Hazardous Times Part IX (fresh blood - not literally, please! - welcome)

[Elif Godson]

I will retreve the child Addison hear's in his head, and return the
girl to the surface with the knight's. I will return. Everyone heard a popping sound as Kishin left the area.
Still invisable to regular sight Kishin reappeared in the prison where he almost heaved at what he saw. Blood and body parts everywhere
some of them even half eaten, It reminded him of the time he and his youngest brother were out adventureing and came across a den of ogre's
this however was nothing compared to that. There were three gaurd's mulling about the room. "Pitiful excuse for human being's" they heard shouted in there head's, the voice was so strong blood came from there ear's. "You suffer a pain like you will never know again for your help in this travesty." one gaurd is lifted off the ground and a crunching sound can be heard as the man's skeleton start's to explode from within. The man let's out a blood curdling scream that echo's through the tunnel's. The other two gaurds looking around frantically to find there hidden assailent are surprised when the very wall's grow arms and grab them. They try to fight against them but are soon slammed to the ground repeatedly making pulp out of them.
ooc> yes I know it seems a wee bit sadistic, but this is Kishin, defender of children and savior of his people...it's a lonng story
ic> with the gaurds dead and more coming Kishin calls up the earth to start a small quake, sending trmor's throughout the under ground. His nose begin's to bleed again. Probing into the childs head he wipe's the girl's memory of all that she has seen and expericenced and replaces it with some very pleasent memories. Grabbing the child he notices that she has been chewed on, what a beast he think's and insirts the memory of a dog biting her. "We most go now" he say's to her a soothing voice, "dont be scared "pop" They reappear near the front gate. About 20 men at arms draw there weapons as he appear's out of thin air " Hold your weapon's, I have rescued this child from the tunnel's below this city where the demon you are looking for used to be, she is injured and in dire need of care, I have cleared her memory of what the demon has done to her, but she does need healing, I must not tarry, the demon is in the city somewhere so be on the ready" Kishin mentally commands one of the gaurds to put his weapons down and take the child to a healer, handing her off he pop's back out of sight.

[mistral4543]

Isaura

Her eyes shine as Galadria's words sink in ~ "Thank you. Let us set off then, and you can be sure I will be a faithful companion for as long as you would like me around." ~ She slightly freezes as her right hand rediscovers the dagger in her pocket and she draws it out doubtfully ~ "I seem to have been rather... violent." ~ Shrugging the uneasiness away awkwardly ~ "Let's hope I don't have to wield this before I'm ready." ~ With an effort, she forces another wide smile and clambers onto Gold Top, eager to please her saviour.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

OOC>> Thanks for the Post, Larry. I haven't received any PM's, so here's my plan.
Addison and company will exit the tunnels and locate Baz'guul. Addison will then cast Lightning Bolt (doing 10d6 of damage). This should get the demon's attention, but will also let the army know where he is.

Next, I will caste Haste, which will affect Kishin, Madman, and Skye. Madman and Skye are still Invisible, since they have taken no offensive action yet. Kishin cancelled his Invisibility when he killed the guards.

I will then let everybody else Post their actions. I will be casting my final spell, but it will take 6-8 rounds before it will be powerful enough to kill Baz'guul. During that time, I can't risk being interrupted or my spell will fail, so I will be in the background.

So - after this Post - I'm going to let everybody else have a turn (or two or three), then finish my spell.

Kishin returned to the group with an audible POP. His attack on the guards had negated the Invisibility spell upon him. Madman had managed to open the rest of the cages containing slaves, including the second child captured (but thankfully un-injured) by Baz'guul.

"I have taken the girl to the healers in the army and dispatched some guards I found in the meantime." Kishin explained, "If everyone agrees, I say we find the fiend responsible for this horror and end his threat once and for all".

"I agree completely" Addison replied "The stench of this monster's evil sickens me to the very core of my being. Let us see if we can find anything of use here in their quarters and then unleash our own fury upon this hellish abomination."

OOC>> Remember, Larry said we could "find some items" here and use them. Just a reminder.

The group spends a few moments searching the area. They find some items that may be useful. Addison quickly makes sure they are not cursed or evilly-aligned. A more thorough identification will have to wait. The group then follows the tunnel up into the tavern - or what is left of it - where their adventure started.

The demon is nowhere to be seen. Addison quickly scans the area with his ESP spell. Suddenly, he is assaulted with a wave of thoughts and images so unspeakably evil that his knees buckle underneath him. His friends hear his moan as he falls to the ground, but are unable to help him (since they still can't see him). He recovers and regains his feet.

"He is in the East side of town. The druid and her protege' have already engaged him. Quickly, we must hurry to their aid. Follow this street in front of the tavern to the right. That will bring us up on his left rear flank. Kishin, lead the way so that we may follow."

