As the party crawled through the narrow crevasse indicated on the map, they found themselves in a huge subterranean cavern, dimly lit by some phosphorescent lichen clinging to the stone walls. Towards the center of the cavern stood the Temple of the Mad God. Nearly intact, save for the fact that is sat slightly skewed on it’s foundations and some cracks in which moss and more of the luminescent lichens had taken hold.
While most of the party held back or advanced slowly, the bolder members, including Waverly, Sigrlinn, and Gilgalen, hurried to the entrance. Underneath the entryway, it was clear how cyclopean the temple was in its immensity. Each rough-hewn granite block was as tall as a man. Over the archway was an immense phoenix relief carved into well-weathered sandstone. The group paused for a moment before silently agreeing to enter.
Waverly felt a slight tug on the back of his tunic and turned to find Sigrlinn smirking at him with an arched eyebrow. A mere moment later Waverly heard startled screams from those that had gone on ahead accompanied by a thunderous roar of stone sliding on stone. This was followed by a deafening crash, and then silence. From the dust now blowing like smoke from the entry came a single figure, Gilgalen, shaken and unsteady. “A trap,” he said. “We must proceed more cautiously,” was all he would add.
Sigrlinn nudged Waverly and whispered, “My debt is repaid. I can now kill you with honor when the time comes.” “Waverly chuckled, “Your usefulness is now at an end, and my reward is at hand. Give me some excuse to keep you around just a bit longer… I don’t look forward to the task of spilling your blood. Are you not curious why we are here?”
The Harem Tent
“OK surfacer, I’m curious, but let me guess. The legend is that a settlement of the first men went to war with the high elves, and sacrificed many of their number within this very temple… An activity of which I heartily approve... And those men served a god other than their own creator, an insane and cruel deity who punished his enemies and followers with equal fervor.”
“You are quite studied in the lore of men, I see,” Waverly replied. “The mad god yet sleeps, but will reward those that show him the proper reverence.”
Sigerlinn just shook her head. “No. No, I think not.” She hesitated a moment, realizing it might be within her power to be rid of the foolish humans once and for all. Then reconsidering; she had no wish to be caught in the firestorm herself. Besides, Waverly was not so bad for a surfacer. He would have a made a fine drow, though was probably too filled with foolish pride to serve Lloth. She continued, “The mad god is not a creator. He can’t grant the gift you seek. Not at least the way you intend. He can only corrupt and twist the creator’s work. Those that call him will be utterly destroyed, traveling beyond even the abyss. Those that are strong enough may remain undead. In either case, you cheat death, but not with glorious immortality. That is what you seek is it not? Yes, I thought as much. There is a way to trick him, I think. Are you so attached to the others? Can you trust me and do as I say?”
Waverly thought for a few minutes. Segerlinn’s story made sense. He had long ago learned and forgotten that the creator’s intent could be mocked but not duplicated. What of the tales of immortality granted to men? Mere legend, perhaps? He was in a cold sweat, because he knew he was past the point of turning back… but it was a fact, whether Sigerlinn lied or not, that the encounter with the mad god would not go as planned. He decided to listen to Sigerlinn. “Go, on. I’ll listen.”
“Free me, I need to prepare some spells. Also pry two emeralds from that basin you carry. I’ll need them.” She searched her memory for the proper spells: holy vessel, raise dead, permanence. She was sure with the power of the mad god at hand she could make this work.
[ooc: yes just lichen for now... but you gave me a wonderful evil idea
]
“You are quite studied in the lore of men, I see,” Waverly replied. “The mad god yet sleeps, but will reward those that show him the proper reverence.”
Sigerlinn just shook her head. “No. No, I think not.” She hesitated a moment, realizing it might be within her power to be rid of the foolish humans once and for all. Then reconsidering; she had no wish to be caught in the firestorm herself. Besides, Waverly was not so bad for a surfacer. He would have a made a fine drow, though was probably too filled with foolish pride to serve Lloth. She continued, “The mad god is not a creator. He can’t grant the gift you seek. Not at least the way you intend. He can only corrupt and twist the creator’s work. Those that call him will be utterly destroyed, traveling beyond even the abyss. Those that are strong enough may remain undead. In either case, you cheat death, but not with glorious immortality. That is what you seek is it not? Yes, I thought as much. There is a way to trick him, I think. Are you so attached to the others? Can you trust me and do as I say?”
