Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheRedRobedWizard 05-31-06, 11:53 PM	Contained herein are the exploits of a group of adventurers that have meandered their way into my life over the past few years. I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoyed transcribing them. If this isn't the right place for such a thing, or it's against the CoC or something, it'll be deleted on the 12th anyway. Without further ado... ----- The Prelude ----- "I've almost got it," Mika said as she tried diligently to pick the lock impeding the group's progress, "just a few more seconds." "We don't have a few more seconds," Jaysen bellowed out, moving between Mika and the fullisade of arrows heading in her direction, "if you don't get that Khyber-spawned lock open we'll all be skewered by those natives over there." "The preferred term is 'Umbragen', Jaysen," Joi said calmly as she jotted down notes about the natives peculiar tattoos. "Well, I don't much care what they call themselves," the young knight retorted, "I call 'em an excuse to exercise my running-away training." "Jaysen," came a shout from the fray, "get up here and introduce these natives to the kill-y end of your sword." "I can't be in two places at once, Myk, and your sister needs protecting," Jaysen replied mockingly. "Go to him," said what looked like one of the Umbragen helping Mika with the door, "we can handle things here." "Damnit, Taelor, stop lookin' like them natives; you're creeping me out," Jaysen said as he charged headlong into the lines of battle. "Why is it that every time I think we're making progress, you boys have to go and screw everything up," the group's healer spouted off from behind her tower shield. "Well, we are exploring forbidden Umbragen holy sites, looking for lost artifacts of the Age of Giants," Joi calmly explained, "which is a crime with a penalty of death in most Umbragen societies." "And you didn't think of mentioning this before," Mika exclaimed as the lock finally fell from the door, "Come on, we're in." The group's two warriors broke from their melee and charged towards the now open door. The rest of the group was already waiting inside. As Jaysen and Mykel crossed the threshold, Taelor slammed the door shut and clipped one of his locks onto the portal. "Just what *are* we in, anyway," Mykel asked. "The Tomb of Rugethnir, the most powerful Giant King to ever walk the face of the world," Joi answered. "Why do I get the feeling that things just got worse," Mika quipped as she started searching the path ahead for any surprises. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 05-31-06, 11:55 PM	Joithrana "Joi" Benetharas (Female Elf Archivist 6): Joi is the bankroll behind the group. She put this particular group together based on their differing subjects of expertise. She has a fascination with forgotten lore and the history of the world of Eberron. Mika Groven (Female Human Rogue 6): Mika is the group's "second story resource re-allocation and re-distribution technician". Also known as "The Thief" and "That Girl That's Going to Get Us Busted by the Law Someday, I Swear". Longtime love interest of Taelor, the two have often joked about getting married after all this adventuring is done; which will probably never happen knowing them. Jaysen Vasque (Male Human Paladin 6): Jaysen is the group's most direct defense against the forces of Evil. His unwavering faith in the Silver Flame allows him to combat evil outsiders and undead that would otherwise incapacitate the party. Jaysen also assists Raczel in healing up the group after a bit of the slash and stab. Raczel Cladden (Female Human Cleric of the Sovereign Host 6): Raczel is the group's way of staying together, in a more literal sense. She has saved the lives of everyone in the group more time than anyone cares to remember. She may not be the best at dishing out the carnage when the heat of battle is upon the group, but she's there to make sure everyone lives to fight another day. Mykel Groven (Male Human Ranger 6): Mykel is a trained hunter of Aberrations and other unnatural beasties that go bump in the night. He's also Mika's unprotective older brother, and serves as Jaysen's wingman in the melee combat department. Taelor (Male Changeling Artificer 6): Taelor is the group's face; whichever type is needed. Taelor has been a burly Half-Ogre guard, a willowy Elven Noble, a gruff Human Wizard, and dozens upon dozens of other guises. He's also the group's "tech" guy. He can disable any trap you put in front of him, and more than likely turn it into something useful. If Red Green existed in Eberron, he'd look up to this man's resourcefulness. Strangely, though, no one knows what Taelor really looks like; he's always wearing someone else's face. ----- The group's stats as of the prologue will be posted soon. I'll spoiler them, just to take up less space. -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 12:10 AM	Joi (Neutral Good Female Elf Archivist 6) Str 8 Dex 12 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 16 Cha 13 HP: 36 AC: 16 Skills: Decipher Script +13, Knowledge (The Planes) +11, Knowledge (Arcana) +11, Knowledge (History) +16, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +11, Knowledge (Religion) +14 Feats: Scribe Scroll, Iron Will, Skill Focus (Knowledge [History]), Skill Focus (Knowledge [Religion]) Spells Prepared (4 / 5 / 5 / 4): (Read Magic, Cure Minor Wounds, Guidance, Create Water), (Bless (x2), Entropic Shield, Cure Light Wounds, Sanctuary), (Bull's Strength, Bear's Endurance, Owl's Wisdom, Fox's Cunning, Cure Moderate Wounds), (Speak With Dead, Remove Curse, Remove Disease) Saves: (Fortitude +5, Reflex +3, Will +10) +4 vs Enchantments and Mind Effecting Spells Dark Knowledge: Five times per day, Joi can draw upon her expansive knowledge of monsters, granting her allies benefits against the creatures they face. Doing this is a move action that does not provoke an Attack of Opportunity. The secrets of dark knowledge pertain only to aberrations, elementals, magical beasts, outsiders, or undead. Using dark knowledge requires a Knowledge check of a type appropriate to the creature faced. A Knowledge (arcana) check reveals secrets of magical beasts, Knowledge (dungeoneering) pertains to aberrations, Knowledge (religion) covers undead, and Knowledge (the planes) applies to outsiders and elementals. The DC of the check is 15. Most of Joi's dark knowledge abilities increase in effectiveness if she succeeds on her Knowledge check by 10 or more. Dark knowledge can only be used once against any given creature. Joi's dark knowledge can affect a single creature or all creatures of the same race, depending on the effect used. A target creature must be within 60 feet, and Joi must be aware of the creature's presence, although she need not have a line of sight to it. The effects of dark knowledge last for 1 minute, unless stated otherwise. Tactics: Joi knows the general combat behaviors of creatures of that race, granting her allies a +1 bonus on attack rolls made against them. For example, Joi is confronted by Corruption Eaters and succeeds on her Knowledge (dungeoneering) check; which would grant her allies the attack bonus against all the corruption eaters they fought in that encounter. If Joi succeeds on her Knowledge check by 10 or more, then this bonus increases to +2. If Joi succeeds on her Knowledge check by 20 or more, then this bonus increases to +3. Puissance: Joi can use her dark knowledge to help her allies fight off the corrupting influence of other creatures. Allies within 60 feet of Joi gain a +1 bonus on saving throws against the affected creature's abilities. If Joi succeeds on her Knowledge check by 10 or more, this bonus increases to +2. If Joi succeeds on her Knowledge check by 20 or more, this bonus increases to +3. Equipment: +1 Chain Shirt, History Book (Spellbook), +1 Crossbow, 20 Silver Bolts, 20 Cold Iron Bolts, +1 Silver Dagger, [Standard Adventurer's Pack], 2 Alchemist's Fire, 2 Alchemist's Frost, 2 Alchemist's Shock, 2 Vials of Acid, 2 Vials of Holy Water. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 12:11 AM	Jaysen (Lawful Good Male Human Paladin 6) Str 13 Dex 8 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 12 HP: 78 AC: 21 Skills: Knowledge (Religion) +9, Ride +4, Heal +11 Feats: Silver Smite, Extra Smiting, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword), Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword) Saves: (Fortitude +9, Reflex +2, Will +5) Spells Prepared (2): (Cure Light Wounds, Lesser Restoration) Aura of Good (Ex): The power of Jaysen’s aura of good (see the detect good spell) is equal to his paladin level. Detect Evil (Sp): At will, Jaysen can use detect evil, as the spell. Smite Evil (Su): Four times per day, Jaysen may attempt to smite evil with one normal melee attack. He adds +1 to his Attack roll and deals 1d6+5 extra points of damage. If Jaysen accidentally smites a creature that is not evil, the smite has no effect, but the ability is still used up for that day. Divine Grace (Su): Jaysen gains a +1 bonus on all saving throws (already figured into the above saves). Lay on Hands (Su): Jaysen can heal wounds (his own or those of others) by touch. Each day he can heal a total of 6 HP. Jaysen may choose to divide his healing among multiple recipients, and he doesn’t have to use it all at once. Using lay on hands is a standard action. Alternatively, Jaysen can use any or all of this healing power to deal damage to undead creatures. Using lay on hands in this way requires a successful melee touch attack and doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity. Jaysen decides how many of his daily allotment of points to use as damage after successfully touching an undead creature. Aura of Courage (Su): Jaysen is immune to fear (magical or otherwise). Each ally within 10 feet of him gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions while Jaysen is conscious, but not if he is unconscious or dead. Divine Health (Ex): Jaysen is immunite to all diseases, including supernatural and magical diseases. Turn Undead (Su): Four times per day, Jaysen may Turn Undead as a 4th level Cleric. Special Mount (Sp): Jaysen has the service of an unusually intelligent, strong, and loyal steed to serve him in his crusade against evil. This mount is a heavy warhorse named "Trig". Once per day, as a full-round action, Jaysen may magically call his mount from the celestial realms in which it resides. This ability is the equivalent of a 2nd level spell. The mount immediately appears adjacent to Jaysen and remains for 12 hours; it may be dismissed at any time as a free action. Each time "Trig" is called, it appears in full health, regardless of any damage it may have taken previously. "Trig" also appears wearing or carrying any gear it had when it was last dismissed. Calling "Trig" is a conjuration (calling) effect. Should "Trig" die, it immediately disappears, leaving behind any equipment it was carrying. Jaysen may not summon another mount for thirty days or until he gains a paladin level, whichever comes first, even if the mount is somehow returned from the dead. During this thirty-day period, the paladin takes a -1 penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls. Remove Disease (Sp): Jaysen can produce a remove disease effect, as the spell, once per week. Damage Reduction: While Jaysen is wearing his Adamantine Full-plate, he has DR 3/-. Equipment: +2 Flametouched Iron Bastard Sword, Adamantine Full-plate, +2 Heavy Steel Shield, Flametouched Iron Holy Symbol of the Silver Flame, [Standard Adventurer's Pack], 5 Vials of Holy Water. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 12:11 AM	Raczel (Neutral Good Female Human Cleric of the Sovreign Host 6) Str 10 Dex 8 Con 12 Int 10 Wis 16 Cha 14 HP: 54 AC: 22 Skills: Knowledge (Religion) + 9, Concentration, +10, Heal +11 Feats: Extra Turning, Tower Shield Proficiency, Endurance, Improved Turning Saves: (Fortitude +6, Reflex +1, Will +8) Spells Prepared [Domains: Healing, Sun] (5 /4+1 / 4+1 / 3+1): (Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Mending, Purify Food and Drink, Read Magic), (Bless, Comprehend Languages, Doom, Summon Monster 1, [Endure Elements]), (Calm Emotions, Shatter, Spiritual Weapon, Zone of Truth, [Heat Metal]), (Daylight, Summon Monster III, Stone Shape, [Searing Light]) Spontaneous Casting: As a good cleric, Raczel can channel stored spell energy into healing spells that she did not prepare ahead of time. Raczel can "lose" any prepared spell (that is not a domain spell) in order to cast any Cure spell of the same spell level or lower (a cure spell is any spell with "cure" in its name). Healing Domain (Su): Raczel casts all spells with the healing descriptor at +1 Caster Level. Sun Domain (Su): Once per day, Raczel can perform a greater turning against undead in place of a regular turning. The greater turning is like a normal turning except that the undead creatures that would be turned are destroyed instead. Due to her Improved Turning feat, she Turns Undead as a 7th level Cleric. Turn Undead (Su): Eight times per day, Raczel has the power to affect undead creatures by channeling the power of her faith through her holy symbol. Aura of Good (Ex): The power of Raczel’s aura of good (see the detect good spell) is equal to her cleric level. Equipment: +1 Mithril Full-plate, Holy Symbol of the Sovreign Host, +1 Merciful Heavy Mace, Tower Shield, 5 Vials of Holy Water, [Standard Adventurer's Pack]. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 12:12 AM	Mykel (Chaotic Good Male Human Ranger 6) Str 15 Dex 8 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 12 Cha 10 HP: 66 AC: 17 Feats: Improved Toughness, Two Weapon Defense, Power Attack, Endurance, Die Hard, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Track Skills: Knowledge (Nature) +11, Climb +11, Handle Animal +10, Heal +10, Hide +8, Move Silently +8, Spot +10, Listen +10, Survival +10 Saves: (Fortitude +9, Reflex +6, Will +5) Spells (2): (Longstrider, Speak with Animals) Favored Enemies (Ex): Mykel gains a +4 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures with the Aberration type. Likewise, he gets a +4 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures. Mykel also gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of the Undead type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures. Wild Empathy (Ex): Mykel can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check to improve the attitude of a person. Mykel rolls 1d20+6 to determine the wild empathy check result. The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually unfriendly. To use wild empathy, Mykel and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal visibility conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute, but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time. Mykel can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but he rolls only 1d20+2. Combat Style (Ex): Mykel has chosen the Two-Weapon Fighting combat style, and as such, is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feats while wearing light or no armor. Animal Companion (Ex): Mykel has an owl animal companion. This animal is a loyal companion that accompanies Mykel on his adventures, acting primarily as a scout and conversation starter. This ability functions like the druid ability of the same name, except that the ranger’s effective druid level is one-half his ranger level. Equipment: +1 Mithril Chain Shirt, +1 Battle Axe, +1 Handaxe, Ring of Protection +1, Cloak of Resistance +1, Amulet of Natural Armor +1, [Standard Adventuring Pack], Holly and Mistletoe. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 12:13 AM	Mika (Neutral Female Human Rogue 6) Str 10 Dex 16 Con 13 Int 14 Wis 8 Cha 12 HP: 42 AC: 17 (18 against one opponent, 21 against Attacks of Opportunity) Skills: Balance +14, Jump +11, Climb +9, Open Lock +14, Sleight of Hand +12, Spot +8, Listen +9, Search +11, Move Silently +12, Hide +12, Tumble +14 Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Combat Expertise Sneak Attack: If Mika can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for +3d6 extra damage. Mika’s attack deals extra damage any time her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when Mika flanks her target. Should she score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. Mika can sneak attack only living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks. Mika must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. She cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach. Trapfinding: Mika can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. Mika can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. If Mika beats a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check she can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with the rest of the party) without disarming it. Evasion (Ex): Mika can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if Mika is wearing light armor or no armor. If Mika is helpless, she does not gain the benefit of evasion. Trap Sense (Ex): Mika has an intuitive sense that alerts her to danger from traps, giving her a +2 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +2 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps. Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Mika can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. Equipment: Mithril Chain Shirt, +1 Keen Rapier, Masterwork Dagger, Slippers of Spiderclimbing, Masterwork Thieves' Tools, [Standard Adventuring Pack] ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 12:13 AM	Taelor (Chaotic Neutral Male Changeling Artificer 6) Str 10 Dex 14 Con 8 Int 13 Wis 12 Cha 16 HP: 30 AC: 12 Skills: Use Magic Device +20, Disable Device +12, Spellcraft +10, Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) +10, Knowledge (Arcana) +10, Disguise +13 Feats: Action Boost, Heroic Spirit, Racial Emulation, Maximize Spell Minor Shape Change (Ex): As a Changeling, Taelor has the ability to use a modified version of the spell Disguise Self at wll. He has a +10 bonus on Disguise checks (already factored in above), and due to his Racial Emulation feat, gains any appropriate subtypes when mimicing a Humanoid. Artificer Item Creation Feats: Scribe Scroll, Brew Potion, Craft Wondrous Item, Craft Homonculus, Craft Magical Arms and Armor. Infusions per day: (4 / 4 / 3) Craft Reserve (Sp): Taelor has a pool of 150 points that he may use instead of, or in addition to, Experience Points when crafting a magic item. Each time Taelor gains a level, the previous level's Craft Reserve is lost and replaced with the new level's craft reserve. If the points were not spent, they are lost. Artisan Bonus: Taelor gains a +2 bonus on Use Magic Device checks relating to items for which he has the requisite Item Creation Feat. For example, Taelor gains a +2 bonus on all Use Magic Device checks dealing with Wondrous Items because he has the feat for creating them. These bonuses are not factored in above. Artisan Knowledge: Taelor can make a special artificer knowledge check with a +7 bonus to determine if an item has a magical aura. He must hold and examine the item for one minute. A successful check against a DC of 15 whether or not the item has a magical aura, but does not reveal any specific powers of the item. Taelor cannot take 10 or 20 on this check, and this ability may only be used once per any given item. Trapfinding: Taelor can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a DC higher than 20. Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. Taelor can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it. If Taelor beats a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check he can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with the rest of the party) without disarming it. Retain Essence (Su): Taelor has the ability to drain the some magic out of an item and use it to make new and different magic items. He must spend a day with the item, and must also have the relavent Item Creation Feat for the item he is using Retain Essence on. After one day, the item is destroyed and Taelor adds the amount of XP it took to make the item to his Craft Reserve. As with the rest of his Craft Reserve, these excess points are lost if they are not used before Taelor levels up. Metamagic Spell Trigger (Su): Taelor may use additional charges from items to add Metamagic feats he knows to them. For example, Taelor may spend 3 additional charges to Maximize the effect of any spell-trigger item he is using. Homonculus: Taelor has two Dedicated Wight homonculi that stay in his laboratory in Sharn, working on Magic Items while he is away on adventures. Taelor still spends the XP/Craft Reserve for the item and makes all the required Use Magic Device checks, but the time spent adventuring is counted as time spent crafting for the purposes of Magic Item Creation. Damage Reduction: While Taelor wears his armor, he gains DR 2/-. Equipment: Adamantine Breastplate, Gloves of Magical Device Manipulation, Byeshk Spiked Gauntlets, Masterwork Thieves' Tools, Eternal Wand of Magic Missile, Wand of Scorching Ray (43 charges), [Standard Adventuring Pack]. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-01-06, 08:12 AM	Mika rounded a corner, all the while searching the path ahead for dangerous traps and other contraptions that may have been left for trespassers such as her and her companions. She was filled with a sense of awe at the scale of this place. The halls were all at least 20 feet wide, and the ceilings were at least that tall. Suddenly, she threw up a hand signal and the group came to a halt. "Taelor, there's a strange glyph on the wall ahead that seems out of place. Check it out," Mika said. "Right," a strapping young half-elf said as he approached the glyph. He stared at it for a few moments, then began tracing around the pattern with his index finger. After a minute, he stepped back and looked at the rest of the group. "Well, the trap is bypassed, on our way out we should reactivate it so no tomb raiders or other such vagrants set up shop here," he said. Mika again took point, walking down the expansive hallways of the tomb. Taelor walked a few paces behind her, with the rest of the group a good twenty feet back. "Remind me again why we can't just walk through here like normal people," Jaysen quipped as he walked beside Mykel. "Because normal people don't walk fully armed and armored through ancient tombs filled with death traps and quite possibly zombie giants," Mykel responded sarcastically. "Still," Jaysen replied, "we should at least let me lead. I'm the best." "Stop saying that," Mykel replied. "What're you gonna do, cry about it? You always were such a crybaby. Cry cry cry, all the time," Jaysen said mockingly. "You sound just like my dad," Mykel sniped. "Will you two both just shut up," Raczel exclaimed, "you two retards arguing could wake the dead." "Or, more likely in our case, the Undead," Joi interrupted. "Why is it that every time she brings up something horrible, it always happens," Jaysen asked. "Because she's the brains, sweat-hog," Mykel replied. Joi simply rolled her eyes at the entirety of the exchange, "Come on, we have artifacts to find." Then, from the front of the group, came the words that everyone dreaded hearing more than anything. "Oops. Run. NOW!" Mika yelled as she darted past the rest of the group. Loose bricks started to fall from the ceiling, coming straight for the group. Mika managed to run out of their path, as did Mykel. Joi, Raczel, and Jaysen were soon buried beneath the torrent of stones. "Oh crap. What do we do, what do we do, whatdowedo, whatdowedooo?" Mika squealed. "Don't panic, I'm sure that at least one of them survived," Mykel said dourly. Meanwhile, on the other side of the cave in, Taelor began to try and unearth his companions. After a few minutes of digging, he found Raczel's unconscious form. "Traveler take me, I hope she's still alive," he said as he reached beneath her armor and began fishing around. "Ah ha," he exclaimed as he pulled a wand from beneath her armored shell, "now, how do I work this thing?" He swung the wand around a few times and tried to mutter some magic words. That didn't work. He concentrated on his connection to his deity. That didn't work either. Finally, he had the solution. "FREAKING WORK YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF CANNITH CRAFTED CRAP!" he screamed out of pure frustration. Blue light leapt from the tip of the wand, coalescing into a slight corona around Raczel. Her visible wounds began to knit together, and slowly she regained consciousness. "Why do we keep her around if all she does is accidentally set of traps," Raczel joked as Taelor helped her up. "Well, there's always the comic effect of a bunch of unconscious archaeologists," Taelor replied, "we should probably start digging Joi and possibly Jaysen out." "Jaysen should be fine," Raczel said as she tossed rocks to the side, "right now I'm more worried about the fragile elf bookworm." "You're right, I'll get her out right away," Taelor said as he unsheathed a wand from his belt and wandered towards where Joi fell. He casually pointed the wand at the rubble covering her body and began to charge it. Bright yellow light formed at the end of the wand and small crackles of energy streamed from it. After a few seconds, the ball of light turned into two beams and struck the rubble, turning it into so much ash. "Now, use those magical hands of yours and make her feel better," he said as he handed her back her wand. "Must you always make it sound sexual when I heal one of the females in the party," Raczel asked. "Yes," Taelor said, "yes I must." "Men," Raczel sighed. Raczel offered up a short prayer to the Sovereigns and Joi's wounds were gone. The pair helped Joi up and went towards Jaysen's nearly lifeless body. "Well, he's dead, we'd best move on," Taelor said jokingly as he changed forms to match Jaysen's appearance. "Taelor!" Joi exclaimed, "we can't just leave him here to die." Taelor shrugged and walked towards the other end of the rubble, looking for Mykel and Mika. Raczel held her hand a few inches from Jaysen's chest plate and he was bathed in white light. The various cuts and obviously broken bones began to snap back into place, and within a few seconds, he was good as new. Jaysen stumbled to his feet and looked around. "Next time, I'll take point. That girl can't see half as well as Joi can fight," he said. "Hey now, her eyes aren't that bad," Raczel quipped. "Well, I'm sorry that I dislike violence. It tends to get so messy, and I don't want to have to keep washing other sentient's blood off my clothes," Joi replied. "I found some stragglers," came Jaysen's voice from the other side of the rubble. "How am I over there?" Jaysen asked confusedly. "Wait, how am I over there," asked Doppel-Jaysen. "Dammit, Taelor, I told you like 30 times, stop doing that, it's friggin' creepy," Jaysen yelled out. "Mika, try to be more careful while looking for traps," Joi said, "it doesn't help matters if they're set off shortly after you find them." "Or shortly before she finds them," laughed Mykel. "Oh shut up," Mika said as she calmly walked back towards the head of the group, "you're just lucky I set of this relatively non-lethal trap instead of the four Power Word Kill traps we found earlier." "There are Power Word Kill traps in this dungeon and nobody mentioned it to me?!" Jaysen exclaimed annoyedly, "We should leave." "There are still lost treasures and lost knowledge to uncover, we aren't leaving," Joi said calmly. "Taelor, can you at least look like somebody else," Raczel asked, "you're giving me the creeps." "Hey now," Jaysen said, "I resemble the target of that remark." ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-02-06, 12:41 AM	"We should go left," Joi said as the group approached a crossroads in the catacombs. "Left?" Jaysen argued, "we must go right, for it goes downhill; and you know what that means." "A better chance of having the ceiling fall on us and crush us into flatness?" Mykel quipped. "Course not, we're going with gravity, so it'll be less work, stupid," Jaysen replied. "Hang on," Mika said as she held up her hand in kind of a 'stop moving and talking you dorks' way, "we should go straight." "Straight? But there's a brick wall there," Raczel replied, "I don't seem to remember packing any pickaxes or shovels." "No no, silly cleric," Mika laughed, "it's a false wall, see?" Mika pushed her hand against the wall, and after a few seconds, her hand slid right through the surface as though it were so much air. "Well shut my mouth," Raczel said. "That'd be a first," Jaysen said as he walked towards the wall. The group walked single file through the illusionary wall until they all stood inside a large chamber. The smell was a horrible, stale, sterile smell; like that of week old bleach. As they entered, torch sconces suddenly flared to life, bathing the room in an almost eerie purplish glow. "This doesn't look ominous at all," Mykel stated sarcastically, "nope, doesn't look like a deathtrap by any means." "Fine, I'll check for traps," chimed the voice of his sister, "but nobody move until I've checked for sure." "That'll take like a *thousand* hours," Taelor whined. She shot him an angry look before she slowly paced around the room, checking for any signs of trip wires, pressure traps, or magical ouchie makers. Finding the immediate area clean, she signaled for the group to move on. "All clear kids," Mika replied happily. "Are you sure, or is it 'all clear' like that room where the ceiling fell on us?" Jaysen asked. Mika let the comment brush off her shoulder and she commenced the search for loot. Joi didn't let the young 'treasure hunter' more than a few yards away from her at any given moment. "I believe that this may be some sort of Umbragen ritual chamber," Joi said dryly as she picked up a shard of bone, "from the looks of it, the chamber hasn't been used in over 1000 years." "Well, lets hope that the trend continues," Taelor said, his eyes scouring the room for any traps that Mika might have missed. Meanwhile, Jaysen meandered around the edge of the room, admiring the workmanship on the stone statuary that adorned the walls. Seemed very lifelike. A drip of water fell from the ceiling, finding its way to Joi's glasses. She looked up and saw a small crack in the roof, the obvious source of the water. A bit annoyed, she cleaned off her glasses and headed on down the chamber. The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the chamber briefly, followed by the sound of one man screaming. "Somebody get me down from here," Jaysen yelped as he curled his fist into a ball and began to smash his attacker in the face. He rained down blows upon his enemy, but it seemed to be a moot point. Mykel sprung towards Jaysen and his attacker, both axes at the ready. They too began to cut at the attacking monstrosity, but seemed as equally ineffectual as Jaysen's fisticuffs. Joi looked inquisitively at the assailant for a moment before announcing, "It's a stone golem, adamantine weapons are much more effective than those normal ones." "Thanks for the heads up, Dr. Science, next time tell me something I don't know about; like vampires not liking the sun, or werewolves disliking silver," Jaysen yelled as he reached for his sword. The golem's grip seemed relentless, not allowing Jaysen any movement. "Who the crap guards an empty chamber with a stone golem," Taelor asked as he rushed forward. "Not so much *a* stone