There is a figure that stalks the dark corners of all of the worlds. A figure that will promise those that will follow it whatever they desire, to accomplish their fell goals. In exchange for their desires, it asks them to perform a variety of tasks to further the aims of the darklands or perhaps just the aims of the shadow figure.
The appearance will differ from sighting to sighting. This time she is a gaunt figure, female, almost emaciated in appearance. Covered in dirty linen wrappings, with a blood soiled bandage covering her eyes, she moves from cavern to cavern, forgotten temple to blasphemous fane, from sunken empires to endless sunless ocean. All along her path she recruits the outsiders to her cause, banding them in impromptu groups to accomplish her goals and then rewarding her charges before moving on in her travels.
This is one such group recruited to her cause, her agents there in the darklands reaching up into the sunlit worlds.
This dark hole has become a nest of sorts for the otherworldly being known as Ckkxxchtki. The black chitined abomination has six legs and a pair of short sharp claws, the creature had seen a small green skinned creature with a bulbous head.
Ckkxxchtki scuttles quietly across the wall and follows it without detection, following it through the dark-lands to a family of similar beings. Ckkxxchtki watches from the ceiling.
Hours and hours are spent by the creature watching and learning about the clan before it decided to dominate its first victim. Gliding silently down from the ceiling onto the the spine of the unfortunate goblin known as Glibtek, Ckkxxchtki drives its claws into the being's shoulders and biting into its neck. The diaphanous nets of nerve burrow into the flesh and take over the being, its body becomes only a host for Ckkxxchtki. The goblin's body is but a puppet for the native outsider. Glibtek screams within its mind, but Ckkxxchtki has taken control. burrowing further into the body of the creature, the arachnid creature's back is the only thing that is visible.
Glibtek used his rusty iron knife to slaughter his entire clan. The other goblins could not compete with the improved strength and speed of the possessed goblin. The muscles of the body are over-empowered by the insect, and after the clan was slaughtered and carried to the nest of Ckkxxtki, many of the goblin's bones had actually been broken by its own muscles.
Ckkxxki spends many days in its nest with the shattered and slaughtered corpses, devouring the flesh and organs of the fallen creatures. Something outside of the nest disturbs its weeks-long feast. Taking over the body of Glibtek and repairing the body back to functionality, the bulging veined creature emerges.
Zorryn had traveled alone now for several months. After leaving the den that the vampire clan had sent him away from he had looked for ways to get back at the drow. Infiltrating the city would be difficult. His wings and form would give him away far too easily. So he preyed on the unfortunate creatures of the underdark. Waiting for his chance, searching for opportunities. He tracked a group of drow soldiers and found they were escorting a minor noble who he did not recognise. It did not matter to him, he would feed on her anyway. He wanted so badly to taste drow blood. As he swooped down upon them they covered the area in darkness. He laughed and landed in the middle of them, covering the area in a fog cloud. They were effectively blinded and their weapons were unable to find his scaled hide as he tore them down with ease, invigorated with every scratch and bite that he gave them.
Foul beast!" the noble called out as she flung spells at him. The fire barely burned him. He felt her magic try to enter his mind and fail. Her eyes went wide as she realized she wasn't dealing with something living. A protective barrier formed around her and she tried to run. He charged after her and with one swipe the barrier fell and he knocked her to the ground. "So weak. I expected better from a noble. You will be my first." He had her pinned and bit down. The taste of blood was like heaven, it was so powerful to him that even the constant pain inside him was like the smallest scratch. She screamed only for a few moments before he had drained he into unconsciousness. As he finished feeding and the ecstasy wore off the pain returned, along with all of his other senses. He could feel something or someone standing behind him. He stood up instantly and turned around to see what was there but there was nothing. He looked around and smelt the air. Nothing. The late sorcerer had little with her, perhaps a diplomat then. Still it was progress. He pulled his deathwatch lenses over his eyes. All the warriors were dead or dying. Next time he would have to leave one of them alive to run away. If he could lure more out to hunt him...
'Help' 'please!' a young voice called out drawing the attention of a quartet of armored individuals, a small group who had made the choice to delve deep into the Darklands for reasons only they knew, the tallest of them clad fully in shining metal armor called for a halt and a with a quick exchange of words the group began to reroute itself one of the smaller less armored ones pointing out the direction of the voice the four began to spread some as they began searching for the source of the voice and every few moments just before there resolve would fade the voice would call out to them again leading them deeper and deeper into the forest into her lair.
Getting the group to move how she wanted was simple, she had learned well that many were quite eager to come to the defense of a child in danger, abovelanders especially were prone to falling to this sort of trap and these four had barely even needed any convincing just a few calls every now and then had them trudging deeper and deeper into her lair. Her village had been as of late become far less dependable of a food source she knew it was her own fault for this, she had hastily attacked a trade caravan while particularly hungry and it had gotten her noticed. Now they KNEW she existed, she was more than a legend to them, she was a threat, and much like if she had poked at a nest of bees the village was buzzing with defensive activity.
So for now she would hunt those a bit further from her village, lone travelers on her roads, small trade caravans, and much like now foolish glory seekers. They were deep in the forest now and with a few minutes of silence it became apparent that they were lost and that they needed to find there way back to the road. One broke off from the others the lightly armored one who had kept track of her calls. Once he was far enough she pounced giving the would-be adventurer no time to react a few quick cuts and a tail through the spine and her jaws clamped firmly on his neck put an end to him, she tasted Elven blood but not quite the same as what she was used to, pale elf was a particular delicacy that she very rarely got to experience. Wanting a chance to enjoy her meal a bit more she took a far more direct route to ending the other three she had the Elf's voice and her face, it was easy enough to return, suggest a rest for the night, and then kill the others while they slept.
