The night fell in Ardeep like dark cloak covering the land in shade. The three elves needed to stop. They needed food and rest. The father, the mother and the baby. But they knew better than relaxing in the Ardeep. For the mighty trees that provided them cover could easily do the same for others. And Ardeep sheltered others. The unwanted guests, the drow of Vaehrun. They knew this, for just as the drow stalked the surface, they stalked the drow.
The tall elven ranger kept his eyes and years opened, taking in every sound and shadow, alert for any sign of trouble. And soon the signs came. A cracked twig… a boar? Owlbear? No. A whistle… a pair of red eyes… a scout…drow. They were found. They could handle the drow, but they could not put their daughter in danger. But the drow don’t know about her. Quickly they hid the small cloth wrapped bundle inside a crevice on a duskwood tree. Rillifane protect her. They split, making their stalkers split in turn. Split and pursue. Battle raged, cloaked in the night of Ardeep. Arrows, blades and nature’s wrath, all unleashed in blind fury. How dare they… she must be protected.
But they were wrong. The drow saw the baby and they saw her hiding place. While most of them faced the parents in combat, one lone scout made his way to the clearing... to the duskwood tree… to the baby. The baby cried her loudest when the dagger touched the soft skin on her face. But the Ardeep is not a safe place, not for elves, not for drow. The clearing got darker, much darker. Drow get used to darkness after a lifetime without sun, but he knew it wasn’t natural. Slowly, but steadly, the darkness grew stronger around elf and drow, the shadows seemingly coming to life, red eyes surrounding them. Red eyes, but no bodies. Soon it was the drow’s turn to scream.
When the parents reached the clearing, bloodied and out of breath, they found the scout, drained of life, his eyes opened, frozen in terror. The girl wasn’t crying any longer, she was quiet, but well. By her side a star shaped leaf. She was safe.
Night and Shade
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psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
Night and Shade
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
Zyrus Meynolt: [Party] For the record, if this somehow blows up in our faces and I die, I want a raiseSwift wrote: Permadeath is only permadeath when the PCs wallet is empty.
<Castano>: danielnm - can you blame them?
<danielmn>: Yes,
<danielmn>: Easily.
"And in this twilight....our choices seal our fate"
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FanaticusIncendi
- Illithid
- Posts: 1725
- Joined: Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:58 am
- Location: Exile
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Killthorne
- Orc Champion
- Posts: 422
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 6:22 am
- Location: Saint Cloud, Minnesota
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psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
We have to figure out what to do about the one following you.
Innovidil’s message was clear enough. I can’t stay here long if I don’t deal with it. It’s too strong here in the forest. Too dangerous for me and might be dangerous for others.
She tells me about a friend of hers. Anoria, a druid. Figure I needed a one to end what another started.
I still remember that night like it just happened. I had returned from Selgaunt and was restored to my true form I remember walking among the trees with Se’rie, the arrows at our feet. Warning shots. The angry words.
GO BACK TO THE HUMANS!
They hated me. Hated me enough to attack me. After all I did for them. I remember striking them down… my own kin. I remember telling Se’rie to go back to the city, that I’d handle this. I went back to the camp. Melesse was in charge. Lomir was dead. Faellyn and Ephalas were gone… left to Tangled Trees. I never liked Melesse much. I could feel the eyes upon me. Time to go… I wasn’t welcome anymore.
I remember walking to the hidden city… up on the trees... so beautiful… so peaceful. Ephalas was there. His news were disturbing. He said Lomir was killed by cyricists fleeing the fallen temple. He also said he didn’t believe that. He believed Melesse killed him, seized her chance to gain command and make the changes she always wanted. I remember promising him I’d look into it. Why do I do these things?
I remember approaching the camp by night. Avoiding the scouts took time, but wasn’t so hard. I recalled most of the watching posts. I’ve been in many of them before. I remember waiting for what seemed like hours until someone opened the portal. Sneaking in. Getting past the wards. Walking by the shadows. They drank and ate and talked. I stalked.
I remember the druid. My skill was enough to fool the scout’s eyes, but not her magic. I remember trading words… maybe a joke or two or an insult. Sometimes the memory gets fuzzy. She pointed her finger at me and cast a spell. Melesse told me to leave. I wasn’t about to argue with a dozen bows pointed at me.
I’ll never forget my first steps into the forest that night. I never felt so unwelcome. It was like something really didn’t want me there. As if the forest itself was angry at me. Then it came…a small lump of leaves and twigs rushing towards me, growing with each passing moment, gaining size and shape.
I darted to the tick shadows, hiding behind a great oak. But how do you hide from the forest? I remember running. I ran as fast as could, feeling my legs burn with each leap, with each step. I didn’t stop running until the forest was gone. A milling camp… great, ancient trees reduced to mere stumps. It was a dreadful and sad place, abandoned even by the workers. But it was safe.
The priests I met couldn’t do anything for me and I couldn’t fight it and now I know why. It’s counter-intuitive she says.
I actually laughed when she said I had to surrender to it. Though was a poor attempt at humor. Apparently druids are a serious bunch when it comes to forest spirits. She says it’s a guardian. A guardian to the forest. It scares intruders, keeping them out. But this one was perverted and twisted into something else. Something full of anger and hatred and it wants nothing more than hurt me. She can restore it, but first I need to trap it and for that I need to give it what it wants. Me. If I fight it I will die. If I surrender it will hurt me, but I can trap it before it kills me. Why can’t things ever be easy?
Innovidil’s message was clear enough. I can’t stay here long if I don’t deal with it. It’s too strong here in the forest. Too dangerous for me and might be dangerous for others.
She tells me about a friend of hers. Anoria, a druid. Figure I needed a one to end what another started.
I still remember that night like it just happened. I had returned from Selgaunt and was restored to my true form I remember walking among the trees with Se’rie, the arrows at our feet. Warning shots. The angry words.
GO BACK TO THE HUMANS!
They hated me. Hated me enough to attack me. After all I did for them. I remember striking them down… my own kin. I remember telling Se’rie to go back to the city, that I’d handle this. I went back to the camp. Melesse was in charge. Lomir was dead. Faellyn and Ephalas were gone… left to Tangled Trees. I never liked Melesse much. I could feel the eyes upon me. Time to go… I wasn’t welcome anymore.
I remember walking to the hidden city… up on the trees... so beautiful… so peaceful. Ephalas was there. His news were disturbing. He said Lomir was killed by cyricists fleeing the fallen temple. He also said he didn’t believe that. He believed Melesse killed him, seized her chance to gain command and make the changes she always wanted. I remember promising him I’d look into it. Why do I do these things?
I remember approaching the camp by night. Avoiding the scouts took time, but wasn’t so hard. I recalled most of the watching posts. I’ve been in many of them before. I remember waiting for what seemed like hours until someone opened the portal. Sneaking in. Getting past the wards. Walking by the shadows. They drank and ate and talked. I stalked.
I remember the druid. My skill was enough to fool the scout’s eyes, but not her magic. I remember trading words… maybe a joke or two or an insult. Sometimes the memory gets fuzzy. She pointed her finger at me and cast a spell. Melesse told me to leave. I wasn’t about to argue with a dozen bows pointed at me.
I’ll never forget my first steps into the forest that night. I never felt so unwelcome. It was like something really didn’t want me there. As if the forest itself was angry at me. Then it came…a small lump of leaves and twigs rushing towards me, growing with each passing moment, gaining size and shape.
I darted to the tick shadows, hiding behind a great oak. But how do you hide from the forest? I remember running. I ran as fast as could, feeling my legs burn with each leap, with each step. I didn’t stop running until the forest was gone. A milling camp… great, ancient trees reduced to mere stumps. It was a dreadful and sad place, abandoned even by the workers. But it was safe.
The priests I met couldn’t do anything for me and I couldn’t fight it and now I know why. It’s counter-intuitive she says.
I actually laughed when she said I had to surrender to it. Though was a poor attempt at humor. Apparently druids are a serious bunch when it comes to forest spirits. She says it’s a guardian. A guardian to the forest. It scares intruders, keeping them out. But this one was perverted and twisted into something else. Something full of anger and hatred and it wants nothing more than hurt me. She can restore it, but first I need to trap it and for that I need to give it what it wants. Me. If I fight it I will die. If I surrender it will hurt me, but I can trap it before it kills me. Why can’t things ever be easy?
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
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psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
I can still see their faces. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I see them. They stare at me. There is no anger, there’s no fear. They just stare at me. I don’t think they judge me, but I can’t help but do it myself. After all, I have to live with this.
It was supposed to be a mere test of loyalty. They needed something done and we needed to be tested. A matter of convenience. The rules were clear. Nobody leaves… not walking anyway.
I fought Zhentarim before, barbarians, drow, and Cyric’s blackguards. Untrained thugs from a local guild in Arabel didn’t exactly mean a great challenge for me or Se’rie. We moved fast and we knew what we were doing. They put their trust in their numbers, but they didn’t have enough numbers to really make a difference. When the first one fell they became even more disorganized, desperate.
