Part 7>>>The Shadow of Love (an LoF adventure)

[Larry_OHF]

Larry Silverfall 23/23

As Larry laid there thinking that this was truely the end and that he was surely dying out of this game, Mistral visited him once again.

She was very upset. Why? Because he was giving up on not just his own life, but hers as well! He was letting her down! She chastised him in the way that only she could, getting at him in just the right way to make him feel nearly physically slapped from her incorpeal hand. It was that bite that had him leaping off of the floor, just as Morgie was thanking his God that the healing had occured despite the long suspension of his abilities with the Divine.

But Larry did not know of any of that.

He grabbed out his longsword that Morgie had borrowed out to him and proclaimed, "I will be there soon, my love! I am almost there!"

He looked about, knowing that right now he could rip Nanashi apart with his bare hands and could not wait to do so. However, the tiger lay crumpled over at the top of the stairs, and the only thing out of the ordinary faces of those he travelled with was a strange-looking owl that was hovering up there. He dropped his sword to his side and turned his head in confusion, noting the soreness in his neck lingering there where the bite had been, but nonetheless only a scar remained...

"An owl? Since when did I start copying Cyril Darkcloud?"

It was then that his legs realized that they were not yet strong enough to hold up his body, and he fell back to the floor.

"Ouch!"

OOC>>>Cyril approved of the fact that its an easy task for such a high-level paladin to be able to cure a level 2 character to full HP. However, as Morgie has mentioned Larry is still somewhat weak due to his near-death and huge blood-loss trauma. Still, Mistral has given Larry energy in life that only a woman could give her husband when she lights a fire under his ass and tells him to get a move on.

[ 11-25-2005, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[dplax]

Andrion Wilgor 22/22

Two pairs of eyes turned towards him and two people nearly immediately realized that what they faced was no ordinary owl.

He knew that he would be no match for these three against him, if they had taken down Nanashi. Maybe if he still had his human body, he would have tried to make a stand, but as things were he knew his top priority was to survive and tell the mage, of what had happened here.

As the paladin type figure threw the staff at him, he knew he had to flee. He stopped flapping his wings, aiming to drift a foot lower and then go back the way he had come, listening for the sounds of pursuit and escaping from it as necessary.

[Larry_OHF]

Larry Silverfall 23/23

"Well...that was easy", Larry said as he watched the owl high-tail it out of there.

"Right...then if I can just..."

Larry pulls himself up and leans against the wall.

"Tell you what, Morgie. I'll give you back this sword here which is doing me no good in my current weakened condition, if you'll go fetch that stick you just threw, back for me. I need something to lean on."

When Morgie gives Larry the pole that he'd fashioned in the woods earlier, Larry hands him the long sword.

"Don't worry. I used to keep a huge amount of interesting items in my treasury...and I am sure this Mage has the same treasure room that I had. If so, then we'll all find something of use. But let's not waste anymore time here. My wife has visited me again in my dreams...and has called for me make haste. Maybe she knows that the Mage is nearing."

Larry uses the crutch and hops along up the steps with it, leaving Morgie to hoiste Senora who had not yet awakened from her faint...and Joseph...the strange Joseph. How had he and Morgie won against the were-tiger? He had not actually seen any of it, or what he did see...he was not sure if he had dreamed. Maybe those images were all in his head.

OOC>>>The Tower Team advances to the second floor. Catch up with a post if you would like.


Echo

The Echo watched as the intruders continued to advance in this tower, having killed Nanashi and scared off Andrion. What was left to do? He had one plan left, for all he was worth, and that plan was the final shot at stopping these looters. He zoomed himself up to the second floor, and began his work, the only thing left that an echo can do for its master.

For Vincent:


While Yevaud and Anarrima rested, Vincent was eager to discern their next move by listening in at the far door for clues.

He was not rewarded for his efforts, and only heard the screaming sound of silence from the other end. There could literally be anything on that other side of the door, waiting quietly and hungrily for them to open it.

[ 06-23-2006, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[Elif Godson]

Vincent Pathfinder 89/98

Litening at the door his imagination ran amuck with penetrating silence of death from the other side of the door. He could see the shadow's moving about wanting to drain the life from the living and add to the lost soul's of this accursed place. Snapping back he felt around the door and then tested the lock mechanism. The tumblers in line so the door was not locked. Looking over at his two companion's he shruged and walked over to them. " It would appear that we are welcome to enter the next room. I dont like the sensation I get from the other side and sadly time is of the esscence for our missing Inquisitor. So that does not leave us much time to rest and recover.

[TAOWolf]

She immediately senses blood, and looks down as her eyes shift to a wolf’s. With her heightened sight she spots the trail of blood, and follows it down a corridor where a huge stone-ringed doorway is on her left.