It had taken more time to sort through there belongings than it had to actually end there lives, sadly only the elf had anything truly interesting a very nice cloak that was now her very nice cloak she wrapped the cloak around herself as she let her form shift from it's true state into that of her preferred 'disguise' a small female child of clear Drow heritage, one of the first creatures that she had encountered. Her voice and her face now served as her go-to shape. All too suddenly she felt the atmosphere shift, the forest was eerily quiet and much to her surprise there was a new scent nearby. 'Hello?' the voice of the Drow girl called out as deceptively keen eyes searched for the newcomer.
The dimly lit hall was almost empty now. The only source of light was an open flame, roaring in the hearth - and that made it the only source of sound too. The scent of pines hung over the room - a luxury here, deep down in the bowels of the earth. All the denizens of the hall, the serfs and servants, had gone to sleep save one. Upon a heavy chair he sat, as if it were a throne. He seemed carved from a solid slab of marble, tribute to human vanity, still as only stone or the dead could be. The dancing flames of the hearth reflected in his red eyes - but it was not them he stared at. Beyond them lay scenes and visions of time long lost, memories of the past.
The sun reflected off his shining armour and lance - both trimmed with gold and silver. The crowd roared. Around him stood the better part of the baronies nobility and a good deal of its peasants too, by the smell of it. He swept his gaze around: In the distance he could see his mansion and the tower of the town hall, both festooned with both flowers and flags. In the other direction - across the tilt barrier - stood his opponent for the day. He could not recognize him - but it mattered not. All fell before his lance. With a grin he mounted his armoured steed. The day had barely just begun and he looked forward to the joust.
*blink*
There was no sun out. The scene was an eerie twin of the previous, clad in the shadows of night. There was noone around him, they all covered in their houses - doors barred against the night. He swept his gaze around: In the distance he could see the ruins his mansion and of the town hall, both covered in soot and spiderweb. In the other direction - across the field - lay the slain corpses of three knights. He knew their gold and silver-trimmed armours even in the starlight. They had all fallen before his fury, their essence drained. With a grin he stepped into his black stagecoach. The night was still young and he looked forward to meeting the other knights.
*sigh*
Those were better days. he thought. With a start he sat up and lifted the goblet to his lips. A frown crossed his face - it was empty. He looked down. Judging by the dried wine at the bottom it had been this way for a while. *sigh* Typical. He stood up and ventured towards the 'cellar'. Down here in the Darklands, in his house atleast, that was actually a room ontop of the living quarters. While walking up the stairs he mused There are some things you never get used to... A few minutes later he was back at his seat in front of the fire. He took a sip and sighed, this time out of delight. A good year that was... The household wouldn't wake for another few hours so he had plenty of time to reminiscing.
What was that? A shift in the air...? He stood up and swept his gaze across the room, easily piercing the gloom. His rack of weapons stood across the hall - but he would hardly need them ... "State your business - or leave." he snarled.
The sun shone down on the oasis, a single wind scoured tree sucking life and nutrients from the dwindling water. Its leaves were browning at the edges, denied enough moisture to keep from feeling the deserts wrath.
The traveler who stood under the tree was unaffected by the merciless sun in the sky.
Antlers jutting from his black cloak and armor of blue scale yet not a drop of sweat, he made no footsteps traveling the desert sliding over the land as though it were fog.
Were one to look closer they would see the antlers were not of bone, but stone and the cloak which held not eyes but flawless white opals in their place flickering with hidden fire.
Casting a final glance to the map he had been considering the man nods and looks east, the temple of Tel'thanoth one of the ancient Orisani Pharaoh Princes loomed. Generations of treasure hunters had tried and failed to plumb its depths, but what none outside of the Osirion nation knew was that such a right was heavily controlled. Without the blessings of Khemhet himself the doors would not open, to many this was a problem as 20 feet of magically reinforced sandstone was a formidable barrier. Sanriel cast a glance to the stone, placing one hand on exterior before passing though the mighty barrier with not even a whisper to mark his passage.
The ancient tomb was well guarded by monster and trap alike, but powers such as Sanriels had not been planed for. Like so many Tel'thanoth had sought to ensure his legend remained, 1,000 souls had been sacrificed on the alter of his death to ensure that while his spirit might be gone that he would never want for servants. The Golem army that was rumored to exist in the bowels of the Temple was both a draw and a danger, for such creatures guarded the mans worldly possessions. A warning saying as much scrawled in large block letters in the main hall.
"I care nothing for the gold of this moldering corpse, but if his army is even half the one that legend speaks of it could serve well as warriors." the earthen ghost in the pitch dark temple thought as he glided through the fiendish traps of the temple.
It was not long drifting through walls, avoiding traps and ignoring defenders that he arrived at the final defense. An Ornate puzzle door, lacquered in vibrant colors and dire warnings written on every side. The man walked forward only to find the way froward barred, so with a deft hand he began working on the door. It took hours, as each time he failed the room would begin filling with summoned scorpion hordes, poisonous and violent Sanriel never the less soldiered on. It was two hours later that the man and no less than four thousand tired scorpions avalanched into the room as the door opened to reveal the dead pharaohs hidden army.
On entering the room Sanriel cursed "Again..." the man thought to himself as the shattered shrapnel of ancient statures moldered, each carved of stone in the shape of a war ready soldier. More than half of them cracked or broken, having fallen at one point or another. "And so, yet another legend of the ancient Pharaohs proves to be dust and delusions of grandeur." the druid sighs, as he moves toward the gilded sarcophagus to examine it. A shriveled bandage wrapped corpse clutching sigils of his ancient station, jewels and gems encrusting the tomb. A clever trap underneath it balanced to activate on the weight in the tomb moving. "More scorpions?" the druid considered looking to the tomb before grabbing the corpse by its shoulders and removing the sacred funeral shroud he wore, a fine silk object unaffected by the tide of time. With a snap noise filled the room as Sanriel heard the grinding of stone, turning he watched as the remaining statues sprung to life. The animate statues simultaneously turning and looking at the intruder before charging.
