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@Rail: No sweat. Your account is better anyway. Same outcome anyway: Sethin gets clipped down to size (no offense Aegis, but he's a character you just love to hate )

@Xandax: Sorry about that. I forgot that I gave pretty much no background on the Crown. I was going to...but never did This will be news even to the old Roleplaying in Athkatla veterans, unless they looked it up.

The full name’s the Crown of Horns. It’s an ancient necromantic artifact created by Myrkul. It’s incredibly evil, with the power to instantly possess its wearer and turn him to the dark side, besides a score of other necromantic abilities. Khelben Blackstaff and friends fought against it and broke it up into several pieces, storing it in Blackstaff Tower. It’s always been a powerful artifact, but after Myrkul’s death (he was the God of the Dead, killed during the Time of Troubles) the last vestiges of his soul retreated to the Crown, empowering it with the spirit of a God. In my source it says this caused it to reform, but I modified it a little and kept it still in pieces, though escaped from Khelben’s influence. Magus got a hold of these pieces with the help of Rail after the battle with Raistlin, and has stored them away in the Rift ever since. As a further precaution, he kept one piece on him at all times, so that all of them couldn’t be recovered at once. That piece was the one stolen by the undead horde, and which is still missing right now.

[ 12-30-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

Now recovered Thryn sprinted towards the mage, all bearers of magic were burdened by demons, power.He knew he alone could not stop the mage but he tried in vain."CURSE YOU" screamed thryn, the wizerd was startled, not for long though he shot a lightning bolt at him, he flew back, and hit the wall with a crunch, he got up and limped towards him, another blast hit him not lightning, almost pure magic, he slammed against the wall coler(sp) bone snaped, wall crumbled and his arms slumped down and the broken ends of his shoulders protruded the skin, and his head rolled down limp.

@craig: That was rather...impetuous. But okay

* * * * *

Thryn lay still, jagged bones protruding from both shoulders. Blood seeped from the terrible wounds, pooling onto the ground beneath.

“Now then.” Lazal turned calmly back to Sethin. “Give me the pieces.”

@Xandax: I'd like to think that because of desperation, thats what caused you to think irrationally.

@Craig: Umm.. Did you kill yourself?

@Magus: I hope this doesn't interfere much.

*****

Sethin backed away from the combat, batting a few minor attacks away. He stopped when beside Lazal. He began to reach for the pouch on his belt, but his hand stopped before he even touched it.

"Give me the pieces!" Lazal demanded again, his anger rising, and his tolerance dropping. "You are my creation! You will obey me!"

Sethin grinned, and took a step back from the damaged Lazal. As he stepped back, he gripped the hilts of his scimitars more tightly, and crouched low into a defensive stance. The others in the corridor only watched, partially stunned, but alos perplexed as to how a simulcrum could go against his master. Lazal took a fuming step forward, his arm trembling with rage. Sethin smiled again, and took another teasing step back...

*****

@Magus: I'm not gonna write too much, as I believe you have a plan of sorts. I hope I helped it along, or least made it difficult for you...

@Aegis: I’m assuming Thryn’s not dead, not yet at least. But he’s definitely out for the count.

* * * * *

Sethin grinned, and took a step back from the damaged Lazal. As he stepped back, he gripped the hilts of his scimitars more tightly, and crouched low into a defensive stance. The others in the corridor only watched, partially stunned, but also perplexed as to how a simulcrum could go against his master. Lazal landed on the ground and took a fuming step forward, his arm trembling with rage. Sethin smiled again, and took another teasing step back...

Then he lunged forward, quick as a flash. The wizard didn’t even have a chance to react. Sethin stepped back, leaving his left scimitar embedded deep in the mage’s chest. He grinned wickedly, watching Lazal stumble and sputter as he realized what had happened.

Lazal looked down at the sword protruding from his torso. He layed his right hand on the hilt, then yanked it out with a snarl. Black blood gushed forth, spilling onto his ragged robes. He gaze rose slowly to Sethin, his eyes glowing sinisterly. “So that is how you want it? Then behold, and cower before true power!”

His eyes flared, then he leaned back and let loose a shriek that sent a shiver up their spines. His whole body began to mutate, twisting and contorting such that it made even the seasoned fighters force back bile. His limbs widened and elongated as taut muscles bulged from thick, heavy bones, while his skin darkened from white to pink to an ugly dark red. His face transformed into a hideous mockery of its former self, enlarging and flattening into the visage of a monster as hair fell in clumps to the floor. Short, chubby incisors became razor sharp fangs, while bony blades sprouted from shoulders and elbows. Behind him, a large muscled tail shot out as the metamorphosis reached its final stages, his shriek deepening into the terrifying howl of a raging beast. The transformation complete, a towering ta’narri prince the height of an ogre gazed down with baleful crimson eyes, the remnants of his robe in shreds below him.

His gaze swept around, taking in the fools brandishing their swords like frightened insects. It settled on Sethin, the impudent slave who had thought to betray him, now shaking as demon fear took its insidious hold. “YES, I THINK YOU WILL BE THE FIRST TO DIE!” he growled, the demon’s speaking voice a roar to mortal ears. He charged forward, the creature’s thundering footsteps shaking the entire hallway.

