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Post by Dr. Dan on Nov 6, 2005 1:06:48 GMT -5
*Still in Kroy*
The wooden door to the small house swung open, a little more forcefully than usual, and Gwen briskly walked inside.
His wife looked at the slender man as he made his way across the room and made a motion towards the standing closet. But he caught a glimpse of his wife sitting in the chair by the table...and stopped his hand suddendly....
His wife stood up. "Gwen...I know..." she said sternly, and walked over to him.
He looked at her with a guilty frown, and said "I am so sorry... I have no...." but she stopped him short with her tender hand over his mouth. He felt the warmpth in them, and knew that she had been scrying on the meeting at the front gate. He looked her in the eyes, and she said "...And its ok..."
Her hand then moved from his mouth towards the elaborate woodwork of the closet, which housed his finest equipment, and removed the peg which held the door closed. She pushed open the door, and with little more than a faint creaking of wood their eyes fell on the items within...
The armor seemd to gleam with delight as the daylight shown opon it once more. The swords reflected the sun a little too brightly, which gave away their heavy magical enchantment. His hands reached for the blades, and they instantly rememberd the grip, the balance, the motion, the fights, the feel of slicing through flesh, and the thrill of battle. His mind was flooded with memories, and regrets, that not so long ago had led him to hang them up.
But something had happend. His long time closest friend, who he had trained alongside and lived with for years. Whom he had grown up with, and trusted. Whom he had watched mature and evolve. Whom he had confided in years ago...has come back. And this time, Gwen knew, these blades would tear through his black robes -- through to the blacker heart beneath and put an end to its evil....
The hunter had returned...for one, final hunt.
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Post by BugHunter on Nov 6, 2005 2:51:47 GMT -5
*Back inside Kroy's only tiny bar*
Brewmaster: "Here, try some of this. This is my 'specialty'!"
*The Brewmaster to his delight plopped down a small cup of his so called special brew in front of Tanyu who was now sitting at the small bar. Vapors were steadily rising and a few sparks seemed to jump out every now and then. It smelled like a mixture of hard wisky and fried pig. Tanyu didn't hesitate at all and chugged the concoction down. When he was done steam came out of his ears, his face turned purple for a moment and he belched a green fireball*
Tanyu: *cough* *cough* *cough* "Holy cow!! That's some good stuff! Really wakes a person up. Wut is it?"
Brewmaster: "I call it the 'Jon Jon Special'. An ancient family recipe handed down 10 generations! Main ingrediants involve 3 types of special mushrooms! Its great at parties" ;D
*Just then somebody outside was yelling something about an emergency and to assemble the guard. All the commotion gets the attention of our friends at the bar*
Tanyu: "What is all this racket outside?"
Brewmaster: "I dunno, lets go check"
*The two step outside to see that the large crowd has formed to listen to the announcements of a large burly man. But they're too far back to hear what he says clearly. Tanyu inquires a nearby citizen*
Tanyu: "Hey, wuts all this ruckus about?"
NPC: "We're being called out to defend the city. Something about a dark force returning and someone named... uh... Killearth... or was it Katgus.. I couldn't hear it well. But whatever it is, they're giving out free weapons and armor. On top of that we're getting paid! Thats good enough for me."
Tanyu: "A dark force huh. Katgus? That sounds like a lame name. I've seen low level imp demons come up with better names than that. You gotta be an inbred rabbit monger to stick with a name like that. Oh well evil in any form is evil and must be vanquished, no matter how lame their names are. Perhaps i could be of service. And the promise of gold is always a pleasant touch"
Brewmaster: "Well I may not be one for magics, but I'm definitely no fighter so I'll stay here and hold the fort. And u're right, that Katgus name has got to go. Oh! Before you go, I bet these will help!"