With an exasperated sigh the druid sinks beneath the ground, the statues glace in obvious confusion before the first one is rent in two by a wave of claws. The carnage goes on for some time, but the shaped shifted warrior was unassailable and the statues could do nothing but fall to his might. Rising from the ground he looks about the rubble covered ground, before turning to the sarcophagus only to see a woman shrouded in linen wrappings reclined on the ornate grave. "Are you here for the Pharaohs riches? the opal eyed man snapped "Take it, I have no interest in his petty gold. His army was false, so if you've come seeking it know that yet again the legends of the Osirion princes prove nothing but dust and falsehood." He looks again seeing the woman's gauze veiled gaze directed toward him before continuing cautiously "But then you don't seem to be here for that. Who are you?" The opal eyed druid asks coolly waiting for an answer.
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Xizor walked through the mostly empty streets of the city slowly, the emptiness disturbed only by the occasional drunk finally stumbling home from a late night at some tavern or another. With his dark cloak pulled around him, and purpose in his step, few would approach the ominous figure, and their mild apprehension tickled Xizor's senses the way passing a bakery might a human. On another night, he might have selected one of them to provide a meal, but tonight he had more important things to be about.
It always takes so much longer to get there on foot, the creature thought to itself, reveling in the sensation of simply putting one foot in front of the other. But it's a pleasant night for a walk. And it's been a productive one, too. Feeling a bit self-reflective, he mused I wonder why I feel so differently than the Others about these things.
Eventually, Xizor reached his destination: A merchant's shop, which was long since closed for the night. However, this particular shop had a special back entrance, which Xizor approached. He delivered the current sequence of password knocks quickly and as quietly as possible, and a slit in the wall was opened just enough for the watchman to peek out, before sliding the rest of the hidden door open just enough for the figure to step through, and into this small branch of the local thieves' guild.
Once the door was shut, and Xizor had passed into the inner chamber where his contact waited, the still-hooded figure said in an oddly discordant voice: "Our information was right. He is an addict. Elven absinthe. I watched him take a dose myself." The other man in the room replied "Good. I know just who to sell that information to. The Reaper will be pleased with us tonight." He then motioned towards another door. "In the meantime, someone's here for you. I don't know how she found us, but she described you well." Pausing to add emphasis, he then adds "Surprisingly well," and makes a ball shape with his fingers as he raises an eyebrow.
If Xizor had a visible face in his hood, it would be frowning. Instead, his voice has to convey his displeasure. "That can be a problem. I will speak with her, and see who she works for." He removes one glove, revealing a clawed hand that softly glows blue, then tucks into his sleeve as he steps up to the door. "... and if she lives."
Rizzen floated above the alleyway using his own levitation powers observing his targets make the trade just below him. This is just too easy he thought. He dropped his deeper darkness on the targets and watched in amusement as they fumbled around and blamed each other for betrayal. He called on his lycanthropic heritage and grew twice as large, hairs sprouted all over and he grew claws, a tail and a feline visage.
"I do love this part" He said to himself before undoing his levitational power and dropped right in the deeper darkness, on top of the two fumbling humanoids. He bit one right in the jugular and raked his belly open. They die so quickly, it's a shame. When will they give him a challenge. He jabbed the second target in the throat effectively muting him. For his own amusement he dispelled the deeper darkness spell and watched the second man wet his pants as he looked in terror at Rizzen's form. He tried to cry out but alas, he could not get a word out. The man stumbled backwards and fell over his own legs. Rizzen drew his wakizashi and cut his head off in one slice. He changed his shape back to normal and went over to the other dead man. He cut off his head as well, put both of their heads in a leather bag, picked up the package and left the pin of a rival thief gang on one of the bodies. "This will be a fun fight to watch unfold." He thought, thinking about the ensuing battle between the two thief gangs.
Rizzen returned to his contact and dropped the bag containing the heads and package at his feet. "It is done, now for the payment?" "Ah good, good! Here is the agreed upon price." The leader of the mercenary gang said throwing a large bag of platinum at Rizzen. "Now the city guard will surely hire us to bring order to the city."
The fool clearly had no idea he was being played by Rizzen. It would not be long before he would have his huge network of spies in place. The platinum would help buy who he needed to buy. Others he would simply extort.
Not wanting to be seen exiting the building, Rizzen turned invisible and levitated himself up to the roof. He loved nightly strolls over the rooftops, no riffraff that bumps into him and the smell of the city is not so bad. As he neared his own house he saw a woman waiting for him just before the window he normally enters through. She clearly saw through his invisibility as she looked right at him. Rizzen dismissed his invisibility and calmly walked up to the woman.
"For your sake, I hope you are offering something worth my time."
Strategically placed into a position of blame by a rival, he was exiled with the stipulation made to mock him that he may only return upon his enslavement of the drow. After months of wandering the underdark in anger and hate, he had a moment of clarity. He would travel to the surface in search of power and great artifacts such as the Annulus and the Psicrown of the Crystal Mind. The searching would be mind wrenching and the obstacles unmatched, but success would place unfathomable power in the palm of his hand. He would take this power, return to the underdark, and force the drow under his boot. To spit in the face of those who had cast him out, he would grasp his new power firmly and march the drow against the council, demanding their heads for their treachery.
GM Note. I was foolish enough to start this a week out from our oldest ones wedding. My apologies for what is ending up a slow start. However it does mean I am off work for a week some so that will actually help. With that said thanks to all that posted already.
@Remnant Joy, I wish your eldest a wonderful journey and that the bonds implied in such a thing as marriage hold strong and last into midnight years. Take as long as you require, for games can wait where memories such as Marriages will not stand around while you finish posting something.
