Adrian Shadows of Amn 377

The place was utterly silent.

As they came through the illusion of nothingness, the others could see what Viconia and Anomen had already seen--and Frennendan had seen many times before. A tall white tower rising out of an almost cathedral like building below. Perfectly white, neither bright nor dull in itself, but dazzling in it's sheer monochromatic nature. No smug of dirt or dust, nor crack of age weathered it. It stood the pressures of time without effort or need to clean it.

The silence was as unnatural as the state of the building. There was no wind, no cry of bird or roar of beast, no sound at all save the clanking of the party's own armor, and even that was muted.

"Magic," Edwin said simply. And while the others had guessed that already, none of them said so aloud.

"My mother told me of the Netherese magics my father employed," Tree said. "Not even they were like this."

"Unnatural?" Edwin asked her disdainfully.

"Edwin," Adrian rumbled.

But Tree waved a hand. "Not unnatural in the way civilization is. That, at least, is derived from nature. This....was never part of nature to begin with. At least not the nature of our world."

"Perhaps like that silver creature," Anomen suggested uncomfortably.

"Perhaps not so far afield as that," said Edwin, uncomfortable with the memory himself, and rightly so. "But certainly distant from our cosmology."

"Frennendan?" Adrian asked.

The Doppleganger shook its head, shifting to his true form and shedding the human warrior disguise as he did so. "It has been part of my people's history for generations," it said in it's own natural, husky voice. "What plane or planes the magic comes from I do not know." It led the way to the foremost arch. "There will be no guards or wards in the sense that you know them. Few of my people will be present here at the entrance. Though battle constructs will surely be soon in evidence."

"No defense?" Adrian said with disbeleif and suspicion.

"The illusion was defense enough to start with. Once inside...we will be in my people's territory. And that, be assured Bhaalspawn, will be bad enough."

Imoen shuddered. "How will we be able to tell you apart from other shifters if they're not transformed?"

"You will know," Frennendan's voice held grim assurance. "If there is ever any doubt, have your priests invoke sight again. But I doubt there will be a need."

"Why?" Viconia asked.

"You will see."

The priests exchanged a look. Korgan followed Frennendan in, a grim expression on his face.

They had not gotten far inside when one of the Dopplegangers predictions was proved correct; Battle Horrors stormed towards them, clanking heavily....

I though I'd drop in and say I have enjoyed this series greatly. I started reading Adrian right from the beginning a couple of days ago and just finished. It appears this has had the unfortunate effect of making me nocturnal, but it was definitely worth it . I like the themes explored in this series and I think Adrian is a very believable character. Keep up the good work please!

For the second time in recent posts, someone says this, and I respond the same way; What, ALL of it? BG1, TOTSC, ZA, *and* all of BG2 that I've done so far? I think this thing is already longer than Hobbit and LOTR put together.....that is an impressive undertaking. I'm not sure I could read all of it again....

But by all means keep reading.