Order of the Dark Flame (Story, No Spam)
{OOC Yeah DW, great to have you back!!
And I believe fire spells are evocation school?...}
Nippy led them through the castle, following the guard captain. Suddenly Loner gasped and stumbled. Thantor caught her, and she whispered to him: "Kramor is here. I can feel it. He's somewhere in this castle."
"Can you pinpoint his location from here?" Thantor muttered. Loner shook her head.
The captain led them through a veritable maze of dark stone corridors. Loner couldn't see, but the feeling of terror she was picking up was most disconcerting. She could hear the Lion whimpering behind her. Even Rusty the knight was rattling.
Finally a door opened, creaking on its hinges. They stepped into a room, and Loner immediately heard a familiar voice:
"You fool! Do you mean to tell me you didn't confiscate their weapons?!"
"The kensai is blind, Master," said the captain.
Idiot!!" The sound of a violent strike was heard, and the guard grunted in pain. "She can do more than you realize."
Instantly Nippy was unfastening the Katana from Loner's back. She hissed sharply. "Don't worry," said Nippy, as he lifted the blade. She then heard the clink of metal as Rusty's sword was taken.
"What should be done with these?" asked the guard.
"Hmmm," the "Master" pondered. "Take the lion to the cellars and lock him up. The...straw-woman, take her to the stables," he said with an evil chuckle. The Scarecrow gasped. "The knight and the ranger, take them to the cellars also, and lock them in seperate cells. You," he said to Nippy, "take this woman upstairs, to the Red Room." Loner didn't like the sound of that at all.
The captain clapped sharply and more guards came in to receive their orders. One by one the prisoners were taken away, and Nippy led Loner to the stairs.
"I hope to Helm you know what you're doing," she muttered to him.
"Don't worry," he answered.
{OOC: Hmm, I left the Scarecrow out, had to go back to the other posts and edit...}
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
Nippy led them through the castle, following the guard captain. Suddenly Loner gasped and stumbled. Thantor caught her, and she whispered to him: "Kramor is here. I can feel it. He's somewhere in this castle."
"Can you pinpoint his location from here?" Thantor muttered. Loner shook her head.
The captain led them through a veritable maze of dark stone corridors. Loner couldn't see, but the feeling of terror she was picking up was most disconcerting. She could hear the Lion whimpering behind her. Even Rusty the knight was rattling.
Finally a door opened, creaking on its hinges. They stepped into a room, and Loner immediately heard a familiar voice:
"You fool! Do you mean to tell me you didn't confiscate their weapons?!"
"The kensai is blind, Master," said the captain.
Idiot!!" The sound of a violent strike was heard, and the guard grunted in pain. "She can do more than you realize."
Instantly Nippy was unfastening the Katana from Loner's back. She hissed sharply. "Don't worry," said Nippy, as he lifted the blade. She then heard the clink of metal as Rusty's sword was taken.
"What should be done with these?" asked the guard.
"Hmmm," the "Master" pondered. "Take the lion to the cellars and lock him up. The...straw-woman, take her to the stables," he said with an evil chuckle. The Scarecrow gasped. "The knight and the ranger, take them to the cellars also, and lock them in seperate cells. You," he said to Nippy, "take this woman upstairs, to the Red Room." Loner didn't like the sound of that at all.
The captain clapped sharply and more guards came in to receive their orders. One by one the prisoners were taken away, and Nippy led Loner to the stairs.
"I hope to Helm you know what you're doing," she muttered to him.
"Don't worry," he answered.
{OOC: Hmm, I left the Scarecrow out, had to go back to the other posts and edit...}
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
- Georgi
- Posts: 11288
- Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Can't wait to get on the road again...
- Contact:
As the last of the shadows disintegrated, Georgi hurried over to Gwalchmai. "Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Yes, just drained. Do we have a restoration scroll?"
"I hope so..." Georgi saw something in the distance, and looked up. A horse was approaching... it looked like something or someone was tied across it. As she squinted, trying to make out the shape, a sharp pain stabbed through her head, and she knew who it was. Georgi fell to her knees, cradling her head, as the pain grew worse.
