3 - 041: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Newt and Garor - King Grandil listens intently to all you have to say, extending every Dwarven hospitality Bazarkrak can afford. Though ravaged by the recent civil war, the mountain fortress seems to be recovering quickly. When your tale is done, Grandil nods, rubbing his chin.



"Ye tale be an interesting one Garor. The Elves - never did trust them and I always had a soft-spot in my heart for Sturmguard."

"But these things are trivial compared to the continuation of the Dwarven empire."

"I'm asking ye Garor, as a rightful heir, to remain in Bazarkrak until we have completed our army of warriors - until we can be sure we will this war. I canna risk ye galavanting around the lands, dying at the hands of 'The Master' or worse, becoming a mindless slave of his and loosing our secrets to him." Grandil sighs heavily, blatently laying his request out in the open. "You need to worry about your race now Garor."
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Caelith and Callian - Allessia nods, re-iterating her statement.



"We wish you to seek out Emirikol The Chaotic and request his council on the Tomb's strange affliction. You need not mention our names as the order may upset him, merely seek his advice."

"For this, the coven would be eternally grateful." Allessia's eyes speaks volumes of truth. "You can seek his tower on a penisula across the bay from Poril, NorthEast of the Sea Spire."

"In fact, it is at the base of the mountain range that conceals 'The Hidden City'. In fact, I believe Emirikol was the one that created the chaotic veil that hides the entire city, keeping the pure city of clerics safe from evil."

Allessia looks to the tomb, watching a flash of an imp gnawing on a ghostly apparition of an acolyte, pulling veins from its neck with horrible fangs. The image fades quickly and Allessia turns back to you both.



"Please, we emplore you."
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Hero, Krysta, Girud and Galdren - The dragon rears back, inhaling more air and blasting it out in a cone of flame that roars across the ramparts violently. [Ref. Saves, Hero and Faceless. Both Success] The fire sears metal, burns cloth and singes flesh. [Damage Roll = 34 1/2 = 17, next BW in 3 rounds] The dragon appears a bit exhausted after the breath, wheezing and drawing more air.

Faceless Knight is severly wounded. (Down 58)

Mordrock pulls his blade and sneaks to the Wyrm, intent on proving he is worthy of Krysta's love. [Tumble Check = 27] Mordrock expertly moves into position. [Attack Roll = 19] However sneaky he is, Mordrock fails to strike the meat of the beast.

Hero acts next, calling upon the powers of her faith to strike the flame-breathing dragon on the ramparts. [Attack Rolls = 27/23] Both attacks land on the massive beast, tearing it asunder with steel. [Damage Rolls = 19, 12] The wyrm rolls backwards, eyes going stark white as it collapses from the castle walls to the grounds below. The wings shudder a bit and the chest heaves inward, suddenly lacking the lfe force to draw more air. It's tongue lolls to one side of its mouth, flopping in the dirt like a dying fish.

Dragon 1 is dead. (-1)

Krysta swings. [Attack Rolls = 12/Nat. 20, Crit. Confirm Fail, 19] Only one of the swings hits, stabbing between two softer crimson scales. [Damage Roll = 8 (Dragon is Immune Fire)]

Dragon 1 is severly wounded. (Down 81)

Girud moves next, bringing about his blade in an arc. [Attack Roll = 28, Damage Roll = 20] The blade bites into the fragile wing of the creature, slicing it near clean from the bone. It howls, spinning on the half-giant to rip his meat from his bones.

Dragon 2 is near death. (Down 101)

It rears back, tearing into Girud. [Attack Rolls = 20/15, 17] Thankfully the wounds appear to be too great for the beast as it clumsily misses all the attacks, snarling.

Galdren acts next, twirling his blades around in an arc. [Attack Rolls = Nat. 20, Crit. Confirm Success/11, 12] The first strike is lethal, slicing directly across the wyrm's neckline. [Damage Roll = 19] With a grunt, the blades slices through the dragon's neck and neatly severs its head. With a bit of smoke and flame, the great open maw slaps into the ground and the head falls to the side, the body collapsing shortly after it.

Both dragons shudder, their bodies in the death throws. A quick glance and you sigh a bit of relief as you do not see the mark of 'The Master'. You then realize the beasts were acting on their own - not part of 'The Masters' army.

Sturmguard rushes over quickly, sword still out as he surveys the scene. He looks over each of you approvingly.



"Just in time...Ravenshead is in debt to you."