@players, I've already chatted with some of you on the topic but does anyone want to link stories in one manner or another? Prior encounters would mean we have a halfway approximate respect for the others abilities and means we can avoid some of the lesser squabbles/power struggles a group such as ours would normally have.
It would also give us something to do relating to the game while Remnant does all that "life" stuff.
EX: Rizzen appears to be an assassin-y type. Would you have been in contact with the guild Xizor works in?
Viktor, how long have you lived in the underdark? might you have crossed paths with Zorryn or Rizzen?
Zorryn would your nature as an experiment have you track down creatures that might share a common thread with you? Clikk and Chix could have been dead ends in that quest. They are monstrous but they were not made that way like you.
Could be some fun stuff to consider if you folks don't mind the whole "string of fate" plot mechanic.
Viktor has resided darklands (underdark is trademarked I think :P) for a long while, atleast measured in human years. Half a century or more, at the very least. Exact number can be adjusted to fit the plot!
Given his friendly terms with the drow, an encounter with Rizzen is probably more likely to end on good terms then one with Zorryn. Put prior knowledge is always possible. What do you say (Rizzen & Zorryn)?
'String of fate' makes some things alot easier, and it doesn't really hurt my suspension of disbelief too much : )
I've only been free for a few months so unless Viktor was part of the vampires that freed me then all I would know about him is probably anything my vampires told me if they know of him. Vampires know about others and 50-100 years should be enough to have SOME reputation for Viktor.
While being an experiment I didn't get out any but, other monsters like them could have been captured I guess and I would sort of know what kind of things Clikk or Chix are.
Ckkxxchtki has no reputation. If he is anything but a legend, I would be impressed....
(sneaky bodysnatcher...)
I would think that Rizzen and Xizor met on one or more occasions for odd jobs for one or the other. They both have a different set of skills the other might need. Rizzen cut most ties from the underdark as he would be hunted and killed if certain nobles knew him to be alive. He might know of the vampire and vice versa about Rizzens house and its demise but I do not think they would have met.
-Posted with Wayfinder
It is a bit unlikely he had any part in freeing Zorryn, but the other vampires would certainly know a bit about Victor.
Rizzens suggested 'relation' makes sense to me. It's not much, but its a start : )
Please delete me from this game by editing campaign info and unchecking my name. Do the same for jimibones83 as well. Thanx
An apparition appears in front of your eyes. It is translucent, the background shining lightly through the insubstantial flesh. No heat, no shadow, no hint of a presence, just a vision. More like a dream or a projection than an actual entity.
Inside your mind, words form, drifting up from the subconscious.
“All you would wish for, all you could desire, all can be yours if you pledge to aid me for a time?”
She smiles, a human sort of smile. She is dressed in dirty linens, wrapped about her emaciated form. Looking more like a beggar than a wish fulfiller.
“All you need do is to speak to my herald and she will direct you. Once done than she will convey your desires and they will be worked on for your reward.”
The Lady in Linen, her name appearing in your mind like an image or hieroglyph, smiles at you.
Viktor stared at the pathetic apparition in front of him. His visage twisted into a sneer. My wishes? Really ... What would something like you do or know about them? But he held his tongue, kept the contempt and bitterness tightly reigned. Turning to the fire again, he gazed into it.
*blink*
There he stood, triumphant in the town square. The slain corpses of knights and paladins lay scattered around him, the cobblestone slick with their blood. The sun blazed at him, but its hateful light had as little impact on him as the shine of the inferno that consumed the world around him. Retribution had come!
*blink*
A hungry, greedy smile crept up on his face. What do I have to lose - compared to what I could gain? This dreary city and hollow halls have worn thin - perhaps it is time to once more stalk the world. Perhaps it is time for the mortals to cover in terror once more! Turning back towards the spirit, eyes blazing with desire, he nodded. "I will come, I will speak to your herald. Then ... I shall do your bidding and claim my reward!"
Xizor walked through the mostly empty streets of the city slowly, the emptiness disturbed only by the occasional drunk finally stumbling home from a late night at some tavern or another. With his dark cloak pulled around him, and purpose in his step, few would approach the ominous figure, and their mild apprehension tickled Xizor's senses the way passing a bakery might a human. On another night, he might have selected one of them to provide a meal, but tonight he had more important things to be about.
It always takes so much longer to get there on foot, the creature thought to itself, reveling in the sensation of simply putting one foot in front of the other. But it's a pleasant night for a walk. And it's been a productive one, too. Feeling a bit self-reflective, he mused I wonder why I feel so differently than the Others about these things.
Eventually, Xizor reached his destination: A merchant's shop, which was long since closed for the night. However, this particular shop had a special back entrance, which Xizor approached. He delivered the current sequence of password knocks quickly and as quietly as possible, and a slit in the wall was opened just enough for the watchman to peek out, before sliding the rest of the hidden door open just enough for the figure to step through, and into this small branch of the local thieves' guild.
Once the door was shut, and Xizor had passed into the inner chamber where his contact waited, the still-hooded figure said in an oddly discordant voice: "Our information was right. He is an addict. Elven absinthe. I watched him take a dose myself." The other man in the room replied "Good. I know just who to sell that information to. The...
"Good Twilight to you Xizor." there a human seeming female, looks more like a beggar than anything else. One of those that are not good at either begging or stealing based on how malnourished she appeared. A very pale complexion and dressed all in dirty cloth strips and robes.
"I have a proposition for you if you would be willing. One that would allow for much to come your way, in exchange for some of your time and particular talents. Think it over and rest on it. I will come to you in a dream as well."
She smiles, teeth more like weathered ivory than teeth.
"Unless you wish to just say yes now of course."
Zorryn stood up, the vision confusing him. It seemed to be inside his mind because no matter where he turned it was looking directly at him. what magic is this?
