Order of the Dark Flame (Story, No Spam)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 8:54 am

Dragon Wench looked at Nippy, the ressemblance was so startling that this was difficult.
"I wonder if maybe you have a role even more crucial than you believe. Your brother was able to wield the magic of the ancients, an art that is long lost. Perhaps you also possess that ability, if so it will be vital. And maybe that's why Jerren was killed....it wasn't random he was assasinated because he was one of the few obstacles standing between the "Shadow Masterand complete domination of the realms."

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:01 am

Originally posted by Waverly:
[ooc: and here I was about to suggest Loner become a pinball wizard. Tell me, which postition is it that gives sight to the blind? See me, feel me, touch me, heal me... ]

OOC
Let's see. That would make you Uncle Ernie? Or maybe Cousin Kevin?

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:05 am

ooc: LOL Gwalchmai!

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:06 am

(OOC soooo... the Dark Flames can't protect themselves huh? They need big strong men to protect them? Huh.

)

Georgi stumbled as she dismounted, but Darkpoet caught her, concerned at her paleness. DP was feeling better than he had for some time, but performing the resurrection had taken its toll on Georgi, and she was shivering. He wrapped a blanket round her and sat her down, then wandered over to the others to find out what all the fuss was about.

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:15 am

Loner found the blindfold again and tied it around her eyes. They were still not accustomed to long periods of light and had to be protected, given time to form properly.

This news about Dragon Wench and Nippy was overwhelming. How awful for DW...and Jennabard had killed that man, and was some kind of -- what, thrall?? And DW had initailly gone there with an agenda, to kill them all? When Loner thought about that, she got a little dizzy.

She sat down wearily on a nearby tree stump, trying to absorb all this...

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:20 am

ooc: @loner, I wasn't planning on killing you all, I'm chaotic good afterall. BTW, going by the pn's I've received, general consensus seems to be that we should keep the Shadow Master and the Warlock as two distinct entities, the former being an even more ominous enemy. This should be fun

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:25 am

Originally posted by dragon wench:
ooc, I'm thinking that maybe the warlock and the shadow master could be the same person. As you'll have gathered I'm working on beginning to expose large chunks of my past life, much of which will become evident at the return of Loner, Kramo et al.
let me know what you think.

A small point of continuity, here. Waverly is currently immortal, a little insane, and working for some Evil Cleric he met in a bar (Darkpoet was there, too). I suggest that the Evil Cleric is actually the Shadow Master (is that anything like a Thigh Master?), while Waverly is a separate bad guy who deigns to do the Shadow Master’s bidding - for now. Waverly obviously has some of his own plans, that may or may not coincide with what the Shadow Master wishes. Also, that whole bit with Waverly the Wicked Witch (I mean Warlock) in the shadow realm can be explained: Waverly was such a pansy because reality in the shadow realm is formed by those who reside in it - Loner, Thantor, and Nippy the Night were affecting reality as much as Waverly was. Waverly is much more conniving and dangerous in the Prime Material Plane.

Oh, yeah. Don’t forget that Darkpoet is not such a nice guy these days, killing Gypsies, getting Kramor stoned ... er.... turning Kramor to stone, some evil tattoo on his hand, etc. However, he is VERY afraid of someone named Omar. This might be useful....

Just my two cents... Have a nice day!

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 9:31 am

OOC: Gwalchmai, what would we all do without you? You've saved the day yet again.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 10:05 am

ooc, I just received an email from Loner. Seems she's having a lot of trouble entering the forums. I suggested that she try clicking on the new server link that Buck provides on the homepage. Until she gets back in she suggests that we write in her avatar in whatever manner we see fit (does she realise what she could be letting herself in for?

)

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 10:15 am

Originally posted by Georgi:
(OOC@Loner I'm sure Thantor will be happy to explain while you and Kramor blush in the background )

OOC: Actually, Gwalchmai tells me has has it all on some videotape he got from Waverly

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: thantor3 ]

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 10:25 am

(OOC@Thantor LMAO

BTW if anyone want to, y'know, acknowledge the fact that DP and I returned, any time...

*sniff*

)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 10:39 am

Although still dazed Dragon Wench suddenly realised that Georgi and Dark Poet had returned to camp. She noticed that Georgi looked worn and troubled, while Dark Poet seemed uneasy.
"I think we all need to regroup and consider our next move," said Dragon Wench, hoping that they still trusted her.

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 11:41 am

OOC: Let me know if this works for you, Jennabard. I wanted to bring your character into the story a little more.

Thantor had gone off by himself to ponder the recent events. A great web of evil was revealing itself, yet there had been much healing as well, he noted with satisfaction. The quest to the shadow realm had been fruitful, he thought, turning over in his hand the tiny pill box that had housed the warlock's staff once his psychomorphic influence had faded. Dragonwench's heart-wrenching tale and Nippy's anguish moved him, and he resolved to assist them in whatever way he could. But it was Jennabard that was uppermost on his mind. The visions had been coming more frequently, but he had suppressed them while in the shadow realm. He decided to investigate them more aggressively. Performing a series of breathing mundras, he prepared himself and waited. The space behind his eyes expanded, then shifted. He found himself in a small cave. Jennabard sat against the far wall, watching the fire. "Hello, Jennabard," said Thantor respectfully. "Hello, Thantor," Jennabard replied without looking up from the fire. She did not appear surprised that he had come. He sat by the fire and waited for her to speak.

