She returned his hug...and felt an aching sense of constriction in her throat as she did so..... "I have missed you as well.....so much," she murmured....her voice barely audible above the crackling flames....Sitting down at the table.....she tightly gripped her mug and battled for composure as she gazed down into fragrant steam.
At his acceptance of her apology.......their brief return to a more playful moment....a sad smile hovered in her eyes as she remembered the simple pleasure of being able to share humour.....the possibility of merely enjoying the privelege of one another's company..... The sorrow in her expression deepened as the realities of their situation rose again to the surface of her mind. Perhaps it were memories of cherished dreams.....choosing this moment to enter her thoughts.....perhaps it was her still weakened state....perhaps it was the sense of all hope having been extinguished in the chill gust of icy wind that had once more exerted its claim....but the desolation that she had been attempting to fight rose up.... clawing at the flimsy constructs sheltering her soul......threatening her tentative hold upon the shaky lucidity that was her existence.
With effort, she walked over to the window and gazed at the seemingly limitless, white expanse while he explained the nature of the void..........
Attaining a small measure of calm, she slowly turned to him when he had finished speaking. "Yes...that does make sense," she whispered....her voice betraying an intensity of emotion......
Her words halting as she struggled to move them beyond the well of tears.....she spoke....."I think that perhaps some of the void already resides within me.....I have found I can travel to the snowy glade that lies outside this cabin.....although when I first arrived the cabin was not here......And when I do enter this realm....I feel a calm and a tranquil emptiness that eases the pain and darkness."
The Order of the Dark Flame: Book 5. (story, no spam)
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dragon wench
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
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- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
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Yshania began to feel the pervading chill, physically as well as emotionally. She pulled her cloak around her bending knees and rested her chin on her folded arms. There was no conversation in the cavern at all now, no hushed whispers of tenderness and reassurance. Only silence. The quiet sleeping forms rested dead to the world.
Dragon Wench looked pale and drawn, she looked vulnerable and chilled curled up in her foetal position, but did not appear to be shivering beneath her cover. Yshania noticed her friends arm lying loose of her robe...in her hand she clutched tightly to a figurine. Yshania squinted, in this dim light and beyond her whitened knuckles, it appeared to be of a dragon...the flickering torches playing down what could possibly be one of the most beautiful aqua-marine figurines the druid had ever seen crafted...she would ask to hold it once she could see the sunlight bounce off it's contours, accentuate it's colour, she was sure only the grace of the sun could really compliment the nature of this stone. It was an item of sheer beauty trapped inside hell.
Mysteria, in contrast, looked cosy now, cuddled against Aegis' chest, though his reverie appeared disturbed. Vivien slept close to Nippy, the squirming drow rabbit finally accepting of his position as a source of cuddliness and heat. It didn't appear too happy about it's situation judging by it's occasional wriggle, but more resigned to the fact that each wriggle brought a few sleepy words of reassurance from the mage and a tighter hug. Yshania smiled to herself, though was wary that Fang's occasional glance at the rabbit may not be a protective one.
Farscape muttered occasionally, and Yshania wondered how comfortable he was resting in plate mail. Bloodstalker slept in a sitting position, seemingly awake but his occasional flick of his hand at some imaginary intrusion told her he was off with the faeries somewhere...the nymphs perhaps? She grinned and looked toward Aqua-chan, the cat creature was not sleeping, she was observing the Dark Flames each in turn from the shadows, apparently restless. Yshania thought to go and sit with her but decided against it, others here were also wakeful but lost in their own thoughts.
She glanced sidelong at Gwalchmai and T'lainya, the cleric appeared to be in some kind of prayer, the druid in one of his states of reflection that Yshania had come to expect would result in many words of wisdom at the appropriate moment. She looked across to Thantor who sat deep in thought, Jenna huddled beside him. She worried for him, and remembering her promise to try, she forced a smile for Simbul...not failing - even though it could be the torch lights playing tricks - to notice the corner of Simbuls mouth almost raise to return the gesture before returning to it's thin hard line. The presence of her friends began to help the druid feel warmer...but she knew this was the calm before the storm...she knew they would lose one of their party. Superstitiously, she dared not look around again but placed her forehead onto her arms...
Dragon Wench looked pale and drawn, she looked vulnerable and chilled curled up in her foetal position, but did not appear to be shivering beneath her cover. Yshania noticed her friends arm lying loose of her robe...in her hand she clutched tightly to a figurine. Yshania squinted, in this dim light and beyond her whitened knuckles, it appeared to be of a dragon...the flickering torches playing down what could possibly be one of the most beautiful aqua-marine figurines the druid had ever seen crafted...she would ask to hold it once she could see the sunlight bounce off it's contours, accentuate it's colour, she was sure only the grace of the sun could really compliment the nature of this stone. It was an item of sheer beauty trapped inside hell.
Mysteria, in contrast, looked cosy now, cuddled against Aegis' chest, though his reverie appeared disturbed. Vivien slept close to Nippy, the squirming drow rabbit finally accepting of his position as a source of cuddliness and heat. It didn't appear too happy about it's situation judging by it's occasional wriggle, but more resigned to the fact that each wriggle brought a few sleepy words of reassurance from the mage and a tighter hug. Yshania smiled to herself, though was wary that Fang's occasional glance at the rabbit may not be a protective one.
Farscape muttered occasionally, and Yshania wondered how comfortable he was resting in plate mail. Bloodstalker slept in a sitting position, seemingly awake but his occasional flick of his hand at some imaginary intrusion told her he was off with the faeries somewhere...the nymphs perhaps? She grinned and looked toward Aqua-chan, the cat creature was not sleeping, she was observing the Dark Flames each in turn from the shadows, apparently restless. Yshania thought to go and sit with her but decided against it, others here were also wakeful but lost in their own thoughts.
She glanced sidelong at Gwalchmai and T'lainya, the cleric appeared to be in some kind of prayer, the druid in one of his states of reflection that Yshania had come to expect would result in many words of wisdom at the appropriate moment. She looked across to Thantor who sat deep in thought, Jenna huddled beside him. She worried for him, and remembering her promise to try, she forced a smile for Simbul...not failing - even though it could be the torch lights playing tricks - to notice the corner of Simbuls mouth almost raise to return the gesture before returning to it's thin hard line. The presence of her friends began to help the druid feel warmer...but she knew this was the calm before the storm...she knew they would lose one of their party. Superstitiously, she dared not look around again but placed her forehead onto her arms...
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
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Again...caught by the magnitude and force of all she felt....Dragon Wench turned away.....suddenly unable to speak...... She found herself swaying.....Trying to stop the falling sensation.... she crouched down....head resting on her knees.....
She was acutely aware of Jerren's presence in the room....of his gaze upon her....profoundly tender, yet troubled and shadowed......... Her heart ached....and she longed to reach out to him.....beyond the barriers that lay between them....but she knew she could not. Unable to contain the overwhelming grief.....the piercing sense of loss.....she allowed a muffled sob to escape into the crook of her arm.....
Like a deluge erupting from the ocean's depth....every moment they had ever shared.....every emotion...every sensation flooded into her soul and poured outwards.....pooling around her......
Although her eyes were closed...her vision swam before her......shifting..... Shadows slowly became translucent and then lifted..... The images before her cleared....and within her mind she saw a rushing waterfall....its spray cascading over them.....droplets shimmering in early morning sunlight...... Aching at the intensity.....the beauty....she let herself experience the soaring joy of all that was past.....alongside the sorrow of what had become present....the crowning and the crucifying....
Then...slowly....like a veil softly descending upon the final act of a play.....the vision dimmed......
For a moment only fog swirled in front of her....but then...that too cleared..... Slightly disoriented...she raised her head.... She was still in the cabin...and Jerren was nearby. His expression reflected gentle concern....pain and something else that she could not quite discern..... And....a small smile played across his features......
"You need to eat," he said softly...... Unsteadily, she rose and made her way to the table. Awaiting her were an assortment of foods....and a bouquet of flowers......their perfume...intoxicating..... embraced lingering tears..... She turned to Jerren....smiling....and hugged him close to her....hoping that the gesture conveyed her gratitude....the depth of emotion..... that had always been so difficult for her to express.
