Portal to Adventure

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

Kiai, moves over to the door and looks outside carefully. He sees armed people outside, and turns around, and returns to the center of the bar.

"I will stay and fight here, with you...but one quesiton everyone, are you all prepared to kill someone? This is real now, not just some game, and it wil be real blood we must shed..."

Looking solemly, into air, with one fast motion, he pulls his katana out of its sheath on his back. He cuts a line infront of the door.

"The First one who walks thorugh that door, with a hostile intent, shall perish by my hand..."

Kiai Begins to focus his mind, using all his real life trainign, to prepare for the comign battle.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

I nodded my head and said,"A good point to be sure but I think the question is, do we have a choice? Right now it is kill or be killed. We are now having to function out of self defense. I suggest we all remember that. If we do not strike these people will."

Sliding my own sword out of it's sheath, testing its weight in my hands, marveling at the perfect fit. I told Kiai,"Go into the shadows. I want them to see only me when they enter. I want them to underestimate us from the very beginning. It may give us the edge we need."

Then to the others,"Go upstiars and ready yourselves. We are now officially of this world-whether we like it or not."

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann looked over the happenings in the Inn and knew it had been his hand that had brought these dangers to those who had trusted him. He knew what he must do.

" Yes I will stand with you." Kalann said bringing the scimitars to life in his hands and again wondering how long until they come.

Marveling at the complete control Valencia showed in the face of adversity he realized at once that she must be sorely missed somewhere for warriors of such magnitude where few and far between.

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

As the familiar pommels of his enchanted scimitars where held firmly in his grasp Kalann approached the bar to speak with Parpo. He began to speak to the dwarf in Parpo's native language.

" I am sorry friend Dwarf for bringing this bloodshed upon you and your business." Kalann said.

" Twas not you who brought the bloodshed here my friend you merely shed the blood." Parpo began. " Calthon brought it to you."

" You have heard I am sure that they will come to avenge the guildmaster's death." Kalann said, " There is still time for you to leave this place for the night."

" Ye expect me to leave this place in the eve of battle." Parpo exclaimed. " You know me far better than ye presume to friend Kalann. I'll not be havin assassains standin on me bar without me axe in their gullet for the dishonor. Tis not been that long since we cut down wave after wave o' Bugbears, Orcs, Drow Elves, an even that Underdragon Shadamastifarius fightin back ta back wit the dragonslayer Arien Dragonstone, the elf Val Woodshadow, an even the lousey halfling thief Tumblenook Steelfoot. I'm yet not taken by me years friend and i'll nay run from a few upstart assassains who wish to do me friend harm."

A bit of nastalgia passed over Kalann as he heard mention of the great adventurers he had shared a great deal with. They had overcome extreme hardship and unsermountable danger saving Arien's love and future wife the sorceress Callista Silvermane from the undercity of Menzoberazan. He wondered what had become of his friends over the five years since they had last lain eyes upon each other, but that was a thought for another time. Now he had more urgent and pressing affairs at hand. When would the assassains come and would these young warriors be enough to stop the scourge when it did.
He crossed the two scimitars in front of him and though to himself they would half to be. He turned his attention back to Parpo, and extended his hand to his long time friend and companion and said,

" Then from this life to the next ever am I in your debt."

Then he turned and walked back to where Valencia stood masking perfectly both of the two heavy objects on his mind. The safety of this woman whom in such a small time he had grown quite fond of and the excruciating pain in his side where the sabre had wounded him in his fight with Calthon. The cleric had healed the wound and stopped the blood but the pain would remain for a while. It won't be long not he thought to himself as he stopped and stood next to Valencia.

"I swear none will harm you this day." Kalann said as he turned and took to a place to await the coming of the assassains. His mind heavy but his blades light. He said a prayer to Ehlonna for his blades to be fast and deadly in her honor, and though he didn't know it at the time his prayer was answered.

 

[HotStuff101]

Kiai

Nods at Valencia

"As you wish. I shall strike them down form behidn as they enter."


Kiai jumps up, and grabs hold of a rafter above the doorway. He swings a few times, then flips up and over, balancing ont he rafter. He kneels on the rafter, and draws his Katana to the right

OOC: Do our Magcial items work? if we ar eallowed magical items? If so follow the next bit, or elese just ignore it


IC:

His katana Shimmers in the light along its frost white egde.

