A Conference of Wizards

[The GrandMage]

The Balisk Trench

What Denoitnem had mistaked for trying to mate, was actually an attack from the balisk. Balisks, being born in odd circumstances, had no sex. Therefore, they did not mate. Instead, the balisk had been testing the unwhole balisk it was seeing, to see if it was ill, for balisks killed their weak. Now, staring down, it saw another incomplete reflection, and the wky. Knowing this is not at all what the ground looked like, it gave a long caw of alarm.

Grilam hit the mirror to the ground, so that it connected fully. "We've been spotted! Don't move! Does anyone know what alarmed them!?"

The balisks slowly started to wander over to the balisk that was staring at the odd thing below it. It hopped off of Denoitnem, and they slowly gathered around. One, thinging it might be a pool of water, wandered forth, and hit Denoitnem roughly with his beak. It jumped back, screeching. The balisks, slowly puffed out their chests, gathering their lethal breath as they stared at the thing.

 

[bobo_daclown]

Denoitnem:

Things start to look really bad for me. Instead of the single balisk who jumped me, I now have a crowd of the chickens watching me as I lay on the floor. Obviously confused, the balisks first try to peck me and then they puff out their chests.

Unfortunately, my reaction to this is not important, as I am trying desperately to catch my breath. Indeed, the jumping balisk knocked the air out of me and the recent peck from the water drinker hit me right in the solar plexus.

Huff. Huff. Huff.

"Oh ... kay... I don... 't think...." Unable to speak, I realize that I must get to my feet quickly. I roll from my suppine to prone and back on my hands and knees, I attempt to regain a standing position.

Then, the mob of chickens attack: running in circles like... okay, like chickens with their heads cut off.

 

[The GrandMage]

The Balisks

OOC: Okay, you brought this upon yourself.

IC:

The balisks, ran around as the thing moved, and let loose their lethal breath. A green cloud of gases that could kill anything that breathed them in and, because of the very foul make-up of it, it could burn through nearly anything, lifted around the high wizards.

Because of the sheer number o the things, and the way they were running, it was soon a small cloud of death hovering around Denoitnem. It started to burn through his suit, and it started to leech into his beard, slowly eating through the hair.

And the balisks circled around it, awaioting for either their prey to try to escape, or for the dense cloud to disapate. And these clouds could hang around for hours...

 

[bobo_daclown]

Denoitnem:

As the Basilks start to huff and puff their foul gas, I hold my breath. The dark cloud engulfs me and starts to burn my exposed chin and my long beard hair.

Pure anger courses through my veins: I extend my hand and from nowhere, a staff grows to the ground. Grasping tightly to the staff, I spin rapidly, hoping to hit one of the ugly beasts. The pain from the gas keeps me from opening my watery eyes.

One of the basilks chooses to walk toward me only to be knocked unconscious. Only one of the chickens moves closer while the rest of them stay behind. Exhaling sharply, I squeal, "Help!"

As I breath in, I feel light-headed. My staff hits the floor and my slowly spinning form collapses to the ground. The fog, still pressing down on me, is winning.

 

[Darklord]

Glaferin

I wandered in just as the horrible little creatures began breathing onto Denoitnem. I had just come back from taking a quick trip to the trees to use the facilities out here in the boondocks. Looking at the situation I couldn't help but start laughing. Here was our greatest wizard being set upon by Balisks, and he had no idea what to do! Now this was humorous to me, since I had spent a majority of my wizarding career wandering around the various worlds doing odd jobs such as leading Hobbitts on expeditions, fighting evil dragon queens with heroes, and even helping some kid kill a one eyed god named Torak.

Smiling broadly I sit on the edge of the trench and placing a spell of reflection upon myself, and taking up a lrage mirror I call down to Grilam. "Well old boy, it looks like Denoitnem could use some help, would you like me to deal with the situation, or would you prefer to help our friend? Afterall, one of us will smell quite bad once we get him cleaned off. Actually, I propose Lord do the cleaning and we will save him, does that sound alright?"

 

[bobo_daclown]

Denoitnem:

Coughing with what is left of my fleeting breath and strength, I try to yell at Glaferin. The words leave my mouth as more coughs. Why must you be such an imbecil, I cry out in my mind since my mouth is currently unavailable. Wishing that one of them would help me, I watch the chickens slowly fade as blackness washes over my sight. The lights are going out and I am struggling to keep consciousness. Good God, what is that odor?

 

[The GrandMage]

Grilam the Black

"Denoitnem, you fool, what have you done? Okay, I'll take careof this. I didn't want to do this, but since you people can't just do things the regular way it looks like I have to!"

The mirror shattered around Grilam as he pulled his greatest of the Dark Arts into play. The mirror shattered into glittering dust, being flug from his doay. A great black aura gathered around the wizard, tentacles of darkness flickering into the day. His eyes blazed purple, and he raised his hands, flat palms upwards, towards the sky, and his finger turned straight up. A single blast of blue lightning flared through the cloudless sky.

