Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Irilym 12-17-04, 07:01 AM	OOC: This thread is closed to all except those who have been approved for play (mainly Sril've Cress and their allies and enemies). New people who are interested in joining should contact Sev'anar (Obsidian) at the e-mail listed in the OOC thread. Thanks for your co-operation on this and enjoy! :) ~Draggy ------------ It is a day forever burned into the minds of immortals and sung through mortal legend time and time again. The day is remembered and called by many names: the elves call it Talant Menel, The Day the Sky Fell. The drow call it Istolla, which is to simply say Nightfall. However, it is the Ascient name that has stuck the most through all the tales: Incursio de Malificus. It was on this day that the brewing war between the gods spilled into the mortal realm lashing across the skies in a supernatural display while the populus below watched in fear and awe. As if in response to the supernatural disturbance, demons, devils, and celestials poured across the land, waging their immortal war across the lands uncontested. Heroes rose and fell, giving their lives to protect their people from this unexplained phenomina. Night fell as the terrible battles drudged on, but it seemed as if the immortals would never cease their war. Then, the legends tell that late into the night in the last hour before deepest night, a brilliant explosion lit the skies across the entire plane, blinding those unfortunate to not look away in time, and sent from it's center two streaks of light in opposite direction. One is said to have struck the legendary land of Shekash'nas, creating a lake where pooled miraculous waters which could heal the worst sicknesses. The other more well known having impacted into the heart of the malignant land of D'nief where pooled a dark and forboding sea which legends tell will destroy anything its waters touch. Inexplicably the immortals dissapeared, as if yanked from the mortal realms by a power greater than their own. As the deepest hour of night set in, an eerie calm settled over the chaos that had been, leaving an entire world bewildered. -- That was nearly a millenia ago. In time the world healed itself, mortals continued their lives, and fact became a legendary bardic tale as it is always prone to do. However, with the 1000th year mark of that terrible day approaching, rumours have spread of tremors of evil through the southern lands of Irideth, and silently the mortal people begin to pray that history doesn't repeat itself. -- Why they had never seen it before, no one could explain, but there was no denying the newlyfound cavern's existance. The Cress had taken it upon themselves to make sure the area around the main and subsidary compounds was well explored and fully removed of threats to the compound's inhabitants. But then, this was the Underdark, a place of hidden caves and recesses of darkness that never ceased to surprise. A quick meeting at the main compound had lead to a unanimous decision: it must be explored fully to ensure there was no threat. The scouting team had been gathered and sent out and after a short journey from the closest sub-compound, they had began exploring the many twists and turns of the caverns. It was during this exploration that they stumbled upon an odd statue, as it seemed. A large gargoyle-esque figure knelt down on one stony knee, wings spread wide and still standing twice as tall as any of the drow could ever hope to be, its stoney hands clasped tightly around around a metallic ring twisted into a circle that curved impossibly in a manner that beckoned the eyes to try and follow where they couldn't. Its head was bowed, hiding its visage from the front. A second pair of arms extended out to each side at about shoulder high for a drow, each hand holding outstretched a marble bowl, indicating it was, perhaps, a shrine. It was beautiful and grotesque all at once with the cavern's various stone reliefs carved into the stone to match, the craftsmanship and detail rather amazing, and portions almost looking as if they had been burned into the wall. By all appearances, the Cress scouting party had ended up in an altar room for a god of some sort. One thing was for certain. It had been many long years since anyone, or anything, had ventured into these caverns. ((Alright, hop in when ready :) ))
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-17-04, 07:17 AM	The scouts moved quietly into the area before the statue. Their lightweight armors remaining silent as the still air around them and tinted a shade that would reflect nothing. One of the larger men near the rear of the grouping paused to eye the statue, particularly full eyebrows shifting slightly as his nose twitched. Two of the others gave him an odd look as they caught the expression. {Something wrong?} one quickly flashed in hand sign code to the larger, who merely shook his head, the nearly tribal seeming beaded adornments preventing his hair from following the movement. {Just a chill.} the large one dismissed the others, then looked to the next member of the grouping, bowing his head slightly before continuing with the signals, {Our next instructions, sir?}
Sativus 12-17-04, 10:42 AM	From the depths of the scouting party ranks, one drow made is way forward in responce to the inquiry. His form, when unshrouded by a lingering depth of shadows darker then the depths of the underdark itself, was large by drow standards. Not in height, but the lineage of the drow was betrayed by the muscular build of his body. His thick, coarse mane of white hair lay slightly unkempt around his head as he moved towards the scout and the statue, eyeing one then the other. Fluidly, his hands flash to his scouts, speaking to them in the silent drow sign. {Search....completely....the report to the Ilharn must be detailed. Nothing shall be left overlooked.} As he dismissed the scouts, he turned his attention back to the massive statue, quirking a furry brow at what appeared to be a large shrine. As he walks around the statue from left to right, deep shadows swirled around him, obscuring his body in a way that a piwafwi would be jealous of, as he studied its details. . o O(Where did you come from you ugly son of a....) His thoughts were interupted by the approach of scouts, returning with their findings and setting back out once again to search for something more. Each time, Sativus' attention was drawn back to this slumbering giant statue, his eyes capturing every detail and waiting....as if expecting it to come alive at any moment.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-17-04, 07:49 PM	The scouts nodded and swept out, following the orders to precision. Dividing into several groups of three, two average seeming drow and one of the larger individuals to a team, stealth and muscle being fully represented in each set. Moving like skulking shades in the night, the teams crept into the cavern, one in each grouping jotting down quick notes on parchment in a coded dialect of underdark languages as the others remained alert and picked up on details. One group ascended a banking wall along the side of the area, taking a moment to survey the expanse from a higher vantage point. The larger member of the team secured his footing, as did the note taker, but the gatherer was not so fortunate. The old and previously undisturbed rocks slid from their bearings, sending the scout flailing before being caught by the team's muscle. The clattering of stones echoed as bits of rock cascaded down the cavern wall.
Irilym 12-18-04, 08:26 AM	As the rocks tumbled they bounce off the statue below, sliding down into the marble bowls and littering the floor about the statue. With a soft grinding noise, the creatures extended arms, which had been perfectly symmetrical to each other, shift with the weight of the rocks to indicate the heavier side. For the moment, all is quiet.
Sativus 12-18-04, 10:52 AM	With the first sound of shifting, his head snaps around from his gaze at the statue. His eyes narrow as he witnesses the stones sliding away, and low feral growl rumbles from his chest and echos softly in his throat. Pieces of stone dumble past him, some of those landing in the marble bowl, others striking at his 'cloak'...hissing and then are no more. {Careful you idiots! Or I'll feet you to Zentash's pets} his fingers flash. One last glare lingers on the scouts, leaving his words with a promise of completion, before he turns back to the statue. A furry brow quirks at the movement, tilting his head slightly to the side as he examines the movement of the arms to their new possition. . o O(So you're a greedy bastard....) Picking up a few stones from around him, he walks over and judges the size and weight of those in the opposite bowl, before placing what seems like the same amount in the opposite one. He steps back slowly to wintess the results of his guess as he crosses his arms over his chest under his cloak of shadows.
Irilym 12-20-04, 02:10 AM	As the other arm slides down to be level with the first, the statue's eyes glow an eerie green, the glow intensifying until two rays arc forward from the eyes, seeming to impact a solid, invisible barrier inside the metallic ring before they would have otherwise struck the drow studying the incantations on the wall. A low moan seems to echo through the cavern as the rocks that were in each marble bowl vanish, the arms sliding back into place with the grate of stone upon stone. By this time the eyes have dimmed to a light glow, the creature's mouth opening to shed an melanic light on the metallic ring, the sound of air being sucked in briefly drawing attention to the ring as an inky green portal springs into being, lighting up previously hidden runes around the metal rim. All of this happens in less than a minute as the creature's mouth closes agin and the eyes slowly dim to nothing. Only the portal remains as testament of what occured now.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-20-04, 02:25 AM	The scouts with the one who slipped growled at him, the larger one releasing his grip once the clumsy one is steadied, and flashing his hands in the sign language, {Next time, I let you fall.} before descending the slope, the note taker shortly behind him. The one who slipped followed along soon after, hanging his head in shame, knowing the likely fate he would soon face. The other groups began to circle back upon noticing the portal, their hands moving closer to their weapons, crossbows for the lighter troops and two-handed swords for the larger, slowly taking their places along the area near the statue, watching and waiting for their instructions from Sativus.
House Or'lathi 12-20-04, 03:58 AM	The portal is silent for moments as the hand sign conversation between the Sril've Cress scouts ensues. The silence is broken, however, when a dagger comes flying through the portal with at least a half-dozen crossbow bolts on its heel.
Sativus 12-20-04, 07:03 PM	He watches the hands shift, taking note of the perfect ballance of them once again and smiles with slight satisfaction at his estimation of weight. The smirk quickly leaves his face as he witnesses the construction of the portal by the statue, his eyes narrowing at the green light as he looks away from the brightest part of the flashes. .o O(No good can come from this....) Silently, his hands flash to the gathering scouts, signaling quickly to the lot of them. {Spread out! We know not what will come through this...} His hand gestures are cut off as his sense of hearing catches the sound of the dagger errupting from the portal and slicing thround the air. Spinning gracefully, drawing both of his swords from his hips as he lets the dagger fly by uselessly, landing in a feral crouch with his teeth glistening in the pale green glow from the portal. The crossbow darts skim above him, as his low prone possition keeps him out of the general range. . o O(I do believe they wish to play...) Echoing deeper in his mind, a faint whisper of a voice responds only to him, its tone thick with hatred. . o O(Yes....let us play....) The shadows around his body unfold like flacid wings, stretching slowly out and floating from around his body towards the portal. Silently, it lays in wait at the foot of the portals opening, spreading itself wide to encompass the floor of the cavern between the portal and Sativus, lieing in wait for the first signs of life to slip from the portal as Sativus stays low to the ground, teeth bared and a low growl emitting from his throat.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-20-04, 07:16 PM	The scouts quickly followed orders, spreading out into the area. The lighter armed troops readied their crossbows as the larger individuals moved to flank the portal, swords in hand as they lay in wait, only to be caught by surprise at the volley of bolts that came through. The lighter troops followed the actions of their leader, dropping low and using what little natural cover could be found to attain sniping positions. The unfortunately clumsy scout, however, was not as lucky. Prepared to duck just a moment too late after Sativus's dodge of the dagger, the scout was stricken in the chest and fell to the ground gasping for air.
House Or'lathi 12-21-04, 12:32 AM	Another moment passes before the first signs of life move through the portal. Three drow step through in no semblance of order standing just in front of the rim, hand crossbows held outwards as if they had only bare minimum knowledge of how to use them. One of those steps forward, oblivious of the inky blackness beneath his feet, while the other two hang back under the protection of the gargoyle-esque statue, scanning the area.
Sativus 12-21-04, 12:43 AM	Sativus' eyes sparkle with maliscious energy as the lone drow steps onto the sheet of darkness, oblivious to his surroundings. After two steps into the cavern, the darkness around his feet errupts around him like a volcano, devouring him in its inky depths. Higher and higher the liquid night rises into the air, until finally is sprays forther like a gyser, falling back to the ground. Suspended in mid-air, strung out as if he was being stretched on a rack, the lead drow opens his mouth to scream in torment as his limbs are pulled to the four corners, slow popping sounds echoing as joints are torn apart and his limbs are stretched to unnatural lengths. Screams of torment would rupture from his gaping mouth, if it were not filled with the black depths that cause his torment. Slowly, Sativus rises to a crouch, moving forward to stand beneath the crucified drow that floats in the air, watching the other two for a moment before speaking in their native tongue to them. "This is your fate....if you do not drop your weapons. There are more through the portal no doubt...they will do the same, or you all will litter this cavern with your corpses."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-21-04, 12:52 AM	The grouping of larger drow warriors grinned coldly seeing the display and example set upon the first of the new arrivals. Moving without much hesitation, two warriors made quick motions to snap up the remaining two from their flanking stations, quickly lashing out their arms to snare the weapon hands of the newcomers and place them into a grappling hold. The other warriors remain in their position, holding themselves back in wait in case of further arrivals. The lighter weight troops held their crossbows trained on the portal, holding their eyes sharply and unblinking as they maintain vigilance.
House Or'lathi 12-21-04, 01:35 AM	The two drow make to surrender, but before they are able to do much aside from have their crossbows taken, a sickening wet crunch is heard, like the sounds of bones being crushed and soft tissue sheared through all at once. One of the drow looks down wordlessly at the full set of something's claws protruding through his middle, his eyes beginning to glaze as he tries to draw breath, getting nothing but a wet gurgle. That's when the full bulk of the thing emerges, red, sinewy arm first holding up the dead drow like a meat shield. It is about the size of the gargoyle statue and seems to made of all muscle with no skin. In fact, it actually looks to have been created, or at least enhanced, from a motley assortment of odds and ends grafted to its form. Its mouth is a deformed, twisted grin of sharp teeth, it's eyes skewed, one golden with a slitted iris, the other red. One arm is elongated with three long, curved black claws (which were now protruding through the drow), the other arm short and stocky by comparison, thickly muscled, and only slightly clawed on the ends of the stubby fingers. Its feet and legs are no different, one slightly longer and leaner, the other barely shorter and stockier in comparison, making it walk oddly. Two mis-matched horns protrude from its head, and it bears a pair of wings, one that seems to have been grafted with feathers directly on the bone, the other eathery like a bat wing. A whip-like tail lashes behind it as it advances. Behind it and using it as a cover, five other forms emerge. Two are dressed like warriors wearing leather armor and bearing shields and hand crossbows with one standing on either side of the three in the middle who, by all apperances, seem to be nobles by the fine clothing they wear. The central figure of the group is the only female, and seems, perhaps, to be the most important. To her left side stands the older male of the two who weilds a stilletto. And finally, to her right, is the younger one who has two shortswords drawn, one readied in either hand. The last remaining drow of the first three that emerged backs away from the huge monstrosity leading and protecting the group without looking where he is going, fear and terror evident on his face.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-21-04, 09:13 PM	The crossbowmens' eyes widened seeing the piecemeal form emerge, pulling the levers without hesitation and letting loose a whistling volley of bolts aimed at the stitched-together monstrosity. The nearest warriors tossed the siezed crossbows aside well out of reach and drew their swords once more. Those further back growled and narrowed their eyes as white fur began to sprout over their skin, shifting grip on the two-handed swords to a single-handed hold as their forms expanded and shifted. Faces changing to those of white furred felines striped with black, large fang filled mouths, and powerfully built muscles followed suit. With a roared battle cry the pack of weretigers leapt at the golem shortly following the hail of bolts, lashing out with blades and claws.
Sativus 12-22-04, 12:44 AM	Shaking his head with a wicked grin, he motions the warriors to engage the abomination that has made its way through the portal, sending out attack formations through simple hand gestures. The drow hanging in the air flinches as he is ripped, quite literally, limb from limb...the blood torso falling to the ground as it attempts to writhe in pain. The limbs fall uselessly to the ground as the shadows return to him, wrapping around him like a floor length cloak, his body obscured from view as he begins to move in towards the creature. He bolts forward quickly, his lycanthropy change coming smooth and quickly as his two wicked long swords flash from beneath their conceilment. Multiple times, he switches directions in his path towards the thing before him, flashing movement orders to the pack as he slides in low, below the short arm, and strikes out with both swords at the things knee, before moving past and attempting to regain the range advantage before moving in to strike again.
House Or'lathi 12-22-04, 01:12 AM	Several bolts find home in the creature as well as sword strikes and claws, but the beast seems to shrug off a good bit of the damage. It hurls the dead body at the crossbowmen who are still firing at it, then proceeds to grab for one of the were tigers' tails and, if successful, swing it around into the others closeby before releasing it to smack into the wall beyond. Behind the cover of the creature, the woman casts a spell to enchant the bolts of her warrior protectors before the two warriors themselves begin firing at the were tigers. The younger male noble starts to move forward to engage Sativus, but is stopped by the older. [Let Furen'dyn handle him], he flashes in hand signs before turning his attention back to the massive beast. The young male turns with a scowl and begins the motions of an arcane casting, sending a line of fire streaking towards the nearest warrior. The monster, once done sending the were-tiger on a merry-go-round trip (or if it fails to grab it to begin with), moves in towards Sativus, it's long, lean leg seeming to give it a burst of speed. As if acting independantly of the rest of the body, the massively clawed arm sweeps out to grab him.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-22-04, 01:30 AM	Two of the crossbowmen are stricken by the body, others being spread out far enough or nimble enough to move out of the path. The weretiger roared in fury as its tail was caught up and drawn into the spin. The others nearby duck beneath their swinging compatriot and wait for a moment to strike. The airborne tiger does what many would consider insane, spinning himself in midair, he aims his sword blade downward at his own tail, severing it swiftly and sending himself flying into a tumbling dive on the ground toward the woman preparing to cast, vaulting at the last second heedless of any obstacle, his hybrid-form's bulk providing substantial momentum to the forward facing claws. If unhindered, the weretiger slashes for the woman's hands and arms. The warrior targetted by the flame spell howls as his fur and armor ignites, sending the beastman staggering back before falling to the ground. The remaining weretigers circle into an evenly spaced formation before darting inward in a weaving pattern, hacking at the golem's major joints as they pass. Blades and claws aimed for elbows, shoulders, hips, and key points of the wings in an attempt to disable its physical capacity. The crossbowmen move back to find better cover as they work on reloading their weapons.
Sativus 12-22-04, 06:34 PM	Snarling in disgust, his blades find their way into the flesh of the monstrosity. With blood dripping from his blades, he slashes out again, and again, attempting to disable the beast. With a quick lunge to the side, he plants his foot firmly and attempts to drive one sword through the knee of the beast, before his attention is diverted by the young drow who seems to want to press his luck. A grin rises to his lips, baring his gaping maw at the young drow and mouthing the words "You're next child..." In his distraction, he's latched onto by the beast, and hoisted into the air, leaving his sword in the knee of the beast(if the strike was successful) as he's drawn upwards quickly. A deep howl of pain rushes from him, as he's crushed in the hand of the beast(assuming), shooting pain through him quickly. Reachins his arms up into the air, he brings his hands down to sink into the flesh of the beast, muttering in a gravely tone. "xal dosst siltrin paxil saph l' khelen d'lil fuer'yonen dos doerrus dal...." As the words slip darkly from his tongue, the shroud of shadows around him slither down his arms like nightmare snakes, and sink into the flesh of the hand that holds him, weaving their way through attempting to rot all the flesh they touch.
House Or'lathi 12-23-04, 03:36 AM	The monstrosity tightens its hold on Sativus as his blades drive into its flesh giving a shrieking howl, but somehow it seems to be resisting the rotting. Several slashes cover the beasts legs, particularly around its knees, and yet it still seems to be shrugging off a good bit of the damage being dealt to it. No longer does it seem to attack, but instead uses Sativus to try and ward off attacks from the were tigers. Meanwhile, the drow woman gives a startled yell and many hundreds of pounds of angry, tail-less fur come flying towards her. The warriors both turn and loose a volley at the beast as quick as they can and the younger male drow looks away from where his burning hatred had rested on Sativus for a brief moment and dives to the side as the were tiger slams into the woman, sending them both tumbling back towards the portal. The older drow male looks away from the monster just in time to sidestep the were tiger as well. The warriors stand there for a moment before the male slaps the closest one upside his head and signs [Shoot it, you fools!] The two warriors work to reload their crossbows as quickly as they can and train them onto the were-tiger, searching for a good shot without hitting the woman.
Sativus 12-23-04, 06:38 PM	Sativus growls in frustration as the shadows seem to be failing at their desired effect on the beast. Quickly, he draws them back up around him, watching them swirl around his body and coat him from head to toe before they slowly begin to expand, increasing the space inside the beasts hand until he can slip freely from its grasp. Landing with a distinct thud on the ground, as what little air that was left in his lungs rushes out. His hands flash quickly to his scouts, motioning them in for the attack as he draws himself up to his feet, standing somewhat shakily as he touches the ring on his right hand, shaking the cobwebs from his mind. . o O(Ilharn.....we have a slight situation here. One that we could use some assistance with.) Shaking his head once again, he draws his right arm back and yanks it forward, forcing his shoulder back into the socket before howling once again, this time in pain and rage. Plucking his one remaining sword from the ground, he rushes in, fully intending on obtaining his other one
Obsidian 12-23-04, 06:51 PM	Leaning back in his chair, the Ilharn of Sril've Cress let his fingers trace the lines of the map his scouts were creating. To this point, the area surrounding Sril've Cress was well maped out, until recently, and this fact bothered him more then he was letting on. True, it could have been a random occurance that the landscape of the underdark had changed without someone noticing the cause...but things generally did not slip past him thusly. His neatly braided hair, normally held in a bundle of corn rows behind his head, lay losely around his shoulder, tiny blades tipping each braid that clicked lightly together as his head moved. His crimson eyes hugged the thin lines of the map, checking for the last in a countless line of times, where the fissure may have come from. With a sigh, he pushed the map away, and wrapped his fingers around the wine glass on the desk, drawing it to his lips and taking a deep drink from it. Sativus should be returning soon, if all was to go as expected, and he would have a large part of his answer in the report from the scouts. He moved to set the glass of wine back on the desk, leaning forward to move on to other house business, as a thought entered his mind. Frowning slightly, he places the glass on the desk and alters his thought, searching the compound for a particular house member. . o O(Zentash...your services are needed. Take those you wish and get this work finished quickly) Turning his concentration inward slightly, he sent out a search to where the original message came from, pinpointing it quickly and opening a portal for Zentash to the cavern in which Sativus and his scouts faced their foes. Shaking his head, he took the goblet from the desk once again, this time draining the contents before setting it down with a rather resounding thump. "No rest for the wicked it would seem...."
Dark Chaos 12-23-04, 07:10 PM	The scream of subject on the table brought a smile to a shadowy face as a slim but deadly blade parted the flesh. A sickening crack opened the ribs of the dying creature to reveal its heart. . o O(interesting....what?) The drow dropped the heart carelessly back into the cavity of the chest and tilted his head a moment, then nodded. . o O {Understood Ilharn. We are on our way} Zentash straightened and moved away from the table, leaving the corpse for others to deal with. A staff, with a cracked crystal on the top floated towards him. . o O{Come to me, my pets. I require your services. Zyrquix, remain here until I call for you} He glided out of the laboratory and towards the location of the portal. As he neared, he took note of two shadow cloaked figures awaiting him. They said nothing, but all bowed their heads. "Come then. Let us see what transpires." One figure slipped through the portal first, followed by Zentash and the other one. Moments later, they appeared directly behind the conflict. Instantly, a brief wash of dark energy wrapped around all three figures, then the drow motioned. "Xyllestiqar, Myrillian, guard." Zentash glided forward a bit, taking stock in the scene before him. The other two figures removed their cowls and opened their cloaks, to reveal not drow, but illithids, who stood to either side and watched, their tentacles writhing. "Ahh...Sativus. What have you there?" Without waiting for a reply, Zentash lifted his hands and staff and motioned towards the golem-esque creature. What could only be described as black fire, devoid of any shape or design bursts from his hand and crystal atop the staff and streaks forward, past Sativus, but not harming him, and enveloping the creature. Instead of fire, cold or otherwise, the fire deals out the equivalent of a rather intense acidic bath.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-23-04, 07:11 PM	The weretiger landed with a slight roll, turning to his feet with several crossbow bolts sunken into his thick hide. With a flash, he twisted his arms about to bind the woman's arms behind her, if successful wrenching to dislocate the shoulders in an effort to disable casting capability as he places her between himself and the crossbowmen. The crossbow wielding scouts readied their aim on the drow from the portal with their reloaded weapons, waiting for the need to fire and holding back their ammunition for the moment. The others ceased the harrying attacks and resumed circling the construct.
House Or'lathi 12-24-04, 07:45 AM	The older drow male clinches his teeth as the woman shrieks in pain from her arm being wrenched from the socket. He motions to the warriors. [Hold your fire...] His gaze then turns briefly to the construct, which had been drawing back its arm to slam Sativus while he is fixing his shoulder, but instead it lowers its arm and stands still, the acidic fire seeming somewhat ineffective against it just as the shadow weave earlier was. The younger male holds his sword ready to strike, the warriors with their crossbows trained on the were-tiger holding the woman. Still poised to resume his attack if neccessary, the older male addresses Sativus. "What business do you have in this place?"
Obsidian 12-24-04, 09:45 AM	*edit*
Sativus 12-24-04, 09:48 AM	Makes his way towards the now motionless construct, grabing hold of his sword firmly and ripping it from the beasts knee. Flicking pieces of flesh from the jagged teeth the line the spine of the blade, he turns towards the drow male. "I would ask you the same, since it is our lands you are invading from a strange portal." Glancing sidelong at the female who is being detained, he nods to the scout holding her, indicating that any false moves and he should kill her.
Dark Chaos 12-24-04, 05:10 PM	Zentash cocks his head a bit as the golem is largely unaffected by the magic. With a snarl, he prepares to cast again, but holds fast, awaiting the result of the parley. His void like eyes pointed towards the female, the crystal atop his staff wrapped in the blackfire. . o O{Xyllestiqar, Myrillian. Should this go wrong, deal with the golem} the two illithids nod and turn their pupil-less milky white eyes towards the golem, their long fingers wrapped around their staves and their tentacles writhing slightly.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-24-04, 09:36 PM	The weretiger nodded in return to Sativus, looking those with their weapons trained in the eyes as he snarled, baring the large saber-like fangs and opening his jaws beside the captive's neck as a warning. The other weretigers moved into a formation to prevent any possible runners from an easy escape, keeping their weapons and fangs at the ready. The crossbowmen stepped from their sniping posts and gathered into a firing squad formation at the back line, bolts trained on the extraplanar visitors.
House Or'lathi 12-26-04, 07:54 AM	The male stares at Sativus incredulously for a moment before breaking out into a light chuckle. The woman's snowy eyebrow arches at the statement, and the younger male looks as if the very statement is offensive. Throughout his chuckling, the man is watching Sativus' reaction until finally he arches an eyebrow himself as he says, "You are serious, aren't you boy..."
Dark Chaos 12-26-04, 09:22 AM	Zentash speaks up, his voice carrying through the cavern in an unusually deep voice for a drow. "I assure you, He is quite serious. He has no sense of humor to speak of" The eyeless drow glides up to stand beside Sativus, the crystal atop the staff still encased in the blackfire.
Sativus 12-27-04, 09:37 AM	Sativus' posture doesn't change at the comments, still ready to pounce at any moment as he stares at the three drow. "I'm quite serious, and if you happen to care for the females life...you'll start answering now..." Glancing to the scout holding the woman captive, he passes along a thought, indicating that he should show them they mean business.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-28-04, 01:30 AM	The scout snarled maliciously upon receiving the telepathic instruction. With his eyes locked on the apparent default leader of the visiting drow, he shifted his grip to hold both of the woman's arms with a single overly muscled limb, applying his weight as leverage to keep the hostage on the ground. Pulling a dagger, the weretiger moved to jab the blade into the woman's body, aiming it into her lower back at an angle to avoid any major organs and cause only pain and blood loss, if successful, leaving the blade there with a grip on the handle ready to twist it painfully free.
House Or'lathi 12-30-04, 11:16 AM	Even as the weretiger scout reaches for his dagger, the younger male twists in a sudden motion to lay his blade at the brute's throat. The two warriors keep watch, obviously prepared to fire at a pin drop. The older male just shakes his head. "Do forgive him. He's a bit rash when it comes to having things demanded of him." He pauses to smirk. "I taught him well. Now then, since I take it you are the leader of this...escapade, let us get down to business. What exactly do you want from us?"
Sativus 12-30-04, 06:27 PM	Sativus lowers his swords for the first time, returning them to his hips as his form slips back from were-tiger to his bulky drow form. The shadows that swirl around him seem to be boiling with antisipation, waiting to be released as he walks closer to the eldest male. . o O(Let me take them...it will be quick and easy..) a voice whisper to him alone. Shaking his head slightly at the though, he pushes it away as he looks to the eldest drow, then to the prone female and the younger male with the blade at the scouts throat. Shaking his head once again, he returns his attention back to the eldest male. "As a sign of honorable nagotiations and talks, you shall have your man remove his blade from a threatening possition, as shall I have the female released. Know this, if so much as a single word is uttered in the beginnings of an incantation, you will be destroyed instantly." With a wave of his hand, he indicates that the scout should stand down and allow the female to regain her feet if the youngest male removes his blade from its throat. "As for leading...I claim nothing besides leadership of this scouting party. You will offer explanation to me of who you are, and where you came from using that portal, that I might include it in my report. Any further demands of information and talks, will be done by the Ilharn d' Sril've Cress." Sativus stands calmly before the male, his arms crossed over his chest as his breathing flows smoothly, betraying the shadow cloak that hovers around his body, fluttering roughly from time to time, wishing release.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 12-31-04, 01:51 AM	The scout growls at the drow with the dagger as his intentions were interrupted. The weretiger mutters loud enough for the woman and knife-weilder to hear, "That thing touches me and I tear her throat out with my teeth. I suggest you listen to my captain." The rest of the scouts maintain their positions, crossbows still trained on the visitors for the snipers, swords still held ready for the weretigers.
House Or'lathi 12-31-04, 07:54 PM	The younger male backs his blade away slightly, sneering as he sheathes it. The older drow nods to Sativus, sheathing his own blade. "Ever curious, for one of our people. Very well, we are the last remaining blood of House Or'lathi, and that portal, as you refer to it, is nothing more than a prison. I suppose we should be thanking you, ironically, but I never was one for pleasantries." He motions to Sativus. "And what of you? Negoations are difficult if we do not whom we are negotiating with."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-01-05, 05:43 AM	The scout sneers right back as he rises, releasing the woman's arms, but not offering to help her up in any capacity. The weretiger places his hand on his sword hilt once more and takes up a guard stance like the others, joining the watch team without leaving where he stands.
Sativus 01-01-05, 09:55 PM	Sativus stands, staring at the male for a few moments, then shakes his head slightly, watching the female get up. "I am Sativus, of house Sril've Cress. That is all the more that I shall say of our house, as the Ilharn shall handle all nagotiations with ones such as yourself. Perhaps he will show mercy on you....as you are houseless drow. Then again...." Smirking slightly, the shadows around him seem to melt from him, pooling on the ground around his feet before slowly gliding out before him. Two thin tendrils rise up from the ground, like eerie charmed snakes until the connect about their heads before the circle begins to fill with inky blackness. "If you are to meet the Ilharn, this thing will be required to stay here..." Motions over his shoulder to the motionless golem, waiting for their responce, or their entering the portal.
Dark Chaos 01-01-05, 10:05 PM	the eyeless drow nods slightly to Sativus and glides backwards, turning his head to regard the illithids. . o O {go, my pets. Your services are no longer needed here. Remain ready however, should I call again} The two mind flayers nod, then step backwards, vanishing from sight. The darkfire encompassing the crystal on his staff wanes and vanishes as he moves back to stand beside Sativus.
House Or'lathi 01-02-05, 10:37 AM	The younger male helps the female to her feet before putting her shoulder back in place, bringing a wince to her face. The elder drow continues to address Sativus. "Well, since you've left me little choice." He glances in the direction of the golem. "Furen'dyn, zexen'uma hwuen quarthen. Now then," he says looking back to Sativus. "Shall we?" He motions the warriors to go through the portal first, then the younger male and the female before he goes through himself.
Sativus 01-02-05, 05:43 PM	Sativus motions a group of the scouts through the portal, watching them slip into the inky blackness of the doorway, as he watches the three drow standing before him. "The portal, being my creation, must be closed after I step through it. My scouts traveling through first shows you that you are in no eminant danger." If they pass through, the black portal opens to a small settlement of the Sril've Cress compound. No grand buildings rise towards the ceiling of the cavern, only one and two story buildings, packed closely together to optimise space, occupy this chamber. Servant quarters, and homes for house guard who have family mostly, there is little to look upon but more and more of the same thing in the cavern.
Dark Chaos 01-02-05, 07:18 PM	Zentash glides through as well, after the scouts and before the unknown drow. Once through he moves to the side and turns to watch them enter.
House Or'lathi 01-03-05, 09:17 PM	As they emerge from the portal, the three drow nobles look around, the warriors standing at ready. The woman works her arm back into its socket, an indiscernable look on her face. The elder male has much the same expression, but the younger bears a look of astonishment of sorts. "This is..." He is cut off by the elder male interjecting with, "...an interesting establishment you've made for yourself." A brief glance passes between the two as they wait to be shown to where they are to go. No more is spoken for the time.
Sativus 01-04-05, 09:28 PM	Walks through the portal after everyone else. "This is the most accomidating we could be, given the situation in which you were...encountered." Pointing to a medium sized building, two stories tall, that lies in the middle of the cluster of houses, "You shall wait there. It is a small gathering hall. I shall inform the Ilharn of your presence, and he will make his most sincere effort to be prompt in meeting you." Motioning to the scouts, he directs them with quick flashes of his hands, to 'escort' the 3 drow to the building he indicated, as he makes his way towards two ornately carved pillars. Each step closer he comes to them, a slight rippling increases between the two, until he stands directly before them, a portal open as he watches to make sure the 3 drow are escorted to the proper building before stepping through to speak with Sev'anar.
House Or'lathi 01-05-05, 01:36 AM	"Let us hope he is prompt," the elder drow quips off-handedly as Sativus moves away and they are led to the building. He motions for the two warriors to follow him. The younger drow helps the female along. They seem to be cooperative for the moment.
Sativus 01-05-05, 02:02 AM	Takes his time as he proceeds through the correct gateways to the main compound, and proceeds to the Ilharn, who's house would be considered castle like upon the surface. Winding his way through the hallways, he makes his way to the main audience chamber, bowing lowly as he enters. "Ilharn, the prisoners have been detained and wish council with you. I believe they claim nobility status, or at least once held it. You're word?" Lowers to one knee as he waits for a responce.
Obsidian 01-05-05, 02:06 AM	Raising his attention from the time that Sativus entered the room, the Ilharn d' Sril've Cress watched the assassin approach and give a brief report. Tapping his chin lightly, he nods at the words spoken, contemplating the next move of the game of political chess. "Tell them I am detained for the moment, and that I will meet with them at my earliest convenience. Keep up the ruse that they are guests, but double the guard on them....casually. I wish them to continue thinking they are here to nagotiate any thing on their behalf." With a flip of his wrist, he dismisses Sativus, adding as the assassin makes his way out of the chamber "I expect a full report from you on why a mage or cleric wasn't summoned for when a shrine was clearly before you..."
Sativus 01-05-05, 02:11 AM	Rises and makes his way towards the large doors to exit the audience chambe, turning and nodding lowly at the latest comment from the Ilharn. "As you wish" Making his way from the large building, he begins hand picking troops from the guard on his way towards the servants chamber of the compound where the 'guests' are being kept. His gaze falls to mages and clerics more then it normally would, attempting to compensate for his lack of summoning one earlier. Having doubled the number of scouts in the original party, he places their instructions with them, to move into the small cavern of the servants in small groups of 2 or 3, changing their attire to match that of the servants so that they might blend in. Having given the orders, he makes his way back through the portals to the building that the drow are being kept in. Opening the door to the sitting room, he addresses the female. "The Ilharn is detained for the present, but wishes me to inform you that he will entertain an audience with you at his earliest convenience."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-05-05, 02:48 AM	The scouts stepped through the portal to the compound and followed instructions as needed. The larger warrior who had detained the woman at the cavern broke away from the group and made his way to the training areas. Finding numerous drow being put through rigorous training exercises with weapons, obstacles, and various undead fodder, he moved along past the general training center and into a rather ominous looking black stone tower. Entering through a simple iron door, the warrior made his way down a corridor and to yet another door, this one wooden, where he knocked and waited. "Enter." replied the deep, serious tone of the man within the room. The scout opened the door and stepped inside, bowing before the drow sat at the desk. "Weapons master." The particularly large drow nodded in response to the greeting as he rose from his seat. An imposing presence, six feet tall and with the physical size of a strong human, Jaehral Ojaresk was one that even the specially trained weretiger troops knew to step carefully around. Jaehral regarded the drow with an expression that nearly transfixed him in place as he spoke, "I presume that you bring news if you have come here without a scheduled appointment. What have you to speak of?" The warrior stood straight with trained militaristic precision before answering, "One scout has been lost in battle while on a mission. As per your orders, this casualty was to be reported immediately, sir. He received a dagger to his chest while observing a portal being opened in the newly found cavern." The weapons master nodded slowly, taking up a piece of parchment and a howler's quill and jotting down a few notes, "Then I will have to increase the reflex training of all scouts. Thank you for the prompt report. You are dismissed, for now." The scout bowed once more, then turned back down the corridor, leaving the tower and returning along the way to the others.
House Or'lathi 01-05-05, 03:48 AM	The elder drow simply gave what would seem a compliant smile. Despite his outward appearance of naiveity, he knew this tactic of delaying as it was one he used himself in the past. "Tell your Ilharn that we will not wait forever." The female never even looks at Sativus, or any of the Cress drow for that matter, let alone addresses him, instead carefully taking in the surroundings. After the conversation is ended, the three nobles find the most comfortable seating available to them and settle in to wait.
Dark Chaos 01-05-05, 03:33 PM	Zentash, apparently forgotten (heh) by the others, studies the guests for a moment as the interaction takes place. once Sativus leaves the second time, he smiles to the visiting drow, bows his head to the female, then glides out.
Obsidian 01-05-05, 09:13 PM	After a few hours time, and running out of things to immediately do, Sev'anar rises from his large desk and makes for his chambers. He changes into slightly more dignified clothing then before, and plucks his piwafwi from the chair and makes his way towards the nearest set of portals. He motions to a few guards as he walks, gathering a very small following as he makes his way from chamber to chamber of the compound, eventually ending up in the one that the drow are kept. He moves towards the building they are being held in, nodding to those standing 'guard' before he enters. Glancing around, he quirks a brow ever so slightly, seeing the relatively small number of drow in the room, making note to speak with Sativus once again. Walking over to a high back chair, he lowers himself down into it, his braids hanging loosely around his shoulders as he glances between the three, eyes measuring each of them individually. "I do apologise for my delay, but there were important matters that demanded my attention. Now then, to what do we owe this pleasure of your visit from a portal prison? I would address you" nods to the female "directly, but I am not one to assume a matriarchal rule. Which ever of you feels compelled to speak first, you may do so..."
Dark Chaos 01-05-05, 09:22 PM	Zentash glides back in, minus his less than desirable company. Staff in on hand, a steaming cup of tea in the other. He nods to Sev'anar as he enters. "Apologies for my tardiness. I had to deal with something along a feline nature." He chuckles and leans against his staff, sipping at his aromatic tea, the dark orbs that serve as his eyes directed towards the guests.
House Or'lathi 01-05-05, 10:18 PM	It is once again the elder male who addresses the speaker, though the female watches Sev'anar with scrutiny and the younger male with impunity. "So the leader finally shows himself, or at least I would assume you are such of this establishment. Do tell us, who do we have the pleasure of dealing with?"
Obsidian 01-05-05, 10:26 PM	Sev'anar's eyes glide smoothly over to the oldest male, narrowing ever so slightly as he inspects the boy once again. "Your words clearly show that you have little experience in these matters boy. I have been introduced to you by the leader of the scout part that brought you here. If you pay so little attention to detail, then perhaps you should let someone else do the talking for you..." His posture durring his retort never changed, ever the cool and collected Ilharn. He glances to the younger male, quirking a thin brow ever so slightly "Do you wish to try your tongue? or will your responces be similar to that of your older male counterpart?"
House Or'lathi 01-05-05, 10:44 PM	The elder chuckles and replies with the utmost calm, "Your temper is heated even in the calm of your posture. Your scout leader mentioned the Ilharn would see us, but it would be unwise to simply assume you are he. We are foreigners to you. The perfect reason for ruses and falsities. You may take my question as ill-thought and rash if you so wish, and you may even question my age as you so boldly do, but be wary of a fool's tongue which speaks before it thinks." The younger male smirks slightly and adds, "I would dare say even I am older than you are, despite looks. You are a fool if you assume things at face value." The elder male motions for the younger's silence with a sigh before continuing. "Enough. We are not here to exchange insults with you. You have questions, I wager. Questions which we will answer as we can. Consider that your 'thanks' for our release."
Obsidian 01-05-05, 10:49 PM	Smirks between the two males, chuckling lightly to himself. "Very well, we shall play your game. I am Sev'anar, Ilharn d' Sril've Cress. As for you...Who are you? Why were you locked in said portal that my scouts released you from? Where was it you were trapped? And why do you, as three drow, feel that you are in possition to offer me 'thanks' when you are currently in -my- compound." The smirk lingers on his lips as he looks from the oldest to the youngest, awaiting their reaction
House Or'lathi 01-05-05, 11:06 PM	The elder male smiles, speaking before the younger male can interject. It is fairly obvious that the younger male was going to say something, but he stops when them elder speaks. "Yes, I thought you might say that, but the fact is, this isn't really your compund, is it." It is not a question, but a statment made with the utmost certainty.
Obsidian 01-05-05, 11:09 PM	Quirks a brow slightly at the male "Yes, it is. When a domain is abandoned, it is left for any to claim who wish it. If it is to be reclaimed, then there must be a reason for the new residents to be removed. Now for your answers, or we shall consider this 'meeting' concluded...."
House Or'lathi 01-05-05, 11:52 PM	His smile grows just slightly. "As you wish. I am Raum Or'lathi. The lady is my lovely bride and companion, Impalia, and the young one is my son, Elzirath. The others are warriors, Kiran and Ixziel. We are the last remaining drow of House Or'lathi. As for the portal, we know not much about it ourselves save that it was sealed after we had been shut on the other side. If you wish to know more, perhaps your scouts should investigate it."
Obsidian 01-05-05, 11:56 PM	Chuckling lightly, he leans back in his chair, shaking his head at the last part. "I dare think not, as you yourselves were trapped there for quite some time. With your knowledge of the original compound not being our own, you must be part of the previous inhabitants. Sorry to inform you, but we are not leaving anytime soon. If you wish, we can find you a new home, but we're quite comfortable where we are now. You have yet to mention what circumstances found you trapped in that portal....ones I assume were more then mere curiosity if your entire house was abandonded."
House Or'lathi 01-06-05, 07:54 AM	"Time does much to the memory, and who knows how long we have been stuck in that portal. Perhaps we will have more to tell you once we have rested. Dear Impalia is weary."
Obsidian 01-06-05, 09:45 AM	Can't help but chuckle at the obvious delay the male is making. Glancing around the room at the guard posted, he looks back to the three. "Yet...you were full of enough energy to fight my scouts. Very well....this game will continue a bit longer...though my patience will only last so long..." He rises from his seat, turning without saying another word, and motions Zentash to follow him. Once they are outside, he turns to the floating wonder and glances back at the door. "Seal it. If they wish to play games, then they will wait there til I'm bored enough to play with them again."
Obsidian 01-06-05, 09:50 AM	((to all the house members who've been watching and following along, since things have progressed back to the compound, you are more then welcome to begin posting. :P ))
Jhessailyn 01-06-05, 12:39 PM	In the bedroom of a tower in the center of the compound, a young woman gives a contented purr as she stretches. Her shining white hair is tousled over her shoulders and her sky-blue eyes are smiling as she gazes at her companion. "It would be nice if our duties didn't keep separating us, 'chev. But I must say, being apart so often makes the time spent together that much nicer." She swings her legs off the bed and stands, padding barefoot across the room to where the remains of a meal sit. Pouring herself some wine, she glances idly out the window as she sips. Movement below in the compound attacts her attention. "Huh. That looks like the Ilharn," she comments aloud. "I wonder what that's all about. Oh well. If it's something important, I'm sure you'll hear about it sooner or later, right, Rym'dael?" She heads back towards the bed, hips swaying gently as she walks. "Would you like some music?" she asks, nodding towards the lute propped against a chair. "Or is there something else you'd like from me right now?" Jhessailyn's smile grows seductive as she awaits Rym'dael's response.
Dark Chaos 01-06-05, 02:43 PM	Zentash glides out with Sev'anar. He turns and motions with the staff. blackfire erupts from the crystal and coats the only entrance to the building. A flash, and the the fire vanishes, leaving the wall solid stone, the door having become part of the wall itself. He smirks and looks back to Sev'anar. "I wouldn't let them remain in there for too long. They have enough air for about a day, then we have 5 corpses on our hands." The 'floating wonder' tilts his head a bit, then chuckles. "Of course, I can always add them to the army if that happens." He sips at his tea as he glides along side the Ilharn.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 01-06-05, 05:36 PM	She wipes the sweat from her face and pushes back the damp strands of white hair that have escaped from her braid. (Bastard sword... no wonder the humans call it that! My wrist is breaking from its weight.) Taking a few gulps of water. she notes the scout as he goes past the training areas towards the stone tower. (Not Sativas. And not the whole of the group, looking for other assignment. And this one moved swiftly, with purpose. Something happened. And now he returns and still with purpose, as to some continued duty and need. So it is not over.) She throws a quick glance over her shoulder to check if her opponent is ready. (It is unlikely to concern me though. And if it does... then I will hear of it.) Murmuring a word to the collar makes the black plate armor flow out once more over her slender yet well-muscled form. Grabbing up the sword, she moves back into the circle with a smirk that belies her weariness, "Again. Let us try this again. Till I get it right!" Her sparring partner nods his head heavily and takes up position. Again the swords clash, and again her mind fills with the pleasing concentration of combat, no other thoughts disturbing it.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-06-05, 07:19 PM	Jaehral rolled the parchment closed and placed it onto a small stack of scrolls on the desk as he stepped away. Moving to a wall in the office, he traced his hand over a set of runes surrounding a fairly large piece of glass while uttering a single word. The glass seemed to ripple as the image of the present training came up. He nodded to himself as he observed through the stationary scrying window, . o O ( She progresses well... good. ) The man stepped away and gathered a pair of scrolls from the desk, then exited the office through a back door. Following a short corridor out of the building, he began to make his way elsewhere, observing the training of the men and women of the house guard momentarily. Pausing near his team of sergeants, he spoke to them all clearly, "Ensure that the training continues while I am away, I have research to carry out. I expect a full report of any signs of weakness on my desk when I return." The sergeants nodded in unison at the order and moved about the training grounds, marching in full hybrid form and towering over the drow soldiers in training, their striped white fur making them plainly identifiable. Jaehral continued on for a few steps, pausing to stand by a shadow at the cavern's wall and watching the troops. Glancing from the corner of his eye to the shadow, he smirked slightly as he spoke quietly to the hidden woman stationed there, "And I expect you to report the actions of the sergeants, naturally." The concealed woman nodded in return, making no sound as she remained in her viewing post. The weapons master continued on having given assignments out, proceeding to his research room.
Korruute'mas 01-06-05, 07:37 PM	The distinct smell of the grave filled the small natural cavern beneath the partially finished cathedral. The milling number of ghouls and ghasts saw to that. This was a house of the dead, a necropolis dedicated to the drow goddess of undeath. Mortuaries had been built recently, housing several of the undead soldiers conscripted into the military of Sril've Cress. The darkness at the deepest end of this particular cavern ceased stirring as its prime denizen settled into place, newly returned from a weeks long journey. The draegloth was wounded. Cuts and punctures that would appear dreadfully painful to the living seemed to hinder him little more than to slow his joints. His utterly malevolent orange glowing eyes were the only light down here, casting his bestial face in an eerie sheen, skin drawn tight over centuries old bones, intricately made scars of arcane rituals traced in the haunting illumination. The ghouls moved around in the darkness, gathering the pungeant materials native to the cave and mixing them in two small stone bowls into a fine paste. Drawing nearer to the draegloth they called master, they bowed and offered the paste to the monstrosity as if giving over a sacrifice in a nearly religious ritual. Korruute'mas took the bowls in his large hands, then used his smaller hands to place the solvent into his wounds, hissing in the darkness as he entered into a lifeless trance and allowed the paste to begin to work, oblivious to the continuing construction of stonemasons above.
House Or'lathi 01-06-05, 08:13 PM	They bided their time once the Ilharn left remaining seated and conversing between themselves in hushed tones. "He did not buy it, Raum. You always were a terrible liar." "My dear Impalia, the point was not that he believe my words, but that he leave. We have much to do. Elzirath, some cover my dear boy.' A spoken word and the ruse was in place. To all appearances, the three nobles sat about conversing between themselves having their warriors dote on their whims as they deemed neccessary. Behind the veil, though, the three nobles were calling something. Staring into a small green portal much in appearance like the one they came from, Impalia spoke. "My Lord, we are ready. All is set for your arrival. You have only tell us when and we will bridge the gap between these worlds." Raum spoke next. "My Lord, we are ready. We await the will of the Destroyer so we may see it done." Finally Elzirath spoke. "My Lord, we are ready. The seals have been broken and the time of your release is at hand." Then they waited.
Sokoya_jinique 01-06-05, 08:26 PM	A young woman sits on a simple bed, in a relatively simple room. She eyes the small dagger that lays on the floor at her feet quietly for some time. Many minutes pass, and she rises. Leaving the dagger behind, she leaves the room calmly; the door remaining open; and walks into the next unoccupied room, some 8-10 feet away. Taking a seat upon the empty bed there and waiting, she watches the open door alertly for quite some time. The dagger soon flies through the open door of the room she occupies, and finds it's mark at her feet in the floor. Sokoya tilts her head slowly, and looks at the returned dagger for some time before murmering to herself in question: How is this able to happen? She draws in a breath and reaches down, retrieving the dagger and moving out of the room, heading for the training circles, in hopes of answering her own question. Slight confusion and curiosity in her expression. . o O (Perhaps Chelyrra will know..)
carthamus 01-07-05, 09:06 PM	A dark figure scuttles across the roofs of some of the buildings. It easily leaps from rooftop to rooftop of the stone buildings that make up the housing quarter of the compound. A slight giggle can be heard from time to time. It pauses, looking down at the ilharn and the floating wonder. Curious, Carthamus drops down from the roof, landing in a crouch in a shadow. He skulks from shadow to shadow until he reaches a corner across from the building Sev'anar and Zentash just exited. He rubs at his head and watches, curiously.
Klil'og'elend 01-07-05, 10:59 PM	As Raum, Impalia, and Elzirath watched the small portal a voice from the other side spoke. "You have done well my disciples. Now is the time for observation". A vapor starts to emerge from the portal, and then another, and another, until a total of 10 invisible vaporish and silent creatures have exited the portal. "These are my scouts. They will observe the enemies defenses and find thier weaknesses. Keep the fools of this compound busy." Each of the formless creatures then silently began leaving the building that they are in, floating through the smallest of cracks in the walls and roof, each in a different direction. They're destination is the hidden corners of Sriv'le Cress. To watch and to report to thier master. "Elzirath" said the voice on the other side of the portal, "once the Errdegahr'Venorik are in place, you are to break this. Casting it's energies into the center of this cave". Through the portal came a Sapphire rod, 1/4" thick and 6 " long. The young drow snatched it quickly, a smile crosses his face as he does so. "Its time to prepare" says Raum Impalia starts to draw a Symbol of insanity directly on the opposite wall where the door was (a trap for the hopefully unsuspecting Ilharn, the trigger is set for looking at the rune). Raum begins to chant and the portal grows large enough to fit the tallest humans. Elzirath stares at the sapphire rod, as if it were a gift from the gods. The 2 warriors stand guard, listening for any sign of interruption. 10 minutes pass. The portal is now 8' in diameter and Impalia has finished her Rune. Through the portal steps 4 statue like stone creatures adorned head to toe with magical protective runes and proceed to the 4 corners of the room. Raum, Impalia and the 2 warriors Kiral and Ixziel step through the portal and disappear. Elzirath smiles, looks for the last time on his precious gift, then cracks it in two."lets see how you deal with this". Energy shoots out from the broken rod, through the walls and out into the middle of this cave, where it forms into a gate 25 feet long and 15 feet tall. Then Elzirath steps through the portal and it vanishes behind him. Once the gate reaches it's full size, through it steps 20 humanish looking greyish demons 3' tall with twisted smiles on thier misshappen heads. each has cast a hypnotic pattern in front of them, trying to capture the residents of this cave. Behind them stem 5 15' tall demonic beings, protective flames surround them and the 30' cat-o-nine tails whips swing menacingly as they turn towards the inhabitants.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-08-05, 12:17 PM	Rolling over in the lavish bed, he rubs his eyes, wiping the sleep from them, as he looks up to Jhess with a grin. His hands move up to run through his thick mane of black hair as he slides over to the edge of the bed to sit directly before her. "Well now, such difficult choices. You do know that I enjoy your music...I've become quite fond of it actually. Then again....." He reaches up to pull Jhess down onto the bed with him, but stops short of doing so, a slight quirk to his brow as he seems to be listening to something unheard. Sighing slightly, he rises from the bed and moves to give Jhess a kiss on the cheek before he slides over to his wardrobe, pulling one of his robes from its depths. "You were right, I did hear about it if it was something important. The Ilharn wishes audience with me post haste. Hold that thought for me though 'chev, yes?" Sliding into his robes, he looks over his shoulder with a grin and a wink as he slips his two daggers into the sleaves of the robes and into their sheeths. Slipping on his boots, he leans his head from side to side, cracking his neck slightly and then turns to Jhess. "Wish me luck...he seems to be of an ill temperment this day. I'll let you know more when I do."
Jhessailyn 01-08-05, 12:31 PM	She sighs and gives Rym'dael a kiss. "There you go, 'chev, for luck. I'll wait here, unless you let me know otherwise." She slides back into the bed and lights a single candle on the nightstand as he leaves. Then she pulls out a trashy romance novel and begins to read while awaiting his return.
Sokoya_jinique 01-08-05, 01:21 PM	Making her way to the training circles didn't take much time. She paused nearby as she spotted Chelyrra practicing. Waiting quietly off to the side, she watched the spar, a small smile on her lips.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-08-05, 09:26 PM	The guards stationed in the cavern looked toward the gate from their assigned inconspicuous tasks in shock, several of them uttering a number of drow curses as they rose to their feet. Two runners instinctively began making their way through the narrow streets in an attempt to leave the cavern to gather help. The majority of the others skew their mundane disguises and withdraw their ranged weapons, a few of them falling into the nearly hypnotized state from the patterns in the air. Those that retain their senses move for cover and aim their crossbows and dart casters for one of the larger fiendish beings near the center, launching volleys in a concerted effort of ingrained training. Those that do not retain their senses, however, stop halfway from their seats and continue to observe the fascinating spectrums before them.
carthamus 01-08-05, 09:40 PM	The small drow blinks, then shakes his head. "No no.....not good." Carthamus sweeps both hands across his belt, snapping up two throwing spiders each and leaps towards the oncoming demons. With a speed quicker than the guards he quickly passes by them and flings two of the spiders at the nearest smaller demon. He pivots and tucks into a roll to the right, sending two more at the same creature, his legs never stopping as he scurries back, glancing over his shoulder to see the result of his attacks.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 01-09-05, 01:47 AM	(I cannot hold it much longer... can that be used?) Gathering her strength and using both hands she swings the sword into an arching overhand blow to her opponent. The male raises his own sword in a perpendicular block as expected. What isn't expected is the push that she gives to the hilt of the bastard sword, shoving it out of her hands to go up and over the blocking blade. With an oath, the block is raised higher but that only helps tumble the heavy sword inside the block. As he steps hurriedly back from it, he finds Chelyrra at his side, the point of one dagger pricking his neck and another digging into his ribs. "Yield," she suggests. The bastard sword hits the sand, slicing into the leather of the other fighter's boot along the way. An hiss of in-drawn breath, and the other sword drops to the sand as well. She grins. "Good! Then we are done." She considers. "For now." Sheathing the daggers, she looks over to the newly noticed Sokoya and smiles. "Vendui! What brings you here? More training of your own?" A wave of her hand dismisses the male. (I must find a better opponent... he should not have been so easily distracted.)
Sokoya_jinique 01-09-05, 12:51 PM	She smiles some as Chelyrra's battle ends, and offers a small clap in her victory before speaking softly. Perhaps, but you asked me to tell you about the result of putting the dagger in a room and moving to another.. She pauses, and speaks once more And the result is that it returned. Is this part of my power? I thought perhaps you might know.. She looks to Chel, but does not meet her eyes. Her expression showing some confusion, but more curiosity as she awaits a response.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-09-05, 12:58 PM	Grinning at Jhessalyn, he steps over onto a ornately carved platform and speaks the command word, shimmering from view with a wink at Jhess. He reappears in the main audience chamber, making is way towards the Ilharn. "I have heard your summons Ilharn, what might I do to help?"
Obsidian 01-09-05, 01:03 PM	Sevanar looks up from his books, some of the texts left in the compound when it was claimed by Sril've Cress. "What can you tell me of the house that formerly inhabited this compound?" Shaking his head slightly, he goes back to reading the book "Vague details I can likely find in these texts...go to the servants province, there are three that claim to be from that former house 'waiting' in one of the houses there. Get more information from them directly if you would?"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-09-05, 01:12 PM	Bowing his head lowly, he takes quick mental note of the spells that he has remaining to him, noting that most of them would do little for gleening information from unwilling partisipants. "It shall be done Ilharn" With another zealous bow, he turns and makes his way from the audience chamber, pondering if he should go and fetch Zentash and his 'pets' for this task, but saving that as a last resort. His mind sidetracks for a moment, realizing that Jhess is still waiting for him, as he smirks slightly, directing his thoughts to her. . o O('Chev, seems there is some trouble brewing, though I am not sure to its severity as of yet. Perhaps we can save those thoughts for a later date, for now I believe it best if you were to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.) Clearing his head, he makes his way through the portals, coming to finally see that the servant province is under attack. Sighing slightly at the sceene before him, he moves quickly to survey the situation, spotting the larger demons that are somewhat encircled by the smaller ones. . o O(hmmm....interesting....nothing to bother much over, but interesting none the less) Speaking softly to himself, he mutters the incantation and aims his hand in the direction of the large demons, an enlarged fireball hissing and screaming its way from his hand towards the large demons. . o O(Now...do I let them play for a while, or end this quickly....that's always the question)
Jhessailyn 01-09-05, 01:46 PM	His mind sidetracks for a moment, realizing that Jhess is still waiting for him, as he smirks slightly, directing his thoughts to her. . o O('Chev, seems there is some trouble brewing, though I am not sure to its severity as of yet. Perhaps we can save those thoughts for a later date, for now I believe it best if you were to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.) Jhessailyn looks up from her reading as Rym'dael's thought reaches her. With a sigh of disappointment, she puts the book away and climbs out of bed, heading for the chest in which she keeps a bit of spare clothing here in his apartments. . o O (He said to prepare for the worst. A raid of some sort, perhaps? Best to put on the breeches now, rather than head back to my place to change from my dress. And I'll leave the lute here, it's too unwieldy to use for casting from hiding, singing or humming is easier. I wonder what's going on?) She dresses quickly and efficiently, concealing several daggers about her person in addition to the rapier and dagger on her belt. She braids her hair tightly to keep it from her eyes, then extinguishes the candle before stepping onto the ornate platform and speaking the command word. As she shimmers into view outside the tower, she glances around alertly. Few people are visible in this portion of the compound, and none of them seem to be concerned with possible trouble. . o O (Right. So whatever it is, it's still isolated for the moment.) After a moment of consideration, she heads for the training circles. Giving Chelyrra and Sokoya a wave when she arrives, she proceeds to the archery range. Unlike most of the others practicing there, she bypasses the crossbows in favor of a sturdy short bow. She sends arrow after arrow into her target. . o O (And should the trouble grow worse, I've got an extra weapon with me now.)
Chelyrra_Eredyn 01-09-05, 01:54 PM	She pushes more of the sweat-dampened hair out of her face and returns the wave to Jhessailyn as she considers the problem, but then shakes her head. "Bah! I know much of daggers. Of magic, only a little. Of the powers you use, nothing at all. I cannot help much in this, only make suggestions as might test it further. What if the dagger is bound or shut away and cannot fly to you, and such. You should speak to the ilharn on it, his is the best knowledge." Retrieving the sword, she looks to the other woman with a dry smile, "Surely that would not distress you, to talk to him." "For me, I need to clean up and let my wrists recover. May the rest of this day be a quiet one."
Sokoya_jinique 01-09-05, 07:05 PM	She nods with a small wave to jhess in her passing, before looking back to Chel, accepting her response with a small smile. That is a good idea, I shall ask the llharn next i see him. I think perhaps i will further test this as well. Enjoy the rest, Chelyrra. Aluve. With that said, she makes her way toward an available circle, spotting some random male training with daggers. Stepping into the circle, and unsheathing the two daggers at her belt, she says softly to him her request. Spar, perhaps The male nodded simply and moved to a general fighting stance. She gestures to attack, and the male spurts forward, spinning and slashing as he nears. Her eyes trained on the male's face, blade on blade contact being made as she turns with him, and blocking the first attacks, only to falter the last, catching a minor slice to her forearm. Wincing faintly, she advances on the male, taking the offensive and slashing high then low. Her eyes still trained upon the male's face. A look of quiet determination present. . o O(I will practice until I get it correct..)
Klil'og'elend 01-09-05, 07:50 PM	As the battle begins 10 of the smaller demons begin to move thier hypnotic patters back through the gate (with thier hypnotized victims following) while the other 10 smaller demons move thier hypnotic patterns further into the cave to capture more victims. Carthamus' throwing spiders bury themselves deeply into one of the demons moving deeper into the cave. The demon lets out a bloodcurdling scream as its form here is destroyed and is sent bact to whence it came. The guards metal crossbow bolts and darts pass through the larger demon leaving him completely unscathed. One of the Errdegahr'Venorik attempts to follow the guards that are going for help. With the precision of a thousand years of training the large demons react to Carthamus' attack and Rymdaels' spell. One of the large demons turns towards Carthamus and attampts to use his whip to entangle Carthamus. The second large demon teleports to within 20' of Rymdael and trys to use his whip to wound Rymdael. The 3rd and 4th large demon each move forward cast a fireball back at Rymdael. The 5th large demon backs off and defends the gate, hearding any entranced drow through the gate. Rymdaels' fireball strikes near the 3rd large demon. The large demons seem to be completely unaffected by the fireball. 15 of the 19 remaining small demons are able to dive / dodge out of the fireballs area. The other 4 are incinerated in the firey blast.
carthamus 01-09-05, 08:02 PM	The strange little drow with the mohawk blinks and scurries backwards. "no no no no....no whip for carth!" He jumps and twists his body as he avoids the entangling attempt, as he hurls two daggers at the hands of the beast, hoping to decrease the demon's whipping ability.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-09-05, 08:36 PM	Having spent many a battle in the abyss lately, Rym'dael knew his fireball was but a slight distraction at best, as he was already chanting then incantation for another spell as it left his hand. Placing his hands on the ground, he finishes the incantation and grins malisciously as a hand shoots itself from the ground, rising up to grasp at the nearest large demon as the rest of its body rumbles from the floor of the cavern. "Rise my friend...and come out to play....hmm...." Glancing down at his waist, he sees the whip wrap around him. With a grin, he looks up at the demon weilding it and shakes his head. "Not your smartest of moves...." Taking a firm grip on the whip, he yanks with strength beyond his size, attempting to pull the whip and its weilder towards him swiftly. Regardless of success, he rushes towards the demon with great agility and speed, even with having the whip around him, speaking an incantation softly to himself as he rushes in towards either the stationary(or approaching)demon, rushing out of the way of the incoming fireballs and releasing his spell of Implosion on the towering monstrosity
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-10-05, 04:57 AM	The guards growled and cursed as they watched their hynotized compatriots being drawn off. Pulling their night goggles from their belts and sliding them into place to ward off the swirling light, they switched from crossbows to short swords and broadswords. The average sized guards moved quickly, aiming to skirmish the small demons with slashes, stabs, slices, anything they can manage in an attempt to bring them low. The larger guards move in more steadily. The majority of the larger guards take up point positions in an attempt to cordon off the small demons' progress. One, however, catches sight of the vaporous being following the runners. With an uttered curse, he makes chase, shifting into hybrid form mid-stride and darting for a separate alleyway, hoping to divert the creature from the others. The two runners split up, taking different directions, one heading north, the other heading east along divergent alleys, ignorant of what has begun following them. * * * Elsewhere... Jaehral continued to make his way to his research room, taking a small winding tunnel to the end and an iron door. Stepping inside carefully, he flicked a tindertwig from its holder and lit a torch. The room was empty save for a work table and a newly arrived wooden crate filled with horns and antlers and a sturdy tree branch. . o O ( Now to piece this thing back together... ) He pulled up a stool and set the branch on the table, proceeding to lay out the horns and antlers in a piecemeal fashion. Furrowing his brows, he shook his head. . o O ( How does this qualify as a weapon? Only a lunatic would actually use this in combat... Feh... this can wait for days ahead. ) He rose from the seat and turned deeper into the room, taking the torch and stepping into a stairwell and ascending into the front room of his quarters. He grinned as a glint of light caught his eye, the pair of axes resting on his wall. . o O ( The new enchantments have been placed early, I was not expecting them back for a few more days yet... ) He hefted the axes into his hands once the torch was secured in a holder. Giving them a few spins, he grinned and returned them to the loops at his sides, muttering to himself in the empty place, "Now to find something to test them on..."
Korruute'mas 01-10-05, 05:22 AM	The draegloth nearly slept. Not the sleep of the living, but a sleep all the same. His dessicated flesh was knitting itself back together slowly, methodically, as if the injuries were being reversed at a drastically reduced rate. The black paste sped the healing, the scent of grave dirt and undead ichor becoming one making the air nearly unbreathable, or at least beyond the resolution of most living beings to endure. His mind wandered in his catatonic rest. The three-quarter fiend dreamt. The horrors. The horrors within the mind of a demon-bred drow tuned to the dreadful music of negative energy. Undeath and evil fused as one symphony of darkness. He saw his own memories in this state. The days of his childhood spent locked in a chamber on nothing more than dried mushroom gills and fed nothing but the corpses of dead slaves. The days when all he felt was hatred and loathing for all around him. The days before he sought his freedom. His face twitched at the thoughts in his head even as his tissue reconnected to itself and began to fuse back together, the old feelings welling up in his cold veins. His thoughts sped forward, to the fall of his oppressors. To his fall at the hands of Lolth's assassins. To his reanimation. To his vengeance and the deaths of his tormentors. To the feeling he had when he struck the final blows against his former matron and her mages. The satisfaction of seeing those who had driven him to madness destroyed. The draegloth's clawed hands twitched as a low rumble left his throat, almost a laugh, but utterly lacking any humor or humanity. His wounds had healed. His mind's eye continued on, to visions unfamiliar to him. Things he had never seen before. Blood red skies and charred battlefields piled with the dead of a dozen armies, grim spectres floating adrift in the maddening aftermath of a disastrous war, and pyres lit for the defeated and for those yet living. And a final image of four beings astride great beasts on the horizon, black against the abysmal sky. The dark visage smiled in the lightless cave as his eyelids slowly drew back, unleashing the malevolent orange light of his eyes upon the cavern once more.
Sovix Kar'jias 01-10-05, 01:22 PM	Scuttling through the caverns towards the cathedral came an eight legged monstrosity. His upper half was decidedly drow, but like a tauric creature, he was all animal from the waist down. Or rather all vermin. The lower half of the creature was the abdomen of a large, monstrous spider. As he approached, Sovix paused with a grimace, examining the necropolis/cathedral being built. "...That...is not even funny," he muttered to himself before inhaling deeply and pushing forward up to steps inside to where Korruute'mas sat healing, pushing past the hands of the ever hungry undead. He waved a hand in front of the demonic face resting before him and nearly jumped out of his skin when Korruute'mas' eyes snapped open. "Gods! Are you trying to scare me to death?" he squeaked, trying to regain his composure.
Korruute'mas 01-10-05, 07:47 PM	The ghouls shrank away, their wild eyes visible only as specks of the orange glow reflected in the darkness. The feral undead skulked away into the recesses of the cavern's depths, cracks and nooks in the unworked walls serving as lairs and dens for the unliving watchdogs. Korruute'mas smirked dryly at the drider, the dried, scarred skin of his face looking as if drawn to the point of nearly cracking. With a slow, methodical voice like stone grating against dried bone, he spoke. "No... though it... was a.... welcome... side effect..." The draegloth rose to his feet, stretching his shoulders and letting out a low, gravelly sound from his throat, like the rumble of a large reptile. The scent of the necrotic paste began to lift as the stairway up from this cavern allowed it to leave, the source now absorbed in the death knight's flesh. "So what... brings you... here... this day...?"
Sovix Kar'jias 01-10-05, 07:59 PM	Glancing around the interior of the cathedral, Sovix replies dryly "Oh, the Ilharn thought I should come down and see how the new temple was progressing..." He mutters aside, "Lucky me..." "And since I'm here, I might as well check on your wounds, if need be." As he speaks he continues to survey the interior with a touch of some caution, perhaps even more like a form of disgust.
Korruute'mas 01-10-05, 08:12 PM	The draegloth nodded slowly as he looked himself over. "The wounds... have healed... My former... teacher had... retained... his skill..." Moving away from the natural stone seat he had placed himself upon, the undead monstrosity made his way to the corner beside him, gathering his sword harness and slinging it into place across his shoulders, repeating a single word with an added gravelly chuckle. "Had..." "But... no matter... What do... you think... of this... wondrous structure..?"
Sovix Kar'jias 01-10-05, 09:19 PM	For a long moment, Sovix pondered on what to say finally settling on, "The phrase 'horrific' comes to mind."