*The Brewmaster hands Tanyu a small bag filled with what seems like beads*
Brewmaster: "These seemingly innocent beads are in fact highly explosive bombs if you throw them hard enough! I created them myself. And that special bag of holding has been uniquely padded so that they wont explode on you. Oh, and when you do toss them, toss them really far away because not only is it a pretty big boom but for some reason, anyone caught in its resulting smoke screen start to see flowers and pretty colors everywhere. Not that i would know from experience... *cough* Oh, before i forget. If you put them in water they stop being explosives and become a very tasty beverage. I call the result 'Mountain Brew'"
*Tanyu has recieved upgraded bombs! Stronger blast with hallucinogenic properties and dont require igniting. Smaller size also means he can carry more*
Tanyu: "Amazing. What do i owe you for it?"
Brewmaster: "Nah, just take it. Free of charge! Having a new drinking buddy in the world that appreciates a fine drink is good enough for me. Put 'em to good use"
Tanyu: "U know, u're a great guy. We should definitely hang out some time in the future. But wait... pretty colors? What's inside these bombs?"
Brewmaster: "Oh, one of the main ingrediants is this certain mushroom you get at the top of this mountain"
Tanyu: "Do you always put mushrooms in all your concoctions?"
Brewmaster: "Um... now when you say 'always', do you mean 'every single time' or no...?"
*The two say their farewells and Tanyu goes to follow the new group of hired soldiers*
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Post by Tassatul on Nov 6, 2005 5:34:31 GMT -5
*Tassatul's mind drifts. He is vaguely aware of Kaluth's form over him, but he percieves the outside world as if it doesn't matter at all*
I think I'm in shock. . . but realizing I'm in shock wouldn't that make a difference? Perhaps that red dragon would know the answer. . .
*Some unknown force pulled him to his feet. Tass was glad for the assistance, he certainly did not have the energy to do it himself*
Maybe the group helping me out. . . awful nice of them, helping a vile necromancer. Its not like i raise the dead or anything. .
*Tassatul's mouth opened, and his vocal cords moved unbidden, forming words. The world around him was very hazy, with a lot of different colors blending around at the edges of his vision*
I must be really delusional. . . I'm talking, and I don't even know what I'm saying. Or maybe I do know, and I'm just refusing to know. Or Tanyu over there... wait, tanyu isn't here...
*Tass started walking very quickley, along with a blurry dark shape he assumed was Kaluth in his robes*
he's really taken a liking to me, I can tell. wouldn't have sent me off to face those tengu if he didn't.
*They finally stopped, and the black shape exchanged some sounds with another shape. Their coherent voices pounded in Tassatul's head for a moment, then were suddenly muffled, no longer able to be recognized as any language*
My ears must be covered. . . probably for my own protection. Just some things an heir to a country just shouldn't hear. . even if he is nearly ready to graduate from some intense mage training. . .i wonder if there is a written test. . . i was never to good at writing. . .
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Post by Cobra5 on Nov 7, 2005 11:24:53 GMT -5
[rewind] *Will had always been suspicious of Kal. Something always just felt odd about him. When Kal took tassatul and ran, he knew just then, this is not an ally.*
*He stopped himself from thinking so while running through the woods. He should trust his companions. Kal did help them fight... and if he wanted us dead he could probably do it. Will simply didn't understand mages yet, and he shouldn't fear their unusal ways...*
*Still, his trust of Kal felt forced.* [/rewind]
*After Kaluth had entered the portal with tassatul and grave warning, Will's suspision of Kal had grown even more. Will did not know much about magic or portals, however, his friends had gone through, and Will was never one for fear.*
*He turned back and looked to the party behind him, then jumped through the portal.*
*As he did so he reached for the hilt of the Soul Saber kept snug in its wrappings.*
((I don't remember who had it last... and since nobody seemed to mention it... I'll just say I have it for now ;D))
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Post by Fargo Squire on Nov 9, 2005 16:14:44 GMT -5
Fargo had wandered into the woods separately from the group, staying hidden and making a number of stealth kills, though for the most part he simply observed the group in action. Their various prowess in fighting and magic interested him, and helped him better gauge their power.
Now, after witnessing the appearance of a large red dragon and some rather odd mystical phenomena, he found himself staring into a tumultous portal to an unknown place.
Go in, or stand around....? I don't really know these guys enough to risk my life just to tag along do I?
Finally, after two people had already dived into the doubtlessly dangerous maelstrom of mobility, he made up his mind. He was staying where he stood.