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]
He nodded. "Yes, just drained. Do we have a restoration scroll?"
"I hope so..." Georgi saw something in the distance, and looked up. A horse was approaching... it looked like something or someone was tied across it. As she squinted, trying to make out the shape, a sharp pain stabbed through her head, and she knew who it was. Georgi fell to her knees, cradling her head, as the pain grew worse.
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]
Who, me?!?
Nippy had to lead loner up the stairs but half way stopped.
"OK I couldn't palm your katana but here is a dagger. It has a sleeping poison on it. When he comes at you, which no doubt he will, knick him with the blade. He will sleep for hours. However if he is killed the castle will begin to crumble and our plan will be known. I will come to release you shortly. Good luck!"
Nippy lead her to the room and shut the door leaving loner in a chair. He ran down to the guard room and when he was confronted by the on-duty guard he said:
"Back away from me fool lest I gut you like a pig! I am here to question the prisoners!"
With a worried look the guard moved back. Unbeknownest to him Nippy had lightened him of the weight of his keys. He released all prisoners except Kramor and Thantor. He beagn to formulate a plan.
He went into their cell and winked at Thantor to tell him he had a plan. He pretented to hit him and question him. He then let Thantor carry on the role while he meditated and requested the help of nature to cure Kramor of the poisons in his blood-stream and the deep gashes. Kramor began to feel rejuvenated but was very tired.
By now the other prisoners had begun a riot and were causing mayhem. He left Kramor to recover and retreived their weapons.
"Who are you and how is Loner?" Kramor asked.
"She will be fine and I am Nippy but introductions can wait."
Handing them their weapons they slinked off into the depths of the castle. Meanwhile the warlock had began to scale the steps to the Red room....
OOC: Hope this is okay everyone. If not PM me and I'll edit.
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: Nippy ]
"OK I couldn't palm your katana but here is a dagger. It has a sleeping poison on it. When he comes at you, which no doubt he will, knick him with the blade. He will sleep for hours. However if he is killed the castle will begin to crumble and our plan will be known. I will come to release you shortly. Good luck!"
Nippy lead her to the room and shut the door leaving loner in a chair. He ran down to the guard room and when he was confronted by the on-duty guard he said:
"Back away from me fool lest I gut you like a pig! I am here to question the prisoners!"
With a worried look the guard moved back. Unbeknownest to him Nippy had lightened him of the weight of his keys. He released all prisoners except Kramor and Thantor. He beagn to formulate a plan.
He went into their cell and winked at Thantor to tell him he had a plan. He pretented to hit him and question him. He then let Thantor carry on the role while he meditated and requested the help of nature to cure Kramor of the poisons in his blood-stream and the deep gashes. Kramor began to feel rejuvenated but was very tired.
By now the other prisoners had begun a riot and were causing mayhem. He left Kramor to recover and retreived their weapons.
"Who are you and how is Loner?" Kramor asked.
"She will be fine and I am Nippy but introductions can wait."
Handing them their weapons they slinked off into the depths of the castle. Meanwhile the warlock had began to scale the steps to the Red room....
OOC: Hope this is okay everyone. If not PM me and I'll edit.
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: Nippy ]
Perverteer Paladin
{OOC: Awesome, what fun!
}
Loner could sense Kramor's presence, and was shaking. She heard some commotion down in the lower reaches of the castle, which progressed closer, about to the level of the great hall, where they had entered. She also heard steps approaching on the stone floor, and soon the door of her room opened, and closed again. "Well," said a familiar voice.
"Well. I see your injuries are healing. I'm glad."
"I'll just bet you are." Both hands were hidden in the folds of her cloak, and she fingered the hilt of the dagger Nippy had given her. She had to wait, however, till the Warlock was close enough to strike.
"There seems to be some ruckus downstairs," the Warlock said. "It seems the prisoners have escaped. I'll have to go and take care of it. But I will be back." The Warlock turned over an hourglass. "This is how much time you have, my dear." And he left, locking the door behind him.
