Whom the gods would destroy... — Legacy Forums

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#281

On the watch for signs of the vile hyenadon, Kyrian snuck out of the tent again, barely containing the euphoria brought on by his most devious plan.

Into a blanket he rolled the enemy commander after tying him and plugging his mouth with a wad of fabric; very much like the 'rollschinken' the Northerners ate he looked.

Surreptitiously, the knight removed the wooden braces under the wheels of two provision vagons, and gave them a shove downhill, towards the ogre encampment. The guards would have their hands full keeping their supplies from their ever hungry allies!

Broadly grinning, Kyrian dragged his bounty in the direction opposite to the mayhem.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#282

At the sound of the hyaenodon, a single hard shiver floated down Adan's spine, and he began to creep forwards, listening for the further racket. But what was the signal for help, and what for mere chaos? As he stood there, one hand upon the hilt of his blade, he decided he would listen most closely to the sounds on the air. After all, a kicked cat yowls.

Meanwhile, his other hand idly fingered the pouch which, he could only hope would smoke in great quantities once lit aflame, hoping it would not be needed.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#283

Aerex Matare and Dujek Slack-Jaw

"We've got to find a way to release him before they execute him. You're a lord; can't you pull some weight against the mayor?"

“Yes, well, I suppose I could—wait—you are in league with a necromancer?” Quorridge arched his bushy brows. “Aaah, Jantir, where there is no evil, no absolutes, just shades of gray, and everyone is a friend, and no punishments await the vile, only kind words and rehabilitation”…Quorridge annoyingly pontificated about his favorite subject, Jantir (and its follies). He had no love for the place.

Noticing the look on Aerex’ face, he stopped himself.

“Very well my anxious friend. In the morning, we will go see Mayor Orensil, and determine whether or not this Dujek, who you seem so fond of, deserves absolution or death by Fire-wheel. Does this becalm you?”

Quorridge went back to eating his egg.

After dinner Quorridge rose, belched, rubbed his belly with a queer look upon his face and excused himself.

“Till morning then, Matare. I got us two rooms, your room is third door on left on the second floor. We will rise at dawn, see if we can do anything for your necromantic friend, then ride north as before, to seek out the evils that plague our ancient lands.”

Without waiting for a response, Quorridge belched again and went upstairs.

---------------------------------------

The next morning sometime after dawn…

Aerex just stood by the bed in a daze, gazing upon the still form of his erstwhile bald-headed travelling companion. The innkeeper’s daughter and a wizened apothecary were examining the now dead Lord Quorridge. The apothecary mumbled something then gently closed Quorridge’s eyelids. “Peace be with him”, he muttered now, and turned to Aerex.

“I’m afraid he has expired, during the night. There is nothing we can do now. Excessive flatulence and a weak heart, did him in.”

Aerex, still somewhat in shock, opened his mouth to speak, and then stopped, as he heard some commotion outside. Glancing out of the inn-room window, Aerex could now see a procession of townsfolk. The parade of people seemed to be leaving the town, taking a well-trodden path, which led out of Miesingholdt and gently sloped downhill.

"Ah, is it the Day of Worms already?" Mumbled the apothecary at Aerex’ quizzical look, “They are off to see a miscreant roll and burn upon the Fire-wheel,” he added casually, then, “Will you be uh—donating some coin for his Lordship’s burial? Or have you some other arrangement in mind, for his body and his possessions?”

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#284

Meanwhile, a few miles west of town...

After much grunting and bloodying of wrists and knuckles, Dujek finally managed to free his second arm from the Fire-Wheel but the momentum of the release, sent his body slamming downwards face-first into the rocky ground, still attached to the wheel by his ankles.

Moaning in pain and attempting to click his dislocated jaw back in place, Dujek noticed Koschei was already gnawing (as futilely as before) on the rope attaching Dujek to the wheel by one of his ankles.

Hurry! Hurry! The lizard urged the necromancer telepathically. You can moan later, free your scrawny legs! The mob is coming!

Indeed, as Dujek rolled to one side, contorted his body, and began feverishly untying his second ankle, he could make out a cloud of dust on the horizon. He could hear the townsfolk now too. A few minutes at most, and they would arrive to set him alight.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#285

Hurrying to untie himself the rest of the way before he was used as a ritualized group bonding exercise, Dujek mumbled about the "idiot commoners" and their inability to recognized when someone was an "artist" versus a hazard to all human life. Finally, after what seemed like forever he managed to get his first ankle free.

