Roleplaying In Atkathla

[Rail]

@Magus and all- Sorry about the delay in response. I've been putting in too much overtime with the quake in Seattle and all. Enough work talk.
@KidD01- I still don't see a smooth way to get you in. If nothing comes to me, we'll just have to force it. Sorry about the delay.

The trio of warriors walked around the room, exploring their surroundings. It was certainly a lavish place, far better than the assassin or barbarian were used to, though TripWire was quite comfortable and nodding in approval. The blade strolled over to the bureau at a window and poured himself a glass of wine from an open crystal decanter of Cali****e design. Tasting the wine, he appeared quite pleased.

There were several paintings on the walls, most of them unfamiliar to Rail and fallout. (No big surprise there. ) There were a few from the recent Time of Troubles, but many from distant lands and ages past. The duo stopped in front of one depicting Mystra's death.

"Do you think they're really dead," fallout asked without taking his eyes from the picture. "Those gods, I mean."

Rail was slow to reply. "Never really cared much one way or the other."

"Priests all say it is so."

Rail nodded in agreement. "I kinda like the idea of them walking down here every once in a while, subject to death just like we are." The assassin unconsciously had his hand on the hild of his sword.

"Yeah," fallout agreed, smiling to himself. "You believe in the children of Bhaal rumors?"

"It's not like I'm from up the coast," Rail scoffed, moving on to a picture depicting the descent of the Drow. "Children of Bhaal!" Rail chuckled and shook his head in disbelief.

"I don't know," fallout countered. "Too many rumors even down here. I've wandered through many towns, too many to have the same rumors and not have them at least be partially true." Fallout strolled over to the Drow descent picture and stared at it blankly. After a bit he drew a knife and lifted it toward the picture.

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea," Rail commented warily.

Fallout glanced at the assassin, but continued anyway, intending to cut only a corner of the picture. A small spark flew as the blade scratched across the surface, drawing a slight gasp from the barbarian, but fallout held the knife steady. As he withdrew the blade, not a mark was visible on the picture. Fallout looked over to Rail, and the two shrugged. Magic!

TripWire walked up and glanced at the picture. "That's a picture of when the surface elves crushed the remaining Drow forces and drove them underground for the first and final time. Quite a story, actually."

"Yeah," Rail commented absently, nodding to himself and walking to the next picture. "I can see that."

"Yeah! We know," fallout lied, peering again at the picture as if for the first time.

The next one was of some elves confronting a dragon in a forest. "What's this one," Rail asked curiously.

The bard looked closely at it for a few moments before answering. "This is a scene many generations ago, well before the founding of Cormyr. The land then was occupied by dragons until the elves came and drove the dragons off." TripWire paused as the others began to nod in understanding. "This is the last great dragon from that area. They managed to drive it off peacefully, so the story is told."

Eventually, the group made it over to where Magus lay comatose, pale and breathing as shallow as a Copper Coronet wench's insight.

"Where's that elf chick?" fallout asked, glancing around.

Rail shrugged. "She gives me the creeps!"

"She *was* acting strange," TripWire added, "But wow, is she hot or what?" TripWire grinned broadly.

Fallout nodded in agreement. "You ain't kidding."

Rail grew a sly smile. He thought to himself, "Now would be the perfect time. The mage is defensless. I could strike him down while he is helpless. One thrust of the sword and..."

Rail spun around with a expectant smile on his face to confront a swiftly approaching Void. The hakeashar's eyes were wide as it screeched to a halt. "Ha! You eavesdropper!" the assassin spouted out as he burst into laughter. Rail began to laugh so hard he bumped into a startled and bewildered TripWire. "That ought to teach you from reading my thoughts uninvited, you ogre's belch!" The assassin looked like he wanted to say more, but he was laughing too hard.

"You toy with things too much, little man," Void shot back in Rail's thoughts. "One more thought like that and I'll possess your sorry hide till it rots!"