"I hope non of them have special armor, resistant, to ice...Oh well... if they do, the blade will suffice...."

Kiai, runs his finger over the blade of his Katana, Celestial Frost, and his finger does not get cut, along the razor sharp edge, for it is bonded to him, by honor, and strange magics...

 

[Isolde]

OOC: Magical items have the same chance of working here as they do in any game.

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Suddenly the door of the inn exploded inwards with the force of a makeshift battering ram. A dozen maybe more of what looked like common street thugs poured into the inn by way of the busted door. Kalann felt the familiar surge of energy tingle up his arms as the enchanted blades came to life. All praises be to Elhonna he thought to himself for his prayers had been answered. He rolled from the shadows and took two of the advancing ruffians by suprise which was as short lived as they where. Both came to a tragic end at the tip of one of each of Kalann's blades. Kalann then rose and retreated to stand by Valencia's side.

"I've still got a few tricks up my old sleeves yet just wait n see." he said.

When all of the ruffians had entered the inn he said,

"Here comes one now."

Kalann pulled from his pouch what appeared to be an onyx statuette of a black wolf.

"Cicatriz come to me old friend." he said.

Across the planes the message echowed until it came to a cave upon an astal plane far from the inn. Within the cave was a large black wolf it loped quickly out of the cave as it felt the familiar tingle and call of it's friend and master. It had been long since last Kalann had called upon the Spectral Wolf, but still as quickly as ever the wolf came to him. A frenzt of screams broke out at the back of the group of ruffians and a great rift formed in the group. Kalann smiled as Cicatriz loped slowly through the group and came to his side blood dripping from it's dark maw.

"Been a long time old friend." Kalann said to him.

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

Valencia griped her sword tight and swallowed hard. Every one of her warrior's instincts were screaming for her to meet the enemy in glorious battle. And, somewhere in there, the part that was Michelle was getting physically sick from being scared to death. The memories from past battles that were flowing through Valencia's mind were not helping the situation any.

Justinian was behind the bar, ready for the worst and Kiai was hidden in the rafters, waiting for his opportunity to strike. Gary, Dur and Bendi had stationed themselves upstairs, waiting for the assasins that Valencia somehow knew would come that way. She wondered if they were feeling the same way she was now.

When the ruffians burst through the door, she felt a rush as every muscle tensed for the, somehow, familiar feel of battle. It was strange...the feeling was so familiar and comfortable yet strange and frightening at the same time. But she did not have time to dwell on it as the men in front of them were intent on keeping them busy.

Valencia's supposition about the mindset of the men of this world proved to be correct. At least in this case and the leader of the men grinned like the cat who ate the canary even as Kalann attacked and the ranger was joined by a wolf from what seemed out of nowhere. The leader seemed not phased by the loss of his men and somewhere a bell of alarm went off in her head. Something was not right. Were these assasins or thugs because assasins would not act like this and the part of her that was native to this world knew this.

She was to find out that the thought was all too prophetic as she heard a noise above her in the rafters. Looking up, taking her eyes from those in front of her for just a brief second, she saw to her horror that two assasins cloaked in black with only their faces showing had somehow found their way into the rafters and were about to attack Kiai! The only thing that had given them away was a loose rafter that had sounded as one of them had stepped on it.

Whirling to face the men in front, Valencia's eyes grew wide. "Diversion!," She yelled to all in the inn, knowing that her bellow would carry up the stairs,"The assasins use these idiots for cover to get to us!"

A chuckle behind her and Kalann caused her head to whip around to see a tall man standing there, his face hidden by a hood. "Quite right, my dear," A harsh voice spoke eerily from the hood,"And quite a bit too late. I am disappointed...I really am. I thought such grand figures would be worthy of our attention but I can see that, while you appear to be quite talented, you do not know enough to keep us passingly entertained. Well, the least I can do for your efforts is to give you a quick death."

The hood turned slightly and it was apparent that the man was staring straight at Kalann as he spoke again. "A debt has been made in the act of killing one of our own and I shall see to it that it is settled. Though it is not worth my time except as a promise to a brother." With that, a flash of silver is seen as a knife suddenly appears and heads towards Kalann's ribs. Valencia's eyes open wide and her instincts take over as her sword comes down to turn the knife away in time to avoid the rangers death but not in time to avoid injury. A long gash appears in his shirt to add to those he recieved in the recent fight and crimson flows from a gash across his ribs.