Klil'og'elend 01-10-05, 09:29 PM	* * * The large demon smiles at the sight of Rymdael grasping the whip. A large bolt of electicity is released from the demon through the whip and into Rymdael. His smile quickly changes to a look of horror as he is yanked closer to Rymdael (actually bringing Rymdael into the flames that surround him) and Rymdaels' spell penetrates his Spell resistance. In a flash, the body of the demon is crushed by the spell then explodes violently, sending the demon back to the hell he came from. * * * As Carthamus scurries backwards the large Demon begins to move forward towards him, again attempting to entangle him in the whip twice more. The daggers that Carthamus hurled pass through the hands of the demon as if its' hands weren't there. * * * The 10 small demons finish moving thier hypnotic patterns through the gate (thier hypnotized victims follow through) and turn to see the guards changing tactics. Immediately they cast sleep spells trying to knock out the drow defenders. The 9 other small demons send thier hypnotic patterns towards the gate (taking whatever victims with them) and each casts burning hands towards the average sized guards. The 2 larger Demons that moved forward turn and attack the guards twice each with thier cat-o-ninetails whips, intending to rip the flesh from thier opponents. A aura of terror emmanates from them as they attack. * * * The Large Demon that backed off to guard the gate casts a wall of force 15' in front of the gate 30' long and 20' high, creating a defensive barrier for the gate. * * * The vaporous being follows the north running guard, intent on it's target it does not see it has been noticed.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-10-05, 09:59 PM	The skirmishing guards continue unimpeded by the sleep effects, aiming their blades for the bodies of the small demons in arcs, slashes, and stabs, though a number of them are subsequently lifted from the ground and flayed by the nine-tailed whips, scorched by the following flames. The larger guards wade backward, knowing they can not hold against the larger demons, aiming their blades for the lashes of the whips as they attempt a small scale retreat out of reach. The runner moving north continues onward, unwittingly drawing the vaporous being along toward the temple cavern. The young, agile drow races down the tunnel, the massive monolithic building in view though a fair distance yet remains. The runner moving east rushes out into the main caverns, weaving his way through tunnels and corridors until reaching his destination, knocking on a large iron door. * * * Elsewhere... Jaehral picked up a leather helm, adding a protective layer onto his head as he prepared himself. . o O ( Perhaps a brief hunt is in order... ) He gathered up a simple looking black quiver and attached it to his belt, then pulled a pair of fingerless gloves into place. He made his way to his door, but paused with a raised eyebrow at the knock he heard on the other side... . o O ( What's this... ) He opened the door, seeing the exhausted runner behind and furrowed his brows. "You look like you've seen some trouble... What is it? "De... demons..." the runner panted as he leaned against the wall, "invading the servants' sector..."
Korruute'mas 01-10-05, 10:10 PM	"Horrific? It isn't... even completed... just yet... Wait until... the torso... is... fully sculpted..." The draegloth grinned coldly as he picked up a scroll from a small makeshift table, handing it over to Sovix. "This... is a... sketch of... what the... final structure... will... look like... in all... its glory..." The gravelly chuckle returned as he watched the drider, the ghouls echoing the sound in an unsettling manner, their humor mixed with the gurgle of their particular form of undeath.
Sovix Kar'jias 01-11-05, 08:19 PM	If it were possible for a drow to look "green around the gills", Sovix would have. His eye twitched just slightly as he looked over the design and managed to squeak out, "Lovely...just...lovely." He gave Korr a pat on the shoulder and added, "Congratulations, you've reached a new level of ....grotesque." Meanwhile, a thought drifts to Sev. . o O (Alright, Ilharn, the joke's on me...ha ha)
carthamus 01-12-05, 06:54 PM	Carth's face twists in annoyance as he sees his daggers go right through the demon. "Foo.....good daggers. Carth show you!" He lithe little drow twists and bends his body as he evades the tentacles, moving out of their range. He seems to be fleeing the scene, but stops and reverses his direction, running directly towards the demon. He ducks under one tentacle and grabs ahold of another. Regardless of the electrical shock that courses through the appendage into the bizarre drow's body (which does a number on his mohawk, by the way), and runs around the demon, diving over and ducking under the other tentacles, in an attempt to twist, tie, and generally confuse and annoy the tentacled beast. Carth's teeth chatter and whisps of smoke begin to eminate from his hands where he grips the tentacle.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-15-05, 06:14 PM	A grin slips to his face as he watches his spell take effect on the demon, folding in upon itself with a look of horror as Rym shakes the static from his hair. That grin quickly slips away as the concussion blast from the imploding demon sends him flying backwards, his momentum taking him into the nearest cavern wall with a rouch impact against the stone, knocking some of the breath from him as he slides down the wall. . o O(..........ow......owwww......owwwwww.. ..that -really- hurt) Pulling himself to his feet, he shakes the cobwebs from his head and unwraps the whip from around his waste, glancing around and finding his summoned elemental swinging and causing general chaos amongst the smaller demons. . o O(Thick you block head!) In responce to Rym's thoughts, the earth elemental glances around then up towards the ceiling of the cavern. With a grinding sound of stone on stone, his arms shoot yup to the ceiling of the cavern, striking it hard and sending cracks through it. The cracks branch out only slightly, as the elemental uses his knowledge of earth to limit the damge to the integrity of the chamber, but sends the fissure towards the portal, watching it spread as it nears the area over the portal, attempting to cause a cave in of that section to burry the portal. Rym'dael quirks a brow, tilting his head slightly to the side as he watches the elemental work. "Hmmm....not how I would have done it....but I guess if it gets the job done..." Looking around, the short breaking allowing him to regain his breath after the impact, he looks back to see what nasty demons are closest to him. He glances down at the whip he uncoiled from his waist, grumbling slightly about it being too big to have fun with, and stalks off towards the nearest demon to take out his frustrations on. "Heeeereee demon demon demon demon.....Rym's got a surprise for youuuuu....."
Klil'og'elend 01-18-05, 05:53 AM	The 9 smaller demons and the drow guards clash in hand to hand combat. The melee that ensues is vicious. Claw and fang vs sword and dagger. Slowly the drow seem to be gaining the advantage as 3 of the 9 small demons fall. The other 10 smaller demons, seeing that thier sleep spells were ineffective and the other small demons losing thier melee, decide to summon more help. And successfully summon 10 more smaller demons near the hand to hand combat. * * * 1 of the 2 large demons fighting the larger Drow guards notices the elementals' attempt to collapse a portion of the cave and casts dismissal at him (hoping to send him away). The other large demon snaps his whip into the larger guards ranks. 1 of the guards strikes at the whip and gets his arm tangled in it. A bolt of electricity goes through the whip and into the guard as the demon pulls his victim into the flames surrounding him. Within seconds the guard is dead, unraveling out from the whip as the large demon steps on the now lifeless body. * * * The large demon is caught by surprise as Carthamus charges him. As Carthamus grabs on to the demon a bolt of electricity is sent from the demon into Carthamus. The flames surrounding the demon singe the small drow, seemingly doing far less damage to Carthamus than it did to the guard. Carthamus' attempt at grappling with the demon proves fruitless as the strength of the demon is far more than Carthamus'. The demon then tries to grapple with Carthamus, hoping to hold him within the flames. * * * The demon nearest the gate casts another wall of force, this one on an angle from the top of the first wall of force creating a roof over the gate. He then turns towards the gate and says "The wall is up". Then 3 more large demons appear through the gate. * * * The Vaporish demon continues to follow the runner taking note of the large temple in the middle of the cavern. It takes note of the symbols in the area. "Master", it says in a hushed voice, "this is whom they worship". The creature is still unaware that it is being followed.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-18-05, 11:11 PM	Something along the lines of an angry growl eminates from the elemental, seeing his cave in stopped by the forcewall. His attention is slightly diverted by the spell of dismissal cast by the demon, shrugging it off and lumbering towards the portal through the throngs of demons, both big and small, and drow before stopping well short of it. It lowers its hands, or what closely look like hands, to the ground. As it draws them back up, large stone collums follow around the portal, in effect attempting to finish the box around the portal, that was started by the two force walls. ======================================== ======================================== Rym grumbles as he walks around, seeing small demons scurrying away from him after what he did to one of the larger ones. "awwww.....nobody wants ta play wif me...." Its then, at quite a distance, he spots the two demons attacking a large group of defenders. A sly, maliscious smirk slips to his lips as a plan quickly formulates in his mind. Speaking softly to himself, he chants the incantation and teleports himself silently behind the two attacking demons, walking up between them like he has every right in the world to be there. "Yeah.....that hit looked like it hurt. Hit him again....and again....and again. Maybe we can even capture some of them to torture later, what do you think?" He looks up between the two demons, smug grin lingering on his lips as he looks from one to the other.
Sokoya_jinique 01-18-05, 11:41 PM	Panting for breath, she drops to her knees in the training circle and speaks with a dry voice to the male, her daggers falling from her hands. Enough. I can go no longer.. The male seems to almost mock her, before turning and heading from the circle, smugly. She mutters in self disappointment, gathering up the daggers and pulling herself to her feet. Wiping sweat from her forehead, she looks to the pair of daggers in thought. . o O(these are not balanced...they will not do..or perhaps it is just my lack of ..talent in such..) She exhales, and resheaths the blades, standing there quietly in soft thoughts.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-19-05, 12:14 AM	The guards press on with their attack, though two fall defeated beneath the claws of the smaller demons. Changing tactics once more, the guards pair up and move to flank the fiends, partnering up to divide their attention in hopes of forcing openings in their defenses. Using their quick blades in snake-like strikes, they aim to pierce the demons' flesh near where their vitals should lie. The five remaining larger guards curse as they see the reinforcements arrive and charge in with their two-handed swords, aiming powerful swings for the chests of the newcomers, ignoring the corpse of their now deep fried friend. * * * Elsewhere... Jaehral snarled hearing those words, then nodded and clapped the runner on the shoulder. "You did well, now go and alert the troops. Be swift." "Sir, yes sir." The runner nodded, took a deep breath, and took off at a run for the training caves. Jaehral cracked his neck as he left his quarters and made his way down the corridor the way that the scout came. His pace began as a jog but quickly became a full run, his training and natural speed moving him along much more quickly than the runner had made his progress. Taking a turn, he changed direction, moving to the gateway chamber, and stepped through the proper one with a slight glow from a ring on his hand.
kahldeen_doernal 01-19-05, 01:17 AM	Silently, a thin chain sails smoothly from the darkness, a dull sheen of a crescent moon blade on the end of it barely visable as the chain wraps around the male drow's neck and the blade hooks smoothly around it, slipping the loop tight with a yank of his wrist. "One should show more respect to house members, less they become upset with you...." Stepping from the shadows, Kahl'deen is in simple training gear...black loose fitting pants and a sleaveless tunic. The thick manicles on his wrists draw attention, as one is solid and the other is opened somehow, allowing for the chain to slip from between the two halves. With a quick flick of his wrist, the blade slips free as does the chain, which he draws back and winds quickly into the manicle with a spin of his arm, locking the blade in place and clicking it closed to match the other. Walking over with a smile, he offers his hands to Sokoya to help her from the ground. "It seems that I am too late to help you practice. Though, I might be able to offer some pointers on form and technique that might help you progress quicker if you would like?"
Korruute'mas 01-19-05, 01:24 AM	Korruute'mas smirked and nodded slightly. "I ...will see ...its meaning ...fulfilled ...one day. As long ...as the ...Lady ...gives me ...strength." Suddenly, the draegloth's head turned and looked at the stairwell, his glowing eyes narrowing and nearly eclipsing the light momentarily before moving toward the entryway. "Something ...approaches." * * * Elsewhere... The runner continued on his path north until reaching the foot of the steps of the necropolis in construction. Out of breath from the mad dash, his stamina gave way and he collapsed on the stone, gasping for air just short of reaching his intended destination.
carthamus 01-19-05, 03:14 PM	The strange little drow yipes in pain and skitters backwards. he sticks his tongue out at the offending demon, shaking his burnt hands. "owowow! nasty little demon hurts carth. not allowed, yes?" Carthamus scurries forward, ducking underneath the attempted grapple, tucking into a roll between the behemoth's legs. He rolls into a crouch by the leg, reaches out and plucks a hair from the beast, then scurries away before the creature can kick at him, ducking and weaving under and around the tentacles. To an observer, it would almost seem as if the little drow is taunting the demon.
Sovix Kar'jias 01-19-05, 11:30 PM	Sovix narrowed his eyes slightly, the thud of the messenger on the stairs clear to his ears. "I will see who it is." He scuttles past Korr and outside the gruesome necropolis, stopping in front of the messenger with an arches brow. "You bring news?"
Korruute'mas 01-19-05, 11:50 PM	Korruute'mas nods and follows after the drider, along the spiraling stone steps and into the darkened corridor, past the rooms filled with stone slabs holding unliving soldiers in their static rests. And finally through the double doors over the steps, where he waits and listens rather than descending the steps to the scout. The scout slowly pushes himself to his feet while still catching his breath, taking a military stance before speaking. "Demons are invading... the servants' sector. Large... flame covered ones.. and small... gray ones."
Sovix Kar'jias 01-20-05, 06:36 PM	The drider gave a sigh at the news. "It's always something. Always," he mutters before addressing the runner. "Gather your strength quickly and go make sure the Ilharn knows what transpires." He glances back to Korr. "Up for a little bit of demon slaying?" he says with a smirk before scuttling down the stairs towards the tunnels.
Korruute'mas 01-20-05, 10:00 PM	The scout nods briefly and prepares to run off once more, but is interrupted by a large hand. He looks up at the draegloth that halted him with a slightly blank expression. "I will ...send one ...of my ...own messengers. ...You ...rest here." Korruute'mas closed his eyes and focused, and within moments one of his ghouls had crawled from the top of the statue and latched onto the roof of the cavern. The ghoul crawled along the cieling on his way to send the message. The scout cringed slightly looking around and said, "If it's all the same, I think I'd rather not rest here... two messengers are better than one..." and ran off toward the main caverns as well. The draegloth sneered slightly and finished his way down the stairs, nodding in agreement with Sovix as one of his larger hands freed the overly large sword from its sheath on his back and settled the hilt into his smaller hands. "Let it ...begin."
Klil'og'elend 01-23-05, 02:59 PM	1 of the 2 large demons attacking the larger drow guards is spurred on by Rymdals' words and goes into a Rage, striking twice at the larger guards. The other large demon turns towards Rymdael saying "Torture?....we arn't torturing....". At this point he realizes that the voice he heard was not on his side and steps towards Rymdael trying to grapple him and bring him into the flames surrounding him. * * * - Demons melee vs guards - The battle becomes even more vicious as the newly summoned smaller demons and the larger guards enter the melee. The 6 smaller deamons and the 10 summoned smaller demons work with outstanding coordination, keeping the Drow from getting flanking positions. With thier orgainisation you'd have to assume that they've trained together for 100's of years. Even so 4 more smaller demons fall to the quick blades of the drow guards. The other 10 small demons seeing the melee still in doubt, each cast a magic missile spell (2 missiles each) at the drow guards. * * * - Carth and his demon - The large demon that is fighting Carthamus smiles when Carthamus mentions that the demon hurt him. "Awww, come here and let me make it better" the demon says sarcastically. The demon then attempts to strike at Carthamus, clearly getting a bit frustrated at not being able to hit the little drow. * * * - At the temple - The vaporish demon follows the runner all the way to the temple, but does not enter it (funny thing about demons and holy places). It instead listens to the conversation inside, letting his master hear all that is said inside. This demon is still unaware that it is being followed. * * * Meanwhile, the other 9 invisible vaporish demons take up positions around the servants cavern where they can watch and report all activity within the cavern. All the drow tactics being used and the strengths / weaknesses of the characters are now being sent to thier master
Chelyrra_Eredyn 01-23-05, 05:54 PM	She slings the bastard sword's scabbard across her back, adjusting it till the weight is comfortable to bear, to take it back to her quarters. But instead of leaving the training circles directly, she cools down by walking among them, studying the ways in which others use their weapons. Avoiding coming too close to Sokoya's circle so as not to make the other nervous of a possible critique, but nevertheless watching sidelong in mixed amusement and irritation at Kahl'deen's act of 'chivalry'. . o O (He is so careful of her status. So slavish to the ranking members of the house. Except for me.) A hissing sound but her hand touches the multi-headed snake whip at her hip and her mind concentrates a moment to calm it back to dormancy, to await her more direct call to it. . o O (He should not hate me so for this! It is a tool, no more than that, as any weapon is. If it frightens the surfacers, puts them off-guard, all the better. And if it reminds me to keep tighter control of my temper, then, yes, even more the better.) Restless, she continues to walk, uncertain of what keeps her still on edge.
Sokoya_jinique 01-24-05, 10:43 AM	She raised her eyes at the sound of the surprised male. Glancing to Kahldeen, a soft smile formed. She said in a quiet voice, as he released the male. Vendui, Kahl. Yes, it would be quite helpful, perhaps. What is to be done, as such? She tilted her head slightly and looked to him, awaiting his answer. Though in her mind, silent thoughts passed. . o O(much time should be given to this. I should not have been that easily dismissed...) . o O(more practice, more training, and less brandy...) She shifted in the circle somewhat, consciously telling her eyes to remain upon Kahldeen and not avert.
Jhessailyn 01-24-05, 02:35 PM	She sends the last of her arrows into the target and waits for the range-clear signal to go and retrieve them. In passing, she notes the improvement in her marksmanship. . o O ( Not perfect by any means. But none outside the chest and gut, either, even if the grouping is not as tight as I would wish. ) Replacing the bow and quiver of arrows where she got them, she turns to leave the training circles. . o O ( Whatever that trouble is or was, it doesn't seem bad enough to need extra help. And I have work enough to accomplish today, I suppose I might as well worry about that. ) With waves to Chelyrra, Sokoya, and Kahl'deen, she heads back to the main area of the compound and her duties there.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 01-24-05, 02:56 PM	Nearly finding himself laughing at the simple minded demons, he almost is caught off guard by the grapling hand. His body spins smoothly, words already flowing out as he begins the movement, but actually spins into the grasp of the demon, letting it grab ahold of him, as his resistances keep the flames from harming him, but releasing his spell(Pain) as soon as the hand touches him.
carthamus 01-24-05, 03:02 PM	Carthamus skids to a halt and puts a finger to his chin, actualling seeming to be considering the demon's proposition. He leans back, avoiding the attempted hit. "mmmmm.....Carth think not. Carth like playing with big slow stupid demon thing." With a maniacal giggle, he leaps forward, under the demons ponderous swing, and scampers between its legs once more. Once through, he leads the demon on a merry chase throughout the melee, moving close to the smaller demons, and darting away at the last moment, in an attempt to allow the big slow stupid demon thing to smack around his own kind.
kahldeen_doernal 01-24-05, 03:08 PM	Stepping slowly into the circles, he pulls two daggers from his belt, then offering them handle first to Sokoya as he approaches. "I obtained these from the smiths for you. They are nicely balanced.....and appear to be the proper size for you. The smiths were happy to see someone come to them for weapons........ other then Re'shak." Chuckling lightly, he moves around to her side, and taking up a balanced defensive possition, keeping his weight ballanced on both of his feet to allow for quick movements in any direction "Initially....you should concentrate your efforts on protecting yours...before you worry....about taking the offensive." Gesturing to himself, he then helps Sokoya settle back into the same defensive possition, and then begins to show her how such a posture allows for quick movement and a balanced defense.
Obsidian 01-24-05, 03:21 PM	Sitting in the large audience chamber, he leans idlely on the arm of his large guilded chair, listening to a string of reports that are threatening to put him into a deep slumber. The large guilded doors of the chamber swing open quickly and bang loudly against the door as the messengers rush in, a thin white brow quirking slightly on Sev'anar's otherwise impassive face. "Patience, less you forget where you are...." he mutters as the messengers approach quickly. His expression changes somewhat as they report to him of the situation, nodding ever so slightly as they are finished and then waving them away. "Return to the fray....I shall be sending appropriate back up to the conflict...." With the messengers dismissed and the report giver stunned and shocked at the situation, as well as the Ilharn's cool dimeaner durring such, he stands there quietly waiting to be addressed. Sev'anar ponders for a moment, tapping his chin, before sending out mental summons to those best suited for such combat. . o O(Where is Re'shak when you need him.....oh well) . o O(Zentash, there is a situation in one of the servant chambers that you or your 'pets' would be well suited to deal with. Demons, of varring size and kind it would seem. Not a full fledged assalt, but enough to be bothersome.) With that sent, he motions over one of his attendants, giving him orders as to how many, and of which troops to gather to send to the defense of those already in combat, which consists of a variety of melee and spell casters to combat the demons
Dark Chaos 01-24-05, 03:57 PM	Zentash lofts a brow as he looks up from his project, listening to the message. A small mouse, dressed in appropriate sized clothing lies, pinned to a table beneath what appears to be a magnifying device of some sort. The creature is alive, and in obvious pain, as the pins go through his hands and feet. . o O{Understood, Ilharn. I shall dispatch Zyrquix to investigate.....No, I will go as well} He turns, leaving the mouse to its fate and motions, a staff gliding towards his hand. As he clutches the staff, He turns his head off to the left. . o O{Zyrquix....attend me, and bring your weapon.} A moment later, a dark portal opens, and a black cloaked figure slips through. . o O(I am ready, master.} The floating drow speaks a few words and waves a hand, opening a different portal. The two glide through, coming out, near the conflict. The portal snaps closed behind him. . O O(hmmm.....interesting.) {Go, play} Zyrquix shrugs off his cloak, to reveal an illithid. Unlike most mind flayers, this one wears armor, a dark red armor, that encases its body from bulbous head to taloned fingers and feet, seeming more crab shell like than metallic. It only has three tentacles, the fourth sliced away a long time ago. In its clawed hands it weilds a staff like weapon, the shaft black and each end bearing a long, scimitar weapon. One blade glowing a feint blue, the other a sickly green. With a clicking of its beak, it darts forward, heading towards the largest group, the smaller demons that just fired off magic missles. Zentash watches his pet for a moment as it heads towards the battle, then turns to regard the other, larger demons. He grins wickedly as he sees Rym'dael and his plaything. . o O(He has things well in hand, so to speak) He looks to the other of the two larger demons and motions towards them, with his hand and his staff. Blackfire jets from the crystal and his fingers and wraps around the feet of the two demons, and the floor beneath them. The floor under the two demons turns to water. He instantly directs more blackfire towards the floor, to return the water to its stone form, after the two demons, hopefully, sink down a bit, prefereabbly to their waists.
Sokoya_jinique 01-24-05, 04:05 PM	Sokoya smiles softly as Kahl offers up the daggers. She reaches out and takes them as they are given, holding them in either hand and bouncing her hands slightly in the air. Her smile lengthens as she feels the well balance and weight. These are quite nice, thank you Kahldeen. She watches as he takes his defensive posture, and nods slowly. Attempting to mimick him in the same posture, daggers still resting in her palms. She only glances away from Kahl when Jhess passes. She nods and offers a soft "aluve" in response to the wave, before turning her attention back to Kahldeen. Resuming the demonstrated posture, she inquires This will assist me greatly, I am sure. With that said, and Kahl's instructions beginning, she begins learning the defensive with great interest, it would seem.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-24-05, 07:49 PM	The messenger finally reaches the training grounds, ascending a set of stone stairs and striking a fairly large bronze gong overlooking the area, sending out the alert signal. With precision, the warriors cease their practiced routines and move to gather their battle ready weapons. The leuitenants make their way to speak with the messenger. * * * Elsewhere... The larger guards back away from the demons, putting some distance between them upon seeing Rym'dael arrive. Backing away further when Zentash's magic comes into effect. The smaller guards continue their flanking manuevers, though three more fall to the demons, and two others are knocked unconcious by the force blasts. Jaehral rushed from the transportation chamber and up to the rooftop, which just happened to overlook the area where the larger guards fought. Readying his twin axes in hand, he jumped down, shifting from his drow form into the seven and a half-foot tall, six-hundred pound weretiger that he is. With precision, he aimed his clawed feet for the large demon's back, a glow surrounding his armor making him heedless of the flames as he swings the large axe blades downward, aiming to sever the demon's arms with enough force to easily break their armored hides, three semi-translucent but entirely solid echoes of each blade surrounding them if and when they break through the skin, increasing the trauma of impact fourfold.
Klil'og'elend 01-26-05, 10:15 PM	- Rymdael, Zentash and the 2 large demons - Rymdael casts his spell of Pain on the demon that is now trying to crush the life out of Rymdael. It is quite obvious to Rymdael that, while his spell was successfully cast, the creature does not feel pain. The other large demon there sinks quickly into the water that is now below it's feet. The water hisses and quickly starts to turn into steam when Zentash turns it back into stone. The demon ends up in a 4' deep hole, sunk into the stone another 2'. Just as the stone solidifies around the creatures lower legs the 600 pound werecreature Jaehral crashed down on top of the demon, raking its' back viciously, while using his full weight and strength to slice through the demons arms with his 2 great axes. Unfortunately for Jaehral the 2 metal axes pass through the demon leaving the demon almost unhurt by the weapons. Jaehral, caught by surprise at having no resistance when his axes hit the demon, firmly plants the axeheads far enough into the newly formed stone that he's unsure he'll be able to extract them. The Demon is clearly not amused by his prediciment and uses his whip twice at Zentash attempting to entangle the spellcaster and disrupt further spells. * * * -Carth and his Demons- The demon follows Carthamus, again trying to hit the little drow with his whip. While he successfully avoids hitting his own side, it is quite obvious that he is getting very annoyed at the quirkey little drow. * * * -Zyrquix and the little ones- The 10 small demons, seeing the Illithid, close to close range and attack. trying to match thier claws and intensity to the Mind Flayers weapontry. * * * -Demons melee vs guards - Seeing the larger guards backing off the 12 smaller demons press the attack aginst the smaller guards, killing any that fell unconcious, and hoping to break the guards moral. * * * -At the gate- The 4 large demons seeing the elemental finish thier work for them, start casting wards on the gate. * * * -And all the while, the capabilities of the defenders is sent back to thier master- . o 0 (Master, they deal with the Illithids) . o 0 (Master, they have were-creatures) . o 0 (Master, thier spell casters have this level of power) . o 0(Master, this is the strength of thier defensive guard) and it goes on....
Jaehral_Ojaresk 01-27-05, 02:52 AM	The guards doubled-back around the now trapped larger demons, moving to join their non-therianthropic comrades in arms against the smaller fiends seeing the more immediate threat being taken care of. Aiming their blades as they draw near, they swing downward for the shoulders and backs of the demons slaying the fallen, hoping to catch them off-guard. The fallen drow rendered helpless fall victim to the claws of the fiends, though with their dwindling numbers, the remaining standing guards continue to flank and stab at the demons' vital areas. * * * * Jaehral let out a feral growl as he instinctively tried to rise up with his weapons, finding them indeed driven into the stone. He relinquished his grip for the moment, extending the long, razor sharp black claws and aiming them for the trapped demon's throat from behind, one reaching over each shoulder. He muttered out loud in growled tones through clenched teeth, just loud enough for the demon to hear, "If the enamel on those axes is so much as scratched, you had best pray that you were called here and not summoned." He angles his hands to drive the claws' tips through the fiend's windpipe before raking backwards and upwards with the intent of rending the demon's neck wide open.
Lilyanna_Rose 01-28-05, 02:31 AM	*a soft green portal forms just on the outside of the practice area, a cloaked figure stepping thru, her hand coming up to forstall any attacks on her person, while the other pulls back her hood. Lily's mischievious grin greets those around her* "Anyone miss me?........oh and surprise....thought I would stop by for a visit" *Winks at Chelyrra, but doesn't move until recognized by them all*
Sovix Kar'jias 01-28-05, 03:29 AM	Finally, the drider scuttles in through a side tunnel, taking in the scene. "Oh, joyous...large pain-inflicting demons and small 'annoy-the-hell-out-of-you' ones. I just can't wait..." he quips, looking to Korr with a wink. "Let's go save the day, shall we?" Without waiting, he scuttles through the compound snaking his way along towards the gate guarded by the demons. Once in proper range, he reaches into his cloak, withdrawing a small lodestone in hand. As he chants the somatics in a whispered hiss, he crushes the lodestone and sprinkles the dust in a runic pattern on the air. "Xta'rl d' elge Usstan tlun, vel'bol Usstan xta'rl zhah neitar keffal 'sohna" He points towards the demons with the last word, a thin green ray leaping from his fingertips towards them. However, what he wasn't counting on was the force walls that, unbeknownst to him, stand in the way, and thus the disintigration ray likely impacts one of them instead, also likely drawing the demons' attention right to him. "Damn...so much for plan A..."
Korruute'mas 01-28-05, 06:04 AM	Korruute'mas smirked as he followed along, moving far too quietly for a monstrosity of his size and shape. Upon seeing the fiends, he places his blade back into its sheath and muttered in hushed tones. "If not ...for the ...circumstances ...these would ...be my ...kin. Would be ...family must ...be dealt ...with ...in a ...more personal ...manner." Flexing the overly heavy talons on four of his powerfully built arms, he waited, watching closely along the path of Sovix's ray, eyes intent on the target. "Time for ...plan B." The draegloth crouched low, settling into a three-point stance and clawing the gravel of the ground beneath him, he waited for a brief moment, studying and watching for the result of the ray before following through with any movement, delaying his moment to strike as a trace of inky darkness slowly begins to seep from his skin.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 01-28-05, 05:49 PM	Chelyrra's attention snaps to the one by the gong as it rings out. She starts over toward it with an almost smile on her face. . o O (I was right, there -is- something afoot.) Her hands flash to her daggers, the blades out and almost thrown before she recognizes the one coming through the green portal. "Lily! Your timing is... not always best." A quick motion of her hand lowers the weapons of those nearby too new or too low in rank to know Lilyanna of their own accord. "The alert has been sounded, something is attacking. Perhaps you should visit another time."
Liadinae Del'Anogard 01-28-05, 07:59 PM	Her stride was sure and swift as she approached the training circles from the south. The toll of the gong had called her forth, but seeing the small gathering at the training circles had drawn her there instead of to the main compound. She slowed as she neared Chelyrra, Jhessailyn, and Sokoya finally coming to a stop, but as she opened her mouth to speak she noticed the fourth figure. "Lily?! What in the 'Dark are you doing here?"
Lilyanna_Rose 01-31-05, 01:10 AM	*smiles sheepishly at the two and shrugs. Then looks at the male, nods to him and Adinae* "When have I not been around when mischief is afoot Chelyrra...... I had thought to surprise Sativus, but it looks like the surprise is on me." *smiles crookedly, shrugging as she looks around* "Anything I can do to help?"
Sokoya_jinique 01-31-05, 10:03 AM	She blinked to a halt as the sounds were heard of the alarm, not knowing exactly what they were. Given little time in her mind to debate this, before Lily stepped through the portal and the conversing began. She looked at Lily and Chel for a few moments, curiously. Belatedly saying a soft voiced "vendui.." Her eyes then turned to Adinae, it was rather obvious she was somewhat confused. She looked to Kahldeen then, and said quietly, so as to not sound quite so new. We are under attack? What are we to..do?
Tsarra 01-31-05, 12:56 PM	A figure sits, covered by the finest silk robe, the blood red color even darker in the dim light cast by the single glowing orb hovering over the ornately carved desk. Her hand moves, the pen making scratching sounds with the tip as she notes another entry on a list of orders. A soft scuttling sound is heard and she feels a tap on her thigh, but ignores it for the moment, continuing with the entry untill with a flourish, she signs the bottom before rolling it up and tying it. She finally looks down at the 3' high spider construct and gives it a warm smile. What is it Lerg? She tilts her head, the smile fading as she listens to the whistles and chittering, not at all pleased with the message she is hearing. She stands and stretches, then proceeds to a tall armoir and opens it. Pausing for a moment, she looks down at the spider that follows her. Round up your sisters and have them approach the spot, but stay hidden and simply watch for now. There will be a use for your nasty webs and venom soon. The spider scuttles off, sending out an inaudible call to her sisters. The Ilharess turns and with a sigh, removes the robe, then starts rumaging through the contents of the cabinet, giving a curse as she removes her old, favorite armored breast plate and tosses it to the side. . o O (Damn fool Rym just had to "enhance" me when he brought me back) She finds her new breasplate and straps it on, then slips on her leather skirt covered with mail. thigh high boots soon follow, then she straps on her favorite wrist guards, the ones with the little surprise in them. Opening a box, she kneels down and adds the deadly decoration along the outer sides of her boots then heads to the door, stride long and full of purpose, shoulders and head held high, eyes smoldering as she wonders just when the Ilharn was intending to let her know about the visitors and ensuing problem. She sends him a message, the thought tinged with the irritation and anger she was feeling. . o O (Light of my Darkness... I was wondering if I could have a word with you. )
Liadinae Del'Anogard 01-31-05, 01:51 PM	A smile passes over her lips. "Come with us. We are to meet at the main compound now for orders. I'm sure we could use the extra blade. Either way,"she looks to Sokoya, Chelyrra, and Kahldeen, "we must make haste. Quickly." Just as surely as she stopped, she turns to go again, making haste for the main compound.
Lilyanna_Rose 01-31-05, 02:40 PM	*smirks and nods to Adinae, falling in step with her as she moves off.* "So how are things with you and everyone else? Its been a while since I last visit" *looks about her and nods to the common soldiers that she remembers from being here*
Jhessailyn 01-31-05, 03:11 PM	She has barely reached the edge of the training grounds on her way to the main compound when the alarm sounds. . o O ( Damn. I should have stayed longer at my practice. Or stopped to converse. No matter now... better get a bow. ) She heads back at a jog to grab her favorite short bow and a loaded quiver, then follows Chelyrra, Adinae, and the others to the meeting point in the main compound to await further information and instructions.
Sokoya_jinique 01-31-05, 04:06 PM	She looked from one to another then another, before following along behind them as instructed, toward the main compound. Her curiosity, nerves and slight confusion playing with her thoughts in a silent folly in her mind.
Calendula 01-31-05, 05:24 PM	A noise kept pounding in her head, prodding at her till finally her eyes opened. She gave a low growl at the sound and slowly disentangled herself from the shredded sheets. One swift nudge with her foot rolled the comatose form from her bed, the male drow awakening with a thump as he hit the floor. Rising from the bed, she gathered her clothes and started for the door, opening it and heading into the living area of her rooms. Quickly she donned her clothes and reached for the whip and sword belt, giving little thought to the male left behind. With another deep growl she opened the entry door then ran with a trot down the hall, hands belting on her sword, then attaching the whip to her waist. Behind her the male quickly dressed then followed. his sword unsheathed as he glanced around when they exited into the main courtyard, nearly running headlong into her back before sliding to a halt. She glanced around, eyes narrowed, nostrils flairing as she searched for a clue as to why the gong had woken her. She sensed the nearness of the male and spun around, knocking him hard on the shoulder to shove him a few feet away. "Rothe.... I taught you better. Keep back so I can move without hitting you. " She gave him a glare, one hand moving to the whip on her hip, causing him to wilt in front of her. He bowed his head and moved to take up a defensive stance a few feet away. In a brief moment, his manner turned from a whipped underling to a deadly fighter, ready to deal with whatever appeared. She watched him for a moment, remembering what had first attracted her to him. Too bad he had ended up being so.... male. With a snort and a nod, she turned, watching and scenting the air, taking a guards stance till she learned further what was going on.
carthamus 01-31-05, 06:55 PM	Carthamus snickers as he continues to evade the large demon's fruitless attacks. He twists, rolls, ducks and flips his way through the group of smaller demons that now must deal with not only the insane little drow, but his pursuer, and now the illithid. Carthamus leaps over one of the smaller demons, reaching out to twist its head sharply and pull it, dead or not, into the path of the large demon's weapons.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 01-31-05, 06:57 PM	She gives a nod to Jhess as she joins with the small grouping headed for the main compound, then looks back to Lily, her smile turning into a grim thing. "I am alive, so I suppose I should be...thankful for that. As for the general affair, things have been somewhat quiet in the compound as of late. At least, until now."
zyrquix 01-31-05, 07:06 PM	The dark red armored illithid leaps into the melee with out a sound, save for perhaps a beak, clicking somewhere behind the three writhing tentacles. His dual bladed staff spinning, creating a red and blue circle. He lands in a crouch and slices out, the blue glowing blade slicing down on a demon. Whether or not he makes contact, he straightens and pivots, twisting his body to his left, continuing the motion of the staff weapon around and back across to bring the red blade to bear on the same demon.
Dark Chaos 01-31-05, 07:16 PM	Zentash grins wickedly as the sight of the trapped demon meets his void like gaze. "Time to die, Demon!" He lifts his hands and staff, speaks a few words and thrusts them forward once more. Jets of Blackfire burst from the crystal and his free hand, and speed towards the trapped demon and engulf it. The fire also wraps around Jaehral and any other that happens to be nearby, but only the demon is effected.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 01-31-05, 08:19 PM	Chelyrra grins at Adinae, her eyes agleam, "Good! Let us go then." She nods acceptingly to Lily and follows with a quick and easy stride. Along the way she manages a few sotto voce explanations to Sokoya. "Lilyanna had been in the house, but is no longer. Yet did not leave in anger, on either side. Adinae... had been lost. But has returned. As to where we are headed and what we will face and what we should do about it... I do not know. But we will do our best wherever we are ordered to be."
Klil'og'elend 01-31-05, 10:44 PM	* * * - Jaehral, Rymdael, Zentash, and the guards against the 2 larger demons and the 12 smaller demons - The battle between the guards and the small demons is indeed equal, niether side gaining an advantage. Moves and counter-moves by each side. Each mistake is costly as both sides take advantage whenever possible. 3 more of the small demons fall, thier bodies fading into nothingness as they are sent back whence they came. Jaehral rakes through the demons armored hide wounding it visciously as Zentashes' magic takes hold. The Black fire finishing off the demon Jaehral had just attacked. It too fades as it dies. * * * - Carth and his demon- The large demon snaps his cat o nine tails whip at Carthamus catching the smaller demon Carth has conveniently put in its' way and rips the smaller demon to pieces. The large demon lets out a roar of anger as the small crazy drow continues to elude him. * * * - Zyrquix and the little ones - Zyrquixs' blades, first the blue and then the red, tear through the smaller demon, killing it quickly. The other 9 swarm around Zyrquix attacking when the oppertunity presents itself and trying to flank him. * * * - Sovix, Korruute'mas, and the 4 gate demons - Sovixs' spell destroys the wall of force (yes, definately attracting thier attention) while Korruute'mas starts his delayed charge. . o O (Time to end this my pets...) 3 of the 4 demons cast earthquake spells upon the roof of the cavern, causing the roof of the cave centered over the battle to destabilize and collapses 60% of the cave. The 4th demon delays just long enough for the earthquake spells to be cast an then casts a wall of force replacing the one destroyed by the disintegrate spell. * * * And all the while the vaporish ones watch, the stones pass harmlessly through them. . o O (trained shock troops) . o O (an understanding of demonkind...) . o O (A Draegloth and Dryder). . o O (Darkmagic)
Jaehral_Ojaresk 02-01-05, 02:09 AM	Jaehral's eyes went wide seeing Zentash's magic coming his way. He ducked back toward the wall of the building he leapt from, then sneered as he realized he had been unaffected and shook his head. "How about a little warning next time?" He moved back over to his axes, gripping one handle firmly with both hands and rocking it back and forth to loosen the blade slightly, keeping an eye on Rym'dael and his new friend. With a few well timed tugs, he gets the blade loose enough to strike it down again, the translucent doubles forming and freeing the blade completely. Taking a few sidesteps to the right, he swings the free axe at the stone holding the still trapped blade, shattering it just enough to get it loose. Claiming both blades once more, he checks them over, looking at where the demon stood. With a coldly concealed anger, he muttered under his breath, "Not a scratch. Lucky oaf..."
Korruute'mas 02-01-05, 02:28 AM	Korruute'mas smirks seeing the faint shimmer of a disentegrating wall of force and takes his moment to strike. Launching from the alleyway like a wolf, he rushes, not around the corner, but straight across the pathway, extending a large hand at the opening created by the missing wall and clenching his claws into a tight fist during the narrow window of opportunity before the earthquake spells are cast. All semblance of moisture begins draining from the area around the portal, the chill aura of necromantic energy filling the area, their clustered placement putting them all within reach of the horrid wilting effect. The demons likely feel the draegloth's inborn spell rapidly and painfully dehydrating their physical forms should the effect take hold. The draegloth continues with his forward momentum into an alley opposite where he began, peering over his shoulder past the corner of the building he now uses for cover.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 02-01-05, 11:57 PM	The realization that his Pain spell had relatively little, if any, effect on the demon, happens slightly too late, as he's already swept up into the grasp of the demon and sqeezed quite firmly. . o O(Well....that's not how I had planned that....mental note, this HURTS) Thrashing slightly side to side, he feints at an attempt to get free, while chanting the incantation under his breath for another spell, Harm, as the Demon still has ahold of him, which releases instantly as the demon is already in contact with him. ======================================== ============================= The elemental lumbers around, far too slow to catch the smaller demons and seeing that the larger ones are already engaged. The sounds of the cracking ceiling draw its attention upward as the earthquake spells take effect. Instead of attempting to hold the ceiling up over them all, it lunges itself into the ground, stone colliding with stone, but melding together as tiny shards break away in the impact. Seconds later, mighty pillars of stone rocket from the earth....one, then another, and another, streaking towards the ceiling and embedding themselves deep into the stone of the cracking ceiling above.
Obsidian 02-02-05, 12:06 AM	Finishing his duties, he rises from the audience chamber and makes his way towards his armory quarters. Things had been too quiet for too long with this situation, which never led to good things or reports. His steps and movements portrayed his frustration and anger as he made his way down the halls, servants and random house members deviding in the halls to give him ample room to pass, their heads bowed low. Turning the corner down the short hall to his armory, a voice rings quietly in his head, taking some of the wind from his sails, as he nearly misses a step. . o O(c: Wonderful.....now I'm gonna hear it....) He smirks ever so slightly and clears his head, returning the thought that was sent to him. . o O(Of course you may my heart.....though, I'm quite sure I know what you wish to speak about. I am about to step into my armory as I speak) Sighing slightly, he slips into the room, moving through the racks of armor and selecting one to suit his mood for this day, as well as weapons to suit his potential needs.
kahldeen_doernal 02-02-05, 12:16 AM	Kahl'deen stands there, somewhat confused for a moment, not exactly sure if he should attack the one who showed up so suddenly, or if he should not his respect. The actions of the others around him, give him his cue however, and he does nod to her, though remains silent...even moving his hands around behind his back to hide the thick slave manicles that still rest around his wrists. . o O(I....do not know....this one, but she....seems a trusted one.) His attention is drawn when he is nearly drug along at the sounding of the alarm, moving along quickly, but making sure to pick up a chainmail shirt from the training circles on his way out, and somehow managing to slip it on as he runs through the streets towards, well....he doesn't know, but he seems to be following those he was with at the training circles.
Sativus 02-02-05, 12:23 AM	The quill in his hand scratches softly across the parchment as Sativus continues to fill out the report of his failure. Shaking his head every time he finishes a sentence, he dips the quill into the inkpot and wipes the tip neatly, and begins another. "Maybe.....this just isn't my week.....or maybe....." His thoughts are interupted by the sounding gong, his instincts drawing him to his feet so quickly that the chair he sat in flies half way across the small room and strikes the wall. His feet find themselves moving on their own, even before the chair has a chance to strike the floor for its second time, as he moves out of his study and towards the sound. His path takes him past the training circles, where his body decides to disagree with itself. His feet attempt to keep running, as his upper body and torso, turn to the side and stop, nearly taking his feet out from under him as he catches sight of who is there. "Lily.....what are you....how.....why....?" Shaking his head slightly, he stumbles and catches his feet underhimself so he doesn't fall to the ground. "What are you doing here? I'm not complaining....but, as you will know from the sound of that gong....things are not well here. I am sure the Ilharn would not deny your help in what is likely happening, but you have said before that this is no longer your fight..."
Sovix Kar'jias 02-02-05, 12:53 AM	A sigh escapes from the drider's lips as Korr goes barreling towards the demons. . o O (TP, Korr> Always have to be the center of attention, eh?) The sound of the ceiling cracking above draws Sovix's eyes upward. "Aww...vith..." He moves himself out of the path of the cracks in the ceiling and chants, motioning towards those guards fighting in the area of the earthquake spell's effect. "Rah d'fashka, kulggen mina." To the untrained eye it would seem nothing changes, but the guards would feel an unseen force attempt to push them together into a group and surround them with an invisible barrier that any stray rocks bounce off of leaving the guards unharmed. Meanwhile, once the spell is cast Sovix ducks back behind the building and scuttles towards the nearest wall climbing it with a speed and silence only a drow could accomplish. He makes his way directly above the demons and their gate, searching for the weak or non-exsistant side to their force barrier protections where he could 'drop in'.
Sril've Cress Military 02-02-05, 12:55 AM	The three sergeants stood on the alarm rock with the runner for a few long moments before breaking from the meeting. The cavalry master, Threkar, moves away from the other two, taking the trained riders with him to the stables. The gathered guards, infantrymen and archers alike, gather row to row at the near edge of the training grounds by the circles, standing fully armed and prepared to receive their orders. Their armor and weaponry soundless, their very breath hushed to ensure accute hearing of their instructions. The two sergeants' attendants each bring them their favored weapons and move back into the masses, joining their brothers in arms. The infantry leader, Othras, raised his sword overhead as he spoke, his hybrid form's stature becoming all the more clear. His words clear and loud enough to be heard by all within the cavern, "Weapons Master Ojaresk has sent word that an invasion from the fiendish planes has begun in one of the servants quarters. As per procedure, we are to prepare for the worst and be ready to move on a moment's notice. Weapons Master Ojaresk has entered the battlefield and will likely bring back his report on the creatures once this incursion is halted that we may better prepare ourselves should the likely second wave arrive. I defer to Archer Master X'etri for further word." X'etri, the weretiger carrying a large and seemingly tensely strung longbow, raised his weapon into the air and continued where Othras left off, "When the runner left the cavern there were several small, grey demons among their number, as well as a handful of larger fiends shrouded in flames. These fiends appeared from a portal that somehow opened in the cavern that was under the watch of guards stationed there to observe the recent captives. It is unknown at present if the two are connected. Regardless of this, we have men in there under the conflict with these interlopers, and as such, this will be taken seriously. Hone your ears and eyes, hold your steel and bows at all times, and never let your guard down. This is a state of war." * * * Elsewhere... The five remaining therianthropic guards continue with their attack style, filling in the gaps where the smaller drow have failed in their efforts. They aim carefully measured swings for the little fiends designed to crumple their bodies and hinder their muscles. The remaining six dmaller drow hold to their flanking strategy, seemingly becoming more comfortable with this sort of fight now that their larger brethren have taken up the opposite side of their foes.
zyrquix 02-04-05, 02:03 PM	Zyrquix twists and pivots, in an attempt to thrust the blue blade through the midsection of one of the demons. If successful, he lifts up on the blade, to toss the creature away. He then pivots and moves to another, his armor absorbing most of the blows of the creatures.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 02-06-05, 01:35 AM	Adinae looks to Sativus briefly, but turns and keeps going on seeing it is him and not some invader. The path to main compound is fairly striaght through the training circles and past the barracks. She stops just in front of the main compound. She focuses her mind, a practice technique she has been learning since her return, and seeks out the specific patterns of the Ilharn and Ilharess, sending them a message. . o O (We await your instructions in the main courtyard. And on a secondary note, Lilyanna has decided to grace us with her prescence.) She smiles as she opens her eyes. "It should not be long now."
Klil'og'elend 02-07-05, 09:58 PM	- Things begin to happen fairly rapidly now - The 3 earthquake spells continue to tear the roof of the Cavern apart (Clearly extended spells), shearing the columns created by the elemental. A large number of boulders and rocks, large and small, begin to rain down on the battlefield. A portion of the roof directly over the portal gives way directly over the gate, crashing down on the covering wall of force and newly cast wall of force, burying the gate and spewing dust across the battlefield. * note * the large demon delayed casting the wall of force just long enough to let Korruute'mas continue to the alley, then cast his wall of force ensuring that Korruute'mas was outside the protective walls. * * * - Rymdaels' demon - The large demon squeezing Rymdael looks up at the now violently shaking cavern roof. This distraction allows Rymdaels' spell to be cast unimpeded. As the spell strips the health (HP) of the creature one of the falling rocks finishes the job, Killing the creature and sending it back to whence it came. * * * - The small demons, the guards, the gate demons, Sovix and Zyrquix - The guards are, indeed, protected by Sovixs' spell. Unfortunately for the smaller demons (and Zyrquix), they are not. The stones and boulders wounding some and killing others, It gets very difficult to see as the dust fills the area. The gate demons continue to cast force walls to keep out the falling rocks as the cave in buries the gate. 1 of the gate demons can be seen casting a different spell as the falling debris, rocks and dust block all line of sight.
Sril've Cress Military 02-08-05, 03:57 AM	The guards continue fighting steadily until the rocks tumble down over their shield. Instinctively drawing their forms into tight formations to self-protection, they blink a bit when they are pulled into a single area and the stones are deflected away. They cease their portion of the combat for now, remaining beneath the shield.
Korruute'mas 02-08-05, 04:06 AM	The draegloth smirked at the thought from Sovix. . o O ( Hardly. Merely attempting to divert them from one with actual spells by presenting a larger and more durable target. ) Korruute'mas growled as the stones began to rain down from the partially averted cave-in, swatting them aside with his metal-plated handguards. Moving from his concealed space parallelled with the force walls, he turned the corner and heedlessly marched toward the now buried region. With the ease natural to a vastly strong being such as himself, he began excavating the fallen stones, one at a time, eyes blazing as he worked toward the covered area containing the demons.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 02-08-05, 04:19 AM	Jaehral cursed as he saw the stonefall begin, looking once more toward Zentash as he covered his own head and began working on shrugging off the stones coming his way, glancing at Rym'dael as well and addressing both of them at once, "I assume one of you can do something about this?" The weretiger continues to dodge and weave about the falling stones, coughing as the dust begins to settle.
Sovix Kar'jias 02-08-05, 07:12 AM	As the ceiling begins to further give way, threatening even where Sovix stands, the drider mutters another word, drawing a symbol on the cracking ceiling. An invisible force spreads out from his fingertips forming into a solid force wall which he steps onto and effectively under for a solid surface to protect himself from the falling rocks. Meanwhile, a thought drifts back to Korr. . o O (How very thoughtful of you. Remind me to return the favor sometime. *chuckles*) When the earthquakes stop, Sovix raises both his hands. As if in response, the debris around the guards is pushed away by the invisible force that covered them, leaving them a way out of the mess. As soon as that is done, Sovix mutters another incantation. "Su'acon izin udossa ml'aen." A gust of wind issues forth from Sovix's position, visible as it helps blow away the dust from the debris, clearing up visibility some. Sovix then begins lowering himself down from a strand of webbing stuck to the invisible wall on the ceiling towards the debris and Korruute'mas to help clear it away, looking for a glimpse of the gate or the demons that had been guarding it.
Lilyanna_Rose 02-09-05, 02:54 AM	*smiles impishly at Sativus and shrugs* I have a impeccable timing? Dont look flustered 'chev, I thought I was still a friend to the house, and it would seem that I could be of use at the moment. We can discuss payment later. *grins at Sativus as she stops next to Adinae, brushing an errant curl back from her face. Her eyes searching out the compound. o 0 ( hmmmmm no sign of Re'shak.....I wonder what the Ilharn will have to say about my sudden arrival. Oh well its going to be entertaining whatever it is) *grins to herself, her hand resting lightly on the pommel of her sword*
Dark Chaos 02-09-05, 06:35 PM	Zentash starts to create another weave, but stops as the drider takes care of the problem. He nods to Sovix, then turns towards the gate, sending a thought to all Sril've Cress members currently in the midst of the battle. . o O{move clear. Allow my weave to alter you, or you will be....missed} He jams his staff into the ground, firmly implanting it into the stone. Once the Sril've Cress warriors are clear, he then motions with both hands, creating a wave of Blackfire that streaks forward, encompassing any and all SC members in the area. It passes through them, as well as the demons but neither group appears to be affected. Assuming the drow and illithid follow his instructions, their forms should shift, and become lead statues, temporarily. Once the Blackfire dissapates, after a few seconds, He begins to cast again, this time beseeching his Mistress, Kiriansalee. "Jabbress! Belbau uns'aa l' yorn ulu kus nindolen errdegahren tarthe. Izin uns'aa contri ulu l' NEANTAK!!" With a flourish, he motions, thrusting his hands up and out, towards the area above the largest concentration of demons, aside from the gate guardians, protected by their wall of force. A small black dot appears above the demons. Almost instantly, the air, along with most anything not tied down (demons and those that did not accept his alteration) are suddenly drawn towards the portal. the winds screaming, effectivly covering any spoken words, or any sound. Zentash's form solifies as well, his last words before turning completely may only be heard by the demons, and those not "statued" "fifteen, fourteen, thirteen..."
carthamus 02-09-05, 06:44 PM	Carthamus twists, now avoiding not only the enraged demon, but falling rocks as well. He grunts as one clips the side of his head as he rolls to his left, though whether or not it left permanent mental damage, no one will ever know. As he rolls to his feet, a bit wobbly, he tilts his head and smirks at the demon. "Carth bored now. you go now" With a giggle he cartwheels away, right through the blackfire. He tucks into a tight ball and bounces away, his soft body shifting to something much harder.
zyrquix 02-09-05, 06:50 PM	The red armored illithid is not nearly as dexterous as the lithe little insane drow. He is buried beneath a pile of rocks. For a brief moment, nothing moves, then, via telekinesis, a portion of the rocks fly free, releasing his upper body from the stone prison. Bruised and battered, he pauses, listening. With a series of quick clicks from his beak, he lunges out to grab ahold of one of the little demons, trying to capture it, before his body is changed.
Tsarra 02-09-05, 06:52 PM	Gives a slight grunt at the returned thought, then a smile slides over her lips as she turns a corner and heads to join the Ilharn in his armory, sending a reply ahead of her. . o O ( Then there will be few words spoken other than what thoughts you have on how to deal with this little problem. I have sent Lerg and her sisters to the area to watch and wait. I hope you are decent as.. ) She reaches out a hand to open the door that is between her and Sev'anar, then strides inside, the door thudding shut behind her.. Vendui, dearest.
Sovix Kar'jias 02-10-05, 07:39 PM	Sovix turns his head towards Zentash. . o O (tp, Zent> This had better be good...) He drops carefully to the ground touching firmly to the rocky surface and stilling his mind to allow the spell effect to take place. His eight legs harden first spreading up his abdomen over the chitin as he steels his mind for the change, the magic spreading over his torso and turning his piwafwi and arms to lead until finally it covers his face, leaving a leaden statue of the drider's likeness. . o O (Really had better be good...)
Lilyanna_Rose 02-11-05, 02:30 AM	*waits patiently, her eyes shifting to look at the those around her, noting the changes and similarities in those she knows. Then takes in those that she doesn't, seeming to mentally go thru scenarios in her mind. Then lets out a held breath and focuses on where the ruckus is in front of the group, keeping pace easily* o 0 ( Ilharn, Ilharess........any particular orders for the "white" sheep of the family?) *smiles crookedly to herself, glancing sidelong at Sativus*
Obsidian 02-17-05, 11:22 PM	As the door slides open, Sev'anar slips the quilted under shirt over his head before taking up his armor. He glances down at the finely crafted breast plate, then over to the other parts of the armor and sighs slightly "I haven't worn this since I met Wraith....."chuckling to himself"....Re'shak.....quite some time ago." Shaking his head slightly, he fastens the armor on, sliding each of his arms into the sleaves of the armor and fastening them also. "It has come dearest...that which we hoped our growing strength would prevent. We have been attacked....simply put....and from the sounds of it, by things not put off easily. Demon's, from the reports, and a wide variety of them." Seating himself, he places the pieces of armor on his legs and fastens them securely before standing up, spinning around with a slight grin on his face as he glances down at himself then back to Tsarra. "What do you think?" He rotates his shoulder, testing the flexability of the armor and finding it just as he left it, perfect. The finely crafted plates of the armor slide and glide along one another, allowing for the perfect mobility of chainmail, yet offering the stout protection of full plate. He walks over to his weapon rack, sliding it to the side, and opening the slim crate behind it, pulling a criss blade rapier from it, grinning wickely at it before slipping it to the sheeth on his hip. Next he pulls a hand full of throwing daggers from the crate, placing them in a row along his chest. Once they are all in place, they shimmer slightly and are no longer visable. Lastly, he walks to his clothes he changed from, pulling the double bladed thrusting dagger from them and slipping it into the sheeth on the hip opposite the rapier. "Come 'chev....I believe it is time for us to inform the house what they face, and prepare them for war." He offers his hand to Tsarra, making towards a door on the opposite side of the room that leads through a passage leading towards a balcony overlooking the main court yard of the clearing. He grins and winks at Tsarra, fully admiring her beauty and poise as he hesitates for a moment, then stepping out onto the balcony to overlook the gathered house member. Stepping to the railing, the faintest hint of a ripple flutters off of him as he amplifies his voice for all to hear. "For the first time, in the history of our house, we find ourselves under attack. There are few who would be so foolish to think they have the will or the skill, or even the guidence of a dieity, to defeate the might of Sril've Cress. Those few who remain in that group are formitable, possessing strengths and skills to match even some of our own." Slowly, as he speaks, he walks along the stone railing, trailing his hand along it as he gazes out over the house members "They will find themselves wanting, if they are to think we are simply the sum of our parts. The vison that created Sril've Cress, the vision that still drives us every day, makes us stronger then any would believe possible. Our whole, is far greater then the sum of our parts. This is OUR home...and none shall take it from us. We shall shake this cavern, the underdark, and even the planes if we must, but we will not be driven from what we are...what we live for...and what we will die to protect.!" Glancing around, he takes note of who is still not present and sends a message to Jaehral. . o O(Weapons Master....no.....Jaehral....I am in need of your skills. War knocks on our door....and we must make this a very unwelcome introduction...) Reaching up, he touches the ring on his left hand, closing his eyes and sending out another message . o O(Brother....it is time for us to defend what we saught to create. You, and your troops, will be needed in this. I also wish you to seek out the list of those we can call upon for aid, as I believe we will need their assistance also against what we are to face.) He turns to Tsarra, assuming she followed him out, and bows his head slightly to her, stepping back and offering her the floor of the balcony if she wishes to adress the house members.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 02-17-05, 11:39 PM	Jaehral eyed Zentash catching the mental message and nodded grudgingly, crouching down to the ground before letting the leaden enchantment overtake him. His senses numbed from the altered state of being, he calmly awaited the result of what would come next, his mind picking up on the message from Sev'anar. . o O ( Indeed Ilharn, I am on the frontlines at the moment. These fiends demonstrate a resistance to metal weapons, my blades passed through them while my claws did not. If the further waves are of this sort, we may have more difficult battles ahead. Sergeants Othras, X'etri, and Threkar should have the armies alerted and gathered. I will brief the troops in person once Zentash does... whatever it is he intends to do. Any further incursion will be met with an anger and fury that our foes have not yet witnessed. )
Sril've Cress Military 02-17-05, 11:58 PM	The guards on the frontlines look a bit nervous, first being brought together by Sovix's magic, and now feeling themselves becoming lead. They submit to the magic, unsure of what is intended, but with little other choice than to obey their superiors. They remain as such as the winds howl about them. * * * * Elsewhere... The armies bow their heads as the Ilharn's words spread throughout the training grounds, the amplified voice clear even at that distance. They remained still, waiting orders to move out, and raised their chins proudly. A truly organized military, each man and woman standing with precision in ordered rows and lines, their armor and equipment well kept and clean, slung expertly in place. They had all long ago learned the price of sloppiness. Sergeant Threkar leads the cavalry into the cave behind the others, various insectoid and reptilian creatures carrying the troops, Threkar himself, mounted on the back of a massive tiger, nine-feet long from nose to rump and bearing two viciously shaped fangs and a prehistoric appearance, rode along the front of this, the smallest group of drow warriors, double-checking their equipment. Sergeant X'etri moved to stand before the archers, walking amongst their ranks and ensuring that all crossbows and longbows are properly strung and that all troops have picked up their ammunition correctly. Once satisfied, he moved to the front of their ranks. Sergeant Othras made similar stride amongst the warriors, both heavily armored and lightly protected, the living tanks of the battlefield and the quick skirmishers alike. He looked them over, correcting any who appeared lazily equipped and ensuring that all held themselves proudly. The armies were ready.
Korruute'mas 02-18-05, 12:25 AM	Korruute'mas worked against the stones until receiving the mental notice from Zentash. . o O ( Alter?.. Damn it all... ) His eyes went wide as his undead form refused to change regardless of his will. With a quick motion, the draegloth re-drew the massive sword from its sheathe and drove it into the stone ground like an adamantine spike, at an angle leaning away from the portal at the first sign of the suction. Gripping the handle with his two smaller hands, he crouched down behind the blade, digging his talons into the dirt as an extra anchor. Turning his leg to let the armored kilt hang between his cold flesh and the blade, he waited, the hellish winds forcing his feet to scrape over the stone inch by inch as a thought growled low through his mind unsure if it will reach it's subject or not. . o O ( Zentash... this is not humorous. ) His footing continued to slide, his grip on the stone weakening as the winds drew him upward as well as forward. His talons slipped free of the stone, his body twisted to the side of the securely implanted sword, and his grasp of the hilt went loose. Five-hundred or so pounds of draegloth lifted into the air, being sucked toward the gravitational pull of Zentash's effect. Korruute'mas blacked out for the briefest moment, visions filling his mind. * * * * The battlefield was decimated. Blackened to a crisp from rampant fires, the sky black with ash but cast red from the flames below. Four figures on the horizon on the backs of great beasts watched over the carnage. Bodies were strewn about in the madness, casualties of the battle. Destruction was everywhere. * * * * A droning voice more malevolent than the dwellers of the pits where the draegloth was born echoed through his mind. His glowing eyes shot open as his course of movement was redirected, pulling him straight up against the howling winds, into a crevice formed by the earthquakes moments ago. The wail of the wind was worse here, whistling past the opening at a volume that would deafen the living. Korruute'mas was unaffected by the sound, he heard it, but ignored it. The unknown force returned him to his feet within the crack in the stone, a naturally formed chamber hidden in the rocks for an impossibly long time. The draegloth forgot what went on below, his mind had found a new purpose for the time being. With autonomous steps, he moved into the chamber, hands tracing over the stone until finding a certain outcropping. Rearing back a heavy fist, he shattered the stone knob away, revealing an ancient symbol etched into a hidden plate of metal glowing with a fell light. He knelt and clawed at the stone, his flesh stripping to the bone as he tore into the solid rock, claws only holding together due to the supernatural force that bound his form. Within moments, he unearthed a large metal case, steel and black, traced across with the archaic symbols. He stood and pulled the encasement free of the rock, finding it to be easily large enough to serve as a casket for a being of his size, nine-feet by five-feet by three-feet in dimension, and so heavy that only a being of great strength could have moved it. He placed his hands on the lid, closed his eyes, and became perfectly still, the vision replaying once more.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 02-18-05, 11:47 PM	A small smirk crossed Adi's features. "War it is then. We should prepare ourselves for the worst." She looks over to Chelyrra. "It sounds as if we may thank Re'shak for his 'lessons' before this is over."
Lilyanna_Rose 02-19-05, 07:34 PM	*nods, falling in step beside Adinae and Chely, moving with purpose.*
Chelyrra_Eredyn 02-19-05, 08:33 PM	She grins at Adinae, though the grin loses some of its humor as it reaches her eyes. "Re'shak is as my first weapons master, to think that if one can survive him, then one can survive anything. There is some value in that, despite the pain." . o O (The ilharn inspires us, but he tells us nothing of what we will be facing. How many, what are they, what have we learned of their strengths and weaknesses? ... though perhaps he is still learning of that himself.) She rubs her wrists absently. . o O (So much for a quiet day to recover. Yet maybe it brings the chance to prove my worth to the house... and to the ilharn.) A soft muttering well under her breath, not to be heard by the others. "... if we survive this."
Klil'og'elend 02-20-05, 09:55 PM	* * * - Zentashs' spell - As Zentashs' spell take effect a number of things happen. First those that accepted and are solidified are indeed protected from the vacuum produced by the portal. Those not so protected however, like the demons (except for the gate demons) are lifted up and pulled through the tiny opening. Zyrquix does indeed grab one of the smaller demons before he changes to stone. The little demon, knowing he is between a rock and a hard place, attacks the now stone Zyrquix, hoping to snap the stone illithids tenticals. The larger demon chasing Carthamus, as he starts lifting off the ground, attempts to have his whip wrap around the (now much slower insane drow) in an attempt to give himself something to grip onto. Zentashes' spell has 1 more unexpected side effect. The rapid lowering of pressure within the cavern on the already weakened cavern roof causes even further portions to collapse, even sections that were not directly effected by the earthquakes. The falling debris damages and destroys some of the buildings around the combat area, fire burns from the rubble, and the falling boulders and dirt further buries the gate. The last of the earthquake spells dies down finally (at the end of the round) leaving the cavern roof perilously weakened and in danger of full collapse. * * * - vaporish demons - . o O (You have done well my children, but I must know more. Go forth into the other chambers, find out thier secrets, how they train and what they fear.) All the while the vaporish creatures watch from a safe distance. a few begin to explore the ajoining caverns (the temple and training caverns) using thier natural silence and near invisibility to keep themselves hidden.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 02-21-05, 07:24 PM	((playin catch up)) Grins as the spell takes effect on the demon, only to have that spell washed away by the fact that he's quite a few feet off the ground. . o O(Hmmm....that didn't go how I envisioned it....) Lands on the ground next to the demon, lashing out with a few kicks for good measure before he hears the message of Zentash. . o O(This better not be anything painf....) His words are cut off as the spell from the footless wonder takes effect, solidifying him in place, with a look on his face that can only be discribed as cheerfully disgruntled. Once the spell has sucked all the demons away, and he can move once again, Rym'dael checks himself and stretches his neck and arms, both of which cracking loudly. Turning to Zentash, he nods his approval. "I must replenish my spells, as it seems this was only a test of our defenses. Inform the Ilharn that I shall return as soon as possible." With another nod, he glances around and heads off towards the part of the chamber they are in that isn't so badly damaged, in search of something particular.
Sativus 02-21-05, 07:30 PM	Once the Ilharn appears, Sativus falls silent, listening intently and drawing inspiration from his words. His thoughts are along the lines of Chelyrra's, noting that the Ilharn has not informed them of what they face, but does not question Sev'anar's wisdom and knows they will be informed. Glancing sidelong at Lilyanna with a grin on his face, he shakes his head slightly and speaks softly, as to not draw attention away from the Ilharn. "'Chev....there is time for you to leave if you do not wish to take part in this." His gaze lingers on her, waiting for her responce.
Dark Chaos 02-21-05, 08:00 PM	The portal snaps shut, the gale force winds ceasing almost as quickly as they started. anything that did not reach the portal before it closed drops back to the surface. Scant seconds later, the leadened Drow and their allies revert back to their normal forms, to continue whatever it is they will do. He looks around, taking quick stock in the situation, spoting carthamus, and his illithid, before sending a telepathic message to those remaining. . o O{One Demon remains by Carthamus. Zyrquix has the other...in hand. I will deal with the instability, and the gate} He turns to the large pile of rubble that buried the gate and the gate demons, and motions with his hand and staff. The blackfire streams out and envelops the pile briefly. Once the blackfire dissapates, the stone pile seems more...metallic and solid, as if altered. He turns and sends another gout of blackfire towards the ceiling, bigger this time. The fire streaks across the roof of the cavern, sealing fissures and altering the loose stones, shoring up the damaged sections. The fire continues for a few moments then ceases. He slumps against his staff and looks about the wreckage.
zyrquix 02-21-05, 08:20 PM	As Zyrquix grasps the small demon in his solidifying claws, the little demon furiously beats on the illithid, bending and cracking one of the tentacles. This victory is short lived however. When the mind flayer returns to his normal he utters a few clicks of his beak and sends a mind blast into the demon, then quickly wraps his tentacles around the beasts head, one of them bleeding and somewhat...disfigured. using his hands to hold the beast still, a crunching sound might be heard along with the rather grotesque sound of sucking, as the illithid makes a meal of the demon.