Rail held up a hand as if to tell the hakeashar to wait. "Serves you right, beast," Rail said aloud. In his thoughts, Rail spoke to Void in between bouts of laughter. "Start telling me when your eavesdropping. I promise there'll be more of the same, otherwise."

"You may not survive a next time, foolish thief," Void projected for all to hear, but Rail picked up an acknowledgement in his head and another thought from Void meant only for him. "You learn, perhaps too well, Assassin."

Fallout looked worredly at the recovering assassin. "Associating with that creature is unhealthy. It isn't natural."

TripWire smiled and shrugged noncommitally.

"Ah," Rail waived the comment off. "Misty's fine. He knows where I stand."

Fallout folded his arms in disapproval. "I still say it just isn't right."

Void seemed to suddenly perk up. "We have company!" His thoughts were sharp with warning for all three to hear. "It's Aegis!"

TripWire shrugged, but fallout and Rail looked about warily, fingering weapons.

Void continued. "It would seem as though he was *not* able to handle his new abilities. He has changed, and he radiates a familiar evil. Care must be taken in dealing with him now!"

Fallout shook his head sadly. "No one goes from paladin to sorceror like that naturally."

Rail and TripWire nodded in agreement.

@Magus- sorry about the length. I didn't know if you planned to need us. If not, we're off to find KidD01.

@Drakron- can we add you at the same time?

[Magus]

@Aegis: Nope, no doors between rooms. Way back in the beginning I showed how to get between rooms. Like I said, the place is surreal.
Are you really that intent on avoiding confrontation? The reason I'm forcing it is because I need something to happen during/after the battle to progress my characters. Plus, I'd like to spring a few surprises before you get away (if you do). All for dramatic effect, of course. Everything will go fine if you play your cards right. I don't intend this to be the battle to end all battles.
Lastly, any look into her soul would give you that familiar headache, just for future reference.

@Rail: Is Drakron planning on joining?
I have no problem with long posts (mine are all long ). As for your guys part in the following action, I'd like to keep you in that room if possible, for now. How about we do the "Void greets visitor at the entrance" thing? I'll leave Void's next action suspended until we decide.
You hitting on Aerie? As I remember, Trip-Wire had no interest in her, and Fallout didn't either after he found out she was a mage. I suppose you can modify Trip-Wire's attitude, though.

Fallout wanders on to the next picture. It depicts an intense battle between two famous archrivals, Drizzt and Artemis Entreri. Entreri's dagger is thrusting through a hole in Drizzt's crossed scimitars. Feeling bored, and annoyed at his seeming helplessness in the continuing whirlwind of events, he suddenly swings Celestial Fury with all his might at the picture.
To his surprise, his sword goes INTO the picture! Caught off-balance, Fallout stumbles forward. Rail and Trip-Wire watch in horror as Fallout falls into the picture...

@Rail: That's what I was going for with the picture comment. Since you had Fallout scratch it with his knife, and it was in the middle of your post, I decided to create a new situation instead of changing yours.

@Fallout: The damned magic has done it again

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...Magus
Level 18 young Half-Elf Conjurer, Neutral Good, resident of The Rift, bitter foe of Ubik

[This message has been edited by Magus (edited 03-03-2001).]

[fallout]

@I am on holiday and away from comp. and my dictionary. I dont know who is Artemis Entreri. With a dagger a mage maybe. So this will be short as usually.

While fallouts katana enters the picture he catched unguard and lost his balance. He tries to save himself but something pushing him to picture. He looks his terrified friends for some help. Then everything begins to turn dark.

@magus what will happen know. Do i have to help Drizzt on his fight.

[Magus]

@Fallout: Artemis Entreri is a very high level human assasin. He wields a longsword (I think) and a life-sucking dagger. He is Drizzt's archrival, and his equal in battle in almost every respect. Their battles are usually long and extended. One-on-one, you are moderately inferior to either of them. As for what you HAVE to do, that is for you to decide...I'm not revealing what is actually going on yet.

@Melosh-tar: So you want me to help you through them? Got it. But you'll have to control them if you want to keep them active in the story after your problem is solved.

