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#271 |
Lord Soth
![]() Join Date: February 7, 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 1,980
|
The Mountains
Bright burns the sun in this highest of places, bright and strangely clean in a land and sky so polluted as these. Her nature is to enjoy such sunlight as this all the more for its unexpected character. Enjoyment, however, is a thing that must wait. Still, however, she smiles in spite of the serious issues at hand for one must at least acknowledge such simple though genuine joys as these – such was the teaching her mother had given her. She sighs, then, and returns to the things that must yet be done. “Go,” she says, “for all must be ready. I will see to finding the other.” |
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#272 |
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
![]() Join Date: September 5, 2001
Location: House of Freelight
Age: 48
Posts: 3,159
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Rhianneth
It was only now that she realised that her breath was scant, that only a little whiff of air was allowed - most kindly by these powerful foes - down her windpipe, as she was transported by the neck - and by the giants' hands - to face the gnome. Once more am I wrong. Yes, again she had been mistaken. She had thought the gnome puny and insignificant, yet he seemed to wield greater authority than Terrakis. She began to count the number of times she had been wrong, all this life. Tyresias, the weakling... or so she thought. Echo, her ally in the darkness of these forums... or so she thought. Terrakis' vulnerability to taunts... or so she thought. Larry's existence... or so she thought. Her father's foolishness... or so she thought. It had been one error after another. So there was really only one more question that bugged her now, as she hung gasping for her breath. Have I been wrong about Mistral? The world was spinning, her eyes threatened to close but she would not let them. No, she had been blind for over twenty years to the way things were. She could not be blind again with her last ounce of breath. Choking with self-deprecating laughter, she stared at the face of Tyresias, her body shaking uncontrollably yet relaxedly. It will not be too long now, Father... and with an inward sigh, ...and you, Mistral. |
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#273 |
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
![]() Join Date: September 5, 2001
Location: House of Freelight
Age: 48
Posts: 3,159
|
OOC>>> I have to go off soon, guys. I am moving house tomorrow and need to do last-minute cleaning.
Larry, I leave her in your safe hands to roleplay if I'm not around to do so [img]smile.gif[/img] |
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#274 |
Lord Soth
![]() Join Date: February 7, 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 1,980
|
Tyresias
It has been a good trade, a trade only possible for the scrupulous honor of the great giant, for his word once given is sure. He shudders a moment at the recollection of what his sightlessness has seen of the relentless mettle of the giant he names for these remaining moments his master. Soon, however, he will be free to find his way to the Kingdom of Yellow. His smile is a frightful thing as he speaks, “You recognize this stone, yes? And this smaller stone I hold in my palm which is its key? Great is its power for it was made to slay Terrakis himself should he venture upward from the nightmarish deeps he claimed as his own. Once it was yours and victory lay in your hands.” He laughs. “Originating purpose, of course, might always be undone.” Turning to the book he intones a chant of blasphemous character, uttering syllables that have no right to be sounded within anything other than the most monstrous of throats. The air about the stone takes on a yellowish cast. His hands, however, seem to grow yellow from within and as he chants he suddenly reaches forward to grip the sorceress by the hand. His touch is like that of the things that crawl in lightless and neglected cellars. It is a touch that penetrates deep within her and her magical energy is siphoned, not merely the strength to cast spells, but their implanted memory as well. One by one they are stripped from her as her so carefully constructed life is torn away with ruthless indifference. The giant has released her throat, but it matters little for the grip of gnome cannot be broken until she is no longer the mighty sorceress but a woman weak and alone with no hidden recourse to anything magical in character. Bright is the yellow upon the hands of the gnome and with a violent motion he brings them together crushing the small stone which is the key to the greater. The great stone shudders within the yellow embrace that enfolds it and its energy discharges violently, but the violence is muted and absorbed in the yellow. The stone crumbles to dust and the yellow dissipates. The weapon is destroyed and the woman is a sorceress no more. Terrakis steps forward. “You have done well, gnome. As agreed the book is yours along with your freedom. Go now and be swift for should we meet again the death you have avoided here shall claim you at my hand.” Closing the book, the gnome places his hands upon it and whispers. Shifting tones of yellow enfold him and then he and the book are gone. |
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#275 |
Ironworks Moderator
![]() Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Midlands, South Carolina
Age: 49
Posts: 14,759
|
Rhianneth lay upon the floor, a ruined shell of what she had once been. She could not recall anything of magical worth to memory, nor did she even have the ability to stand. The nausia was too compelling to keep her on the cold damp floor. She wanted to cry, wanted to scream, wanted to beg for her powers back...but she could not. They were taken from her, leaving her alone and cold in this world. She had now lost everything dear to her, even when she had not realized what was really precious in her life, nor what really mattered. This revelation hit her harder than these giants ever could.
