At Yshania's mention of locating their steeds Dragon Wench's brow creased, and a look of concern crossed her face. She felt a pang of worry at the safety of Midnight Spirit and the other horses; suddenly the fighter longed to ride into the wind, and far away from the pervasive stench that perpetually leeched from the accursed passageways.
Sighing resolutely she shook her head and flexed her shoulders, grimly determined to combat whatever foe destiny threw in her path. Wondering at their next course of action she moved cautiously ahead and gazed into a sinuous tunnel that stretched beyond. The rock, she noticed, was softer here; it crumbled into dust at her touch, and seemed to burn into her skin....as though it might be acidic in nature. Both curious and concerned she motioned to those standing nearby......
The Order of the Dark Flame: Book 5. (story, no spam)
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dragon wench
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Bloodstalker
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BS walked up in time to hear Gwally say something about taking the cows back to the portal. He looked over the rest, and thought everything seemed to be under control. He walked over to the druid fell in step.
"I'll come along", he said. He was glad for a chance to get away from the tension he had been feeling since he arrived in this place. These tunnels reminded him of other tunnel, ones darker in his mind, that ran through the lower levels of his former prison. It threatened to suffocate him unless he was doing something. The walk would do him good.
"I'll come along", he said. He was glad for a chance to get away from the tension he had been feeling since he arrived in this place. These tunnels reminded him of other tunnel, ones darker in his mind, that ran through the lower levels of his former prison. It threatened to suffocate him unless he was doing something. The walk would do him good.
Lord of Lurkers
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!
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Gwalchmai
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Gwalchmai scowled at the perky young Nippy. “Oh, I just love it down here in the unnatural dark, seeking unnatural enemies, hoping that the unnatural tunnels don’t collapse on us at any minute….” He was deeply offended at the unbalanced environment they found themselves in. Cave-ins, Abominations, underground cows; none of it served Nature’s needs. The dark tunnel stretched out before them, shadows lengthened and dancing in torchlight. In his mind’s eye, he could see skillful Drow archers in every crack, powerful Orc strongmen waiting behind every turn. He shuddered and was happy that Bloodstalker and Nippy had joined him.
“Wait for me!” came a call from behind. They turned to see T'lainya running to catch up with them, he cloak billowing out behind her like silvery-blue wings. She shoved her way between the cows and gave the men a thin-lipped smile. “You may need help operating the portal controls.”
“Wait for me!” came a call from behind. They turned to see T'lainya running to catch up with them, he cloak billowing out behind her like silvery-blue wings. She shoved her way between the cows and gave the men a thin-lipped smile. “You may need help operating the portal controls.”
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
Farscape wasn't all that big, but he was pretty strong. And fortunately, Aegis was less big than Farscape.
"Cmon elfie, just a little further. Hey guys, darkflames. We could use some medical attention over here!" He stumbled again, catching himself and barely keeping Aegis up.
"Cmon elfie, just a little further. Hey guys, darkflames. We could use some medical attention over here!" He stumbled again, catching himself and barely keeping Aegis up.
The waves came crashing in like blindness.
So I just stood and listened.
So I just stood and listened.
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dragon wench
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Gazing tentatively into the pitch black Dragon Wench wished, not for the first time, that she possessed infravision. Muttering darkly to herself she dug into her pack and found the helmet that would provide her with the ability to see into the tunnel's depth. Normally, she detested helmets; they were uncomfortable and reduced her sensitivity to the surrounding environment, but somehow the thought of groping through this unholy darkness unaided did not appeal.
As she glanced quietly at those gathered nearby, Dragon Wench commented that since their previous route had become blocked she intended to explore the passage that seemed to veer sharply downwards.
"If anyone wants to accompany I would appreciate it," she said softly.
As she glanced quietly at those gathered nearby, Dragon Wench commented that since their previous route had become blocked she intended to explore the passage that seemed to veer sharply downwards.
"If anyone wants to accompany I would appreciate it," she said softly.
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Giving up trying to fade into the shadows after her encounter with Aqua, Mysteria finally joined Thantor. "We should make sure we don't drive the cattle into yet another ambush?, she suggested. Agreeing, Thantor joined her for some scouting.
Walking back to the main battlefield, something was troubling Mysteria, but she couldn’t really put her finger on it. Going over the events of the last few minutes, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She’d been so enraged at Aqua-chan, but nothing, just nothing at all had happened! Her magic had just been gone, just like back in Georgi’s room …
“Thantor!" Mysteria exclaimed. She was all excited. “My magic was gone back there! Just like in Georgi’s room! There has to be another cat-creature round here, possibly the same one that kidnapped Georgi! Than, we might find…”
"Whoa, whoa. Slow down Mysteria," Thantor cut in. "What are you talking about?"
