[Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald — Legacy Forums

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#41

Kuth, his attention drawn by Vitoriel's words focused on the newcomer, putting his mind to focus on the ground beneath him. Should things go adverse, this one would regret his heavy arms.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#42

The dark plated knight halted in its tracks, then held out its left arm, pointing at Vitoriel.

"I... HUNGER!"

Its voice was booming across the village, like thunder in the lowlands. It had a rasping voice, like the grinding of stone. From the brushes a large flock of geese took flight, escaping the danger it sensed near.

"GRANT ME SACRIFICE, AND I WILL ALLOW YOU TO LIVE!"

Its voice was still booming. Its finger shifted focus, to Eurydice, who looked around, then behind her.

"No... No mistress... I ain't no sacrifice", the senior apprentice said, retreating a few steps.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#43

Everything was silent. No one replied for a few seconds, and it looked like the black knight was growing impatient. A cord of static electricity shot from the ground, and into the jet black greatsword, where it just fizzled and died.

Aeomi noticed that all her ghosts had ceased whispering. It was as if their eternal damned cursing was silenced, all at once. They are afraid, Aeomi realized. They are afraid of him.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#44

"What kind of sacrifice?" Vitoriel asked dispassionately. "It would be helped if you spoke your mind."
She plucked a few roses, bearing a few sparkle in the enchanted night, and scattered the petals across the knight.

"The first rose I smelled this year I give to you, and would you give me your name in return, so that I know to whom to send my midnight's sigh as offer, to whom to grant the sacrificial offering?"

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#45

As Vitoriel spread the petals into the winds, they blew towards the knight. He shimmered for an instant, then he reappeared beside Eurydice, his blade at her throat.

"SACRIFICE HER TO ME! BEG ME, ON YOUR KNEES, TO SPARE YOU, AND DEVOUR HER SOUL WHILE YOU WATCH!"

Eurydice screamed and erected a force field. It shimmered for a short while, brimming with potence and power, then the knight touched it with his blade, and the force field popped, like a bubble of soap.

Eurydice started running, and the black knight tilted his head, looking at Kuth instead of Vitoriel.

"WILL YOU OFFER ME SACRIFICE?"

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#46

His queries answered and the prisoners secured, Elquin bade farewell to Hakros and returned to the trees beneath Falcon Dive. Into the Mists he stepped once more; and just in time, for they were beginning to falter in the radiant sunlight. Soon, the white petaled trees were out of sight and nothing but fog enveloped him. The walk back seemed to take ages, as always, but time was not an exact thing when traveling in this manner, Elquin had found. Finally, the mist began to fade once more as light pierced through. Up ahead, Elquin could hear commotion...

not sure at what point Elquin will return, so please write him in at the correct time :p

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#47

Ronal had enough. With a furious war cry he charged the black knight, his longsword a silvery blur. With tremendous force it slashed into the breastplate and scrapes along its surface, forcing the black knight a step back.

Meanwhile Eurydice had turned around, finally getting her act together. With a curse on her lips, she began an incantation, and a second later a bolt of force slammed into the knight. But there was another popping sound, and the spell fizzled out and died.

"Thou shalt not escape the might of the Elvyn race!", Vitoriel shouted pompously, an arrogant sneer on her face. Suddenly the grass around the Ekauri caught fire, but as the mighty flames touched the knights leggings the flames withered and died, with a protesting sputter.

The Ekauri bellowed mightly, and his greatsword was spun in a might arc in Ronal's direction

OOC: We need Aeomi and Kuth's attacks before we can determine if it cuts Ronal's arm off and kills him

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#48

Kuth hurled a brick-like stone at the knight but it fell short, punching a hole in the charred grass.

Enthri and Caldu fired arrows, with the last one fired by Caldu punching into the knight's thigh 11 points, 3 points real damage!.

Kuth was shifting form, dropping to all fours and becoming even larger than his already massive form. His skin began taking a truly stone-like colour and a great, sabre-like horn began to form on his face.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#49

Traveling the mists, the Ethenorden rogue saw light in the distance. He felt the currents of the rift twist and bend, like an ancient wyrm awakening from slumber. Suddenly there was a slight tremor, and Elquin lost his balance for a second and had to support the weight of his torso as his left palm touched the ethereal floor of the rift vortex.

"Phaedroso!", a woman called out from somewhere near.
Elquin felt a memory stir.

"Pheadroso!", the voice was nearer. The Ethenorden drew a deep breath. The exit was just ahead, but that voice, that name, they stirred long forgotten memories.

"Phaedroso!", she called and little Elquin looked out from behind his hiding tree. "Yes, Aurea? What is it?", his boyish voice replied. He looked upon a young girl, no more than 11 years old with dusky skin, green eyes and black, long hair.
Somehow Elquin felt like he had known her forever.

"There you are, Phaedroso! I have been looking for you forever! Mommy called. She wants us home. Dinner is served. It is lentil soup!", she said, joy evident in her voice.

Yes, Elquin remembered Phaedroso, and he remembered Aurea, the daughter of Antler Witch. How could he ever have forgotten her?
The love of his life.

"Phaedroso! There you are! I have been looking for you forever!"

Aurea stood there, partially hidden by the mists, and she held an outstretched hand.