The group runs down the street hurriedly. They hear the sounds of battle as they approach and hug close to the side of a building as they get near. There is Baz'guul in his true form, a writhing snake-like demon. As the group looks on, they see a wolf and panther darting around the beast as he tries to strike them down. They also see the soldiers starting to advance in an attempt to circle around the animals.

"Stay next to the building. I am going to give this demon a taste of my own fiery magic. I will move into the road so that you will be out of harm's way. After my spell goes off, wait until the count of 50 before you attack. I will cast a second spell to increase your speed. Madman and Skye, you will remain Invisible until you actually attack. Kishin, I'm afraid I cannot restore your Invisibility. I simply haven't enough spells."

The group notices a few puffs of dust as the mage walks away from them. They hear him begin a magical incantation. As his voice rises, the air around him seems to crackle with energy. That energy suddenly comes together, and shoots forward as the mage unleashes a searing bolt of lightning aimed directly at Baz'guul. The demon convulses in pain as the bolt strikes home. He turns towards the new attack, bent on striking down the one that would be brazen (and stupid) enough to attack him. He sees the mage standing in the middle of the road that leads to the tavern. The insolent human is waving his arms around in an attempt to cast another spell.

"NOT LIKELY, FRAIL HUMAN" Baz'guul thinks to himself. The sheer hatred of the thought has an un-intended effect, as the mage stumbles backwards and falls to the ground. Baz'guul darts forward and strikes at the helpless human, his deadly poison dripping from his fangs. His head streaks towards the fallen human as the anticipation of the kill surges through him. He can already taste the human's flesh. That pleasant thought is rudely interrupted, however, as the demon slams into the road and receives nothing more than a mouthful of dirt for his effort. The human appears a mere two feet away, as he frantically scrambles to his feet.

"DAMN DISPLACEMENT!!!" screams the demon.

Addison thanks the gods for his good fortune. He knew the demon would see him after being struck by the lightning. He had barely finished the Haste spell on his companions when the demon's hate-filled thought had unexpectedly assualted his mind through his ESP spell. Addison had been caught completely un-prepared for that, and the sheer hatred of the demon's thoughts had knocked him onto his back. He would have died right there without his Cloak of Displacement, because he certainly could not match the demon's speed.

As he scramble to his feet, he ran around the far corner of the building his friends were hiding behind. In his fury, the demon hadn't even noticed the slender elf standing to his side, and was completely unaware of the other two companions standing there.

Madman,Skye, and Kishin had felt a surge of magical energy flow through their bodies just before Addison fell. The energy of the spell strained for release. Their limbs seem to be moving on thier own, itching for action. They could barely stand still. The urge to leap forward and strike this foul demon was overwhelming. Baz'guul almost appeared to be moving at half-speed, so slow were his movements. Finally, they could fight it no longer. They leapt forward, astounded at the speed of thier reflexes, eager for the kill.

Addison's Lightning Bolt had also been seen by the army at the front gate. The demon was too fast and too far away for them to see clearly, but there could be no doubt as to his location.

[Galadria]

OOC>>Finally! IC>>
ELIZA (As the demon's location was determined, the army, led by Sir Bors, roars forward, the mounted knights soon outpace the others. Sir Regnan's voice can be heard, casting Protection From Evil on the vanguard. Unable to use a lance for carrying the pennon, she bares her sword, eager to contact the enemy. Sir Blandamour and Sir Bors are at the very head of the vanguard, for their horses are the best. As they round a corner, she has difficulty staying next to Blandamour. One of Bazguul's army pops up, trying to trip Shaitann with a spear, but the great horse shoves him aside. She falls upon the man with her sword, killing him quickly.)

[Elif Godson]

ooc> Heh , now were talkin.
IC> Kishin drop's to his knee's puttin both hands on the rocky road, to everyones amazement he starts to take on the texture of the pavement, his body solidifying. Just under the demons tail two Earthen shaped arms appear and grab ahold of it's demon flesh before he could slither out of the way. The fingers feel like sharp swords digging into the demon's flesh causeing him to feel a very physical pain. Bazguul hear's in his head, "You can slither all you want hell spawn, but it will not free you, for I grip you with the strength of your own plane, you shall die here today and never be reborn"
In Addison's mind he hear's Kishin say "I have a hold him, but not for long. hurry your attack"

ooc> I realise I never posted what he was, but if you havent figured it out yet he is a psionicist on Master level

[Attalus]

SIR BLANDAMOUR (Sir Bors' horse is killed by an archer's bolt, and he is thrown to the ground. Blandamour sees the great snake ahead of him and he lowers the point of his lance just as he crahes into him. He thinks fleetingly of the enchanted tip that the mages installed on their lances last night, as it plunges into the demon's body.)