Every balisk turned to Grilam, cowering low ant the show of pure power. The eyes of the fearful fouls slowly moved up his form. From his hair, tiny red lights glared up. His hair slowly raised up, turning into a thick mass of black snakes. Grilam opened his mouth. "Nezuralhomde Baliskingorgonada Terentezo!"

Every balisk in the trench turned to a grey granite, even that which Denoitnem had knocked unconwscious. Grilam let his hands fall, and with a flash of light invading his aura, he was normal again. Falling to his knees, hands braced against the ground, he panted in exertion. With the rush of power leaving the area, a great shock wave blasted out in a circle from him. alouth the stone balisks remained unmoved, it shattered the other mirrors, and knocked the wizard to their feet.

The cloud of foul gas was gone, without even a stench in its wake. Denoitnem lay uncovered as Grilam slumped to the ground, the power used taking its toll.

 

[Darklord]

Glaferin

I laughed and clapped delightedly at Grilams great display of power. Leaping down into the trench I patted his shoulder as he lay gasping for breath commenting on my way by.. "Not bad at all old chap!"

Reaching the now unconcious Denoitnem, I proceed to cast a variety of anti-poison, gas, toxin, and a small smell desiged to knock the worst smells out, on his now recumbent form. Looking up I smile at Grilam and remark. "He'll be just fine in a minute or two, see he's already moving."

 

[bobo_daclown]

Denoitnem:

Somehow, I had slipped into unconsciousness. Then, through the vices of my sot friend, I awake: however, not fully. Everything is still dark and I keep bumping into the ground as I try to fall.

Then, I realize that my eyes are still closed and that may be contributing to the darkness. Opening them, I look at the blurry nothingness that my eyes see in the bright light. During the fall, the mirrored glasses had fallen off and I have no protection from light or the balisks.

The light problem fades quickly and the balisks problem seems to have resolved itself during my unconscious state.

"Grilam," I half-cough, "where to now? Oh, and no more of these things if we can avoid them."

 

[The GrandMage]

Grilam the Black

Wheezing and coughing, he feebly managed to roll himself onto his back. In between pants, he managed to find the bereath to reply.

"Well, *huff* if a Certain some-*wheeze*-one wouldn't try to *pant* do things in a diferent way just to *huff-huff-wheeze* apease their flashy sense of *huff-pant-wheeze-pant-huff* dramatics, *huff* it wouldn't have happened *huffeeze* this time!"

He took a few minutes to gather what strength he had, and, deciding it wasn't enough, he closed his eyes. He'd continue on in a moment.

"Why do you people insist on not doing what the professional tells you to? Last time I checked, there was only one expert in the Dark Arts and care for monsters- and that was me. I mean, it is my job."

 

[BlazeofLife]

Galyn

"Nezuralhomde Baliskingorgonada Terentezo!"
With a start, Galyn recognized the spell that Grilam was using to combat the Balisk plague that was descending on the unfortunate group. A Medusa spell, it turned to stone all those whom it's caster wished.
"Strange," he thought. "I would have thought that spell to be well beyond his abilities. And that energy pulse at the end? That's never been recorded. He must have found a way to redirect the waste mana from his spell, but how did he keep it from dissipating? It would appear I have greatly underestimated Grilam. He seems able not only to cast extremely high level sorceries, but also to reshape them in mid-casting and have control over the integral mana components of their magical essence."
His brow wrinkled in thought, Galyn continued to gaze into his small scrying crystal, observing as the ungainly bird-like creatures were scattered and Grilam slumped to the ground in exhaustion.
He watched in interest as Denoitnem gradually regained consciousness, but seeing little occuring for some time, he released his hold on the crystal, and allowed its magic to wink out of existence.
It was all so very interesting. First he had been sure that he was about to die. He should have died. He had stood at the very doorstep of death, but someone had pulled him back. Pulled him back, and offered him a new chance to live, and a way to get back at his former companions. How could he refuse?
He shook his head wryly, amused at his own poetic mindset, and glanced around his room. Demodar's abode, his "Fort", as he called it, was simply amazing. The sheer number of spells and shaped mana that surrounded him was such that it glowed, even to normal vision and without benefit of mage-sight. He carefully avoided shifting his visual focus into the ethereal spectrum, fearing that the light thus revealed might blind him completely. Though a fine film of dust covered everything, exquisite details could still be made out here and there around the room. From ancient statues, to verdigris- and lichen-encrusted suits of armor, to perfectly preserved portraits and works of art, the entire residence was a study in opposites, each item state of being and preservation seeming only to exist to contradict the next. Even the floor, canted at an angle so that it seemed he must any moment fall tumbling against the wall, was imbued with shaped-mana enchantments to offset the slope. Glancing at his watch, he smiled. Finally, it was 9:00.
Whistling softly, he made his way to the great hall, and, finding it empty, seated himself to await the arrival of his host and ally.

