First .
Third, and hope I don't get thirsty.
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If one did not look too closely, the huge room could have been in a palace, with its tall marble fireplaces and its golden lamps hanging from the domed ceiling, its colorful tapestries and intricately patterned mosaic floor. If one did not look too closely. The fireplaces were cold, for one thing. Flames danced on logs as thick as a man’s leg, but gave no heat. The walls behind the tapestries, the ceiling high above the lamps, were undressed stone, almost black. There were no windows, and only two doorways, one at either end of the room. It was as if someone had intended to give the semblance of a palace reception chamber but had not cared enough to bother with more than the outline and a few touches for detail.
Where the chamber is you don't know, nor do you think that others know. Silently you watch your companions, thinking that in other circumstances you would be trying to kill each other.
Idly you wonder at their presence. You were ordered to come to this place and given the means to do so. Therefore you suspect that it was the same with the others, but there are so much conflicted interests gathered in the room that whole thing seems not simply improbable but impossible as well.
Once again you turn around, looking at the gathered people and you see...
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A stunning woman with red hair and bluish gray eyes wearing a black form fitting silk dress intrically interweaved with fine silver thread.
She looks around the room approvingly and then notices the others in the room. Her expression changes to a cold look. She claps her hands just loudly enough so that the echo permeates the room.
Vun of you, fetch me some vine and inform our host that the lady Ekaterina Kurylenko has arrived
Looking around the strange room while stroking Slisivati along his back as she holds him in her one hand, she wonders in thought, Where are we? So sure the doorway was supposed to lead to private room of the inn. Wonder how this is going to delay me in getting to Mwangi? Well once I can figure out where I am now.
Seeing others are also in the unusual room, she keeps her back towards the wall. She keeps her cape around her body and hood pulled over. Silently in thought, Nalinivati, please provide me with guidance of your immense wisdom.
The mottled brown grey travelling cape conceals her entire body, except for her hands protruding out of the cape opening holding a greenish yellow viper.
When the human speaks, she simply looks at the red haired, thinks, So one of the strangers seems to be an arrogant human aristocrat. Wonder what brought her here.
Tamar stands from his seat in the corner. Elven ears and elven eyes with dark hued skin peek out from the dark cowl of his black cloak.
He approaches the Lady glancing about the room, "It seems the help has all vanished human, you will have to get your own drink..."
The resounding crunch of what could debatably be considered food disappearing into the maw of the goblin that sits peacefully in the middle of the floor almost seems to echo off the walls. Despite his odd attire, it is remarkably easy to miss Globlob beyond how majestic and vast the chamber appears. Once eyes do settle on him, he looks horribly out of place in a grand hall such as this. Beady red eyes peer mischeivously out from the gaping eye sockets of a bleached, horned skull that he is using for a helmet. Where the lower jaw would be, instead bone parts before mottled green skin and a disproportionately large mouth with teeth to match. Shrouded in all manner of leathers and furs, he would likely look more at home in the forest or assaulting a human village than here.
Between his crossed legs sits a small jar filled with nameless objects of dubious edibility that all reek of the brine they float in. Most likely, this is the only reason he is presently holding still and looking about. As his gaze settles on Katya, he pipes up in a shrill voice that will probably be painful to listen to at long stretches.
"You da boss longshanks? Globlob been waitin' long 'nuff an' you wearin' da most shinies so far. Look like da boss." He squints over to her through his helmet for a moment before he sets to murmuring to himself. Those with keen enough ears can easily pick up the sounds of the Goblin language spilling from his tongue.
Vlad Sits down at the seat farthest from the fire, and looks across the room at everyone. A tall pale white man, with black hair and black eyes, in all black leather. Strangely handsome, and charming.
"Hello. I am Vlad Dracul. Very pleased to meet you all. What do you suppose has drawn us all here tonight? Lady Ekaterina Kurylenko, I am very much pleased to meet a beauty such as yourself."
Ozbadin watches the others in silence for a moment, considering what dangers and mysteries they might present. Then his sense of adventure overcomes his caution, and he stands and introduces himself in a booming voice.
"Greetings new Friends! I am called Ozbadin... Slayer of the three eyed serpent of Grun; Sailor on-board the famous Silver wing which sailed away without me and was no-more; Purveyor of fine gems and precious metals; Ruler of the fires and winds of the Southern sands; Master of arts both Arcane, and Martial; and all around good man to be friends with".
The silent member of the group removes his outer robes as he speaks, revealing filmy red Pantaloons, and a black vest, held closed by two gold chains. He is festooned in costume jewelry, and a charred Quarterstaff is held in one hand. At his waist is a embroidered pouch, and a plain scimitar in a plain sheath is at his side.
