The Order of the Dark Flame: Book 5. (story, no spam)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 12:06 pm

Dragon Wench looked up from the flames, and gazed into Jerren's eyes, grateful that he was there in this time of uncertainty and chaos.

As they looked into one another's eyes, feeling the strength of the connection they shared, a flurry of activity suddenly erupted within the grounds of the keep.

Despite the urgency of Nippy's race towards the Keep's entrance, they moved somewhat slowly, profoundly shaken by the surrounding tumult.

Nippy's shouts for assistance broke into their communion....and slowly, as if held by a spell, they walked towards the sound of their companion's voice.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 12:14 pm

"You are welcome little friend, it is but my duty. The one thing I cannot work out is that the wolves run away. They are loathe to give up a fight, especially when they out number the enemy. Still, no matter, we can send out a group to find them later if they cause problems..."

"So my little friend, you will have to excuse the abrupt welcome but my friends are in need of assistance... But, lo! They come, we have had a small crisis I'm afraid so we are a little ragged at the moment."

Nippy looked away from the halfling and towards the unknown red-head.

"You will have to excuse me, but I know you not. My name is Nippy, who is it I meet?"

With the others around Nippy and the newcomer, they puzzled the events that occured...

Der-draigen · Post by **Der-draigen** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 12:29 pm

"It is odd, isn't it?" Der-draigen said. "Perhaps they were drawn off by whatever made that howl. Or perhaps they know when they're outmatched in power, if not in number. If I'm not mistaken, I've wandered into the home of the fabled Order of the Dark Flame? It is truly an honor, sir, to be spared by one of that great order!"

Nippy the Paladin just stared.

"Well," Der-draigen continued, craning her neck up at the man, "whatever the reason for the wolves' flight, I'm certainly not going to question it. They're gone before they invited me to dinner, that's all I care about!"

She bowed slightly in the traditional halfling manner. "My name is Barrowden, Alreth Barrowden. Did you say there was some kind of crisis here? Perhaps I could be of some assistance? I've been known to help out in tough times back home. It could be my payment for your help. I have nothing else to give."

She looked about at the figures who had approached, and could sense a wariness about them. They weren't sure whether to trust her or not. Their reputation was well-earned, then. None could come so far without a good degree of caution in their dealings. Well and good. She would prove her worth to them by her assistance in whatever trouble they were having.

She smiled inwardly. I think I'm going to like it here, she thought. The stone felt warm concealed under the folds of her cloak.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Der-draigen ]

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 12:31 pm

"Mysteria. Happy to meeet you." she told Nippy.
Glancing back at the keep, she added, "I hope Gwalchmai won't mind that I left him, I don't see him coming yet.", and to the halfling, "Well met."
She moved at the same time to have a free line of sight to on the field beyond the gate.

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: Mysteria ]

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 12:38 pm

Aegis walked over the last crest before the Keep. He stopped as he he viewed the home of the Dark Flames, the end of his journey. He began down the last bit of path before the gates, when his attention was suddenly snapped towards a small halfling running clear in front of a pack of Dire wolves, but it struck him odd. Not often did Dire Wolves hunt those able to escape, and never when close to keep, or similar structure that could provide assistence. They were predatory animals in nature, hunters. He watch from a distance as the halfling quickly made it to the gates, and as a firey arrow fled the confines of the ramparts, and imbed itself into one of the wolves hind legs. He continued his march forword, and look of worry encrusted over his face. What struck him most bizare, though, was the wolves sudden change of attitude. They turned and fled, another thing these hunters rarely did. This was something he was concerned about, and became determined to seek the answer.

He came withen ear shot of the gates, and seeing a small group of people, the halfling among them, called out. "Ho there!" He made his tone calm and open, baring his weapons trustingly. "I seek the Dark Flames, and shelter from the wilderness!" He pointed to the east, and to some large black clouds that were begining to mass there way towards the keep. "Unless ye wish me to spend the night cold and wet!" He finished calling the last sentence with a grin, and continued his pace, stopping short of the group, and the gates.

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 1:16 pm

Vivien opened her eyes and was instantly aware of the circle of concerned faces. "How is she, Viv?" Dragon Wench asked immediately. Vivien looked over at Thantor, who looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"Well... there is good news and bad news. The good news is that we got Yshania's spirit back to the prime material plane. The bad news is.. um.. well, it ended up in Thantor's body."

"What happened to Thantor's spirit?" Gwally asked, thinking that maybe there was no bad news after all.