"My magic," Mysteria went on excitedly. "I was furious when I thought Aqua-chan was one of those cat people, yet nothing happened. There must have been an anti-magic zone there, just like the one the cat-creatures use. We could be on their trail."
"That is one explanation. There is also the possibility that it is simply a dead zone," remarked Thantor.
Backtracking their steps, Mysteria soon stopped as she felt a her magic vanish. “Here, it’s right here that I can't feel me magic anymore.” Calling for Fang, she let him search around, but though he growled from time to time, there was nothing conclusive that would lead them to believe that a cat-creature had traveled through this area. Too many cows had trampled through here for one thing.
“I’m sorry, Than," Mysteria said dejectedly after some time. "I guess there is no way to be sure if Georgi was taken this way or not." Thantor wasn't looking at her. He was looking down at the ground, wrestling with himself. "I should have been there… if only I wasn't so angry at her…"
Looking at Thantor, seeing the set of his jaw, the downcast eyes, she felt transported back to the old days at the village. That look of his. It was just like then, after the others were through mocking him…. so hurt but desperately trying to hide it, his hands balled into fists, fighting back tears.
“Than?”, she asked softly, reaching up to put a hand on her shoulder. He accepted her comfort, but lifted his head and said. "Right. No way to tell. Best move on." He moved away from her, changing the subject. "So tell me a bit more about your magic. Is it activated all the time by emotion?"
Understanding his brisk change of subject all too well, she complied, “Almost always. It only disappears for a time after a particularly heavy outburst, or in zones as this one. I don’t really notice it’s there most of the time, I’m so used to it. But I do notice when it’s gone.”
"Interesting."
"Maybe to you. I tried to … erm …stab a drow with some flowers earlier. Interesting wasn't the word that came to mind."
At that point, they were interrupted by Farscape's call and quickly walked over to them to help ...
Walking back to the main battlefield, something was troubling Mysteria, but she couldn’t really put her finger on it. Going over the events of the last few minutes, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She’d been so enraged at Aqua-chan, but nothing, just nothing at all had happened! Her magic had just been gone, just like back in Georgi’s room …
“Thantor!" Mysteria exclaimed. She was all excited. “My magic was gone back there! Just like in Georgi’s room! There has to be another cat-creature round here, possibly the same one that kidnapped Georgi! Than, we might find…”
"Whoa, whoa. Slow down Mysteria," Thantor cut in. "What are you talking about?"
"My magic," Mysteria went on excitedly. "I was furious when I thought Aqua-chan was one of those cat people, yet nothing happened. There must have been an anti-magic zone there, just like the one the cat-creatures use. We could be on their trail."
"That is one explanation. There is also the possibility that it is simply a dead zone," remarked Thantor.
Backtracking their steps, Mysteria soon stopped as she felt a her magic vanish. “Here, it’s right here that I can't feel me magic anymore.” Calling for Fang, she let him search around, but though he growled from time to time, there was nothing conclusive that would lead them to believe that a cat-creature had traveled through this area. Too many cows had trampled through here for one thing.
“I’m sorry, Than," Mysteria said dejectedly after some time. "I guess there is no way to be sure if Georgi was taken this way or not." Thantor wasn't looking at her. He was looking down at the ground, wrestling with himself. "I should have been there… if only I wasn't so angry at her…"
Looking at Thantor, seeing the set of his jaw, the downcast eyes, she felt transported back to the old days at the village. That look of his. It was just like then, after the others were through mocking him…. so hurt but desperately trying to hide it, his hands balled into fists, fighting back tears.
“Than?”, she asked softly, reaching up to put a hand on her shoulder. He accepted her comfort, but lifted his head and said. "Right. No way to tell. Best move on." He moved away from her, changing the subject. "So tell me a bit more about your magic. Is it activated all the time by emotion?"
Understanding his brisk change of subject all too well, she complied, “Almost always. It only disappears for a time after a particularly heavy outburst, or in zones as this one. I don’t really notice it’s there most of the time, I’m so used to it. But I do notice when it’s gone.”
"Interesting."
"Maybe to you. I tried to … erm …stab a drow with some flowers earlier. Interesting wasn't the word that came to mind."
At that point, they were interrupted by Farscape's call and quickly walked over to them to help ...