His physique is very pleasing to the eye with layers of muscle, and his bald pate stands in contrast to his full orange beard which seems to flicker like flame. His skin is a shiny brass color, made more so by the oils he anoints himself with, and two small black stubby horns curl back towards his forehead. The smell of cinnamon and charcoal accompany his movements.
"And while a fine wine might be refreshing, what I really crave is a flask of Chal. Wine makes me drunkenly amorous, and gives me a sore head the following day... though if that is your goal...?"
Ozbadin then flashes his beaming smile and encompasses the group, stopping for a moment at each individual, before finally taking a breath.
Don't bite her here. He thinks to himself.
Vlad takes a deep breath and obviously nervously kisses the back of her hand.
Pet, no my darling. However, I am certain that we could arrange to make him your pet.
Yolanda's presence in the room was announced by a momentary chilly burst of wind that dissipated as quick as it came on. Pulling back a thick fur-lined hooded cloak revealed a petite, dark-haired woman with deathly pale skin. Frost seemed to cling to her from head to toe, glittering as it caught the light of the flickering flames in the hearths. She always had a thing for theatrics.
Once her ice blue eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, she began scanning over the other guests, taking note of the mismatched crowd. Drow, dhampirs, nagaji, goblins, humans, and what she could only assume was an ifrit. She had never actually met an ifrit before, but his brass skin and fiery beard fit the descriptions she had heard in stories.
As she made her way deeper into the room she offered polite smiles to the others who had clearly been summoned here, regardless of their racial background. She paused near the nagaji and draped her cloak over the back of a nearby chair before turning to offer the scaled woman a slight bow.
"It seems I will be traveling the world today in this very room if the varied company is any indication. I haven't had the pleasure to meet individuals as exotic as yourself, or as Master..." she paused as she stumbled over the name, gesturing towards the ifrit. "Ozbadin?" She looked to the bearded gentleman for confirmation of her pronunciation.
When Ozbadin comes near her, Slisivati lets out a warning hiss, with her quickly giving the viper a gently rub on the head, softly saying, "Ssh. Not the time to go biting crazed."
Watches the rather pale frosty human approach her, speaking in response, "I myself not sure how I got here? Or even why? I was hoping someone here would know the answers."
Rolling his bulbous eyes at the comments of goblins as pets, Globlob flops back onto the floor lazily to get comfortable. No sense in trying to protest. If these people did not know what a terrible idea it is to have any sort of goblin as a pet already, he is not going to be the voice of reason. Pointedly ignoring the pair of longshanks by the heatless fire, though not before he sticks his tongue out in Katya's direction impishly, he tilts his head back until the skull's horn tips hit the ground. All the better to peer over to the other pair of chattering... Well, only one of them actually looked to be human.
"Silly scaly, we be here a'cause we's summoned here. Somebody gots us a job and some mans to kill!" With that, his lips split into a grotesque imitation of a grin that displayed far too many teeth for a creature his size. He scrambles around to his feet and just narrowly misses kicking his jar of goblin pickles over, in favor of scurrying up to the newcomer. "You da boss, den? Or da boss hidin' 'cause Globlob too scary?"
Vlad thinks for a moment I wonder what goblin blood would taste like? Probably no good.
"I too would like to know who is in charge here, and why are we here?"
Yolanda's presence in the room was announced by a momentary chilly burst of wind that dissipated as quick as it came on. Pulling back a thick fur-lined hooded cloak revealed a petite, dark-haired woman with deathly pale skin. Frost seemed to cling to her from head to toe, glittering as it caught the light of the flickering flames in the hearths. She always had a thing for theatrics.
Once her ice blue eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, she began scanning over the other guests, taking note of the mismatched crowd. Drow, dhampirs, nagaji, goblins, humans, and what she could only assume was an ifrit. She had never actually met an ifrit before, but his brass skin and fiery beard fit the descriptions she had heard in stories.
As she made her way deeper into the room she offered polite smiles to the others who had clearly been summoned here, regardless of their racial background. She paused near the nagaji and draped her cloak over the back of a nearby chair before turning to offer the scaled woman a slight bow.
"It seems I will be traveling the world today in this very room if the varied company is any indication. I haven't had the pleasure to meet individuals as exotic as yourself, or as Master..." she paused as she stumbled over the name, gesturing towards the ifrit. "Ozbadin?" She looked to the bearded gentleman for confirmation of her pronunciation.
Ozbadin's smile brightens the room once again as the Ice Witch enters the room. "Your tongue fails you not. You have pronounced my name like a native. And, I must admit, though I have heard of your kind, I too never thought to meet one who resides in such... inhospitable conditions.
When Ozbadin comes near her, Slisivati lets out a warning hiss, with her quickly giving the viper a gently rub on the head, softly saying, "Ssh. Not the time to go biting crazed."