Korruute'mas 02-21-05, 08:52 PM	The vision continued playing through his head as the stone cracked from around him and beneath his feet. He remained in the hypnotic trance as the floor gave way. The draegloth, and the heavy metallic sarcophagus fell from the cavern ceiling, plumetting like a meteor to the rock-cluttered ground below. His eyes flickered open, the orange glow customary to his empty eye sockets replaced by a ghastly green light. He shoved against the heavy crate spying the one remaining fiend a few feet to the side of him, using the opposing force to aim his weight. The casing struck stone, shattering boulders with its weight before shimmering and vanishing to vision as a rune on its surface flashed, appearing to no longer be amidst the rubble. Korruute'mas, however, landed flat on his feet beside Carthamus and the behind the entangling demon in a crouch. Like a spring recoiling from being compressed, the beast seemed to nearly seethe with focus as he moved into action. His massive right claw rose in an uppercut, the daggerlike talons going rigid as they moved into a conical formation and drove for the demon's back, aimed to impale the fiend straight through the vitals. His equally large left claw swung around from the side, talons stretched wide as he aims them into the right side of the fiend's ribcage, rending upward to either rake the flesh or to literally tear the demon apart. The set of smaller, drow sized, claws reached for the fiend's back, aiming to shred the wing membranes to make any flight impossible. Amidst the flurry of claws, he lunged inward, aiming his fanged jaws for the demon's neck and biting viciously, wrenching from side to side like a wolf tearing apart its prey if his teeth sink in.
carthamus 02-21-05, 09:20 PM	Carthamus reverts to his normal (such as he could be normal) form and twists immediatly, kicking, slashing and biting ferally at anything that might be grasping for him. He blinks as Korruute'mas' furry form crashes down and attacks the Demon. Carthamus steps back to watch the battle between the two behemoths, swinging and punching air, imitating Korruute'mas, albeit a safe distance away.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 02-22-05, 01:46 AM	Jaehral rose to his feet as the transmutation effect wore off, dusting a bit of fallen rock from his shoulders as he scanned the area for the indicated demons. He made a slight face of disgust as his oversentive ears caught the sound of Zyrquix's meal. . o O ( One down... ) He then turned and looked in the direction of Carthamus just in time to witness the falling draegloth, thinking before landing had occurred. . o O ( ...and that makes two. ) His brows arched spotting the plummeting metal object accompanying the draegloth, and began to march cautiously toward the impact zone, speeding up to travel over an obstruction of stone only to see a lack of the container where it should have landed. He halted progress to stand there for a moment, his mind puzzled for the moment. . o O ( That can't possibly be a good sign. )
Sovix Kar'jias 02-22-05, 03:04 AM	Sovix lets out a sigh of relief as the transmutation wears off. Quickly his eyes search the cavern roof, assessing the damage and chanting to erect another force wall over a weakened area of the roof to assist in Zentash's efforts. A moment later, the spell replicates itself over another weakened area. Satisfied with the work he turns towards the sound of Korruute'mas making an entrance, smirking to himself. . o O (Oh no...he doesn't want to be the center of attention...not at all) With a final shake of his head he turns towards where the gate was. He slips his hand inside his piwafwi, withdrawing his holy symbol in the shape of a slender hand with rings on each finger and using it as the focus of his chant. "Jallil d'lil Elghinyrr, Jabbress d' Vharc, nym'uer ussta ortelassan lu' belbau uns'aa l' yorn ulu k'lararl areion ulu l' phreng d' molon lu' gulen." Slowly the spell takes hold as his prayers are answered, his symbol glowing a ghastly shade of black streaked with silver radiance as his form becomes whispy and insubstantial. He slips away the symbol as he begins to cross over into the Ethreal, his form sliding through the rocks with ease as he searches for the force walls to see what has become of the demons and the gate.
shadow of death 02-23-05, 06:38 PM	Across the planes, beneath the ground a few score miles from the fabled city of waterdeep, a figure stood in a chamber. Wearing nothing but a loincloth, the figure settled into a crouch, arms spread wide, and nodded its head. From four sides, similarly dressed figures leap towards the first. He drops low, spinning around to face the one to his right, and lifts his leg straight out to intercept the attacker. No sooner does he make contact, then he moves again, planting his hands on the ground between his legs and pushing up, discarding the first attacker, and pivoting on his hands, bringing his second leg around to the head of the attacker from behind. He lowers himself as the third attempts a kick at his midsection, and drops into a roll, coming up with both fists into the stomach of the fourth attacker, then pushing up with his feet, leaping up and over the third, coming down with an elbow on the neck. He straightens, and looks to his attackers, who slowly get to their feet and face the victor, who nods to them. "Good. You four have learned, which is more than I can say about your fellows. Now go, you have earned the rank of An'kin. Do not dissapoint me." With a wave of his hand, he dismisses the four and walks across the circles to a side chamber. Once inside he sits at a bone desk and lifts a glass of thick red liquid. As he sits the glass back down, he tilts his head, listening to the words from Sev'anar. . o O[Someone wishes to test our mettle, hmmm brother? Very well. I shall send messangers to Jalil and Tyrffron, and see if our horned friend Garak would be available with some foddor....I mean troops. I will contact you again once my elites are ready.] Re'shak leans back in his chair, pondering a moment. He looks at one of the heads on the wall, the head of a young Aasamir boy in particular, and smirks. Then he leans forward, dips a quill in ink and begins to write. After a few moments later, he summons two soldiers, handing them the rolled up parchements and dismissing them. He then summons the four An'kin. "It is time for our Elites to show what they have learned. Summon them, and make sure they are hungry." The four smirk and bow their heads, then as one, dissapate and flow out of the chamber.
Lilyanna_Rose 02-26-05, 12:10 AM	*grins at Sativus and murmurs back to him* And leave you to have all the fun 'chev? I think not, besides it would seem you would need a little of my particular style *links arms with Sativus, and gently brushes an errant braid of his back from his face* besides, I thought you like me fighting at your side?
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 02-28-05, 08:29 PM	A soft crackling echos from the hearth in the small den as the flames give light to the othewise dark room. Lounging in a soft leather chair, his feet resting on the short stool in front of it, Tyffron watches the dancing flames with a slight smirk on his lips, sipping slowly from a glass of wine as the minutes turn into hours with little more then a passing thought. A resounding crack from the fire masks the first knock at the door, leaving the messenger standing there for a long moment before daring to knock again. Once the second knock is heard, Tyff's gaze is torn somewhat reluctantly from the flames to gaze at the door. Taking hold of The Source, he sets the glass down on the small table near his chair and speaks: "Enter...." After a slight hesitation, the messenger sent by Re'shak enters the room, bowing gracefully and offering the written note to Tyffron and standing there polietly, waiting for a responce. Tyffron leans back in his chair, unfolding the parchment and using the light of the fire to illuminate the script. The slightest hint of a smirk slips to his lips as his eyes roll smoothly over the request, lingering for a slight moment before he folds it neatly and lays it in his lap. Plucking the glass from the table once again, he takes a small sip before responding to the drow messenger. "You're request has been recieved, and will be considered by all parties mentioned. Responce, either verbal or written, will be returned upon further consideration of these matters." With that said, he returns his gaze to the fire, clearly indicating that he has little else to add to the messenger, who promplty exits as quietly as he entered. Tapping his lips softly, he gazes deep into the fire once again, seeming to look beyond it's firey dance. "Interesting....this does deserve consideration....on multiple levels." Rising smoothly, a thin silver line splits the air, opening into another room some distance away, and steps through it and snaping it shut behind him. Just as the silver line vanishes, steps can be heard creeping down the stairway, as an middle aged man creeps his way down from his bedroom with an ax held high above his head. "hmmmm.....I must be hearing things...." he remarks, missing the one sign left of Tyffron's presence, the half full wine glass on the table next to the slightly shifted chair.
lana_dune 03-05-05, 07:46 AM	In a quiet and mostly disused section of the servant’s quarters the diminutive figure of Lana is violently shaken from the bed. The very walls and ceiling around her heave and shake in a cacophony of sound. The bottles, phials and jars set all about those walls in their neat wooden racks smack loudly one against the other the wood cracks, the glass tumbling to the floor and breaking into shards against the stone. With no time to make the door Instinctively she dives beneath the heavy oak bed as an enormous part of the ceiling breaks away. Lana lets out a scream of shock as one side of the wooden furniture is shattered into splinters the boulder wedging at an angle leaning on the wall. She cowers in the small triangle of remaining space. Clutching her bare legs to her chest. her short white silk night dress stained with the blood from a hundred tiny lacerations The littered remains of the shattered bed lie all about her, splinters, stakes and torn cotton sheets . Shock after shock rumbling through the stone all around. She can hear other boulders, smaller stones and rubble skittering and tumbling over her impromptu stone shelter. Her mind screams oO (this world is ended? The earth will swallow me without a trace…NO! Get a grip...get a grip!.. It’s a quake, it’s not like you never felt a quake before.) Outside the entrance to her quarters is lost in the collapse along with most of the adjoining rooms.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-06-05, 09:40 AM	Quickly, he makes his way through the tumbling buildings and rubble of the servants quarters, paying little mind to the catastrophy around him as he makes his way towards one building with a purpose. . o O(Let them have been undamaged....or this could be a longer war then I am prepared for....huh?) A shrill scream draws him from this deep thought as he witnesses the majority of a building falling down around itself, seeing that little remains of it where a person might find a space to survive. With a dejected sigh, he diverts his path, skittering around the broken building quickly towards the remains of the standing structure and peeks in through a crack in the wall. His brow quirks slightly when he sees Lana inside, then shakes his head with a slight smirk. . o O(What in the nine hells is she doing in here? Come for a bit of 'entertainment' for the evening with the common folk?) Taking a quick note of his surroundings, he sees nothing that would be of use to him, so he takes a quick mental check of his few remaining spells. Upon finding one that might do the job, he begins the incantation, moving around to stand directly behind her as the chanting nears its end. As he places his hand on the wall of the structure that still remains standing, it quickly turns from stone into mud, making his timing of this wouldbe resecue more paramount. With a swift flash of his hands, he splits the mud wall apart and lunges in, wrapping his arms around Lana's waist and darting back out before the newly weakend structure collapses behind them. With a smirk and a chuckle, he lowers Lana back to her own feet, takin inspection of her bloody legs and checking to see if any of the cuts are life threatening. "You know....I'm sure there are those who would come to your quarters in the main compound if you were looking for 'company' for the evening...." He looks up at her with a smirk on his lips, a sly twinkle in his eye as he winks at her before rising to his feet. "There are a few who remain in this cavern, but they will depart soon for the main compound...You should meet up with them and return to have your wounds tended, and to get prepared for what is to come. Somehow, I think a night shift is going to leave you wanting...in the protection department."
lana_dune 03-06-05, 11:22 AM	A tiny shaft of light had broken the darkness of the shelter reflecting off of the rock dust in the air. A tiny shaft unnoticed until it was blotted out. Lana coughs then blinks adjusting to the new light level. Higher up on the wall a bright red eye was peering in at her. The rocks at her feet shift noisily as she gets to her knees. Her hands pressed to the rock. She rises to peer back wordlessly. The lid bore the rich dark hue of drow skin but the lashes where thick and black oO(I know that eye..) “Rymdale?” she asks in almost a whisper. Louder than her voice is the shift and skitter of rock dust above her head. Then the eye was gone. She hears chanting follows it with her face. Shuffling through the debris on naked and bleeding knees her ear pressed to the rock. Then it is done the sound gone a heartbeat and her face sinks into the wall on which she leans. Opening her mouth to scream she is met with a mouthful of mud and the strong grip of arms thrust through the wall envelope her and drags her through. Lana collapses forward yanked from her knees in to Ryms arms as the shelter collapses behind her and the floor trembling with the impact Her face is caked in mud and her usually immaculate long tresses are streaked in a mixture of mud and rock dust. She wipes the mud from her mouth with the back of her right hand and shakes as she coughs the other hand gripping his arm at the shoulder.” my quarters.” she manages through gasps and she turns her face to spit more mud to the ground .She winces as she is lowered back down to her feet “The quarters...are mine Rymdale ..I was in bed…sleeping“ Awareness builds on her face. Lana looks down on him as he inspects her. Suddenly conscious of her state of undress under his gaze she pulls the nightgown away from her body where it clings Her limbs are speckled with minor wounds from splintered rock and furniture. “I’m not hurt...not really hurt.” Lana rapidly shakes her head and wraps her arms about her small chest cupping her shoulders beneath her hands. “ I thank you for my rescue…what ever is happening I’m sure you need to be going. I don’t wish to delay you I shall do as you suggest very soon ”
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 03-06-05, 10:44 PM	The lullabye was soothing, not only to the babe, but also to the woman singing it softly. Even standing in a clinging shift of red silk, her hair pinned up just enough to keep it from her face, and holding her little girl in her arms as she rocked her to sleep, Jalil still managed to look ready to step into a queen's court and take the throne. A prickling on her skin, like goosebumps creeping up her arms, and a faint sound like air being parted in the next room caught her attention. The room was empty, kept that way for Tyffron's insistance on Traveling. Making sure Lyn'tora was sound asleep, she handed her to the nurse stood nearby, then walked the short distance to the next room, leaning against the doorframe as the gateway shut behind Tyff. She took on a tone of mock-seriousness. "You're a bit late if you wanted to tuck our daughter in, shade of my heart."
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 03-06-05, 11:02 PM	The thin silver gateway closed behind him, letting the faint sound of the decending footsteps creep through before closing, which brought a momentary smirk to his lips. His attention was quickly diverted from the fading footstep as the honey sweet tone of Jalil's voice soaked into his senses. He looked upon her as he always did, with admiration and affection, the smirk on his lips turning to a genuine smile as it always did when he looked at her...and only for her. A few graceful strides take him over in front of her, caressing her cheek softly with his finger tips as he looks down slightly to her, sighing softly. "It troubles me when I miss such things...even when it is important business such as this..." Drawing the letter from the Sril've Cress messenger from his pocket, he hands it over to Jalil, allowing her time to read it as he draws up a seat for her and poors the both of them a glass of wine. Walking over to her, he offers the glass to her after giving her ample time to read the message. "And what do we think of such?"
Ariadne 03-06-05, 11:22 PM	Knelt before the alter and praying, Ariadne almost seemed...normal. It was a term that was hardly if ever used in conjunction with her name, but as the drow messenger made his way inside the temple, he visibly sighed in relief thinking he had managed to avoid the mad loon that anyone who knew anything about this particular temple of Bane knew resided here. His victory was shortly celebrated though. As the woman at the alter stood and turned to investigate the noise, her madness was clear... "Ooooh! Darkies come to play!!" The drow flinched and had half a mind to run. Likely it was only his fear of what Re'shak would do to him if the message was undelivered kept him from fleeing and shrieking like a little girl who had seen a monster. Whatever kept him rooted, his tongue darted across his lips to wet them as he spoke. "I have...a message. For Lord Garak." Ari took the message from the drow's outstretched hands and examined the outside. "Oooh...Garak Sir's not here-sy. Ari give Mister Horn...I mean Garak Sir's message. Come...come. Ari shows the way!" She took the comparitively small drow by the shoulders and led him out, humming a sing-song tune. The drow's eyes began to cautiously dart about, but everyone steered as far as possible away from the loon as she led the drow out to a graveyard behind the temple. There was still no sign of Garak, but that was the least of the drow's worries as the ground began to move, the mass of earth and gravestones pulling itself off the ground. The drow would've paled if possible, and certainly looked sick. Ari merely waved cheerily. "Hiya Dirty Pet! Have you seen Garak Sir?" The large mass of gravestones, bodies, and dirt shook what was presumably its head. Ari frowned a bit and sighed. "Okies dokies." Then, as if just realizing she had the letter, she turned away from the animated graveyard and opened it, muttering gibberish to herself as she read. Suddenly her eyes widened and she took off at a run back towards the temple yelling "Garak Sir!!! Quick Garak Sir!!!" repeatedly. The unlucky drow was another story. He was still staring at the monstrosity before him as Ari took off. As he turned to go, a large shadow fell over him and he looked up to see that mass of gravestones and dirt falling towards him. His scream was quickly muffled as the graveyard collapsed on top of him. It hadn't eaten in a while...
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 03-07-05, 04:17 AM	Jalil plucked the note from Tyffron's hand, unfolding it and reading the writing contained therein as she sat. "So the Ilharn has need of us..." she mused aloud as she inhaled the spicy aroma of the wine. "You know I dislike leaving Lyn'tora. Adirien does well enough as a nanny, but she isn't her mother or her father, nor should she become such." She glanced over the contents of the note again and sighed. "However, Sev'anar has helped us in past endeavors. So should we return the favor as our presence is requested. We can have Mei send our reply and tell Sev'anar that we'll Travel there by morning, agreed?" A small smile curled on her lips as she brought the wine to them and sipped. It seemed that it was time for a little 'fun'.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-07-05, 06:48 PM	After inspecting Lana's legs and finding that she is indead not injured seriously, he rises, glancing around and then points off in the general direction that the group was when Zentash's spell was finished. "You best be off...there is a war brewing...and not a plesant one either. Demons had taken foothold here until they were pushed back. You best be movin along, before you find your near naked backside in a sling, with no one around to help you out" Rym moves to turn Lana towards the direction of the nearest portal out of the cavern, and gives her a swat on the backside before he jets off himself in an opposite direction. . o O(*sigh*.....I'm already pressed for time as it is...why did I bother stopping to help....) Stepping into a storehouse, he makes his way towards a seemingly ordinary spot on the wall. With a wave of his hand, the illusion disipates and reveals a collection of dusty bottles. With a sweep of his arm, he slides them all into a pack he plucked from the floor and ties it closed before he errupts in a spout of hellish flames and is gone.
Blackguard 03-07-05, 06:49 PM	From the temple a giant form emerges wearing only a loin cloth, the rest of his body covered in a fine black fur. Large white horns curve up and out from the bovine shaped head atop the massive muscular shoulders. He snorts, his ears twitching as he looks at Ariadne, looks down at ariadne. "What now Ari? What is it that causes you to disturb me this time?"
jeajea 03-07-05, 07:20 PM	In an outlying chamber, a portal opens. This is no ordinary portal, it is huge, and very soon row upon row of armed troops are stepping in an orderly fashion through it. Floating above the rest is a winged Avariel. He surveys his troops as they begin organising themselves. "Sir! Transfer in progress. Phase one almost complete." He nods to the soldier and replies, "Send out a messenger... no, don't. Fall in and prepare for the phase two transfer. I'll find someone important myself." With that, the Avariel vanishes, leaving command to whoever is next down the chain. He searches his way through the cavern, looking for signs of life.
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 03-07-05, 08:57 PM	Chuckling lightly at the hidden excitement laying just under the surface, boiling with antisipation of the coming 'fun' they might have. Her earlier comments of their daughter did ring true, leaving a pang of guilt festering in his chest at the thought of leaving her alone for any lengthy period of time. "This, perhaps, will repay our 'favor' we owe Sev'anar for his help in previous endevours...or at least get him to realize our testing of his house members will provide no fruitful results. Sometimes, I think his skull is thicker then the stone he lives under...but yes, I believe tomorrow will be soon enough for our answer to be recieved." With another genuine smile, he leans in to give her a small kiss, leaning back with a wink. "If we are to have any 'fun'....we should get our rest in preperation for the 'party'...."
Ariadne 03-07-05, 11:09 PM	Ari thrusts the open note up, waving it beneath Garak's snout. "Darkies wants our help. Wants to make things go BOOM!" The grin she wore on her face was as eager as a child who'd just been told they could have anything they wanted from the toy store.
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 03-07-05, 11:20 PM	A sultry smirk crossed Jalil's face as Tyffron leaned back from the kiss. "Oh I believe the Ilharn will find this more than clears any 'debt' to him if he wishes our aid. Just promise me that we'll at least check in on Lyn'tora when the opportunity presents itself. She's at such an impressionable age and I just...Promise me?"
Jaehral_Ojaresk 03-08-05, 12:19 AM	Jaehral moved into a swift run, dashing over the rubble to make his way toward the spot where the metal case landed. His eyes narrowed as he searched, looking for any sign of where the object had gone. Noticing a small detail of the stones that didn't match up, he reached out cautiously with one hand, eyes scanning the area in front of him curiously. What he found, was not what he expected. His hand found the ice cold casing and instantly was temporarily deafened by a booming, ominous voice echoing through his mind. A single, angered word: "Interloper!" An arc of hellish green light flared from the invisible object, striking Jaehral in the chest and hurling him back a full thirty feet into the dust filled street. The weretiger growled as he stood, the fur singed from his clawed hands and skin partially burnt from the burst of energy. He glared at the space that contained the object as he focused, his wounds slowly healing as his shapeshifting form began knitting itself back together at a faster pace than normal. . o O ( Not a good sign at all. )
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 03-08-05, 12:43 AM	A slight chuckle rumbles in his throat as he nods and smiles. "Of course we will. You know nothing means more to me then the two of you. She will be grown before either of us are ready for it, so will spend as much time with her as we can..." With a slight sigh and hesitation, he then continues. "But we must repay our debts before we can set our own schedule, with our own plans. Even though this must be done, I promise we will check in with her as often as we can."
Korruute'mas 03-08-05, 01:02 AM	The draegloth stepped back from the carnage and snapped his head toward the arc of green light and the flying weretiger. Korruute'mas stepped calmly away from the remnants of the demon and moved with surprising speed to the area containing the casing. Instinctively, he reached out with a single hand and vanished from sight just as the object had. Now invisible, Korruute'mas gripped the case by the sides and hefted it onto his broad shoulders in a nearly effortless manner. He strode without sound or pause, making his way out of the servants' cavern and into the tunnel that would return him to his lair beneath the necropolis. With his speed unhindered by the bulk he held, he reached his destination within moments, letting the front doors in the eviscerated belly of the stone sculpted drider slam behind him without so much as a trace of what had opened them. The inhabitants of the necropolis cavern turned and looked in the direction of the slamming doors in surprise, then turned to each other. Hushed murmers spread about rapdily as they all attempted to formulate the best plan to investigate, but were quickly silenced when a pulse of dark energy spread from the building. The undead milling about paused in their places. The dwarven stone masons appeared sickened and fell to the ground. The priests shuddered and backed away from the stone monolith. All present were kept away from the structure in one way or another. He descended the stairs and placed the casing in the middle of the floor, lowering the magic that rendered him invisible. The ghouls shrank away from the horrid aura being cast off by the object now, their eyes taking on the same glow as their master's as the sway of the forces at work took hold. Fully thirty-six arcs of light left the casing, twelve striking the contingent of ghasts, twenty-four striking the lesser ghouls. The undead were enshrouded by the energy momentarily before it dissipated, leaving them wrapped in blackened armor and equipped with black swords and maces. Korruute'mas turned to them and spoke in a voice not entirely his own, instructing the ghouls directly. A voice cold, dark, and tainted with an unerring certainty that instilled the feeling that all vitality nearby could be snuffed out at any moment. "Go forth my Mortuus Vanguard. Stand watch around the perimeter and ensure that no one enters this sanctuary. I will not have the Master's plans disturbed by... interlopers." The newly equipped ghouls filed out of the lowest chamber of the necropolis and climbed the stairs. One by one they filtered out of the front doors, half of their number standing guard in ordered rows along the tall steps, their black armor making them appear to be obsidian centurions, their weapons in hand held at military precision. Two ghasts and four ghouls ascended to the top of the structure and stood watch from the mouth of the screaming visage of the drider. The rest filtered to the sides and stood at the openings of the warrens that held the great undead beasts, the charnel hounds kept dormant except for times of war. The case began to glow in a single line roughly nine-inches from the top, interrupting the sealing sigils on each side. The draegloth moved, almost mechanically, to remove the lid and reveal that which was held within. He saw only darkness, emptiness, like the void that remains when all is removed from existance. The draegloth paused there, staring into the seemingly endless depths within the object.
lana_dune 03-08-05, 09:18 AM	Lana listens. She twists and looks where he points, her arms wrapped about herself protectively. Before she has a chance to ask questions or truly absorb the information he tells her she is swatted on the rump and stumbles forward painfully on her bare feet in the rubble . Now a few paces closer to the portal,she stops and waits a few moments before turning to see Rymdale disappear into a near by storeroom. Lana smiles. It’s a slow smile. One that builds from within oO(how kind to come rescue me. What ever would I have done with out him?Oh yes gratefull... I am very gratefull.) Lana Raises a hand to rub mornfully at the hand shaped sting across her right buttock .She turns back to what remains of her quarters and hardly dislodges a stone chip whilst nimble as a mountain goat she picks her way over the debris. Lana sinks down. A portion of bedpost sticks through the rubble beside her and with scooped hands she begins to dig in the mud and stones around it Eventually she becomes slower and then happily chuckling she takes from the post a miraculously unsullied slender silver chain on which hangs a small oval cage containing a single downy feather. She hastily puts it around her neck and looks around for any signs of life. OO(No nothing.. no one here but me have I time?) She begins searching looking at the ground. She is cautious to avoid any dark stains that might have once been part of her collection. then sighting a bright red flash of leather she grabs it and trys to pull it free. the ground fails to give up its prize, Lana looks about till she find a chair leg and uses it as a lever to free the garment from the rocks.With it comes the handle of a satchel she tugs it out also . Brushes it down and slings it about her neck. Still barefoot and carrying a bundle of red leather she picks her way to the portal
Blackguard 03-08-05, 03:29 PM	The large minotaur's ears flatten in an obvious expression of annoyance as he reaches out and grabs the parchement from Ariadne. He reads the paper, nodding to himself. Then he folds it and looks back at the girl. "Where is the messenger that brought this?"
jeajea 03-08-05, 05:15 PM	The Avariel, after some time of not finding anyone to talk to, becomes irritated. He decides on a different tactic. His mind opens, searching for the first familiar mind he can detect... Lana. (*Lana! This is Jeajea, I'm in some cavern somewhere. I'm not far from you, I don't think. I don't know if you can communicate telepathically, so I'm linking my mind to yours - if you think clear words, I'll hear them. Could you come find me? I need some help getting to the main complex...*)
lana_dune 03-08-05, 06:11 PM	Lana stops in front of the portal Her few possessions she clutches to her chest as she is caught in her tracks by the mental hail. She can’t help but turn on the spot scanning the cavern and the rubble. The rock dust still hanging in the air clouds her vision oO(Oh hell. I’m half naked in the middle of a war zone and someone wants me to go and find him...try again demon Do you think I’m the weak link? I won’t do it I’m not taking you anywhere. If your Jea you’ll wait right there while I find Rymdale and if your not...well get the hell out of my head) Lana sits down on a boulder and begins to pull on her red leather pants over the bloodied and grimy legs. She stands dragging the material over her hip tying the lace at the front and buckling the belt. All the way through she mumbles, swears and mutters in Drow
jeajea 03-08-05, 06:17 PM	. o O ( Very well, I'll wait. It really is me, Lana. Gods, I feel like I did when that doppleganger came in and Bhryn couldn't tell which was me. ) He sighs softly and lands so he can lean against a wall.
Ariadne 03-08-05, 10:24 PM	((Err, I'm Ariadne, not Adinae. Silly minotaur! :P The loon and I will forgive ya this time, though. ;) Hehe!)) Ari blinks and looks behind her. "Darkies was just here..." She looks back to Garak. "Maybe stayed to play with Dirty Pet." She nods as if to confirm it.
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 03-08-05, 11:15 PM	*edit*
Obsidian 03-08-05, 11:17 PM	As JeaJea leans against the wall, a pair of crimson eyes slowly open behind him, looking directly over his shoulder. A slight chuckle reverberates from the rock behind him as the form materializes and walks slowly around him, as to not initiate an attack from him. A somewhat ordinary looking drow, in plain black robes, stands, staring at JeaJea for a moment before speaking. "You are late....but such things can happen when you're in a new, and very confusing place. I shall take you to the compound now, if you and your men are ready? The Ilharn awaits your arrival..."
Blackguard 03-09-05, 03:58 PM	Garak sighs and shakes his horned head. "Ariadne, Think. How are we supposed to get to the battle if the messenger is not here to take us there?" He clenches his fists, obviously angered. "Now. Go get the messenger, and bring him here. And he had better be alive, and unharmed." He dismisses her with a wave of his hand and turns sharply, heading back into the temple, grumbling and muttering.
lana_dune 03-09-05, 04:08 PM	Lana crouches to the floor .She unties the strings of the old tanned leather satchel and opens the flap. Across the bottom of the flap is secured a length of bamboo cut perfectly from between the knobbly growth section of the original plant. It is hollow and smooth, polished to a deep shine both inside and out. Beneath it in a descending order of length she has an array of clear bleached porcupine like spines of unspecific origin. Each spine is sharp and hollow. Then to the right of the smaller spines is a host of tiny darts fletched in a rainbow of exotic colours. Lana picks out the bamboo and slides it through her belt, stops one end with a wax ball from the body of the satchel and dropped a crimson dart into the barrel. She chose a teardrop shaped dark glass bottle from one of the leather partitions and stuffs it into her pocket oO(It’s not much but who knows) She secures the satchel and slips it over her shoulder so that the main body rests at the small of her back. Then she starts back in the direction of the storeroom into which Rym had earlier disappeared
jeajea 03-09-05, 08:18 PM	Jeajea raises an eyebrow at the drow. He smiles a wry smile and idly comments, "I am never late. And my men are ready. Take us to the Ilharn."
Obsidian 03-09-05, 11:07 PM	With the slightest hint of a smirk, the messenger turns without a word and moves down the tunnel towards the troops. Upon reaching them, he glances over the numbers that Jea has brought, nodding to himself. Reaching down to his right hand, he places his fingers on a ring and turns it slowly, slight clicks echoing down the silent corridor. As they fade, the messenger glances over to Jea, nodding and speaking a command word. As the word fades, and large portal opens, wide enough to allow the bulk of Jea's troops to pass through easily. On the other side of the portal, the Sril've Cress compound spreads across a vast cavern in the underdark. Sev'anar waits patiently on the other side of the portal until Jea passes through, falling into step with him. "Vendui JeaJea.....welcome to Sril've Cress. I am glad that you could make the party, it does promise to be entertaining." Patting Jea on the shoulder, he glances around, motioning to the sections where his house troops are alread fortifiying the defenses. "Your men may lend a hand in what ever area they think they are most qualified in, I am sure more hands will make for lighter work. I believe scouts will be returning soon with more details on previous battles and what we know we will be facing....but then....it's always the unknown ones that lend to the excitement, is it not?" Giving Jea a slight wink, he motions towards a large balcony overlooking the vast compound, indicating this is where defenses can be planned and orders given to orchestrate the defenses.
lana_dune 03-10-05, 04:57 AM	Lana flattens herself to the out side of the store room wall Her silk night shift across her torso offering scant protection against the rough cold stone. She suppresses a shiver and listens for sounds of movement within. Nothing.. Cautiously she leans around the doorway and takes a look within. The room is empty, lifeless .the chemical smell of a sulphurous explosion mixed with the taint of ozone assails her senses. She sniffs and wrinkles her nose before stepping into the room. oO(magic. well that’s no big surprise. but the cause? I heard no sounds of a struggle or an exchange) The room is dark but her vision adjusts. There is little here to look at but across on the far wall a set of empty shelves grabs her attention and she goes over to take a closer look. . Over its surface a thick layer of dust is broken by clear circles such as might have been left by the covering of many rows of small bottles. She runs her finger over the edges. oO(recent. no dust at the centres at all. Someone entered and emptied the shelves) Lana looks back over the room. She sees no other exits but the one she came in by oO(someone came emptied the shelves and left…obviously Rym.) Lana projects her thoughts as well as her limit talent allows oO(WELL DEMON YOU MIGHT HAVE A LONGER WAIT THEN I THOUGHT BUT I’LL FIND SOMEONE SOON) After a brief look out from the door to check the way is still clear she sets off once more for the portal at as much of a run as the rough terrain and her bare feet allow
Ariadne 03-10-05, 01:21 PM	"Okies dokies Mr. Garak Sir. I'll go tell Darkies to stop playing with Dirty Pet!" Without waiting for a reply, she turns back out from the temple and towards the graveyard, which, by all appaearances, seems to once again be just a graveyard. She stops just short of where it begins and calls out, "Dirty Pet...Mister Garak Sir needs the Darkies to stop playing with you. Give the Darkies to Ari." The graveyard roils, a mass of bodies and stones and dirt churning until one body is, for lack of a better description, spit out from the bunch, his eyes bulging and glazed, his chest crushed, his mouth gaping and filled with dirt. Ari kneels down and shakes the drow by his shoulders. "Nap time's over, Darkies. Wake up!" Beneath her cloathing a light flash is seen as the drow stands up slowly, his crimson eyes now lit with a malicious red gaze, his chest neither rising nor falling, "Enjoyed playing with Dirty Pet? Can play more later. Garak Sir needs you now! Come, come!" She takes off towards the temple again. The drow follows behind, rasping malevolently, "Coming..." Ari steps back up to Garak and, when the drow is close enough, grabs him by the shoulders and moves him in front of her. "Darkies is here!" she says with a wide grin.
jeajea 03-11-05, 07:12 AM	Jeajea's army find themselves in the Sril've Cress compound, and Jeajea finds himself standing next to Sev'anar. He smiles. "Vendui, Sev. Sorry about the delay, I had to do some last minute preperation with my troops. They're all very good soldiers - I brought the best I have. What would you like me to do with them? And what's actually going on here? All I have to go on is rumours and this welcome note. What are we up against, and what's the situation?" . o O ( Lana! Don't worry about me, someone knew I arrived. I've been let in. I'm in the main compound. )
lana_dune 03-12-05, 11:43 AM	The portal opened before her and she stepped through into a world familiar but unknown. There was the compound she knew and teaming within a swarmed mass of war bent humanoids the like of which she had never seen. She stopped there to gawk at row upon row of troops until a firm arm came down over her chest and pulled her back into a steel grip her arms reached up instinctively to grab the fore arm her body tensing. A glance down and the sight of a guards uniform sleeve caused her to relax There is a hot breath to the side of her face as the Drow guard spoke “Well...What have we got here?. I do believe we have a little mud monster Bista’uss what do you think?” A second Guard steps around from behind and looks her over with a grin “Nope I don’t think so.. Not unless they have girl mud monsters…Who are you miss and what’s your purpose here? “Lana…it’s Lana let me go or ..” She searches for an adequate threat Bista’uss laughs and his friend snickers in her ear. Bista’uss looks down at her red leather pants and nods his head “Or what Lana? I know from those pants I’ve seen you fight in the ring..you couldn’t break your way out of a paper bag The other Drow laughs loudly.. “Yeah now you mention it I‘ve seen her too.Whatcha gonna do in the war hey Lana? Gonna stand next to the Ilharn and poor his wine?” Lana lowers her head and sinks her teeth deep into the ball of the restraining Drow’s thumb
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-13-05, 12:22 PM	Had Lana lingered in the storehouse for longer then she had, Rym'dael's return would have been an abrupt surprise to her, as he entered in the same overzealous display as he had exited. The heavy scent of scorched wood and sulphur mingle together as the flames die down, leaving him standing in the storeroom, but looking somewhat different then when he left. His wounds and bruises have healed themselves, and his appearance has improved. Across his back are two staff weapons, one of them having a smooth, silver shaft with small blades on each end with a green crystal set into each blade...the other appearing as a sheppards staff from the depths of a living nightmare. Its entire length is covered in viscious spikes, leaving no visable place for one to take hold of it without impaling each hand. . o O(I hope I am not too late to do some good in this...or this deal would have been for nothing...*sighs*) Quickly, he makes his way through the ruins of the servant cavern, nimbly stepping over fallen buildings and rubble as he picks his way through to the portal leading towards the main chamber of the compound. He steps out the other side, glancing around and cocking his head to the side seeing the interesting situation with Lana and the two guards. Silently, he pulls the spiked staff from his back, somehow finding a grip on it without injuring himself as he moves up behind the guard and lays the hook end over the distracted guards shoulder. "Somehow....I highly doubt the Ilharn will be pleased when he is told about this little situation." He turns the staff slightly, letting what little light the portal creates glint off the viscious spikes on the crook of the staff as he begins to draw it wards the guard. "Vendui Lana....I trust that you are well?" The grin on his face can only be described as mischievious, perhaps with a hint of vile malice in it, as he looks between Lana and the two guards.
Obsidian 03-13-05, 12:42 PM	Sev nods to Jea as they walk, sending out orders with house members that approach without missing a step as the. He does stop however, to listen to a brief report from the messenger sent from Jaehral, nodding and then dismissing him with a few orders. "Reports are still coming in, but it seems that we are faced with an attack from the abyss JeaJea. Demons, of varying size and type have been reported, though no details at yet. Through personal experience though, I have seen that they are allied with drow who claim to have enhabited our home here before we 'obtainted' it. Your troops might be best served initially to help secure and prepare defenses. Jaehral will return shortly by my estimate, and he will help divert your troops into areas that they are best suited for. Excuse me for a moment, if you would...." Moving back up to the balcony, he approaches the railing, leaning down and placing his hands upon it as he looks out over the house members still gathered. "It has been reported to me what type of force threatens our house, our lives and our dreams. An army from the abyss has attacked one of our outlieing provinces, a servants chamber, where a small group of renegade drow where being held. Those drow claim right to our home, saying it was theirs...." He steps back slightly from the railing a step, he walks along its length, gazing down at the troops and house members gathered. His walk is calm and collected, radiating a sense of confidence to everyone who looks up at him. ".....Are we going to let them waltz into OUR home....and try and take it back? Or are we going to fight, to the very last one of us, for what we believe in? Will you let Sril've Cress fall to a historic failure? Or will we stomp out the dieing embers of a failed dot in history, and light the flames of passion for the vision that we all help to create...the vision that gives us strength, security and a sense of purpose to each and every one of us?" Moving forward quickly, he leaps up and lands gracefully on the railing of the balcony, staring down at everyone gathered. "We will fight! This war will come to our home, and we will drive them from this plane and any other we have to! " Walking along the railing, he grins with a hint of antisipation. "Go now! Prepare for war!"
Sativus 03-13-05, 12:49 PM	Chuckling darkly to himself, he winks at Lily. "Of course you may stay, I simply wished to offer you a chance to leave if you wanted it, before you were caught up in the whirwind that seems to be approaching..." His words are cut off by the Ilharn as he turns to listen. Nodding with a grim determination to not repeat his failures of recent history, the cloak that hands around his shoulder ripples slowly, waiting in calm antisipation of what is to come.
Artanaz 03-13-05, 12:57 PM	Yawning deeply as he scratches his head, Artanaz stumbles slightly as he walks from the house treasurey. With every step, he adjusts himself somewhat, first his rougishly unkempt hair, then rubbing his eyes and face to help waks himself up, and finally adjusting his coat to fit the way it was intended, before he finally steps up to the group of house members gathered. He tussles his hair again, glancing around at everyone looking up at Sev'anar, before looking up at the Ilharn himself. He leans over next to the person closest to him, which happens to be Chelyrra, and whispers as he feints attention to the Ilharn. "So....what's going on, and why all the shouting? I was having a nice nap and...." Scratching his head again, he furrows his brow slightly and pulls out a couple of coins. . o O(wonderful.....it's gonna be one of -those- days....)
Jhessailyn 03-13-05, 01:15 PM	Her eyes narrow in thought for a moment as she listens to the Ilharn. . o O ( Demons. Wonderful. I'll need to stay well out of sight, but if they're fighting already I sould be able to get in there for a look around well enough. ) She leans in towards Chelyrra, murmuring quietly "We need a scout who isn't busy fighting. I'm volunteering." She quietly detaches herself from the small group that came up from the circles together, making her way towards the portal which will take her to the site of the attack. As she moves along, she directs her thoughts to Sev'anar. . o O ( Ilharn, you need a scout who isn't actively fighting, to give you a more accurate report. I'm volunteering for the job, since that's something I -can- do. On my way there now. ) She steps through the portal into the servants' quarters, and into chaos. Moving carefully and quietly, she finds herself a shadowed observation point and crouches down, observing the aftermath of the battle and relaying what she sees to the Ilharn and Ilharess.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 03-13-05, 01:42 PM	Chelyrra nods wry agreement to Jhessailyn. "It would be well to do something useful beside listening to all the... rhetoric... being shoveled out here. Perhaps some need it, for me it is enough that something wishes to fight us and so of course we will fight back." . o O (And yet... demons. I have blades, some magic to them but not much.) She turns to Artanaz as Jhessailyn moves off and murmurs to him. "You know almost as much as I do, with this last from the ilharn. They attack, we defend, and yet enough others seem to have been called in that I think the ilharn expects this to be a long and hard fight indeed. The avariel, for instance, his troops are here. And it seems we are expected to fight beside them." Her mouth twists with an expression of disgust. "At least we should be able to tell them from the demons."
Klil'og'elend 03-13-05, 02:22 PM	<< Catching up>> * * * -Zentash- As the portal Zentash created closes and the "alteration" wears off, Zentash casts spells to change the rubble near the gate to metal and reinforce the roof of the cavern. Both spells are cast without a hitch. * * * -Zyrquix - The mind blast stuns the little demon and then Zyrquix makes a quick meal out of the demons brains. . o 0 (Vauge images of wars, battles and horror flood into Zyrquixs' brain. War after war, battle after battle, 10 thousand years of pain and death as a foot soldier in the eternal war enter Zyrquixs' brain. Feelings of pain and death - over and over - dying 1000 times, each time different, painful and gruesome. And then a clear vision comes to Zyrquix, On a unnamed battlefield on an unknown plane Zyrquix sees himself in front of a beautiful (and terrifying) demoness, human in appearance (if it wasn't for the small leathery wings) dressed in tight fitting adamantite chainmail with 2 rapiers slung on her hips. The battlefield is littered with the soulless corpses of demons and devils. The demoness speaks in a tongue Zyrquix does not know and yet he understands her words "We have a new charter, a new ally, and a new direction. Do my bidding and we will win this war.". Zyrquix knows he cannot deny his mistress. Then Zyrquix hears himself say "Yes, Mistress Delainna". The memories then fade ) 0 o . and then as Zyrquix finishes his 'meal' the creature fades into nothingness (as happends with summoned creatures) . * * * -Korruute'mas - Korruute'mas' natural attacks strike hard and true, rending the larger demon viciously. The larger demon is felled by Korruutemas, and fades away to where it was summoned from. * * * -Sovix- Sovix slides through the rocks to indeed find the walls of force still there. There is no room to reenter the prime beteen the walls of force and the rocks, the Walls of force prevent him from moving forward (unless he does something about them) and there is darkness beyond the walls of force. It appears that they are content, for now. * * * - vaporish demons- A few of the Vapoish demons begin exploring the nearby caverns 1 vaporish demon attempts to follow each of the following: Rymdael, Zentash, Korruute'mas, Sovix, and Carthamus (all at a safe distance floating near the top of the cavern, using thier natural silence and near invisibleness) * * * - In the room that Raum, Impalia and Enzirath were held - The 4 stone creatures and the symbol of insanity still await the return of the drow leadership.
lana_dune 03-13-05, 05:15 PM	The guard let out an angry shout as Lana’s teeth bit in and drew blood. He cast her from him towards Bista’uss just as Rymdales staff came down onto his shoulder and shocked him into complete stillness. Bista’uss, having had the added benefit of actually seeing what had descended on his friend. Braved it out with a silent if defiant stare. Lana turned as she fell forward and struck Bista’uss’s torso with her shoulder her eyes finding Rymdale almost instantly. oO(oh great here comes my hero) She drew a nervous smile from within and gave Rhm a nod as she found her feet and wiped the taste of blood from her lips with the back of her hand. “Vendui again…Oh there’s no reason for the Ilharn to be displeased Rhm..just me and my friend Bista’uss talking about fighting and stuff. You see I was just going to show him my favourite move.. “ Lana smiled wide and what was left of the now dry mud cracked and flaked from her face. She then threw back a fist with a surprising turn of speed, which although lacking in any serious strength had a deadly pinpoint accuracy. Bista’uss let out an agonised if somewhat strangulated whimper as he folded up and fell to his knees. Lana didn't turn but drew back her hand and flexed the fingers slightly. “Its that one. It’s satisfying on so many levels. Not least of all because its so very kind on my hand. Which doesn’t hurt one bit “
Jaehral_Ojaresk 03-13-05, 07:23 PM	Jaehral pushed himself back up to his feet and surveyed the area, shaking his head seeing the draegloth no longer present. . o O ( That's just great. The Beast has gone missing with that metal crate that he found. Some timing he has. ) The weretiger scans around for the guards, barking out orders loud enough for each one to hear him with clear and precise accuracy. "Find any and all survivors that you can and bring them to the infirmary for treatment of wounds if they are injured. If they are unharmed, bring them to the barracks and equip them with staves and whatever spare armor is available. Rally the militia, every able bodied individual will take part in this battle." His instructions given, he turns and marches back into the building he leapt off of, turning quickly through corridors and doorways until reaching the transportation chamber. Turning the house ring upon his finger, he causes the portal to glow as he steps through, exitting from the other side in the main cavern. His form shifted back to the six-foot tall, muscularly built drow form that was his from birth, not so much as missing a step during the seamless transformation. His waraxes still hanging at his sides seem a bit overly large now in proportion, their metal hafts clicking the stone floor in time with his steps. Jaehral marched from the chamber into the hallways, proceeding to the area he expected the Ilharn to be speaking from, guards backpeddling out of the large drow's path to give him clearance and allowing him out onto the balcony. He paused just through the door, folding his hands behind his back so as not to interrupt Sev'anar's speech, and projected his thoughts through the power of the house ring. . o O ( Ilharn, we may have an issue. In addition to the demons that have invaded our lands, Korruute'mas has found a rather suspicious object within the ceiling of the chamber that contained the initial assault. A large metal case, the size of a sarcophagus, that became invisible as soon as it landed in the rubble. When I attempted to touch it, I was stricken with a burst of energy, thrown backward through the air, and heard a rather unsettling voice echoing into my thoughts. Our friendly draegloth then disappeared after touching the object, though I could still smell the undeath. I suspect he became invisible and took the case somewhere, though how or for what purpose, I do not yet know. )
carthamus 03-13-05, 07:50 PM	Carthamus skitters out of the way of the gravity assisted Korrute'mas. He rolls to the side and blinks the dust from his wild eyes. He watches with fascination as the draegloth vanishes with his box after sending Jaerhal for a flight. The lithe little loon ponders, watching for a moment, then scampers off after jaehral, following him all the way to the compound.
zyrquix 03-13-05, 07:56 PM	Sick wet sounds come from within the tentacles and the head of the demon. The illithids milky white orbs widen. . o O(Information....I must speak to the master) After the demon's form fades, zyrquix turns and heads towards the main portion of the city at a dead run. A portal opens infront of him and he vanishes through it, reappearing in Zentash's Laboratory, where he awaits his master's return. As he awaits, his wounds begin to heal, both his own, and the armor after he drinks a potion from the shelf.
shadow of death 03-13-05, 08:08 PM	A few moments go by before Re'shak emerges from his office, now clad in his armor and weapons belted to his body. With a thought, he summons one of his minions. A younger drow, fangs still new scurries in a few moments later as Re'shak is tugging on his gloves. "Yes master?" The drow snaps to attention. "I am summoned to the main compound. Prepare the elites for combat. Make sure the new armor is distributed to the shifters. Stand ready for my call for them." The younger vampire bows, and hurries out. Re'shak turns and opens a portal with a twist of a ring. He steps through, and appears a moment later from a black portal next to Sev'anar. He takes a moment to survey the scene, looking out at the troops. .o O(I see the bard is no where to be found) He smirks at a thought, then nods to those present on the balcony. "Vendui all. What transpires here?"
Korruute'mas 03-13-05, 08:21 PM	Deep within the confines of the necropolis, the draegloth stands at the foot of the metallic casing, staring into the empty abyss within. He outstretches the larger pair of his powerful arms, raising the smaller pair over the opening of the sarcophagus, dried, bloodless palms facing upward as he speaks in a low rumble. "I call forth the means to do your bidding, the items four to empower your minions. Give me the instruments of your will, that I may help to bring your vision to reality." In a flare of scintilating green energy like that which engulfed his ghouls, four arcs produced themselves from the inner depths of the reliquary. The first impacted to the left of the object, delivering a featureless blood-red sword, the tip impaled in the ground. The second struck ground at the top of the casket, delivering a featureless suit of blackened armor. A third to the left of the draegloth beside the case, delivering a featureless set of dark green gauntlets. The final arc stopped over the draegloth's open palms. * * * * * A fell chill suffused the chamber, slowly roiling from the depths of the necropolis throughout the entire cavern, stopping just short of the connecting tunnels. The living creatures within the necropolis complex paled and feel to their knees, still recovering from the sickening wave released moments before. The undead armies, however, experienced a different effect. Their eyes took on a hazy gray illumination. Their lifeless muscles twitched and bulged, expanding beneath dried skin and partially decayed flesh, causing fissures in their forms to reveal the necromantic enhancements to their physical structures. * * * * * Within the draegloth's hands now rested a massive and twisted staff. The haft was the dull black color of adamantine, formed to resemble an eight-foot long spinal column, each individual vertebrate made with such precision that one would think the handle was an actual skeleton dipped into the metal. Wrapped about Korruute'mas's right hand was an adamantine rib cage, crafted with the same anatomical precision as the haft, but structured to allow his hand to fit perfectly beneath. Beside his left hand, a bone shaped like a femur extends through the haft, serving as a handle for secondary leverage. Topping the staff at his right is a hideous, deformed skull of adamantine shaped like that of a reptilian creature. The jaws of the skull extend forward to the front of the staff, closed and displaying jagged teeth and long fangs. Korruute'mas stepped backward, bowing low before the case before raising up and walking to a metal doorway embedded in the stone wall, walking with the staff like a walking stick. Turning a handle, he opens the cabinet, removing a belt and walking to the suit of armor. Placing the leather strap around the armor's waist, he utters a single word, causing the belt to absorb the armor. Gathering the belt, sword, and gauntlets, he spoke once more, sounding somewhat absent minded. "Soon, you shall belong to your bearers." He moved back to the cabinet and drew forth a mantle of black woven armor studded with dracolich scales that matched the leather war kilt about his waist, and pulled it into place about his shoulders and upper body, fitting his upper arms through the upper slots, and fastening two straps below his lower arms about his waist. He secured an extradimensional pouch at his side and placed the featureless gauntlets and sword from the casket, along with the belt containing the featureless armor, inside, closing it and moving to his seat in the back of the chamber. Korruute'mas sat down, and waited.
Lilyanna_Rose 03-13-05, 08:49 PM	*draws her longsword, a devil may care smile on her lips, eyes sparkling with mischief*
Sril've Cress Military 03-14-05, 12:09 AM	The guards within the battlefield all nod and move about, the few weretigers sniffing the air to scent out any signs of life as the smaller warriors listen carefully. Many of them pause and begin digging down into the rubble, unearthing a handful of survivors trapped beneath the rocks, the rest continue to mill about in search for remaining signs of buried civilians.
House Or'lathi 03-14-05, 01:46 AM	Elsewhere... It was a grand hall. Large and spacious with a circular darkwood table spread out across the floor. High backed and cushioned chairs sat about the length of the table save for what could be assumed the head of the table where a throne fit for a queen rested guilted in gold and bearing an odd circular sigil (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/irideth/HouseOrlathi.jpg) carved into the wood expertly. That seat, as of yet, was unused, but many of the others were already in use. All of the attending parties were obviously drow, their dark ebon skin and white hair glowing in the light as they stared daggers at each other, obviously preferring not to be here. The females sat around the table, at least one male standing behind them, and if the females looked ready to regally shriek "murder", the males looked ready to do the deed, all armed with their preferred weapons. Some of the faces seen were Ilphace Lyethna and Durlyn behind her, Olorva Vi'litar and Ryldrak, Mornica Zaviryn and Solzen, Kelinidia Sarkkon and two males behind her, Ilphtel and Vuzimar, Belar'wae Zarjra and Sszlyn, Akorayne Auvyrth and her youthful consort Im'vyrii, and Sabaliara Novanari with an elder male, Krenkah, and a younger male, Imdor. Servants kept cool wines poured into goblets as the wait extended. Finally, Mornica stood, her voice heavily accented. "This iz outrageous! House Zaviryn waits for no one." She turned to go and was stopped in her tracks by a brilliant acidic green portal swirling into life in front of her. She took a few steps back towards her seat. Through the portal stepped Kiran and Ixziel, both turning eyes to the company gathered before they took up positions to the side of the portal. Next was Elzirath, then Impalia escorted by Raum. The portal closed after them and Raum led Impalia to the seat at the head of the table standing to her right while Elzirath stood to her left. The two warriors took up posts by the large double doors that were the main entrance into the room. As Impalia sat down, she placed her arms on the arms of the chair, and as she did the carved sigil above her head took on a glow the same shade of brilliant green as the portal had been moments before. The other seated females followed suit, whispy sigils wavering to life against the backs of the chairs above their head. The only seat left un-lit was the one Mornica had occupied. Impalia shot her a look, as the standing woman sneered at her, speaking in her heavy accent. "One thouzand years you have been gone and you believe you can ztill call the Communes? We do not wait. House Zaviryn doez not heed the call of the Fallen any longer!" The title drips with tones of disgust as she speaks it. Another female voice spoke up, the voice of Belar'wae Zarjra. "Do not speak that heresy." Kelinidia Sarrkon was the next to chime in. "Is it heresy? It has been one thousand years. Much has changed. The Queen has gone silent leaving the Revenancer and the Maiden to rule the hearts of our people," the second title she speaks with a burning digust and scorn bringing slight nods of agreement from some of the others, "and Neantak'molo and the visions have vanished to most. Outsiders now hold the lands near the shrine." "And that," Impalia offered calmly, "is exactly why we must Commune." Mornica scowled as if she were forced to chew on a hornet's nest, but sat grudgingly and another sigil wavered over her own head. Impalia smiled wickedly at her. "Doubt all you wish. Your doubt won't last for long." She turns her attention towards the center of the table and begins the cant. "We, the faithful, call the Six Communes. Treemma to bring our foes to their knees, Irthos to seed mistrust, Caliga to hide us from the enemy's eyes, Phlith to drive us to our deeds, Mordero to accomplish the task, and Animus to make our victory sweeter. On these Communes we call for aid." As the incantation begins, two glowing circles of green draw themselves one within the other around the edge of the table. Within the border created by those circles, a runic script writes itself out as each name is spoken, adding to the circle's brightness. As the final name is invoked, the energies coalesce at one point near the top of the border of the inner circle before slicing out in a straight line that seems to bounce off the edge of the circle and continue until it meets back with itself forming a continuous hexagram. The entire symbol (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/irideth/falzsm3d.png) continues to glow dimly as all the drow watch and wait. Then, from the symbol's center a thick line of green fire rises, splitting into six thinner lines that arc towards their targets. Impalia's smile widens to a smirk as six are 'chosen' by the flames: Ryldrak, Vuzimar, Im'vyrii, Sszlyn, Krenkah, and Elzirath. They seem no different save for the color of their eyes, the pupils bleeding to a brilliant green that hides their true color. A deep and booming voice echoes into the room. "SO IT BEGINS."
jeajea 03-14-05, 10:15 AM	Jeajea gives Sev a thoughtful nod. "Demons, eh? Under the command of these Drow, or just allied for whatever reasons? That'll make a tactical difference. I doubt that my men will be able to tell the difference between enemy and allied Drow... I'll tell them to attack only Demons and other non-Drow, unless the Drow attack *them* first, I think. It'd be helpful if none of your men attack mine, too. I'd be grateful if you could specifically point that out to them..." He nods to a human messenger that comes for him, handing him a note. He reads it and nods, writing a short reply. He hands the message back to the messenger, who runs off again. He nods to Re'shak as he arrives. "A way of getting around would be very helpful too. It's quite difficult to teleport around here. Maybe I could borrow one of your house rings for the duration? And a map of some kind would be invaluable. I hope you don't think I'm too demanding, I just need to have as much information as possible..."
Lilyanna_Rose 03-14-05, 06:54 PM	*strides up to the group with purpose, smiling impishly at Re'shak, and then bowing her head slightly to him and Jea while standing next to Sativus* It would seem everyone is being called in....Jea, Pet. I follow where you lead boys. *runs her hand down the length of her sword lovingly then looks back at the assembly with an odd smile*
jeajea 03-14-05, 07:31 PM	Jea gives Re'shak a sideways glance. . o O ( Pet? Oh dear... ) He inclines his head to Lilyanna. "Good day to you... or maybe Vendui would be more appropriate? Vendui."
shadow of death 03-14-05, 07:34 PM	Re'shak smirks a bit, at both Jea and Lily, then looks to Sev'anar. "I would strongly suggest not giving outsiders rings, temporary or otherwise. Instead, assign liasons to them, perhaps those not as suited to combat as others. They can function as guides."
jeajea 03-14-05, 07:49 PM	Jeajea says sharply, a little quicker than he should, "No." He then takes a moment to check himself and starts again, "No, I'd rather not have to look after a drow all the time. With respect, there are few who could keep up with me - and any who could shouldn't be wasting time as an escort party. Efficiency should rule. Besides, what Re'shak suggests implies suggests..." he casts Re'shak another sideways look, though this one has a hint of irritation, "... a lack of trust. By implication, I assumed you had full trust in me, to allow my men to stand alongside yours."
Lilyanna_Rose 03-18-05, 11:35 PM	*blows a kiss at Re'shak, then winks at Jea* as always a pleasure Jea, Vendui to you. Are you going to play liason for me Re'shak?? I believe what Re'shak was implying Jea was that you should have a fast way to get about the compound. A ring is not practical, for you Jea....due to the process of it all. Do not be insulted Jea, for I will also have to rely on another to get me about the compound. *smiles impishly, as she adjusts her bracers, then slides her hands down her body adjusting a few spots, her component belt and few daggers disappear from sight. Seeming satisfied with her adjustments, she unravels her hair as they walk, and rebraids it, then wraps it up into a bun at the back of her head, replacing her normal pin, and adding a similar one to fix it in place. Glances at the assembly, shrugs as if predetermining the others thoughts* a girl must be prepared... never know what could become useful in a time like this. *refastens the whip at her hip and checks to make she can draw her sword unhindered, then looks around her once more* o 0 ( strange allies, an avariel in a cavern, coming to the aid of a drow house........but who am I to judge.)
Chelyrra_Eredyn 03-19-05, 12:07 PM	Chelyrra looks on at Lily's attempts to ingratiate herself among the others without comment and with little expression, her mind busy with her own plans. A murmured word and the rune-enscribed collar around her neck again flows black plate armor over her body, not merely magically brought but magically enhanced to allow freedom of movement. . o O (Perhaps the lessons in wizardry with Corva'lis should not have tended to end up as amusements rather than lessons. But too late now. The bastard sword should be kept... the rapier too of course... daggers? I have enough... the whips do not impede me. But something for longer distance... a crossbow, yes, and there is the one kept in my quarters. And substances there to add to bolts and blades... for this is no sparring match.) The decisions made, she makes her way past the others towards the main quarters to retrieve the items she needs. . o O (I'll not be needed here. The ilharn has enough sense not to assign me to shepherd Lily or the avariel around.)
Liadinae Del'Anogard 03-19-05, 04:50 PM	((Small bit of catch up!)) Adinae looks over the avariel as he approaches. . o O (Interesting ally...) She nods to Chelyrra as she moves past, then glances to those gathered about. "I too should prepare. Aluve for the moment." She gives them a nod then she, too, moves off towards the main compound and her personal quarters.
Sovix Kar'jias 03-19-05, 05:38 PM	Sovix runs his hand along the force wall, frowning to himself as he finds no entrance between them. "Clever...but where there's a will..." He places his other hand on the wall and chants. "Wun l' Jallil d'lil Elghinyrr's kaas Usstan elgg nindol faer." His hands glow green as the ray travels straight to the wall from his hand, hopefully destroying it. He presses forward where his hands are to see if the wall gives way, moving into the area if it does.
Klil'og'elend 03-19-05, 09:47 PM	- Vaporish Demons - Those who the demons can follow they follow. Those who they cannot (invisible, opened portals. etc) are noted how they travel, and then the vaporish demon moves on to exploring the area and observing the movements of the troops. . o 0 (my lord, they use magic to open portals within thier compound) * * * - Sovix - As Sovix steps out of the wall of darkness and past the now missing wall of force he feels himself returning to the prime material as his ethereal spell fails. Sovix realizes that he has just stepped into a anti-magic field. Around him he sees 6 of the larger type demons, 4 carrying cat-of-nine-tail whips and 2 carrying 12-foot long wooden staves. They immediately attack to entangle and subdue the Drider. Another demon, this one a Tall beutiful female, casts a Wall of force that blocks Sovix from retreating out of the antimagic field, and a second wall of force to replace the one Sovix removed. * * *
Sovix Kar'jias 03-19-05, 10:55 PM	Sovix steps through, blinking as he becomes solid...nonetheless solid in front of a pack of demons and nicely hidden from view by debris. "..............Vith..............." He backs up up a step or two. "Nice demons...look at those whips...did you braid the leather yourself? Bet their well oiled too..." He turns and makes a break for the wall he entered from, murmuring as he goes. "I think I'll skip out finding out for my---" *SMACK* He runs right into the wall. "...or...you know...not..." He turns and looks at the oncoming demons. "Goddess...you are cruel." He struggles with the demons, but being sorely outnumbered to begin with and lacking his valuable spells, he's easily subdued. As he is (more than likely, I'm guessing) hauled off he mutters, "Ok ok...I'm sorry for looking at Lily in the bath...but this is cruel and unusual punishment!!"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-20-05, 11:57 AM	Drawing the staff from the shaken guard's shoulder, he grins and nod to Lana before he moves off again, moving quickly through the compound towards the possition he assumes the Ilharn will be in. He casts and glance over his shoulder at Lana before she disappears out of sight, shaking his head slightly. . o O(That girl....she gets herself in more trouble then Carthamus....) After a minute or two, he passes Chelyrra on her way to her quarters. He nods to her as he passes, then skids to a stop as he has a thought. Backtracking quickly, he falls in step with her. "Vendui Chelyrra. I'm curious, how skilled are you with a staff?" He quirks a brow as he walks along with her, not wanting to delay too long, but knowing she would get more use out of a particular staff then he would.
Sativus 03-20-05, 12:03 PM	With a slightly mischievious grin lingering on his lips, he slips up beside Lily silently. Nodding to Jea and the Ilharn, then adding a slight nod to Re'shak as an afterthought, he listens to the conversations before speaking. "I shall act as guide to Lilyanna, if you should see fit Ilharn. Our styles of fighting are matched up well and I am able to move about the compound quickly with one other." The cloak hanging around his shoulders shifts and swirls slightly, keeping his body concealed under its dark depths, so that he appears to be little more then a floating head to the heat seeing eyes that look upon him.
lana_dune 03-20-05, 06:15 PM	Lana smiles and returns the nod as Rym passes her. She turns so she can follow him with her eyes but rests one hand on Bista’uss’ shoulder. Bista’uss raises his eyes to her with a glare and she feels his muscles tense beneath her hand. “shhh my friend a little patience he is not yet gone” When Rym turns and looks back they are still there a fixed tableau. Lana raises her free hand in a gesture of farewell still smiling until he disappears from sight. She sighs and looks down. The first guard moves to approach her and she hold out a hand palm towards him in the universal sign for a halt without turning her head. “No no come no closer I’ve had as much cuddling as I care for right now.” The standing guard sneers at her and spits out “Come away Bista’uss before she makes more trouble for us” She still looks at the kneeling guard and grimaces slightly “.Bista’uss. Are you all right? I hope you understand I had to do that?” Bista’uss shrugs of her hand and stands. “You had to? Just how do you figure that? Lana steps back from them both and holds her hands out as she shrugs “You were going to get punished somewhere along the line if not now when Rym had less on his mind. I’m pretty sure he would hit harder than me. You shouldn’t have pushed me about either of you “ She glances at the second guard now. “The Ilharn don’t like it when people are disrespectful. I don’t think Rym bought my story for a minute but you now have a whole war to make him forget it.” Continues to back away with a grin “You can thank me another time because right now I’m in a hurry and I’m distracting you from your work” Bista’uss lowers his head and shakes it slowly as he laughs. Then he turns and placing a hand on the other arm and he turns him also “She has the nerve to smack me in the jewels and then expects my thanks. Come Kyorli for once you are right lets be about our business” As they turn and move off Lana disappears into the crowd and dodges between groups of armed drow and allies. She has one eye on the balcony where the Ilharn speaks all the way to the door.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 03-20-05, 06:38 PM	Chelyrra turns to Rym'dael, pausing in her stride since he seems to have been heading in the opposite direction. "A staff? It is not one of my weapons of preference, but you know me, I have tried most things, and though I'll not say that I've mastered it, yet I am still not shamed by my skill in wielding it. Why do you ask?" She looks at him with quick curiosity.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-22-05, 05:47 PM	With a smirk, he pulls the two bladed staff from his back and sets it, small blade down, on the ground in front of Chelyrra. The green orbs set in the blades swirl slowly if examied closely, and the shaft of the staff itself is encrusted with runes. Plucking a small pouch from his belt, he offers that along with the staff to Chelyrra. "This staff will be useful in the coming battles, as we will likely face a larger force of demons then the Ilharn expects. It contains charges of a banishment, which will help you to fend off the beasts of the abyss. The stones in this pouch hold similar spells, replace the ones in the staff when their charges have been exhausted, understood?"
Chelyrra_Eredyn 03-22-05, 10:39 PM	Chelyrra blinks, her normal attempts at unconcern around Rym'dael lost in sudden regard for the weapon. A quick grin lights her face. "Banishment?! Now there is a welcoming gift I shall be happy to give them! My thanks!" She nods with understanding as she takes the pouch and affixes it to her sash alongside the other pouches there. "When the swirls stop, I would assume, is when they should be changed. I will remember." Her hands take hold of the staff almost gently, then Chelyrra steps out of range of Rym'dael to swing the weapon in a swift double-arc with practised ease. She mutters as she tests it, "Well-balanced, the edges sharp, even without the magicks it will do nicely against those not of demon-form." A side-long glance at Rym'dael and sly comment as she plays, "And I wonder, what would the banishments do against you?" She ends it with another grin and steps close to him to lay a warning finger on his chest. "But remember, no matter what comes in these battles, you must return! Jhessailyn is too much a friend, I will not have her saddened by your loss." Chelyrra shrugs, unable to resist despite her continued smile, "Though I do not know why she should be..." She softens the probably expected insult with the unexpected. Her lips brush for an instant against his cheek with a murmured "... still, take care" before she turns and strides off towards her quarters again, her step quickened from the delay, the new weapon cradled for now in her arms. . o O (Many will be lost in this, I think.)
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-22-05, 10:57 PM	Opening his mouth to snap a sarcastic reply to any of a number of things Chelyrra said only a moment ago, his tongue fails him for a moment, staring and blinking at her as she strides away. His momentary lapse in humor quickly blinked away, a mischievious smirk slips up to his lips. "Careful Chelyrra, if I didn't know any better....I'd think you actually cared." He moves to take his path towards the Ilharn once again, but glances over his shoulder to make one final comment to Chel before she vanishes from earshot. "Oh...just so you know, you don't have what it takes to get rid of me....besides, you'd miss me too much."
Lilyanna_Rose 03-23-05, 04:28 AM	*glances at Sativus and chuckles winking at him, then nods to Sev* He has a point Sev'anar, we do seem to fight well together and against each other........but,tis where ever you need my particular abilities the most that I will go. *glances over at Chely and Rym, smiles crookedly at Rym and looks back to Sev. * o 0 ( the air is filled death, who awaits the souls of the forsaken to be taken to their final rewards...........who will fall amongest us. Will I see them again?) *shakes herself out of that dreary line of thought and looks around, her eyes taking in those around her, as if memorizing their faces*
paula__sirine 03-24-05, 02:33 PM	..
lana_dune 03-24-05, 02:53 PM	It was apparent that Rym and Lana had been heading in the same direction for as she cleared the corner there he was once more .She sees him talking to Chelyrra and feeling like another greeting would be at this time ridiculous she steps into the shadow of a wall. In silent absorption she watches as Chel takes the weapon and moves it with a competence that to her eyes borders on art. The lights dances crazily over the keen edges of the blades and reflect over the firm well-formed lines of Chel’s body. As the body and staff move in unison she feels a tight pang of emotion in the pit of her stomach and presses her balled fist against her solar plexus oO(jealousy Lana? Time and focus would make a warrior out of anyone…) Her thoughts race. The sound of conversation becomes muffled by the more pressing and intimate sound of her own breathing and steady heart beat Those wild thoughts zip between memories with many voices. Some male, Some female, both the very recent and the distant past. Zalisharas voice cold and hard lectures on authority and almost drowns the soft deep voice of compasion that was Tarack.. Sev'anar's level but gentle words of reassurance mingle with Ra’ceme’s quick and ready laughter. Then almost inevitably there is the hot whispered delaration of love that was Keeshe and it sets the small hairs at the nape of her neck on their end. oO(“authority”……"know your place"… "Act to please yourself.".. "with her of all people ..all people" "It matters very little what I think of you.” Lana, I can see it in your eyes what it is that you desire..”Make it defend It”..They wouldn’t dare that much… Chel would never be asked… what will you do in the war Lana?) Lana is no more than a pair of eyes in the darkness, eyes that are alive with a mixture of avarice and awe. She shakes her head to clear it pressing the heals of her hands over her ears Then as Chel plants Rym with a kiss, unleashes confusion and turns to leave, Lana passes them. Hugging the deepest shadows she goes unnoticed by the servants of the house.She makes her way to the stairs that take her up to the balcony and soon she is there having stolen her place amongst the notables gathered. Bare foot and ragged she stands there her silk night dress half tucked into her belt but well to the back behind Lilyanna and out of sight to any that do not look with purpose .
