But he did manage to take that blow to the skull and get up afterwards.
 * Council Member #3: Yes, his speed and endurance may come in handy.
 * Council Member #2: What do you think of the fight?
 * Council Member #4: He isn't going to win.
 * Council Member #3: What makes you say that?
 * Council Member #4: He has his sword drawn but he hasn't swung it once. He clearly hasn't shed blood once in his life. And his unwillingness to do so will cost him greatly...

Yin and Antali continue to battle each other and, as the council member predicted, Yin only ever uses his sword as a way of defense rather than using it to harm The Bludgeoner. All the while, he is dodging the incoming attacks. Antali bashes his mace down, crashing it against the floor and once again Yin dodges the attack.


 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Fight back.
 * Yin DuPho: Huh?
 * Antali The Bludgeoner: You haven't done anything to try and defeat me this whole time. Fight. Back...
 * Yin DuPho: And if I don't?
 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Then you will lose.

After hearing this, Yin simply goes quiet. After realizing this, Antali grits his teeth and starts wildly swinging his mace at Yin, who continues dodging the attacks but it is far closer this time around due to Antali seemingly no longer thinking and simply attacking.


 * Antali The Bludgeoner: Fight me already!

Yin doesn't respond and keeps parrying and dodging. The blacksmith becomes incredibly worried at this.


 * Blacksmith: He isn't fighting back... why isn't he fighting back?

Antali swings his mace once again and Yin attempts to parry it with his sword only for Antali to smash the mace straight into it, forcing Yin to let go of his sword, which flies through the air and lands too far away for him to reach. Everyone watching this and Yin himself freeze. Moments later, Antali brings his mace back up, bashing Yin in the back of the head.


 * Council Member #4: As I predicted.
 * ???: Tell me though...

The Council turn around, revealing Ammisyll sitting amongst them.


 * Ammisyll Veldann: Does that make him worthless to the mission...?

The Council all look at each other while Ammisyll rests her head in her palm, waiting for an answer.