| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You wake to a world of pain, splattered in blood, singed by flames, choking on smoke. A terrible cacophony of clanging metal, splintering wood, and a hundred different screams fills the air.
A terrible battle rages, and you have woken in the middle of it!
Your head pounds, your thoughts are muddled. You cannot recall who you are or how you came to be here. Your uniform is blood-soaked, torn, and burned. Whatever side you fought for is a mystery as well.
The bodies of the slain sprawl in all directions. From a limp hand hangs a twisted staff set with a gemstone, from another a gleaming sword engraved with runes. Still attached to a severed arm, a shield bears a shining symbol. A fine bow and full quiver dangle from a headless corpse.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The battle rages all around, but you seem to be in the eye of the storm, laying among a clearing filled with the dead and dying.
A red-haired woman in a white robe, it’s threads somehow unstained by the battle, emerges from the smoke nearby and walks among the fallen, looking them over as she passes. A stocky man rises from debris behind her, a sword gripped in his hand, hard angry eyes focused on her back.
Silently, he begins to advance.
Though battered and confused, the man, if that is what he really is, rises from the ground. An indomitable will to do what is just and right cuts through the haze of his confusion.
His grey skin is caked with blood and dirt, fatigue clearly wracking his body. Nevertheless his eyes glow red as he steps forward with purpose. He approaches the woman quickly, his inhuman eyes locked on the man with the ill intent.
”Beware my Lady,” he yells to the woman in warning. “An enemy approaches from behind you!”
INITIATIVE
"Hmm?" The woman responds, turning toward the bloody tiefling and ignoring the approaching warrior as he raises a sword to strike her undefended. But a strange look comes over his face and his strike doesn't come, as if some force holds his sword back.
The lady finally turns and sees the warrior. "Oh. Hellow there." Turning back to the tiefling, she waves her hand as if shoing a fly. "He cannot harm me. Though you should perhaps have armed yourself, because he can hurt you."
The warrior looks past her at you, and charges with a battlecry!
In a strange turn of luck, he slips in blood just before he reaches you, and sword swinging harmlessly in the air as he regains his balance.
The mans martial training and flexibility kick in as his attention moves past the woman and onto his opponent! Though shaken and disoriented, the man slips into combat as if he was born to it. He takes full advantage of the attackers misstep, kicking at the off balanced man’s ribs!
The terrain works against the triefling nearly as much as the human, and the kick misses entirely, leaving him briefly open for a counterattack.
The swordsman slashes the triefling across the guy, nearly disembowling him in one stroke. ”She is here!” The man calls out. ”My Lord, the witch is here!!”
”My hero bleeds for me!” The woman smiles, seemingly unfazed by the terrible wound. ”Such bravery should be rewarded.” She raises her hand and gestures, and the tiefling feels a sudden rush of vigor.
INITIATIVE
Effects: +1 to attack
Tiefling (1/11, +12 Temp)
Warrior
He is wounded. Black blood smelling of burning charcoal pours from his gored stomach.
He sees nothing but red, oblivious to the aid given him. Once again, he should be dead but he is not.
It never matters, for in the depths of his soul he knows he should not even exist.
He lunges towards the man, the hellfire and madness of his blood unleashed!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”Grrkk!” The soldier staggers back from the blow, but doesn’t fall. His sword rises in a defensive backswing that slams into the teifling’s arm, but some force prevents it from cutting deep.
”Don’t give up hero. Fate is on your side.” A soft light surrounds the woman’s hand and your wound closes.
”This way! Over here!” Voices call out, growing closer.
The warrior shoots a glance at the woman. ”My lord is coming, witch! Your magic cannot hold him back!”
INITIATIVE
Effects: +1 to attack
Tiefling (10/11, +4 Temp)
Warrior (-8)
”Ahhhhhhh!”
Lost in the violence of his battle lust, and barely present to the healers soothing spells, the man presses his attack!
The tiefling’s elbow collided solidly with the warrior’s face. His helm goes flying, along with a few teeth, and he collapses unconscious to the ground.
”Well done!” The woman cries. ”But I don’t think we are out of trouble yet. In fact, I think that was just the beginning...”
Rounding a burning siege weapon are two more soldiers. ”Over here!” One cries to unseen allies.
”Have you no weapon or armor?” The woman asks the tiefling. ”This place is littered with them, and the dead care not for earthly possessions. Oh well, I will pray the fates protect you.” She closes her eyes and mumbles a chant.
The violence raging in his soul subsides as his opponent goes down. He begins to see the situation clearly again as his reason returns momentarily. He struggles to focus and remember who he is and why he is here.
As he attempts to focus, he quickly looks for a heavy shield, inherently knowing that he is better off staying unarmed against these warriors.
As he searches he yells over to the healer, ”What do they want with you?!”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”What do they want with me?” The woman repeats the tiefling’s question. ”Well, I imagine they would like to capture or kill me, but now that I have found my hero, I think they may find such a task difficult. Fate is on our side.”