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
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Gwalchmai
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The way back to the portal room was a relatively uneventful trip and quick, considering there were four adventures leading about twenty cows up a dark, narrow passage. Well, actually, the heroes had decided that some of them should do a little scouting, for safety reasons, so it was really two fighters walking before a cleric and a druid, who were leading the cows. However, the cows were rather smelly, and their scent preceded the whole party. Of course, the procession was also rather noisy, which would have the first thing noticed. So, to a casual observer, there would be the cacophony of lowing cattle to hear, followed by the scent of all those sweating bovine bodies inside the small dark tunnel, then the torches of a fighter and a noble monk to be seen, followed by the regal aura of a half-elven cleric, then a broad-shouldered druid with a large bull tagging closely behind, and finally a small herd of twenty other cows, all bunched together and hurrying to follow the torchlight. The casual observer also would have observed that the procession left something of a wake in their passage, and would have to step carefully to avoid it.
Fortunately, there were no casual observers, and the portal room was found without a hitch. T’lainya operated the controls, while the others encouraged the cattle through the portal one-by-one. Finally, the task was over, and Gwalchmai stood drinking in the fresh nighttime air that wafted through the open portal. He longed to step through and be rid of these dark, rotting tunnels. His reverie was interrupted by T’lainya.
“What’s to keep them from using the portals as we have to bring more food down for the Abomination?” T’lainya stood thoughtfully looking at the portal controls. “I can’t think of anyway to stop that from happening, short of…” she trailed off.
“Destroying the portal machines?” Nippy completed her thought.
The four looked at each other, with the understanding that this adventure may have just become a suicide mission. Then, without a word, they each found heavy staves, levers and tools, and began smashing apart all the machinery.
Fortunately, there were no casual observers, and the portal room was found without a hitch. T’lainya operated the controls, while the others encouraged the cattle through the portal one-by-one. Finally, the task was over, and Gwalchmai stood drinking in the fresh nighttime air that wafted through the open portal. He longed to step through and be rid of these dark, rotting tunnels. His reverie was interrupted by T’lainya.
“What’s to keep them from using the portals as we have to bring more food down for the Abomination?” T’lainya stood thoughtfully looking at the portal controls. “I can’t think of anyway to stop that from happening, short of…” she trailed off.
“Destroying the portal machines?” Nippy completed her thought.
The four looked at each other, with the understanding that this adventure may have just become a suicide mission. Then, without a word, they each found heavy staves, levers and tools, and began smashing apart all the machinery.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
Aqua-chan noticed that the group had decided to move along to the points where they were needed -whether it be herding cows, healing friends, or just preparing for battle, it seemed that they were constantly focused on thier work and had little else on thier mind that they cared to share with others.
Unsure of what to do, she waited until most of the toop had divided up before she decided where to go. Seeing that Than was the person she knew the most, she decided to go with him...And with Mysteria, by the looks of it, as she had started walking in the same direction as he did.
She wanted to stay as close to them as she could without barging in on thier conversation. It never occured to her that they possibly didn't even know she was even there. There was nobody to blame but herself: her feline lineage did have a way of making her naturally stealthy without making far to much noise. It was a bad habit Aqua-chan had tried to correct, but it was near impossible to defy her blood line charactoristics.
Mysteria was exclaiming about how she felt her magic leave her during that momentary encounter, and how she had also lost her magic when a woman by the name of...Georgi, was it?...had been taken captive. It was very possible that she could have hit dead zones in random areas, or even Wraiths on other planes could have absorbed her energy as food at inconvenient times. Either way, some cat-like creature had abducted Mysteria's friend and they hadn't seen her since.
The hybrid scouted her memory for any cat-creatures she knew. There was the sphynx with a lion's body and a human head, but they were generally docile and incredibly rare to the sight of mortals, plus they used mind over strength usually, so it was unlikely that the sphynx was the culprit. Were-cats were a possibilty, but again, not likely. There were few alive yet and they stayed seperated simply because they were territorial. They would never work together in a pack.
She couldn't think of anything else. It was impossible for the Ishiatorian to be the captors because they were centaur-like, a charactoristic that could have easily been pointed out by Mysteria or anyone. Then again, maybe these creatures were...genetic mistakes such as herself? It was possible, but the odds were-
"Hey, I didn't see you back there," Mysteria snapped the creature out of her daze, "Try to make some noise so we know where to find you sometime."
"Sorry about that," Aqua-chan grinned in a friendly way, unsure that Mysteria fully trusted her now or not. "I'll work on it, I promise."
"Come on up here. You don't know what you're missing out on."
She nodded her head in thanks and picked up her pace to catch up with the two.
Unsure of what to do, she waited until most of the toop had divided up before she decided where to go. Seeing that Than was the person she knew the most, she decided to go with him...And with Mysteria, by the looks of it, as she had started walking in the same direction as he did.