golem," Raczel observed, "there appear to be 8 of them." The other statues grinded to life, advancing on the band of weary adventurers. Joi knew that they were no match for such an encounter. Plans began to formulate in her head, and she arrived at the most logical conclusion she could. "RUN AWAY!" screamed the normally demure elf as she bolted for the doorway. Startled, Mika and Raczel followed suit. Mykel and Taelor stood on opposite sides of the golem that held Jaysen in its grasp. Their weapons seemed utterly useless. "Guys, I think we might have to let Randal out of his bag," Taelor said in an uncharacteristically even tone. "Um, won't that *hurk* get me killed?" Jaysen yelled. "Better you than me, chief," Mykel said. "Myk, I've got a plan," Taelor said as he unslung his bag of holding, "Get out of here. If I don't make it back, punch that guy in the head," gesturing at Jaysen. "Gotcha," Mykel said as he withdrew from the room, leaving only Jaysen and Taelor to deal with the approaching mob of golems. Taelor leapt up onto the golem that held Jaysen, his gauntlet glowing a brilliant red color. He raised his fist and began to punch the golem in it's carved granite teeth. Surprisingly, the tactic seemed to work on two levels. The golem let Jaysen go and small chips seemed to be falling from the golem's head. "Open up the bag and run like Khyber's behind ya," Taelor yelled, "don't try to be the hero, it'll just get us both killed." Jaysen reluctantly opened up the bag of holding that his changeling friend had dropped, and a spiked metal hand emerged. Jaysen ran for the doorway, passing through the illusory wall to safety. The metal arm gave way to a metal head and torso, and within a few seconds, an eight foot tall metal man stood outside the bag. His eyes glowed hotter than the core of a Meteor Swarm spell. He strode forward, his fibrous innards growing bulkier, forcing his plates to open up ever so slightly. The massive metal blades on his arms seemed to grow even larger as he charged the nearest golem. With a resounding *ka-chunk* Randal shoulder charged the larger combatant, throwing its passenger to the floor. Taelor landed on his side, and struggled to get up. When his feet finally found the floor underneath him, he started a dead sprint for the door. Unluckily for Taelor, the golem noticed him. With a massive swing of its arm, the stone colossus knocked the changeling across the room, headfirst into a wall. The impact knocked the wind out of the artificer, and he lapsed into unconsciousness. ----- -TRRW
Raven Dark 06-03-06, 12:31 AM	I'm enjoying this quite a bit. :D Keep it up. :)
TheRedRobedWizard 06-03-06, 09:02 AM	[One year earlier.] "I swear, I honestly didn't mean for that to happen," the young priest said apologetically. "Ya know," Raczel replied, "I think you did that on purpose. The arrow hit me in the calf, why were your hands under my skirt?" "I... uh... um... it was the will of the Sovereigns?" the young man said pensively. "And I'm the queen of the Mournlands," Raczel said, standing up and walking away from the overzealous priest. She shrugged it off, seemed that every day, some guy was trying to get a little bit closer to her. 'Sometimes I wonder if I took the Vow of Chastity because of my devotions to the Host,' Raczel thought to herself, 'or as another excuse to keep guys like him away.' She walked into the courtyard, trying to find some way to escape the drudgery of northern Breland's farming towns. She couldn't imagine anyplace else in the world could be more boring. Looking at her feet as she walked, she came across a crumpled up piece of paper. It read: "Healer sought for private archaeology endeavor. Must possess adventurous spirit and three to five years applicable experience as a healer..." 'Well,' Raczel thought, 'I may not have all the experience required, but anything is better than staying here with Sexual Harassment Shifter over there.' The note continued: "Interested applicants should apply in person at Morgrave University in Sharn by the 12th of Nymm. Ask for Professor Joithrana Benetharas." "Sharn?" Raczel said with disbelief, "By Nymm 12th? That's tomorrow. How am I going to make it that far?" "Did you say you're going to Sharn?" came a voice from behind her, "I just so happen to be going there myself, and would love your company along the way." Raczel wheeled around, ready to punch that shifty Shifter, when she met face to face with a man in a shiny metal shirt. His black hair was kept shortly cropped, and a pair of axes hung at his waist. "Umm... thanks, but I don't seem to have any money," Raczel said dejectedly, "Vow of Poverty and all that." "That's okay, me and my sister just got back from rummaging through the catacombs of some Dhakaani King, and we've got money to spare," the man said, "besides, it's the honorable thing to do." "I... uh...," Raczel stammered, "Alright, I'll go with you." "I guess I'll just have to take the fare out in trade for your 'services'," the young man said with a wink. The wink must have gone unnoticed. "By the Sovereigns," Raczel yelled, "if you think I'm going to have relations with you for the cost of a ticket to Sharn..." "Relax," said a young woman who had pretty much come out of nowhere, "He's just messing around. Myk wouldn't dream of doing something like that." Raczel let out a relieved sigh. "Oh no, he'd much rather wait for you to be deep in your sacramental wine before taking advantage of you," the girl said before she burst out laughing. "Mika, shut up," Myk stated bluntly. "Ok, so we're clear," Raczel reiterated, "no hanky-panky." "Not unless you ask me nicely," Myk said flirtatiously. "So," Raczel asked impatiently, "when do we leave?" "As soon as the other two members of our party show up," Mika replied. "Yeah," Mykel continued, "a guy I grew up with back in Aundair, and some guy that Mika met while she was a student at Morgrave University." "You went to college?" Raczel asked mockingly, "I didn't realize they taught classes in hooliganry and second story property absconding." "That's nine tenths of Morgrave's curriculum," Mika replied. "Go gather your things," Mykel said, "they should be along shortly." Raczel walked towards her dormitory and began to pack her things. When she returned, there were two others approaching her new traveling companions; a very stereotypical knight-in-shining-armor type and what appeared to be a very large half-orc barbarian. The knight approached Mykel and gave him a manly handshake and the two began to chat. Mika smiled when she saw the burly half-orc approach her and sweep her into his arms. He sat her down before he suddenly became a dashing young human. Raczel had never met a changeling before; at least, she didn't recall meeting one. Raczel approached the group nervously. "Oh yeah," Mykel said, "this is... umm... I didn't catch your name." "Raczel Cladden," she said. "Right, Raczel," Myk continued, "she's coming with us to Sharn." "O rly?!" came a screech from behind Mykel. "What the crap was that?" Raczel asked with a start. "That's just Myk's owl, Orly," the knight replied, "it's an annoyance, but far less so than Taelor's old Iron Defender 'Jawesome'." "Jawesome was a good metal dog," the changeling said, "sure, he liked to bite people, and he was moderately evil... but that's besides the point. Besides, still cooler than the Poke-Horse." "You leave Trig out of this," the knight said defensively. "Anyway," Mika interrupted, "this is Jaysen and Taelor." "Pleased to meet you both," Raczel said, "so, what're you going to Sharn for?" The group began to walk towards the Airship platform, all the while chatting amongst themselves. "Well, Mika's former professor of 'Old and Possibly Really Old Things' is starting a freelance Archaeology business, and she invited us to tag along," Taelor said as he mimicked Raczel. "I, uh... That's really creepy," Raczel said, "could you please not do that anymore?" "Do what anymore?" Taelor replied. "Never mind," Raczel continued, "It does seem that we're going to the same place for the same purpose..." "It must be the will of the Silver Flame," Jaysen interrupted, "for only the brilliant shining fire of the Cleansing Flame could bring us together in this hour of need." "Hour of need? Sure, we're a little light on cash, but I'm pretty sure we could sell that shiny sword of yours and feed a city for a week," Myk said. "Mukkalakkahinicomonyuwanaleime is not to be sold," Jaysen exclaimed, "this sword has been in my family for 400 years!" "Jaysen," Mika said, "we found that sword two weeks ago." "Shut it up, you," Jaysen replied in a most annoyed tone. The group eventually reached the Airship docks and stowed their gear. ‘Oh Sovereigns, what‘ve I got myself into,' Raczel thought. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-04-06, 08:34 AM	"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," muttered Jaysen as he hung his head over the side of the airship. "Jaysen," came a call from behind him, "if you aren't careful you'll fall off of there." "Maybe I want to, it would end my eternal torment," he said morbidly as he stared off the side of the ship. "Almost everyone gets airsick their first ride, it's nothing to want to kill yourself over," Raczel continued. "This is the worst feeling ever. My guts are rebelling, I've got wicked cramps, and I'm very emotional; you have no idea what this is like," Jaysen stammered as he began to heave again. "Yes, us ladies have no idea what that's like," said Mika as she approached. "This is different. This is new to me, and therefore scary," replied the sickened paladin. "I thought you couldn't be scared," Mykel quipped as passed them. "Shut up and let me die already," Jaysen muttered as he lay his head down on the railing. "You should probably leave the poor boy alone," said a roguish halfling in a pirate outfit, "he's obviously got a weak intestinal fortitude and can't stand a leisurely ride through the sky." "Who asked you, Shorty McShortshort?" Jaysen said annoyedly. "Oh, that was me, sorry about that," Raczel replied, "he just looked like he'd be knowledgeable about such things." "The only way to get rid of sea sickness," the halfling continued, "is to eat the skin off a Karnnathi Hedge Apple." "But aren't those made of baby souls or grandma skin or something," Jaysen asked worriedly. "Oh no, they're actually quite tasty," the halfling corrected, "here, try a bite." The small privateer held out his hand and gave Jaysen a mangled piece of green and red material. There were small spines and