To Joe it feels like you begin falling into the water but before you hit the water you are standing in her Sanctum looking down upon water and seeing the view of your garden.
She smiles at you and waits for you to tongue tie yourself over her appearance, of ravishing nobility.
Joe returns the smile. "Good evening, Zenli. You truly..are a sight for sore eyes. I beg you to forgive my long absence. As you can see", Joe began with a bow, "so much has happened since we last met.' The paladin stepped forward and offered the bouquet of flowers to the wizard. "These..are for you."
Artemis just stops his notation of the conservation at the mention of October, "Wait, you guys have Halloween? Wait... I... never mind that, just so we are on the same page, the trick or treat gang are the four horsemen, right? And as for the three knights of wrath..." he trails off a bit, "Arrunes, Caines and... Baruli... Baruliis, think you can find any records of them from the seven years it been since their betrayal? Before and after if possible? We might be able to extrapolate their relative power compared to the others once we have a few rough estimates that we can take the seven years... into... account..." Artemis just pauses, assuming that at least one of the assembled gang is staring at him... or something similar, "But, no promises and don't quote me on that."
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"From the barrel is fine honey. Thank you." Frank then listens to the Grand Master and then Aremis's questions.
"So you're saying we have to confront the Dark Soul of Haloween and the Trick or Treat gang in October? That seems that would be when they are strongest. Or is that the only time they are out? Not sure Joe is going to want to leave Avalon, but that is a separate matter. Please explain it again Grand Master."
Her smile broadens at the flattery, then she politely responds, "There is nothing to forgive most of my students never return. Yes much has happened. Thank you Joe for the flowers." She takes them and walks over to a table, with a swish of her hand and a few arcane words a vase appears flying through the air and lands safely on the table. She puts the flowers in the vase, spruces them up and turns back to you. "So how may I help you Joe?"
"Indeed. To the point", Joe said in a more serious tone, and then stopped himself. "You will need some context for this request. ..You see, yesterday I became King of Avalon. Today I found out several platoons, including my Champion, are in Avalon's northern country and are most likely running into a trap set by The Red Horde, a force of demi-races that ravaged Avalon 3 years ago. I wanted to see if you could cast a spell allowing me to find them, or talk to them. I will likely go forth to assist them, I just wanted to know where they are and if they are safe."
"No the Trick or Treat Gang can be any grouping but typically includes a vampire, lycanthrope, and an undead of some sort. The four horsemen of the apocalypse are different beings. We are sure that one of the wrathful brothers would take a group of at least 8th level to take down before they took on their titles. Now we expect them a challenge rating of 12th level or higher." One of the men offered.
The barmaid takes the cup and gets you a fresh one.
Another of those assembled speaks up, "In October we must kill one of the Dark Souls and the trick or treat gang. There is no special Dark Soul that rises during Halloween, though plenty of monsters do make special appearances. It is not a holiday that we celebrate, instead here most folks lock their doors, as cities hire adventurers to keep them safe. Only evil themed cities would think to celebrate such a time of monsters. There might be special monsters that appear or rituals that evil chooses to do but nothing specifically with the Dark Souls, thank goodness."
"I could but what will you offer or do in response to this request if it is fulfilled?" She asks forwardly.
Joe let out a small smile, having a feeling this was coming. "Well, most beauteous enchantress", the paladin began, holding up his other hand which held the amber wine bottle and two glasses, "I offer a bottle of wine to start, then we sit down close somewhere and I tell you all about my adventures which let me to the transformed person I am. I still owe you a swim in your wonderful pool, don't I?" The brave adventurer stepped even closer, less than a foot away from Zenli. "Other than that, I am open to negotiations." Joe boldly leaned in to kiss Zenli's neck.
With a few incantations you see that the glasses and the wine bottle is chilled. She walks over to a table and uncorks the bottle easily. With a wave of her hand most of her clothing floats onto a couch nearby. Her body is barely covered in a leotard that hugs her groin up to her shoulders. She touches one of the bins and touches the glass's rim leaving behind a white substance.
She comes back with both of the glasses nearly full. She looks at you in one of two ways depending if you are ready to swim or not. Her perky boobs hold the leotard tight to her body showing off all her deadly curves.
She then steps into the water and lightly grabs your free hand, leading you in after her. As the water gets to your belly button she quickly turns letting your arm wrap around her as she comes in for a kiss. You soon realize the white crystals taste sweet and is likely just sugar. She lets you kiss in your own fashion and matches you for passion. Then she breaks her lips from yours coming up for air. In the glowing pool she klinks her glass with yours as she giggles, then takimg another long sip finishing the wine in her glass. She plays with you as her body presses against you as she reaches for the edge of the pool setting her glass down.
If you didn't already act, she comes back with ferocity as she grabs onto you pulling you close. Kissing and grabbing at your body, until she snags your underwear pulling it down to free your quivering member.
The paladin partakes with wild abandon, not holding back and trying to keep pace with the beautiful wizard. Brandon sighs and sit down next to Escalavar, waiting for the mortals to finish.