"Come, mommy wants us home. Dinner is served!", she said and she waved her outstretched hand impatiently, signalling Elquin to hold it.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#50

Aeomi simply got up and walked away, she had nothing to say to the elf, but she had plenty to say to the master once they met again.
She felt a mixture of shame, anger and relief. It had been her mess, but she had been refused to make amends, while the villagers had mostly been spared, some had perished needlessly. And for what? No doubt the farmers would scatter and spread the word to every stronghold in Silmar.
Several lifetimes she had lived, and while Silmar hadn't always been as bad as this, certainly not the last time she had visited, she had heard the rumours. Greta was a complication, a threat that occupied much of her mind these days, but that too was no excuse. She expected better of herself.
She started to doubt herself, if her mind was failing already then she would be of no use on this excursion.
She vowed she would not be a burden again, lest she'd return to the monastery and leave the quest to the youngsters.

As the elf piffled, Aeomi discreetly drew a warding circle around herself and prepared for the inevitable, she nodded at her apprentices.
Suddenly the others flew into action, Aeomi turned her staff towards the armor, lifted it with her mind and slammed it to the ground before it could retaliate against Ronal.

(12:17:09) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 61. I dunno if I need an attack roll to use the staff but...

(12:35:43) Minion: Gossamer rolls 2d6 and gets 5,5. For damage from the staff. 10 -8 = 2 total damage.

(12:32:31) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 34. Made a new lore roll because I forgot the last one when I lost that post, and this time I passed.

'Rune', Aeomi's first apprentice stepped up, stared at the armor with her unsettling eyes and cast a holding spell to keep it down, several blades of light struck the ground, pinning the armor down, then she pulled on the gauze wrapped around the bundle on her back and turned around, revealing a demon like creature, a ugeroth strapped onto her back. U'kriel, Aeomi's less than conventional apprentice, especially since he lacked legs. The ugeroth drew his twin blades and stabbed them downwards towards the fallen armor. Cydia, the last and least capable of the apprentices stood back, fighting was not her forté.

(14:00:10) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 86. (Rune)

(14:00:25) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 19.
(18:47:19) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 22. (U'Kriel) Damage:
(13:56:44) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d6 and gets 4. +2
(13:57:03) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d6 and gets 4. +2
+1d10 per attack:
(18:52:00) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 7.
(18:52:03) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 10.
(12+17=29 -16 for armor (two attacks) = 13 total damage )

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#51

The mists danced and played around Elquin, toying with his senses. Aurea? Yes, of course it was her! How had he forgotten the woman...! "Aurea... Can it be..." The Ethenorden man paused. The path of mists play tricks on even the sturdiest of minds; and Elquin was well aware of his affliction. Was this real? Or was this his own mind turning against him? Elquin hesitated before reaching out - he peered at the shrouded woman, and also at the mists around and behind him.

Senses roll: 20. Trying to detect anything out of the ordinary, or any ill-feeling about the situation. Quick post due to short time.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#52

With much fury, Aeomi's staff loosened its bolts of telekinetic energy and the force hammered into the breastplate of the black knight, lifting it up and slamming it into the ground. A small rift was punched into the armor and black ooze dribbled through.

Then Rune's spell hit, but it just fizzled and died, neutralized by the Ekauri's aura.

The Ekauri's blinked out of existence, but not before the mutilated Ugeroth barbarian strapped to Rune's back chopped off the left and right black armor boots.

The Black Armor winked into existence just behind Ronal, somehow it managed to stay erect, and it's huge greatsword split the hapless apprentice in twain, sundering him from right shoulder and down to the waist, fully removing his right arm - which slid forcefully and disgustingly down on the muddy ground.

Ronal let out a horrified scream, and an immense fountain of blood gushed from his right side. He was down in an instant, his life blood seeping from him rapidly.

Ronal is dead in 2 rounds, he is bleeding immensely.

Meanwhile the Ekauri attacks again and rolls initiative.
(18:58:34) Ancient_Gamer: Initiative:
(18:58:37) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d10 and gets 3.
(18:58:47) Ancient_Gamer: Oh, shiny! Good initiative roll

(18:39:27) Ancient_Gamer: Magic resistance, staff
(18:39:42) Ancient_Gamer: 65 and under and he resists damage
(18:39:46) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 89.
(18:39:54) Gossamer: Phew...
(18:40:02) Ancient_Gamer: Magic resistance, Rune's spells
(18:40:06) Gossamer: And that was my only magic attack. Rune's missed anyways
(18:40:06) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 17.
(18:47:19) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 22.
(18:47:25) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d20 and gets 2.
:34) Ancient_Gamer: Yeah, that is +1d10 pure strength damage for each scimitar
(18:51:38) Gossamer: I rerolled Phy and Lks when I realized it was different Dice for Ugeroth
(18:51:55) Gossamer: oooh right!
(18:52:00) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 7.
(18:52:03) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d10 and gets 10.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#53

"Aurea!", the words escaped Elquin's lips. He squinted suspiciously at her vague and obscured shape.
Was there trickery at play?
Was the Dreamer sending him a waking vision?

Many thought passed through his wary mind, yet he felt deep down, deep inside, that he knew Aurea. She had been part of his childhood, and early adolescence, yet something had happened.
But those memories were too vague, too distant and lost in the dreamscape for him to remember now.