"For a long time, I watched the shadows dancing on the cave wall, trying to make sense of them," Jennabard said wearily. "I learned nothing, except perhaps of their seductiveness."

"An important lesson," said Thantor.

"Why have you come here?" Jennabard demanded. "Have you come to rescue me, Master?" There was a slight mocking tone to her voice.

"Hardly," replied Thantor evenly. "You don't need to be rescued. You need a good kick in the ass. When you tire of feeling sorry for yourself, let me know." As he rose, Thantor was surprised and concerned when Jennabard did not rise to the dig. The strain was worse than he had imagined. Turning to leave, Jennabard's voice stopped him. "Wait. I would hear what you have to say."

Thantor spoke without turning to face her. "You have little time. The longer you remain imprisoned here, the weaker you will become. You must forge an alliance with your shadow self, something that will require you to take responsibility for her creation. Once this occurs, and you have forgiven the past, you will be able to explode from the center." The vision faded and Thantor was once again in camp, wondering if this exchange had had any real impact.

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 11:42 am

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: thantor3 ]

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 2:04 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench:
Until she gets back in she suggests that we write in her avatar in whatever manner we see fit (does she realise what she could be letting herself in for? )

Ohh, boy

Well, I'm back now, whew!

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 7:21 pm

OOC: yeah, I'm back now too (had the same problem as Loner, did anyone else have it happen to them?), I was having terrible withdrawl symptons. Just picked up ToB, looks great!

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 7:21 pm

[OOC: I thought we should all get back to the keep we supposedly live in, rather than roughing it in our 'camp'. Unless you guys are still attached to the whole 'harem tent' idea....

]

Gwalchmai trudged along, hauling the cart that contained the trussed-up Anomen. All the Dark Flames except for Jennabard, reunited at last, made their way back to their keep. This situation should have provided a modicum of happiness for the druid, but he remained troubled. His failure during the fight with the dopplegangers held particular shame for him. While a doppleganger had infiltrated his group and nearly succeeded in hurting his friends, Gwalchmai had lain in a ditch. Not the best place from which to defend those he had come to love. And love them he did, for he would gladly lay down his life for each and every Lady of the Dark Flame. But by allowing himself to be knocked out by that slimy doppleganger, he had exposed everyone to danger, shown himself to be a fool, and had missed an opportunity to travel and adventure with a few of the ladies alone. He knew he was being childish, and feeling sorry for himself, but he couldn’t help but regret the missed ‘quality time’ no matter how dire the circumstances.

Perhaps it was fitting that he should be assigned ‘pack mule’ duties. His failures of late could never compare to the heroic valiance that Kramor exhibits. No wonder Loner fawns over him so. And he had seen the other ladies’ eyes appraise Kramor approvingly as well. The brooding Darkpoet seemed to garner much attention as well, which was reasonable considering his injuries. Still, Darkpoet had always been a fighter of great prowess, and his mood swings of late spoke of dark mysteries that would need to be addressed.

Gwalchmai wondered at the quick acceptance this young Nippy had gained among the group. Had they not learned caution after having accepted a doppleganger and the false Sir Enoch in their midst? Nippy was enthusiastic to be sure, and given to spontaneous oaths of loyalty, but he would bear careful scrutiny.

Arriving at the Keep of the Order of the Dark Flames, Gwalchmai tended to Anomen, placing him in one of the cells of the keep’s old dungeon. Magical wards and bindings would keep him from escaping, though he seemed harmless enough now. Anomen tended to vacillate between periods of deep slumber and wild rage. He was not in control, and had lost most of his clerical abilities. Gwalchmai tended to him as best as he could, being the only one who had never had strong feelings toward the knight one way or the other. All of the ladies had loved Anomen at one time, but now it seems that everyone would be just as happy to see him dead. If it weren’t for Georgi, the knight would probably have been dead already. But it seemed apparent that Anomen’s problems would have to be resolved before Georgi’s headaches would go away.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 7:27 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench:
OOC: yeah, I'm back now too (had the same problem as Loner, did anyone else have it happen to them?), I was having terrible withdrawl symptons. Just picked up ToB, looks great!

OOC (again): Oh, it was horrible! I couldn't spam from work because our internet connection went down about 9:00 am, and didn't come back up until 3:00 pm! Then, GameBanshee Forums weren't working! Almost a whole day without spam! I'm at home now, taking away from time with my kids (watching TV, anyway). But I feel better now. BTW, I got ToB last week and still haven't loaded it. Too bad I can't play it at work.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 7:33 pm

The group trudged wearily along. Somehow, recent events had demoralized them, their usual joking and high spirits were at a low ebb. Dragon Wench was too tired to really care about much of anything; the most pressing thing on her mind was a hot tub and decent massage. She wondered how weary Gwalchmai would be upon their return (hope that helps

). But, looking over at him, he seemed as exhausted as she felt, and he also appeared unusually withdrawn and pensive, so she decided that this might not be the best time to approach him for a back rub.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 7:54 pm

[LOL - Thanks for the thought, DW!

]