"Shoo you, I'm pretty sure I can get this done quicker than you," he said, before shoving Koschei off his other ankle and started to free that ankle as well.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#286

The Dam Camp

Many things happened at once.

The supply wagons Kyrian had set loose began their slow roll, and gained speed as they neared the ogre encampment. One careened off a rock, and went spinning directly into the ogre’s nightly bon-fire, coming to an unceremonious stop. Within seconds hungry flames had engulfed the canvas. The second wagon had crashed into an ogre pavilion, as ear-splitting sounds of splintering wood and tearing cloth muffled the groans of what must have been several ogres inside.

Chaos soon reigned, as still-drunken and woozy ogres emerged from their impromptu huts and wigwams, confused and enraged. One ogre literally began to scream when he noticed the sign of Ze’Thot on the forehead of another, and before long they were pummeling each other, one terrified, one perplexed. Elsewhere, another ogre was shouting something to the skies, and pointing at Kyrian’s art-work upon his pavilion. A fourth ogre was in a panic, as he ran from his hut, tossing salt from two ogre-sized shakers in each fist all about him, as he emerged. A fifth ogre blew a great war-horn, his intent unclear, but the sound could be heard for miles.

Some few other ogres however, were less bewitched and flummoxed. At least four could now be seen donning their chain-link armor, and hoisting massive pole-arms, at the behest of one particularly large specimen, who was roaring commands and instructions at the others, while brandishing his fearsome-looking axe, his bat-skull earring jingling.

Uphill meanwhile, at the human camp, Waltor Reymar’s men-at-arms were faring better than the ogres. Before long, the men were assembling, and moments later an alarm went up, when a few ran out of their missing Lord’s pavilion, gesturing and shouting at their fellow soldiers. Other men ran toward the tethered horses, while yet others , admittedly, were stunned, staring at the bedlam that engulfed the ogres' camp.

Lastly, a few men, and even an ogre or two, began to scour the horizon, away from the respective camps, searching for potential enemies.

All this and more saw Vorodon, Adan, Kadarin, and Kyrian, from their respective vantage points. Whatever Kyrian had done they realized, it had seemed to work, and yet, the true danger was only now materializing itself.

---------------------------------------

Waltor Reymar opened his eyes, the pain in his face overwhelming. Through a fog he could make out a fuzzy feline face, staring back at him. Was he dreaming? What the hell was happening? He closed his eyes again, still too woozy to focus. His skull ached. His body felt constricted.

--------------------------------------

Unbeknownst to anyone besides the Hyaenadon, the creature had been selecting a target, and now having done so, ignoring the commotion around it, it began to stalk its victim. Lowering its massive jaw and beady, angry eyes to the ground, it loped in its awkward gait, at turns snarling, at turns laughing its hideous laugh.

Mouse edged closer to Kadarin. It was apparent to even him, from even this distance, that the hideous creature was approaching the companions general area, and that all hell was about to break loose, again.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#287

Gesturing to those he could see, trying to get them to draw back into the woods, Adan began to draw backwards, deeper into the woods, hoping to leave a trail for the hyenadon to follow, leaving behind a trail of his soporific herbs along with it. Most important, he suspected, were the wizard and Mouse. The others would be able to survive a moment of battle with the beast, but those, perhaps not, and that would be more than a little troublesome.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#288

Aerex glanced back again out the window, the crowd grimly jubilant. He looked back to Quorridge as though for an answer, but the now former lord only lay there, pale and already stinking. He shook his head as though to clear it. "What possessions did he have with him?" he asked. "Take whatever costs of the arrangement out of those, and bury him according to the regular custom. I'll take whatever goods he has remaining and find their way to whatever kin he has."

He looked to the innkeeper's daughter. "Please, can I trust you to make the proper arrangements?" He licked his lips nervously. "I have a very pressing appointment to make." Without waiting for an answer, he stepped quickly out the door, breaking into a run as he went outside ahead of the crowd.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#289

Merrilly, with a spring in his step despite the rolled-up commander's bulk, Kyrian hauled his prize towards the rest of his merry band.

Or, less than merry, as it seemed. Kadarin covered, Mouse very much so, Vorodon stood battle-ready with an expression much like a storm-beaten cliffside. Adan did share this attribute, but that could be written off as a constant.