As the chaos calms ever slightly, a few hidden people emerge from the rubble and burning buildings to view the dead beasts. They watch as 'The Faceless Knight' exits the guard house, followed closely by Hero. A young girl in the crowd points to the knights and shouts as loud as her lungs will allow.

"The Faceless Knight has saved us!! He is our savior!!"

True to mob fashion, the crowd errupts in elates cheer, everyone shouting 'Huzzah' for 'The Faceless Knight'.


[In case you need to know.]
Current Damage Summary
Dragon 1 (Near Rampart) = (-1)
Dragon 2 (In courtyard) = (-10)
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Romar - Brushing thoughts of Yuri and Veya from your head, you curl up and fall alseep in a fur piled corner of her tent. You sleep well, despite the cold and the war going on below this mountainous solitude you've found.

When late afternoon comes, you awake to the sound of Veya rummaging through some pots and goods, preparing a hearty breakfast. She appears to have gone through some rituals to increase her beauty. Combing her hair and tying it behind her head, the application of a rose-colored powder to her cheeks, and she wears little more than samples of revealing clothing.

She looks to you and smiles, holding out a warmed tea-drink for you to stave off the chills of sleep.



"Did you sleep well?"
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Yuri - She looks to you quizzically, then shrugs a bit and continues to play upon your skin.



"The Master's amibitions are great, but also shrouded in mystery. Even Hirsuthe, our sire, does not understand them fully but he knows The Masters devotion is tireless and eternal."

"However, Hirsuthe does not feel like a life of servitude and would rather 'The Master' does the work of conquering while he waits for the time to pounce. At the end of the world, before all of man is brought to its knees and made into the dead, Hirsuthe plans to make his move and remove 'The Master' from his throne of power. She smiles a bit, eyes alight with the idea of treachery. "Then, with the last remaining living being bred for food anf slavery, control the world unchallenged."

She sits upright, letting the furs fall from her shoulders.

"He explained all this to me after turning me, explaining I had to prepare for your arrival."

"I have already turned nearly half of the woman on this mountain...only Veya and her damned Roc-Riders are still among the living." You cringe, knowing what is coming next. "Should we wait until dark to strike the remaining woman, or shall we do it now?"
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[Hero]

Hero goes and sticks her sword in the dragon that is still at -1.


She will then touch the crystal until she is at full hp.

[Fangor the Fierce]

K said:

Sturmguard rushes over quickly, sword still out as he surveys the scene. He looks over each of you approvingly.



"Just in time...Ravenshead is in debt to you."

Krysta stands, looking about the scene, and simply kneels to Sturmguard's comment. "My leige, Ravenshead owes no debt to us, as we are in your service. But there are pressing matters that we must speak to you about." She stands and looks about the mob.

"They are matters that Hero, Galdren, Girud and myself would need to speak about with you. I trust you have received my letter by now? If not, then I shall tell you of our recent trials."

Krysta will then tell of what has happened, and of the agreement with Hero, Caelith, Garor, Callian and Newt on their fates.

Once finished - "It would appear that there are forces in this world still planning their own agendas against the Master. The elves seem to have a strong weapon, but not the power they need to wield it. The dwarves are holed up, and Garor has made his way to speak with them along with Newt. Callian and Caelith have moved to the Glade to try and secure the next shard. Romar, Sehanine and Yuri have run off from Boone's Freehold into the woods to the north and have not been heard from since. Our numbers are dwindling. Towns have been destroyed. Lives have been lost. But there is good news."

"Hero and the others have destroyed the most feared force of the Master. The Slaughter Fog is no more. The elves, even through treachery are close to being able to power their weapon and bring a lethal blow to the Master, should it work. We have dealt with the traitorous elves, and have secured an item that shows the shards locations daily. The Kinghts of the Purest Star have vowed that whould we need forces for a battle, they will answer the call, as we have proven our devotion to the cause against the Master. The refugees from Cannon's Foot are alive and well. The designs for a massive weapon have been saved, and we would need your aid is building the weapons from Cannon's Foot to aid our cause. It would seem that there are forces that have begun to move against the Master. I fear that neither of them will work, but if they somehow combined their efforts, this war would not be lost."

"As you can see, your guidance on this matter is the reason we have returned, as your orders will be followed. Should you think of our actions, under the circumstances we were put in, warrant our arrest, then so be it. It is your ruling that will be followed. But if not, then we must move quickly to secure the rest of the shards, before it is too late."

OOC - KMAN, I am hoping that the letter arrived, as the contents are in the PM.

[TheUdjat]

Hero said:

Hero goes and sticks her sword in the dragon that is still at -1.