In minutes it was all over. We stood alone in the middle of the large room. Behind us, our escorts. They were here only to make sure we got it all done or to do it for us if we failed. They seemed pleased so far, but a slight nod in the other direction indicated we weren’t quite done yet. In the opposite wall were the last two. Two humans, a man and a woman. No, a boy and a girl, no more than eighteen summers for any of them. They were scared, leaning against the wall, as if they wanted to step through it and out of that place of death. Above us a merchant slept, oblivious to all that was happening a flight of stairs away from his bed.
We started walking toward them. I could see the fear in their eyes. I was hoping they would fight, but I could see the fear in their eyes. They tossed their swords in front of us and dropped to their knees. I looked to Se’rie and glanced back. She was hesitating, trying to figure out what to do. Behind us, one of the “observers” was already entertained with the second part of his task. Sending a message. In the underworld of Arabel, sending an effective message sometimes involved subtlety, wit and finesse. This time though, the message just needed someone twisted enough to paint a gruesome picture to be found.
There wasn’t much to consider. I tightened the grip on my rapier and lunged forward, my eyes shut. I felt the resistance, forced my arm, more resistance, one more push. I pull back, it’s done. Se’rie knocks out the boy. She won’t do it. I brace myself once again and stab him once, through the chest. It’s all over. I look back to see him. Frowning at Se’rie and then he nods to me. “Orders were to kill everyone.” She replies quickly “Do you want me to stab him with a staff?” One more look to the bodies, he seems content enough. The test is over. We make it back home.
You tried to keep him alive... don't do that again
Sorry... regardless of the situation, I cannot kill a man in cold blood, not when he presents absolutely no threat to me.
If they figure us out we'll be dead in our sleep… and he would die anyway
Not by my hand. A tenuous line, perhaps... But a line must be drawn somewhere, and I can not cross it.
At the time I thought she didn’t understand… that she was wrong. I already lost many friends. She’s one of the few I have left. One of the few I can trust entirely. One of the few I don’t have to keep any secrets from, that I know I can count on for anything. I couldn’t afford to see her killed over this. I told her I’d do it again if I had to and most likely would. But her words still ring inside my mind… an echo that doesn’t go away. And I can’t help but consider if I am losing myself. I was supposed to be the hand’s fingers, but that night I was naught but a clenched fist.
Help me…
It was supposed to be a mere test of loyalty. They needed something done and we needed to be tested. A matter of convenience. The rules were clear. Nobody leaves… not walking anyway.
I fought Zhentarim before, barbarians, drow, and Cyric’s blackguards. Untrained thugs from a local guild in Arabel didn’t exactly mean a great challenge for me or Se’rie. We moved fast and we knew what we were doing. They put their trust in their numbers, but they didn’t have enough numbers to really make a difference. When the first one fell they became even more disorganized, desperate.
In minutes it was all over. We stood alone in the middle of the large room. Behind us, our escorts. They were here only to make sure we got it all done or to do it for us if we failed. They seemed pleased so far, but a slight nod in the other direction indicated we weren’t quite done yet. In the opposite wall were the last two. Two humans, a man and a woman. No, a boy and a girl, no more than eighteen summers for any of them. They were scared, leaning against the wall, as if they wanted to step through it and out of that place of death. Above us a merchant slept, oblivious to all that was happening a flight of stairs away from his bed.
We started walking toward them. I could see the fear in their eyes. I was hoping they would fight, but I could see the fear in their eyes. They tossed their swords in front of us and dropped to their knees. I looked to Se’rie and glanced back. She was hesitating, trying to figure out what to do. Behind us, one of the “observers” was already entertained with the second part of his task. Sending a message. In the underworld of Arabel, sending an effective message sometimes involved subtlety, wit and finesse. This time though, the message just needed someone twisted enough to paint a gruesome picture to be found.
There wasn’t much to consider. I tightened the grip on my rapier and lunged forward, my eyes shut. I felt the resistance, forced my arm, more resistance, one more push. I pull back, it’s done. Se’rie knocks out the boy. She won’t do it. I brace myself once again and stab him once, through the chest. It’s all over. I look back to see him. Frowning at Se’rie and then he nods to me. “Orders were to kill everyone.” She replies quickly “Do you want me to stab him with a staff?” One more look to the bodies, he seems content enough. The test is over. We make it back home.
You tried to keep him alive... don't do that again
Sorry... regardless of the situation, I cannot kill a man in cold blood, not when he presents absolutely no threat to me.
If they figure us out we'll be dead in our sleep… and he would die anyway
Not by my hand. A tenuous line, perhaps... But a line must be drawn somewhere, and I can not cross it.
At the time I thought she didn’t understand… that she was wrong. I already lost many friends. She’s one of the few I have left. One of the few I can trust entirely. One of the few I don’t have to keep any secrets from, that I know I can count on for anything. I couldn’t afford to see her killed over this. I told her I’d do it again if I had to and most likely would. But her words still ring inside my mind… an echo that doesn’t go away. And I can’t help but consider if I am losing myself. I was supposed to be the hand’s fingers, but that night I was naught but a clenched fist.
Help me…
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
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psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
I woke up with the sun coming in through the drapes. My side still hurting a little and my skin still sensitive where I got burned, but the healing magic did what it was supposed to. I’d be as good as new with some more rest.
Se’rie was already up, having her breakfast. No sounds coming from the room next door. No sound besides the loud snoring at least. Our guest was still fast asleep. I headed downstairs.
We have to figure out what to do about our new friend. It's not like we can keep him here.
I'll find a Selunite shrine or something... we will have to act quickly.
I've seen it happen before
Selunite shrines? Yes, they happen somewhat often.
I roll my eyes and laugh, looking to her amused for a few seconds before giving her a reply.
Lycanthropy. I've seen a priestess of Selune cure it once, back in the Dalelands.
A soft click coming from the door. That always makes me a little nervous. Paranoia maybe, but keeps me alive. I recognize the cloaked shape. Rhekka immediately darts for the food cabinets. Not even a hello… oh well. Hunger does that I guess.
After telling her about guest we took some food upstairs and barricaded his door from outside. I wasn’t much sure if that would hold him, but was worth a try. I didn’t remember ever seeing a Selunite temple in Arabel, but it wasn’t unreasonable that we would find one in Cormyrean lands. And for the sake of the little one we should find it as soon as possible.
As far as I recalled my experience in Daggerfalls, it could be cured in a ritual by the moonlight, as long as you don’t let much time pass after the infection and the victim doesn’t kill. We knew that he didn’t have a chance to kill anyone locked in a cell all by himself, but we already knew he had his first change. I wasn’t sure we still had time to help him, but we would at least try before putting him down.
We Ask around then. We'll start with the guards at the East Gate, Se’rie finally decides, dragging me away from my own thoughts.
After short talk with some of the patrolling dragons we discovered why we never saw a temple consecrated to Selune. There used to be one in the burned end, but like most of the district it was now in rumbles. The priestess still lived though and was working to raise gold to fund the building of a shrine, somewhere along the High Horn Road.
We reached the site very early in the morning. Ruins, like the guard said, but we could see logs and stone bricks stacked in neatly arranged piles… a house nearby… simple, but big. That was the place for sure. All lights out, we decided to wait until the sun was up.
I didn’t sleep. I wasn’t tired and had a lot in my mind. Instead I waited for the night to fade, watching as Rhekka and Se’rie slept peacefully under the protection of a great tree. When the first rays of light met my eyes I nudged them.
It’s time. The workers and the priestess will be out soon.
When we reach the site once again, the workers are already engaged at labor. The priestess is a late riser one of them says. Se’rie quickly offered to help as we waited, but after a quickly glance back she corrected herself and set out to help unloading wood from a wagon laughing as she walked away.
I don't necessarily speak for them...
Damn right she didn’t. The whole hard work thing never really appealed to me. Not that I don’t see the value in it, but I’d rather not have to do it if it’s at all avoidable… and in the past hundred years, I found that there’s always a way to avoid it. This time was really easy. While Rhekka and Se’rie sweat in the morning sun stacking piles of rock and wood, I sit back enjoying a fresh bottle of silvermead.
After a couple of hours the priestess leaves the house, just as the guards described, a human woman, in her early to mid-twenties, with ebony skin and a pleasant smile.
Once introductions were out of the way we walked away from the crowd and told her all about our problem, except for where we found the halfling. As we told our tale her smiled turned into a concerned frown and then she gave us the news, the good and the bad. She couldn’t cure him anymore, but she could perform a ritual to make him able to control the beast within, if he agrees to conversion to the church of Selune. I don’t like the idea of a Halfling thieve running around all covered in hair with claws the size of my fingers, but they all seemed confident he would behave. There was yet a second condition. She would need ingredients. Ingredients not readily available in the local herbalist stall… she’d need fur and saliva from a full werewolf.
Right… so if we HAD to find a werewolf… where would we look?
The Hullack is said to have a rather large population of lycanthropes, amongst ... other... more unpleasant creatures
Right... the hullack… of course.
Of all places we have to go to the one place I’ve been warned not to go… perfect... just perfect.
Se’rie was already up, having her breakfast. No sounds coming from the room next door. No sound besides the loud snoring at least. Our guest was still fast asleep. I headed downstairs.
We have to figure out what to do about our new friend. It's not like we can keep him here.
I'll find a Selunite shrine or something... we will have to act quickly.
I've seen it happen before
Selunite shrines? Yes, they happen somewhat often.