"I'm going to have to opt out on this particular stunt. Hopefully whoever goes in will come back out, but I'm not taking that chance for someone I hardly know. Sorry."
He took a big step back, into the shade of the trees.
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Post by Dr. Dan on Nov 9, 2005 18:37:40 GMT -5
**The Portal**
The portal reaches out with waves of eager energy to accept you (Those who chose to enter it) into its powerful grasp, and for a very frightening second, the blackness of the magical creation covers you like a sticky goo. You feel it everywhere, in between your clothes and armor, squishing inbetween your fingertips, flowing up your nostrils and in your mouth. As it reaches your eyes you snap them shut expecting it to sting, but it does not, and a fraction of a second later it is gone from everywhere.
You recover quickly, the adrenaline made sure of that, and you whip your head left and right with weapons in hand expecting to see exactly the opposite of what you did see. You notice a very familiar set of trees infront of you, infact you are sure that these trees are the same ones that surrounded the portal you just entered. You feel different though, and before looking behind you, you glance down at yourself. Fear takes you for a second, when you don’t see your body beneath you. You look at your hand, which you can feel grasping your weapon, yet you cannot see it. Your brain does not quite register what is going on, and in a confused motion, you turn to look behind you.
What you see replaces all the confusion with instinct.
The portal is still there, but it is no longer the magnificent flowing ring of magical energy. You are not a spellcaster, but you know that this portal is collapsing. Lightning lashes out from the portal and strikes nearby trees with evil ferocity. The ring is melting, pulsating, oozing, and re-forming again.
And the instinct tells you to run, but it is too late.
The portal erupts.
************************************* I was told by BugHunter to put a break here in the story, to make it more clear for everybody
So here is the break. I hope this helps people understand it more. **************************************
You (Everybody in the group) are flung down to the ground, and watch the spectacle closer than your brain says is possible. The fireball engulfs you, completely eradicating the ground beneath you. The shockwave shatters trees with fifty feet from the blast instantly, and the ripple of energy continues to radiate throughout the forest, shaking the trees violently, and lighting the closer ones that were not shattered on fire instantly.
And you sit where the blast flung you, watching the flames curve and twist away from your body.
You have no clue what is going on.
The city guards, all looked up simultaneously when the thunderous crash of sound hit the city. The scouts in the trees could see the pillar of fire and smoke billowing forth from the forest like blood from a wound. They watched as the shockwave scared away birds for miles around.
When the smoke partially clears at groud zero, you dare not move, for you are still in shock, but your eyes scan the devastation. The blast area was huge, far larger than the initial ring the portal was created in. The grove was now far larger, and the trees on the outermost were roaring with flame. Ground zero had been cleared of anything burnable.
Through the thick whisps of black smoke, you see your allies, just as stunned as you, scattered unscathed on the ground around the blast area. You notice something strange however, something in the way the air is moving…The smoke. You follow its motion, and it seems to be getting repelled by something…by many somethings. You stare, trying to understand why the smoke will not touch those spaces of seemingly empty space. And then you see – there are people standing there!
Ghostly visages stand scattered about ground zero, with garb that made you know instantly they aremages.
One of them speaks, in a very wize old tone that calms you almost instantly, “Hello. We are high mages of Kroy, and you should all be dead. We decided however, that you might be able to help us…”
Another mage takes over, a younger one with more urgency in his voice, “Kaluth poses a great threat to our city, we require your aid to help defend Kroy from…him. You live now only because of us. We cast shields around you, and now you are indebted to us. Help us destroy Kaluth, and we will consider your debt paid…”
A third, with a voice filled with power, begins, “If you will not do this to aid us, we have other means of making you comply with our requests. The life of Tassatul for example, your friend, is in danger. If you return Tassatul to us, unhurt, your debt will also be repaid. If this still is not enough motivation for you – desecration of our sacred forest, I have just decided, is punishable by death…We will be in contact…”
The figures nod, and the ghostly visages all flow away with the remaining whips of black smoke. You stare at the circle of flame surrounding the blast area in a daze…
You cant help but feel lost…
*Outside the town*
The shockwave blew leaves violently from the trees above him, and they fell lightly to the ground around his black robes.