((Isn't there a Shard at Ravenshead? Free healing!))

Caelith nods again, more firmly. "Yes, we will help. We will do everything we can to set this aright, Allessia."

And then it's time to look to his erstwhile silent companion. [I'm guessing Wizard's out around the holiday season? I'll speak to Callian anyway.] "The Hidden City. Perhaps while we are near, we will see about finding it, and talking to those within. The world needs their help now more than ever..."

Vein-ride to the location specified. Base of the mountains that conceal the Hidden City, bidding a fond farewell to Allessia.

Emirikol, here we come...

[Japic]

Inspecting his wounds Girud winces slightly at the hurt that he's feeling. This dragon would not have his hide, but perhaps he could have the dragon's... that is a matter for another time.

Krysta's got the talking covered, so Girud will kneel beside her ready for Sturmguard's judgement.

[VemuKhaham]

As he looks down, Romar holds his breath as he sees underneath his floating feet the sea, displaying immense waves rising from the water surface and submerging again. A cold and strenuous wind blows in his face. The freezing rain on his forehead makes his head ache. The thunder and lightning surprise him everytime they clash again, forcing him to shiver and shrivel.

Looking up, he merely sees the claws of a huge bird holding him. It is Vraak, who every now and then gives him a devastating look. He flies high, and yet the waves almost seem to touch Romar's feet.

Then, something very strange occurs. An enormous wall of a wave approaches, even higher then the head of Vraak. It comes closer and closer, and even though the bird tries to gain altitude as quickly as possible, it is hopeless. The wave will hit them.

Then, a hole opens up inside the wave. It is not just a hole, as quickly the shape of a head becomes clear around it, giving the water a shape, as if it came alive. It is the vicious head of Hirsuthe, his Enemy. It's mouth, easily recognised by the pointy carnivorous teeth vampires are known for, opens up further.

Then, he hears a whisper, coming from nowhere, nearly torn appart by the wind, but still loud enough to hear what it says. "Release the mouse, and escape my wrath!" Immediately, his carrier, Vraak the bird begins to squawk repeatedly and he is obviously frightened. Then, Romar feels the ever-present grasp of the bird loosen. Then begins the fall, his stomach filled with air as he flies straight into the enormous mouth of Hirsuthe.

Then, just as he reaches it, all turns dark, and he only hears that same voice as he heard before, echoing from within his ear-drums.

"Your 'friends' are all wise enough to understand that your so-called hunt is in vain. Yuri might have been willing to go so far, but we all know what he is and that he eventually will come to realise he cannot deny it any longer.
As for Húna, she is only a machine, fool, the real FLESH belongs to me, and we all know that too. If you wish to cling to the fairytales given to you by the foolish dwarves, then that is your own lack of sanity.
And I pity your new friends! With your naïvety you have dragged them into your own doom. But they too will come to realise that it is no boon to follow you, and they will drop you like a brick when the time comes!"

Again, for a brief moment, the vision of flying into the gaping mouth of Hirsuthe comes to Romar, and before he enters the dark hole he sees Vraak overcome the high wave just in time.

. . .

Finding himself awakening under the care of Veya, Romar quickly sits straight up again. He looks a bit disillusioned, as if he didn't expect to be in this place after waking up. Though it doesn't happen often, Romar remembers his dream, or at least the biggest part of it. He looks at Veya with more concern in his eyes then the entire evening before.

Before he can say something about his feelings though, she already tends to every worry that could possibly bother a man in his situation, with a simple smile. He reaches out for the tea, and charishes its warmth like he still feels the cold rain that made his forehead pound.

"Thank you." He says, as he returns a smile. "I haven't slept better in many days. I don't know how to thank you enough for your hospitality."

As he comes out of bed, he starts doing everything to prepare their journey to come, if only to concentrate on other things then his dream.

---

Kman, just to be clear; what Hirsuthe said in Romar's dream was just Romar's dream originating from his brain; it's nothing that you need take into consideration when playing Hirsuthe if you don't want to.

[Jevva]

Seeing Krysta approach Sturmguard, Galdren sheathes his swords and kneels before him, letting her eloquent words flow over his ears.

[VemuKhaham]

just a little bump ;D

[BluSpecs]

And how long will this army take to complete? Months? a year? 10 years? We cannot sit inside our walls and mass an army while the masters power grows as he destroys the rest of the world.

Surly there is at least a legion that can be sent as a sign of unity with Sturmguard?

As much as many of us don't like it, our survival lies in working with Sturmgaurd and the humans.