I roll my eyes and laugh, looking to her amused for a few seconds before giving her a reply.
Lycanthropy. I've seen a priestess of Selune cure it once, back in the Dalelands.
A soft click coming from the door. That always makes me a little nervous. Paranoia maybe, but keeps me alive. I recognize the cloaked shape. Rhekka immediately darts for the food cabinets. Not even a hello… oh well. Hunger does that I guess.
After telling her about guest we took some food upstairs and barricaded his door from outside. I wasn’t much sure if that would hold him, but was worth a try. I didn’t remember ever seeing a Selunite temple in Arabel, but it wasn’t unreasonable that we would find one in Cormyrean lands. And for the sake of the little one we should find it as soon as possible.
As far as I recalled my experience in Daggerfalls, it could be cured in a ritual by the moonlight, as long as you don’t let much time pass after the infection and the victim doesn’t kill. We knew that he didn’t have a chance to kill anyone locked in a cell all by himself, but we already knew he had his first change. I wasn’t sure we still had time to help him, but we would at least try before putting him down.
We Ask around then. We'll start with the guards at the East Gate, Se’rie finally decides, dragging me away from my own thoughts.
After short talk with some of the patrolling dragons we discovered why we never saw a temple consecrated to Selune. There used to be one in the burned end, but like most of the district it was now in rumbles. The priestess still lived though and was working to raise gold to fund the building of a shrine, somewhere along the High Horn Road.
We reached the site very early in the morning. Ruins, like the guard said, but we could see logs and stone bricks stacked in neatly arranged piles… a house nearby… simple, but big. That was the place for sure. All lights out, we decided to wait until the sun was up.
I didn’t sleep. I wasn’t tired and had a lot in my mind. Instead I waited for the night to fade, watching as Rhekka and Se’rie slept peacefully under the protection of a great tree. When the first rays of light met my eyes I nudged them.
It’s time. The workers and the priestess will be out soon.
When we reach the site once again, the workers are already engaged at labor. The priestess is a late riser one of them says. Se’rie quickly offered to help as we waited, but after a quickly glance back she corrected herself and set out to help unloading wood from a wagon laughing as she walked away.
I don't necessarily speak for them...
Damn right she didn’t. The whole hard work thing never really appealed to me. Not that I don’t see the value in it, but I’d rather not have to do it if it’s at all avoidable… and in the past hundred years, I found that there’s always a way to avoid it. This time was really easy. While Rhekka and Se’rie sweat in the morning sun stacking piles of rock and wood, I sit back enjoying a fresh bottle of silvermead.
After a couple of hours the priestess leaves the house, just as the guards described, a human woman, in her early to mid-twenties, with ebony skin and a pleasant smile.
Once introductions were out of the way we walked away from the crowd and told her all about our problem, except for where we found the halfling. As we told our tale her smiled turned into a concerned frown and then she gave us the news, the good and the bad. She couldn’t cure him anymore, but she could perform a ritual to make him able to control the beast within, if he agrees to conversion to the church of Selune. I don’t like the idea of a Halfling thieve running around all covered in hair with claws the size of my fingers, but they all seemed confident he would behave. There was yet a second condition. She would need ingredients. Ingredients not readily available in the local herbalist stall… she’d need fur and saliva from a full werewolf.
Right… so if we HAD to find a werewolf… where would we look?
The Hullack is said to have a rather large population of lycanthropes, amongst ... other... more unpleasant creatures
Right... the hullack… of course.
Of all places we have to go to the one place I’ve been warned not to go… perfect... just perfect.
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
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psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
Another test. They have to be joking... we just did their stupid test. We just killed about a dozen men in their “test”. I should just steal the damn thing and be done with it… too bad I don’t know where it is. Another test it is then. It better be the last. They promise it would… a test of skill this time.
Shayne briefed us. The job was pretty straight forward. The Hand wanted a vase, a vase that belonged to a certain noble in Arabel, a recent addition to his collection. That was the simple part. The tricky part was that this collector was an old acquaintance, and one that enjoyed his games. He would often let slip when he acquired new trinkets. He knew it would attract the attention of selected individuals... all part of his game. One of his pleasures was collecting artifacts and artwork; another was to create clever and deadly ways to protect them. Many operatives were sent to his house over the years, none ever came back. The last pair went over there a couple of weeks back, to get the same prize we would be after.
…..
The “distinct gentleman” was leaving Arabel for a day or two in a week, so that would be our best opportunity. Se’rie and I took a walk to the palace district. Quite the place for sight- seeing, the palace gardens are pretty and well cared for. A lot of movement as folks go about their business, dragons patrolling on horseback. The mansion itself is on one of the district corners, guards outside the doors and too close to the archers on the walls. Getting in would be tricky, but I suspect nowhere near as hard as finding the stupid vase in there.
…..
This is the night. We got supplies from the guild, including two magic bags to carry whatever we can get. We watch the carriage leave from the distance before approaching. Guards are there chatting, looking tired. It’s probably the end of their shift. The servant’s entry looks promising; it’s the farthest from the walls. That’s our way in. I work the lock as fast as I can and we slip inside. It’s a store room, crates all over. Some light coming from under the door just in front of us. People talking inside… servants and guards. The servants are about to go to bed. We hide behind the crates and wait. The servants head to their quarters, one guard stays by a fireplace, his back turned to the door. The movement of his head says he’s about to sleep. One set of stairs leads down, there’s another door. We creep inside and head through, entering what looks like a dinning room. Another set of stairs, this time leading up… up it is then.
Looks like his office. Paintings on the walls, bookcases, heavy curtains and large desk. I check the desk while Se’rie starts checking the bookcases. Lots of scrolls, ink… busy man. Doesn’t take me too long to notice the thin wire coming out of the first drawer. Following the wire to under the desk I can see the bulb of glass, a green liquid inside. I’ve seen this before… the glass breaks… gas comes up to you. Clever, silent, deadly.
Step aside. I’ll open it.
Are you insane? Is she insane?
The second she opened the drawer, I heard the light cracking noise I was expecting and a cloud of gas hit her square in the face. She coughed and stumbled… too pale. A potion made her feel better. I was saving that one for occasions like this. Lucky her. But she retrieved her prize anyway, a small stone horn… part of a statue, but it didn’t look broken. It was as if meant to fit somewhere. Then she remembered there were two small figurines in one of the bookcases. Depictions of war heralds, one of them held a horn, its twin barehanded. The small piece fit perfectly and the bookcase became loose, sliding easily to the side revealing a passage.
A new set of stairs ahead. We spend several minutes heading down and by the time there were no more steps we were probably much lower than the sewer lines. As we descended, the walls became increasingly warmer and the distinct stench of rotten eggs assaulted us. Finally a hallway.
Gods… it stinks here… and it’s too hot.
The hallway finally ends in a door. Nobody else around, no steps, no voices, nothing but the crackling of fire. But it doesn’t sound like a fireplace. It sounds like a whole forest was in flames…. and it was too hot.
The lock finally gives, but we are not ready for the vision that greets us.
Well…that was fun…
The stench is almost unbearable and combined with the heat, breathing is hard. We stand on a platform, like many others ahead. The ground between them covered in some sort of liquid… stinky and flammable, judging by the fire blazes shooting up. A pillar stands near the door with an orb on top of it. The orb has a hand shaped depression in it. Several thin wires go down to the floor from the orb.
I think he uses it to get across the room… he put some sort of alarm here. Let me see if I can work it.
I barely finish speaking when I see her hands flashing over my head, one side to another, snatching the orb from place. I brace myself for something that never comes… the wires hanging loose from the pillar… luck… talent… maybe both. Still, nothing good happened either and we still need to find a way to cross a 15 feet gap over fire and boiling smelly fluid.
I can make the jump. You wait here.
That’s insane, but other than turning back empty handed, this is the only choice. And I’ve never seen her give up on anything. I know my limits and I know I can’t make that jump. I just hope she knows hers. I close my eyes when she starts running towards the edge. When I open them again she’s landed on the liquid with a splash, trying to climb up as quickly as possible. At least nobody can hear her down here.
Are you alright?
Shyte. Just so we know for certain now. It's hot.
I figured from the blazing columns of fire.
But I'll live.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize the room is much larger then we thought at first and many more platforms go all the way to the end.
Ye have a rope?
Of course I have a…
When I look around again it’s surprising we took so long to figure this out. I douse the coil of rope with one of my potions. The merchant assured me it would protect me against fire and cold. Hope it works on rope too. After tying one end to the pillar I tie the other to a crowbar and toss it over to the other side. After Se’rie makes sure it’s fastened and secure I climb the pillar and start walking forward. One step at a time. I keep thinking as I go that I must be crazy myself to do this, but it works. Three more platforms to go…good thing we brought lots of rope.