"Great," Loner muttered. And how am I supposed to see this timekeeper?..." The sounds of battle reached her open window.
****************
The Scarecrow had been unceremoniously thrown into the stables, and even more unceremoniously ripped to shreds. But just before the guards could smash her head, they were called to battle duty and left. So the Scarecrow lay motionless, unable to cast any spells, due to the loss of her hands.
Soon though, Rusty and the Lion came in and found her. Rusty gasped and immediately began gathering replacement straw.
"Oh, it was terrible!" the Scarecrow lamented. "First they ripped my arms off and threw them over there! Then they ripped my legs off and threw them over there!..."
"Well," said Rusty, as he and the Lion stuffed the Scarecrow back to normal. "That's you all over."
"OOH! Hey, watch it!" she said indignantly.
****************
Dagret and his men watched from their positions outside the castle. He smiled. "Well boys," he said. "Looks like our little diversion has been handed to us. Let's go!"
Dagret and a few others made their way to the Castle unmolested. The guard was busy fighting the prisoners, released and armed by Nippy. Dagret sent some halflings into the courtyard, while he and a few others scaled the walls below Loner's room. He had seen her through the window.
When the halflings dropped to the floor in the Red Room, Loner whirled around, holding out the dagger. "Loner, it's us," said Dagret, and she recognized his voice, and replaced the dagger. "We've come to get you out of here."
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
Loner could sense Kramor's presence, and was shaking. She heard some commotion down in the lower reaches of the castle, which progressed closer, about to the level of the great hall, where they had entered. She also heard steps approaching on the stone floor, and soon the door of her room opened, and closed again. "Well," said a familiar voice.
"Well. I see your injuries are healing. I'm glad."
"I'll just bet you are." Both hands were hidden in the folds of her cloak, and she fingered the hilt of the dagger Nippy had given her. She had to wait, however, till the Warlock was close enough to strike.
"There seems to be some ruckus downstairs," the Warlock said. "It seems the prisoners have escaped. I'll have to go and take care of it. But I will be back." The Warlock turned over an hourglass. "This is how much time you have, my dear." And he left, locking the door behind him.
"Great," Loner muttered. And how am I supposed to see this timekeeper?..." The sounds of battle reached her open window.
****************
The Scarecrow had been unceremoniously thrown into the stables, and even more unceremoniously ripped to shreds. But just before the guards could smash her head, they were called to battle duty and left. So the Scarecrow lay motionless, unable to cast any spells, due to the loss of her hands.
Soon though, Rusty and the Lion came in and found her. Rusty gasped and immediately began gathering replacement straw.
"Oh, it was terrible!" the Scarecrow lamented. "First they ripped my arms off and threw them over there! Then they ripped my legs off and threw them over there!..."
"Well," said Rusty, as he and the Lion stuffed the Scarecrow back to normal. "That's you all over."
"OOH! Hey, watch it!" she said indignantly.
****************
Dagret and his men watched from their positions outside the castle. He smiled. "Well boys," he said. "Looks like our little diversion has been handed to us. Let's go!"
Dagret and a few others made their way to the Castle unmolested. The guard was busy fighting the prisoners, released and armed by Nippy. Dagret sent some halflings into the courtyard, while he and a few others scaled the walls below Loner's room. He had seen her through the window.
When the halflings dropped to the floor in the Red Room, Loner whirled around, holding out the dagger. "Loner, it's us," said Dagret, and she recognized his voice, and replaced the dagger. "We've come to get you out of here."
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
Once the Scarecrow was put back together, the three companions watched the ongoing battle from the cover of the stables, concealed in haystacks. Rusty was sniffling.
"*sniff* I can't bear to think fo Loner in that terrible place! *sniff! sniff!* We've gotta get her out!"
"Calm down," said the Scarecrow, "stop crying, or you'll rust again. See there?" she went on, pointing. "The looks like Dagret, climbing up there."
Rusty took some consolation from this. "I still can't just sit here doing nothing!" he said. "We've got to get in there and help, somehow..."
