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

[Aegis]

Aegis glanced towards the setting sun, nodded breifly before turning back to the other two. The three of them had gone through a lot in the past day, which was surprising as he had only been here for a day. Was the Keep always plagued with peril like this? He shook his head clear of all the doubts.

"I propose one of us on each side of the tower" He said, motioning for Mysteria to a corner battlement that would allow a good veiw of the surface. "I'll set up over there." Aegis walked a few feet, then stopped and turned back to the two. "We may have a bit of time to wait, so if you wish to stay up here, you won't be alone. I will remain up here until the time is needed." He turned again, and sat on the cold stone, leaning against the rampart. He reached into the folds of his traveling cloak, and withdrew a tiny instrument, the same one he had used the night before. He sat there, and began to play.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria watched the sun for a moment. Bloodstalker was right, it was beautiful.

At Aegis's proposition, she nodded "Good idea. I'll put myself in place as soon as the rest arrrives."

She sat for a moment, listening to Aegis playing, enjoying the tune. Then she got up and stretched, warming her limbs. Checking once more upon her bow, she looked determined. Settling on the rampart again, she took in the view, oblivious of the cold wind.

After a while, she said to no one in particular "So, how did you end up here?"

[Yshania]

Yshania excused herself from the company, slightly concerned by the sudden animosity. She resolved to find Dragon Wench before the ritual began....there was not much time, and it would be a darkened path whichever her friend chose....to go alone into the night, or to stand and face this black uncertainty. Yshania was sure her friend was unresolved, this was all too recent, and too cruel...but she intuitively sensed that Jerren was suffering equally, and the path to truth should be a mutual one...Jerren had stepped back into the void, to face the demons that had taunted and tempted his return, here there was an association - at least to Yshania - of the Shadow Master...the entity that had been fundemental in unwittingly drawing this group of friends together. And that is how they should face him...as a concerted band of comrades...not a weakened party of individuals, questioning their own purpose and their deservedness of such friendships...

[Aegis]

Aegis stopped his music as soon as he heard Mysteria's inquiry. He titled his head her way, thinking of his reason. After a moments silence, he stood from the corner, and walked over to stand next to her.

"I left my home after hearing the tales of the Dark Flames. That was some time ago, though not in linear sense." He leaned upon the ramparts, his long blonde hair becoming caught in the chill wind. It whipped out in front of him, and flowed as a flag does in the wind. "I wanted to see the truth of these stories, I suppose. Something about this group intrigued me. I can't explain it, nor would I want to if I could. In the most basic sense, I merely felt urged to do so." Aegis glanced her way, as if to gauge a reaction. His gaze lingered for only a second before casually moving back to the lanscape ahead of them.

It had been warm when he arrived here not more than a day ago. The weather had already changed dramitically, and the cold winds from the north had made their way down to the keep. He noticed how both BS and Mysteria seemed to hold their cloaks tight to them, trying to keep the chill winds out. The elven ranger seemed not to notic it. Whether he was used to it or not, Aegis didn't care. He almost welcomed the cold. Again, he glanced towards Mysteria. "How about yourself?" He questioned, turning the rest of his body to face her. "How did you come to be here?"

[dragon wench]

Staring into the gradually fading light Dragon Wench felt herself drawn to the path that it seemed to be travelling..... the transition from illumination to velvet dark. Wrestling with the conflict that raged in her soul, she looked down towards the ground, and was startled to see.... just barely emerging above the snow.... a single flower... a snow drop. Fragile.....and suddenly precious in these moments of uncertainty...it also represented resolute strength. Undaunted by the deepening shadows....seemingly unaffected by the biting wind..... it bore the adversity of its environment with little apparent effort.

She crouched down, and gently cupped her hand around its vulnerable beauty, understanding in that instant that strength resulted neither from razor intellect, nor from sheer muscular brawn...rather it was something that stemmed from inner courage...the determination to go forward...even when the surrounding forces of chaos showed few signs of abating.

