Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - The Lord of the Forums >>> Return of the Nightmare

Cyril Darkcloud · 01-07-2004, 01:39 AM

For Rhianneth

Terrakis

The steady appraisal of his gaze gives no sign of either approval or contempt as she struggles to remain in possession of herself but his eyes do not waver in the fixed intensity of their stare. He pauses in his words only long enough to ensure that she will hear them and then continues unconcerned bout her emotional state.

“Yes, woman, your freedom came at a very high price. Three of your companions have lost their lives and the venomous hag who petrified you has lost her horde and her power. Of course, these pitiful lives are not the price which bought your freedom, woman.” Noting the expression on her face he continues, “You are free because a great gift has been placed in my hands by one who has taken an interest in you.”

Reaching into a pocket, his fingers withdraw an object, a small band of wood that seems not merely tiny but insignificant and fragile within the mighty fingers that hold it with a surprising delicacy. The movements of the great giant grow cautious as he holds the wooden ring out that all might see it. “This is the prize, woman, that thing whose value was great enough to persuade me to free from your stone prison rather than dashing it to pieces. This is the victorious ring whose silent presence sustained the Enemy in his struggle against our father. No longer shall its might contend against the children of Shadow.” His voice, heavy with emotion, falls silent a moment as he replaces the ring in its pocket with the same measured care used to withdraw it.

Looking once more at this Rhianneth, he continues, “You are free, woman, because of one who was lonely longed for a pleasant memento of a better time. So lonely, in fact, that he bore the terrible burning of the ring to bear it to me that you might be freed.”

The air near Rhianneth stirs slightly, and a sound, faint at first, grows in volume. There is a familiarity about the sound, but also something different, something dark and brooding that had not been there in the previous game. That such is the case is to be expected, of course, or would be if any save this curious pocket of sound within air knew that it had been enfolded since the fall of the Tower until very recent days within the mocking whispers of the Devouring Wind. Be that as it may, however, this strangely brooding sound finds words with which to express itself, and that too is hardly surprising given its nature. “Rhianneth!” it says, “Hi, I’m Larry’s echo!”

Laughter breaks out among the assembled giants at the stunned expression upon the woman’s face and even the mirth of these creatures has a cruel sound about it. The mirth itself, fades quickly, for one thing yet must be done. “I said that three of your party lost their lives because of you, woman. That is true, but only two of those lives have been taken.” His eyes do not leave the woman as he speaks the order, “Finish it!”

An iron mallet of enormous size swings with brutal swiftness and a single blow is struck and the petrified form of the Possessor is reduced to broken shards of stone and dispersing motes of dust.

All is silent for a moment save for the lingering notes of the mallet’s blow and the falling of broken stone. Terrakis then addresses the woman once more, “You, of course, are tired and shall need to rest.” Turning to one of his brothers he says, “Show her to a suitable chamber.”

_________________________________

DMs Note - Larry’s echo was a character in his own right in the original game, and one that was too cool not to bring into this story in some way. Of course, only one person can adequately play such a character as this and so I turn Echo over to Larry, the one who created him.

• The Windbringer’s ring is now in the possession of Terrakis.
• The Possessor has been destroyed.
• Rhianneth - Terrakis was correct. You are not only exhausted, but you also will need at least a few day’s rest before you can even think of casting spells. The chamber set aside for you is reasonably private and is comfortable by the harsh standards of the Giants, which in human terms means not very. This arrangement should also allow you and Larry to roleplay a bit without waiting for me to post for a couple days. I’ll try and have a PM out to you tomorrow.

01-07-2004, 01:39 AM	#61
Cyril Darkcloud Lord Soth Join Date: February 7, 2002 Location: New York Posts: 1,980	For Rhianneth Terrakis The steady appraisal of his gaze gives no sign of either approval or contempt as she struggles to remain in possession of herself but his eyes do not waver in the fixed intensity of their stare. He pauses in his words only long enough to ensure that she will hear them and then continues unconcerned bout her emotional state. “Yes, woman, your freedom came at a very high price. Three of your companions have lost their lives and the venomous hag who petrified you has lost her horde and her power. Of course, these pitiful lives are not the price which bought your freedom, woman.” Noting the expression on her face he continues, “You are free because a great gift has been placed in my hands by one who has taken an interest in you.” Reaching into a pocket, his fingers withdraw an object, a small band of wood that seems not merely tiny but insignificant and fragile within the mighty fingers that hold it with a surprising delicacy. The movements of the great giant grow cautious as he holds the wooden ring out that all might see it. “This is the prize, woman, that thing whose value was great enough to persuade me to free from your stone prison rather than dashing it to pieces. This is the victorious ring whose silent presence sustained the Enemy in his struggle against our father. No longer shall its might contend against the children of Shadow.” His voice, heavy with emotion, falls silent a moment as he replaces the ring in its pocket with the same measured care used to withdraw it. Looking once more at this Rhianneth, he continues, “You are free, woman, because of one who was lonely longed for a pleasant memento of a better time. So lonely, in fact, that he bore the terrible burning of the ring to bear it to me that you might be freed.” The air near Rhianneth stirs slightly, and a sound, faint at first, grows in volume. There is a familiarity about the sound, but also something different, something dark and brooding that had not been there in the previous game. That such is the case is to be expected, of course, or would be if any save this curious pocket of sound within air knew that it had been enfolded since the fall of the Tower until very recent days within the mocking whispers of the Devouring Wind. Be that as it may, however, this strangely brooding sound finds words with which to express itself, and that too is hardly surprising given its nature. “Rhianneth!” it says, “Hi, I’m Larry’s echo!” Laughter breaks out among the assembled giants at the stunned expression upon the woman’s face and even the mirth of these creatures has a cruel sound about it. The mirth itself, fades quickly, for one thing yet must be done. “I said that three of your party lost their lives because of you, woman. That is true, but only two of those lives have been taken.” His eyes do not leave the woman as he speaks the order, “Finish it!” An iron mallet of enormous size swings with brutal swiftness and a single blow is struck and the petrified form of the Possessor is reduced to broken shards of stone and dispersing motes of dust. All is silent for a moment save for the lingering notes of the mallet’s blow and the falling of broken stone. Terrakis then addresses the woman once more, “You, of course, are tired and shall need to rest.” Turning to one of his brothers he says, “Show her to a suitable chamber.” _________________________________ DMs Note - Larry’s echo was a character in his own right in the original game, and one that was too cool not to bring into this story in some way. Of course, only one person can adequately play such a character as this and so I turn Echo over to Larry, the one who created him. • The Windbringer’s ring is now in the possession of Terrakis. • The Possessor has been destroyed. • Rhianneth - Terrakis was correct. You are not only exhausted, but you also will need at least a few day’s rest before you can even think of casting spells. The chamber set aside for you is reasonably private and is comfortable by the harsh standards of the Giants, which in human terms means not very. This arrangement should also allow you and Larry to roleplay a bit without waiting for me to post for a couple days. I’ll try and have a PM out to you tomorrow.