Waverly thought for a few minutes. Segerlinn’s story made sense. He had long ago learned and forgotten that the creator’s intent could be mocked but not duplicated. What of the tales of immortality granted to men? Mere legend, perhaps? He was in a cold sweat, because he knew he was past the point of turning back… but it was a fact, whether Sigerlinn lied or not, that the encounter with the mad god would not go as planned. He decided to listen to Sigerlinn. “Go, on. I’ll listen.”
“Free me, I need to prepare some spells. Also pry two emeralds from that basin you carry. I’ll need them.” She searched her memory for the proper spells: holy vessel, raise dead, permanence. She was sure with the power of the mad god at hand she could make this work.
[ooc: yes just lichen for now... but you gave me a wonderful evil idea
]Then darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time
Waverly looked around the temple while Sigerlinn chanted in her Elven Drow tongue. The dark knights had taken up positions guarding the exit. He, and most certainly Segirlinn, would never be allowed to waltz out. He also realized full well that Gilgalen and the others would never listen to his concerns over the ceremony. They were almost in a state of religious ecstasy over the thought of their impending immortality. Segirlinn seemed to have a plan, but he was going to need a much better one if he was going to prevail. He pondered as he watched the knights prepare for the ceremony. What had once been a fountain near the center of the main hall was now a fetid pool. Waverly fidgeted by the edge, carelessy kicking the brackish water and vaguely sensing the resulting ripples as they moved outward.
“Keeping us alive that way isn’t going to be enough, Drow. What good is continued life if you spend it being roasted alive by a mad god?”
For the first time since he first set eyes upon her, the smirk disappeared from Sigirlinn’s face. She had only thought of survival, and had never considered just how unpleasant survival might be if it was only to face brutal and unending torture at the hands of an insane deity. She looked down at the emeralds, now fully prepared to receive and protect the life force of them both. Frustrated, she was about to hurl them into the pool when Waverly stopped her.
“We could never hope to control him directly, but think about the ceremony: He is called forth from the water using his sacred basin and the words in the book Gilgalen carries. He is a creature of water, he may even sleep as we speak in an elemental plane of water… Enchant the water!”
Sigerlinn smiled. A true smile, far different from the evil and knowing smirk she was so fond of giving. “Easily done. And the emeralds? I think we should continue with that part of the plan, we may need the added security.
Waverly smiled back and the two drew closer to consult and finalize their plans.
[ooc: OK, a pair of true liches along with undead paladins and an engraged diety is a bit much I am now thinking a 'lich like' transformation meaning just protecting the life force- no huge increase in powers. Better? let me know, I'm happy to change it.]
“Keeping us alive that way isn’t going to be enough, Drow. What good is continued life if you spend it being roasted alive by a mad god?”
For the first time since he first set eyes upon her, the smirk disappeared from Sigirlinn’s face. She had only thought of survival, and had never considered just how unpleasant survival might be if it was only to face brutal and unending torture at the hands of an insane deity. She looked down at the emeralds, now fully prepared to receive and protect the life force of them both. Frustrated, she was about to hurl them into the pool when Waverly stopped her.
“We could never hope to control him directly, but think about the ceremony: He is called forth from the water using his sacred basin and the words in the book Gilgalen carries. He is a creature of water, he may even sleep as we speak in an elemental plane of water… Enchant the water!”
Sigerlinn smiled. A true smile, far different from the evil and knowing smirk she was so fond of giving. “Easily done. And the emeralds? I think we should continue with that part of the plan, we may need the added security.
Waverly smiled back and the two drew closer to consult and finalize their plans.
[ooc: OK, a pair of true liches along with undead paladins and an engraged diety is a bit much
I am now thinking a 'lich like' transformation meaning just protecting the life force- no huge increase in powers. Better? let me know, I'm happy to change it.]Then darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time
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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:
(OOC Waverly - Georgi is a fighter/mage = one-woman lich-butt-kicking machine Do whatever... Ummm where were we?)