For the first time, in what seemed an eternity, Dragon Wench allowed herself to see beyond the shadows, and she knew that in arming herself with the epiphany the moment had offered she would greet the coming battle with control, discipline and fortitude.

[Yshania]

Dragon Wench motioned for Yshania to approach. Yshania had not even realised her friend had noticed her presence, but the fighter was smiling…there were tears in her eyes, but she was smiling. Kneeling beside her friend, Yshania marvelled at the delicate bloom that was forcing it’s plight through the frozen ground…in itself a miracle, but the druid noticed it’s petals were opening…reaching out their beauty at a time that they would justifiably have been closed and conserving their energy, until the warm morning sun…

Dragon Wench needed no words to describe to Yshania the depth of what she felt. Her demeanor said it all, and this fragile personification stood defiantly against the bitterness of the night…Yshania returned Dragon Wench’s smile…they hugged, and in silence returned to the keep…

[dragon wench]

Feeling a sense of purpose and renewal Dragon Wench smiled again at Yshania, and as they entered they keep they could hear the murmurs of battle preparation.

Dragon Wench mentally checked her spells and realised that owing to her recent bloodthirsty battle tactics, she still had access to most of her magic abilities.

After once more carefully wiping down her sword, Dragon Wench checked over her elven chainmail, ensuring that no weak links had developed, and she was pleased to note that the lightweight armour still gave off its faintly green glow, indicating that its enchantments remained unbroken.

Suddenly realising that she had eaten little all day, she found some of the pancakes that Mysteria had so generously prepared, and devoured several within moments. Then, knowing well her ability to resist the more damaging affects of alcohol she grabbed a flagon and filled it with wine. As she swallowed down the ruby-toned liquid, she allowed its potent warmth to fill her, and in a surprising gesture she raised her tankard to those nearby.

[Obsidian]

The Lord Scape was in an empty area of the keep, away from the noise and bustle of the main areas. He was trying to sense the stone. What had once been so easy for him, was now difficult. Scarce days before hand he was drawn to the stones siren call. All he could find now were distant echoes, distorted and impossible to find. It was near he knew. In his state of meditation he found an inner peace different. He had always been able to find quiet and peace in his own mind, but now it was light. The silence was comfortable, not pressing.
Rising out of his stupor, Farscape stood smoothly and walked down the hallway back to the main room of the keep, making not a sound. He was armoured, he was armed, he was ready. He would find the stone. He would bring it back to Keldorn.

[Gwalchmai]

Gwalchmai glanced at the sundial on the wall. “Well, I guess it’s about time to do this,” he said. He gathered the tomb and symbols, checked that his weapons and armor were in place then began to climb the stairs to the tower. T’lainya, Yshania, Dragon Wench, Nippy, and Jennabard rose to join him.

At that moment, Thantor strode through the door. “I just had the most amazing Interview with a Vampire….. Hey! Where is everybody going?”

“Dusk Ritual,” whispered Nippy.

Thantor decided that he would tell the others about Ned later, and dutifully followed.

Sunlight filtered under broken winter clouds, those clouds furthest from the sun were just beginning to gain a pinkish-orange edge, indicating that dusk was approaching. While the others positioned themselves and prepared themselves, Gwalchmai considered his alternatives. He had used many of his favorite protection spells earlier, so there would be no Ironskins or Chaotic Commands. He was included in T’lainya’s blessings, and he was standing near Vivien when she cast Protection From Evil 10’ Radius. In both cases, Bloodstalker remained as far away as possible, but the expression of pain on his face betrayed his discomfort.

Gwalchmai contemplated his repertoire of spells and settled on one of the first he ever learned. As he said the words aloud, the air around him seemed to brighten with magical energy and shimmering white wings extended out from his back making him look – improbably and only for a moment – like an angel. Then the wings folded around him and faded, leaving him protected by Armor of Faith.