Automatically turning her sword so that the flat of the blade caught the man and threw him away from Kalann, Valencia found herself looking down on the man, her sword raised to strike. A small voice froze her movements though...one that asked what the hell she was doing. You didnt just take a man's life like that. She shook her head as another voice argued that if she hesitated in this world she would soon find herself dead and useless to her compaions. Shaking her head angrily, she forced herself to concentrate on the man laying on the floor. Only by this time he was not on the floor but standing again only away from her blade.

Once again he laughed. "As I said," He threw at her,"I am dissapointed. Too bad really but I must put an end to this." With a wave of his hands, the assasins and thugs attack as he disappears into the shadows.

NOTE TO ALL: There are ten thugs that are going to attack Val and Kalann until the other show themselves. Two assasins are attacking Kiai in the rafters and another two have used the diversion of the thugs to wend their way through the shadows and sneak up on Justinian. Six more have come through the windows and rafters of the upstairs and are about to attack those who are there. You are now all free to fight these thugs and assasins as you see fit...have fun but lets let everyone have their turns at posting before anything more major happens so that we can all join in the adventure. And Jothal, Alia and Cali are welcome to teleport into the mess.

[Edited by Isolde on 03-12-2001 at 10:08 AM]

 

[Kepic]

Jamie / Jothal

"Okay, its well underway" I said, maintaining the innate scrying magic a moment longer to take in the point of arrival - a corner of the bar where as yet the fighting had not spread.

"Very well, Dak count's ten 'thugs' - two assassin's against Kai up near him in the rafters - two more creeping up on our bardic friend - damn, he doesn't look like he's spotted them..."

I was thankful for Dak's sharp eyes, and the fact that I had cast an invisibility upon him before we left. Didn't last 24 hours like back in 3rd, though, which I kinda missed.

"We're going in, so you'd best be ready!" I said, holding out a hand each to Alia and Cali. "Take a hand, we're going for another ride!"

With that, I chanted out the mystical syllables, and we vanished from the streets...


...a slight outrush of air within the inn heralding our appearance there.

I stepped back immediately, pulling from my spell-pouch a small bag, inside of which I knew to be a small candle. A few extra allies wouldn't go amiss, I reckoned. Maybe even help to pinpoint those enemies who were keeping to the shadows, if any where as yet undetected. And give me a little leeway to overcome my own uncertain thoughts of whether or not I - Jamie - could actually bring myself to end another persons life.

Still, this was self-defence, as Valencia - Michelle - had stated, her words having been relayed to me by Dak.

As I completed the summoning spell, four smallish glowing balls of light appeared, divided as far apart as I could place them. Lantern archons - celestial, gaseous creatures whose presence alone would make the assassins blows less accurate, with their righteous heavenly aura.

My god - or rather, gods, not that I put much faith in them though, the Jothal part of me mentally corrected - I was actually wielding magic. What a rush!

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann sheathed his scimitars and walked from the Inn via an exit through the Kitchen. He retreaved his horse from the stables and rode from the city. I owe these people nothing he thought to himself as he left. His work was now complete and he could finall return to his home in Calimport far to the south of this fool place. He wondered if they would be alright then realized he really didn't give a damn. He sent the wolf back to it's own plane till he would need it again maybe he would meet some of his old friends upon his return to calimport.

 

[Ask For More]

Taran

It wasn't long before we realised Lothius was gone. Looking around I realised that it would be impossible to find him in the crowds. Since he knew magic it was probably better for him to find us.

When we reached the Great Hall I was astounded. We were in a large square, each side bordered by stalls and shops, with a circle in the middle where a large statue of a woman stood proudly among the hustle and bustle. When I listened I could hear market traders piling their wares, the clik clak of horseshoes on the cobbled floors, people gossiping, arguing and haggling. We were fully immersed in this magical world.

We walked up the the statue. In front was a plaque commemorating Lady Austriel of Silvermoon. This must be who the statue is of then. In a moment of inspiration I took off my hat, lay it on the floor and sat down. I swung the lyre off my back and started to play:

"A darkened sky, a distant star,
A town on the horizon, shining from afar,
Thou braves the journey, fraught with danger
Terrain to threaten the most skilled of rangers,
To find a city, Silvermoon by name,
Home of thousands, noble and famed,
Ruled by a Lady, of beauty so pure,
Her name enlightens the darkness of the Lore.