[Legolas]

Ni Deng

As the knights rode towards the sounds of the skirmish, Ni Deng swiftly followed. Or would have, if the years would not weigh so heavy on him. Nonetheless, he somehow arrives just in time to help Sir Bors to his feet. A barely perceptable blueish glow plays around the old man's hands, curing the worst of ther knight's bruises. Then he's off again, and soon spies a man standing in the centre of the street, facing off against a gruesome snake-like daemon which looks to be ankered to the street. The knights are already there, and at his slow pace, it takes Ni Deng a whole five seconds more to join them.
He looks around, and spies a small plant trying to grow in the shadow. The gardener unhooks his tools from his belt and starts digging it out with the utmost care, back bent but eyes on the protagonists.

[ 05-24-2002, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Legolas ]

[Legolas]

Legolas

As he turns to carry his prize to the lake, he realises something is wrong. He takes another few slow steps before he halts. The elf blinks. She is kissing him. And he's been kissing right back.
Although he had been wishing for something similar to happen, he also dreaded it. Loving had so far always proven to be painful to him. None of those he liked and loved when he still lived in Mirkwood were able to be with him now. The races in these realms, even the elves, did not live to grow as old as he would. There was danger in this world threatening to take them away even before their time. But the worst was not watching others he loved pass away. It was staying behind that hurt, making him feel like a traitor.
There were things he could do, other than remain behind like that, but all meant leaving this world. He didn't feel ready for something like that.
The worst was that Sorsha was human. If nature ran it's course, he'd not only stay behind, but also have to endure seeing her age, and watching her watching him stay young. Love and death belonged together to the elf. But he knew he loved Sorsha. He had not wanted to admit as much to himself, but the feelings were there.
Maybe this time things would be different, somehow. He could die an adventurer's death before she did. Or if he loved her enough, maybe the pain in the end was worth it.

He sits them gently down on the ground, the sky weeping for what he knew would probably come, not now, but after who knows how many years.
He forces aside his thoughts, and focusses his attention fully on Sorsha. He combes his fingers through her hair as they kiss.
One last thought came to the surface, and he grabs it firmly, pushes it into a small room in his mind with more force than nessecary and locks it away, premanently. He was not Justin. She was well aware of that.

[Larry_OHF]

OOC>>>Great posts!

Bazguul'tek

The wolf and panther had kept Bazguul so busy that he had not realized that more of his enemies were gathering against him. Now the whole army were advancing! All but two of his loyal mortals yet existed, and they were fighting a losing battle against better trained men. Bazguul could not escape the grip of one of the men attacking him, and more were pouring in, taking thier own shots. He was furious and terribly exausted from all the rushjed attacks. Seeing one man dare to come too close, Bazguul lashed out and bit the man into two, then spat the upper torso at another human nearby. Now, trying to clear his mind, he concentrated on a spell. The remaining two men that were with him began to burn a fiery green and grew several inches. Screaming and roaring, they became flame servants, and ran wildy about, scratching the paladins with thier newly formed, glowing hot claws and biting with a venomous new set of teeth. Those that were not attacked directly but near enough to get burned by the green flames fell screaming on the ground as thier limbs dissentegrated from the hot lick of the flame. This caused the paladin force to start letting up on Bazguul and worry instead about the two wild flaming men. Bazguul used this time to prepare another spell of mind control, directed at the woman standing near the paladin that looked like he led the brigade. His eyes locked with hers for a second, trying to break her will to his own.

[mistral4543]

OOC>>> What a wonderful start to an epic battle! Keep it up, everyone [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] Let's see now... I've my pop corn, my comfy sofa... what's missing? Ah yes, drinks! Drinks!!

And erm... well... [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] I've found another worthy... erm... well, Legolas, your character is as wonderful as the bumbling ranger [img]tongue.gif[/img] That was a beautiful post [img]smile.gif[/img]

IC>>>
Sorsha

At the touch of his fingertips upon her scalp, she shivers involuntarily. Her lips gradually leave his as she snuggles against his shoulders and rests her head against them. The warmth of his arms envelopes her cool wet form for the next few moments. Then she reopens her eyes, lifting her head reluctantly and fixing them upon the elf.

"Legolas..." ~ She whispers tenderly, lifting her right hand to trace from his forehead to the contour of his nose ~ "I..." ~ Say it, Sorsha. You've come so far already. ~ Suddenly, the most difficult thing in the world seems to be slowing down her heartbeat ~ "You know, don't you?" ~ Swallowing a gulp, she inhales deeply before trying again ~ "You know how... " Her glistening eyes plead to him ~ "... how I feel about you, don't you?"

[ 05-24-2002, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]