Gwalchmai stepped up to the simple altar built into the western wall of the tower roof and laid out the symbols and tome of Amaunator. Then he turned to Yshania and nodded. She made complicated movements with her hands and uttered words to a decidedly un-druidic invocation. Her fingers began to glow and seemed translucent as she reached out and touched his shoulder. The glow appeared to transfer to him, then fade. Nothing seemed to change until Gwalchmai looked down at his hands and couldn’t find them. He turned to look at Yshania, whose eyes were focused just to the left of Gwalchmai’s head and behind. “This is very strange,” he said.

“You’ll get used to it,” she replied, smiling at his ear.

“Okay, I’m going to start now,” he said loudly. The others all turned and nodded their understanding in his general direction. He checked the parchment, and looked through the tome. “Ah, here it is,” he murmured. Looking at the sunset, he began, “The Tenets of the Faith….”

At this moment, Gwalchmai was rudely interrupted.

[Mysteria]

{ooc: this would have fitted better before Gwally's post but I wasn't round to post}

Aegis fell silent after having told his story and Mysteria nodded.

"It is as if something is drawing us together and I still don't know if it is an evil or a good force."

"An evil one?", Aegis seemed surprised.

"Yes. Surely not in your case, or Bloodstalkers. But I'm not sure in my case. You .. you've witnessed first hand how my ... my magic can get out of hand. I seem to be followed by chaos, perhaps something, somebody wants me to spread chaos amongst you. I ... I don't know, I'll just do my best not to serve these evil intentions."

She was silent for a moment, the thought that she could unwittingly serve an evil cause making her shiver.

"But you asked how I came to be here. I don't remember if you where there when Thantor said this, but we grew up in the same little village. I left before he did because ... magic." she gestured vaguely, hoping that this would be enough for the ranger.

"I travelled the lands ever after, mostly alone and in the woods as my relations with people tend to be slightly ... difficult, as you can imagine, I hope." She stopped for a moment, remembering the many times she'd been chased away because her magic had gone astray.

"I had heard rumours about the Dark Flames before, but what brought me to this keep is the fact that the closer I got to it, the fouler creatures I found. The forces of evil seemed to prepare an attack on this very place and I wanted to warn the people within."

Looking at Aegis, she meant "I never thought that I would get so involved in this."

At his moment, the rest of the Dark Flames came upon the roof top and Mysteria left the battlement to watch their preparations, getting herself included in the bless spell without really trying to. Finally, she took up a position at the south-east corner of the tower, with Fang at her feet and her bow readied. Bloodstalker was not far off, and so was Aegis.

She heard Gwalchmai begin the ritual, but something interrupted him just as he said "The Tenets of the Faith... "

She looked around to find the reason of his distraction ....

[ooc: Was I supposed to invent an interruption? I didn't think so, so I'll leave it up to you. Last part of the post might be edited to fit whatever shows up.]

[Gwalchmai]

A great rumpling and snapping sound, like that of a great sailing vessel when it turns all sails to a strong wind, was heard. The sound was incredible in its suddenness and intensity. Before an invisible Gwalchmai there arose three great mythical beasts, their wings pumping hard in ungainly hovers just off the edge of the tower.

Dragons.

Each hero on the tower fought, to various degrees of success, the natural fear that wells in the heart of any mortal human or elf at the sight of a dragon. Yet here flew three of them together, staring at the party with malevolent eyes. The fear reflex was automatic and almost irresistible. Everyone fought against it – everyone but Dragon Wench. She saw the dragons and a slow, grim smile spread across her face and she was heard to utter a single, scoffing syllable. “Heh!”

In the front, closest to Gwalchmai, was one of the most fearsome of dragon, an abomination even to dragon kind. The Dracolich had two great bony horns coming out from either side of its head. Its fearsome teeth were exposed to the bone in the permanent smile of the undead. Desiccated hide clung to its skull and bones, gray as crypt dust, through flecks of dull green could be seen in places. Its tattered wings accentuated its skeletal appearance; leathery bits of hide hanging from a spindle work of bones.