The soldiers split up, moving to flank the tiefling, who grabs up a shield and straps it to his arm. On the front, the shield bears the image of a charging ram, and through some trick of design or magic, it’s gaze seems to shift as the shield is angled. One moment it’s head is lowered toward the soldier to the right, then raised defiantly to the one on the left.
”The Aegis Aries!” The woman claps as she sees the shield. ”A hero’s shield for a hero indeed! When the enemy comes close, call upon it’s name - Ammon adori!”
One of the soldiers veers off, gritting his teeth as he forces his way toward the woman. ”Oh.. the fates can be cruel. Can you handle this one first?” She hurries to the tiefling and touches his arm.
You feel suddenly invigorated and powerful!
The Tiefling moves towards the indicated man, once again losing himself to the rage in his soul!
The Power of the woman’s touch surges through his body, giving his already capable physical even more power!
He engages the approaching soldier, and does as instructed!
”Ammon adori!”
The tiefling’s blow rocks the soldier back on his heels, but does not lay him low. But when Aegis Aries is called a glowing green ram’s head flies from the shield and knocks the man out.
”No!” The second soldier exclaims, and charges from the side. His hammer swings true, but an invisible force prevents it from inflicting injury.
”Lady Sylla!” A voice calls across the battlefield, heralding a big man in battle-scarred armor. ”Your general is dead. Your army defeated. Surrender!” He points a bastard sword. ”Or face the justice of war.”
Understanding better the power in this magic shield, the Tiefling uses it again! He directs his attacks at the incoming soldier, the fury in his blood rising to a crescendo!
”Amon Adori!”
The tiefling lands a perfect blow, followed by another glowing ram from his magic shield. The soldier goes flying, landing in a heap.
”No!” The armored swordsman calls upon the defeat of another of his men. He takes a step towards the woman, then forces himself to take another.
”Your powers will not stop me witch!” He cries.
The woman crosses her arms. ”Oh bother...”
Charging forward, the man brings his sword around and cuts across. The woman tries to dodge, and manages to avoid a killing strike, but takes a deep gash to her leg.
”Ow! Owwww!” She limps back a step and clutches the wound. ”Lady tend me.” She says and the wound closes.
The Tiefling strikes at the soldier as he rushes past him towards the healer!
The rage flows forth as the Tiefling wastes no time closing the distance with a Skipping Snap Kick aimed at the man’s back!
”Ammon adori!”
The tiefling lands a blow to the armored swordsman as he passes, but fails to follow up with a kick combination. His magic shield, however, strikes true again, battering the man from behind.
”Ughf!” The man gives a little more attention to the twirling, noting the shield. ”I see you have found another pawn, Sylla.”
”A hero, Lord Midon.”
”A demon!”
The man swings his sword across, clanging off the tiefling’s shield, then spins it up and over into a downward slash, but the tiefling blocks it again!
The woman steps back and closes her eyes in concentration, chanting soft prayers.
His memory is fragmented. He does not know where he is, who he is, or why he is here. The title of ‘Demon’ uttered by this Lord Midon sounds correct enough.
The Tiefling sets to his course, determined to know the truth of these events.
Lord Midon leans away from the tiefling’s strike. Giving him more serious attention Midon adjusts his stance and attacks with a sequence that is more precise, but less powerful.
Bringing his sword up he cuts a line into the tiefling’s chest, then reverses the blade for an overhand slash that misses.
Behind him Lady Sylla lets out a whimper. Blood sleeps through her dress where the tiefling was cut. She continues chanting and a strange feeling, like that a gambler feels on a winning streak, washes over the tiefling.
INITIATIVE
Effects: +2 to attack, +1 damage, +1 saves, +4 strength
Tiefling (6/11) <-Up!
Lord Midon (-19)
Lady Sylla (-10)
The Tiefling moves to try to flank Midon.
”Die.”
Lord Midon’s armor absorbs the blow, protecting him from injury.
Lord Midon’s sword stabs under the tiefling’s shield, through layers of magic, and deep into the the tiefling’s chest. He spits blood and darkness descends.
...
The tiefling wakes once more upon the batteflield. His chest aches where the sword struck deep, but he can feel a warm energy washing the pain away. Lord Midon is close by, standing over Lady Sylla, talking, but his words are too muffled by the battle and the tiefling’s slowly returning senses. Lady Scylla continues to pray, ignoring the armored man threatening her.
Xeur listens to what information he can, and waits for the right moment to strike.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”You are finished.” Lord Midon says. ”The ‘fate’ you believe in is false. Your goddess lied to you.”
Sylla pauses in her prayers. ”Do not lecture me on fate, Lord Midon. You would deny yours and live forever through Varion’s Elixers. But the cost would be your immortal soul, for the Lady would never let you pass through the Gates for such blasphemy. Forever will you wander the Boneyard.”