She was acutely aware of Jerren's presence in the room....of his gaze upon her....profoundly tender, yet troubled and shadowed......... Her heart ached....and she longed to reach out to him.....beyond the barriers that lay between them....but she knew she could not. Unable to contain the overwhelming grief.....the piercing sense of loss.....she allowed a muffled sob to escape into the crook of her arm.....
Like a deluge erupting from the ocean's depth....every moment they had ever shared.....every emotion...every sensation flooded into her soul and poured outwards.....pooling around her......
Although her eyes were closed...her vision swam before her......shifting..... Shadows slowly became translucent and then lifted..... The images before her cleared....and within her mind she saw a rushing waterfall....its spray cascading over them.....droplets shimmering in early morning sunlight...... Aching at the intensity.....the beauty....she let herself experience the soaring joy of all that was past.....alongside the sorrow of what had become present....the crowning and the crucifying....
Then...slowly....like a veil softly descending upon the final act of a play.....the vision dimmed......
For a moment only fog swirled in front of her....but then...that too cleared..... Slightly disoriented...she raised her head.... She was still in the cabin...and Jerren was nearby. His expression reflected gentle concern....pain and something else that she could not quite discern..... And....a small smile played across his features......
"You need to eat," he said softly...... Unsteadily, she rose and made her way to the table. Awaiting her were an assortment of foods....and a bouquet of flowers......their perfume...intoxicating..... embraced lingering tears..... She turned to Jerren....smiling....and hugged him close to her....hoping that the gesture conveyed her gratitude....the depth of emotion..... that had always been so difficult for her to express.
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
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Bloodstalker
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Bloodstalker let his body relax, feeling the ache slowly seep out of his muscles. It felt good, even in a place like this. There had been little time for rest since he had arrived, and he had been constantly on the road over the past few months, searching for answer to questions, questions about his past and what he could do to resolve old wounds, but mostly, he now had to admit to himself, mostly he had been searching for answers about himself. Searching, and at the same time fearing what he might discover. He wondered at that moment whether searching was the right word. Or was it running. Yes, perhaps that was a better word. Was he simply moving to keep from confronting his past openly? Was it the fact that he was afraid of what he would find if he looked to closely at himself? He knew the hate and rage that lay just below the surface.Perhaps he wondered if that was all there was to him, if that was why he needed so badly to return and have his vengence. For he knew in his heart that motive for what it was, pure vengence, not justice. He was not going back to the Chamber to right a wrong, or to wipe a great evil away. he was simply going to kill those who had wronged him, who had tormented him. What did that make him he wondered. Was he letting his past define him? And if so, would he ever truly know peace?
The words rang familiar in his mind, and he smiled as he thought or the source of that familiar feeling. How many times had Cernd led his reasoning along those same lines? He smiled as he though of his friend. Cernd had known him well, he decided, better than he had known himself at the time. And yet he had never openly judged, except in the way of leading BS to question his own motivations. He had changed much since then, and he owed a lot of it to Cernd. Thinking about the man led him to glance around at his companions. he wondered how he would have reacted to them a few short years ago. He hoped things would have been as well then as now, but he was far from convinced. His hatred ran deep, and he had to admit that had he come across some of them within the first year or two of his escape, the meeting would have likely been a violent one. fatal for himself and likely one or two of the others. He shuddered involuntarily at the thought. he would not have waited, he would have simply been driven to attack due to his prejudice against magic. He could not have comprehended that a mage could be anything but evil and dominating.
He let his eyes drift over the group, and almost laughed at the absurdity or his reasoning when the fell on Vivien, lying asleep with a rabbit secure in her arms. He could barly keep from laughing out loud. How different were these people from the hate induced views he had once held. He let gaze continue, to Aegis, and he grinned when he noticed Mysteria lying next to the ranger. He had spent a lot of time with those two since his arrival, and a bond had formed. Strange now that he considered it, that he had been so accepting of the woman, considering her wild surges of magic. Then, maybe not so strange, maybe he had gelt a sense of kinship with her because of that. the notion tugged at him somewhere in the back of his mind. Something, there, but out of his reach at the moment. some sense of familiarity, he thought he almost had it when his stomach reminded him that it had been long since he had eaten. He looked in his pack and brought out a strip of jerky, chewing thoughtfully on it. Yes he had changed he decide, and he thought it was for the better. He brought out his canteen and took a drink, evidently making enough noise To draw Yshania's attention as she sat on lookout. He smiled sheepishly, embarrassed that he had made so much noise, and stood up. He made his way around his companions, being careful not to rouse Nippy or Farscape, not wanting to be mistakenly smited by a startled paladin. He held out his canteen as he came up onYsh. "Good for keeping the sleep away" he grinned.
The words rang familiar in his mind, and he smiled as he thought or the source of that familiar feeling. How many times had Cernd led his reasoning along those same lines? He smiled as he though of his friend. Cernd had known him well, he decided, better than he had known himself at the time. And yet he had never openly judged, except in the way of leading BS to question his own motivations. He had changed much since then, and he owed a lot of it to Cernd. Thinking about the man led him to glance around at his companions. he wondered how he would have reacted to them a few short years ago. He hoped things would have been as well then as now, but he was far from convinced. His hatred ran deep, and he had to admit that had he come across some of them within the first year or two of his escape, the meeting would have likely been a violent one. fatal for himself and likely one or two of the others. He shuddered involuntarily at the thought. he would not have waited, he would have simply been driven to attack due to his prejudice against magic. He could not have comprehended that a mage could be anything but evil and dominating.
He let his eyes drift over the group, and almost laughed at the absurdity or his reasoning when the fell on Vivien, lying asleep with a rabbit secure in her arms. He could barly keep from laughing out loud. How different were these people from the hate induced views he had once held. He let gaze continue, to Aegis, and he grinned when he noticed Mysteria lying next to the ranger. He had spent a lot of time with those two since his arrival, and a bond had formed. Strange now that he considered it, that he had been so accepting of the woman, considering her wild surges of magic. Then, maybe not so strange, maybe he had gelt a sense of kinship with her because of that. the notion tugged at him somewhere in the back of his mind. Something, there, but out of his reach at the moment. some sense of familiarity, he thought he almost had it when his stomach reminded him that it had been long since he had eaten. He looked in his pack and brought out a strip of jerky, chewing thoughtfully on it. Yes he had changed he decide, and he thought it was for the better. He brought out his canteen and took a drink, evidently making enough noise To draw Yshania's attention as she sat on lookout. He smiled sheepishly, embarrassed that he had made so much noise, and stood up. He made his way around his companions, being careful not to rouse Nippy or Farscape, not wanting to be mistakenly smited by a startled paladin. He held out his canteen as he came up onYsh. "Good for keeping the sleep away" he grinned.
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!
Like a snowflake falling through thorns… that is how is was for him. As he held Dragon Wench in his arms… experiencing her warmth… the scent of her hair… the sighing rhythm of her breath… Jerrenn felt pieces of his heart catch and tear, the rendered flesh pulsating on the stark, curved talons. The endless sense of something being ripped from inside him. Where once they pushed the very edge of ecstasy, now they confronted the limits of their endurance.
He wanted to tell her that if it were too much… too painful… that he would leave and never come again. But he knew that she knew this… they both knew it. He was reminded of the man and woman he had once came across on patrol. The man had slipped over the edge of a cliff, wounded himself as he fell. The woman had reached out and they locked hold of each other's forearms. She was not strong enough to lift him to safety, however, and he was too weak to climb back up. And that is how he found them, locked in that embrace, everything else falling away in the face of a single choice…. He sat with them for a long time, in quiet awe, tears streaming down his face. And then he buried them, very close to one another…
She needed more than just food, he knew. Though he was no druid, he understood the need for balance, that loss cannot stretch out in an endless landscape. There was also their mission, the coming battle, and the needs of people they cared about. The cabin was a place of sanctuary, but what was truly needed was to bring that sense of sanctuary inside. "When I left you… that day… I went to a wise woman I know. Someone I trust. She listened quietly as I told my story and at the end she asked me, 'So what have you learned?' I was caught off-guard by this question and I was silent for some time. Finally I told her that I learned that there is more to love than I ever imagined… that love is twin to mortality and it is this sense of eventual loss that infuses it with a richness and subtlety… and that it -- and you -- will always be a part of my life."