* * * * *

@Magus: Oops... sorry

[ 01-02-2002: Message edited by: Aegis ]

@Aegis: Did you even read my last post???

I mean, no offense, but it seems like you disregarded everything I wrote. Tell me if I'm wrong, but in your post it even looks like Lazal's still in human form. He's changed into his actual demon form now, and wouldn't fall nearly so easy as that.

And regardless, you can't kill off the central villain of the whole story just like that! I concede that Sethin makes a fine villain, but he's barely been introduced to the story. Lazal has been an active character for pretty much the whole thing.

[ 01-02-2002: Message edited by: Magus ]

[ 01-02-2002: Message edited by: Magus ]

2Magus: I did read it, but I guess I had forgotten what happened in it. My bad. Sorry about that. Also, I'm not trying to make Sethin the cnetral villian. You'll se what happens with him by the end of the story.

@Aegis: Sorry, I kind of went off on a rant I just wasn't sure what to think, that your post seemed to take off on a totally different track. No hard feelings, eh?

[ 01-02-2002: Message edited by: Magus ]

none whatsoever

I wanted to wait until this twist was clarified before continuing. Till then...

* * *
Rail faded from sight in the well-lit corridor at the sirst sign of metamorphasis in Lazal. Sethin appeared not to notice, focused as he was on his master. The beastly creature appeared not to care.

Xandax saw the assassin dissappear and frowned slightly, though there were far bigger problems at the moment. Rail doubted the suspicious berserker trusted him, yet, and that was fine. He had given the man very little reason to trust him and appreciated the warrior's honesty in his feelings. Better than the false smiles of the Shadow Thieves, the Council, or the Cowled ones.

He had no intention of escape, at least not at this time. The divine invisibility simply gave him time to think and freedom to react away from eyes and minds of others. He glanced around for some sign of Magus or his misty sidekick, but there was none. He could not feel Void's presence and dared not send out to him. He knew something of the lore around such creatures as this Tana'ari Prince, and knew Psionics were not out of the realm of possibility for them. Better to keep his mind to himself, protected as he was by other powers.

[ 01-05-2002: Message edited by: Rail ]

As Xandax came down the halls as he noticed the mage Lazal and this clone creature.
He stopped, as did the others. Then the clone struck out and mortally wounded his former master – but……. the mage did not collapse as any other would have done, and all of the sudden the mage started to change shape into a fierce creature, a creature unknown to Xandax, but surly demonic.
At the same time, he noticed the assassin fading into the shadows.
“Typical” Xandax thought, “always they disappeared in sight of trouble – how could Magus trust this one?” Xandax was ripped from his thought as he heard the newly transformed Lazal charge the clone creature…… “what to do, what to do” Xandax mind frantic searched through the possibilities of actions.

Thryns world faded out of focus but a voice in his ear wispered an incantation for a heal spell, he repeated it, as one other thought came across his mind "I will always be their son" he leaped up and called faerie fire onto Lazal and then hid and ran round behind lazal

@all: Sorry, didn’t intend to leave you guys hanging. It’s back to school again, and I was tired yesterday.

@Rail: Is that how you spell “tanarri”? I never could get the apostrophe right...

@craig: Since when does Thryn have magical abilities?

* * * * *

His gaze swept around, taking in the fools brandishing their weapons like frightened insects. It settled on Sethin, the impudent slave who had thought to betray him, now shaking as demon fear took its insidious hold. “YES, I THINK YOU WILL BE THE FIRST TO DIE!” he growled, the demon’s speaking voice a roar to mortal ears. He charged forward, the creature’s thundering footsteps shaking the entire hallway.

Quick as a flash he was beside him, slashing out with razor sharp claws. Surprised by the giant’s incredible speed, the clone shook off the demon fear and rolled to the side. He felt the bony appendages dig deep into his moving back, the power of the strike spinning him into the nearby wall. Blood trickled from the open gashes as he leapt to his feet. He dodged aside as another swipe grazed his arm, then sliced out with a scimitar, which clanged off the armored arm like a dull knife. Ducking, he barely avoided a swipe from the elbow blade, followed by a knee blow that smashed him painfully back into the wall.

He was quickly losing ground. The creature was so fast that he could hardly get an attack of his own in. To make matters worse, he couldn’t parry the blows; if he tried, the raw strength of the hit would send him tumbling. Not to mention its nearly impenetrable hide. The hide was probably thinnest at the belly, but as it stood he hadn’t a shadow of a chance of getting that close.

And he knew escape wasn’t an option.

* * * * *

Void’s form began to glow with an azure light. -Even now the fated battle rages. If one should win, and the other lose, death and destruction will be unleashed. It is up to them.- The light vanished.

“What are you talking about, you blasted shadow? If who wins?” Calahan asked, frustrated.