 

[Darklord]

Glaferin

"Whoa now there Grilam, I have absokutely no desire to be in your job, and besides, the best days of adventuring are long behind me these days now anyhow chap." I protest at Grilam's not so hidden references at other members actions.

Looking around I commented "Besides Grilam, you spend a couple hundred years chasing peasants who are really nobility who are trying to show they can be king and other such fun things like that. The worse is when they WANT to have adventures, we had one named Garion who always wanted to be a hero or adventurer, bloody fool." Sighing I stood up, and holding a hand out I aid Denoitnem to his feet.

 

[The GrandMage]

Demodar

The last remains of the wizard Demodar were busy in his private chamber. The black cloak lay discarded as he studied his body. He last battle with the wizarding world andhis new depths in the Dark Arts had held him back from death. Most of his body was mere bones. But the unholy power which ran through him served to hold him together and give him a strength beyond that of mere muscles. He stepped to the mold-encoated wradrobe, and flung upen the doors.

A loud thunk echoed around the room twice as he dropped the heavy red and black armored boots to the floor. His skeletal feet slipped inside. He pulled the heavy cloak on. It was bloodred at the top, a diagonal border with a midnight black that reached to the floor. He pulled on the red and black gauntlets, and flexed his fingers. He appeared like any normal person now. He slowly closed the wardrobe, and turned to the clock.

He snorted, and turned to the heavy metal doors-now mostly rusted over. He predd against the two doors with his hands, throwing them open. Them slammed into the walls on either side with a loud clang and roused up two huge clouds of dust. Demodar marched down the hallway, and through open the simple wooden door that seperated the hall to his chambers from the great hall. Galyn was already there. He grinned, and nodded to the wizard.

"Hope I didn't keep you waiting to long." He walked to the largest chair, at the head of the table. Seating himself thus, he reached for a long red rope that hung from the ceiling, where it connected to a pulley, disappearing into a hole over the wall behind him. He tugged on the rope twice, and lowered his hands to his lap.

"Would you like some dinner, good fellow?"

 

[bobo_daclown]

Denoitnem:

I grab Glaferin's outstretched hand and together, we get me to my feet. Once there, I manage a weak smile as I try to appease my companion, "Grilam, old chap, my most sincere apologies. From here in, I will listen to when it comes to these monsters and such. When we get to Demordar, perhaps I will be of some use."

With that, I grab my book and open it up. As I wait for Grilam to regain his strength, I peruse through the lengthy volume.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Galyn

Grinning back, Galyn nods appreciatively to his host.

"Not at all, I just got here myself. And dinner would be great, I'm famished. Shall we discuss the events at hand over the course of the meal, or would you prefer to wait until afterward?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Grilam the Black

Almost immediately, Grilam slammed the book Denoitnem had shut, ripping it from the High Wizard's hands. "Are you nuts? Opening the Book of the Damned? Here? Are you trying to call shades to us? Or have you forgotten that the Black Tower is made os Shaderock? Why do you think I haven't opened it since we got here?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's not called 'The Book of the Damned' just to scare of aperentices, you know. It's called that because it summons shades to it when it's snares are called into play. I may have disable most of them, but there are others, ones that you can only learn to deal with, not shut off. So if people go around, opening books on the Dark Arts- which by the way, you shouldn't ebven have- and summon shades on us and have us all possessed and loyal to Demodar, there's really no point in keeping going, is there?"

He sighed, and handed the book back. "Don't open it. Ever. Okay? Good. Now, let's go see what's next on the agenda?" Pulling forth the note on the haze, he crumpled it up, and ate it. "Okay. Next stop, the siren's lake. Everyone please put wax in your ears-no substitutes, please, and let's move on."

Pulling forth his wand, he p[ointed it and each of his ears, and sealed them with wax. Once completed, he put his wands away, and turned to the others.

 

[The GrandMage]

Demodar

He smiled, and waited. Soon, a small goblin ran in, a covered tray in both his hands, held over his head, the bottom center of the plate balanced on his head. It ran over to Galyn, and pushed tray in front of him. the small, ugly green man climbed onto the table, adjusting his brown breeches and tunic, and pulled off the tray's lid.

After revealing the good sized steak, it jumped down, and ran back into the kitchens, holding the tray lid in both hands as it ran. Demodar smiled, and lifted his hands. Fingertips tapped the corresponding fingertips of each hands. His robe clung magicially to his wrists, keeping his bone arms hidden.

"By all means, you decide. I have lost my appetite today. Seeing what those foul people have done to you..."