As the act is done you sense that the glow in the pool and the room seems to dim but for a moment like a flicker. Feathered wings slowly appear from her back as she continues to moan, like her tattoos begin to take shape. She continues to encourage you as you take her, but you feel that her touch begins to drain you almost magically. You also feel a spell wash over you that you resist.
If you pull yourself off of her she moans hoarsely as you quickly separate. She then floats to the side as the water seems to hold her up. Then there is a longer flicker. The water loses its glow. The crystals above that were lighting the room go out. You hear a splash as she moves away. In the dim light you can see her eyes begin to glow red and a halo forms above her head of glowing crimson red. She smiles and offers with her tempting mouth, "Thank you King of Avalon I am in your debt."
Joe you feel as if your heart is touched by death and love at the same time, like a hand caressing it. You know that harming her would be a poor choice. But you can use your words at your leisure.
"Zenli", Joe tries to say in a calming manner. "Please tell me what you are, really."
The paladin will slowly make his way over to Escalavar.
"What I am, you mean how could I do such a thing? Well having a mother as a succubus will do that to you. Also it wasn't just my actions that made my true nature come forth. My King, you have broken my curse and I shall be indebted to you for as long as you wish me beside you. I am still Zenli, just my true nature has come to bare." She says with many different inflections making what she says hard to tell is true or not, like she is messing with you.
Her smile seems to become very devious and she bows without denying it.
"Well", Joe said to himself, "aren't I having the best first day as King".
The paladin, crestfallen, slowly walks around the pool to his gear and the screaming sword. "Right after breakfast, I must deal with a squabble between nobility and the merchant class, then find out a far off settlement has been under seige from weeks, clear that up, come back, and find out about that Avalon had it's own Vietnam three years ago. Find out my Champion is walking into a deathtrap, and in seeking help, find out I've slept with my new country's most famous enemy!"
Joe first retrieves his magical sword, then begins to dress himself. Brandon, in full celestial form, flies between godling and fallen angel, acting as a barrier. The cassissan angel touches Joe's discarded underwear, casting daylight on it, destroying the darkness in the pool room. "No wonder you immediately took notice of Escalavar when we first met. It's brother was a thorn in your side for decades!" As he got dressed, Joe's face is awash with conflicting emotions
Despite himself, the young king walked over to the feathered creature and placed his hand lovingly on the side of her eager face. "Tell me your name! I want to hear it from your lips! Tell me YOUR NAME!"
She responds to your last statement with a flourish of her hair putting it behind her quiping, "Oh yes he was. But soon his sister shall be mine."
She enjoys her nudity perhaps too much, with your hand on her face she just smiles and enjoys your touch but does not respond. Then she looks up at you and asks, "So, you don't want my help?"
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"No, no, no, the Trick or Treat gang will form at the start of October and we will have to defeat them before the end of October. Also we must defeat a Dark Soul that month to make sure they can't entitle a new Dark Soul. It doesn't have to be the troll, just a Dark Soul.
It is June so we have several months before we have to worry about that.
I think the most pressing question is which Dark Soul should we go after next? I can divert some assets to help the Night Hawks depending which one you go after. Our forces are typically caught up in foiling evil plans but never actually running into a Dark Soul. The last three times our teams have fought a Dark Soul it was tragic, we have very few Chosen to help us."
The magical sword forces his wielder to overhand chop down at the admitted naked half-fiend.
Joe pleads forgiveness and begs Morgana to teleport him back.
"And with blood from a weapon forged of Fey and Merlin, I am free!" She then vanishes.
The room begins to crumble, crystals fall from the ceiling.
Joe you can move as you wish as Escalavar just wants you to kill her and it can't sense her anymore. You can go North, East, South, or West. West you see more pool. North you see the kitchen where your flowers still remain in the vase she produced. East you see a tunnel. South you see a door.
Joe goes East to the tunnel.
You travel down the tunnel finding doors bashed in with rocks, the ceiling slowly falling apart, and darkness.
You see in one room, that has light, it is not collapsed and it appears to hold several magic items on pedestals. A wooden cup, a broken spear, a silver harp, and a full length mirror.
Once you have light again you continue down the path coming to a T junction in the tunnel, you can go right or left.
Joe takes a moment to grab the wooden cup and the silver harp on his way out. At the T-junction, the young king goes right.
Reflex save DC 18 or be crushed under a cave in!
You only take 9 damage from falling debris and quickly turn around.
You take a tight right turn to see another cave in. More of the tunnel begins to cave in on itself.
Reflex save DC 18 or be crushed under a cave in!
You dodge back the way you came only taking 12 damage.
Then you see it as a tapestry falls to the ground, you can go up the staircase, back into the room with the mirror and the broken spear or return to the pool room.
Then you see it as a tapestry falls to the ground, you can go up the staircase, back into the room with the mirror and the broken spear or return to the pool room.
"Dammit!" Joe cursed to himself.
The paladin took a quick look into the mirror and shouted, "Mirror. Mirror. On the Wall. Get me back to Camelot!"|
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"Touch the mirror, and get us out of here!" the sword yells.
Joe you realize you should have been more specific as you see the same mirror before you but then looking around you see you are in a large room with a dozen mostly naked women.
