(RP) Epilogue
Epilogue
May 30 2002 3:12PM
** This story is only a fictional Epilouge to scenario 4 and does not herald the arrival of more in game content. **
As daybreak washed over Yew, the old cabin creaked slightly in warmth of the morning sun. Behind the place, the fence that had once stood firmly was now sinking into muck, making the wood look like the uneven backbone of some long dead monster. The cabin itself had sunk evenly down into the swampy marsh, giving it the appearance of being a larger home for some smaller creature. Vines crawled up the walls like long, bony fingers, greedily pulling the cabin further down into the vile waters.
Dawn stared silently at what had been her home for most of her life. She was too young to remember her parents passing away, but she could remember the sadness of losing them. She could remember this place seeming new to her, warm and comfortable in the confusion. Her grandfather would build huge fires and tell her of the adventures he had been through while serving the king. The cabin roof never leaked, even in the worst storms. The sheep in the yard would frighten away all the orcs, or so her Grandfather had told her.
She had planned on returning here and continuing with her normal life after the battle against the Juka was finished. Now she doubted the cabin could even be repaired.
"I am sorry. I understand this was your home." Dasha said, approaching from behind.
"Yes." Dawn's voice was quiet. She did not move. Her eyes seemed to stare beyond the cabin. Dasha stood beside her and surveyed the old home.
"I also lost my home." Dasha said. "For Adranath and the other Meer, our home was destroyed eons ago. They have all lived in dreams during the Great Sleep; they have had centuries upon centuries to accept that their home is gone and that a new one would be found." She crouched and examined a small mound of mushrooms. "I was brought here with the Juka; time ignored us. Unlike the rest of the Meer. in my mind our home was lost only weeks ago."
Dasha stood and began to pace in the sunlight. "Before the Juka destroyed it, our forest was a sight unlike any in your world now; an endless sea of treetops. during sunrise I would stand in the highest branches and let the morning winds sooth me. The leaves would seem to glow in the light, like gold, while the breeze sung through the forest; it was as if the ancients were blessing the world anew with their power. Nothing in all my experiences compares with how moved I felt at that sight, how much it assured me that my world was infallible."
Dawn smiled sadly as she stared at her former home. "It makes my loss feel small. I only lost a small, simple building in the end."
"Perhaps," Dasha said examining the cabin. "It is a rather small building, a speck compared to the size of the great forest. And it is simple, as you said. A structure such as this could take no more than a few days to build. You could easily get another one." She turned and looked at Dawn. "But this place to you was as meaningful as my forest was to me, is that not so?"
Dawn turned her gaze away from the cabin for the first time and looked at Dasha. "It. it was all I knew. It was home."
"Then your loss is great indeed. We have both lost our worlds."
"Dawn!" Adranath called out as he approached. "My apologies for keeping you and Dasha waiting; I wished to examine one of the trees again now that they have been cured."
"We have not waited long, Master Adranath." Dawn reached into her pack and removed a small bag. "These are the plant samples Clainin asked me to bring you."
"Ah, give him my thanks. How goes Clainin's flora research?"
"One can hardly move through his laboratory with all the plants he has in there now." Dawn said. "He has been so busy studying them that the guards have to remind him to eat."
"I can only hope some good comes out of this," Adranath said sadly as he surveyed the landscape. "There was no way of knowing that the Decay spell could ever have this effect. This world has felt the impact of so much evil and strife within it throughout the ages that nature itself has changed into something capable of all this. All Meer will have to relearn our nature magics again, if it can be done. We can never allow such damage to be done by our hand again."
"You tried to stop the Juka. You were trying to save Yew, Master Adranath." Dawn said. "No one can blame you for that. We will always be allies."
The ancient mage smiled. "The Meer are proud to have loyal and honorable allies such as you. Now if you will excuse me I have... wait, what was−did either of you feel that slight tremor?"
Dawn and Dasha both exchanged glances and shook their heads.
"What sort of tremor?" Dawn asked.
"It was as if the ground beneath me rumbled very faintly." Adranath looked down. "I suppose the ground is settling a bit from the effects of the decay. In any case, I have duties to attend to. You have my thanks, Dawn."
"And you have mine, Master Adranath," she replied.
"Dasha, shall we depart?" Adranath asked the lovely Meer.
"I will be with you in a moment, Master. I wish to speak with Dawn once more before I leave." Dasha said.
"Very well. Farewell Dawn." Adranath smiled and began walking towards the moongate.
"Farewell," Dawn called back.
Dasha paced slowly in the morning sun. "Your people acted very quickly to stop the decay. I found myself impressed by their resolve."
"We band together quickly in a crisis." Dawn said.
"That you do. As I said before, we have both lost our worlds. I will never see mine again; I know that. But, after seeing your people work to save this land and cure the decay, I believe I can find a new world for myself here. You shall too."
Dawn smiled at the Meer warrior and the two locked hands in what Dawn was starting to think of as the "Meer handshake". They exchanged goodbyes and walked their separate ways, both more confident of their futures.
* * *
"EXODUS!"
Blackthorn's voice echoed throughout the chamber, almost seeming to shake the walls. He had nearly screamed himself hoarse, trying to summon Exodus' attention. Upon discovering the retreat of the Juka and Dragoons he had immediately come to demand an explanation from Exodus, but his mysterious cohort would not manifest.
The great doors to the chamber were pushed open and Kabur strode in calmly. Blackthorn spun and pointed at the massive Juka with his great claw hand. "Where have you been? Explain the withdrawal to me at once, you lowborn beast! Where is Exodus? Why does he not answer?"
"I do not know, Lord Blackthorn. I. have only followed orders." Kabur's stone face hid his amusement at Blackthorn's distress.
"Followed orders? Did Exodus give you these orders? Surely you must have questioned them. I demand an explanation from you, Kabur!" Blackthorn's inhuman eye glowed with a savage fury.
Kabur visibly stiffened. "I have merely followed the orders given to me."
"Do not try my patience you animal!" Blackthorn swung his great claw arm above his head and brought it crashing down into one of the massive planning tables in the room, shattering it in a hail of dust and splinters. At once his rage stopped and he froze.
Kabur tried to read Blackthorn's face, but he had difficulty reading human expressions. Blackthorn's altered face made things even more difficult. It could have been confusion or possibly fear, he hoped. Something had surprised the half-human out of his anger.
"Leave me. Now!" Blackthorn growled.
Kabur turned and pulled the chamber doors behind him as he left quietly. As soon as they shut he allowed a sneer to play across his face.