blotches covering it. Jaysen gulped as he looked down at it. "Well, it can't possibly hurt any more than this. Bottoms up," Jaysen said as he downed the rind. He chewed for a moment, then swallowed with the most disgusted look on his face any in his party had ever seen. "Hey, I do feel better. Thanks little captain guy," Jaysen said as he walked away from the railing and began to mingle through the crowd. Mykel turned to the halfling and asked, "so, what was that, anyway?" "Nothing but every day, garden variety troll ****," the halfling laughed as he took up a seat on the railing. "Troll ****? Is that really a cure for nausea?" Raczel asked. "Pfft. No, it's more likely a cause of nausea than anything else. I just wanted to see if he'd eat it," the halfing said as he hopped down. His form blurred for a moment, and standing in his place was a copy of Jaysen in pirate gear. "Yarr, I be a paladin, yo ho," he said as he wandered into the crowd. "Your boyfriend is strange," Mykel said to Mika as the Pirate Jaysen 'accidentally' knocked over a crew member. "Nah, he's 'special', like a half-orc with brain damage... only more funny, and less able to hurt people," Mika replied with a slight laugh. Suddenly, an armor clad figure rushed towards the group, flailing his arms wildly as he closed the distance. "Make way, *hurk*, coming through," exclaimed the armored man as he slammed bodily into the railing. A loud retching noise could be heard throughout the deck of the boat. "That stuff the pirate gave me didn't help at all. In fact, I think it made me more sick," Jaysen said as he collapsed onto the deck. "Yeah, about that," Mykel said, "it wasn't Karnnathi Hedge Apple peel. It was Troll ****." "Troll ****? What kind of mean spirited and evil person would give me such a thing," Jaysen asked vehemently. "This kind," came a voice from beside him. "Flaming lycanthrope on a spit, you spiteful changeling bastard," Jaysen said as he looked up into his own face. "It's your fault you know," Taelor laughed, "you shouldn't have taken away all my 'evidence'." "Renderings of Pontiff Jaela as she bathed are *not* 'evidence' of any kind," Jaysen insisted. "He had renderings of a 13 year old girl naked?" Raczel said, shocked and appalled. "To be fair, the age of consent in Thrane is 13; and I'm only 9," Taelor said as he changed into the form of a preteen boy with Thranish features. "You're an adult AND a pervert," Jaysen said, "I'm glad I destroyed those." "First of all, he only had them so he could sell them to Cardinal Krozen; that dirty old pervert," Mika replied, "and secondly, they were fakes." "Don't call the second in command of my religion a pervert," Jaysen exclaimed, "he's a good man." "Good... at fondling 12 year old boys in the auspices of 'religious ceremonies'," Taelor replied, "like that one that you told me about." "The Cardinal didn't molest me at Paladin Camp, Taelor. You're a lying liar for saying such things," Jaysen said with a rather angry look upon his face. "Anyway," Raczel said, changing the subject quickly, "Sharn's just up ahead, we'll probably be getting off soon." "Not unless there's little boys around, because I like little boys," screamed a very strangely dressed Jaysen. "Dammit all," said a more paladinly dressed Jaysen as he hid his face in shame, "Just because I'm a paladin doesn't mean I'm a pedophile." "If you aren't," Mika said, "why are you over there hitting on little boys?" "I'm going to stomp on that changeling," Jaysen said angrily. ----- Also, remember that any comments are appreciated; even if you hate it, I'd like to hear about it. -TRRW
Raven Dark 06-04-06, 11:59 AM	Also, remember that any comments are appreciated; even if you hate it, I'd like to hear about it. -TRRW Maybe I got a little mixed up during the reading, but is your Changling character changing his clothes along with his appearance? If so, he shouldn't be able to do so.
taski 06-04-06, 07:50 PM	He should be able to if he has shiftweave (S:CoT) or a Vestment of Many Styles (RoE). By the way, nice work, RRW. :cheer:
TheRedRobedWizard 06-04-06, 10:09 PM	The narrative style I was going for with this was the typical flow of a D&D game; mainly lots of the characters picking at each other, very little descriptive text, and lots of making fun of paladins. I added in the Jaela material due to the exploits of the Forgotten Freedom; those crazy rapscallions. As to the changeling, he was wearing the pirate outfit the whole time aboard the airship. Next installment should be up tomorrow. -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-05-06, 11:06 PM	The airship shuddered as it finally reached its destination, the main airship hub of the largest city on all Khorvaire. Sharn sprawled out below, above, and on all sides of the massive spire. Those passengers who'd never been to the city before felt a definite sense of vertigo as they traversed the walkway to the tower. Jaysen sprinted down the ramp and fell to his knees as he made it onto the tower. "Sweet flaming Tira Miron," Jaysen yelled joyously, "I thought that trial would never end!" "Trial," Myk asked, "what trial?" "That horrendous airship ride," Jaysen replied. "That was one of the smoothest airship rides we've ever taken," Mika said, "there weren't even any raiders or crazed warforged this time." "Or crazed warforged raiders," Taelor laughed as he mirrored Mika. Mika raised an eyebrow at the changeling. "What? You never wanted to make out with yourself," Doppel-Mika inquired, "not even a little bit?" "No, not once, ever," Mika replied sternly. "Not to be rude," the group's newest addition interrupted, "but where is Morgrave University from here?" "Up and to the west," Myk answered. "Up? But we're already so far from the ground," Raczel said, "Heck, I can't even tell where the ground is." "You'll have that," Taelor quipped as he sauntered towards the baggage claim. The lot of them joined the artificer at the cargo unloading area, totally oblivious to the riot about to break out behind them. The sound of flesh being seared and screams of pain reached Mykel's trained ears. His hands went instinctively for his belt and drew his axes. "Trouble over by the food court," Myk said as he sprinted towards the source of conflict. Jayson dropped his bag, drew his sword and followed Myk to the disturbance. Taelor followed suit, drawing a wand from his belt. "Should we follow them," Raczel asked. "Nah," Mika said with a giggle, "they'll be able to handle it. Just make sure to have a prayer to the Sovereigns ready in case they come back in more pieces than they left in." "Right," Raczel said nervously. The three rounded the corner to the food court, startled to come across a five men pummelling a young changeling girl. Jaysen went into paladin mode and yelled out to the gathered crowd. "Cease your violence," he bellowed, "what has this girl done to deserve such a thing?" The strongest of the men turned and faced Jaysen. He stood a head and a half taller than the paladin. The man's eyes burned with hatred, a charred spot was appearant on his face. "She is a demon binder. She has made a pact with one of the devils of the north, drawing from its unholy power to bring about the ruin of Breland," the man answered, his voice filled with rage. "You missed the part where you assumed that I was a prostitute because I'm a changeling," the girl screamed, "and how you tried to kill me when I wouldn't give in to your advances. I know I'm a hottie, but I'm only 13 sicko!" "Watch your tongue, wench, or I'll cut it out of your unholy head," the man commanded. The changeling girl looked upon the faces of those who interposed on her behalf. The man in shining armor, his twin, and the woodsman. The knight's twin looked confusedly at her for a moment then spoke. "Cayla," Taelor stammered, "is that you?" The girl looked at him again as he switched forms to that of a brutish half orc. "Taelor?" the girl replied. Taelor looked at his companions then at the men surrounding the changeling girl. "You'd better step back you inbred retards," Taelor threatened, "or you'll all end up as piles of ash." "You and what army," the leader laughed. "This one," Taelor said as he pulled back his overcoat, exposing a slew of wands of varying hues and sizes, "now, back away and I'll only turn you over to the law." The thugs stared down the half-orc in artificer's clothing and laughed. "Those things aren't real," one said, "Baron d'Cannith doesn't even carry that many wands." "Most of them might be fake, but this one isn't," Taelor said, brandishing a wand in his left hand, "lay one hand on her again and you'll wish that the Keeper already took you." The thugs called his bluff. Their leader lifted a foot and brought it crashing down on Cayla's head. In that moment, Taelor snapped. ----- -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-06-06, 09:33 PM	"That was some fight," Jaysen said as he absent-mindedly wiped some stray blood spatter from his breastplate. "I can't believe you did all that," Myk continued, "with only a gauntlet and a few improvised weapons." "That thing with the trays and the fruit stand; inspired," Mika said, "that was definitely a fight that they'll be talking about in Sharn for years to come." "To think, I almost missed it," Raczel said, "but you brought the action all the way over to where Mika and I were. That was thoughtful." "Thoughtful nothing," Taelor interjected, "that was dumb luck." "Either way," Jaysen said, "I think I speak for everyone here when I say that was the most exciting fight I've ever seen." "Where'd your sister disappear to, anyway," Raczel asked. "After you healed her up, she went back to my apartment," Taelor replied, "she's keeping watch over it while we're on this little adventure." Mika stopped for a moment and looked around. "Ok, this way," the rogue said as she trotted off. The group quickened their pace and crossed the common area of the University as students milled about them. None of the pupils even batted an eyelash at the presence of heavily armed and blood spattered adventurers wandering through the grounds. The group's progress came to a screeching halt outside a heavy wooden door. "We're here," Mika said as she pushed the door open. "... and thus concludes today's lesson on the anatomy of the Aberration," said a demure elf standing in front of an eviscerated orb of flesh. "Professor," came a voice from the back, "one of the eyestalks is twitching." Screams washed over the gathered students in the lecture hall. The professor stepped away, clutching