The stone continues

[Morgeruat]

As the cure was discussed everyone seemed to have something to say, from the paladins wanting to make sure that the evil could be destroyed if the ritual did fail, to some doubts lingering in Chun-li's mind about whether it would work at all, and not just kill the paladin outright, being raised drow it would be a natural assumption that everyone would betray the others for the least gain, even if she herself had risen above such pettiness and deceit.

Ghzarbanan with his keen ears was the first to hear it, a low rumbling and a scraping sound, looking out a window he saw several figures gnawing on bones. They were short, about three feet high, with fingers that seemed more like claws than the pudgy digits they had been in life, their cherubic faces twisted in hungry malice, using overlong toungues to lick the marrow from the rotting bones of a few unfortunate peasants that had lived in the area a few days ago. the halfling ghouls continued their gruesome feast Ghzarbanan noticed a crest on the shredded, soiled tunic one of them still wore, that identified it as a knight of the tiny blade

[ 07-18-2002, 06:30 PM: Message edited by: Morgeruat ]

[AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe]

"My poor brothers you have befallen a fate far worse than the premature unwinding of your mortal coil. This unlife is a perversion of everything that we ever stood for, and an affront to me and my god. The dark knight will pay for this." From the fire burning in his large halfling eyes, not a single person in attendance doubted that the dark knight would pay for this. With this said The halfling charged toward the now undead knights. His short sword and dagger appeared in his hands so quickly one would have thought they were there to begin with. The ghouls sensed the presence of live flesh. Turning they reached their bony digits toward the halfling running toward them. Their fingers, sharp claws, reaching hoping to tear into any live flesh they could find. Saying a quick prayer to his god, Ghzarbanan slashed at the first of his previous allies, severing an arm with his short sword, and his dagger dove in and punctured the rib cage of the ghoul. The hideous undead abomination let out a low moan, as it swiped at the halfling with its other hand. Ghzarbanan ducked out of the way only to have deep furrows clawed into his arm from another of the ghoulish knights. Ghzarbanan backed away, but was quickly surrounded by the ghouls, and was trying desperately to look for an opening, but he was hard pressed just to hold his own against the untiring monsters. He was hopelessly outnumbered at this point, being surrounded by 5 ghouls, but he fought with a selfless bravery, determination, and savagery that inspired anyone able to witness it, with a sort of awe.

[ 07-18-2002, 07:25 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

[K T Ong]

Fenric saw what happened, and sprang towards the ghouls with a speed as great as the hot-headed halfling's. A ghoul tumbled back several paces as the werewolf's claws struck it with full force -- and just before another ghoul buried his foul talons deep into Fenric's side causing him to howl with agony...

Rufus pointed his wand high. "Sunlight!" he yelled. At once a great ball of blinding brilliance took form just above the commotion. The halfling ghouls uttered a piercing scream that chilled everyone in the party to the bone. Rufus directed the cleansing rays upon the undead creatures -- and before everyone's eyes they slowly became still and crumbled into a fine, gray powder.

The whole party quickly rushed to the scene, the ball of light still hovering high in the air. "Fenric! Ghzarbanan! Are you all right?" cried Rufus. Then he saw with horror the deep wounds gashed into the bodies of his two friends, glowing a ghastly green.

"This is no good!" cried Chun-Li with alarm upon seeing the wounds. "The wounds must be healed right now, or the rot will spread over the body and they will eventually become undead minions of the Dark Knight themselves!"

"No problems," said StoneRock as he walked to Fenric and Ghzarbanan, placed a hand on each of them and whispered a prayer. The wounds shrank slowly, eventually disappearing altogether.

"Wow, you're good!" said the halfling. "Thanks a million! Though I could have done it myself actually."

"Fenric... thank you!" said Fenric, licking StoneRock affectionately in the face.

"Ghzarbanan, you shouldn't have just rushed out like that," reproved Magnus. "Not only do you place yourself in unnecessary danger, you also jeopardise us all by giving away our presence!"

Nearby, Chun-Li was gathering the pile of dust left behind by the ghouls. "Chun-Li, what are you doing?" asked Khadgar, puzzled.

"This dust can prove extremely useful in our fight against the Dark Knight and his forces," explained the drow. "If you but sprinkle a pinch of it on your person, the Dark Knight's minions, except for the higher ranking ones, will think you're one of them and leave you alone." Khadgar nodded.

"Hurry, let's come back inside before more of them come!" urged Sir Jorlon.

[AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe]

"When I saw the poor tortured souls of my friends trapped in those ghastly bodies, I couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear to let my friends suffer another moment. Hesitation is not something in my character, when I see something that is wrong I do whatever it takes to right it as soon as possible, and that is what every knight of order of the tiny sword is taught to do," Ghzarbanan explained.

He wiped the ghoulish icor off his tiny blades and then reseathed them. His arm was healed but the chain mail over the wound would have to be repaired. Ghzarbanan set out to gather the neccesary materials to repair the armor.