Fallout finds himself on the ground with a face full of dirt. The ring of metal on metal sounds furiously nearby. He looks up, and sees the combatants in the picture battling in a whirlind of flashing steel. They fight alone on the outskirts of a large clearing in the forest. Fallout sees Entreri's dagger thrust between Drizzt's crossed blades, as portrayed in the picture. Drizzt sidesteps the blow, but winces as the blade grazes his right arm. The battle continues, but Drizzt is slowly being backed into a large tree. Entreri senses imminent victory, and begins an aggressive assault that increases the pace of Drizzt's retreat. It appears that Drizzt will not survive without aid. Neither person seems to notice Fallout's appearance as they bring their dance of death to a finale...

Melosh-tar struggles to hide the surprise from his face, but is unsuccessful.
Melosh: I possess the power's of Bodhi?
Kathla speaks, and her voice is sweet and sensuous.
Kathla: Only some...but enough to make you quite powerful indeeed.
Then Voprey notices something about Melosh. He scrutinizes Melosh carefully. Melosh squirms unconsciously under his intent gaze. Then Voprey addresees him.
Voprey: You are not well, I see. (harshly) Have you neglected your feedings?
Melosh: No, I haven't. I have fed regularly, but I get weaker every day. (sighs) I don't know what's happening to me (shaking his head).
Voprey walks up and examines him closely. His hands wander over a ring. Melosh hears a sizzling and the smell of burnt flesh, then Voprey curses and leaps back.
Voprey (yelling): BY THE SEVEN HELLS, WHAT IS THAT?
Melosh glances down befuddledly at the offending ring.
Voprey's anger calms down, and he returns to examine the ring, this time careful not to touch it directly. After a few moments, his eyes light up, and he looks up.
Voprey: This is a ring of regeneration! Such an item would cause excruciating pain to most vampires, and prolonged contact would result in death. Quite foolish of you to keep it on, but astonishing that you have survived til now nonetheless. This would be the cause of your sickness. Remove it immediately.
Melosh tries to pull it off his left ring finger, but it refuses to budge. Impatiently, Voprey shields his hand in his sleeve and tries to remove it himself, also to no effect.
Then Kathla speaks up.
Kathla: Brother, move away and let me see.
Voprey complies reluctantly, and Kathla grabs Melosh's hand to examine the ring.
Kathla: The flesh around the ring is melted. The ring is fused to his finger.
Voprey ponders this while Melosh is still trying comprehend the revelation that the ring was the cause of his problems. Then he figures out what's going on. The magicks of healing, while beneficial to the living, are quite harmful when used on the undead. Regeneration is a powerful spell of healing, which would explain why the ring was sapping his energy. Now they just had to figure out how to get it off.

@Melosh: You can propose a solution (and develop your characters with some banter), but let me write about what happens when you try it.

@Rail: What does your character (and Trip-Wire) do when Fallout falls into the picture? Don't control Void this time; let me handle him. I'm waiting for your reaction before he reacts.






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...Magus
Level 18 young Half-Elf Conjurer, Neutral Good, resident of The Rift, bitter foe of Ubik

[Rail]

@Magus- I'll proceed under the assumption we are able to see fallout and the action behind him.
@fallout- now's your chance! You can be the one known for beating both Artemis Entreri and Drizzt. Just an evil thought. Sorry! I forgot we were goodies! And Magus said you were no match for either of them. We'll show him!

TripWire and Rail ran toward the picture fallout had fallen into, skidding to a halt before the magical painting.

"Blood and Magic!" Rail swore, shaking his head more out of annoyance than confusion. "What in the nine hells is this?"

TripWire looked with curiosity. "Seems like some kind of portal." Suddenly, recognition passed across the bard's face. "That's Drizzt Do'Urden and Artemis Entreri!" The bard glanced around quickly and without another word, thrust his hand into the painting and stepped into another world.

"Wait!" Rail called, too late. Cursing under his breath, he turned back toward the hakeashar who was staring curiously from across the room. Drawing his blade, he spoke to Void, "How far away is the traitor?"