Jhessailyn 03-25-05, 10:45 AM	After picking her way around the battle area and sending the details of the damage to the Ilharn and Ilharess, Jhess makes her way back to the main area of the compound, unaware of Sovix and the demons within the shell of debris. Arriving back with the others, she steps away from the portal in time to witness Chelyrra's smooch to Rym'dael with some amusement. . o O ( I always knew she liked him more than she lets on. Anyway, what else can I do to be useful? ) She glances around the gathering, taking note of Jeajea and his force. . o O ( They will need someone to get them from place to place. And of all of us, Father and I get along best with surfacers. Where is Father, anyway, I wonder? ) She makes her way to Sev'anar and T'sarra, hanging back slightly to allow Rym'dael and any others who took part in the fighting to give their reports first. But when she gets the opportunity, she steps forward. "Ilharn, Ilharess, I would guess that Jeajea and his force will need someone to guide them about the compound? I would volunteer as their guide, if so. And if not, I will continue to scout, or whatever else you need me to do."
jeajea 03-27-05, 06:54 PM	The Avariel shifts his wings irritably. "I don't need an escort. Really. Getting from place to place is my speciality. My soldiers aren't going to leave this area, at least not at present, and I'm really not going to snoop around for Sril've Cress secrets or anything like that. I work best by myself. Or with a healer type, I suppose. But if I must have an escort, I suppose Jhess would be better than most..." . o O ( Vendui, Lana. )
lana_dune 03-28-05, 10:17 AM	Lana breathes out slowly closing her eyes. One minute she felt hidden. The next she felt as if she were the tallest thing on a bare mountains side. Jeajea’s silent greeting passed into her mind like a hot wire through butter sending other thoughts like shades scurrying for the shadows. It raises a warm smile oO(So you are back again demon? Vendui ..Not quite the unwelcome guest after all)
jeajea 03-28-05, 04:52 PM	A smile comes to the winged Elf's lips. He doesn't look at Lana, keeping his gaze on the Ilharn, but his eyes show a slight lapse of attention. . o O ( Demon... told you I wasn't a demon. See? Tisk, Lana. How are you? I'd say you look good, but I can't see you. I'm to be escorted around, as you may have gathered. I can't think of anything more... well, frankly, degrading. I feel like an intruder here... maybe I should have just stayed out of this? I thought you could use the help... say, you don't want to be the one to escort me around, do you? I could stand that. At least I know you don't hate me for being a 'surfacer'. What do you say? )
Jaehral_Ojaresk 03-29-05, 06:26 AM	Jaehral remained standing amongst the gathered, his face calm and relaxed despite recently having left a combat zone. He glanced at Jeajea with a faint smirk, "I'm sure that my generals are capable of guiding your troops if they are required to move from their current standings as well, so that is another guide-detail that can be left for another time. As long as they are as well trained as soldiers rallied beneath the banner of one with your reputation ought to be, avariel, they should fare quite well alongside the warriors under my command." He turns toward Re'shak next, "I don't suppose you have any spare crystal weaponry in storage hidden about the compound anywhere? The more powerful demons that were a part of the initial conflict seemed to be immune, or at least resistant, to metal. My axes passed through them as if they weren't there. My claws cut true, as did the Beast's from what I saw, which leads me to believe that non-metallic items will be our best bet for equipping the armies. At the least, we are going to need to provide the mundane troops with some measure to bypass this issue. I can procure a few hundred clubs and maces carved from bone without difficulty, but proper blades and spears will likely be needed as well, and crystal is the most likely solution that I can think of."
jeajea 03-29-05, 10:22 AM	Jeajea smiles. "I spent some time with each of my men, training every single one personally. As well as ensuring that their other training was excellent. They know almost all the dirty tricks I do. My men are elite, and although a few are not yet experienced in mass combat, all of them have faced foes in battle." He nods to the Ilharn, "Just so that you know, most of my men are human and footsoldiers - around four hundred. The other hundred are mainly elves, though I do have a highly skilled unit of ten dwarves. The elves are archers, healers or spellcasters, and provide support for my men, who are organised into four troops of a hundred and twenty five each. I suggest that they remain with the balances I decided on for any big combat. However, if it is necessary to break them up into smaller groups, they have been trained to work in units of twenty too. Oh, and all the footsoldiers are equipped with swords, all of which... at great cost... are magical. Hopefully they can hit the enemy with their blades! This isn't however, the whole of my army - merely the most elite part. If needed, I have more men to call on, including more powerful spellcasters and Lyzar's Avari, comprised of very highly trained Avariel... I didn't think it very wise to bring them into this fight, as they are most effective at fighting while flying, and this being an underground fight..." He nods to Jaehral. "They are ready to fight. They have a heirarchy already, with my own generals leading. I will tell them to obey your generals, and I trust that my men won't be used as fodder. Hmm? Also, if you give me some time, I could procure some crystal weapons - I have one or two dwarven smiths working for me back on Oerth. That kind of thing would take time, however - I don't know how long we're going to have... but it's an offer."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 03-29-05, 05:39 PM	"Fodder? We have better, more disposable, sources of fodder, trust me. Our necromancers keep our stock as full as needed. The weapons would be much appreciated to reinforce our chances. As for the mention of enchantments on your troops' weapons, that ought to be useful. My axes delivered some harm to the demon I struck with them, likely due to their nature, precisely the difference I've noticed lacking effect when using similar quality axes inside an anti-magic field." Jaehral glances down at his own axes thoughtfully for a moment, then lifts one carefully from its sling, "I will make a visit to forge as well and have the forgemasters fit a secondary crystalline blade onto the edges of my weaponry, and on as many weapons as can be managed before the battles commence. With a bit of psionic application, it should work smoothly enough for a short time, durability won't be equal to a solid crystal weapon, but it will be better than the alternative of arming some troops with ineffective weapons."
Lilyanna_Rose 03-29-05, 09:30 PM	*looks around at the assembly, arching a brow at the listing of troops Jea has available, then looks away frowning slightly. But keeps her thoughts to herself*
lana_dune 03-30-05, 12:17 PM	*Lana bit her lip. A new turmoil entered her mind. What was to be done? She turns her head as Jaehral speaks. The words were not comfortable. The tone had its familiar edge. That veiled Drow hostility to anything not of the underdark why had Jea come here? He stood there amongst the sea of dark faces a winged creature of moonlight brilliant but incongruous oO( I am Drow…..I am Lana and I am Drow. Am I so different?) She thought of Venorik. The way he had shook his head to see her laughing and talking with the Avarial. Judged her guilty of some crime against her race. oO(TP> Jea?..I look like I just crawled out from under a stone. and no wonder when that is exactly what I have done I cannot offer to guide you when more worthy house members have offered already. To do so would at best imply I thought myself better suited…that would be an insult and a conceit. I am willing to serve. Happy to be asked... but if you wish me for your guide you must ask the Ilharn not I.)
jeajea 03-30-05, 02:00 PM	"I'm glad to hear you have better sources of fodder. Good." He listens on, then with thought comments, "...antimagic fields, you say? Are those in common use amongst our enemies? That rules out the demons being summoned, or every time they went through such a field they'd vanish. There must be at least one portal open somewhere... He pauses, thinking. Then, with a sudden burst of enthusiasm, he says, "Ah! Portals and planar travelling are my speciality... If I may, I suggest that I head a team looking for portals - I can close them, or at the very least find where they lead. That could be of use..." He pauses. "Right. Weapons. I'll send word to Armin and his team to get making as many crystaline weapons as possible, quickly. It'll take at least a few days... and there will be costs." He eyes Lilyanna, "Something to say?" . o O ( Okay, Lana. I'll ask him. Are you alright? Don't worry about me, I've seen worse... and stranger... things in my time. I'll survive a bit of prejudice. )
Dark Chaos 03-30-05, 03:09 PM	Back in his laboratory, Zentash frowned as his armored pet related to him the information gleened from the mind of the demon he consumed. You are certain? The armored mind flayer nodded .O O{I am, Master. It is all as I have shown} The eyeless drow's frown deepened. Gather your companions and prepare. Instruct Myrillian and Xyllestiqar to gather knowledge from the House library....we have much to do....I will be with the Ilharn. With a flick of his wrist, a tendril of blackfire snaked from his fingers, wrapped around his staff and returned it to him. He grabbed the staff and muttered a word, vanishing from sight, only to reappear scant moments later a few feet from Sev'anar and the others. He glided towards the Ilharn, ignoring all others. Ilharn, we must speak....privately. I have information.
carthamus 03-30-05, 03:18 PM	The lithe little loon scurries out behind Jaehral and settles into a crouch, looking from speaker to speaker but saying nothing. though at the mention of hurting the demons, he does speak up "Carth not hurt demons...blades go right through...carth need help" Then he looks about a bit, here and there, occasssionally wiggles his fingers at someone he recognizes, and sometimes at things that just aren't there. When the floating wonder appears, Carthamus eeps, and scurries away, having been right next to where Zentash appeared.
shadow of death 03-30-05, 03:29 PM	Re'shak leans casually against a pillar as the others discuss. He nods occassionally as they speak, then looks to Jaehral. "I have some crystal weaponry, but not much. I will instruct one of my own to collect them and bring them here." He quirks a brow at Zentash's arrival and then frowns as the floating drow ushers off the Ilharn. "Thats never a good sign"
jeajea 03-30-05, 04:22 PM	Jeajea eyes Re'shak and mutters something quietly to himself. "Silent, deadly, invisible and intangable. Dispassionate, intractable. Free from guilt or remorse. The Wraith. Right..."
Obsidian 03-30-05, 06:35 PM	((catch up, sorry for the long absence)) Oddly enough, Sev'anar remains remarkably quiet through the onslaught of comments. He pays particular attention to any detail that is brought up, including Jea's troop count and skills, offers for escorts and who wishes to fight together. Finally, he holds up a hand to those talking to him, silencing them for the most part so that he can add his piece. "Jea....I'm sure you work better alone, but that is when you are in somewhat familiar environments. There is much you do not know of Sril've Cress, as you have never been here before yourself. I will grant you temporary teleportation within the main compound, but you will be escorted by Jhessalyn, as she knows the compound as well as anyone, and has offered to do such. I will leave details of your troops purpose and possitioning to you and Jaehral to decide, as his strategy is one of his many fine attributes. Any help you can provide in the way of weaponry for this, regardless of cost, will be taken care of...within reason of course." "Sativus, I believe you will be able to gain back some stature in this situation from your previous shorcomings, and yes, you and Lilyanna will fight alongside one another, and guide the assassins to where they are most needed." "Jhessalyn, as previously mentioned, you will be guide to Jeajea. You are closer to his mentality, as you were raised on the surface. Offer him what ever council he asks for, but do not hinder his assistance to the conflict." "Re'shak, time to prove you haven't simply been twiddling your thumbs these past few months with these troops of yours. I will expect great things from them...." Glancing sidelong to Zentash, he nods to him and looks back to the group around him. "Excuse me for a moment, hopefully I will gain some information that will help our situation in defense and elimination of our threat...."
Rymdael_Zylkyr 03-30-05, 06:46 PM	His path finally takes him to the Ilharn and the gathering around him where he glides to a stop behind Jhess silently, leaning over to whisper softly in her ear. "Miss me 'chev?" Waggling his brows to her, he leans back upright, looking around at those gathered, hearing Jea's comment about working well with a healer, and then the Ilharn's order of sending Jhess along with him as escort. "If it's divine type magics you work well with, then I'll offer those skills to you. Besides, I have some vested interest in keeping your guide amongst the living without having to employ my tallents in raising the dead." Grinning mischieviously, he pulls the staff of pain from his back, placing it tip down on the ground in front of him, with the viscious sheppards crook top curling up around chin level to him.
jeajea 03-30-05, 06:57 PM	"Hmm..." The winged one nods contemplatively. "I bow to your will, Sev'anar. Before you go, could I request that Lana accompanies us?" He nods towards Rymdael, "And Rymdael? He seems to want to come."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 03-30-05, 07:11 PM	"The enemy's tactics are not yet clear beyond what I have witnessed. Antimagic is, however, a common enough tactic among powerful opponents to be worth practicing with. As such I train under antimagic just as I train under intense temperature ranges, it is an environmental hazard that must be prepared for. Prolonged study of one's capabilities provides great insight to one's strengths and weaknesses." He then turns and nods to Re'shak, "Good. We ought to be able to equip the soldiers that would be capable of fighting anything like the larger demons encountered already. The smaller fiends showed no signs of resistance to weaponry, so our less-experienced soldiers should fare well enough with their current armaments. I'll have my berserkers take a short venture to the arctic lands to obtain the proper bones to create back-up weapons... just in case the crystalline ones fail us. They have some travelling to do before they can return to the compound to begin with..." Jaehral pauses his words upon seeing Zentash's arrival and watches as the floating chaos mage passes by, then nods in agreement with Re'shak, "Not a good sign at all, especially in times of war."
Korruute'mas 03-30-05, 07:46 PM	The draegloth's eyelids drifted closed as he sat, awaiting instructions and remaining perfectly still. All at once his mind was assaulted by vivid imagery, two distinct thought patterns filling all that he could sense. * * * * * * "You must resist, Korruute'mas. You have ventured far on the path you were meant to walk, and now that path is jeopardized by the madness you hold in your hand." The voice was familiar, but disembodied in his mind. He was surrounded at his left by an unforgiving morass of black swirled with violet sparks, rows upon rows of varying sorts of undead beings arrayed as a massive standing army. The throne he had seen in visions once before, several hundred years prior, stood behind the throngs of lifeless warriors. The voice resumed, "Do not fail your maker..." "Give in to the thirst for destruction, bring an end to all that resist, and a beginning to those who accept. Your time has come, Victus Mortuus." The alien voice, the one that echoed from the reliquary, drove itself into his consciousness. Upon his right was a dreadful expanse of hellish red and black swirls, arcs of vivid green lightning crashing through the sky. There were no armies upon this side, no throne to see who was giving the instruction. All that the draegloth could see was a hexagram composed of eight angles, stark and solid black amongst the chaotic display of swirling energy. "Do not fail the one who has called you to your duty..." "You are being lured to bring death, Korruute'mas. There is no interest in undeath in the lies you are hearing, no measure of enjoying your victories." "My words are not lies, Victus Mortuus. You are to leave Death in your wake whereever you walk, what becomes of such death matters not. Animate the husks as you wish, for the dead that walk are already on their way to oblivion" * * * * * * Korruute'mas opened his eyes and rose from his seat. Almost as if not himself, he moved as an automaton to the casing inside the wall, opened it, and removed his old baldric. He slid it into place over his torso and traced a hand over the metallic chest piece depicting a female hand wearing several rings, palm visible and facing outward. Staring at the wall rather than watching his actions, he applied pressure, drawing his supernaturally hardened talon over the metal and etching the eight-angled hexagram into the palm of the symbol. The draegloth's eyes flickered between their newfound green glow and their normal orange gleam for a moment before turning a hellish red as he muttered. "So it shall be done, Masters." The draegloth turned and walked quickly, the Mortuus Vanguard of newly armored ghouls fell into stride, leaving the massive stone necropolis and following their master on his path. Korruute'mas strode to the side of the effigy-styled structure, standing before the guarded cavern with his new staff held high. He concentrated on the opening and uttered a long string of chants in abyssal. The few living occupants of the cavern that remained awake and aware watched on with a mix of confusion and horror, unsure of what was causing their trauma or what the draegloth was doing, but the new feeling entering their minds hearing his words assured them it was not wise to interfere. Within minutes, the draegloth impacted the butt of the staff to the ground, kicking up dust from the splintered stone and sending a flare of negative energy into the cavern. A low rumble emerged from within and the massive charnel hound, a ten-foot shoulder-height wolf composed of a mass of dead and decaying bodies, emerged from its slumber. A flare of the green energy shot forth from the eyes of the necropolis and struck the hound, adding a casing of blackened metallic barding, shielding the largest target areas of the monstrous amalgamated cadavers and depositing hellish red pinpoints of lights where the thing's eyes should be. A saddle found purchase upon its back, and the draegloth pulled himself up astride the abominable creation. The draegloth held his staff aloft and the energy swirled around the necropolis, forging a field of faintly green energy around the structure. Korruute'mas settled the staff across his body as his smaller hands took the reins of the saddle and the charnel hound began to move. The troupe of ghouls marched without pause after their master, heavy boots falling in steady, droning rythym with the beast's paws. The draegloth led this bleak caravan into the tunnels and toward the heart of the compound, heading toward the main caverns.
lana_dune 03-31-05, 12:00 PM	Lana shrunk back as if stung her heart leaping to her throat. Those thoughts of jea unbidden had reached his mind. Her image of him, her concern was as open as if spoken aloud. Recoiling into herself she brought up mental walls she had not realized were down oO(Stupid stupid girl. ) Her ability at mental communication had never been strong her control over her emotions even less. She had relied too much on the capacity of the ring to compensate. oO(Oh gods Lana.. must every powerful mind walk through the squalid slum of your own at will) Jea mentioned her name out loud and the sound of it echoed around in her head as if the steel shutters were real and the sound trapped within them. She stepped forward and into the light. Still looking like a refugee from a landslide. Tiny bloody scratches were all over her body. Her makeshift clothing, naked feet, bare arms and shoulders; they all told the story of her recent adventure. She smiled nervously at the other house members and although her appearance was the epitome of a victim she rallied herself. From within that dirty shell she found a defiance of her situation After Nodding to Rym and Jhess she stood surprisingly straight for the Ilharn to see on his return. oO(TP>we can not all be works of art demon) She doesn’t look at Jea directly or Re’shak either but Carths face from amongst the gathering draws her eye. She looks at him fondly and smiles
Lilyanna_Rose 04-02-05, 11:23 PM	*looks sidelong at Sativus, and nods at Sev'anar's statement, smiling crookedly as she looks around at the other assignments.* o 0 ( hmmm interesting) *pulls her cloak about her, eyes twinkling with pent up mischief waiting to be released*
Jhessailyn 04-05-05, 12:15 PM	She smiles at Rym'dael, allowing herself the luxury of a quick hug and kiss. "I'm glad you're all right, 'chev, and very glad to see you." One arm still around Rym's waist, she smiles a welcome to Jeajea and his troops. "Jea, I'll do my best to avoid getting in your way as things unfold. I don't know how useful I or my spells will be against demons, but if we should run across those who brought the demons here... well, I do have a trick or two that should prove interesting. And speaking of tricks..." Her gaze falls on Lana, taking in the makeshift clothing and the scratches. "Lana, I'm guessing your things are gone at this point? I can give you some of my things to wear, if you'd like, including boots. Father showed me a few tricks that I can use to resize them for you." She pauses, looking around the gathering, realizing that of all the well-known members of the house, Corva'lis is still conspicuously absent. . o O (Wherever Father is, I hope he is all right. Chelyrra and I would both be saddened if anything was to happen to him.) Keeping her thoughts to herself, Jhess smiles at Lana, ready to bring the other woman to her own quarters to change into something more practical for scouting and possibly fighting.
lana_dune 04-07-05, 08:42 AM	Lana looks at Jhess with a soft smile and nods. Self-consciously she strokes a hand over her dirt-smeared hair. Then a more confident smile finds her face “I would be very grateful Jhess..by the time every thing settled there wasn’t much I could find and what there was I had to dig for” The grubby hand lowers and brushes lightly over her necklace but doesn’t linger. oO(My lucky pendant. Was it because it was there by my bed that I was not crushed? or was it because I was not wearing it that the room fell apart in the first place?) “A chance to get clean would be the most welcome thing of all and I thank you for it.” She can’t help but look down at it. It was as bright and clean as ever. The hard scornful self chides in her mind and a small wistful one answers oO(you are foolish to place so much in an object. why do you do such a thing?…Maybe because it endures) Lana glances around her feeling very exposed. She moves away from the rooms centre and stands close to Jhess looking at her and smiling again. “Should we go or wait for the ilharn to return first?”
Jhessailyn 04-07-05, 12:42 PM	Jhess smiles back at Lana. "I'd say you need to change before we can go do anything else anyway, so we might as well go let you get cleaned up and all now. My quarters are fairly close to here, so we can be there and back quickly. Besides, Rym'dael is here. He can let us know if we're needed." She flashes Rym'dael a brillant smile as she gives him a squeeze and lets go. "Right, 'chev?" She points Lana in the right direction and begins to thread her way through the crowd to her quarters, glancing back now and again to make sure Lana is still with her.
Dark Chaos 04-08-05, 02:19 PM	Away from the others, Zentash and Sev'anar share a silent conversation. The eyeless drow places a hand upon the head of Sev'anar and concentrates, allowing the images from Zyrquix's meal to transfer from his mind to the Ilharn's mind. The connection is, at first, a jumble, due to the chaotic nature of Zentash's mind, but after a moment, it focuses and is direct. The transfer takes only moments, then he pulls his hand away. My pets are seeking knowledge from our library as well, Ilharn. Once they are finished, I will pass this knowledge to you and the others.
Myrillian 04-08-05, 03:39 PM	Silence and calm. It was a difficult thing for Myrillian to grasp as it once did. Its mind now broiled with chaos, simple silent whispers in its mind flowing over one another to the point of being a jumbled mess, but if it could only focus, the whispers could be urged to temporary silence. That peacefulness was close now...so very close, until something, like a clear thought, cut through. {The master has been gone for a while. Surely he will return soon, yes?} Myrillian clicked its beak annoyedly as the whispers drifted back, its bulbous eyes turning with its head to examine its companion. Another illithid, and one Myrillian would have gladly been rid of. {Xyllestiqar, when I asked for silence...I meant total silence! Master Zentash will return when he deems necessary, not before. It is useless to ask me every other moment when he will return, you half-brained dolt.} Xyllestiqar made no reply or show of it if the words stung. It never did, but nonetheless, the cruelty satiated Myrillian. {Zyrquix is returning, alone} it said before the other could ask if Zentash came too, rising from where it had been situated to meditate. Sure enough, the red-armored illithid stepped in through the doors of the lab not a moment later. {The master has a task for you.} Myrillian was sure Xyllestiqar would be grinning as the humanoids did if it could, but an excited clicking of its beak was heard nonetheless. For once, Myrillian almost wished it could roll its eyes as the humanoids did. Zyrquix just continued. {He wishes you to find information on the demons I encountered.} Myrillian thought a moment before motioning him forward silently. {Let me see these demons.} It placed its crooked, grayish fingers on Zyrquix's brow, focusing to allow the images to flow between their minds. The battle played itself out in the illithids' minds up to Zyrquix taking a bite out of one demon's head. Then it was like...like a flashback. That was the only way to explain it. The wars and battles it saw were nothing Myrillian was familiar with. It was something to be investigated. However, just as Myrillian was about to break the connection it saw the demoness. Delainna...and that language...Myrillian focused on the words, trying to hear them not as the vision wanted it to, but as they were actually spoken. It strained to hear, the whispers were so close now. So close... Myrillian jolted back, breaking the connection cleanly. Zyrquix stared back at it, lost in the daze that occurred when tapping into the memories. It would be fine given a few moments. Myrillian thought back a moment on what it had seen. It had received all the information, but there was something else as well... Myrillian passed the relevant information on to Xyllestiqar in the same manner. It took a few moments to refocus its mind, and then turned for the door of the lab. {Let's go, Xyllestiqar.} As the two illithids made their way across the compound, though, one thing troubled it: Myrillian was looking at the demoness. It knew this was a recreation of the consumed demon's own memories, but it was quite vivid to see the scene play out as if it were the demon. It looked up at the demoness and heard the demon's voice pledge, "Yes, Mistress Delainna." Then the demoness smiled. Signals went off in Myrillian's mind. It knew instinctively this wasn't part of the memories. It continued to watch, but it now saw its own tentacles writhing before its face as the demoness became shrouded, fading into a veil of smoky shadows that grew until all that was left was a gigantic wraith-like form, malevolent green pinpoints the size of Myrillian's hands for its eyes. The wraith consumed all of Myrillian's vision and the illithid had half a mind to step back. It knew this wasn't right and so focused on breaking the connection to Zyrquix's mind. Even as it tried to break the connection, though, it heard a malevolent chuckle and a voice that echoed through its mind say, "I see you, illithid..." before it was jolted back to reality.
shadow of death 04-09-05, 01:27 AM	Reshak nods and runs a finger across a portion of his left gauntlet, closing his eyes, only after a quick glance and smirk directed towards Jea. After a moment, he nods and opens his eyes, speaking to Jaehral. "One of mine will be arriving in the circles with a cache of crystalline weapons. Mostly swords...a score at most of them." he pauses....probably for effect before continuing. "And three dozen longbows with 300 properly modified arrows. Will that suffice?"
carthamus 04-10-05, 07:42 PM	Carthamus wiggled his fingers at lana, then scurried away, only to reappear moments later, swinging from one ceiling protrusion to the next, until he finally came to a rest above the main gathering of drow. With his legs wrapped around the upside down natural stone pillar, Carth hung, thumbs tucked into his belt, and watched and listened as the others plotted and planned.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 04-11-05, 05:04 AM	Jaehral nodded thoughtfully, "It's a start. That will be enough to equip those who have the best chances of using them." The therianthrope then closed his eyes and concentrated on the house ring upon his hand, sending his thoughts through the item to a distant place far removed from the compound. His thoughts formed into words in the intended recipient's mind: 'Your ragers will be needed. Slay three mammoths and bring me their large bones and skulls. We make war.' Jaehral's eyes opened once more and he announced matter-of-factly, "I will make my way to join the army. They will need to be briefed of what we face in detail in person. If you will excuse me." He bowed slightly to those present, and then took a step back from them. As he turned, a moving blackness caught his eye approaching from the tunnels, just barely within eyeshot of the balcony where they stand. He paused and focused his vision on the dark gathering and muttered under his breath, "What in the Nine..."
Korruute'mas 04-11-05, 05:16 AM	The draegloth's black-armored entourage continued their regimented march into the primary cavern, moving into the view of the balcony containing the gathering of leaders. From his seat in the saddle of the great charnel hound, Korruute'mas surveyed those gathered with the same steady gaze and cold calculation of the ghouls and ghasts accompanying him. He brought his steed to a halt at the base of the building some thirty feet from the walls, letting the undead soldiers fill in a circle beside him as he looked up to the others, giving only a nod before bowing his head and awaiting his orders. The ghouls and ghasts, likewise, bowed their heads in unison, as the charnel hound became still and unmoving, leaving the Mortuus Vanguard and their master at rest for the moment.
Sril've Cress Military 04-11-05, 05:30 AM	Far away, in a cave in the frozen tundra a large, fur covered being awoke from a long sleep. He growled darkly as he rubbed clawed hands over his feline muzzle and rose from the bed of mammoth-skins he had slept upon. His eyes glinted darkly in the light reflecting from the blizzard outside, a maddened twitch shaking his eyebrow. He had been called from his sleep by his master, the one who had given him the gift of therianthropy, who had made him a weretiger. He concentrated and replied telepathically as he had been called, though with great strain against his mind. 'So it shall be, High Claw.' The sleepy weretiger rose to his full height within the cave and held up a steel shield in one hand, and a large hammer in the other, striking the two together thrice. Within moments, ten others like himself leapt from their bedding in the cave, some female, most male. Moments more and a full one-hunded-fifty other weretigers, these appearing far less strained by their visage of calm, approached the cave from the swirling snow outdoors. Tek'nel, commander of They-who-Rage-Within, the warriors deemed too unstable to dwell amongst the others, gathered his troops, informed them of the hunt that was to take place, and instructed them to await war. He led his one-hundred-sixty soldiers out into the tundra, a horde of warriors in full weretiger-hybrid form bearing heavy weapons and heavier claws, stalked out into the snow in search of prey.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 04-11-05, 05:36 AM	Jaehral's brow arched seeing the draegloth's gathering of troops, muttering a bit more, "First a sarcophagus from inside the roof of that cavern, now this... Something is not right here..." He narrowed his eyes slightly, receiving the message from Tek'nel, and replied in kind: 'Good. Bring the fangs to the war-pits after delivering the bones to our kin. They must be dried and reinforced before they can be used. I will meet you all in the secured caves.'
lana_dune 04-12-05, 04:19 PM	Lana had started to follow Jhess. The further from the others they grew the more relaxed became her manner She threaded her way between the foreign troops and gathered drow occasionally startled by the pale stern face of a surface elf but managing to keep up well enough. Soon she was stumbling over a recount of the earthquake and her rescue “There was a great stone the ceiling… wedged. And rock dust… lots of dust and strange noises far off …every thing was buried or smashed ..such a waste.. and I know this passageway” Lana looked at the passageway they were just about to take out of the main cavern Gesturing up at the curved arch and becoming more excited. “ I know this place I was here before.. Velandis took me here…where ever is Velandis?” Suddenly she stopped and sniffed the air.. ”Do you..Do you smell that Jhess? Something rotten like meat left out in the sun. She turns through a one eighty and looks back at the cavern. Instantly her eye is drawn to the charnel hound,and the ghouls around it .Her babbling excitement is replaced with an awed silence then a hissed word. “Aterruce…” She points it out to Jhess
shadow of death 04-12-05, 09:28 PM	Re'shak nods to Jaehral, then looks to Sev'anar. "I will return to my Circles and oversee the final preparation for the Elites. Send your summons when you are ready for us, and we will be ready....." He trails off, noting Jaehral's statement and looks to what has caught his vision. He blinks. "Vith....That's new"
Liadinae Del'Anogard 04-14-05, 03:35 AM	Stepping into her quarters, Adinae held her breath for a second, exhaling with relief as she found everything in order. She almost scowled as she thought back to all the awkward and odd things Vel'andis had once 'treated' her to, but now wasn't the time for such things. She moved inside and closed the door behind her, securing it tightly. A hand ran over the covers of her bed as she drifted towards the other end of the room. It was still awkward to her sleeping on an actual bed again instead of locked away in the recesses of a coffin, but much more comfortable over all. She made her way over to the small closet in her room, running her hand precisely along the wall until she found the seam, pushing aside the board to reveal the small niche in the wall, just small enough to hold what she needed. A couple of rapiers and swords were propped against the wall in their sheaths which she removed and laid out across the bed along with a folded piwafwi and, the most important item, her darkened leather armor. She begin to undress, laying the clothes she wore aside and placing several daggers, her belt, and her bracers along side the other items before suiting up in the armor and replacing all the weaponry. One odd thought crossed her mind as she prepared herself for the coming war: If it weren't for Re'shak, a coffin instead of a bed wouldn't look too shabby at the moment. -- It was a while later when Adi re-emerged from the compound, her hair pulled back carefully out of the way, her piwafwi following behind her like a second shadow, and the leather armor carefully blended into her clothing. The daggers were hidden out of sight on her body, but one rapier and one shortsword lay sheathed on either hip. She made her way back to the main group, neatly avoiding Re'shak as she initially made her way towards the Ilharn. However, the looks on Re'shak and Jaehral's faces drew her attention aside to the regimented assortment of living dead soldiers lead by two great undead beasts, one which she knew looked familiar. She stopped in her tracks to blink and look again before mumbling, "When did he get one of those?" Her gaze only lingered there a moment longer before she refocused on the task at hand, moving over to the Ilharn. She gave a short nod before speaking, "Your orders, Ilharn?"
Obsidian 04-14-05, 11:58 PM	After speaking with Zentash, he nods slightly and makes his way back to the gathering of leaders, shaking his head slightly and then addressing the group as a whole. "Unfortunately, I do not have many details on exact types of demons that were fought in the battle. Details are still flowing in on that, but reports, the size range runs from goblinoid up through what I can only assume to be baalors. The fact that some of them are imune to steel weapons somehow has already been taken care of, so that point is moot really." "JeaJea....do you honestly need three escorts? Pick one....two at most....but all three can't be spared." "Adinae, You'll be taking a medium sized group of assassins and preparing them for counter strikes and support. Our defenses are well entrenched, but strategic strikes at their flanks will definately weaken their pushes. Speak with Jaehral about where he thinks your group will do the most damage to our attackers, and speak with Sativus as to which assassins you will be leading...." Glancing up at Carth, who's mohawk is standing at its full height due to gravity, he looks back to Adinae"Carthamus shall be one of them....." "Any who require lizard mounts, and are well experienced with riding them, seek them out in the house stables. Do not take one if you are uncomfortable with them, as you will likely be taking one from a trained soldier who would make better use of it." "Any more concerns or questions?"
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 04-15-05, 12:07 AM	Before Sev'anar's question finishes echoing softly in the chamber, a thin silver line glides down through the air behind the gathering. Stopping just short of the floor, it lingers for a moment before gliding open into a Gateway, through which Tyffron steps through silently. Softly, his black feather wings flutter behind him as he tucks them neatly behind him and runs his fingers through his roguishly unkempt black hair, tussling it lightly as the platinum streeks and tips glint lightly in what little light. A dark crimson shirt hands comfortably around his shoulders, tucked neatly into his black pants. Soft black leather boots cover his feet as he moves away from the Gateway and steps as silent as a native drow towards the gathering. "I do hope we have not missed out on all the fun. T'would be a pitty if I didn't get some stimulation today....wouldn't you agree love?" A mischievious grin glides along his lips as he looks back over his shoulder to the still open Gateway.
Obsidian 04-15-05, 12:17 AM	Nodding to Tyffron, Sev'anar steps slowly back from the group, closing his eyes and letting his mental energies scatter lightly over the entire compound. One by one, the ranking house members poke pin holes through the shroud of blackness, until a brilliant stary sky appears in his mind. Quickly, he scans them, knowing each light at a glance and taking a mental count of the status of the house members. Slowly, his face wrinkles as he notices a particular star missing....or perhaps, just out of place. Quickly, his eyes flash open as he looks to those around him. "Sovix has not returned...He was in the initial conflict with these demons, was he not? Did he fall in the fight? " Sev glances around to those who were in the fight, searching for an answer that they might have.
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 04-15-05, 01:03 AM	Stepping through the portal with a casualness that belittles the reason for her coming, Jalil passes through the gateway before it shrinks and dissapears. A catsuit of red silk adorns her form, cut in a way to cling to her form appeasingly despite that fact it covers her from shoulders to ankle where it drapes slightly over a matching pair of leather boots. Over this is a white robe-like garment with identical slits in the back adorned with patterns of flames in crimson and silvery wisps that resemble smoke or magic perhaps, split open from the waist down in the front to allow easy movements and a glimpse of the braided whip coiled on her hip and hung from a golden chain link belt. Her hair is pulled up and away from her face practically, but still manages to drape beautifully around her heart shaped face where sinister dark red eyes peer at the surroundings over a cruelly tilted smile. She makes her way over to Tyff and easily hooks her arm into his, one finger reaching up to teasingly tap his nose as she quips, "Careful dear, I might be insulted if I didn't know better." A playful smirk garnishes her lips as she as she turns her gaze to the gathered, nodding to the ever wraith-like Re'shak before her attention rests on the obsidian figure of Sev'anar. A slight frown crosses her face as he speaks giving her tone an edge of seriousness. "So it would seem the fun has already begun, has it?"
Lilyanna_Rose 04-15-05, 01:08 AM	*her head comes up as she hears Sovix name, a flash of worry crosses her face before she masks it. She looks sidelong at Sativus arching a brow, then back at Sev'anar* some one mentioned a cave in did they not? could he have been trapped or simply hiding in wait being true to his nature. *smiles crookedly looking at those around her. Looks curiously at the newcomers, apparently unfamiliar with either of them*
Liadinae Del'Anogard 04-15-05, 02:05 AM	Adinae glanced towards the ceiling at the mowhawk-wearing drow and managed to only half-grimace. As valuable a member of the house as Carthamus was, he was still mostly insane, and Adi seriously doubted how much 'leading' she would be doing when it came to him. She began to reply when the new arrivals burst onto the scene. Interesting.. she thought to herself as she surveyed them. This trouble had certainly brought about some odd allies, but who was she to question it if they were here to help. She glanced back to the Ilharn as he mentioned Sovix and a thought struck her. "Perhaps Carthamus and I should return to the cavern and look for him?" No time like the present to see what I'm dealing with, she thought to herself as she glanced towards Carth.
Ariadne 04-15-05, 02:20 AM	It is around this time that yet another group arrives, led along by a very...dead looking drow and followed up by none other than Ariadne herself, skipping along beside the drow as she clutches its hand as if it were her playmate. "Oooh, yay! We's here, Darky!" she exclaims as the two make their way into the cavern in front of the strictly ordered lines of soldiers following under the banner of the Black Lord, Bane. As she surveys the cavern, her eyes fall upon the lines of undead soldiers led by a mammoth creature and its rider, and immediatly her brilliant blue eyes widen to their fullest extent. She looks back over her shoulder towards where Garak should be and calls, "We're here, Garak sir! We're here! Looksie!" as she points to the charnel hound. The call quickly becomes an excited shriek accompanied with frantic pointing as she squeals, "Ari wants one!!!!"
Lilyanna_Rose 04-16-05, 01:52 AM	*grimaces slightly as she hears Ariadne's voice, shudders slightly and shifts her feet, and looks any where but at her* o 0 ( I thought that loon got lost some wheres.) *glances at Sev'anar, then Sativus*
Chelyrra_Eredyn 04-17-05, 12:16 PM	She makes her way to her quarters as quickly as she can. Not for her the hidden panel to store her weapons and armor, hers are displayed quite openly, readily at hand. The work of a moment to find the light crossbow and its already treated bolts, a few vials of substances to add more than sting to her blades (when she has more chance to do so), and to decide, albeit reluctantly, that the bastard sword is too much of a impediment if carrying both bladed staff and crossbow. But a few quick slices and twists of leather added to the bastard sword's scabbard turns it into something she can attach the staff to, to bear it on her back and leave both hands free till its powers are needed. The bare blade of the bastard sword is left on her bed. On her way out again, her feet turn in a direction not consciously chosen and it takes a moment to gain agreement from her mind to continue that path. . o O (It may be he is too wrapped up in some experiment. Or was moving through the time-streams and not present when the calls were sent out.) Corva'lis's quarters are empty. With a faint frown of concern on her face, Chelyrra returns to the main gathering in time to catch the ilharn's words and see those now added to the massing troops.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 04-17-05, 07:06 PM	Jaehral nodded to Re'shak, a slight smirk crossing his face, "I would not deem it proper for me to give instructions to you. The Circles are at your disposal should you want to make use of them, I will not be in your way." He then turned toward Sev'anar, "Sovix was indeed present at the initial conflict. The last I saw of him, he was digging through the rubble toward the source of the demons. I left before he reappeared. As for whether anything else warrants your wisdom at the immediate time..." Jaehral paused his words and indicated the gathering of Korruute'mas and his regiment of undead, "... That certainly qualifies as something out of the ordinary. Neither the armor or that staff our not-so-friendly Beast is carrying are the works of our forges, and I have yet to see any of the items in the draegloth's possession until now." Lastly, he turned his attention toward Adinae, with a brief glance at Carthamus, "I have some ideas on where to place your team, but those will be discussed on the way to the training grounds."
Obsidian 04-18-05, 11:14 PM	Glancing over his shoulder, he nods to both Tyffron and Jalil, plesantly surprised at their sudden presence, before he turns his attention back to Adinae and Carthamus. "Sovix is not hiding, I've searched for him in the previous battle field. The two of you take your team and search for him quickly. Do not compromise yourselves in the search, but be complete." Turning around, he regards Jalil and Tyffron, glancing around behind them and seeing they brought no others with them. "Couldn't find any strong enough to deal with this sort of thing? A pitty....Well, I will not claim to know what is the best use for your particular skills, but if you give a general idea of what can be done to Jaehral and the others organizing the defense of the compound, I'm sure you will know where you will best make use of your tallents." A glance sidelong gives Sev a slight hesitation, seeing Ari, and shuddering lightly, glancing around for Garrak instead, but not finding him. They would wait until Garrak appeared.
Myrillian 04-19-05, 09:58 PM	For most it would have taken a long time to shuffle through all the knowledge contained in the House Library, but Myrillian often spent time there when allowed and brought Xyllestiqar along when the other illithid wasn't glued to Master Zentash. That along with Myrillian's particular strengths in the mind helped them to siphon through the information at a breakneck pace, something that was exceedingly important at such a time as this. As the two illithids worked, the voices in Myrillian's head often seemed to whisper their opinions and advice, and sometimes the illithid felt an odd inclination to follow their advice. This led to dead ends as often as it did to small, possibly useful scraps of information, those which Myrillian quickly gleaned and stored in its mind. Overall, however, their search turned up despairingly fruitless when it came to the demons, even the one called Delainna. Myrillian was about to close the last book and focus away the whispers in its mind when a certain passage caught its attention. The whispers went silent, but there was that creepy feeling in the back of its mind like a dozen souls were staring over the illithid's shoulders. Nonetheless, it scanned the passages, and as it finished if illithids could grin, Myrillian would have been doing so. It quickly stood, folding the book under its arm with one spindly finger stuck in to mark the place and grabbed its staff. {Gather what you've found and let's go. The master will want to see this.} Myrillian didn't wait for its companion to reply instead drawing up its hood and making its way towards the library's exit. As it walked, it split the focus of its mind, focusing just enough to search out the Master's mind and connect with it. {tp Zentash> Master, we were unable to find much information on the demons that Zyrquix encountered, however I have come across some information on the shrine where the intruders were encountered that you may wish to see. I will bring the information to you directly, unless you wish to hear it now.}
Dark Chaos 04-19-05, 10:16 PM	Zentash tilts his head a bit as if listening to something. He frowns. . o O{take what you have back to my lab. i will join you shortly} He looks to Sev'anar. My pets have found some information. I will return to my lab and examine their findings, and inform you when I have something of use. Without waiting for a reply, he turns and glides out.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 04-20-05, 02:21 AM	"Very well, Ilharn." She turned to Sativus. "If you would then, An'kin, those who I am to lead should meet me in the cavern where the battle took place." She glances to the ceiling, moreso at Carth. "We will scout ahead and begin the search," she said as her gaze shifted to Jaehral, "and once that is done, we shall report to you for orders, Sarolen Jabbuk." She gave a nod to those gathered, then looked up at Carth. "If you're ready?" She didn't wait for much of a reply before turning and making her way a safe distance away from the group, a darkness bleeding over the lilac of her eyes until they were pools of shifting black shadows. As if a call to their appearance, the shadows along the floor rose, intertwined, then spread themselves out into a paper thin sheet that displayed the main corridor leading to the servent's quarters where the attack had taken place. A flick of her fingers solidified the portal for the moment as she waited for Carth to pass through before she would go herself, a neccessity in order to keep the portal open for him. As she stepped through, a simple whispered prayer passed her lips: "May our footsteps be swift and silent..."
Myrillian 04-20-05, 03:34 AM	The illithid listened in return, before glancing behind it to Xyllestiqar. {We're summoned to the lab. Come.} -- ((Going to make an assumption here that Zent arrives before them. Will edit later if needed, but figured this would be easier to move things along ;) )) Upon arriving at the lab, Myrillian gave a respectful bow to Zentash and laid out the book opened to the page it had marked. {The library yeilded us no information on the demons encountered, they are not recorded in any of the written texts the house has acquired. We did learn that the language the female demon, the one caled Delainna in the consumed demon's memories, used is an uncommonly used dialect of Abyssal. In fact, it is the dialect of traitorous demons. I am afraid that is all we could learn concerning the memories of Zyrquix's consumed meal and his own memories of the battle. However, as I reported, I believe you will find this of interest} Myrillian pointed out a sketch in the open book of cave-like shrine that was practically identical to the one they had encountered before the initial attack on the compound. {The texts names this as a shrine to the Nightwalker, used to offer sacrifice in order to gain commune with highest of its servants. I believe the house which occupied this compound previously, as the closest to this shrine, may have been its primary users as several of the books on the demons of this world mentioned them having a stronghold over the dark elves.} Myrillian paused for a moment and this time when it projected its thoughts, they drifted to Zentash alone. {I have seen something, as well, when viewing the memories of the demon Zyrquix consumed.} Letting its mind drift back, Myrillian allowed Zentash to see the vision of the monstrous wraith it had seen...or rather that had seen it.
Dark Chaos 04-23-05, 07:59 PM	The white brows over the void like pools of darkness that make up Zentash's eyes furrowed slightly as he took in the images from his pet. Interesting. I charge you and Xyllestiqar with seeking out anything that will be usefull in combating this Delainna. Meanwhile, I must retire for a cycle, to recharge my spent energies. He turns and glides towards his chambers, a door forming from the air, sealing the chaos mage inside.
carthamus 04-23-05, 08:05 PM	The strange mohawked drow drops from the ceiling, inverting himself and landing in a crouch. He giggles softly. "Carth know where to go....carth saw spider drow before Carth....umm....magicked by floating wonder." He glances at the shadowy portal and frowns, shaking his head. "Carth go...meet you there." He scurries out, past the guards, relieving them of their coin pouches as he passes, and scampers, litterally on all fours down a hallway to the nearest open window. Without even a thought, which is nothing new for the strange drow, he leaps out the window, and in a controlled fall, uses the outcroppings and supports to swing his way to the ground. Once he hits the ground, he scurries off towards the scene of the battle, making no sounds, save for a random snicker or giggle as he speeds across the compound.
shadow of death 04-23-05, 08:12 PM	Re'shak studies the undead behemoth for a moment, then looks at Jaehral and Sev'anar. "Holding out on me, hmmm?" He chuckles and vaults the railing of the balcony, landing easily before Korruute'mas. He walks around him and his mighty steed, nodding his approval. As he completes his circut, he looks up at Korr. "Vendui. Quite the beast of burdon you have, Korruute'mas. Any more where that one came from?"
Blackguard 04-23-05, 08:31 PM	The last form to exit the portal is not like any other blackguard any might have seen. A towering figure when standing, The minotaur arrived riding a large black drake, the scales of which glisten in the dim light of the compound, almost like metal. The creature looked left and right, turning its glowing red eyes to view its new surroundings. its tail lashing slightly, what appears to be a large spiked mace at the end of the long sinuous appendage. Its wings tucked in tightly, Garak guided the creature past its troops until he was side by side with Ariadne. With a deep, cleansing breath, he shook his head and dismounted. With a snap of his fingers, one of the soldiers broke ranks and ran towards him, and took the reins of the fell beast. another look, and a high ranking soldier walked up to him and Ariadne. He addressed the officer first. "Disperse the troops to a holding area...." He looked around and spotted a large open area, like a crossroads of sorts. "There. I want armor and weapons checks done within the hour." With another deep breath, he looks to Ariadne. "you....stay put....and do nothing. Gavin" He motions to the officer now giving orders to the troops. "is in charge while I am meeting with the drow." He turns to make his way towards the building the drow are gathered, then pauses, looking back over his shoulder at Ariadne. He motions to the undead drow Ari has taken for a pet. "And get rid of that. I doubt these drow would take too kindly to your new toy." He turns and walks towards the building, his black cape flowing behind him. He enters and makes his way up, ducking to fit through the various passegeways and entrances until he finds the balcony. He dips a horn to Sev'anar. "Garak of Bane, at your request, Ilharn of Sril've Cress. 1000 dark knights, all skilled with sword and bow under my command."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 04-23-05, 09:05 PM	Jaehral smirked slightly, "Holding out? Not hardly. What the Beast has is his own handiwork, and quite unexpected. I knew he had undead servitors, but nothing like that." He then motioned for any headed for the training grounds to follow along and made his way to the door, "If you will all excuse me and those required for the next phase of our plans, we have some final preparations to take care of. We may not have as much time as we wish before the second wave arrives, so time is of the essence." Jaehral steps back inside the building and stands aside to give the arriving minotaur enough room to move within the hall as he passes by, then makes his way to the training ground.
Korruute'mas 04-23-05, 09:19 PM	The draegloth's head remained bowed as his eyes followed Re'shak around the perimeter of his steed. The entourage of ghouls backed away slightly, holding their place around their master but giving Re'shak plenty of room. Korruute'mas replied in an unusually even paced speech pattern, showing no signs of the slowed words normally present in his voice. "I have two other charnal hounds prepared beneath my monolith. Unarmored, and not as large as this, but powerful enough to serve as steeds or seige engines, as needed. There is also a contingent of reanimated dire wolves held in other dens beneath the monolith, should they be required." The draegloth's head quickly lifted in the direction of the manic female voice, though not in reaction to the shrill cry. A voice echoed through his mind, loud and clear enough that had it been real a mortal could be deafened. 'Heed the actions of the horned one, Victus Mortuus, for his being could serve our cause well in a short time. There is a strength that can stand beside the bearer of The Destroyer's gifts. Watch him, closely.' As if shaking from a trance, the draegloth shuddered and the voice left him. His eyes locked on the minotaur and followed his movements, studying the blackguard intently. Korruute'mas visibly gave a slight nod to a disembodied presence only in his own mind, acknowledging the voice's commands in the physical realm as his mind replied in time, 'As you command.'
Ariadne 04-23-05, 10:28 PM	Ari does nothing for a moment, then looks to the drow. "Okies, you go bye bye now," she says with wave as the undead drow collapses to the ground, lifeless. With both of Garak's commands followed, Ari turns to Gavin. "You stay here like Garak sir said." Then she takes off after Garak at a run, managing to catch up to him as he's giving introductions. She waits behind him until he quits speaking then pipes up cheerily, "And Ari is here too with pretty magicks sent by Dark Lord to help darkies! Oh oh, and Ari wants one of those!" A wide grin covers the loon's face as she points to the charnel hound.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 04-23-05, 11:42 PM	Adi gives a shrug at Carth's refusal, glancing back one last time to Sativus. "I will be waiting at the initial battle site for my team, An'kin." Silent as a wraith flickering from shadow to shadow, Adi darts through the portal as it snaps shut behind her. Her eyes remain depthless pools of black as she makes her way through the dark passageway, echoes of the insane drow drifting from behind her as she steps out into the rubble that was the smaller section of the compound. A quick glance around as she waits for Carth serves to assure there are no enemies here, but she eases a dagger from the folds of her armor despite, tucking it by her wrist with a flourish of her hand. The depthless dark fades from her eyes leaving them lilac and dully glowing in the lack of light. She waits for Carthamus to arrive, her wait undoubtedly not too long, then flashes her hands in the silent language of handspeak. -I will search the rubble. You check the buildings that haven't collapsed and above. If you find something, use your ring to inform me and to stay in contact should there be danger.- Then she darted into the shadows to begin searching.
Myrillian 04-23-05, 11:53 PM	Myrillian bows its head to Zentash before he goes. {Master, we've searched the libraries for information on this Delainna, but there is none to be found. She remains a mystery, unfortunately. We will persist, though, and if we do find any information we shall inform you immediately.} Myrillian gave a bow of its head, then took the tome and sat down with it. {Let us take another look through these tomes and see if anything has been missed.} Myrillian had a feeling nothing had been missed, but the Master's orders were orders...
jeajea 04-25-05, 06:57 AM	The Avariel nodded in response to Sev'anar's wish that he take no more than two with him. He watched further arrivals and proceedings in silence, though the departure of Lana seems to have had an effect on the Avariel. He glances around, with what might almost be called nervousness. Is the winged figure afraid? Or perhaps simply out of his element? Jeajea's eyes show little more than calm acceptance, however his right hand remains on his curved sword, sheathed at his waist. After a while, he says quietly, "Shall I look for Sovix? I would think I have as good a chance as any, if not a better chance, of finding him. Alternatively, I'll create some mass-combat traps for you."
Jhessailyn 04-26-05, 04:30 PM	Jhess glances at the charnel hound and the undead troops around it with a nod. "Looks like everyone and everything is being called in for this. As to where Vel'andis might be, I would expect with Sativus somewhere. But we'd better hurry and get you cleaned up and get back, so we can go to wherever the Ilharn wants us." She hurries Lana to her quarters, altering a practical outfit for Lana while the other woman cleans up. Once Lana is dressed, Jhess leads the way back to the gathering area and to the spot where Rym'dael and Jeajea are waiting.
Sativus 04-26-05, 11:10 PM	Sativus nods as he listens to the house members and their recently arived allies speak, taking a step back towards the comforting shadows with each nod of his head. Once his form glides back into their depth, his eyes fill quickly with liquid night, obscuring all the color in them. . o O(It is time for you to work, as my victory over you grants me. Go with Adinae, search where her eyes cannot, and return with Sovix if such a simple task is not above you. You know which assassins are to assist her, take them and go...) The cloak around his shoulders snaps taught for a moment before rolling from his shoulders down to the floor with a slight hiss . o O(Be ware your tongue, foolish shadow walker, as I know the limits of our arrangement as well as you....and it will not be long before I am free of them) With the fluidity of spider silk gliding over glass, the shadow rolls and flows along the floor of the main compound as Sativus rejoins the main contingent of house members and allies. He returns to the group, but remains silent, casting a slight smirk sidelong to Lily but otherwise remaining impassive. ........................................ ........................................ ....................... The shadow glides towards the portals that leading to the servants quarters, but neglects to take them, instead slipping through a thin crack in one of the walls and traversing quickly through the stone into that chamber. Continuing its smooth passage, it glides to the floor near Adinae, pooling and slowly rising up to take a vaguely humanoid shape, wearing the same cloak that was once around Sativus' shoulder, with eyes that burn a deep hellfire red. After a moment of silence, he clears his throat sharply. "Adinae, deciple of Shar and follower of Sativus, I am here to search for you. Your team will assemble shortly and join you. Do with me as you see fit"
Obsidian 04-26-05, 11:26 PM	A slight grin slips up over the Ilharn's lips as he sees the approach of Garak, thanking what ever dieity that they -don't- worship for him appearing when he did. Taking a sidelong glance at JeaJea, he nods "If you wish to search for Sovix, so be it. But you will be back here before anything would happen...." Leaving that as a statement, rather then a request, he moves towards Garak, nodding and offering his hand up towards the monolith. "Well met Garak. You and your elites are a welcome site. " Turning to regard all those who have come to aid "It bodes well for Sril've Cress in seeing the power of its allies. I can see no way that any enemy can stand against such a force."
Liadinae Del'Anogard 04-27-05, 01:21 AM	The flickering of the shadows as the form solidified caught Adinae's attention. She grinned slightly, giving a nod to the creature before she spoke, her voice just loud enough to be heard by the creature. "That is good to know. As for how you can assist, there is much here in the way of rubble. Search through and beneath the debris and see if the missing drider was trapped in the collapse. Find me the moment you find something." She made as if to say something else, then grinned at herself. "I would tell you be silent as well, but I suppose I should just as well tell the sun to shine. Go, and be swift, but thorough." Once the shadow spirit departed to begin its part of the search, Adinae continued her own part of the search through what remained standing of the various buildings.
lana_dune 04-27-05, 04:57 PM	Lana is hustled away barely able to tear her eyes from the monstrous hound she glances back down the corridor until the view of the cavern is lost. Then turns to find herself ushered into Jhess’ quarters almost adjacent to the one in which she had in her weakness occupied for one night many months before. She looks around her taking in the surroundings and feeling out of place. Her own bedroom had become a haven, a wall-to-wall collection of tiny bottles. She had written out the labels herself, spending lost happy hours in the descriptions and measurements. Detail she found satisfying. Detail absorbed her and become a whole seperate world. She felt her insides lurch as Reality hit her. She was displaced again oO (its gone…. all gone. Things Lana why must it always be things?) She then stands there staring at the bare walls as Jhess finds her suitable clothing and it is only when the door to a cupboard swings loudly closed that she startles back to the moment. With slow and deliberate care she takes off her necklace and places it on the bed. Hastily and without modesty or concern for her nakedness she shuffles out of the dirty, ragged clothing forming a pile at her feet. Twenty minutes, several jugs of water and much soap later her light almost skinny athletic frame is once again clean and covered. She now wears a pair of loose heavy black cotton slacks and a matching shirt the front of which sports a half dozen small-buttoned pockets. Jhess does her best to make the clothing fit as Lana decants the small silver bottles from her satchel into the pockets. “It will serve Jhess I am in your debt .. Very thankful I shan’t forget your kindness” Lana pulls on and buckles up the shin high leather boots and is both surprised and delighted with the soft flexibility of the soles. She takes up her necklace once more as Jhess opens the door and she drops it into the relative safety of her shirt front before following A cold sneering voice echos in her head as she follows her out of the door oO(It’s war.. what do you know about war?. Its not like the old house you’ll not be locked up in the kitchen this time. You’re expected to fight. ...…I can fight. I fought to get this far I’ll fight to keep it)
carthamus 04-27-05, 07:08 PM	Carthamus scampers towards Adinae and skids into a crouch. He looks at her hands as she gives out instructions, and then scurries away. He makes it about 20 feet before clamboring up a pile of rubble. Once at the top, he picks up the top stone and looks under it. "Sovix?" Seeing no one underneath, he tosses the rock aside, and picks up another. "sovix?" This continues for some time.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 04-28-05, 12:01 AM	Adinae flinches as she hears Carthamus. For a moment she avoids looking, but eventually does, sighing silently. . o O (What have I done to deserve this? What?) She wafts her hand to try and get Carth's attention, and when she thinks she has it flashes handsign to him before she continues her search. -Search quietly! There could still be enemies around we don't know about.- -- The shadow sent by Sativus sinks into the rubble, travelling through the creases around the rocks as if it were water, its senses extending through the area around it to search.
Lilyanna_Rose 04-28-05, 02:30 PM	*arches a brow at Sativus' return to her side but makes no comment, her eyes are on the minotaur watching and listening* o0(now he's new, perhaps I am not needed after all ) *shifts her position ever so slightly, remaining unobtrusively silent.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-03-05, 03:09 PM	The shadow shifted around and through the rocks until it came to a solid barrier. Sliding like living grease over the surface, it searched for a nook to squeeze through. Finding one it slipped in its mass into the darkness beyond the solid surface without a sound. Flattened in the shadows to blend naturally, it surveyed the scene laid out before it. -- She had barely paid attention to the noise in the cavern. A soft clinking of something against stone, she had passed it off as Carthamus' searching. Ironically, because of that it was a soft noise which caught her ears. The barest scuffle of boots along the ground which most would miss, but to Adi's trained hearing it was just audible. She pressed against the wall and loosened a dagger from her belt as the figures slinked in, but she relaxed when the lead figure gave the familiar hand sign of a Cress scout. Pushing away from the wall, she returned the sign as she strode to meet the leader, her hands flashing in silent signs to the scouts. -Good timing. Spread out and check the rubble for the drider or any clue to his whereabouts.- The lead drow tilted his head before signing in return.-Just a moment. What's that noise?- It was then that Adi realized what she'd been passing off as Carthamus' antics wasn't that at all. The faint, distant sounding clink was more metallic than stone. A frown crossed Adi's face and her fingers flickered. -Spread out and find the source of that noise.- Doing as instructed, the scouts carefully spread out and began listening to pinpoint the noise, circling inward from the walls. Adi made her way carefully over the pile of rubble, the sound getting faintly louder as she moved in. As she leaned in to listen where she thought the noise was loudest, an inky blackness seeped through the rocks, forming up before her. In a whirl, scouts had crossbow bolts trained on the dark, shadowy figure, but Adi recognized the shadow after a second glance, easing her sword back into its sheathe. . o O (What have you found?) . o O (They're below us...) Adi raised a brow, listening as the shadow demon told her what it had saw, describing the large gateway concealed behind walls of iron, the amassing demons, and the miners enlarging the area. No sign of the drider, though. Adi turned and waved over one of the smaller, leaner scouts, her fingers flashing. -Quickly, return to the Ilharn. Report what I've told you.- -- Running at top speed, the runner traversed the caverns easily enough, making it back to the main compound in no time. He offered obeisance to the Ilharn, but spoke quickly and urgently without waiting. "Ilharn, the demons are gathering below the rubble."
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-03-05, 08:57 PM	Upon the other side of that portal, a single drow male, clad in long blood-red robes stood in wait for the returning members of the first incursion party. The drow swept his long white hair back into a single ponytail at the base of his neck as he watched intently, not knowing how many to expect to return. He continued to wait, tapping his foot impatiently on the abyssal soil. Mekshal adjusted his leather forearm bracers annoyedly as his wait became yet more prolonged. He sneered and paced about the staging ground where he waited, muttering under his breath in a combination of coherency and complete gibberish. The drow sneered as he saw two of the demons guarding the portal on the abyssal side approach him. "Well? What have you to report? Were you successful in securing the staging grounds?" The demons bowed before their commander, almost reluctantly, and spoke in slow, even tones. "Most of the landing party was destroyed. Only a handful returned, with prisoners." "Prisoners? Of what sort?" "Several rather weak looking drow and a drider, commander." The drow's face was crossed by a sinister and ultimately demented grin. He folded his hands together in front of him, steepling his index fingers and tapping them together slowly in contemplation. "Do as you were told to do with the prisoners. But tell me this: Was a weretiger among the defenders? A particularly large drow weretiger to be precise?" "There were several weretigers, commander. But the reports did mention one that was larger than the rest, and note of emerald green eyes was made." The commander's eyes widened and then narrowed cruelly at the news. His hands lowered to his sides and gripped the lengths of chains at his sides in his bebelith-silk wrapped hands, muttering aloud. "Then my brother is indeed with these drow. Good... All those years of being shoved aside because my brother was 'a great warrior' will finally be remedied... I'll make him pay for what I have suffered... he will pay..." The two demons looked at each other and slowly backed away from their commander. They recognized the maddened inflections of his voice, the subtle intonations of what was about to happen. Once they had gained a ten-foot distance, they turned and ran as quickly as they could. The drow laughed maniacally and lashed out with one of his chained weights, impacting the dirt with a flare of eldritch energy, a burst of sickly venomous green light leaving a smoking crater in the soil. Almost instantly, his body shuddered violently and he fell to his knees, simpering in a pathetic manner as he sniffled. "Sorry master... it won't happen again... it won't happen again... My brother and his masters will pay the price, not your land... they will pay..." * * * * * An hour passed and the drow had regained his composure. He made his way to the portal with an entourage of three glabrezu bodyguards, overseeing as the taskmasters led a dozen towering monsters that resembled oversized minotaurs into the now widened cavern on the other side. The goristro were put to work as seige weapons, striking and widening the stone cavern even further for their masters to complete the task at hand. Mekshal watched with a dark grin in the lightless cavern, taking a cruel pleasure in seeing the cave mined out and altered. He watched over the mining process and excavation of the removed stone as he spoke through his mind to the demons, using a stone set upon his brow to do so. {Quickly now, finish your task and return through the portal. Their armies will not wait long before uncovering this place and those walls will not hold forever. We must be ready to strike before they are.}
carthamus 05-05-05, 08:46 PM	Carthamus blinked and frowned as Adinae told him to be quiet. so, in typical Carthamus form, he continued to lift rocks at random, but instead of speaking Sovix's name, he would sign it in the drow hand sign language. After a bit, he looked over at Adinae and, seeing all the drow pulling crossbows, he rolled down the pile of rubble and scampered towards a damaged building, scaling the side like...well...like a spider and crouching on the roof. Two throwing spiders in each hand as he watched and waited, his eyes glinting with excitment.
Blackguard 05-05-05, 08:57 PM	The towering minotaur turns his head sharply to Ariadne and pulls her aside, speaking quietly, though any witnesses will swear anger is brimming. "Quite Ariadne. Go...Report to Gavin....Assist in spell warding the knights. Now!" He turns her in the direction she came and gives her a slight shove, then looks back at the others as the messanger arrives. "Apoligies....she is a pain in the arse, but her spells are powerful...Only my lord Bane knows why I am plagued with her presence" He then looks to the messanger but only after casting another curious glance at Korruute'mas, his ears twitching slightly. . o O(There is something.....odd....hmmmm....)
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-05-05, 10:31 PM	Adi glances to the scuttling Carthamus and sighs lightly. She gives a dismissive wave to the rest of the scouts, her fingers flashing in hand speak. -Proceed with the search until we have our orders from the Ilharn- She glances up at Carthamus as the scouts resume their search of the cavern. -Calm down, the shadow is our ally. Continue the search.- She turns back to the demon. . o O (We will wait a bit and see if the Ilharn sends the scout back. If we don't hear something soon, I'll go down with you.) The demon acknowledged the statement as Adi turned away to watch the cavern's entrance. Hopefully that scout wouldn't be too much longer, unless the Ilharn decided to send the message directly.
Ariadne 05-05-05, 10:50 PM	Ari turns back around after stumbling a few steps, her face the picture of child-like pouting. "But Garak Sir, Ari waaaants one of the big doggies. Oooh! Ari knows! Ari will do pretty magicks for Gavin, but only if Ari can have a big doggy. Okies Mr. Garak Sir?" she says with a wide grin.
Obsidian 05-06-05, 10:50 PM	The Ilharn watches the messenger approach the group, slowing to a respectable distance and waiting to be summoned. Instead of waving him in, Sev in turn walks over to the messenger and begins to converse with what Adinae has reported. Stepping back slightly, he narrows his eyes in thought, contemplating what is now transpiring. The demons and what ever other creations, gods knows what else, were attempting to dig their way from the collapsed portal to the open, and would likely attempt to use the portals of the house to infultrate the rest of the compound in some manner. Closing his eyes, he sends out his mind, searching every possible inch he can of the cavern in which Sovix went missing, searching for both life and death of the drider, and finding neither. In an instant, the decision was made. Quickly, Sev sends his thoughts out to people those that can complete the task quickly. . o O(Adinae....pull your scouts back to the exit portal. You will be greeted by house members there. Sovix is not where you look...) . o O(Zentash....your assistance is needed. You and Rym'dael shall go to the battle site, he will inform you what you are to do upon arrival.) He nods to the messenger, informing him that he should stay, as the rest of the party will be returning shortly. Moving back to the gathered leaders, Sev addresses Rym'dael, but speaks to the rest also. "Our abyssal attackers are clearing a chamber under a collapsed building, most likely the one that the drow were held captive in from earlier. They appear to be clearing a chamber for a portal that will likely admit the greater portion of their army. There are two options that lie before us, to either eliminate their progress in this direction, or to stem its flow, and dirct it to where we want it. Rym'dael, you and Zentash will carry out this plan, go!" As he dismisses Rym'dael, he imparts an image in his mind of what he wishes to be done, a slight counter strike and then a clear hinderance, but not complete destruction of the servants chambers, setting the attack back, but not closing it off....leading them directly into one of the few entry paths that would access the main chamber and give the house the advantage of establishing their defense where it was needed. Looking back to the gathered leaders, he addresses them all once again "Our attackers will likely make their entrance from here..."pointing to a possition on the map of the compound where the portal from the servants quarters enters the main chamber."This is not for certain, but it is our best inteligence yet, so I suggest we base a portion of our prepared defenses there. Any other suggestions?"
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-06-05, 11:24 PM	The scout bows. "I will meet up with my team as they return, then." he then moves away from the grouping of leaders and back towards the cavern where he came from to wait. -- Adinae perks up as she recieves the message from the Ilharn. Quickly she garners the attention of her team, and hopfully of Carthamus as well, signing their instructions. -Everyone, back to the exit portal- She passes a thought to the shadow demon . o O (I've recieved orders from the Ilharn, but hold on a moment) She then focuses her mind back to the Ilharn. . o O (My team is returning as we speak. Permission to remain behind and observe the demons' activities?)
jeajea 05-09-05, 04:27 PM	The Avariel, who has been having some kind of internal debate, clears his throat. "Still want me to look for Sovix, or focus on this? And was there any further information regarding Sovix's location?"
lana_dune 05-09-05, 06:30 PM	Lana deviates from her path leaving Jhess’s wake to pick her way between those gathered her wet hair clinging in darkened strands to her face and neck.. She takes a place just slightly behind and to the side of Jea as He speaks. She looks up at him the white expanse of his wings filling half of her vision. Then she whispers “Did I miss much?” Her eyes move passed him and she takes note of who has arrived and who has left. The Ilharn is there with his map she can just make out where her quarters had once been .She shivers slightly part through tension and part due to the reminder that her haven was gone .
jeajea 05-09-05, 06:37 PM	The Avariel replies quietly, for Lana's ears only. "Nothing major, that I am aware of. The Ilharn has changed one or two of his orders... I don't really know what's going on at all, to be honest."
Blackguard 05-09-05, 07:31 PM	The towering minotaur glares at Ariadne. "I gave you orders.....GO!" He turns to look towards Sev'anar. "What would you have my knights do?"
carthamus 05-09-05, 07:39 PM	Carthamus nods as he sees Adinae's hand signs. he slips the spiders away and scampers off into the night, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, climbing up and down walls as he speeds off into the night heading...who knows where.
jeajea 05-10-05, 01:31 PM	Jeajea takes a step forward, up to the map. He indicates an area of it, "You think the attack is coming here? And you want defenses? My men are on the way. How high is the roof of the cavern there? Is an arial attack a viable option?"
Obsidian 05-11-05, 06:32 PM	The Ilharn studies the map intently for a moment, looking for any possible way that the defense of this possition could be compromised easily. Seeing nothing readily, he glances at those who are asking questions of him, noting Lana's return and nodding slightly to her before speaking to all those around him, starting with JeaJea. "Honestly, I don't believe it to be a wise idea to go in search of Sovix now. He was reported to have gone in the general direction we now believe the demon portal to be. Sovix is crafty, and resourceful, to say the least, and will have at least made himself a prisoner if he were to be captured. No, I believe we will be able to get Sovix back once we have the upper hand. Besides, I doubt it would do much good to look in the cavern, as it will soon be filled with a large quantity stone, which the previous ceiling of the chamber consisted of..." With a wry grin, he points back to some strategic areas which would be good for defending against demon entrance from the portals. "Jaehral can offer you specifics as to where your troops would be best suited and most effective, but this is the general location that we expect at least some infultration to stem from. Most areas of this cavern have a ceiling well high enough for flight to be a feasable option, and this area is no different....though, I suggest you JeaJea, as well as you Jalil and Tyffron, to watch your flight path. Your vision must be keen if you intend to fly, your will find yourself on the ground sooner then you antisipate. The rock formations can, however, provide protection to you in flight, if you can manuver well enough. Any questions?"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-11-05, 06:37 PM	With a slight head nod, he takes the Ilharn's command with a slight grin, and nods to Jhess with a saucy wink before making his way towards the portal to the servants chamber. . o O(I was just there....sheesh...come....go....stay.... sit! You'd think I was a dog.....I'm seriously too old for this....) He picks his way through the main compound chamber as quickly as he can, moving down side streets between the large buildings to save time, and eventually finds himself at the portal as the scouting team is returning. He sets the spear like tip of the viscious staff on the ground, leaning on it slightly as he waits for those returning to clear a path, and finally makes his way into the servants chambers, where he waits for Zentash to appear.
Dark Chaos 05-11-05, 06:51 PM	In the dark room adjacent to his laboratory, the eyeless drow levitates, above a stone altar, arms wide and head tilted back. Blackfire encompasses him completely, and is absorbed into his body as he lowers to the floor. He grabs his staff and glides out, the seemless stone wall opening to allow him passage back into the laboratory. he looks at Zyrquix . o O{Attend me} He motions, opening another portal, and glides through, the red armored illithid following in his wake. Moments later, the two appear a few yards from Rym'dael. Zentash glides towards him, the mind flayer remaining behind a few feet. Our illharn has a plan for us it seems?