"Rejoice! As surely as the spring makes meadows and damsels bloom, have I brought you a Lord to lord over. Which, if I am not mistaken, might make you all more than lords!"

Unceremoniously, the half-naked were threw down the carpet roll, sweat glistening over his countenance. "Adan, dear friend - would you be so kind to take his Lordship off my hands? I am notoriously inconsistent in my dealings with the nobility - and you may show him a more proper conduct, one that is conductive to his cooperation."

He curtsied, then proceeded towards his padded quilts and armor.
"One last humble request - pray, instruct your foemen next time to be commanded by gnomes or halflings. Verily, they are easier to carry."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#290

Adan almost cracks a smile, despite the laugh of the hyaenadon, yet it is with a total deadpan look and flat tone that he nods. "I will relay your request to my lord Trigu. Perhaps he will inspire diets among our foes."

Turning his eyes to Reymar, Adan took the time to check the lord's bindings, wanting to keep him from escaping, and to keep him mute, a make shift gag of cloth and rope, before loosening his sword, sliding it from its scabbard. "I pray, my Lord, that you have the patience to wait a few moments for us to conduct our business. We have a few simple requests of you, and would happily release you to go about your way, once you accommodate us."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#291

Chaos erupted within the Volgotoi camp as Kyrian’s tricks played out, yet Vorodon feared that their baffled foes might regroup. The ogres’ vile leader had his wits about him, and a group of loyal followers who still posed a threat.

While Vorodon was quite proud of his improvised “wood spirit” disguise, the smeared mud and leafy branches now seemed unlikely to frighten off such a determined foe. More preparation was needed. Yanking forth a pair of his prized darts, the warrior jammed them butt-first into the ground behind a moss-covered log. Their gleaming points hidden by the underbrush, the weapons might easily maim a foe who recklessly leapt the log without looking first.

Rising to his full height, Vorodon’s deep voice thundered out from among the trees. The speech of his ancestors rose easily within him, so much simpler than the Common Tongue’s confusing terms. “Doom unto the eaters of soulless cattle-meat! Doom unto the builders of dams! The spirits of earth and water see you! The ghosts of the uneaten rise against you! Ze'Thot, the Famine-Bringer answers their call! Flee, for the Kired’ley have come to devour your souls!”

Stepping back, the warlike Son of Gorye drew forth another pair of gleaming missiles and prepared to cast them at the ogres’ hulking chieftain.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#292

Kadarin stood back ready, interposing a tree between himself and the enemy. He could strike out at the heynadon, but doing so would likely attract the entire camp their way.

Best to follow the others - his spells had a habit of being ... indiscriminate, in their nature.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#293

"No haste in advertising our presence is necessary" Kyrian mused as he strapped on his breastplate. Then, the helmet. He'd see soon enough what portion of the elaborate plate mail he'd manage actually wear to battle.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#294

Aerex and Dujek

"Yes. Yes, of course. And what of his horse?" was the innkeeper's daughter's answer. But Aerex didn't hear it, as he ran from the room.

Racing out of the inn, and onto the town's main street, Aerex was soon amidst the procession of townsfolk. He managed to nearly get ahead of the crowd, and was now hearing snippets of the mob's cacophony...

"He should be no trouble by now. Three days of no food, and only rainwater"

"Remember the last time? The wheel burned down before they it even came to a stop."

"What say ye? will he reach the river or die first?"

"A necromancer. Has to be. He was speaking with the dead, when we arrived at the mausoleum."

"Watch the miscreant burn! Death to the warlock!"

Leading the way, Aerex noticed, was Orensil the Mayor. It had to be him, all portly and important-looking, with a torch in one beefy hand, and some scroll in the other, the mayor was already red-faced from the walk, though the parade of executioners was just now heading out of the town's gate. Disturbingly, Aerex also noticed the ubiquitous tools of the mob's trade. Pitchforks, cudgels, staves, and torches (though it was broad daylight), were wielded by nearly all. Even the children accompanying the procession seemed intent on mischief, wielding sharpened sticks, while singing unsettling limericks about burning witches and rolling wheels of flame.