"Aegis is not far, nor is he getting closer," Void responded. The creature appeared neither rushed nor worried. "You needn't stay on his account."

"Maybe I just didn't want to have to save your sorry particles from the traitor," Rail said, distracted by the movement in the picture. Fallout was staring back at him, beckoning the assassin to follow. Apparently, there was at least a way back.

Void didn't respond to the assassin's comments. The creature offered no information or advice. He simply watched.

"What *is* this thing?" Rail inspected the frame with newfound interest. And with caution.

"Just what it appears, human."

"Yeah, thanks," Rail said sarcastically, frowning in annoyance. Swearing under his breath, something about mages and their toys, the assassin put forth his hand and was drawn into the scene of the painting.

[This message has been edited by Rail (edited 03-04-2001).]

[Aegis]

Aegis lobbed one last fireball towards a nishruu that was part of a small force of rift gaurds. Damn, that made thirteen now. He was slowly losing strength. Too much magic was being cast, even with the power of a God. He needed out of this infernal place! He needed to speak with someone. He turned away from the nishruu's form as it vanished from existence, and began to limp away from the scene of the fight. One of them had been lucky enough to catch his leg with a well place attacked. Aegis had cursed himself for allowing that.

He held a hand over his right breast (Sickos ), and felt the throbbing pain left by the unearthly attack made earlier. He shook his head, regaining his senses and continued on to where he had learned the exit was. It took him only a short while to reach it, but as he came into view, he spirits dropped, and a sour look covered his face. He swore to himself as he saw the form of seven Nishruus, and that blasted captain that escaped him earlier. Aerie was also nearby, but he could not see her.

In his weakend state, he had strength for but one spell. His lips curled into a sneer as his mind found the appropiate one. One even Magus's beloved Rift would feel. It would not take him long to cast it, but if he didn't eliminate all threats with it, he would be seriously drained. He decided to risk it.

(Magus, you should know this one. )

Aegis: Abdis tukng! Kumpul-ah kepudanya kuasahan!

He began the spell. The final blockade to his escaped began their advance, not sensing the power gather.

Aegis: Burus longang degang birsih sekalilagang!

Aegis felt the power enter him, but he was finding it hard to keep it concentrated. He would not make it if this held up! It was then he heard the voice echo inside his mind...

"Bah! You pathetic wurm! If you have not the strength for this spell, you are not worthy of my power!"

The voice didn't sound like that of a God. It sounded forced. Human like. Frail. He didn't understand. He felt the spell slip even more. The guards came closer. He had to finish this spell.

(Magus, this will be legal. I'm preping, and this will be one hell of spell that even you can't negate, or stop for that matter.)

Aegis: Degang kuashnya!

The power began to slip still. again the voice echoed...

"You have this power! I did not allow to get this far without this power! My power given to you transends planes! Finish them!"

Aegis: Lampar terbong kilat mati yangjahat!

Aegis began to feel the power return, as if by some unseen force. He was regaining confidence in it. The blockade was almost upon him...

"You are there! The spell is almost complete! Remember what it was you gave up for this power! Remember what was taken from you to hide this power! Remember the sacrifices you have made to earn this! You have my power..."

Aegis: Xts vrie!

The spell was complete! He felt the staff of Magius feel lighter in his hand, and the power swarm the crystal at the tip of it. His eyes oepned wide! He had not even felt such power when speaking with Talos! He gripped the staff tightly, and felt the force of the spell channel through the arcane artifact. A bright white beamforced it's way out of the staff, shattering the cyrstal ar the point, making the staff useless until he learned to repair it. The beam ripped through the hall with such ferocity, it made the magical foundations of the Rift shake. He saw the light engulf the final guards to his escape...

The Team defending the doors had charged Aegis, intending to finish him in his weakend state. They had planned it such. They grew closer every second, never hearing the words of magic. It wouldn't have mattered much, they wouldn't have reconhized it anyway. They were almost withen striking range when they saw it. The white light gathering at the staff's cyrstal. The beam shot. It was their last sight.