She wanted to stay as close to them as she could without barging in on thier conversation. It never occured to her that they possibly didn't even know she was even there. There was nobody to blame but herself: her feline lineage did have a way of making her naturally stealthy without making far to much noise. It was a bad habit Aqua-chan had tried to correct, but it was near impossible to defy her blood line charactoristics.
Mysteria was exclaiming about how she felt her magic leave her during that momentary encounter, and how she had also lost her magic when a woman by the name of...Georgi, was it?...had been taken captive. It was very possible that she could have hit dead zones in random areas, or even Wraiths on other planes could have absorbed her energy as food at inconvenient times. Either way, some cat-like creature had abducted Mysteria's friend and they hadn't seen her since.
The hybrid scouted her memory for any cat-creatures she knew. There was the sphynx with a lion's body and a human head, but they were generally docile and incredibly rare to the sight of mortals, plus they used mind over strength usually, so it was unlikely that the sphynx was the culprit. Were-cats were a possibilty, but again, not likely. There were few alive yet and they stayed seperated simply because they were territorial. They would never work together in a pack.
She couldn't think of anything else. It was impossible for the Ishiatorian to be the captors because they were centaur-like, a charactoristic that could have easily been pointed out by Mysteria or anyone. Then again, maybe these creatures were...genetic mistakes such as herself? It was possible, but the odds were-
"Hey, I didn't see you back there," Mysteria snapped the creature out of her daze, "Try to make some noise so we know where to find you sometime."
"Sorry about that," Aqua-chan grinned in a friendly way, unsure that Mysteria fully trusted her now or not. "I'll work on it, I promise."
"Come on up here. You don't know what you're missing out on."
She nodded her head in thanks and picked up her pace to catch up with the two.
"There are worse things in the world than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess." - Zevran
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dragon wench
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As she contemplated the tunnel Dragon Wench heard the sudden patter of feet echo and rebound against the cavern's walls. She turned to find Yshania heading resolutely towards her.
"I didn't want to leave you alone," her druid friend answered in response to her puzzled glance.
Dragon Wench smiled her thanks and nodded cautiously. Not truly wishing to traverse the myriad dangers that lurked beyond by herself, she was grateful for the companionship.
Quietly she pointed to the walls of the new tunnel, "I think there is some kind of acid in this rock....feel how it crumbles and burns when touched."
Yshania thoughtfully studied the seemingly solid structure and a far away look flickered in her expression.
Gazing into the darkness, Dragon Wench once more felt gripped by the desolate cold that had invaded her senses since the morning...or... she paused suddenly....could it have come upon her even before then...? Suddenly, desperately fearful of the implications, she abruptly straightened, and motioned into the abyss-like realm that seemed to be their path.
"Let's see what is around this corner," Dragon Wench murmured, as she attempted to avoid the druid's questioning glance.
"I didn't want to leave you alone," her druid friend answered in response to her puzzled glance.
Dragon Wench smiled her thanks and nodded cautiously. Not truly wishing to traverse the myriad dangers that lurked beyond by herself, she was grateful for the companionship.
Quietly she pointed to the walls of the new tunnel, "I think there is some kind of acid in this rock....feel how it crumbles and burns when touched."
Yshania thoughtfully studied the seemingly solid structure and a far away look flickered in her expression.
Gazing into the darkness, Dragon Wench once more felt gripped by the desolate cold that had invaded her senses since the morning...or... she paused suddenly....could it have come upon her even before then...? Suddenly, desperately fearful of the implications, she abruptly straightened, and motioned into the abyss-like realm that seemed to be their path.
"Let's see what is around this corner," Dragon Wench murmured, as she attempted to avoid the druid's questioning glance.
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Continuing up the corridor, Mysteria couldn’t help giving Aqua-chan worried glances from time to time, she still made her vaguely uncomfortable. Soon, Obsidian staggered into view, half dragging a bloodcovered Aegis. Seeing their fellow Dark Flames, they dropped to the floor and Than quickly stepped over to them, bending down to help. At that moment, Aqua-chan stepped forward, "May I?", she asked Thantor. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded, "Obsidian, Aegis, this is Aquarimarachan Calligo, a friend, she'll help you." Too weary to protest, the fighters had no choice but accept as Thantor stepped back and made room for their strange ally.
Mysteria observed the scene worriedly, she had only just begun to come to terms with Aegis’s blind eye and now he was again badly wounded without seeming to care much. What was going on in his mind? At least, Aqua-chan did indeed start to heal them, for a moment, she had been worried that the creature … Mysteria caught herself, she really had to start thinking of Aqua-chan as a woman, a friend. Sighing, she looked around, the tunnels began to weigh on her mind, she caught herself trying to look at the star once more, then looked down at her feet. Thantor too had his head lowered, but … squinting in the near darkness, she looked hard, was he … he couldn’t be … smiling?
