5 - 039: The End?

[K Man]

Romar -

There has always been a saying, an expression trying to describe when a room is so silent that one could their own heartbeat or the sound of a needle falling.

A phrase like this would describe the council room now.

The semi-circle of clerics sits stunned and confused, their jaws agape and eyes unblinking. They remain like this as though the demon of time has returned and frozen the place in stasis once more. When the lead cleric begins to speak again, he stammers and stutters over his words.

"R-R-Romar....? You c-c-cannot be serious! Those things of which you speak do not sound like the Romar that left this Hidden City less than one year ago."

There is a murmur among the council members, an agreement that one could not have fallen from grace so quickly--even the clerics of evil seem to comment that it takes years for true corruption. The righteous few on the far right of the council do grow suspicious, their quick judgement apparent. The lead cleric continues;

"And judgement of sins is not something a council such as this is able to accomplish..." The lead cleric points to the half of the table that is dressed in progressively necrotic fashions, the clerics of evil. "...for some of us differ on what is right and what is wrong."

"If I remember Romar, you have chosen the path of the wanderer, a being of neutrality that fashions its own destiny, who offers help to all he finds...whether it be an act of kindness or a mercy to others as he leads them down a dangerous and deadly path."

The clerics nod in agreement.

"So think long and hard about your actions Romar. Are they truly sins...?"

The council awaits further explanation. It is ironic, a cleric of neutrality playing devil's advocate...

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Yuri -

Leaving the scene of the barracks, you float up to the rooftop level and towards the walls of the city. The Elves below you rush towards the city's edge with fervor...almost in a state of panic. They cast little regard to the silent cloud of smoke floating gently above them, headed towards the same place.

Rounding this roof and that, you finally come to a good hilltop where you can see over the city walls. Beyond the rush of Elven warriors, beyond the shops and homes of Ephemiryl, past the granite city walls...there is a dense, impenetrable fog surrounding the hillside.

You've seen this fog before.

North, much farther North...near the Deathspew swamps.

This is the same fog that shrouded the Master's keep and kept all living things away...and it's here now, slowly rolling towards the Elven city. As archers line the wall and commanders below shout orders from ranks to ranks, you can see movement in the fog outside. Large figures loom back and forth, only occasionally letting the faintest hint of them be seen. They look to be as large as Ogres ...possibly even bigger, and made of the same rotting flesh as the rest of the Master's troops.

But this is just fog....but fog filled with the undead.

Can the Master truly be back?

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All Others -

You watch the Elven barracks empty like casks of wine with hole in them. The warriors and archers line the street, trailed by the mages as they pre-emptively cast their best defensive spells. The commanders follow behind them, shouting commands for order and to remember training.

Within a minute, the barracks seem totally empty.

Just to be sure, Krysta sends her rat scout ahead, keeping tabs of what it sees with magic. The rat scurries here and there, finding nothing but empty barrack after empty barrack.

Apparently the news of 'The Masters' return is big news.

The rat makes it far enough to see the great amber tower at the heart of the city, pulsating like a star fallen from the sky. The rat can see there are four guards at the door, more heavily armed and experienced then the lesser counterparts. It will be a fight to take them down for sure...but at least you've got a clear path until then.

{If anyone needs to buff or do whatever, do it on the way there. Otherwise, let's get to this tower!}

[Fangor the Fierce]

Adelia turns to the group, saying, "The way is clear. Four guards are near the tower. Heavily armed, but we have the element of surprise. Are we ready?"

Adelia will cast Enlarge on anyone wanting it. Let's get this done....

[Japic]

Hefting the grate aside Girud helps the others up and into the street before pulling himself out. He pulls the heavy grate back into place, hoping that if anyone should come along, they won't suspect the subterfuge.

When he hears of the guards ahead Girud wonders aloud. "Can anyone hide us from their eyes until we get there? I'd hate to be a half-giant pin cushion. Besides, they could call reinforcements."

Alton readies his bow and slinks to the corner of a building, though not in the wilderness he should be able to sneak sufficiently. {remember, he's a Scout and can hide with the best of them}

Maybe Mordrock can sneak up with Alton and ambush these guys while the reinforcements close in?

In any case; lets do this thing. Girud would take an enlarge when they near battle; it should make him that much more devastating; if they can manage to close without dying.

[VemuKhaham]

Romar wanted his judgment. He had come a long way. In an indignant tone, he answers the cleric's final question:

"Yes, they are sins! Of course they are! How could one who has vowed obedience to the safekeeper of travelers not sin when he leads more people to their death than to their destiny? And I knew it! I admired Veya's final act of suicide, I spat on Mordred's body after my fatal stroke, I knew that I led an innocent people to its ultimate doom! The only one I have guided for a while was a creature barren on the inside and rotten on the outside, and even him I killed in the end!"

Romar rose, and held his hands out before him toward the council.

"So yes, that is me! Romar Belamor, savior of your great city! But if you cannot judge me as a council, than who can? Should I throw myself upon my sword to be judged in the afterlife?" Upon saying these words, Romar in one swift move drew his longsword and held it up high. "For I am willing! Tell me, Council, if you cannot, then where can I find one able to judge me? Upon the edge of my blade?"

[GeneralMHB]

Just as I feared, the others have to be warned.

Yuri cannot do anything to halt the undead tide coming towards the city. The weapon is their only hope of salvation now. He makes his way back to the tower, hoping his companions have made their way to the weapon.