The beam ripped through the guards, and down the hall until it connected with the doors, which were blown off their magical hinges. It shot out into Magus's magical realm, and travelled far before finally dying away.

Aegis felt the power leave his form, and collapsed to oneknee, breathing heavily. He had done it. He had won his escape. But at what cost? He managed a sneer. He knew the cost. He accepted it.

"The power is yours. I see I did not make such a bad choice. Perhaps my goals will be accomplished yet."

That was the last he heard of the voice for a long while. He sat there, gathering his breath and thoughts. He forgot completly about Aerie. even in his weakend state, he might not be able to escape her. His mind raced to think of what to do next...

@Magus: Just so you no, this is one post I will NOT take back. I worked damn hard on it, and it makes for good reading. We'll see how everyone reacts to the spell, and what happens next. Keep in mind, I did pay a priced for casting it.

@Goodies: I don't care what you say, you all felt that whooper!

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All for one, and one for all!

[Magus]

Originally posted by Magus:

@Melosh: You can propose a solution (and develop your characters with some banter), but let me write about what happens when you try it.

@Rail: What does your character (and Trip-Wire) do when Fallout falls into the picture? Don't control Void this time; let me handle him. I'm waiting for your reaction before he reacts.

Nice to know how affected you two were by my words.

@Melosh: The ring was supposed to have fused all the way to the bone itself. But I suppose what you put doesn't seriously alter anything. As for the post, it's long, but you'll never top me!
To address your plot, you can develop it from here. I'll add something in occasionally as ideas come to me.

@Rail: I need to modify a few things... First, the picture looks unchanged after Fallout falls into it. Fallout cannot be seen in the picture. Second, a way back is not "apparent."(sly grin) Third, I had a planned response for Void. I'll tweek what you have to make it fit.

"Wait!" Rail called, too late. Cursing under his breath, he turned back toward the hakeashar who was staring curiously from across the room. Drawing his blade, he spoke to Void, "How far away is the traitor?"

(Instead of "Aegis is not far, nor is he getting closer," Void responded. The creature appeared neither rushed nor worried. "You needn't stay on his account.") Void says:

He is neither near nor far. Distance has no relevance in this place. Regardless, assassin, it is not your battle. Go and join your friends. Meanwhile, I must tend to my own duty.
Rail begins to protest, but the look in Void's eyes brooks no argument. It is resigned, and somehow...something else more selfless.
Rail reluctantly turns and walks over to the painting. Mumbling about damn-blasted-enigmatic-hakeashars, he steps through the painting, contemplating what new joyous wonder awaits him.(sarcastic)

Entreri continues his assault, with Drizzt rapidly losing ground. In moments Drizzt will be pinned back against the tree, with his chances of survival slim to none. Neither Trip-Wire or Rail will appear in time. Only Fallout can change the current course of events...

@Fallout: Awaiting your command.

@Aegis: Eagerly anticipating your first move. Void will not join any combat immediately, if he even does (will not reveal yet). It is assumed the battle (if you decide to yield to my prodding) has already commenced while the scene with Fallout was unfolding.

@Rail: Wait until Fallout gives his action and I tell what happens before you tell what Rail and Trip-Wire do. Otherwise this could get confusing. Repeat: Wait for me and Fallout to finish his reaction! I know this may seem overbearing and unfair, but if we start contradicting each other it could get ugly.

Edit @Aegis: Just saw your post. Don't have time to repond til tomorrow. I'll accept it, but do you know what you've done? The powers involved are phenomenal...

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...Magus
Level 18 young Half-Elf Conjurer, Neutral Good, resident of The Rift, bitter foe of Ubik

[This message has been edited by Magus (edited 03-05-2001).]

[Magus]

@Aegis: Before I leave, I wanted to ask you: Was that spell the one that caused Fistandantalis's bodily demise at Skullcap (I think), or was it Palin's last spell in the final battle that caused magic to disappear in Krynn?