She cautiously edges up to one corner, peeling off her other glove, and tucks it with the first in her belt and quickly shoots into a room… She stands about four feet in the doorway, looking at an immense dining hall. Everywhere at the tables sit skeletons, still in the position they were all killed. Curiously she looks around, noticing old frayed and faded banner tapestries hanging from the walls, the armor of the skeletons laying against the walls, and her eyes flash once.

Still following the blood trail, she eventually comes to the corpse of Silt, lying against a dead end wall with two suits of armor laying around him. She kneels on one knee, and bows her head, quietly whispering a blessing to his soul, then stands looking around.. The blood trail ends here, but she can sense it was not his.

Turning around, she walks back to a set of stairs she saw earlier and stops on the top step. Tapping her staff gently upon the floor, the crystal in the top softly glows into the darkness, and she starts to descend… Along the stairwell, there are nicks, and she takes the time to look in each at the heraldic shields and swords displayed, with suits of armor… she shivers slightly once as she seems to feel the empty eye sockets of the helmets follow her down the stairs.

She finally reaches the last stair, and to her left is a door, slightly ajar. Stopping she cocks her head to the side like a wolf, and listens… she hears faintly voices, and almost recognizes them… lifting her staff, with one hand on the shadowed SpiritSword, she steps into the room like a ghost………

[Legolas]

The dying rays of a setting sun stretched desperately across the salt-laden waters like a pianist's fingers clutching a reluctant throat. It was a place far from usual, and a location somehow familiar. But for the failing orb of light, the skies were virgin and unmarred, with less than the smallest cloud to obscure its omnipresent glory. And as so many things come not alone, nor in pairs, so there was the other. The soil which carried feet so well spread where brine and air would not. An army of grass all across its surface was the only indication that height even existed here, for there were no dunes or hills to speak of.
He noted the clear, straight line of horizon, where sometimes three, more oft two of the trinity met with practiced reservation and eye for protocol, for none would intrude upon the others' domains.
In this place, the sea was a deep green. Here, the grasses were vibrant in their natural colours. The hue of the cloudless sky was of a quality only found on ancient 8-bit handhelds. What was here but differing shades of emerald?

Ah, but there was something alright. He could feel the disturbance as clearly as the tiniest drop of red ink could be seen on a pure white sheet of paper. And a disturbance it was, roaming now in the domains of Grumbar, then where Procam reigned, bobbing into and out of Nut's strictly fenced property.

It was not by walking, precisely, that he followed it. But he followed it.

[Larry_OHF]

Anarrima 44/67

She looked up just as something had entered the room from very doorway that they themselves had come from. She recognized the face immediately. She remembered her from the time when they had worked together to destroy the Hunger in the Forums.

"Lady Tao? !! Its you! How...What are you doing down here?"

She spake these words even as she jumped up to her feet and ran towards her friend to embrace her in greeting.


Larry Silverfall 23/23

Larry hopped up the steps, using the cane for a crutch and holding onto the wall...and finally made it up the steep steps that led to the second level of this Tower from the Shadow Realm. The place was so creepy, like being stuck in between worlds or something. There was no light source to be seen to create the shadows that became walls and floor and ceiling. This whole place defied reason. It was just like that shadow-walk that Joseph had led them on to get to this place...a world between worlds.

The second floor seemed quiet, and non-threatening. Larry found this most bothersome since he used to have this place filled with all manners of horrid experimental beasts to guard the lower levels...the one way that seemed likely to gain access to this tower. He had not foreseen the Windbringer's creativity in coming in through the roof.

But now...all was still. Was it a cunning trap? Was the Mage of Shadow really so overconfident that nobody could break into his newly designed fortress that he'd leave the place practically unguarded except for one or two creatures? Things had changed so much since the first games...

As soon as the three + (one being carried) were ready to advance, they started their journey across the wide open space of a room to the other side where the stairs that led to the next level up was to be found. That is where the throne-room was...

~ssssssth~

Something whistled by Larry's head. He dived onto the floor, which was harder than it appeared to be...

~ssssssth~

There was another whistle, aimed a bit further away...

"Take cover!! We're being shot at!!"

~ssssssth~

Larry heard another arrow fly past, somewhere to his left. He lay there, wondering if his three allies had taken cover in time. It was kinda dark in here.

"I had hoped we could talk a bit about this guy before he came onto us. Too late now! That has to be Brendon Grey!", Larry called out to his two conscious companions. "He is supposed to be guarding the throne room! He cannot move from that place unless the Mage commands him to! What's he doing here now? Has the Mage returned?"

The onslought of arrows had stopped at the moment. That meant that maybe Joseph and Morgie had got out of sight in time to save their lives. He heard a voice speaking but could not discern what it was saying.


"That's it, my pet. They are hiding but cannot do so forever. When they appear again, shoot them! Kill them! Do not move closer to them from this stairwell. You must guard the stairwell!"

Echo had no face, but the smile was still there. He was a clever little Echo. For its direct connection with the Mage, it had proven successful that the zombie would obey its voice just as though it were the Mage himself.