Looking at her shape, he did not get any sense of dread or malevolence at play. She just seemed eager to bring him along.

"Phaedroso... Please!", Aurea held out her hand, a Sundra wreath in her fingers.

She always used to make me wreaths of the yellow Sundra flowers.

To his left was the light, and he could see the Treskenmauer buildings vaguely on the other side

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#54

Surely this must be truth, and not a delusion of his mind. But why here? Why now had she come back to his thoughts? His head hurt.
For the time, his mind lapsed; regressed onto adolescence as childhood memories enraptured him, "Aurea... " Elqiin grinned, "I am starved!"

Elquin took the mist shrouded woman's hand.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#55

Elquin grabbed her hand and Aurea pulled him close, kissed him passionately then put the wreath on his head and ran through the mists.

"I love you Phaedroso!", she cried on top of her lungs.

The mists swirled, and Elquin found himself alone. Aurea was no longer present and he looked around anxiously, wondering where he was; where she was. This was an unknown place in the mist rift, and as a youngster his parents had cautioned him. "Never stray from the paths in the mists, Elquin. There are dangers there, and no Ethenorden has ever strayed into the wild and returned to tell the tale!"

But now he was lost in the Wild. He looked around again, whirled about a couple of times.
His eyes noticed something ahead.
There.
On the ground lay the wreath, now old with age, the Sundra flowers wilted long ago.

Then the mists cleared, and a battle scene presented itself. Elquin recognized Treskenmauer, but the buildings were strangely murky, like he saw them reflected in muddy waters.

"Behold, an Ekauri; an elemental of dark essence, and an Elemental Prince at that", an old man's voice said in his mind.

The Dreamer.

Elquin gazed upon a majestic shadow, humanoid, but consisting of swirling black tendrils of smoke. It had searing white eyes, and the black smoke tendrils seemed to orbit something glowing fiercely red in its chest.

"Behold, Elquin. Even a being as powerful as the Ekauri has a weak point"

Suddenly Elquin was surrounded by children. He recognized one of them as himself - Phaedroso-, another was Aurea. There were others too. Granto, Siclias, Fendaras, Throustou. They were singing a childrens song, and skipping in a circle around the Ekauri, each one holding the shoulds of the child in front as they skipped merrily in ecstatic circles around the fiend.

"Prince of Shadows, Prince of Hate"

They clapped their hands.

"Magic Eater, Judge of Fate"

They squatted down, then sprang back up

"Whatever will your weakness be?"

They started pointing at the Ekauri

"An Amorphae for all to see!"

As the glowing red in the chest of the Ekauri started to glow brighter and brighter, Elquin fainted.
Everything went black

*******

"I love you, Phaedroso. I will always love you!"

Aurea pushed Elquin's sword to the side and embraced him; gave him a loving, deeply passionate kiss.

"I will stay with you... In here!"

Aurea pointed to his heart, then to his short sword.

She was gone

*****

"RONAAAAL! NOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!"

Elquin recognized the wailing voice of Eurydice through his clouded mind. Looking up, he realized he was flat out, prone in the grass, his face squeezed unpleasantly down into the coarse strands of green grass.

OOC: Elquin can participate in the combat this round, but due to his state of waking up in the grass, his initiative roll is modified by +5

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#56

Aeomi stomped her staff to the ground and shielded her allies with psionic energy.

The staff description says shield 7 armor points 10 feet radius, it doesn't specify that I need to pick only one target soooo.... :P But IF I must, I suppose I pick Rune and hopefully through extension U'kriel.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#57

Kuth, taking on the massive Rino form, hurled himself at the armoured foe.

The Black knight had already turned to fight Kuth, but he was too slow to bring his blade up in time.

As the knight brought up his blade to cleave the armoured rino, Kuth's horn slammed into his breastplate with thunderous force...

Location, the 14, so assuming near centre mass. Damage: 10:33:39) Minion: valadaar rolls 7d6 and gets 6,5,2,4,2,4,6 + 2 or 31 in total, minus armor.... WHAM.
Attempt to toss or trample if possible.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#58

The huge rhino slammed into his breastplate with thunderous force! Actually the black knight was hit in the right arm first, but it crashed right through it and into the breastplate, and soon bits of armor flew in every direction, the immense creature just crashing through the ethereal wraithlike being.

Kuth's furious charge came to an end, as the enormous rhino halted, bringing its bulk around for another charge. Kuth shook its head, loosening the right pauldron which had gotten stuck on the horns.

***

Aeomi and her disciples stood watching in awe, as Kuth totally shattered the black knight, dispersing its bits of armor in various directions with furious force.
Her telekinetic shield was put to good use as the bulletlike bits of armor harmlessly bounced off the invisible barrier.

***

Elquin got to his feet, just in time to see the charge. For a minute he thought it over, then the black tendrils of smoke reformed, drawn to the pulsating red amorphae in the Ekauri's chest - Just like in his Dreamer visions in the mist.

***

The Ekauri could sense the latent magics, the power radiating from these adventurers, this buffet of delicate magical morsels. It was so hungry. So hungry! Food should not resist like this. Food could not resist like this. It let go a piercing shriek of frustration.