 

[bobo_daclown]

Denoitnem:

I listen to Grilam and his story about wax. Wondering if it's really necessary, I think about using something more comfortable. Then, I notice Grilam watching me, as if expecting something more flamboyant and colorful. Under his watchful eye, I manufacture some wax and place it into my ears, following his lead. Then, I spit profanities at him: though neither of us can hear them.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Galyn

Having a sudden thought, Galyn glances across the table at Demodar.

"By the way, that little incident between those fools and the Balisks was rather amusing to watch, was it your idea? If so, I applaud you. They may have failed, but they have left our foes weak and disorganized. Tell me, what is the next step o the plan? It should be something suitably impressive, rather like the encounter beneath that idiot Grilam's tower. A maserful display, that. I just wish I knew how that young whelp Lord managed to discorporate the demon. It's manifestation shouldn't have been dispersed so easily....

"Oh well."

 

[The GrandMage]

Demodar

"No. I'm glad to say that our opponents are foolish enough that they bring this upon themselves. And do not underestimate Grilam. While Denoitnem is the high wizard, Grilam has the most power. He is the only one on thecouncil that knows the Dark Arts. And, he has a reason to go on, when others would fail. Where most men would die, Grilam is filled with a deep hate-based need to revenge a life lost. He will not falter, and he will not fall. It is the fifth law of the Darl Arts: Thou shalt not stumble, thou shalt rise above thine wounds to strike a mighty blow against thine enemies."

He coughed, raising a fist to his mouth. After a short coughing spell, he began again.

"And, as for the haze, it should have done that. I prepared it against being made into a golem. I knew Grilam would do it. So, I set up a spell on it. Once ity was turned, I quickly went to work to disperse it. The fool boy only happened to throw a stone at the same moment. And our next step, oh college, is to let them continue. The haze sent is merely a diversion. It will tell them where I am, but thet will not be able to find the Fort easilly. By then, we will be ready."

 

[BlazeofLife]

Galyn

Seeing a small green creature carrying a tray, Galyn halted his speech, waiting patiently while the goblin arranged his meal before him. His mouth began to water at the sight of the large steak in front of him.
Glancing to his host, and seeing the empty space before him, Galyn decides that haste may be in order. Quickly ripping free a section of the meat with his teeth, launching into the discussion in between bites.

"Indeed. But that is behind me now. Thanks to you, of course, for saving my life. And to the book, which opened my eyes to their hateful and jealous ways before they could ensnare me. Now, what i to be our next course of action?"

 

[BlazeofLife]

Galyn

Fear not, I leave Grilam to you. I have talents which he could not counter, yet I fear tey would not be enough to prevail should I find myself in battle against him. No, my most recent observtions of him suggest that te safer course by far would be simple avoidance and clever machinations behind the scene. He is a rather confusing one, though. I had always thought of him as a pompous ass, full of himself at being the only mage to study the Dark arts. And yet,now I begin to believe that his arraogance may actually be well-founded. Imagine, he seems to actually be capable of shaping raw mana. I have never witnessed such a feat as I saw today. Have you a plan to defeat one such as he?

 

[The GrandMage]

Demodar

He put his hands to his covered ribs, and threw back his head, laughing. He laughs echoed until tears welled up in his eyes, he wiped them away, and turned to Galyn.

"Pompus? Grilam? Do you know of whom you speak? He rarely confers with other wizards, prefering to sit meekly in the background while they carry on. He knows his abilities, and he carries himself well. And I would like to know what abilites you have that he could not stop. He is a Golemist. Based firmly in the magic of life before he turned to the Dark Arts. He sees them as a burden. But it also has the knowledge he seeks. Golemmaking is a dark art. It is toyed with by the wizards of life, but Grilam specializes in it. He has the Dark Arts, which envelops all elements, plus the advantage of the power of life. He can shape raw mana as he pleases. He can only be stopped through his mind, and his mind is what makes him dangerous. Always remember- no matter how powerful a wizard may be, it is knowledge which gives magic its form."

He looked to Galyn's right. Closing his eyes, his hummed to himself for a moment.

"And do leave him to me. It is unstopable events. He shall come for me, seek out my blood. And when we meet, I will use his need to avenge that lost life to defeat him. Mark well my words, comrade: Grilam is powered by his own downfall, we need only worry of the others."

 

[BlazeofLife]

Galyn

As you wish. I will leave him to you gladly. What shall we do about the others? Denoitnem worries me the most, for though his physical form is frail, his mind is sharp, and his powers formidable. The others should trouble us little, but he may be the gravest threat, despite his declining years.

 

[Darklord]

Glaferin

Oc: Geez! Can't an old adventuring, alcoholic wizard get any respect? [lauhgs]

Ic:
Looking at the figure of Grilam at my feet, I motion to Denoitnem to help me get Grilam onto a nearby stone. Looking him in the eye I say "Where to next? And how many more "surprises" do you think our old "friend" will spring on us?".