Larry ventured a look up from the position he held, face-down on the floor. He saw in the smokey distance, a dark form with burning red eyes, holding a magnificent bow that had an arrow notched at the ready.

OOC>>>
Damage done

Joseph: 1hp
Morgie: 5hp
Larry S: 6hp

As I have learned just today, hp means more than taking physical damage.

[ 06-23-2006, 02:10 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

[TAOWolf]

She stood stock still, raising her eyebrows as this little slip of a girl who yelled her name, rushed up to her, and grabbed her in a bear hug. Chuckling, she put her arms around the girl, careful not to touch her with her bare hands, and whispered, ”Is that really you, Anarrima?? What in the goddess’ name are you doing here of all places?”

Letting go of the girl, she dons her gloves, then lays her hands on Anarrima’s shoulders, laughing softly. She scans around the room, and notices Vincent, who she remembers, but she does not know the other young man with him. Looking down at Anarrima, she narrows her eyes and whispers,”Tell me what has happened…”

[ 12-04-2005, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]

[Larry_OHF]

Anarrima 44/67

"Yevaud and I came at the summons of my goddess Ahurani Fairhand. We became involved in the exploration of this dark crypt soon after.

There is something evil down here, uncovered by the crash of the castle's tower which occurred after a young man was being chased by a were-tiger up there a day ago. We came to heal this place, but one of our own fell in battle and the human leader of this place has been taken captive by what sounds to be clerics of no small power. We just finished winning a battle against that."

Anarrima points to the carcass of a daedroth.

"We believe we have arrived at the right place...which is just beyond yonder door. What a blessing it is to have you here in the hour of our need! Truely Lady Fairhand works her wonders with such mystery..."

A hint of distant sadness could be caught in that last sentence. The flash of a drow's face...

"Let us prepare, for surely they know we are here and are equally preparing against us..."

[Cyril Darkcloud]

Joseph (Newly missing another hit point from his already low total)

It just goes to figure. Things were too damn easy since that shape-shifting dame went down. No resistance at all except for some owl that was easily run off. And when things are this easy it’s never good. And sure enough right about when a guy starts to thinking that they don’t make gloating megalomaniacal despotic types with all kinds of power like they used to, that’s when the trouble starts up. About time too – he was just about to lose faith in the system. A guy does have the right, after all, to cutting edge villainy if he’s gotta be putting up with villainous type stuff in the first place.

The first arrow flies surprisingly close given the enchantment about his belt. The second arrow nearly takes off his ear, it brushes so closely to his head.

“Hey!” he yells out in surprise. “Careful with that! I bruise easy!” The bravado in his voice comes automatically, but there is great cause for concern here. The enchantment of the belt is one that should disguise his position – displacing it a few feet – and yet this assailant does not seem to be affected by it in the least...... Trouble.

Larry dives for cover and the big guy at least has all that armor, not to mention a much greater tolerance for brutal bludgeonings, gruesome stabbings and other assorted nastiness than a skinny guy what makes his living by avoiding exactly those things. One good shot and it's over. It is said that one’s life will pass before one’s eyes at such times as this. He frowns. And if life were attitude, then such is exactly what passes before his eyes at this moment, a burst of realization that arrives swiftly and with its arrival comes a decision......

This ain’t a bad little bit, but it’s hardly cutting edge. Being turned into a pin cushion by some second tier flunky????? Where’s the style in that? Going out exhausted and against impossible odds might be an OK thing for a hero to do. Hell, it might be fine for these guys, but damn it, that just ain’t gonna cut it for him! Arrows! Where’s the imagination? The art? The least bit of elegance? A scrap of real subtlety? Where’s being done in by some guy what was just a bit more clever? Arrows??????

There is not much time – he needs to arrest the movement of the arrows. After all there’s some things a guy just don’t need to put up with, and dying like this is one of ‘em.

His hands begin manipulating the spell components even as another arrow flies toward the big guy. Ironically it is the arrows that make this spell possible, the arrows and the offended sense of artistry they stirred to action. Some might well call his outrage petulant but it overrides his exhaustion and focuses his thoughts all the same.

The air grows dense and a thick fog forms in front of him, a fog so thick it impedes the movement of the arrow now flying toward him, slowing it greatly and disrupting its course. The fog forms rapidly, easily in fact, extending outward and around Larry and the warrior and reaching to the staircase where the assailant has positioned himself. It forms behind him as well, extending up into the stairwell.

This opponent would seem to have some way of seeing through certain aspects of his art. Stuff like this happens every now and then – a guy’s just gotta be ready.......

The fog will buy him both time and confusion. He can make use of both, but here time is the greater thing. Third pouch on the left hand side of the belt – that’s where he keeps the components......

“I’ll give you a sloppy death all right,” he mutters. “If a little bit of style’s too much to ask I guess folks are just gonna have to fry......”

[ 12-04-2005, 09:34 PM: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]