The three of them thought for a moment. Then, one of the Warlock's guards came stumbling through the darkness, barrelling straight toward the stables. Apparently the fighting had gone quite far afield. He crashed to the floor, dead.
Rusty left their hiding place and cautiously approached the guard. Then he got an idea...
They made their way across the field, picking through the bodies of the slain guards. By the time they got close to the castle they were properly disguised.
"*sniff* I can't bear to think fo Loner in that terrible place! *sniff! sniff!* We've gotta get her out!"
"Calm down," said the Scarecrow, "stop crying, or you'll rust again. See there?" she went on, pointing. "The looks like Dagret, climbing up there."
Rusty took some consolation from this. "I still can't just sit here doing nothing!" he said. "We've got to get in there and help, somehow..."
The three of them thought for a moment. Then, one of the Warlock's guards came stumbling through the darkness, barrelling straight toward the stables. Apparently the fighting had gone quite far afield. He crashed to the floor, dead.
Rusty left their hiding place and cautiously approached the guard. Then he got an idea...
They made their way across the field, picking through the bodies of the slain guards. By the time they got close to the castle they were properly disguised.
As Kramor, Thantor and Nippy walked through the corridors of the castle they came upon masses of dead bodies, both prisoners and guards. There were obviously Magi in the number of the prisoners as the guards were burned and there was a tangible feeling in the air.
“What do you plan to do now?” said Thantor.
“As far as I can see we have two options depending on the warlocks response. He could either deal with the prisoners himself or he could conjure more lackeys”
“He enjoys the combat,” said Kramor “the former is more likely”
“I concur,” said Thantor
“In that case we must go and rescue Loner immediately”
“But what about the prisoners?” said Kramor
“They are all brigands, cut-throats and threats to the warlocks. They are evil. If you do not believe me detect evil I’m sure you’ll find out”
Kramor was overwhelmed to find how vile these people could be.
“I now agree with Nippy let us rescue Loner and let their God deal with their fate”
A few remnant guards were around and were dispatched with ease. They came upon the great hall and found a chest next to the throne. With some help from Thantor and a knock spell the chest was opened.
“At last! My family armour!”
“That craftsmanship is amazing” said Kramor.
“It is full plate but weighs the same as leather. It’s construction is the same as katanas. Are your weapons and armour in here? Is there anything that you like? Take it. After we finish with the warlock there won’t be enough pieces to fit in the armour.”
There selections completed they began the climb to the tower.
Meanwhile the warlock was having a few problems.
“How many are there, damn it!”
OOC: Kramor and Thantor I’ll leave your choices up to you. Any probs PM me!
“What do you plan to do now?” said Thantor.
“As far as I can see we have two options depending on the warlocks response. He could either deal with the prisoners himself or he could conjure more lackeys”
“He enjoys the combat,” said Kramor “the former is more likely”
“I concur,” said Thantor
“In that case we must go and rescue Loner immediately”
“But what about the prisoners?” said Kramor
“They are all brigands, cut-throats and threats to the warlocks. They are evil. If you do not believe me detect evil I’m sure you’ll find out”
Kramor was overwhelmed to find how vile these people could be.
“I now agree with Nippy let us rescue Loner and let their God deal with their fate”
A few remnant guards were around and were dispatched with ease. They came upon the great hall and found a chest next to the throne. With some help from Thantor and a knock spell the chest was opened.
“At last! My family armour!”
“That craftsmanship is amazing” said Kramor.
“It is full plate but weighs the same as leather. It’s construction is the same as katanas. Are your weapons and armour in here? Is there anything that you like? Take it. After we finish with the warlock there won’t be enough pieces to fit in the armour.”
There selections completed they began the climb to the tower.
Meanwhile the warlock was having a few problems.
“How many are there, damn it!”
OOC: Kramor and Thantor I’ll leave your choices up to you. Any probs PM me!
Perverteer Paladin
- Georgi
- Posts: 11288
- Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Can't wait to get on the road again...