Jaehral_Ojaresk 05-11-05, 07:25 PM	Jaehral marched into the transportation chambers and stepped through the gateways to reach the training grounds. He walked with a purpose and a cold resolve to stand in front of the armies, walking quietly and silently observing the troops for a moment. His ears caught that one small group of warriors were joking around with each other, laughing as if they could care less about the seriousness of the situation. The warriors around the Weaponsmaster went quiet and rigid as he made his way toward the joking group, who remained oblivious to their leader's presence. Calmly, his face as still as stone and by now set into a very serious sneer, he stopped and stood behind two of the five men. The three across from him stopped their humor immediately, quickly taking up their proper military stances, as the other two continued with their joking. His sneer grew colder as his right fist flashed out and slammed into the lower back of the soldier at his right, striking a pressure point over the kidney and causing the man to buckle to the ground. Jaehral's left arm lashed out and wrapped around the neck of the warrior at his left, drawing him closer in a near-stranglehold as he yanked the other up by the hair. In a cruel and angry tone, he growled at them both, "If I ever catch either one of you slack-brained fools making a mockery of this army or the degree of danger this compound may be in again, I will not hesitate to tear your heads from your shoulders and feed them to Zentash's squids. Do you pathetic excuses for soldiers understand?" The two restrained soldiers shuddered in pain and nodded their heads as much as their predicament would allow, and all others within earshot followed suit as well. They were not used to seeing this aspect of their leader, and were reminded all too well of the previous warfare they had experienced. Jaehral released the two by throwing them to the ground and marched back to the front of the ranks, accompanied by his three sergeants who had caught up to him along the way. He stood calmly, and allowed the shift to overtake him; his ebon skin sprouting frost-white fur lined with black, his skull lengthened and flattened, forming the tiger-like visage of a fanged muzzle and heavy mane. His arms and legs became massive, rippling with enhanced muscle beneath the heavy fur and thickened skin, tipped with razor sharp claws and a bestial cast. His armor changed to suit the shift, his trousers and vest melding into his skin, the armored belt and kilt increasing in size and shaping to suit his form. His boots altered to form greaves and a set of instep-guards, all studded with bits of brass metal. He leapt onto a large rock placed to serve as a command post within the training grounds, and looked out over the troops, who fell to their knees in unison as a show of fealty to their commander. With a loud, booming voice of drow language mixed with a nearly feral roar, he gave them their direct instructions: "Prepare yourselves, armies of Sril've Cress! We stand on the edge of warfare with beings from another plane. Demons have invaded our lands, taken our brethren, and insulted our rightful place as rulers of this realm. We cannot allow them to survive from that error, and we will not allow any demon that has set foot within the Sril've Cress compound to escape with their lives. I have faced these demons personally, and they have shown resistance to manufactured weaponry, while claws cut true. You will each be outfitted with a bone weapon once my reinforcements arrive, and our former Weaponsmaster and one of our allies will be sending a handful of crystal weaponry to complete the precautions. It is unlikely that all of these demons will show such resiliency, but we will be prepared to slaughter every one of these infidels no matter what resistances or skills they show. Show no mercy!" The armies let out a cheer as a demonstration of their dedication to the words being spoken, their voices lacking any jubilation and being filled moreso with malice and contempt for the beings they expect to face. Anger and rage swept through the ranks of drow and therianthrope, footsoldier and cavalryman alike. The weretiger stepped down from the rock with a single movement and gave a nod to his sergeants, mentally implanting his instructions through the ring, and marched over to his personal chambers to await the arrival of those he summoned.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-11-05, 10:16 PM	Rym does his best to hold his disgust at the illithid that joins Zentash in this little trek, but his best is not clearly good enough in this case. He nods to Adinae, who has remained behind, before addressing Zentash. "Yes, so it would seem. First off....we send that brain sucker towards the general location of the portal, which is over there somewhere...." he motions in the general direction of the area reported to be above the portal" Once he's standing on the large red X......we cast our spells, mine being an effect to attempt to negate the magic used to open the portal....and you bring the roof down on top of the portal's location. Make sense?" He glances over to Adi, giving her a sly wink, before looking back to Zent and his 'pet'. Looking back and forth between the two of them, most likely seeing that his humor had little, if any, effect on them...he sighs. "Fine fine.....same plan.....minus the ugly brain sucker standing on the large X"
Sril've Cress Military 05-11-05, 10:38 PM	Sergeants Othras, X'etri, and Threkar rejoined their troops, taking their mental impressions and carrying out the orders. Othras, along with roughly six-thousand troops of his infantrymen, began the long foot procession from the training grounds toward the area of the conflict. X'etri took a similar number of his archers and made their way to the strategic guard points scattered about the compound, placing his bowmen where he knows that their long-range tactics will have the greatest effect. Threkar's mounted army remained in place, the heavy cavalry remaining in reserve until directly needed. Soon, feral roars were heard coming from the more tightly secured tunnels. The sound of war drums sounded from within, steady, primal, and powerful. A very large weretiger in full hybrid form was the first to emerge, clad in a rough mammoth hide loincloth and bearing a necklace of bear fangs about his neck. Following him were ten others, hauling two large wagons behind them piled high with the clean-picked bones of two large elephantine beasts. The weretigers pulling the vehicles released their grasps, and carried the bones off to the direction of the forge for proper treatment as their leader marched forward to meet his own commander. Tek'nel bowed before Jaehral and spoke in a barely contained tone, "We have brought the materials you asked for, High Fang. My people will wait in the caves until you ask more of us."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 05-11-05, 11:33 PM	Jaehral turned his attention to the arriving Tek'nel with a nod and a grin on his still feline face. He patted the surprisingly larger weretiger on the shoulder and looked over the mammoth bones being hauled away, "Good work Sergeant Tek'nel. I knew I could count on you to do as commanded. I want you to keep your troops on the edge of snapping while you wait. I want those weretigers foaming at the mouth with rage, anger, and hatred by the time I call for them, and I want them hungry for blood." The Weaponsmaster stepped away from his charge and returned to the gateway to make his way back to the balcony with the others. Stepping through the halls of the royal home to where the other leaders stood, he moved swiftly. He paused and bowed to those gathered, then spoke, "My berserkers have arrived in full force, with the bones needed for the forgemasters to craft weaponry that can mimic the effect of fangs and claws on those demons' flesh. Sergeant Othras is on his way to the scene of the incursion to stand guard in case of further arrivals, and Sergeant X'etri has moved his troops to their sniping lofts." He looked outward over the compound from the balcony and pointed toward the area of the ranking members' quarters while looking toward Jeajea, "The rock formations will be best above that sector if you wish an aerial strike. If these demons are as most I have encountered, they will not stay grounded for long. If your flight-ready troops can get some practice with the formations before the demons arrive, they will have a substantial advantage if confronted on the wing. I believe that your troops will be best suited functioning between there and..." His words met a slight pause as he pointed next toward the sector of Sativus's specialty, while still adressing the avariel, "... there. A blend of rock formations and the cover of supernatural shadows should be able to negate the demons' advantages in mobility and improve the functions of your own troops. If you cannot outfit your team in a manner that allows them to see in such conditions, I am sure that Sativus and his fellow Shar worshippers will have means to do so." Jaehral turned and addressed Garak next, motioning with his hand toward the dark knights gathered outside, a noted flinch striking him upon noticing the still present loon, "I suspect that we will need your troops to remain mobile, as I have assigned our own cavalry to remain mobile. If these demons act as I have seen demons act in the past, they will attempt to overrun our defenses on the ground as well as in the air, and as such, knights will be of great use. If your troops can protect from there..." The weretiger paused as he indicated the section of the cavern containing the primary religious sites, "... to there..." He continued onward, sweeping his hand to pass toward the monolithic effigy of the spider queen, encompassing a fair sized wedge of the cave, "... I can send the remaining footsoldiers and archers to bolster them. The combined effect of your knights with our infantryment and snipers should be enough to restrict the progress of the demons in that area." Jaehral turned his attention to look over the railing, suppressing a shudder at the sight of the draegloth and his ghastly retainers, muttering to himself, "I think the Beast knows where to put his own troops, and I'd rather not tell him otherwise... ahem..."
Ariadne 05-12-05, 12:29 AM	Ari shrinks back from Garak a bit, but doesn't move for a moment. Finally she says cheerily, "Is that a yes, Garak Sir?" with a wide grin. It is then that a change comes over her features, at first appearing as if she's struggling with something internally, or perhaps had just eaten something that made her sick. Then her grin draws into a tight-lipped rage-filled sneer, her eyes seeming more like razor shards of ice than the wide innocent child-like gaze they had just held, but most curiously she stands right up straight, brushes herself off, and looks Garak straight in the eye. "I will see what can be done for our troops, sir, but if I may suggest you look into acquiring that... beast. She won't shut up for long, otherwise, and we both know that could make things...difficult." The last is said with a great deal of annoyance as she turns and sweeps from the gathering without another word. A few moments after she's gone, an excited squeal and high-pitched laughter is heard from the direction she went.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-12-05, 12:46 AM	Grins slightly at Rym, speaking more to him than Zentash. "Just watch where you're aiming those spells. We're going down to survey the damage and I'd prefer not to end up shunted out of my watching spot because you were trying to hit the squid." She winks at him, moving back to the entrance into the cavern where she sits and focuses, shifting her consciousness to her shadow and bringing it to life. She then slips with the shadow demon down between the rocks and back through the crack where it entered before, melding into the shadows to watch the activity around the portal.
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-12-05, 01:30 AM	Mekshal narrowed his eyes scornfully, turning away from his watch over the progress made and looking momentarily at the ground before him. Mental alerts sounded in his mind, angrily alarming him to a new presence. Exerting his will toward his troops and workers, he gave the instructions {Everyone, invisible or back through the portal. There is an intruder among us.} The odd drow rose from the ground without motion, lifting to the recesses of the cavern's ceiling. Effortlessly, he merged with the shadows and slipped into the darkness with his retinue of glabrezu guards. The goristro shuffled back through the viscous black portal, as did the dretches, while the babau vanished from view in supernatural darkness and tucked themselves away in the nooks of stone. The hidden portion of the cavern is emptied of all visible demons before it can be seen, the defenders lieing in wait. On the other side of the gateway, the vast armies of demons moved themselves into position as the alarms sounded in their minds, drawing them into full readiness, only awaiting their commands.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-12-05, 02:01 AM	Would she were in her normal form, a frown would have crossed Adi's face. The demons had all very suddenly vanished back through the gate. That could only mean one of a very few things...the only one of them which was good also being, unfortunately, the least likely. She opened her mind, allowing her thoughts to pass to the shadow accompanying her as well as to the intended targets. . o O (Rym'dael, Zentash...if you're going to do something, now would be the opportune time. The demons have all moved back through the gate for some reason.) She then sent her thoughts out once more to two different targets. . o O (Ilharn, Weaponsmaster, be on your guard. Something is going on at the gate. It appears as if the demons have retreated back through it. The shadow demon and I will move in closer and see what we can discern.) Then, swiftly and silently in the darkness, taking great care to conceal their movements, Adinae and the shadow demon shifted their shadowy forms along through the darkness, moving in a bit closer to the gate.
Korruute'mas 05-12-05, 02:02 AM	The undead abomination watched upward toward the balcony from where he sat, studying the minotaur intently as the voices echoed within his mind. The words became more certain, more assured the more the draegloth witnessed. The voices spoke in unison, both the familiar female voice and the unusual male voice, with the same message: {"The bearer of the Sword will be shown worthy in the next battle. Place it within reach of a wielder."} Korruute'mas turned and slowly descended from his seat atop the charnel hound steed. He set his lupine feet down on the soil among the ghouls and ghasts gathered about and made his way toward the grouping of dark knights. The hound and his vanguard followed mindlessly behind their master as he approached, narrowing his eyes as he studied the large metallic drake the minotaur had arrived on. The draegloth paused a small distance from the grouping, heedless of any acknowledgement they sent his way, regarding the steed carefully as he opened the container at his side holding the items given forth from the reliquary. Withdrawing the featureless red sword, the draegloth held it vertically in a salute and threw it into the air toward the creature, aiming the tip of the blade into the stone beside it to stand straight. Nearly half of the blade's length plunged into the earth at an odd angle, one that would deny leverage in removing the weapon from the stone. Korruute'mas paused and looked back toward the balcony, locking the burning pinpoints of his eyes on the minotaur and exerting his thoughts, sending forth six words to the blackguard, though the mentally projected voice is not his, but that of the entity from the sarcophagus: {"Claim it, if you are worthy."} The draegloth began to climb back into his saddle atop his undead steed, and then led his vanguard back toward the grotesque Necropolis, slowly and steadily padding along at the pace of his corpse-composite mount.
lana_dune 05-12-05, 02:43 PM	Lana stood with the others as Jea stepped forward and spoke of flights and height and the rest of the room seemed alive with ideas and movement. Everyone had a place, talent or purpose in it all. The Ilharns nod brought a smile to her face then some how past the waves of sounds and voices she heard someone pour a glass of wine from a decanter and it took her thoughts away with it. She heard the wine tumbling gurgling into the glass but it was not this wine and this glass but one long ago in a densely packed and ornate chamber. It was she Lana who not much more than a skinny child poured red wine by torch light into the glass of her mistress. Kestals face was stern her gathered captains equally caught up in the mood. Slowly her lips turned from frown to sneer and then a full-blown grin and as Lana watched she felt again the sickness that that look always brought to her. Her hand had shook and the wine spilt but for once Kestal had not dealt her a swift blow in punishment. Instead there was an evil hiss to her voice as she spoke . “Very well…they seek to invade us we will teach them the folly of their ways. They will regret every living moment that they spend on our soil and we will save combat to the last” Lana blinked back from her thoughts and smiled to herself a burn of pleasured adrenalin racing her heart oO(I remember mistress.. I remember it all ..) The sword caught her attention for a brief moment. Then whilst Korruute’mas left she took advantage of the distraction to step up to the Ilharns side and speak softly “Ilharn..I remember things..usefull things from my life before. With your permission I will use my skills to set easy and quick traps amongst our evacuated quarters. They will be subtle Ilharn. I should take several with me to witness and record so that those unused can be removed when we are victorious. I can do this.” Her words had tumbled out soft but at speed and her eyes were alight with excitement the last of those words was said with total conviction.
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-12-05, 06:13 PM	Mekshal grinned sadistically in the dark confines of the shadow plane briefly before returning himself to reality. Lowering as if a mere shadow himself, he set his feet back upon the ground, his senses as sure in the supernatural night as any other darkness. His thoughts rushed out to his retainers and the armies on the other side. {"The time has come. An intruder has seen the gateway, we must strike."} Lofting a ritual-style athame dagger from his belt, he beckoned to the portal, which began to glow red and swirl with an unholy shade, casting the partially dug out cavern in a ghastly light. The drow allowed himself to be plainly seen for a brief moment before an onrushing horde of demons practically stampeded out of the gateway. Horrid demons of all shapes and sizes burst forth, as if vomited up by the abyss beyond. Towering glabrezu with four arms, canine heads, scorpion-like pincers and powerful wings appeared by the dozens, rushing outward from the portal and suddenly vanishing once more only to be replaced by more of their own kind. Lanky vrocks, with vulturelike heads and wings that constantly molt followed suit, mimicing the vanishing act in the same rythym. Mekshal turned and gestured with his free hand, conjuring a staff and pointing it at the walls of iron enclosing the gateway. With a rush accompanied by countless small grey dretches, gaunt babau, and small, gnome-shaped jovocs, the walls burst outward, hurling stones and rubble away from the gates as the ground troops spilled over. Two score towering, bull-like goristro charged out of the gateway next, heads lowered as they rumble out among the small ones in front of them. Behind this came the last line of this grouping, ten multiarmed, snake-tailed mariliths and four flame enshrouded balors. These last fourteen stopped their forward progression alongside Mekshal and his retainers, and vanished as a single group. The invasion had begun.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-12-05, 06:43 PM	Rarely, if at all, did Rym'dael show his anger, prefering to keep it covered to better controll his situations. There were, of course, instances where he found himself lacking controll of that anger, his demonic blood boiling and raging to be unleashed. Unfortunately, this happened to be one of those times. Clinching his fists as a sound that seems to seep from the abyss itself rushes up from his chest. His body bulges oddly initially, growing height and size slightly differently then a lycanthrope would, as the back of his robes rip slightly to accomidate his increased size. His skin lightens to a shade of light grey and toughens to a thick leathery hide. Jet black hair, shifts quickly to blood red as his facial features contort and become more demonic in nature. He takes firm hold of his staff of pain, which is now grossly undersized, and rams the spear like end directly into the stone at his feet before turning to regard Adinae and Zentash. "You will find you are soon needed in the compound, to defend. I suggest you go......now....."his words being spoken in a way that expresses no room for arguing.
Obsidian 05-12-05, 07:07 PM	Sev'anar nods and listens to the conversations, taking particular note of Ari's odd change in behavior, and even more note of her odd speach change. Shaking his head, he made a mental note to speak with Garak after this war about bringing insane liabilities into the defense of his home, but now was not the time for such a discussion. From Adinae's message, their attackers were on the move, and likely not from where they thought they would be coming from. The hope of funneling them in was sound, but such tactics worked with mortals more so then demons. Wincing slightly, he cursed himself for underestimating his foes, vowing he would not do such again. His gaze turned to Lana as she spoke, nodding slightly at her words as he listen, but ultimately, finding himself shaking his head at them "No, I cannot allow you to do such Lana. That chamber will likely have already been brought down, or soon will be. Perhaps if you had suggested it before I dispatched Zentash and Rym'dael...." The ability to keep mental track of his house members was handy at times, and interesting at others. A bright flash on his mental radar or sorts, drew his attention to the chamber. A change had occured there, but the specifics were not available to him. He turns to address all that are around him. ".....No...we must prepair here. Our enemy is cunning, and has pulled back from the portal in which we were to set our trap. I know not what they intend to do, but they will surely act soon."
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-12-05, 08:18 PM	((FYI Rym, Adi's actually beneath the rubble. Only her corporeal body remains topside in a sleep-like state. Well, at least for the moment)) It wasn't until she saw a glimpse of Mekshal that Adinae realized she had been spotted. She cursed inwardly as the question of how rang through her mind. What had she missed? That was something to be worried about another time, though. She projected her thoughts to the shadow demon accompanying her. . o O (We need to leave, now.) The army now pouring out of the gate and then vanishing from sight confirmed the urgency of that need and without question or qualm she and the shadow demon rose towards the iron walls, haunted by the sense that the horde of demons was right on their tails. They wasted no time squeezing back through the cracks in the iron walls and up to the surface, two shadowy figures forming before their forms were briefly highlighted by the following burst of rocks, dust, and debris caused by the invisible army. Adi's dark shadowy form paused long enough to shoot a look to Rym'dael where he had his staff in the ground, speaking to him and Zentash as well if he yet remains, her voice dark and airy coming from her shadow's form. "No time for that now, they're here." She rushes past and towards where her corporeal body lies, quickly re-merging with it, the shadow demon resting over her form like a slick cloak of pitch black oil. Her eyes shoot open and she draws a deep breath as her corporeal form is awakened from it's trance, then pushes to her feet, the shadowy cloak following her movements and draping behind her. She paused one last time, looking back at the open maw in the earth, then to Rym (and Zent if there) as she speaks. "Stay if you must, but I would not suggest it. I will report to the Ilharn." She turns and sprints through the passageway back towards the main compound, letting her mind drift enough to send a message out. . o O (Ilharn, Weaponsmaster, it would seem our enemy is upon us. They have come through the gate.)
Dark Chaos 05-12-05, 08:30 PM	Zentash tilts his head, looking from the hordes of demons, to rym'dael, then to Zyrquix . o O{Return to the others, prepare yourselves} The armored illithid nods its tentacled head, almost dejectedly and steps backwards, vanishing and then appearing behind Myrillian and Xyllestiqar. Mentally, he fills them in on the situation. Zentash turns his head towards the oncoming horde, almost as if pondering, then looks back to Rym'dael Try not to get yourself killed. The Ilharn would be annoyed. He taps his own staff on the ground, and is instantly enveloped in blackfire. It burns for a brief moment, then fades out, leaving no sign of the Drow's presence. He reappears in a flash of similar fire by Sev'anar, Garak and the others. Mobilization would be a wise idea, Ilharn...Rym'dael will not stand long against them alone.
Dark Chaos 05-12-05, 08:42 PM	((double post!))
Blackguard 05-12-05, 08:46 PM	The towering minotaur watches Ariadne leave, mutters a quick prayer...or plea perhaps, to Bane, then looks out over the troops after nodding to Jaehral. He watches Korruute'mas' actions, then looks back at the weapons master. "I concur with your assessment. My knights are skilled horsemen, and will augment your cavalry reserve. I however, would like the opportunity to study the enemy first hand, if you do not mind?" He grins, revealing a perfect row of white teeth, filed to sharp points. his ears twitch abit as he rests his hand on the hilt of a greatsword that is taller than most drow. "It would allow me a better understanding of their tactics."
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-12-05, 09:44 PM	Rym'dael doesn't bother listening to those leaving the chamber, as his eyes are set firmly on the wide open space of the earlier battle field. Taking the staff in both his hands, he rips it free from the stone earth in which it was impailed. Widening his feet to stand firmly where he is, he draws one hand holding the staff up and hurls it like a javalin at the ceiling of the chamber, driving it into the stone surface. . o O(*sighs*.....I liked that staff.....) With a grumble of frustration, he speaks the abyssal chant drawing forth bolts of lighting that lick across the cavern's ceiling, striking the staff as it hangs firmtly in the stone. Before the piercing light of the lightning strickes the staff, Rym is already on the move, running as quickly as he can back towards the portal, as the stone in the ceiling gives way, bringing down tons of rock down upon the open expanse of the servants chambers. With one final grumble, he steps through the portal, seeing the ceiling continuing its destruction.
lana_dune 05-16-05, 11:37 AM	Lana heard the ilharn speak through a haze. She heard the words but for a brief moment her mind would not accept them. Then her blood rose and she felt hot embarrassment that she had ever thought to speak at all. She recoiled. oO(too late. You should have known. You always were slow to think. If she has spoken sooner?) oO(the ilharn has better things to do than nurse you slave girl.. ) She steps away and finds a pillar of stone at the balcony’s edge and presses her hot cheek to its cold comfort. In her mind she heard the mistress laughing. oO(Did you really think to fill my shoes?) Lana ignored the taunts She looked down on the cavern where the house troops and alies mobilized. All were heading to their designated areas. The last group of archers Jaehral had mentioned she could see clearly. She imagined herself amongst them bow in hand and frowned oO(no bow. and besides you won’t have half their range you’re too feeble.. always was) Her own softer mental voice replies (…I get stronger ) The mistress laughs and it is all Lana can do to resist the urge to press the heals of her hands over her ears .but with a grim determination she does it oO(I imagine you Kestal you can’t hurt me now you just make me stronger.)
shadow of death 05-18-05, 07:01 PM	Re'shak looks towards Sev'anar. "I leave you to your plans, Brother. I will return to my circles, and collect the elites. Call for me when you are ready." Before Sev'anar or any of the others can speak up, his form fades away, only his eyes remaining behind for a brief moment before they too fade.
jeajea 05-18-05, 07:16 PM	The Avariel eyes Lana, making a mental note. However, there is no time to deal with this now. He squares up to the Ilharn. "I'm sending my troops to the main battlesite. They are your to do with as you wish. I will be going through the portal our enemies are arriving from. I will bring back Sovix - or enough of him that we can raise him." He pauses for a moment, to allow the Ilharn to react, but opens a miniature portal. Through it comes the soft sounds of an army, preparing for combat.
Klil'og'elend 05-22-05, 10:45 PM	A well built 7' tall man dressed in long grey robes, a red belted sash, and a polished black skullcap sits next to a solid oak table staring into a ivory bowl full of water, muttering incantations quietly to himself. He holds in his hands a pendent, shaped like a Withered and decaying demonic hand curled into a fist over an onyx disk. A quill draws maps, writes numbers and writes orders on pieces of parchment next to him, by itself while a staff made (apparently) of a shaft of light leans against the table. Suddenly, the double-doors of the chamber burst open. In steps a 14 foot tall demon carrying in his 4 arms the unconcious body of a Drider. Behind the demon walks in a very beutiful human looking demoness with small leathery wings wearing Adamantite chainmail. The man looks up from his bowl and towards the demoness .o0(Why do you disturb my divinations?). The quill falls to the table. " My lord," the Demoness states, "This one here is the one whom tried to penetrate our defenses. You said you wished to see him." A devilish smile creeps across the mans face. .o0(You have done well, my little general. Leave him to me) "As you wish, my lord" says the demoness. Then she motions to the large demon, and he drops (rather roughly) the Drider and leaves. The demoness then bows and starts to leave. The man then speaks up,"Wait Delainna, tell me ... How goes our little assault?" "It goes well, My lord." states the demoness matter-of-factly, "They have sacrificed thier servants cavern in an attampt to destroy our access to thier compound, little do they know that my wish will protect the gate and all within 25' of it, the rest does not matter as we can teleport within the compound as long as the gate remains intact.". "Thier troops will have a difficult time, now getting to the gate" says the man as he picks up the maps off the table, "Here are some of the different targets I want you to hit, use teleport hit and run tactics for now. That should keep them off balance. And this is a list of currently known potential threats, and as much as I could divine about them. Use it to kill them, all except this one. He, you are to capture. He is one of your kind. You are now dismissed" At that, the demoness bows and leaves, closing the door behind her. .o0(Vaush, I need you and one of you 'special' pets) Within minutes a dwarven woman dressed in blood red Field plate adorned with a Withered and decaying demonic hand curled into a fist over an onyx disk. She carries a hammer, slung on her back, that is almost as large as her. In her hands is a 6 inch long snake-like creature. "Is this the host?" she says, looking down at Sovix. .o0(Yes) She smiles and then puts the snake-like creature down on Sovix's back. It quickly turns invisible and burrows into Sovix, firmly attacking itself to Sovix's spine. "This creature (motioning to Sovix) is now yours to command, my friend." The man walks over to Sovix and lays his hands on Sovix while mumbling incantations. Healing energies flow into Sovix and the drider wakes up. Sovix stands up slowly. The man then mumbles another incantation and an image of Rymdael appears "tell me about this one".........
Sovix Kar'jias 05-22-05, 11:51 PM	In the fog of his unconscious mind, the pain of the spineseeker burrowing into his flesh wasn't what woke Sovix's conscious. Instead it was the realization that he couldn't move a muscle. He tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't even get a fluttering of the lids. He willed his hands to move, to feel his surroundings in his blindness, but the his clawed drider fingers wouldn't budge. Panic begin to set in when he felt something slipping along his spine just above his abdomen, felt the sting of nerves being punctured in multiple places along his spine, and especially when he felt a sharp, small jaw clamp down onto the base of his neck, yet his muscles didn't spasm with the shock and he couldn't voice a scream. Something was obviously wrong. Yes, little drider...something is wrong... He would have shuddered if it were possible. Somehow despite that Sovix had trained his mind to be strong and his will indominitable, the fact that something else was in his head, perhaps literally, was a thought that left him numb. He couldn't be weak now. Drow...no, he was no longer a drow, he was more and yet less at the same instant. Nevertheless, he was not a weakling, and now was not the time to lose his resolve. Steeling his will, his subconscious growled at the intruder, Get out of my head. A sinister chuckle was the only response he got before he felt his body revitalizing, regaining its strength. His mind rejoiced and once again he turned his focus on moving, his eyes opening as he lifted his torso from the floor and steadied his eight legs beneath him. ...Only it wasn't him who was doing it. Shock flooded the drider's mind and he could feel the demonic invader's delight. Good, you're starting to realize... Panic flooded his mind again before he could stop it and he struggled with the feeling a moment before he could push it aside. No...I'm stronger than this! I am better than a cowering weakling. His mouth was moving now, saying words without his permission. No, he would not give in to this. Yeees, fight me...resist me with all your strength, your determination...defy me with every fibre of your existance. It wanted him to fight...it wanted him to buck and struggle against whatever constraints it had obviously put on his consciousness. And at the moment he didn't care why. I will not be controlled by the likes of you...I refuse to lie down and die! The sense of laughter from the tresspasser in response was unnerving to say the least. Die? Oh no no no. I want you very much alive and aware so you can feel the torment of having your mind picked apart...piece by miniscule piece. It was then, as the demon tore into his helpless consciousness, pervading his mind, his memories, and his thoughts like a ravenous beast, that Sovix realized how much trouble he was really in... -- The drider rises to face the man. "My lord..." A sweep of the clawed hand indicates the image of Rym. "The creature's name is Rym'dael Zylkyr, a former cleric of the drow goddess of undeath, Kiaranselee, and also formerly a mentor to this host. His clerical abilities are profound to say the least. It seems that the indicated creature was previously captured by a demon, inferrably of high status, and when he was returned the creature seemed more demonic himself. Aside from that, little more is known. The creature is no longer a mentor to this host. The host speculates this could be because the creature no longer worships the same diety, or more likely because the host is an abomination of spider and drow combined." The drider's eyebrow rises for a moment. "Although the secondary conclusion appears to be some form of jest, perhaps." The drider's beady eyes remain focused on the image as if searching for more, then he shakes his head. "That is all the host knows."
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-23-05, 12:57 AM	The remaining demons, ground troops and other reinforcements, pressed on as the demoness's magics hold a bubble around the gate. Dozens of goristro burst forth from the portal, pushing the stone and debris aside, albeit slowly and gradually clearing a tunnel through the destruction. Mekshal, along the primary strike force of demonic beings arrive within the great stone walls of the training grounds. Hundreds of demons appeared in the air with thousands on the ground. In a blur, the swarms of dretches, babau, and jovoc hurled themselves toward the mounted drow in a flurry of claws and fangs. The demons on the wing surveyed the situation briefly before diving down in strafing runs at the drow too high for the little ones to reach, striking out with their talons and wings and knocking them down into the horde. * * * * * * * Elsewhere, the remaining demons appeared surrounding the temples. Thousands of smaller breeds filled the streets as hundreds of the greater fiends filled the air. Like rats from a sinking ship the demons began to assail the drow milling about the area, mauling any and all zombies and skeletons left out to walk the streets. The higher fiends drifted to surround the crown of the necropolis, studying it and the sickening aura creating a tangible barrier between them and the structure. One of the balor generals reared back and hurled a fireball through the barrier, impacting one of the buttressed legs of the drider effigy, causing black stone to fall aground among the hidden catacombs beneath as the leg crumbled. Amidst the sound of the crashing stone and the cries of drow beneath demonic claws, the fiends above turned as they heard large footsteps and the clang of metal. The balor, the last to turn after watching his handiwork, went wide eyed as he saw the source, uttering under his breath, "J'vak..."
Korruute'mas 05-23-05, 03:16 AM	Korruute'mas continued along with his retainers until he spotted the first demons winking into being above his home. With a feral roar emitting from his dried and grave-toned throat that echos throughout the main cavern like a distant thunder, he hurled himself down from the back of his warmount. Landing in a crouch as the staff's skull opened its jaws and released a plane of blue-black energy shaped as a scythe's blade, swirling like the void of oblivion, he turned back to point the twisted scythe at his vanguard and favored pet. A wave of foul energy rushed visibly outward from the skull of the weapon and swept around the Mortuus Vanguard, sending the ghouls and the hound into convulsions at the whim of their master. The draegloth turned and ran forward to meet the demonic hordes head on, his body fluidly expanding and growing far larger than normal. Within instants as his steps progressed, his height had reached sixteen feet, his five-hundred pound mass had increased to place him well over one-ton. His shoulders and broad frame now of width equal to the height of one of the weretigers, he slammed full force into the front rows of fiends, massive claws striking into the smaller dretches, palms the size of their bodies hurling them through the air like toys. The scythe swept outward in his smaller hands, tearing rents through multiple fiendish bodies in each pass, spilling the corpses of dozens of the ground-bound demons in mere seconds. The ghouls warped and shuddered as the energy wracked their forms. Their bones convulsed and twisted, erupting into vicious spurs of calcified matter from the elbows and knees, and a row of spikes along the undead backbones, the skin and undead flesh warping to accomodate the adjustments. Their mouths gaped and distended as they expelled their fangs slightly, creating row after row of horrendously sharp teeth on powerful jaws. With the distinctive crackle of bones breaking and resetting, the ghouls and ghasts gain half-again their height, becoming nine-foot tall abominations, stretched out and warped from their already desecrated forms. On taloned feet, the black-armored vanguard marched onward to meet the demonic horde, tearing viciously into the frontlines of fiends with their blades and tearing large sections of muscle and flesh away with their gaping maws, hungry to replenish their stretched frames' appetites on the flesh of the demonic enemy. The hound, meanwhile, underwent its own transformation. As it loped rapidly into the horde of fiends, massive bone spurts rent forth from its almagamated form, creating a mane of several-foot long spines along its neck and shoulders. Bleached bones still supporting decaying flesh jutted from any gap in the black armor that they could, the jaws reshaping to ignore the normal hinging limits of its form as the bone structure of the beast provided fangs the length of arming swords. The charnel hound ravenously tore into the fiends, biting, spearing, and devouring what it can, shrugging off the claws of the demons as it slowly grew larger, engulfing the lifeless bodies of the fallen like a child would devour candy. Corpses of dretches, babau, and jovocs began to pile up on the bone spurs, appearing to now be little more than decorations for the ever-growing monstrosity. A dark laughter rang through the mind of Korruute'mas and his minions, an amalgam of the female voice from the draegloth's mind mixed with the male's from the reliquary. The two entities directing the fiendish death knight were enjoying the display their joint puppet put forth. In dual tones, the voices spoke to their weapons, "Bring death to all who stand in your way, and commit their fallen to our cause. Korruute'mas, the Victus Mortuus, warrior of the Dark Maiden and bearer of the Scythe of Falz, fulfill your calling." From the depths of the necropolis, horrific arcs of sickly green light leapt into the air, spearing through fiendish wings to send the airborn demons aground into the range of the horrors unleashed below. The undead draegloth's eyes blazes like signal fires as the voices echoed in his mind, spurring him on as he continued his rampage amidst the demonic footsoldiers.
kahldeen_doernal 05-23-05, 06:54 PM	Standing outside the training circles, Kahldeen thought he was in one of the safest places in the compound. It was somewhat centrally located and also was a prime spot for warriors to obtain weapons and last minute instructions. He himself, had taken the time to find a chainmail shirt that fit him well enough, if it was a little loose, that he had the arms removed to allow for more freedom of movement. There had been little armor left for him for his legs, but it suited him well enough to keep his body free of as many hinderances as he could. Speed and agility were his friends when it came to combat, and any heavy armor he might obtain find avialable, would only weigh him down. It was standing outside the circles that he first saw the demons appear...scores and scores of them. The sight of so many abyssal beings nearly froze him in place with the sheer weight of their numbers. All sizes and shapes of the ugly beasts appeared from what seemed to him like thin air, and still more came. As quickly as he could make his body move, he darted behind one of the small weapons houses, opening his mind quickly to the Ilharn and anybody else that his telepathic ability from his house ring, would allow him to contact. . o O(Ilhan, Jaehral.....Re'shak....anybody! They're here! In the compound....at the Training Circles....) Beyond that simplest of thoughts, Kahldeen couldn't communicate what he was thinking. It would do nothing for the house to know the feer that filled him. Peeking his head out from behind the building, he pulled it back in, seeing a hand full of demons making its way quickly down the side path, towards him. With slight hesitation, Kahl reached down to the thick manicles on his wrists, a former sign of his past slave life, and twisted each one of them, both of them sliding smoothly around in a clockwise motion until they clicked open. From each, a single half moon shaped blade drops, attached to a finely crafted chain that when released, hang down to near his ankles. Kneeling down, he takes both the blades in his hands and gathers the chains in his palms, preventing them from making any noise. Glancing about him, he realizes that he is in a bad way currently, the space he occupies not being condusive to his fighting style. Eyes darting quickly, he spots a suitable space for his fighting style...only....it lies on the other side of the street, clearly making him visable to the demons if he were to go for it. With a deep sigh of trepidation, he pushes himself away from the building and darts across that path to the clearing. As he predicted, the demons see him easily, and come in full persuit, folling him into the small clearing. Kahl slides to a smooth stop, reaching up and unclasping his piwafwi and whipping it out in a wide arc, letting it sail towards the demons in a distracting manner as he sets his feet before the onslaught, thinking a closed thought to himself. . o O(I could not have asked for anything more from this house....I shall gladly die to repay what they have given me....)
carthamus 05-23-05, 07:15 PM	A shriek, more of a maniacal giggle comes from the rooftop above Khaldeen and the demons. A small lithe figure leaps down amidst the group of demons, a half dozen small metallic spiders preceeding him. Each weapon strikes true, impacting the heads of three demons, blinding them. He lands, feet first on the back of one of the blinded demons, plunging two daggers into its neck and twisting. He flips off, backwards, leaving the blades in the dying creature and twists as he moves, snapping a kick at the head of another of the wounded creatures, cracking its neck. He lands in a crouch, and flings two more daggers at the third sightless Demon, one blade slicing its neck, the other imbedding in its chest. Carthamus immediatly jumps forward, grabbing the head of an as of yet un injured creature and twists, snapping its neck, and using his own momentum to propell himself towards Khaldeed. He rolls to a crouch next to the chain weilding drow and grins up at him. "Play time, yes? Carth like kill."
Blackguard 05-23-05, 07:46 PM	The black armored minotaur returned to his mount. He eyed the blade imbedded in the ground, his ears twitching a bit. Take the weapon, and take your place amongst us." Came a voice in his head, not his own. "Weild it, slay your enemies. Take your place where you belong, Master of Battle." As the towering Blackguard listens to the voice, the demon hord appears and advances. With grace that belies his immense size, Garak grabs the blade, pulling it from the ground and vaults onto the back of the Metallic Drake. He raises the blade, almost unbidden as the weapon glows a deep blood red. The hilt of the sword thickens and lengthens, spikes sprouting from the crossguards. The Blade itself grows, widening and lengthening as well, a row of razor sharp teeth forming along the back edge of the blade, the tip forming a wicked curve. The minotaur and his drake are engulfed in the red glow as well. both grow larger and more...monsterous. Garak's helm forms a cover over his face, sheilding his muzzle and eyes from others, though a red glow comes from the two eye holes. His horns grow as well, twisting forward more, and his cape become more leathery, as they form a pair of demonic wings and the spikes on his armor grow as well. The construct that serves as his mount grows too, changing from the appearance of a drake to that of a dragon, though still metallic. Its claws glisten as they grow larger, its head sprouting great horns and fangs, the latter of which more than 6 inches long. It lets loose a bellowing roar and closes its jaws around a demon, shredding it. "Arise, Master of War....Arise....General Kraven" The enlarged minotaur pulls on the reigns, turning the metal beast directly towards the oncoming rush of demons. Together, the two enter battle, the red blade slicing easily through flesh, metal and stone, whatever stands in its way. It leaves a residue, as if a streak of red energy behind each swing. Garak swings the blade across and down, chopping heads and limbs, the metal dragon slashing and biting. Both Garak's wings and the dragon's wings extended, perhaps for balance, perhaps for a more...visual reason.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-23-05, 07:54 PM	Dust follows him through the portal into the main compound as he glances around, his demonic features still previlant. Two steps towards the area he left the Ilharn in, however, revert him to his normal appearance. A slightly perplexed look crosses his face as he continues walking, glaincing over his shoulder in search of where the sudden draft is coming from. Spying the tears in his robes, he sighs dejectedly, pulling them over his head and tossing them to the ground as he walks. Under them, he wears a loose fitting pair of black pants that are tucked into his soft leather boots. On his upper body, he wears a shirt of a thick black material that conforms to his body. Strapped to his back are his weapons of choice, two double bladed thrusting daggers, similiar to the Ilharn's, although, modified to his liking...the two blades each around a foot and a half long. The mental distress call from Kahl'deen rings clearly in his head, and Rym grins malisciously as he skirts the area the Ilharn is in. He nods to both Sev'anar and Jhessalyn, letting each of them know he is well, and makes his way rather quickly towards the Training Circles, the grin on his lips widening with every step of his progress.
Artanaz 05-23-05, 08:15 PM	Through out the talk of war, the planning, the replanning, and the fine details, Artanaz sat back and listened with less then attentivness. Plans did not suit him, they never had...at least, not indepth plans. They always were wrong, and had to be altered in the middle of them, only to be altered again and again. A waste of time, if you asked him, but...it wasn't his house anylonger, that was being attacked, so he kept his mouth shut while he continued to pluck different valued coins from random places around his person, giving them a slightly befuddled look before tossing them away. Such were the perils of being the house treasurer. The sound of Korrutemas' fun drew him from his near sleeping trance, looking over in the direction of the holy places of the compound with a slight smirk. "Now there's something you don't see every day....." was all he commented on the very odd, and destructive site. A moment later, Kahl'deen's message rang through the house ring, peeking Artanaz's interest at the possibilities. "Ilharn....if I may.....I think it's time for lunch...." With a waggle of his brows, he touches his house ring and disappears, teleporting himself into the center of the main training circles. Side to side he glances, seeing that the demons have yet to make their way to the heart of the training area just yet, which was well to his liking. He liked to take his enemy by surprise. With a crack of his neck, his body began to shift, large black wings sprouting from his back as his neck began to elongate. Quickly, as if this change had happened a thousand times if it had happened once, he made the transition smoothly. Dispite his large, scaley bulk, he keeps his body pressed low to the ground, craning his neck slightly to look up over the ridge of the circles before lowering it again quickly. Effortlessly, he slid his head forward and out of the large arena like circle, turning to face a street full of demons that were making their way towards the heart of the training compound. The large curved horns protruding from his head pointing down the street like cross hairs, he opened his maw wide and unleashed a stream of acid down the wide path, directly into the oncoming creatures of the abyss, all the while, laughing to himself at the shock on the demon's faces at seeing a dragon this deep in the underdark and not on their side.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-24-05, 04:22 AM	Adi and the sixteen members of her scouting group emerged through the portal to the servants chamber. As the scouting group paused for a moment at ease, Adi turned inward to the mind and began to reach out to the Ilharn's mind only to have Kahldeen's message reach her first. "Vith..." she muttered turning to her group. A few flickered hand motions sent a runner from the group off at top speed through the compound before her quickly flickering hands addressed the remaining scouts. -No time to regroup, the enemy is upon us. I will take point, Rashka cover our flank, we will need your strength. The rest of you, pair up to flank and destroy the leaders. Stay hidden and silent as much as you can. We will likely be sorely outnumbered, so hit and run tactics will be our best option for the moment. Now move!- A forward motion of her hand and the group was on the move slipping through through the streets towards the training circles. Already as they went, the changes were beginning, first the near inaudible rearranging of bones and thickening of muscles as Adinae sprouted a good three feet in height. Her sleek form continued to change, the tailbone extending from the spine heedless of her clothing, skin stretching and cell multiplying rapidly to cover it with muscle and skin. Her skin itself was lightening, turning a dusky gray as from the folicles fur began to sprout in a cascade, overtaking her natural hair and replacing it with a stark white coat striped with black. Finger and toenails grew into obsidian claws as her feet burst from her shoes and her clothing was shredded at the arm and leg. Her armor vanished from sight as if blended into her changing form. Finally, her face lengthened and rows of razor sharp teeth filled her sleek, feline maw, her tail twitching behind her as a much larger and viciously clawed hand rested on the only piece of her equipment remaining visible aside from the tatters of her cloathes: her sword belt. Even at around four to five times her weight and twice her normal height, Adinae managed to move along like a very large flickering shadow. Even as she herself changed, at the flank of the group the already bulky drow Rashka was also becoming an even larger and more menacing hybrid of feline strength and humanoid form as well. Flanked on either side now by a combined 700 pounds of teeth, claws, and fur, the group of stealthy assasains flitted ever closer to the training grounds. A glance of Artanaz's large rear end diverts the group towards the main square between the necropolis and the training circles. Without even a word, the entire group pauses seeing the gigantic monstrosity that is Korruute'mas and his uenlarged undead mount. . o O (I'm glad he's on our side...) Adi gives a low, nearly inaudible growl to gain the groups attention, then motions towards the training circles. Adi surveys the scene from their hidden position, her hands flickering silently, amazingly agile still even through the transformation. -Fliers...I want two groups of four pairs, three will advance with me towards the ground troops, the rest will take up positions within the walls of the training grounds and snipe those fliers to the ground.- As ordered, the scouts pair up, four groups of paired drow splitting up to sneak into the training compound using their stealth and some implementing magical abilities imbued into their house insignias to assist as they move into sniping posistions on top of the training circle walls and open fire. The remaining drow pair up, Rashka pairing up with one of the more agile assasains, as they move in on the flank from various angles, shortswords and daggers sliding noiselessly from their sheathes. The pairs work effeciently to flank and disable an enemy, then strike the killing blow before they seem to dissapear into thin air as they move to the next target, working their way from the flank side of the mass towards any demons who appear to be the leaders as quickly and efficiently as possible. Adi and her assasain partner, Kylas, do much the same assisted in their stealth by the shadows of the demons, her claws hamstringing a babau as Kylas' blade punctures the demon's throat before they appear to shrink into a shadow. They then seem to re-emerge from the shadows near their next target not a few feet away, a dretch who soon finds its stubby legs swept from beneath it as a well placed stomp crushes its skull and part of its upper rib cage with a sickening sound. They continue to flit from shadow to shadow to maintain their stealth despite Adinae's large form as demons fall, and yet it seems that for every demon they remove, another ten take its place. A low growl emits from Adi's throat as she scans the throng of demons. There must be a leader among them... Then she catches sight of the lone drow among the throng of demons not being attacked. . o O (There) She indicates Mekshal to her partner, hands flashing briefly between fending off demons. -We need to work our way to that one.- Kylas shoves his shortsword into a demon's spine as he nods. Then he and Adi fade back into the shadows towards their next target, their course changing to carve a path through the demons directly towards Mekshal if unhindered. -- Waiting near the portals by the western barracks stood yet another drow of menacing size and build. Zethiir was growing impatient. He could hear the sound of battle coming from within the compound, but his orders had been to wait where he was. Behind him, a fair sized group of darkly clad drow in light armor rested at ease, at least fourty perhaps fifty strong and armed for battle with an assortment of weapons built for stealthy hits. Their impatience, though much better concealed, was obvious in the idle sharpening of weapons and application of poison to secondary blades. Despite their relaxed appearance, when the runner came sprinting through the portal, every eye was alert and ready, and multiple hand crossbows came up into firing positions for the split second before the signal was given. Zethiir made his way to the scout. "Report!" "The attack has begun at the training grounds. The scouting party has moved to engage the enemy and we are to join them immediatly." A feral grin crossed Zethiir's features as they twisted and began to reshape into a feline maw, his voice a low and gruff growl as his body continued to transform. "Then we move! On your feet and make haste...we war!" A gleam garnished Zethiir's now cat-like eyes as the group of assasains rose with a predatory grace and moved through the portal, the gleam of a predator about to begin the hunt for his prey. -- As Adinae moved off into the fray, the shadowy cloak around her shoulder slipped from her back like a sheet of living liquid night. The chance to kill was more than enough persuiasion for it to assist. Spreading itself into a thin sheet it slipped beneath the feet of the hordes of demons until it could feel a few treading over the surface of its form. That was when it struck, a black sheet rising from the ground in the middle of the demons' ranks and twisting around the hapless demons caught in its grasp, crushing bone, tearing sinew, and ripping apart flesh as the trapped demons shrieked in their horrid tongue, clawing futilely at the shadow the was slowly rending them apart. The shadow demon simply laughed in the sheer delight of the carnage as demonic ichor seeped over its form and dripped onto the demons below.
lana_dune 05-24-05, 08:36 PM	Lana saw and heard the sounds of battle She lifted her cheek from the pillar and strained her eyes and ears for more information. The cries of beasts, dark shadows across the cavern roof and the mental call of Kahl'deen still rung about her skull. oO( a bow it.. would be easier with a bow. Determined to get yourself killed?) She smiled grimly at the negative voice in her head oO(I’m frightened. yes .but it is the fear of doing nothing that is the stronger) She looked over her shoulder at the Ilharn and the others that still remained there on the balcony. Her heart was beating wildly as she pictured herself at the door of the armoury and turned the house ring on her finger
Chelyrra_Eredyn 05-24-05, 10:00 PM	Chelyrra stays back from those on the balcony who talk of the movements of troops and armies, her place not one of command. She listens and watches though, as her hands move with quick efficiency unsheathing daggers and replacing them newly coated in what may prove more effective than the edge itself. Her eyes shift sideways to watch Lana for a moment or two when the plan of traps is rejected, then her attention seems to return to the others. . o O (Too easily crushed. Too frail. Yet there must be some worth, some strength, in there or she would not have survived her past.) Again her eyes move, the rest of her body staying quietly in place, this time as she gazes out over the Blackguard's contingent and Korrute'mas's new-shown power and the other troops already there, her mind adding to the ranks with Re'shak's elites and Jaehral's shapeshifters. . o O (But am I anything more? I have little power and no one to command. Yet I am here.) Her head jerks to the side, sudden movement, when Kahl'deen's clarion cry rings in her head. Rym'dael strides by, in the right direction but his purpose unknown. She bows her head quickly to the ilharn, and slips out to see what use she may be. Enough time now spent here to take the fastest route not just to the Training Circles but to where the house ring lets her locate Kahl'deen. But before she can catch sight of him, she stops for the barest instant of wide-eyed shock as she sees something else, sees in the more open parts of the Circles what they face, at creatures never in her view before and now present in such overwhelming … . o O (They shall not overwhelm us!) … numbers. She gulps, steeling herself, and mutters, "Too close now for the bolts" then unlimbers the bladed staff, Rym'dael's gift, moving now silently closer towards where she should find Kahl'deen. The shadows move to either side and two of the single-horned demons are there, striking at her. Only the black plate armor and her quickness save her, the blade of one scraping in an ugly-sounding shriek of metal against metal , and the other blade missing entirely. She swivels the staff back to block the next blows, twisting it to try to get underneath and to bury the blades in demon flesh. . o O (Rym'dael didn’t say how much damage I need to do, to make the banishment work. Let us hope not much... I may not have the time!) From the corner of her eye she can see a few of the fatter, smaller demons heading towards the conflict.
kahldeen_doernal 05-24-05, 10:36 PM	With his mind and heart content in his vow, Kahl draws one arm back and spins quite gracefully as he releases one of the crescent moon blades in his hands. Drawing on his momentum he spins full circle, as his heart leaps into his throat at the sudden appearance of Carthamus, who has lept directly into the path of the arcing blade as he nearly drops to his knees at what he exects to happen. "Ilharn....forgive me...." Closing his eyes tightly, to avoid having to witness the casualty by friendly fire so to speak, he misses the brilliant display of dexterity that Carthamus accomplishes, bending near horizontal to the floor while retaining his footing as the arcing blade glides harmlessly past him, scoring a slash across the face of the nearest demon in front of him. When he doesn't feel the tell tail impact initially, Kahl opens his eyes to see Carth righting himself(if he's ever been right?) and the line of demon's blood trailing off the crescent blade as it glides through the air. A sense of hope rushes to him in that moment, having previously been unaware of the skill that the house members possessed. With a quick leap back up to his feet, he drops the second blade, gaining momentum with a gentle swing of his arm and sending this one into a similar arc around his persons, twirling slightly to prevent his arms from becoming wrapped around himself as he lets the chained blades continue their defensive spin around himself.....no longer concerned with striking his comrad. Instead....his mind is set on one purpose. To eliminate as many of these foul beasts as he can before one of them eventually takes him down....
carthamus 05-24-05, 10:47 PM	Carthamus giggles as he avoids the chain blades. His eyes get a rather bizarre look in them as he starts running, following the second chain, leaping and grabbing onto it as Khaldeen swings it around, becoming a Drowish Flail of sorts. He holds on with one hand, as his massive 4 foot, 80 pound frame is swung about, his other hand furiously flinging throwing knives and spiders, each weapon finding its target, the foreheads of the demons. A maniacal giggle follows the swinging drow as he releases after a few spins (hopefully, Khal will oblige). He tumbles to the side, and stands, wobbly, his eyes a bit crossed for a moment. "Weeeeee!"
Jaehral_Ojaresk 05-25-05, 12:08 AM	Jaehral growled seeing the air within the compound darken with the silhouettes of the first demons, followed by the mental call of Kahldeen signalling the events in the training grounds. With a slight shift of his feline head from side to side causing his neck to crack and settle, he turned the others gathered, "Seems they choose to give us less time than I had hoped. Fortunately, they have selected places that are already well defended to open their charge, let us reinforce those locations and bring an end to this battle before it can truly begin. Get your troops in place, and let's finish this." With that said, Jaehral turned to the balcony and with the ease of a practised acrobat, jumped over the railing to the ground beside the palace. Landing in a crouch, he moved swiftly, striding to the gateway nearest the training grounds and marching outward into the high-walled pathways of the Sril've Cress compound. Crossing the path as quickly as he can, he moved to the un-barred gateway of the training grounds at a dead-run, his overly large frame covered in glistening white fur only briefly as his eyes narrowed over the forms of the attacking demons. Like a flash of wildfire his axes spun from their holders into his hands, powerful arms providing them tremendous momentum prior to impact with demonic flesh. Large obtuse-crescent shaped blades driven into muscle and bone slice true, ghostly echoes fading in and out of view on each given impact. As if wielding four blades in each hand due to the spirit-like apparitions, demons fall before him in swaths either split in two from the force or mangled by the result of the fang-axes' unusual magic. Splatters of green and red ichor fell on Jaehral's fur as he pressed onward for several moments before the nearby fiends realized the presence of this new beast on the battlefield. Like a shifting tide the fiends turned toward him, attempting to overwhelm the weretiger with numbers. Babau slashed with claws and attempted to bite at him, only to be rebuked by metal-studded bracers to the temples or axe-handle blows to their wrists. The demons stutter-stepped as the impacts struck, but continued to press onward heedless of the danger, piling themselves onto the warrior in layers.
lana_dune 05-25-05, 06:27 AM	Lana appeared at the recess of the armoury door. The noise was instantly deafening. Instinctively she throws her back against the door and takes refuge in the shadow of the alcove as the demons thunder past in pursuit of a victim. “Shu...what am I doing here?” Summoning every ounce of will Lana leans forward to see where they go and sees Chel decked in the marvellous black armour and letting fly about her with the strange staff. . She refuses to think of the precarious nature of her predicament and steps out as they pass. With the summoning word on her lips she puts Sativus’ gift into action. She leaps into a spin as she clears the doorway. The momentum of her movement makes up for the lack of power in her strike and the feather in its silver cage glows as it adds its own enhancement unnoticed .A vicious looking single spiked, razor sharp crystal dagger is sent spinning from her hand. oO(hit..hit hit damn it hit) The last of the two demons receives the blade below his left shoulder blade. Its leathery hide splitting open as the weapon bites. It lets out a roar and reaches behind it to snatch at the blade leaving its chest open and defenceless to any strike. Lana awe struck by her own success gawps for a moment. A moment too long and she is rudely returned to the present as a spinning dark blade passes by the lobe of her left ear taking the bottom half of a pale braid with it. She dives forward and to the right rolling into a low crouched run and throws herself behind a practice target. The sound of a hail of thrown weapons rings out thunderously around her as the band of smaller demons advance. Her heart is racing as she draws a hollow spine from a silver container in her top right pocket and summons a second glass dagger to her right hand.
Jhessailyn 05-25-05, 12:14 PM	Jhess nods at Rym'dael as he passes, then blinks when Lana suddenly vanishes from beside her. Catching the edges of Kahl'deen's sending and hearing Jaehral, she frowns. . o O ( Xsa... this is not good. ) Humming quietly, she stealthily makes her way to the armory, vanishing completely from sight before she's halfway there. . o O ( I hope like hells none of these things can see invisible... ) Maintaining her stealthy approach, just in case, she follows a swarm of demons past it, just in time to see Lana's sudden attack and dive for cover behind the pells. With the clamor of battle as cover, she hums again, sending a powerful gust of wind to knock down the weapons being thrown at Lana before they can reach her. Abandoning stealth for speed, Jhess finds a place of concealment, from which she can still see the swarm on Lana. Humming once more, she creates a cloud of glitter in the middle of the demons, hopefully blinding them as well as making them much easier to see. As soon as her spell is cast, she pulls the shortbow from her back and calmly begins firing at the sparkly demons.
corvalis 05-25-05, 06:34 PM	As Chelyrra battles the demons, she is offered some help, albeit without her knowledge. Sneaking up behind her come two of the demons, claws flexed, jaws agape, salivating at the prospect of an easy kill. Between them the air ripples, something akin to a rock thrown into a body of water. Out from seemingly nothing, a strange drow appears. He is not armored, like Chelyrra or the other house soldiers, but instead wears the finery of a nobleman. Black boots, shined to a high gloss and ending just below the knees, Bright red silken pants, a black leather vest over a white frilly shirt and a wide brimmed hat, complete with feathers, the colors of which seem to shift. Around his waist a belt is strapped and a sheath rides low, carrying a rather ornate rapier, the basket hilt in the design of a spider web. A matching dagger rides at his back, though partially hidden by his piwafwi. The drow's hands are bedecked with multiple rings, and his left hand carries a silver cane, inscribed with runes. A keen observer might note the handle of the cane bears a striking resemblance to Chelyrra. His appearance catches the two demons unawares. He speaks a word, softly, like a whisper and touches the demon on the left with the cane. It blinks, and rapidly ages, its skin wrinkling, its form taking on a hunched appearance. Within seconds, it is nothing but a pile of dust as its skeletal frame collapses. He looks to the other demon and motions with his free hand. A small ball of fire engulfs the hand then lengthens to resemble a blade, which he thrusts into the neck of the creature, killing it. He then looks to Chelyrra as she battles the other demons. He speaks another stream of words and motions, casting a spell on her person ((Haste)). Smiling, he hums softly, spinning the cane around to impact the head of the third demon that thought itself sneaky, laying it low with a crushed in head. He finishes his humming, casting a bardic spell upon her as well ((Bull Strength)). Then the air ripples again, and he takes a step back, vanishing from sight.
jeajea 05-25-05, 07:44 PM	Giving the Ilharn one last nod, Jeajea vanished. The brief glance at the map had been sufficient to give him his bearings. He arrived next to Lana. "Lana, Jhess - come with me! We're on a mission to rescue Sovix. Unless you feel safer here!" He draws his sword, and then from seemingly nowhere he draws another. He mutters under his breath, though loud enough for Lana to hear him, "Ranaron, Mandan... demon-slaying time. Go!" His two swords fly out of his hands, towards the two sparkly demons. Each attacks with a strange speed and grace. A Mind Blast, emminating from Jeajea, is not far behind them. He then opens a portal which shimmers in a strange way, just beside him. "This is it, Lana... your test of fire. If you want a better bow, I can give you one that will guide your shots. Coupled with an Improved Invisibility spell, you should be safe. What do you say?"
Lilyanna_Rose 05-25-05, 08:10 PM	*glances around, then follows in behind Sativus.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 05-25-05, 11:33 PM	One of the demons suddenly pauses in its attack with a roar of anger, reaching behind itself as if trying to scratch an itch or more likely reaching for some particular weapon strapped to its back. She doesn't wait to let whatever it is appear but twists the momentum of the current arcing dance of the twin-bladed staff into a quick thrust at the open chest with the smaller end of it. The blade, swirling green stone and all, stabs deeply into the now shrieking demon, its noise drowning out Chelyrra's call to activate the powers of the staff. The staff hears, though, and the shrieking is abruptly silenced when the demon itself vanishes from sight. She swings the staff, now free of its entanglement, quickly around to confront her other foe… and finds the staff moves even more quickly than imagined or else the other demon is now in some sort of paralysis of fear at seeing its companion so easily dispatched. In fact, so paralyzed, so somehow weakened, that the larger blade slices cleanly though the demon's neck, the head bouncing on the walkstones before rolling off into the shadows. A quick survey finds two more of the demons near her but no longer threats, and if their demise is a puzzle… . o O (Not Lana's daggers or darts, nor Jhess's arrows.. what then?) … there's no time to do more than take it as a welcome gift. The glittery dretches are drawing closer and now there's an avariel nearby as well. Chel's instincts bring the staff up to defend (or possibly attack) but she recognizes the figure and the names it calls on. "Go with him! I will check on Kahl'deen!" The dretches fall to the swords and the MindBlast as Chel turns and sprints towards where the ring says he must be, her sense more alert now for the horned demons that seem to prefer to attack from ambush.
Sril've Cress Military 05-26-05, 12:17 AM	The Servants' Cavern... Othras cursed loudly, bringing his troops to a fast hault as the rubble of the servants' cavern fell into the tunnel. Clanging his weapon against a plate of armor, he turned to his soldiers and spoke loudly and clearly, "We can go no further here, full retreat to the main compound where we can do some good, men. The servants' quarters have been lost, let us protect the rest of our homes." * * * * * * * The Training Grounds... Threkar and his men were caught unaware as the first of the fiends appeared in the training complex, the steeds of varying shape and form becoming restless in the conflict. As surprised beasts are apt to do, however, the mounts quickly changed from a reaction of panic to one of violence. Teams of drow struggled to keep their chargers under control as the beasts returned blow for blow to the ground troops, sharklike-bullettes and oversized lizards clawing and biting into fiendish flesh. Before their riders could command otherwise, however, a small number of the startled beasts had recklessly stricken a cluster of jovocs, crushing the retibutive fiends beneath their feet. Like a localized storm, the auras of the ugly gnome-sized demons lashed out in death throes, causing rider and steed alike to yell out in pain and agony as the harm endured by the demon was revisited upon them. Drow and monster were ripped to shreds as their bodies caved in, the clustered auras magnifying the pain and agony of the little fiends onto those within the area, leaving the other demons unharmed. * * * * * * * The Archery Nests... X'etri and his men positioned themselves throughout the compound, battalions of bowmen settled atop the forge, the western barracks, the mortuary, and along rooftops amidst the house member housing. As the first demons appeared in the air above the necropolis and primary temple district, X'etri and his men nearest the area silently took their signal, notching arrows and waiting for the signs of true battle. Sure enough, the undead strike squad led by Korruute'mas opened the charge and X'etri gave the command to open fire. Arrows lined the skies by the hundreds, piercing demonic hides to limited effect due to loss of momentum but providing a distraction as other archers moved into position from the southeast near the quarters. As the airborne demons turned to face their first ranged assailants, a second volley was launched from a much closer point, arrows rending wing tissue and having a negative impact on the flying fiends' mobility as their wielders maintain a safe distance.
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 05-26-05, 01:15 AM	Jalil pursed her lips as she watched most everyone else that had stood by them move to engage the demons. "Well," she grinned, "No point in missing all the fun is there dear?" A sly smirk and she was over the edge of the balcony with a wink to Tyffron, almost as if enticing him to their own little private game. Freefalling a short distance from the balcony, she snapped open her wings to catch the rushing air and slow her descent turning it into a sort of glide for a moment. A downstroke of the pearly feathered wings shifted her direction. All the troops thus far had made their way towards the training grounds, as far as she could tell by the looks of it, so she went the opposite direction towards the odd, half finished necropolis where the giant fiend and his minions fought. She maintained enough distance to hopefully avoid attention for a few moments as she worked her odd...magic. Though it couldn't really be called that. Nothing visible could tell she was doing anything save the look of intense concentration in her eyes, but as she concentrated, she was weaving threads of Fire, Air, and Spirit along with a touch of Earth and Water into the body of the nearest airborne fiend. The effects were also a mystery, for outwardly the only sign of trouble was the fiend grabbing its throat and emitting panicked, strangled gasps. After a moment the fiend dropped from the air, severely lacking oxygen, and the fiends around it began looking for the source. "Hmmm, this could turn ill..." Jalil mused as she began the next weave, dropping the first and re-weaving the same pattern with a slight twist and extra threads of each element she had an affinity with to strengthen the weave. Snapping the weave into place around the closest fiend turning to confront her, she tied it off and left the weave to its own devices. It would weaken the weave, but right now there were more pressing matters, like the closing band of flying fiends along with the ones below looking for a method to bring her down. Meanwhile, as the weave snapped into place, the fiend it was targeted on found himself with a sudden inward burning sensation. He clawed at his skin as if it were alive, shrieking in agony that he couldn't see or get off of him for the weave that had been meant to stop his heart was instead now boiling his blood within his very veins. He lost control of his wings and plummeted to the ground, shaking intensely much to the bewilderment and bemusement of the demons around him. After a moment he fell still, the wounds where he had clawed himself futilely leaking the boiling, steaming ichor that even the demons likely found uncomfortingly hot. Back in the air, Jalil was weaving her next weave as quickly as the percision needed would allow, snapping it into place in front of her as the air invisibly hardened in an arc in front of her following down towards the ground. The weave was tied off and left to sustain itself, but even so, Jalil shied back as the demons neared the last bit of distance, the hardened air wall greeting the first ambitious pair that had gotten ahead of the group with a *smack*. Jalil smirked as they slid along the curve of the hardened air, but she knew she wasn't fully covered. They would find their way around given a moment, so she loosed her whip and readied herself, snapping the leather through the air as she muttered under her breath, "Oh Tyffron, dear...where are you?"
lana_dune 05-26-05, 07:56 PM	Lana looks to her left as the tripod stand of the target behind her has one leg partially lifted by a sudden unnatural gust of wind. A flurry of useless throwing stars and crude daggers skitter across the smooth stone floor beside her oO(who did that? .. wind is a surface thing) She turns on the spot as if to look around the target and see what is happening but a gut feeling has her look up wide eyed instead just at the moment that an injured Dretch thuds into it with force. Its wide drooling mouth gapes down at her over its rim. A mixture of desperation, horror and instinct takes over her right hand and sends it up to thrust the glass blade into the creatures face. For a brief moment she is aware of jeas arrival. She hears Chel speak and opens her mouth to answer. Then the dretch with its dying breath releases a stinking cloud of fumes. She rolls clear dry retching and disorientated until she comes to rest up agaist Jeajeas feet
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 05-26-05, 10:33 PM	Jalil's becconing to him to join in the fray was quite alluring, as it had been some time since he had enjoyed 'playing'. But if these past months of studying with Ishamael had taught him only one thing, it was to be prepared. They of course, had taught him much more then just good preperation though, and currently, he was emploring some of that new found knowledge. Methodically, he weaves the threads of Air, Fire and Spirit together in a complex pattern, each thread being carefully placed while Tyff walks towards the railing of the balcony. Once each thread has been carefully placed, and awaits tightening, he steps onto the railing and the balcony and leaps with a graceful jump. His decent doesn't last nearly as long as Jalil's, as seeing her plight gives him a slight urgency of task, his inky black wings snap out, catching the air that rushes past him and jerks him parallel to the cavern floor. A few flaps of his wings take him within the limits of his weave, and he swoops upward, using flaps of his powerful wings to keep him stationary as he selects the target, and snaps the weave togther. Instantly, bolts of lighting rupture from his body, splitting in every direction from his body as they race out towards their intended targets. One by one, it searches out the winged demons that make up the main force that test Jalil's barrier, striking each one in turn as it finds them.....only to leave them unharmed. For once....Tyffron's anger shows visably on his face, regardless of his mastery of daes daemar. The weave he had taken time to prepair and to strike down those who threatened Jalil had been worthless. Were these not Shadowspawn then? Or did Sadin simply work differently here, as it would not work at all on a Steading? A slight tightening of his jaw reset his determination, bringing his hands up in front of him and quickly weaving the threads of Air and Fire into a tight weave, the snapping of the pattern into place practically audible to his ears as one red streak raced out towards the flying demons near Jalil's barrier, then a second. Flapping his wings heavily, he raises himself up into the air, before allowing himself to dive down slightly and carry his momentum towards the demons, behind the streaking red streams. Each beat of his wings brings him in behind the streaks that race towards their targets, widening as they approach until each one forms into a large fireball, just before impact. Carefully, Tyffron weaves the threads of Air, Fire and Spirit together, different then his initial weave, and directing his weave into his own hand, where a longsword of flames, curved slightly at the end of the blade, materializes in his hand. In through the explosion of the fireballs he comes, drawing himself to a quick halt with a wide stroke of his wings as he slices and stabs at the nearest demons, his eyes the only thing that betrays his cool, calm features, as they burn a hellfire red with each slash of his firey sword.
Obsidian 05-26-05, 10:44 PM	Through out the beginnings of the fray, the Ilharn remains perched on the balcony, his mind and eyes watching every battle that is taking place of great signifigance. Mentally, he nudges house members in the right direction to help others....such as Carthamus' appearance to assist Kahl'deen, troops to move over one street to either encounter a group of demons, or smaller groupings of troops to join with others to face larger threats. Even the odd shifts in Korrutemas and Garak seem to effect him only in a minor way, altering his thoughts on their rolls in the fighting, and little more. Across his mental link with Re'shak, though, he sends his thoughts. . o O(It is time brother.....the fools have presented themselves in number....and I require your assistance. Your children and elites can wait until they are needed....it is your wicked and ruthless touch that I need at this time.)
