The Gods' Game

[ARaynes]

Andrea/Ishkama

Kellan and Ishkama, rather Andrea and Zach had finally caught up with Abraxas and Juran. They had some beautiful horses from the stables. "Perhaps we can use the spare rider as a pack, if and when we find treasure. Either that or to lug a half dead body around."

"Some freak just killed my brother!" The scream came out of no where. Andrea looked up at Zach as he seemed to be communing with the birds high above. IT was amazing how their characters came to life here.

"Looks like he's got himself in a bit of trouble again - and whoever claims he has killed his brother is talking to the watch about it right now." Kellan said after his little communion.

"Well, let's go save him! Seems like we will be doing that a lot this trip." Andrea puts her hand on the hilt of her favored longsword. "Give me your stregnth father." She smiled to the blade and started walking over the way to the tavern.

 

[BadForm]

Zack/Kellan

Seeing Arzat and Ishkama heading back for the tavern, Kellan raised his hand. "He seems to be trying to escape. I fear if we turn back we will lose him. Can one of you head back and check on the others? Meet us at the gate with the horses. The rest of us can catch that little furball and see if we can't sort out this problem, or at least ensure we all get away together."

He ran in the direction he had seen Shikima running and hoped he was still going in the same way. It was simple for Kellan to see through other animals' eyes, but not while he was busy with his own body. Concentrating one seeing through two sets of eyes was impossible. They were fortunate, two streets further on, they ran into the sneaking jester as he turned another corner, literally.

He called out as Kellan's massive body barrelled into him. Kellan stopped and looked down.

"What in Hessun's Graveyard have you done now?" he snapped.

 

[airborne92]

John/Juran

"I'll take the mounts" I say as the rest head off looking for Shikima. I would be expected to administer justice by the townsfolk if I went with them. I gathered the reins for all of the mounts and headed for the gate. I waited outside the gate with all of the horses ready. Knowing how this group was at protecting their own, we would probably wear out our welcome real soon.

I mounted the charger, he was a fine animal indeed. Well trained, yet highly spirited. All of the other animals were just as beautiful. I waited patiently, knowing things might begin to get out of hand.

 

[Weasel699]

Shane/Shikima

"eh.." was all he said when he got ran into by the big man " well ...thieves tryed to roll me for my money and goods....i beat their asses but i swear i didnt know i killed the one...shoulda just ate them " grumbled watching his big friend" i swear i didnt do it on purpose " though in the one sitting when they played he killed off a small group of thieves once just for the hell of it then got bitched at " honestly thats that happened like i wanna cause trouble in a place we dunno"

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Arzat Vandree

I walk back to the inn, with Ishkama trailing along behind me. "Ish, you grab the furballs & Kellan's stuff, I'll gather mine & the others, & leave a message with the inkeeper.

*Master, I can contact Katlinel's familiar and she can tell her mistress where to meet us.*

*That would be nice my friend. Please do that while I gather our companions items.*
I place my portable hole on the bed, & levitate up a empty chest. Then I start placing various packs inside, until soon it is filled with the parties gear. Once I finish, I lower the chest back in, fold up the hole, & leave , heading down to the common room with Skryytch floating over my right shoulder.
Looking around I don't see Ishkama anywhere. *I wonder where that pointy-eared- nympho- bunny- hugger is* I thought to myself.

 

[BadForm]

Zack/Kellan Harnstein

As Shikima was knocked back by the collision, his hood was thrown off. Kellan listened to the gabbled explanation before hearing the first cry of outrage and disgust from across the street. They had seen the cat-like appearance of Shikima's face and head and it spoke to them of the days of the mage wars, ended before most people here were born, but known to everyone. When the mages of the various nations had gone to war they had nearly destroyed the world. Even now magic could be dangerous, and the sight of such a tranformed person as Shikima touched some deep, terrified aspect of everyone's soul.

"FREAK!"

The cry spread out quickly and Kellan knew they were in trouble unless he did something. He tried to block his friend from sight behind his hulking body, but it was too late now. Then he saw his chance. It was market day, and there were a number of livestock being herded through the streets. He reached into the mind of the beast in the lead and began to tickle its emotional center.

"Run, find freedom, run," he mumbled as he concentrated on what he needed.

The beast began to trot, then to run. Seeing the leading creature do so, the rest did too. Soon there was a minor stampede, drawing attention from the two men.

"Let's go!" Kellan said. "Before the beasts calm down again."

 

[ARaynes]

Iishkama

Ishkama followed and then evintually went to grab the bags of her fellow companions. It won't hurt to have a little peek she said to herself before opening each.

There were not very many items of interest to her. A few gold coins, holy symbols, nothing of value that she desired enough to steal from friends.

She walked back down the stairs and found Arzat. "Come on Arzie, lets get this show on the road. My trigger finger is itching." She snapped before flying out the door, with Arzat in tow.