***

The tendrils of dark smoke began moving faster, and the monks saw what seemed like a face begin to form on top of the vaguely humanoid wraithlike being. And in that head; two glowing slits of cold white, intense light. Pinpointing Kuth with a calculating evil, an unfathomable hunger.

The dark essence elemental pointed its right index finger at Kuth, and from that finger sent a tendril of black, swirling smoke in Kuth's direction.

Kuth can attempt to dodge the tendril. He certainly sees it shooting for him.
Due to his immense size, his chance to dodge is close combat -30 (80 - 30 = 50) 50 or below on 1d100

If he fails his dodge:
The tendrils shoot straight through is rhino form, and he is drained of 10 mana and 1 hit point. He will also be forced back into half-giant form by the magic eating properties of the Ekauri. Additionally, the Ekauri will heal itself with the leeched life force and magic drained from Kuth.

(19:58:08) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 46.
(19:58:57) Ancient_Gamer: A hit. Now mana drain.
(19:59:03) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 2d20 and gets 5,5.
(19:59:16) Ancient_Gamer: Now hp leech
(19:59:20) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d10 and gets 1.
(19:59:46) Ancient_Gamer: Now magic eat
(19:59:51) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 14.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#59

With an agility belying his immense size, Kuth managed to evade the fell energies.

(15:15:29) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d100 and gets 28.

A bestial snort, and Kuth began his second charge, hoping that the others would make use of the things undivided attention.

Entril and Caldu fire, scoring hits against the thing, though to unknown effect.

(15:17:57) Minion: valadaar rolls 4d100 and gets 12,57,77,44.
(15:22:07) Minion: valadaar rolls 3d20 and gets 9,6,5.
(15:22:24) Minion: valadaar rolls 3d8 and gets 6,1,1.
(15:22:34) Minion: valadaar rolls 3d2 and gets 1,1,2.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#60

Rune swirled around for another go at the spell, but seemingly there was something bad in the air and once again her spells fizzled. That mattered little though as she completed her piruoette and gave U'kriel another go, who this time opted to try a little magic of his own, since there was no longer a body to stab.

(22:37:47) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 77. (Rune's Roll)

(U'Kriel)
(22:37:58) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 30.
7 total damage.
(23:09:54) Minion: Aeomi_Nebuchades rolls 1d20 and gets 17.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#61

The magic of U'Kriel hammered into the wraithlike shadowy being, creating tiny fractures in the pulsating crimson amorphae.
The dark essence elemental released a piercing, high pitched and piercing wail.

(23:28:49) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 54.
(23:30:15) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 75.
(23:30:10) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d100 and gets 98.

Then Vitoriel finished her incantation. She swirled around, releasing a fiercious wind that buffeted unrelentlessly against the wraitlike form, dispersing the smoky tendrils, keeping them from forming.

OOC:
Vitoriel's spell gives you guys a free round of next round. First Elquin has to act last in this round, then, next round, it is a free for all.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#62

Elquin rose groggily to his feet. The touch of Aurea still lingered on his body and he felt a tear, unbidden, run down his cheek.
Cursing to himself, he wiped the offending salty droplet to oblivion and took stock of the scene before him - what a hulking beast it was that stood in the field!
Without delay, the Ethenorden thief slinked forth: the terror was occupied with the Rhino which could only be Kuth, and the time to strike was now!

Thief roll in OOC to sneak up behind it. I will assume failure. Also combat roll which I will also assume is failure :p

The Ekauri was no fool though - it sensed Elquin as the thief dove forth to sink his sword into it's midsection, and twisted to avoid it. Elquin's blade swung through the air, hitting nothing.

2nd round. ALSO a failure! :(

The force of the swing coupled with the lack of resistance as it missed caused Elquin to skid along the grass. Immediately though, he swung around and took another lunge! This one was as effective as the first, glancing off the Ekauri's armour with a shower of sparks but causing no injury.

"Curse it all!" Elquin screamed in frustration, "That beating crimson! Focus yourselves on that!" he yelled to his comrades.

Round 1:
Initiative: (10:10:28) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d10 and gets 3.
Thief/Stealth against 95 (daytime): (10:11:10) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d100 and gets 94.
Close Combat against 65 (daytime): (10:11:13) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d100 and gets 71.

Round 2:
Close Combat against 65 (daytime): (10:22:33) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d100 and gets 87.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#63

Kuth put hoof to dirt and barrelled once more towards the thing, intended to punch a rino-sized hole through it, and hopefully not Elquin.

(09:23:27) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d100 and gets 49. Looks to be a hit.
Location: right in the (09:24:02) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d20 and gets 2.
Damage? Assuming the same: 3,1,6,6,6,6,3. + 2 for 33 points!

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#64

The Huge Rhino thundered through the shadowy tendrils, its horn piercing the left foot. That was not the location of the amorphae, for it beat in the dark elemental's chest area. But so huge was Kuth's taken shape, so heavy its enormous bulk, that it slammed into the amorphae nonetheless.

Without armor to protect it, the amorphae, its unholy heart, was knocked violently into the ground, and trampled by the charging animal.

***

Vitoriel stilled her vengeful winds, studied the area where the Ekauri had been.
Kuth stopped his ferocious charge, and turned around, looked to see what happened.
Aeomi protected her apprentices within a field of brimming force.
... and Elquin looked down, on the ground, where lay the shattered remains of the crimson amorphae.

