Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - The Chronicles of Merick -- part I

Rockstar · 04-04-2007, 01:37 AM

CHAPTER 1
ACT VIII
The Basilisk Kingdom

Merick knew he was starting to get close to Beregost. This longer route had definitely proved much more life threatening than originally thought. The sun began to rise and he had finally gotten past the dusty pillar filled plain he was enduring. He was back to treading on grass, and what little pleasure Merick was capable of feeling, he felt it here.

Merick saw two travelers in the distance. Merick approached them, hoping they may have some useful wares. A chill went down Merick’s spine when he realised that these travelers were statues, people turned to stone, because only one creature could do this, one that Merick stood no chance against. A basilisk. A creature that could turn a man to stone in an instant in a gaze. Merick knew he would have to find another way round when a thought came to his head. He rummaged through his backpack to find a potion of invisibility he had taken off one of the Red Wizards the night before. He drank it and watch his hands disappear before him.

Merick ran as lightly and quickly as he could into the grassy area. First all he saw were statues of fallen warriors baring arms, or mages casting spells. Finally he saw basilisks… many basilisks. He made sure only to keep an eye on the road ahead and not to make eye contact with any of them. Merick’s pace quickened as he saw what seemed to be the last of the statues in the distance. Merick stopped to catch his breathe when he could no longer see any statues or basilisks behind him in the distance.

Merick ventured on and finally saw his hands and feet reappear in front of him. He let himself get distracted and realised that there was a party walking towards him. There were three of them, a man carrying an appealing long sword, an archer and a cleric holding a shield and mace. The swordsman spoke “Ho there stranger. Have ye seen any basilisk round these parts.” Merick replied rudely “That I have and you will make easy prey for them the moment they see you.” The party seemed to share a simultaneous feeling of anger and excitement as they drew their weapons. “We could always do with an easy warm up.” The archer said cockily. Merick would put an end to such arrogance.

Merick drew his blade and aimed his ring at the archer. The archer’s chest was greeted by a heavy bolt of flame that sent him falling on his back a good meter before he could fire an arrow. The other two charged at Merick. Merick, knowing no fear, charged straight into the action. Merick exchanged a few shots with the swordsman before having to roll out of the way of a swing by the cleric. Merick noticed that the swordsman was not wearing any armor on his limbs and would be the first easy take down. He ran at the two again, rapidly dodging and swinging to try and get some offense in between defending against the two men. The swordsman attempted a heavy, but reckless swing, but the dwarf ducked it and the cleric had to step back. Merick took the opportunity and swung at the swordsman’s unguarded leg. The sword struck right at the ankle and was strong enough to remove his foot from his leg. The swordsman dropped his sword and rolled on the ground screaming.

Merick charged straight at the cleric, who raised his shield. The cleric could not get a shot in and kept stepping back, blocking until he tripped over a large stone and landed on his back. Merick immediately ran his blade into the man’s exposed throat before being hit in the back of the thigh with an arrow. Merick screamed loudly as he turned to see the archer, badly injured kneeling with his bow and arrow. Merick thought quickly and took the clerics shield. He turned around to face the archer just in time to block a shot that would have hit him in the back. Merick ran at the archer and blocked an arrow before engaging the archer up close. The archer forced himself to his feet and drew his sword. Merick wound his sword right back and swung hard at the acher, who raised his sword with both hands to block the strike. Merick’s sword, made from poor iron, cracked in the middle and the length of the blade fell to the ground. Merick, knowing the man was injured jumped into him and pinned him to the ground. They both wrestled over the sword, but the less injured Merick used his strength to turn the blade into the archer and kill him.

Merick walked over to the one footed swordsman and picked up his sword. This was a finely made sword and would serve him well. Merick plunged it into the man before looting them and continuing his journey.