Peering ahead, Aerex could make out a long road, sloping gently downhill. In the distance he could see some gigantic wooden contraption. This had to be the wheel.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#295

Dam Camp

As Kyrian donned his armor, and Adan addressed the addled Lord, Vorodon's mighty yell echoed across the rolling hills. Though still far from melee, the ogres and humans both, looked up and spied the mighty half-ogre. The humans joined in a column formation and began to jog in the half-ogre's direction, swords drawn. The ogres, or at least the ogres that were led by the bat-skull earring giant, likewise began to quickly cover the ground between their camp and the adventurers-upon-return.

The hyaenadon meanwhile, loped along, well ahead of its ogre masters. As it neared, it let loose a slew of disturbing noises and yelps. Its target was close now, and it was excited. Much to Kadarin's chagrin, the wizard noticed that the foul creature's target was indeed him and Mouse. A mere fifty yards away and closing, the beast kept coming.

(OOC: hyaenodon rolls 5 for initiative. Kadarin has to roll. The others still have two rounds of action, before the combined forces of humans and ogres close in. To help Kadarin and Mouse against the giant hyena, would require one turn to move closer to him, then initiative.)

------------------

In answer to Adan, Lord Waltor Reymar merely moaned, only half-awake and still suffering from the effects of hammer-to-face.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#296

Switching from the ogres' hill dialect to the Common Tongue, Vorodon's shouted words dripped with contempt. "Chiefbig no big now for to fighting Vorodon loneself? Infressing Vorodon moreness each stef! Coming fight Vorodon for with all, fearhungered eater-by-of-cow!" He punctuated each garbled threat with a dart, hurling his deadly missiles at the charging hyenadon.

Between throws, Vorodon eyed the rapidly approaching foemen. Soon he must unlimber his axe. Hopefully, the fools would stumble onto the darts he had planted among the undergrowth, but any enemies too cautious to fall for them would be easy meat for the Volgottir's massive axe as they moved to engage him.

Edited slightly, now that I have specific distances: Vorodon will keep throwing his darts (and insulting the enemy chieftain) until melee becomes imminent. He will switch to target his approaching foes once they come closer than the hyenadon, favoring the easiest targets first.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#297

Rising from the newly tree-shackled Waltor, Adan scowled, dragging the short blade at his side from its sheath. He began to move, as best he could through the brush of the forest, in the direction of the wizard. Letting the man die would be foolish at this point. Ogres, men, hyenadon.

"Stellen sie ein!," he bellowed, at the top of his lungs, the sharp notes of command in the order to halt. "We have counted coup upon you, Men of Von Hellen, and would have our ransom for your Commander!"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#298

If the soldiers heard Adan, he could not tell at first, as Reymar's men kept coming--indeed a well trained unit--but then he could see a few lead men look up in his direction. Like a giant metallic centipede, the band of thirty changed course, and were now heading toward the Adan, more-so than the raging Vorodon, as Adan raced toward Kadarin, and the guillotine-jaws of the hyaenodon.

Just as smoothly, suddenly the centipede flanked, and ten men still in formation separated without breaking stride, shields raised (in defense from potential Vorodon missiles), making their way toward an anxious Kyrian, as they spotted him up a small hill, donning his plate.

The ogres meanwhile just kept coming, determined, if not methodical. At Vorodon's challenges and insults the lead ogre bellowed and yelled something only Vorodon could understand, yet all involved heard his harsh shouts.

"Half-breed?! Mad like beef-hornet! No fear ME womanly tricks!!", then garbled in ugly common, "Now beating-heart belong to ME! " The giant raised his axe in turn, a weapon as mighty as Vorodon's axe, and more even more gruesome, if that were possible.

He gestured with his arm toward the four stalwarts behind him, and they broke off now as well, two ogres veering in the direction of Kyrian, and two ogres leading the chief's charge at Vorodon, acting as meat-shields, for the chief, in case the darts being fired at their pet, changed their course, suddenly.

Kadarin did not panic as the deadly-looking primeval beast neared, though Mouse did...

...suddenly the creature seemed to stumble, breaking its awkward stride, its legs almost giving out beneath it's weight. It made a horrible sound just then, a thousand screaming demons, but then recovered, and kept coming, only to have another one of Vorodon's darts pierce its side, and sinking deep. The hyaenadon yelped, but its eyes were mad now, and whatever pain it endured, it seemed to want now to inflict upon Kadarin ten-fold. That is, until's Kadarin Web spell effectively stopped it in its tracks, the creature looking almost pathetic now, as it struggled against the suddenly materialized icky strands of blackness, which covered it like thick molasses.