With some effort and after a lot of cursing we reach the last platform. Some statues on this side and more on the other…lizardmen… harpies…life-size. I don’t like. I think I’m getting dizzy. The end of the room is close enough we can see the wall on the other side of the last gap. We’ve been here too long now… too hard to breathe. One more… I can see the safe already... this is it. One jump away… we have no more rope. One jump. I take a deep breath and run. Se’rie waits for me on the other side. I try not to think much when I jump. After a clumsy landing I take a few moments to catch my breath again. Time to look around. A door to the left. I hear someone inside… a slight whimpering. A prisoner? Here? I think to ask her Se’rie if I should open the lock, but I know her answer before I even look to her. She’d never leave someone trapped in this place if she had a choice. There’s a cell… a small creature lying down dressed in rags and all curled up… a halfling. He barely moves, but jumps to his feet and cowers in the corner as I open the cell.
He’s starved and scared, but manages to explain he was one of the last two men Shayne sent for the vase. His friend had died and he was bit by a werewolf. Still Se’rie didn’t want to leave him there… not his fault she says. I can’t help but wonder whose fault it is if her bites us, but I’m not in the mood to argue and he might know a way out. We leave him in the cell to figure out the safe.
A wire connects to a gnomish contraption. I’ve seen this before in Selgaunt. Gave Jo’dan quite a shock I remember. I half-expect to be turned into a pile of ash while I tried disarming it, but I guess I learned a lot since the night we just gave him a potion and asked him to trigger the device. Time to work the lock then. As I insert the first pick I hear a rock crumbling and another familiar sound, right before getting knocked over against the safe. My shoulder hurts and there’s blood all over. As I take the arrow off I look back to see the statue of a lizardman firing arrows at us. Not much time to think it over. I get back to the lock as Se’rie tries to get its attention. As soon as I open I see the vase. I scream for Se’rie. We get the vase and a fistful of gems, running back to the cell.
We have what we came for finally… but still need to get out of here and that means getting past the statue. Seeing we actually came back for him, the halfling’s condition improved greatly. He tells us he knows a way out… through the kennels, but we’d have to deal with the statue and jump over the last gap again. Fine. My time to distract the lizard. I get off the room, firing arrows against the stone statue. They bounce off, but server their purpose. The statue is focused in me while Se’rie jumps to meet it and pushes it over the edge into the fire.
I can hardly breathe anymore, but we can’t stop. We need to get out now. We follow the hin trough a small doorway and he shows us a small passage through the ceiling. He thinks they use it to feed the hounds. Still... it’s wide enough we can go through. Se’rie manages to get a trapdoor opened above us and we end in a large room, full of broken furniture and some crates. Another storage. At least it’s much cooler now. A set of stairs goes up… we’ve been in this room before. I peek from the staircase, the sleepy guard was replaced by another and a servant was stirring a cooking pot by the fireplace. How long we’ve been here… we need to get out. I take invisibility potions from my belt and give one to the hin. We keep them for emergencies…but if that’s not one I don’t know what is.
Driv is growing more excited with each step… too excited. Stupid halfling. He takes the potion in one swig and tosses the vial, running wildly towards the door. The cook drops the pot, the guard springs to his feet. Everyone is screaming. That almost worked nicely. We do the only thing we can… run as fast as we can towards the now wide open doors.
We rush into the streets… the sun is well up. We spent the whole night in there. Se’rie runs to her right trying to follow Driv. I take the left making as much noise as possible at first, and trying to confuse the already alert guards. I dash into the alleys and pray they can’t find me.
All that for an ugly vase. It better be worth it. I’ll meet Se’rie later.
Edit: Chronology wise this happened just before the events from the last post.
Shayne briefed us. The job was pretty straight forward. The Hand wanted a vase, a vase that belonged to a certain noble in Arabel, a recent addition to his collection. That was the simple part. The tricky part was that this collector was an old acquaintance, and one that enjoyed his games. He would often let slip when he acquired new trinkets. He knew it would attract the attention of selected individuals... all part of his game. One of his pleasures was collecting artifacts and artwork; another was to create clever and deadly ways to protect them. Many operatives were sent to his house over the years, none ever came back. The last pair went over there a couple of weeks back, to get the same prize we would be after.
…..
The “distinct gentleman” was leaving Arabel for a day or two in a week, so that would be our best opportunity. Se’rie and I took a walk to the palace district. Quite the place for sight- seeing, the palace gardens are pretty and well cared for. A lot of movement as folks go about their business, dragons patrolling on horseback. The mansion itself is on one of the district corners, guards outside the doors and too close to the archers on the walls. Getting in would be tricky, but I suspect nowhere near as hard as finding the stupid vase in there.
…..
This is the night. We got supplies from the guild, including two magic bags to carry whatever we can get. We watch the carriage leave from the distance before approaching. Guards are there chatting, looking tired. It’s probably the end of their shift. The servant’s entry looks promising; it’s the farthest from the walls. That’s our way in. I work the lock as fast as I can and we slip inside. It’s a store room, crates all over. Some light coming from under the door just in front of us. People talking inside… servants and guards. The servants are about to go to bed. We hide behind the crates and wait. The servants head to their quarters, one guard stays by a fireplace, his back turned to the door. The movement of his head says he’s about to sleep. One set of stairs leads down, there’s another door. We creep inside and head through, entering what looks like a dinning room. Another set of stairs, this time leading up… up it is then.
Looks like his office. Paintings on the walls, bookcases, heavy curtains and large desk. I check the desk while Se’rie starts checking the bookcases. Lots of scrolls, ink… busy man. Doesn’t take me too long to notice the thin wire coming out of the first drawer. Following the wire to under the desk I can see the bulb of glass, a green liquid inside. I’ve seen this before… the glass breaks… gas comes up to you. Clever, silent, deadly.
Step aside. I’ll open it.
Are you insane? Is she insane?
The second she opened the drawer, I heard the light cracking noise I was expecting and a cloud of gas hit her square in the face. She coughed and stumbled… too pale. A potion made her feel better. I was saving that one for occasions like this. Lucky her. But she retrieved her prize anyway, a small stone horn… part of a statue, but it didn’t look broken. It was as if meant to fit somewhere. Then she remembered there were two small figurines in one of the bookcases. Depictions of war heralds, one of them held a horn, its twin barehanded. The small piece fit perfectly and the bookcase became loose, sliding easily to the side revealing a passage.
A new set of stairs ahead. We spend several minutes heading down and by the time there were no more steps we were probably much lower than the sewer lines. As we descended, the walls became increasingly warmer and the distinct stench of rotten eggs assaulted us. Finally a hallway.
Gods… it stinks here… and it’s too hot.
The hallway finally ends in a door. Nobody else around, no steps, no voices, nothing but the crackling of fire. But it doesn’t sound like a fireplace. It sounds like a whole forest was in flames…. and it was too hot.
The lock finally gives, but we are not ready for the vision that greets us.
Well…that was fun…
The stench is almost unbearable and combined with the heat, breathing is hard. We stand on a platform, like many others ahead. The ground between them covered in some sort of liquid… stinky and flammable, judging by the fire blazes shooting up. A pillar stands near the door with an orb on top of it. The orb has a hand shaped depression in it. Several thin wires go down to the floor from the orb.
I think he uses it to get across the room… he put some sort of alarm here. Let me see if I can work it.
I barely finish speaking when I see her hands flashing over my head, one side to another, snatching the orb from place. I brace myself for something that never comes… the wires hanging loose from the pillar… luck… talent… maybe both. Still, nothing good happened either and we still need to find a way to cross a 15 feet gap over fire and boiling smelly fluid.
I can make the jump. You wait here.
That’s insane, but other than turning back empty handed, this is the only choice. And I’ve never seen her give up on anything. I know my limits and I know I can’t make that jump. I just hope she knows hers. I close my eyes when she starts running towards the edge. When I open them again she’s landed on the liquid with a splash, trying to climb up as quickly as possible. At least nobody can hear her down here.
Are you alright?
Shyte. Just so we know for certain now. It's hot.
I figured from the blazing columns of fire.
But I'll live.
It doesn’t take long for her to realize the room is much larger then we thought at first and many more platforms go all the way to the end.
Ye have a rope?
Of course I have a…
When I look around again it’s surprising we took so long to figure this out. I douse the coil of rope with one of my potions. The merchant assured me it would protect me against fire and cold. Hope it works on rope too. After tying one end to the pillar I tie the other to a crowbar and toss it over to the other side. After Se’rie makes sure it’s fastened and secure I climb the pillar and start walking forward. One step at a time. I keep thinking as I go that I must be crazy myself to do this, but it works. Three more platforms to go…good thing we brought lots of rope.
With some effort and after a lot of cursing we reach the last platform. Some statues on this side and more on the other…lizardmen… harpies…life-size. I don’t like. I think I’m getting dizzy. The end of the room is close enough we can see the wall on the other side of the last gap. We’ve been here too long now… too hard to breathe. One more… I can see the safe already... this is it. One jump away… we have no more rope. One jump. I take a deep breath and run. Se’rie waits for me on the other side. I try not to think much when I jump. After a clumsy landing I take a few moments to catch my breath again. Time to look around. A door to the left. I hear someone inside… a slight whimpering. A prisoner? Here? I think to ask her Se’rie if I should open the lock, but I know her answer before I even look to her. She’d never leave someone trapped in this place if she had a choice. There’s a cell… a small creature lying down dressed in rags and all curled up… a halfling. He barely moves, but jumps to his feet and cowers in the corner as I open the cell.