Kaluth, invsible thanks to the "portal", looked foward at the small town built up around the trees....
....and grinned....
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Post by Fargo Squire on Nov 9, 2005 18:53:00 GMT -5
Fargo, now sitting on the ground in a bit of a stupor, looked about at the rest of the group.
"Er... seems we're a few short here."
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Post by BugHunter on Nov 9, 2005 19:43:21 GMT -5
*Inside Kroy
Tanyu for the most part stayed in the back of the group of makeshift guards, watching as the big guy way in the front directing them to get their equipment. He wasn't really in the mood for making new friends exactly. And the military atmosphere wasn't too much his flavor*Tanyu: (to self) "Meh... I dont need the new equipment. My blades are good enough to get any job done. And they haven't let me down yet. But what kind of a threat are they planning on facing? It looks like they're preparing for war..." *But he did notice one mage was conducting anti-magic enchantments on equipment for fellow guards* Tanyu: (to self) "Hmm. On second thought, a little upgrade here and there couldn't hurt" *Tanyu's swords and naginata recieves a damage bonus against magic users and his armor and cloak recieves an armor bonus against magic attacks* ((booyah)) *Then a really loud explosion out in the forests was heard and then a pillar of smoke and fire was made visible in the distance. Everyone in the vaccinity heard it and turned their attention towards the action* Tanyu: "The hell was that?"
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Post by Dr. Dan on Nov 9, 2005 19:49:44 GMT -5
((Slight modification to the portal scene: The portal reaches out to those who chose to enter it. It is kind of attacted to you when you get close, know what I mean? I didnt mean it reached out to everybody. Sorry about that little line there. )) ((And for further clarification, the quotes around portal at the very end were supposed to indicated that it was not a "portal" at all, it only made those who enter it invisible. It was more of a bomb to kill the group.))
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Post by daft alchemist on Nov 10, 2005 9:21:40 GMT -5
((Ok, here goes. All hecklers will be shot on sight...which means Saturday, I guess. )) ((Oh man, also, I'm having so much trouble keeping up with the format so don't point that out to me. I know I messed up.)) *Chayton had been spending her time inside a rather small and unknown tavern almost on the verge of sleeping when a thunderous sound tore through the place. Finding it impossible to sleep under such circumstances, she grabbed her hat and ran outside to see what the commotion was about. A large crowd of what appeared to be warriors had amassed, and she assumed it meant there was about to be some sort of battle. Not being one to miss out on some fun, she decides to join the group.
The warriros were being instructed to find equipment, if they had not already done so. She was equipped, though she knew she might need even more after the first wave of...well, whatever was attacking. A rather large man who appeared to be the makeshift general at the moment stepped up to her.*General dude: "You. Where is your sword? Why don't you have one?" "Uh, sorry, sir. I never touch the things. I'm a bit inept. I have my methods anyway, so no need to be worried." *He walked away not feeling entirely put at ease, but she couldn't blame him. Something big was coming.*Well, if things turn really bad, I suppose I could always find a crossbow..
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Post by Cobra5 on Nov 10, 2005 15:05:41 GMT -5
*Will listens on as the high mages simultaneously ask and threaten the group to find and destroy Kaluth*
*After they disapear, and a moment of trying to collect everything that has happened so far, he turns to the gorup behind him*
"So, I'm guessing we're going after him. Though we don't havea choice in the matter, I'd do it anyway. That guy gives me the creeps. But... where do we begin looking? Could he be far?"
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Post by Deimos on Nov 10, 2005 17:36:16 GMT -5
Sho: "..."
*For one of the first times in his life, Sho had nothing to offer...to comedic gesture, no smirk, no laugh, no nothing. His confusion had temporarily taken over his mind...and the appearance of the High Mages did not help the matter any better. It was this point that Sho opted to do what he always did when he had no real idea as to what was going on, improvise.*
Sho: "erm...whatever...let's just go...I have a feeling this is going to get real ugly, real fast...not to mention, if anything happened to Tass before I could repay my debt...I'd never be able to live with myself"
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Post by Fargo Squire on Nov 28, 2005 15:59:09 GMT -5
Fargo jumped up, sword drawn, at the sound of his disembodied companions' voices. He scanned the area, paying special attention to downed and burning trees and brush, but didn't see anyone.