"Oh, it's in there too," Vivien said, "... um... inside his body I mean." In spite of herself, Vivien turned bright red.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 1:22 pm

Yshania listened as well as she could to the ongoing conversation. She laughed in spite of herself at the very idea, considering that maybe she was still unconscious and this was some sort of delirious dream. Though disconcerting, it was easier for her to attribute this vision to her mind playing amusing and distracting games, than to accept the reality of the images and alien sensations she had experienced when she was regaining consciousness. This would be a good story over a bottle of wine when she was back on her feet.

"It isn't a dream, Yshania." The voice had an odd quality to it, as if.... with a shock, Yshania realized that she hadn't heard the voice, but that she was experiencing it directly inside her mind. Unnerved, she tried to turn her head to see where this communication was coming from, but her head wouldn't respond. Oh my god, she thought with growing alarm... am I paralyzed? Hallucinating from poison?

"It's alright Yshania... you have not been harmed." The voice was soothing now. . "You... your spirit was unable to make the transition into you own body and so... ended up here." Yshania thought she recognized the voice. "Thantor?" she asked. "Yes," he replied.

"Am I really inside your... body??" She found that she was beginning to be able to pick up subtle nuances of feeling. She could almost feel him sigh. "Yes.. you are."

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 1:24 pm

Gwalchmai and Mysteria were walking back toward the Keep, intent on ferreting out the evil that had invaded. Mysteria seems a little unsure of herself, which was to be expected for someone who had just arrived to find a group of battle-weary adventurers standing vigil over a sick friend. To help allay her doubts, Gwalchmai attempted to strike up a conversation with her, though his skills at small-talk are poor indeed. “Mysteria, is it? A nice name. Combined with your red hair, it gives you a real mystical quality, don’t you think?” Gwalchmai said, thinking of Vivien’s red hair.

Mysteria stopped walking, “Why do you say that?” she asked nervously.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that. Do you know anything about Druids and what they like to do within circles of standing stones?” Gwalchmai grinned.

Mysteria now looked worried as well as nervous, but suddenly a call for help was heard near the front gate of the keep. Nippy sped by, and Mysteria took the opportunity to follow him into the fray. Gwalchmai saw a small warrior being pursued by a pack of large wolves. He was sure that Nippy could deal with them without any trouble, and he was still concerned about Georgi. So, he trotted toward the keep itself, and was about to enter by the kitchen door when he heard a call from the rear courtyard. Rounding the corner, he spied T’lainya unpacking her horse and calling “Is anybody home?”

As always, Gwalchmai was struck by T’lainya’s regal beauty. He was overjoyed to see her again, and his first inclination was to run up and give her a big ‘Gwally Hug,’ but that seemed inappropriate. Instead he raised a hand and called, “Hail, Friend!” and hoped he didn’t sound too stupid.

T’lainya smiled warmly, “Gwally! It is good to see you! Where are the others?”

“Nippy and a young Ranger are aiding someone who is being chased by wolves around near the front gate. Most of the rest of us are in the garden with Yshania, who has been struck by some evil curse,” Gwalchmai’s face brightened at his next thought, “Your timing couldn’t have been better; you may be able to help her! As for the others, I have no idea where Georgi is, and..." he was suddenly interrupted by a cry near the stables and he and T’lainya ran to investigate.

“Damnit, damnit, damnit!” Anicka cursed as she knelt amidst the remains of several skeleton warriors, nursing a wound in her side and cradling a helmet in her lap. She looked up at them with a tear-streaked face, “This was Rodericks!” she cried, shaking the helmet which was emblazoned with the crest of Anicka's own order of paladins, “My Second Lieutenant! The Shadow Master is sending my own men against us! We must go and kill the loathsome monster now!”

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Mon Jan 14, 2002 4:28 pm

Horses thundered down the narrow bridge, at the cross roads three of them split off, leaving the rider alone, pausing at the last route. The stone had been sighted. He was no longer a part of the order. Sir Koron was dead, only Knight Errant existed. Torn from the Order by "diverging views" he had left. "To much like a ranger" they had said. Drawn to the forces of Chaos.
"Damn them" he thought. He had traveled hard and far in search of the stone, and now, someone else had it. He was going to get it. Checking his scale mail one more time, he set off in search of the artifact that could transform man and shape the world.

Yshania · Post by **Yshania** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 7:23 am

Thantor turned his head, glancing at the others. With this movement Yshania came to realise the truth in what had been said, as it had not been her own efforts that gave her sight of her cold ragged body. She gasped, though her instinct wanted to deny the situation…her recent experiences had left her with no energy to consider an alternative reality. She sighed. At least she was back in essence.