He thought of his wishes and desires. Every thought since finally being free was to ruin the drow. Find a way to destroy as many of them as he could before they could destroy him first. Who was this thing that could make such promises but needed his help. A powerful lord of these darklands looking for those to do her bidding? For a time could be thousands of years for all he knew. It's not like I'm going to die in that time... He reasoned. He wanted to act now but he knew he was not strong enough to do much more than prey on those that left their city. Even his disguise could be seen through if the right magics were used.
"I desire the drow! How do I find your herald?"
'Help' 'please!' a young voice called out drawing the attention of a quartet of armored individuals, a small group who had made the choice to delve deep into the Darklands for reasons only they knew, the tallest of them clad fully in shining metal armor called for a halt and a with a quick exchange of words the group began to reroute itself one of the smaller less armored ones pointing out the direction of the voice the four began to spread some as they began searching for the source of the voice and every few moments just before there resolve would fade the voice would call out to them again leading them deeper and deeper into the forest into her lair.
Getting the group to move how she wanted was simple, she had learned well that many were quite eager to come to the defense of a child in danger, abovelanders especially were prone to falling to this sort of trap and these four had barely even needed any convincing just a few calls every now and then had them trudging deeper and deeper into her lair. Her village had been as of late become far less dependable of a food source she knew it was her own fault for this, she had hastily attacked a trade caravan while particularly hungry and it had gotten her noticed. Now they KNEW she existed, she was more than a legend to them, she was a threat, and much like if she had poked at a nest of bees the village was buzzing with defensive activity.
So for now she would hunt those a bit further from her village, lone travelers on her roads, small trade caravans, and much like now foolish glory seekers. They were deep in the forest now and with a few minutes of silence it became apparent that they were lost and that they needed...
A voice, much like her own natural one in timbre spoke,
"Hello pretty one. Sorry to interrupt your meal, but I was wondering, if you would like a chance at fresh prey, fresh options, fresh opportunities away from this forest? Working for me, with access to delicacies to pick and chose from. Only not those you are working with of course, but others, many many others, some you have have never dreamed of before."The voice, female like her own, echoes off the trees around her, teasing her.
"I will ask my herald to contact you, to see if you would enjoy what I have mentioned to you. Just answer when you are ready and I shall know."
it still says im active when i check, i check before i post. i hadnt noticed a discussion thread got opened but i see that now. but yeah id delete myself if i could, but im not the gm. thats who job it is, not mine...
The deformed and twisted green skinned creature gives a yellow smile, its chipped and rotted teeth bared in excitement.
The chitinous creature in the back of its puppet is still, and the goblin swings the flint blade at the vision.
The goblin's voice is harsh and grating, "If you can fulfill your end of such a bargain, my services are at your disposal. If you break the deal... You will be my next meal." it threatens. Glowing red eyes are locked onto the apparition until it dissipates
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The druid eyes the image in front of him as the woman who had yet stood there wavered like a mirage.
"I have learned in my years that one who aggressively desires your attention is either a fool, or possesses a very persuasive argument"
The man straightens slightly examining the walls before nodding
"Show me the path and I shall hear your desire, and perhaps if you prove to be the second category of person we can mutually benefit each other. If you've the resources to track me down then it is obvious you would know what I desire without my need to say so."
"You have piqued my interest. Send your herald and we will see. If you can offer what I desire my services are available."
it still says im active when i check, i check before i post. i hadnt noticed a discussion thread got opened but i see that now. but yeah id delete myself if i could, but im not the gm. thats who job it is, not mine...
Sorry about that
Did it work that time or not
The deformed and twisted green skinned creature gives a yellow smile, its chipped and rotted teeth bared in excitement.
The chitinous creature in the back of its puppet is still, and the goblin swings the flint blade at the vision.
The goblin's voice is harsh and grating, "If you can fulfill your end of such a bargain, my services are at your disposal. If you break the deal... You will be my next meal." it threatens. Glowing red eyes are locked onto the apparition until it dissipates
"My end is the simple part," the apparition to it says in a cold feminine voice, "The more difficult part is your working with my other friends to accomplish a few simple tasks."
The spirit lady, if that is what she is, does not smile nor frown.
"My herald, as such others would term her, will contact you with directions to meet with a few others also accepting my offer of assistance in their own goals and dreams. It will happen very soon little goblin."
With the word goblin coming out she does smile and evaporates like a wisp of smoke in a breeze.
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The druid eyes the image in front of him as the woman who had yet stood there wavered like a mirage.
"I have learned in my years that one who aggressively desires your attention is either a fool, or possesses a very persuasive argument"
The man straightens slightly examining the walls before nodding
"Show me the path and I shall hear your desire, and perhaps if you prove to be the second category of person we can mutually benefit each other. If you've the resources to track me down then it is obvious you would know what I desire without my need to say so.""Very Well, Shivered will contact you anonce with when and where you will meet up with a few others."
The apparition seems to take a long hard look at him.
"Perhaps you will be one like here to spend a longer bit of time in my service than most others. A point for you to consider, if such is to a liking."
The apparition fades out from sight (think Cheshire Cat like but all at once)
"You have piqued my interest. Send your herald and we will see. If you can offer what I desire my services are available."
"Very well, it shall be. Shivered is her name, she will reach out to you once I have let her know you initial interest."
The Linen Wrapped Female disappears from sight, much like a ghost might fade from view, or a wisp of smoke dissipate into air in a breeze.
To all of the characters. This takes place about 15 minutes or so after the visitation was over.
Each one, the same thing happens.
A small skeleton of a monkey scampers up, to your character.