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...Magus
Level 18 young Half-Elf Conjurer, Neutral Good, resident of The Rift, bitter foe of Ubik

[Rail]

@Magus- No problem. I'll wait for fallout. And I wasn't thinking of staying on account of the traitor, I was staying on Void's account and on Magus' account (with his comatose body lying there vulnerable). Rail's started to count Void as a friend. He also doesn't believe Aegis *is* Aegis anymore. He believes Aegis has been taken over by some other power, somehow.

@Melosh- so you gave 'em the finger, eh? (had to be said!) They're takin' it pretty well.

@Aegis- We'll probably feel that one even in the picture.

[Aegis]

@Magus: It was the big-in-your-face-bite-me-then-go-screw-yourself-up-the-butt spell that Palin throws at Chaos. As this plot advances, I will explain more baout where this power came from. I have dropped hints here and there in the post, you might be able to figure it out. I almost forgot about Skullcap. I'll have to keep it in mind. Anyway, I feel I evened the fight enough now by breaking my pretty stick, and exhausting almost all my stamina.

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All for one, and one for all!

[Seabass]

HEy ever think about there's only 3 peepz left writing this stuff and you're still taken everything kinda serious, like explaining new plots to each other and ****. This thing got out of han dI duno how long ago, I mean shiat

[Gruntboy]

Hiya Seabass, you commode-mouthed tart

[Seabass]

Yes , Im a tart G-boy, I just cant help it. So hey, did all y'all see the Cross Country Ski World Championship??Damn finnish people took steroids

[Magus]

@Seabass: Actually 5: Me, Fallout, Rail, Aegis, and Melosh-tar. Regardless, why can't a small group continue the story in a serious manner? In fact, it's much easier to control a smaller story with few subplots than a large one with many differing subplots.

@Aegis: For future reference, remember that nishruus absorb magic. Perhaps you could get through their defenses with powerful spells, but a normal fireball, even cast by a high level caster, would not kill them.
BTW, I get your hints. I wonder what the nature of their link is...

@Rail: Oh well, looks like Fallout's not going to show up. At least I have an excuse to intervene and get things moving again.

(Inside the picture)
Drizzt is finally cornered into the tree. Entreri stabs his dagger toward him, and Drizzt cannot possibly get a scimitar up to block the blow. Just as the blade is about to strike, a huge explosion is heard and the scene suddenly fades. Fallout, Rail, and Trip-Wire find themselves back in Magus's room. Void floats in place, his eyes dimmed.
Fallout and Rail have no idea what's going on, but Trip-Wire senses the dangerous magical imbalance. If something is not done quickly, the imbalance will cause the tower to explode in a cataclysmic blast. Knowing their only way out of the room, and the Rift, is Void, he races over to Void and reaches to shake him...then realizes that Void is incorporeal. He curses loudly. He begins to swiftly examine Void for clues to what's wrong with him.
Rail is the first of the bewildered pair to speak.
Rail: What the hell was that? And what's wrong with Void?
Trip-Wire (speaking quickly): No time to explain. The tower is going to blow any moment. This entire world could be destroyed, or worse. We need to wake Void and get out of here ASAP.(goes back to examining Void)
Rail: WHAT?!
Fallout (shaking his head and mumbling): This is what comes of consorting with mages. So damn it, why do I keep consorting with them?