Mysteria observed the scene worriedly, she had only just begun to come to terms with Aegis’s blind eye and now he was again badly wounded without seeming to care much. What was going on in his mind? At least, Aqua-chan did indeed start to heal them, for a moment, she had been worried that the creature … Mysteria caught herself, she really had to start thinking of Aqua-chan as a woman, a friend. Sighing, she looked around, the tunnels began to weigh on her mind, she caught herself trying to look at the star once more, then looked down at her feet. Thantor too had his head lowered, but … squinting in the near darkness, she looked hard, was he … he couldn’t be … smiling?
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
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Gwalchmai
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Unnoticed by the others, a solitary skeleton stood quietly by. The duration of the spell that had summoned it had long since run out, yet it remained. It leaned its shoulder against the wall in a casual sort of way, awaiting further instructions. From somewhere in its buckskin vest, it produced a paper and a bag of tobacco. It rolled a smoke and lit up, a look of quiet pleasure evident in its empty eye sockets as smoke trickled out from between its ribs. It regarded the Dark Flames, as they herded cows, explored tunnels, examined the bodies of the enemy, and met new friends. Suddenly, something caught its attention, something that peeked its interest. Using one bony finger to shove the brim of its hat back on its head, it looked up at the floating mist. Something about the mist resonated deep in the marrow of the skeleton’s soul. An enraptured look crossed its grinning face, and it knew that it would do anything in its power to follow this vampiric mist.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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dragon wench
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As Yshania and Dragon Wench proceded cautiously forward.....what seemed to be a low, rumbling noise emanated from the depths ahead. Uneasily, the two women glanced at one another.
Dragon Wench turned to the druid. "Is that some kind of beast, or is that sound due to the instability of this passageway?"
Furrowing her brow, Yshania paused and narrowed her eyes; she seemed both preoccupied and speculative. "Whatever it is, it's not natural." she muttered darkly.
The fighter nodded, "Nothing in this foul den is natural, I so long to be back above ground....."
Suddenly, a loud, sickening squelch erupted nearby, and a greenish mass began to move towards them, its maloderous stench somehow a harbinger of what lay beyond.
Yshania cursed, "Blast, I hate these damn things," as she readied her scimitars in preparation for battle.
Eying the mustard jelly in disgust, Dragon Wench agreed and unsheathed her sword. While waiting for the slithering creature to reach them , she unleashed a minute meteor spell, and enthusiastically began hurling the fiery orbs towards the jelly. The next moment, a grunt from the shadows alerted them to the fact that the slimy puddle upon the ground was not their only worry. Yshania sniffed, and stiffled a retch as she exclaimed, "Trolls!"
Dragon Wench turned to the druid. "Is that some kind of beast, or is that sound due to the instability of this passageway?"
Furrowing her brow, Yshania paused and narrowed her eyes; she seemed both preoccupied and speculative. "Whatever it is, it's not natural." she muttered darkly.
The fighter nodded, "Nothing in this foul den is natural, I so long to be back above ground....."
Suddenly, a loud, sickening squelch erupted nearby, and a greenish mass began to move towards them, its maloderous stench somehow a harbinger of what lay beyond.
Yshania cursed, "Blast, I hate these damn things," as she readied her scimitars in preparation for battle.
Eying the mustard jelly in disgust, Dragon Wench agreed and unsheathed her sword. While waiting for the slithering creature to reach them , she unleashed a minute meteor spell, and enthusiastically began hurling the fiery orbs towards the jelly. The next moment, a grunt from the shadows alerted them to the fact that the slimy puddle upon the ground was not their only worry. Yshania sniffed, and stiffled a retch as she exclaimed, "Trolls!"
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Yshania
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Back in the Shadow Masters lair
"You will see," Der-draigen hissed through her teeth, "You will witness the power of the Stone of Rohais, sacred to the darkness, gift of power from the foundations of the earth; and as you watch with dying eyes you will know that such power will never be yours to possess."
She grinned a cold and evil smile, and felt a rumbling beneath the earth. She didn't have time to concern herself with it; but she thought she heard the Shadow Master's weak voice repeating, "Abomination...Abomination..."
With a maddened roar, the Shadow Master drew on his remaining strength and lifted the halfling and threw her against the cavern wall, the rock giving like clay on impact. For a moment she hung stunned and unable to move part way up the rock surface. The dark form of the Shadow Master held his hands out before him, pinning her there as she fought his powers with those of her own, those gifted by the stone. Their battle raged between them, a palpable black mass of hatred and evil moved back and forth, trying to force entry and empower.