Watches the rather pale frosty human approach her, speaking in response, "I myself not sure how I got here? Or even why? I was hoping someone here would know the answers."
"Why hello scaled one. I happen to like snakes... though I might surmise that my bite can sometimes be a little to hasty as well. I look forward to getting to know you better.
Ozbadin walks about the room, touching everything, and conversing with any who stop him to chat. "I wonder what kind of host we have who would invite us to a party, then not provide refreshment"?
She gives a smile to Ozbadin when he responds, speaking, "Well I am known as Resavati, and this is Slisivati. Seems none of us knows who brought us here. Nor seemed to be bothered about providing us will food and drink."
Looking at the two doors in the room, speaking louder, "Has anyone here tempted to investigate the two doors leading from this room?
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Before Katya manages to reach the door, a chime sounds - a single shivering note coming from everywhere at once, and cutting all other sounds like a sharp blade.
The tall doors at the far end of the chamber suddenly open, and two masked knights stepp into the room, spikes decorating the black mail that hangs to their knees.
Head and shoulders taller than the tallest man, they seem somehow unhuman beneath their featureless masks and grim armor.
A tall figure in blood-red robe follows them. The figure's head is covered with a cowl and its face is hidden by a golden mask with features of a beautiful but arrogant male child.
Golden mask has no eye-slits but somehow you still feel a cold gaze passing over you, as if stabbing you right in the soul, picking through your deepest secrets.
"Welcome",a sonorous voice sounds from everywhere at once. "All of you here are doomed. You were destined to die at various times and places. But I have picked you up and nobody noticed your absence. It was like you never existed. As if you were the superfluous lines cut from the story. And now you are mine!"
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Katya halts her stride as the doors begin opening and upon seeing the knights the slightest of smiles appears on her face.
Hellknights, how perfect
She listens to the strange masked man intently her anger rising noticeably as he progresses through his story.
My father the great Boris Kurylenko vill have your head for thees...She pauses letting the words settle in to the Hellknights and the masked man fully expecting them to cower like all the others have done previously
Vlad, easily one of the wisest in the room, realizes the situation that they are all in.
Katya my dear, perhaps we should hear them out. I myself do not wish to fight these hellknights. Though I will have it comes to that.
"Why thank you. I appreciate you saving me from my doom. What exact doom was that preytell?"
Yolanda turned her attentions away from the Nagaji and the Ifrit to look up at the newcomers. Hellknights, if she guessed correctly, although the fancy one perhaps was not.
"I highly doubt your lineage matters much to people who can bring you to a room you cannot figure out how to leave," she said with exasperation. Without giving the woman another thought, she turned her focus to the more important figures in the room. "I at least expect a man to take me for dinner before claiming me as his. You haven't even brought drinks, yet."
She lets out a hiss at the mask man before speaking frankly, "I only serve Nalinivati, and no one else, especially a masked coward."
Returning to a smile, speaking more softly, "Though I would be interested in what you have to offer for my services."
He thinks to himself Figure out how to leave? I havent even begun to try to figure it out yet. These fools.
Vlad looks at the man in the golden mask.
"Tell us now, why are we here. You had better have a good reason. Or else you shall meet your doom. We have you out numbered here."
Everyone else's concerns fall on deaf ears as their new goblin friend is not listening to a word from anyone. Rather than marvel at the revelation that something might have actually managed to kill him, especially with how much better than other goblins he is, Globlob gapes at the Hellknights. A real live pair of them! Here! Staring at Globlob! The diminutive green creature could just die on the spot with delight, if that would not have limited his ability to see them up close.
He takes off across the room like a tiny green bullet as he practically trips over himself to get there. Little feet slap a staccato beat against the stone floor until they slide to a halt mere inches from the boot of one knight. Paying the masked man preaching all manner of nonsense absolutely no heed, he peers upward at the armor-clad titan in awe and wonderment. It takes all of a moment before his awe gives way to elation and he sets to trying to climb the poor man like a tree, chattering away in the Goblin tongue all the while.
Seeing the goblin run to a hellknight, then beginning to climb the the hellknight, lets out a laugh, "That is one crazy little goblin. Thinks an armoured knight is a tree to climb."
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Everyone else's concerns fall on deaf ears as their new goblin friend is not listening to a word from anyone. Rather than marvel at the revelation that something might have actually managed to kill him, especially with how much better than other goblins he is, Globlob gapes at the Hellknights. A real live pair of them! Here! Staring at Globlob! The diminutive green creature could just die on the spot with delight, if that would not have limited his ability to see them up close.
He takes off across the room like a tiny green bullet as he practically trips over himself to get there. Little feet slap a staccato beat against the stone floor until they slide to a halt mere inches from the boot of one knight. Paying the masked man preaching all manner of nonsense absolutely no heed, he peers upward at the armor-clad titan in awe and wonderment. It takes all of a moment before his awe gives way to elation and he sets to trying to climb the poor man like a tree, chattering away in the Goblin tongue all the while.