Merick was now limping, but could see in the distance, the city of Beregost…

[ 04-10-2007, 05:07 AM: Message edited by: Rockstar ]

04-04-2007, 01:37 AM	#9
Rockstar Zhentarim Guard Join Date: January 4, 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 300	CHAPTER 1 ACT VIII The Basilisk Kingdom Merick knew he was starting to get close to Beregost. This longer route had definitely proved much more life threatening than originally thought. The sun began to rise and he had finally gotten past the dusty pillar filled plain he was enduring. He was back to treading on grass, and what little pleasure Merick was capable of feeling, he felt it here. Merick saw two travelers in the distance. Merick approached them, hoping they may have some useful wares. A chill went down Merick’s spine when he realised that these travelers were statues, people turned to stone, because only one creature could do this, one that Merick stood no chance against. A basilisk. A creature that could turn a man to stone in an instant in a gaze. Merick knew he would have to find another way round when a thought came to his head. He rummaged through his backpack to find a potion of invisibility he had taken off one of the Red Wizards the night before. He drank it and watch his hands disappear before him. Merick ran as lightly and quickly as he could into the grassy area. First all he saw were statues of fallen warriors baring arms, or mages casting spells. Finally he saw basilisks… many basilisks. He made sure only to keep an eye on the road ahead and not to make eye contact with any of them. Merick’s pace quickened as he saw what seemed to be the last of the statues in the distance. Merick stopped to catch his breathe when he could no longer see any statues or basilisks behind him in the distance. Merick ventured on and finally saw his hands and feet reappear in front of him. He let himself get distracted and realised that there was a party walking towards him. There were three of them, a man carrying an appealing long sword, an archer and a cleric holding a shield and mace. The swordsman spoke “Ho there stranger. Have ye seen any basilisk round these parts.” Merick replied rudely “That I have and you will make easy prey for them the moment they see you.” The party seemed to share a simultaneous feeling of anger and excitement as they drew their weapons. “We could always do with an easy warm up.” The archer said cockily. Merick would put an end to such arrogance. Merick drew his blade and aimed his ring at the archer. The archer’s chest was greeted by a heavy bolt of flame that sent him falling on his back a good meter before he could fire an arrow. The other two charged at Merick. Merick, knowing no fear, charged straight into the action. Merick exchanged a few shots with the swordsman before having to roll out of the way of a swing by the cleric. Merick noticed that the swordsman was not wearing any armor on his limbs and would be the first easy take down. He ran at the two again, rapidly dodging and swinging to try and get some offense in between defending against the two men. The swordsman attempted a heavy, but reckless swing, but the dwarf ducked it and the cleric had to step back. Merick took the opportunity and swung at the swordsman’s unguarded leg. The sword struck right at the ankle and was strong enough to remove his foot from his leg. The swordsman dropped his sword and rolled on the ground screaming. Merick charged straight at the cleric, who raised his shield. The cleric could not get a shot in and kept stepping back, blocking until he tripped over a large stone and landed on his back. Merick immediately ran his blade into the man’s exposed throat before being hit in the back of the thigh with an arrow. Merick screamed loudly as he turned to see the archer, badly injured kneeling with his bow and arrow. Merick thought quickly and took the clerics shield. He turned around to face the archer just in time to block a shot that would have hit him in the back. Merick ran at the archer and blocked an arrow before engaging the archer up close. The archer forced himself to his feet and drew his sword. Merick wound his sword right back and swung hard at the acher, who raised his sword with both hands to block the strike. Merick’s sword, made from poor iron, cracked in the middle and the length of the blade fell to the ground. Merick, knowing the man was injured jumped into him and pinned him to the ground. They both wrestled over the sword, but the less injured Merick used his strength to turn the blade into the archer and kill him. Merick walked over to the one footed swordsman and picked up his sword. This was a finely made sword and would serve him well. Merick plunged it into the man before looting them and continuing his journey. Merick was now limping, but could see in the distance, the city of Beregost… [ 04-10-2007, 05:07 AM: Message edited by: Rockstar ]