He wanted to tell her that if it were too much… too painful… that he would leave and never come again. But he knew that she knew this… they both knew it. He was reminded of the man and woman he had once came across on patrol. The man had slipped over the edge of a cliff, wounded himself as he fell. The woman had reached out and they locked hold of each other's forearms. She was not strong enough to lift him to safety, however, and he was too weak to climb back up. And that is how he found them, locked in that embrace, everything else falling away in the face of a single choice…. He sat with them for a long time, in quiet awe, tears streaming down his face. And then he buried them, very close to one another…
She needed more than just food, he knew. Though he was no druid, he understood the need for balance, that loss cannot stretch out in an endless landscape. There was also their mission, the coming battle, and the needs of people they cared about. The cabin was a place of sanctuary, but what was truly needed was to bring that sense of sanctuary inside. "When I left you… that day… I went to a wise woman I know. Someone I trust. She listened quietly as I told my story and at the end she asked me, 'So what have you learned?' I was caught off-guard by this question and I was silent for some time. Finally I told her that I learned that there is more to love than I ever imagined… that love is twin to mortality and it is this sense of eventual loss that infuses it with a richness and subtlety… and that it -- and you -- will always be a part of my life."
Those who will play with kitties must expect to be scratched.
Many are cold; few are frozen.
Absence is to love what wind is to fire... it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.
Many are cold; few are frozen.
Absence is to love what wind is to fire... it extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
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"Good for keeping the sleep away" Yshania raised her head to see Bloodstalker approaching softly, proffering a canteen almost as a gesture of peace. She smiled and politely took the flask then beckoned for him to sit beside her. For a long moment they sat in contemplative silence, Yshania turning the canteen over in her hands and absently wondering on the etchings...she sighed and raised the flask to her lips. As the fiery liquid hit the back of her throat she coughed hard.
"Oh...my..." she managed between embarrassed splutters, trying to suppress them so as not to wake the others "it" *cough* "...has been..." *stifled splutter* "many a moon since I savoured Turkey!" she grinned at him finally composing herself "though unfortunately it's effects on this druid have proven to be less than predictable in the past" Bloodstalker laughed quietly, retrieving the offered container "for medicinal purposes only" she whispered in a mock harsh tone. Bloodstalker nodded once, his warm smile creasing his eyes.
"Oh! indeed!" he said...
"Oh...my..." she managed between embarrassed splutters, trying to suppress them so as not to wake the others "it" *cough* "...has been..." *stifled splutter* "many a moon since I savoured Turkey!" she grinned at him finally composing herself "though unfortunately it's effects on this druid have proven to be less than predictable in the past" Bloodstalker laughed quietly, retrieving the offered container "for medicinal purposes only" she whispered in a mock harsh tone. Bloodstalker nodded once, his warm smile creasing his eyes.
"Oh! indeed!" he said...
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
It was warm that day. Bright sun, cool breeze. Pleasing to feel, and be a part of. Aegis crouched among the bushes, his bow string taught, and an arrow knocked in it. He hadn't been there for long, nor did he have much longer to wait. His entire body was covered with a myrad of greens, all meshed together, placed onto of his traveling cloak. He had been hearing rumours of a band of orcs traveling down the main roads, and stealing from the merchants travelling along them, so naturally, he went to investigate. He hadn't been gone long from his home, and his mind was still a swirl of thoughts, Saran among them. He had been with her for almost a century, and to have their companionship end so abruptly, it bothered him. These were supposed to be the enlightened race of Faerun. They just did not want anything to do with outsiders.
Aegis hadn't moved for little over an hour, and he felt his limbs slowly stiffen over the time, but not once did he relax his grip. he was used to the waiting game. He had done it many times before. As his suspicions had told him, the remaining wait wasn't long. About fifty yards away from his position, along side the road, he could hear the stomping of dry leaves and branches on the forest floor. On top of that, he heard the harsh, gutteral language of three orcs. By the sounds of it, they were dumber then the usual ones in the area. He waited for them to come onto the road. One by one, they slowly filtered onto the worn, dirt path, none of them taking the precaution to hide in the bushes, or even check their surroundings. Aegis continued to watch them for a bit, sizing them up, figuring just how much effort it would take. One of the orcs, the smallest one, stood still for a moment, a hefty axe in one hand. With his free hand, he casually reached behind him, and scratched his rump fiercly. Then, with a relieved sigh, he brought his hand back around, and up to his face, where he proceded to sniff it, then lick his fingers. With a satisfied grunt, the orc then plopped down right in the middle of the road, his axe placed to the side of it. The other two seemed a bit more content to stand where they were, one of them scratching itself happily, the other looking dumbly into the air. It would be an easy task, Aegis thought to himself.
The elven ranger pulled the string of his bow tighter, and took aim directly for the one in the middle, the biggest one, and the aparant leader. Then, with a slight motion, he let the string go. With a sharp snapping noise, followed by a loud thud, the arrow penetrated deep into the orcs skull. The massive green skin's eyes crossed into his head, and then the form slumped to the ground, it's body going limp. The other orc who was standing watched this happen, but didn't react right away. It walked over to the fallen orc, and bent over, taking a moment to realize it wasn't breathing. Then, with a massive, gut wrentching roar, it raised it's hands into the air, and spun around. By the time it turned a full circle, Aegis had loosed another arrow from his hiding spot, this one embedding itself through the orcs throat. The third orc was up by now, and looking around, trying to find the source of the arrows. Aegis didn't bother fitting another shaft. Instead, he sprang from his spot among the bushes, drawing Sun Fang in the process. The last orc, when seeing this, raised his axe, bellowed, and charged forward recklessly. It took one mighty, but clumsy swing. Aegis tilted his slender form the opposite way, and the axe swung harmlessly away from him. Then, with a single deft movement, Sun Fang was jabbed forward, and thrust into the chest of the orc, cutting deeply and easily into it's body, killing it instantly.
Aegis withdrew the blade, and gave it a wipe on the loin cloth of the orc. The villagers would appreciate this, he thought to himself. As he was checking for any gold, or provisions he could use, a glimmer of colour cought the corner of his eye. He turned sharply, his sword held defensivly, and looked towards the colour. Before him, a slender elven maiden stood, whering a long flowing gown made of silk. The maiden's features were soft and delicate, and familar.
"Saran?" Aegis said, disbelieving what he saw. He relaxed his guard.
"Aegis..." The woman said softly. "Rise, my love."
Aegis slowly blinked his eyes, waking from a state of Rem. He glanced to the side, and saw Mysteria sleeply soundly next to him. He could feel the steady motion of her breathing, and the warmth of her body. He shook his head slightly, and leaned it back against the rock again. The dream didn't seem right. He remembered the orcs, but Saran was never there.
"Aegis..."
The ranger lifted his head again. This time he wasn't dreaming. He heard the voice. He looked around, but saw none of the other Dark Flames react. This worried him. Feeling the need to speak with the conscious warriors of the group, he gentily, lifted Mysteria up, and slid his form out from under her. He then placed her back on the ground, leaving his cloak behind so she would stay warm.
He slowly made his way to where Bloodstalker and Yshania were quietly sitting, and talking, passing a flask between the two. When Bloodstalker saw the ranger approach, he heartily offered the flask towards the elf, a large grin on his face. Aegis shook his head, and knelt down beside the two, leaning in close.
"I fear we may not be safe at the moment." The faces of the two Dark Flames instantly went sombre. "I feel as if something is calling me, or watching us. It is unsettling."
"What do you suggest then, Aegis?" Asked Bloodstalker, not wanting to ignore a comment like that.
"Will you two join me, and just help me make a circuit of a few tunnels surrounding our camp?"
*****
Seir waited patiently. His assistence had arrived. Normally, the pale skin, and large incisors would have sent him into a beserker rage, in order to cleanse Faerun of their evil taint, but he was working for the Shadow Master now, and the help of Vampires was a welcome concept. Lucretia was the only one of the four standing. She was poised, facing down one of the dark tunnels, looking in the general area of the Dark Flames camp, her hands making motions, and drawing images in the air. Her lips slowly hissing the name of the Ranger who had saved Seir...