The sword mentally tells you, 'A temple or brothel of Calistra?!'
Artemis just hums a little, "I see... quick question, when you state that if we kill a Dark Soul each month, they cannot pass the title to another, does that mean we have 30... 31 days to kill the next one or do we have the flexibility to kill a Dark Soul in... like... early July and then another one in late August without an issue?"
The sword mentally tells you, 'A temple or brothel of Calistra?!'
"Hey, I was just in a very dangerous and sexy situation. I've got the body of a 20 years old. Things..occur under the right circumstances. Anyway.." Joe explains to Escalavar before touching the mirror.
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"The Troll is opportune as one of our Members is the current ruler of Camelot and Avalon. He will want to destroy the troll, so that will likely be our next target. Though we will likely start hunting it now. So by the time October comes around who knows. We don't need you to divert forces, well not yet at least. Just continue to gather what information you can. We should try and meet every week. This will allow us to keep updated with one another. We might not make it every week if we are tied up. If we miss more than a month then you can assume we failed and are dead. So I ask once again do you have any other information on the Troll?"
Almost as if an event in a game happens, the sky darkens and most people stop to look. Looking up you see that in glowing crimson words in the dark sky spell, "The Overlord has returned, tremble with fear!"
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Joe, you notice that the women are a bit distracted as they look out the window or are focusing on putting on clothes.
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The sword mentally tells you, 'A temple or brothel of Calistra?!'"Hey, I was just in a very dangerous and sexy situation. I've got the body of a 20 years old. Things..occur under the right circumstances. Anyway.." Joe explains to Escalavar before touching the mirror.
He remains quiet until you begin to act.
King Joseph quickly crosses the room to the door out.
The paladin attempts to take the staircase down.
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"The troll is fire infused, so immune to fire... wait, actually heals more in fire. As does its family, a total of three. It has a large mouth in its belly that consumes things or people that are never seen again. Acid is the only thing to stop its regeneration but has a resistance to it somehow. Likely it has a magical item like a ring of resist acid. Any prolonged ranged combat is best as it and his family prefer to wade into melee. As some of the toughest targets in the Red Horde you will likely find them alone, they eat anything that comes near. Though likely you will have to wade through regiments of orcs and goblins to even find them. Why is everyone looking out the windows or going outside. Let's look into this and then come back."
As the windows are full with people already the eight of you go outside to join a large assembly of people looking up to see that the sky has darkened with black smoke or black clouds and the glowing crimson words spelling, "The Overlord has returned, tremble with fear!"
He curses under his breath and mentions to the group, "This makes things ten times worse. Especially going after the troll. The cultists are going to have a hay day with this. Though if you act fast, perhaps slaying the trolls would be the best option right now before the Overlord can reign in the Red Horde. You should go, and go quickly!"
Joe you make it outside to be among the masses of people looking up at the sky, apparently no one saw you or at least said anything to you.
Joe whispers a prayer of apology to Calistria as he quickly walks the streets back to Castle Camelot.
Joe it takes you longer as the streets are filled with your people. They seem fearful, scared, and unsure. You see some guards trying to assure that the King will take care of the situation and to disperse but most of the guards are as scared as the civilians. Down another street you see a knight holding aloft his magical blue weapon assuring the people that all will be well. But the next few streets there is no one showing hope or at least assuring them.
Within an hour you make it to the square before the castle. Arelius is there with guards and knights reassuring people that it will be fine. The phrase that you hear them using more than others is, "The Dark One will hold no sway over Avalon."
Within an hour you make it to the square before the castle. Arelius is there with guards and knights reassuring people that it will be fine. The phrase that you hear them using more than others is, "The Dark One will hold no sway over Avalon."
"NOR WILL SHE EVER!" The godling appeared before the square.
King Joseph walks right up to Arelius, and whispered, "You'll get a full briefing once we get back into the castle. Before then follow my lead."The young King of Avalon stares up defiantly at the strange portents above Camelot's skies.
The paladin roared into the heavens. "You can stop this Dog and Pony Show RIGHT NOW! Avalon's protection has ever been the duty of the one who wears the crown", to add emphasis, King Joseph draws the sword Escalavar aloft for all in the square to see. "..One who draws the SWORD!"
King Joseph railed again into the sky.
Three men in the crowd pull out weapons and threaten those around them, they wear black robes. The crowd parts allowing them to come to the king. They come charging, parts of their robes begin to immoate. Before they can reach you see a semi-circle of blue energy appear around them. The three fools explode. The only thing left in the globe are blackened chuncks and a black scorch mark. Then it pops like a bubble.
Looking up you see a woman clad in blue/purple clothes with a silver/white fur collar. An orb of magic swirls around her as she slowly descends. Landing she offers, "King of Avalon, we need to get you in the castle for their safety, NOW! She walks up to you and nods.
Many of the villages moved away at the King's pronouncement. More left as men charged the king. Then they all went home at the wizards announcement.
King Joseph, along with Arelius and his guard, enter the safety of the castle. Joe asks his aide, "Who was that woman?"