- Contact:
OOC:Originally posted by loner72:
<STRONG>"There seems to be some ruckus downstairs," the Warlock said. "It seems the prisoners have escaped. </STRONG>
"You have released all my prisoners? How wonderfully mad of you..."
(I'm not sure this is spot-on, but I'm sure you all get the reference...
Who, me?!?
- dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
As she looked up at the sound of approaching hooves, Dragon Wench gave a start at the sight of the figure slumped over Dark Poet's horse. A thousand questions stormed through her mind. But what had happened to Dark Poet? A disquieting chill made her shiver, despite the nearly suffocating heat. She ran to the horse and noted that Anomen was just gaining consciousness.
Quickly the warriors hauled Anomen off the horse and then strengthened his binds, while Vivien cast an impoved holding spell. Georgi, glaring and still gritting her teeth at the pain in her head, threw a bucket of cold water at their former friend, while Gwalchmai began brandishing his favouite +5 whip (
). Dragon Wench considered casting aganazar's scorcher at the now sodden Anomen, but then decided that they needed to do all they could to keep him conscious, he was their only clue to Dark Poet's whereabouts.
Quickly the warriors hauled Anomen off the horse and then strengthened his binds, while Vivien cast an impoved holding spell. Georgi, glaring and still gritting her teeth at the pain in her head, threw a bucket of cold water at their former friend, while Gwalchmai began brandishing his favouite +5 whip (
Spoiler
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Spoiler
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- Georgi
- Posts: 11288
- Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Can't wait to get on the road again...
- Contact:
Briefly, the world around her went blurry, and concerned voices faded into the background. Georgi heard one voice clearly. Anomen... the old Anomen? She wasn't sure, but he seemed to be trying to help... "Let me guide you, my lady. You must find him, and soon. He has little time."
She blacked out, but came to almost immediately, and found her friends looking anxiously at her. Rubbing her temples, she got up, still feeling a little dizzy. Georgi walked over to the horse, trying to make sense of her thoughts... where was Thantor when you needed him? Wait... Darkpoet's horse, of course... she gasped.
Vivien heard her. "What is it, Georgi?"
"Darkpoet..." Georgi choked, "he's hurt. I have to find him."
Dragonwench hurried over. "He could be anywhere. We have too much to deal with here..."
"No, you don't understand, he told me... DP's dying. I have to go now." Georgi glanced around. "You can handle this, until I get back. Tie Anomen up, and keep him guarded, with that gnome... See if you can find out anything useful from them. Ryan and Keldorn should be notified too. This won't take long."
And with that, Georgi swung herself into the saddle, and galloped into the forest, in the direction the horse had come from.
She blacked out, but came to almost immediately, and found her friends looking anxiously at her. Rubbing her temples, she got up, still feeling a little dizzy. Georgi walked over to the horse, trying to make sense of her thoughts... where was Thantor when you needed him? Wait... Darkpoet's horse, of course... she gasped.
Vivien heard her. "What is it, Georgi?"
"Darkpoet..." Georgi choked, "he's hurt. I have to find him."
Dragonwench hurried over. "He could be anywhere. We have too much to deal with here..."
"No, you don't understand, he told me... DP's dying. I have to go now." Georgi glanced around. "You can handle this, until I get back. Tie Anomen up, and keep him guarded, with that gnome... See if you can find out anything useful from them. Ryan and Keldorn should be notified too. This won't take long."
And with that, Georgi swung herself into the saddle, and galloped into the forest, in the direction the horse had come from.
Who, me?!?
- dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
Dragon Wench walked over to the trussed up Anomen and she gazed at him thoughtfully. Unlike some of the others, Dragon Wench had not developed any real emotional bonds to the knight. She had vowed that she would never again allow herself to care for another man, and because of this the Harem arrangement had suited her well. Yet, looking at him in his bedraggled state, she felt a level of disinterested compassion.
He had a haunted, tortured expression in his eyes, as though he longed to escape the nightmare that had become his life (of course when Loner and Kramor return..., she thought).
Finding a skin filled with cool water she placed it to his lips. Gratefully, he tilted back his head and drank deeply. "Thank You," he said nervously attempting a smile.