"I would like to point out that something strange is happening. Am I hearing voices in my head, or are they real? And please, anyone with hands I can't see, keep them off of me..."
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Post by BugHunter on Nov 28, 2005 16:55:56 GMT -5
*Contemplates investigating the explosion on his own or waiting for the slow militia group to move first*
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Post by Tassatul on Dec 5, 2005 13:40:38 GMT -5
*Before the portal exploded, Tass felt a tug from deep in his chest, pulling him along at impressive speed behind Kaluth. He floated upright, a few inches off the ground, trailing behind Kaluth only a few feet*Must be Kal helping me again. . . why are we separating from the group?*The form of a small town came up quickely. It was a small outpost from the main city of Kroy, founded years ago by some of those who still felt loyalty to the Magi, but were not comfortable within the city for various reasons, whether not a magic user themselves, plagued by dark magic, or other explainations*
*As they sped closer to the town, Tass's mind became clearer. Kaluth had the right idea all along their travels, keeping to himself and never befriending anyone. It was all quite obvious now. Will, Katt, and the rest were all envious of his quickly advancing power. They hadn't even really been a group untill Tass had ressurected Will. After that, it was like they were attached to him*Its fairly blatent now. . . they want to use my power for themselves!*As Tass grew more aware and able to support himself, Kaluth turned back to release his grip. A slight grin adorned the corner of his mouth, then he spoke*"I can see you've realized their true intentions. Help me, we can stop them together." *As the two magi approached the town, Tassatul could pick out the defences the locals had hastily erected. Some shields of weaved wicker had been placed around one of the buildings, where a group of archers crouched, waiting for the right moment. A small company of rank and file soldiers had also gathered at the fringes of the town, bearing sabers and sheilds. The town caller drew a deep breath, and yelled*"Kaluth, we know you approach! Stay where you are, we are prepared to use deadly force!" *Kaluth and Tass continued to approach as if nothing had happened. The militia leader raised and then dropped his arm, signaling to the archers, who loosed their arrows. They bounced harmlessly off a transparent redish shield that Kaluth had conjured moments before. The magi continued to approach, and the panicked shouts of the town soldiers could be heard*"What do we do?" "Fire at will!" "Charge!" *The archers began loosing a continuous volley of arrows at Kaluth's shield to no avail. When Tass and Kaluth were close enough, the soldiers broke rank and charged them, hoping to break the magical shield through brute force of steel*
*Kal stared at the advancing men for a moment. He drew a deep breath, as if he were about to call out to the soldiers, perhaps to deliver an ultimatum. The soldiers decided, foolishly, to wait and see what he had to say. Kal's body arched, and the air crackled, a shadowy aura forming around him. Spasming forward, Kal opened his mouth, unleashing a wave of black energy which pushed the red shield outward. The combined energies tore the small militia apart. The blood and body parts mingled with the steel of armor and weapons was discusting, but Tass knew what he had to do*
*A green aura rose up around Tass and some of the corpses of the townsfolk shuddered, and slid towards each other. The blood on the ground stopped spreading, instead pulling back into the center, where the flesh had amassed. A few moments, and then it began to have form. A massive arm reached out to support the emerging torso, and finally it rose up on hind legs*
*The flesh golem was largely humanoid, having the basic structure of two arms, two legs, a head and body. From there, it was a grotesque mockery of a person. Flesh only covered some parts of its body, while muscle showed on most of it. Bones covered certain parts of the figure almost like armor, and sprouted from the ends of its arms like blades. Several skulls lined the shoulders and neck area, acting as a built on shield, and large spikes sprouted from its back. It stood almost 5 meters tall, a formidable monster. A few of the more whole corpses that were left over milled at its feet, as if it had minions of its own. Tassatul addressed the monster*"You, golem, have only one objective. Kill." ((re: boss battle ))
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