Matching the weakened Shadow Master for strength, Der-draigen began to slide down the wall until she once again stood before him. So intense was their battle, neither noticed a trickle of dust start to fall from where she had hit the wall, soon to be followed by a larger cascade as the low sub-terranian rumbling persisted...
"You will see," Der-draigen hissed through her teeth, "You will witness the power of the Stone of Rohais, sacred to the darkness, gift of power from the foundations of the earth; and as you watch with dying eyes you will know that such power will never be yours to possess."
She grinned a cold and evil smile, and felt a rumbling beneath the earth. She didn't have time to concern herself with it; but she thought she heard the Shadow Master's weak voice repeating, "Abomination...Abomination..."
With a maddened roar, the Shadow Master drew on his remaining strength and lifted the halfling and threw her against the cavern wall, the rock giving like clay on impact. For a moment she hung stunned and unable to move part way up the rock surface. The dark form of the Shadow Master held his hands out before him, pinning her there as she fought his powers with those of her own, those gifted by the stone. Their battle raged between them, a palpable black mass of hatred and evil moved back and forth, trying to force entry and empower.
Matching the weakened Shadow Master for strength, Der-draigen began to slide down the wall until she once again stood before him. So intense was their battle, neither noticed a trickle of dust start to fall from where she had hit the wall, soon to be followed by a larger cascade as the low sub-terranian rumbling persisted...
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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Yshania
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Abominations lair...
"I just hope they are the usual common and garden variety" Yshania said, rolling her eyes as she recalled her last encounter with spirit trolls. Noticing that Dragon Wench was already armed with meteors, the druid moved stealthily forward, her scimitars raised and ready. The ground felt soft in areas underfoot, and coupled with the fragility of the walls and their close call as the previous tunnel collapsed, Yshania was becoming nervous. How she longed for the softness underfoot to be the deep moss of the glades above. "No time for that now" she berated herself, then suddenly a troll leapt out at her, it's great twisted form lunging awkwardly towards the two women. Yshania countered it's attack, avoiding the great claws as it swung it's over long arms at her. Her twin blades whistled before striking their target, Dragon Wench's meteors lighting the tunnel before engulfing the beast in an aura of flames....
"I just hope they are the usual common and garden variety" Yshania said, rolling her eyes as she recalled her last encounter with spirit trolls. Noticing that Dragon Wench was already armed with meteors, the druid moved stealthily forward, her scimitars raised and ready. The ground felt soft in areas underfoot, and coupled with the fragility of the walls and their close call as the previous tunnel collapsed, Yshania was becoming nervous. How she longed for the softness underfoot to be the deep moss of the glades above. "No time for that now" she berated herself, then suddenly a troll leapt out at her, it's great twisted form lunging awkwardly towards the two women. Yshania countered it's attack, avoiding the great claws as it swung it's over long arms at her. Her twin blades whistled before striking their target, Dragon Wench's meteors lighting the tunnel before engulfing the beast in an aura of flames....
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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Gwalchmai
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- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
They moved as quietly as they could, knowing how lucky they had been to not run into any enemy when they were bringing the cattle to the portal room. For some reason, they had felt more secure while backed up by twenty head of cattle. Now, they felt vulnerable, split off from their friends, and exposed.
Coming to a turn in the passage, T’lainya carefully peeked around the corner. She quickly pulled her head back and motioned for the others to stop. Just at the range of her vision, she had seen several humanoid figures coming towards them, red blobs of infrared dimly burning. That they carried no torches indicated that they were likely denizens of the underdark. Back tracking, they found a little-used side tunnel with enough cracks and crevasses to allow them to hide themselves a few meters in. They waited for the unknown troop to pass.
Soon, voices could be heard, speaking in the sibilant, lilting language of the Drow. Gwalchmai couldn’t understand the language, but had no problem understanding the sudden cry and curse as one of them slipped in the fresh manure left by the cows.
Once the troop was past, T’lainya whispered urgently, “We can’t use the same passage we came up. We are too easily traced. And as soon as they find what we did to their portal devices, an alarm is sure to be raised.” Clearly, they had to find an alternate route to their friends.
The unused passage was strewn with small rocks and dust, and the walls looked particularly unsafe. Still, it seemed the only choice. As they made their way, Gwalchmai felt that the passage was going in generally the right direction, but that it may be sloping down a bit too much. He looked for other tunnels that might trend upward and connect with where they had left their friends.
The going was difficult in the inky blackness. The walls glowed with less phosphorescence than in the more well-used tunnels, and the inky blackness seemed to suck up the light from their torch. Small spiders and sightless lizards skittered away from them. At one point, they encountered a deep pit, and they feared they would have to turn back. But a daring leap by Nippy enabled them to affix a rope to the other side to allow them to traverse the hole.