Ariadne 05-27-05, 12:27 AM	Ari rode along with the mounted blackguards and soldiers headed for the temple district not far behind the minotaur and his enhanced war drake. Her eyes were riveted on the transformed metallic beast as her war horse followed along in front of the legion of blackguards in true fashion to its training, unheeding of its rider's fascination with the aerial beast, and in fact unheeding of the beast itself. As the soldiers move to engage the enemy, Ari tilts her head as if listening to an unseen voice. After a moment she grins and calls, "Okies dokies Dark Lord!" She turns her own war horse back towards the group of mounts pulling them to a halt for a few moments as she reaches into her robes, one hand plunging into her neckline to retrieve her silver symbol of the Black Lord, the other pulling out two pouches tied to her belt. She reaches into the first pouch, giggling as she pulls out a handful of tough metallic shards and crushed beryl, flinging the mixture towards the troops as she chants in a more sing-song voice than usual. "When slashed and chopped, that's just no fun, but protect your hides and the battle's half won!" The metallic shards and beryl swirl together shifting color to a light green mist which settles over the soldiers, seeping into their armor and shields. Ari then reaches into the second pouch retrieving pieces of hematite from it which she flings into the air in an arc as she chants and the magic focuses within them. "If you bash their head and chop their calf You'll easily win the other half" The pieces of hematite seemed to melt into a pool of dimly glowing, similar colored energy which shot out like sunrays to touch upon the soldier's weapons, enhancing each slashing, chopping, bashing, and slicing egde that the spell would allow. Then Ari turned to the group, her ponderous face shifting into a wide grin. "Okies day, time to go bash and smash things for Dark Lord!" And thus the legions of Bane were ready to go to war. ((They're all yours Garak)) Even as they made their way towards the battle field, though, Ari remained behind the pack, her mount falling in behind the ordered platoons marching to rendezvous at their commander's position and join the fray. Meanwhile, Ari's face seemed to be shifting between ponderous, murderous, and childishly joyous as she spoke to....herself. "Ari wants to let the demons be freeee!" "At this time I cannot surmise if that is wise or would be our demise." "I'm pooling for the latter of the two..." "But free is fun! Ari is free!" She grins proudly. Then she groans. "And that is what worries me." "If given time I can end this fight and tell whether this action is wrong or right. "No time for that..." She sighs. "I just know I'm going to regret this...but... go...free the demons..." "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" comes the squeal immediately thereafter followed by a mumble of, "See, I regret it already..." Ari kicks the horse into motion, moving the steed within range as she spies a dretch waddling towards her. She giggles with glee as she babbles nonsensically, the symbol dangling from her neck actually reacting to the words with a sickly green glow as she bends down and taps the dretch on the head as it reaches up to claw her. She shrieks and pulls her hand back as the claws rake across it and her forearm, steering the horse back. "Ow! You hurt Ari..." she pouts, but even so the spell has already taken effect as the creature turns, babbling and drooling at the mouth, and leaps on the nearest demon, pounding futilely at it. The demon stares at its fellow, trying to push it off of it, but the touch is all that's required, the magical chain spreading from the first to the second and from the second to another and another and so on through the hordes. Ari giggles madly and throws her hands in the air squealing, "Be freeee, pretties...be freeeeeeeeeeee!"
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-27-05, 02:50 AM	Mekshal slowly raised into the air, floating on an unseen current and motionlessly settling just out of reach of the largest ground troops. A sneer crossed his face as he witnessed an entire garrison of demons eliminated by the sudden appearance of Artanaz. {A dragon... nobody informed me of a dragon...} the drow thought to himself as his eyes narrowed. He gestured, sending the previously summoned staff away into an extradimensional storage space and replacing it with a cruelly carved scepter of dark grey metal shaped as a fiendish face, set with two black gems for eyes and a gaping maw of silvered teeth. Smoothing the ceremonial-looking cloth draped on his shoulders, he aimed the scepter at the dragon. The air around the scepter darkened, then surged with nearly venomous green energy that swiftly changed to a bleak violet, swirling briefly before discharging a narrow burst of the ultraviolet-light that streaks straight for Artanaz's scaly hide. With a wave of his hands, his retinue of glabrezu bodyguards move into formation beneath him on the ground in a cleared area and focusing, creating ripples in the air with no visible effect. The trio of multi-armed fiends then lifted themselves into the air to protect their master and watch over the combat. The hordes of grounded fiends continued to mill about, biting and clawing at the mounted soldiers and their beasts of war, some getting cut down and others being stomped to the stones. The fiends press on heedless of their losses, gladly clawing their way over the corpses of those who were just aiding them to get at the drow they can. * * * * * * * Elsewhere, at the temples... The demons on the ground paused in surprise at the arrival of the first undead monstrosity, then quickly moved back upon seeing the draegloth's back up appear. Making a brief retreat, the fiends gathered their senses as if under a hive-mind and a dozen-score jovocs hurled themselves forward into the path of the oncoming beasts, knowingly sacrificing themselves for their cause. In the air above, the balor general mutters again under his breath watching his fellow flying comrades being removed from the air and growls, first a curse, then a command "J'vak... Aurus evictus!" Upon hearing the command of their de facto leader, the glabrezu among the demonic contingent, nearly forty-five of them, focus and gesture, creating pockets of inverted gravity among the ground-bound undead contingent and the approaching legion of dark knights. Fallen debris amidst the affected regions rises and hurls itself to a ceiling of twenty-feet, hopefully taking some of the landlocked warriors with it. Almost as if on cue, as the first demons are 'freed' by Ariadne and her squeel of insane glee echos through the throngs of fiends, a shudder crosses every demon within the compound, particularly those amidst the rocky ceiling where the reverberations of the maddened sound become more grating. The greater fiends paused for a moment to regain their composure from the overload of childlike happiness and purge the sound from their memories. The balor points a taloned finger at the crazy woman and, heedless of whether she clung for bearing within the inverted gravity or floated freely to the upper-reaches of the effect, applies a violent burst of telekinetic force aimed to hurl her backwards and upwards out of the gravitational field, aiming her at the oddly shaped and fortunately located tower at the center of the compound.
Dark Chaos 05-27-05, 01:52 PM	Zentash sends a mental command to his Pets as he watches the demons flow through the compound. . o O{Myrillian, Xyllestiqar: Go to the Training Grounds and defend. Concentrate on the airborne attackers. Leave none to escape. Zyrquix: Their survival is in your hands. Keep them safe.} He then steps off the balcony and floats across towards a roof of a nearby building. There he pauses, looking about at the conflict before him. Spotting a group of demons, he motions with his staff. A cone of Blackfire bursts forth from the crystal and engulfs the demons. Their skin crackles, then freezes as Electrical energy courses through them, followed by a wave of coldness. He motions with his hands, and sends another blast of Blackfire over them. Their bodies are pummelled with bashing damage, cracking the already frozen and brittle hides, leaving them in pieces. Smirking wickedly, he turns his void-like eyes towards the group being effected by the reversed gravity. He stamps his staff once, and speaks, calling upon his Goddess for the power required. He motions and casts the spell, in an attempt to dispell the Balor's spell. Regardless of the result, he then looks to the Balor and grins. He sends a small blast of raw power at the Balor, to catch its attention. He then spreads his arms wide as his form is swathed in blackfire, as if building in power. As the energy reaches its peak, it surges forth towards the Balor, in the shape of a Blackfire bat. It hits and engulfs the creature, with the intent to alter its physical make up to something similar to glass, and secondly, to send it straight up to the roof of the compound.
Ariadne 05-27-05, 02:00 PM	Ari squeals in confusion as she feels gravity reversing on her, her hands grasping for something to cling to. First she grabs one of the war horses' tails, but she abandons that as it and its blackguard rider too begin to lift into the air and jumps up to grab a flying fiend that tarried just a little too close to the ground, latching herself onto one leg with each hand and dangling from it as it flies in circles trying to shake her loose or reach her with its claws. "Ari doesn't like this! Ari doesn't know if Ari can hold on!" "Don't you DARE let go you tweedy little lunatic!" "But--" "More important matters at hand, think I, for look at the gleam in that balor's eye!" "Oh by the Dark Lord..." "Ooooh! Ari think it wants to PLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" the last word echoes across the cavern as the telekinetic bolt hits true and flings Ari from the demon she was clinging to (the demon looking to its superior and mumbling the equivalent in Abyssal of "I could kiss you for that" I'm sure). As she flies, her face contorts into rage. "DO something loon!" The sing song voice replies, almost in a fashion as if someone had been shaking her by the collar. "Working on it, yes indeed! Now please oh please let go of me!" An exasperated growl is heard as the sing song voice continues. "Ari's flying way up here, she really thinks it isn't fair, so now we'll let her walk on air!" The silver holy symbol glows with the chant and the magic takes effect, however Ari still hits the tower, if not quite as hard as she was anticipating. "Ooof! Hey, no fair...Ari magicks supposed to stop that." "Oh be quiet...we're still in one piece." "But its not fair, Ari's bum hurts. Ari not supposed to hurt." "Afraid I am that I could not, the magic for such was beyond me, but what I could do should help a lot, just look down and you'll see." Ari does, leaning down, her eyes widening. "Ari standing on the air! Ari standing on the air!" the excited squeal is repeated as she dances and skips in mid air. "Your abilities of perception amaze and astound me..." "Ari's standing on the air!" "...now could we please get back to the carnage at hand?" "Ari's walking on the air!" "...NOW ARI!" "Ari's...huh?" "Back that way! You know, where there's a battle? And lots of demons? And Garak is waiting?" She glances back towards the necropolis. "Oooooh, where big doggy thingy Ari wants is! Ari coming big doggy thingyyyy!" She takes off at a run across the air to get back to the battlefield with a mumble of, "I give up..."
shadow of death 05-27-05, 02:19 PM	Amidst a large group of the demonic horde, a small dark cloaked figure appears. The demons pause in their attacks to view the newcomer, advancing on him. He throws back the cowl and cloak to reveal a feral grin, baring his long fangs. He extends his arms to either side, letting long black talons grow, each over 6 inches in length. The demons, sensing an easy kill, swarm over him, burying him beneath their bodies, slashing and biting and clawing. The pile of bodies writhes then explodes, bodies and body parts flying in multiple directions. Re'shak surges from the pile, slicing his claws across, decapitating two demons and releiving a third of its internal organs. He thrusts his left hand through the chest of another, grabbing its head with his other hand, and pulling its spine out through the gaping hole his hand created. Using the spinal chord as a club, he bashes the head of another demon, caving it in. He rises higher still, as the demons clambor over their fallen in a mindless attempt to slay the clawed drow. tiring of the play, Re'shak draws his two blades. both black as his skin, one metallic and with a serrated trailing edge and a wicked hook near the tip, the other crystal in appearance. With practiced ease, he slices with the blades, removing heads and limbs with wanton zeal, the feral grin ever present. His blades dart in, opening holes in the creatures, slaying them as they near. He twists and turns avoiding most of their slashes, but some still connect, opening his flesh. His grin grows wider as the demons slowly begin to realize that their wounds they inflict upon him close as quickly as they are made. He continues to levitate higher, as the pile of demons and demon parts grows larger.
Korruute'mas 05-27-05, 06:42 PM	Korruute'mas clawed angrily at the ground as he felt the gravity around him reverse itself, his hollow eyes narrowing at the flying fiends. Focusing in on a pair of low flying vrock, he used his tenuous grip on the ground as leverage, hurling himself to the edge of the gravitational anomoly and outward, latching his large talons onto the wings of the vulturelike demons and hauling them to the ground with his mass. He pinned the fiends to the stone ground with his knees, shifting his grip from their wings to the backs of their heads with his large, powerful arms and driving them beak-first into the stone floor. The demonic skulls caved beneath the impact, and the vrocks fell lifeless beneath the undead behemoth. With a low growl, the draegloth muttered: "I'll be borrowing these..." With a quick motion, the draegloth snapped his hands back onto the wings of the fiends and tore them away, laying them side by side on the ground at his feet, positioning each left wing and each right wing to appear to form a larger pair. Directing his scythe over the torn away limbs, a wave of the flesh-altering energy swept out, fusing the wings into the larger form. Korruute'mas lifted an enlarged wing in each large hand and held them over the knobby stumps on his own shoulders, another wave sweeping from his scythe to bond the wings to his own back. The vulture-like wings twitched and shuddered as unlife filled their forms. The flesh-shaping warped the apex, sharp bone spurs sprouting at the joint of the wing-flanges to create a third pair of functional claws on the undead monster's frame. White fur sprouted over the junction of wing and shoulder-muscle, causing the wings to blend seamlessly despite the unnatural method of their fusion. Korruute'mas stretched his newly acquired and altered wings slowly, causing a few of the looser black feathers to fall to his feet as the final molt of the life from their natural owners ended. The dark plumage frozen in unlife, the draegloth grinned coldly to himself, {A shame these are not permanent...} The Mortuus Vanguard, on the other hand, did not fair so well amidst the gravitational inversion. The warped ghouls rose into the air, hissing and clawing violently at any flying fiends that dare to come within their reach despite floating in mid-air. Likewise, the warmount hovered aimlessly without a place to gain traction, left only able to bite at demons that come within range, though its form seems to slowly absorb the half-living fiends and the deceased demonic corpses impaled on its frame, gradually beginning to take on a darker, more dreadful countenance than before, though exactly what is happening cannot yet be seen.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 05-27-05, 07:34 PM	Jaehral growled and twisted his arms around, one in front and one behind, as he allowed the fiends to close in. The partial armor and his preternaturally tough skin deflected the worst of the claws and fangs, the fact that they were of an insufficient material all but negating the efforts that did land true. Lowering to a knee beneath the fiends, he gained leverage, spinning as he surged upward, axe blades sweeping into place as a cyclone, cleaving into fiendish flesh and leaving demons cut in half at various heights in his ascent. Standing at his full height, the weretiger simply opened his jaws as a babau launched itself at him, letting the fiend's momentum do his work for him. The feline jaws clamped down on the demon's shoulder and snapped upward and backward, tearing the entire right shoulder and arm free of the demon's writhing body. Jaehral spat the foul flesh from his mouth and hacked downward with an axe to finish the still-twitching corpse's existence. He backed closer to the wall of the training grounds intentionally, methodically, as more fiends approached, and stowed his axes. The puzzled fiends paused for a moment before moving forward, a dretch moving first and getting caught by a swift-striking claw. Jaehral spun the fiend into the stone wall face-first, shattering the skull and dropping the corpse just in time to rip the throat from an onrushing demon with the other hand. He growled in a feral tone as two babau lunged at him together, sidestepping between them and spinning, driving his palms into their backs and sending them sprawling into the wall before running after, leaping and raking his feet fatally over their backs before springboarding backward and upward over the fiends that had thought him cornered. Like a blood-stained white comet, Jaehral impacted the demons, spinning and raking his claws through four demons before landing, biting into a fifth's neck and tearing them all to shreds. Raising up with a powerful dual-backhand, he sent two more sprawling to the ground to be trampled by their own brethren, then carefully plucked two jovocs weaving about from the ground. With a practiced care and a snarl, he tossed the gnome-sized fiends effortlessly away onto a pike-rack several yards distant, safely sending them out of their aura range.
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-27-05, 10:29 PM	At the temple grounds... A number of the gravitational inversions lost effect upon the completion of the dispel, allowing several troops to regain their footing on hard soil assuming the twenty-foot fall permits them to do so. Rubble amidst the streets likewise fell aground, creating more rubble where the larger debris struck. The demons turn to seek out the source of the disrupted magic, just in time for the balor to be transmogrified against his will into a crystalline matter and be hurled into the cavern's ceiling. With the distinct ring of breaking glass, the balor shatters, though the ringing is summarily cut short. A flare of explosive white light erupts from the destroyed balor filling the entirety of the region of the cavern to one-hundred feet in all directions from the destroyed fiend. The ground-bound armies of babau and dretch disintegrate in the blast, leaving all within the area decimated, but unharmed. The jovoc, however, last only long enough in the fatalistic eruption for their retributive auras to trigger, echoing the terrible death throes of the greater tanar'ri in full effect as their ashen remains repeat the trauma upon all non-demons within thirty feet of one of them. The detonation shatters and crumbles the necropolis, the drider effigy falling in on itself and burying all within beneath a shapeless pile of destroyed stone that only faintly glows with the green aura from that which is contained beneath. No demons remained save for the two-score glabrezu, two marilith generals now half-buried in the rubble, and a few dozen vrock clinging to life in the air in the smoking radius of the blast. The ceiling of the cavern now appears dangerously cracked and damaged, with fairly large fissures beginning to appear... ((The devastation is centered slightly east over the necropolis, sweeping 100-ft. in all directions - by the map encompassing: the psionics hall, the Kiaransalee-dedicated temple behind the necropolis, and the north-westernmost members' quarters, the south-westernmost section of the training grounds, including the Circles themselves, and quite possibly the western side of Rym'dael's tower. Heh, boom?)) * * * * * * * The demons in the training grounds seemed to halt in their tracks at the eruption of light and all turn to look in the direction of its source. The outer walls crumble to reveal the destruction and the complete lack of any real demonic army remaining. Mekshal narrowed his eyes and planted his forehead in the palm of his hand, muttering to himself, "J'vak..." He then directed his thoughts to the others on the opposite side of the gateway, sending the very precise and very specific instruction to all present: {"We need another army out here... One more thing - no more balors. Please, no more balors."} With a gesture of his hand, he summoned forth a group of four oversized minotaur-formed demons, a group of goristro, and directed their actions. One charged headlong toward the corner occupied by Jaehral, another charged toward the growing pile of bodies surrounding Re'shak, and the remaining two throw their weight into motion heading toward Artanaz, horns first.
Ariadne 05-27-05, 11:10 PM	She had just almost made it halfway back to the battlefield when the sight of the rising glass demon stopped her in her tracks. Part of her knew that shape, and that part of her knew it was bad news... "Oh sh....Ari, turn back around and run to the tower." "But look at the pretty..." "No no, she's right and go we must else we're about to be turned to dust!" "Yeah, what she said...GO!" The two personalities banding together had an odd effect. While Ari's body turns and begans running at full speed the opposite direction, her head keeps peering over her shoulder and watching as the balor explodes. The fascination is enough to turn the loon back around for a full view. "Oooh, preeeetty..." "This is going to hurt..." About then, the backlash from the explosion of energies catches Ari, and with her form suspended on nothing but air, tosses her easily like a rag doll back towards Rym'dael's suggestively shaped tower with much more force than the demon's earlier telekinesis. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--OOF!" comes the echo once again as she goes sailing back into the wall of Rym's tower, possibly through the wall considering the combined force of the blast as well. Either way, she mumbles to herself as she works to regain her footing. "The loon and her pets, the seer and her rhymes, and two trips into the wall of a stone tower shaped like a...nevermind...this just really isn't my day..."
Myrillian 05-28-05, 04:33 AM	In the nearest open space to the center of the training circles, the two cowled illithids appear just in time to witness the destruction of the necropolis. Myrillian's tentacles writhe at the scene. {Quickly, as the master ordered while they're distracted.} Xyllestiqar nods and raises its spindly hands, flickering through the motions, an odd arcane chant clicking from its maw as it calls upon the force of its will to send a group of scorching hot rays from its fingertips towards a nearby group of vrocks. As the rays impact, the feathers on the vrocks' wings light up in flames and they go down in a tumbling heap of fire and smoke. Xyllestiqar then turns and focuses its mind towards another group, unleashing one of its dreaded mind blasts into a throng of demons both on the ground and airborne, careful to exclude as many of the house army members from the rippling blast. It reaches down and takes a stunned dretch into its spindly fingers, its tentacles wrapping around the demon's head as Xyll pulls it back from the fray to feed, the crunch of the demon's brain being extracted lost in the sounds of battle. Meanwhile, Myrillian focuses in the opposite direction. The first manifestion sees a light ripple on the air between itself and Xyll as Myrillian links their minds and 'borrows' one of Xyllestiqar's psionic abilities. The focus then shifts to the borrowed power as Myr focuses the will required to manifest the ability, a howling winter wind engulfing a group of demons in the middle of the attacking throng in winter's chill, freezing the wings of flying demons and whipping harshly around the groundborn ones as it freeze dries and cracks their toughened hides. As Xyllestiqar moves back with its meal, Myrillian manifests a protective suit of armor made of psychokinetic force over its form in a slick, oily black color. Its bloated eyes almost seem to smile in triumph as a band of demons begins to advance on it. Its tentacles writhing in anticipation, Myrillian extends a spindly hand and sweeps at the ground beneath the demons. And eerie blue ripple, not unlike a psionic manifestion, flows from its hand and into the ground, the caverns floor under the advancing demons turning to molten metal just long enough for them to sink into it, and then hardening into a layer of solid metal, trapping feet within. Myrillian's tentacles writhe in sadistic glee as it moves past and further into the throng of demons.
House Or'lathi 05-28-05, 08:05 PM	Elsewhere... Sabaliara surveyed the scene set out before her for at least the tenth time, and yet her crimson eyes still couldn't hide her surprise. Adorned in a finely crafted suit of chainlink armor and armed with her heavy mace, the Matron Mother of House Novanari cut a deadly silhouette, but one that was overshadowed by the amassing legions she overlooked. Demons flowed over the ground and floated through the air on wing of all varieties. At least, all varieties except one...there were no balors to be found anywhere among the ranks. Instead, Sabaliara could barely pick out the shadowy figures of three drow males milling about in the masses, ordering demons about as easily as the balors themselves would. She knew Krenkah was one of those; no, not Krenkah, but Mordero. The thought pursed her lips in slight agitation. A blessing and a curse that Krenkah had been inhabited by the spirit of the Commune of Death. It was a sign of blessing that he had been chosen, but at the same time it left her own armies under the care of her younger brother, Imdor. While Imdor was capable enough as a bladesmaster, he lacked the tactition's intuition that Krenkah had and which had led House Novanari to victory over the years time and again when the need arose. The whole predicament left her emotions oddly torn between satisfaction and annoyance, but that was something to be dealt with at another time. For now she would have to do with what was at hand. Turning away from the scene she faced her own amassing troops. Pack lizards dotted the milling crowd of drow as they assembled into ranks. In front of the drow, a short line of ogre mages took their places behind the hordes of fodder, which consisted of orcs, goblins, and bugbears equipped with whatever they could find left over. As the drow begin to group up the footsoldiers made their way in behind the line of ogre mages as the priestesses and mages took up the rear close to the armored platform which Sabaliara and Imdor currently occupied, from which they were able to see and direct the gathered forces from their house. Their numbers were only two to three thousand at most, not even close to the entirety of the force House Novanari commanded, and the bulk of those numbers were the goblinoids, but despite what Impalia wanted, House Novanari and the other allies to House Or'lathi weren't going to be foolish enough to bring their full force to bear against these intruders, at least not until they were assured victory. Besides, Sabaliara wasn't the only ally of Impalia's crusade, and the others were contributing their fair amount as well, and together they would be a force to be reckoned with. Sabaliara turned back once more to survey the amassing demons below and smiled wickedly at the thought. "A force to be reckoned with, indeed." -- The tower was the perfect vantage point. It was from here that Raum, Impalia, and Elzirath were overlooking the gathering of the drow armies, and as they were they recieved Mekshal's message. Impalia overlooked the army of demons gathering below, then glanced to Elzirath. "Are they ready?" Her son's head nodded, though Impalia knew that he was more than that now. Animus inhabited Elzirath's form, and with luck the spirit of the Commune of Revenge and her son would merge. That would be a blessing for House Or'lathi's fortune, and would be an event with the potential to not only restore their House to its former glory, but fortify their strength. Elzirath, or rather Animus, turned to look at the two elder nobles of House Or'lathi, his voice distorted by the spirit within him speaking. "Send the shur with them. As well, the legions will need leaders. Without the balors they are likely to succumb to their chaotic natures. We will take care of it." Impalia knew who the 'we' was and frowned. "Sacred Spirit, if the Communes go now, will you not still be depleted of some of your strength yet?" "Perhaps, but it will be so. Three of us will lead this leg of the incursion, the rest will remain here for now. The merging would take time at any rate. We can still lead the legions in the will of our maker. Besides," the young Or'lathi said, his face curling into a knowing grin, "we will have more assistance outside the gate than you know. The maker's will spreads before us already." "As you say, spirit." The Matron of House Or'lathi turned back to watch the army below, voicing her command in a whisper that carried down to the waiting army below. "Go and destroy our enemies." And the masses of demons began pouring through the swirling green gate -- At the ruins of the necropolis... Much like before, the demonic horde appeared around the necropolis grounds, a milling mass teeming with demons of all breeds pouring forth as they appear with only one purpose...to shred apart anything that stands in their way. This time, aside form the familiar forms of vrocks, babau, jovoc, dretches, hezrou, and mariliths, there also comes a squadron of large, spider-like demons with barbed appendages and goo dripping from between their fanged maws as well as what at first glance appears to be drow. A closer look reveals them to be the Shur, drow tainted with demonic blood from birth, blood that manifests in the form of claws, horns, fangs, tails, and bat-like wings as well a burning spark in their eyes. They attack with their claws as much as with weaponry, some showing greater skill with their blades than others, and some manifesting arcane and divine magic to back up their kin. The last thing to appear is a misshappen form familiar to a few of the drow. A conglomeration of various fiendish body parts that appears to be missing its skin, Furen'dyn moves in and swipes at the enemy armies, its large claws raking multiple victims up at once and flinging them across the way and into the enemy ranks to crash against their fellows. The incursion continues, renewed in strength. -- OOC Note: For anyone who didn't already know, be sure to check the OOC thread for comments on the incursion, and feel free to post your own comments on your character's actions and/or ask questions about what someone is doing there as well! For your comvienience, the thread can be found at: http://boards.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=6299680#post6299680
kahldeen_doernal 05-28-05, 11:17 PM	Taken slightly by surprise of the drowish flail that is made from Carth's latching onto his weapon, Kahl stumbles slightly forward before he can take hold of his wrist with his free hand, and pull back to compensate for the momentum. Blood trails down to his hand from inside the manicle as he send Carth around and around, wincing in pain, but continues as he sees the devistating effect it is having on the enemies. Once Carth finally lets go, Kahl'deen pulls his throbbing wrist back in close and uses his other hand to send his chained blade in a circling defensive motion around himself, keeping those demons that have wandered in after the deaths of their kin. With a few deep breaths, Kahl'deen pushes the pain away, and brings his other weapon back into the fray as he starts his attack. His steps are fluid and dance like, following a rythem heard only in his own head as he takes two piroeting steps forward, only to slow one swinging blade's momentum to the point he can snap his wrist back behind him and send it launching at the approaching demons from behind like a chained missle. As the half moon blade strikes true squarely between the eyes of the intended victum, Kahl'deen offers himself a smile a split second before the balor's explosion rumbles the floor of the chamber. His fighting skill not exactly on par with that of the rest of the ranking house members, Kahl lets his attention be diverted by the blast, looking towards the source of it, in time to see the shockwave racing towards him. Too quickly it rushes over him, sending him tumbling and rolling and finally landing in a rather uncomfortable possition. A second or two, he lays there, surprised he wasn't killed instantly in such a blast....until he moves to lean up to return to the battle.....and a seering pain rushes through him, nearly causing him to pass out. With a trembling hand, he reaches down to his stomach, feeling the sticky wetness of his life blood on his chainmail shirt, as his fingers reluctantly glide up to the sword tip that peeks slightly through on the front. Letting his hand slide slightly down to the pile he lays on, he feels the dead demon laying under him, sword still in hand, as it lays lifeless under him yet holding onto the sword that will likely be his own death. . o O(Ilharn......I......have failed you.....forgive me.....)
Korruute'mas 05-28-05, 11:23 PM	Korruute'mas had just finished stretching his newly grafted wings when he noticed the first signs of the blackfire bat overhead flying toward the balor. His eyes narrowed angrily seeing the flesh turning to glass, then widened as he saw the fiend flying upward. {Damnit, damnit, damnit!} The draegloth ducked down level with the ground, folding his new wings over himself as the explosion ripped through the battlefield, incinerating the feathers and burning flesh away from the bones. Likewise, the flesh and muscle from the death knight's back and shoulders burned and smoldered away, revealing the draegloth's unusual dual-bladed shoulder structure and spine, along with an extraordinarily thick ribcage. Korruutemas rose from the ground, smoking and smoldering from the blast, ashes spilling down his back as his skeletal wings twitched in anger. His mane had ignited, creating a briefly burning halo of flames around his neck as his eyes fell upon the ruins of his necropolis. Standing his full supernaturally increased height, he could see well over the top of the smoking pile of stone, to the shattered temple beyond. His ash-covered brow twitched for a moment, anger welling up within his undead form, eyes glowing brighter than the flames on his shoulders that slowly extinguish themselves. He turned back, looking in the direction of his army and finding naught but ashes where his loyal Mortuus Vanguard had once been, floating in the inverted gravitational field. He looked further, seeing his war hound smoldering in a similar fashion, badly damaged and appearing to be in far worse condition than its master. His eyes then narrowed and grew cold despite the blaze, shifting in color to match the ultraviolet glow of the scytheblade as he found what he sought. His thoughts darkened to match as he mentally growled to himself, {You're going to pay for this... War or no war, this demands it..." His eyes settled on the chaos mage as his feet moved toward the rubble. Stooping down slightly, Korruute'mas hefted a particularly large piece of stone that had once been part of the necropolis, an arm of the effigy, encased in a metallic manacle. Moving back toward the place he had spotted the mage, he settled the massive stone (nearly the size of a carraige) and placed his prodigious and utterly unnatural strength behind it, hurling the stone toward Zentash with all of his might. He spoke and finished his earlier thought with a louder growl, this one audible enough for all within the blast area to hear as he marched after the huge missile, his undead flesh already knitting itself back together at an unwholesome rate. "War or no war! This demands retribution!"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-28-05, 11:48 PM	Rym waltzed through the streets of the compound, working his way through smaller groups of lesser demons with relative ease, his twin bladed daggers running thickly with the blood of them. "This is.....not what I should be wasting my tallents on....." he thought to himself as he pulled his dagger free from the skull of his latest kill. " It's like they're avoding me.....which is a pitty....since I truely am in the mood to play...." His thoughts and comments are cut off by the wails and impact of Ari against his tower. A look of sheer hatred flashes to his face as he watches Ari, first for her to have the nerve to use his tower as a stopping point, then as he glances around the compound, in search of the one who has the audacity to project her towards it. "That.....was the last mistake you ever make....." Stalking in the general direction of the one who sent Ari flying, he doesn't happen to see her walking in mid air after the impact, his determination too set now as he goes hunting. As he rounds the corner, stalking down the street towards where he believe the fool is, only to see the oncoming blast from the balor's explosion. Cursing under his breath, he drops to his knees and mumbles a spell to himself quickly. As the words still echo in his ears, his skin turns as thick as stone, and he becomes practically an immovable object as he hunkers himself down, letting the blast rush past him without doing much damage at all. Once the carnage has past him, he dispells the enchantment and rises from his crouched possition. "What idiot would have killed a bal....." Rym'dael is speachless, for the first time in his long.....LONG....life, as he witnesses just exactly what that detonation blast has done. His tower.....his fantasticly huge, massive, symbolic tower.....lay in rubble. Raw, uninhibited rage and hatred rush through him at the sight. With his fists cliched around the grips of his daggers as his body ruptures in change, revealing once again his partially demonic features, but including this time two expansive leathery wings from his back. Two test flaps of the wings aclimate him with their feel and motion, before he sprints down the street, weapons still in hand and takes flight, gaining altitude and circling around his fallen tower, surveying the damage and growing more angry by the second.
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 05-29-05, 12:03 AM	Jalil smiles seeing Tyffron come into view. "Perfect timing, love." She was just about the unravel the weave and move to fight by his side when she sees the blast of energy rapidly expanding outward. Without a moment to think, she curls her wing around in front of her, allowing the hardened air to support her for the brief moment before the energy destroys it and sweeps over her form, the force pushing her backwards to the ground where she skids to a stop, her wings buffeted and feathers twisted beneath her. Her pristine robe is torn and tattered by the fall, bruising her pale skin, but after a moment she is able to sit upright, bringing a hand to her head as she focuses back onto what's going on around her. As her head clears, one thought immediately crosses her mind: "Tyffron!?"
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 05-29-05, 12:40 AM	The firey long sword cleaves and burns it way half way through the skull of the nearest vrock as Tyff waggles his brows ever so slightly at Jalil, glad to see her appreciate his effort. The look on her face a moment later, gives him only the slightest hint of warning as the concussion blast barrels into him. The look from Jalil gave him enough time to pull his wings in tightly around him and release the weave on the firey sword just before the blast strikes him in the back, and thrusts him into Jalil's wall of hardened air. The double impact taking the air from his lungs and causing him to spiral towards the ground as he attempts to reorient himself. One wing hanging limply behind him, broken, the other doing its best from keeping him from doing a grand impression of a human lawn dart, gives him the time to think for the slightest of moments....enough for him to shift into a thick, inky form just before impact. The change saves him from any serious damage, as he slithers along the ground and regains his previous form, his wing already on the mend as he walks quickly over to Jalil and offers him her hand to help her up. "Are you alright dearest?"
Jaliloloth Dae'Ithildin 05-29-05, 01:02 AM	A light sigh escapes Jalil's lips as Tyffron comes into view. "I will be, dark of my heart." She pulls herself up with his help, her skin working to knit itself back together and the bruises fading given a moment's time. She surveys the decimated battlefield and the ruins of multiple buildings. "What the Hells happened...is it over already?" she murmurs aloud, shrugging out of the tattered robe and leaving only the silken catsuit to cover her form. It is about then she notices the hulking undead monstrosity lumbering towards the drow mage, perking an eyebrow as she mutters to Tyffron, "I knew the drow were a traitorous race of backstabbers, but..." She leaves the thought unfinished as she bends down to gather her whip, noticing the newly appearing army as she straightens again. A sigh escapes her lips, though it's difficult to tell if the emotion behind it is good or bad. Either way, she reaches for Tyffron's hand with a sly smirk. "Round two, love?"
Jhessailyn 05-29-05, 12:59 PM	Once her target dretches have fallen in a still-glittering pile, Jhess sets off in the direction Chelyrra has gone, not having heard Jeajea's call in the din of battle. Lana was safe for the moment, as safe as anyone could be in such a battle. Jhess trusted that Lana would be able to get herself into better cover now that the dretches were out of the way. Moving stealthily along the length of the armory, she pauses for a brief moment, unable to help grinning at the sight of Carth taking a ride on the end of Kahl'deen's chain blade. Keeping an eye on Carth and Kahl'deen to make sure they don't get in the way, she picks off a few more demons with her arrows before the shockwave from the exploding balor engulfs the Circles. . o O ( What the...? Ah, VITH!! ) The concussion throws her backwards like a ragdoll, slamming her feet first into the buckling wall of the armory and shattering her legs and ankles. She lays on her belly on the ground for a moment, half-stunned with the pain as rubble falls on her already broken legs, her arms curled protectively over her head and neck. As the dust settles, she looks up to see Kahl'deen, impaled on a dead demon's sword and bleeding out rapidly. "No way, my friend. You're not going to die if I can help it!" Pushing her own pain aside, she crawls towards him, dragging her legs behind her. She tugs him free of the sword, grunting as he falls across her legs. Taking a deep breath, she hums a short tune, casting a healing spell on Kahl'deen, and then another, taking heart that the bleeding seems to have stopped although the wounds are not completely closed. "I hope that will hold you until we can get help, Kahl'deen," she mutters. "I don't have any more healing to give." With a gasp of pain, she tries to lever him back off her legs, but her own strength is almost at an end. She struggles to focus her thoughts. . o O ( Rym'dael... Ilharn... anyone... Kahl'deen and I... at the Circles... wounded... don't see Carth anymore... Chelyrra either... ) Her sending fades away as she succumbs to unconsciousness.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 05-29-05, 02:02 PM	Rym continues to circle his ruined tower, filling with hatred with every circle of the rubble. Any fool who would destroy a balor, would have to pay dearly for what consiquences had come from their actions. Luckily for that person, Jhess's mental call for help pierced through the rage rolling around inside his head and drew his attention away from the fallen tower. Drawing himself to a hovering pattern over the tower, he scans the grounds quickly for the two unconscious house members, searching quickly from his lofty possition until finding them. Tucking his wings in tight, he drops quickly before spreading them again, altering his path of decent. With a powerful beat of his wings, he draws himself up just before impact, landing somewhat gracefully on his feet a short distance away from the two unconscious house members. Digging into a pocket, he pulls forth a stone circle, etched with runes around the outer edge and lays it on the ground, speaking the words to activate the illusion as he places it near them, shrouding them in an illusion of a pile of rubble. With cover in place, he goes about his chanting once again as his words shift from drowish to abyssal, one hand laying on Jhess and placing upon her a spell of regeneration to heal her broken legs, then moving to place a spell of greater healing potential on Kahl'deen, seeing the seriousness of his wounds. He rises when the spells have finished, stretching his wings once again and flapping them firmly to raise him off the ground. Once airborn, he casts his final spell over the two, encircling them with a warding against evil to protect them while they recover, should any of the demons be able to see past the illusion that shrouds them from normal vision. With his work here done, at least as much as he can afford to do now, he rises up higher, eyes searching for someone to direct his remounting rage at. An odd sight catches his attention as he scans the area below him. Drow walked amongst the demons. Were.....they giving orders? as a Balor, or higher being of the abyss would? With a maliscious grin, he rises up into the air with some heavy beating of his wings, and then decends, sending him into a glide above the drow that bark out orders. With a cool, almost icey cold calm, he chants rythmicly to himself, holding off the final portion until he's well within range, and unleashes the large fireball towards the drow, and those protecting him. Banking off to the right as the fireball hisses and roars its way toward the target, he banks around and glides off, watching to see what sort of 'awakening' this message might send.
Artanaz 05-29-05, 02:18 PM	A rumbling laugh, sounding like heavy thunder, rolls up his long throat as he watches the demons targeted by the acid melt. He draws his massive horned head back, prepairing for another stream of acid, when he feels a band of demons assalting him from the back. Turning his head to regard them, he cocks it to the side slightly, seeing the band of lesser demons either striking at his thick hide, or foolishly attemping to climb up his body to go for his head. "Fools....let me show you how this plays out....." With a wide grin, he draws his tail back and lashes it across the demons visciously, taking part of the large training circle compoud with it. "Oops...." is about the only thought he gets out before he's blasted my Mekshal's attack. Stumbling to the side slightly, crushing a hand full of demons under his massive weight, he turns his head towards his attacker, rearing back and sending a large stream of acid at the hovering drow, before the shockwave of the balor destruction blasts into him. He stumbles again to the side, taking the blast as best as his large bulk can. "Alright.....this is getting a little out of hand....." With a few spoken words, his massive black form shifts and shrinks once again, back to his original drowish form, clad in his coat that hangs to his ankles, buttoned up tightly around his torso, and hanging open from the waist down. From the collar of his coat, he pulls a sword shaped pin, which looks like it might be shot from a blow gun, as opposed to being weilded as any form of a weapon. Taking aim once again, Artanaz points his finger at Mekshal, and sends three bolts of midnight black energy at him(magic missles) before scratching his head and pulling a few coins of various worth from his roguishly unkempt hair.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-29-05, 03:41 PM	((Playing a little catch-up here)) Adi and Kylas were finally closing in on Mekshal when he floated upward out of their reach. She growls and reaches out with her mind to the snipers positioned around the walls. (Kill him! Take him down from the sky, now!) Around the wall's edges, eight snipers raise crossbows, take aim, and fire at Mekshal and his retinue of guards, only about the time that the explosion crumbles the outer walls sending the snipers on that side down in a torrent of rubble. The remaining snipers fire their quarrels before moving into new positions once the rubble settles. Adinae ducks down as she sees the blast, but she and Kylas both are lucky enough to be out of its range, only suffering the backdraft of dust and debris from the rubble that obscures vision. In the confusion, one of the demons manages to rake her across the back causing her to howl in pain. The wounds stinging, she turns to face off against this demon, swiping claws at its face even as she turns. The demon, one of the giant glabrezu, grimaces as the claws pass through its flesh, but then grins as the wounds immediately heal again, ramming its pincer claws at her face. Bringing up both hands, Adi uses her superior strength in the weretiger hybrid form to stop the pincers and twist the demon's arm until she hears a satisfying snap of bones. The demon roars in agony as it staggers back and Adi takes the moment to pounce upon it, using her weight to tilt it fully off balance and cause it to fall on its kin behind it before she removes the demons throat with her jaws, leaving it to die. She rolls into a crouch beside the demons corpse and looks at herself, her claws and white fur slick with her own drying blood and demonic ichor to the point where it's hard to distinquish the two. Her back burns like fire and several other places on her body sting where a demon's claws raked skin or an enemy's sword pierced her hide. She takes a few refreshing breaths of air, then pushes herself back to her feet in short order, knowing that to rest now would be her death. The wounds on her back are already trying to heal, but they cut deep despite her lycanthropic nature. Wearily, her chest heaving, she plunges back into the fray, two dretches finding their skulls impacted together and dropped as she moves onward and finds herself caught between a pair of babau. The lanky demonic assasains strike from either side, one's claws finding flesh as Adi swipes one clawed hand across its eyes sending it staggering back with a screech, blinded. She then turn and rams her claws into the soft skin skin under the chin and jawline of the second babau, piercing the demon's tongue as it emits a startled sound. A wicked and unpleasant growl echoes from her chest. "What's wrong, fiend? Cat got your tongue?" she taunts as her feline eyes are shrouded in shadowy black, inky tentacles whipping up from the ground to crush the fiend as Adi moves on. She glances around for Kylas, but the drow assassain is nowhere in sight. Half growling in annoyance, she scans the sky, pinpointing again where Mekhsal and his retinue floated above the battle. Kneeling down, she bunches her muscles in preparation to leap and try to get near Mekshal again when a sword hilt catches her in the head from behind sending her sprawling with a growl of pain. Forcing aching muscles to keep going she rolls over on her back and kicks out at the attacker's mid-section, a marilith who was preparing to bring its other five blades down upon her but now finds itself with the air knocked out of its briefly. True to its nature, it recovers easily, though, and lunges at Adi, its six blades flashing out in multiple directions. With a raise of her hand, two of the hands are caught in the same inky black tentacles which crushed the babau, one slash scraping down her side as Adi's clawed hands reach up to grab the wrists of two more arms, the final slash biting deep into her shoulder as Adi roared in pain. The snake-demon grinned in triumph and pressed its attack, twisting its swords down to slice through the restricting tentacles which melted back into the shadows as it threw its body weight at Adi, it's tail snaking around from behind smack into her back. The pain shooting through her limbs form the agitated wounds was agony, and the marilith had gained the upper hand. Pinning Adi's arms with its own to where it could secure its hold, the coils of the marilith's snake-like half slowly encircled her hybrid form. Adi was quickly losing her breath. As the world starting to black out around her, Adi did the only thing she could think to do and weakly howled for help. -- Emerging through the portal at the northeastern end of the training grounds, Zethiir lead the rest of the scouting party into the gray, his form having shifted, like the many other therianthropes in the compound, to that of a hulking were-tiger bristling for battle. The scouts plunge into the ranks of the demons felling the lesser ranks of demons with swift, precise strikes to vital areas and teaming up to bring down the stronger foes as they work through the ranks. One team has the misfortune to strike a jovoc and suffers the agony of its retributive aura, and another group ends up face to face with a marilith, its six arms and tail proving a tough challenge even for the combined force of the assassain team facing it. Regardless, the troops press on using stealth and shadows to their advantage where they can, striking and dissapearing into the mulling crowd of demons only to strike again moments later. Zethiir provides brute force to back up the assassains' stealth, chopping foes down with his greatsword as well as shredding them when teeth and claws when able, his white fur quickly stained by the blood of his enemies.
Blackguard 05-29-05, 07:09 PM	The mounted human knights are unprepared for the reversed gravity, and some surge upwards, only to fall back to the ground as the spell is nullified, though a few find themselves impaled on the stone spears that grow from the cavern ceiling. The rest of the knights, led by Galen, pull on the reigns of their mounts and retreat. "Pull back and regroup. Prepare your bows and May The Dark Lord guide our arrows true!" Galen bellows as the Dark knights That survived the explosion back away from the fray. The enchanced minotaur is thrown from his mount by the explosion, crashing into a few demons, crushing them under his massive bulk and spearing the others with the spikes on his armor. He growls, standing up and motioning with his sword. The devastated bodies are flung from him by an unseen force. He brandishes the sword and lifts off the ground, his massive wings beating to pull his bulk airborne. With a bellow, he streaks across the compound, slashing with his sword, the tip of the blade leaving red streaks behind once more
Dark Chaos 05-29-05, 07:22 PM	Zentash blinks, or would blink if he had eyelids, at the massive explosion. Well...that was....unexpected.... He speaks softly as he creates a dome of blackfire to protect from the falling debris and demon parts. He is shaken as a rather large portion of the compound impacts the barrier moments later. The shield protects him from the stone, but the force of the impact knocks him down. Vith.... He looks around, and sees Korruute'mas, surrounded by the remains of his undead troops. Quickly surmising what happened, he frowns. A regrettable error, my large friend, but casualties happen. Their loss will be missed, as will yours if you do not concentrate on the situation at hand. He turns back towards the fray, looking at the new demons. He motions with his staff towards a group of the Shur, sending a wave of blackfire towards them, engulfing them, and pounding them with bashing and cold damage.
carthamus 05-29-05, 07:28 PM	The lithe little drow twists his body and dances away from the falling debris, unaware of the predicament Khaldeen and Jhessailyn are in. He scurries up the side of a building (one that still remains standing) and scampers across the roof, leaping to another, and another until he comes to another group. Crouching down, he spies Adinae in the clutches of a Maralith. He pulls a throwing spider from his belt and flings it. It sails over the demon's head, ricochets off a stone and impacts the back of its head, hopefully distracting it. Pulling his last two daggers from their sheaths, he leaps from the roof, aiming to land on the shoulders of the six armed beast and to plunge his daggers into either side of its neck.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 05-29-05, 07:44 PM	Jaehral muttered and cursed as he saw the blinding flash rip through the grounds over the temple, bearing witness to the outer walls of the south-western corner of the training grounds and much of the Circles themselves suffering terrible damage. {That was not good...} His thoughts were soon cut short, however, as the massive goristro unleashed came charging into view. Shunting the nearby lesser fiends aside, Jaehral set his taloned feet into the sands and gravel of the training grounds and braced himself, raising his hands in front of him in preparation. The bull-like head of the fiendish seige weapon lowered and the horns aimed toward the weretiger as it drew near, putting its fourteen-foot tall bulk behind the massive bone protrusions. Jaehral's clawed hands came up as his eyes glossed over at the same instant of the goristro's arrival into his reach. With a feral growl, far more feral than it had been only moments ago, Jaehral halted the massive fiend's forward momentum and pushed upward, exposing the monstrosity's throat. The weretiger snarled, now frothing at the mouth as he allowed a frenzy to boil to the surface and lunged at the fiend, biting deeply into the jugular vein and wrenching side to side with his own powerful shoulders. The goristro reared up, desperately trying to shake the massive and enraged therianthrope off of itself. Its arms flailed wildly, trying to pummel Jaehral enough to break his grip, but to no avail. Jaehral's jaws held firm and he released his grip on the minotaur-like demon's horns, plunging his vicious claws into the fiend's chest just below the collarbones and ripping downward, tearing away pectoral muscle and flesh before releasing his fangs from the monster's throat. Dropping to the ground and rolling away, he looked back just in time to see the partially skinned goristro fall backwards to the ground in a heap, struggling to hold onto its final breath as its exposed ribcage is left entirely unprotected.
Mistress Delainna 05-29-05, 07:51 PM	Misterss Delainna walked to the stageing area where 1 of her Battallions has formed up and is ready to go. Looking up at the mirror on the wall that is showing the battle from one of the vaporish demons point of view (A high vantage point above the stables). She lets out a curse "VITH!!" as she sees the devestation caused by the Balors destruction. She turns to the Balor leading this battallion . o 0 (Not this time. We want to capture the compound, not destroy it. I'll lead this one). The Balor bows and then teleports itself away. Quickly she starts issuing orders telepathically to the 5 Mariliths and 20 Glabrezu that will accompany her through the gate, then she casts improved invisibility on herself. She thinks to herself as she pulls her rapiers. o 0 (it's feeding time my friends). and a feeling of anticipation eminates from the blades. The group then steps through the gate and immediately teleport themselves to the stables section of the compound where they are confronted by over 200 of the compounds cavalry setting up to charge through to the training grounds. Immediately the Mariliths and the Glabrezu cast thier summoning spells and over 500 Dretch are summoned into the stables (spilling over into the training grounds and forge) disrupting any charge and forcing hand to hand combat. With the skills of an assassin garnered over thousands of years Delainna moves unseen and unheard amongst the cavalry. She skillfully pushes her blade into one of the officers and he dies without uttering a word. She repeats the process 5 times in the 1st minute, remaining completely unseen (unless someone can see invisible) and unheard. Each time she removes the blood covered weapon the blood seems to be absorbed into the blades. A smile crosses Delainnas' face . o 0 (drink up my friends, we'll need your strength later).
Mekshal Ojaresk 05-29-05, 08:07 PM	The gravitational fields created by the glabrezu handle the incoming arrows from the snipers, hurling the missile weapons upward into the cavernous ceilings. Mekshal smirked until he saw Artanaz turning his breath toward him and twisted in midair, adjusting aside and moving just far enough to dodge the worst of the acidic stream. Small droplets spattered on his exposed arms but seemed to simply bubble away with little effect. He grinned coldly as he watched Artanaz shift back into drow from and gestured with the cruelly shaped scepter. He didn't realize, however, that the trio of glabrezu bodyguards that had hovered around him had just been melted into a fine paste spattered on the ground below. With a fiendish caste to his voice, he taunted: "Shame... that really could have hurt. You should be more careful with that." Another gesture of his scepter resulted in several walls of flames surrounding Artanaz just as the magic missiles impacted Mekshal's chest, knocking him backward through the air a few yards. The flames direct their heat inward, creating a self-contained furnace-like heat. Recovering from the impact of the force missiles, he aims the scepter once more, conjuring several dozen inky black tentacles within the confines of the flame walls which attempt to wrap themselves around Artanaz's limbs and trap him within the intense heat. The lesser fiends continue to mill about as the reinforcements arrive, lunging and darting along at all who come within their reach, heedless of appearance or aspects of power. They firmly entrench themselves in battle with the infantry and cavalry of the drowic armies, claws and fangs against swords and spears.
corvalis 05-29-05, 08:36 PM	Another ripple in the very fabric of the air appears, and the finely dressed drow steps out on a rooftop. He adjusts his hat, tipping the brim up with the handle of his cane as his tail lashes about behind him. A wry smirk crosses his handsome features as he looks around at the devistation. Upon seeing Rym'dael's demolished.....tower....he grins, shaking his head. .oO(Oh My. What a shame. I'll bet he is none too happy) With a chuckle, he looks around, and up, seeing the inordinante amount of airborne demons. .oO(Vrocks...mostly....hmmmm.......) Another chuckle and he launches into a casting, after his tail snakes up and takes hold of his cane. His hands and fingers move in the intricate motions to cast a spell, his mouth moving as he forms the ancient words. It takes a few moments, indicating that the spell is a difficult one. His voice rises in a crescendo and he thrusts his hands out wide, infront of him, then sweeping them to his sides. A ripple is sent through the air passing over, through and around the airborne demons. At first....nothing seems to happen. The well dressed drow reclaims his cane from his tail and twirls it twice, then rests it over his shoulder as he watches. The Vrocks continue their attacks, not seeming to notice anything. Then many of them seem suddenly caught in the grip of something invisible, as they start to frantically beat their wings. Their bodies shrink as they grow younger and younger, until they are nothing but what they started as: Eggs. With a chuckle, Corva'lis steps backwards vanishing in another ripple, as eggs rain from the air, pelting enemies and allies alike, but causing no other damage.
Artanaz 05-29-05, 11:08 PM	Standing calm and collected, Arty watches the flame walls go up around him with a slightly amused smirk on his face. Glancing down at his hand, he speaks the command word, and the pin sized sword from his collar grows instantly into a barbed long sword. With a slight chuckle, he starts his way towards one of the flame walls, making a small, precise gesture with his hand as starts to walk, brining up a magical immunity to fire. He does hesitate slightly as he he walks, seeing the tendrils form up out of the ground after the walls are complete. "Hmmmm.....this could be interesting....." he muses as he watches them grow and writhe inside the flame box. "Though.....rather pointless...." With a wry grin, he makes for the nearest wall, leaping into a rolling dive over one of the tendrils and coming back up in a run. A carefully timed feint on one direction, and a leap to the side take him out of the swipe range of a second tendril. Coming up to his feet, Artanaz looks almost dumbfound, glancing down at the sword in his hand and shaking his head. He eyes a tendril slithering in towards him, tilting his head to the side slightly and sending the blade down cleanly through it. A smirk finds its way to his lips as he sees the shortened tendril pause for a moment, then start to persue him again. "Stuborn bastards aren't you?" he says with slight agitation, as he hops, runs, dives and finally comes to a stop as he nears the closest wall, only to have his path blocked by a thick wall of the tendrils. "You really don't know when to give up, do you?" Onward he runs, towards the thick wall of tendrils that blocks his path, as he moves his free hand in a slight gesture and audibly speaks a word in draconic. A portal flares open directly in front of him, through which he dives, and snaps it shut behind him. With a somewhat graceful roll, he comes out the other side of the portal, inside the destroyed arcane magics hall. Glancing around at the building, he smirks at the irony of where his portal took him, before he walks his way out of the rubble. Glancing up, he spots Mekshal rather quickly, as he pokes his sword tip down into the loose rubble at his feet and gestures with both of his hands. Speaking the words of the spell, he reaches down and pulls the sword from the ground as his feet rises, slowly at first, then gaining speed as he lifts up into the air under the flight enchantment. Once he glides within range of Mekshal, he speaks the command word and hurling the spell at Mekshal, in hopes of catching him by surprise if he didn't follow his portal jumping. Artanaz doesn't bother to wait for the first spell to land, to see if it was effective, as he moves directly into the gestures and spoken words of his next spell, which he aims at Mekshal as he flies in a circling pattern around the drow, keeping himself a moving target, making him more difficult to hit in retaliation.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-29-05, 11:23 PM	The marilith shrieks and turns its attention towards the direction of the throwing spider as Adi slides from the loosened coils with a weak groan, sputtering as her crushed chest fights to draw in air, her breath a wheeze. The marilith, now fully focused on Carth, rushes in for an attack, heedless of the daggers that scrape across or pierce its skin. With its attention off of her, Adi dares to rise to her feet. She musters strength and flashes to Carth in hand sign. Keep its attention. I'll flank it and we'll strike together. She slowly begins to regain her strength as her lycanthropic nature helps her body to regenerate much faster than it normally would and creeps into a flanking position, ready to strike a vital spot when Carth is in place if he follows her message.
carthamus 05-29-05, 11:28 PM	the strange little drow backflips off of the maralith and lands in a crouch, sticking its tongue out at her. He throws a few rocks from the rubble strewn about. Though they do no damage, they should serve to annoy the creature. As it attacks, he dances, twisting this way and that, giggling maniacally as he avoids the blows from the enraged and frustrated creature. He nods to Adinae and twists to his left bringing the creature's attention fully on him, to present its back to adinae. His luck runs out though, as one of its blades catches him across his chest, opening up a gash. he curses as he stumbles back, though still taunting the creature.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-29-05, 11:42 PM	With a heave and a roar of effort, Adinae lifts the shortsword from her belt and twists it around into a stabbing position. Fueled by the rage inspired by a fellow house member's predicament, she applies all her strength into a downward thrust at the marilith's neck, driving the shortsword through its neck with such force that the hilt breaks off. Tha marilith gags and fumbles at the blade protruding from its throat, twitching as it loses control of its body in death. Adi stumbles forward and catches herself by going down to her knee, her chest heaving as she catches her breath. She looks up after a moment, her hands flashing. I rarely indulge surface pleasantries, but thank you. Are you alright?
carthamus 05-29-05, 11:44 PM	Carthamus blinks and staggers out of the way of the falling demon. He looks up at Adinae and then to his own chest. he dabs a finger at the blood, then looks up at her again. "Carth....leak" He blinks, takes a step, and falls flat on his face.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 05-30-05, 12:08 AM	Growling, Adi steps forward to scoop up Carth,. "I knew you would be trouble..." as well as retrive two of the marilith's swords from its dead hands which she stows under her arm. Even as she speaks the words, a small smirk crosses her features. Another group of demons presses on to their position, but Adi steps back, her eyes filling with shadows that dance across and obscure their color. "Sorry to dissapoint, but I've got an appointment elsewhere," she quips, backing up into a shadowy portal which springs to life and taking Carth with her. The portal opens up at the stairs on the level below where the Ilharn watches from his balcony. Growling, Adi shoves the swords in loops on her belt and heaves Carthamus over her shoulders, holding his arms at her neck as she runs up the stairs towards the Ilharn. Panting for breath, she approaches him, settling Carth against the balcony edge, stating simply, "Things are getting difficult down there."
Chelyrra_Eredyn 05-30-05, 02:02 AM	Corva'lis's spell of haste keeps its effect long enough that Chelyrra first sight of Kahl'deen is well before Jhessailyn's. She halts abruptly as she sees Carthamus is already aiding him, and apparently with sufficient skill to fend off the demons. . o O (Bah! he is in no more danger than any other!) She doesn't waste her time further, but slips off before being spotted, into the armory itself. She searches quickly for a flask of oil with which to dowse the blades of the staff. . o O (Maybe it will help. Those horned beasts, their slime has pitted it somehow, only a little, but who knows how many more I must face? Yet if the staff works on larger… I should then seek out the larger?) With a mental sigh she turns towards the farther door just as the dying force of the explosion reaches the building and throws her off her feet and into the edge of the doorframe, headfirst. The southwestern wall of the armory buckles but the building itself holds, which is well for she's too stunned to do more than cling to bare consciousness. Jhess's call brings more attempt to move and she staggers to her feet. . o O (I am still here!) There's no answer. And by the time Chelyrra retrieves the staff from where it had landed (and from underneath the rack of shields that landed on top of it) and makes her way outside, Jhessailyn and Khal'deen are both "missing"… the house rings claiming they are there but nothing but a pile of rubble to be seen. She stares in shock till the shrieks of demons overcome the momentary paralysis. With a snarl, Chelyrra turns back to the battle. The dretches she slices easily enough, the single-horned babaus take more care and effort as she spins and feints her way to their demise, her body moving more fluidly as the pain from the impact of the doorframe dulls to a low ache. . o O (They cannot be dead. The ring would tell me so. Yet how can they be alive in that?) Her eyes scan the battlescene when she can, looking for any of the larger demons that might be within reach, moving towards Jhaeral and his goristro opponent but hampered by her own opponents from reaching him. . o O (It will hurt him too much, if she is dead.)
Jhessailyn 05-30-05, 01:28 PM	Jhess blinks confusedly in the darkness. To her sight, she and Kahl'deen beside her are buried in rubble. . o O ( Xsa. We're in worse trouble than I... wait. Kahl'deen was on top of me, now he's next to me. And my legs... they don't feel right, but they don't hurt like before either. Someone must have heard me and put us here. Wherever here is. ) Carefully, so as not to jostle her healing legs, she reaches out and lays a hand on the still-unconscious Kahl'deen's shoulder, murmuring quietly. "Someone found us, my friend. We're safe for the moment. I think you've also been healed. Just lie quietly for now, Kahl'deen, and someone will come for us when it's safe." She keeps repeating this quietly until he responds.
House Or'lathi 05-31-05, 04:49 AM	Im'vyrii Auvyrth may have been a stranger to the true tactics of battle, but Irthos, the Commune of Secrets and Lies which inhabited the male drow's body, was in no way a stranger. Tapping into the drow form's magical prowess as Faer'llounaz of House Auvyrth, Irthos wove multiple spells that enhanced the attacking demons or hindered the defending armies. Around him fending off the enemies that got too close on the ground stood a gigantic demon that looked like a cross between an ape and a boar with a humanoid cast and wings that seemed far too tiny for its form, a nalfeshnee, along with a group of perhaps five of the blue-violet skinned vultures known as vrocks hovering in the air with a contingent of three of the four-armed glabrezu with their dog-like faces and two larger arms ending in sharp pincers. It was one of the vrocks that had the misfortune to find itself in the path of Rym'dael's fireball, the vulture-like creature giving a loud squawk of surprise as the fireball exploded and engulfed the space around it. Irthos was encanting the trigger phrase to activate a slender crystal wand in Im'vyrii's ebon fingers when the fire washed over the drow's form, interrupting the cant. However the flames seemed to dissapate just before they would have licked across his form, almost creating a bubble effect around him for the brief second the flames are given life. The demons comprising his vanguard are much the same being no more effected than simply to have their attention drawn to Rym'dael. The one vrock that first impacted with the fireball, despite its natural resistance to the spell's magic and its reflexes failing it, seems little more than crispy around the edges with some of its feathers blackened by the flames thanks to its natural resistance to the flames. It is that vrock that first flies after Rym'dael, screeching a battle cry as. Meanwhile, with a nod from Im'vyrii the ape-like nalfeshnee gestures above it with a booming call in abyssal. As the seconds pass, what is perhaps the oddest thing under the circumstances occurs: clouds quickly begin to form in the roof of the cavern, dark an ominous in nature and fully formed in a matter of seconds. A boom of thunder echoes across the cavern as the clouds flash and a bolt of lightning streaks down through the spot where Rym is flying and down onto the fields of the battle raging below. Meanwhile, Irthos seems to mouth something to the demons creating his vanguard. After a moment and with the larger glabrezu moving into a position to shelter them, the four vrocks join hands, chanting and hissing in their fiendish tongue as the do a wicked dance, calling on their own demonic power and pooling it together. All around the battlefield over the temple grounds, other vrocks which have thus far survived the assault notice the display and swoop down in groups of three and four that dot the battlefield sparsely, joining hands and hissing infernal curses of ruin and destruction as they dance gleefully, the other fiends nearby fighting to try and protect the chanting vultures from being interrupted. ((Notes on the OOC thread))
lana_dune 05-31-05, 12:41 PM	(playing catch up) With eyes still streaming from the stinking cloud lana half stands and half climbs to her feet using Jeajea’s clothing and ultimately his belt to steady herself. Struggling with the need to control the rebellious cramping of her stomach muscles.. she hangs on there and wills her body into compliance with gritted teeth. oO(be still ..be still..be calm damn damn!) She Falls into a fit of coughing just as her hands come into focus before her eyes and she discovers she has clung to the winged being like a distressed child oO(oh…too close.) Lana lets him go like a hot coal from the fire.She steps back into the portal he had opened earlier and she had been too preoccupied to see. The world goes black and she hits an unknown floor in an unknown corridor and rolls into a defensive crouch .Her left hand still holds the poisoned spine. oO(some deity watches the incompetent .That you have not killed yourself with that thing is amazing. You'r not fit to live…not fit…….shut up shut up !!!!) Lana turns her head back and forth as she strains to see but the darkness is total. She can hear water dripping and then the ground moves as a mighty explosion shakes the very bedrock under her feet. She thrusts out a hand and finds a wall that steadies her till it passes
Chelyrra_Eredyn 06-01-05, 08:24 PM	Chelyrra sidesteps the swipe of a blade, stumbling over debris and losing her footing. The many hours of training come into play and she turns the fall into a more controlled roll away from the clutch of demons, curling her midsection around the staff to bring it with her without fouling on anything else in the way. She comes quickly to her feet, knowing the demons won't pause in pursuit. A roar, a double roar, of words and of thunder and her sight is suddenly blinded by the bolt of lightning that strikes the demons pursuing her. One screams in ear-splitting falsetto as it's crisped and the others burnt or simply knocked away. She looks up, trying to clear her sight to thank her rescuer but the fading blindness reveals only the nalfeshnee. . o O (Damnation upon it! What is it and what has it done?!) She swallows hard as realization builds within her. . o O (The staff might work on it. It is too large, too huge, it might not see me, it might move too slowly. It might be so.) Deliberately shutting off her mind to further qualms, she moves in that direction, her black armor keeping her more hidden than other armor might, trying not to stay her path except when a smaller demon intercepts, and trying to slay those with as little fuss as possible, giving ground only if it moves her towards her chosen target.
House Or'lathi 06-05-05, 06:02 PM	The nalfeshnee was preparing to strike another bolt of lightning from the sky towards Rym'dael when a movement from the side caught its eyes. It squinted as it peered over the heads of the milling demons catching the black, armored shape slicing through the lines of the demons and making straight for the ape-like nalfeshnee. A wicked grin crossed its tusked mouth as it swept its pointing talon around, a faint buzz of electricity arcing over the nail as it pointed directly at Chelyrra. Thunder crashed through the skies in a defiant roar as the arc of lightning split the clouds and buzzed towards its target.
corvalis 06-05-05, 06:39 PM	Corva'lis steps from a ripple next to Chelyrra and speaks a few words "Draeval orn vrine'winith....nin!" From other combatants perspective, Chelyrra and Corva'lis seems to instantly exchange places....the former now a few yards behind where she was a moment before. The flamboyent drow immediatly motions and speaks again, casting another spell. "Vel'bol zhahus whol uns'aa, nin zhah whol dos....!" The Nalfashnee's lightning blast impacts the drow, electricity coursing over his body, like an energy net. He screams in pain as the energy flows into a small ball at his midsection and rockets back towards the demon, enveloping it in the same net of lightning. Corva'lis drops to his knees, smoking, his hat gone and his clothing charred, along with portions of his skin. Using the cane, he pushes himself back to his feet. "I liked that hat...."
House Or'lathi 06-06-05, 12:06 AM	The nalfeshnee gives a gutteral grunt seeing its target moved, but grins nonetheless as Corva'lis is struck by the lightning. A gloating smirk creeps upon its features as it hears the drow howl in pain only to change to a look of surprise as the ball of lightning comes streaking back towards it, engulfing the demon in the same net of electrical energy as it turns to the side as if to shield itself. The crackling buzz of lightning mixes with a very unhappy growl for a moment before both dissipate. Smoldering smoke rises from around the demon and its shoulders shake as if in spasms, but a second look says something is wrong. Not a single scorch mark marrs the demon's rubbery skin...the lightning didn't even touch it. The ape-like demon's features twist into a frightening grin as it turns back to face Corva'lis unharmed. The ruse is shown for what it is as a low chuckling drifts through the sounds of the battle, a laugh of utter triumph. Again calling on its innate abilities, the demon motions towards Corva'lis. The clouds hanging in the ceiling of the cavern rumble ominously, but no lightning strikes from them. Instead, the demon's focus seems to be solely on Corva'lis as it utters two words in a deep, rumbling Common, the same two words echoing within Corva'lis' mind telepathically as if to make sure they're understood: "Stupid drow." ((Corval'is, see the OOC thread for more info ;) )) -- Meanwhile, Irthos watches the nalfeshnee's fun with a quiet discernment between issuing orders to demons around him. The vrocks' chanting rises to its pinnacle and the drow gives a smirk. Just a little longer, my kin...keep them at bay for just a little longer. Irthos then turns his mind to another task at hand, his eyes focusing briefly on Cor'valis, then shifting to Rym'dael as he sends a message to his leader. They have a chronomancer among their ranks...and this one...this one is obviously of demonic blood. He may be...persuaded...to join our own ranks.
Korruute'mas 06-06-05, 12:28 AM	Korruute'mas was ready to continue his course toward Zentash when the reality of the second army having arrived set in upon Korruute'mas when he felt a pair of daggerlike claws sink into his back, hooking into his still exposed ribcage as if attempting to tear him apart. Within a split second, he felt a second, much larger pair of limbs land on his shoulders, a set of crustaceanesque pincers latching in place. He knew what had grasped him, his grandsire was one of them. A cold and cruel grin crossed the undead behemoth's face as a faint glow emitted from his Scythe, the bones of his skeletal wings reshaping themselves in an instant. Bones became blades as they shot upward between the pincer-arms of the glabrezu assailant, accompanied by the sound of tearing flesh and bone scraping against bone. With fearsome ease, the bladed wings shorn the pincers from the fiend's arms, leaving the upper arms as bloody stumps and causing enough physical trauma to force the demon to release the draegloth. Korruute'mas spun around and thrust a large, powerful clawed hand into the demon's neck, wrapping his talons around the fiend's throat and squeezing like a vice. The glabrezu's smaller arms rose up to try desperately to break the stranglehold, but found that the grasp was too strong for the smaller limbs to affect. The draegloth drew back his other overly large fist and smashed the metal covered gauntlet into the demon's snout, crushing the bone and flesh backward with an inhuman power behind the blow. The glabrezu staggered back, knowing its injuries would demand a long stay amidst healers, and narrowed its nearly swollen-shut eyes, suddenly surrounding itself with several mirror images, each one moving about on the ground to surround the draegloth. Numerous images feinted in with claws, aiming to rake at the draegloth who dodged them expertly while weaving his way toward the source, hairs along his huge frame twitching as if sensing his surroundings. The demon's swollen eyes shot open as it realized the draegloth was toying with it, and just as it attempted to take flight, its vision all went black. The draegloth hammered the base of the Scythe's haft into the glabrezu's jaw, sending it sprawling to the ground knocked out cold. As the glabrezu fell, Korruute'mas heard the distinct thud of a large falling object and looked over to see that his war mount had been released from the gravitational trap. With a cold grin, the draegloth held the Scythe out and formed an odd rift between the charnel hound and the demon, crackling ultraviolet arcs of negative energy surrounding them until in a flash the charnel hound was above the fallen fiend, jaws agape and crashing down. The amalgamate canine absorbed the half-living fiend as surely as it had absorbed the corpses of the lesser demons before, but this time something far different occured. Rather than simply growing larger, the charnel hound seethed and twitched with a newfound energy. The corpse-flesh of its back and shoulders rippled and warped until the glabrezu's still intact wings erupted from the body of the abomination. The corpses composing the hound turned red and then blackened as if charred, and the glow of its eyes intensified, taking on the same ultraviolet gleam of the arcs that facilitated this result. The huge canine claws grew twisted and sharper, fusing into a three-toed formation of short-sword sized blades. It was then that Korruute'mas set his eyes upon the dancing vultures. With not a single gesture, his warhound launched from the ground with expertise unnatural for a creature with wings so recently acquired, and flew immediately toward a flock of the feathered fiends. The hound's massive jaws lashed out to grip and tear demonic flesh from their forms and do all that it can to disrupt their progress, large claws raking out and wings slamming down in all directions. The hound's master pursued an alternative means of stopping the impending onslaught. He simply raised the Scythe vertically in front of him as his larger hands steepled, index and middle digits extended upward and other talons folded inward. A low howl as if the winds of the blackest pits had been opened between his hands could be heard as a callous glow formed, gradually growing larger and wider to a large diameter before rocketing toward the largest gathering of vrocks within sight, erupting in a swirling vortex of negative energy and unnatural flames. The vortex expanded, swallowing fully three dozen of the birdlike fiends before reaching its apex. Within the sphere, the vrocks screamed in hissing cackles as the vortex of unwholesome energy enveloped them. Blackened tendrils of unnaturally solidified matter fled from their eyes and mouths as their bodies twisted in agony and warped from the monstrous forces unleashed upon them. The dark substanced shifted form and covered the demons, suffocating them in their own essence and being re-absorbed. The already hideous forms of the demonic vultures turned a ghastly grey-green, their eyes taking on the ultraviolet glow of the draegloth and the charnel hound as their feathers molted instantly and fell to the ground. Their beaks grew longer and sharpened, looking more like the head of a massive pick than the mouth of a being from the lower planes. Their arms thickened with added muscle and twitched as sinews tightened and became stronger. Their claws lengthened into knife-like blades and their forearms sprouted sharp bone spurs. Their torsos withered and became sunken, stomachs atrophied and distended, giving the impression of long-dead tissue within having rotted away. Their legs became larger and stronger, seemingly able to allow faster movement than otherwise possible before, and their taloned feet grew heavier, thicker scales and sharper claws. The demons' wings stretched and twitched as bone spurs erupted from each tip and the crux of the tops, conferring additional bladelike weaponry. Korruute'mas grinned as the sphere faded after all of six-seconds, leaving the three-dozen transformed vrocks in plain view as their empowered wings lofted them into the air. He bellowed to the altered fiends in the voice of a commander or a master: "Go forth and slay your former kindred, my Mortuus Vanguard!" The vrocks crowed happily as their monstrous and now undead forms followed their new master's commands, circling the battlefield before splitting into assault teams of three each and streaking toward other groups of their dancing source-race.