Posted by Borg
Thursday, May 30, 2002 12:00 AM EDT
Chapter 7 Decay...Deceit...Dismay
The Decay spell had been cast and in its wake the rich fertile grounds of Yew and jungles abroad now teemed with hideous aberrations of life, part humanoid and part plant.part pestilence and part plague. The smell of decay and death flew on the winds of the realm and nay a single corner did avoid its lingering ash. The Purple Guardians of Honor now patrolled a city which once glistened in the morning sun.now Trinsic roofs and walls were covered with ash and scars of battle that continued in its streets. Minoc lay in ruin and its mines now were the only area uncontrolled by Lord Blackthorns forces. The Guardians of Light maintained the front line in protection of the ore resources.
Caravans from Imperial supply depots and cargo ships from Serpent's Hold continued to support the realm merchants demands. Guildmaster Omicron and Emperor Borg had met and agreed to supplement the merchant orders of ore, wood and hides that once came from Minoc, Yew and Papau. Senators supported the endeavor by redirecting training supplies and construction supplies to fill the orders requested. The resource economics for the most part was stable but for how long could this be maintained. This was the worry the Senator of Trades, Kimpek held deep to himself..a worry most already felt but none would remark in such dark times as these.
"Decurion Rand has begun training new columns of Legionnaires sire..the training goes well by all reports"; Gladiator Centurion Coldren remarked as he leaned over the map of the realm.
"Aye..but with the conditions of Yew now.the heavy armor of my Dragoons is slowed and in Minoc it is all an uphill battle."; added Dragoon Centurion Vandorn.
The Centurions, cohort leaders of the Legion, had assembled at the request of Imperator Kalinaf to prepare the War report that Emperor Borg would include in his State of the Empire meeting on Sunday. The War Tower was in full swing as a launch point that took lines onto the fields of battle far and abroad, it now was where the next moves of the Empire would be determined.
"I don't know about you guys.but I am sick and tired of playing defense all the time!", complained Warlock Centurion LizShue.
"We counter and counter and counter...bah..Lord Blackthorn and these nose-less Juka dictate the fields of battle..enough I say..ENOUGH!"; slamming her hand onto the table Centurion LizShue added.
"Hey hey now.I hear you loudly sister..but look what happened when we did hit Lord Blackthorn last"; Shadowrider Centurion Baltazar calmly offered.
"Aye.a tremendous cost that battle was..nearly 2/3rds of all the firepower the Herans held was destroyed and over half of the lines fell before we even reached his fortress."; agreed Heran Centurion Malric.
"We must.we MUST bring the pain to him though.somehow"; replied Centurion LizShue.
"Aye.agreed"
"Here here"
"Aye.
The Centuirons all began to reply.then looking back at the map of the realm..quiet filled the chamber air.
"Dawn's fight in Yew is strong and the mercenary forces follow her lead there..Guardians of Light have stalemated Lord Blackthorn in Minoc..and here in Trinsic the daily raids are dealt with..Papau is lost already..where can we draw him to our choice of battleground?"; pondered Centurion Baltazar.
As Centurion LizShue took a break from gazing at the map she breathed deeply and a runebook caught her
eye.
"Coldren.where is the one place you would say most of the Lines have experience in close quarter fighting..a place deep undergound...hmmmm?"; asked Centurion LizShue.
"What.well...hmmm let me think..well that would I say be the d"; answered Centurion Coldren as he was cut off in mid sentence by Centurion LizShue.
"EXACTLY..we should draw Lord Blackthorns forces there. If we are lucky perhaps Lord Blackthorn himself..and seal him there in a tomb we could. I am sure the other Lords would keep him .shall we say occupied?"; finished Centurion LizShue with an evil grin that would make even Paradox envious.
"So you suggest we set a trap..what are we going to do to bring his attention to there?"; asked Centurion Baltazar.
"Give him what he wants.right sister?"; remarked Centurion Vandorn.
"Exactly..we give him what he wants.or should we say we bait him with what he wants"; answered Centurion LizShue.
The Centurions then began to work out the logistics of moving into place the means to wage their battle in the hallways of their choosing. Imperator Kalinaf was brought the plans as well as the current state of the Legion lines and after discussion, Kalinaf took the plans to Emperor Borg.
"Ambitious and bold"; Emperor Borg commented to Imperator Kalinaf.
"Indeed.need I even state who sparked this plans flame?"; asked Imperator Kalinaf.
"Nay.she is a bold one.that is certain." replied Emperor Borg.
"You realize the Senators will not be pleased with this bait idea. They struggle as it is now in supplying the realm merchants orders as it is."; remarked Emperor Borg
"Aye.let me just say.the Senate house of Espionage will be needed to...how should I say this..stir up the winds of mischief as Mercury himself would do"; replied Imperator Kalinaf.
Imperator Kalinaf finished the debriefing and departed to begin the preparations as Dr Codene entered the Emperor's chamber. The Dr had just returned from Yew and brought with him reports from the Senator of Arcane, Prometheus, on the tests done on the seeds pollinations. Anfalas the assistant ot Dr Codene had helped greatly in decoding at least one book from the Vampire's Library and Dr Codene reported their progress.
"Anfalas has been very useful m'lord in the tomes..his weakened condition prevents us from greater gains in translating the texts."; stated Dr Codene about the translation work by the Vampire Anfalas.
"Trust in him I see within you good Dr.in darkness he still needs to walk.be wary of this my friend.do not be led into blindness but keep Honor as thy guiding light and thru its brilliance you may succeed in bringing salvation to Anfalas as he desires"; commented Emperor Borg.
"Of course..always m'lord."; answered Dr Codene.
"Sire..the most recent translations speak of potions and powers brought forth from new mixtures of reagents. Combinations that can yield great darkness as well as great hope.the symbols Anfalas said were of reagents are not similar to reagents we use now..some are the dark art reagents.some are unknown as well"; offered Dr Codene.
"Interesting Dr..very interesting indeed. Are their any references to these reagents or potions in the Black books you have locked away?"; asked Emperor Borg.
"I do not know m'lord..those texts are written in symbols and we have not worked on them yet. We are going through first the books that are familiar in tongue to Anfalas first."; answered Dr Codene.
"Understood..perhaps you should take your findings to Clainin. he is under Dawn's protection. She has been given a suite at Safe Haven. Have Anfalas continue the work in the Infirmary here while you take what you have learned to Clainin. The Meer in general see us as less resourceful, perhaps this will help them see we are more than just brawn and blades in this War."; Emperor Borg said as he dismissed Dr Codene to begin his journey.