He’s starved and scared, but manages to explain he was one of the last two men Shayne sent for the vase. His friend had died and he was bit by a werewolf. Still Se’rie didn’t want to leave him there… not his fault she says. I can’t help but wonder whose fault it is if her bites us, but I’m not in the mood to argue and he might know a way out. We leave him in the cell to figure out the safe.
A wire connects to a gnomish contraption. I’ve seen this before in Selgaunt. Gave Jo’dan quite a shock I remember. I half-expect to be turned into a pile of ash while I tried disarming it, but I guess I learned a lot since the night we just gave him a potion and asked him to trigger the device. Time to work the lock then. As I insert the first pick I hear a rock crumbling and another familiar sound, right before getting knocked over against the safe. My shoulder hurts and there’s blood all over. As I take the arrow off I look back to see the statue of a lizardman firing arrows at us. Not much time to think it over. I get back to the lock as Se’rie tries to get its attention. As soon as I open I see the vase. I scream for Se’rie. We get the vase and a fistful of gems, running back to the cell.
We have what we came for finally… but still need to get out of here and that means getting past the statue. Seeing we actually came back for him, the halfling’s condition improved greatly. He tells us he knows a way out… through the kennels, but we’d have to deal with the statue and jump over the last gap again. Fine. My time to distract the lizard. I get off the room, firing arrows against the stone statue. They bounce off, but server their purpose. The statue is focused in me while Se’rie jumps to meet it and pushes it over the edge into the fire.
I can hardly breathe anymore, but we can’t stop. We need to get out now. We follow the hin trough a small doorway and he shows us a small passage through the ceiling. He thinks they use it to feed the hounds. Still... it’s wide enough we can go through. Se’rie manages to get a trapdoor opened above us and we end in a large room, full of broken furniture and some crates. Another storage. At least it’s much cooler now. A set of stairs goes up… we’ve been in this room before. I peek from the staircase, the sleepy guard was replaced by another and a servant was stirring a cooking pot by the fireplace. How long we’ve been here… we need to get out. I take invisibility potions from my belt and give one to the hin. We keep them for emergencies…but if that’s not one I don’t know what is.
Driv is growing more excited with each step… too excited. Stupid halfling. He takes the potion in one swig and tosses the vial, running wildly towards the door. The cook drops the pot, the guard springs to his feet. Everyone is screaming. That almost worked nicely. We do the only thing we can… run as fast as we can towards the now wide open doors.
We rush into the streets… the sun is well up. We spent the whole night in there. Se’rie runs to her right trying to follow Driv. I take the left making as much noise as possible at first, and trying to confuse the already alert guards. I dash into the alleys and pray they can’t find me.
All that for an ugly vase. It better be worth it. I’ll meet Se’rie later.
Edit: Chronology wise this happened just before the events from the last post.
Last edited by psycho_leo on Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
-
psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
The black cat… the cheapest whore house in Arabel… Jo’dan’s favorite place. Seems it’s captain Dutharr’s too. For days now we have known there are two… one is kind, respectful and just. The other is a drunkard, that spends his days harassing merchants and chasing whores. That’s the one inside the cat. The one Baron Thomdor ordered Rhekka and Jo’dan to follow and arrest as a way to pay part of their “debt to society”. It’s my problem now too… one of them anyway. Another problem is the burned end district is controlled by the Cherry Boys and I’m not exactly welcome here after what I did to them in the warehouse. Nothing ever comes easy.
A couple of whispered voices reach us from the dark alleyway… talking about us. Jo’dan and Rhekka stay while I go around with Se’rie. There’s a third man farther away, they pay too much attention to the cat. A few of the dear captain’s friends perhaps. One of them moves to where we are. Maybe he heard us. I reach for a dagger, but Se’rie is ahead of me. She grabs hi from behind, covering his mouth and bending his knees before pulling him into an alcove. We tie and gag him as fast as we can and move forward to wait for his friends.
Jake? What’ taking ye so long?
Only a few seconds pass before they com to check on their friend. We wait in the dark… we wait until they get past us. I point my bow at one of them as Se’rie lashes out and delivers a devastating blow to the back of the second man’s skull. The other man turns around, drawing a dagger as his companion falls limp. He looks to us both for a fraction of a moment before deciding to charge her. Bad choice… I’m not in a good mood and I’m too close to miss. A moment later he’s looking at me incredulous… an arrow lodged to his neck.
As I finish tying the unconscious man, Se’rie hands me something. The look on her face is enough for me to know it’s not good… a guild token… no good at all. I can’t help but wonder if they’re following us or Dutharr. Time to have a talk with Jake.
What the feck? Do they not trust us anymore? Why are ye following us? We thought ye was Cherry's Boys!
And you know what we'd do to you, right? Next time let us know who you are before following us into dark alleys.
This got somethin ta do with the marks? That's what it is, ain't it? We done picked someone important, it seems...
See… we’ve been working on the wizard and her bodyguard for too long for you boys to ruin it… maybe we should fix this right now…
He’s stupid enough to think he can still act brave, but scared enough that he tells us more than he should. Something big is about to happen and Ranan ordered them to watch the captain and he doesn’t know why. That’s the bad news… good news is the guild is not onto us yet. I cut his ropes. It’s best if we keep things that way.
Stay here and wait a few minutes. Then wake your friend and leave. Tell Ranan what happened. We’ll go to the guild house later.
Other's will hear of this, you better be tellin the truth, and even so, you took out Henry
This is Cherry's territory, we done been attacked before by them boys here...What did ye think we'd think?
You're still alive… so you'd batter start being grateful.
A sharp whistle to the distance… sounds of metal clashing… what now? We leave our new friend and run towards the sound. Two bodies… guards.
Can’t leave them alone for five minutes…
Jo’dan comes from around a corner, carrying a large bundle over his shoulder. Rhekka follows behind, limping slightly. As they come near I notice the bundle is a body wrapped in his cloak.
It... resisted... arrest. Damn near killed Rhekka…we 'ad ta do it.
It?
Shapechanger...
Looking at it again I notice it has no hair and its skin is gray. A doppelganger, Rhekka explains as we leave. Something big is going to happen…
A couple of whispered voices reach us from the dark alleyway… talking about us. Jo’dan and Rhekka stay while I go around with Se’rie. There’s a third man farther away, they pay too much attention to the cat. A few of the dear captain’s friends perhaps. One of them moves to where we are. Maybe he heard us. I reach for a dagger, but Se’rie is ahead of me. She grabs hi from behind, covering his mouth and bending his knees before pulling him into an alcove. We tie and gag him as fast as we can and move forward to wait for his friends.
Jake? What’ taking ye so long?
Only a few seconds pass before they com to check on their friend. We wait in the dark… we wait until they get past us. I point my bow at one of them as Se’rie lashes out and delivers a devastating blow to the back of the second man’s skull. The other man turns around, drawing a dagger as his companion falls limp. He looks to us both for a fraction of a moment before deciding to charge her. Bad choice… I’m not in a good mood and I’m too close to miss. A moment later he’s looking at me incredulous… an arrow lodged to his neck.
As I finish tying the unconscious man, Se’rie hands me something. The look on her face is enough for me to know it’s not good… a guild token… no good at all. I can’t help but wonder if they’re following us or Dutharr. Time to have a talk with Jake.
What the feck? Do they not trust us anymore? Why are ye following us? We thought ye was Cherry's Boys!
And you know what we'd do to you, right? Next time let us know who you are before following us into dark alleys.
This got somethin ta do with the marks? That's what it is, ain't it? We done picked someone important, it seems...
See… we’ve been working on the wizard and her bodyguard for too long for you boys to ruin it… maybe we should fix this right now…
He’s stupid enough to think he can still act brave, but scared enough that he tells us more than he should. Something big is about to happen and Ranan ordered them to watch the captain and he doesn’t know why. That’s the bad news… good news is the guild is not onto us yet. I cut his ropes. It’s best if we keep things that way.
Stay here and wait a few minutes. Then wake your friend and leave. Tell Ranan what happened. We’ll go to the guild house later.
Other's will hear of this, you better be tellin the truth, and even so, you took out Henry
This is Cherry's territory, we done been attacked before by them boys here...What did ye think we'd think?
You're still alive… so you'd batter start being grateful.
A sharp whistle to the distance… sounds of metal clashing… what now? We leave our new friend and run towards the sound. Two bodies… guards.
Can’t leave them alone for five minutes…
Jo’dan comes from around a corner, carrying a large bundle over his shoulder. Rhekka follows behind, limping slightly. As they come near I notice the bundle is a body wrapped in his cloak.
It... resisted... arrest. Damn near killed Rhekka…we 'ad ta do it.
It?
Shapechanger...
Looking at it again I notice it has no hair and its skin is gray. A doppelganger, Rhekka explains as we leave. Something big is going to happen…
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
-
psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
So this is the plane of Shadows? How is it that I always get dragged into situations like this? Trapped in another plane, a plane I know nothing about except that there’s no light to be had and surrounded by demons made of shadows… how come I always get dragged into these things?
Their leader wants to meet the newcomers and they’re here to deliver his invitation… well, at least they didn’t try to kill us yet, but I doubt refusing is an option.