Chelyrra_Eredyn 06-06-05, 11:36 PM	Chelyrra swings the staff to thwart the next dretch attack through instinct alone, not by conscious thought, though the swing is powered with enough anger and dismay to send the little demon flying. "Corva'lis!" . o O (The lightning! he is hurt! the beast-thing, it will pay for that… ah! and does!) She sees the returned bolt play over the nalfashnee with hot satisfaction that turns to bafflement and then frustration at the ruse. Her lips curl into a snarl at the laughter. She looks once at Corva'lis with searching intensity to see how badly he's wounded, as if her eyes alone could heal him, then she moves back as if afraid of the spells, falling back under the lesser demons's attacks till she finds the chance to slip off through the rubble. And tries to make her way around to the massive demon yet again, this time her path circuitous and staggered, less direct, for more stealth... or as much as the seemingly continuously restored ranks of smaller demons allow.
shadow of death 06-07-05, 10:02 PM	Re'shak grins as he sees the Goristro charging towards him. The drow crosses his blades in an 'X' before him, standing stationary as the beast nears. At the last moment, he steps to his left, letting the creature run past. Black blades flash across the leg of the beast, laying open two parallel slashes. Re'shak turns and crouches slightly, blades at his sides. The wounded beast bellows and skids to a halt, turns and approaches, more cautiously this time. It slashes at Re'shak with its claws, but only slices air as the drow ducks underneath and stabs upwards with the crystalline blade, right at the elbow of the Demon. He pivots and stabs the metallic blade into the monster's left kneecap, then ducks under its legs and darts away, turning to face the creature once more. "Come beast....crush me...if you can" Re'shak chuckles wickedly and beckons the beast forward with his metal blade. Enraged, the demon charges, picking up a large chunk of stone and hurling it at him. Re'shak twists, avoiding the stone. He completes the spin, slicing identical slashes on the beasts other leg. As the creature stumbles and crashes, the drow glances about the devastated battlefield. . o O(enough playing...I have work to do) The drow leaps foward and up, jamming his blades into the demon's back on either side of the spine. As the monster screams in pain, Re'shak uses the blades to pull himself up, pulling the crystal blade from the back and standing on the metallic. With a humorless grin, he slices, lopping the head off the neck of the creature. As it falls, he removes his blades, flicking them both to clean the gore from them and looks for another target.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 06-07-05, 10:08 PM	Rym's wide banking and mischievious watching of his spell costs him dearly, as he feels the tingling of the bolt of lighting just before it actually strikes him. "This....no....not happy...." Before the words can even echo once, the bolt strikes him in the air and sends him in a direct line for a half demolished building. In his plumet to the ground, Rym manages to tuck himself into something resembling a ball just before his body strikes the stone wall and does the rest of the demolition work for the demons. For a few moments, the only think he can do is lay there...one word constantly being uttered from his lips. ".......oww......owww......oowwww....OW!" With the final exclamation of his new found pain, he pushes himself up to his feet as his partial demonic blood does its work of repairing his damaged body. Dusting himself off, he looks at his wings as they mend themselves and shakes his head. A few abyssal spoken words release a spell upon himself to prevent him from being caught off guard like he was a few moments ago and raising his resistances to the elements. Grumbling to himself, which seems to be growing with intensity, he claws his way over what remains of the wall and takes off at a run for the next standing building. A few well placed leaps and redirections put him on the roof of the building from the fallen stones and pillars surrounding it, but his new lofty possition doesn't cause him to slow. He infact, gains speed as she runs across the roof and leaps head long over the edge and diving down slightly to increase his spead before slowly gaining altitude without loosing speed. Once he's high enough, he glances towards the towering nalfeshnee with disgust as he alters his path to aim straight for it. "You're ugly enough to have done that....stupid demon" His desending flight gains him speed as he hurls himself towards the midsection of the nalfeshnee, chanting as he zips in and prepares a spell. At the last moment, he dives down slightly and does a barrel roll, moving to zip between the nalfeshnee's as he lies back down and brings his foot to bear towards the beasts groin, in an attempt to strike home his point with not only his foot, but the release of his spell as well(harm). Connected kick or no, he finishes the roll and regains some height to avoid being drug down by any ground troops, as he quickly searches out the drow leading this contingent, spotting him in the middle of them and continuing his course directly for him.
Sativus 06-07-05, 10:23 PM	Initially in the war, Sativus kept his place next to the Ilharn, watching the battles as they unfolded and sending his shadow assassins to where they could best use their stealth and skills to eliminate enemies quickly. Twent or more fell at the hands of the gifted followers of Shar for every one that was wounded or downed by a demon, yet still the came on, in seeming endless numbers. A dejected sigh slips from his lips as the balor's blast takes a small handfull of his faithful followers, his eyes casting sidelong at the chaos mage that cause the devistation, before looking back as Adinae brought Carthamus up to the balcony and reported to the Ilharn. Glancing at Carth, he shook his head, knowing the limits of magics effect on the odd drow, as he looked to the Ilharn for a sign before speaking. "It is time we entered the fary Ilharn....our troops lose faith and moral the longer we wait." Without waiting for an answer, Sativus is enveloped in thick dark shadows, drawing himself from the balcony and reappearing in one of the few areas that are not swarmed with the fiends from the abyss. His keen hearing picks up on the chanting of the vrocks though, drawing his eyes skyward to witness the groups of them. "This.....I know not what this is....but it cannot be good. Forgive me my lady of darkness, I know not another way...." Closing his eyes, Sativus begins to recite the holy blessing of his goddess, as the shadows from the area around him slowly begin to swirl at his feet, growing wider with each rotation. As his words reach a climax, so does the vortex of shadow, spiking towards the ceiling in a large funnel cloud shape. As he opens his eyes, which have fallen to the depths of pure midnight, the vortext begins to move in a systimatic pattern at his will, searching out the vrocks and sucking what ever ones it comes close enough to, into its center. As he collects as many as he can manage, the tornado of shadows rises up to the ceiling of the chamber, disipating as any act of nature would, taking those vrocs that were collected with it. Shaking his head slightly to remove the after effects of the manifestation of his power, he draws both of his blades and glances around, seeing that his skills might be used near what is left of the Necropilis.
Obsidian 06-07-05, 10:45 PM	Frustration fills Sev'anar as he stands watching the demon hords, battled by pride and admiration at how valiently his house members fought for what they believed in. Was this house that important to all of them? Or did they simply fear what would happen were they to lose, and fall into slave stature amongst the demons? Clearly it was that they fought for what they believed in, or they would allow themselves to die. But they did not. Against drow nature, they fought with one another, helped one another, and did all they could to insure their numbers declined as little as possible. Yes, Sativus was right...it was time for their Ilharn to enter the fray. He was not above any of these house members, not in worth....at least not to himself. Far too many had perished as he watched, and it sickened him to think of those who had already fallen. Retrobution would be his for their life blood being spilled. With a simple though, he levitates over the ledge of the balcony and lowers himself down onto the overly large lizard mount that has stood under him, waiting for him to return. With a quick kick, he launches the beast into motion and straps himself into the seat as it lunges gracefully along. Glancing to his rapier and dagger, he realises these will be of little use to him unless a larger fiend comes within range, so he leaves them sheithed. Instead, he shifts his mental energies to encompass himself and the mount, displacing their image so that an initial strike would strike the false one. Rounding the corner towards the stables, he witnesses the sudden appearance of Delainna, the Mariliths and the Glabrezu just as they summon the Dretch. Raw determination sets into Sev'anar as he sends out his thoughts to his cavalry. . o O(Divert and avoid me....now!) With fluid, practiced motion, the cavalry break to the side streets, engaging what Dretches have flowed over into them. Sev'anar waits scarcely long enough for them to split before he draws forth a portion of his mental energies towards the piles of Dretches, the Galbrezu and Mariliths and Delainna(unless any of them fled their initial teleporting possition). A detonation wave rips through the area piled thickly with the unwelcome party, and Sev'anar doesn't bother to wait to witness the fruits of his labor. He spots Delainna and summons a hand full of crystal shards, one after another, sending three of them piercing the distance between them instantly.
Mekshal Ojaresk 06-07-05, 11:19 PM	Mekshal shuddered upon hearing the first utterance, though showed no other sign of being affected. As the second spell struck him, he crossed his forearms together in front of his chest as a faintly shimmering ray impacted them and coalesced into a solid orb. His levitation waivered breifly and lowered him halfway to the ground, but regained strength as his arms shunted the effect away. "Nice try, dragon. But you'll need better than that." The drow pointed his scepter toward Artanaz once more and unleashed a hellish ray of gleaming red energy that arced forward just as his previous ray had. In nearly the same moment, his own form vanished from view as he transported himself elsewhere. Meanwhile, the demons aground continued to mill about and wage war on the soldiers of the house, gaining ground in places and being battered back in others.
Ilharess 06-07-05, 11:46 PM	*after a rather extended time in the middens, Tsarra moves back toward the balcony, mentally cursing a certain aspect of being female. She adjusts her skirt, and then shrugs her shoulders to make her cloak to lay straight. She hears the noise outside and steps out, just in time to see Adinae bringing the limp Carthamus up the stairs. She nods to Adinae and takes the form from her* Well done. I shall see to him and when done shall join the fun that is commencing below. A rather grand sort of fun it is seems to be. She flashes a grin at Adinae and turns with a swirl of her cloak to take the little spitball.. er fire of a drow inside. Laying him on a couch, she lifts a hand to rest on his wound, eyes closing a moment, brow furrowed in concentration. Her hand glows for a moment as she sends her mind deep into the wound, gathering the damaged flesh together and sealing it shut. She searches for more and mends any that she finds. She looks up at the opening to the balcony, thoughts of just how many would need to be healed or were beyond that crossing her mind.
House Or'lathi 06-08-05, 01:21 AM	The nalfeshnee was preparing to move in on Corva'lis when its attention was drawn towards the demonic missle spiraling towards it and away from the chronomnancer and the female warrior. As Rym'dael kicks the demon grunts in discomfort, its eyes flashing with anger as it reaches out quickly to try and snag his foot. The spell energies disperse into the demon's form from the touch, but as it howls it's not in pain but in rage accompanied by a growl in a gutteral, harsh tongue Rym'dael would know all too well (Abyssal). "You will regret that, half-blood!" comes the enraged roar as it twists Rym around by his foot(assuming, of course, that it actually got a hold on him) and sends him flying towards the solid rubble of the fallen necropolis. -- The vrocks continue their chanting, the chorus reaching its pinnacle as energy begins to coalesce between the dancing fiends, building to a destructive crescendo. However, not all of the chanting vultures are able to finish their incantation. At least six or more of the vulture circles fall to Korruutemas' deadly form-warping scythe and those mutated vrocks lay into their brethren managingd to slaughter their way through the milling demons trying to form some semblance of protection and disrupt another few circles of the chanting fiends. Sativus' call to his goddess sweeps away another dozen or so of the vulture-fiends to a dark and unspeakable fate at the hands of the shadow goddess. Overall, most of the vrock circles are broken up leaving squawking fiends dispersed here and there as they scrabble away from the sources of their demise, however one circle persists. The one group protected by Irthos' vanguard of demons manages to finish their dark chant, drawing forth a crackling wave of abyssal energy that arcs around their chanting forms like a thunderstorm of acidic green bolts. With the final dark incantation, the abyssal energies ripple outward from the vulture-fiends as they squawk in insidious delight at their accomplishment. The wave passes harmlessly through the denizens of the Abyss seeking out all other flesh to marr it and wrack it with pain. Irthos' face twists into a satisfied grin as he watches. Well done, my kin. Well done. ((OOC Note: For anyone familiar with vrocks and this ability they're using, it really is quite insane, so please definitely feel free to tone it to your character's power level accordingly! I want to add a little spice to the battle, not decimate it ;) ))
Mistress Delainna 06-09-05, 09:51 PM	As The Dretch attempt to overwhelm and overbear the Cavalry, the horsemen try to carry out The Ilharns telepathic orders. Carrying both rider and Dretch the beasts that Sriv'le Cress use as cavalry lumber to the sides, as the melee continues on and around them. As the middle of the area clears, the 50 Dretch that are left there see, and charge, the Ilharn ... only to be met and destroyed by the Ilharns detonation wave. --- Just as the Mariliths finish thier summoning they teleport, splitting up to be able to engage in hand to hand combat. 1 to each of the following areas: 1 to each of the 2 barracks, 1 to the (remains) of the temple, 1 to the (remains) or Ryms tower, and 1 to the circles. --- 10 of the Glabrazu teleport with the marilith (2 with each), 10 of the Glabrazu (5 in each direction) follow and engage the Cavalry maintaing a close enough proximity that any area of effect spell would hit the cav as well, 4 of these Glabrazu fall to the cavalrys weapons. The last 5 move towards the Ilharn, and begin casting enlarge when the detonation wave passes through them wounding them gravely and knocking them back. --- Delainna watches as the Cavalry part, and looks for the one who is commanding them. Seeing the Ilharn she flys towards him weapons ready. .o0(I wonder if it can even see me) As if on cue to her thoughts the detonation wave washes over her, dissapating as it hits her. A smile crosses her face, but that smile is short lived as the 3 crystal shards crashes into her chest throwing her back violently and activating her defensive incantation. With an audible *pop* she disappears from the battle. *** Klil'og'elend stares into a bowl of water sitting on the table, asking question after question to Sovix. Each of Sovix answers are written down exactly as he says them by a quill that writes on parchment by it self on the table. The short Dwarf Vaush sits opposite him, reading a book. Suddenly, with an audible *pop* Delainna appears, the momentum of the shard impacts carrying her broken body crashing into the table. Vaush and Klil both dive away from the breaking table, drawing weapons as they move. The bowl empties itself as it flys through the air, smashing itself on the wall. The quill and parchment fall much more gently onto the now wet floor. Klil lets out a demonic curse as both he and Vaush recover from thier surprise. "Seems our little general has bitten off more than she could chew" Vaush says chuckling . o 0 ([I]so it would seem. Do what you do, she cannot get out of the contract this easily) Klil sends. *** [Some time later, in the central enemy temple] Delainna wakes up on the central alter, her body fully restored. Next to her stands Vaush and on the other side the Balor she sent away before the combat. "Welcome back to the living" says Vaush, "how was you little 'NAP'" "Painful" She replies, then turns to the Balor and says "Next time you are going in with me, I dont care if we destroy the place"
Jaehral_Ojaresk 06-09-05, 10:27 PM	Jaehral snarled as he hurled one more jovoc onto the pike rack as he had done before, just now taking in the sight of the vrocks' frenzied dance. With a feral roar, his right hand drifted to the unusual quiver attached at the small of his muscular back, flipping the opening and reaching inside, impossibly not affecting the appearance of the container. Within an instant, his hand returned, bringing with it a six-foot long polearm of dragonbone, likely originally a femur, tipped with a cruelly barbed and hooked spear-blade, and a wrist cuff about his right arm. He settled his grip into the precision-carved hand hold and took aim, hurling the weapon at the nearest vrock just forrty-feet overhead. The vrock crowed and screeched as the massive bone spear broke through its lower back and out of its stomach, then let out a hellish scream of terror as it suddenly lurched down and back, toward the weretiger below. A rope of an unusual black fiber had snapped tight from the trailing end of the harpoon, the other end firmly in Jaehral's hand. The first powerful tug had caused the vrock to falter in the air, disrupting its circle's dance effectively enough for the moment. The weretiger coiled his powerful arms, gathering his strength and weight behind it as another roar bellowed out and he twisted at the waist. His hands lowered to the ground in a flash, tearing the massive harpoon free of the vrock with much of its internals and sending the now much lighter fiend into the ground in a defeated heap. The two remaining vrock from that circle dove down, aiming powerful claws for the weretiger's chest as they plummeted in pursuit of retribution for their loss. Jaehral hissed as the talons struck, tearing into his thick hide like spears and knocking him to his knees. Dropping the harpoon but maintaining the hold of the rope at his wrist, the weretiger's eyes held their glazed rage and, with a surge of raw physical strength, his claws flew upward. Siezing each vrock by the neck, Jaehral twisted at his waist, ramming his left knee into the stomach of the vrock at his right before releasing his grip and reversing, bringing a powerful set of claws across the left vrock's face, gouging eyes from its birdlike skull. Releasing his grip on the now blinded fiend, his left claw swiftly crossed over the winded demon's throat, spilling its ichorous blood to the ground. The eyeless vrock lurched forward, desperately aiming its beak at the weretiger in a flawed attempt to slow him down. With frightening speed and strength, Jaehral turned himself to bring his powerful jaws closed over the elongated bird neck before standing full, using a strong arm to propel the vrock's shoulders downward. The demon's neck snapped like a twig and tore free with a twist of Jaehral's vice-like bite. He spat the fiendish flesh from his mouth and sneered at the staggering vrock that somehow remained standing despite having a gash through its throat, just before slapping a firm strangle-hold on it and delivering a back-handed strike with enough force to snap its neck aside and end its life. The immediate threat to himself disabled for the moment, he let out a feral roar loud and clear, voice tinged with the madness of an unleashed frenzy seeming to accentuate the urgency of his words, "Everyone, out of the Circles... Tek'nel... The time has arrived!"
Sril've Cress Military 06-09-05, 11:47 PM	In the caves at the north of the training grounds, the weaponsmaster's words rang clearly through the minds of his special task force. The hundred plus feline warriors were crouched in the cavern, eyes flaring with rage and bloodlust already, glistening in the light from the battle beyond. Commander Tek'nel rose from his place at the lead of the pride near the cavern's opening and let loose the first roar for his feral charges. As if in echo, each weretiger in the cave let out a clear copy of the war cry as they rose to their feet as well. The sound was soon followed by the clang of bone clubs against metallic armor and shields as the roars continued, becoming more feral and more bestial by the moment. * * * * * * * Sergeant Threkar's mounted soldiers obeyed the Ilharn's commands with precision, in spite of the complication of their tag-along fiends. Using the spacing to their advantage, the soldiers maneuvered spears and thrusting swords into position as a skilled team, driving the bladed weapons through the bodies of many of the fiends as if they were little more than an annoyance and stopping just short of striking their fellows. Those demons that managed to evade impalement learned the second danger in swarming mounted soldiers - the large beasts that possessed quite powerful jaws. In a cavalcade of fiendish cries of pain, dretches were torn limb from limb by the teeth of the reptilian and arachnid steeds, the remains dropped to be trampled underfoot like fallen rotten fungal patches. * * * * * * * Sergeant Othras brought his men to a halt upon rounding the corner of the ranking members' housing and seeing the massive devastation spanning the entire temple district. Uttering silent prayers, the soldiers paused and bowed their heads in reverence of the shattered places of worship just as the marilith and pair of glabrezu appeared beside the nearby barracks. Othras's keen feline ears were the first to hear the distinct sound of the snake-demon's tail, and his change of direction alerted the others in short order. The weretiger warrior hefted his somewhat overbalanced warmace into one hand and a large steel shield emblazoned with the house sigil onto his left forearm and led the charge. With a roar of energy, Othras swung his mace for the marilith's shoulder, but to his surprise, the marilith attempted to duck, bringing the quarter-inch thick flanges of the heavy iron weapon straight into the side of the fiend's skull, crushing the bone with near impunity. The sheer force of the impact knocking the demon's head aside and nearly rending it from her shoulders. The marilith lulled from side to side for a moment, dazed from the strike and bleeding from its wound as it coughed blood from the ruptures within its own head. The glabrezu watched on in shock as the marilith slumped to the ground lifelessly from the uncanny blow delivered by the sergeant. Bolstered by the display of physical prowess shown by their leader, the drowic footsoldiers charged forward at the two large demons, spears and poleaxes aimed to keep the glabrezu at a modest distance while retaining efficiency. Several spears found purchase in the fiendish hides, driving the demons back against the barrack walls as the poleaxes crashed down and clove into skin and bone with a heinous crunch. The glabrezu persisted, remaining alive despite the spears and axes having dug into their flesh. They attempted to echo the effect of their kin amidst the temple grounds, working to evoke the gravitational inversion but failing as more spears found their mark and disrupted the magic. Instead, the winged four-armed fiends rose up themselves, pushing off from the ground and into the air, snapping polearms and leaving spearheads still implanted in their flesh. * * * * * * * Elsewhere, from their perch atop the forge X'etri and his archers waited and watched over the desolate ruins of the temple grounds and the schools of magic. Just barely able to see over the ruins of the former psionics and arcane sciences halls, X'etri spotted the marilith and her glabrezu retainers arrive beside the western barracks. Silently, he motioned to his men and notched his own bow, taking aim toward the newly arrived fiends and launching a volley totalling three-hundred arrows and one-hundred crossbow bolts through the air across the one-hundred foot distance. As if a hailstorm had been unleashed the arrows crashed down into the trio of fiends, the arrows bearing the strength of the heavier pulls possessed by the stronger warriors. The demons were left as wounded pincushions where they stood, and the storm of arrows and the eerie rushing sound of arrow fletching through air screamed across the nearest battlefield, making their presence known to those amidst the former temple grounds.
Liadinae Del'Anogard 06-10-05, 03:01 AM	Adi gives a respectful bow to Tsarra as she comes out. "As you will, Ilharess." Her feline maw twists into an oddly disturbing grin thanks to a gash over her cheekbone that has begun knitting itself back together. "Though I wouldn't wait too long. You might miss the fun." She turns and surveys the scene. The two glabrezu floating up from the other side of the barracks catch her eye and she gives a grin. A glance just to her left shows the Sharran grounds laid out before her and not too far off. She reaches a hand into her pocket and smiles wryly as she pulls out a small house insignia. "Who would have ever thought this old thng would be of any use..." Clasping the insignia on the inside of her pocket within reach, she backs up, giving herself a running head start as she leaps from the balcony, lithe muscles coiling and releasing with inhuman strength as her hybrid form of tiger and drow pushes off the edge of the balcony, giving her a little extra leverage to get airborne. She soars through the air for all of a few seconds before the wall of the Sharran grounds comes speeding towards her, but instead of landing heavily, a touch of her clawed hand activates the magic built into the insignia and she floats down to land light as a feather on the wall. Making her way around she takes another running head start and makes the fairly short, at least to her, leap between the wall fo the Sharran grounds and the Barracks, the insignia's magic again allowing her to land softly. She hurriedly makes her way across the rooftop of the barracks with as much stealth as her enlarged, furry form will allow and waits for the demons to fly above the wall of the rooftop, readying one of the swords from the marilith she and Carthamus killed earlier. However the ichor-covered hilt is too slick for her to maintain her grip and she drops the weapon down to the streets below. She curses as the two glabrezu turn towards the source of the noise, then growls lowly. "Alright then...we can play hardball." Reaching up she grabs a spear shaft stuck into one glabrezu's leg and gives a brutal yank, ripping it from the demon's hamstring and causing it to howl in pain as the wound is made worse, then she whips the shaft around to plung it into the other demon's gut, however the spear scrapes off the glabrezu's toughened skin. The glabrezu tries to retaliate, but in its weakened and injured state Adi manages to deflect or dodge the mighty swipes of its pincer claws. She moves back and hurtle the spear haft at the demon as a distraction while she focuses on calling to the shadows, her feline eyes hazing over in a shroud of gloomy black. The shadows along the rooftop pool together beneath the closer of the two glabrezu, then erupt upward in the shape of a massive clawed hand, a gesture which mimics that of her own hand. The other glabrezu makes to attack and break her concentration, but she quickly motions as if she were slinging something aside, flinging the one glabrezu caught in the shadow hand into the other. As if playing a game of cat and mouse she waits for one of the demons to upright itself from the barrack roof, its back to her, before she pounces, claws sinking into flesh as her teeth sink into the back of its spinal cord. Finding her target she clamps on and twists voraciously with a feral growl until she hears the satisfying snap of the demon's spinal cord and feels its muscles drop limp as it crumples into a heap on the ground. The second glabrezu, not wasting any time, jabs its pincers into her side, the sharp ends of the appendages biting into flesh. Adi stumbles back, tumbling away from the fiend as it approaches to regain her footing and a beneficial combat position. Her hand drops sneakily to the hilt of the second longsword she took from the marilith and as the demon approaches she draws it in a slash across its eyes, blinding it. The glabrezu's smaller hands come up to its face as ichor drips from the wound and it thrashes wildly. Taking the opportunity, Adi follows through grabbing one of the spear shafts lodged into the demon's side and twisting it further in and upwards into the softer and more vital organs. The blinded fiend gives a gurgling howl as it stumbles back, then collapses and goes silent. Adi wipes off the sword's blade, then drops down from the rooftop, touching the insignia in her pocket as she nears the ground to land easily near Orthas and his men. After picking up the fallen sword, she strides up to the weretiger captain, flashing her house ring to ensure she isn't attacked on sight. She addresses the weretiger, Orthos. "Where are you and your men headed?"
lana_dune 06-11-05, 09:57 AM	Silence descends on her like a blanket and the sound of her own breath becomes the only thing that tells her that the quiet is a natural thing. She dares a low whisper and it sounds to her like a shout Jeajea? There is no answer and she passes her tongue tip over her dry lips oO(damn it demon or angel you have dumped me in this place and left me.) She opens the top pocket, drops the poison spine back into its silver tube and secures it oO(what is it he said?…something about looking for Sovix..But the Ilharn said it was an unwise action... Behind the lines the source of the demon invasion…yes girl Right out in the nothings no house members to rescue you here… Is that where I am? Where else wold he open a portal to?) Lana stands and with her finger tips trailing over the corridor to her right she begins to make her way through the blacked out tunnel to destinations un known oO(you could use your ring…teleport…teleport to what… into further danger? Infinitely better to approach it with caution)
Chelyrra_Eredyn 06-11-05, 09:08 PM	She picks her way around the rubble, her progress interrupted all too often by a forced fight with those that see her lone figure as target and excuse for escaping the calvary or other defenders. Fallen stones and the half-ruined buildings that vomited them forth serve dual purpose of cover from the nalfashnee's sight and protection of her flank as she battles. The dretch die easily enough, but the surface of the staff's blades becomes more pitted with the death of another babau (the oil helping but not enough) and her jaw clenches on the pain from the gash in her thigh that it left before falling. Another pair of dretches to dispose of, and then the beating of wings, feathered blows buffeting her head as an injured vrock falls heavily from the sky atop her, knocking her to the ground and the staff from her hands. It shrieks, the shrill sound boring through her skull, claws scrambling and scraping against her armor as it tries to rise, not realizing its landing place. Chelyrra twists and squirms beneath, unable at first to push away from the weight… . o O (No! I will not die like this!) … till her arm frees enough to draw a dagger and she jams the blade up through the tough skin and into its abdomen. She pulls the blade sideways to open the wound further and the vrock screeches in its agony. Suddenly muscles spasm, the dagger jerking hard to disembowel the vulturous form entirely, as the energy wave from the completed dance flows past and draws her up into a knot of pain, biting her lip through to keep from screaming along with the dying vrock. Full awareness returns slowly from the swimming haze, awareness of where she is and what is happening, of the vrock's corpse covering her, wings outstretched, granting her this reprieve from battle. . o O (But I am not dead… not fully.) Her hands fumble against the weight of the dead thing till they reach a pouch, bringing a vial from it to her mouth. An assessment, a long hesitation, then she repeats the process. . o O (And that is all of them. May I not need more… though that is a fool's wish! I will need them, yet somehow must do without.) The pain flows away as if it never were. Her ears now strain for sounds of movement nearby and when they momentarily cease, she slithers out from beneath the corpse. A tug that tests the limits of her strength frees the staff as well. Chelyrra stays low to check her position, looking almost like part of the rubble herself. The dust and dirt from the rubble stick to the blood and gore from the vrock that covers blackened armor and head and hair, and her lips curve into a tight smile as she realizes the advantage to it. The nalfashnee is in sight again. More than within sight, it towers over the fallen debris of battle, over stones and corpses, not far away at all. And facing away from her, its attention on something else, a horrid noise (growling? chuckling?) coming from its throat. Stones and corpses for hiding, playing dead (or at least already dying) at any movement and to avoid other demons, hiding the shimmer of swirling green stones in the bladed staff behind her own form, she finally comes within reach of the monstrous being, behind it, still seemingly unnoticed. . o O (I would pray but I have nothing to pray to. So be it.) Using all of her strength, she swings the staff's blade into the closer leg, to hamstring it regardless of other effect, as she calls on the staff's power.
jeajea 06-14-05, 07:55 PM	. o O ( Are your orders clear, Tarsch? ) . o O ( Yes, sir. Carrying out with immediate effect, sir. ) . o O ( Excellent. Good man. Oh, and... Tarsch? ) . o O ( Yes, sir? ) . o O ( Good luck. Kill some of them for me. ) . o O ( Thank you, sir. Will do, sir. ) The general smiled a grim smile. He had his work cut out for him. The contingient of soldiers were all staring at him. He spoke out in a loud, confident voice. "Get me the messengers. I have orders for the other generals." --- Jeajea appeared beside Lana. Without even pausing to look at her, he immediately starts talking to her in hushed tones. "Hello, Lana. I bet you're wondering where the hells I've taken you... this is the shadow world. We can use it to get behind their lines, unless they're guarding it... but I'm betting they'll be watching the Astral and Ethereal, not the shadow. The reason it's so dark in here is that the world is made from the shadows of the material plane, and our walking actually transfers us from shadow to shadow... but I'm sure this isn't the time for a thaumology lesson. Your eyes will adjust presently... you'll probably be doing better than me soon, with those Drow eyes... in any case. Follow me, if you would?" He starts walking down the corridoor, hunching slightly, though that may be more from habit than necessity.
lana_dune 06-14-05, 08:15 PM	One moment Lana is deserted in the tunnel the next moment Jeajeas voice is with her only millimetres away. The shock of it makes her snatch a breath and stagger back.She hisses sharply “dalharuk del natha …Damn you demon I thought you had left me here” The hilt of her dagger slips sweaty in her hand. She changes it to the other and wipes her palm down her pant leg as she steps in behind him in the dark. oO(he’s crazy you should have stayed with the sane ones. out of the frying pan into the fire) do you have a plan?
jeajea 06-14-05, 08:23 PM	He grins at her in the darkness. "Demon? You're no Angel yourself... of course I have a plan. It's pretty simple though - appear, snatch Sovix, vanish back into the shadow world, run like hell. If we get in serious trouble, attempts a portal or, if absolutely necessary, use a gate to get back. We'll see. You are here to watch my back... you don't need to fight, but just let me know if any of the buggers look like they're going to get me. Oh... and drink this. Improved invisibility potion. Unless they can see invisible things, you should be covered by this. Just don't get in the way of any of them. You can communicate with me via telepathy, though I recommend you keep your mind locked tight except for outgoing traffic to me... I'll have to reply verbally if I need to. Watch your back out there..."
corvalis 06-15-05, 06:08 PM	The flamboyantly dressed drow pushes himself to his feet, shaking his head. "Interesting tactic...but ultimately futile." He spins his cane once and tucks it under his arm, his tail lashing about in annoyance. He looks towards the Nalfashnee and prepares to cast, but halts as he sees Rym'dael engage it. "Very well....something else then....but what.....ahhh....." He takes a deep breath and begins to hum as he looks about the devastation. At first, the sound is barely audible, but it grows steadily louder. The sound is deep, almost a rumble. As the volumn increases, another pitch is added, and then another, creating a chord. At the loudest point, he spreads his arms wide and opens his mouth, emitting a banshee like wail. What can only be described as a ripple, a wave of sound bursts from him, and flows across the compound, through all combatants. ((See OOC thread for explanation and such!))
zyrquix 06-15-05, 06:40 PM	((playing lots of catch up....or was that ketchup???)) Behind the two illithids a third appears. Unlike its kin, this one wears full body armor and weilding a weapon. the armor looks more....living, crab like, as if it was a part of the mind flayer. In its gauntleted hands it holds a long staff, a blade on each end, shaped similar to a scimitar. one blade appears reddish, and gives off great amounts of heat, while the blade on the opposite end is blue and ice cold to the touch. its bulbous head is covered in armor as well, obsuring its pale, milky white orbs. Its three tentacles also are covered in the chitineous armor, the tips of the tentacles sporting wicked barbed hooks. The newest arrival steps in between its companions, spinning its bladed staff with obvious skill, slicing a dretch open from groin to skull. It pivots and thrusts the red blade into another, twists, then retracts the weapon, leaving the creature writhing in pain, its wounds sizzling from the heat. The armored illithid spins and slices across, beheading a third beast, leaving a decapitated body with a frozen stump at the end of its neck. . o O{enjoyable....I do enjoy this so...} As it imparts its apparent glee to its two companions, accompanied by the clicking of it beak hidden by its writhing tentacles, Zyrquix spots two more of the demons approaching Xyllestiqar. . o O{Xyl...down!} Assuming the other mind flayer does as ordered, the red armored illithid flings its staff weapon towards the two demons. The blades cut through the beasts like a scythe, dropping them into pieces. It motions towards a third with its free hand, sending a mind blast towards it, dropping it to its knees as it holds its head, shrieking in pain. Zyr stalks towards it, collecting its weapon. It kicks the beast over, putting its foot on the neck of the creature, speaking aloud. "Where is your master....demon? We....wish to feast" Zyrquix looks into the creatures eyes, hoping it looks towards its masters. Whether or not it does, Zyr cackles as its armored foot slowly depresses onto the neck, eventually snapping it.
lana_dune 06-16-05, 06:31 AM	Lana listens to him move finding her hearing sense extending to fill the void in her sight. She chuckles to herself and her small crooked self-mocking smile finds her. face. She was never beyond laughing at herself in fact she did it often and for too long This time she had cause to thank Re’shak for his malicious sense of humour. oO(who would have thought I would find reason to thank him? ..two weeks blinded wasn’t so bad) She continues to jog along behind him as her small strides are not nearly up to the pace he sets at a walk but her dainty foot falls hardly make a sound TP>Jea? I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining or anything..I don’t want to speak out of turn but I see a few points I’m uncomfortable with in your plan. For one thing keeping my mind tight isn’t as easy as it sounds and for another…ermmmm..how exactly do you snatch a thing the size of a drider?”
Jhessailyn 06-16-05, 01:39 PM	As her legs heal and the pain recedes, Jhess becomes more alert to her surroundings. Kahl'deen is still unconscious beside her, but she notices something else. The rubble pile is oddly transparent to her sight. She can see the odd demon moving to avoid the pile, though. . o O ( Illusion, of course. But this is not the safest place to stay, I think, especially for Kahl'deen. Anything that could see through this illusion... is not something I could likely stand against alone. ) Moving carefully, both to avoid jostling Kahl'deen and to avoid accidentally thrusting a limb through the "wall" surrounding them, Jhess got to her knees. She tried lifting Kahl'deen in her arms, but he was too heavy. She sat back down and levered him across her lap instead. She activated the power of her House ring with a thought, teleporting the two of them from inside the illusionary rubble to the balcony of the palace, just as T'sarra emerges from tending to Carthamus. "It's not good out there, Ilharess," she says. "Kahl'deen and I got caught in that big blast. Someone, I'm guessing Rym'dael, found us and gave us some healing, not to mention hid us with an illusion. But I figured he'd be safer here than out there, while he recovers. An illusion won't protect us from a fireball after all."
Myrillian 06-16-05, 06:21 PM	Xyllestiqar does indeed move out of the way of the weapon, discarding its dead meal to the side as Zyrquix's weapon cuts through the enemy ranks. The illithid moves to Zyrquix's flank and prepares another spell, a wave of its hand sending an acidic arrow at an approaching demon which causes its skin to peel and crack as the acid eats away at it. A somewhat indistinct roar of speech comes from the other side of the training circles and Xyllestiqar looks towards it. Just then Myrillian re-emerges from the throng of demons and motions to Zyrquix and Xyllestiqar. {Both of you, we must leave the circles now.} {The master has commanded us to be...what?!} Xyllestiqar's thoughts were interrupted by the feral roars echoing from the cavern beyond, it's bulbuous eyes widened slightly at the realization. {As much as I wouldn't mind seeing you dead} Myrillian thought to itself before projecting its thoughts {We are no good to the master dead. Now let's go! A new throng of demons has appeared near the temple, and I would rather be there than here when those beasts arrive} Not a moment later, Myrillian's form wavered on the air then vanished. Xyllestiqar wasn't far behind.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 06-16-05, 07:46 PM	Speeding through the large demons legs, Rym doesn't even bother to notice if his spell has its desire effect or not, he's already moved past that point in his life....quite literally, as he rockets towards the drow that seems to be directing the hords of demons. Reaching behind him, Rym pulls his two thrusting daggers from behind his back, wings flapping one final time to keep him in the proper path for striking at the drow. Raising both arms out wide, he sweeps both blades down in a crossing patter, aiming and timing his attack for a strike on the drow leader of the demons. .......but misses. Lightning quick, he swings again, thinking his timing off by a hair, but he misses again. Only then does he realise, he's not moving anymore. The air doesn't rush past his face, his wings don't feel the smooth cut of the dusty air. Looking back, he spots the problem, in the form of a large demon hand around his legs, holding him motionless for a moment. "This......is not good...." is all he gets out before he's yoinked backwards by the brute's strong arm. Thinking as quickly as his slight confusion will allow, he displays a quick show of his contortionist abilities and bends nearly in half, taking the two foot long blads of his daggers and moving to drive them into the demon's flesh, anywhere he can get a firm strike, to prevent himself from becoming a meat missle once again. . o O(Please please please please please please please....let this work...)
Dark Chaos 06-16-05, 08:11 PM	Zentash floats upwards, sending bolts of blackfire towards a flock of vrocks, pummelling them with bashing damage. He moves across the perimeter of the battlefield, alighting on another building. He looks about, pondering his next move. With a wry smirk, he begins to chant, his holy symbol glowing a sickly gray. Gi Zhennu Quar'valsharess....Belbau dosst Ssivah l' yorn ulu dortho ussta Qu'ellar....Belbau uns'aa dosst waenre! He repeats the chant over and over. As he speaks, the slain of Sril've Cress and the Dark Knights of Bane rise from where they had fallen, pick up their weapons again, and move into the fray once more. Zentash cackles with glee as he watches his undead minions for a moment, then turns his void like gaze elsewhere. . o O(hmmm....Drow...and not of Sril've Cress....that won't do at all....) He plants the staff into the rubble of the roof he hovers above and spreads his arms wide. Blackfire flows from the staff to his hands and seems to build, like a storm. A ring of blackfire bursts from the storm and flows across the battlefield. It passes through the demons and Sril've Cress soldiers and allies. It does not do the same to enemy drow. instead, each is engulfed by the blackfire briefly as the ring passes. ((See OOC))
Obsidian 06-16-05, 08:24 PM	Glaring slightly as the contingency spell of the demon mistress flashes into effect, the Ilharn spits in the general direction in which she was previously occupying. "Typical....too pathetic to stay and fight when they're the ones clearly out classed and out powered." With a kick of his mount, he sends it lurching forward quickly, moving out in search of another target to pummel.
carthamus 06-16-05, 08:30 PM	Carthamus blinks then sits up, touching his chest. "Carth no leak? good. Carth go kill more thingees!" With a giggle, he leaps up and tears off down a hallway. A few moments later, he dashes out into the streets, his supply of daggers and throwing spiders replenished. He skids to a halt and blinks, looking around. "Others have fun while Carth nap. Carth need to make up for lost time...." He eyes the vrocks, then claps his hands giddily. He climbs onto a pile of rubble and frowns. "Carth need higher...." He spots Korruute'mas....and shakes his head, then he spies Jaehral and nods, scampering towards him, ducking demons and drow, lizards and horses, bodies and body parts until he reaches the were-drow. He taps him on the knee, oblivious to the combat around him. "Carth need air!" He points upwards, towards a few circling vrocks, then grins maniacly at jaehral.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 06-16-05, 08:45 PM	Jaehral barely gives thought as his knee is tapped, backhanding an oncoming dretch with enough force to send it back several feet with one arm while his free hand reaches down toward the little drow's collar. With a restrained mutter, he speaks slowly: "Air you'll have..." Assuming the grip he gains is secure enough, the weretiger applies his strength and heaves upward, aiming Carthamus toward a group of airborne vrock above.
carthamus 06-16-05, 09:05 PM	With a shriek of pure excitement, the little drow is heaved upwards. He grabs onto the closest vrock and swings himself up onto its back. He wraps his legs around the creature's body, firmly ensconsed on its back. As the creature squeels and violently bucks its body, the giggling drow begins to fling daggers at other vrocks, each one impacting with deadly accuracy. As the creature dives low to try and discard its rider, Carthamus reaches into a bag over his shoulder and pulls out a large handful of throwing spiders, flinging them at the demons and other enemies on the ground, again his accuracy is deadly, despite the erratic motions of the vrock.
Mekshal Ojaresk 06-17-05, 03:13 AM	Mekshal soundlessly and formlessly reappeared in a concealed region above the ruins of the once standing tower, hiding amidst the rock formations as he surveyed the field of combat. A cruel grin curled across his invisible face as he took note of the cracks lining the cavern's cieling where the balor's explosion had been centered, and pointed the demonic looking scepter, which pulsed subtlely with a toxic green light. A thin beam shot out for a weak point in the cracked cieling, upon impact revealing its nature. The rocks began to melt as the beam began to eat away at its very matter, the distinct quiet hiss of acid and a small amount of smoke surrounding the targetted area. The melted rock gave way, and in doing so set off a chain reaction. With a low rumble, large stones began to fall free over the grounds to the west of the temple, dropping down over the barracks above a line of gathering undead and crushing unliving flesh and bone beneath the weight. Turning in midair, the warlock shifted his attention just in time to see the waves of blackfire sweeping through the ranks of his fellows. The sight of this, along with that of the odd humming that has sent numerous of the lesser fiends skittering about in fear, soured the mood of the drow. A dark sneer replaced the cold grin as he set his sights upon the thunderhead of blackfire and the chaos mage beneath, and, with the aim of his scepter, unleashed another bolt of the toxic green matter, hurling a stream of acid enhanced by the power of the scepter toward the mage's form. Meanwhile, in the training grounds beyond the reach of the area effects, the lesser demons continued their battle in spite of the increasingly dismal odds of their success. Their numbers dwindling down from several thousand to a meager nine-hundred on the ground. Three of the marilith remaining in the training grounds spotted the now mounted Carthamus raining thrown-death over their forces and, in unison, frowned in annoyance. A total of eighteen arms pointed in the little drow's direction, and the pike-racks settled behind them shook violently. One by one the stowed polearms, and the jovoc impaled upon them, lifted free from the stand and with telekinetic force surged toward Carthamus and the vrock he sat upon, blades glinting the light of the war grounds. Above the battlefield, on among the circling vrock spotted the weretiger, noticing the distinct green glint in his eye and relayed a message to his commander: {Master, your brother fights in the training grounds, at the northern corner.}
Korruute'mas 06-17-05, 05:01 AM	Korruute'mas stood unmoving for a short time as he watched his minions, heedless of the circle of vrocks that had just finished their dance of ruin behind him, not even looking in their direction as the abyssal energy radiated out and surrounded his undead bulk. Arcs of green light played across his form, but left not so much as a hair out of place. In fact, as the energy surrounded him, he continued to heal himself, the undead flesh of his back growing back into place at an unwholesome rate and now fully concealing the ribcage with powerful muscles and thickened hide. A troupe of demons had been rushing his way, but promptly halted seeing this, their eyes widened in unison. The fiends took uneasy steps backward as their bodies shook from the power of some unseen aura, looking between each other and muttering in hushed tones, distracted entirely by the mere presence of the undead draegloth that towered above even the glabrezu. Indeed, they had been too distracted. The massive abyssal charnel hound crashed down with a huge paw and sharpened talons driving into the back of a froglike hezrou as its jaws tore a vrock in half. The beast gulped backward despite having neither a throat nor a digestive system, and soon a birdlike skull was visible amidst the black morass of amalgamated flesh. The demons moved themselves away from the canine monstrosity only to be met by the returning Mortuus Vanguard, the three-dozen undead demons driving bone spurs through fiendish flesh and caving in demonic skulls with their pick-like beaks. All the while, Korruute'mas remained still, unmoving, oblivious to the battle surrounding him as his minions tore apart the troupe of demons and left death at his feet. Standing upon the ruins of his necropolis, occassional motes of energy arcing from the reliquary buried beneath around him, his face had become as cold as stone. Within his mind, a more personal battle had begun. The two voices raged against each other. "He will do as our lord Falz commands! To bring death to those in his path is his only purpose now you fool, all others are second only to the master of Destruction himself!" "No. His duty lies with his Creator, not with you, and that is where he shall stand. You hold no rightful claim to the creation of the Lady of Undeath!" "And your Lady holds no sway in this matter. The great Falz, bringer of destruction, answers to no pitiful goddess of a race deposited beneath the soil. Withdraw from this struggle before you find yourself with no claim to this engine of death, concede to the powers that are your clear superior or face that which the Victus Mortuus was meant to bring!" "You are the fool! Korruute'mas belongs to his Creator, not to the influence of some weapon found by happenstance, he will bow to none save his goddess, let alone an inanimate object." "You shall see how strong your hold on him truly is. You may hold a key to his past, but the draegloth knows where his future truly lies." With that, the eyes of the undead abomination opened, oblivious to the pool of blood and viscera at his feet as his form shrank back to normal size, standing nine-feet once more. Wordlessly, he rose into the saddle still attached to the monstrous charnel hound and settled into place between the massive fiendish wings of the creature. His hound turned to face the compound and at either side three rows of six of his Mortuus Vanguard stepped into line, awaiting the action of their master.
Ariadne 06-18-05, 06:01 PM	((Backtracking just a bit)) Ari had been about to wander back towards the battle when a rumbling sound caught her attention. She stopped and looked up in utter fascination as Rym's tower began to crumble and fall from the damage. "Oooooh, pretty---" "Later!" the stern voice interrupted frantically. "Seer, do something! Loon, move!" "But Ari wants to---" "NOW!" "I fear it may be a bit to late, we're going to have to face this fate!" she continues to say something, but the words are drowned out at the tower collapses over top of her, the rubble covering her completely as she's last seen curled up with her hands over her head. ((Fast forwarding to the present)) It was a while before a hand finally emerged through the stone followed shortly thereafter by the emerging form of a shaky cleric of Bane. "Ari...really not like...really not like." "...for once, I agree with you," chimes the second voice dryly. "Let's hope that doesn't happen again..." She pulls herself the rest of the way from the stone as if she'd been melded into it and was having to seperate herself, then she stands straight and brushes off the dust from her clothes. As she gathers her wits (well, what wits a loon still has at least) about her, she looks back over the battlefield. "Ooooh, looksie at the darkies with wings!" she squeals. "Ari wants to play with thoses!" Naturally, the squeal catches the ears of a nearby group of demons, a marilith and the two glabrezu accompanying it. As Ari turns to run towards them, the marilith slithers in front of her, causing her to run right into it and fall back with an "OOF!" The glabrezu flank either side to try and prevent escape as Ari rubs her head and blinks, looking up. "Oooh, pretty snakey---EEEE!" she's cut off as a sword slices down followed shortly by a spiked flail which slams into the ground where her head would've been. The marilith hisses in vexation as Ari fumbles on her hands and knees, crawling away and to her feet, squealing in dismay as she tries to escape the three demons. She pulls her sheild around in front of her as a glabrezu takes a swing at her, the pincers pushing through the metal and barely missing her. "Noooo! Ari's shield!" she pouts, missing the marilith's second flail as it catches her squarely in the back sending her face down into the floor with a yelp, her shield skittering away a few feet. Sobbing pitifully she makes herself turn around to face her persuers. As they close in, though, a change overtakes her face. The crying seems to subside to a rage as the loon's dirt marred face turns homicidal. With a hiss, the malicious voice that seems to have now gained complete control pushes to her feet, a hand unhooking the spiked morningstar from its beltloop as she advances on the demons. "Useless...do I have to do everything myself!" She steps to the outside of the first glabrezu's pincers then brings the morningstar down against its kneecap. As the weapon strikes there's a barely visible ripple of energy and the demon's kneecap caves in under the magical force causing it to howl and stagger back. Maliciously, Ari whips the weapon around and smashes it against the side of the second glabrezu's face, the energy the weapon radiates as it strikes crushing the demon's jawbone. She turns to face the marilith only to meet two swords slicing down at her. Shieldless, she tries to deflect one and manages to do so more easily than she thought, but the second sword bites through her armor and into flesh. The marilith follows through clumsily with the flail allowing Ari to skitter back, but the third flail cracks a few of Ari's ribs knocking the breath out of her and nearly allowing the marilith to slice into her arm with its falchion. Winded as she staggers back, Ari looks for an opening as she mumbles a dark prayer in an insidious, manipulative language. Then, as the marilith rears back to strike her again, she reaches up, grasping the snake-fiend's throat with a sneer as she releases her spell. "You lose." The marilith's eyes widen for only a brief second before it's consumed utterly in a flare of destructive green energy. When the flash dissipates, only a fine trace of dust shows that the marilith was ever there. Ari lowers her now empty hand and looks at the two remaining glabrezu, one holding the side of its ruined face as it backs away, the other limping away on its ruined knee. She watched them until they dissapeared around a corner, then her face sagged into a wince, re-gaining the child-like quality to it. "Ari hurts..." A hand reaches into her cloak and touches the symbol strung from around her neck. "Shuush, hold tight, this won't take long. A few short words will right this wrong. "Ari hurts, it's plain to see, She's been hit and she fell, But with a little help from me our Ari will be well." The symbol glows a softer green, pooling at the spot where her ribs were broken before seeping into her skin. After a short moment, she finds it much easier to breathe, her ribs mended enough to lessen the pain. She gathers her shield, sniffling for a moment as she gets a good look at the damage the glabrezu did to it. "Meanie demons broke Ari's pretty shield...that wasn't nice!" As if in answer, a manipulative smirk spreads across her features as she quickly scans the mass of demons near the temple and points to a fairly large grouping of the demons. "Look, Ari...there's the ones who broke your shield! You should get them for it..." "Oooooh, Ari will show them pretty magicks!" "Yes...show them pretty magicks..." the malicious voice chimes as Ari pulls a small vial from the loop of her belt beneath her cloak. She pops the cork and eyes the liquid, which has the appearance of molten lava, then reaches into one of the pouches hanging on her belt and pulls out a dusting of sparkling red powder, adding it into the flask. She replaces the cork and shakes it vigorously, then chants: "Demons messed with Ari's shield and that makes Ari sad, but Ari shows the Black Lord's fun! Pretty magicks will be done!" At the last of the chant she hurtles the vial which streaks towards the target area in a blur of red only to hover over the group of demons. Some look up just in time for the vial to seemingly explode into a column of roaring fire which drops down on the unsuspecting demons, and anyone else unfortunate enough to be caught in its borders. Ari squeals in as she watches, the flames throwing strange shadows over her face from afar as she claps and giggles. "Wheeeee! That was fun! Ari wants to do again!" ((notes on the OOC thread ^_^))
House Or'lathi 06-18-05, 07:53 PM	The nalfeshnee was enjoying the look on Rym'dael's face as it prepared to hurtle him into a world of pain whien suddenly it released its grip early and howled. Chelyrra's staff had struck home, and the banishing magic was trying to take hold of the demon and send it back from where it had come, but the magic dissipated after a moment and the demon remained, though injured. Meanwhile, Rym's daggers to indeed find enough purchase in the demon's toughened hide to slow his descent to where he could safely land with little to no harm. The nalfeshnee, angered at having its fun ruined, reaches down towards Chelyrra, but its hand goes not for her, but for the staff in her hands, intent on yanking it from her grasp. -- Meanwhile, Zentash's wave of blackfire travels through a group of the shur, the electricity crackling around them, though it doesn't seem to hurt them terribly. The second wave, on the other hand, causes more damage as several of the shur find their magical defenses lacking as their forms turn to stone. The lesser demons find they have similar trouble with Corvalis' singing, quite a few of the dretch skittering away in fear, though the greater demons seem to pay it much less mind. Irthos, on the other hand, turns towards the irritating sound, pinpointing its origin and sneers. Ebon fingers wrapping around the crystalline wand at his side, Irthos takes aim at Corva'lis and incants a short phrase, a stream of 7 colored beams intertwined springing out towards the elegantly dressed drow. -- In the heat of the battle, Krenkah Novanari (or, as he was considered now, Mordero) was a whirlwind of death, his dark scissor-bladed longsword flashing with experienced and precise strikes among his enemies as he cuts a path in front of him. The blackfire from Zentash's spell swept over his form and he felt his skin trying to crackle and harden into stone, but he focused his will and resisted the change. With a sneer he looked over at the large monstrosity, Furen'dyn, and addressed it in a hiss, pointing at Zentash. "Furen'dyn, elgg ukta!" The huge conglomeration of demon parts dropped the corpse of a crushed drow and turned with alarming speed, sprinting across the distance between it and Zentash with ease as it makes a gigantic leap at the floating mage, its clawed arm swiping at Zentash as soon as he's in range. ((And as usual, notes on the OOC thread))
jeajea 06-21-05, 08:22 PM	"Oh, I'm sure you can keep your mind closed enough, Lana. You're pretty good at it. As for how you snatch something the size of a drider... well, with extreme care, my dear girl. Utmost care." He flashes her a bright and self-amused smile through the darkness. "Are you ready? We're where we need to be. Take this ring..." He offers her a ring, plucked from seemingly nowhere. It is of a plain gold and silver design, the two interlocking with one another.
Tyffron_Lyrcolath 06-22-05, 09:11 PM	[i]With the slyest of grins, Tyffron dusts himself off and hold a finger up to Jalil as he walks over to a pile of rubble. Intricately weaving threads of fire and earth together, he turns the pile of rocks into a pile of explosives and ties off the weave. "Now, my dearest, lets have some fun...." Taking both of her hands in his, he takes controll of the flows of both sadir and sadin as he pulls her close to him. Delicately, he weaves both forces together, pulling in threads of water and air in a precise pattern before pulling it tight. With the threads snapping into place, a powerful wind howls from seemingly nowhere, rushing past them and carrying the small stones up in its wake. Following the path of the stream of rocks and air as they rush along, he diverts the current of air towards a large group of lesser demons that have arived to support the initial force that attacked. After the wind has carried the grenades to their intended destination, it dies down and receeds to where it came from, which was out of nowhwere. Glancing sidelong at the fallen temple, he shakes his head slightly at the destruction caused by Korrutemas. "That's going to turn into a hinderance soon"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 06-22-05, 09:36 PM	Yanking firmly on his daggers, Rym pulls himself free as he nears the ground, sliding slightly before coming up to his feet in a run, attempting to gain some distance between him and the nastyness that snagged him out of mid air. Turning abruptly, he sees the persuit not after him, but after Chelyrra. Cursing in every way he knows quickly, he shifts quickly into a chanting, drawing forth a fire storm over himself and the demon, hoping that the range doesn't extend too far and catch Chelyrra also. "C'mon ugly.....not good enough to get rid of me? I really expected more out of something as ugly as you...." As he speaks, he sends his thoughts out to Chelyrra, with a -very- urgent tone to them. . o O(Get out of here....this is more fight then you can handle. Put that staff to use on something it will work easily on....go....NOW!)
lana_dune 06-23-05, 05:23 AM	The white of his smile shone out in the dark and her eyes now adjusted to the scant light found it dazzling. Blinking she hastily thrust the invisibility potion into her shirtfront and extended her hand to take the ring he offered. It was not possible to make out much detail in the gloom but She felt the twist and dimly saw the mesh of colours white on yellow her sensitive fingers felt the rise and groove of writing perhaps runes. She slipped it onto her finger and flinched as it magically resized to fit snugly oO(what is it?..I mean what does it do?) Whilst waiting for his reply she dragged out the potion once more and pulled the stopper. . Hesitated only for a brief moment and then raised it sharply drinking down the semi bitter liquid oO(If I had not lost my bodice in that cave in this stuff would not be needed..) Lana disappears in her minds eye she could picture the smooth creamy white of the ivory stick no bigger than a hat pin that she had taken from her mistress’ dressing table on the day she died. It held only one spell but had hidden her during her attack on the slaver and saved her life many times since. She felt its loss keenly oO(When it is all done and the house has been victorious I shall go back and reclaim that……..stupid girl you will be long dead by then and your precious trinket will grace the hair of some alien Drowess…all things are possible_) oO(wait Jea let me get ready ) Lana crouched and muttered the command word summoning two obsidian bladed daggers to her hands. Their bone hilts were shaped and carved as wyverns, the pommels being their heads with mouths gapping. She clicked across the priming switch on each .Then took two silver double necked bottles from her many pocketed shirt and decanted a little poison from each into the open mouths. Her lips were pursed in concentration and her hands were super naturally steady as she went about her task oO(Aboleth oil for my right hand Gray whinnis for my left) She then pinched the wyverns jaws together closing the gaping mouths by pressing them between boot and floor She stood and secured the daggers at her belt OO(All right...I’m ready ..death or glory time.)
Chelyrra_Eredyn 06-23-05, 07:04 PM	Chelyrra snarls in over-tired frustration “Xsa nindel fa'la zatoast ulu l' thal uoi'notan... ol 'udtila NAUT xund!!” and her eyes widen in quick dismay as the nalfashnee recovers and starts reaching for her. (Of course it’s reaching for her! She’s the one who hit at it!) She scrambles backwards, her mind instantly appraising the size difference enough to realize she has no hope of outrunning it, and even as Rym’dael’s firestorm starts to take effect and his message rings in her head, she vanishes. . o O (Of more use than most, this house ring…. and he could have told me more of what the staff worked on!… but what goes here? what roaring?) Without time to deliberate over which place offers less danger than another, she’s teleported to the place she goes most often. The training circles.
Dark Chaos 06-23-05, 08:14 PM	The dark eyed chaos mage turns to face the oncomming demon. With a word, his own body is enveloped with the blackfire and vanishes, just barely avoiding the deadly claws from the beast. He reappears a few hundred feet away behind it and sends a simple blast of acid damage towards the beast's rear.
corvalis 06-23-05, 08:59 PM	The bardic drow notes Irthos casting and quickly casts a spell of his own. Nothing seems to happen as a result of that casting, and he staggers backwards a bit as the colored beams hit him square in the chest. He blinks. .oO(Oh.....Vith.....that is going to hurt....bad. Better get him now before.....) With a tip of his cane to his now imaginary hat to Irthos, Corva'lis spins the cane once, and begins to cast, chanting quickly. He thrusts his hand and cane towards Irthos as he completes the casting his voice rising higher and higher. A moment goes by, allowing him to see the result of his spell.....then his body is wracked with electricity and burns appear across his arms. He shrieks out in pain....then simply vanishes....his cane landing on the ground and rolling towards a pile of rubble.
House Or'lathi 06-29-05, 03:11 AM	((Sorry for the delay on posting :embarrass )) A growl of anger escapes the nalfeshnee as its target vanishes into thin air. It whirls around as the streaks of fire light up the cavern burning friend and foe alike in its fires. The nalfeshnee is able to manuever away from the brunt of the spell, but the fire streaks scorch its hide leaving a few blackened places. It turns its ire on Rym once more, extending its beefy hand towards him. It's eyes flash as it draws upon its innates abilities, focusing on Rym'dael. Then without skipping a beat its other hand raises towards the ominous clouds still lurking along the cieling of the cavern causing them to give a thunderous boom as another bolt of lightning arcs down towards Rym'dael a moment later. -- Irthos' smirk vanished for a moment as nothing seemed to happen to Corva'lis. Then as his spell is cast, the slender length of crystal trembles violently as Irthos clutches his hand tighter around it. Nothing appears to happen, but a scowl crosses Irthos' face as he tucks the crystal wand away, turning back towards Corva'lis just in time to see him vanish with a scream of pain. A triumphant grin crosses his features. "One down..." Turning his gaze over the combatants, he pauses on Korruute'mas for a moment, a ponderous glint catching in his maroon eyes. Then his glance is caught by Furen'dyn as he leaps at the eyeless mage. Brow furrowing as the mage vanishes, Irthos watches Furen'dyn's reaction and scans the area nearby until he spots the mage again. He begins casting, flicking his fingers in the intricate gestures as he chants the incantation for the spell. A dull green glow accummulates in his palm as he chants, converging at his finger before it leaps from his outstretched finger towards the eyeless mage. -- Furen'dyn crashes into the spot where Zentash had stood just moments earlier, claws raking furrows into the stone of the building it lands on. As Zentash's spell hits it, the demon conglomeration almost seems as if it doesn't even notice, but on close observation one can see the truth of the problem. As the acid drips down Furen'dyn's backside it seems to be knitting the muscles together and healing broken skin instead of blistering and eating it away for some reason. Furen'dyn turns towards where the spell came from. It takes him but a moment to pinpoint the general area after which he wastes no time calling upon the fiendish nature of the flesh that makes him whole. His lean, viciously clawed hand extends towards Zentash as a flickering orb of dark, sickly green shadows swirls around it. As the magic takes hold, the ground seems to dry up, any fungus becomes brittle and crumbles at a touch, and the living beings caught in the area find their bodies shriviling as the spell sucks away moisture and wilts their forms. ((As usual, notes on the OOC))
Rymdael_Zylkyr 06-30-05, 10:13 PM	Rym grins slightly, seeing Chelyrra disapear from the fray and out of harms way, knowing he won't be nearly as hindered with his combat with the walking monstrosity. Taking a few running steps forward, how ever, removes the smirk from Rym's lips as the initial spell takes effect...and his next step seems to take roughly forever to hit the ground. Instantly, he begins to speak with words of a dispelling, though his words come out slower then they normally do. He is concentrating on getting the dispelling cast when the lightning bolt rips down from near the ceiling of the cavern and strikes him in a bright flash. Though his clothes scorch from the impact of the bolt, Rym'dael himself is left unharmed by the bolt of lightning, having protected himself from such elements after he was turned into a drow lawn dart earlier.
House Or'lathi 07-01-05, 12:10 AM	The nalfeshnee watches the slowed Rym'dael as he casts his spell having already cast its lightning bolt down at him. It watches the lightning bolt hit, then mutters darkly as it doesn't even hinder Rym'dael. Recognizing the spell Rym'dael is casting, the nalfeshnee bides its time for a few seconds, waiting until the dispelling magic has had a chance to take hold, then with another simple gesture and flash of its eyes, it repeats the spell, hoping to re-entrap Rym right after he frees himself.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-01-05, 12:28 AM	Once his dispelling takes, Rym returns to moving normally, a grin on his lips as he looks back to the monstrosity. It is quite short lived though, as he sees the same spell coming at him again. With a burst of speed, he runs towards the demon, trying to get close enough before the spell hits to do some damage. To his surprise, the spell strikes him, but has no effect as he approaches. His surprise lasts only a moment as he moves his chanting into a deeper, darker tone as his abyssal tongue rattles off the chant for his intended spell. Upon release, Rym backs up slightly, prepairing to cast again if this path doesn't produce the desired results he wants.
House Or'lathi 07-01-05, 04:02 AM	The nalfeshnee's eyes widen as the spell hits it, the abyssal energy crackling around its form as it tries with all its might to resist the spell, a pained look crossing its features. Its efforts are futile, however, as the spell xpands in a shaft of abyssal energy, utterly consuming the demon's monstrous form as it howls in agony, a shadow against the bright flash of magic. After a split second the energy is gone with another flash, the howl of the demon's pain the only remnant that it ever existed... -- The brilliant spell taking effect on the nalfeshnee draws Irthos' glance as he shields his eyes against the brightness of the light. An Abyssal curse passes his lips as the light dies away and he finds his servitor, the nalfeshnee, reduced to a trace of dust on the wind. His lip curls into a sneer as his eyes drop onto the one responsible. "It's time you stopped being a hinderance, half-blood..." he mumbles flowing directly into the abyssal incantation for his spell as he weaves the intricate pattern on the air. As the spell takes effect, a harshly hot and arid wind that stings the eyes swirls around the area between Rym and Irthos scented with brimstone and carrying the faint sound of a thousand tormented screams. The magically fueled wind seems to gather around Rym'dael and then all at once passes through him forcefully as the spell tries to force him to the Abyss. ((Notes on OOC as usual ;) ))
jeajea 07-01-05, 05:40 AM	. o O ( Death or Glory, Lana... or maybe, with luck, both. Let's go. ) A faint shimmering wave appears, passing over Jeajea and Lana. A moment later, they are standing in the chamber where Sovix was being questioned, a while after Delainna made her appearance. Both Jea and Lana are currently invisible... Jeajea looks around. . o O ( [closed] Where did she get Aboleth oil from? Good Gods, that stuff sells for an absolute fortune in the Dales markets.... )
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-05-05, 11:12 PM	Satisfaction rises to Rym's grinning lips as he watches the monstrosity fall before him in defeat. His breathing slows slightly as he regains his composure, watching the last movements and the screams of hatred at him, which cover up any forewarning of what is coming at him next. Like a charging bull, the banishment spell smacks into him full force as he slams his eyes shut to fight back the chaos screaming in his ears. Fighting with all his might, he looks up to where the horror stems from, catching sight of the caster as he calls forth a final ability, feeling himself slipping slowly from the cavern to where ever the caster is sending him. . o O(I'm sorry Jhess....I wasn't....good enough....this time.....)
Jhessailyn 07-06-05, 12:10 PM	Jhess looks out over the compound with a slight frown. "You know, Ilharess, this might be the best place to... to set up a healing station, she suggests. I'm sure we're not the only ones hurt. And it looks as though most of the temples are in the middle of the combat zone. I'm no cleric, but I can manage to wrap a bandage. At this point, that's about all I'm good for. I have only one spell left to me, and my weapons aren't suited to fighting most demons. She stops speaking abruptly as Rym'dael's thought reaches her, her eyes growing wide with fear. "Rym'dael?" she whispers, unaware that she's speaking aloud. "You can't be... 'chev, what is it? Why can't I reach you?" She blinks away tears, leaning over to check Kahl'deen's bandages as an excuse to hide her face from T'sarra. . o O ( You're not dead, 'chev... the ring would tell me if you were. But what happened? ) Without waiting for permission or even comment, Jhess begins to drag Kahl'deen inside, her face set in grim lines. . o O ( I'll be waiting for you, Rym'dael, 'chev. Come back to me soon, wherever you are. Please come back to me soon. )
Mistress Delainna 07-06-05, 10:43 PM	[Divining room] Delainna and Klil'og'elend study a map on the table, it is a almost complete map of Sril've Cress. On the map are moving pieces, representing the current battle. .o0( we want to prevoke this one more) Klil'og'elend points to an overly large figure resembling a draegloth. .o0( he is destruction incarnate, and will serve Falz) "Yes, My lord, and what of thi........" Delainna stopped in midsentance, "My lord, we have intruders." Delainna then points towards Jeajea (obviously seeing him), magical energy building as she speaks "I wish you to be transported to the Darimar prison, as a prisoner, on the 278th plane of the Abyss, NOW" Magical energy flows from Delainna towards Jeajea. regardless of whether her spell succeeds, Delainna pulls her 2 Rapiers and advances on Lanas' position, herself becoming invisible. Klil'og'elend Raises his staff, that looks to be made of a single shaft of light, defensively. .o0(come to my defense) The doors to the Divining room open and in step 2 stone creatures adorned head to toe with magical protective runes. They immediately start moving to where Jeajea and Lana stood (or stand)
Karok Serpentis 07-07-05, 10:18 PM	A dretch approaches Karok Serpentis, bows low and states "Sir, someone is being sent to the recieving room" Karok Serpentis is a Human of rather average build, wearing robes adorned with Symbols of Falz. "Yes, I know. Lets greet the fellow." says Karok with a wicked grin. * * * Rymdaels' banishment lands him in a large cavern. roughly 400' x 400'. Surrounding Rym at a 40' radius is an inlaid circle enscribed with runes. Next to Rym is a table made of marble with wooden chairs with inlaid carvings of beasts of all kinds. In the back corner of the cavern is a swampish pool of water maybe 80' x 80'. Walking from the area of the swampish water is a man carrying some food and wine. He is careful to step over the inlaid circle without touching it. "Hail and well met young man, my name is Karok and I will be your host here." It is apparent by Karoks accent that common is not his first language. "The lady of the keep is most interested in discussing things with you. I am sure you have many questions, I will answer what I can. When the Lady of the keep returns, she will answer those I cannot."