Lord Midon grips his sword. ”And what of you and your heroes? Are you exempt from judgement?”
”If you knew the price we payed, you would count one small death a blessing.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
While listening to the conversation, the Tiefling concentrates on his ability to fight in darkness! He then rushes to stand between Lady Sylla and Lord Midon, as a globe of unnatural darkness descends on all of them!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
”What is this!” Lord Midon exclaims as the area goes dark. The tiefling’s eyes, inherited from creatures born of dark pits and endless black abyss, pierce the darkness, rendering the landscape in hues of black and white. He sees Midon wipe at his eyes, and he sees Sylla staring around like one blind as well, though she looks hopeful instead of alarmed.
”The mid-night comes at mid-day, Lord Midon. The prophecy comes true!” Sylla calls out.
Midon swings his sword wildly, and futilely.
“Die Lord Midon. Die in darkness.” The Tiefling sets his stance and unleashes a devastating kick to his enemies midsection.
”No! You lie! This cannot be the end!”
Lord Midon is staggered by the tiefling’s blow! He tries to fight back, but cannot see his foe and misses.
The tiefling kicks out, but the blow is stopped by Midon’s armor greaves. The man spins and tries to respond with his sword, but misses again!
Lady Sylla continues to chant in the darkness. ”Lady, we submit to your will. Armor us against the hand of heresy, arm us against the enemies of fate.”
The Tiefling roars in savage glee as he keeps the pressure up on his Enemy!!!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Again, Lord Midon swings his sword. And again, it finds no enemy. His breaths become labored, and with each swing he becomes weaker. It seems like one of the tiefling’s blows has injured something internal within him.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The tiefling’s foot comes around and connects with the side of Midon’s knee, shattering bone and collapsing the leg in an unnatural angle. The man falls, landing heavy. Spitting blood, he calls out in a weak gasp.
”Varion... Why have you not come? I was meant to rule... you told me I would rule for a thousand years.”
His last breath gives out and he goes still.
”No one cheats the Lady of Graves.” Lady Sylla says in the dark. ”Hero, we must act quickly now. Take Lord Midon’s sword and sword belt.”
The Tiefling roars over Midon’s broken body!
He forces the rage and fury in his blood to ebb and he settles himself.
The Tiefling does as instructed.
”My mind is fragmented Lady. What goes on here?”
The Tiefling also looks for any pouches of money or supplies he knows he will need.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lord Midon carries a small bag attached to his belt. It is a bit heavy, and seems at first glance to be empty, but then you notice some coins within.
Her eyes staring blankly in the darkness, Lady Sylla replies to the tiefling. ”I suspect you are the immortal hero of the Lady if Graves, returned from death as her champion. If so, then we have met before in your past lives, though it seems this time you are having trouble recalling your memories. I believe I can help with that.” She reaches out in the darkness. ”Can you see within this? We should leave this place and make arrangements for what must happen next.”
Suddenly a bright light banishes the darkness! Standing about thirty feet away is a dark-haired elf, a glowing staff held in his hand.
”Midon!” He calls upon seeing the armored man’s body. His eyes dart to Sylla, then the tiefling. ”Murderers! Thieves! He was a good king. His rule was peaceful! Now there will be chaos!”
Sylla shakes her head sadly. ”Dear Varion, you knew this could not last. Midon’s time was up long ago. He was breaking the laws of nature - good or evil, the Lady makes no exceptions. You wizards seek to play god, but the gods do not play mortal games.”
Varion scowls in rage. It is a strange expression to see upon delicate elven features. ”To hell with the gods!” He raises a hand and begins an incantation.
Sylla sighs, then takes the tiefling by the arm and says a single word that rings like bells. With a nauseating lurch the world falls away...
...and suddenly you are both standing in a peaceful field atop a hill among forested mountains. A weathered stone stands planted in the earth before you, almost like a grave. Once there were words worked upon the face, but time has worn them almost entirely away.
Lady Sylla touches the stone and offers a quiet prayer, then turns to the tiefling. ”We are safe here. Sit. Rest. Perhaps then you might begin to remember.”
Xeur Kaan sits cross legged, rests, and contemplates...
”Where am I?”
”I remember that I am Xeur Kaan, but not much else. Please Lady Sylla, I need to remember all that I can.”
”Kaan?” Lady Sylla looks surprised, and pleased. ”You have used that name before. I believe it was originally some sort of title. Perhaps something akin to Master, Elder, or Chief.”
Gesturing to the field, Sylla goes on, ”This is a place forgotten by most. I enjoy it as a safe haven, and refuge. You have been here before.” She points to the stone. ”The end of your first life is marked there.”
Xeur rises to examine the stone.
The stone seems familiar, but Xeur cannot recall any specific information about it.