"Don't get too secure, I gave you the water because it makes talking easier," said Dragon Wench grimly.
"What do you want to talk about about?"
"Oh, I think you know that already," replied Dragon Wench.
At that moment Gwalchmai strode over with his whip, grinning evilly.
He had a haunted, tortured expression in his eyes, as though he longed to escape the nightmare that had become his life (of course when Loner and Kramor return..., she thought).
Finding a skin filled with cool water she placed it to his lips. Gratefully, he tilted back his head and drank deeply. "Thank You," he said nervously attempting a smile.
"Don't get too secure, I gave you the water because it makes talking easier," said Dragon Wench grimly.
"What do you want to talk about about?"
"Oh, I think you know that already," replied Dragon Wench.
At that moment Gwalchmai strode over with his whip, grinning evilly.
Spoiler
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Spoiler
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{OOC: Hmph, nice boyfriend I've got...Originally posted by Nippy:
<STRONG>“In that case we must go and rescue Loner immediately”
“But what about the prisoners?” said Kramor</STRONG>
The hourglass was nearly depleted, when one of the Lollipop thieves arrived on the other side of the door. Dagret had given Loner a short sword, and she fumbled with it, not used to that type of weapon. The thief successfully picked the lock.
As Loner and the halflings left the room, Rusty, the Lion, and the Scarecrow were just coming down the corridor. Rusty breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Heaven!" he said. "Uh, yeah," said the Lion. "Now we can go, right?..."
"Shh!" Loner said harshly, and everyone stopped. She had heard Kramor's voice approaching. Quickly she drew her mask from the folds of her cloak and slipped it over her head.
**************
The battle outside was progressing in favor of the Warlock. The prisoners were getting slaughtered by the countless minions he was summoning; there seemed to be no end to them. The Lollipop Kids, however, were employing some guerrilla tactics and shooting from covert positions, which they were constantly changing. The Warlock looked on laughing. he had temporarily forgotten his precious prisoners, thinking they were secure and rescue-proof.
Just when the Lollipop Guild started thinking of falling back, a high-pitched battle cry, as of many feminine voices, pierced the air. The Warlock and his minions paused, momentarily taken aback. There was a stirring on the edge of the wood. Then, over the ridge, burst a ferocious army, its front lines charging the guard, its archers spraying the area with arrows of fire and ice, its mages in the back, casting every spell of destruction that could be named.
The Lollipop Kids sent up a deafening cheer. "The Lullaby League! The Lullaby League!! Hurrah!!!"
{OOC Aaaaaaaand... here it is!
}
The whole contingent in the corridor froze. Most were simply awaiting the arrival of Nippy, Thantor, and Kramor. Loner, however, was frozen with something akin to fear.
She heard their steps on the stone floor of the hall, and recognized Kramor's footfall. Dagret gave her arm a friendly squeeze. The sounds of battle, now joined by the Lullaby League, came to them through the windows and arrow-slits.
Thantor was saying something when the three of them arrived in the hall and saw the others. Kramor was in the back, but swiftly went forward to find Loner. Loner herself felt him approaching and stepped back into the shadows.
Dagret went to Thantor and they summoned the others, leaving Loner and Kramor on the landing. "We need to formulate a plan for getting the Staff and getting out of here," Dagret said when they were all on the stairs.
"Agreed," said Thantor. "First we need to know where exactly this Staff is located."
"My guess is, with the Hooters," said Dagret. "They have just come out to join the battle outside, I can hear them out there. If we can find their quarters, I'm sure we will find the Staff as well."
****************
When Kramor saw Loner, swathed in black as she was, and wearing a mask over her head, his heart stopped. He slowly approached her, where she was hiding in the shadows.
"Loner," he said quietly, and she came forward a step. He reached out and took her in his arms.
"What happened to you?" he asked, cradling her face in his hands. He found the folds of the cloth mask, and began to remove it. "No, please don't," Loner protested, grabbing his hands to stop him.