Carefully opening her mind, she tried to conjure Thantor’s face from memory…but it was wavering. All she could picture was the sad, defeated expression he wore that day in the kitchen when they had discussed Loner and Kramor having departed from the Dark Flames. She closed down again, and shivered at a flickering memory of her contact with the dark magic.

She could sense Thantor’s apprehension. "Are you ok?" he asked...

"Yes, I think so" she sighed. "Thantor? Have you ever done anything like this before?" ?” she asked…She sensed his discomfort but before he responded she continued "do me a favour look at Symbul for me" She sensed him sigh again as he turned his head in Symbul’s direction. Slowly, Yshania managed to pull her line of vision around with him. Not surprisingly, Symbul wore an amused expression "Now can you ask her how long my body will survive without a soul?" she asked Thantor "oh! And Thantor?"

"Yes?"

"erm…did you really want me to know that?" she wondered who was the more embarrassed, and found herself laughing regardless of their predicament, as she cautioned Thantor to guard his thoughts…

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 9:12 am

"Ho, stranger!" Nippy called to the man at the gates.

"Are ye friend or foe? We have just been in a fight as you can tell." Nippy pointed to the fleeing wolves.

"I apologise for being rude, but we are in a precarious statement. If you would care to keep your hands where we can see them you are welcome to enter. I think we all need a hot drink. Come in my friend!"

Nippy waved in the stranger.

"What is your name, sir?"

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 11:30 am

Scanning the fields in front of the keep, Mysteria suddenly caught some movement at the edge of her vision. Startled, she felt a little surge of energy detaching from herself. Turning her head, she was just in time to see a raven that had flown up from a nearby bush struggling to keep aloft as it was loosing all it's feathers. Oh no! It's going to break it's neck in that fall!, she thought, distressed. Another surge of magic detached itself from her and hit the raven. Suddenly, it was covered all over in multicoloured feathers and caught itself just inches from the ground.
Relieved that her uncontrolled magic had done nothing worse, Mysteria turned back and was startled to see that yet another stranger had arrived at the keep! A good, look-out she made, how could she have let her attention slip so much not to notice him! Suddenly, the rock beneath her turned to mud and she slipped down, landing on her back with a thud. She had to watch out, she couldn't let her magic... No, better calm down, before anything else happens. She took a deep breath and stood up, mumbling "More slippery than I thought.", hoping nobody had paid too much atttention to her.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:14 pm

"Are you ok Mysteria? You had a bit of a fall then... I forgot to mention, my name is Nippy, please don't feel neglected. We are going through strange times at the moment..."

Mysteria · Post by **Mysteria** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 12:18 pm

"Don't worry, I'm OK."
"So, who are you?", she asked the new-comer, to avoid further questions.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 1:15 pm

Aegis smiled at the friendly words of the Dark Flame, and walked withen arm reach of the man. He turned his head in time to see another Dark Flame, this time a woman, apprach the gates. He turned back to the first man to greet him.

"I am an elf, from Trademeet." Aegis started, feeling like a heavy weight had just been lifted from his weary shoulders. "I have traveled for a few good tendays now, and am seeking a warm bed, and good meal. I also search for the home of the Dark Flames, and I do believe I may've found it." Aegis spoke with less disdain then most of elven kind show to those of other races, or outsiders. He knew that if he were to let his own social views cloud his words, he would never gain entry, and probably sent back to his home. "My name is Aeagislenoth, a name difficult for most outside of the elven race to pronouce, much less remember. You may call me Aegis." He stood, awaiting a response.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 1:26 pm

"Oh I may, may I?" Nippy grinned.

"I only jest my friend."

With a flourishing bow Nippy introduced himself.

"My name is Nippy, you may call me Nippy." He grinned again.

"A bed is it? Well we have plenty of those, I was just about to make a warm drink, perhaps you would care to partake? Ah! I had nearly forgotten the poor woman I had just helped! Would you care to join us too? Perhaps you would care to tell me your name?"

He led them into the large kitchen of the keep and found Gwally's secret stash of good coffee. He called out to the rest outside to enter the kitchen, there were new guests and everyone needed a calm warm drink.

He heard action in the stables and poked his head round the door to see Gwal with T'lainya, he called over to them to come in for a drink.

OOC: sorry for the organisation in this post, it's not my best!