In its little skeletal fingers is a scrap of parchment, linen paper, that it hands up to you. Once your character has taken it and has taken a moment to read it, the monkey will hold out its hand and lead your character to a door, wooden, that is sitting just out of sight. Only a few steps to get there. Obviously if someone is in a wooded area the door is set into a tree. In a cavern then it is there in a wall just around a corner. Etc.
The monkey waits for your character to read the note (below) and to reach out and open the door. A heavily tarnished brass door knob is there just waiting.
NOTE: This note is in a language your character knows or can understand
Good Day,
If you wish to join The Lady In Linen in her goals simply follow my little monkey, who will guide you to where I am at so we can discuss the terms and conditions of your employment.
Shivered (Skull Icon)
Do you or Don’t You?
The chiten backed goblin enters
Her eyes darted around as a new voice called out to her, speaking strangely kind words for one who appeared to know she was more than what her current appearance displayed, the voice offered new opportunities away from her forest but with strange restrictions. She would not be allowed to consume those whom the voice paired her with, the drow girls face crumpled into a frown at that thought but of course it was offering NEW options on what to consume, certainly more then the Drow and other weaker prey that ventured to far into her land.
The amusing way the voice mimicked her own way of drawing in prey brought a grin to the face of the Drow girl as she made a show of trying to find the voice when she knew very well now that it was one that she would likely never find, if they were even half the predator she was they were much further away and hidden very well. All she needed to do now was wait for her 'herald' it took a few moments to bring up the knowledge on what that word meant but once she knew it was simple enough to understand though gave no indication on what it would be.
The waiting was not partiicularly long though more than enough that once the strange creature skittered up to her she was surrounded by a pile of bones, the remains of the pale elf and her allies it was almsot fitting that the creature itself was no more than bones itself, an animated skeleton? Her interest further piqued she knelt down to the level of the creature gazing into its eye holes, when offered the paper she takes it and when the unliving monkey began to lead her away she followed, it was far more likely that this was the 'herald' of the voice than anything else and if it WAS a risen companion of someone who was not the voice then all it was doing was leading her to another snack.
She quickly found herself face with an oddity, a door embedded within one of her trees, one she had never seen before and she was certain had not been there before today, peering down at the note at the monkey's behest she read the words and found her confirmation, this was the herald and this door would lead to the voice. She looked back to the monkey for a moment and then at the doorway "I will follow" spoke the voice of the drow girl as she nodded. There was as far as she was concerned no risks involved in following the monkey to the voice, if she did not like what was offered she would simply kill those present and consume them, if she DID like it then all the better, the words of the pale elf she had eaten not too long ago rung through her head bringing an eerie grin to the face of the drow girl "This will be a fun adventure"
Following the apparitions visit, Viktor spends few minutes gathering his gear and waking the servants. They would have to be informed about his absence - and instructions had to be given. Besides, he needed them for one last thing ...
A quick shallow cut across their arms quickly filled the small bowl with blood. Viktor quivered in anticipation - he hadn't felt this much anticipation in years. He hadn't felt this much in years. With ease he traced the familiar symbol on the floor of the great hall - the lines and geometry embedded in his bones. Standing up, he admired his handiwork for a moment and drained the last blood from the bowl. With a wave the servants were dismissed.
"I have need of you again, old friend. Come - and we shall spread ruin and cinders. Come! I̶̢̧̮̹͔n̷̬͍̲̮̖̟̖v̡̙̮͘i̧̲̫̖̻c̴̛̫͙̜̦t̷̻̹̤͉̖̞͜ͅͅṷ͖̟̙͓̫͈s̨̜̼̜̥͝ͅ ͖͈̲̕͠͞d̵̡͇͚̪̭͉̝̯̥͘a̟̯͚͉̬͚͍͎e҉̺͇͎m̵͚͖͙͎o̵͇̲̕ń͖̝̲͈͞͝i͔u̼͖̱̫̭͚m̷̭͔͈̀͠ !"
With the sound of mirrors shattering, the veil between the world was momentarily sundered. Hellfire and brimstone poured forth, scorching the floor and walls of the hall. But Viktor cared not for such trifles - for his companion had answered his call. The midnight steed stepped trough the portal and nodded at him. The vampire replied with a knowing grin and stepped forth to welcome him.
"Excellent! It is good to see you again, and there is much to say ..."
//
When the monkey came, those whom once been, but wasn't, man and horse eagerly stepped trough the doorway. Glory and retribution awaits!
Wait for the herald? Hope this doesn't take too long. Zorryn looks through the bodies of the half dozen dead drow warriors. They held little of worth, weapons and armour which he had no use for or way to sell. The sorcerer had a few trinkets which he pocketed. He stripped them all nevertheless and lined up their bodies to spell a giant 'Z'. His name had been Zorryn when he was born. The drow had taken it from him calling him subject 117, trying to make him forget himself. A mindless experiment. But he remembered. Every pain filled day he held onto that knowledge. Now he would make them remember and fear. With the help of this mysterious woman, it would hopefully be sooner than later.
He did not have to wait long at all. Soon after completing his barbaric artwork to himself a small skeleton of a monkey handed him a note. Handwritten in Common, the language taught to him by his mother so long ago. He barely seemed to use it anymore. Not too many down here were inclined to use it. How much does she know about me...
'Lead the way.' he says to the monkey in necril and follows along into the rocky hillside to of all things a door, unnaturally set into the rock face. 'She is through there?'' he asks the obvious and unnecessary question. He puts his hand on the brass knob and twists.
Upon seeing the monkey Rizzen remarks "How quaint..."
Rizzen left a little note with instructions next to his desk for his subordinates when they would come deliver messages.
He packs his immediate belongings and steps through the doorway, ready for whatever he will encounter up ahead.
To Each:
Just past the odd wooden door, there is a Stone Passageway, dressed stones, fitted together as cunning as perhaps a dwarf might contrive, without the feel of dwarven weight.