Just then, Vorodon noticed that, which he had been marking. The two ogres forming a wall in front of their raging chief were coming for him, and were now officially closer to him, than the Hyaenodon. It was time. They were heading directly for the log, across from which Vorodon stood, least of all expecting to run upon giant caltrops in the ground.

As ten soldiers, and not far behind them two ogres, neared Kyrian, the cavalier was almost bedecked in full. His sword arm tingling with anticipation.

Things were getting complicated.

(ooc: Wulf, rolled for darts. Hope you don't mind...just so that a round didn't take a day :). If you want to roll however, i'll change it! Two hit, 10 dam combined. Btw, we no longer have a rolling mechanism in forum :( Maybe everyone can PM a bunch of rolls, or i can roll for everyone behind the scenes, or you can roll in chat and copy/paste, or umm, i'm open to any and all suggestions on the "dicing issue")

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#299

"Gallantry is anathema to you, common ruffians?" Kyrian was quite irked at the opposition not waiting for him to don all his plates.
"Then gallantry shall be foreign to me!"

He raised a fist towards the heavens, catching a ray of the breaking dawn in the mailed hand. Suffused by its glow, he appeared to grow, felt strength surge through his limbs, roared as a lion feral!
(OOC: Bull's Strength!)
"I took your commander from under your nose, henchmen! Hauled him like the wayward child he is! So back off, run to your burrows! Or you shall flow as a river of minced meat, with your liege as lardy toppings!"

"The wise who surrender are free to join the winning side. That would be us."

Kyrian joined Adan's side, then.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#300

Aerex's stride slowed at the sight of the looming wheel, the meaning of its name sinking in. Seeing the mayor, he ran up to him, straightening his posture as he approached. "Honorable Mayor Orensil," he said with a half bow, walking backward and keeping pace with the mayor. "I come with an urgent message, and on behalf of the Lady Thea Hellschwert and in the company of the Lord Otto Quorridge. I beg your audience to explain myself." He panted, trying to keep nobly composed.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#301

For a moment, the beast was subdued. It would not last long, though, he expected. "Brother, the beast," spake Adan as he actually stepped back then, towards Ser Waltor, his blade making short work of the groggy commander's gag. "Tell them to stand down, good Ser," he ordered the captive, his blade still held high in threat, before he shouted once more,

"STAND DOWN, men of Von Hellen!"

For a moment, he prayed, prayed that there would be deliverance, and that the magi could restrain much of this pack of foes.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#302

Gleaming missiles of dark-stained ash and rune-carved iron hurtled through the air as Vorodon hurled one dart after another at the ogre chief, only to have them glance harmlessly off of the ogres' rust-smeared helms or tangle in the behemoths' filthy cowhide cloaks. His eyes narrowed as the mighty volgottir watched his most trusted darts fail him: weapons he had carried since he had first grown to fit his ancestors' battle harness. They had always flown true before.

Whatever nature spirits these blasphemous, cow-eating tree-hackers may have angered, they must have found equally-powerful demons of carnage to guard them. A trickle of superstitious fear chilled the nape of Voro's neck. Mere months earlier, he would have had no protection against such otherworldly menaces. Darts would not suffice to overcome this threat, but Vorodon knew what would. He reached behind him to ease the massive axe from the rings suspending it.

When he had first taken up the battered iron weapon of the verbeeg leader, it had seemed as just another weapon. Endless hours of patient polishing had passed before Voro began to sense the weapon’s true spirit. Layered rust and filth had gradually rubbed away to expose strange whorls and ripples frozen in the steel, a flowing pattern of light and shadow coursing through the metal. A vague watery scent clung to the weapon, as if the splashing flow of a mountain stream danced within it.

The Son of Gorye stood ready for his foes, hefting the massive axe Mountain-stream. Voro sensed the weapon's power rising around him, as if raging white waters were about to break.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#303

Aerex and Dujek

“What’s this?” Fat Orensil said in-between gasping breaths. Several of the larger men moved in around Matare, hemming him in, and seeking to protect their mayor from any potential harm.

“The Lady Thea you say?” this name carried some weight here in Meisingholdt, as Orensil now blinked in recognition.

“Speak on then, and quickly messenger, for this morn’ there is justice that needs doing! What is this message?”