"Do you know where I might find some spare steel that I could repair this with kind sir?" Ghzarbanan asked Magnus. "And maybe some polish, my armor has grown dreadfully dirty over my travels, and I have been neglecting cleaning it due to my sorrow over the loss of my order, my god is not pleased."

[ 07-18-2002, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

[AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe]

Deep In the heart of a ravaged land a dark figure sat on a throne of skulls overlooking a scrying pool, thinking to itself. 'They easily defeated the ghouls I sent to test them. They must be stronger than I suspected. The master will not pleased. Maybe something should be done about these adventurers soon, before they made a nuisance of themselves. They use sunlight, our weakness. What else do they know, and how do they know it? I have just the thing to take care of them.' With that the figure made a sweeping jesture with his hand tracing a few intricate runes of power in the air. Each glowing in the dark for but a moment before disappearing. While he traced these runes the figure mumbled a few words in a language that had never been spoken aloud on this plane of existance. With the spell completed the figure sat back and looked at the scrying pool, waiting to see the outcome of his handywork.

OoC: yeah bad guys are just my forte. Poison ivy sucks really bad. I wish you a rapid recovery my friend.

[ 07-18-2002, 09:00 PM: Message edited by: AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe ]

Jorlon- "Why my short and stout little friend, I have some a fighting kit in my pack. It is used to repair anything magical, steel, iron, anything that wears away. Here, use it." Jorlon hands Gharzabanan the kit.

OOC> Does anyone mind if I play an enemny guy too???

[K T Ong]

Chun-Li suddenly stopped gathering the dust and stood still. Sir Morguerat took notice. "Is something the matter, my lady?"

"I... I sense something!" replied Chun-Li. "Some kind of hostile sorcery!"

With a finger she quickly traced in the air a number of strange, unfamiliar symbols, which glowed softly for a moment before fading into nothingness. She took a deep breath.

"One of the Dark Knight's generals was trying to cast a damper spell on us," explained Chun-Li. "It will greatly increase the failure chances of all our spellcasting attempts. I just countered it with an enhancement spell. But now I must constantly devote a part of my mana to counteract it, and once I run out of mana it will take effect again."

"Sister Chun-Li," asked Rufus, "do you reckon you could let us know of the various types of attacks the Dark Knight and his minions can direct against us, and what kinds of protection we can employ against those attacks? I'm sure that would help greatly in our quest."

********************************

The dark figure on the throne of skulls bellowed with rage. "The accursed dark elf has thwarted my plans again!" he cried. "No matter... Now you'll always have to devote a portion of your energies to hold me back -- and we'll see how long you can last!"

(ooc: Just to give our good guys the benefit of doubt -- you don't mind, Azrael? Of course, if you don't like the idea, ignore it as usual...

And SecretMaster, your sig pic does look more like how I picture Sir Jorlon this time. Well, young Sir Jorlon, perhaps...

Oh, and I won't mind if you decide to bring in a bad guy, too. )

[ 07-18-2002, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]

OOC> This guy is part of the Black Knight's Army. He is a spy and general. He is also the man Sir Jorlon is after. Does the Black Knight have a real name???

IC>
Unknown Demon- "I have completed the tasks you wanted done. I've re-instated Glazz`urbath Luitenant of the Citadael. Now then, I have done what you wanted, now its my turn of the bargain. Tell me your name, and give me the weapon.

Black Knight- "Hmm, Demons. Gullible, only wanting rewards and power. Demons of the highest powers take lives for granted. They aren't smart, and generally make bargains where they get the profit. Unlike you, I am smart. You take me for a fool, for granted. Hmmm!" He smirks, and his hand goes onto the demons shoulder and starts squeezing. "YOU IDIOT, YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL!!!!!!!!!!! MY POWER IS SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!" He starts releasing dark energy and hurting the demon's mind. After 2 minutes, he stops.

Unknown Demon- "I understand Master. I will defeat those fools at Magnus's Keep, and I will serve you. I will get the demons to aid us in this fight."

Dark Knight- In His Mind- Excellent. Know I have the services of the demons.

[K T Ong]

(ooc: I don't know what the Dark Knight's real name is, either -- or even if Morguerat thought of one for him at all. We'll have to ask Morguerat!)

"Come, let's all come inside first," said Sir Jorlon. The group went back inside the keep.

"The common foot soldiers, such as the ones we just fought, are the weakest of the Dark Knight's ranks," said Chun-Li in reply to Rufus' query. "They can only attack physically, but the venom from their claws can nevertheless spread quickly through your system and eventually turn you into one of them."

"Is there anything which can protect us from the poison?" pursued Ghzarbanan.

"Fortunately, yes," replied the drow. "Any holy symbol worn on the body will neutralize the poison. You'll still be susceptible to their physical assaults, though, meaning their claws can still rend your flesh."

"At least it will be without the poison," remarked Rufus.