Finally, the air began to take on the humid, musty scent that they had noticed earlier. It seemed that they were getting closer to their goal. Just then, they heard a strained grunting noise ahead. Bloodstalker extinguished the torch, and they crept ahead, peeking carefully around jagged boulders. The passage opened up to a cavern lit with mystical bulbs. Across from them was the only other exit – a large archway leading into a high-roofed tunnel. The mysterious noise had come from this chamber, and they would have to go through it to continue, unless they wanted to backtrack to where Drow patrols would surely find them.
Coming to a turn in the passage, T’lainya carefully peeked around the corner. She quickly pulled her head back and motioned for the others to stop. Just at the range of her vision, she had seen several humanoid figures coming towards them, red blobs of infrared dimly burning. That they carried no torches indicated that they were likely denizens of the underdark. Back tracking, they found a little-used side tunnel with enough cracks and crevasses to allow them to hide themselves a few meters in. They waited for the unknown troop to pass.
Soon, voices could be heard, speaking in the sibilant, lilting language of the Drow. Gwalchmai couldn’t understand the language, but had no problem understanding the sudden cry and curse as one of them slipped in the fresh manure left by the cows.
Once the troop was past, T’lainya whispered urgently, “We can’t use the same passage we came up. We are too easily traced. And as soon as they find what we did to their portal devices, an alarm is sure to be raised.” Clearly, they had to find an alternate route to their friends.
The unused passage was strewn with small rocks and dust, and the walls looked particularly unsafe. Still, it seemed the only choice. As they made their way, Gwalchmai felt that the passage was going in generally the right direction, but that it may be sloping down a bit too much. He looked for other tunnels that might trend upward and connect with where they had left their friends.
The going was difficult in the inky blackness. The walls glowed with less phosphorescence than in the more well-used tunnels, and the inky blackness seemed to suck up the light from their torch. Small spiders and sightless lizards skittered away from them. At one point, they encountered a deep pit, and they feared they would have to turn back. But a daring leap by Nippy enabled them to affix a rope to the other side to allow them to traverse the hole.
Finally, the air began to take on the humid, musty scent that they had noticed earlier. It seemed that they were getting closer to their goal. Just then, they heard a strained grunting noise ahead. Bloodstalker extinguished the torch, and they crept ahead, peeking carefully around jagged boulders. The passage opened up to a cavern lit with mystical bulbs. Across from them was the only other exit – a large archway leading into a high-roofed tunnel. The mysterious noise had come from this chamber, and they would have to go through it to continue, unless they wanted to backtrack to where Drow patrols would surely find them.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
Cautiously, they climbed out of the tunnel and into the chamber. A deep grunt again sounded, drawing their attention to the far corner.
There, sitting on some sort of large stool, was a …. Plant. It was humanoid in shape but about three times taller than a normal human. As it sat there, it appeared to be reading a large….. Magazine?, turning the pages slowly with its vine-covered hands. It didn’t seem to notice the four adventurers who stood gawking.
“Is that the Abomination?” Bloodstalker gasped as quietly as he could.
“No,” whispered T’lainya under her breath, “it’s a Shambling Mound.”
“Indeed,” the Shambler said, ferns fluttering around its mouth while it spoke. Clearly, its broadleaf ears were very acute. It turned the magazine sideways and let the centerfold unfurl. It shook its head and made a small ‘tsk’-ing sound.
Bloodstalker looked incredulously at Nippy, who gave a wary glance at T’lainya, who shot a questioning look at Gwalchmai who shrugged. He had never heard a Shambling Mound speak either, especially not Common. “Um, excuse me?”
“I mean to say, that I am not IT, but rather IT summoned me from my swamp.” The Shambler sighed. “That was several weeks ago.” It carefully tore one page from the magazine and reached around behind itself. Standing, it closed the lid on the stool and operated a lever mechanism. A loud flushing sound was heard.
“So, you’ve been here for weeks now?” Gwalchmai asked, amazed that a plant-being could live so long underground.
“Oh, its not so bad. They give me plenty of fertilizer and water.” The Shambler moved over to the glowing balls of light that lined the walls and pointed at them derisively. “These damn things hardly put out any real light at all, though. Very difficult to do proper photosynthesis, you know. Damn Drow wouldn’t know real sunlight if it bit them in their meaty little buttocks!”
“Maybe there’s something we can do to help you?” Gwalchmai suggested.
“Oh, I don’t think so. IT’s essence keeps me quite strong. Besides, I’m supposed to guard this place against any strange meat-walkers I see.”