Georgi sat up, her wound still throbbing, but well enough to move on. She got up, and looked longingly at her leather miniskirt, but decided that she would have to settle for cleavage-enhancing armour instead, just in case.
Do whatever... Ummm where were we?)Georgi sat up, her wound still throbbing, but well enough to move on. She got up, and looked longingly at her leather miniskirt, but decided that she would have to settle for cleavage-enhancing armour instead, just in case.
Who, me?!?
Loner awoke from eight blissful hours of unbroken rest, feeling much better, but still aching...She stood, and picked up the Katana. As always, it felt nearly weightless in her hands. Good, she would be able to wield it no problem...She kept thinking with curiosity about the Anomen apparition...what did it mean??...She was far from genuine concern, merely curious about the mysterious occurrence at this point.
Once everyone was ready, the group set off to find Waverly...and whatever else he had with him...
{OOC Hope no one minds this...I thought I'd just get us kick-started. LAt me know of any objections and I'll edit}
Once everyone was ready, the group set off to find Waverly...and whatever else he had with him...
{OOC Hope no one minds this...I thought I'd just get us kick-started. LAt me know of any objections and I'll edit}
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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:
(OOC Loner - somebody needed to! JB - we are all together headed for some big apocalyptic battle, so jump in whenever )
Darius led them through damp passages, until the ceiling lowered and he was unable to go any further. He gestured. "Your path lies that way, friends. I wish you luck." And he disappeared.
)Darius led them through damp passages, until the ceiling lowered and he was unable to go any further. He gestured. "Your path lies that way, friends. I wish you luck." And he disappeared.
Who, me?!?
going over all the information that they have gather so far. jennabard turned to sir keldon,
"what was stolen from the catacombs of your order?"
keldon looked at the young bard grimly, " a bowl, i believe it was used for blood sacrifices. it has something to do with an ancient evil from the orders past, other than that, it is all i know."
OOC- what was stolen from the order? i hope you don't mind, if it has already been addressed i'll changed it.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: jennabard ]
"what was stolen from the catacombs of your order?"
keldon looked at the young bard grimly, " a bowl, i believe it was used for blood sacrifices. it has something to do with an ancient evil from the orders past, other than that, it is all i know."
OOC- what was stolen from the order? i hope you don't mind, if it has already been addressed i'll changed it.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: jennabard ]
sleep takes a vacation when baby is in the house.
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Georgi
- Posts: 11288
- Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2001 10:00 pm
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- Contact:
(OOC I think it was a bowl from the ORH and a book from the OGR... check Waverly's posts, he's the evil mastermind... )
They looked at each other apprehensively. This was it... Each of them began their final battle preparations.
...All the spells had been cast. Georgi looked round at the faces of her friends. There was nothing to say. She led the way down the passage, the sound of chanting growing louder with every step.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]
)They looked at each other apprehensively. This was it... Each of them began their final battle preparations.
...All the spells had been cast. Georgi looked round at the faces of her friends. There was nothing to say. She led the way down the passage, the sound of chanting growing louder with every step.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]
Who, me?!?
Finally the Order of the Dark Flame reached the Temple.
They peered over a ridge in the wall above the temple floor, a result of long neglect and ruin. There stood a ring of fallen Gilded Rose knights, encircling the Basin of the Mad God and chanting, an evil sound. The ground began to tremble...
Then from the pool in the center of the hall, the Mad God emerged, covered in fire and sulphur. It was nothing more than a black formless mass...but it sent out terror, and many of the knights tried to flee. But the Mad God fell upon them like a ravening lion, and they were instantly destroyed.
Except for Waverly and the Drow.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
They peered over a ridge in the wall above the temple floor, a result of long neglect and ruin. There stood a ring of fallen Gilded Rose knights, encircling the Basin of the Mad God and chanting, an evil sound. The ground began to tremble...