We trail the dark streets of this shadow Arabel until reach what looks like an arena. I think it should be a square with a fountain in the prime, but I can’t be sure… I feel lost in this place. Above, in a stage, sitting on a throne is what the demons have as a master… they bow to him. He’s not larger than the others, he’s actually smaller and scrawnier… but the eyes… does it even have eyes? The small orbs of shadow show enough power to make the demons submissive, and enough for us to wait to hear what he has to say.
He wants a game, entertainment, and we have to provide it.
It does grow oh so boooring here, you know. Dark dark dark all the time, no fun, no parties, no games… Except those we create!
And your... hmm... friends... don't like to play with you?
My friends play too, oh yes, they will play. But you are more interesting!
I try to hide behind the others as he speaks, but his gaze follows.
He explains the rules of his game… two champions will enter his arena… his other arena… one of us and one of them.
Each of the contestants will start on a separate side. When the game begins, you will be given a color.
You will move quickly to that color. The first contestant to reach the pillar of light will receive a boon to aid them in the game!
When you hold five such boons, you will receive no more, but lose the race to a pillar of light, and you lose all your boons!
Of course, the point of the game is not to hold these boons.
The point is to eliminate the other contestant.
Your attack must be one of surprise. Your opponent can have no clue of your presence.
You may not use any of your own weapons, you will use one provided by me.
As he leaves us to decide who will fight for us, he summons his own champion. Telemons is his name, a shadow. Slender and tall… there’s something about him I can’t quite explain, but he is unlike any shadow I’ve seen before.
We quickly decide that Se’rie and I have the best chance of winning his “game” and she never uses weapons. Why do I always get dragged into these things?
I reluctantly give Se’rie my blades and bow , taking a jeweled dagger offered by Telemons and we were both teleported into a new arena.
The darkness is even more overwhelming than before if that’s even possible. From where I stand I can see a narrow corridor that goes on for a few feet until it turns right abruptly. The walls look like they are made of solid shadows… black, smooth and cold, but hard as stone. They aren’t too tall standing roughly over 5 feet and there’s no roof. Looking around me I see five pillars of what appears to be pure light in different colors.
The booming voice of the demon leader echoes around the shadow maze.
BLUE!
I quickly move from my corner, sprinting until the turn and then making my way carefully towards the blue pillar. As I get near it, I see what I can only describe as small shadow larvae crawling around the base of the pillar, occasionally lifting the frontal part of their bodies and exhibiting an oval mouth, showing a row of white needle like teeth. I touch the center of the light beacon, carefully avoiding alerting the creatures and step away, receding to the shadows. A flash of silver traces an arc, inches from my neck as I dodge bending my back just in time, Telemons revealing his presence in front of me. I can see in his eyes that he wishes to lunge forward as much as I do, but the magic of the arena prevents us to move.
Better luck next time.
I tease, but I know he’s better than I expected.
In seconds I’m alone again, in another corner of the arena. A new corridor ahead of me, this time turning left.
GREEN IS THE NEXT COLOR!
I look up to see the green beacon standing in front me in the distance. A few turns and I got close to it. I notice I can see farther. The boon the shadow lord told me about must be working. I touch the light, my vision improves even more. I can see Telemons to my right, walking towards the light. I don’t think he can see me. I let him pass by me and viciously slash his right flank, a magic barriers stopping me from drawing more blood. Now he know he’s going to have to take me more seriously.
Once again magic jumps me around the maze and all I can hear is booing and hissing and a few muffled claps before the next pillar is announced.
PURPLE!
The beacon is too close. All I need to do is make a turn before I can reach it. For a third time my sight is improved by reaching the pillar. That means he’s yet to get here then. Again I wait in ambush. I move up to him. One stab in the back of his head and all will be over. I despair when I hear a crunching sound, as I step on one the shadow larvae. The noise was enough to alert Telemons and with cat like reflexes he manages to slash my right biceps, making my whole arm start to numb, but not before my dagger dive into the left side of his chest, missing his heart by inches. He screams as I’m pushed back by an invisible force and the dagger comes out, leaving a gaping wound, his dark blood flowing freely.
I’m going to kill you for this, elf. Then I’ll kill your friends.
Now I’m really angry. And now I know he’s more dangerous than I expected. This can’t go on for much longer. When I get to my new corner, the numbness is almost gone. The daggers must be enchanted after all. I switch the dagger to my left hand and brace myself, waiting for the next pillar.
YELLOW! GO TO THE YELLOW LIGHT!!!
Third time is the charm.
The light is very far this time. I can’t help but wonder if Telemons got luckier this round. Walk to the beacon, I feel like an eternity has passed before I finally get close enough. Telemon is just a few feet ahead of me, eagerly approaching the pillar. I can’t let him reach it. I can’t let him gain the upper hand. I rush towards him, and he turns surprised. The shadows are so thick, he can’t see me without the aid of the pillar’s magics, but he can still hear. He hold extends his arm defensively and tries to slash when I get close, but I duck and slash his right side. In a swift move I jerk my arm backwards stabbing him in the lower back before I’m forcefully pushed forward, landing on my knees. This time I’m not teleported and I can move freely. I turn around to see Telemons spamming on the ground. He’s dying. I win.
No light for you… only shadow.
I close my eyes for an instant, and when I open them again I’m back in the open arena, surrounded by the demons and their master, back with my friends. Se’rie and Jo’dan come to my side as soon as they see me.
Nawiel, ye did it!
Thank tha' gods!
Good to see you're so surprised.
I toss the jeweled dagger to the ground next to the Ringmaster. He shows no hint of disappointment when he walks in my direction, grinning wide. He touches my shoulder with his cold hand, sending chills up my spine.
You've the spark of shadow on you. I approve!
I can’t even bare an answer as he goes on.
Well done. Thanks for playing.
We all look to him incredulous. I don’t think even Richard expected him to keep his word.
Se’rie is the first to ask, confusion showing in her eyes. That's it?
What… you want another game? , he asks in a hopeful mischievous voice.
No! She doesn’t! , I answer quickly
Aw come now! It was so much fun!
Maybe for you.
With a snap of his fingers the demons take flight and he vanishes as if he was never there.
We all stand around for a few moments, waiting to see what happens next.
Well... are we waiting for him to get bored again?
We start walking away fro the arena, looking for our destination. Why do I keep getting dragged into these things?
Their leader wants to meet the newcomers and they’re here to deliver his invitation… well, at least they didn’t try to kill us yet, but I doubt refusing is an option.
We trail the dark streets of this shadow Arabel until reach what looks like an arena. I think it should be a square with a fountain in the prime, but I can’t be sure… I feel lost in this place. Above, in a stage, sitting on a throne is what the demons have as a master… they bow to him. He’s not larger than the others, he’s actually smaller and scrawnier… but the eyes… does it even have eyes? The small orbs of shadow show enough power to make the demons submissive, and enough for us to wait to hear what he has to say.
He wants a game, entertainment, and we have to provide it.
It does grow oh so boooring here, you know. Dark dark dark all the time, no fun, no parties, no games… Except those we create!
And your... hmm... friends... don't like to play with you?
My friends play too, oh yes, they will play. But you are more interesting!
I try to hide behind the others as he speaks, but his gaze follows.
He explains the rules of his game… two champions will enter his arena… his other arena… one of us and one of them.
Each of the contestants will start on a separate side. When the game begins, you will be given a color.
You will move quickly to that color. The first contestant to reach the pillar of light will receive a boon to aid them in the game!
When you hold five such boons, you will receive no more, but lose the race to a pillar of light, and you lose all your boons!
Of course, the point of the game is not to hold these boons.
The point is to eliminate the other contestant.
Your attack must be one of surprise. Your opponent can have no clue of your presence.
You may not use any of your own weapons, you will use one provided by me.
As he leaves us to decide who will fight for us, he summons his own champion. Telemons is his name, a shadow. Slender and tall… there’s something about him I can’t quite explain, but he is unlike any shadow I’ve seen before.
We quickly decide that Se’rie and I have the best chance of winning his “game” and she never uses weapons. Why do I always get dragged into these things?
I reluctantly give Se’rie my blades and bow , taking a jeweled dagger offered by Telemons and we were both teleported into a new arena.
The darkness is even more overwhelming than before if that’s even possible. From where I stand I can see a narrow corridor that goes on for a few feet until it turns right abruptly. The walls look like they are made of solid shadows… black, smooth and cold, but hard as stone. They aren’t too tall standing roughly over 5 feet and there’s no roof. Looking around me I see five pillars of what appears to be pure light in different colors.
The booming voice of the demon leader echoes around the shadow maze.
BLUE!
I quickly move from my corner, sprinting until the turn and then making my way carefully towards the blue pillar. As I get near it, I see what I can only describe as small shadow larvae crawling around the base of the pillar, occasionally lifting the frontal part of their bodies and exhibiting an oval mouth, showing a row of white needle like teeth. I touch the center of the light beacon, carefully avoiding alerting the creatures and step away, receding to the shadows. A flash of silver traces an arc, inches from my neck as I dodge bending my back just in time, Telemons revealing his presence in front of me. I can see in his eyes that he wishes to lunge forward as much as I do, but the magic of the arena prevents us to move.
Better luck next time.
I tease, but I know he’s better than I expected.
In seconds I’m alone again, in another corner of the arena. A new corridor ahead of me, this time turning left.