The stone tunnel is just tall enough for each to pass along, strange sensations rumbling in the bellies or the nerves of each one as the little skeleton monkey leads the way, holding hand or just ahead as appropriate.
The passage seems to take a long while, at least a dozen heartbeats or the duration of a long night's dream, or not at all. The passageway is at least a mile in length in more conventional distances, passing along somewhere.
It is obvious that trees, walls, etc, are not this deep, so it is apparent the square tunnel with no torches or illumination which all can see the smooth, maybe river stones carved and polished, walls and floor as if by day.
This is not a normal passage of course. It has the feel of magic transporting each to somewhere else. Where is as of yet uncertain.
The passageway is opening up, feeling more like a room instead of a tunnel or an escape route of some noble from a distant land, instead feeling more like a room or even a cavern, even though the walls and ceiling is not receding very swiftly.
Long about the twentieth heartbeat, or the end of a nightmare for those that sleep still, the texture of the walls change to a more lucid vibration and the little monkey slows down, as if to find and pick it's way along a hidden path, even as the tunnel stretches back and forth in front and behind.
Thirteen more steps later the little monkey stops, knocks on thin air and acts like it is opening another door, pushing it inward. A outline of another door is there, ringed with cold black ice pale flames, and then into a room.
Shivered is sitting at her desk when one of her little companions comes up and tugs on the edge of her robe. Looking down it is tugging at her to come and follow.
"Ahh our guests must be arriving soon. Go ahead without out, make sure some snacks and treats are laid out, make it an assortment, not sure who will be arriving this time, she had not specified." She looks down and smiles at her Monkey Skeleton, "Shoo, Shoo, go get the others to help you."
Quill down, book closed and placed away in the shelving, Shivered took a moment to look in the mirror before heading into the main room to greet the others.
As each of you step through the fire lined opening, you step into what would be termed a Great Hall in a Lord's Castle, if that were appropriate here. It is a large, at least 50' by 50' foot room, all stone dressed and smoothed, leading to an assumption of being in a cavern or at least underground.
There is a massive table, at least 10'by 10', carved of some dark wood, might almost be petrified wood or stone with a woodgrain, several large candelabras on it providing illumination. An assortment of different wooden chairs, none of them consistent with the others, are scattered about.
There is a goodly sized fireplace on a far wall with a fire in it, not enough to really feel from 50' away.
A couple of doors to the right, a single one to the left, one to either side of the fireplace, are all immediately apparent.
There are three more Monkey Skeletons in the room, carrying in platters and flagons, cups and round tin platters over to a sideboard table along the left hand side of the room from where you are entering from. If you look to the side of the entrance you can see a square entryway that appears very similar to the passage you just went through.
Just as you step into the place you realize that others are arriving at the same time and the little Monkey with you pulls or guides you into the room and to the side, as if to help get you out of the way of someone coming in (OOC Traffic Jam Potential).
Once you are in the room you notice several others arrived almost, or simultaneously, as your own self. Time to take a look at the others that arrived while awaiting the Herald.
A few moments later, just as you are starting to look to see who else is in here, another Human Female comes out of one of the doors to right, farther one. She is average in size and build for a human, her hair is more white than grey, young seeming, not old at all. Dressed in a simple linen robe, reminiscent of the outfit the apparition seemed to have on. Not the same female, the one in the vision was human seeming without being human, this one is a human. There is a coldness about her though.
"Come in, sit down, I will be with you in a moment, come in all of you, make yourselves comfortable, then we can discuss business arrangements for The Lady in Linen."
She sizes up those that came into her place.
"Hmmm, would one of you monkeys fetch some hay and put it into a corner and get me some chairs from storage, there are more of you than I had anticipated. Ohh and yes I am the Herald of the Lady in Linen."
"My name is Shivered and this is my home."
(OOC so feel free to describe yourselves to your new potential fellow employeess and so forth.)
As each of you step through the fire lined opening, you step into what would be termed a Great Hall in a Lord's Castle, if that were appropriate here. It is a large, at least 50' by 50' foot room, all stone dressed and smoothed, leading to an assumption of being in a cavern or at least underground.
There is a massive table, at least 10'by 10', carved of some dark wood, might almost be petrified wood or stone with a woodgrain, several large candelabras on it providing illumination. An assortment of different wooden chairs, none of them consistent with the others, are scattered about.
There is a goodly sized fireplace on a far wall with a fire in it, not enough to really feel from 50' away.
A couple of doors to the right, a single one to the left, one to either side of the fireplace, are all immediately apparent.
There are three more Monkey Skeletons in the room, carrying in platters and flagons, cups and round tin platters over to a sideboard table along the left hand side of the room from where you are entering from. If you look to the side of the entrance you can see a square entryway that appears very similar to the passage you just went through.
Just as you step into the place you realize that others are arriving at the same time and the little Monkey with you pulls or guides you into the room and to the side, as if to help get you out of the way of someone coming in (OOC Traffic Jam Potential).
Once you are in the room you notice several others arrived almost, or simultaneously, as your own self. Time to take a look at the others that arrived while awaiting the Herald.
A few moments later, just as you are starting to look to see who else is in here, another Human Female comes out of one of the doors to right, farther one. She is average in size and build for a human, her hair is more white than grey, young seeming, not old at all. Dressed in a simple linen robe, reminiscent of the outfit the apparition seemed to have on. Not the same female, the one in the vision was human seeming...
The others would see a slightly desiccated goblin, as it clambers forward and onto the Side table, sitting down, back to the wall as it greedily reaches forward and begins to gnaw upon some type of meat. Not speaking and watching the others. The goblin has a number of wounds across its body and seems to not notice or care about the other warriors and creatures in the room.
Ckkxxchtki waits, watching through the goblin's eyes, while allowing the goblin's instincts to rule the actions of the moment. It attempts to analyze the gathered warriors.