Then from the pool in the center of the hall, the Mad God emerged, covered in fire and sulphur. It was nothing more than a black formless mass...but it sent out terror, and many of the knights tried to flee. But the Mad God fell upon them like a ravening lion, and they were instantly destroyed.
Except for Waverly and the Drow.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
As Gilgalen recited the prayers to the mad god in the forgotten black speak, Waverly and Sigerlinn eased back from the circle proper. When the basin was emptied of the water from the sacred font, an acrid odor filled the air and the water boiled over on the ground where it was spilt. A warm wind circled the knights and a howl welled up in the quickening air. Suddenly, before them, in blackness and nearly without form appeared the mad god himself.
He entered the minds of the nights and saw their purpose. He saw they were mercenaries and not acolytes and found them wanting. He spoke to them as if his words were hissed from steam, “You seek to escape death…use me for your own purposes. You have come to my temple, and your very being belongs to me now.” With that, his form seemed to envelop the knights. Several tried to flee, but it was no use. Most disintegrated into dust, their spirits perishing as well as their bodies. Others simply fell over dead.
Waverly backed up as far as he could from the scene and Sigerlinn with him. The mad god roared and chased the few remaining knights down, these he tore apart as if they were made of soft cloth. Their entrails and limbs littered the ground. Finally he caught sight of the last two living souls in his temple and advanced upon them.
“Stop, I command it,” Sigerlinn called out. The deity continued to advance, his black form seemed to shrink and solidify, until at last he stood before them no larger than a man and half tall. His form was solid black, but bore the shape of a slender man. His face carried two pinpoints of yellow light that served as eyes. Finally he was motionless before them; in thrall for the moment to Sigerlinn and her enchantment of the sacred waters from which he sprung.
He entered the minds of the nights and saw their purpose. He saw they were mercenaries and not acolytes and found them wanting. He spoke to them as if his words were hissed from steam, “You seek to escape death…use me for your own purposes. You have come to my temple, and your very being belongs to me now.” With that, his form seemed to envelop the knights. Several tried to flee, but it was no use. Most disintegrated into dust, their spirits perishing as well as their bodies. Others simply fell over dead.
Waverly backed up as far as he could from the scene and Sigerlinn with him. The mad god roared and chased the few remaining knights down, these he tore apart as if they were made of soft cloth. Their entrails and limbs littered the ground. Finally he caught sight of the last two living souls in his temple and advanced upon them.
“Stop, I command it,” Sigerlinn called out. The deity continued to advance, his black form seemed to shrink and solidify, until at last he stood before them no larger than a man and half tall. His form was solid black, but bore the shape of a slender man. His face carried two pinpoints of yellow light that served as eyes. Finally he was motionless before them; in thrall for the moment to Sigerlinn and her enchantment of the sacred waters from which he sprung.
Then darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time
"He's gonna do it," Darkpoet whispered, as the group watched in a kind of sick awe as the Drow commanded the god. "Let's move!"
They all stood in their places, in the niche above the temple floor. "STOP!!" yelled Loner, close to the front.
At this the three figures turned. Waverly smiled. The Mad God stepped forward and started to chuckle softly, rising to a maniacal laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHHAAHAAAAAAA!!" he screeched. "Foolish mortals!! I know what you have come for. I can see into your minds, yes...all of you." He scanned each member in turn. His gaze lighting on Loner, he said, "You know me well, mortal. How did you like my little games in the plane, eh? That wizard will not be able to protect you now as he did then. This...is my ground."
He advanced upon them. Waverly and the Drow did nothing, thinking they wouldn't have to.
Then, suddenly, Jennabard stood forward. "Blah, blah, blah," she said with a sigh. "You can't possibly make me feel any worse than I do right now."
The god stopped his advance. He was unaccustomed to this kind of reaction.
"Uhh..." the Mad God stammered.
Vivien chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, you don't know what hell is, pal..."
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
They all stood in their places, in the niche above the temple floor. "STOP!!" yelled Loner, close to the front.
At this the three figures turned. Waverly smiled. The Mad God stepped forward and started to chuckle softly, rising to a maniacal laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHHAAHAAAAAAA!!" he screeched. "Foolish mortals!! I know what you have come for. I can see into your minds, yes...all of you." He scanned each member in turn. His gaze lighting on Loner, he said, "You know me well, mortal. How did you like my little games in the plane, eh? That wizard will not be able to protect you now as he did then. This...is my ground."