Aegis hadn't moved for little over an hour, and he felt his limbs slowly stiffen over the time, but not once did he relax his grip. he was used to the waiting game. He had done it many times before. As his suspicions had told him, the remaining wait wasn't long. About fifty yards away from his position, along side the road, he could hear the stomping of dry leaves and branches on the forest floor. On top of that, he heard the harsh, gutteral language of three orcs. By the sounds of it, they were dumber then the usual ones in the area. He waited for them to come onto the road. One by one, they slowly filtered onto the worn, dirt path, none of them taking the precaution to hide in the bushes, or even check their surroundings. Aegis continued to watch them for a bit, sizing them up, figuring just how much effort it would take. One of the orcs, the smallest one, stood still for a moment, a hefty axe in one hand. With his free hand, he casually reached behind him, and scratched his rump fiercly. Then, with a relieved sigh, he brought his hand back around, and up to his face, where he proceded to sniff it, then lick his fingers. With a satisfied grunt, the orc then plopped down right in the middle of the road, his axe placed to the side of it. The other two seemed a bit more content to stand where they were, one of them scratching itself happily, the other looking dumbly into the air. It would be an easy task, Aegis thought to himself.
The elven ranger pulled the string of his bow tighter, and took aim directly for the one in the middle, the biggest one, and the aparant leader. Then, with a slight motion, he let the string go. With a sharp snapping noise, followed by a loud thud, the arrow penetrated deep into the orcs skull. The massive green skin's eyes crossed into his head, and then the form slumped to the ground, it's body going limp. The other orc who was standing watched this happen, but didn't react right away. It walked over to the fallen orc, and bent over, taking a moment to realize it wasn't breathing. Then, with a massive, gut wrentching roar, it raised it's hands into the air, and spun around. By the time it turned a full circle, Aegis had loosed another arrow from his hiding spot, this one embedding itself through the orcs throat. The third orc was up by now, and looking around, trying to find the source of the arrows. Aegis didn't bother fitting another shaft. Instead, he sprang from his spot among the bushes, drawing Sun Fang in the process. The last orc, when seeing this, raised his axe, bellowed, and charged forward recklessly. It took one mighty, but clumsy swing. Aegis tilted his slender form the opposite way, and the axe swung harmlessly away from him. Then, with a single deft movement, Sun Fang was jabbed forward, and thrust into the chest of the orc, cutting deeply and easily into it's body, killing it instantly.
Aegis withdrew the blade, and gave it a wipe on the loin cloth of the orc. The villagers would appreciate this, he thought to himself. As he was checking for any gold, or provisions he could use, a glimmer of colour cought the corner of his eye. He turned sharply, his sword held defensivly, and looked towards the colour. Before him, a slender elven maiden stood, whering a long flowing gown made of silk. The maiden's features were soft and delicate, and familar.
"Saran?" Aegis said, disbelieving what he saw. He relaxed his guard.
"Aegis..." The woman said softly. "Rise, my love."
Aegis slowly blinked his eyes, waking from a state of Rem. He glanced to the side, and saw Mysteria sleeply soundly next to him. He could feel the steady motion of her breathing, and the warmth of her body. He shook his head slightly, and leaned it back against the rock again. The dream didn't seem right. He remembered the orcs, but Saran was never there.
"Aegis..."
The ranger lifted his head again. This time he wasn't dreaming. He heard the voice. He looked around, but saw none of the other Dark Flames react. This worried him. Feeling the need to speak with the conscious warriors of the group, he gentily, lifted Mysteria up, and slid his form out from under her. He then placed her back on the ground, leaving his cloak behind so she would stay warm.
He slowly made his way to where Bloodstalker and Yshania were quietly sitting, and talking, passing a flask between the two. When Bloodstalker saw the ranger approach, he heartily offered the flask towards the elf, a large grin on his face. Aegis shook his head, and knelt down beside the two, leaning in close.
"I fear we may not be safe at the moment." The faces of the two Dark Flames instantly went sombre. "I feel as if something is calling me, or watching us. It is unsettling."
"What do you suggest then, Aegis?" Asked Bloodstalker, not wanting to ignore a comment like that.
"Will you two join me, and just help me make a circuit of a few tunnels surrounding our camp?"
*****
Seir waited patiently. His assistence had arrived. Normally, the pale skin, and large incisors would have sent him into a beserker rage, in order to cleanse Faerun of their evil taint, but he was working for the Shadow Master now, and the help of Vampires was a welcome concept. Lucretia was the only one of the four standing. She was poised, facing down one of the dark tunnels, looking in the general area of the Dark Flames camp, her hands making motions, and drawing images in the air. Her lips slowly hissing the name of the Ranger who had saved Seir...
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Bloodstalker
- Posts: 15512
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Hell if I know
- Contact:
BS looked back at Aegis for a moment, considering the implications of what the ranger had just said. He didn't dismiss the feelings of his friend, he knew enough about such things to believe in a sixth sense of a sort. And the mere fact that Aegis had asked for company instead of going off alone told him how serious the ranger was.
he looked at Ysh, and saw the same concern in her eyes, and the same reservation about leaving their post. He caught sight of Fang, the wolf's mouth clicking together in a long yawn.
"We won't be gone long most likely, and in any event, Fang is probably more likely than either of us to catch wind of something" he said, a mischevious twinkle lighting his eyes.
BS stood up and looked over at Aegis. "I'll go with you" he said, and both he and the ranger looked to Ysh for her decision.....
he looked at Ysh, and saw the same concern in her eyes, and the same reservation about leaving their post. He caught sight of Fang, the wolf's mouth clicking together in a long yawn.
"We won't be gone long most likely, and in any event, Fang is probably more likely than either of us to catch wind of something" he said, a mischevious twinkle lighting his eyes.
BS stood up and looked over at Aegis. "I'll go with you" he said, and both he and the ranger looked to Ysh for her decision.....
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
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
Hunger.
Gnawing, aching, resolute.
Hunger.
Until earlier this evening, it had feasted well, but now sustenance was not as forthcoming as it had been. It did not feel its hunger on any conscious level, for it had no consciousness to speak of. Though that was on the verge of changing.
Its hunger was more a lack of fulfillment driven by instinct. Three sources of food had sustained it: an intense place-power, the weave, and simple biomass. Its link to the place-power was now severed. It waved its tentacles in a frantic effort to find this power, the power that had been the source of its creation. But its link had never been physical, and it had no understanding of its source.
Sweet, sweet biomass! Truly, this was the Abomination’s stock and trade. Any aspect of the biosphere shined bright to its senses. Again, until recently, it had been fed a steady diet of living matter. It bulked up on all manner of beasts and plants served to it by the cautious morsels that stayed just out of reach. Yet, very recently, this too was withheld.
The weave could still be corrupted to become food, but this was a slow processes. Painfully slow. Made more painful by its hunger. The bright fibers of magic were strong, and unwilling to unravel and fray. But the Abomination could corrupt it a little at a time, sending tears and rents through the fabric in long runs. Even in small amounts, it was nourishing. And it contained hints of something it wanted, something it would have if it could grow just a little more.
A consciousness.
It hungered for a consciousness.
It was on the verge of becoming aware. A dozen tentacles waved around, a mouth on each. The mouths were silent, but they wanted to say something. They needed to say something. Just one word. That was all they needed. A name.
Searching. It saw around it little bright spots of biomass, just out of reach. Some looked quite tasty, like the paladins it had had before (thought it hadn’t known they were paladins). A group of them resided in a cavern nearby. But above! Yes, above! The world sparkled with life above! If only it could get there!
This cavern seemed familiar somehow, like it had been here before. But not trapped, as before. This time, the roof was eminently permeable to its fine, exploring threads. It could reach into the rock, through the petrosphere, into the living noosphere. Worms, deep roots, humic soil, all provided sustenance. Soon, it would have the strength to rise to the surface. Soon it would feast on all in its massive path, as it had before. Before. Yes, soon it would have the mind to think of such a thing.
Almost. Almost. A word, a name. Playing around the edges. Wait. Two names? Which was the right one? Which rang most true? Which would define its place in the world?
Experimentally, its mouths whispered one, chosen at random. Not sure. Will this do?