her scalpel in a defensive manner. A whooshing sound flew from the back of the room, followed by a metallic thunk as the creature's eyestalk was severed by a very sharp axe. The students hushed immediately as the group made its way down the stairs to the lectern. "Class dismissed," the professor said as she set her scalpel down on the table. "Professor," Mika said happily, "good to see you again." "You as well Ms. Groven," the elf replied, "who're these rabble you've brought with you?" "We aren't rabble," Jaysen said with a miffed tone, "we're her friends." "Either way," the professor said, "what brings you back?" "We're answering your advertisement for an archaeological expedition," Raczel spoke up from the back. "Ah," the professor answered. "I guess introductions are in order," Mika said, "this is Joithrana Benetharas; Professor of Anatomy, Archaeology, and Mrorish Poetry." "What a bizarre triple specialization," said a mirror image of the professor, "why'd they pick you to head up the Mrorish Poetry department?" "Do my ears really look like that," Joi asked absentmindedly, "Who are your friends, Ms. Groven?" "That's my brother Myk, his friend Jaysen, and this is Raczel; we just met her in Wroat," Mika replied, "and I believe you know Taelor." "How could I forget him after the stunt he pulled in my 'Pre-Galifarian Anthropology' class," Joi said irately, "the founders of the Dragonmarked Houses were *not* inbred yokels who snogged their siblings." "To be fair," Taelor replied, "the song and dance number I put together said that they buggered their cousins, not snogged their siblings." "Either way, it's a wonder you have the courage to set foot back here after the administration kicked you out for attacking that exchange student," Joi continued. "He was asking for it, trying steal my eternal soul and use it to make a bargain with a Rakshasa," Taelor interrupted. "Well, to be fair, he *was* possessed at the time," Mika said. "That's no excuse," Taelor said, "he was voluntarily possessed to get higher marks in 'Pact Magic: 201'." "Just drop it, we've got work to do," Joi said sternly as she handed a piece of parchment to Mika, "here's a list of tasks for each of you." "Raczel, you're on rations; Myk, you're getting maps; Jaysen, you're on transport; I'm on weapons and armor detail," Mika said. "What about me," Taelor asked. "The list says you're supposed to, and I quote, 'not do anything to jeopardise the mission or get us into any other trouble before we leave'," Mika said with a giggle. "Where's the fun in that," Taelor said dejectedly. "You could always help me clean up the Aberration corpse," Joi said. "That's ok, I think I'll just go get some more wands," Taelor quipped, "where're we going on this little trip, anyway?" "We're heading to the Mournlands," Joi said absentmindedly, "I'm looking to recover some of the historical books in Metrol's library that were left behind after it was evacuated." "Mockery's genitals," Taelor cursed, "you couldn't have picked a more dangerous place for a first expedition, could you?" "Well, it was either this or a trip to Q'barra," Joi replied. "What kind of morons would voluntarily go to that Defiler's playground," Raczel asked. "Where do you think we're going when we get back from Metrol," the professor mentioned as she walked into her office to gather her supplies. "What in the name of all that's good and decent have I gotten myself into," Raczel wondered aloud. "The greatest adventure you'll ever experience," Jaysen said, "I had a vision during my test at the Cathedral of the Silver Flame that my friends and two strange women would save the world from eternal darkness." "Oh... well then... no pressure," Raczel said nervously as the lot of them left the lecture hall and set out to their assigned tasks. ----- -TRRW
aelryinth 06-06-06, 11:36 PM	Um, dude, you do know that there's going to be a board wipe of every new post since May 30 on June 12, right? I hope you have these stories saved elsewhere. ---Aelryinth
TheRedRobedWizard 06-07-06, 05:01 PM	Yeah, I do. I've got them saved in two other places, actually. Just trying to keep the people entertained. -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-09-06, 12:51 AM	"There's still a lightning rail that goes to Metrol," Jaysen asked bemusedly, "The Orien Express?" "Of course not," Joi corrected, "We'll just get off at the last station *before* the Dead Grey Mist that forms the supernatural boundary of the Mournlands; then we walk." "Walking? That's like 200 miles," Mika complained. "Actually, 500," Joi again corrected. "Dol Dorn's bloodstained headband," Taelor cursed, "I'm not walking that far." "Well, you don't have much choice," Mykel interrupted, "that's where we're going. So say the boss lady." "Our lightning rail coach leaves in about an hour, so make your final preparations and meet me at the station," Joi announced before retiring to her office. The group scattered, gathering their few possessions and meeting up at the Orien Lightning Rail Depot. The hustle and bustle of travelers on the go was everywhere. The vertical city certainly had its share of miscreants using the 'rail for villainous purposes. "Just put it over there," said a rather non-descript gnome as he passed the group. The other gnomes following him carried what appeared to be a black burlap sack that hung like an unconscious (or dead) body was contained within. The gathered throng meandered its way into the coaches. The group had reserved a small cabin in one of the 'average' coaches. It wasn't the roomiest, but it was good for a group on a budget. "This cabin smells like someone died, then got sprayed by a fiendish pseudonatural dire wereskunk, then got crapped on by the Defiler," Mika said as she covered her nose. "You forgot where they hung two whole pine trees in here to try to cover that up; resulting only in pine scented, Defiler crap covered, fiendish pseudonatural dire wereskunk sprayed, dead body," Taelor corrected. "Don't remind me," Raczel said as she tried in vain to ignore the smell. "Can't the Sovereign Host allow you to cast 'Dispel Stankiness' or something," Myk asked. "That reminds me," Joi said. "How can *that* remind you of anything," Jaysen quipped. "There's rumor that wounds do not heal in the Mournlands," Joi continued. "Oh, *now* you mention that. Great, what's the walking bandage going to do if she can't heal us," Jaysen asked annoyedly. "I can kind of fight," Raczel said, "I just need some time to get my Divine Righteousness going, then I'm better in a fight than you are." "That's entirely unpossible," Jaysen replied. "Can we get to the planning part of this," Mika asked, "before the corpse pine skunk whatever overwhelms us?" "The plan is, get off at the last station; traverse the Dead Grey Mists; find our way to Metrol by following the old lightning rail line; find our way to the Cyran Royal Library; then find what I'm looking for; then do that all in reverse to get back," Joi stated, "simple, really." "'Cept for all the parts where we'll surely die," Jaysen replied, "I don't like those parts." "Like how I don't like girl parts," Jaysen said mockingly from the bench opposite Jaysen. "I am going to strangle you someday, you realize that, right" Jaysen asked as he pointed angrily at the shapechanger sitting across from him. "Meh," Taelor said noncommitally. The 'rail lurched as it left the station. A pair of women walked by the open cabin the group was trying to relax in. "So you kill my boss," the first woman said. "And you kill my boyfriend," the second woman continued. "It's fool proof. No one will ever know," the first woman said nefariously. If anyone in the group overheard them, it was quickly forgotten. [3 days later] "End of the line," the conductor said as he made his way through the coaches, "everyone out!" The group disembarked and stood outside a derelict old 'rail station. No workers were stationed here, it was simply a turn around point and tourist trap. About a quarter mile down the road sat a lone building. As the group approached, they noticed the sign hanging off its porch: "Mournlands Tourguide". "What kind of crazy person would volunteer to lead tourists through the mournlands," Mika wondered aloud. "The kind with enough sense to realize that tourists want to go everywhere they aren't allowed," said a voice from inside the building. A small reptilian creature ambled out from the shanty. It looked on the group with a bemused look on its face. "You don't seem to be tourists," it said happily, "the name's Meepo. What can I do for you?" "You're awfully well spoken for a kobold," Jaysen said. "You're awfully well spoken for a follower of the Silver Flame," Meepo retorted, "usually all your type can say is 'Smite Evil!' and 'Kill anything that isn't like humans!'." "I... grrr... stupid kobold," Jaysen muttered. The kobold paced rapidly around the group, sizing them up. "So, you're headed into the Mournlands, eh? Come to defile Cyre's corpse like the rest of them," Meepo asked bitterly. "We're just looking for some books and a couple of magic trinkets," Joi explained. "Well, the body of the Jewel of Galifar is picked clean 'round these parts," Meepo said, "you'd have to go pretty far to find something not scavenged by greedy bandits and so called 'heroes'." "We're heading to Metrol," Joi said, "and we need a guide. I've been authorized by Morgrave University to pay up to three Platinum Dragons per day to a guide who gets us safely to Metrol and back." "Three... platinum?" the kobold said, slack jawed. "I guess I can dip into my personal funds and up the pay to five per day if you're not willing," Joi continued. "Five?! I'll do it!" Meepo said triumphantly. "You do realize that with five platinum dragons per day," Taelor whispered, "you could rent out the nicest penthouse in Sharn, right?" "Money is no object. Finding lost parts of history to be restored for the future is what matters," Joi said defiantly. "What is your command, oh most generous and beautiful one whose eyes are as radiant as the sun and whose wisdom is unrivaled even by Arawai himself," Meepo groveled. "Laying it on a little thick, aren't you," Myk said to the kobold. "For five platinum dragons a day," Meepo replied quietly, "I might even have sex with her if she asked. Elves are disgusting, hideous creatures, but a guy's gotta pay the bills." "You are a sick, twisted little reptile," Myk said, "I think you'll fit in just fine." ----- -TRRW
Ascariat 06-10-06, 12:20 AM	i really enjoyed this. it flows just like a game does.