Completely exhausted, it takes Aegis a moment to sense the great power imbalance. A feeling of dread encompasses him. By severely damaging the tower, he has disrupted the flow of magical energies that maintains the world, and triggered a giant energy destabilization. In moments the energy would be released in a blast the likes of which could tear the dimension apart. Not only would the entire place be disintegrated, but the Rift's link with Toril would probably carry the blast into that world as well, wiping out a sizable portion of Faerun.
Aegis curses his folly. Even he cannot contain the growing field of energy. The place will blow, and he will die by his own hand. The voice in his head is silent, but more in quiet observation than in disquiet.
Aegis is roused from his despair by the sight of movement. It is Aerie. She sways in obvious pain, though she appears unhurt. Aegis silently watches, not caring anymore.
Then Aegis senses that great power well within her again. She steadies herself, and Aegis feels her will wrestling to control the chaotic energies. Astonishingly, she appears to contain them for a moment. But she is quickly overwhelmed by their tremendous force, and staggers. Just as the instability reaches the critical point, she stands and exerts her will for one last effort, but this time to convert the wild energy instead of contain it.
Aegis feels a huge energy release. He braces for the expected explosion. But it doesn't come. Instead, the magic stabilizes, and Aerie collapses in a heap to the ground.
Then Aegis senses something odd. He feels the presence of a strange, yet somehow familiar power; one of incredible magnitude, but not localized in a spot or small area. Instead, it seems to pervade the entire Rift. But it has a WILL...
Aegis forces his attention back to matters at hand. The earlier will that had prevented his teleportation is gone. The still mildly unstable magical energies of the tower prevent reliable use of magic, but once he gets outside of its influence he will have no trouble penetrating the Rift's magical barrier and returning to Toril. He spots the hole his spell blasted in the side of the tower. Now's his chance to escape this blasted extension of one of the Nine Hells.

@Aegis: How was that? I threw in something new and unplanned. I suggest you high-tail it immediately, because events could progress quickly to prevent your escape if you dally.

@Rail: You can tell the tale of what happened in Magus's room. Void will recover soon after the crisis point (where the energy was stabilized again). Magus will remain unchanged. You can talk to Void briefly, but he will want to do something soon after he awakens, so make the bulk of your post talk about the time before he awakens. I would have continued the story farther to avoid these limitations, but:
1)I'm not sure what Aegis will do.
2)I'm out of time.
3)I would have to control your characters too much to accurately represent them.
BTW: You can delve into another picture if you want, even the same one as before, but don't interact with the people in the pictures without letting me control them myself. You still,in many ways, don't know what's going on with the pictures.

@Fallout: Ah, you lost your personal moment. But due to the nature of the pictures I had to end the scene.


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...Magus
Level 18 young Half-Elf Conjurer, Neutral Good, resident of The Rift, bitter foe of Ubik

[Aegis]

@Magus: Brabo *Clap Clap*. Very nice twist, unstabling the tower. By the way, I began that one post like it was a fight just ending. Just think of it like I had already beat the snot out of that Nishruu, and it was in no condition to absorb squat. It's almost like all I did was remove the evidence.

Aegis forced himself up to his feet. He felt a searing pain wracking his entire body. He leans needily on the staff of Magius, now with the shattered crystal. He coughed blood as he struggled to move. He slowly stumbled over to Aerie, but oddly enough, he betrays no pleasure in seeing her crumpled form on the ground. Instead, he feels some remainant of what he once was. He knelt beside her. Even a simple motion as such caused much pain. He reached into one of his deep pockets, and withdrew a bag of herbs. He gingerly took one, and placed it on her tongue, and let it dissolve.

That will help her, he thought. He suddenly jerked back, ignoring the pain caused by the movement. What in the Nine Hells am I doing! He swore to himself, aiding his enemy! He shook his head out.

Aegis: Finally, a way out of this wretched place!

He began to stumble towards the hole he had blowen apart, not even caring anymore of what his spell did to the Rift. He emerged by the side of the tower. He felt the swirling power that held the Rift together waver, and struggle to maintain balance. He would have to escape fast.

He walked a few feet, feeling the influence of the stablizing field leave his body. Now was his chance. He summoned up every ounce of magical energy, and physical strength he could. H began to speak the incantation that would allow him to travel the paths of Faerun. He uttered the final syllable, and collapsed onto the ground, still clutching the staff. His body then dematerialized from the Rift, hurdling him to another destination.

His comatose body re-appeared on the outskirts of Menzoberranzan. A Drow city. He had not chosen this place as his destination. His "mentor" had. His mentor had also changed Aegis's form. He now had the black skin of a Drow from the Underdark...


@All: You will all soon find out what I have planned :Evilgrin:

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All for one, and one for all!

[Rail]

@All- I will have very little, if any, time to post over the next few days. Feel free to use my character and keep the story moving.