Dr Codene, with his sachel of notes, rode off the next morning for Safe Haven as Anfalas watched from the Infirmary laboratory. The night was productive agains and as the sun rose, Anfalas closed the blinds and locked the chamber for his slumber. As the sounds of Trinsic street battles faded in the distance the good Dr thought to himself about finally getting to talk to Clainin. Quite the conversation he hoped to have since Clainin was renown for his wit and insights. As Dr Codene reached the border of the Illyceum province, he crossed the bridge into the Dalmatia province on his way to Britain. Out of the corner of his eye he caught movement in the underbrush and he stirred his ethereal llama to quicken its pace. A small flock of wren broke from the treetops ahead and Dr Codene halted his llama. Feeling his heart quicken a bit Dr Codene listened intently to try and hear what or who was about. Silence except for the wrens now re-roosting in another patch of trees and with caution Dr Codene started his llama back into motion. Nearly at that same moment a large bellowing and combination of explosions broke the silence to the west. Dr Codene's llama bolted and nearly dismounted the good Dr in the process. As the llama hit the first turn in the road, Dr Codene brought it under control then turned to look back toward where the explosions came from. Dr Codene's curiosity and concern for someone possibly in danger overcame his initial fright. He urged the llama on and as he moved westward he soon came upon clearing near Mondain's Maze.
There inside the clearing lay the body of young daemon amongst the burning tree and shrubs. Dismounting his llama, Dr Codene knelt beside it and looked at its injuries..slices and claw marks covered the chest of the Daemon.. As he lifted up the shredded wing of the daemon his throat tightened and he swallowed hard. In the soft ground was a perfect impression of a cats paw.a big cats paw. The claw marks matched the number of digits and this was no work of a dragon or lizard with 3 digits..this was no bear either. Leaping onto his llama Dr Codene bolted to the northwest along the maze hedgerow and up toward Safe Haven. As he passed the maze a huge roar and bellow came from behind him..from inside the maze. He could hear a great weight in full gallop and the breaking and smashing of shrubs. Urging his ethereal llama to speed he had never pushed it to, Dr Codene reached the road and could see the sanctuary tower of Safe Haven in the distance. Barely able to turn his head to look Dr Codene saw something burst onto the road behind him..he leaned forward and continued to urge on the llama. Safe Haven was just ahead and as he reached the edge of the crossings he turned his llama toward the great tower doors. Leaping from his llama he stood on the steps of Safe Haven and turned toward the south while he pulled the doorway ajar. Breathing heavily, Dr Codene's eyes darted through the treeline and foliage in search of his pursuer..nothing..nothing could he see.
Taking a deep breath Dr Codene turned to enter the sanctuary of Safe Haven Tower.as he did he came face to face with Heran Knight Silvana's new pet Dragon that was finishing its reward for a good morning training.Dr Codene gasp and collapsed. The Dragon turns his head toward Silvana and makes an apologetic gesture as she moves toward Dr. Codene. Silvana instructs the Dragon to lift Dr Codene onto is back and carries the Dr to a room. As the Dragon lays Dr Codene onto a bed he stirs and awakens in a startled mode again.
"GADBUSTAD DADBUM!"; barks Dr Codene
"You are fine Doc..settle down.tis just my baby..and she meant no harm."; replies Silvana
"My old heart ..dadbum it..jeesh...Silvana I am telling you and as I see you now and this dragon too.there is a beast outside and it is a huge cat I tell you...huge"; Dr Codene remarks with furor.
Dr Codene explains to Silvana what he found and what had happened to him on his way to Safe Haven. He covers with her the paw print and the mysterious matters of the past month around the Infirmary. Silvana takes her pet and she travels to Mondain's Maze only to find nothing and no trace of the daemon corpse or burning clearing. Upon returning to the Dr she finds him sound asleep in his room. She will wake him when Dawn and Clainin arrive.
"Sleep well good Dr..if there be a beast out there you are safe here..come on baby lets go work on your mauling skills"; speaks Heran Knight Silvana.
Posted by Borg
Saturday, May 18, 2002 2:36 AM EDT
(RP) Plague of Despair
Plague of Despair
May 16 2002 3:36PM
Adranath tripped slightly in the muck of what had become the swamps of Yew. All around him he felt the pulsing evil of the decay as it fed upon itself, slowly consuming every bit of life in its path. The sensation was so strong now that it took little of his concentration as a user of nature to feel it. The area around him was dense with enough plague spores that they resembled a thick dust. The air swirled with his movements-the ancient Meer was reminded of Clainin's lab, with its hundreds of old texts and tomes stored away on shelves that were rarely given a dusting.
At long last he reached his destination; a huge gnarled tree towering into the sky, stretching its dark diseased limbs upward and outward. The entire surface of the tree was covered in rotting grey bark, and within its branches huge pods seemed to glow with an eerie green hue. The swamp bubbled and whirled slightly at the roots of the great plague tree as the pods slowly shed their spores into the winds.
As he opened a small pouch, the Watcher was overwhelmed by another fit of horrible hacking coughs. The attacks came so strongly now that he felt practically immobilized by the sickness. He hoped the shopkeepers in the area who had become affected were not also suffering as much, but he already knew that was not the case.
One by one he removed a few small items from the pouch and dropped them into a disgusting slimy maw at the base of the plague tree, which absorbed them greedily. As he pulled the final item from his pouch, he paused to examine it. Ironic, he thought, that the beasts created by the plague should be the very solution to curing the land. He was thankful he had garnered Clainin's assistance in dealing with them; his own magics had become too weak to possibly hold a creature of such power. As he stared intently at the object in his hand, he prayed silently that enough of the special creatures could be found to make a difference.
Finishing, he laid the last small object within the maw of the tree, and watched as it also was absorbed quickly. A few short moments went by, and he began to feel a slight shudder from the tree, and within his mind he could sense the decay buckle and grow weaker. Closing his eyes, he could feel the plague tree before him as it struggled to process the ingredients he had placed inside its hungry maw. Finally, he could sense success; the cure was at hand.
Again, the violent coughs overtook his body and Adranath stepped back away from the tree. His objective was now clear, but the ingredients he had fed to the plague tree had only a small effect-it would take a great deal more if the land was to be fully cured.
A gust of wind blew through the swamps and the spores of the diseased tree filled the air like smoke. The progress of the decay had barely been halted, and if it was not cured soon Yew would not be able to host life. From his robes, Adranath pulled a small communication crystal given to him by Clainin, knowing that it represented their only real hope. If the word was spread far enough, and fast enough, the land just might be saved in time.
