Order of the Dark Flame (Story, No Spam)

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 12:46 pm

Earlier, Gwalchmai had gently explained to Vivien that the spirit lion was a conjured beast, and would eventually be un-summoned. He offered to manifest one for her anytime she desired the company of a big cat. he was frankly amazed at the rapport she had developed with the animal in such a short time.

jennabard · Post by **jennabard** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 12:48 pm

As they were walking, georgi and loner fill in as to where thantor is. a captive of the shadow master.

"then its settled them, we go and get him." gwalchawai commented.

"it not that easy, gwally, we must first find his lair. we can't just roam the country side looking for clues. it will take too long." jennabard continued, " he is beyond the realm of the living and the dead, but thantor isn't."

"What do you mean?" loner looked at her suspiciously.

jenna didn't answer, instead looked at vivien as she pet the lion. "i cannot find him, but you can, viv. the living is your realm."

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 12:52 pm

[OOC: "Playing 'Uno'?" Gwalchmai thought, "I've been playing 'Rummey'. No wonder I've been losing!"

]

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 12:57 pm

As the group made their way over to the meeting, Dragon Wench noticed that Vivien seemed unsure at the prospect of wearing the ring, she smiled over at her supportively, and then quietly whispered,
"If at any point you feel overwhelmed and in need of a diversion, remember, we still have certain other rings....."

Then, a more serious expression entered her eyes. She had not been the recipient of any visions but her strong intuitive sense told her that Thantor was in terrible danger. As she briefly recalled her own subsiding pain, she looked up and saw Georgi. Saying little, she walked over and lightly touched her shoulder.

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 1:08 pm

Ooc: Let me know if this is the way it's supposed to happen, I'll gladly change it

Vivien smiled at Dragon Wench's retreating back, grateful that she had been given support.
Jennabard had said that she could find Thantor by using the ring, but she was not sure how. She studied it again, but it's design gave no hint to how one used it. She pictured Thantor in her head, having to revise the image several times, as she kept putting glasses and a pointer stick in his hand, just like her ancient magic teacher used to have. She flexed her fingers, feeling the weight of the ring on her finger, and tried to focus on the picture of Thantor in her head. The ring warmed and then a beam of light shot from it, towards a remote unknown to the North East.

"I think this may be pointing towards Thantor? Not quite sure, but I think." She murmured to the others.

'Well, task one completed.' She thought happily to herself.
Now onto the pesky problem of her pet Lion dissapearing.

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: Vivien ]

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 1:15 pm

T’lainya quietly joined the others. She was racking her memory for any information that might be useful. She couldn’t recall anything of import at the moment. She wondered idly if the enemy might be known to the elves by a different name, or if indeed there had been any contact. She looked up and smiled, recalling Vivs antics with the summoned spirit lion.

jennabard · Post by **jennabard** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 1:19 pm

jennabard smiled at viv, she turn to loner and georgi," now we can go rescue him."

OOC-

have to go to class, so go ahead and take jenna for a ride.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 1:24 pm

Gwalchmai was already prepared to head out, with his bracers and staff in hand, and a loaded backpack. “Well, for lack of a better place to start,” he said with a wink at Vivien, “I’m ready to head north-east We might find something there. Maybe Loner might be able to sense Thantor’s ki better as we get closer.” Gwalchmai almost looked forward to another journey with Dragon Wench and Vivien (as well as the others). After their escapades from the previous night, he had learned to appreciate their company on a whole new level. But Loner's information about Thantor's eye created a sense of urgency that dispelled any pleasant thoughts, “So, I’m ready to go, unless anyone has any objections?”

KramoR · Post by **KramoR** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 2:00 pm

"I agree with Gwally, maybe with both Loner and I, we could contact Thantor. Try to find out where to find him."

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: KramoR ]

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 2:03 pm

As everyone was talking, Darkpoet slipped away to his room. He went into the hidden room, where he kept his things. Opening the trunk, he had not opened it in ten years. He started going through, the weapons, clothing, armor and other things he had collected. Darkpoet touched something that brought a flood of memories back. Odessa's armor, he didn't realize, he had kept it. He put it in the corner, Darkpoet ran his hand on the back of the armor, touching the hole the Drow spear left.
Going back to the trunk, Darkpoet lifted out, a well oiled cloth. Unwrapping the cloth, and staring at the two long swords. They were a gift from Menadir, they were made by Loth'thar, an elven smith. He also took out chainmail, that was the color of shark skin. Putting that on, then covered it with a black and green leather long coat. Darkpoet then put his daggers in the tops of his boots. He scabbored the swords, and crossed them on his back. Standing up he tested, for quickness, in drawing his swords. Taking his saddlebags and his cloak, he headed back for the courtyard.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 2:10 pm

Gwalchmai saddled his horse, and began traveling in a northeasterly direction. He gave the horse its head, not using kicks or jabs, but easy encouragement to get the horse to move in basically the right direction. He knew that the others would soon catch up to him.

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 2:25 pm

Unrequested edit

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: Darkpoet ]

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 2:45 pm

T’lainya looked up as Darkpoet joined the group. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw the finely worked chain mail. Then she caught sight of the swords, beautifully crafted and unmistakably elvish. Raising an eyebrow at the paladin, she mouthed a question…Menadir? She thought for a moment, he hadn’t been wearing this pair of swords when she met him. But why would he hide such a pair of blades? T’lainya brushed the thought away, not wanting to be distracted (any more than she already was

) from the task at hand. She was thankful for the enchanted armor she wore, the metal as light as silk. A distinct blessing while standing under the sun.