But! the legend is but a lie,
Mine eyes cannot behold the beauty,
Mine ears cannot hear the magic,
Mine hands cannot feel the enchantment,
Silvermoon! A place of wondrous fantasy,
Mine ode cannot express it's beauty."

I opened my eyes. In front of me stood a large crowd of all different sorts. My hat was already overflowing with gold and silver. Standing I said, "I thank thee all," and bowed to them. Suddenly they broke out in applause, and a couple came up to me and pleaded an encore. I was about to reply when suddenly I heard something. "Taran, Sutashi, come back!"
Picking up my hat I said, "Perhaps another time!", and pushed my way through the crowd towards him.

[Edited by Ask For More on 03-11-2001 at 05:37 PM]

 

[Isolde]

Matthew

OOC: This is the post bringing Angelius' char into the thread. None of our chars are aware of this happening and we will keep his experience and ours separate till we met up. I will just put the basics here and Angelius can expand on his char when he posts next.

IC: Matthew Reilly sat at his desk, the textbook open before him trying to study. He had a big test coming up on Monday and missed his usual Saturday game of D&D so that he could prepare for it. He was having a hard time concentrating on the books tonight as an uneasy feeling kept creeping up and breaking his concentration. He was almost relieved when he heard a knock at his door and he had to put down the book to answer it.

Unfolding his 6'1" frame from the desk, he approached the door and opened it. Peering out he was puzzled to see that no one was around. The hallway was empty with only the murmur of voices behind the other dorm doors to tell him he was not alone. Shrugging his shoulders, he tried to push the unease he had been feeling all night away and he begin to shut the door when a package laying in the hallway caught his eye. Picking it up, he found that his name was scrawled on it in what seemed to be calligraphy along with the words open immediately and he suddenly felt an overpower urge to open it and see what was inside.

Tearing the brown paper wrapping from the package, he then opened a small wooden box. Inside the box was a figure wrapped in silk and some pieces of chocolate. Without even thinking, almost on impulse, he picked up one of the pieces and placed it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully before putting down the wooden box and picking up the figure. Unwrapping the tiny figure carefully, he was astonished to see that it resembled himself...well that was not exactly right. It resembled one of the characters he played in the D&D game but with his features. It was amazing how life like the figure was...almost as if it could come alive in his hands at any moment.

Could this have come from John? Highly unlikely as thier DM did not let him use this character often. Insisted that he play someone who worked as a teammate with the others instead of causing chaos. In spite of that, Matthew had managed to get in enough game time that his character Bail was level 14 and not too shabby in the power department. Placing the figure in one hand, he was about to turn back to his studies when he noticed a note written on paper...no not paper but parchment.

Lifting the parcment and opening it, he noticed the same calligraphy that had adorned the outside of the package. For some reason he felt compelled to read it aloud. The note read as follows:

You are walking along a road to a destination you know but then again do not. You have been traveling for a long time and your clothes are covered with the dust of the road you travel. Suddenly you top a rise in the road and you are standing before a huge wall. Towers can be seen above the walls streatching towards the sky. They are attatched to a huge fortress which just peaks above the wall. Soldiers move along the wall, well armed and alert for intruders. A drawbridge faces you but is pulled up at this point as if to keep those not invited out...or those inside in...you cannot tell. You can, however, hear the commotion of people inside the walls.

You do know two things...the thing which you seek is inside of those walls and you must gain entrance....and the name of the fortress within is Zhentil Keep....

Suddenly Matthew felt a dizziness coming over him and he sunk to his knees, the parchment and figure clutched in his hands. The room spun and everything in it begin to blur. A darkness pressed in on the edge of his vision though he fought it and soon it overcame him and he fell....unconscious.

OOC: A note: you will wake up in the world that we are in and you will be in front of the fortress described as your char. Take it from there and have fun.

 

[Toku]

Lothius/Raymond

Lothius was standing outside the inn, surrounded with about ten thugs, 'the ring won't be working much longer he thought, and when I change back in my blue clothes again, I'm in big trouble', he had to think of something to help his friends, and heck, help himself.