Posted by Borg
Friday, May 17, 2002 6:18 PM EDT
(RP) LOCUST Gargoyle storyline -repost
(RP archives)
I'm sure you know that the Gargoyle folk joined Britannian society after the restoration of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. I'm also sure it will not surprise you to hear that the treaty between Lord British and Draxinusom, King of the Gargoyles, did not instantly bring accord to the two races. Certain ignorant humans continued to hate and fear Gargoyles, and certain intractable Gargoyles continued to regard humanity with enraged contempt. The most notorious Gargoyle fighter against mankind in those days was named Gratagmalem. He was equally renowned among his people for his keen intellect as for his fierce disposition, and when peace was achieved between the races, he turned outlaw with a small band of likeminded Gargoyle bravos. This fierce troop devoted themselves to burning and pillaging the remote crofts and farms of the land, stopping short only at outright murder of unresisting enemies. Nonetheless, they were the cause of much suffering, loss and deprivation to their victims.
Now there was a certain inn, located midway between Britain and Yew, and famous for its excellent autumn ale. So good was the brew that many fine folk were given to retire to that place for a fortnight's holiday when the new casks were breached. Tents had to be pitched on the grounds to hold all the guests, and for two weeks each fall the place took on the air of a faire or festival.
It was during this time that Gratagmalem choose to attack that inn, and he and his band flew down during the late afternoon, surrounding the place and quickly dispatching the few hired guards. And they mockingly ordered all the humans to leave forthwith, or see the whole place burned around their heads.
At this, one lone festival-goer stepped out from the crowd, wearing the clothes of a gentleman, but gripping the sword of a knight. And he spoke, saying, "I am Dupré, Knight and Paladin, and I call on you to cease this unlawful incursion, and to surrender in the name of Lord British."
But Gratagmalem only laughed, saying, "Of all the names of man or Gargoyle to conjure with, that one is the least likely to inspire fear in my heart. I reject your demand for surrender."
(Now I confess that those were not the very words he used, but Gargoyles speak in their own peculiar fashion, and I will not try to mimic the intricacies of that speech in this tale.)
Dupré retorted, "Then let us settle this honorably. I shall face you or any of your troops in single combat, with the winner to determine the fate of this Inn."
The Gargoyle laughed again at the human's audacity, but when he spoke, he said, "Very good, then, man, your proposal intrigues me. You shall face three of my brothers, and if you defeat all three I shall leave this place standing, asking only a suitable forfeit in return for my generosity."
Then Gratagmalem named his three champions. The first was a great brute almost 10 feet tall, wielding a mace of solid iron, and the second was a young champion of the Gargoyles, wielding a sword nearly as long as Dupré was tall. The third was Gratagmalem's chief lieutenant, who fought with two great-bladed battle axes, one in each hand.
But Dupré was a veteran of many battles against dragons, daemons and giants . aye, and Gargoyles as well, and he did not fear the size or fierceness of these foes. One by one they engaged, and the first two he cast down with severe wounds, while the third he killed outright.
This loss only seemed to amuse Gratagmalem more, and when the last Gargoyle was dragged from the field, he announced, "I shall honor my word, oh man, but first I must see my forfeit paid. And my price is you, Sir Knight."
"I will gladly give my life for the safety of these people," Dupré replied, "though you may find the collecting of it more costly still."
"Nay," said the Gargoyle, "I have no use for your head, but rather your arm. Today you have cost me a lieutenant, and I demand that you shall take his place. You shall join my company, and teach us your ways of battle."
"I will never take up arms against my king or his people," Dupré replied, hotly.
"I would not ask it," the Gargoyle said with mocking gentleness. "You will come and train my company, and when I order them back into battle you may be excused, if only you give the word to do nothing to resist or hinder our efforts."
Now Dupré knew that Gratagmalem offered him a Daemon's bargain, one which could easily lead to the utter destruction of a man of Honor like himself. At the same time, he could not stand idly by and see the honest innkeeper ruined, nor could he oppose the whole Gargoyle company alone. Most importantly, perhaps, it would not be fully Honorable to refuse the forfeit after fighting under those terms. He could only hope that time would provide a means of escape. "I will accept your terms, sir," he said, and there he knelt and presented his sword to the mocking brigand.
So he went to live with the Gargoyles, and he drilled and trained them. He found that while Gargoyles were both mighty and courageous, they had little mastery of concerted tactics or strategy, but they quickly grasped the fundamentals of both. He also soon learned that it was futile to try to hold back knowledge from his command, for under the watchful eye of their leader, any useful hidden expertise was soon sniffed out and analyzed, and presented to all.
Nor could Dupré Honorably refuse when Gratagmalem proposed that they try out their new skills against brigands, pirates or Goblin bands, for Dupré had only sworn to stand apart from actions against the subjects of Lord British. So he fought alongside the Gargoyles, and saw his teachings tested by fire.
But at last the dread day came, and Gratagmalem announced that they would attack a walled town, with the garrison of King's soldiers stationed in it. This was a stronger objective than the Gargoyles had ever assayed before, but Dupré knew that they were well capable of victory, thanks to his teaching.
On the day of the battle, Dupré went up to a hill overlooking the doomed town, for he would not turn away from the evil that his hand had caused. But while he waited there, he was surprised when a contingent of the Gargoyle band approached him, and asked an unexpected question.
"Lieutenant," their spokesman said, "we know that you base all your decisions on Honor, which is a strange concept to us, but nonetheless we wish to know if this is an Honorable fight today."
Now Dupré well knew the cool power of the Gargoyle intellect, and that any attempt to dissemble or dissuade would be immediately perceived, and would discredit him forever among the Gargoyles. He was also minded of his oath to Gratagmalem, to do nothing to overtly subvert his plans, so he kept his answer as straight and honest as he could.
"You have been told by your Captain that Lord British is a tyrant. Well then, it is no dishonor to take up arms against tyranny, if that is truly what you believe. However, your people do not extract oaths of fealty as mine do, and I have often heard your Captain say that you follow him at the call of your reason and of your own sense of what is right, which is the Gargoyle way. Now your hearts and minds have moved you to ask whether the fight today is Honorable. Perhaps the question itself is its own answer."
Then the Gargoyles went apart again, to dispute the question among themselves, and the end result was that fully a third of the band declined to follow Gratagmalem into combat against the town. And one young Gargoyle of impetuous nature (that same young champion whom Dupré had cast down at the inn) took it upon himself to fly down and warn the garrison of the pending attack.
Nonetheless, Gratagmalem, in a cold rage, refused to call off the battle. But against warned and ready defenders the diminished Gargoyle force could not prevail, and Gratagmalem himself was slain.
But the Gargoyles who had refused the battle (and aye, some of the survivors) returned to Dupré, and begged that he continue to lead them as he had in the past, against brigands and pirates and monsters, so that humans could see that Gargoyles were capable of service to all. And Dupré agreed, and he named the band the Locusts of Britannia, and they won great renown and did much good for many years.