The mob, or more like a buzzing bee-swarm, Aerex noted, seemed annoyed at the pause of the procession. Mumbling began, and a few folk still made their way down the long, rocky path, not waiting for Orensil and the main group, in order to catch a first glimpse of the by-now, no doubt withered and weakened tomb-robber.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#304

Finally it seemed the soldiers took note of Adan's shouting. Almost upon him now, a knight leading the charge paused, raising a gauntlet to slow his men.

At the same time, the addled Lord Waltor Reymar found his voice, and still unable to comprehend exactly what was happening, acquiesed to Adan's demand.

"Stand down", he muttered at first, then louder, "Stand down. Hold your positions." He then proceeded to stare at Adan balefully, from his rug-prison.

The soldiers complied warily, eyeing their carpet-wrapped leader then Adan in turn.

The lead knight spoke. "What manner of attack is this? Release the Lord Reymar at once, or fall where you stand!"

-------------------------

Meanwhile, the other soldiers, those who had gained the hill to attack Kyrian (with ogres not far behind), half-cirlced the feline knight, yet did not draw in to engage. Warily, they held their shields and swords aloft, gauging the situation, while ignoring Kyrian's taunts. Even the ogres slowed now, seeing that Reymar's soldiers were undecided. It seemed the soldiers were waiting to see what happened, with their leader and the other men, before butchering the cocky knight before them.

-------------------------

(ooc: rolling involved)

Vorodon however, was not as lucky, as the two charging ogres and their monstrous leader raced toward the axe-wielding Volgottir. A great roar went up as the twin ogres leaped the log to attack.

One ogre suddenly howled, as he landed awkwardly, his leather-booted soul no match for Vorodon's buried dart, and staggered side-ways, losing his attack. The second ogre managed to avoid the giant caltrops, and reared his nail-studded club to smash Vorodon. Missing in a wide arc, it was now Vorodon's turn. In a moment, the ogre leader would arrive behind them, and mighty axe would clash with migty axe.

(ooc: Vorodon's attack, then initiative. Feel free to roll attack whichever way you like, and post results :))

----------------------

The hyaenodon struggled against the sticky magic strands of the web spell, enraged and chittering, like some mad four-legged jester. Still stuck, it was however beginning to rip free, staring at Kadarin, as the wizard in turn stared at the temporarily helpless creature.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#305

Lacking the means to dispatch the struggling hyenadon, at least without potentially freeing it prematurely, Kadarin grabbed mouse and moved to join Adan.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#306

Matare ignored the growing crowd, somewhat surprised the mayor had bothered to stop at all. He decided he'd need to get a better grasp of the politicking of this place, after he'd guaranteed his errant necromancer colleague wouldn't burn to death.

"The execution of this man, Dujek, must be halted," he said firmly. "He is a colleague of the lady's brother, Adan Hellschwert. They, and I, are of the same..." He furrowed his brow, trying to find the right word. What exactly was the collective of magicians, warriors, and myriad other folk Aerex had been a part of called? "The same band of adventurers," he settled. "Whatever accusations have been leveled against him are, I am sure, without merit."

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#307

Orensil seemed to ponder this information for a bit before replying.

"Without merit you say? We caught the foul one red-handed inside the mausoleum, casting spells and summoning the very dead! When confronted, he did not so much as offer a denial! Just mumbles and witch-words!"

"These are troublesome times, messenger. The north is overrun woth demons they say, and no doubt this miscreant is somehow a direct result of that infestation. We are Trigu-fearing folk here, and such brazen witchery shall not go unpunished!"

Orensil paused to catch his breath. He seemed to again ponder Matare's statement. The man had obvious respect for Lady Thea and now seemed to be debating something internally. His forehead beaded with sweat.

"You are welcome to come with us to the Fire-Wheel. We will question this warlock again, and see what he has to say."

Without waiting for Matare's responce, Mayor Orensil began his march again, the mob once more excited.

Within minutes, as Aerex kept pace with the procession, the great fire-wheel came finally into full view....and with it, the image of Dujek Slack-Jaw struggling against the last of his bindings (one ankle to go), and almost free.

"He is trying to escape!! He is almost free! Hurry!!" came the roar of the mob.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#308

As the men-at-arms began to stand down, Kyrian felt a slight tinge of disappointment. "I believe this cease-fire to be not one sided - for honor commands such. A whiff of a pity, were you to inquire."