They walked, well ran more like, looking for the cat's meow and Kellan. Animals started flocking around one corner and Ishkama, Andrea, looked back at Arzat. "Give you one guess where they went."

 

[Weasel699]

Shane/Shikima
"aww man i didnt mean any of this to happen" blinked to his big friend " i agree we should move out while there's mass confusion heh and i'm sorry i was just sitting minding my own buisness when the thieves came and tryed to roll me for my things and then they got a bit mean so i did the only thing i thought of..fought back" stood and looked around " wich way?"

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Arzat Vandree

ARZIE??!!??

"Listen you barely sentient fantasy playmate wannabe, my name is ARZAT. It only has 2 syllables, so even your limited surface elf intellegence should be able to get it right!"
I shrugged her off & moved down the alley, ignoring Ishkama entirely as I made my way to the outer wall & the gate there.


" Hey Skant, isn't that robed guy a friend of the thing that diced Terak?
Yea, he is. Why don't we see if he bleeds under those robes. I'll bet he has money too."

I never noticed the thieves until the blade bit into my shoulder. Pain exploded into my arm, & I turned to see two humans charging me, shortswords drawn.
Humans are so stupid.
I released my hold on one of my daily spells, & red lightning arched out from the wound in my shoulder, the blood fueling a barrage of bolts that filled the alleyway with death. The thieves screamed briefly in agony before their bodies literally exploded with the force of the Blood Lightning.
Iskama turned into the alley then, seeing me standing there, blood & body parts littered throught the alley.

 

[BadForm]

Zack/Kellan Harnstein

Kellan helped Shikima back to his feet and glanced around. "This way," he said, noting the crowd would be back one they lost interest in the stampede. "We head for the North gate and wait in the woods. Hopefully Arzat and the others will realise that we have to get you out of the city now you're a wanted man."

The North gate was close, just up the other end of North Street (one of my less inspired naming ideas I thought at the time, now more real than any street in my home town). Beyond was the small Ydyp Woodland, a patch of brown in the massed rolling green of the vast plains. Now we could only wait and hope the others would follow.

 

[airborne92]

John/Juran

I waited near the woods outside the North Gate. The animals were grazing on the grass. I watched the guards in case the alarm was raised. Hopefully they had found Shikima, and that they would get here soon.

I decided to double check the tack on each of the mounts as I waited. There would be enough dangers ahead without having to worry about someone's saddle slipping and causing an injury.

 

[Weasel699]

Shane/Shikima

he looked to his big friend and nodded " yes well lets get going heh..." he got helped up and grins moveing silently heading for the northgate and pulled his hood up at the last moment" lock and load big guy "

 

[ARaynes]

Andrea/Ishkama

"Well, good for you. You actually can kill crap." Ishkama snapped at Arzat, "Now let's get to the gate and out of this town before they start lynching us." Andrea said, pulling Arzat behind her.

She hoped that it was actually Tony she was pulling for Arzat would think it was Ishkama and skin her alive.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Arzat Vandree

I allow Ishkama to lead me out of the alley & down to the gate. I could feel my right ring finger throbbing, & my shoulder itching as it healed. As we approached the gate I noticed more guards than should have been there, & that they were checking wagons, & under hoods.
" Ish, your gonna have to trust me on this. If you fight me it may harm us both. Now, relax. Oh, & it helps if you close your eyes."
I took Ishkama's hand, then concentrated . We moved forward, shifting past the wall & out 50 feet past the wall. I swayed as the nausea that usually accompanied the dimensonal door passed over me. I heard Ishkama biting back nausea & smiled to myself.
" Come on, the others are over to the north."
We made our way over to the trees, Skryytch letting me know where they were & who was there. Finally, we broke through some bushes & rejoined the rest of the group.
" Ok guys, mark this place of the vacation list & lets go." I then looked around and groaned.
" Where is everyone else?"

 

[BadForm]

Hymeana

"A good question, Arzat," The soft voice of the half-nymph crooned in each of their minds. "I know not for certain what has happened to your companions. All I can tell you is they are frozen. Not dead, yet nor are they moving or even breathing. I fear their wills may not have been equal to the change which you described from your old world to ours... that or there has been some other effect of the transfer which has rendered them... unaware. Travel well, my friends, for their very lives may depend on your discovery of the truth, of what has caused this strange occurrence. Travel well, and travel now. I shall watch over your companions."

OOC: Everyone who seems to want to/be able to write on this thread is now outside the gate together. If any of the others return, I'll find some way of getting them back to us - perhaps a teleportation from their god or something...

 

[ARaynes]

Andrea/Ishkama

It was Andrea that had gone through the domentional door, yet it was Ishkama that wanted to slit Arzat's throat. "Why .......didn't.....you......tell......me ........it would ........make us sick?" She chocked through the bile trying to rise in her throat.

That was when the voice came to her head. She looked at the other's and knew that they had heard the same thing. "Let's get going." She said gaining her composier.