"Us are getting them good, ain't we, mate?" One of the stinkig thugs was spraying him wit saliva, "Yeah,uhm, mate, we are definately kicking them ass," he answered with the same dialect as the thug, who laughed and clapped him on the back. 'He's got to do something, a spell!' But which one, he didn't think he could do one of a high level, Lothius did them, but Raymond never had cast a spell in his life. He chooses a simple one, colour spray would do, and it would be funny too! 'Damn you! Don't think of fun at this moment.'

Lothius searches in his back for some flasks, when he finds them he pulls the plug and pours the blue, yellow and red sand in his palms.

"What ya doing there, mate? Taking a drink?" "Nah, mate, just preparing a suprise for ya!" "Ai, what mate, what's it?" "It will make ya guys stronga!" "Really mate? Do it than!" "Well, ya got to stand togetta mates!"

After this quick and stupid conversation the salivaspitting thug calls his other friends together, they were all standing close together in front of the inn. If all the assasins were as stupid as this it would have been easy, but Lothius knew the real deal was sneaking in from the back and was ready to suprise his friends.

Suddenly his clothes begin to blur, blue clothes coming through, it was now or never. So he grabs his spellbook from his bag, quickly opens it on the right page, opens the palm with the sand on it and begins to read out loud the words from his book, Lothius had learned to do it quicker, but Raymond was unexperienced.

When the last word are spoken the sand begins to whirl around his hand. Unfortunately, meanwhile the thugs had seen his clothes change and had began to spread out. A burst of Blue, Red and Yellow springs out of Lothius's fingers, hitting a few thugs, but the burst was so strong Lothius, or Raymond for that matter, could not control his hand, which now was uncontrolable, shooting colour spray all around teh area, in the air, on the ground, everywhere. After a few moments it stopped and Lothius looks around.

Some of the thugs lay on the ground unconscious, full with colours. Others were also full of colours but hadn't had much trouble with it. He had to aim it better somehow, Lothius thinks, now everything was sprayed, but only a few targets enough.

Quickly he decides to get inside the inn while everyone is still confused, he grabs his staff, now noticing he had some extra colours himself too, and runs towards the door of the inn, one thug with a yellow face, blocks the doorway so Lothius puts his staff in front of him, yells "for king and country", and runs into the thug, hitting him in the stomach with his staff, after which the two of them stumble into the inn.....

 

[Angelus]

Matthew/Bail

I looked up at the walls of the fortress and wondered exactly what was going on. I looked up the walls to see a person looking down at me with a crossbow in his hands. I thought that it was weird that this person was holding a crossbow in modern times but then I looked at the person with narrowed eyes and shouted out, "Open the doors you fool!"

The person with the crossbow disappeared from the wall, leaving me to wonder what was going on and where I was. As I stood there I felt something in my hand and looked down to see the figure sitting there and then looked down at the robe that I was wearing.

It was black as night and seemed to draw light into it. I then felt the sense of evil invade my consciousness and smile when the person with the crossbow appeared in front of me. He held the crossbow before him and looked at me, wondering what to do.

"Are you just going to stand there or open the doors for me."

"I'm not going to let you in here for anything unless you have a damn good reason for wanting to come in here."

"I am here to see the lord of the Black Altar."

"He will not see anyone at this time-" the person began to say but before he could finish I placed one hand onto the guards arm and heard the sound of burning flesh as the guard screamed out. As soon as I moved my hand away I saw the imprint of my hand burnt onto the guards arm.

"He will see me," I said.

Just then the doors opened and some other guards rushed out followed by a person in the flowing black robes of a head cleric. The person stopped in front of me and gave me a stare.

"What makes you can think that you can get into this place and see me just by injuring one of the guards. You could be killed right now."

"That I very much doubt as I have a message for you from Lord Cyric."

The head cleric's face turned white when he heard the god's name and I smiled as I followed him through the open gates into Zhentil Keep.

[Edited by Angelius on 03-11-2001 at 07:32 PM]

 

[HotStuff101]

Michael/Kiai

Kiai, wtaches over the beginning of the battle, and is about to attack, when notices 2 assassins to his right and left. Both Assassins charge at him simultaneously, and Kiai does a flip over one of the assassins. He slices his katana, at he assassin, and both swords clash with a spark.

Their swords clash, a few times, and the assassin takes a swing at Kiai's legs. Kiai jumps up, and lands, pinning the assassin's sword to the rafter, almost falling to the side, but manages to gain his balance. Kiai yells, and thrusts his swords, straight into the asssassin's chest. Ice starts to spdread from the wound, freezing the assassin's body. The Assassin's body freezies solid, Kiai pulls out his sword, and sends the frozen body off the rafter. When it hits the ground, the frozen body shatters, sending peices all across the floor. Kiai slowly looks up at the next assassin, who has a look of shock on his face.