The Locusts now exist in the Legion of Honor on Catskills as a Cohort in The Purple Guardians of HONOR (PGoH)
Posted by Borg
Thursday, May 16, 2002 9:44 AM EDT
Chapter 6 Alliance pt 2 Evil against Evil
The sound of hooves in gallop sounded through the city of Trinsic as a column of Shadowriders departed from the Imperial Barracks at noon. The Gladiators and Warlocks Cohorts continued to sweep away Lord Blackthorn's Juka and Mechanic forces that searched the city of Trinsic. Local merchants, still under city guard, had begun to see their patrons returning. Under guard and protection, ships had begun to return to the harbor and bit by bit the commerce of the city was returning. The Alliance of the Ancients had succeeded in the city of Trinsic.the city of Minoc, Papau and Yew was not as fortunate yet.
The city of Minoc was for a better description, no longer a city but a battleground with the remnants of city buildings and the stories from refugees as reminders Minoc once stood. The rich ore deposits were still not under control by Lord Blackthorn or the Alliance of Ancients. The Purple Guardians of HONOR (PGoH) and the Guardians of Light (GoL) kept a strong hold of the mountains that the mines existed, but the area that the city once stood was held more by Lord Blackthorn. Reinforcements from Valor Knights (VK) and Dragoons led by Sir Rand could not keep a foothold long north of the gypsy camp.
In Papau, the Feluccan forces of Lords of the Eternal Realm (LER) fought an ebb and flow battle in the thick swamplands, while Cavaliers (CVL) led mercenaries from around the realm in hunting down the new plant things dubbed Boglings and Bog Things in the Yew territory. These two cities, as well as the southern jungles, had been reporting further developments in the moist rich areas of growing pestilence, illness and plagues breaking out.
It seems the after-effects of the powerful Decay spell cast by the Meer has indeed had an enchanted effect on what was once decaying biological waste. Jungles, Swamps and the fertile ground of Yew have taken this effect the most and from those grounds new dangers have arisen. Lumberjacks have begun to now form logging teams and only a few now work alone.who knows when their fallen logs will rise up and take issue with their work. Worse yet; will this bring back the plague that was the "Wicked Trees" that were clear-cut 2 years ago?
The Shadowriders column began to leave Trinsic on route to escort the Emissary of Illyceum Galanor and the Emissary of Dalmatia Mysty to the Ancient Alliance guilds as well as the other large kingdoms that existed. A dedicated focused approach was more needed now than ever before and Emperor Borg had accepted their request for a gathering to discuss this need. Preliminary plans between PGoH and GoL had already begun on the rebuilding of Minoc and the Senate house of Trades within PGoH began to consolidate resources for the day this would be needed. Omicron, guildmaster of GoL, and Emperor Borg spoke long into the night with Senator Kimpek on what would be needed to rebuild Minoc after Lord Blackthorn was vanquished from its ruins.
"Several thousand tons of stone and lumber at least..more than I wish to think about at this late a time in the day.less I have a nightmare whilst I sleep"; remarked Senator Kimpek.
"Whatever the cost we must rebuild this city after this war Senator."; stated Omicron.
"Indeed..Senator you must lead this endeavor while Omicron and his guardians lead the fight in Minoc. Our tradesmen and women will work together in supporting and creating the needed supplies.but our immediate attention still resides with first winning the war in Minoc"; added Emperor Borg.
"Yes. The mines have not fallen and this has kept Lord Blackthorn from increasing his forces strength. The terrain in Minoc is against us with Lord Blackthorn holding the high ground of the city.we fight uphill battles at every turn. The heavy armor column of Sir Rand find it difficult to get far up into the city as the mounts are weighted down and not suited for uphill charges."; said Omicron as he showed a bit of angst leaning above the Minoc map that layed on the table.
Across the way the night air filled with a poor attempt at music as Colin Mor sat on his balcony and fiddled with a lute and harp. The instruments were given to him as gifts by the Valor Knights leader Arthil to hold as Arthil moved his belongings from an old homestead to anew retreat closer to the capital city. The trio could not help but laugh as they could hear Colin struggle and the castle sentry Tod take humorous fun at Colin's poor playing.
"Ahhhh hush now.zip it sentry and mind your work.or I will irritate a swarm of bees to fix you..or send a rat up your pantleg.then who will be squaking aye..aye?"; yelled Colin Mor back at sentry Tod's commentary.
Omicron and Borg still laughed but they stopped and looked at each other. and as if in a mirror the two ancient cousins both struck the same idea and their expressions matched.
"You thinking what I am thinking cousin?"; asked Emperor Borg.
"You thinking what I am thinking cousin?"; asked Omicron at the same time.
The two then moved toward the renderings library where Centurion Lizshue was earlier having a painter recapture a memory of a beast she, Elwe D'Loche and Waldorf Kemp slain in the morning.
"If the reports are true.."; began Omicron
"then this may work"; ended Emperor Borg.
"But to trade one evil for another cousin?"; asked Omicron.
"yes.I know but...that is the key ONE..it would be just ONE..not an army"; answered Emperor Borg.
Nodding to each other in agreement the two looked back at the painting of the grotesque purple blob on the painting.
"Kind of fitting isn't it? It is purple."; remarked Omicron.
"Aye..aye it is cousin..Lord Blackthorns favorite color to see against him...Purple..our colors..the color of HONOR"; answered Emperor Borg.
The two then returned to the battle plans and agreed to discuss this further before the realm meeting. As they bid farewell at the Olympus Castle doors Emperor Borg winked at sentry Tod for his humor and help in this possible solution. Sending aloft a pigeon with a note to his olde friend Arthil..Emperor Borg shook his head and chuckled at the sound of Colin Mor fighting with a harp..trying to make a medly.but just making a mess.
"Colin.if you only knew how helpful your struggle has been this night..heheh"; Emperor Borg said aloud as he walked back through Olympus corridors to his chamber.
Posted by Borg
Friday, May 10, 2002 8:50 PM EDT
(RP) Preparations
Preparations
May 9 2002 4:00PM
The stomps of Kabur's heavy walk echoed down the hallway leading to Exodus' chamber. He did not enjoy leaving a battle, especially when he was causing so many casualties to the humans. There were times when he wished the burden of his command did not include as much discussion. Still, for his master, the one who had saved his kind from extinction, he would do anything.
As the doors to the great chamber slid silently open, Kabur's eyes scanned for the despicable human he was forced to bow before; but there was no sign of Blackthorn. This was the first time he had been summoned for a private audience with Exodus since arriving in this new era. Kabur bowed deeply toward the dark corner from which he heard his master's voice. He was curious why Blackthorn was not present, but felt relieved that he did not have to speak with the arrogant primitive again.