All Rhianneth could do was drown in her sorrow of failure and loss. ================================================== ============================= He watched the poor woman be ripped apart in a manner of speaking. He could do nothing as the hand upon his throat was still tight. It began to hurt with an increasing ache that begged to be let go of. Now Rhianneth lay upon the cold stone, he wondered if they were to kill her now as her usefulness was ended, or would they toy with her more. He began to cry, not just for her, but also for seeing the naked truth that he had similar tortures to endure, he was sure. There really was no way out. Where were his friends? Ruby? Anarrima? The Druid and the mighty golden dragon? Why had they left him here to die? Maybe they were already dead...the Hunger would have won without him there to stop it. Yes...that is it...they are all dead and he is the last one alive. [ 03-19-2004, 10:28 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ] |
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#276 |
Lord Soth
![]() Join Date: February 7, 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 1,980
|
Terrakis
Stepping forward to the throne he places the black stone box upon it. His movements are slow with a deliberate respectfulness. He is indifferent to the fallen Rhianneth who in the end has served him well in her loss. Carefully he opens the box and then turns to face the ranger. With a sudden movement his arm stretches forward to seize the young man and move him with abrupt violence before the throne. “It is time.” ooc: Within the box is a large diamond flask. [ 03-20-2004, 12:23 AM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ] |
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#277 |
Ironworks Moderator
![]() Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Midlands, South Carolina
Age: 49
Posts: 14,759
|
There was nobody to save him, nobody to turn to, nobody to beg for help from, and no mercy would be shown.
There were no more tears of fear and loss to be shed. No way to say goodbye to loved ones, and no battle to the death, leaving behind the world in an honorable manner. There was darkness, cold shadows, and hot rage for this violation of the natural way of things. Heroes were always supposed to have guarantees of at least a good death. Not like this, not in some torturous manner to a giant that had been infected with a terrible evil that tainted it's skin and made him the more colder still. His throat was raw and swollen from the pressure applied to it for so long. There would be no final shout of defiance, no scream of terror nor anything at all like it was supposed to be. He could recall no happy memories to shield him, no mustering of pride to protect him, and no witness besides the broken Rhianneth to witness his death, though she would never leave these halls to utter the story. Brendon closed his eyes and breathed as deeply as he was able to, clinching his jaw tight for he knew that the chattering of his nervous teeth would not do in a situation as this. His final moments were filled with hate, anguish, failure, loss, and self-pity. Yet nobody would ever write that upon his tombstone. There would be no tombstone. |
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#278 |
Lord Soth
![]() Join Date: February 7, 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 1,980
|
Terrakis
He turns the young man around that he might meet his confused and terrified gaze with the cold steadiness of his own. “Still you do not see? Foolish boy! This has been your destiny from the very beginning! From your first involvement in this game you have denied it in the checking of your dual-wielding abilities. And had you ever considered just whose hunger it was that snatched you from out of the NWN forums when this game was opened once more? Fool! Everything has led you to this moment and you exist for no other reason.” He releases the young man for numbness and fear will prevent him from moving. As he resumes speaking the full and terrible weight of his confident authority crushes down upon the ranger. “We are his sons! Though we never knew him, we are his heirs. The Devouring Wind found us and taught us and prepared us for this day, the self-same wind that seized you and brought you here. Fool! For he, our father, had prepared you long ago even as he prepared the vessel before you.” Truth harsh and terrifying asserts itself and the Forums fall quiet for the telling of this tale. “At last you begin to see! The undoing of the Windbringer’s victory and the return of the great nightmare of these Forums and our meeting at last that one who is our father all come together in you.” Cautiously Terrakis removes a small bag from his belt. From this bag he withdraws a carefully wrapped package and removes from the package a small wooden band. His