"NOOOOOO!!! you killed my little brother! I'm going to avenge him!" said the now enraged Assassin, "you will pay for that with your life!"

Kiai Says calmly, "You talk big, now bring it."

The 2 charge at eachother with intense ferosity

 

[Ask For More]

Taran

We quickly run back to the inn, fighting our way through the throng of people hurrying in the other direction. There must be trouble. I spot an alleyway and run through there, finding that it reaches a lane that runs down the back of the buildings. My feet pound the cobbles as I run as fast as my legs can carry.

Getting close to the inn, I spot five men standing near the back. They look unfamaliar, so I slow down and edge along the walls, keeping in the shadows until I'm within earshot. I can hear the sounds of fighting from the inn, weapons clashing and people shouting, but I focus on the men in the back.

"Are you all ready?" The men nod one by one. "Then let's go." They jump into the backyard, and head towards the door to the kitchen. I creep closer, ducking behind the fence, until the door is open and they turn to go through.

I stand, and vault over the fence, drawing a short sword that hangs at my belt. Running towards them, the one at the back sense my presence, and turns to attack. He swings at my legs, but I sidestep, and swing my sword towards his head. I see the sharp edge accelerating towards his neck, but suddenly it is turned away, and I see that two of them have stayed to fight me, while the others have gone into the inn. I back off, and the two start to circle me, trying to confuse me. Not wanting to get cornered, I turn, and sprint back towards the fence. Jumping over it I turn and thrust my sword back. The first assasin anticipates my attack, and uses the fence to somersault over my head. Spinning, I kick out as he comes down behind me, and catch him square in the chest. I twist my body, and slice his head off cleanly with my sword.

Hearing a sound behind me, I turn to see a dagger flashing towards my heart. Instinctively I bring my sword to block, but its not quick enough, and the dagger sears into my side, cutting through my clothes and into my flesh.
"Aaargh!" The assasin has a dagger in his other hand and swings it towards me, but the pain has sharpened my reflexes and I wrap my arm around his and push my hand onto his shoulder, snapping his elbow. Before he can scream my sword is run through his heart.

Grimacing I pull the sword out of his lifeless chest. Bleeding profusely, I hobble towards the kitchen, and into the inn. To my horrow my friends are totally outnumbered inside, fighting against thugs and trained assasins. The pain shoots through my side, and I lean against the doorframe watching the carnage in front of me, powerless to help.

Suddenly I get an idea. I take my lyre with my free hand, and flop back against the wall. Resting it onto my lap, I search my memory, and find a ode of courage, and begin to sing.

 

[lostinn]

Justinian

Delete

 

[Morgoth]

OOC: I hate to do this, but I'm dropping out of the thread. 2 reasons, actually. 1: I can't keep up with it at all. 2: I am in a lot of other threads. Sorry. Pretend my guy had a sudden heart attack.

 

[Angelus]

Matthew/Bail

As I walked down the hallways I, Matthew- no, I was Bail now thought that this was some elaborate dream but I had actually injured that guard and now I was talking to the leader of the temple here, Aruthis Calren. This person was one of the most evil beings in the Realms and he relished in that and I felt that I was accepting the evil coming from this person as it was the same that I had in the body that I had even though it felt strange.

Aruthis walked into a large hall and sat down on an ornate throne and I went down to one knee in front of him. Aruthis gestured for me to stand and looked at me with a half smile on his face.

"Now, tell me why I shouldn't just have you killed right here and now?"

"Because I have a message from Lord Cyric-"

"Oh, do not tell me that nonsense again. Now, tell me why I should listen to you and not kill you right now!"

I walked forward and said, "I have been told by Lord Cyric that he wants the Realms destroyed and I am the one that has to do it but first there is a little matter that I have to attend to first."

Aruthis got to his feet and said, "You insolent young whelp! How dare you talk to me like that in my own temple!"

"I dare because I can also do this to you!"