“Lolth.”
Gnawing, aching, resolute.
Hunger.
Until earlier this evening, it had feasted well, but now sustenance was not as forthcoming as it had been. It did not feel its hunger on any conscious level, for it had no consciousness to speak of. Though that was on the verge of changing.
Its hunger was more a lack of fulfillment driven by instinct. Three sources of food had sustained it: an intense place-power, the weave, and simple biomass. Its link to the place-power was now severed. It waved its tentacles in a frantic effort to find this power, the power that had been the source of its creation. But its link had never been physical, and it had no understanding of its source.
Sweet, sweet biomass! Truly, this was the Abomination’s stock and trade. Any aspect of the biosphere shined bright to its senses. Again, until recently, it had been fed a steady diet of living matter. It bulked up on all manner of beasts and plants served to it by the cautious morsels that stayed just out of reach. Yet, very recently, this too was withheld.
The weave could still be corrupted to become food, but this was a slow processes. Painfully slow. Made more painful by its hunger. The bright fibers of magic were strong, and unwilling to unravel and fray. But the Abomination could corrupt it a little at a time, sending tears and rents through the fabric in long runs. Even in small amounts, it was nourishing. And it contained hints of something it wanted, something it would have if it could grow just a little more.
A consciousness.
It hungered for a consciousness.
It was on the verge of becoming aware. A dozen tentacles waved around, a mouth on each. The mouths were silent, but they wanted to say something. They needed to say something. Just one word. That was all they needed. A name.
Searching. It saw around it little bright spots of biomass, just out of reach. Some looked quite tasty, like the paladins it had had before (thought it hadn’t known they were paladins). A group of them resided in a cavern nearby. But above! Yes, above! The world sparkled with life above! If only it could get there!
This cavern seemed familiar somehow, like it had been here before. But not trapped, as before. This time, the roof was eminently permeable to its fine, exploring threads. It could reach into the rock, through the petrosphere, into the living noosphere. Worms, deep roots, humic soil, all provided sustenance. Soon, it would have the strength to rise to the surface. Soon it would feast on all in its massive path, as it had before. Before. Yes, soon it would have the mind to think of such a thing.
Almost. Almost. A word, a name. Playing around the edges. Wait. Two names? Which was the right one? Which rang most true? Which would define its place in the world?
Experimentally, its mouths whispered one, chosen at random. Not sure. Will this do?
“Lolth.”
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
Aegis and Bloodstalker both stood, ready to leave the party for whatever reason that would convince them to leave. It also looked as though the other female Druid in thier team, Yshania, was invited to go along if she chose.
Aqua-chan remained still her place, curled up and warm. Nearby, her favored --and only-- scimitar, Mystra's Scythe, glistened in the low light, almost signalling that it was there and ready to be used in a case of bloodshed. An effecient weapon, though sometimes it seemed as though the magical sword had a mind of it's own.
The Totemic uneasily listened to the words of Thantor that repeated themselves in her head over and over.
...The Shadow Druids attacked you... You have decide to agree to their agenda... How can you be sure they are not just using you -- that any part of what they are saying is truth?
Then, Faldorn's voice echoed in, though it was much louder and severely more stern than Thantor's had been.
...Complete this task, and acceptance will come quickly. Your strength can earn you many things in our Grove here... Just think: you could become a leader of our armies... possibly even respected by all the Shadow Druids for completeing this task for us. Or, if you do well on this mission and others to come, you could even become my Favored and lead the Grove as the Great Druid when my time passes... All of this, and you don't even have to destroy the leader of this 'cult'... Just it's minions. It gets none the easier, Calligo.
She aggressively shook her head, trying to shake out Faldorn's voice, but also causing several strands of un-brushed, platinum-blonde hair to fall in front of her face.
This was not an easy life she was living.
Aqua-chan remained still her place, curled up and warm. Nearby, her favored --and only-- scimitar, Mystra's Scythe, glistened in the low light, almost signalling that it was there and ready to be used in a case of bloodshed. An effecient weapon, though sometimes it seemed as though the magical sword had a mind of it's own.
The Totemic uneasily listened to the words of Thantor that repeated themselves in her head over and over.
...The Shadow Druids attacked you... You have decide to agree to their agenda... How can you be sure they are not just using you -- that any part of what they are saying is truth?
Then, Faldorn's voice echoed in, though it was much louder and severely more stern than Thantor's had been.
...Complete this task, and acceptance will come quickly. Your strength can earn you many things in our Grove here... Just think: you could become a leader of our armies... possibly even respected by all the Shadow Druids for completeing this task for us. Or, if you do well on this mission and others to come, you could even become my Favored and lead the Grove as the Great Druid when my time passes... All of this, and you don't even have to destroy the leader of this 'cult'... Just it's minions. It gets none the easier, Calligo.
She aggressively shook her head, trying to shake out Faldorn's voice, but also causing several strands of un-brushed, platinum-blonde hair to fall in front of her face.
This was not an easy life she was living.
"There are worse things in the world than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess." - Zevran
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
I am Lagofin, mighty assassin of Lolth, faithful worshiper of Vhaeraun. I was a mere pace away from plunging my poisoned dagger into the loathsome human mageling when my compatriot’s dagger found its own sheath in the side of the wild-haired one. All was going well, except that I found myself suddenly revealed. Damn those contingency spells!
She looked into my eyes, but appeared unafraid. Perhaps her pitiful human eyes were not sufficient to see the full effect of my fearsome countenance. How else can I explain the nonplused, almost languid way she cast her spell?
She spoke a few short words; made a simple gesture. Surely t’would not be a particularly powerful spell. Our own Drowish mages tend to chant, scream, and gesticulate for quite some time before casting their more powerful spells. I was not concerned.
Imagine my surprise when the foul human mage suddenly grew before my eyes to more than five times my height! I was dumfounded, and felt a little ill at the sight of her. Its not that she was that ugly, though her hair was tainted a bright red, as if touched by the abhorrent light of the setting sun.
I shrugged off this sudden change in fortune. I knew the poison of my dagger could even kill this giantess. I charged forward, with murder in my heart, and....
stepped on my ear.
Rolling end over end, I noted my lack of armor, lack of clothing, and the fact that I now had a fluffy cotton tail. Of course! This mageling didn’t cast a spell to make her grow, she polymorphed me into some loathsome surface beast! (This explains why her head didn’t hit the ceiling when she grew....) But what was I? Careful examination revealed soft fine fur all over my body, long floppy ears, and a twitchy pink nose. Oh, for crying out loud! I’m a rabbit!
I swear I will make that mageling pay for this! I will gnaw on her ankle until she bleeds to death if necessary! Though I have to admit to being somewhat impressed by her skill.... Never mind! She dies now!
Aarghh! She has trapped me in her arms! Struggle as I might, I can’t break free! She is holding me close to her! Stroking my fur! It feels so nice..... er, I mean, I will lull her into a sense of comfort, then strike at her throat! Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Lull......
You know, this is really quite comfortable. Her arms are so soft, and she has a most pleasant scent. Her fingers really know just how to scratch me just behind the ears..... Ahhh....
Oh! Now she is distracted. She’s rushing off, leaving me behind! No! Don’t leave me!
It takes some time, but I find her again after all that scary noise has gone away. My red-headed friend is lying on the ground, her arms open and inviting. What’s this? Oh, joy! She has lettuce! I have never tasted anything so delicious!
She is really very beautiful. I can’t believe that I used to think of that spider-woman as beautiful. Old what’s-her-name was awful scary and frowned a lot. No, this human is so much prettier, and comforting, and...... *sigh* I think I’ll just stay here and snuggle....
She looked into my eyes, but appeared unafraid. Perhaps her pitiful human eyes were not sufficient to see the full effect of my fearsome countenance. How else can I explain the nonplused, almost languid way she cast her spell?
She spoke a few short words; made a simple gesture. Surely t’would not be a particularly powerful spell. Our own Drowish mages tend to chant, scream, and gesticulate for quite some time before casting their more powerful spells. I was not concerned.
Imagine my surprise when the foul human mage suddenly grew before my eyes to more than five times my height! I was dumfounded, and felt a little ill at the sight of her. Its not that she was that ugly, though her hair was tainted a bright red, as if touched by the abhorrent light of the setting sun.