"Yes, but so far we have only discussed the weakest of the Dark Knight's minions. The higher-ranking ones are far worse. They use cursed swords and spears which can inflict the same effects -- though this time again holy symbols are proof against their venom -- and in addition they can cast spells of terrible power, such as Energy Ball and Lightning. We will need strong magic resistance to stand a chance at all against them -- and even then that will only reduce the injury, not eliminate it. Of course, the higher the resistance is, the greater the injury reduction will be."

"What can provide good magic resistance?" asked Ghzarbanan.

"I have many rings of magic resistance where I stay," interjected Khadgar. "Meant to sell them at the marketplace, but business wasn't good so they've been sitting in my house..."

"Rufus and I also know the Power Shield spell," joined Magnus, "though neither of us are of sufficient proficiency to cast it at truly high levels. It will offer protection against both sorcerous and physical attacks."

"I also have a few vials of concentrated Golden Rose nectar left in my temple," said StoneRock. "Anointing one's body and armor with this nectar provides some measure of protection against hostile magic as well."

"All this is very good," agreed Chun-Li, "but when we come to the Dark Knight himself, new problems present themselves yet again. For in addition to having the same means of attack as his generals, which I've already mentioned, the Dark Knight also wields a truly terrible power -- the power of Mind Control. So potent is his power of mind control that he can easily make us fight against each other. No amount of magic resistance can stand proof against this power. Nor do I know of any means to counteract it..."

"Magnus, did you study any psionics during our days at the Jefferson College of Magic?" asked Khadgar.

"Afraid not," replied Magnus. "I focused virtually all my attention on alchemy and potion-making."

"Shucks, neither did I..."

"I believe we'll eventually find a way to deal with the Dark Knight's mind control power," said Sir Morguerat. "For now, why don't we find out more about the Sunlight Swords, Magnus?"

"Yes, of course," said Magnus, reaching for and opening the book Rufus brought from the library. "Hmmm, let us see... (reading from the book) 'When the Great Hero vanquished the nine-headed Dragon of the Abyss, he sheathed the Twin Sunblades Guthay and Filistin, which could drink in the light of the sun and spew it forth when so commanded, and placed them in a cave atop the Sacred Mount of Taphthar-tharath...'"

"What?" said Khadgar in astonishment. "The Sacred Mount of Taphthar-tharath?"

"Yes. Why?"

"It's..." stuttered Khadgar. "It's located on another plane of existence altogether! I ought to know -- I did a doctoral dissertation before on the ancient mage Trismegistus' classic Manual of the Planes!" (ooc: There's actually an AD&D rulebook by that title. [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

Everyone stared at Khadgar in shock. "Does that mean we would have to travel to that plane in order to get the Sunblades?" asked Rufus.

"For sure," said Khadgar. "The plane of the Seven Heavens, to be exact!"

"But how?" asked Rufus. "And what sort of dangers might we encounter?"

There was a long silence.

"I think I know what to do," said Khadgar suddenly. "Let's come over to my house, where I do happen to have a copy of the Manual of the Planes. Surely it would offer us some guidelines on interplanar travel. There are many other things we will need for our quest that are over at my house anyway."

"I have had a temple built recently in the same village as Khadgar's house, too," added StoneRock, "so we would also be able to procure various useful things at my temple there!"

"Come, then," said Khadgar, "let's grab what we need and go -- I'll gate us there!"

********************************

In a kitchen a tall, handsome high elven chef was cooking when a plump wood elven serving maid came in. "Well, Aiko? Any new customers outside?"

"None since this morning," sighed the wood elf. "There have been fewer and fewer customers coming to our restaurant -- indeed our village -- ever since the Dark Knight's forces stormed the towns to the north." (ooc: Let's have it that Khadgar's town still hasn't been attacked, okay, fellas? [img]smile.gif[/img] )

The high elf sighed and shook his head. "It's truly terrible. Can only hope the Order of Clangeddin will be able to hold the evil ones at bay when they come."

"Don't worry too much, Ryu," said Aiko. "I'm sure the Order will be able to do so."

"They had better," said Ryu. "I shudder to think of what would happen otherwise."

Just then a man walked into the kitchen, with a few others behind him. Ryu grinned when he saw the man.

"Hey, Khadgar!" exclaimed Ryu, slapping Khadgar in the shoulder. "Good to see you again! Did you enjoy the dish Ukensa which I cooked for you? And are these your friends?"

[ 07-19-2002, 09:46 PM: Message edited by: K T Ong ]

[Morgeruat]

OOC: he has a real name, but giving it away would greatly increase the ability of others to harm him, if you've played Planescape Torment you're familiar with this concept, also many demons cannot be summoned unless you know their true name, hiding his own, even from his most trusted advisors ensures his power base is not threatened.

you can call him Morhde Sihthe (i think that' show I spelled it the first time)

As far as playing a bad guy in addition to your main character, PM me first with what you want him to do/be and keep their power levels reasonable. also be vague as to what they are doing in the background as there is no real way for the main party to understand exactly what is going on with their foe (remember Balagos' treachery?)