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 3:34 pm

When the orc removed the burning object from his skin, Thantor barely responded. The smell of burning flesh hung heavy in the already dank air. Every ounce of will Thantor had went into maintaining the sanctuary around his mind. The chanting became his single focus to the exclusion of everything else. But the torture was beginning to wear him down. The two orcs were being overseen by a hooded figure who was dressed in similar robes as the Shadow Master and wore the Crown of Thorns on his right hand. On one occasion, an overeager swing by one of the orcs caught the edge of the hood, sweeping it back. Though the blood and pain made it difficult to see, Thantor had recognized the face as drow. Since then, he had dwelt on the edge of consciousness, constantly buffeted by unceasing waves of pain.

The Shadow Master swept into the room, and was immediately approached by the drow mage. "Tell me," demanded the Shadow Master curtly. "He is weakening, but the barrier in his mind remains intact." The Shadow Master made a sound of frustration. This was going too slowly. He needed the information now. To do the rites before he could adequately defend against Mielikki's possible intrusions would be risky. He pondered his options, spoke briefly to the drow, then left. The drow also left, but soon returned. A bucket of putrid smelling water splashed over Thantor, reviving him to a more active level of consciousness. The drow grabbed Thantor by the hair, pulling his head back, and spoke to him. "Look before you, Thantor. We have brought you some company." The drow released his head and Thantor looked in the direction of the ground in front of him. A man in ragged, dirty clothes knelt before him. Thantor could not see his face, but there was something familiar that he could almost... "This man will die if you do not tell us what we want to know. And every hour after that, another of his fellows will die as well." When Thantor heard the word "fellows", the something he had been trying to grasp fell into place. The man before him was a paladin. Fighting to stay conscious, Thantor tried to process the terrible choice before him. Irritated at Thantor's hesitation, the drow walked over to the kneeling paladin. "Perhaps I did not make myself clear. This man's life is now in your hands. Look him in the eyes and tell him that you are sending him to his death." The drow jerked the paladin's head back, and Thantor almost turned his head from the sight before him. Half of the face and part of the upper neck and shoulder was beginning to rot away, the flesh pus-filled and corroded. But when he looked deeper into the man's face, Thantor's eyes opened wide in shock. The man kneeling before him was Anomen.

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: thantor3 ]

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 3:39 pm

Looking out towards the North East, Dragon Wench shivered with sudden foreboding. A large thunderhead was beginning to overshadow the brightness of the sun. As the cooler damp air encountered the blistering heat of the early afternoon, the air seemed to crackle expectantly. She also noticed that despite the relatively early hour, the shadows cast by the ancient oak trees nearby had lengthened perceptably.

Shuddering, she pulled her protective cloak nearer to her shoulders. She remembered recieving it upon the completion of her mage training, a gift from the sagely master who had taken her on as apprentice. The cloak was woven from fine copper strands; it was light enough to allow spell casting, and it shielded her from the worst of an opponent's blows. Recently, she had began to favour it over armour, it was more comfortable in the summer heat and she was taking a renewed interest in weilding magic in the stead of her sword.

Gradually everyone assembled and they began their trek towards the North East. Thunder rumbled ominously and sheet lightening illuminated the horizon ahead. Her feeling of urgency increased, and she spurred her horse onwards.

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 3:52 pm

Georgi's impatience receded somewhat as the group set out, but the sense of urgency remained and she galloped ahead of the group. Loner's words were gnawing at her brain, and in her mind's eye she saw Thantor subjected to the most terrible tortures. The rhythmic thundering of her horse's hooves was some distraction, but the images persisted.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 4:00 pm

After some time a rabbit shot out from beneath some undergrowth, squealing in evident panic. Dragon Wench paused, "did rabbits squeal like that?" The terrified animal bolted towards the bushes and was gone. With a sudden thought, Dragon Wench motioned to the others the direction from which the rabbit had been fleeing. It was due North East.

[ 07-18-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 4:14 pm

Darkpoet quickly saddled his and T's horse. He started to think, about the ShadowMaster. He had a feeling, he had met him before. But, where? Him and T'lainya, quickly rode after the rest. He glanced at T'lainya, he was impressed. As she rode through the sunlight, he caught his breath. Darkpoet, stopped to think about saving Thantor. "Damn, it got hot all of a sudden." he thought.

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 4:32 pm

"Alright," sighed Thantor, defeated. He could not see the drow's face but he could almost feel him smile. He released Anomen's head and walked over to Thantor. As he grabbed Thantor's hair, Thantor purposely activated Mindlink. The resulting shock from the collar knocked him into unconsciousness.

He woke up in his cell, his flesh aching from the branding he had received. Apparently, their attempts to revive him had been unsuccessful, as he knew it would be from his previous experience with the collar. His ploy had been a risky gambit, for he could not be sure they had not killed Anomen out of spite. But it was the only viable option open to him.

The appearance of Anomen had now forced the small bits and piece of an escape plan into sharp focus. For every action a reaction, for every solid a solution he thought. There had to be a flaw, a vulnerability that he could exploit. He racked his brain for what seemed like hours, testing various scenarios but all ended in failure. And always in the background, the aggravating sound of the water, dripping, dripping. He torn off a piece of his shirt to wad up into a ball of cloth to silence the noise. As he touched the water, he noticed it had a slippery quality to it. On closer inspection, Thantor noticed small crystals along the path of the fluid and around the edge of the pool. Slowly, a grim smile spread across his face.

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Wed Jul 18, 2001 5:10 pm

T’lainya rode along watching the others, studying the various relationships within the group. She turned her head to see Darkpoet glance at her. She was thinking how much he resembled the description her cousin had given her. He seemed to have a great weight lifted from him. She smiled and then blushed when she realized she’d been staring. She busied herself looking around for signs of any unusual activity.