Its walls had been thin, and it looked like the pieces of a crimson broken egg.

The thing was gone and all that was left was the shattered amorphae, pieces of ancient black plate mail, made for a giant of 7'3" (221 cm) and a gigantic black sword of 3 meters, unwieldable to all but Kuth.

Somewhere within the forest, a lonely wolf howled.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#65

"We aren't in the monastery no longer. That is what our magics may call forth out here. I feel it's safe to say, that we should seek to rely on our more mundane talents as much as possible, lest we invite more of his kin, or worse... "

She hurried to Ronal's side and proceeded to heal him. "Kuth, I could use your help over here..." Aeomi said, as she started the healing ritual.
(20:27:19) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 29.

With Kuth's helped, Ronal made a full recovery just a few hours later. Even his arm was knitted together by astral thread made flesh.

After that, Aeomi gathered up the remaining strands of the dark being and started a ritual that lasted for three nights, Aeomi slept during the days for the duration. When she was finished, one of U'kriel's blades had bound to it, the soul of the hungering dark spirit. The ritual had gone flawlessly, and Aeomi felt proud of her work. She dubbed it Red Fang. A sword worthy of a ugeroth warrior. Though she cautioned him of the inherent potential dangers of carrying such a dark blade.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#66

Elquin breathed heavily - it had been an exhausting day! Carefully, he knelt down and collected the fragile pieces of the Amorphae, securing them in his pack.
"Dieter was here some months back. The prisoners held no indication of which way he went, but it seems the. Crone which lived in the hut by the woods was in fact his lover. I think our best course of action would be to either search the forest along the edges to see if we can find some old traces of him, or find the next nearest village and make inquiries there. But first some rest would be wise. What direction should we take, Masters?"

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#67

As soon the battle was over, Aeomi had hurried over to where Elquin stood.

"I need one of the fragments, Elquin", she said and as soon as she had it, she put the broken piece of the Amorphae into a silvery cup, and she quickly put a lid on it.

"To keep the spirit from fading completely!", she said to Elquin, then she had secreted herself away until nightfall. The next three nights, Aeomi, Rune and U'Kriel had worked on a ritual, and all through the night they clamored and chanted.

They burnt incense and poured water from a decanter, sprinkling it over the crimson piece of Amorphae. And all through the nights, there was a certain tension. One time the spirit reappeared, but this time within a circle of salt that Aeomi had prepared. It hissed and sputterd, even threatened her viciously. Then she forced the spirit down into the blade, pouring the blessed salt nearer and nearer, until it had nowhere else to go, but into the blade.

In the end she held Red Fang into the air. She could feel it hum with latent power; it felt like it was vibrating slightly in her palms. It's edge was so sharp, it bit into the meat where her right thumb met the palm, and trickling blood seeped into the blade. Meanwhile Rune and U'Kriel chanted, the Ugeroth's baritone voice lending a sinister feel to the ceremony.

****

Vitoriel listened in on Elquin's tale. "It is true", she said. "I... Questioned the old crone that came running out of the forest. She was indeed his lover, and she expected Dieter back, but he never returned. He was to enter the forest and find these Vampyre Faeries that the Master spoke about. An option would be to enter the forest ourselves, to search for clues therein. Or we could go further down the road, to the next village and see what we find there."

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#68

"It seems Master Dieter was quite popular! I learns back in the Monastery that he had another lover in this kingdom as well."

The three days drew on while Aeomi performed her ritual, and Elquin made use of the time as productively as he could. Through much of the day he would sleep, and through most of the nights he would scout. He stalked his way along the road towards the next village, attempting to find signposts which marked distances, as well as to discover how tell traveled the road was. He engaged nobody, and kept well out of sight. Each morning towards dawn he would return to rest.

roll against 110 thief to stay out of sight of anyone: dice app gave me a 39.
another quick post before work! :p

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#69

During the ritual, either Kuth, or one of his apprentices stood guard.

Kuth investigated the great blade the thing had been using. Given how it had been dragged, he assumed the thing just liked it because it was heavy and sharp. Kuth had an appreciation of similar things, but used his sorcerous arts to probe the blade for potential traps.

Once the mysteries were explored, he even consulted with Vitoriel on the matter, he also scouted the forests. He took on the form of a bear to sniff about.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#70

As he approached the hamlet, he noticed several strange things. There was a cold wind blowing from the mountains, and Elquin had circled around to avoid giving his scent away to potential farm dogs. On the courtyard between the five houses and the barn of the hamlet, tens upon tens of dogs moved around. Elquin studied the spectacle from the shadows of a nearby cluster of trees that were bordering the hamlet and the fields. The acorns hung low on the branches, and for the half an hour that Elquin sat there only dogs moved around on the farm. Occasionally they fought, but a huge spotted doberman always seemed to settle any disputes; the alpha male.

It was about three kilometers (2 miles) further down the road that Elquin's eyes really popped open. The ruins of a village, and a huge black crater. Something; some great explosion, had leveled most of the village, turned it into ashes. In the middle of it all was a black obelisk. Roses and other flowers had been thrown at its base. Several people were prostate at the base, and Elquin could see they were crying. The village seemed completely void of life. Indeed the homes on the far side of the crater, houses that still stood somewhat intact, all bore scorch marks.