"My Lord Exodus, I arrived as soon as I received your summons."
Exodus' voice shattered through the chamber like the cracking of rocks. "You and the Juka continue to serve me well, Kabur. Report to me of the campaign."
Kabur stood and looked upward into the darkness. "No force has been able to turn away the Juka, my Lord. We continue to ravage the cities and slay the humans. The dragoons. are performing adequately." Nothing infuriated the great warrior more than being forced to fight alongside humans. In his mind it was an insult to all Juka.
"You have fought in Yew; tell me what you have seen."
"The land of Yew changes in ways I have never seen before, my Lord. The very plants of the forest have uprooted and attacked the humans. Animals have become shapeless before the eyes of mine. The ground itself becomes moist and dank. Yet during all this change, the Juka remain safe. No plants attack us, no misshapen beasts threaten us." Kabur paused for a moment, considering the next bit of information. "According to patrols the Meer have become ill. They would be very vulnerable to an attack of ours."
From the shadows of Exodus' voice small lights flickered for a moment, then faded away. The sound of whirring gears increased and quieted again. "The Meer were foolish enough to attempt the Decay."
Kabur's eyes became slits at the mention of the Decay. The Meer would only dare to use such magic in desperate times. In the past he had seen leaders and fellow warriors alike crumble to nothingness while in the Decay's destructive grasp.
Exodus' grating voice continued. "By attempting to save Yew, the Meer have may sealed its fate entirely, and their own with it. Continue attacking the humans in the cities, Kabur; the Meer can be disposed of at our leisure. Should the Meer somehow manage to save themselves and attack, you are to pull both the Juka and the Dragoons from battle."
"Retreat?" Kabur was not pleased at this order, although he knew his master must have a reason. "You will have another task for us, Lord Exodus?"
"I may not contact you for some time, Kabur. Should the battle become too complex, I will not have my armies become endangered without my guidance."
This information was unsettling to Kabur. Exodus had never taken any leave of absence of any kind while ruling over the Juka. "You are. leaving, my Lord?"
There was a pause as the whirring sounds increased and faded for a moment. "My attention is needed elsewhere, if I am to fulfill my purpose. There is a situation that I must prepare for."
"And. Blackthorn?" Kabur would only refer to Blackthorn as a Lord if he were actually in the man's presence. "He will be assuming full command until you return?" Kabur asked the question with a dark edge in his voice.
"Blackthorn is not aware of my actions. You are not to inform him of this conversation, or of my orders, Kabur. I trust that you will maintain your secrecy in this matter."
"Indeed, my Lord." Kabur grinned in the shadows of his helmet. "I shall."
Posted by Borg
Thursday, May 9, 2002 12:00 AM EDT
Chapter 6 Alliances pt 1 The Apprentice
Nights turned to days turned to nights turned to day...this was the lifestyle of a young man not one who had more days behind him than in front of him to live. Dr Codene had been working on the volumes of books that were retrieved from the Vampires Library in Ilshenar for weeks now. For his efforts he had succeeded in identifying 2 books pertaining to Mondain's Experiments...one a journal of an assistant of his Olan Cromwell and the other titled Methods of Mutation. In the others only a few lines and fewer understandings of what meanings were written on the pages before him. Languages not of letters but symbols and those symbols not like any referenced before in the great libraries of the realm. Still locked in keeping was the black book that Dr Codene had not returned to work on....saving the worst for last in this case he felt was best.
It was now 9am and the city of Britain was awakening and the sounds of hooves began to echo through the early morning air. As the large doors of the Library opened, more sunlight bathed the floor and sparkled off a candel stick into the eye of Dr Codene. Squinting and blinking he motioned a hand to block the brilliance and watched the librarian and a few scholars enter. Taking a deep breath he decided to gather his things and head for some breakfast. Packing up his books and notes Dr Codene thanked the librarian and bid her good day as he headed to the Inn for some hospitality muffins. Picking up a print of local news of late, Dr Codene sat on the steps of the Inn and began to scan through the brief reports from across the land. The city of Papau was reported to nearly be under Lord Blackthorn’s forces control. In Minoc raged the largest battles with the Guardians of Light leading the efforts to keep control of the massive ore reserves, while Trinsic had become a standoff with the Legion of PGoH leading the Alliance to keep control of the mother city. The city of Yew, being spread out into the woods, was turning into a guerilla battle with the mechanics led by Betrayers finding mobility quite difficult in the moist and rich landscape. The realm was beginning to feel the promise of what Lord Blackthorn would always bring it…chaos.
As Dr Codene began to walk toward the bank he was passed by many citizens who hurried as well in the same direction. Buffeted and bounced by some overzealous to reach their destination; he did not notice a piece of his notes fall to the ground. As he rounded the corner and headed under the Order Arch, Dr Codene did not see a gust of wind lift the paper and deliver it to a shrouded man near the Britain sewer entrance. The man covered from head to toe in darkness began to read the note and then placed it into his pocket as he backed into the dark corner….he vanished.
The local banking quarter was a stir as Juno Lornes, a Yew merchant farmer, was standing atop of a caged wagon. Juno was taking quite the humorous banter since he was not known as a great farmer and now having a cart full of compost was fitting most opinions of his ability.
“I always knew you were full of it Juno…this is the proof”; heckled one citizen.
“I am telling you the truth….This is a beast and it was alive!!! Nearly killed me this morning as I tended my fields”; replied Juno.
This was his story…….
That morning Juno had begun his day going to the compost pile to begin to fertilize his fields. As he began to fill a wheel barrel full, the pile itself began to move. To his horror it then rose and towered above him. Juno moved back slowly and as the pile turned he found himself facing a hideous mouth nearly large enough for a whole cow to fit inside. The beast then moved across the field and as it did the ground behind it glistened and filled in with vegetation. Still slowly moving back toward the house, Juno watched the beast send out a tentacle and snatch a small bird from mid flight; devouring it like a small gnat. Juno feared for himself now as the beast turned back toward him…..he bolted for his home. The beast bellowed incredibly and thrust its mass into motion after Juno. As Juno reached the door he entered and slammed it shut, locking it and bracing it with a chair. The beast momentum slammed against the door and under the seam of the door parts oozed and a tentacle began to sprout…reaching for Juno. Juno shook and moved further into the room, backing up to his fireplace. As he looked across the room he could see the tentacle now was not searching for him but attempting to free the door! Juno grabbed a burning branch from the fireplace and moved to burn the tentacle…it WORKED!!! The tentacle lit ablaze and broke off while the rest of the beast mass receded under the door. Outside Juno now could hear the sound of his dog Jeepers and the neighbors dog Phil barking at the beast; drawing it away from the door. Through the window by the kitchen he could now see the beast chasing the dogs around the garden fields….all the time behind its path grew his crops rapidly. Fear now took a backseat to ambition and desire…desire to catch this beast and somehow use it to his advantage.