-What are you blathering on about now, human? Go pester some other creature and leave me in peace.-

He clenched his hands, gritting his teeth. Damn shadow demons had magic for brains, they did. He stalked off to examine the tower for an entrance once more.

* * * * *

[ 01-05-2002: Message edited by: Magus ]

All elves have Faerie fire, and i asummed that when you cas spells all yuo needed was the words, so thryns mum told him them telepathicaly

@Magus: Your not trying to kill my little Sethin here, are you?

*****

Faisal was leaning over Virrilis' prone body, reciting every healing spell that came to mind, which still wasn't a whole lot. He was beginning to grow frantic, as few actually worked, and the others fizzled. He was having a difficult time summoning the right power in order to heal Virrilis, as he was not used to doing it in combat, or while being rushed. Behind him, he heard the swords of a new battle rage, and hear dLazal's voice. He didn't turn, he didn't care at the moment. He knew that if he could bring the Blade Singer back to fighting condition, then he and Virrilis could rejoin the melee, and hopefully end it. His attention was snapped back as he heard a thin, raspy gasp come from the fallen elf. Virrilis forced his eyes open, caughing as he did so. He leaned up onto one arm, and tipped his head off to the side, spitting out some blood. He shook his head, and looked to Faisal.

"Thank you." He nodded his appreciation, and Faisal promptly nodded back. As the Calim****e cleric helped virrilis to his feet, it occured to him that he still didn't know the Blades real name. He made a mental note to ask him later. "Can you fight?" Asked the blade, and again Faisal nodded. "Good, we'll need the help."

Virrilis casualy pushed Faisal aside, and stood shakily. He looked towards the new battle, between the Tana'ari and Sethin, and both scimitars were back in his hand, a sudden blur of motion. He glanced to Faisal who had his new warhammer ready. He shook his head again, clearing the cobwebs. He was weakened, but he couldnt let Lazal, or Sethin defeat the group...

*****

Sethin leapt to the side, narrowly dodging another of the great demons attacks. As he did, he lashed out with his twin scimitars, even if just to distract the massive beast. He felt them connect, and heard them shierk in protest. He curled his shoulder up as he retracted the blades, and rolled off the side. He then sprang back to his feet, and spun quickly to face the beats, who was now turning to meet his foe. He sprang forward, and again curling his shoulder in, and this time rolling under Lazal. He stopped on his feet, and turned, again lashing out his scimitars, this time against the softer underbelly of the creature. He heard the demon scream in rage as it turned, it's arm lashing out powerfully. Sethin sprang back, but it wasn't far enough. The massive limb hit him, and he went flying back, towards the exit of the rift's central tower. He hit the ground, and skidded along before stopping. Pain was rushing through his body. He made hi way to back to his feet, and began to crouch defensivly again. From his vantage point, he could see virrilis and the cleric make their way into the battle. He smirked, hoping it might cause enough distraction for him to escape this place...

*****

Thyrn, vision returned, leaped into the fray, he snapped he sword from the sheath on his back and in the same motion swung a feining the attack and rolling under the the gargantuan fell.

@Aegis: The thought had crossed my mind Anyway, hate to break it to you, but there is no physical exit from the tower You’d have to use a teleportation spell, which he already tried and it didn’t work. Like I said, there’s no escape Besides, there’s another reason why Sethin doesn’t even want to leave. This is a piece of info which he knows, but you don’t. Telling you would spoil the ending, you see.

@craig: There’s also the matter of the healing spell Thryn cast on himself. How about we say Aerie healed you? That’s what I was going to do in the first place.

* * * * *

After healing Thryn, Aerie rose and assessed the situation. Lazal in his demon form seemed unstoppable, shaking off even Sethin’s expert attacks like they were bee stings. The clone would fall soon without help. She looked over at Xandax, also hesitating to take sides in this battle of evil vs. evil. On one side was a demon, on the other a demon-spawn. She knew this had something to do with the Crown. It always did. Oh, what to do? She wished so much that Magus was there, where ever he was. He always knew what was best...

* * * * *

Sethin stopped on his feet, and turned, again lashing out his scimitars, this time against the softer underbelly of the creature. This time they penetrated, cutting two shallow slices. He heard the demon scream in rage as it turned, its arm lashing out powerfully. Sethin sprang back, but it wasn't far enough. The massive limb hit him, and he went flying back. He hit the ground, and skidded along before stopping. Pain was rushing through his body. He made his way to back to his feet, and began to crouch defensively again. From his vantage point, he could see Virrilis and the cleric make their way into the battle. He smirked, hoping it might cause enough distraction for him to slip in unnoticed and deliver a killing blow...

Beset by irritating pests, the tana’ari roared and crossed its arms. Suddenly it disappeared. The claws closed from behind, grasping Sethin before he could even react, and pinning his arms to his side. The demon picked him up and brought him around to his face, its snake-like eyes boring into the clone’s. “AND NOW YOU DIE,” it mumbled, raising its prey for the decapitating bite.

* * * * *

@Aegis: I’ll tell you now: there’s only one way to avert this battle’s destined end...

{OOC BURN THE FORUM, well isn't that the only way?