I shrugged off this sudden change in fortune. I knew the poison of my dagger could even kill this giantess. I charged forward, with murder in my heart, and....
stepped on my ear.
Rolling end over end, I noted my lack of armor, lack of clothing, and the fact that I now had a fluffy cotton tail. Of course! This mageling didn’t cast a spell to make her grow, she polymorphed me into some loathsome surface beast! (This explains why her head didn’t hit the ceiling when she grew....) But what was I? Careful examination revealed soft fine fur all over my body, long floppy ears, and a twitchy pink nose. Oh, for crying out loud! I’m a rabbit!
I swear I will make that mageling pay for this! I will gnaw on her ankle until she bleeds to death if necessary! Though I have to admit to being somewhat impressed by her skill.... Never mind! She dies now!
Aarghh! She has trapped me in her arms! Struggle as I might, I can’t break free! She is holding me close to her! Stroking my fur! It feels so nice..... er, I mean, I will lull her into a sense of comfort, then strike at her throat! Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Lull......
You know, this is really quite comfortable. Her arms are so soft, and she has a most pleasant scent. Her fingers really know just how to scratch me just behind the ears..... Ahhh....
Oh! Now she is distracted. She’s rushing off, leaving me behind! No! Don’t leave me!
It takes some time, but I find her again after all that scary noise has gone away. My red-headed friend is lying on the ground, her arms open and inviting. What’s this? Oh, joy! She has lettuce! I have never tasted anything so delicious!
She is really very beautiful. I can’t believe that I used to think of that spider-woman as beautiful. Old what’s-her-name was awful scary and frowned a lot. No, this human is so much prettier, and comforting, and...... *sigh* I think I’ll just stay here and snuggle....
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
'I...I will stay if it is all the same to you' Yshania spoke after a moment of consideration. 'I have no desire to go looking for trouble, we are stronger together here' Aegis swung his arm in a low circular movement
'They are all sleeping, they are vulnerable...'
'All the more reason to stay with them' she replied
'I was thinking to head off any trouble...'
'I think we have enough to contend with already without risking another separation. Not only will we be more vulnerable as a smaller party, but these tunnels have proven to be unstable...what if...'
The elf sighed frustrated and turned as if to leave, then stopped...running his hand through his hair. He turned back and was about to speak when they heard a grunting noise behind them. 'Ah! these bones are getting too old to be sat on cold stone for such long periods' grimaced Gwalchmai as he persuaded his body upright.
'Here' Bloodstalker offered his flask to the druid 'it is good for loosening up stiff joints'. Yshania grinned as a deep voice from the shadows interjected
'Gwally, old boy, do not forget the last time you partook in a tipple!' Nippy approached the party. a lopsided grin on his face.
'Bah!' responded the druid in mock anger, waving his hand dismissively at the young paladin 'one of these days I will serve you a brew you will never forget!'
'erm would that be the pumpkin wine by any chance?' Yshania laughed quietly.
'Hush, bunny' Vivien was also stirring and trying to calm a skittering red eyed lop eared rabbit. Gwalchmai grumbled under his breath about young whippersnappers as Thantor, Simbul and Jenna joined the group....
'They are all sleeping, they are vulnerable...'
'All the more reason to stay with them' she replied
'I was thinking to head off any trouble...'
'I think we have enough to contend with already without risking another separation. Not only will we be more vulnerable as a smaller party, but these tunnels have proven to be unstable...what if...'
The elf sighed frustrated and turned as if to leave, then stopped...running his hand through his hair. He turned back and was about to speak when they heard a grunting noise behind them. 'Ah! these bones are getting too old to be sat on cold stone for such long periods' grimaced Gwalchmai as he persuaded his body upright.
'Here' Bloodstalker offered his flask to the druid 'it is good for loosening up stiff joints'. Yshania grinned as a deep voice from the shadows interjected
'Gwally, old boy, do not forget the last time you partook in a tipple!' Nippy approached the party. a lopsided grin on his face.
'Bah!' responded the druid in mock anger, waving his hand dismissively at the young paladin 'one of these days I will serve you a brew you will never forget!'
'erm would that be the pumpkin wine by any chance?' Yshania laughed quietly.
'Hush, bunny' Vivien was also stirring and trying to calm a skittering red eyed lop eared rabbit. Gwalchmai grumbled under his breath about young whippersnappers as Thantor, Simbul and Jenna joined the group....
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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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:
As she listened to Jerren speak of love, loss, and mortality, Dragon Wench gazed at the white, frozen expanse that lay outside the cabin and sought to comprehend the permutations within a universe riddled with pain and heartache.
She had always had some difficulty accepting the weave seemingly created by apparently greater forces. Beyond her own immediate pain...somehow...there was just too much misery, illness, poverty and injustice....... Yet....she was also aware of the divine connections her druid and cleric friends relied upon to work their magic, and sometimes...she sensed powers that existed beyond her ken. Dragon Wench sighed, as she realised much of her wariness of the cosmic stemmed from the recognition that she was unable to control its inherent magic.
A long moment passed, and finally she looked up at Jerren, lightly touching his face.....the shadows still moved silently across scars acquired from long ago.... She traced their pattern with her fingertip.... quietly understanding the paths from which they had arisen.
"We were always part of something we could not really control, weren't we? To experience so much magic....always carries a price......," she softly whispered......her heart breaking....
"You will always be a part of who I am Jerren....there will never be anyone like you....."
Overcome, she paused and again fought for control...this time succeeding.
"For now...I should return to the Dark Flames....I am needed.....but perhaps we will be able to explore this place again..... it is very special to me....and I want to understand more of the void....."
She hugged him tightly once more, and then allowed herself to sink back into the depths of her mind..... Light and warmth became dank, chilled darkness....and the suffocating miasma that was the cavern rose up to greet her......
She had always had some difficulty accepting the weave seemingly created by apparently greater forces. Beyond her own immediate pain...somehow...there was just too much misery, illness, poverty and injustice....... Yet....she was also aware of the divine connections her druid and cleric friends relied upon to work their magic, and sometimes...she sensed powers that existed beyond her ken. Dragon Wench sighed, as she realised much of her wariness of the cosmic stemmed from the recognition that she was unable to control its inherent magic.
A long moment passed, and finally she looked up at Jerren, lightly touching his face.....the shadows still moved silently across scars acquired from long ago.... She traced their pattern with her fingertip.... quietly understanding the paths from which they had arisen.
"We were always part of something we could not really control, weren't we? To experience so much magic....always carries a price......," she softly whispered......her heart breaking....
"You will always be a part of who I am Jerren....there will never be anyone like you....."
Overcome, she paused and again fought for control...this time succeeding.
"For now...I should return to the Dark Flames....I am needed.....but perhaps we will be able to explore this place again..... it is very special to me....and I want to understand more of the void....."
She hugged him tightly once more, and then allowed herself to sink back into the depths of her mind..... Light and warmth became dank, chilled darkness....and the suffocating miasma that was the cavern rose up to greet her......
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
“Lolth??!!” the Shadow Master yelled out angrily, “She would DARE interfere?”
Der-Draigen was surprised by her opponent’s enigmatic cry, and stepped back cautiously, even though she had been pressing her advantage in their battle.
“I don’t have time for this,” the Shadow Master muttered. He quickly drew forth a rotted leaf, and a small unholy symbol that depicted a man’s hand with a fanged, woman’s mouth set in the palm. He hadn’t cast this spell in over four hundred years, but the gestures and words came to him easily. Before Der-Draigen could react, he lashed out, and cast the spell at her feet. Roots of the Assassin, dark and powerful vines, grew up from the floor, grasping her, holding her, strangling her. She fought them, but for every step she took, more black vines twisted around her neck. She could fight them, and would eventually break free, but she would be sufficiently delayed.
The Shadow Master looked almost sad to leave the battle he had enjoyed for so long. But still, he turned and ran toward the Abomination. He was too focused on communicating with the incipient mind of the creature to be able to teleport, so it would be a long journey. He continuously sent his thoughts to the creature, telling it the name it should know: Moander.
Der-Draigen was surprised by her opponent’s enigmatic cry, and stepped back cautiously, even though she had been pressing her advantage in their battle.