Without warning I raised one hand and shot a small black globe of energy at Aruthis who raised his hands. The globe hit his hands and slowly enveloped them then began to grow until it was over his arms. As I watched the energy slowly go up his arms I felt a smile come to my face but at the same time part of me was screaming that this was wrong and I shouldn't be doing this. I closed my eyes and tried to tell my body to stop what it was doing but was shut out and opened my eyes again to see that the dark energy had enveloped Aruthis.

"Now- if you would be so kind as to let me live then I will do the same to you."

Aruthis said something but I couldn't hear it until I saw him nod. At that I raised one hand and saw the dark energy fall away from the cleric who raised his hand and looked at me seconds before I heard a dark, very evil voice say, "Enough! I will not have you two fighting when there is much work to be done- now if you will be so kind as to give Bail here as much assistance as he will need then I can begin my plan."

Aruthis looked at me with wide eyes and said, "Yes Lord Cyric- at once."

 

[Isolde]

Meanwhile Upstairs...

OOC: Sorry to see you go, Morgoth, but we shall give you a glorious death!

IC: Upstairs, Gary, Dur and Bendi were clashing with the six assasins there. The assasins were talented, weaving in and out, striking when least expected but the three kept them at bay.

Calling upon his god almost instinctively, Dur's blade became a blur of activity as he faced his own two attackers. Finally one of the assasins got just a bit careless and left himself open. Going on the pure instincts of his character, Dur's blade found the opening and the man's eyes opened wide as his soft abdomen was opened up. With a small 'O' of surprise, he dropped to the floor.

At that moment, Dur's modern frame of mind pushed itself in and he hesitated just a moment as he realized he had just killed a man. That moment was enough for his other attacker who took the opportunity to bury his knife in his exposed neck. Dur's head snapped up and he felt himself choking on his own blood but once again his medival world instincts took over and he found his sword swinging towards the man's exposed ribs. As his sword bit deep the light in Dur's eyes faded. He fell backwards, the body of his second attacker dropping down on him.

 

[Kepic]

Jamie / Jothal

The four lantern archons then began to join the fray, firing their rays of light at the remaining thugs and assassins, and their light illuminating the scene more strongly, casting aside shadows as they flew about the room. They concentrated their attacks on one opponent at a time - their flashing beams lancing into the flesh of their unlucky target. The nimbler assassins managed to dodge a few of the rays entirely, though the obviously hired street thugs weren't so fortunate.

Well, thats one of my new spells, I thought, lets see what the other one does...

Pulling the spell components out of my pouch, I made the necessary chants and gestures.

Look out, Master Dak cried in my mind, just as a blade sunk into my side. I stiffled the cry of pain that welled within me, and made that assassin the first in line as I completed my spell.

Thrusting a hand against his head, I hissed "dodge this" as my hand flared with a crackling blue light, the smell of ozone and burning flesh quickly coming to my nose.

As I gave a half-smile, remembering the scene in Matrix, the assassin was blown back from me, and the lightning then jumped from his jerking corpse from one opponent to the next. Each of the surviving thugs fell to the chain lightning, and one of the other assassins, the other managing to throw off some of the spell, though failing to evade it completely.

Then I grasped a hand to my side, and let out the yell of pain that had built up in me. Shit, that had hurt! Damn sneak-attacks. Then, as the pain seemed to spread, the Jothal part of me confirmed what I was beginning to guess - poison! Damn it!

I slumped back against the wall, slid down it with as much dignity as I could manage, then blacked out.

[Edited by Kepic on 03-12-2001 at 11:52 AM]

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

The teleport had left me a bit dizzy, but it swiftly cleared as I took in the chaotic scene before me. Assassins everywhere, and my friends were in really deep kimchee! Reflexes I never suspected came rushing in, and my hand dropped to my sword. Yeah! Good thing I picked Corellan Lotherian! Since his favorite weapon is the longsword, so is mine!

At first, jumping into the melee seemed almost fun; I laughed as my sword darted in and out amongst the slower foes. Then, one of them made a horrible recover from one of my strokes, and I automatically slid my enchanted blade into his chest, the blade grating along his ribs and spine. Blood spewed from his mouth as he fell back, very obviously dead.

Oh, my god. OH. MY. GOD![/b] I'd just killed a man. For a second, my world seemed to stand still as the man I'd killed slid off my blade to the floor. Numb with shock, I was nearly killed myself, as another assassin took the opportunity to plant his dagger in my back. Only my enchanted elven armor saved me from a quick death at his bladetip. Tumbling wildly across the floor, the nimble form of a halfling, Alyson's Caillean, drew my attacker from me.