fingers burn immediately and a grimace of pain distorts his features. The young ranger’s shoulder snaps violently out of its socket as his right arm is seized. His hand is forced open and the ring is placed upon its third finger. Through teeth clenched tightly against the burning from the ring, Terrakis speaks in defiant notes, “We are his sons, and none shall contest our claim.” Stepping to the throne he takes up the flask and forces it into young Brendon’s hands ....... Burning. ......... It burns. Life itself burns away from the youth and the flask glows white in his hands. The wooden band never changes but the life of the ranger burns outward through it for the life in the flask is mightier than the life within the youth. He screams. Over and over again he screams as life pours out of him and into the flask. Soon his hands open and the flask falls heavily to the unyielding stone upon which he stands. The burning continues, however, even though a mere husk of a man remains where Brendon Grey once stood, it continues until the finger that holds the ring, in curious imitation of the self-mutilation of the Modding Mage so long ago falls to the stone alongside the flask. As this happens the flask bursts open and darkness settles upon the throne. “It is time, my brothers!” The voice of Terrakis fills the inner Forums. “Step forward and greet him who is our father.” As one the giants approach the throne and its thickening darkness. “We are his sons,” the great Giant intones and his brothers answer in a thundrous acclamation: AND NONE SHALL CONTEST OUR CLAIM!!!!!! [ 03-19-2004, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ] |
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#279 |
Lord Soth
![]() Join Date: February 7, 2002
Location: New York
Posts: 1,980
|
And so it is that the final blow has been struck.
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#280 |
Ironworks Moderator
![]() Join Date: March 1, 2001
Location: Midlands, South Carolina
Age: 49
Posts: 14,759
|
???
The shadows upon the floor swirl and group together lazily, trying to sort out a puzzle with invisible hands. A pillar of the shadowy mass forms upward and spins in a pillar of darkness, where apendages begin to form. A shadowy globe that appears to be a head takes shape in the chaos. Eyes open and fiery green shines through. The shadows begin to take on a more solid state, or at least appear to be in confined measures of what would be a human-like figure. A smile plays across it's lips. The form continues to swirl, taking upon it a cloak of Shadow. Now, obviously a man or a man-shape, it takes a seat upon it's new throne. In a raspy, cold voice, it claims, "I have returned." He looks about and surveys those in front of him. The giants ar strong, blessed with the touch of shadow magic upon them. He turns and sees Brendon, the one that had been prepared to be the bringer of life. He now was a ju-ju zombie. A powerful servant, and fitting for this man. "This is Grey. A defender of the throne. And what have we here? Rhianneth? Is that you, sweet girl? Don't bother getting up, you may kneel and worship me where you lay." He eyed the stricken girl with terrible satisfaction. She had once left him, and now he has seen to her humbled state of awareness. Turning the attention to Terrakis, he says, "My trustworthy Terrakis. I am glad to finally meet you. You have served me well and shall be rewarded. My first proclamation will be that all of the Underforums will be your's for the keeping. A direct pathway between your world and my tower shall forever remain open from both sides, guarded by your best followers and as such you will be called upon in times of need. You may come and go as you wish. Now...what have I missed. Echo! Where are you hiding? The echo of Larry rushes up to meet it's master. "I am here, sir, and ready to return to you...to you...you..." The echo then appears in shape as a shadow of the terrible form sitting upon the throne. It walks over to the man and becomes his shadow. Upon being reunited with Echo, Larry gained the knowledge of the History of Ironworks since his death. All was now revealed to him, as Echo recounted these tales. "Much has happend indeed. Yet it troubles me that this Tao the Druid still lives. She was trouble for me in my first life, and while she yet lives, she is trouble to me still. I must contemplate this news for a moment." OOC>>> Ju-Ju Zombie These creatures are made when a wizard drains the life force from a man-sized humanoid creature with an energy drain spell. Their skin is hard, gray, and leathery. Ju-ju zombies have a spark of intelligence. A hateful light burns in their eyes, as they realize their condition and wish to destroy living things. [ 03-20-2004, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ] |
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