“I don’t have time for this,” the Shadow Master muttered. He quickly drew forth a rotted leaf, and a small unholy symbol that depicted a man’s hand with a fanged, woman’s mouth set in the palm. He hadn’t cast this spell in over four hundred years, but the gestures and words came to him easily. Before Der-Draigen could react, he lashed out, and cast the spell at her feet. Roots of the Assassin, dark and powerful vines, grew up from the floor, grasping her, holding her, strangling her. She fought them, but for every step she took, more black vines twisted around her neck. She could fight them, and would eventually break free, but she would be sufficiently delayed.
The Shadow Master looked almost sad to leave the battle he had enjoyed for so long. But still, he turned and ran toward the Abomination. He was too focused on communicating with the incipient mind of the creature to be able to teleport, so it would be a long journey. He continuously sent his thoughts to the creature, telling it the name it should know: Moander.
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:
“Someone comes,” T’lainya whispered with a sense of urgency that hushed everyone to instant silence. Eyes straining against the darkness, they could see a lone figure approaching. A shock of unruly white hair was the first thing visible. The figure staggered as though he were hurt or in pain, mage robes hanging off his shoulder as though he had been in a terrible battle. But this wasn’t the case. Very quickly, it became apparent that this Drow Mage was quite drunk. He shambled through the cavern, oblivious to the dead bodies strewn around.
“HAH, heh, heh, heh!” he laughed into the silence, a small string of drool falling out of the corner of his mouth. He held up a flask in a mock salute to a blank expanse of the cavern wall. “Ah! Blessed be Chaos! Blessed be the sweet Nectar of Chaos! Blessed be the numbing effects of said Nectar! Blessed be the inflated sense of self worth!”
He stared at the wall for a moment, unmoving. Nippy glanced at the others, wondering if the Drow had fallen asleep while standing. Finally, the mage elaborately shrugged his shoulders. “Aw, I knew it wouldn’t work. Stupid code words.” He fumbled around in the sleeve of his robes and withdrew a small scrap of parchment. Squinting at it, he drew a torch closer to see the scribbling. He suddenly leaped up, jumping around, waving the burning parchment in the air. Once he had managed to put the flame out, he looked at the words again.
“Okay,” he said, taking a deep breath and stretching out his arms to the wall. “Um…, ‘Seek not to question the ways and words of the, er, Darkbringer, lest you be stricken by the Eating From Within. Slay, and let the rot cover all. Fight against cold with fire and magic.’” He paused a moment, swaying gently.
“Oh! ‘Um, Fear me, and obey!’”
To the amazement of the Dark Flames, the rock rubble before the mage faded away, leaving a blank, clean wall. The wall split in the center, and slowly parted, a dull red light shining from within. Beyond, smooth-hewn walls opened into a large passage, at least 10 meters across, and 200 meters long.
Gwalchmai felt his heart beating as though it would leap from his chest. They had rested within easy reach of a hidden door! He knew that they had avoided an attack only by the skin of their teeth. Lady Luck surely smiled upon them, but he knew such ignorant stupidity would not always be so fortunately blessed by Tymora. Grimly, he waited to see what the drunken Drow would do next.
The drunken Drow, for his part, seemed to have forgotten what it was doing. He thoughtfully sipped from his flask and hummed a small tune in a minor chord. Finally shaking himself out of his reverie, the mage gathered himself up, and took a step toward the revealed passageway.
Lady Luck’s blessings are fleeting indeed, for Farscape chose this moment to awaken from slumber, stretching and yawning loudly. “Ah, yes, my friends! I feel like I’ve slept for two weeks…” Bloodstalker suddenly pounced and clamped his hand over the mouth of the knight, who errantly gave away their presence.
The mage turned slowly to face them, eyes wide, then glanced around the cavern, taking in the scene of the recent battle for the first time.
“HAH, heh, heh, heh!” he laughed into the silence, a small string of drool falling out of the corner of his mouth. He held up a flask in a mock salute to a blank expanse of the cavern wall. “Ah! Blessed be Chaos! Blessed be the sweet Nectar of Chaos! Blessed be the numbing effects of said Nectar! Blessed be the inflated sense of self worth!”
He stared at the wall for a moment, unmoving. Nippy glanced at the others, wondering if the Drow had fallen asleep while standing. Finally, the mage elaborately shrugged his shoulders. “Aw, I knew it wouldn’t work. Stupid code words.” He fumbled around in the sleeve of his robes and withdrew a small scrap of parchment. Squinting at it, he drew a torch closer to see the scribbling. He suddenly leaped up, jumping around, waving the burning parchment in the air. Once he had managed to put the flame out, he looked at the words again.
“Okay,” he said, taking a deep breath and stretching out his arms to the wall. “Um…, ‘Seek not to question the ways and words of the, er, Darkbringer, lest you be stricken by the Eating From Within. Slay, and let the rot cover all. Fight against cold with fire and magic.’” He paused a moment, swaying gently.
“Oh! ‘Um, Fear me, and obey!’”
To the amazement of the Dark Flames, the rock rubble before the mage faded away, leaving a blank, clean wall. The wall split in the center, and slowly parted, a dull red light shining from within. Beyond, smooth-hewn walls opened into a large passage, at least 10 meters across, and 200 meters long.
Gwalchmai felt his heart beating as though it would leap from his chest. They had rested within easy reach of a hidden door! He knew that they had avoided an attack only by the skin of their teeth. Lady Luck surely smiled upon them, but he knew such ignorant stupidity would not always be so fortunately blessed by Tymora. Grimly, he waited to see what the drunken Drow would do next.
The drunken Drow, for his part, seemed to have forgotten what it was doing. He thoughtfully sipped from his flask and hummed a small tune in a minor chord. Finally shaking himself out of his reverie, the mage gathered himself up, and took a step toward the revealed passageway.
Lady Luck’s blessings are fleeting indeed, for Farscape chose this moment to awaken from slumber, stretching and yawning loudly. “Ah, yes, my friends! I feel like I’ve slept for two weeks…” Bloodstalker suddenly pounced and clamped his hand over the mouth of the knight, who errantly gave away their presence.
The mage turned slowly to face them, eyes wide, then glanced around the cavern, taking in the scene of the recent battle for the first time.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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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:
Somewhat shaken by her journey, Dragon Wench awoke with a jolt. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the cavern, they came to rest upon the small dragon figurine clutched within her grasp. Relaxing her hold she examined it thoughtfully.....reflecting upon the moment she had received the small statue. A tear threatened from the corner of her eye, but distracted by something, she brushed it away. The small quartzite dragon had assumed a vivid, bluish glow.....as though hidden energies pulsed within the delicately wrought contours of sinew and scale.
The words arose unbidden...."Cara Draconis," she whispered tracing the mauve and silver patterns flickering upon the surface of.......leathery skin. At her words...beneath the touch of her hands..... the cyan light burst forth from the small creature....encompassing them both within its brilliance. As though stretching....it rustled its wings outward and arched its neck towards her disbelieving eyes.
Dragon Wench gasped in stunned shock....the miniature dragon only tilted its small head....and then cast its gaze about the cavern....very clearly scouting for possible foes.
The words arose unbidden...."Cara Draconis," she whispered tracing the mauve and silver patterns flickering upon the surface of.......leathery skin. At her words...beneath the touch of her hands..... the cyan light burst forth from the small creature....encompassing them both within its brilliance. As though stretching....it rustled its wings outward and arched its neck towards her disbelieving eyes.
Dragon Wench gasped in stunned shock....the miniature dragon only tilted its small head....and then cast its gaze about the cavern....very clearly scouting for possible foes.
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
The Dark Flames slowly moved to circle the surprised Drow Mage. They hoped to subdue him before he could raise any alarm. The mage, for his part, was reeling under the onslaught of sobriety forced upon him by circumstance. He swayed slightly, and wondered that he shouldn’t be doing something a little more constructive. This whole Lair of the Abomination thing was still relatively new to him, the Drowish chains of command in this place were disjointed and emergency training drills had been non-existent. He simply didn’t think in terms of raising an alarm. Instead, he fell back on his years of magical training and decided to cast a spell.