As evening approached, the obelisk was finally a people free zone; the pilgrims having left for home and shelter, probably at an inn Elquin had spied earlier; the Haunted Pilgrim.

Elquin studied the inscription on the Obelisk.

Here the 13th Hexenjaeger Company
met the Fiery Devil of the Ketangeeshtal.
This obelisk
was raised
in memory of
Captain Dirk Karstens
and the 31 Jaegers
that fell with him,
and also to
the villagers of
Weizenslau,
who sacrificed all
to warn
the Ministry
of the
Diabolicum
that was
mascerading
as a human
among them.

We shalt not
rest
before the
last Diabolicum
hath perished
at
the stake

****

Kuth studied the blade; let his sorcerous power glide over it, probing its potency and power.

The blade was ensorcelled, no doubt about it. Kuth brought Vitoriel over and they both probed it. Dark magics. The blade was made of volcanic glass; black obsidian. It was a masterpiece and while incredibly heavy, Kuth found he could wield it. There was a distinct smell of brimstone about it, and Vitoriel meant it had been forged in another place. She suggested that it even came from another dimension. Kuth blinked. While it was obvious the blade was magical, and potently so, it was also obvious that the exact magics were unknown, and that there was an unholy aura about the blade. The first time he studied it, he kept it with him for six hours at end, and in the end he flew into a fit of rage and leveled the entire house he lived in.

Later Kuth explored the edge of the forest in bear form. It was a magical realm, this forest, and he picked up the scent of many animals. Doe, hares, sparrows, elks, another bear, wolves, a racoon, and other, stranger things.

At one point he came upon a stone cave leading down into the ground below a small hill. From within came a low rumbling sound, and Kuth deduced it had to be a truly magnificent beast within; perhaps even Draconic. Outside bones of various animals, and even humans, were scattered about.

On his last day of exploring, Kuth picked up the scent of human females. Three of them, traveling together, deeper into the forest. But he had not the time to explore, so he went back to camp to discuss his findings with his esteemed colleagues.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#71

After much debate the Maesters of the Monestary decided upon visiting the supposed Dragon's Den. Aeomi and Vitoriel were thrilled. Both had read Master Denu Elbynus Treatise on All Things Draconic and had always dreamed of laying their eyes on the mightiest being in creation.

"I wonder if it is a legless wyrm, or a multi legged fire breathing variant?", Vitoriel mused as much to herself as to Aeomi and Eurydice.
Meanwhile Ronal sharpened his blade. "If it bleeds, it can die!", he said, but Aeomi noticed the nervous sweat trickling down from his temple.

It was getting dark when they reached the hill within the forest. Kuth led them along a steep cliff face, between lingonberry trees and solid rocks. A few hundred meters later they were out in the open. There was a 20 meter tall hole in the ground; a cavernous descent into the earth below the hill. It was as if someone had built a stair for giants, as each "step" down into darkness was between one and two meters tall. So they had to partially climb down, if that was what they wanted.

Looking around, Elquin noticed a lot of human and animal remains. Whatever dwelled inside the cave certainly had no qualms about devouring human beings.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#72

Kuth looked among the remains, carefully and quietly, looking for a large bone that bore suitable evidence of the Dragon's violence.

Specifically, he was looking for the size of the tooth marks, though he was careful to examine the ground for footprints as well.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#73

Aeomi started her preparations, they needed a scout. She drew up a large magic circle and told everyone to stay inside, she then preceded to chant. Subtly, the air started feeling stale and musty and it was as if the light turned grey, suddenly outside the circle, a clawed hand erupted, only to dissolve into sparks of essence seconds later. Aeomi blinked but did not lose her composure, she focused and drew forth more power for another attempt, again, the soil erupted and this time a yellow eyed black skinned goblinoid creature crawled up. "Go forth, learn what dwells within the caverns." Aeomi told it and sent it on its way.

Summoning Graveling, first attempt not so good.
(15:21:36) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 84. I dunno if you want to give me a more severe failure for this or not.
(15:23:58) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 35.

She then looked at the cave entrance and let the mists of time unravel before her, any events that had transpired in front or just inside the cavern mouth within the course of a week were shown to her. Finally she attuned her eyes to see the life forces of creatures, if there was something alive inside, Aeomi would spot it first, even through walls.

Time travel vision, 1 week in front of the Cave mouth. And then turning on my essence vision.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#74

Elquin helped Kuth pick trough the remains, adding his eyes and senses to the investigation. He had been feeling nervous about being within the ancient forest - it felt both familiar and alien to him at once, in the waking world. Once his bone-picking was complete, he began to walk towards the hole, but stopped at Aeomi's call and joined the group within her circle of magic. "I don't know if this is such a good idea.." he muttered to nobody in particular.

sorry, was out of time as usual and just managed the small post! On my phone so cant roll senses atm for the bone searching. If someone else could for me, it would be super!

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#75

Vitoriel watched as Kuth and Elquin rummaged through the remains of animals and humans, searching for bite marks and tracks, and other traces of what dwelt within the cave.