Holding formation behind and to either side of the Dracolich were two other dragons, not undead dragons, but no less unnatural. Semi translucent black scales and tall crests that ran from the eyes to the tips of the tails betrayed these as a pair of Shadow Dragons. One was slightly larger than the other, yet it was the smaller who spoke in a dull roar. “Cease the ritual, bipeds, else suffer the consequences!”

The heroes stood gaping, the beating of the dragons’ wings the only sound; unintentionally synchronized and ticking away the moments. An eternity stretched to seconds. Finally, the Dracolich broke the silence in a voice as low and hoarse as it was loud, “Enough paaarlaaay. We kill now.”

A deep roar built up in the bowels of the beast and rippled up its extended throat. With an ear-splitting bellow the Dracolich opened its mouth and breathed on the party.

[Gwalchmai]

Spanning the few moments between the dragons’ first appearance and their first attack, several things happened very quickly within Gwalchmai. On first sight, the muscles around Gwalchmai’s eyes contracted so abruptly and with such force that they threatened to pull his eyelids clean off his face. As his eyes flew open, he was treated to a very close-up view of a Dracolich, with two Shadow Dragons just poking out around it in his peripheral vision. His ocular nerves, usually very passive in almost every situation, shot the information of his sight down pathways that, like rivers in a flood, swelled to bursting.

The first part of his brain to receive this information was a small area on the bottom. It was a long, white, pointed part of his brain. Almost every living creature has a part of the brain like this, it was a leftover bit of un-evolved gray matter from the Age of Reptiles. This part of his brain looked at the Dragons and screamed, “Gaaaaah! Run! Run! Those things will eat you!”

The larger, more complex part of his brain also received this information, and processed it a little differently. The left hemisphere simply remarked, in even tones, “Ah, Dragons. How interesting.”

The right side chimed in, scarcely hiding its bubbly joy, “How beautiful!” she sighed.

“Are you guys nuts? Look at the teeth! I can see bloodstains from the last druid they ate!” Lizard Brain tried to slink away down along Gwalchmai’s spinal cord, but was stopped by his cervical vertebrae.

“No, no. All of Nature’s creatures are beautiful, and these are wonderful!” Right Brain bounced around like a schoolgirl.

“That is a contradiction of terms. These are unnatural creatures from other planes of existence. Nature had nothing to do with them.” Left Brain was always a bit of a nit-picker.

“Look at the claws!” gasped Lizard Brain, pointing a shaky finger at talons that were razor sharp and curved like sickles.

“Such form! Such grace! Ah to fly must be their greatest joy!” Right Brain practically tittered.

“That brings up a good question. How are they flying? Particularly the Dracolich. Why, there are so many holes in its wings, it could never carry the weight aloft.” Left Brain could feel a good pontification coming on.

“That’s part of the beauty,” Right Brain said in a sing-song voice.

“Ug! The smell!” Lizard Brain reeled from the scent of a dragon that hadn’t bathed in centuries. It tried to manipulate Gwalchmai’s gag reflex.

“Impractical design,” Left Brain said, feeling affronted by the apparent lack of respect for basic physical laws of the universe. “Ungainly.”

“I hate liches too. Those guys always gate in demons when you least expect it. We need to run! Now!” Lizard Brain tried to tug on Gwalchmai’s legs by itself, but without much luck. It only succeeded in making his knees a little weaker.

“Magic holds them up. Beautiful magic!” Right Brain breathed admiringly.

“I don’t think I can hold the contents of our bladder any more. Can we go now?” Lizard Brain crossed its legs and began hopping up and down.

“Why would three dragons band together like this? Very unusual.” Left Brain tapped his chin in a thoughtful manner. “Dragon species almost never cooperate. This Dracolich appears to have once been a green dragon -- back when it was alive, of course. Why would the Shadow Dragons tolerate it?”

“Perhaps they have found some connection that transcends their differences?” Right Brain considered the mystical and harmonic implications of such a connection and began looking for her tarot cards and runes.

“Y’know, we’re gonna be dead in a few seconds if we don’t beat it!”