She started walking away, noticing that no one followed. Turning she looked at the group. "Uh, which way are we supposed to be going anyway?" A nervous laugh escaped her lips.

 

[Weasel699]

Shane/Shikima

grins a little haveing made it outta the town with his big friend then sees the rest of the group and coughs seeing Ishkama since she said if there was trouble caused by him she'd skin him " it wasnt my fault!! i swear it!! " hides behind Kellan

 

[airborne92]

John/Juran

"Uh, Ishkama, you might want to take a mount instead of walking" I say to her. "It will be a fairly lengthy journey I think."

I stand there holding the reins to all of the animals as I look at her with a slightly confused expression on my face. I look at the rest of the party as well.

"As for which direction we need to head, I think that Kellen knows better than the rest of us which way to go" I say in response to her question.

 

[BadForm]

Zack/Kellan Harnstein

I look around at the mounts and smile. "Well, Yearsend is a three day march, or a two day ride to the west. The road is simple, but with me walking I'll slow you down... unless..."

I let my mind search the area. If I remembered correctly, these woodlands were home to the Royal Shtaranbeasts of Queen Lystanza - a sort of cross between cattle and an elephant. While not the quickest beast in the world, they were extremely strong and the favored mount of half-giants. Yes, there was one. I sent out a thought, requesting it to allow me to ride and son it came to me through the trees. I grasped a bunch of warrengrass to feed it before climbing onto its huge back.

"Let's go," I said with a smile.

 

[Weasel699]

Shane/Shikima

Blinks at the elephant thing that comes to kellan and then hops on his own mount and then pulls out his guitar and starts singing" oh dont give me a home where them elephant things roam..i'd drown in their poo when i raomed at night!" looks around at the others knowing they was looking at him funny

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Arzat Vandree

" I have never in my entire 230+ years of life so feverantly wished I had enetered the priesthood, just so I could cast a silence spell" I looked at Shikima, eyes glowing red in the shadows.
"Listen Heathcliff, I just killed 2 people today, & I am not in the mood for you bringing the watch down on us because of your playing games. Now stop with the jokes and lets get going." With that I turn my horse and head out at a trot, not bothering to wait on the party.

 

[BadForm]

Narration

The first day of the journey went well. The woodland, and the plains beyond, were quiet and calm, and it was only a sign of how much they had changed that the difference in both plant and birdlife between their own world and Darras-Mor seemed to pass completely unnoticed by the group. The journey, and making camp that night, seemed to give them time to interact, realising that although each could be annoying, there had been times in their games where they had relied on everyone's skills. Even Shikima's.

It was the morning of the second day, with the city of Yearsend already visible in the distance as they crested a high hill, that they saw the first danger. A band of hill orcs, vile and disgusting semi-intelligent creatures, were raiding and burning a farm just at the base of the hill. Drawing closer, they saw a woman, one of the farmers no doubt, flee screaming, and get cut down by arrows.

The various steeds they rode began to stir uneasily.

 

[Abraxas Winterlight]

Arzat Vandree

"Orcs." i say with obvious disgust, " Vile even by the standards of my race."
I ride my horse out ahead of the party a bit. The orcs were now taking bodies out of the cabin. One of them went to the dying body of the woman they had cut down, & started hacking at her. That did it, now I was very, very angry.
I spat out a word of Power, & five darts of green energy exploded from my outstretched hand, 2 striking the orc dismembering the woman's body, blowing him back 10 feet into a ragged heap, and the other three striking 3 more, literally blowing their brains out of the back of their heads.
With a howl of rage, most of the band charge straight at me, weapons raised to draw my blood.
I noticed a depression between the Orcs and me, & smiled. I once again unleashed words of power, but nobody saw anything. The Orcs finally reached the depression, and when they were halfway through it I released my third spell, a Fireball.
A small red dot sped down to the orcs, the exploded the gas cloud I had cast there , & causing its own destruction. The explosion shook the ground, & orc bodies , & pieces of orcs, flew for yards around the crater that was now there.

" Next" I said in a satisfied voice.

 

[Weasel699]

Shane/Shikima
he stared at arzat before seeing the orcs at a farm and then arz going off ahead " i wasnt playing games!! i was lurking and the thieves found mee!! "
he looks around knowing damn well that even with a orc raiding party at the farm there could probably be some lurking near by where they was so incase some one else came and attacked the raiders " think thats all of them down there? "

 

[BadForm]

Zack/Kellan Harnstein

As the others began their assault on the farm, I heard Shikima's concern about Orcs hiding to keep guard over their comrades. Interestingly, the fur-butt could think like a strategist sometimes while being a complete idiot at others. I sat and let my mind expand, touching slowly on those of the various birds and insects around to check on the area. Wildlife, of all the plains varieties, were spread over the area, but a short search told me that was all.

"Good thinking, Catman," I said as I returned to my on self. "But it's strange, they seem to be all concentrated on the farm..."