Kuth noticed the bones of an elk, crushed, as if squeezed by some great power. Next he found the bones of a large cat; a puma, likewise crushed.

Elquin found tracks. Recent ones from a bear, and a bit older ones; from a medium sized human by the looks of it. He guessed they were about 2 weeks old.

***

The yellowed eyed, black skinned creature slinked down into the cave; compelled by the Mistress' magic. It could not resist her command, even if it wanted to.

Seconds later Aeomi's voice went into a crescendo as she cast yet another spell. She had gathered the entourage inside a circle, and they watched as time passed by. One week to be exact. One week into the past. A ghostly bear rummaged through. "Majestic!", Caldu said, smiling to the Master Shapechanger. The rest of the week went by relatively uneventful.

Once again Aeomi raised her voice. She chanted the words of vision; felt the flow of essence through her being. Suddenly the others took on a milky blue appearance, and she gazed down into the cavern where she saw the goblinoid crawl down a two meter rock. It looked back; as if it could feel her eyes. It snarled, then crawled down the next stone.

***

Vitoriel had to support herself on her staff as the ground trembled slightly beneath her feet. A nearby bush shook as two hares fled it, darting away into the forest.

A minor earthquake... Or something very large moving under the ground?

***

The Graveling had reached some sort of barrier. Aeomi could not see past it, but she saw the searing white focal point in the middle. Whatever it looked like to mortal eyes, the Graveling had seen it too, and it reached for it with outstretched hands.

***

Kuth gasped for air as the ground shook again. This time Rune; Aeomi's apprentice, lost her foothold. Kuth gave her a hand and helped her get back on her feet. A crack had opened on the forest floor and white smoke started to seep through.

***

Aeomi blinked. The Graveling was gone. She strained her mana vision, but saw nothing. She had looked away for a brief moment during the second quake, and now it was gone.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#76

There was a cracking sound, like the cracking of thunder, yet it came from below. Then a shrill scream arose; the wailing of a thousand tortured souls. The ground began to shake uncontrollably, and from the fissure that appeared earlier, four tentacles arose - Thick as grown pythons, reaching four meters into the air.

From within the cavern came an immense roar. A roar unlike anything they had ever heard before; it reverbated in their solar plexuses, shook them till they were nauseaous. Aeomi gasped as she realized that Eurydice was bleeding from her ears, eyes and nostrils. Looking around she realized that Rune bled too.

The tentacles lashed after them, even though Aeomi could perceive no sensory organs. Seconds later there was an immense explosion followed by a deep rumbling sound; something was moving up through the cavern, towards them.

OOC: (22:14:10) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 4d100 and gets 5,56,11,79.
3 of the tentacles hit
Aeomi is hit for (22:14:58) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 3d6 and gets 4,2,2. = 8 damage in the left arm
Vitoriel is hit for (22:15:00) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 3d6 and gets 4,3,2. = 9 damage in the right arm
Kuth is hit for (22:15:01) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 3d6 and gets 4,3,6. = 13 damage in the right arm
(22:16:29) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 3d20 and gets 18,13,15.

Aeomi is using her Ketange-Ishatal staff to actively shield from attacks. Damage is reduced by 7 points.

The tentacles wrapped around the arms of the Maesters. It was as if they homed in on the most powerful of the group, and soon excruciating pain was visited upon the formidable masters. Only Aeomi's shielding aura saved Kuth from getting the arm crushed and torn from his body.

OOC
Morale rolls Rune, U'Kriel and Cydia. All passed in spite of shitty rolls!
(22:20:18) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 3d20 and gets 15,12,14.

Morale rolls Caldu and Enhtri, both passed easily.
(22:20:24) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 2d20 and gets 4,5.

Morale rolls Eurydice and Ronal. Eurydice runs... again.
(22:20:30) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 2d20 and gets 20,9.

The apprentices readied themselves, surprised but weathered. All except Eurydice who began screaming horribly and once again ran.

"i am bleeding! Bleeding! I am sorry, Mistress! I am sorry! Noooo! Help meee!", she cried as she turned around and ran into the dark forest.

Initiative new round:
Tentacles: 3, 3, 3, 3
Thing from down below: 15 (cannot be attacked before 15)
Apprentices:
(22:28:02) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 6d10 and gets 4,1,3,9,6,6.
Rune 5
U'Kriel 2
Cydia 4
Caldu 10
Enthri 7
Ronal 8

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#77

(20:39:44) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d10 and gets 6.

Kuth spoke words of magic and began to take the form of a great bear, seeking to use claw and fang to free himself and pit ursoid strength against the tenticals...

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#78

Elquin yelped as the tentacles burst forth from the ground and wrapped around the Masters. "That's no dragon!" he yelled, and drew his short sword. The thief swallowed heavily - the Masters had powerful magic at their disposal. Elquin had only his hard steel and sturdy spears. He wondered how helpful he could be...
Nevertheless, he charged forth bravely. Kuth appeared to already be transforming - His powerful shapeshifting magics would likely free him from his wrappings - so Elquin ran to Aeomi's side and swung his sword with brute force, grateful the tentacles latched onto the magic users. Sweat dripped off his forehead, and somewhere to his left a Fevabird chirped. His sword grip was not firm however, and his heart sank as he felt the blade fall from his fingers and clatter uselessly onto the ground, while the tentacle tightened it's death grip on his Master...