“Really, there is no cause for alarm. They appear to want to talk, that is all. And besides, we are currently invisible.”

“Oh, boy! This is our chance to talk with a dragon! Yippee!”

“Talk to the dragons?” Lizard brain shouted hysterically, “Dragons don’t talk! They bite and claw and eat: that's all! We're done for, I tell you!”

It was at this point in Gwalchmai’s inner conversation that the Dracolich breathed a searing jet of corroding, acidic gas at the heroes on the tower roof. Several muscles around Gwalchmai’s eyes gave themselves charley horses that would pain him for several weeks to come. All three brains screamed in unison, “Duck!”

[T'lainya]

T’lainya had followed Gwalchmai out of the keep with a sense of purpose. She wondered what sort of opposition would appear. He looked distinctly uncomfortable as Yshania cast the invisibility spell on him. T’lainya smiled at his words.
As the priestess smiled, she felt a chill run down her back and a rush of cold air as the dragons appeared. Eyeing them she felt her heart sink, a pair of shadow dragons, the chill of their natural plane emanating in waves. The other was a dracolich, a monstrosity that was only spoken of in whispers. T’lainya knew this was going to be difficult. The thought had barely entered her mind when the monstrous undead creature spewed its words. She mouthed Corellon Larethians name and dove to the side as the dracolich breathed its chlorine gas at the tower.

[dragon wench]

While maintaining her unusually collected demeanor, Dragon Wench instinctively crouched as an acrid cloud of gas billowed towards them.

Recognizing the signs of dread on the faces of her friends she quickly cast Resist Fear, followed by Haste, and she suddenly felt grateful at the lessons of her past. Her home.....before the onslaught of the Shadow Master and his minions, had been populated by more dragons than it had been by elves or humans. Some dragon tribes had been allies, others had been sworn enemies. While she had always respected the great winged lizards, she had never feared them. As she contemplated this, however, the hairs along the back of her neck rose with just a tinge of alarm....for these were no ordinary dragons......

[Aegis]

Aegis sprang into action immediatly after shaking off the dragon fear. He hadn't counted on this, and wasn't as well equiped as he would like. He sprang up from the floor, an arrow notched. The tip of it glistened in the dry, dusk light, a sparkling glint of death. He had taken the time to coat each of his arrows in a carrosine before. Before loosing the arrow, with his free hand, he reached into one of his pockets, and withdrew a flint and tinder. It had been fashioned together in a way that would allow him to light a fire with one hand. He swung it towards the ground, where it caught with a puddle of carosine he had left. The foul smelling liquid caught, and a bright puff of flame sprang forth. Aegis lowered the tip into the fire, igniting the arrow. He then took aim towards the nearest dragon, which happened to be one of the Shadow Dragons. He fired it. Flashing through the air, it lit the dark sky with a brilliance, striking true. The arrow dug deep into the face of the dragon, leaving a flaming mark on it's forehead. He went for another arrow, and prepared to fire again...

[T'lainya]

T’lainya cast negative plane protection on herself, barely getting the spell out before she felt the sting of the dragon breath. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Thantor doing the same. The gas stung her eyes and skin, making her cough. The priestess focused all her will on the next spell. She murmured quietly concentrating on her holy symbol. The false dawn spell hit all the dragons bathing them in light. T’lainya heard the roars of pain and prepared for the retribution the dragons would seek.

[Yshania]

Yshania sat up rubbing her head...the last thing she recalled was....

The great buffeting of wings and the battle cries snapped her back to reality and she gasped, cursing in elvish, she cast Shield of Archons and Negative Plane Protection. Her eyes were streaming from the gas cloud and not for the first time did she consider her choice of specialization - though offering some useful mage spells - it denied her Sweet Zone, how useful that would have been now. Another invocation, and in her palm she held the first of four Fire Seeds...she launched it towards the dracolich, cursing again as it failed. The second was more successful though, it's leathery wing remnants catching in a spectacular conflagration, the increased buffeting sent clouds of dense black smoke across the rampart....