TheRedRobedWizard 06-10-06, 12:33 AM	"Well, here goes everything," Meepo said as he pushed his hand through the greasy mists that formed a wall around the Mournlands. He gestured with his other hand for the group to follow. "I really don't like the look of this," Myk said cautiously. "Oh stop being such a baby," Jaysen said, "we'll be fine. This isn't obviously a trap at all." A blur of motion passed through Jaysen's visual range. Taelor ran passed the group as they stood, and dove head first into the Mist. "Come on in," Taelor yelled out, "the water's fine. There's hardly any demons, either." One by one, the group walked into the Mist, feeling its oppressive heaviness wash over them. Hours passed. What seemed like days. They walked and walked and walked. Finally, they breached the far edge of the Dead-Grey Mist. "Here we are. Mournlands," Meepo said as he stood outside the mists. As the group pierced the boundary of the densest fog they'd ever encountered, they realized the scope of what they'd gotten themselves into. Strewn around them were about 3 dozen bodies. All appeared to have been killed in the last few hours. "What is this," Jaysen demanded as he unsheathed his sword and pointed it at their guide, "you brought us here to kills us?" "No. Bodies have been here for as long as I've came here," Meepo said, "I didn't kill any of them. They died in the Mourning." "Like I'm supposed to believe that! The Mourning was four years ago," Jaysen exclaimed, "how are these bodies not rotted or skeletal?" "That's the magic of the Mournlands," Joi said calmly, "nothing rots, nothing decays, nothing heals, everything is as it was on that day." "Huh," Raczel said, "that sounds possibly deadly." "Oh, it is," Meepo continued, "we have to travel light and fast in order to make it to Metrol alive." Jaysen put his fingers to his lips and whistled. A poof of white smoke and luminousity appeared beside him. When it cleared, a shining white horse was standing to his right. "We ride for Metrol!" Jaysen cheered as he hopped atop his steed. "I don't think you and your pony count as a 'we', Jaysen. The rest of us are without horses," Myk said. "Well, he is slower anyway," Raczel chuckled, "let him ride. He can rest his dainty paladinhood atop the horse while us 'lesser' people walk." "Damn right," Jaysen said stoically. The group began a brisk walk towards the direction of Metrol. The landscape so far had been that of a rolling plain. The sky was as grey as the mists they'd recently walked through, and the grass had a sickly green-yellow tinge to it. When they crested the first hill, they came upon a horrific sight. "What in the name of the Sovereigns is that," Raczel said, aghast. The group members looked at where their healer was pointing, only to be struck speechless by the scene they gazed upon. The ground had turned from the greenish-yellow grass they were standing upon to blackened ash. It looked like something had burned a patch of the ground about 3 miles across. A few cinders still peeked out from the ashes. Standing at the center of the desolation was a single tree; unharmed by the flames that had scorched the earth around it. "Well now we have to find out why the tree was spared," Joi said. "No, we most certainly do not," Raczel contradicted, "What we have to do is run as far away from that as possible. Now." "Oh come on, where's your sense of heroic wonderment," Joi asked. "Probably in the same non-existent place as mine," Mika replied, "because all I want to know about that thing is how do I kill it and with how much fire?" "Where's Taelor?" Myk asked, scanning the horizon. "He's walking towards the tree," Jaysen said as he galloped off to grab Taelor. "Now we actually do have to go to the tree, don't we," Raczel asked. "Yep, follow me," Myk replied as he lead the group through the ashen field. Minutes later they were standing near the tree. The tree was much more gruesome when viewed up close. Its leaves were a bluish-purple color and its bark was the consistency of charred flesh. Hanging from its branches were vines shaped like nooses. "I don't like this tree," Mika said as she backed away slowly, "Lets go." Joi approached the tree cautiously, her delicate hand gently touching the bark. She ran her fingers along the bark, causing pieces to flake off. Seconds later, where the bark had been, reddish sap began to trail out, down the side of the trunk. "Weird. I've never seen red sap before," Myk said. "That's because it's not sap," Joi corrected, "it's blood." "But, but, but," Jaysen conjectured, "trees don't bleed!" "This one does, apparently," Joi replied, continuing to run her fingers along its bark. The leaves of the tree began to rustle, yet there was no wind. The noose shaped vines swayed in the non-existent breeze. Joi peeled a large section of the bark away in one swift yank, causing the tree to shudder from the roots. A wail came forth from the tree, an unearthly wail. The sound of a hundred infants crying out in terror and pain, the sound of a woman having her skin ripped off her still living body, the cries of a battalion of soldiers being slaughtered by a Living Harm spell. The screams of horror of each of the members of the group. Yet none of them were making the sounds they all heard. Their screams of terror, all the mangled and congealed screams were coming from the gaping wound in the bark of the blackened tree. Everyone, save the paladin, ran in horror from the tree. It was the most unreal, frightening thing they'd ever seen; and their bodies had gone into a primitive 'fight or flight' mode. They'd chosen flight. Jaysen spurred Trig towards Raczel, interposing himself in her path. He dismounted his horse and stopped her further progress. She continued to freak out. Her screams grated on his every nerve, but he did not falter. "How do I get her to stop screaming," Jaysen asked himself aloud, "I know, I'll just do what we did to the new recruits at paladin camp to get them to stop screaming at unnatural horrors." He reached into his pack and pulled out a waterskin. He sprayed her in the face with it. "Snap out of it!" Jaysen yelled, "You've got to help the others." "I... what... was that," Raczel said, gasping for breath. "Never mind. Do you know a spell to remove their fear?" Jaysen asked calmly. Raczel composed herself, "Yes, I do." "Good. Hop on and we'll use it," Jaysen said as he mounted his steed, pulling the healer up behind him, "Hang on." The two galloped off towards the huddled mass that was the rest of their companions. They came to a halt, and Raczel began a prayer to the Sovereign Host, asking that the gathered deities remove her companions mortal fear. After a few seconds, the group stopped shaking and began to regain its composure. "I am never using a wooden anything ever again," Meepo said as he stood up and tried to look for a new path that took them nowhere near the Screaming Willow. "What was that thing," Myk asked as he picked himself up. "Who cares," Mika replied, "Lets just get as far away from it as we can." "There looks to be the remains of a settlement over there," Meepo said, gesturing to a copse of buildings near the horizon, "we could set up camp there and rest for a bit." "Not like it could be any worse than that tree," Taelor said as the group walked towards the remnants of the thorp. ----- -TRRW
Thanqol 06-10-06, 04:02 AM	You, sir, are a genius.