As the dogs kept distance from the beast but kept it occupied, Juno moved his livestock cart alongside his house and began to lay down kinlin wood around in a pattern. As he finished he dowsed the kinlin with oil then ran to the back of the house where the dogs still darted away from the beast. Juno called to Jeepers to come to him and he did so quickly….barking all the way. Phil took notice but his pause was all the beast needed and as Phil bolted to join Jeepers and Juno….a tentacle latched onto the dogs tail. In a last yelp it was over….Phil was consumed. The beast now trained its attention squarely on Juno and Jeepers standing at the corner of the house….it slid it body toward them. Juno and Jeepers pulled back around the corner and Juno instructed Jeepers to go into the livestock cart. As the beast rounded the corner of the house, Jeepers continued to bark from inside the cart while Juno ran around the other side of the house. Juno watched as the beast now was within his trap…he ignited the oilsoaked kinlin…within a few seconds the beast was now trapped with only one path clear…into the cart. The beast rushed away from the flames and into the cart as Jeepers lept through the small openings in the bar and escaped the beast. Juno now moved around and backed the cart into a circle of flames that did not touch the cart itself. The beast bellowed but slowly began to settle…it knew it was trapped. The beast pulled its tentacles back into the cage and it seemed to begin to die..his plan to trap the beast was not going to work. As Juno kept the flames burning around the cart he noticed a small tentacle reaching down to the ground. The small tentacle dug into the ground and within a moment he realized it was going to go underground to escape its cage. Reaching for a hoe, Juno then sliced off the small tentacle. Again another tentacle tried the same thing…..again he sliced it off. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the ground move and as he focused on the moving ground….he gasp. A humanoid form of plant rose from the ground and swayed in the air. Juno threw his how at the thing and then reached for his scythe. The plant man raced toward Juno and was cleaved in two by one swing. As its parts fell to the ground they soon filtered down into the soil. Abruptly Juno was spun around and slammed back onto the ground, his pants catching fire from his trap that still burned around the cart. Juno rolled and stood quickly, dowsing his pants small fire. Jeepers was annoying another pair of these plant men and again he darted around the yard keeping out of their reach. Juno again swung adeptly and sliced apart the plant man.
Juno needed to get this cart away from soil…but where? Trinsic was far away and said to be sieged…Britain….its city streets and prisons of stone could be his only choice. Attaching his steed to the front of the horse and evading and cleaving newly sprouted plant men, Juno then began to race his cart for Britain. Juno did not think that still this beast he had in the cart….now weak and apparently dying…all the way kept losing tentacles as it reached for the ground passing beneath the cart on the way to Britain.
Juno reached the city but, by then the beast did not move at all….here was where Dr Codene found him encircled by the citizens….who now took sport of his claim and some began to throw garbage and dirt at Juno. Some dirt that it seemed was quite fertile it seems…dirt left by the feet of adventurers who returned from Shame that did business at the Britain bank.
By now the Castle guards had been aroused and a compliment arrived to begin to bring order back to the quarter and stop the citizens from taking sport of Juno and his story…but the story had not ended. The garbage, refuse and dirt which was thrown at Juno; some of it landed inside the cart and began to be absorbed unnoticed by anyone. A tentacle began to grow and move slowly along one of the bars toward the roof of the cage…no one saw it…least of all Juno, who now wiped the garbage off of himself…adding to the pile inside the cage beneath him. Dr Codene, being schooled in forensic science looked toward the claimed beast. As he poked his longspear into the edge of it in attempt to determine its consistency…it moved….it was NOT DEAD!!!
Dr Codene looked quickly up at Juno and he glimpsed the tentacle rear up and grab Juno by the leg and lift him up.
“JUNO!!!”; Dr Codene yelled.
The local citizens and guards turned from their departing and some screamed in horror as pair of tentacles took an arm and another leg of Juno. As a bellow sounded out from the cart; the tentacles ripped Juno apart and pulled his pieces into its now visible enormous mouth. Mages that were at the bank cast spells of fire onto the cart and in an enormous explosion the cart was obliterated and the beast blown to smithereens. The few parts that remained unburned that landed on the grass nearby sprouted and up rose the humanoid plant forms Juno spoke about. Castle guards unsheathed their swords and began to cut down these forms….the area began to hold a stench of decay and compost.
“My lord sir, smells like a swamp or bog now around here now”; remarked one guard.
“Aye…so it does…order the maintenance crews to clean this area up immediately”; ordered the Castle guard captain.
Dr. Codene leapt onto his lama and took off for Olympus to inform the Emperor of this new creature…this new Bog thing and its Boglings offspring. As Dr Codene reached the Infirmary near Olympus Castle he saw a shrouded man standing on the doorstep.
“May I help you sir?”; asked Dr Codene
“Perhaps…”; replied the shrouded man calmly as he handed a piece of paper from his pocket to Dr Codene.
“What is this…..hmm…..tis my notes!”; remarked Dr Codene.
“Perhaps I can help you”; replied the shrouded man.
Dr Codene was thankful of the return of his notes and offered the man a reward and then asked him how could he help with the matters of his notes. As the two entered the Infirmary, the shrouded man pulled shades on the windows and as he uncovered his head…the Dr could see why he claimed such aid could be given.
“You are a Vampire!!!”; exclaimed Dr Codene as he stood across the room heating water for his Earl Grey tea.
“Yes…you could say that….I am…and I am not….I am Anfalas”; replied the man.
“I wish to redeem myself from the path that I have traveled…I will aid you in your work in return for you aiding me in my desire for salvation.”; Anfalas added.
“I see…if ye are honorable and true…everyman deserves salvation…let us talk of this now then….over tea.”; answered Dr Codene.
Dr Codene realized that an incredible journey of danger such a Vampire would take to travel during daylight and to return his notes as well…this was not the likes of those mindless lost souls of Ilshenar….this Vampire was more….and he decided to listen on how and what could they do to discover the contents of the books locked away.
Posted by Borg
Sunday, May 5, 2002 5:02 PM EDT
(RP) Symptoms
Symptoms
May 2 2002 2:53PM
“Clainin! Behind you!”
Dawn leapt through the air over Clainin’s head as he ducked. She brought her grandfather’s sword down into the head of a bogling, splitting it neatly in half. The beast gurgled out a final squeal as it shivered to the ground and almost instantly started to decompose. Dawn looked around the clearing quickly to see if any more of the plant monsters threatened to attack, but they seemed to be safe for the moment. The Juka were still concentrated in the inner city, safely away.