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 2:39 pm

Fine white flakes of snow began to fall from the gray clouds above, the first snows of Winter had arrived. T’lainya tended to the wounded Paladin while Gwalchmai stabled Ironheart. They heard Nippy call from the kitchen door, so Gwalchmai went ahead as T’laina helped Anicka. Gwalchmai opened the door wide and stood aside to permit the women through, but before they passed, the door suddenly slammed shut of its own accord, wrenching the handle from Gwalchmai’s hand. At first he thought that Nippy was playing some strange trick, but he knew that the door had been opened wide and he had not seen anyone on the other side. Gwlachmai tugged and pulled at the door with all his might, bracing his foot against the jamb. But it wouldn’t budge. “No good,” he panted, “we’ll have to go around the front way.”

They entered the main room of the keep to find Nippy and Mysteria entertaining a young halfling who looked frightened and overawed, and a elven warrior with flowing blond hair and a rather silly grin on his face. Nippy ran to fetch more coffee as T’lainya and Anicka sat down. Anicka was still clutching the helmet in her hands, staring at the crest through bleary eyes. Mysteria walked over uncertainly, tracking mud on the carpet.

Gwalchmai snorted a greeting to everyone and decided he would puzzle out the sudden surge of new guests later. He walked up the stairs to look in to Georgi’s room.. Passing by an open window, he saw Thantor, Jenna, and Vivien struggling to carry Yshania’s form back to the keep. Simbul was levitating alongside, offering no help.

In Georgi’s room, everything seemed in place, her chainmail and sword resting on a rack built to hold them. Her bed was unmade, which wasn’t unusual for her. But wait! There, in the headboard, a dagger had been plunged deep into the oak! A black matte blade of an assassin, the hilt was inlayed with ebony and obsidian in intricate designs. He reached for it to pull it out, but snatched his hand back feeling an intense magical heat He ran across the hall to the hot tub room (though Georgi rarely partook of the hot tub, she insisted that her room be the closest to it) and grabbed several towels. Using the these he was able to remove the dagger. He would have to show this to the others and see what they could make of it. Carefully wrapping it, he placed it in a pocket of his cloak and made his way downstairs.

He entered the main room just as Thantor and Vivien carried Yshania inside. They set her carefully on the table, though Thantor seemed to slip and dropped her head with a loud thump. Thantor looked as though he wanted to hit himself for being clumsy, an internal struggle evident on his face. Yshania’s body seemed oddly empty and cold, the snow that had dusted it did not readily melt. “What’s wrong?” Gwalchmai asked, the dagger completely forgotten. He had been so sure that Thantor and Vivien could help Yshania. Could the unthinkable have happened?

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 3:15 pm

The Stone of Rohais was a magical device wrought with great skill. Imbueing the user with strength, speed and intelligence, it had long been under the control of some sect of Paladins or Monks who had protected it. over the centuries it had been lost, won, lost again. It had last been seen in the possesion of a great Drake, and had not been used for some time. Recently however, the dark power within him had detected its presence.
"They have known me as the Knight Errant, but no longer am I a Knight, I deserve not that name."
Anyone near could detect his internal, eternal struggle. Manistation of the forces that be, chaos, good, evil, law, he was torn. He had sought paladin hood to calm the inner voices, but that had not turned out well.
Fair of feature, dark of hair and eye, he was slim, yet strong. And by far the fastest paladin to have ever served.
Clad in mail forged from the scales of wyverns, dragons great and small, he had travelled far. He was Farscape. The betrayer, and he seeked the stone.

Der-draigen · Post by **Der-draigen** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 3:34 pm

Der-draigen silently and gleefully congratulated herself on looking frightened and overawed. But she still could not assess exactly what the trouble was. Her newfound "instincts" told her that a very great evil was taking over the keep and threatened surrounding lands; but its identity was impossible to discern...

She felt a presence. The talisman glowed almost hot within her heavy cloak. Someone was seeking it. The stone knew it was being sought. But Der-draigen was certain she had plenty of time...and that she was more than able to handle any threat to her...precious possession.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jan 15, 2002 3:47 pm

Still in a daze, Dragon Wench moved to greet the newcomers. Faintly, she wondered how it was that the Dark Flames had suddenly generated such interest.

Inexplicably, she shivered violently, and moved close to the fire that somebody had lit in the kitchen. From across the room, she glanced at Jerren, intuitively sensing his grave concern.

Hunching her shoulders, she sighed inwardly, wondering when the chaos would end, or even, if it ever would.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: dragon wench ]