3 - 090: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Krysta, Girud, Mordrock, Galdren, Hero, Caelith, Callian and Garor - The huge figure seems to lie in wait, holding for the appraoch.

The first to react is Caelith, loosing a spell of devastating effeciency. [Scorching Ray Touch Attack = 11] The blast hits the hulking figure dead on. [Damage Roll = Moot, immune fire.] The scorching blast of flame does little though, and the figure pulls back into the alcove, grunting like an ape.

You catch a slight glimpse of it before it goes though.



{The one in the middle..the big one.}

It reacts with unnatural speed as it seems to compress itself into the shadows.

You hear it growl with anticipation at the taste of mortal flesh...

[Initiative: Krysta, Girud and Gladren, Caelith, Mordrock and the Gorristo, Hero, Callian, Garor]

{If you would like to reserve your already posted actions, that's fine, the Gorristo just now has concealment.}
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Yuri and Romar - {Again, Romar, excellent role-playing.}

Romar, in an act of piety that few have witnessed, slips to his knees and prays that his next choice will be the one to lead you to where you desire to go.

You choose right...

Your feet lead you between the rocky corridors and cliff faces that still tower above you but somehow, it seems less...oppressive. Like you can breath again...

In fact, with each step you take, the walls retract a bit and grant more room until you are literally walking side by side again...and even further until the cliff faces are yards apart....

And then you see it.

A giant archway, carved directly from stone, looming overhead at least thirty feet or more. In the center of its apex, high above you is a holy symbol dedicated to the god of neutrality. Going down each of the side of the arch are other various holy symbols. To the left, the symbols become progressively more evil until they reach a few of the more reputable, villainous gods; Wee-Jas, Tiamat...To the right, the symbols become progressively more good until they reach the platinum dragon and Pelor.

Beyond this archway of all thing diefic, sprawls out the massive steps leading to the Hidden City. They are marble, perfectly carved steps at least a hundred feet in width if not more. At their crest is a huge iron gate, currently closed...and the whole city seems to shimmer radiantly...

At the base of the archway there is a plaque and a small fountain. The plaque is written in common and reads;

"Welcome seekers of the hidden city.
Drink deeply of the cleansing waters and know that the universe, in its infinite law, is all around you."
__________________________________________________________________________________________

[VemuKhaham]

Thanks! Actually, I was planning something big for Romar to happen soon, and if I decide to carry it through I'll PM you, Kman.

---

As they catch the first glimpse of the archway and its enormous stairs behind it, Romar runs a few steps forward, and calls out shamelessly to all that have ears nearby.

"We made it! Yuri, we made it! Let none now say that the Hidden City is a myth without a truth! Praise Fharlanghn! His great vigilance shall be returned tenfold!"

Romar then beholds the greatness of the place, as he has forgotten all the weary leagues behind them, blessed with new energy. He gives a short look to Yuri, as if to ask for some time to go into the archway and agree to each take some time for themselves.

Asuming Yuri finds no problems with that, he proceeds, gladly drinking from the fountain's pure water, but not before saying a short "thank you" to the gods.

As he drinks, he begins to feel better instantly. He heads into the archway, searching for the symbol of his Guide and Protector, Fharlanghn, probably somewhere in the center of the hallway.

Recognising the symbol with the curved line and the upturned crescent above it, Romar begins to pray to it. Again, he goes on his knees, vows his hands in each other and closes his eyes.

"Fharlanghn my Guide, Fharlanghn my God. You have safely led me and my loyal companion into the sanctuary of the fabled Hidden City. It is more then I could have prayed for, great Fharlanghn."

As Romar sits their kneeled before the symbol of his god, he begins to shut his eyes thighter and tenses the muscles in his hands as they hold each other. A drop of sweat rolls from his forehead. He bows his head even lower to the ground.

"As by my word, which I shall keep, I will hereby pledge my eternal loyalty to you. Though my other vows, to family and honour, have brought me upon a path that appears without an ending, I will pray to you, where-ever I go, be it through soft grasslands or barren wastelands, or through the Deathspew Swamps themselves, as is the duty of a follower of the Road God. I will always seek to travel the path before me, under your divine guidance if I may, and honour both my vow to destroy Hirsuthe and his blight upon the world, as well as the oath I swear here this day.

Fharlanghn, guide my path."

Romar opens his eyes, relaxes his grip and climbs on his feet. One last, slight bow directed towards his deity, and he returns to where Yuri is. If Yuri seems ready, he will say:

"I fear I have been negligent in praising you as well for making it to the Hidden City alive, while I was away in my prayers thanking Fharlanghn so much lately. I find myself more blessed then any god in the world could make happen with you by my side as my companion."

Romar smiles hearthily. Over the time he has spend with Yuri, this unseeming ally, he has learned to not only respect, but also befriend his companion. In the good mood that he finds himself in, he says, while joking:

"The stairs of the Revealed City lay before us. We both past the test. I think you needn't fear the wrath of these clerics anymore. If they still seek to turn you, ignorant to wisdom, then it will be over my dead body.

Come now, let us proceed without worries."

If Yuri agrees to, he will proceed towards the closed iron gates. He pays little heed to the radiant shimmering of the city, assuming that it might be ordinary in such a place of power and legend. Hoping to catch the attention of someone, Romar calls forth:

"We have passed the tests set before those who seek the Hidden City. Can we now beg for refuge and perhaps aid within its great sanctuary?"

He takes a step back, waiting for something to happen.

[Hero]

Hero will attack.

+2 Keen Longsword +13/+8 (1d8+6 17-20/x2)

[GeneralMHB]

(OOC: Wow Vemu, I'm very impressed with the RPing. Keep up the good work man )

So the rumors were indeed correct....

Walking down the road and glimpsing at the archway, Yuri can speculate that the right path was indeed the correct one indicated by the arch. He watches Romar as he prays and makes a silent one of his own, to what diety he is uncertain, as it has not revealed themselves to him yet.

I know not your name, I know not your faith, I even know not your existance. All I know is that you have guided me to this place. For this, you have my eternal gratitude. I ask that you reveal yourself so that I may proclaim your name thoughout this world and give hope to those that have none left and lift my story to them for generations to come. When this is complete, you have my vow to serve you though undeath.

Yuri does not interrupt Romar when he sips from the fountain. In fact.... he joins him. But not before saying something.

Holy water may harm me more than hurt me. However, it is a chance I am willing to take.

He listens to Romar's comments about him. Yuri cannot help but feel honored by this. A human entrusting a vampire who fights for its very heart itself. Most dieties would not have done such a thing.

No my friend. It is I who should be thanking you. I did not believe that such a thing would be possible for me.

When I accepted the taint, I knew my life was over. With your willingness to understand where I come from, that gives me a reason to fight and do something to regain my family's honor instead of giving into my grandfather's greed.

For that reason, I should be giving you praise.

If the clerics greet me with the gift of death to undeath, I can find peace and cause no others any harm. Three have died at my hands. That is far more than I am willing to allow.

You have my eternal gratitude, and there is no possible way I shall ever repay you for all that you have done for me.

Smiling, Yuri listens to Romar's plea to the Hidden City and waits for an answer.

[BluSpecs]

Garor cast his spell from last round/post (Prayer)

[Japic]

Try the arrow, then drop the bow and ready my greatsword.

{+6 to hit. 1d8+4 damage}

Girud begins sizing up his opponent so that he can hopefully combat it well. {I'd like to know his size (reach?) and the distance between us please.}

[Fangor the Fierce]

Same action as before...arrows from Krysta and Mordrock...

[Jevva]

Galdren'll do the arrow from before, then drop his bow and draw his swords.