Order of the Dark Flame (Story, No Spam)

KramoR · Post by **KramoR** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 8:17 am

Kramor, felt the missing piece to the puzzle.
"Loner, anyone else you see, search out for their ki. Then you will know if they are real or not. The demon can not copy anyone's ki."

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 10:21 am

Gwalchmai looked at the half-sized elf passing out dolls and toy carts and shook his head, “Sometimes I feel like a ‘Wild Druid’,” he said. “The magic manifests itself randomly sometimes. I guess this is what comes from making offerings to multiple deities.”

Dragon Wench shooed the red and green clad elf away, just it was un-summoned

, “We still need a calming influence. The demon’s evil will is wrecking havoc with everyone here. Loner and Georgi are reliving their worst night mares from their past, and Kramor has run off like some spurned twelve-year-old orc. I’m not even sure if Thantor is completely in control. I mean, look at him! He’s starting to drool! Things may get out of hand, if these people can’t focus.”

“Fine. You want calm? You want peace? Let me try again.” Hoping that Silvanus wouldn’t get on his case for talking to her, Gwalchmai focused inwardly, whispering “Eldath, Eldath,” over and over again. At first, a scent manifested itself, that of the forest during a light rain. Then the sound of a trickling stream could be heard, and finally, an image of a beautiful woman, softly glowing, appeared in the room. Dragon Wench was the only other one to see her, and she was awestruck by the lesser deity before them.

“Gwalchmai,” Eldath said with the voice of a waterfall, “its been a long time. You are far from home.”

“Indeed, mistress. But I and my friends are in great need of your peacefulness.”

Eldath looked around the room, “But they are fighters, warriors. You know how I feel about that.”

“Yes, but they are locked in a good fight, to balance the forces of evil that threaten to engulf the world in chaos. They need protection from distraction. I do not not ask this lightly.”

“I know you would not call on me for frivolous matters, dear Gwalchmai. Very well, but you will owe me.” With an enigmatic smile, Eldath was gone, but the chamber was filled with warmth like from a ray of sunlight in spring. The sound of rushing water increased, filling everyone with energy and a sense of well-being. Then, a musty smell, like damp oak, pervaded the room. Everyone sat a little straighter, felt a little more centered, and peacefulness prevailed. Even Kramor and Darkpoet felt this power, and the demon shrank just a little.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 12:07 pm

Dragon Wench, who had been speculating at just what the elf had implied, was startled at his sudden disappearance.
Then, she found herself filled with a profound serenity and all thoughts of the elf vanished.

. The woman, or was that spirit, was unlike any other being she had ever encountered, and her first impulse was to kneel before her in obeissance. Faintly alarmed at her response to this ethereal creature she attempted to gird her instincts and instead simply gazed at her in stunned veneration. She had heard of the legendary Eldath, of course, but the warrior's path that she had solely followed for the last ten years had prevented her from even conceptualizing the glowing figure before her. She hadn't realised that Gwalchmai possessed such remarkable powers and she suddenly felt reaassured at the eventual success of the ritual.
Then, as quickly as she'd appeared, Eldath left; a faintly shimmering pool remained in the place that she had stood. Dragon Wench moved to go to it, but Gwalchmai lifted his hand in warning. The pool did not appear dangerous, but she nonethless stopped and glanced quizzically at Gwalchmai.

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 12:31 pm

OCC- It's fine Jennabard

Darkpoet looked at the Phoenix.

"Oh, good one Waverly. What? You getting back at me, because you couldn't handle the ladies? Or is it you, Gwalchmai, playing with your little Druid powers? Please, like I need this, Anomen must die. They all must die, can't you see that? They killed her, so they need to die."

The tattoo on Darkpoet's arm starts to glow and burn. In his mind, Darkpoet screams in anguish and pain. The shadow of himself, pulls away, looking down. Then looks at the Phoenix.

"Sorrow to joy? It can never happen. I'm doomed to death and distruction, I feed on wars for the pleasure. The Radient Heart will pay, for their crimes. Leading men and women to the slaughtering pens, in the name of God. I am no more, but a mere shell of myself. Killing is all I know, I have no joy. I have lost my love, so there is no love, just hate. So leave me be spirit, you can't help me."

[ 07-03-2001: Message edited by: Darkpoet ]

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 12:49 pm

After her encounter with Thantor, Georgi emerged into a meadow. She smiled at this recollection, a memory all but forgotten... Though she sensed a malign presence, it was being kept at bay, by Loner, she thought to herself. Another presence became perceptible, accompanied by a twinge of pain in her head. She called Anomen's spirit to her.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 1:16 pm

Dragon Wench and Gwalchmai knelt beside the pool. The water was still and dark. Slowly, Gwalchmai reached a hand out to the water, and Dragon Wench touched Gwalchmai’s arm whispering, “Be careful.” The instant his fingers touched the surface of the water, it felt like someone had shoved both he and Dragon Wench from behind, and they fell headlong into the pool. Engulfed in the swirling, dark water for an instant, they lost their bearings, but then found them selves standing in the dungeon of the keep again.

But it wasn’t a dungeon. Sure, it was the same room, but now with the trappings of a rich treasure room. The wall before them was cluttered with elaborate armors and weapons of ancient types and designs that they had only seen in the Hall of Wonders Museum in Baldur’s Gate. Chests were filled and overflowing with gold and platinum. Urns boasted piles of gems: emerald, diamonds, king’s tears, topaz, and pearls. Sumptuous drapes of silk and heavy rare wool hung about the room.