*blip*
Elquin's vision swirled strangely and he felt oddly nauseous. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw the flash of a yellow robe and the curling of mists. Was that a feminine giggle he heard?
"You can do better than that, Phaedroso. Strike again!"
"It's all just a dream, Elquin - The Dream bends for you. Swing true."
Both voices rang within the Ethenorden thief's head at the same time, overlapping each other. Was it his own thoughts? Or was it someone else?
*blip*

Elquin was grateful the tentacles latched onto the magic users. Sweat dripped off his forehead, and somewhere to his left a Fevabird chirped. His sword grip was firm and steady and the blade sang through the air, striking the writhing thing at the base near the fissure!
What had happened? He felt like he had just stepped through a dream...!

Initiative roll: (10:20:41) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d10 and gets 5.
Attack roll: (10:20:47) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d100 and gets 88.
I will use my perk to re-roll that attack:
Perk used: Touch of the Dreamer (One re-roll, once per day. Pick the best.): (10:20:50) Minion: Shadoweagle rolls 1d100 and gets 6!
Don't know what damage rolls I need to make.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#79

Aeomi yelled out orders to her apprentices while she relied on martial arts to fend for herself. With the tentacles all around them, U'kriel had no problem finding a target, Red Fang bit into warped flesh as the more mundane blade followed. Rune cast a bolt of essence and Cydia tried casting a spell of healing on Kuth.

Aeomi
(14:35:08) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 24.
(14:41:21) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d20 and gets 7.
(14:42:02) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d4 and gets 2.
I'm not sure what damage her martial arts does but it should definately be more than just a 1d4. I'm gonna send you a suggestion on that.

U'kriel
(14:34:46) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 15.
(14:34:50) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 16.

Rune
(14:35:08) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 24.

Cydia
(14:34:55) Minion: Gossamer rolls 1d100 and gets 84.

Re: [Coldforged - 1423] Ardenwald

#80

Elquin lunged at the tentacle that held Aeomi aloft. He thrust with his short sword, and drove it deep into the tentacle, till he hit the artery of the thing, which released ferocious squirts of bluish goo. The tentacle thrashed violently, but it no longer had the strength to hold Aeomi in the air, and the maester was dumped unceremoniously down on the ground; landing chest first in the forest moss.

Elquin damage
1d6+1 (short sword - 2d6+2 on special rolls (which this was))
+1d4 (strength)
+4 (sacred dreamer blade)

(23:08:08) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 2d6 and gets 6,4. +1 +1
(23:08:12) Minion: Ancient_Gamer rolls 1d4 and gets 4. +4 (holy)
Total 20 damage!!!

Rune sidestepped, her voice a murmur as she evoked mystical powers. Her hands were briefly surrounded by a blue nimbus, then a bolt of pure light shot at the other tentacle that threatened Aeomi. As a result it winced forcefully, hammering into a nearby lingonberry tree that broke under the tremendous force.

"Hold still, Mistress!", U'Kriel barked, and as Rune maneuvered under the tentacle, Red Fang was thrust forcefully into the thrashing thing. Rune's head was drowned in bluish goo; it was the life force of the tentacled horrors that were attacking them through cracks in the earth.

A second later his other blade bit deep in the tentacle, but an inch from where the first cut had landed; and he was through, the tentacle hacked in twain.

Kuth veered into ursoid form as the tentacle soldified its grip on the hapless shapechanger, twisting from arm to torso and further up to the neck, seeking to choke the life from him (OOC: Damage for that next round)

"Protect the Master!", Caldu screamed and he veered into the shape of a black panther, his claws raking and his fangs biting deep into tentacle flesh.

At the same time Enthri veered into the shape of a giant Boa constrictor, and she coiled herself around the tentacle that squeezed her master, attempting to cut of its strength.

Ronal hacked at the thing with his longsword, then bashed it violently with his round shield.

"Eurydice, you cowardly witch, get back here! Defend the Mistress!", he bellowed as he dodged the tentacle that U'Kriel had just cut off. It landed harmlessly in the moss beside him.

Vitoriel clenched to her staff and projected an aura around her, attempting to keep the constricting tentacle at bay. It had not pierced her shield yet, and she calmly planned her next series of attacks.

"To me, men! Hack off this thing! Release me so I can in turn release my considerable powers!", she barked imperiously at everyone.

From the cavern an ancient monstrosity emerged.
It was a huge, black worm!!

As it burst from the cave, it caused chunks of rock to splinter explosively in every direction.

Aeomi gasped; It's mouth was a giant hole, circled with razor sharp teeth, and in the middle of it all: a purplish tongue, forked and flickering.

"It is a blasphemy! An accursed thing!", Vitoriel screamed. Then seconds later; "Kill it! Kill it!"

The thing inhaled deeply, then exhaled a slow stream of hellish fire; the hungry flames caressing everyone and everything, setting even the trees on fire.

Though they were protected by the mystical shields of both Aeomi and Vitoriel, the searing, ravenous flames still burnt through .

OOC: 1 point of fire damage goes through, burning everyone for 1 damage per body part (total 7 hp damage).
Mundane armor protects from this fire, though robes and the like will increase damage by 1 instead as they catch fire.