"Let me see you," he said, and she relaxed her grip just enough for him to free his wrists and lift off the mask.
She could tell he was quietly weeping, and felt his fingertips lightly caressing the healed but still very visible scars. He gently touched the blindfold and Loner drew back in pain.
Kramor pulled her to him and held her tightly. "My love..." His sorrow turned to anger as he went on: "Who did this to you?..."
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
The whole contingent in the corridor froze. Most were simply awaiting the arrival of Nippy, Thantor, and Kramor. Loner, however, was frozen with something akin to fear.
She heard their steps on the stone floor of the hall, and recognized Kramor's footfall. Dagret gave her arm a friendly squeeze. The sounds of battle, now joined by the Lullaby League, came to them through the windows and arrow-slits.
Thantor was saying something when the three of them arrived in the hall and saw the others. Kramor was in the back, but swiftly went forward to find Loner. Loner herself felt him approaching and stepped back into the shadows.
Dagret went to Thantor and they summoned the others, leaving Loner and Kramor on the landing. "We need to formulate a plan for getting the Staff and getting out of here," Dagret said when they were all on the stairs.
"Agreed," said Thantor. "First we need to know where exactly this Staff is located."
"My guess is, with the Hooters," said Dagret. "They have just come out to join the battle outside, I can hear them out there. If we can find their quarters, I'm sure we will find the Staff as well."
****************
When Kramor saw Loner, swathed in black as she was, and wearing a mask over her head, his heart stopped. He slowly approached her, where she was hiding in the shadows.
"Loner," he said quietly, and she came forward a step. He reached out and took her in his arms.
"What happened to you?" he asked, cradling her face in his hands. He found the folds of the cloth mask, and began to remove it. "No, please don't," Loner protested, grabbing his hands to stop him.
"Let me see you," he said, and she relaxed her grip just enough for him to free his wrists and lift off the mask.
She could tell he was quietly weeping, and felt his fingertips lightly caressing the healed but still very visible scars. He gently touched the blindfold and Loner drew back in pain.
Kramor pulled her to him and held her tightly. "My love..." His sorrow turned to anger as he went on: "Who did this to you?..."
[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
- Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
Gwalchmai fingered the handle of the +5 whip he held, wondering how in the world it had managed to appear in his hands (
). He figured that he must have gotten it off of the corpse of one of the shadow-ogres, but he didn’t remember doing that. He’d never experienced such a lapse before. Then he touched his face and realized that he was grinning evilly; something else that he had never done before. His mind raced with images of all the lovely ways that he could torture this stupid knight-wannabe that knelt before him. He raised the whip experimentally, but found that his shoulder was still numb from where the shadow had touched him. A small part of him felt frightened, the fear growing in him as he felt his soul go black. He half turned, seeming to fight against himself for control of his own body. “Vivien?” he whispered, “Something doesn’t feel right....”
“Gwally?” Vivien said as she reached out to touch him, but recoiled from the burning cold she felt emanating from his body. “Dragonwench! Gwally needs help!”
Dragonwench felt the cold of Gwalchmai’s aura and saw his contorted face. “The evil is almost palpable. Quickly! We must dispel!” Vivien cast her strongest dispel evil spell as Dragonwench found a restoration scroll.
Gwalchmai felt the blackness rush from his body as though a tide was receding, and his own familiar soul was sucked back into place in the vacuum. He gulped in deep breaths as though he had almost drowned and he almost leapt with joy. But he stopped as he saw the smirk on Anomen’s face. Understanding dawned. This was not truly Anomen kneeling before them. Not entirely.
“Much better,” he said as he gave Vivien and Dragonwench each a hug, “We need to be cautious, though. There is an evil that seems able to take advantage of weakened souls. Anomen may be in the same boat.”
[OOC: Welcome back DW! How was Belize?
]
“Gwally?” Vivien said as she reached out to touch him, but recoiled from the burning cold she felt emanating from his body. “Dragonwench! Gwally needs help!”