But the room also stank. There was a sweet coppery smell emanating from a corner of the room. There, upon a gilt couch, lay a woman, elegantly dressed in the style of the ancient nobility. Her sightless eyes were open, as was her mouth, and her tongue protruded as if mocking any who dared look at her. Her bodice was soaked in fresh blood that still oozed from a ghastly wound across her throat. A long, dark dagger, stained with her blood, lay a few feet away.

Dragon Wench and Gwalchmai took a step backward at the grisley scene that confronted them. And in so doing, they fell again into the pool of water, tumbling, only to find themselves in the dungeon. The ritual continued, none had noticed their absence. The pool of water was gone.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 1:25 pm

"What the.....?" exclaimed Dragon Wench. "Was that a ghost, somebody that met their end in this terrible place?" The dank walls seemed to move closer to them; Dragon Wench resisted the urge to flee the dungeon and shivered violently.

[ 07-03-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 1:37 pm

"I really have no idea. She was dead, there's no doubt of that, but a ghost? It seemed so real. Like we were actually there! Why would someone murder her, but not help themselves to the treasure?"

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 1:44 pm

Loner felt Anomen's soul tug away from her. "NO!!" she cried aloud, and struggled to hold on. Then Thantor's voice sounded in her mind: It's all right, it's time now. You can let him go.

Loner didn't believe the voice; she thought it was another deception of the demon. Then she remembered what Kramor had said, about reading the ki, and she focused her mind. It really was Thantor. So reluctantly, she loosened her hand, and Anomen slipped away. Toward Georgi, I hope, Loner thought...

Thantor's voice came again: Excellent, Loner. Now you must remain where you are, to face the demon. It does not know where Georgi is, but it will come looking for Anomen's soul. If your concentration breaks for one instant, it will find them both, and Anomen will be lost, and so too probably will Georgi. So get...everything else out of your head and focus."

Loner breathed deeply. She knelt on the hard stone floor in a meditative posture. When she opened her eyes again, she looked to her left and saw a massive door, yawning open into a darkness so intense as to be a void. It was the entrance to the Abyss.

The demon saw his opportunity, and approached.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 1:57 pm

"You're right Gwalchmai that was horribly real, and the smell......," whispered Dragon Wench. "Maybe whoever murdered the women wasn't interested in her treasure, maybe they stole something else from her, soemthing we couldn't see. Do you know anything about this place, are there any scrolls or tomes around here that would help us.?"

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 2:06 pm

Georgi waded through the tall grass of the meadow. She glanced behind her, and saw Anomen, running to catch up. "Do you remember this, Anomen?" she called to him. As he drew closer, she began to feel a slight tingling sensation... something to do with the qa transfer, she supposed.

"Yes. You told me, this was the first day of the rest of your life," Anomen replied quietly, smiling and out of breath.

"It was... Now it's your turn to be reborn, Anomen. Are you ready?"

He nodded, reaching for her hand. As their flesh touched, an excruciating bolt of pain ripped through Georgi's body, causing her to scream. She intertwined her fingers with Anomen's, determined not to let go. The pain suddenly gave way to a blissful calmness. Right, she remembered, extreme emotions...

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 2:27 pm

"I haven't seen any tombs or notes around here. The place seemed pretty cleaned out when we got it," Gwalchmai said.

Dragon Wench touched one of the stone walls, "Who built this keep in the first place? And how long has it been here?"

"I don't know," Gwalchmai said, "but its pretty old. Maybe Kramor knows. He's the one who got it for us in the first place. He said he had found a real estate agent who was practically willing to pay us to take it off their hands."

"Maybe we should find him. Learning a little history of the place might be a good first step. Where did he go, anyway?"

"I think I might know where to find him."

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:01 pm

"I've always hated real estate agents, they're lying treachorous scum," growled Dragon Wench. "Small wonder the place was so cheap; I knew that there was a reason I missed our tent.......besides this place is so big I keep misplacing potions...

." Then, realising that she was about to go on a tirade she stopped herself.
Suddenly, she remembered something that had been bothering her, "do you ever feel that this keep isn't quite....well...right....? Sometimes I sense so much unhappiness here, as though some awfull injustices have been committed within the walls."
Then, she turned to Gwalchmai, and said, "let's try to find Kramor, and don't forget that whip, I suspect that it could come in handy.

.

[ 07-03-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:16 pm

"Yeah, I felt that unhappiness as well, but I thought it was just Darkpoet being pissed when I used up all the curry spices. And speaking of Darkpoet," Gwalchmai looked at the man in the cage who seemed to be mouthing words in his sleep and rubbing a tattoo on his arm, "we should ask Vivien to make sure he doesn't get loose."

[ 07-03-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:30 pm

"I'll go and find Vivien," replied Dragon Wench, only too relieved to momentarily escape the dungeon.

She bounded up the steps and into the sunlight, those golden rays had never looked so good. Eventually she discovered Vivien in a small glade close to the keep. She had woven wild roses into her leaf tunic and looked decidedly fetching. Vivian had been reciting spells and it was a moment before she sensed Dragon Wench's presence and glanced up at her. Briefly, Dragon Wench explained the situation.
"You want me to go to that awfull place," she asked.
"I don't like it either," replied Dragon Wench, but there's nobody else."
The two women made their way back into the castle and down into the gloom of the dungeon. The ritual was still progressing, and Gwalchmai was standing guard over Dark Poet, who, for some strange reason, smelled slightly like cumin and corriander.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:35 pm

OOC: does Gwalchmai or Darkpoet smell like cumin?

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:37 pm

OOC: well I was referring to DP, but take your pick

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:40 pm

OOC- I should be garlic, that's all I cook with.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 3:42 pm

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Tue Jul 03, 2001 4:09 pm

OOC: That makes me cumin. Okay, I can deal with that. Chili anyone?