Seasoned adventurers tend to learn certain common things through rote experience. There are the little helpful bits of knowledge, like always go to the bathroom before battle, and don’t roast pig meat anywhere near an Orc’s lair. There are also some more practical bits of knowledge, like how to recognize spells as they are being cast. Certain common spells have distinctive verbal components that are universal, such as Magic Missile, Fireball, and, of course, Lightning Bolt.
As the mage prepared his Lightning Bolt spell, years of practice surmounting his drunken tendency to slur, the Dark Flames dove for cover. All except Nippy, who stood his ground directly before the mage. Nippy’s stance was set, he crouched slightly, and waited patiently for the mage to complete his incantation. Gwalchmai hissed at the young monk to get down, but Nippy, stupidly, remained the most obvious target.
The last word said, the gesture complete, and the mage unleashed his deadly bolt of electricity. At that exact moment, Nippy leapt high into the air, fully three meters up! The bolt struck Nippy square in the chest and passed through him. Because he was not grounded, Nippy only felt a slight tickle, though every hair on his body stood straight out. His head looked like a blond puffball, with small blue sparks of static electricity crackling around it.
Nippy landed unhurt, and made a few bounding leaps toward the mage. Nippy focused his energy on his arm, muscles bulging and rippling in his shoulder, down his arm, his forearm, his hand. His entire force of will was concentrated in his open palm, causing it to quiver with energy. He calmly touched the astonished mage in the chest, which proceeded to explode in a rain of blood, bone fragments, gore, and a haze of alcohol.
Seasoned adventurers tend to learn certain common things through rote experience. There are the little helpful bits of knowledge, like always go to the bathroom before battle, and don’t roast pig meat anywhere near an Orc’s lair. There are also some more practical bits of knowledge, like how to recognize spells as they are being cast. Certain common spells have distinctive verbal components that are universal, such as Magic Missile, Fireball, and, of course, Lightning Bolt.
As the mage prepared his Lightning Bolt spell, years of practice surmounting his drunken tendency to slur, the Dark Flames dove for cover. All except Nippy, who stood his ground directly before the mage. Nippy’s stance was set, he crouched slightly, and waited patiently for the mage to complete his incantation. Gwalchmai hissed at the young monk to get down, but Nippy, stupidly, remained the most obvious target.
The last word said, the gesture complete, and the mage unleashed his deadly bolt of electricity. At that exact moment, Nippy leapt high into the air, fully three meters up! The bolt struck Nippy square in the chest and passed through him. Because he was not grounded, Nippy only felt a slight tickle, though every hair on his body stood straight out. His head looked like a blond puffball, with small blue sparks of static electricity crackling around it.
Nippy landed unhurt, and made a few bounding leaps toward the mage. Nippy focused his energy on his arm, muscles bulging and rippling in his shoulder, down his arm, his forearm, his hand. His entire force of will was concentrated in his open palm, causing it to quiver with energy. He calmly touched the astonished mage in the chest, which proceeded to explode in a rain of blood, bone fragments, gore, and a haze of alcohol.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
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- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
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Yshania watched the whole spectacle with a kind of amused distraction. 'Wow!' she remarked 'that must have been some brew he had been drinking!' Her thoughts wandered to the cask they had secreted in Dragon Wench's bag of holding...could this be the stuff? Could the trolls have stolen the liquour from the drow and this was why they had reacted so strangely and protectively? She wiped the spatters of gore from her armour, grimacing for having had to touch it. Then she winked at Nippy saying 'I would like to have seen you do that in your full plate mail'. She grinned as Nippy waved his hand pretending it was nothing.
A brief globe of light appeared to her right, catching her attention. She turned to behold Dragon Wench staring in disbelief at a creature before her, no more than three hands high. For a moment Yshania was struck dumb, the beauty of it's ancestry not lost, only compacted. Each scale glimmering incandescently with a life of it's own, first blue, then silver, then white, then blue again. 'Woah!' she managed, acutely aware this was the second time in the space of a few minutes that she had been lost for words...
She knelt a respectful distance away, her attention flitting between the kinder dragon and her friend. The dragon shifted it's head, the slow fluid movement of it's neck hypnotised Yshania. It faced her, it's wings stretching and contracting, feeling their freedom...then it tipped her a wink. The druid fell back on her heels and laughed, clapping her hands together. The kinder dragon appeared to scowl as if patronised before turning away. Finally she managed 'How?...' It was a long moment before her friend responded, her voice also edged with wonder and incredulity...
A brief globe of light appeared to her right, catching her attention. She turned to behold Dragon Wench staring in disbelief at a creature before her, no more than three hands high. For a moment Yshania was struck dumb, the beauty of it's ancestry not lost, only compacted. Each scale glimmering incandescently with a life of it's own, first blue, then silver, then white, then blue again. 'Woah!' she managed, acutely aware this was the second time in the space of a few minutes that she had been lost for words...
She knelt a respectful distance away, her attention flitting between the kinder dragon and her friend. The dragon shifted it's head, the slow fluid movement of it's neck hypnotised Yshania. It faced her, it's wings stretching and contracting, feeling their freedom...then it tipped her a wink. The druid fell back on her heels and laughed, clapping her hands together. The kinder dragon appeared to scowl as if patronised before turning away. Finally she managed 'How?...' It was a long moment before her friend responded, her voice also edged with wonder and incredulity...
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
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Gwalchmai skirted around the splash pattern made by the exploded mage and stole a peek down the long, open hallway revealed behind the hidden door. No other enemy could be seen, the brief ruckus apparently had gone unnoticed. He noted that the hallway was formed of finely-hewn stone, the straight walls a stark contrast to the rough tunneling they had been adventuring in so far. A stifling heat emanated from the tunnel, perhaps explaining the red-tinged light. It was too far to tell, but there appeared to be side-doors and passageways at the other end. Also, a large symbol on the far wall was visible, but he wasn’t able to make it out.
A noise drew Gwalchmai’s attention back to the rest of the party. It sounded like the Doppler-affected buzz of a hummingbird as it flies past your head, only larger and deeper. His followed a small glowing light that pulsed different colors: blue, white, silver, then blue again. Then cyan, mauve, teal, crimson, cerulean, burnt sienna, raw umber, bronze, peach, and canary. Then brick, jade, ivory, ebony, taupe, and hunter green. Curious, he went to investigate this strange phenomenon that had alighted near Dragon Wench.
A noise drew Gwalchmai’s attention back to the rest of the party. It sounded like the Doppler-affected buzz of a hummingbird as it flies past your head, only larger and deeper. His followed a small glowing light that pulsed different colors: blue, white, silver, then blue again. Then cyan, mauve, teal, crimson, cerulean, burnt sienna, raw umber, bronze, peach, and canary. Then brick, jade, ivory, ebony, taupe, and hunter green. Curious, he went to investigate this strange phenomenon that had alighted near Dragon Wench.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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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:
Dragon Wench turned to her friend, her eyes glowing in excitement and awe.
"I'm not sure how," she whispered.......her voiced hushed in reverence.
The dragon smirked mischievously at them, and in a low, melodic tone addressed the two Dark Flames.
" I see you are both showing me the respect my race is due," it said with a sardonic chortle.
Yshania recovered first, and gazed at the small creature.
"How do you come to be here?" she asked, attempting to suppress a giggle.
The dragon stared haughtily at her, "You don't know, and yet you consider yourself to be one of wisdom?" It then glanced at Dragon Wench its expression equally imperious, "And you are the mage that summoned me, surely YOU should have some sense of why I am here."
Dumbstruck, the two women looked at one another......
"I'm not sure how," she whispered.......her voiced hushed in reverence.
The dragon smirked mischievously at them, and in a low, melodic tone addressed the two Dark Flames.
" I see you are both showing me the respect my race is due," it said with a sardonic chortle.
Yshania recovered first, and gazed at the small creature.
"How do you come to be here?" she asked, attempting to suppress a giggle.
The dragon stared haughtily at her, "You don't know, and yet you consider yourself to be one of wisdom?" It then glanced at Dragon Wench its expression equally imperious, "And you are the mage that summoned me, surely YOU should have some sense of why I am here."
Dumbstruck, the two women looked at one another......
Spoiler
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Spoiler
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