Dragonwench felt the cold of Gwalchmai’s aura and saw his contorted face. “The evil is almost palpable. Quickly! We must dispel!” Vivien cast her strongest dispel evil spell as Dragonwench found a restoration scroll.
Gwalchmai felt the blackness rush from his body as though a tide was receding, and his own familiar soul was sucked back into place in the vacuum. He gulped in deep breaths as though he had almost drowned and he almost leapt with joy. But he stopped as he saw the smirk on Anomen’s face. Understanding dawned. This was not truly Anomen kneeling before them. Not entirely.
“Much better,” he said as he gave Vivien and Dragonwench each a hug, “We need to be cautious, though. There is an evil that seems able to take advantage of weakened souls. Anomen may be in the same boat.”
[OOC: Welcome back DW! How was Belize?
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
- Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
Just then, a powerful horse trotted by. Vivien looked at it and said “Hmmm. My hold spell must have worn off..... Uh oh. We’d better do something about Commander Wartknee!” Vivien cast a resilient sphere on Anomen, muttering “That oughta keep him out of our hair for a while.” Then the three of them turned to the gnome, who was just starting to defrost.
The commander stared wide-eyed at a threatening tableau. Dragonwench stood before him, her blade pointed at his chest, Vivien was to his left with her hands on her hips, Gwalchmai brandished a deadly whip to his right, and three fire elementals were arrayed behind him. He tried to touch one of his medals on his uniform, but Dragonwench’s blade cut a neat slice in his hand. “You know, little man,” she said evenly, “we have a friend named Loner who is very good with a sword. She could probably slice each of your medals, trinkets, and gems off of your uniform before you could piss your pants. Then she’d probably carve the letter ‘L’ in your hide just for good measure. But I’m not so neat, and I would just have to run you through if you tried to summon any more of your friends.”
“Yes, I understand,” said the gnome, keeping his hands well away from his uniform.
“Look!” said Gwalchmai pointing at the wound on the gnome’s hand, “Its healing.”
“Yes,” the Commander said, “the benefits of a very god constitution. And since you won’t let me call for help, then I shall just have to help myself!” With that, the gnome stretched out his arms, and the polearm that had carried the Commander’s colors flew into his hands of its own accord. He ripped the banner off and cackled. A bright gold flash, and suddenly Wartknee grew before their very eyes. He was now easily twice as tall as any one of them. Brandishing the glowing polearm with its razor-sharp skeletal dragon wings like a sword, he neatly chopped the head off of one of the fire elementals. A menacing growl, absurdly high-pitched considering the great size of the enlarged gnome, escaped his lips as he turned on the Dark Flames.

The commander stared wide-eyed at a threatening tableau. Dragonwench stood before him, her blade pointed at his chest, Vivien was to his left with her hands on her hips, Gwalchmai brandished a deadly whip to his right, and three fire elementals were arrayed behind him. He tried to touch one of his medals on his uniform, but Dragonwench’s blade cut a neat slice in his hand. “You know, little man,” she said evenly, “we have a friend named Loner who is very good with a sword. She could probably slice each of your medals, trinkets, and gems off of your uniform before you could piss your pants. Then she’d probably carve the letter ‘L’ in your hide just for good measure. But I’m not so neat, and I would just have to run you through if you tried to summon any more of your friends.”
“Yes, I understand,” said the gnome, keeping his hands well away from his uniform.
“Look!” said Gwalchmai pointing at the wound on the gnome’s hand, “Its healing.”
“Yes,” the Commander said, “the benefits of a very god constitution. And since you won’t let me call for help, then I shall just have to help myself!” With that, the gnome stretched out his arms, and the polearm that had carried the Commander’s colors flew into his hands of its own accord. He ripped the banner off and cackled. A bright gold flash, and suddenly Wartknee grew before their very eyes. He was now easily twice as tall as any one of them. Brandishing the glowing polearm with its razor-sharp skeletal dragon wings like a sword, he neatly chopped the head off of one of the fire elementals. A menacing growl, absurdly high-pitched considering the great size of the enlarged gnome, escaped his lips as he turned on the Dark Flames.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.