GREEN IS THE NEXT COLOR!
I look up to see the green beacon standing in front me in the distance. A few turns and I got close to it. I notice I can see farther. The boon the shadow lord told me about must be working. I touch the light, my vision improves even more. I can see Telemons to my right, walking towards the light. I don’t think he can see me. I let him pass by me and viciously slash his right flank, a magic barriers stopping me from drawing more blood. Now he know he’s going to have to take me more seriously.
Once again magic jumps me around the maze and all I can hear is booing and hissing and a few muffled claps before the next pillar is announced.
PURPLE!
The beacon is too close. All I need to do is make a turn before I can reach it. For a third time my sight is improved by reaching the pillar. That means he’s yet to get here then. Again I wait in ambush. I move up to him. One stab in the back of his head and all will be over. I despair when I hear a crunching sound, as I step on one the shadow larvae. The noise was enough to alert Telemons and with cat like reflexes he manages to slash my right biceps, making my whole arm start to numb, but not before my dagger dive into the left side of his chest, missing his heart by inches. He screams as I’m pushed back by an invisible force and the dagger comes out, leaving a gaping wound, his dark blood flowing freely.
I’m going to kill you for this, elf. Then I’ll kill your friends.
Now I’m really angry. And now I know he’s more dangerous than I expected. This can’t go on for much longer. When I get to my new corner, the numbness is almost gone. The daggers must be enchanted after all. I switch the dagger to my left hand and brace myself, waiting for the next pillar.
YELLOW! GO TO THE YELLOW LIGHT!!!
Third time is the charm.
The light is very far this time. I can’t help but wonder if Telemons got luckier this round. Walk to the beacon, I feel like an eternity has passed before I finally get close enough. Telemon is just a few feet ahead of me, eagerly approaching the pillar. I can’t let him reach it. I can’t let him gain the upper hand. I rush towards him, and he turns surprised. The shadows are so thick, he can’t see me without the aid of the pillar’s magics, but he can still hear. He hold extends his arm defensively and tries to slash when I get close, but I duck and slash his right side. In a swift move I jerk my arm backwards stabbing him in the lower back before I’m forcefully pushed forward, landing on my knees. This time I’m not teleported and I can move freely. I turn around to see Telemons spamming on the ground. He’s dying. I win.
No light for you… only shadow.
I close my eyes for an instant, and when I open them again I’m back in the open arena, surrounded by the demons and their master, back with my friends. Se’rie and Jo’dan come to my side as soon as they see me.
Nawiel, ye did it!
Thank tha' gods!
Good to see you're so surprised.
I toss the jeweled dagger to the ground next to the Ringmaster. He shows no hint of disappointment when he walks in my direction, grinning wide. He touches my shoulder with his cold hand, sending chills up my spine.
You've the spark of shadow on you. I approve!
I can’t even bare an answer as he goes on.
Well done. Thanks for playing.
We all look to him incredulous. I don’t think even Richard expected him to keep his word.
Se’rie is the first to ask, confusion showing in her eyes. That's it?
What… you want another game? , he asks in a hopeful mischievous voice.
No! She doesn’t! , I answer quickly
Aw come now! It was so much fun!
Maybe for you.
With a snap of his fingers the demons take flight and he vanishes as if he was never there.
We all stand around for a few moments, waiting to see what happens next.
Well... are we waiting for him to get bored again?
We start walking away fro the arena, looking for our destination. Why do I keep getting dragged into these things?
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!
-
psycho_leo
- Rust Monster
- Posts: 1162
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:10 am
- Location: Brazil
Re: Night and Shade
I can’t say how far we walked once we left the arena. It’s hard to measure distances when everything looks so much alike. After a while we hear the flapping sound of wings at a distance. At first I though those shadow demons decided they wanted more games, or worse, but the approaching figure is much smaller and much less threatening. The winged underdark halfling, Murmurry, is back. Her appearance, with furry wings and cat-like eyes is odd by itself, but her smile and the playful ways put us at ease. She mentions some weird movement about one of the nearby buildings, how everyone of the “shadow people” that lived around that property were forced to leave by some wizard and how she saw many tall, gray skinned creatures coming in and out.
You think... the dopple... hmm... shapechangers?
Rhekka nods in response.That's my guess.
It certainly looks like a promising place to start our search. The others stand there making their plans about how to get inside. It’s funny how people always say elves are supposed to be the patient ones but it’s always the humans talking to no end. While they discuss I notice it, it’s fast and subtle. Not everyone can see a shadow stalk in the plane of shadows, but I know Se’rie saw it too. As fast as it came, it retreated back into the manor. At least it will put an end to all the planning. They know we’re coming anyway.
We finally decide on the most direct approach. The front door. To be honest, the lack of a back door or any windows made the choice easier. I check the frame for a long moment until I decide it’s safe to try the lock. It seems our thoughtful hosts even let the door opened for us.
We go inside after Rhekka casts her array of protective spells. I check the hallway for traps even if I don’t expect to find any. If they didn’t want us inside they’d have locked the door.
The hallway ends in a door, one with a decent lock at that. Peeking through the keyhole I can make out some of the room. I can see the lit braziers and the pillars surrounding what looks to be a platform in the center. I can’t see anyone, but I tell myself that it doesn’t mean anything considering where we are. With a touch of the lady luck Se’rie and I can work the lock without much of a fuss. I creep inside the room, half waiting for an ambush. The platform is actually a fountain, the black, thick fluid that passes as water in this plane splashes merrily without making a sound. Most of the doors in the room seem to lead to living quarters, except the one straight ahead. Se’rie goes toward it while I’m still checking the rooms.
Ah don't hear anything in there. We kin go in Her voice comes hushed, but clear.
We carefully make our way in as a woman’s voice fills the air. It’s soft and clear, the kind of voice that you actually like hearing.
Do come in, please come in.
Her tone isn’t exactly commanding, but I feel compelled to obey anyway. Not only me, but most of us simply stride towards the center of the room abandoning any cover or formation. To my right I notice a cage. A man is inside, or at least a shadow. Its features remind me of Lauccum, the resident archmage in Arabel. I recognize the woman, holding a staff and dressed in rich silk robes as Melissandra, or rather the doppleganger that took her features. By her side Vindir stood silently. I guess he’s still bitter with me for trying to kill him. His loss. I can see a dozen more figures in the shadows. The ambush is coming after all.
Isn't this a merry reunion? And it was so nice of you to leave the front door open.
Hmm yes. Well you certainly have made a long journey of it. Her voice comes clear once more. She puts her left hand inside a pocket and her words once more gain a compelling tone. Now, I think you all should go ahead and get in that cage along with Laucuum.
What’s she thinking? That I’ll just lock myself in a cage?
I don't like cages much... it's too tight...
But see... yours seems to have a lot of space.
Se’rie seems to like the cage too as she pushes past Jo’dan to get inside the cage, despite his desperate protests. I don’t know why he’s making that much of a fuss. It’s such a nice cage.
As Jo’dan roars and charges Melissandra, my head begins to clear and suddenly the cage is not that appealing anymore. She casts a spell and as magic darkness fills the room her friends come out of hiding. About a dozen of her gray skinned dopplegangers run towards us in a mad charge. The battle is brutal, but fast. As I shoot my last arrow I can see Jo’dan impaling one of them with his flaming blade. They were not enough to overcome, but just what Melissandra and Vindir needed to escape through a secret passage.
Se’rie finds the door hidden on the opposing wall, the stone work is impressive. The door is hardly noticeable. We enter a smaller room. There are no candles, torches or braziers. We can barely see the other side. There are bookcases here and there and a large chest near one of the walls. Se’rie and I start checking the room for any other secret door as Rhekka casts a spell to help her see.
It's over! Form up! Rhekka screams at us pointing towards a wall.
What are ye talking about? Realization hits Se’rie when she remembers Rhekka just cast a spell. We ain't got yer damn magicked eyes! We don't see her as ye do! Dispel her magic!
As Rhekka tries to dispel the illusion, Jo’dan flails his sword around him heading towards where Rhekka pointed, his blade slashing the air in great speed.
I close my eyes, trying to focus on the sounds. She can fool my eyes, but she’ll still make some noise. As I walk around the room, rapier drawn, I can feel one of her spells trying to confuse my mind, but one of Rhekka’s protective charms blocks it. When she realizes her spell didn’t work, she growls loudly and waves her staff in front of me. A green arrow appears out of thin air shooting from it and I barely have time to dodge before it flies past me grazing the left side of my chest. It missed my heart, but the magical acid still burns. Confusion takes the room and she waves her staff wildly, shooting acid arrows, energy missiles and lightning arcs. Her protections make it hard to hit her and even harder to harm her, and using a seemingly endless supply of invisibility spells, she attacks us from everywhere. Vindir starts his dance too. Just like the first time I saw him fight. His moves are fluid and deadly, using the dark room to his advantage he blends with the shadows, attacking and spinning away. He avoids me for the moment and I focus on the wizard. I use the shadows as I can. Two can play that game. Jo’dan is furious, attacking her mercilessly at every chance he gets without any concern for the many spells that hit him squarely on the chest.