TheRedRobedWizard 06-23-06, 12:16 AM	"Well, this is sufficiently creepy," Joi said as the group passed the outskirts of town. The dilapidated buildings seemed to be decaying as the group watched. Paint was peeling off the wood at an accelerated rate, the wood was rotting before their eyes, the nails holding the boards together were rusting visibly. In the three minutes the group had observed the town, it had gone from ghost town to ruins. "Where'd the town go," Jaysen asked. "It looks like it just up and disintegrated," Taelor replied. After a few more moments, all trace of the town was gone. Blackened, greasy grass was all that remained of the once existent town. Seemingly without warning, the ground began to clear. Pits began to appear where the houses once stood. House frames were erected, and walls were being put up. Within minutes, the town was back; looking brand spanking new. Yet, there were still no people, and no evidence of the source of this strangeness. "What's going on," Mika asked, "I'm so very confused." "We appear to be in a temporal confluence of some variety," Joi replied, "It looks as though this entire town is replaying its existence from birth to death and everywhere between in an endless cycle." "So how do we kill it," Jaysen asked matter-of-factly. "How else do you kill anything," Mika replied, "with lots and lots of fire." "That won't solve anything," Raczel said, "there's obviously some variety of curse here." The group looked around and were once again standing in a field of blackened, greasy grass. "I think this grass has something to do with it. Maybe the town was built in a Manifest Zone to Kyber or Xoriat," Joi mused. "Manifest whatnow with the who what," Jaysen asked confusedly. "Never mind," Joi continued, "I'm more worried about the possible ramifications of a Manifest Zone of Xoriat appearing. That would mean the plane wasn't knocked completely out of alignment by the ancients, that it was just delayed." "Or maybe," Taelor interrupted, "Xoriat superimposed itself onto Cyre on the Day of Mourning." "Don't even joke about such things," Joi scolded, "the Realm of Absolute Madness isn't a joking matter." "Maybe we're going about this the wrong way," Mika said, "Instead of trying to deduce the causality of such problems, we should just do the logical thing." "Run away very quickly and completely ignore the problem," Mykel responded. "That'd be the logical thing," Mika replied. "We can't leave until we get to the bottom of this," Joi said fervently. "The town stopped," came the cry of a nearby Kobold. The group ceased their chatter and looked around. Sure enough, the town had stopped moving in it cycle. They stood in the square of town, in what appeared to be the beginning of its decline. There were no people milling about, no animals, no wind, no noise. Nothing. The town seemed to be drawn on the landscape. Complete stillness. "Is running still an option," Mika whispered. The group backed away from the town and began to run in the opposite direction. After about ten minutes of running, they saw on the horizon another town. Jaysen spurred his horse and it took off into a sprint. They reached the town in mere minutes. The group continued walking/jogging towards the town. Just as they were coming within good enough visual distance to get a bead on specific features, they heard thunderous hoof beats coming from behind them. Myk whirled around, axes at the ready. He stopped in his tracks and scratched his head. Much to his chagrin, the thread quickly approaching wasn't a threat at all. It was Jaysen, galloping at full speed towards them. "I rode to the next town, and it was the last town," the paladin said as he dismounted. "We're stuck within the temporal anomaly," Joi said quietly. The group continued on until they reached the town. Coming into view was a sign, marking the boundary of the hamlet. "Sheesh, this place is creepy. It's like a silent town on a hill," Taelor said, "I wonder what they call this place." "Well, the sign says 'Cynical Valley', but that's written in what appears to be human blood over the town's original name," Joi said as she approached the sign, "The original name looks to be 'Thorp'." "What an uninspiring name," Taelor quipped, "Well, we'd best find an inn or we'll not get any sleep tonight." The group gave him a puzzled look, but he just sauntered off towards what appeared to be the town's inn. They followed cautiously, keeping one hand on their weapons and/or holy symbols; ready for the first sign of trouble. Taelor led them upstairs and into what was the best room in the inn, a room sized for six guests, with six well made beds; undisturbed even in the town's current state. "Don't you think this is just a little too creepy," Raczel asked worriedly. "Why do you say that," Joi asked. "Well, there's six of us and six beds," Raczel replied. "Ahem," interjected Meepo, "there's seven of us." "No," Raczel quipped, "There's six of us and an interrupting Kobold. Interrupting Kobolds don't get a bed." "Raszafrackin little himmena har," Meepo muttered under his breath. "You're lucky she doesn't speak your wierdo language," Jaysen said jokingly, "or she might be upset by that remark." "What remark," Raczel asked defensively. "Well, he did just call your mother a..." A loud thump resounded through the hallway. A second one followed it. "What was *that*," Mika said, clutching Taelor close. "That," Joi said, "was most likely the source of this town's problems." "Or, ya know, it could just be a really fat innkeeper," Taelor said as he frantically searched for a wand to defend himself, "Please just be a really fat innkeeper." ----- -TRRW
ChronosCrow 06-23-06, 02:34 PM	I like the character interaction, very good. It's hard to read as a good story though, there's not much utilization of all 5 senses. Those are really what places a reader (& player, during the game) into the situation.
TheRedRobedWizard 06-23-06, 09:06 PM	Well, remember, I was trying to go not for "good description", but for "average gaming group level of description". It's an experiment. Thanks for your kind words, though. -TRRW
Pocket Ace Pretender 06-24-06, 05:52 PM	Entertaining story; good read. But just because I'm a nerd, I have to ask. Can there be Manifest Zones to Khyber? I thought Planes/Moons only, but Joi mentioned Khyber and she sounds smart ;) Keep it up!
TheRedRobedWizard 06-24-06, 09:18 PM	And that is what a failed Knowledge (The Planes) check looks like; even the ultra-smart Archivist types fail every once in a great while. -TRRW
TheRedRobedWizard 06-25-06, 12:34 AM	The group formed into a defensive formation, Myk and Jaysen overturning the beds to form as makeshift barricades. The low thumping continued to grow closer and closer. Each of the party members drew out their weapons, even Joi (although somewhat clumsily) brandished her ancestral Valenar dagger. The low thumping was now right outside their doorway. A great crash was heard as the door shuddered and splintered. It looked as though it might only hold a few more seconds. "Well," Jaysen said, breaking the nervous silence, "we're boned." "We'll be fine," Raczel said, "so long as I survive to heal everyone up." "Hello, Mournlands," Meepo interrupted, "No healy healy here, blondie." "Well, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, ever, *ever*, but I think Jaysen's right," Raczel said. "Damn right," Jaysen interjected as he positioned himself in front of the more fragile members of the party. The door burst off its hinges, revealing the source of the commotion. A shambling form undulated through the remains of the doorway. It stood nearly as high as the portal it slid through, and had to squeeze to get its girth through the narrow confines of the wooden framework. "What the..." was all Joi could manage to say. "I'm Daven Felth, the innkeeper here," the blob-like form in the doorway said. "Well, damn," Jaysen said, "I guess you were right, facechanger boy." "Well, a bet is a bet. You owe me a dance," Taelor said, taking the form of an attractive Karnn woman, "We'll meet under the noonday gloom tomorrow and dance until sunset. You'd better show up, or I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I *will* end you." "What bet? There was no bet," Jaysen clamored nervously. "Oh yes there was," Taelor corrected, "You bet me two years ago that I'd never be right about anything life threatening; and that if I was right about something life threatening, you'd voluntarily make a fool of yourself in front of a large group of people. Well, time to pay up, sucka." "He makes a fool of himself on a daily basis," Mika said, "what kind of bet was that?" "The kind I knew I'd win," Taelor said with a wink as he approached the innkeeper. His form changed to that of a fourteen year old Aundairian boy, "So, what's the story Daven?" "What story? You're in one of my rooms and you've made a mess of the place," the innkeeper replied, "And you never paid for it." "Well, there wasn't anyone at the counter when we arrived," Taelor answered, "So we figured the town was abandoned." "Abandoned? This town has 600 people in it," Daven said. "Wouldn't that make this a Village, not a Thorp?" Joi postulated. "What are you talking about? The town isn't *a* thorp, it's *called* Thorp," Daven replied. "So it's the Village of Thorp?" Joi asked inquisitively. "No, it's the unincorporated municipality of Thorp, not that it's relevant to the matter at hand," Daven stated, "On to that. You ruffians owe me five galifars for the damage done and another galifar for the room for the night." "Six galifars? Better pay the man, moneybags," Myk replied, gesturing to Joi. The scholar handed Daven the money and he left. To say that the gathered group was confused could have been the understatement of their lifetimes. "So, what happened *now*," Raczel asked. Joi peered out the window, taking in the environment. "It appears that the town has returned to normal," Joi said, "as in pre-Mourning normal." She daintily bolted down the stairs to find the innkeeper. "Sir, if I may be so bold as to ask, what is today," Joi inquired. "It's Olarune 19," Daven replied, "Why?" "That's strange, I could have sworn we left Sharn three days ago and it was Nymm 12," Joi said to herself. "Did you hit your head or something," Daven asked, "it's the middle of Olarune. Look at the lovely frost on the trees. When's the last time there was a frost in the middle of Nymm?" "If you'll indulge my curiosity," Joi continued, "what year is it?" The innkeeper sighed, obviously tiring of the insane-o's questions. "It's Olarune 19, 994 YK; now, let me get back to my work." Joi slowly walked back upstairs, an air of confusion surrounding her. She reentered their room through the destroyed doorway. "Well," Taelor asked, "what's going on?" "It's Olarune 19th," Joi said gravely, "994 YK." The changeling's face changed to a stark white and all the color drained from his hair. "What's so weird about that," Jaysen asked, "besides that we're suddenly four years in the past in the wrong month?" "Tomorrow is a very historical day," Joi answered, "We're going to be first-hand witnesses to the events of the Day of Mourning. If we survive, this will be a great learning experience for all of us." "I don't particularly like that 'if'," Raczel said. "What's the worst that could happen," Myk asked. "We could all be trapped in an eternal time loop here with the rest of the town, doomed to relive the day before the Mourning over and over again until Siberys falls and Khyber rises and the two crush The Dragon Between, signaling the end of the world," Joi said with dire overtones. "Well," Jaysen said, "at least I'll leave a pretty corpse." "I'm sure that will be very impressive to the people of the End Times," Myk said as he continued to clean up the room, "but I'm more interested in *not* dying. Living outside a time-loop is also a priority." "Then we'll just have to solve this nigh impossible mystery and possibly prevent the Day of Mourning from coming to pass," Joi stated. "How hard could that possibly be," Taelor asked. "Ever try to reason with a drunken, retarded, frenzied, Weretouched Master in their Dire Ultrabear Form of Doom," Joi asked, "about that hard." "Well," Jaysen said coolly, "we're boned." ----- -TRRW
Soloran 06-26-06, 08:27 AM	I like it! Especially the Firefly references :D