He advanced upon them. Waverly and the Drow did nothing, thinking they wouldn't have to.
Then, suddenly, Jennabard stood forward. "Blah, blah, blah," she said with a sigh. "You can't possibly make me feel any worse than I do right now."
The god stopped his advance. He was unaccustomed to this kind of reaction.
"Uhh..." the Mad God stammered.
Vivien chuckled bitterly. "Yeah, you don't know what hell is, pal..."
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
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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:
A strange look had come across all the ladies' faces. Darkpoet was the first to spot it. He tapped Kramor and Gwalchmai on the shoulder. "I think we should stand back a bit, lads... this isn't going to be pretty."
The fiery-tempered Dragonwench stepped forward. "Oh please?! It's just me, me, me with you gods, isn't it? We have a pain threshold high enough to go through childbirth, and you think we can't take on a pathetic little god like you?"
The Mad God paused, confused. He wasn't used to such defiance. "But I..."
"Don't start with your excuses!" warned Georgi. "Believe me, we've heard them all before. At least if you were a goddess, you might have some kind of competence..."
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]
The fiery-tempered Dragonwench stepped forward. "Oh please?! It's just me, me, me with you gods, isn't it? We have a pain threshold high enough to go through childbirth, and you think we can't take on a pathetic little god like you?"
The Mad God paused, confused. He wasn't used to such defiance. "But I..."
"Don't start with your excuses!" warned Georgi. "Believe me, we've heard them all before. At least if you were a goddess, you might have some kind of competence..."
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]
Who, me?!?
"In-deed!" Loner laughed, agreeing with Georgi.
"Uhhh, yes dear..." stammered the Mad God.
"Ohhhh, don't you ****ing patronize us!" cried Loner, "you IGNORANT MALE...DEITY!!!!"
She swept out the Katana. "Prepare to DIE!"
Then the entire Order of the Dark Flame leapt down into the temple and fell upon the astonished Mad God, while Darkpoet, Kramor, and Gwalchmai took on Waverly, and Darius seized the Drow...
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
"Uhhh, yes dear..." stammered the Mad God.
"Ohhhh, don't you ****ing patronize us!" cried Loner, "you IGNORANT MALE...DEITY!!!!"
She swept out the Katana. "Prepare to DIE!"
Then the entire Order of the Dark Flame leapt down into the temple and fell upon the astonished Mad God, while Darkpoet, Kramor, and Gwalchmai took on Waverly, and Darius seized the Drow...
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
"Friends of yours?" Sigerlinn asked Waverly with a hint of sarcasm.
"We are acquainted," he replied. "They shouldn't pose much of a problem, I'm a bit more concerned about keeping control of the mad god."
Sigerlinn shook her head, "They make me nervous, they are too bold. I wish we had had time to properly hide the emeralds. They will offer little protection as phylacteries while on our person."
Waverly addressed the ladies from his postition well behind the mad god. "You are nearly past the point of no return. Flee now and I will attempt to see that no harm comes to you. Stay another moment, and let it be your doing, not mine."
Edit:
The ladies merely mocked the mad god and set upon him. The pathetic slaves rushed Waverly and Sigerlinn with a dragon in tow.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: Waverly ]
"We are acquainted," he replied. "They shouldn't pose much of a problem, I'm a bit more concerned about keeping control of the mad god."
Sigerlinn shook her head, "They make me nervous, they are too bold. I wish we had had time to properly hide the emeralds. They will offer little protection as phylacteries while on our person."
Waverly addressed the ladies from his postition well behind the mad god. "You are nearly past the point of no return. Flee now and I will attempt to see that no harm comes to you. Stay another moment, and let it be your doing, not mine."
Edit:
The ladies merely mocked the mad god and set upon him. The pathetic slaves rushed Waverly and Sigerlinn with a dragon in tow.
[ 06-01-2001: Message edited by: Waverly ]
Then darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time