"Well then, to prepare for the eventuality of bloodshed postponed..."
He donned his greaves and the last bits of plating.

The strength bestowed by the spell surged through him, in dismay about not being used.

Filled with expectation, he stood beside Adan, hands resting on the hilt of the Sanguine Rose, the blade naked before such an undeserving audience.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#309

Aerex nodded to mayor's response. "I imagine he looked very much a necromancer. You see, he's a bit touched in the head - got a good knockabout while we were fighting some of undead, actually..."

The inspector was interrupted by the sudden outcry of the crowd. He jerked his head toward the fire-wheel, his stomach dropping at the sight of the squirming sorcerer. He looked again to Orensil. "The man's unwell, but he's not evil!" he shouted, already increasing his pace and heading for the instrument of death. "Just grant a stay of execution and I can explain!"

Pushing his way through the crowd, Matare sprinted to the wheel, putting himself between Dujek and the angry mob. "Don't you dare move a muscle," he ordered through grit teeth, then turned to the crowd and shouted, "Meisingholdters, stand down! He is a companion of Adan Hellschwert, brother of Lady Thea! Stand down!"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#310

Seeing Aerex again, in such unfortunate circumstances no less, made Dujek feel all warm and fuzzy inside, much the way he did when he learned some new secret from the dead. On the other hand, Aerex was the only thing standing between him and near certain death, a very ignoble death at that. Dujek thought for a second and then stopped moving, he did however motion to his familar to keep trying to free his last ankle. Maybe that foul whore Luck would favor him with her smile once more.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#311

Both Kyrian and Kadarin moved closer to Adan and the carpet-lord from different directions. The ten men who were ready-to-engage Kyrian, moved when he moved. In Kadarin's case, only the hyaenodon's baleful eyes managed to follow the wizard, as the creature kept tearing at its unnatural bindings, soon to be loose.

Now thirty of the Lord's men were together again in a single unit. The two ogres meanwhile, losing interest in this slow-motion dance of humans, turned back toward their leader, their two brethren, and Vorodon.

For a moment silence reigned, and the air from everyone's breath steamed in the chilly pre-dawn.

Then something akin to the sounds of thunder and clanging metal erupted, punctuated by harsh ogrish shouts.

At this point, not cognizant of the temporary pause-and-parlay some distance away, the ogres and Vorodon battled like some crazed, primeval titans of a bygone age...

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#312

"Behold the ogryn! What ferocity, what primal rage! What a display of therian vis!"
Kyrian swooned to distract the mob.
"As bears embattled, as crashing bulls! Sweep, thrust, decapitate! Preen!"

"What sayest thou - brother in arms? Shall we get inspired?"
To the mob he turned, shouting a challenge!
"'Tis wasteful to slay you all, henchmen! So, challenge me for the fate of your lord, of your camp, of your haphazard river dam! What has to be your number, how high, to stand against me in pitched combat?"

He smashed a mailed fist against his plate. "Step forth, and tell me where you dwell, so that I may go and comfort your widows!"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#313

Kadarin sighed, and began chanting words of power as quietly as he could under Kyrian's bombast.

So much for being subtle...

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#314

A Temporary Stay of Execution

"Hear me, good citizens of Meisingholdt!" Shouted Orensil over the cacophany of the blood-thirsty mob. "Let us be prudent and listen to this man's tale. For surely, if we are not satisfied with the story, re-binding the warlock, and setting him a'fire, would take but a minute."

Orenisl turned to Aerex, as the mob mumbled. A few men moved closer to Dujek, just to make sure no foul tricks were being attempted by the necromancer or his sudden advocate.

Orensil nodded to Matare. "We do not even know your name, much less who you are. Know ye though, Lady Thea's name carries some weight here, but pray tell, what proof do you have that you even know her? Or she you? The name of Adan Hellschwert is but a distant memory. He was a kin-slayer, and has long vanished from our lands."

a pause

"Speak then, and let us judge your words."

A fat black fly was buzzing around Dujek's head, and finally landed on his forehead.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#315

Releasing his grasp on the prisoner, leaving him chained to the tree, Adan stepped forwards, at last drawing his sword. His shield rose in front of him, its insignia clearly visible, the blade held at his side in a peculiar reverse grip, doubled back along his arm, the trapping stance peculiar to his families fighting art, hopefully one still recognizable, and fearsome. As his body straightened, he called forth, "I am Adan, scion of the Brightblade! In the name of the Lady, I abjure you! Be gone from these lands!"