Zorryn steps through and out of the cramped tunnelway. The strange transportation magic, though seemingly stable was not something he was used to. He felt better, if indeed there could be a better condition for one such as him. Even undeath could not rid him of the continuous pain from the war in his very bloodstream. Instead the vampiric disease fueled it even more.
On the outside however, none of that showed. It did not affect his appearance or facial expression, which held slight interest as he looked around at the room. So she commands an army of monkey servants. Remarkably powerful...
Zorryn looks like a rather mutated human. Skin black scaled where it was visible and pale white palms and face are the unprotected visible areas. Leather chest armour, leather boots and pants are what he wears with a sack held in hand.
The most distinguishing feature which gives away some part of what he is are the scaled leathery black wings normally asociated with the black dragons. They are spiderwebbed with a strong red indicating some other influence other than dragon.
He looks around the room not realizing that there would be others here. A goblin? One of her minions also perhaps. But itdoesn't act like one of them. Hmm
Rizzen steps through the tunnel way and into the room. He causually observes the others and tips his hat to Xizor who he recognizes, though he might not recognize Rizzen in this form.
Looks like I was not the only one. Ugh why would anyone take the shape of a useless goblin. And more undead, even a bloodsucker by the looks of it, what a showoff riding a fiendish horse in here.
Rizzen is currently disguised as a pretty elf male who looks quite similar to his true form. He is dressed pompously with rich clothing and a big floppy hat with a large feather sticking out. He does not look very strong or very threatening at all, however he does move with a lithe step. A high perception roll might even show that he has two exotic blades within his coat. He moves over to the most lavish and luxurious chair and drops down in it, putting his feet on the table.
"Very well, you have gathered us here. Tell us what you want from us and what you offer in return."
It did not feel as if it took particularly long for the skeletal monkey to lead her through the strange passageway it gave off a almost palpable feeling of mystical power as they walked only ending once they reached there intended destination the tiny skeleton stopping before what appeared to be nothing but a part of the passageway but then revealing it to be a hidden doorway made completely invisible to even her keen eyes.The drow girls head tilted to one side as she watched the monkey go about opening the door revealing a room and within this room was a female... human by the scent though with a strange tinge to it that she simply could not place.
The monkey scampered into the room she is quick to follow looking much like a child attempting to hurry after her new pet, the monkey was far to fast however and she halted just a few feet into the room as her senses were assaulted by the newness of it all, the room was far more grand than what she was used to, snippets of her preys memories told her that this was something akin to what royalty would dwell within earning another tilted of the head as the Drow girl craned her neck about to take a better look at the room without truly moving from her spot, on top of the strange new scents and sights of the room itself there were a number of others within the room that drew her attention.
A strange creature sat itself down at a large table coated in the slain forms of her hosts prey, a flash of memory reminded her that this was a custom of civilized creatures a meal intended for a group by its layout and the number of chairs rather than there hosts own food. The strange creature had the scent of nothing she had ever encountered before causing the Drow girls eyebrows to raise in interest as she watched the creature tear into the flesh of what appeared to be some sort of bird, in addition to the strange little creature there were two others aside from there host and her pets, a small grin spread across her face as she caught the familiar scent of her normal prey, Drow. But something felt... off? Much more strange than even the human, it was quite unfortunate that it was likely the Drow was not intended to be apart of the feast considering it was not presented upon the table.
Lastly was the creature that gave her the most pause, she had entered most closely to it and almost immediately upon identifying the creatures presence the Drow girl took a step back and her focus was drawn utterly onto it as for the first time she truly identified another creature as a superior predator, all of those that were gathered gave off the clear signs of being strong predatory creatures like herself... but this one... this was the apex predator if ever she had seen one, back in her forest she had been such, there had been nothing that could challenge her that would actively seek to attempt such but this creature... this was on an entirely different level, great care would need to be taken now that such a creature was around.
The grow girl took a moment to recompose herself dropping out of her guarded stance to return to her normal relaxed stance "Hello" echoed the girls voice, just over the shoulders of all but the apex, for it the voice simply ushered forth from in front of it as her only easy means of not attempting to assert herself over the creature.
Viktor steps trough the second doorway and out into the hall of stone. With a discerning eye he looks around, judging his surroundings. The exquisite stonework was well to his liking and the table was a pleasant curiosity. The arrangement, with all the different chairs, hinted of a banquette of proportions the hall seldom saw. Secluded then. Socially or geographically, or perhaps both? A thin, appreciative smile crossed his bloodless lips.
With a nod of acknowledgement towards their host he sits down at a chair - anyone that seems both clean and functional will do. Only then does he find the inclination to take stock of his companions. Goblins, children and crude rejects of the fleshworks. Hah! Looks like what one herds into the blood-pits to appraise the crowd. But they are here - and looks can be deceiving. He continues onto the more human of guests, pausing only to snort and give Rizzen's feet a disdaining look. But breeding never does. Commoners! Pah.
Done with his survey, he looks around for a glass of something with a fine vintage and waits for the hostess to make her offer. Patience, he smugly reminded himself, was a virtue not commonly associated with the rabble.
Description
Viktor is well dressed as always, in finely cut clothes. A red coat sharply contrasts his pale features. They seemed to have been human once, but now the lines are too sharp and the bloodless lips are curled in an almost permanent look of disdain, revealing sharpened canines. Standing still, he could almost be mistaken for a marble statue. An almost solid aura of contempt and narcissism surrounds him which makes his nobility easy to guess.
Avernos, his equine companion, neglects to sit at the table for obvious reasons. He looks around the hall with curiosity and seems to find the skeletal monkeys to be particularly interesting. The black warhorse mane and tail drips cinders and flame unto the stone floor. A saddle and some bags sits on his back, but no bit, bridle or reins cages his head.
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