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-07-05, 11:00 PM	Slowly, he fades into view in the large cavern, in the same pose in which he left the Sril've Cress compound. Calmly, he moves to a more comfortable possition and lets his eyes scan the large cavern they are in. Before Karok speaks though, Rym'dael begins to walk a circle around his enclosure, keeping an inch inside the runes on the floor in his movements. His pacing of the cavern floor inside his imprisonment circle takes him behind Karok after he steps over the ring. Rym's eyes glance up only for a moment at the recent arrival, pausing as he does so, before going back to inspecting the runes as he paces. He leaves Karok's words unanswered as he finishes his path around his new prison, slipping his two daggers onto his back and securing them in their shieths before turning to regard the human. In a way that only a drow male who's known humiliation, both recieved and given, Rym examins Karok with a look of distaste on his expression as he shakes his head slightly. "So I'm allowed to ask questions? An odd sort of emprisonment. You truely don't have much experience in dealing with prisoners it would seem. Very well, for my amusement and to pass the time til this 'mistress' of yours rears her ugly face, I'll play along." Once again, Rym begins pacing around the circle of his temporary prison, his hands held neatly behind his back as he moves with the silence that only a practiced drow step can accomplish. "Where are we? And before you answer, don't give me a general term such as 'the abyss'. It shows you are stalling and wish to avoid giving away any details in hopes of your mistress apearing before you have given away too much. I know this to be where I am, if only from the nature of the spell that has sent me here to grace you with my presence. Answer truthfully, and with as much detail as you can, or we might as well return to silence and wait for the wench to show herself." Calmly he walks the circle in utter silence for a moment, then speaks again "While we're asking questions, you might as well answer a few more. Why bother speaking with me? I'm sure you think you know of ways to get from my mind what you want. Why do you call me young man? It clearly shows you know nothing of me, and thus tips your hand slightly more in the balance of things...shifting ever slightly more in my favor." He finishes his circle of his prison and turns face to face with Karok again, calm and collected once again, with the slightest hint of a smirk lingering on his lips. "And finally, I'll ask you this, though...you likely won't have a sufficient answer for it. What is stopping me from killing you right now and making my escape, or simply waiting for someone more qualified to speak to at the very least?"
House Or'lathi 07-08-05, 02:46 PM	Irthos scowls as he sees Rym'dael casting and motions swiftly. Following the motions of his hand, a sphere raises around him and those of his vanguard that are next to him of a brilliant indigo color that flickers with streaks of violet behind it as it forms, concealing them within its bounds. As the spell washes over the area and sucks the moisture from the air, the sphere scintillates various shades of indigo, but it remains after the spell concealing what effect the spell had on those within.
Karok Serpentis 07-08-05, 09:36 PM	Karok sets down the food and wine on the table and chuckles, " Typical drowen bravado" Karok puts the food (fine sweet meats, breads and cheeses) and wine (the finest thavian blood wine) on the table. All the while watching Rym examine the magic circle with some amusement. "Here I offer true information and you ask about trivialities, ah well, Ok. I'll answer your questions. You talk about imprisonment...The circle is as much to ensure we can talk as it is for your safety." Karok fills 2 glasses with the wine, takes one wine glass and and some bread and cheese and starts to eat. "As far as where we are, you are correct that we are in the abyss, but more specifically we are on the 278th plane in castle Delainna on Nalfshee mountain. This room is as much a prison as it is a meeting place. Those we consider dangerous but we wish to talk to come here." Karok Takes a bite of the cheese and bread, and then sips his wine. " Now as to why we are talking to you. If it were information that we were looking for then Divinations and other ....ahhh.... methods would be fine. But information is only a part of what we want, young man. You see, not all is as it seems to be, and I've found some other things just as important, like loyalty." With that Karok finishes his slice of bread and wedge of cheese. "and lets see, what is preventing you from killing me" Karok smiles a bit, "Not much really, except that I'm a bit tough to kill. Plus killing me does not help your situation, since you are still stuck here and there is an entire army out there just waiting for something, or someone, to kill.As for someone more qualified", Karok chuckles, " I'm about as qualified as you'll get." Karok finishes his glass of wine. "Now I have a few questions for you. Why do you give your loyalty to this Ilharn? What hold does he have over you? Drow are not known for thier loyalty. Or is this little cave different? Who is your benifactor on the Abyss? and who are you more loyal to?"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-08-05, 10:02 PM	Rym continues to smirk as he listens to Karok drone on and on, finding him just as long winded as he expected, so he settles himself down on ground comfortably and listens. When he's finished speaking, and has asked some questions of his own, Rym takes a moment to contemplate the answers to the questions that Karok has asked "Interesting your first questions are about loyalty. This is seeming more like an interview for a job then an emprisonment. I'll play along though. The Ilharn d' Sril've Cress holds no controll over me in any manner that you would comprehend. Why do I give my loyalites to him? Take a look at the war, and you'll see why. Not faring so well in this one as you might have thought, are you? Thought you'd waltz in there with superior numbers and have the 'drow house' taken in a matter of minutes, maybe an hour or two at the most, correct? The concept of what the Ilharn has done, and continues to do, is beyond most mortals or imortals comprehension. I could go into it, but it is suffice to say, that he is a visionary, and has the will and the means to see his vision brought to reality. Then again, I'd show him much respect, if for no other reason, then his abilities he's shown himself capable of doing in this war alone. Don't ask me for the details though, ask the poor fiend he nearly destroyed in practically the blink of an eye. As for my benifactor? That is of little consiquence to you really. She also has my loyalties, as much as a 'drow' can be loyal, as you have already mentioned. Your final question....you already have the means to answer that, even before I spoke. If you're not capable of slight deductive reasoning, and you are, as you claim, 'about as qualified' as I'll get, then I should kill you and make your mistress show herself. I rarely underestimate one that I kill....though, I've got a feeling you'll be easier then the nalfeshnee I just did away with. Rym clasps his hands neatly in his lap, the grin still lingering on his lips as he watche Karok. Chuckling slightly to himself, he mumbles what seems to be an insult, but otherwise remains quiet as he waits for the 'interview' to continue
Karok Serpentis 07-08-05, 11:31 PM	Karok sits in one of the chairs listening to Ryms' answers. Chuckling inwardly he wonders how Rym has survived so long being as ignorant of the world around him as he seems to be. Karok takes the 2nd glass of wine, since Rym doesn't seem to want it, and takes a sip. "Not faring well in the war???" Karok sounds incredulous," I do not know what you mean. Lets look at 2 things here. One, what are our goals in this war? Hmmm? You have no idea, do you? So how can you say we are faring poorly? and Two, look at your losses. Irreplaceable Drow soldiers. Structures that will take months or years to rebuild. What have we lost? a bunch of demons that reform here. Now tell me, who has lost more?" Karok smiles and takes another sip of his wine. "Now, as for your Ilharns supposed vision. If hiding under 10000 feet of solid rock hoping someone doesn't find you vision then you've chosen the right person to follow." Karok leans back in his chair, sipping his wine once more, " Maybe you follow him because he can kill a fiend quickly, well there are many that can do that including myself." Karok chuckles "want to follow me? I thought not." "Now as to your benifactor. All information about the combatants is important. Many battles are won or lost because of small 'inconsiquential' bits of information were missing. And while I can guess and reason through with whom your loyalties are, I'd rather hear it directly from you." Karok sits back to listen to some more of Ryms bravado.
Obsidian 07-09-05, 12:18 AM	The Ilharn rides confidently through the battles, encouraging troops and helping to renforce breaking lines until support troops can be brought in. His lizard mount does nearly as much damage as he does from atop his perch on its back. Being bread for size and strength, it rips through lesser fiends with a sickening ease, laying waste to small handfulls. The feeling of Rym's banishment struck Sev like a war hammer, long before his parting thoughts crossed through the mental contact with him. Turning on a silver, he drives his mount forward, kicking it harder until it races in a full sprint towards Rym's departing location. Sliding to a stop near the clearing, he watches Rym's form fade away as his departing spell is cast, and the blocking of the light from his intended target. Grim determination sets in on his cold, emotionless face as he kicks his mount into motion again, driving through the empty space left by Rym's departure and manifesting a detonation blast and sending it into the area that is protected from the fading light of Rym's spell. As the manifestation is released, he is already preparing a second one, and is already aiming it at the targets, ready to release it once it is fully manifested.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-09-05, 12:33 AM	It is hard for Rym to not laugh at the blatant arogance of Karok, but he does manage to hold it down to an insulting chuckle. "Lets see. You're goals aren't exactly 'shrouded'....no matter how much you seem to think you hide. You have drow that serve with, or under you, as I've seen with my own eyes. The fact that Sovix has been missing for so long doesn't bode well for your 'hidden agenda' either. And yes, lets see who's lost more. You're little insurgence has done what exactly? Give Sri've Cress a uniting cause, as if it needed one? Destroyed buildings made of stone? I really think your feeble mind fails to grasp exactly what Sril've Cress is. You could level the entire compound to rubble, and you wouldn't harm Sril've Cress. You couldn't even begin to grasp what Sril've Cress is, even if I use simple monosybolic words that your pea sized brain might begin to comprehend. Squeeze that wasted lump of space inside your head for common knowledge about Drow, then get back to me in a few weeks when you come up with something that resembles a complex thought. As for my loyalties, they are mine and mine alone. You can try to work them out of my mind, but I have a feeling you couldn't fight your way out of a wet parchment bag when it comes to finding anything out for yourself. You're a servant, nothing more. So do your job lackey, and go get someone who's worthy of my time to speak to...like your 'mistress'....if she hasn't already been destroyed in the battle you 'think' you're winning."
Ilharess 07-09-05, 10:29 AM	The grin on her face at Carth's enthusiasm to rejoin the fray turns to a concern as she walks out and finds Jhess and the unconscious Kahl'deen on the balcony. With a sigh she nods at Jhess and aids her in helping to carry Kahl into the inner room. As much as I hate missing out on the fun, my thoughts have run in the same direction. It seems my healing skills are needed more than the others I possess. The look of concern darkens as she perceives Jhess's brief faltering, eyes narrowing slightly as she watches her, words forming to help bolster her spirit. That look, Jhess.. ... Tis Rym isn't it. I shouldn't worry too much. That one is too stubborn and wiley not to come out smelling like a rose... with perhaps a small hint of brinstone. She offers a slight smile to Jhess as she lays Kahl on a couch and points to a nearby chair. Have a seat, Jhess. Let me tend to this young one and then if you need healing I shall see to you as well. Laying a hand on Kahl's forehead, she closes her eyes, lips moving in soundless words, activiting one of the many small skull charms intwined in her hair... the eyes glowing briefly, then a reddish glow slides down her shoulder and arm to enter Kahl, searching for the damage inside and correcting it.
Jhessailyn 07-09-05, 11:17 PM	Jhess takes a seat as ordered, watching as T'sarra performs her healing on Kahl'deen. "I'm fine now, Ilharess. Rym... or whoever found us out there... already healed me." She pauses for a moment, then continues, "It is Rym. He's gone... somewhere else. I know he'll be back, too, but I worry anyway. I've got to do something, though. I'll worry too much if I don't keep busy." She slips off her chair and combs the public portions ot the palace, seeking anything and everything that can possibly be used as a bandage, a blanket, or a splint. Several trips later, Jhess glanced around in satisfaction at the neat stacks of emergency supplies. . o O ( All right, 'chev, I'm a little safer now than I was. If anywhere can be called safe right now. But you know this, of course, you're in the middle of it all, which is more than I can say for me. Hurryback, 'chev, wherever they took you. )
Karok Serpentis 07-09-05, 11:23 PM	Karok seems more amused by dark elfs insults than bothered. Keeping a keen eye on Rym'dael, Karok continues to sip his wine. "You say our goals are not shrouded" starts Karok, " yet your examples show no patterns and no conclusions. Drow serving with, or under.....well, which one? and why? and this .... what was that name ...Sovix? Did you lose someone? was he important?" Karok takes another sip of his wine and then refills the glass. "Lets talk about the battle again, shall we?" Karok chuckles a bit, " you call what you have there united? Haphazard defense, attacking and doing damage to your own structures and people. Looks more like chaos to me. Hell, if we keep it up for just a bit more you'll kill yourselves, but I digress. Let me ask a simple question, lets see how much reasoning you have in that little brain of yours. With the army that we have, why have we not just destroyed your little cave? Hmmmm? Come on now, there is enough information out there to answer this easy question." "By the way, that spell you are casting will work on the floor. But this plane is sealed. There is only 1 way off of it. As I said earlier, that circle is for your protection"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-10-05, 11:52 AM	Rym chuckles and shakes his head, having not even released the spell yet. Instead, he takes out one of his daggers and places it point down on the stone, spinning it lightly on one blade tip and letting it spin around slowly "hmmm....lets see. You're a servant, which means your mistriss is a lazy waste of space. And you likely are also, having servants under your direction." Tilting his head to the side, he adds a healthy dose of dripping sarcasm to his comments. "Geeee....what ever could you want if you don't want us dead?" Picking up an arrant stone pried loose from the ground by the tip of his blades, he bounces it lightly in his hand, still watching Karok with mild disgust. He catches it in his hand after a few bounces, the takes it between his thumb and middle finger and sends it zipping at Karok. "I told you earlier, I was done with you. Send your mistress if you wish any information from me....I'm done dealing with lackeys." With that said, he waves Karok off with a dismissive wave of his hand and goes back to twirling his dagger on the floor of the caven, letting it spin smoothly in a steady pattern.
Karok Serpentis 07-10-05, 10:21 PM	Karok watches the pebble strike squarely on his chest, bouncing off and skittering across the floor. Karok then sighs, "Typical Drow, should have figured as much. Would cut the rope that is keeping him alive to spite the person saving him." Standing up, Karok finishes his wine and starts to leave, "As you wish, I will leave you here in your ignorance. The lady of the keep will be here when she gets here, and she does not answer on your time." As he crosses the circle he is careful to step over it. "and just so you know", Karoks form starts to change and grow, "I have never answered to anyone." His form getting larger, more snakelike and darker in complexion, " and what the other sees in you ... well, I've seen him turn far stronger." As his transfomation ends Karok is now a 60+ foot long Black dragon. "Personally though, I hope they can't use you." And with that Karok dives into the Swamp water and disappears.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 07-10-05, 10:57 PM	Rym can't help but laugh as he watches Karok slither away. He sheeths his dagger on his back and glances at the rippling stank water, wrinkling his nose a bit. "I knew you were a snake, but I didn't think you -literally- were one." Calmly, Rym layed down on the stone floor, lacing his fingers together and sliding them behind his head to cussion it slightly as he stared up at the ceiling of the cavern. "Just like Artanaz and his woman. You belittle them, out wit them, and what do they do? They pout and go off to sit in a puddle of filth. Hhhrrmmpphh.....and they say fiends are disgusting." Picking his head up and looking over at the dank watter, he adds "I'm surprised they found a use for your lazy carcas. I'm full of surprises....but you're just one sterotype after another stinky"
Sril've Cress Military 07-10-05, 11:32 PM	The cavalrymen remaining in the training grounds shook at their weaponsmaster's words, quickly redirecting their mounts back into the passageway to return to the stable to find the other exit. They knew what was about to happen, and put a rush on their retreat, the last of their number finding passage just in time. The sound of a hundred metal shields being stricken with heavy clubs of bone and iron echoed with the feral roars of the warriors waiting to unleash their bloodlust. One remained quiet by the doorway into the training grounds, the only one of the beastly combatants controlling his rage for the moment, as tenuous a grasp on sanity as it was. With a sudden roar louder than any of the others, Tek'nel hauled downward on a huge lever to pull the gate release. The heavy iron portcullis creaked open, chains straining against the lifting mechanism as the massive entryway was turned loose. As if something had snapped in the one sane weretiger, he spun toward the gateway and broke into a full run, eyes glazing over in a singular focus as his roar echoed once more. Fully one-hundred and sixty more massive beings, cast in their full therianthropic hybrid forms of ice-white fur and black striping and bearing their shields and mauls proudly followed suit. Like a storm breaking upon the shore, the weretigers struck into the demonic horde, roars casting the sound of a thunderhead into the entirety of the training grounds as their powerful arms swung into the fiends before them. Like a wave breaching the beach, the white-furred berserkers began their work, eroding the numbers of demons on the ground with frightening efficacy. Clubs and hammers caved in skulls and ribcages, bladed shields removed heads from shoulders, and powerful hind-claws rent the flesh of the fallen. A few of the demons found purchase, primarily the babau delivering cruel wounds filled with their acidic coating, or the jovocs' retributive auras wreaking absolute havoc by recoiling the punishment the weretigers dealt out. Yet oddly, despite wounds that should prove fatal, the berserkers continued on their path of destruction, moving to the next row of fiends in tight pack formations. * * * * * * * Elsewhere, a runner from the former homes of the servants had swiftly passed the gathering of warriors near the barracks, making progress toward the training grounds and sneaking past the battle in the religious sector. Spotting the marks of acid-melted stone, he sought out Artanaz's location. Sprinting, he made his way to find the one he knew would be needed in this. Halfway out of breath, the runner gave a rushed bow and stammered, "We... we need some help near that blasted gateway, sir... some big help. They've gathered one reinforcement that we can't handle on our own."
Jaehral_Ojaresk 07-11-05, 12:11 AM	Jaehral's expression turned to one of sadistic delight as he watched his horde of berserkers arrive on the field of combat. To him, the raw chaos that was set loose was a thing of beauty, anger incarnate made into perfectly solid, and impeccably strong flesh. He stowed his harpoon back into the casing at the small of his back for use later, and returned to his beloved melee. He slowed his own combat intentionally, letting the rage and fury leave him to clear his senses for a short time. He would bat down one weak fiend at a time instead of striking at his full potential, just concealing his intent enough for the nearby fiends to be lulled into a false sense of security. They had no way of knowing what the shapeshifter was truthfully doing. The shift was slow and steady. It began as his claws lengthened and thickened just slightly, the leathery pads of his palms hardening into an oddly scaled surface certainly unlike that of any feline. As time progressed, his claws had grown nearly half-again as long, hands grown twice in strength, but this was all that the demons could determine outwardly. He then intentionally allowed a dretch to get closer, ducking down and opening his jaws far wider than should be possible, revealing a monstrous array of fangs beyond those of the other weretigers and clamping the vice-like teeth into the fiend's torso. As his reshaping completed itself, he gladly returned to his usual tactic. The heavier, stronger claws seemed to cleave through demonic flesh with greater ease, shearing bone and muscle with equal efficiency, his fangs tearing flesh as if it were liquid. He growled at the circling demons overhead in the air, contemplating as the slaughter of the ground forces continued.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 12:55 AM	Pulling his long sword from the dead corpse of his latest victum, Artanaz turns to regard the messenger with a slightly quirked brow. After hearing the report, his brow lofts further as he speaks a command word and returns the blade to its original pendant size and fastens it back to the collar of his full length coat. "Well then.....if it's a big problem as you say...then there is no time to waste. I was getting hungry anyway." With a mischievious grin, Artanaz takes the lead, making his way towards the nearest teleportation device, and transports himself to the chamber that Rym fled from before the war started.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 01:19 AM	As Artanaz arrived in the ruins of what was once the servant's domain, all that was in sight was heaps of melted stone. A vague heat-shimmer had filled the cavern, and a thick cloud of soot suppressed vision above. All that provided light to the partially hollowed out cavern was the glow of cooling magma and the hellish light radiating from the cavern. Throughout the ruins, huge formations of stone seemingly carved into place created an almost mazelike catacomb, adding twists and bends about the area. A distinct hiss trailed about from within the ash-cloud above, barely audible with the distinct sound of powerful wings.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 01:30 AM	Upon entering the chamber, the pungent smell of sulpher and ash are nearly opressive to Artanaz's sense. He shakes his head, glancing around at the destruction already done in the room and then glances back to the messenger who brought the message to him. "You hate me.....don't you? Don't answer that.....just....go....or something...." Waving the messenger away, he steps out from the sheltering of the teleporting entrance, glancing up at the sound of mighty wings keeping something aloft. Not being one of subtlety, he takes only enough space from the entrance to afford a shifting in size, and then begins to shift himself from his drow form. Once the transformation is complete, he cranes his neck as drops of acid drip from his chin, and speaks seemingly to the ceiling, in draconic. "You might as well show yourself, you've stunk the place up bad enough for even a corpse to know you're here."
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 01:39 AM	A rumbling laughter like the sound of stone grating on stone cascaded down from the cloud cover, the sound of the vast wings seeming to grow distant as if circling the chamber. In a voice loud and reptilian came the draconic reply: "You are one to speak, acid-dripper. I could smell the rot accompanying your breed before I left the gateway." An intense heat began to radiate as the concealed monstrosity's wings brought it close to the first position it had shown sign of sound from. A glow suffused the cloud of ashes, and in a sudden flare, the deafening rumble of an erupting volcano shot downward to strike ground on all sides of Artanaz. Superheated ash the color of blazing embers fell within the thunderous blast, raining down a storm of flame-hot motes in a wide range.
Sril've Cress Military 07-11-05, 01:46 AM	The runner stammered at Artanaz and slowly backed away, "No... no sir, I don't hate you at all... it's just that you are the only one with sufficient size to..." The runner sighs a bit and nods defeatedly, turning to leave the area. He looks back as he hears the sound of the distinct draconic voices and widens his eyes in shock seeing the heated ash begin to fall before running to leave the scene. Unfortunately, the thunderous sound of the blast destabilizes the rocks above him just enough to knock a few large pieces loose within the access tunnel, sending them down to prevent his escape. Dejectedly, he thought to himself { This is not my day... }
Artanaz 07-11-05, 01:51 AM	The rumbling from overhead gave the slightest of warnings of what was to come, but his increased bulk made it difficult to dodge the hot ash. Lumbering forward towards a safe spot from the storm of wonderful warmth, ash and blazing embers fall on him, hissing as they strike his thick scales as he roars in pain from the searing heat. Sliding to the side, he shakes his body, atempting to remove as much of the burning ash as he can as he listens carefully to the sound of flight above him. "That......really hurt......" he roars up at the ceiling so that it echos around the cavern, concealing his spell casting to grant himself immunity to fire. Craning his neck down low, he listens carefully to the sounds of flight above him, waiting for them to come near enough for a strike.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 02:09 AM	The hidden beast's eyes were the first to become visible after the eruption of ash and sound. Blazing embers in the black soot above approaching Artanaz quickly from above. The soot clung to the form of the massive creature, first parting to reveal powerful claws attached to talons covered in scales like broken obsidian, veins of intensely glowing heat resembling magma lining the fine spaces between. Following this are the tips of its vast draconic wings, looking somewhat like flimsy ash despite being able to support the bulk of the monstrous dragon they belong to. Then the draconic face comes into view, a broad, flattened snout behind huge, ramlike horns, a gaping maw opened far enough to show that it extends well beneath the snout filled with huge fangs and glowing from within with shimmering heat. A stout neck followed, then its powerful shoulders and thick, stocky frame. Within seconds, the massive pyroclastic dragon fell upon Artanaz, aiming vicious claws for the black wyrm's wings as it plummeted toward the ground.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 02:18 AM	The sight of the monsterous beast didn't exactly surprise Artanaz much. With the size of the demons that were present in the main compound, it only stood to figure that there would be a large foe here also. Angling his head up, he aims a full blast of acid towards the decending beast, aiming directly for its chest as it flies down at him, before tucking his wings under tight to his back and rolling over onto his back, hoping to redirect the incoming dive attack so the bulk of it misses him.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 02:32 AM	The pyroclastic hissed and roared angrily, struggling to alter its course as the stream of acid struck home, coating its chest in the thick corrosive and eating away a few many of the scales of its underbelly. Diverted, the fiendish dragon struck ground, taking on all the apparent immoveability of a bulldog taking stance before shifting its bulk toward Artanaz once more. A rumble of raw unbridled fury carried clearly from its throat in disgust of the acid bath. Its underside glowed with the heat of a furnace, as brightly as the embers of its breath weapon as the monstrous creature lunged forward, moving its hundred feet of body length and 80-ton bulk with the ease that only a dragon can. In a flurry blurred even more by the soot lining the cavern and the heat shimmer surrounding the beast, its maw drove toward Artanaz's throat, claws slashing for his stomach and wings crashing downward to buffet the sides of the black dragon's skull.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 06:34 PM	After the stream of acid struck home, Artanaz was prepared for the diving attack to continue. When it didn't exactly go as planned, he cursed himself for being in such a vulnerable possition. As quickly as possible, he pulls his legs back under him to allow himself some mobility, but wasn't nearly fast enough to move himself into much of a defensive possition against the 80 tons of magma hot fury that was prepared to come crashing down on him. With relatively little room to move to avoid the strikes, Artanaz resorted to what options were left to him. Lowering his neck and head, he lunged forward towards the attack, attempting to shoulder block the massive dragon before its maw could get close enough to closer around his throat. In retaliation, his head swings around, attempting to gore the abyssal dragon in the belly with his horns, as the slashes from the front legs and claws of his attacker strike on his thick scaley hide.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 09:38 PM	The magmatic beast roared in anger as the impact of Artanaz's shoulder struck, knocking his forward momentum back several yards that appeared no more than a crawl for such monstrosities. Rage blazing in the pyroclastic's eyes, it turned its head into the attempted gore, aiming its own horns to intercept the longer forward curving spurs of the black dragon with the intent of trapping them. The monstrously sized dragon surged forward after the aimed headbutt, twisting its own stout neck and applying its weight to the front of its own body in an attempt to pressurize and injure Artanaz's neck, a claw swiping up from the right aimed for the black dragon's throat.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 09:48 PM	The shoulder block wasn't quite enough of a counter to give him much space to manuver, as was evident in the quick counter to his attempted gore. At the last possible moment, Artanaz diverts his gore enough to prevent himself from getting pinned completely, but slams down into the floor with the force of even the glancing blow. Twisting his body, he brings his massive tail swinging around, bringing it as close as he can manage to striking his attacker in the neck/shoulder, hoping to avoid that nasty slash coming from the front claws of the pyroclastics swipe.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 10:04 PM	The dragon reared back as the huge tail impacted cleanly on his shoulder, sending it staggering back quite a bit from the weight of the blow. Eyes blazing, the furnace-like glow of the pyroclastic's throat intensified as it reared back and vomited forth more of the superheated ash. A thunderous bellow like the rending of stone and earth being upturned by volcanic pressure carried wave after wave of the searing embers into the cloud on top of where Artanaz struck the floor. This time, the cinders acted notably different. Rather than falling aground and dieing off, the embers continued to blaze and the thunderous roar of the eruption lingered in the air as motes began to cling to all surfaces within the area, eating away at the partially shattered stone below.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 10:18 PM	Artanaz stumbles back as the shockwave blasts into him, staggering and sliding back before stopping. The ash and embers fall down on him with little notice now, due to his prepared defense for it. Digging his razor sharp claws into the stone as if it were loose dirt, he lurches forward, lumbering as gracefully with his tons and tons of weight, as only a dragon can, towards Baxien. After one lunging leap, he opens his mouth wide and lets loose another stream of acid towards his opponents chest and neck area. Continuing his forward progress, which is rather difficult to slow at this point, he opens his maw wider, aiming for the same general spot in which he just unleashed the blast of acid towards, ready to clamp down on the area if it were to come within tasting range.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 10:25 PM	The pyroclastic roared as he turned his body to the side, lowering a wing to take the brunt of the acidic blast and sacrificing much of the membrane, acid splashing past to eat into the scales on its arms and shoulder. Noticeably weary from the pain of another acid bath, he continued to turn. Rotating through a full 360º, the magma dragon swung its heavy obsidian-scaled tail upward to meet the onrushing jaws of Artanaz, aiming the mace-like tail cap and sharpened scales for his neck and the side of his skull.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 10:40 PM	With no way short of a miracle to stop his 80+ tons of body weight from moving towards the spikey tail of doom, he does all that he can to avoid spikes having a sudden meeting with his brain. Turning his head to the side ever so slightly, the tail swings up, striking him not quite squarly under the chin, sending one of the pointy spikes up through his lower jaw and out his open maw. Snapping his head to the side, he rips the spike out as the tails impact diverts his momentum and sends hims sliding towards the side of the chamber. Sliding to the side, Artanz brings his tail about before sliding out of range, hoping to strike the magma dragon any place in his lower legs, in an attempt to take them out from under him.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 10:56 PM	Baxienkilfen hissed as its feet were swept out from beneath him momentarily, but swiftly changed its facial expression to that of a callous grin. In a flurry, the pyroclastic dragon began to dig away at the ground, boring into the stone as easily as if it were sand and vanishing beneath the stone floor. The sound of churning earth and rock remained faintly audible amidst the masses of melted rock and broken stone, seemingly circling about the cavern.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 11:00 PM	Seeing Baxien digging in the stone faster then a cat in a sand storm, he lumbers back to his feet and lurches upward, taking flight as quickly as he can. He gains altitude to raise him up from the floor level, and begins his circling of the cavern, eyes ever watchful for any signs of where the mobile volcano might surface next
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 11:10 PM	Moments after Artanaz lifts off, a subsonic screech emits from the ground below him. The stone he had been standing on crumbles and collapses into a complex of lava-tube-like tunnels beneath. The tail of the pyroclastic dragon is briefly seen before slithering into one of the burrows to the side.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 11:16 PM	Arty sweeps to the side, avoidin any rocks that might have flown up from the destroyed section of floor and continues to glide around near the ceiling of the cavern. "C'mout C'mout stinky.....you gonna hide down in the ground like a scared rat forever?" Arty sweeps down from his lofty glide, striking the ground firmly with his tail before rising up, attempting to punch holes into the magma dragon's interconnected tunnels below the surface to give him chance of spotting him.
Baxienkilfen 07-11-05, 11:53 PM	The rustle of churning soil is heard several times as the tail strikes through empty tunnels. Baxienkilfen pauses by the first sinkhole, peering out and upward, extending its blindsense upward and into the cloud of ash. Focusing his timing and studying the changes in the cavern's wind, it utters a single word, magically conjuring a flat plane of solid stone several inches thick into existance mere yards in front of Artanaz's flight path, hoping to cause an impact.
Artanaz 07-11-05, 11:58 PM	Having been biding his time while smacking the floor to cause holes, Artanaz watches carefully through the random ground attacks, waiting for the magma dragon to show itself. Upon seeing the head pop from the original hole, Artanaz directs his magical energies with a single word, sending a stunning blast towards the exposed elephant sized head of the dragon. As he turns to sweep down upon him with a diving attack, however, he rams his rather large draconic posterior into the stone wall, distracting him slightly and delaying his dive attack for a moment.
Baxienkilfen 07-12-05, 12:33 AM	Baxienkilfen sneered as the stunning wave rolled over him, briefly checking his large frame in place before creeping back into the tunnel. The sound of milling earth resumed, this time seeming to be climbing from within the walls of the cavern. Churning stone seemed to cascade within hidden channels in the soil as the beast within rose upward.
carthamus 07-14-05, 08:36 PM	the lithe little drow grinned and laughed like a child in a candy store as he clutched onto the neck of the Vrock. The feathered demon dove and twisted through the air trying in vain to dislodge the little drow with no luck. As the winged creature climbed higher, Carthamus snickered suddenly as he grabbed the neck of the creature and twisted suddenly, snapping it. As the demon falthered and started to fall, The drow climbed to his feet and jumped towards another of the airborne creatures. Grabbing the head of another, he twisted his body up and over, pulling the the hapless creatures head and neck backwards at a rather uncomfortable angle. As Carth's feet touched down onthe back of the Vrock, he twisted its neck, killing it immediatly. giggling with glee, Carthamus continuted to leap from vrock to vrock working his way down towards Artanaz and his currently hidden antagonist, leaving a trail of dead vrocks in his wake.
shadow of death 07-14-05, 08:53 PM	Re'shak steps up onto the now disected body of the Goristro and looks about. He frowns as he sees the state of the battle. . o O(It does not go well....even with the winged fool and the minotaur providing extra foddor....our troops are not performing adequately....) He levitates a few feet above the ground and starts towards a group of demons harrying a rather decimated squad of House soldiers, feebly trying to fend off claws and teeth. With a wave of his hand, he telekinetically lifts some rubble and sends it hurtling towards the creatures. The rocks pummel two of the creatures and glance off a third. With a sneer, Re'shak floats towards the beast, blades whirling in their dance of death, shredding the demon, sending it back to its home, screaming in pain. He lowers to a few inches above the ground and looks down at the remaining soldiers. "Stand up. You cower like humans. Reclaim your weapons and rejoin the fight. Pray that you die well, serving the House for I will kill you myself for your cowardice. NOW GO!" With a wave of his hand in dismissal, he rises up again. He spots Sev'anar. With a thought, Re'shak's body shifts, becoming a fog like form that seeps into the ground. He works his way through the battlefield, ignoring the combatants, friend and foe alike until he reaches the side of the Ilharn. He rises up next to him and solidifies, just in time to skewer a small demon that foolishly thought to attack Sev'anar from behind. He smirks at Sev'anar as he flicks the blood and gore from his blades. "Vendui, Brother. How goes it?"
House Or'lathi 07-18-05, 04:22 AM	The psionic energy manifests and streaks towards the indigo globe. One of the glabrezu unfortunate enough to be halfway out of the sphere is hit hard by the blast, its smaller hands coming up to its ears where ichor leaks between its fingers as it squeals in pain. Dazed, the glabrezu steps back into the area of the sphere again. Immediately it's face contorts in pain as it gives a shriek of agony, the sphere tearing the very fabric of its being apart until nothing remains, as if it never existed. From within the sphere, Irthos hisses in vexation at the demons around him in an Abyssal tongue, cracking one glabrezu over the head who thought to step out of the sphere and investigate what happened to its kin. "Imcompetant fools! Unless you cherish death, stay where you are! This magic doesn't distinguish friend from foe once you cross its borders." He snarls at the glabrezu rubbing its skull and turns in the direction the manifestation originated from, starting an incantation to retaliate before the next manifestation shows itself. A slender ebon hand slips into the component pouch on Irthos' belt and retrieves a fist-full of ruby powder as the drow mage chants the phrase for his spell and sprinkles the powder in an arcane pattern on the ground. As he finishes the incantation, the powder glows brightly and rises off the ground in the shape of a cube-like, barred prison, then discorporates into the air, vanishing. Around Sev and his lizard mount, a large, invisible, but palpable to the touch prison forms mimicking the shape of the vanished ruby dust Irthos used in his incantation. ((OOC: The spell is forcecage :) ))
shadow of death 07-18-05, 08:00 PM	Re'shak blinks, as he too is encased in the force cage, being next to Sev'anar at the time. He chuckles. "oh dear...we seem to be imprisoned." With a smirk, his form shifts, becoming the consistancy of smoke, and flows through the bars of the cage, reforming on the other side. He rests a blade across his shoulder and looks at Sev'anar with a grin. "Are you coming? or do you plan on luring them into the cage, one at a time?"
Dark Chaos 07-21-05, 08:17 PM	The eyeless drow frowns as the emerald barrier envelops him. The wilting spell washes over him, and he grimaces slightly, but shakes it off. He motions towards Irthos and motions, lifting his arms, raising his staff high over his head, grasping it with both hands. Blackfire crackles down the length of the staff and twirling it over his head, swirling the blackfire around, creating a vortex of the black energy overhead. With a shout, he directs the staff head towards him. the fire bursts from the crystal and speeds towards Irthos, wrapping around him and pummelling him with chaos energy. As soon as he releases the spell, he pivots and turns, lifting the still blackfire coated staff up and slamming it down onto the ground. A stream of the fire flows towards the Furen'dyn. Just as the fire reaches it, it seemingly vanishes. An instant later, the ground rises up around the creature, towering over it and flowing, to close over it and sealing it within. Blackfire flows around the stone dome, the stone turning from rock to iron. ((see OOC thread))
Blackguard 07-22-05, 09:07 PM	((not to be forgotten)) The oversized minotaur with the fiery sword roars a challenge and charges a group of demons, his massive feet crushing friend and foe alike as he wades through the carnage towards the demonic warriors. A thick red line marks the passing of his sword through the air, leaving roasted dretch and other demons, along with the top of a pillar, leaving a white hot residue behind. Demon blood splattered across his spiked armor slough off, leaving the armor unmarred. He is violent But he is a leader A mighty leader Knowing the ways of battle He will do nicely He shakes his massive horned head as a voice echoes in his head. Join your brother in arms, Master of War. He unfurles his wings and takes to the air, circling the carnage, ignoring the paltry efforts of the Vrocks to take him down, leaving feathered demon carcasses in his wake as he makes his way through the air. From below him, his mechanical drake rises to meet him, and the two join, Garak settling into the saddle and guiding the creature down to alight by Korruute'mas, nodding slightly. I come.
jeajea 07-23-05, 04:23 AM	A faint sound lulls around Jeajea. For those that are sharp of hearing, it is the disembodied sound of a Jeajea's voice - though he isn't speaking as it says "I Wish for the Wish cast on me to act on the being that cast it." As this happens, Jeajea draws and releases his two swords, muttering the words, "Ranaron, Mandan - protect Lana." He looks around for Sovix, and if Sovix is present, aims a Mind Blast at him.
lana_dune 07-23-05, 11:03 AM	Lana's heart leaps as she sees the demoness cast and slip into the invisible She can see that it has happened but through the magic of Jeajeas ring she sees the truth and the sinister figure moving towards her. She disguises her gaze, crouched slightly to lessen her size as a target and thrashing around with her right blade, looks as if she expects but can not see the approaching danger. Her mental laughter is born from the budding hysteria of panic which she forces down with a hard swallow... oO (Ilharn forgive me I am weak and afraid.....is this part of the plan Jea? when I said death or glory It doesn't have to be both) From nowhere the air is cut. The whistle of it passing over the sharp edges of the swords as they spring into action causes Lana’s instincts to take over and she flinches and throws her head back from their path.
Mekshal Ojaresk 07-23-05, 11:34 PM	Mekshal's face turned from that of a malicious focus, to one of utter madness as the vrock's message rang clearly in his mind. His left eye twitched rapidly, the corner of his mouth pulling in spasms into a twisted grin. Uttering aloud, his insanity manifested, though none would likely hear a word. "My brother... after all these years..." The warlock's form glowed green briefly before simply vanishing from his hiding place amidst the cavernous ceiling. Moment's later, he arrived at his destination. Perched atop the stone wall of the training grounds, Mekshal crouched low at the corner, watching the weretigers tearing through his demonic soldiers. A maddened frown crossed his face, brow still twitching violently as he sought out the one weretiger he had hoped to find for years now. Anger filled his mind and hatred fueled the nervous tick to become quicker with each passing moment of searching the killing field.
Artanaz 07-25-05, 06:24 PM	Continuing his languid flight around the cavern, Artanaz listens to the sounds of rumbling from below the surface of the stone, slowly moving its way up the walls of the cavern. He alters his current random striking of the floor, instead moving up to antisipate the sound of the stone churning under the surface and striking ahead of the burrowing magma dragon.
Obsidian 07-25-05, 07:05 PM	The Ilharn watches his manifestation rip across the open expanse between him and the multicolored dome with a smirk resting comfortably on his lips. It is short lived, however, as he watches it strike only the one foe, and has relatively little effect otherwise. His attention is diverted for a moment by the appearance of Re'shak, which brings the smirk back to his lips, even drawing a bit more sinister reflection to it. "Greetings brother. It seems as though we have some matters to 'discuss' with that one."He motions with his rapier to the ones protected by the dome, just as the force cage decends over them. Glancing around, he shakes his head and looks back to Re'shak. "Awwww, it seems as though he does not wish to speak to us about his banishment of our favorite house cleric. Lets go pay him a visit shall we?" He watches Re'shak go all misty on him, and float through the force cage, reforming on the other side. "I had thought about it, but I doubt there would be enough room in here for all the bodies once I got going. Besides, I had to let you show off...as you just did. You seem to enjoy it oh so much." Glancing around, he points his rapier at the cage surrounding him as a thing green stream flows out from it, striking the force cage around him. After doing so, he rides forward on his abnormally large lizard mount, from where the cage use to be holding him. "Shall we, brother?"
shadow of death 07-28-05, 08:37 PM	Re'shak smirks as he watches Sev'anar extricate himself from the cage. He glances over at an approaching trio of Dretch and sheaths his blades. He extends his left hand towards the demons. A black shadowy line stretches from the black gloved hand and enlarges, taking on the form of a large black hand, which engulfs the three and closes into a fist. "What did you have in mind, brother?" red gore oozes between the shadowy fingers as the giant fist crushes the lives from the dretch. Then the hand opens, dropping three squeezed demons to the ground. the shadow returns to the glove as Re'shak draws his swords once again.
Jaehral_Ojaresk 08-06-05, 10:31 PM	Jaehral watched on with a calm certainty as his berserker units finalized their gruesome task. The frenzy spreading across the battlefield before him, he moved back toward the walls to gain a better vantage point, concentrating intently as he sees the blood stained fur of his shock troops approaching the western and southern walls. He then reached to a small leather pouch attached to his belt, and retrieved a small object of polished metal, traced with a gleaming rune of gold. Guiding a still augmented claw tip over the curves of the rune, each weretiger suddenly stopped their momentum, clutched their ears, and fell unconscious to their knees. With the same cold calmness, he extended his thoughts to his second in command, {Othras... bring your troops to the training grounds, quickly. There is work to be done.}
Sril've Cress Military 08-06-05, 10:41 PM	Othras, knowing full well the meaning of those words, gave a brief bow before taking off at a run for the training grounds, giving a signal for one hundred of his warriors to follow his lead. Immediately upon arriving within the broken stone walls of the training grounds, the warriors began to move amidst the visceral remains to the locations of the stunned berserkers. One by one, the warriors moved the ragers back into the small holding cave, which proved to be a long task due to the considerable weight that many of them possessed.
Mekshal Ojaresk 08-06-05, 10:56 PM	Mekshal grinned widely as he looked down at his brother from his perch. A maddened laugh broke from his throat as he pointed the cruelly carved scepter at Jaehral, letting loose a bright ray of fire, crackling red and orange in the darkened view of the cavern. He rose to a stand and began to pace about on top of the wall as he watched for a reaction. Tauntingly, he addressed the weretiger, his words broken by a maniacle cackle. "Well well well, big brother... We meet again, who has the upper hand now?"
Jaehral_Ojaresk 08-06-05, 11:03 PM	Jaehral watched on as his soldiers did as commanded, unaware of his watcher until the ray of flames impacted his shoulder. With a roar of pain, he tossed himself to the ground, rolling in the sand to put out the fire before it could spread across his now singed fur. Turning, he sneered up at the warlock, a feral gleam sparking his eyes that only grew wider upon hearing the words. "This is impossible", he thought to himself, "It can't be." With the speed gained from his birthright and his training, he rose from the rolled crouch and leapt into action, scaling the training ladders upon the northern wall without taking his eyes off of his assailant. "We'll see who's laughing when I get done with you."
Mekshal Ojaresk 08-06-05, 11:28 PM	Mekshal smirked and waited with an odd amount of patience as his maddened cackling and giggling increased in frequency. His brows twitched furiously and began to sweat as the years came flooding back. Fragments of memories shot through his mind as he stood perfectly still, echoes of the voice of his father... "You'll never be good enough, Mekshal..." "Be more like your brother, at least he has the strength to stand out as a warrior..." "You're a failure you little weakling. You're pathetic..." "Good for nothing wretch, his brother is a freak of nature and I'm still more proud of him than my normal son..." Mekshal's nearly paralyzed countenance broke as he unslung a weighted chain from his left side, gripping a steel bar in hand as he strode over to await his brother at the top of the wall before swinging upward. "I'll show you who's worthless!"
Jaehral_Ojaresk 08-06-05, 11:33 PM	Jaehral climbed as fast as he could, but was met with the weight at the apex of his ascent. Stricken in the jaw with the metal, he was surprised at how much it had hurt. It ached, it stung. It burned. His eyes widened as he realized what metal that weight was composed of. Staggered by the quickly swelling pain in his jaw, he barely clung to the ladder before pulling himself onto the narrow walkway upon the wall.
Mekshal Ojaresk 08-06-05, 11:45 PM	Mekshal sneered and tucked his scepter away, taking up the chain at his right side to hold one end of the weighted weapon in each hand. With the skill of a master, he controlled the swing that had already struck home and brought both weights into a movement to gain momentum. "Only one of us walks away from this brother... Only one of us is worthless... and they'll all see that it isn't me." With those words, the warlock sprung forward despite the precarious battle, lashing the left chain downward from the left only to recoil it sideways, following in immediately with a vertical swing upward from the right and a downward arc from above Jaehral's right shoulder.
carthamus 08-12-05, 04:15 PM	..
House Or'lathi 08-17-05, 03:44 AM	Furen'dyn bellows angrily as the earth rising to encase him, his form enshrouded in the stony ground which quickly turns to iron in a vague silhouette of his form, unmoving. -- While Re'shak makes his escape from the cage of force, Irthos is already casting again within the confines of his warding. A string of arcane syllables flows effortlessly off his tongue as the first spell is cast, the line of magic invisibly streaking towards Re'shak. Without wasting a moment he starts into another incantation as Sev'anar disintigrates the forcecage, stringing together the archaic words to bring the power into existance as he aims the spell at the Ilharn. Zentash's chaotic magic impacts the sphere, harrowing its surface relentlessly, but the warding holds as if it was made to shun the touch of magical energy. Irthos sneers as he finishes the spell, his eyes flickering to observe the eyeless mage from behind the walls of his warding. "He was supposed to be taken care of...where is that blasted creature anyways," he mutters to himself, eyes staying wary for Furen'dyn's prescence on the battlefield as he awaits the effects of his spells. -- Up where Furen'dyn rests encased, a low rumbling is masked by the noise of battle. Hairline cracks begin to run through the iron as it heaves outward almost unnoticably, but remains. Another second passes and the iron encasement heaves outward slightly again, the rents growing just slightly in the metal. Then with a final flex, the iron encasement bursts beneath the incredible force being put on it by the monster within, shards of metal exploding outward in an incredible display of strength. Furen'dyn exhales in an angry snort, it's eyes fixated on Zentash with an indescribable bloodlust. Roaring Furen'dyn dives forward, it's wings catching the air as it glides straight for Zentash, claws outstretched and hungry to rend the drow's flesh. ((And of course notes on the OOC))
Mistress Delainna 08-17-05, 04:17 AM	Delainna sneers as she prepares to bring her swords down on Lana when the magic of the wish hits her. A look of confusion passes over her face briefly before the magic takes hold and she vanishes with an angry scream.
Klil'og'elend 08-17-05, 04:37 AM	Klil's face sours as he watches Delainna vanish, eyes narrowing coldly in a rising anger. A crackling of dark energy surrounds him as his staff-holding hand rises quickly toward the interlopers. Suddenly, the entire room is eclipsed in a cloying darkness. The ache of emptiness fills the area as though life itself were being overtaken by abysmal night. In the same instant for those not blinded entirely by magical darkness, a secondary wash of energy envelops Klil, and he vanishes.
Jhessailyn 08-17-05, 01:31 PM	After gathering the first aid supplies and checking on Kahl'deen once more, Jhess gazes thoughtfully out at the various skirmishes visible from the balcony. Then she turns to the Ilharess. "I'm going out to start bringing in those who need help," she says. "From the looks of things, the ones that can are already headed this way." She gestures to the movements in the streets below. "I'll see about starting to bring in the ones who can't walk." With that, she slips over the balustrade and down to the streets, moving quickly yet stealthily towards an area where the fighting has moved on.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-19-05, 06:21 PM	For what seemed an eternity of raw and unfiltered boredom, Rym lays on the ground tossing pebbles around over his view while he waits. There was no clue how long it would be before someone else would show up and try to interogate him, but he was almost missing the self absorbed, boisterous talk of the black that had left him earlier....-almost-. Leaning up after a few hours, he looks at the tray of food that the dragon left, a slight look of mischief crossing his face as he rises and brings it back to where he was laying. Sitting crosslegged on the floor, he picks up a hearty chunk of cheese, feeling its weight in his hand for a moment before he leans back and sends it flying towards the bog of fettid water the dragon slipped into. For good measure, he repeats the process a few times before he speaks, in a rather loud echoing voice due to the empty chamber. "HEY! STINKY! WHEN'S THIS MISTRESS WENCH OF YOURS GONNA SHOW UP! I'VE GOT BETTER THINGS TO DO THEN TO BE SITTING AROUND HERE BREATHING IN THE STENCH OF YOUR HOME!" Sighing slightly, he leans back once again, glancing from time to time at the tray of food, but keeping the remainder of his projectile weapons for the moment.
Obsidian 08-19-05, 06:26 PM	His comment to Re'shak is held silent for the moment, as the feeling of another spell being cast over him takes effect on him. Closing his eyes in grim determination, he feels the echoing effect fade away from him without taking hold, shaking his head slightly as he opens his eyes to stare at the warding. "Fine...if you wish to stay where you are and hide...then two can play at that game." A slight rippling of the air appears over his hand as a small pouch appears in it, a light layer of dust covering the pouch that is drawn quite tight. Unlacing it quickly, he draws forth a necklace with an odd shaped sphere on the end of it. With a grin, he slips it over his head and tucks the necklace inside of his armor to protect it from being swiped by any who might get close enough to try.
Dark Chaos 08-22-05, 07:04 PM	The dark eyed drow frowned as the beast charged towards him. Once more he slammed the staff down on the ground. The blackfire coursed down the shaft of the staff and flowed across the ground towards the beast. From the ground, Giant spears of black stone, onyx, burst forth, growing quickly in front and beneath the demon bent on his demise. As the blackfire coursed down the staff, more burst from the crystal and impacted the ceiling of the cavern. More spears of stone erupt from the ceiling and drop down towards the demon creature, landing near, in front and hopefully on top of it.
shadow of death 08-22-05, 07:20 PM	Re'shak chuckles as the spell washes over him. "Tsk Tsk....you should be closer to try things like that....and know your enemy better." He smirks as he sees Sev'anar pulling out the amulet. He steps away. "I'll leave my brother to deal with you. die well!" With a smirk, he draws his blades and rises off the ground, flying towards Zentash and his opponent. He Flies near, but not close enough to be clipped by the falling spears. He watches with interest, but, for the moment does nothing.
House Or'lathi 08-24-05, 05:26 AM	Furen'dyn's charge is slowed by ascending spikes as it hurtles its body into the fixtures of stone, crashing through them heedlessly. It's tail whips around to the side to wrap around one of the ascending spikes and rips it from its base, hurtling it towards Zentash with a flick of its tail in a show of immense strength. In the beast's wake chunks of stone rain from the sky as it continues to crash through the stalctites in front of it with astounding force, others grazing it's preternaturally tough hide from above and below, but finding it difficult to find much purchase in the demonic flesh. As it nears Zentash it folds its wings, going into a devastating dive at the eyeless mage, and taking Re'shak with it on the way down if possible. -- A smirk crosses Irthos' face as Re'shak moves away and he studies Sev'anar's new protection. "Clever," he mutters, his fingers flexing in preparation to cast again. He looks to one of the demons inside the sphere. "Find Mordero and Caliga. We have accomplished our goals for this strike, it's time to put our next objective into action." The demon nods, vanishing from its spot. "As for the rest of you," Irthos continues on, outlining the demons' instructions. A long moment passes where nothing happens from the direction of the sphere, then not a moment or two after Zentash's spell runs out, the sphere collapses revealing the circle of demons standing in a tight ring, teeth, claws, horns, and pincers bared.
Mistress Delainna 08-24-05, 05:56 AM	A sneer ran across Delainna's face as she appeared in one of the rooms of Darimar inside a rune in-laid circle. Paying what would normally be a deathtrap no heed, she stepped over the boundary of the circle and started down the halls. Darimar was hers, after all, and she made sure she would be damned before she was trapped in her own prison. Irritated, she raised her voice as she reached the main chamber. "Karok!" Responding, Karok emerged from one of the side rooms having returned to his smaller, humanoid form, bowing slightly to Delainna. "He is here, and he's rather anxious to see you it seems." A smirk curled across Delainna's face. "Is he now? Well, no point in keeping him waiting now is there." Karok frowned slightly. "Ah, but Mistress, did your master not wish to..." He finds himself cut off as Delainna grabs the neck of his robes. "I am still the lord of this place, is that clear?" Karok pauses for a moment, unsure as he slowly speaks. "Yes...of course m'lady, I-I only meant to say..." He left the sentence unfinished as Delainna's eyes flared angrily and she pushed him away. "We will make our way down. I'm sure he will meet us there." "As you wish. He's this way," Karok replied, motioning towards one of the halls as he began walking that way. * * * Moments later, Delainna and Karok appear in the cavern where Rym'dael is as he is raving and throwing about his food. Delainna pauses a moment to study him before saying, "Are you sure this is the right one, Karok?"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-24-05, 10:08 AM	A grin can't help but make it's way to Rym's lips as he hears Delainna enter the room and speak to Karok. Leaning back on his elbows, he stretches his legs out in front of him so he's in a fairly reclined possition as he turns himself to regard his newest visitors. "Greetings and welcome to my...well, your...humble abode. It is so rare that I recieve visitors at any hour, let alone ones who don't have poor manners and smelly breath. Oh, Karok...I didn't see you there. Still festering in a puddle of your own filth these days are you? That's not gonna make you many friends you know..." Grinning wider, he glances over to Karok with a wink, then looks back to Delainna. "And to answer your questions...yes, I am the one. I'd have cast a spell of some sort to get that smelly lizard's attention but...well, as you already know, things don't exactly 'work right' here, hmm?"
Baxienkilfen 08-25-05, 07:35 PM	The monstrous magmatic dragon erupted from the stone just as Artanaz's tail broke a hole through the rocky ceiling, cracking the monstrous dragon across the chest. Like a comet, the huge dragon shot outward, propelling itself with a mighty roar to follow the shower of displaced stone in a powerful dive, aiming claws and fangs for the black dragon's neck and chest.
carthamus 08-25-05, 07:57 PM	Carthamus grins as he sees the dragon burst forth from the ground. With insane glee in his eyes, he grabs the head of the hapless vrock he is currently using as a mount and violently twists it towards the dragon. "Fun time for carth...." He starts, then blinks as he notes the vrock's snapped neck. "oops" He snickers and steers the now dead vrock down, reaching his legs underneath the wings to hold them up somewhat. He aims towards the dragon and dives towards it. As it nears, he brings his feet up underneath his body and pushes off, summersaulting through the air. The vrock hopefully continuing on to thunk into the Dragon's nose, the crazed drow aiming himself to land on the head of the beast, driving his daggers, hopefully into the head of the dragon. "Stabby! Stabby! Stabby! Stabby! Stabby!!" he cries with excitement as he repeatedly stabs at the head of the beast.
Mistress Delainna 08-27-05, 05:26 AM	Karok sighs, taking the effort not to roll his eyes as he adresses Delainna. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather wait and let him deal with this one? He," he says, indicating Rym with a blithe gesture, "has a tendancy to spout the sort of inane babble that would make a brass want to cut out their tongue. Surely there are better ways to--" "You presence here isn't required, Karok," Delainna interrupts smoothly in a dismissive tone, her gaze watching Rym with a glint of intrigue for a moment before it flickers to the human. A very controlled, cold look overtakes Karok's face. "Very well. I shall be in the grand hall, then," he replies with a terse edge to his voice, shaking his head as he vanishes with a soft popping sound. "Now then, where were we?" Delainna asks rhetorically as she steps smoothly closer to the inlaid circle, tracing her steps around the outer edge of it without disrupting the continuous lines. A sultry smile crosses her face as she stops at the point of the circle where Rym's head is, allowing her to look down at him as he reclines. "Ah yes, I suppose this is the part where you expect me to offer you a deal for your freedom. Of course..." She pauses to inhale, as if taking in a sweet scent on the air. "The question becomes 'What does a half-blood have to offer me?', doesn't it. In that case it would seem things are convieniently tipped in my favor that things don't 'work right here', as you put it." She lets her smile widen just a bit. "But that aside, I see a fountain of potential gain here for both of us. It's up to you, of course, as to how deep the water flows..." She snaps her fingers, a armchair appearing in which she reclines, crossing her legs comfortably. "...although I'm sure you inferred that much. So tell me something intriguing about yourself, half-blood. Preferrably including something less ...general by which to call you."
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-27-05, 09:53 AM	Stretching dramatically with a yawn, Rym watches Karok leave in a snit, a satisified smirk on his lips. The smirk lingers as he listens to Delainna go about her inquiry and somewhat lengthy speach, his fingers drumming lightly on the ground as the arm chair appears. Glancing around, he mocks a pout before speaking. "First off...where's my chair? Isn't it customairy to make nagotiations as comfortable as possible so that the one you wish to gain something from would have subconscious incentive to agree, based on your generosity?" Smoothly, Rym rises up from his seated possition on the floor, slowly pacing around the circle at a leasurely pace, hands clasped behind him as he strolls. "Something interesting about me hmm? But, there's so much I'm not willing to tell you. We've only just met, and my mother, before I killed her, told me not to talk to strangers. Very well, I'll give you some basics to start with, since I'm still waiting on that chair. I've been a live for slightly over two thousand years, I've witnessed the fall of grand alliances and civilizations, I've bested your superiors in power with wit and cunning alone. That's pretty vague, I know, yet...that's all I should likely tell a stranger." Rym offers Delainna a grin and a wink before continuing "What can you offer me? So far, you've offered me nothing but a room with no view and no chairs. Wait, there's a view here...it's of that sesspool that Karok calls his bedroom. Not exactly what I would call "prime realestate" here. Oh, and another thing...I'd prefer it if you didn't call me halfblood. I was born a full blood drow, I'm just between statuses at the moment...kinda like Karok would be if you were smart, although, his problem would be unemployment instead of a transition such as mine. Kobolds make much better servants then he does. At least they have half a mind not to...well, they just plain have half a mind. So, it's now time to ask you what you can offer me beyond what I already have, and also time for you to divulge who the "He" is that you and the smelly lizard have been refering to. Honestly, this demon power system is about as tedious as humans, if my observations are correct. There's always someone higher up, with more decion making power, that hasn't gotten here yet. Is that the case? Someone pulling your strings like a puppet?" With that final comment, Rym makes his way back to the middle of the floor, standing casualy in front of Delainna, waiting for her responce to his speach.
Mistress Delainna 08-27-05, 10:44 PM	Delainna listens to Rym's entire speech, allowing him the chance to finish before she speaks, her tone impassive and mellow. "And here I thought you were going to prove Karok wrong. You see, this is not a negotiation so much as an appeal." She gives a disparate sigh. "I see I'm going to be forced into stating the obvious. You see, this place is mine, and thus I hold the strings to just how pleasant or unpleasant your stay will be. I assumed you gathered that much, but continuing on... "You see, I'm not here to indulge you. No no, quite the opposite. I could care less if you simply rot down here as Karok's playtoy for the rest of your days, which will obviously be quite some time to come for both you and he. Your job now, if that doesn't sound pleasant to you, is to convince me that you desire otherwise. For example, half-blood, if you wish to be called something different, then I must have the proper name to call you by." An indulgent smirk caresses her lips. "If you want to make this into a petty game we can, but unless things have changed over the last millenia, you're no longer the age of a child who must be coddled and pampered, and I don't intend to entertain you as a guest until I'm given good reason to."
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-28-05, 12:24 AM	Rym can't help but chuckle as Delainna finishes, shaking his head as he sighs slightly "And here I was, trying to be plesant, yet you seem to think there no reason to be. Very well, if you wish to have it be that way... Truthfully, I could care less about you or your petty layer of the abyss. I serve one who deserves my respect...while you on the other hand, can't even keep your current subordinants in line, let alone any new ones. Besides, there is relatively nothing you could offer me that would make me wish to convince you of my possition. Honestly, if you can't keep a dragon like Karok in line, how do you expect to keep this place running very smoothly? You're not the type to strike fear into anyone, especially not me. You clearly aren't the one calling all the shots here..." Walking slowly once again, Rym leans forward and places his palms flat on the ground, lifting his feet up into the air and continuing without hesitation, to walk around his circular prison on his hands
Artanaz 08-28-05, 09:13 PM	Having waiting for this appearance of the magma dragon, Artanaz gives a powerful flap of his wings to divert his movment to take the brunt of the attack on his side, minimizing the damage of the impact. Contorting himself, he brings his head around, drawing it in line with one of the weakened spots already hit by his acid blasts, and unleashes another at close range, heedless of the fact that they both are likely plumeting towards the ground.
Baxienkilfen 08-28-05, 09:31 PM	The monstrous dragon seems to be entirely unaware of the little drow on the back of its neck, the daggers thunking somewhat ineffectively against the nearly foot-thick stonelike scales. The dragon roars furiously as the stream of acid shears through more of the weakened wing membrane, causing its hold in the air to falter drastically and send its side downward. Pitching into a spiral, the dragon's flesh becomes horrendously warm (something previously unnoticable as no one was on top of it) as its eyes flare brightly. The massive jaws gape open and the blazing heat increases instantaneously as an eruption of sound and searing embers burst to life in a sphere around its head, the torrent extending to fully thirty-five feet in all directions as the dragon plummets toward the bottom of the cave.
Mistress Delainna 08-30-05, 05:57 AM	A bemused smirk crosses Delainna's face as she listens to Rym go on for a moment. She leans languidly to the side, propping her elbow on the arm of the chair as she impassively watches Rym's antics. "You half-bloods are so tetchy. Very well then, do tell about this one who deserves your respect."
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-30-05, 10:17 AM	Shaking his head slightly as he walks around quite nimbly on his hands, he clicks his tongue lightly "You only hear what you want to in other peoples words, don't you? Very well, I'll tell you, or rather, give you a visual, since verbal communication doesn't seem to be your strong point. Now...picture yourself. Got that image in your head? Alright...in every possible way you think yourself superior, as you clearly do, the one I follow exceeds you by leaps and bounds. You fail in comparison in every conceivable fassion." Rym grins as he continues walking around on his hands, turning to face Delainna so she can see his the defiance on his face. "And, she would have gotten me a chair regardless...so, as I said before, you have nothing you can offer me. But, I will offer you something for my release, as it's only a matter of time before the one I serve will note my absence, and come in search of me. I offer you the chance to live the next time we meet. If not, I will kill you slowly and painfully or leave you to the one I serve, who will make my ways of death seem like a holiday."
Mistress Delainna 08-30-05, 09:25 PM	"Your confidence in your perceptions is admirable, I'll give you that," Delainna chimes in, easily maintaining her calm, imperturbable air. "Tell me, does this mistress of yours have a name, or is she to remain mysteriously anonymous as yourself, half-blood?"
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-30-05, 09:50 PM	Chuckling, Rym'dael returns to walking around the circular prison on his hands. "Why bother wasting the time of telling you information? You'll have relatively little time to use it yourself. If your sudden presence here is any indication, you've already been bested in this war by one of Sril've Cress's members. I may be a half blood, but I've taken out a considerable chunk of your forces before I was deposited here."
Klil'og'elend 08-30-05, 11:23 PM	The figure appears from a darker region of the area, a slight smirk upon his face exposing sharply pointed teeth. "You assume too highly of your comrades." Tapping the butt of the staff against the floor, he slowly paces around the edge of the circle, watching Rym'dael intently as his hand turns the symbol about his neck slowly. "And you assume too highly of yourself, and your master's abilities, if I am not mistaken. Tell me this, then, arrogant half-breed; if your master is so grand, why were you allowed to be running free unsurpervised? Is that not a sign of lax leadership, to exert no dominance over one's minions?"
Mistress Delainna 08-30-05, 11:30 PM	Delainna's eyes flicker towards the figure, the indignation burning within them cleverly hidden from all view as she lowers her head in a gesture of greeting. Her face remains as placid as it ever was as she settles back and awaits Rym'dael's answer.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 08-31-05, 12:17 AM	Turning his head slightly to regard the newcomer, Rym refuses to return to his full and upright possition. He walks around slightly, so that he can regard both Delainna and the new arrival. "Tsk Tsk...both of you with no manners. Oh well, I'll humor you for the time being. No, it's not lax. I have earned my freedom by proving myself as an equal to the one I serve. I am not saying I am her equal, for such a claim would be unfounded and unproven. Besides, there's so much for me to do...seeing as I'm just a 'half-blood'. Places to see, people to kill, you know the drill. And there's just loads of paperwork I have yet to finish. I'm only one man you know. Where, in my busy schedule, would I find time to sit around under someone's thumb? My respect is given to those who have earned it, and the one I serve has done such. You two on the other hand, have yet to prove anything to me." Grinning widely in his upended possition he looks back and forth from Klil to Delainna, shaking his head slightly "Move over there!" he says as he shifts his weight to one hand, using the other to point to Delainna. "You're late, so you have to sit in the back of the class and learn less. As for my comrads, my mistress and myself...I know exactly what each is capable of, and you've opened a can of worms here that you will soon regret...most likely in death. But, your arrogance will blind you to such, and you'll just die the fools that you are now." Shruging slightly, Rym shifts his weight back to both of his hands and begins walking around the tiny circle once again "Who are you anyway? I know you yank her chain to your hearts delight, so I might as well know who you are. Somebody is in charge in this war, and so far, you look to be the one who's the least inept."
Klil'og'elend 08-31-05, 10:10 PM	The man's eyes narrow darkly, faint trails of red light snaking from the corners to rise along his hairless brow. In a callous voice, he speaks as the symbol in his hand radiates a similar glow. "You are not in a position to give orders, imputent worm. You are here to tell us why you should be allowed to survive, not make attempts at humor." The symbol in his hand glows brighter, radiating energy that arcs to the floor and surrounds the circle around Rym'dael. The runes and traceries take on the same glow and soon the floor below him is suffused in a similar light as he speaks again, his words suffused with his force of will. "Bow down, half-blood, and cease this sarcastic foolishness."
Mistress Delainna 09-01-05, 08:12 PM	A blank look crosses Delainna's face for a moment, fading away like a lifted veil. Her fingers twitch against the armrest of her chair as she looks towards Rym'dael, her eyes watching him carefully with the utmost discernment.
Rymdael_Zylkyr 09-01-05, 08:31 PM	For a moment, Rym stands there on his hands, attempting to maintain his balance as the spell cources though the floor, but alas he fails and tumbles sideways onto the floor rather uncerimoniously. Grumbling for a moment, he shakes his head, clearing some of the cobwebs from it that the spell caused, as he eventually pulls himself up to a sitting possition.
Dark Chaos 09-02-05, 06:50 PM	"Vith" Zentash taps the butt of the staff on the ground, and is enveloped in a sphere of blackfire, hardening into a metallic barrier sheilding him from the oncomming stone and creature. . o O{Zyrquix, Myrellian, Xyllestiqar.....come to me....I require your assistance}
shadow of death 09-02-05, 07:14 PM	Re'shak soars towards Furen'dyn, blades out. His lips part in a feral roar,his fangs bared as he attempts to land on the creature's back, plunging his keen blades into the demonic flesh, twisting the blades for maximum effect, and holding on to the hilts as it hurtles towards the chaos mage.
lana_dune 09-04-05, 07:08 PM	Lana sees the attack coming and reflexively ducks below the protective swords sent by Jeajea. She turns the ducking move first into a low crouch and from this fluidly into a spin on the ball of her left foot letting the wyvern hilted dagger with its deadly Aboleth oil fly.....into nothing.For a moment she stares shocked and with held breath as her weapon first flies then skitters and clanks harmlessly over the stone floor it finaly rattles to a stop against the opposite wall. oO(vith..what now?) She barely has time to reassess her situation when the darkness hits her like a blow to the chest . Lana manages one shallow gasp of breath before the sickening blast catches her and she rolls in a protective ball towards the relative saftly of the wall.
zyrquix 09-05-05, 11:29 AM	The red armored illithid let the dying demon slip from its tentacles as it recieved the summons from its master. Its beak clicked in disappointment of losing its meal. With what could only be percieved as a sigh, it nods its bulbous head. . o O{I come, master} A black rift opens infront of the illithid and it steps through, appearing a moment later, spinning its double bladed staff and crouching as it takes stock of the situation. The blades of his bladed staff glowing red and blue. Its beak clicks madly as it leaps towards the oncomming Furen'dyn, slashing with the blue glowing end of the staff.
jeajea 10-07-05, 05:15 PM	A groan, somewhere between pain and displeasure, escapes Jeajea's lips as the wave of black hits him. With a frown, he realises he can't see anymore. His mind opens to locate his enemies... (( I assume they're all gone? In which case, )) Not finding them, he nods to himself. Taking a moment to check Lana's state, he returns his attention to the surrounding area afterwards. He is searching for his mark... or any signs that he was there, maybe a lead on his current location...