@Aegis- Guess we'll catch up with you at a later point, then.

Rail worked his way toward the body of Magus as the tower shook around him. Turning to Tripwire, the assassin shouted, "Does this mean the mage is dead?"

Tripwire shrugged but said nothing, continuing to examine the hakeashar.

"I don't think so," fallout stated, hurrying over to stand beside the assassin. The tribal warrior pointed at the mage's chest. "Look! He still breathes!" His voice was a grim mixture of disappointment and hope.

Turning to Tripwire, Rail shouted, "What's wrong with him?", nodding at the hakeashar.

The bard extended his hands into Void's incorporeal bady and began the incantations of a spell. As the magical energies coursed through Tripwire's body into a climax through his extended arms, they fizzled and dispersed, absorbed by the hakeashar. Void still did not respond. Worredly, Tripwire turned toward the other two and held his hands up in frustration, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head in confusion.

Rail ran over to the creature, motioning fallout to stay where he was. The tower continued to shake, and a piece of the ceiling actually crumbled and fell near the sprinting thief. Nearing the beast, Rail projected his thoughts as hard as he could. If the creature would have been responding, his ears would have rung from the shouts of the assassin. But, still Void had no response.

Rail turned back toward the barbarian. "Strike the mage!"

"What?!?", fallout and Tripwire chimed in unison.

"Hit the mage!", Rail urged, nodding encouragement to the barbarian. "Do it!"

Fallout looked questioningly from the comatose Magus to the insistant assassin and back again. Hesitantly, fallout raised his gloved hand and slowly swung the back of his hand into the side of the mage's face.

"Damn it, fallout!" Rail shouted.

Before the assassin could finish his reprimand, the barbarian swung a clenched fist hard into Magus' chest.

The barbarian looked to see if Magus woke up.

Rail looked to see if there was any reaction from Void.

Neither appeared to have noticed.

Tripwire shook his head in amusement and went back to examining the creature for some way to wake the beast. The light in the chamber dimmed as another piece of the tower fell, this time dangerously close to the sleeping mage. An alarmed fallout looked up at the ceiling, but it was unclear whether it was to protect the mage from more falling debris, or if it was to jump out of the way.

Rail took one last stab at contacting Void. Concentrating on the way the thoughts felt when Void initiated contact with him, Rail projected his thoughts. He imagined them reaching out to the beast, not the creature's vaporous body, but to his mind. His intelligence. His spirit. He could feel the familiar touch of Void's mind, but it was like looking into a mirror with only a hint of light. He could make out the creature's mind, but could hear no thoughts. In frustration, Rail shook his head and began to pull away.

All of a sudden the shaking stopped. The tower's light returned to normal. Void seemed to come to life and grabbed the assassin's mind, locking it in instant combat before releasing it in recognition. The creature flashed a surprised and pleased thought to Rail before closing it off.

Rail, still reeling from the sudden psychic events, staggered backward a step, trying to gain his bearings.

The pieces of the tower that had fallen slowly began to melt into the floor, even as the ceiling started to... heal, would be the best word.

The three Tripwire had jumped back at first movement from the hakeashar, and fallout turned from the ceiling to the others, clearly wanting out if this accursed magical place. All eyes turned to Void for some explanation.


@Magus- I didn't want to enter another painting, cuz I'd like to get KidD into the picture, here. (okay, pun intended. I'm guilty.) All this okay? I've got some ideas to include KidD when we're outta here.

@fallout- let's get out of here! My list of enemy mages is getting long. Let's start to shorten it.

@TripWire- Are you watching? Is all this alright with you?

[fallout]

@ Sorry for being late. Two days i try to connect from int. cafes but connection was very slow. (dead)
@Rail. I can hit him again if he dont recover totally.


When everything recovering fallouts starts to breath again. He cant undestand what is going but seems it is finished now.

He thinks "What now. Did i save this mages life today. Bah." He is sorry that he cant test his power against Drizzt and Artemis. But one day they will see. Looking pictures without fear.



[This message has been edited by fallout (edited 03-08-2001).]