Ozbadin laughs at the mans comments. "But of course... everyone is destined to die... And Ozbadin is no different. But know now that this humble one would rather die fighting than serve as a slave to another. I may decide to assist you in whatever exciting adventure you might offer, but it will not be because I am yours".
As usual Ozbadin's brash talk and posturing might get him in trouble, but he should set the record straight.
Foolishness to think that he was going to die and had been rescued... then he thought about the raid on the Oasis, and how he wasn't there when it happened and he usually was. Ozbadin stepped back a bit after his rash speech.
Vlad watches the goblin with one eye brow raised, trying to decide if he should take any sides should this goblin provoke an attack.
Perhaps little goblin man, you should not do that.
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The man in the golden mask looks at the goblin and the disembodied voice once again rings all around you, but somehow sounding intrigued. "Well, you are a bold one, aren't you?" Suddenly, Globlob flies from the knight, almost as if forcefully pushed by some unseen hand and slams into one of the pillars that stretch from the intricately patterned mosaic floor to the ceiling. A sickening crunching sound fills the room and the others present can clearly see some of the little goblin's limbs bend unnaturally.
He slumps to the floor, moaning faintly.
Harsh sounds of goblin-tongue roar from all around you:
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The man in the mask turns towards the other people in the room. "Mistake me not - if you will not serve, I will have no use for you. But if you do serve me, you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. I do not require grovelling and false platitudes, but I do demand respect and results. The choice is yours - either accept my service and rise high in this world, or be banished to oblivion. There are others from whence I picked you."
Tamar shrugs as the Goblin flies across the room, Filthy little creatures, this one is resilient though.
He turns back to the front awaiting a response to his inquiry as one is not forthcoming he replies, "Certainly I am interested in what you offer but even more interested in what exactly you have saved me from. I think on that last point, those assembled can all agree". Tamar gestures to those around him.
Vlad looks at the man in the mask, with eye brow raised, says
Like Tamar, I too am curious to what we were all saved from. I would also like to know just what service you are looking for us to perform?
Yolanda snorts with amusement, highly amused that anyone thought they could give her a reward she couldn't have just reached out to take herself. Being a Jadwiga had its perks back home.
She didn't bother to question the rather ominous looking folks who had apparently summoned them here; she didn't much care for their theatrics. She refused to play into the cryptic game. If they had something to say, they could say it without her pleading for information.
"Are you alright, little creature?" Yolanda asks the goblin as he hits the floor beside her.
I wonder if it is true that goblins are made from rubber...
She lets out a laugh at the goblin being knocked back against the pillar, shaking her head, "I hope you learnt your lessons. Knights are not to be climbed.".
Facing the masked man once more, speaking this time in draconic, "I only serve Nalinivati. Get it.", reverting back to common, "So what you offering as payment, and what is the job?"
The wail of surprise and dismay that slips from Globlob's lips rises and falls comically as he sails across the room. Fortunately, there was a nice, soft stone pillar to arrest his passage as soon as he passed the apex of his flight. With a resounding thud and a weak groan, the goblin missile pushes himself up off of the ground and shakes his head to try to clear it of stars. The skull helmet slides off to clatter against the floor as short-cropped black hair springs free. At the sound of his own language roaring from the very walls, his ears droop and he quails in fear, scuttling aside to snatch at the hem of Yolanda's dress. He reaches up to grab handfuls of of the fabric and tugs them down to cover his eyes, as though this will save him from their new master.
"Globlob fine. Longshanks no hurt goblin!" As an afterthought with an abruptly fearful look creeping into what little can be seen of his expression, he amends, "No hurt much, anyway..."
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Tamar shrugs as the Goblin flies across the room, Filthy little creatures, this one is resilient though.
He turns back to the front awaiting a response to his inquiry as one is not forthcoming he replies, "Certainly I am interested in what you offer but even more interested in what exactly you have saved me from. I think on that last point, those assembled can all agree". Tamar gestures to those around him.
Although the figure did not move in any way, you somehow got the feeling that he simply shrugged."In truth, I do not know the exact manner of your death. Only that you will die if you do not accept to serve me. You will simply... wake up, as if from dream, and continue with your lives. Until they end."
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Vlad looks at the man in the mask, with eye brow raised, says
Like Tamar, I too am curious to what we were all saved from. I would also like to know just what service you are looking for us to perform?
Masked Man's attention turns to Vlad. "As to service... I need a thing located and returned to me. That is all."
"Let's say we agree to perform this service and we do so successfully, what then?"
I am going to need more information on what we are to retrieve, if I am going to manage to pull this off.