“Fascinating!” Clainin leaned down close to the dead creature and began scraping bits of it into glass bottles.
“I’m very glad that you find this so interesting,” Dawn chided him. “But there was no reason for you to come with me to Yew if you wanted bits of bogling. I could have brought them back for you.” She tugged on her armor awkwardly. “And I could have taken this armor off sooner.”
Clainin stayed fixated on the bogling corpse while he worked. “That is the armor of a Royal Knight, Dawn, you should be honored to wear it.”
“I am honored… I just wish that being honored were a bit more comfortable. I could fight better in my own clothes. Not to mention maintain some of my modesty.”
“I think I know how you feel… figuratively speaking.” Clainin looked up at her and grinned. “Nystul’s lab still feels a bit too big for me. But, like everyone, I have a duty and I am adjusting to his absence.”
Dawn sheathed her sword and sat on a fallen log near Clainin. “Speaking of absence, why did Dupre not accompany you? You said this mission was important; I assumed he would be here.”
“Faction business.” He held up the bottle and peered intently at the contents as he spoke. “That blasted war is wearing him out. And you’re right, this mission is important, which is why you’re here. Dupre trusts you implicitly.” He looked at Dawn and smiled. “Who wouldn’t trust a Royal Knight?”
She smirked at Clainin, “So you can trust me with the details of the mission?”
“Ah, yes, I’m sorry. I’ve been so caught up in this…” he looked down at the corpse of the bogling which was starting to look like any other pile of decayed vegetation, “…mess. A representative of the Meer asked me to meet them here; they said it was drastically important. I can only assume it has something to do with our new plant friends.”
Behind the pair a sparkle of light appeared, with a magical hum that grew louder as the illumination became brighter. Dawn quickly rose to her feet. She spun around with her sword at the ready. As the light faded, Adranath appeared with Dasha beside him. Dawn relaxed and sheathed her sword again.
“You are very quick with your weapon, young one.” Dasha started to smile at Dawn, but began to cough violently. Adranath put a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
Clainin stepped forward nervously and bowed in front of the ancient Meer. “You must be Adranath. It is an honor to finally meet you.”
Adranath’s brow wrinkled. He looked Clainin up and down and took a quick glance around the area. “I was to meet with the senior mage… he is detained?”
Clainin looked at Dawn nervously and quickly back to Adranath. “I… I am the senior mage.”
“One so young!” Adranath’s eyes widened with surprise. He could see Clainin was embarrassed. “You must be extraordinarily talented. Forgive me; the honor is mine.” He bowed deeply, much to Clainin’s relief. As he stood straight again he coughed, although he tried to conceal it between clenched teeth.
Clanin spoke cautiously, “Forgive me for asking, Adranath… you and Dasha do not seem well. If you have need of cure potions I can provide you with some.”
“No potion will aid us, I fear. We cannot stay for long; being so close to Yew makes our illness worse. But it was necessary to come here, so that I could see the damage we have caused.”
“Damage?” Dawn asked. “There have been strange plant creatures appearing across the land, but I see no damage to Yew.”
“The damage I speak of is the source of the beasts, and I fear it may be the source of more. In our attempt to stop the Juka attacks we may have done a great deal more harm than good.” The Eternal paused to cough again. “I can feel it growing beneath us just being here…”
“Something is growing in Yew?” Clainin asked.
“The decay.” Adranath answered. “An ancient spell of the Meer. In the past we used the decay only in times of great need when such a dark use of nature was the only option we could see for survival. The spell would seize our enemies and rot them into the soil within moments. Entire legions of Juka could be reduced to nothing. The decay was a horrible act of destruction that forces nature to do its darkest work.”
“And you’ve used this spell here in Yew?” Dawn asked. “The Juka seem unaffected.”
“We attempted it and something went wrong. We were not sure what exactly until the bog things began to appear. Nature is…different than it once was. Throughout the ages evil has corrupted it; forced it to change and adapt itself in ways unnatural. It skewed our decay spell into something much more powerful and, I believe, evil. Not only has it created the plant beasts but also it has corrupted the Meer with illness. We were preparing ourselves to attack the Juka when we fell ill.” Adranath was again struck with a fit of violent hacking coughs that made the humans uncomfortable just hearing them.
“If this spell is still growing as you say then these monsters could be just the start of our worries. The way you describe it…the spell has affected the land itself?” Clainin couldn’t comprehend what such magic could do. “The prospects are frightening.”
Dasha stepped forward, suppressing another attack of coughs before she spoke. “We have come to accept your offer of allegiance against the Juka.” Looking at Dawn, and clearly swallowing a great deal of her pride, Dasha held her hand out, palm forward with her fingers pointing up. After a moment Dawn lifted her own arm and held her palm in front of the Meer’s, unsure of what to do next. Dasha pressed their hands together and interlocked her fingers with Dawn’s and gripped firmly before releasing. The two smiled at each other for the first time.
“You have my apologies for our arrogance,” Adaranth replied. We come from a time when humans were very different than they are now, the idea of needing your assistance before was…new…to us.” Adranath slowly turned and looked around the wilderness of Yew. “Now, we wish to help rectify the mistake we have made with our magic.”
“What else will the spell do? Will we see more of these plant beasts?” Clainin asked.
“I do not know.” The ancient Meer crouched down and put his hand to the ground. “The magic has infested the land here and nature is changed. Anything could happen. I can feel the decay below us and it will continue to grow in some way until it is stopped.”
“We should get back to my laboratory.” Clainin said reaching for his spellbook. “I’ll be happy to assist you with preparing the cure.”
“Cure?” Adranath asked between coughs.
Before Clainin could speak again, a squishing sound came from the trees. The party turned to witness a huge mass crawling its way towards them. Twisted gaping mouths and misplaced eyes covered the outside of the creature appeared, only to sink back into the depths of the fleshy mass and reappear in a new place. Half of a deer corpse stuck awkwardly out of the side of the mound; the corpse was quickly pulled inside it with a sickening wet crunch. The misshapen mouths on the creature spit a few bloodied bones out as it progressed.
Dawn readied her sword but at the sight of the foul fiend she was fully prepared to retreat if need be. “What is this horrid creature?”
“Another product of the decay! It is now affecting flesh. I expect that used to be a normal forest creature of some kind that became infected and metamorphosed.” The Watcher turned to Clainin as he repressed his coughing. “I believe now we should make our exit.”
Clainin had already started casting the moongate back to Britain before Adranath had finished speaking. A short moment later the four had passed through the portal and it vanished quietly as the slimy creature continued to move towards the city.
Posted by Borg
Saturday, May 4, 2002 12:00 AM EDT