And then, his voice rose, not in the catcalls of his fellow knight, but in deep, powerful song. An ancient hymnal of praise of his ancestress's power, pleading for a portion of that rhin's strength, in the elder tongue of that land, long forgotten to but the few who carried the blood. Rough and harsh, it would likely sound as a triumph and threat in one.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#316

"I certainly am delighted to provide contrast to Adan's nobility" Kyrian smirked, for himself and mischievous fae that might listen. He heard Kadarin's chant over his mockery and the paladin's hymn, and prepared for the blast to come - muscles tensing, ready to leap to carve up any stragglers who were not well done.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#317

Lord Reymar's men were well-trained, but they were not trained to deal with imaginative foes.

At the sound of Adan's booming (though perhaps booming was the wrong word for what now escaped the Helllscwhert scion's lips) song, the men recoiled almost as one, backing up, shields raised, as though expecting some physical harm from the ancient hymnal.

"The Kin-Slayer!" one man yelled, and this proclamation almost sealed a mad retreat, but not quite.

At that same moment, one man, one brave and anxious soul, who could not abide Kyrian's taunts any longer, broke ranks, rushing suddenly and with a half-hearted shout of his own, "Von Hellen's wrath!" he yelled, and "Have at thee!", charging the feline knight, sword and shield raised. A swing from his blade, and Lo! (.....initiative Echo, i rolled a 4)

The bizarre scene would seem almost comical to onlookers, yet no mirth was present here this day.

Meanwhile, the other soldiers, less brave, (or more sane) were a single unit of raised shields, like some giant confused armadillo, backing away from the possessed Adan.

-----------

And then, nothing mattered anymore.

A great ball of fire erupted from seemingly nowhere, exploding over and through the now (conveniently) tightly-packed soldiers. Men burned alive inside their armor like giant craw-fish, their protective shells, now melding with their flesh and roasting it. Screams of agony drowned out Adan's dirge, and even the roar of Vorodon and the ogres (in a pitched battle to the death, oblivious to what was happening one hundreds yards away from them)

Men burned. Men with families and dreams, but men who happened to be on the wrong side this day.

(ooc:(22:17:59) ChatBot: Murometz rolls 30d20 and gets 20,13,3,8,20,5,18,19,7,1,16,6,15,13,10,6,14,4,17,11,18,12,1,14,10,6,17,19,14,19.
(22:18:08) ChatBot: Murometz rolls 6d6 and gets 4,6,2,4,6,6.)

Mouse looked up at Kadarin with a look of what amounted to awe. The wizard did not notice. He watched the two ogres, as they managed to escape his fiery blast.

Gods be good, the lone warrior who was brave enough to rush at Kyrian with murderous intent, did not give up, nor ask for quarter, but swung his sword with fatal determination at Kyrian's head, even as his comrades burned.

-------

Reymar moaned, now wide-eyed with shock.

-------

The hyaenodon was almost free now.

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#318

(OOC: initiative 15, 20 if dex matters)

"Have at thee!" Kyrian laughed as he swung at the woefully slow footman. The world was right - there was drama, there was struggle, good and evil opposed.
(OOC: to hit - a 9 rolled, +sword+str+proficiency+level, damage 8+whatever)
"You should instruct me in your hymn's words one day, Adan, for I find it to my liking! But today - a fool, two brutes, and a fetid hound!"

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#319

"Verdammen! Lives, wasted. The sword of the Demon-slayer's line tires of blood, it would prefer ichor." He had meant to negotiate in good faith. But, as always, Chaos had closed in. And so he moved on, leveling a single harsh kick at the warrior that faced Kyrian, not meaning so much to injure him as to trip him up as he passed on wards to set himself between mage and monster.

(OOC: Roll to trip: Siren_no_Orakio rolls 1d20 and gets 4. Fail, I presume!)

Re: Whom the gods would destroy...

#320

Kadarin was nearly sick as the smell of roasted flesh struck his nostrils. Fear had brought rashness, and rashness, death. Still, another part of him reveled in the carnage.

Wonder what Dujek would have thought of that?

The heyenadon still needed dealt with, so drawing upon his link with Mouse, he again Chanted, to bring strands of darkness to bind the beast once more.