Itching to rid herself of the remaining two, she threw them blindly in the direction of each Shadow dragon...the seeds moving swiftly in an arc...one failed, from the other she heard a satisfying woomph D ) and an enraged roar.....

[dragon wench]

Focusing as much of her mental energy as she could, Dragon Wench subtly moved her arms and hands, creating an intricate dance of words and motion. Soon, a pinkish-purple glow appeared at her fingertips; a stream of Magic Missiles burst forth, and sped towards the dracolich. The beast roared, though whether in pain or in anger was difficult to gauge.

Realising that her spell would reveal her position and make her vulnerable, she cast Blur on herself and fervently hoped that this preventative measure would protect her from the worst of an attack.

[Ned Flanders]

Flanders sighed deeply. He himself was uncertain if it was a sigh of relief...or dismay.

He felt the conversation with Thantor went well, although perhaps he was a little too revealing with all the detail. Reflecting, he thought he should have been more objective and left his ordeals to discuss with the group when a meeting could be arranged.

No...it was definitely better to be more upfront and honest.

This thought seemed very strange indeed having been imprisoned with the drow for so long. Anyway, up front and honest, yes; that was the way.

Perhaps giving up Rod and Todd was a bad idea. I may not even see them again. But it's about the trust. These people can help you. It was all a whirlwind and flash, he had so much going through his head right now, including other worldly spirits. His temples throbbed. He then realized his globe of deep night was still active. With a thought, he dismissed it. He was alarmed to see how charred his body was from the sunray in the grove above. It was a wonder he still existed at all.

Much had taken place and the sun would set soon. He needed time to build the mental construct that would keep Uther's voice and his internal desires and hungers at bay for yet another evening. He began to contemplate how long he could force the charade; this constant beating of his will would eventually consume him. He tried to push such thoughts aside as he entered the meditative state required for his defenses. He focused on his younger years of life and envisioned his current body drawing air into lungs and pumping blood through a heart. He could almost convince himself such organs wholly functioned within this dead shell of a body.

He was very fatigued though, and tired, his mind wandering to the sunray incident on the surface...

Who do you really think kept you in one piece today. Flanders heard the all too familiar voice of Uther. Mere palisades today where normally walls and towers exist. Perhaps you are beginning to come around to some of my ideas, no?"

[Nippy]

Nippy stood stock still with the rest of the group. Three Dragons opposed them, keeping flight in the air with graceful flicks of their wings. Everything went into slow motion. The Dragon reared it's head and roared released a swirling cloud of noxious gases. Everyone else made to dive out of the way, leaping clear of the gas.

Suddenly everything went to speed. Nippy's instincts took over he dove and rolled behind some of the debris and he watched as the cloud impacted on the floor, spilling even more into the atmosphere.

"Maybe I should've worn my damn armour." Grumbled Nippy. A casting of Remove Fear strengthened Nippy's resolve, he wouldn't fall to the Dragons hideous presence.

Nippy scrambeled up and one of the Dragon took a deep breath as if to attack again but he was hit by a bright light and then peppered by some magical globes of power.

Nippy scrambeled over to T'lainya.

"We need to find a way of bringing them to the ground!" Nippy shouted over the roars of the vile beasts. "They will be weaker if they cannot take flight! I am of no use with them in the air, I have no spells, nor any archery gear."

A flicker of shadow caught Nippy's eyes. He sat in thought for a second. "But what I can do is buy time for everyone else...

He sheathed his swords and gathered some heavy rocks from the ground around him. He resorted back to his training. He envisaged himself as part of the background, merging with the shadows.

He ran out of cover, the Dragons oblivious to his position. He lobbed a rock at the head of the Dracolich and a satisfying roar erupted from the depth's of it's gullet.

"Catch me if you can!" Nippy hid in shadows again and the Dracolich roared in defiance. It threw even more of it's horrible gas to the ground, but away from the Flames. Nippy smiled and realised his tactic worked. He hoped that it wouldn't be smart enough to cast a True Sight spell though...