“Well, then. We’d best be going.” Nippy tugged on Gwalchmai’s elbow and the group began sidling toward the archway. “It’s been nice talking to you…”
“No, no. I don’t think I can let you.” In one stride, the Shambler stood in front of the arch, blocking their way with legs the size of tree trunks. “I’m supposed to kill you now.” it said amiably.
There, sitting on some sort of large stool, was a …. Plant. It was humanoid in shape but about three times taller than a normal human. As it sat there, it appeared to be reading a large….. Magazine?, turning the pages slowly with its vine-covered hands. It didn’t seem to notice the four adventurers who stood gawking.
“Is that the Abomination?” Bloodstalker gasped as quietly as he could.
“No,” whispered T’lainya under her breath, “it’s a Shambling Mound.”
“Indeed,” the Shambler said, ferns fluttering around its mouth while it spoke. Clearly, its broadleaf ears were very acute. It turned the magazine sideways and let the centerfold unfurl. It shook its head and made a small ‘tsk’-ing sound.
Bloodstalker looked incredulously at Nippy, who gave a wary glance at T’lainya, who shot a questioning look at Gwalchmai who shrugged. He had never heard a Shambling Mound speak either, especially not Common. “Um, excuse me?”
“I mean to say, that I am not IT, but rather IT summoned me from my swamp.” The Shambler sighed. “That was several weeks ago.” It carefully tore one page from the magazine and reached around behind itself. Standing, it closed the lid on the stool and operated a lever mechanism. A loud flushing sound was heard.
“So, you’ve been here for weeks now?” Gwalchmai asked, amazed that a plant-being could live so long underground.
“Oh, its not so bad. They give me plenty of fertilizer and water.” The Shambler moved over to the glowing balls of light that lined the walls and pointed at them derisively. “These damn things hardly put out any real light at all, though. Very difficult to do proper photosynthesis, you know. Damn Drow wouldn’t know real sunlight if it bit them in their meaty little buttocks!”
“Maybe there’s something we can do to help you?” Gwalchmai suggested.
“Oh, I don’t think so. IT’s essence keeps me quite strong. Besides, I’m supposed to guard this place against any strange meat-walkers I see.”
“Well, then. We’d best be going.” Nippy tugged on Gwalchmai’s elbow and the group began sidling toward the archway. “It’s been nice talking to you…”
“No, no. I don’t think I can let you.” In one stride, the Shambler stood in front of the arch, blocking their way with legs the size of tree trunks. “I’m supposed to kill you now.” it said amiably.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
"For the love of Torm..."
Nippy stood looking wistfully at the exit. His hand slapped his forehead and he turned to Gwal.
"I know that I am never supposed to run from combat, but why didn't you listen to me?! Now I've got to get my shirt dirty again..." Nippy sighed again and readied one of his usual battlecries but lost heart.
"I can't be arsed, let's just get this over with."
Nippy cracked his knuckles and walked forwards slowly, initiating combat...
Nippy stood looking wistfully at the exit. His hand slapped his forehead and he turned to Gwal.
"I know that I am never supposed to run from combat, but why didn't you listen to me?! Now I've got to get my shirt dirty again..." Nippy sighed again and readied one of his usual battlecries but lost heart.
"I can't be arsed, let's just get this over with."
Nippy cracked his knuckles and walked forwards slowly, initiating combat...
Perverteer Paladin
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dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
Deciding that some help could be useful, Dragon Wench, after discharging her volley of blazing spheres, summoned a fire elemental. For a few moments it regarded her sullenly, debating whether or not it would aid their cause, then still wearing a surly expression it lumbered off towards the nearest troll. Continuing to focus on dominating the elemental, Dragon Wench looked over at the battle and was surprised to see one of the trolls swaying unsteadily as it lurched at their fiery ally. It emitted a loud belch before haphazardly swinging its claws at the elemental, and then reeled sideways in an attempt to attack.
Presently, Dragon Wench again heard the low rumble, closer this time...... Another troll came into view....trundling a large barrel, and apparently oblivious to the fight in which its companions were engaged.
"Oi lads, I ave ear some of Faerun's finest ale," he gestured grandly, "it were them Rolling Troll-nder lot themselves whoo brewed it....Bloody good it is too...."
Presently, Dragon Wench again heard the low rumble, closer this time...... Another troll came into view....trundling a large barrel, and apparently oblivious to the fight in which its companions were engaged.
"Oi lads, I ave ear some of Faerun's finest ale," he gestured grandly, "it were them Rolling Troll-nder lot themselves whoo brewed it....Bloody good it is too...."
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