I notice Vindir attacking Jo’dan and Cearon. He’s still avoiding me. Big mistake. I circle back and get behind him. I strike once. The rapier goes through his armor, sending shocking waves and scorching his flesh. As he starts losing his strength, Jo’dan lets out a roar and slashes, opening a large cut on the elf’s chest, left to right. He falls limp. I killed him for the second time.
There’s no time to celebrate or mourn. The witch is still alive and angrier than ever. The battle is taking too long. I don’t know how long I’ll last. Once more she waves her staff and huge globe of fire flies forth. I leap away in the last moment, as it lands harmlessly on the ground.
With our protections failing and our healing draughts at the end we won’t last long against her spells. We do the only thing we can and rush her, all at once. Blades, fists and mace, all flying towards her in a barrage. One spell hits me on the chest. I can’t stop. Jo’dan and Se’rie get blasted too. Melissandra’s smile disappears from her face as she feels one of the blows for the first time. Her last protections are finally down.
This is not the END! Her voice falters when Se’rie cracks her skull with a well placed blow to her left temple. As she lands limp on the ground, her body starts changing, her features disappearing, her white skin turning gray and leathery, her well cared nails become sharp claws. After twenty years she finally assumes her true form once more. The doppleganger wizard is dead.
Vindir’s voice comes from behind me. It’s weak and raspy as the voice of a dying man. Katrinis... sweet betrayer...
As he utters his last words, Jo’dan draws his blade once again, striding towards him. There’s no time to protest before he raises it and strikes his neck once. I swear I could see him smile at me just before the end.
I let the others look for the damn vase and the accursed gargoyle figurine.
Vindir was finally dead. Twice I killed him after he offered me a place by his side, once he became the ruler of Arabel’s underworld. He offered me power and influence at the cost of my friend’s lives. I don’t know if he would keep his promise or if he would kill me. I know we had fun together. It’s best to keep it that way. No further thoughts into a possible future. I kneel beside him and take his amulet from his neck. A fitting offering for the jester. I’m sure Vindir would appreciate.
Goodbye shadow poet… I’ll see you in Arvandor...
You think... the dopple... hmm... shapechangers?
Rhekka nods in response.That's my guess.
It certainly looks like a promising place to start our search. The others stand there making their plans about how to get inside. It’s funny how people always say elves are supposed to be the patient ones but it’s always the humans talking to no end. While they discuss I notice it, it’s fast and subtle. Not everyone can see a shadow stalk in the plane of shadows, but I know Se’rie saw it too. As fast as it came, it retreated back into the manor. At least it will put an end to all the planning. They know we’re coming anyway.
We finally decide on the most direct approach. The front door. To be honest, the lack of a back door or any windows made the choice easier. I check the frame for a long moment until I decide it’s safe to try the lock. It seems our thoughtful hosts even let the door opened for us.
We go inside after Rhekka casts her array of protective spells. I check the hallway for traps even if I don’t expect to find any. If they didn’t want us inside they’d have locked the door.
The hallway ends in a door, one with a decent lock at that. Peeking through the keyhole I can make out some of the room. I can see the lit braziers and the pillars surrounding what looks to be a platform in the center. I can’t see anyone, but I tell myself that it doesn’t mean anything considering where we are. With a touch of the lady luck Se’rie and I can work the lock without much of a fuss. I creep inside the room, half waiting for an ambush. The platform is actually a fountain, the black, thick fluid that passes as water in this plane splashes merrily without making a sound. Most of the doors in the room seem to lead to living quarters, except the one straight ahead. Se’rie goes toward it while I’m still checking the rooms.
Ah don't hear anything in there. We kin go in Her voice comes hushed, but clear.
We carefully make our way in as a woman’s voice fills the air. It’s soft and clear, the kind of voice that you actually like hearing.
Do come in, please come in.
Her tone isn’t exactly commanding, but I feel compelled to obey anyway. Not only me, but most of us simply stride towards the center of the room abandoning any cover or formation. To my right I notice a cage. A man is inside, or at least a shadow. Its features remind me of Lauccum, the resident archmage in Arabel. I recognize the woman, holding a staff and dressed in rich silk robes as Melissandra, or rather the doppleganger that took her features. By her side Vindir stood silently. I guess he’s still bitter with me for trying to kill him. His loss. I can see a dozen more figures in the shadows. The ambush is coming after all.
Isn't this a merry reunion? And it was so nice of you to leave the front door open.
Hmm yes. Well you certainly have made a long journey of it. Her voice comes clear once more. She puts her left hand inside a pocket and her words once more gain a compelling tone. Now, I think you all should go ahead and get in that cage along with Laucuum.
What’s she thinking? That I’ll just lock myself in a cage?
I don't like cages much... it's too tight...
But see... yours seems to have a lot of space.
Se’rie seems to like the cage too as she pushes past Jo’dan to get inside the cage, despite his desperate protests. I don’t know why he’s making that much of a fuss. It’s such a nice cage.
As Jo’dan roars and charges Melissandra, my head begins to clear and suddenly the cage is not that appealing anymore. She casts a spell and as magic darkness fills the room her friends come out of hiding. About a dozen of her gray skinned dopplegangers run towards us in a mad charge. The battle is brutal, but fast. As I shoot my last arrow I can see Jo’dan impaling one of them with his flaming blade. They were not enough to overcome, but just what Melissandra and Vindir needed to escape through a secret passage.
Se’rie finds the door hidden on the opposing wall, the stone work is impressive. The door is hardly noticeable. We enter a smaller room. There are no candles, torches or braziers. We can barely see the other side. There are bookcases here and there and a large chest near one of the walls. Se’rie and I start checking the room for any other secret door as Rhekka casts a spell to help her see.
It's over! Form up! Rhekka screams at us pointing towards a wall.
What are ye talking about? Realization hits Se’rie when she remembers Rhekka just cast a spell. We ain't got yer damn magicked eyes! We don't see her as ye do! Dispel her magic!
As Rhekka tries to dispel the illusion, Jo’dan flails his sword around him heading towards where Rhekka pointed, his blade slashing the air in great speed.
I close my eyes, trying to focus on the sounds. She can fool my eyes, but she’ll still make some noise. As I walk around the room, rapier drawn, I can feel one of her spells trying to confuse my mind, but one of Rhekka’s protective charms blocks it. When she realizes her spell didn’t work, she growls loudly and waves her staff in front of me. A green arrow appears out of thin air shooting from it and I barely have time to dodge before it flies past me grazing the left side of my chest. It missed my heart, but the magical acid still burns. Confusion takes the room and she waves her staff wildly, shooting acid arrows, energy missiles and lightning arcs. Her protections make it hard to hit her and even harder to harm her, and using a seemingly endless supply of invisibility spells, she attacks us from everywhere. Vindir starts his dance too. Just like the first time I saw him fight. His moves are fluid and deadly, using the dark room to his advantage he blends with the shadows, attacking and spinning away. He avoids me for the moment and I focus on the wizard. I use the shadows as I can. Two can play that game. Jo’dan is furious, attacking her mercilessly at every chance he gets without any concern for the many spells that hit him squarely on the chest.
I notice Vindir attacking Jo’dan and Cearon. He’s still avoiding me. Big mistake. I circle back and get behind him. I strike once. The rapier goes through his armor, sending shocking waves and scorching his flesh. As he starts losing his strength, Jo’dan lets out a roar and slashes, opening a large cut on the elf’s chest, left to right. He falls limp. I killed him for the second time.
There’s no time to celebrate or mourn. The witch is still alive and angrier than ever. The battle is taking too long. I don’t know how long I’ll last. Once more she waves her staff and huge globe of fire flies forth. I leap away in the last moment, as it lands harmlessly on the ground.
With our protections failing and our healing draughts at the end we won’t last long against her spells. We do the only thing we can and rush her, all at once. Blades, fists and mace, all flying towards her in a barrage. One spell hits me on the chest. I can’t stop. Jo’dan and Se’rie get blasted too. Melissandra’s smile disappears from her face as she feels one of the blows for the first time. Her last protections are finally down.
This is not the END! Her voice falters when Se’rie cracks her skull with a well placed blow to her left temple. As she lands limp on the ground, her body starts changing, her features disappearing, her white skin turning gray and leathery, her well cared nails become sharp claws. After twenty years she finally assumes her true form once more. The doppleganger wizard is dead.
Vindir’s voice comes from behind me. It’s weak and raspy as the voice of a dying man. Katrinis... sweet betrayer...
As he utters his last words, Jo’dan draws his blade once again, striding towards him. There’s no time to protest before he raises it and strikes his neck once. I swear I could see him smile at me just before the end.
I let the others look for the damn vase and the accursed gargoyle figurine.
Vindir was finally dead. Twice I killed him after he offered me a place by his side, once he became the ruler of Arabel’s underworld. He offered me power and influence at the cost of my friend’s lives. I don’t know if he would keep his promise or if he would kill me. I know we had fun together. It’s best to keep it that way. No further thoughts into a possible future. I kneel beside him and take his amulet from his neck. A fitting offering for the jester. I’m sure Vindir would appreciate.
Goodbye shadow poet… I’ll see you in Arvandor...
Current PC: Gareth Darkriver, errant knight of Kelemvor
Se'rie Arnimane: Time is of the essence!
Nawiel Di'malie: Shush! we're celebrating!