I looked wildly across the room, tears filling my eyes, seeing my friends holding their own, for the most part. Jamie had not gotten far from me after bringing us here, so I was closest when he finished off his attackers, only to fall himself, whispering in a stunned voice, "Poison."

No! No more death! I knelt beside Jamie's still form, barely breathing, obviously dying from the envenomed blade still in the death-grip of his attacker. Searching my brain for more of those alien, magic symbols, I perform the ritual against poisoning, which came unconsciously to mind. Immediately, my friend's body regains its healthy color. My mind keeps pointing out options for handling this situation, but I mistrust this alien voice in my head.

I draw my blade once more, but, this time, the reflexes don't come. I cannot get over the image of the look on the face of the man last slain by this blade. The blade feels completely unfamiliar in my hand, and I am shaking like a leaf. Please, uh, Carellon. Don't let anymore of my companions get hurt!

 

[Isolde]

Michelle/Valencia

Out of the corner of my eyes, I caught the vision of Kalann leaving. I shrugged it off. Maybe now we could get away from the bloodlust that seemed to be so promenent in this world.

I let Valencia's battle skills kick in. It was the only way I could survive and I knew it. But in the back of my mind Michelle was chanting..."you cant do this...you cant kill!" But I found my sword coming up to meet that of my attacker without even thinking about it. I had the presence of mind not to strike to kill but to try and back them off. Valencia knew though...she knew that it was not enough. These men were determined to kill us and simply pushing them back time and again was not going to save us.

Finally it came...the moment I had been dreading. One of the men lunged for me and I was able to throw him off but just then I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. Someone was coming up to the side of me and fast. Then I saw the flash of silver and I knew that a blade was headed for my flesh. Without thinking, I spun around, my sword slicing toward the flash of silver. I never his his sword...he moved and I felt my sword bite into flesh with a sickening thunk.

My stomache churned and my eyes flew wide. "NO! nonononononono...." It almost became a chant as I saw the man fall to the ground, his life's blood flowing from him and his eyes glazing over in death.

 

[Ask For More]

Taran

The wooden floor becomes stained with blood as I play on, trying to spur my friends forward, to give them courage and bravery to fight against adversity. Justinian sends a crossbow through the throat of an assasin and I see him tremble as he comes to term with his actions. Jothal disposes of a number of them in a blaze of light that tears through the enemies. He takes a blade to his side, and I see him collapse. I want to help, but my movement is severly limited and all I can do is watch as Alia manages to fight her way to him and use her powers to heal him.

"Alia, any chance of a hand over here?" I shout.

Turning I see Valencia chopping down an attacker, and a look of horror crosses her face as she watches his fall to the floor bleeding. The assasins, ever quick to respond, regroup to attack her, and I shout, "Valencia, get yourself together and look behind you!"

 

[Neale]

Neale/Alia

"Taran!" I reply, as I hear his call for help, "I'm coming!"

Jothal would be fine now; I could see that the poison had been entirely neutralized. Barely able to grasp my sword, thankful that none of the assassins were taking advantage of my state, I made my way carefully over to where James lay, still trying to play his harp.

"Watch my back, J, we'll get you fixed up in no time." I used every ounce of self control I possessed in order to keep the sick fear I felt from showing in my face or voice. Fortunately, his wounds weren't so severe as to require the higher divine magics. I reached into myself, still surprised to find the magic that lay imprinted within my mind. Moments later, the increasingly familiar wash of blue light and warmth flowed through me, into James' still bleeding side.

"There you go, good as new. Be careful this time, alright?"

As soon as James had charged back into the melee, I doubled over and threw up, messily. This time, the assassins weren't so oblivious as to my state.

While I was bent over, vomiting everything, it seemed, that this body had ever eaten, I felt a cruel kick to my side. My breath exploded from me all at once, as my lungs were emptied from the force. I flew across that side of the room, to land in a crumpled heap in the corner. Looking back through teary eyes, dizzy with pain, I saw a huge half-orc grinning down at me. He snarled at me, "Grummsh give me big reward! Kill elf bitch! Make you hurt some more first, though." The brute smiled cruelly. I hadn't been in this body but a few hours, but I knew exactly what this monster had on his mind, and I felt an icy dagger of fear in my bowels, too scared to move.